標籤: difference

Marco Palestra was one of the standout Italian players last season Manchester City Support has been given to complete his assessment.

The versatile wing-back spent a season on loan at Cagliari away from Atalanta. This has helped the young player progress, with the 21-year-old now playing twice for the Italian national team

sports witness The club has covered the Premier League’s growing interest in talent, with Manchester City recently mentioned as a suitor. Enzo Maresca’s praise is a big reason behind this, Inter Milan are also keen on Palestine.

There were indications that the Italian champions might need to secure the departure of Denzel Dumfries before signing the Atalanta player, but that has not happened.

Deal could be finalized for €45m

alfredo pedulla Reports regarding the Azzurri wing-back are certain that Palestra will be a ‘key player’ in the summer transfer window. He is likely to leave Atalanta if a suitor offers the right terms.

Inter have taken the first step towards a deal by making preliminary contacts. They have received Oaktree ownership’s permission for the move and can rely on their previous working relationship with La Dea.

Both clubs reached an agreement with each other last year regarding the transfer of Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian joined Atletico Madrid but Inter and Atalanta remain close to each other.

The threat to Manchester City still persists. Palestra features prominently on the citizens’ shortlist, even though it is not known whether he tops it or not. Maresca’s arrival could speed up the process, with Atalanta likely to accept €45m.

It is believed ‘the offer will make a difference’, with La Dea’s valuation increased by €5m in recent weeks.

The city should not hesitate

At this stage it feels like Manchester City have a great opportunity to unleash a high-calibre and versatile talent. Palestra is a reliable technician, can use both feet, can play on either side and is also physically developed.

Italian clubs do not usually pay upfront amounts for permanent deals. This is why Inter failed to sign Lookman, allowing La Dea to sell him to Spain.

Something similar can happen with Palestra also. The Italian has a much bigger market than the Atleti player and this could benefit Manchester City.

He should not have a problem affording the amount, as Atalanta have shown an inclination towards selling their best players to the highest buyers.

In only his third season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cason Wallace has never played for a team that has not won at least 57 regular season games. It is extremely rare for most NBA players to win a championship between sophomore seasons. This season has undoubtedly been his best. Wallace recorded a career-high 27 points in a 121–111 win against the Denver Nuggets in February.

However, Wallace’s contributions go far beyond his career-high seven threes made in that win against the Nuggets. Wallace has emerged as a triple threat for Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, giving him a unique on-ball defender who can stretch and stretch the floor with his outside touch.

Wallace’s career average is the best in several statistical categories, including points per game (8.6), assists (2.7), and steals (2.1), in which he leads the NBA. Still, returning as the defending champions and having faced every team’s best effort, Wallace doesn’t see any major changes in the Thunder’s approach this season.

Wallace said, “I don’t see any big difference between last season’s performance and this year’s. The goal will always be to win.” “As defending champions, we still look forward to working hard and competing every day.”

While some were expecting a championship hangover, which is the norm for most returning champions, the Thunder had the best start to the regular season – 24–1 – in NBA history. Without All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, who missed the first 19 games due to wrist surgery, the Thunder rose to the top of the Western Conference standings, where it remained stable through the 2025–26 season.

“I feel fortunate to be a part of such a great team and I’m excited to keep the energy flowing until the end of the season,” Wallace said.

Wallace will be a key part of the Thunder’s postseason campaign as the defending champions. With teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets threatening to dethrone OKC from its throne, Wallace is one of several interesting depth pieces that light up the Thunder’s backcourt.

Oklahoma City embraces Thunder’s Cason Wallace

As Wallace continues to grow as a player, his community of die-hard Thunder fans in Oklahoma City has embraced him. So much so that Wallace partnered with a local food chain in town, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, to create “Cason’s Queso”, his own cheese sauce inspired by his nickname “Queso”.

Wallace said, “We have great people on this team and we always have a lot of fun together. I’ve always had him at Fuzzy’s, and I told him my queso is a must-try because it’s loaded just the way I like it.” “Every bite is a little different depending on what toppings you bring out, so it’s perfect for sharing on game day.”

While Wallace hopes the fans enjoy the collaboration, he is eager to finish the regular season and enter the playoffs for another run at the championship.

Amid a 10-game winning streak, the Thunder earned their 55th win on Wednesday. With only 12 games remaining, Oklahoma City is in position to make another deep playoff run with hopes of winning back-to-back titles.

Mark Daigneault praises ‘committed’ Cason Wallace

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault praised Wallace’s adaptability to different lineups this season, which he has been successful in, as the third-year guard continues to improve. Although the Thunder traded for Wallace, who was selected 10th overall on draft night in 2023, it’s no coincidence that Casson has one of the highest winning percentages in NBA history.

Wallace’s career winning percentage is 75.6%. And while some fans will joke that he’s a lucky charm, given that the Thunder have finished with the best record in the Western Conference every season since Wallace joined, Daigneault looks at the work Cason has done behind the scenes.

“He’s one of many guys on our team who obviously plays his role well on a very good team,” Daigneault said. “When you look at Cason Wallace’s win percentage as a professional, his win percentage is insane. But one of the things that comes with playing on a team at this level as a young player is that your role can sometimes feel narrow compared to your teammates.

“If he wasn’t on such a good team, he’d probably be able to do a lot more, and his role would be a little broader. So, when you have a guy that’s committed to that kind of role, is committed to winning and the team’s success, having a night like tonight, everybody’s happy for him.”

While Wallace’s role has changed sporadically throughout the regular season due to the Thunder’s long list of injuries, he makes the most of his opportunities.

“He shows up – he takes whatever minutes he gets. Sometimes he starts, sometimes he doesn’t. Some nights he gets some shots, and he doesn’t get his breakthrough,” Daigneault said. “So, on a night when he does that, and he delivers, everyone is thrilled for him.”

For Wallace, it’s sometimes hard to believe how far he’s come. It all happened very quickly for the top-10 draft pick, who became an NBA champion, led the association in steals, and emerged as a key member for a team with the potential to win back-to-back titles.

If Wallace could talk to that younger version of himself, he would only give that kid one strong piece of advice for the future.

“I would tell the younger version of me to keep working hard,” Wallace said. “Results come from being disciplined, having confidence in yourself and your teammates, and being prepared for every opportunity.”

Wallace is living proof of what the other side of that hard work is.