tottenham Joao Palinha may be out of the running. However, this does not mean that the saga is close to ending.

The Portugal international spent the season on loan at Spurs and played a big role in the club’s Premier League survival. However, report from portugal It was suggested at the weekend that Tottenham would not activate their €30m (£25.8m) option to purchase him from Bayern Munich.

For weeks discussion focused on whether Tottenham would keep Palhinha and whether the midfielder would push for a return to Sporting.

Now it seems that the answer to the first question has been found. But the second has hardly changed.

Recent reports have consistently indicated that Pelhinha wants to return to Lisbon. Plus, Sporting are acting like they 100% expect him to come… The only problem is Bayern Munich.

Sporting already has big plans

according to morning mailSporting are prepared to go much further than simply giving Palhinha a way home.

The newspaper claims the club are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the squad if they can secure a deal.

Sporting are also reportedly willing to hand him the captain’s armband, with Morten Hjulmand expected to leave this summer. And that tells you everything about how Palahinha is viewed internally.

It appears that the club is preparing a central role for him in the next sporting project.

However, the issue of pay remains complex. As explained in detail earlierPalhinha currently earns around €9m (£7.6m) per year, which is far more than Sporting’s normal salary structure.

Nevertheless, multiple Portuguese reports state that the midfielder is willing to make a significant sacrifice to return. Correiro da Manha now suggests Sporting are ready to push their limits financially too.

Bayern is now the main obstacle

game Draw an absolutely identical picture. The newspaper described Palhinha as Sporting’s last wish. He will complete their midfield rebuild following the moves of Issa Doumbia, Pedro Lima and Silas Anderson.

The expectation is that the former Tottenham loanee will arrive as Hjulmand’s successor and slot straight into Rui Borges’ starting eleven. The problem is that Bayern still holds all the cards.

The German club paid around €50m (£43m) to sign Pelhinha from Fulham in 2024 and are unlikely to say goodbye without recouping as much value as possible.

Sporting’s preferred solution remains a loan with the option – or obligation – to buy. The hard part now is to find a formula that works for Bayern.

Either way, as things stand, the Tottenham chapter looks to be coming to a close. Now the entire discussion is about whether Bayern can be persuaded to play along.

Virgil van Dijk has indicated that should he leave Liverpool he is keen to join Galatasaray on a free transfer this summer.

Haber Sarikmizi Report Comments from Galatasaray Today reporter Arda Ozkurt about the possible move of the Liverpool captain.

Van Dijk leaving Liverpool?

Reports over the past few weeks have linked Virgil van Dijk with a possible move to the Turkish giants this summer.

The Dutch defender is set to enter the final year of his contract at Anfield, and this is seen as an opportunity by Galatasaray.

There is growing speculation that Van Dijk could also be on the move amid changes on Merseyside in the summer, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson already departing.

Galatasaray are certainly making moves behind the scenes. Sport Witness covered an initial report Earlier this month he said he would match the defender’s €11m-a-year salary at Liverpool.

After this, in another report it was said that contacts were intensified After Van Dijk offered encouragement to Galatasaray. It was said in a report yesterday Talks were ongoing with the Liverpool defender.

Van Dijk’s agent in Turkey

Now Arda Özkurt adds her own information to the mix. He emphasizes that Van Dijk already has a representative in Turkiye.

“A representative of Virgil van Dijk’s management company was at Reims Park for the Championship match,” he said.

“Virgil van Dijk has indicated that he is willing to leave for Galatasaray on a free transfer, but Liverpool’s stance will be decisive. Virgil van Dijk wants a 3-year contract with Galatasaray, consisting of 2+1 years (with a one-year extension if he plays a certain number of matches).”

The question is whether Liverpool will let the defender leave on a free transfer this summer. Doing that would be a big decision at Anfield.

He signed a deal with Mohamed Salah this year on similar terms. But the main reason for this was Egypt’s apparent differences with the management. Van Dijk has shown no such displeasure. Nor has he expressed any unhappiness publicly.

However, there is no smoke without fire. And these recurring reports from Turkey indicate that something is going on behind the scenes.

What was at stake for the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 in Anaheim on Sunday night? Teams that take a 3–1 lead in a best-of-seven series win the series 90 percent of the time (247 out of 275). Additionally, if a Game 4 win comes en route to taking a 3–1 series lead, that team wins 92 percent (151 of 165) of the series. Given these percentages, the pressure was on the Anaheim Ducks (2-2), who rose to the occasion and scored two power play goals en route to a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights (2-2).

Both teams were without captains. Anaheim was missing Radko Gudas for the seventh consecutive game, while the Golden Knights were without captain Mark Stone due to an undisclosed injury. Stone played only 4:24 minutes in Game 3 before being sidelined with a non-contact injury. Without Stone in the lineup this season, the Golden Knights were 8–9–5 and a winning percentage of .519, while with him they were 31–17–12 and a winning percentage of .593.

The scoring began when Anaheim finally figured out the Vegas penalty kill and got the first goal of the game via the power play. The Anaheim power play was 0-11 before Game 4, but that changed at 8:43 of the first when Beckett Seneke (4) blasted a slap shot through Carter Hart’s five-hole from the top of the right circle to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead. It was Seneca’s third consecutive game with a goal in the series. Not only was the Golden Knights’ penalty kill perfect in the series before Seneke’s goal, it had killed 21 consecutive penalties and 26 of 27.

Just 1:40 into Seneke’s goal, the Golden Knights got a power play goal of their own, tying the game at one point. Jack Eichel took a slap shot from the top of the left circle that bounced off the glove of Anaheim netminder Lucas Dostal. Before Dostal could get the rebound, Pavel Dorofeyev (5) beat Anaheim forward Mikael Granlund on net, attacked the puck and put it into the net for Vegas’ third power play goal of the series in ten chances.

While Granlund could not tie Dorofeyev on the tying goal, after only 5:05, he atoned for his sins by scoring a goal on an awkward bounce. Granlund (4) fired a wrist shot from inside the left circle that hit the stick of Golden Knights forward Cole Smith, causing the stick to slip out of his hand. The deflection of Smith’s stick changed the trajectory of the puck, bouncing off the ice just past Hart and then through his tool to give Anaheim a 2–1 lead.

Vegas is known for its many high-profile magic shows, with William Carlson performing magic tricks such as Shin Lim delivering a pass to Brett Howden for a goal. Karlsson was the first to forecheck and got the puck on his stick under the goal line. As he was enduring a big hit from Jacob Trouba, he somehow delivered a backhand pass from an extremely tight area to Howden (7), who beat his man in front of the net and Karlsson was able to chip the pass over Dostal to tie the game at two. The goal came at 4:04 and Howden tied Minnesota’s Matt Boldy for most postseason goals. Mitch Marner picked up a secondary assist, moving him ahead of Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov for most points in the postseason with 15 points. Marner finished the night with three points, giving him seven points in his last two games.

Anaheim got its third power play opportunity of the game at the end of the second frame and solved the Vegas penalty kill for the second time in the game. After Seneca entered a beautiful area and did some perimeter passing, Alex Killorn (4) collected a loose puck in the bottom of the right circle, drove hard toward the net, and then fired a wrist shot that went under Hart’s left hand and in at 17:58 of the second.

After trailing by a goal to start the third, the Golden Knights started the frame on a power play due to Seneca taking a cross-checking call at the 20-minute mark of the second period. However, Anaheim was able to kill a penalty and then maintain that momentum to take a two-goal lead shortly thereafter. At the 3:43 mark of the third, Anaheim defenseman Ian Moore (1) took a slap shot from the left point with a puck that was near the rim. The shot deflected off the back of the net and deflected off Hart’s blocker, giving Anaheim a 4-2 lead. It was the first career playoff goal for the 24-year-old Moore, who was a healthy scratch for Anaheim in Games 2 and 3.

With Hart pulled for the extra attacker, Tomas Hertl (1) got on the board at 18:56 of the third minute to make things interesting, scoring his first goal in 29 games, on March 4, but it proved to be too little, too late, as the Golden Knights iced the puck with 10 seconds remaining, dashing any hopes of tying the game.

Three-to-two odds for blackjack in a Vegas casino are the best you can get. Likewise, whichever team wins Game 5 on Tuesday will take a three-to-two series lead and that team will certainly like its chances of going to the Western Conference Finals.

notes

• Anaheim’s win after leading by multiple goals was the Ducks’ 24th consecutive win in playoff history.
• With Mark Stone in the lineup, the Golden Knights are averaging 3.32 goals per game. His average without Stone in the lineup is 2.96. Similarly, the power play percentage is 22.6% with Stone in the lineup, but only 17.0% with Stone out.

statistics

• Shots on goal gave Anaheim a 23–21 victory.
• Faceoff win percentages were 52.9 percent for Vegas and 47.1 percent for Anaheim.
• Vegas was 1-3 on the power play, while Anaheim was 2-4.
• The Hits defeated Anaheim 34–27.
• Vegas had a 14-13 edge in blocked shots.
• Vegas had four more giveaways than Anaheim, 14 versus 10.
• Vegas won the takeaway battle 7-5.

chelsea Midfielder Enzo Fernandez continues to generate transfer noise across Europe, even as things have settled down at Stamford Bridge. Now Manchester City Has been dragged in.

it feels like this peace has been restored Following an internally tumultuous period for the Argentinian midfielder. However, this has not stopped speculation about a possible exit. In fact, quite the opposite.

With the rounds of clubs all over Europe Chelsea are already identifying potential midfield replacementsThe idea of ​​a summer departure is still under discussion.

Real Madrid heavily linkedPSG are monitoring the situation. Now a new case related to Manchester City has come to light.

Manchester City’s stance hinges on major change

According to journalist Gustavo Yaroch, speaking espn argentinaThere is growing talk of Manchester City potentially joining the race. However, this will only happen under certain conditions.

“There are rumors in England that Pep Guardiola may step down after the World Cup,” He said.

“If that were the case, and Enzo Maresca came in as Manchester City manager, he would also have Enzo Fernandez on his radar.”

This is an important warning. This claim is related to a hypothetical managerial change. Such a change would represent a major change at Etihad.

PSG is also monitoring the situation

The same report states that Paris Saint-Germain is currently the most concrete interested party.

“PSG are very interested in the Chelsea midfielder, who has a €121m (£103m) release clause. It would be no financial problem for the French club.” Yaroch explained.

This figure is well below the €150m-€160m (£128m-£137m) valuation discussed elsewhere. However, it is unclear how this fits in with Chelsea’s internal stance.

What does this mean for Chelsea?

From Chelsea’s perspective, the situation is becoming increasingly noisy. Real Madrid’s praise, PSG’s interest and now Manchester City’s speculative angle all point to Fernandez being firmly on the radar across Europe.

However, City Link, as it stands, appears to be highly conditional. It depends on Guardiola leaving, Maresca coming in and then the push given to the player. This is a series of events that is not possible.

For now, Chelsea are in control. He has shown no intention of lowering his demands, and any club would still need a fee in excess of €100m (£85m) to seriously consider a move.

At this stage, the situation feels more like accumulation than acceleration. But concrete movement remains limited.

Chelsea’s stance is clear, and unless that changes, even Europe’s biggest clubs may find themselves watching rather than taking action.

Anders Lee spent 14 of his NHL seasons wearing a New York Islanders sweater. This may be about to change soon.

Lee spoke about his future on Islanders breakup day on Wednesday and why his exit interview with GM Matthew Darche was important.

The Islanders captain recently completed a seven-year, $49 million contract, which he signed on July 1, 2019, the first day he was eligible for a contract extension. The Isles’ sixth-round choice in the 2009 NHL Draft is coming off a 19-goal, 42-point season in which he played all 82 games.

Anders Lee wants to re-sign with the Islanders

Lee will turn 36 on July 3, two days after he can become an unrestricted free agent, and he is interested in returning to the Islanders for his 15th NHL season. New York’s captain is the team’s second-longest-tenured player behind fourth-line center Casey Cizikas.

He said before the team’s season finale on Tuesday that he was looking forward to accomplishing the Islanders’ goal of reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1984.

“I’ve given this organization my all,” Lee said before the Islanders’ game against the Carolina Hurricanes. “This is where I’ve played my entire career. This is where I’ve played the best I can.”

He said Wednesday that he expects he doesn’t get free agency — and he plans to begin his potential talks with Darche during his exit interview.

“I think it’s very important,” Lee said of the conversation with Darche. “We can start figuring things out here and having conversations and seeing where he is at and similarly with me.

“We’re at the point where we can do that now.”

Darche said he had spoken to some members of the Islanders for their exit interviews, but had not done so at the time of their post-season media availability. But he reiterated Lee’s importance.

“I have the utmost respect for Anders Lee,” Darche said. “I told Anders I would love to see him play 1,000 games for the Islanders. What does that look like, and are we able to find something that is a good fit for us and him, we will discuss.”

According to Darche, Lee is just 77 games away from playing 1,000 games in the NHL. Given that he has missed just one game over the last four seasons, Lee is likely to reach that milestone sometime in April 2027.

Still, it remains to be seen if he does the same in an Islanders uniform.

“I know he’s not far away [1,000 games],” Darche said. “I would love to see it, but I’m always waiting to see what other options we have [and] What do we need to do to move this roster forward?

“But the way Anders played this year, I think he can still help us.”

Anders Lee’s teammates call him ‘the savior’

Lee’s expiring contract will create roster flexibility, and if he returns at a lower salary-cap fee, the Islanders may have a chance to make a financial decision that could ultimately make them better.

But Lee’s teammates also know what the Islanders would lose if he were allowed to leave in free agency.

“He’s been a team captain and leader for most of my career,” defenseman Ryan Pulock said. “He’s been a key guy here, a key part of our success, a leader, a protector for a lot of people here. He’s really done it all, and I’m proud to be his teammate.

“He’s given everything he’s got every night for what he’s done for this franchise, for the Island.”

Lee’s contributions included more than 308 goals and 549 points in 923 games. Amid a growing trend for captains to shy away from the media, Lee is one of the Islanders players most often speaking after wins and losses.

His teammates also find him approachable and easy to talk to about things going on in their lives.

“He stands up for everybody here, not only on the ice but off the ice,” center Jean-Gabriel Pageau said. “Sometimes when you need to talk to someone, he’s very easy to talk to. That’s why he’s a great captain and leader.”

So the uncertainty is going to weigh heavily on both players and fans, even if Lee and the Islanders are likely to reach a one- or two-year contract at a low salary-cap number. Despite Darche’s laudatory comments about his captain, the one thing he didn’t say when asked if Lee would return next season was “yes.”

Nor did Lee mention what kind of pay cut/hometown discount he would be willing to sign.

“They’re hard to talk about,” Pulock said. “You don’t know when your contract is up, you never know what can happen.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

Nico Hischier’s uncertainty over his future with the New Jersey Devils must be troubling.

In light of the Devils firing general manager Tom Fitzgerald, Hischier was asked if he would be willing to sign an extension under a new arrangement when he became eligible on July 1.

His answer doesn’t give any confidence about his future in New Jersey.

“I’m just focused on playing hockey here,” Hischier said. “I still have another year. I’m with the Devils right now, and then we’ll see what happens.”

There is no way the Devils should trade Hischier if they have a feeling he wants to stay in New Jersey. However, if they get any suggestion that they want a change, there are ways for devils to come out of it with little or no loss.

First, the Devils will need a new GM. Whoever that GM is, he should be fired in the same manner as Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon – an offensive-minded manager who isn’t afraid to make a move for the betterment of his roster.

Once a GM’s name comes out and if there is any hesitation from Hischier to commit, the Devils should explore trade options.

Of course, that leaves New Jersey without a 2C. However, when they get there they will have to cross that bridge.

The Devils have two viable options to extract something in return for Hischier.

minnesota wild

On any other team that doesn’t have a top-10 player in the league like Jack Hughes, Hischier is a 1C. Well, the Minnesota Wild are hungry for a first-line center, and Hischier could be their solution.

In return?

The Devils are going to need Quinn Hughes.

New Jersey did not have a clear No. 1 defenseman heading into the 2025–26 season, something that ultimately led to their demise.

Recently, Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton have played better, and as a result, the Devils have improved.

Still, Quinn is the ultimate No. 1 defenseman, and transformed the Devils from the playoffs to a Stanley Cup contender.

Yes, Fitzgerald nails that situation in the 2025-26 season. Yet, he has yet to put pen to paper in Minnesota. If the Devils are adamant about uniting the Hughes tri-force in New Jersey, Hischier might be their best bargaining chip to do so.

It’s not over until it’s over. A new, aggressive GM should definitely explore this option.

ottawa senators

If not Quinn, Brady Tkachuk is the next best thing.

Up north, there is now speculation over Tkachuk’s future with the Ottawa Senators after some controversial comments on a podcast by Tkachuk and his brother Matthew Tkachuk.

Well, if there’s any reason to believe Tkachuk could be on his way out of Ottawa, he’s undoubtedly the next best thing to Jack Hughes, if it wouldn’t be Quinn.

Tkachuk and Jack have remained close through the United States Hockey Development Program. However, their friendship has grown to another level after Hughes and Tkachuk won gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Tkachuk would finally give the Devils a legitimate first line with Jack and Jesper Bratt.

On the contract side of things, both Tkachuk and Hischier’s contracts expire on July 1, 2027. The Senators captain has a full no-move clause, while there is a 10-team no-trade list.

Still, it’s hard to see a situation where Tkachuk refuses to be traded to New Jersey, a team that has the Jacks as the face of their franchise and is close enough to contend.

If the Devils captain indicates at all that he is not committed to remaining in New Jersey, a new GM should be aggressive but make sure he maximizes his return.

Quinn or Tkachuk certainly mitigate the damage of losing Hischier, though they will need to find a new 2C.

There’s still plenty of time to figure this out, but buckle up. It could be a bumpy ride.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

armory Travel to Lisbon with a clear idea of ​​what kind of game awaits them. Sporting CP is a side with structure, repetition and very defined strengths, which makes this tie feel tight.

That expectation becomes even stronger when we look at a specific area. As we covered earlierBoth teams are among the most effective teams in Europe when it comes to set pieces.

Arsenal have built a large portion of their offensive output this season around dead-ball situations. He has scored 19 set-piece goals in the Premier League, accounting for over 30% of his total league goals in those situations.

Sporting profile is also not behind. He has scored 15 set-piece goals in Liga Portugal, the most in the competition. Those goals represent about 22% of their total.

Sporting CP will be without key players for Arsenal

However, that balance is affected by team news. The Portuguese press confirmed that Sporting will be missing several players, and the most important absence is obvious: Morten Hjulmand will not play due to suspension.

The captain’s absence is significant on many levels. He is the organizer in midfield, the player who sets the pace and protects the defensive line. He is one of the first references when it comes to positioning in defensive set pieces.

It also has a broader context. Hjulmand has been linked with Arsenal In recent weeks, that adds an extra layer to supporters watching this tie. He is exactly the type of midfielder the Gunners have been linked with – and not just because his infamous tattoo.

Without him, Sporting loses structure, leadership and control. They also lose a vital defensive presence in the same area that Arsenal look to exploit.

🇵🇹Sporting vs Arsenal

➡️ Battle of set pieces
🪨 Rock meets immovable object
➡️ Sporting and Arsenal are both set piece specialistshttps://t.co/JOzU03kkFk #afc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 7 April 2026

Other deprivations and what they carry

Hjulmand is not the only one of concern. Left-back Nuno Santos is out, and this removes one of Sporting’s main sources of width and crossing. His delivery has consistently been an offensive weapon, especially from the left side.

Forward Fotis Ionidis is also not available. He provides physical presence, hold-up play and penalty-box movement. His absence limits Sporting’s ability to play more directly or attack crosses with the same force.

Furthermore, Luis Guilherme is another name missing. As a rotational option, the former West Ham player provides energy and flexibility to the attacking line, especially late in games.

Overall, these absences reduce sporting diversity. They are still dangerous, but the scope of solutions has narrowed.

The quality of the attack is still there

Despite those setbacks, Arsenal cannot expect an opponent to be weak in attack. portuguese outlet game Chelsea-owned Giovani Quenda is pushing for a re-joining after returning to training. He may start on the bench, but his presence provides pace and unpredictability when needed.

More importantly, the main offensive line remains intact. Jenny Catamo, Francisco Trincao and Pedro Gonçalves form a forward line that is technically strong and comfortable between the lines.

Up front, Colombian striker Luis Suarez is expected to start and is having a season worth noting. His output has been strong, to such an extent that comparisons with Victor Gyökeres’ final campaign before leaving Sporting naturally arise.

Suarez has scored 24 goals in 25 league games this season and has scored 5 goals in 10 Champions League appearances so far. Add to this seven assists spread across both competitions. This makes him much more than just a finisher. He gives Sporting a focal point who can occupy defenders and bring others into the game.

For Arsenal, this means dealing with in-form strikers rather than vulnerable attacks.

Potential Sporting CP XI for Arsenal

Keeping all that in mind, game Hopefully the local side will line up like this: Rui Silva in target, ivan fresneda And maxi araujo As a full back, osman diomande And goncalo inacio In central defence. a double axis of xeno debast And hidemasa morita between. at the forefront, Ginny Catamo, Francisco Trincao, pedro goncalves playing behind Luis Suarez.

DeBast’s inclusion in the midfield is particularly telling. Being a natural defender, he brings added physicality and awareness to defensive situations, especially set pieces. This seems to be a direct response to Arsenal’s main strength.

expectations are finely balanced

Arsenal will face a Sporting team that is without its captain and several useful attacking options. This should tilt certain aspects of the game in their favour, particularly midfield control.

At the same time, the Sporting retains enough quality to compete. Their attacking line remains dangerous, their strikers are in form and their understanding of set pieces matches Arsenal’s.

This leaves a game that looks to be tight, tactical and potentially decided by a good margin. And given the profile of both teams, there is a strong possibility that that moment comes from the dead ball.

It’s hard to believe that nine years have passed since the New Jersey Devils selected Nico Hischier with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

It’s even harder to believe that Hischier is already in the top 20 in games played in Devils history, despite the fact that he only has one Stanley Cup playoff series win to his name.

But the Devils captain crossed the 600-game threshold in New Jersey’s 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night.

“Everyone here plays for each other,” Hischier said. “Obviously, I wanted to win, and I know everyone here wanted to win, too.”

Hischier is already 19th on the Devils’ all-time games played list, despite the fact that he is still only 10 months away from his 30th birthday. He’s quietly having another great year by leading the Devils in goals (26) and is third on the team in points (58) with nine games played.

Nico Hischier is already a Devils all-time great through 600 games

He can fly under the radar, league-wide, and even in New Jersey. But through 600 games, Hischier is on his way to hanging his number from the rafters at the Prudential Center — and any potential future building in which the Devils play.

Hischier is four points behind Scott Gomez for sixth on the Devils’ all-time points list and is already fifth on the Devils’ all-time goals list with 197. With a hot finish he can hope to take sole possession of third place, as Travis Zajac and Bobby Holik share that mark with 202 goals in a Devils uniform.

If Hischier finished ahead of Zajac and Holik, or even tied with them, it would mean he reached his third 30-goal season and second in a row under Devils coach Sheldon Keefe. Keefe understands what an accomplishment that will be, especially with the defensive load that Hischier carries every night.

“I don’t give Nico Hischier a very easy transition,” Keefe said Sunday. “He is very carefree in areas where we need him to take extra charge for our team.

“To have those numbers and still be aggressive, is tremendous.”

Hischier often plays second fiddle to superstar center Jack Hughes. But even the Devils’ record holder for single-season points can appreciate Hischier’s accomplishment.

“He’s headed for 1,000 [games]. I think 1,000 is a big number, right?” Hughes said of Hischier. “But he’s very young, and has already played 600 games, he just has to keep going and he’ll have a great career.”

The Devils would be wise to lock up Nico Hischier after this season

Hischier is eligible for a contract extension on July 1, and adding New Jersey’s captain should be priority No. 1 this offseason – on par with hiring a coach and/or general manager if the Harris/Blitzer ownership group decides to make a change.

The key to any future success for the Devils is Hischier, even more so than Hughes. Hughes has shown himself to be an integral player as the last two seasons have been prematurely ended by injury to No. 86, but the Devils won’t smell a Cup without Hischier’s two-way play.

Not re-signing Hischier would be one of the first signs of the roster falling apart, which some Devils fans might be able to stomach based on how attractive the potential of this core is. The group headlined by Hischier and Hughes will ultimately win nothing more than a first-round series over the New York Rangers in 2023, but management should keep giving it a chance.

But Hischier will have to stay, too. For what it’s worth, he’s talking like a player who wants to wear No. 13 in New Jersey for years to come.

“I am extremely grateful for [playing 600 games with the Devils],” Hischier said. “To be honest, it happens pretty fast. But I am grateful to have reached that milestone and hope there are more to come.”

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

Slovenia’s new manager Bostjan Cesar has named Leeds United’s Jaka Bijol as captain for the March international break.

The national team confirmed the appointment of manager in January, following Matjaz Kek’s departure from his role in December.

With injuries to other key players, Cesar has decided to hand the armband to a Leeds United player.

He will be without goalkeepers Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid, Benjamin Cesco of Manchester United, Sandi Lovric of Hellas Verona and David Brekalow of Orlando City.

Due to injuries, this quartet will not be able to play in the upcoming matches and hence the manager has made Bijol his captain.

Slovenia failed to win any of their World Cup qualifiers in the last three international breaks and this led to Kek’s elimination.

Difficult situation at leeds united

The White centre-back spoke at a press conference on Monday and Tuesday’s edition Diary Has released his comments.

Jaka Bijol wants to put Slovenia’s disappointment behind him and wants his teammates to make the most of the upcoming matches.

He said: “We learned from the last cycle that this path is not very fast. We are still not at the beginning, but we have a good foundation.”

“We know we have to give even more to be successful. The new faces have to accept as much responsibility as possible. If everyone plays their part during the week and in the matches, we will be successful. Both friendly matches are a great opportunity to feel out new ideas and see what changes will be made to the team.”

The 27-year-old arrived at Elland Road from Udinese in June 2025 and initially struggled for regular minutes. Daniel Farke started using it in October, and please did this Kek, former manager of Slovenia.

Bijols has played 1,309 minutes in 18 Premier League matches, including 13 starts. He explained how difficult it is to retain his place at Leeds United.

“It’s a constant struggle to get a place in the team. I’m happy with my situation, one week it’s better, the next week it’s worse. When I get a chance, I give my all,” Bijol explained.

Defender’s contract, price and agent information

fiorentina tried to bring him back to Serie A in the winter market, but a move was highly unlikely and La Viola soon realized this.

transfer market Jaka Bijol is valued at €18m, with a contract until 2030. A €3m increase since his move to Leeds United.

The agency SEG Sports Entertainment takes care of his future and interests.

🇵🇹 Hidemasa Morita | Leeds United named as ‘possible destination’

❌ Whites refuse to pay €10m to Sporting
🆓 Now can use free agent status
The player wants to go to England https://t.co/EbbHrGxjGD #lufc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 21 March 2026

tottenham hotspur captain cristian romero Became the subject of harsh criticism from Brazilian journalist Fred Caldera after the club’s Champions League match against Atlético Madrid.

However, the reporter later admitted that he had misjudged the situation.

Caldera, who covers European football tnt sports brazilRomero was initially criticized for not talking to the press after the game.

From his position in the mixed zone, the journalist believed that the Argentina international had avoided media duties despite wearing the captain’s armband.

Speaking immediately after the match, Caldera argued that the Tottenham captain should have faced the journalists, especially during a difficult moment for the team.

“Romero doesn’t deserve to wear the captain’s armband at Tottenham,” He said. “It’s very easy to be brave when things are going well. Cristian Romero should have given an interview today. It was his responsibility as captain.”

The journalist also compared Romero’s absence to the behavior of other leaders in English football.

“When you see Virgil van Dijk speaking at Liverpool, or players who have faced the media during difficult years at Manchester United, you value it.” He added.

At the time, Caldera believed that Romero had simply decided not to appear in the mixed zone. According to him, the only Tottenham players he saw give interviews were Archie Gray, Jade Spence and Kevin Densow.

He went further in his criticism and claimed that the defender was far from helping the club during difficult times.

“He’s not the main culprit for what’s happening, but he’s also not the guy who’s helping. At the very least he should be confronting the situation, and he’s not doing that.”

The journalist later clarified the situation

However, a few hours later, Caldera publicly corrected my assessment.

Posting on social media, the reporter admitted that Cristian Romero had suffered an unfair decision after a head collision with Joao Palinha during the match.

“I wronged Romero,” Caldera wrote. “I had to leave the pitch a few minutes before the final whistle to be in time for the post-match interview, so I didn’t see the one-on-one confrontation between Romero and Palinha. Obviously he was in no condition to give an interview.”

The clarification significantly changed the context of Romero’s absence from the media arena, suggesting that the defender’s failure to speak was for medical reasons rather than a decision to avoid questions.

A blunt assessment of the situation at Tottenham

Caldera also extended his criticism to the wider situation at Tottenham and the decisions surrounding manager Igor Tudor. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinski.

Commenting on the consequences of the heavy defeat, a Brazilian reporter said that Tudor should have already lost his job after the match. In his view, the Croatian manager should have been sacked “before the plane landed in London”.

Caldera then made an even harsher assessment of the club’s current level.

“Since I came to England – it will be ten years in September – I have never seen a Big Six team like this,” He said. “This version of Tottenham is the worst Big Six team I’ve seen.”

He compared the situation to the difficult moments experienced by Manchester United in recent years, but argued that Tottenham’s problems currently run even deeper.

“I know Manchester United also had very bad moments, but it’s a wandering soul. Tottenham is a living dead team.”

Caldera told the South American audience that the situation has become so worrying that relegation from the Premier League is a real threat.

“If I’m a West Ham player – the first club in the relegation zone, just one point behind Tottenham with nine rounds remaining – I’ll be rubbing my hands together and sharpening the knives, because there’s still a direct match to come.”

Caldera also claimed that many teams outside the traditional elite are currently playing better football than Spurs.

“It’s hard to find anyone who plays worse than Tottenham. In the Premier League, no one. Even Wolverhampton plays better than Tottenham at the moment.”

For the journalist, this is difficult to reconcile with the financial strength of the club.

“It’s very serious what’s happening. I can’t believe I’m saying this about a club with the ninth-highest revenue in the world that is likely to be relegated.”

New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes and Team USA will face Jack’s teammate Simon Nemec and Team Slovakia in the semi-finals today. Winners play for golf. The loser plays for bronze. Either way, every Devil has a chance to win a medal by the end of the weekend.

In the links, Luke Hughes is on the ice. So, when can he return to the Devils’ lineup?

Elsewhere, USA Women’s Golden Thursday, Team Canada’s next captain, and some NHL trade talk.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: While the Devils continue their quest for Olympian gold, the rest of the team is back on the ice in New Jersey. Luke Hughes is also injured. When is he eligible to return to the lineup?

In Milan, there was a full day off for the men’s side of Olympic hockey. Here’s what’s on the slate for the semi-final matches today:

📺 Devils Rink Report: Okay, so almost every Devils player that went to Milan played their personal best game all season. So, what gives? Because it seems like they can’t get it back together in New Jersey. Is this an individual performance? Roster construction? Head coach? Well, Sheldon Keefe’s former assistant, Jack Hahn, joins me today to discuss the Devil’s Rink Report.

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The Athletic ($): Here’s how Devils defenseman Simon Nemec is living his childhood dream with Team Slovakia alongside Juraj Slafkowski and Dalibor Dworski.

NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): USA! USA! USA! The women’s U.S. Olympic hockey team scored a golden goal yesterday to win the gold medal and win the women’s pool over Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Forever Blueshirts: As we approach the NHL trade deadline, Brandon Schneider is in the midst of several trade rumors. However, he is blocking out the noise and focusing on the New York Rangers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The latest diagnosis on Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby’s injury isn’t the final diagnosis, but it’s at least encouraging.

Sportsnet: Speaking of Crosby, if he’s not allowed to play in the semifinals against Finland, IIHF rules require someone to wear the ‘C’. It is clear who it should be.

Boston Hockey Now: The St. Louis Blues are definitely selling. Well, the Boston Bruins have been linked to defenseman Justin Faulk. Is he suitable for B?

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls