標籤: backs

Aston Villa Star Pau Torres has, surprisingly, backed Unai Emery for the Real Madrid job if he was ever offered it.

Marca report the Aston Villa defender’s comments today Following an appearance on Radio Marca’s La Tribu program.

aston villa success

Unai Emery has continued to produce amazing performances at Aston Villa this season, with the Villans currently sitting fifth in the Premier League with two games remaining.

As a result they look set to qualify for the Champions League again. But they could also be ready to add a major trophy to their collection, with Emery guiding them to the Europa League final. This will also give them a place in the Champions League.

All this has been achieved despite a difficult summer for the club and a slow start to the season, in which they failed to score in their first three games or win any of their first six. They are now on course for their first major trophy since 1996 and a return to Europe’s top table.

Both are more successful in a career that is already full of successes. The Spaniard is unquestionably one of the standout managers in world football at the moment. And reports linked him to Real Madrid this summer.

real madrid look elsewhere

Pau Torres is well aware of those reports and believes the Aston Villa manager would be perfect for the role.

“Coaching Real Madrid would be the icing on the cake for Emery’s career,” He said.

“He is a manager who lives and breathes football. I think he is more than qualified. The results he has achieved at every club he has been at speak for themselves.”

Fortunately for Aston Villa, it seems that Real Madrid will not be calling up Unai Emery any time in the near future.

Instead, it appears they are now reaching a deal for Jose Mourinho. In fact, A report from Portugal today Insisted that the deal is almost done. And Benfica will target Fulham’s Marco Silva as his replacement.

Then, Aston Villa and Unai Emery can rest easy and focus on next season.

of liverpool Alisson has been backed for an exit despite getting a new deal two months ago.

sports witness Italian interest in the goalkeeper has been widely covered over the past few weeks. Juventus have appeared most keen to almost agree personal terms with the Brazilian.

Juve are expected to speak to Liverpool soon, who will have a higher demand for the keeper to leave.

The Turin club are keen to sign a goalkeeper in the summer, amid doubts about Mattia Perin over Michele Di Gregorio. Alisson, who plays under Luciano Spalletti at AS Roma, is seen as the ideal choice.

age is not a problem

Talks to goalkeeping legend Edwin van der Sar gazzetta dello sport In a detailed interview. He was asked about Juve’s goalkeeping struggles and how they could fare with the Liverpool veteran in goal.

He described the Brazilian as ‘top-notch’ and someone who can make his mark in Turin.

“Alisson is a top-class goalkeeper, one of the best in the world. I have admired him in recent years at Liverpool. Transfer rumors are never pleasant for any player or goalkeeper, but if Juventus are considering a move, Alisson could be a credible option.

“We are talking about a top player. Playing in Italy with Roma will help him if necessary.”

Van der Sar was also questioned whether Alisson’s age could hold him back at the Old Lady.

Rejecting the idea, the Dutchman said:

“Yes, it is a question of confidence and calmness. The fact that Alisson is almost 34 is not a problem; on the contrary: there are many goalkeepers who play at a high level even at an older age.”

Van der Sar also gave his own example, when he left Manchester United at the age of 40.

“Buffon retired at 45, I played my last season at Manchester United at 40.”

Our opinion: Alisson could press for Juve

Alisson’s prominence at Liverpool has diminished this season. Injuries have been a factor but Giorgi Mamardashvili has shown he is capable of becoming first choice.

That won’t be the case in Turin, where he can become an unquestionable regular under a manager he knows well.

Spalletti’s time at Napoli shows his ability to drag teams to silverware. Juve will need that and a player of Alisson’s caliber would help immensely.

Day 2 of the NFL Draft will have a lot to say for the Las Vegas Raiders. Rounds 2 and 3 will be when general manager Jon Spytek and head coach Clint Kubiak try their hand at roster construction.

Even with Eric Stokes back, there remains a need in the secondary. Here are five safeties and cornerbacks that Las Vegas could target on Day 2 in Pittsburgh.

CB Colton Hood, Tennessee

Hood stands 6 feet tall and was a Thorpe Award semifinalist last season. The McDonough, Georgia native is a transfer who began his college career at Auburn before moving to Colorado, where he played under Deion Sanders in 2024. He then transferred to Tennessee and became a full-time starter in the SEC. He became the first SEC player since 2019 to return both an interception and a fumble for a touchdown in the same season. In 12 games for the Volunteers, he recorded 50 tackles, nine pass deflections, a pick-six, and 4.5 tackles for loss, including one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Hood plays with confidence and tenacity in man coverage that has helped him shut down some of the best receivers in college football. Football runs in the family – he is the nephew of former NFL cornerback Roderick Hood, who played in two Super Bowls during his career. At the NFL Combine, Hood ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and ranked 10th among cornerbacks. He also posted a 40-inch vertical, one of six corners to clear that mark. Hood projects as a second-round target for the Raiders.

Also Read: Fernando Mendoza shines at Indiana Pro Day, Las Vegas Raiders zero in on No. 1 pick

CB Chris Johnson, San Diego St.

Johnson is also a second-round target for Spytek and Kubiak. He spent his entire college career at San Diego State, never pursued the big stage through the portal, and the production happened anyway. In 2025, Johnson was named Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year, earned AP Second Team All-American honors and reached the semifinal round for the Jim Thorpe Award. He was one of only four players not from a Power Four or independent school to earn All-American recognition. The numbers support this. The quarterback who tested them completed only 18 of 43 attempts for 185 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions, good for a 16.1 passer rating.

In Pro Football Focus grades, Johnson ranked second in the nation among FBS cornerbacks in overall defense and coverage. At the combine, he ran a 4.40-second 40, which was third best among cornerbacks. He also had a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot-6 broad jump, earning a relative athletic score of 9.67, placing him in the 93rd percentile among cornerbacks tested over the past four decades. The main knock on Johnson is his arm length is 30⅝ inches, which may impact his ability to jam at the line against taller NFL receivers. Still, tape, production and testing all point to a Day 2 selection that could start sooner.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders switch to 3-4 defense: What the change means in Rob Leonard’s plan for the 2026 roster

CB Keyonte Scott, Miami

Scott was a disruptive force on Miami’s national runner-up team, finishing with 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He earned All-ACC Second Team honors and was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. Scott skipped on-field testing at the combine, then made up for it at Miami’s pro day. He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, a time that would have ranked second among cornerbacks at the NFL Combine. He entered the Pro Day as a fourth-round pick and left with second-round discussion. His primary role in Miami was nickel corner, but his run-fitting ability and downhill speed also allow him to play safety. If he falls into the third round, the Raiders will still be interested.

RELATED: Mark Davis Isn’t Selling the Raiders So Stop Acting Like He Is

S.A.J. Hallsey, LSU

Holsey earned All-SEC First Team honors after an outstanding senior season at LSU. He finished with 88 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups, and has totaled 10 interceptions and 347 tackles in his college career after stops at New Mexico and Houston before landing with the Tigers. His nickname on the program was “Mr. Give Me That”. This was given to Haulsey by coaches for his blocking habits, which tells you what type of player he is. Hallsey is a true strong safety who brings a downhill presence against both the run and pass with the ball skills to avoid being a liability in coverage. He projects as a Day 2 pick and fits naturally into Rob Leonard’s 3-4 scheme as a box safety who can attack at multiple levels.

Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders GM Jon Spytek, coach Clint Kubiak address Max Crosby trade fallout in NFL meetings

H2 – S Kamari Ramsey, USC

Kamari Ramsey also stands at 6-foot and is competing against the top receivers in the Big 10 Conference. In nine games, Ramsey totaled 27 tackles. He earned honorable mention honors after last season. The 21-year-old, who will turn 22 at the end of August, can play cornerback or safety, providing versatility. If he falls to the third round, the Raiders will take a shot at Ramsey.

Also read: Raider Nation, the future is bright – don’t get ahead of yourself in 2026

Braven Honda graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in May 2021. During his time at SDSU, … More about Braven Honda

The Washington Wizards were victorious 133-110 against the Utah Jazz in the meeting between the two teams in the Cellar at the Delta Center on Wednesday.

The Jazz suffered their seventh loss in eight games, while the Wizards lost 16 games. Washington took a huge lead of 72–45 at halftime and never looked back.

If there was a ray of hope for the Jazz, Ace Bailey delivered another all-around performance with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. However, he struggled from the field, going 7 of 19, including 1 of 6 shots from long range.

Still, Utah coach Will Hardy decided to focus on the positives, and praised the 19-year-old rookie for accepting the pressure. top choice Amid their depleting roster.

“Ace is taking on more responsibility for a longer period of time in the game. I think it’s really good for him to take so much time off. I don’t want him to feel like he has to go the whole game and be like that,” Hardy said in a video posted by Sports Illustrated.

“But matchup recognition is a big part of not only the ace’s life, but also the development of our young players. When the ace has a favorable matchup, we want him to take advantage of it without turning our team into a one-on-one team.”

Will Hardy breaks down how Ace Bailey has handled the scoring options while the Jazz have dealt with injuries:

🗣️”Ace is taking on more responsibility longer in the game. I think it’s really good for him to get so much time…” pic.twitter.com/L7zbVaSScL

– Utah Jazz On SI (@JazzOnSI) 26 March 2026

Bailey, who had consistency problems at the beginning of the season, has been putting up solid numbers in recent weeks. Hardy also credited his other players for helping the fifth overall pick and putting him in favorable situations.

“It takes all five players thinking together to really make it work, but the ace recognition has definitely improved,” Hardy said.

The Jazz were severely weakened against the Wizards, as Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Kyle Filipowski, Isaiah Collier and Bryce Sensabaugh were sidelined.

Utah fell to 21–52.

Oleksandr Usyk has offered strong public support for Anthony Joshua, describing his former opponent as a brother and backing his return to the top of the heavyweight division. The undisputed champion shared his thoughts in a recent interview, where he talked about their growing relationship outside the ring. The message comes at a crucial moment for Joshua, who is working through recent defeats and personal challenges as he aims to rebuild his career.

Oleksandr Usyk made his stance clear as he reflected on how their bond has changed. “I showed Anthony my national food, my culture, Ukrainian music and my church. My church is a very important place for me. Anthony liked Ukrainian food, especially borscht. I really appreciate that he came here. Now he is like a big brother to me. He is not my rival or rival. He is my partner, my brother.”

Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua’s relationship has changed beyond rivalry

The two fighters faced off in back-to-back title bouts in 2021 and 2022, with Usyk winning both bouts. Since then, their relationship has grown beyond competition. Usyk now describes Joshua as a person close to him, sharing regular communications and time outside of boxing.

He cited Joshua’s character and work ethic as major reasons for his respect. “I know Anthony is a very kind person. He is well-mannered, very hard-working and very smart. He is a good guy. Mentally, I think he is good because we talk every day. We train twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.”

Usyk supports Joshua’s mentality during difficult times

Joshua’s recent period has included setbacks in the ring and personal losses. Usyk addressed this directly by focusing on flexibility rather than titles. He said that despite not holding the belt at this stage of his career, Joshua still meets his definition of a champion.

“Anthony is a champion. He may not have the belts right now, but that doesn’t matter to me. A champion is someone who never gives up. Life brings tests. God tests me and he tests Anthony too. God has a plan.”

Heavyweight comeback remains the goal for Anthony Joshua

Usyk also teased what could be next for Joshua in the heavyweight division. He pointed to the possibility of a return to the top level in the coming years based on current work and mentality.

“Maybe in 2026 or 2027, Anthony can become the undisputed champion. It’s possible. He can do it.”

The comments have attracted the attention of the entire boxing sector, with fans and celebrities of the sport noting the level of respect between the two fighters. The clip has spread widely on social media, with many highlighting Usyk’s tone of support as Joshua rebuilds.

Their story now reflects much more than the feuds of the past. It shows how competing at the highest level can create long-term respect and bonding, even in a sport defined by rivalry.

In the wake of Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham’s recent lung injury, he is now in danger of not qualifying for the NBA’s 65-game rule to be eligible for postseason award honors. As a result, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the National Basketball Players Association, or NBPA, came out with a prepared statement in support of Cade Cunningham and called on the NBA to get rid of the 65-game rule for postseason honors.

The NBPA wrote, “Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and is another example of why it should be eliminated or reformed to make exceptions for significant injuries.” “Since its implementation, too many eligible players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by the arbitrary and overly stringent quota.”

Cade Cunningham has been a potential MVP candidate, and is almost certain to make the All-NBA team. But he’s only played 61 games so far, and with the Pistons only having 11 games remaining in the regular season, it appears to be an uphill battle in terms of qualifying for the NBA’s 65-game rule.

Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung during the Pistons’ win against the Washington Wizards on March 19. He was expected to be reevaluated in two weeks due to the injury, leaving him with six games remaining and about a week and a half before the end of the season.

The Pistons have been the top team in the Eastern Conference this season due to Cunningham’s MVP level play. He has appeared in 61 games at a rate of just over 34 minutes per game. He averaged 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.5 steals, including 46.1 percent shooting from the field, 34.6 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 81.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Denver Nuggets head coach David Edelman continues to defend All-Star Nikola Jokic for his actions in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s 127-121 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Edelman didn’t care for Lou Dort’s apology for drawing the flagrant-2 foul on Jokic. When Dort intentionally knocked down the MVP candidate in the backcourt by going over his injured left knee, Nikola was furious.

Edelman understands Jokic’s frustration, having to deal with the physicality of opposing teams that run the line on dirty plays is enough for any player. lose one’s temper According to the DNVR Nuggets, he said, in the heat of competition at a high level.

“It’s not biased towards my own player. Nobody in the league is being guarded like he is. Nobody. Nobody is sitting on the knees of other MVPs. Nobody is taking shots the way he’s taking them. But that’s our reality,” Edelman said. “And so, we’ve got to continue to try to win games. He’s got to play through that physicality. I’ve got to find places on the court where he can play in space – that’s on me. So, there [are] No excuse. If the whistle doesn’t blow, it won’t blow.

“The game continues. We will deal with it as long as we can. Also, I have no problem with his reaction. Like I said, reacting is part of being a human being. If this continues, we will react accordingly.”

“No one in the league is being protected like he is. No one is taking a knee to another MVP. No one is taking shots the way he’s taking them. But that’s our reality.”

Nuggets head coach David Edelman explained how to execute Nikola Jokic.

(via @DNVR_Nuggets)
pic.twitter.com/QahpHTOKrZ

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 5 March 2026

After losing to the Thunder in overtime, the Nuggets suffered another loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves (117–108), but bounced back with a 128–125 win against the Utah Jazz.

David Edelman calls out Thunder for not reacting to Lu Dort

Nuggets head coach David Edelman was amazed by the Thunder’s response to Lou Dort’s blatant -2 foul on Nikola Jokic. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault expected the same result if the situation had been reversed, but he never condemned Dort for his actions. Lu’s teammates chalked it up to a spur-of-the-moment play.

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, for Edelman, Jocic losing his temper was justified due to the severity of Dort’s foul.

“He’s a more measured guy throughout the season — I think most guys are. If they’re measured they’re more productive. But there’s a point where we play these games, and he tackles anybody on the night [would] React that way. For Dort to take that shot – and then I guess it was no big deal from his perspective, how he saw it – is ridiculous. He was malicious. It was a cheap shot.

“Lou Dort is a great player, and I haven’t seen him do that before. But at some point, you have to stand up for yourself, and so does the team. They’re a great team. That’s what that game was. But, yeah, Nikola, that’s who he is, man. You can’t have the success that he’s had and you can’t be as competitive. He’s got emotions inside of him that he keeps under control, but the guy is very capable and very willing to respond emotionally,” Edelman said. Concluded.

The Nuggets will face the Thunder on Monday at Paycom Center.