Category: Sports

The two Chelsea stars most likely to feature in U23s clash with Tottenham

Revealed: The two Chelsea stars most likely to feature in crucial U23s clash with Tottenham

 

An insight into the members of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea squad who could yet feature in a crucial clash for the club’s U23s later this weekend has been provided on Saturday.

For those not aware, the Blues’ up-and-coming crop of academy talent are currently in the midst of a battle against the drop.

Just a year on from finishing as runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League 2 table, Andy Myers’ troops have seen their form fall off a cliff, now sitting two points from safety with a solitary game to play.

With Leeds United above them having already seen out their 26th and final outing of the season, though, Chelsea are aware that a victory over capital rivals Tottenham on Sunday would see them stave off relegation by a solitary point.

In turn, speaking on Friday, Thomas Tuchel admitted that he is open to the prospect of members of his first-team setup featuring at Cobham in a little over 12 hours’ time.

“Of course, we hope for the very best and at the same time we play here with the under-23s,” the German explained. “A crucial match to avoid relegation and it will maybe involve some players for us we will see what is on Saturday.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Thomas Tuchel looks dejected during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on May 1, 2022 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

During his latest press conference on Saturday evening, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of tomorrow’s clash was put to Tuchel once more.

And the Chelsea headmaster went on to reiterate that not only could several of his senior stars feature versus Tottenham, but so too could a number of the Pensioners’ loan army.

Just who, though, is likely to make up this contingent of stars?

Well, an insight into precisely that has been provided this evening.

As per Chelsea insider Nizaar Kinsella, Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah currently represent the most likely senior figures primed to link up with Andy Myers’ squad.

In addition, all of Henry Lawrence, Juan Castillo and Mason Burstow, fresh off respective loan stints in League One, are expected to be considered for selection.

Coady strikes at the death

All associated with Chelsea will of course be hoping that the club’s U23s fare better tomorrow afternoon than their senior equivalents did earlier today.

This comes with Tuchel and co, fresh off the back of an alarming defeat at the hands of Everton, having allowed a two-goal advantage to slip in a Premier League meeting with Wolves.

After a Romelu Lukaku brace guided the Londoners into what looked an unassailable advantage early in the 2nd-half at Stamford Bridge, Trincao pulled one back ten minutes from time, before Conor Coady ensured that Wolves departed the English capital with a share of the spoils courtesy of a headed equaliser a full six minutes into injury time.

 

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Chelsea betting odds, next game:

Chelsea vs Liverpool odds: result, both teams to score, correct score & goalscorers

Chelsea vs Liverpool Result/Both teams score Yes No
Chelsea 6/1 11/2
Liverpool 3/1
Draw 7/2 11/1



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Ansu nets before Alba’s last-gasp winner books Barca’s CL berth


By Conor Laird


Published: May 7, 2022 10:33 pm

Last Updated: May 7, 2022 10:52 pm


 

A last-gasp winner on the part of Jordi Alba on Saturday evening ensured that Spanish giants Barcelona will be plying their trade amongst the elite of European football once more in the 2022/23 campaign.

Xavi Hernandez’s troops were of course back in action a short time ago.

Fresh off a much-needed return to winning ways at the expense of RCD Mallorca last time out, the Blaugrana made the trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarin, for a La Liga showdown with Real Betis.

And, when all was said and done, a pulsating affair culminated in Barca making it two wins from two, in the most spectacular fashion imaginable.

The evening’s scoring was opened fifteen minutes from time, when youngster Ansu Fati, after being introduced off the bench for his first appearance since January, did superbly to control a floated ball from the left, before turning and picking out the bottom corner of Betis’ net with a clever effort back across goal:

The visitors were soon pegged back, though, as former Blaugrana defender Marc Bartra nodded home from Nabil Fekir’s free-kick to set up a tense final ten minutes.

Then, just when it appeared as though proceedings were set to fizzle out into a 1-1 stalemate, what proved the game’s winner was forthcoming.

With a full 93 minutes on the clock, a lofted ball to the back post was met in sumptuous fashion by Jordi Alba, who thundered a volley into the roof of the net to ensure that Barcelona would return to Catalunya in possession of all three points:

Champions League booked

Barca, in turn, have now officially booked their spot in next season’s Champions League, having climbed a full 11 points clear of 5th-placed Betis in the La Liga table.

Much credit, of course, must go to Xavi for this achievement, with the Blaugrana having been stuck in the depths of mid-table upon his return to the club late last year, and now sitting pretty in 2nd, with the future looking an altogether bright one at the Camp Nou.

 

Cesar Azpilicueta ‘has an agreement’ with Barcelona despite Chelsea wanting him to stay

Xavi reflects on competitive need as Barcelona look to press forward

 



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Steelers focusing in on finalists for their open GM job

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers have turned their attention to finalists for the general manager job.

With the 2022 NFL Draft firmly in the rearview mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be replacing long-time general manager Kevin Colbert this offseason.

The Steelers will be conducting a second round of interviews. Mike Garafolo, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network reported two candidates for the job include Ryan Cowden of the Tennessee Titans and John Spytek of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The NFL Network trio of elite news breakers anticipate there will be other candidates who will get second interviews, too.

Whoever replaces Colbert will be the other face of the Steelers franchise, alongside long-time head coach Mike Tomlin.

Ryan Cowden, John Spytek among finalists for Pittsburgh Steelers GM opening

Cowden is the vice president of player personnel for the Titans. He has had this role since 2018, having initially come aboard in Nashville as the director or player personnel six years ago. Spytek is also a vice president of player personnel for his franchise. As with Cowden, he came aboard in Tampa Bay six years ago with the Buccaneers initially serving as their director of player personnel.

It should be noted that the Steelers interviewed two candidates from within in the lead-up to their general manager search process in Brandon Hunt and Omar Khan. Hunt is the pro director of scouting and could still be a candidate, but could be pried by a team in need of a front office executive like the Philadelphia Eagles. Khan may not get the job, but he is a Steelers mainstay.

Ultimately, there will be huge shoes to fill in replacing Colbert. He had been a front-office institution in Pittsburgh for decades. They won two Super Bowls under his watch throughout the Ben Roethlisberger era under center. Now with Kenny Pickett expected to take the torch from Big Ben, it will be interesting to see if the Steelers remain playoff-viable with a new general manager.

Look for the Steelers to have a new general manager before the start of next football season.

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Burnley dealt Tarkowski injury blow during Aston Villa clash


 

Burnley have this afternoon been dealt a potentially costly blow on the personnel front, amid the club’s meeting with Aston Villa.

The player forced out of proceedings? James Tarkowski.

Stopper Tarkowski was, as expected, in from the off on Saturday, joining Nathan Collins at the heart of defence as Mike Jackson’s relegation-battling Clarets made the trip to Villa Park.

Early in the 2nd-half, however, disaster struck, as Burnley’s captain was forced to limp out of proceedings.

Tarkowski appeared to pick up a muscular problem of some sort, leaving him with little choice but to make way for Kevin Long, ahead of a potential spell on the sidelines over the weeks ahead.

Villans cruising

Tarkowski’s injury, though, actually marks just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the woes facing Burnley thus far at Villa Park.

In addition, the day’s visitors look well on their way to a damaging, and altogether deserved defeat.

A dismal display in the Midlands currently sees Mike Jackson’s men trailing by three goals to nil, owing to strikes on the part of all of Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins.

Should Burnley, in turn, fail to turn things around courtesy of a frankly unlikely comeback over the remainder of the 2nd-half, they will remain in 16th in the Premier League table, with both Leeds (1) and Everton (2) directly below them in possession of crucial games in hand.

 

Burnley vs Aston Villa live streaming: Watch Premier League online

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Chelsea set to complete takeover in late May


Chelsea have announced in a club statement that they expect a takeover of the club to be completed by late May, with a consortium led by Todd Boehly set to acquire the Blues.

The club have been left in limbo since Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government in March, but seem to have finally found a solution to suit all parties. Boehly, who also co-owns the LA Dodgers baseball team, had seemingly been the frontrunning bid for sometime, and the club have now announced that it is this bid that is set to succeed.

Todd Boehly, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, Eldridge, speaks during the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 2, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

The takeover is thought to be worth £4.25bn, will make Chelsea the most expensive sports club in history, eclipsing the £2.5bn that was paid by Joseph Tsai to takeover the Brookyln Jets in the NBA in 2019.

What have Chelsea said?

‘Chelsea Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club’, the Blues revealed.

‘Of the total investment being made, £2.5bn will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate 100% to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. UK Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the frozen UK bank account.’

‘In addition, the proposed new owners will commit £1.75bn in further investment for the benefit of the Club. This includes investments in Stamford Bridge, the Academy, the Women’s Team and Kingsmeadow and continued funding for the Chelsea Foundation.’

‘The sale is expected to complete in late May subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. More details will be provided at that time.’

It is good news for Chelsea, not only because their ownership search is complete, but also due to the commitment to continue investing large sums of money into the club, though specifically it does not mention funding for playing staff.

Whether this is simply an oversight, or a sign thatthe club will have to operate in a different fashion, will be something made clear only in the coming years.

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Premier League table

# Team MP D P
1 Manchester City 34 63 83
2 Liverpool FC 34 64 82
3 Chelsea FC 34 39 66
4 Arsenal FC 34 13 63
5 Tottenham Hotspur 34 20 61
6 Manchester United 36 5 58
7 West Ham United 35 7 52
8 Wolverhampton Wanderers 34 1 49
9 Brighton & Hove Albion 35 -8 44
10 Newcastle United 35 -16 43
11 Leicester City 33 -6 42
12 Crystal Palace 34 3 41
13 Aston Villa 33 -2 40
14 Brentford FC 35 -11 40
15 Southampton FC 35 -17 40
16 Burnley FC 34 -15 34
17 Leeds United 34 -34 34
18 Everton FC 33 -20 32
19 Watford FC 34 -37 22
20 Norwich City 34 -49 21
Player Team Goals
Salah, Mohamed Liverpool FC 22
Son, Heung Min Tottenham Hotspur 19
Ronaldo, Cristiano Manchester United 18
Jota, Diogo Liverpool FC 15
Mane, Sadio Liverpool FC 14
Kane, Harry Tottenham Hotspur 13
Toney, Ivan Brentford FC 12
Zaha, Wilfried Crystal Palace 12
De Bruyne, Kevin Manchester City 11
Saka, Bukayo Arsenal FC 11
Mahrez, Riyad Manchester City 11
Mount, Mason Chelsea FC 10
Bowen, Jarrod West Ham United 10
Fernandes, Bruno Manchester United 10
Dennis, Emmanuel Watford FC 10
Pukki, Teemu Norwich City 10
Sterling, Raheem Manchester City 10
Raphinha Leeds United 10
Vardy, Jamie Leicester City 10
Smith-Rowe, Emile Arsenal FC 10

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Jalen Brunson Gets His ‘Bounce Back’: ‘I Just Can’t Be Satisfied With This’

Heading into Game 3, Coach Jason Kidd issued a few challenges to his young Mavs team. Those challenges mainly were to help make Luka Doncic’s life easier scoring, especially on the defensive end after the Suns targeted him relentlessly in Game 2.

Well, it seems as though this Mavs team took those challenges to heart, beating the Suns 103-94, holding Phoenix to their worse offensive efficiency of the playoffs, notably making sure that the targeting roles were reversed after forcing Chris Paul into 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on seven turnovers. Phoenix coughed the ball up 17 times overall on Friday.

As far as Kidds challenge for someone other than Doncic to score the ball, five players scored in double-figures in response to Kidd’s gauntlet, led by Jalen Brunson. The two-time NCAA champion finished Game 3 with a game-high 28 points, four rebounds, and five dimes on 47.6 (10-21) percent shooting from the field. Luka Legend posted 26 points, 13 rebounds, and nine dimes.

”I found a way to bounce back tonight,” Brunson said per NBA.com. ”I just can’t be satisfied with this. Sunday’s going to be another brutal game. I have to bring the same energy, the same intensity, the same everything.”

“It was a great team win. JB, Spencer, Maxi, Doe, Reggie, everybody joined the party,” Kidd added per YahooSports.

Game 4 of the Suns-Mavericks series will resume on Sunday afternoon.



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James Harden on the Joel Embiid Effect: ‘His Presence Alone Gives Us Energy’

The Philadelphia 76ers certainly brought the fight to a Miami Heat team that was seemingly poised to send Philly to an early vacation to Cancun.

It was either sink or swim for a Philly team down 0-2 to the No. 1 seeded Heat. To this point, Miami has been able to do everything they wanted, finding ways to dismantle the 76ers whenever they flipped that switch to do so. However, a 99-79 defensive masterpiece from the 76ers has now left Miami stunned and searching for answers after Philly answered the bell and seemed to be energized by the return of MVP candidate Joel Embiid.

Embiid missed the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinal series after suffering a concussion and broken face during Game 6 of the 76ers-Raptors first-round series. This Friday afternoon, the Process was finally cleared for action but was reportedly still not set to go until he was given the green light about two hours before gametime.

Donning his Phantom of the Process black mask, Embiid wasn’t the two-way bully he typically is, but in 36 minutes of action, the former Kansas Jayhawks finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. According to James Harden, Embiid didn’t need to be superman to help the 76ers close their series deficit to 2-1; his physical presence and leadership were the missing ingredient for Philly.

“It’s not about him scoring 30 or 40 points—His presence alone gives us energy—His communication, his dominance is very important to this team,” Harden said.

Although Embiid admittedly wasn’t happy with his conditioning but could walk away happy with how much his presence dissuaded the Heat from attacking the rim like they did in Games 1 and 2 while simultaneously galvanizing his teammates into forcing Miami into scoring 79 points on 35.1 percent shooting from the field and 23.3 percent from beyond the arc.

“But it was game time. It was winning time. It’s the playoffs.” Harden elaborated, per ESPN. “Joel knew how much we needed him, and he delivered. His dominance on both ends of the ball is very important to this team; it’s very valuable to this team. That’s why he’s the MVP, and we fed off that, and we got to just continue to keep pushing.”

Now down 2-1, the 76ers will look to tie their second-round series with Miami on Sunday.



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Here’s what the Tennessee Titans got with sleeper wideout Kyle Philips

The Tennessee Titans selected wide receiver Kyle Philips with the No. 163 pick. Here’s why the AFC South team likely landed a sleeper pick. 

Calling newly-drafted Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kyle Philips a “sleeper pick” is a bit ironic, considering his partnership with Sleep Number.

Before the 2022 NFL Draft, Philips spoke with FanSided’s Mark Carman about what NFL teams could expect from him as a wide receiver and potential punt returner.

“I just want to be a guy that’s willing to do it all,” Philips told Carman. “Like you said, I’m a returner, I did a bunch of punt returns, and I also told teams that I can also do kickoff returns, too.”

“So coming into camp, I want to step into every role and try and do everything I can, whether that’s returning, playing “core four” special teams, or being one of their starting receivers,” Philips continued. “I’m a guy that’s willing to do it all.”

What will be the role for Kyle Philips on the Tennessee Titans?

By the time Titans general manager Jon Robinson picked Philips, news had spread that the team was parting ways with their former top receiver, A.J. Brown. Still, Philips will be joining former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods and first-round pick Treylon Burks at camp, but Philips’ special teams role could carve out a special place for him on the team.

Special teams are always a safe place where players can earn their keep far from roster cuts, and Philips’ value as a punt and kickoff returner makes him an asset in that phase of the game. While some wideouts like legendary New England Patriots gunner Matthew Slater stay on special teams, Philips could start there and work his way up as many rookie wide receivers have throughout the NFL.

Based on his film, Philips’ ability to get separation and quickly rack up YAC means he could immediately add to the Titans roster as soon as September 2022.

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DeMarcus Ware opens up about 2022 Hall of Fame snub

Longtime Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware opens up about how he wasn’t inducted into the 2022 NFL Hall of Fame Class. 

In 2022, eight former NFL players were chosen to be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame: tackle Tony Boselli, wide receiver Cliff Branch, safety LeRoy Butler, official Art McNally, linebacker Sam Mills, defensive end/defensive tackle Richard Seymour, coach Dick Vermeil and defensive tackle/defensive end Bryant Young.

One name conspicuously left off of that exclusive list was DeMarcus Ware, the star-studded Cowboys/Broncos edge rusher with plenty of accolades and titles to his name. But the bronze bust in Canton still, unfairly, eludes Ware — for now. Ware, who is now a Sleep Number ambassador, spoke with FanSided’s Mark Carman about how it felt when there was no knock at the door this year.

“You know, the thing is, I put my resume in, and I always tell them, “Sometimes, you knock at the door, and it doesn’t always open for you,” Ware told Carman. “And I’ve been that guy where it usually doesn’t open on the first time, but I’m the guy that’s always staying hungry — I’m gonna keep knocking — and eventually, that door’s gonna open up and that opportunity’s gonna be there.”

“So sometimes, it’s not the first time,” Ware continued. “The first is usually not part of my story, but maybe No. 2 will be.”

Ware may have been understanding that he wasn’t named, but it wasn’t something that he was expecting, either.

“I thought that everything was in place,” Ware said. “I know the guys that are in front of me — all of them are Hall of Famers — so I was like, ‘Alright, D, you’ve done what you needed to do: you’ve won the Super Bowl…’ All the accolades, all of them, they’re all there. But it’s upon what is gonna be the character of that whole deal that they’re doing that year? And I guess I wasn’t a part of that.”

NFL legend DeMarcus Ware speaks up about unexpected Hall of Fame snub

For the unfamiliar, DeMarcus Ware terrorized offenses from 2005-2016, helping the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl in his short three-year tenure there.

The majority of his NFL career was in Dallas, where he racked up 117 sacks. This is the most in Cowboys franchise history.

As Carman noted, Ware had 138 career sacks, which is even more than Lawrence Taylor, who is considered by many to be the greatest edge rusher of all time. Ware’s got the edge on Taylor numbers-wise, yet still remains outside the Hall of Fame.

It’s not a matter of if Ware will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but when. Ideally, Canton won’t make him wait any longer than another year.

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Chiefs drop emotional farewell to Tyrann Mathieu after Saints deal

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 12: Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Kansas City Chiefs hugs an assistant coach after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 48-9 at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

After Tyrann Mathieu signed with the New Orleans Saints, the Kansas City Chiefs posted an emotional farewell to the star safety.

One of the more prominent names in NFL free agency was safety Tyrann Mathieu. Despite a desire to remain with the Kansas City Chiefs, no deal was reached. After the 2022 NFL Draft, the safety opted to sign a three-year, $33 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.

On Thursday, May 5, the Chiefs‘ social media team sent out a video thanking Mathieu for all he has done in his three years in Kansas City.

Chiefs post thank you video to Tyrann Mathieu after he signs with Saints

After a one season stint with the Houston Texans, Mathieu was a free agent entering the 2019 league year. Mathieu ultimately signed a three-year, $42 million with Kansas City.

Mathieu became a leader of the Chiefs defense from the get-go. Not only that, but in his very first year, the team won their first Lombardi Trophy in 50 years after they defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 54.

In total, Mathieu recorded 213 total tackles, 41 defended passes, 13 interceptions, four fumble recoveries and three sacks.

After going unsigned since the start of the 2022 league year and watching the Chiefs sign another safety in Justin Reid, Mathieu signed a deal with the Saints. This will be a homecoming for Mathieu, as he grew up in New Orleans and played college football for the LSU Tigers. Mathieu will certainly provided a boost to their already impressive defense under new head coach Dennis Allen.

Even though he signed elsewhere, the Chiefs wanted to thank Mathieu for the memories.

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