Front page report of ‘super duel’ to sign Chelsea player – Blues expected to lose star

The competition is going on for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid chelseaMark Cucurella this summer.

Last month, Sports Witness broadcast news The left-back is a dream target for the Madrid club, having missed out on him on two occasions in the past.

On Thursday, we Covered claims from Spain Barcelona’s sporting director Deco contacted him in May. The 28-year-old feels his time at Chelsea is over.

As well as the fullback, two Spanish clubs are fighting for Bernardo Silva, who has left Manchester City. Hansi Flick’s side are also keen to sign Atletico star Julian Alvarez.

La Liga giants fighting for Chelsea star

Mark Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez are on Friday’s front page Sports world. The pair are set to face a ‘super duel’ between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and will also try to sign the former striker.

Diego Simeone’s side are desperate to sign the Chelsea player this summer. However, he will face competition from Barcelona, ​​who have emerged as an option for the 27-year-old.

He graduated from the Catalan club’s academy but failed to secure a place in their first team.

The newspaper said: ‘The prospect of returning home as an established player outweighs other offers.’

However, the La Liga winners will first have to sell Alejandro Balde to make room for the Spain international.

Another report from Mundo Deportivo focuses on Los Rojiblancos’ efforts to try to sign Cucurella.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo is also on their list, but the Blues man is the left-back’s main target. Signing the former Brighton player will not be easy with Barcelona and Manchester City also keen.

Spanish media value Cucurella at €50m while UK claims Chelsea want €70m. If this were true, Atlético would not be able to match the asking price.

The Blues are aware that the Spaniard wants to return to his country and they suspect he could ‘move’ this summer. In other words, their hopes of keeping it are diminishing.

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the new manager, and he will have the final say on his compatriot’s future.

Contract, price and agent information

Mark Cucurella has just over two years left on his contract and is now valued at €50m transfer market.

The Chelsea player is represented by Dupla Pique & Dominguez, an agency owned by Alex Pique and Alvaro Dominguez.

#Front #page #report #super #duel #sign #Chelsea #player #Blues #expected #lose #star

Francisco Trincao: Liverpool set to sign 31 G/A star, Reds interest front page story

Liverpool target Trincao
Liverpool target Trincao

liverpool Sporting star Francisco Trincao is on his target list for the summer.

The Portugal international has operated primarily on the right wing for most of his career.

However, he played primarily as an attacking midfielder at Sporting this season, scoring 13 goals and providing 18 assists in 53 matches.

His performances have already caught the attention of Liverpool as they are in the market for a new right winger. Mohamed Salah has held that position at Anfield for a long time and will leave after this season.

The Reds have identified RB Leipzig star Yann Diomande as one of their main targets. He ruled out A move in the summer but left the door open for a future transfer.

Arne Slot’s team will have to focus on other targets and could consider signing Sporting Man.

Liverpool keen on former PL attacker

Francisco Trincão spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring three goals and one assist in 30 appearances.

The Merseyside club could bring him back to the Premier League in the summer.

The 26-year-old is on today’s front page recordWhich has ‘Trincao on the English route’ written in bold and also mentions Liverpool’s interest.

In the report, the newspaper says that the attacker has a market in England.

The Reds are the only club mentioned and are keen to acquire his services.

Therefore, the Lions are willing to listen to offers, as long as it is acceptable. He has a release clause of €60m in his contract, but Sporting could probably sell him for a lower price.

Earlier this month, Sporting manager Rui Borges had already hinted that he “may want to take a different path” in the summer.

All of these factors should please Liverpool, as long as they are willing to make a concrete move to sign Trincao.

Contract, price and agent information

On 4 March, Francisco Trincão signed a new contract with Sporting until 2030. Now its value, according to transfer market€35m and is the highest of his career.

The agency Gestifute, headed by super-agent Jorge Mendes, represents the sporting individual.

#Francisco #Trincao #Liverpool #set #sign #star #Reds #interest #front #page #story

Celtic and Rangers shift battle for midfielder – front page story

celtic and Danny Rohl’s Rangers are expected to reshape parts of their midfield this summer, especially with European football again increasing the physical demands on their squads.

Recruitment from Scandinavia has also become a familiar route for Celtic and Rangers in recent years. This helps explain why Silas Anderson is now on their radar.

The 21-year-old BK Hacken midfielder has quietly become one of the most reliable performers in the Danish league over the past season. His combination of defensive intensity, ball-carrying and composure in possession is now attracting the interest of many countries.

According to Portuguese outlet recordBoth Celtic and Rangers are monitoring Anderson closely as Sporting moves forward with attempts to sign the midfielder.

The Portuguese newspaper reports that Sporting has already made preliminary contact with Hacken regarding a possible transfer. Hamburg and FC Köln are also interested, with Köln’s bid of €4m (£3.4m) already rejected.

Hacken is reportedly targeting around €7m (£5.9m) plus bonuses.

Why is Anderson attracting interest from Celtic and Rangers?

Celtic and Rangers involved in big record story
Celtic and Rangers involved in big record story

Silas Andersen has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Danish league since last season. Although his physical profile is immediately imposing at 1.90 metres, he is much more technical than many might expect.

The Denmark U21 international is comfortable carrying the ball through the midfield and regularly beats opponents off the dribble. His control in tight spaces is another strong point, especially for a player of his frame.

Still, it’s defensively where Anderson makes the biggest impact. FootyStats data shows that he wins an average of about nine duels per game and completes about 2.4 tackles per match.

There is also offensive contribution in his game. Anderson leads the way with goals and assists, and Hacken believes there is still significant room for development.

The record state Sporting sees him as a medium-term project rather than a direct Replacement for Morten Hjulmand.

It could also be a good fit for Celtic and Rangers, who have shown a willingness to recruit young Scandinavian talents with resell potential in recent years.

what happens next

Silas Anderson’s situation is now likely to develop rapidly. Haken is aware that a number of clubs are circling, and the rejected Koln offer has already helped set a tough asking price.

For Celtic and Rangers, the attraction is obvious. Anderson combines physicality, defensive reliability and technical quality, while still being young enough to develop further.

A fee of around €7m (£5.9m) would still represent a large investment in Scottish football terms. However, growing Bundesliga and Portuguese interest could push both Glasgow clubs to make a decision sooner rather than later.

#Celtic #Rangers #shift #battle #midfielder #front #page #story

Rodri: Front page report on midfielder leaving Manchester City with Pep

Manchester City Star Rodri is keen to join Real Madrid in the summer.

For much of this year, the Spanish media has regularly covered Real Madrid as an option for the midfielder.

Back in February, Sport Witness broadcast news That Los Blancos want to snatch him from Manchester City after the World Cup.

On March 9, we Claims covered by SPYHe was offered a new contract by Pep Guardiola.

At the end of that month, Spain international refuses to concede Going elsewhere after this season.

Manchester City man long-term Real Madrid target

Rodri is on today’s front page MarkJoe says Los Blancos believe their ‘willingness to be involved facilitates the operation’.

In the report, Marca first reported that Real Madrid have long had the 29-year-old on their radar. Atletico Madrid refused to sell him to their rivals before he moved to the Etihad in 2019.

His name has appeared in recent summer windows, especially following the exit of Toni Kroos in 2024. A deal never seemed possible mainly due to his relationship with Pep Guardiola.

The manager is on the brink of leaving Manchester City after ‘changing the seemingly immovable landscape’.

Barring a twist at the last minute, Rhodri’s master will spare the citizens and this will open the door for their exit. He now likes the idea of ​​returning to Spain, and Real Madrid will be wary.

Los Blancos believe any deal must be done under the right circumstances. Manchester City are ‘not considering an easy exit’ but his willingness to leave could change that. Actually, this player is eager to join Real Madrid.

Despite the ups and downs, relations between the midfielder and the Madrid club remain cordial.

There was some friction after Rodri beat Vinicius Junior to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024. However, Marca state Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ‘later eased the tension by pointing towards the Spaniard.’

Real Madrid is ready for action

Real Madrid wants Manchester City midfielder Rodri
Real Madrid wants Manchester City midfielder Rodri

To summarise, Rodri has been the ‘great unfulfilled dream’ of the La Liga giants and with Guardiola out of the picture his contract now looks possible.

The change in status allows Real Madrid to advance in the upcoming window, as long as the conditions are favourable.

Although Rodri is keen to join Los Blancos, the move is unlikely to take shape until after the World Cup. There is no mention of the fee required to convince Manchester City.

His contract expires in 2027, and transfer market He is worth €65 million.

#Rodri #Front #page #report #midfielder #leaving #Manchester #City #Pep

Clint Kubiak issues clear warning to Raiders coaches and front office

Clint Kubiak has been the Raiders head coach for approximately three months. He has already told his front office that the time for explanations is over.

“I’m very familiar with the resources and facilities the Raiders have,” Kubiak told Raiders.com. “I was practicing here when I was with the 49ers, playing at Allegiant. It’s as good as it gets.” “So as coaches and administrators we have no excuse for not going out and getting great players and getting them to perform at their best.”

This is the kind of quote that travels. It also sets the tone for what analysts are predicting when the OTAs come out.

Other insiders are excited about Raiders 2026

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders Rookie Minicamp
Candice Ward-Imagen Images

The Athletic’s Sam Warren made a post-draft case for cautious optimism, pointing to the under-the-radar work done following the Mendoza selection.

“There was always going to be something to be excited about in this draft class because of Fernando Mendoza,” Warren wrote. “But what the Raiders did on days two and three should also be cause for optimism. Las Vegas addressed its lack of defensive backs in a big way, drafting four of them, all of whom are known for their ball skills,” Warren wrote.

The quarterback room is where most national pundits are descending on this week. He is of great interest in the position battle for Clint Kubiak’s Raiders.

CBS Sports analyst Nate Burleson, seen in the Sports Illustrated video, did not say anything about the QB1 conversation. “I think Kirk is going to miss that opportunity. Mendoza is just not going to be able to beat Kirk Cousins. Kirk is still a veteran quarterback, and if you look at the money they paid him, he’s going to play quarterback there,” Burleson said.

Kubiak isn’t holding back on QB framing

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders-Kirk Cousins ​​press conference
Candice Ward-Imagen Images

Clint Kubiak places no emphasis on the framing created by Burelson. It has made it more complicated.

Kubiak said, “Between Kirk, Aiden and Fernando, they’re three really outstanding players. We’re going to coach our own team, but no matter what they do they always bring out the best in each other.” “So, when it’s a competitive room, it’s a good thing,”

The phrase competitive room keeps coming up again and again. So, what does the phrase “there’s still a long way to go” mean?

Owner Mark Davis opened another door this week by saying, “Fernando Mendoza potentially coming in as the starting QB is very exciting,” Davis said, contradicting the soft consensus that Cousins ​​has locked down the job.

read between the lines. Cousins ​​arrived knowing the offense, having played three seasons under Kubiak at Minnesota. Mendoza comes in as the No. 1 overall pick, the reigning Heisman winner, and by his own admission, is still learning to take a snap from under center.

Nothing is certain about that. Kubiak likes it that way.

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#Clint #Kubiak #issues #clear #warning #Raiders #coaches #front #office

Devils and Maple Leafs could compete again for front office executives

After competing for the services of Sunny Mehta, it looks like the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs may be facing off against each other for another front office executive.

After learning he was also a candidate for the job in Toronto, the Devils were not going to let Mehta slip through their fingers.

He immediately fired Tom Fitzgerald and secured Mehta’s arrival in New Jersey.

Mehta didn’t have to wait long to make changes to his front office and has now relieved former assistant general manager Dan MacKinnon and senior advisor Chuck Fletcher.

Now the Devils GM has a cabinet to build, and he may seek the services of Florida Panthers Director of Player Development Brian McCabe.

“One of the guys I’m curious to see if Mehta will try to add is Brian McCabe.

“Former Maple Leaf defenseman Brian McCabe has a really good reputation for player development,” Elliotte Friedman said on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast. “Mackenzie Weegar is one of those guys who has credited McCabe in the past for really helping him become the player he’s become.”

However, Friedman noted that although John Chayka and Mats Sundin have not yet made a move, McCabe could also be a candidate in Toronto – where he has played before.

Friedman said, “But I’ve also wondered if, for whatever reason, if, if, if, if Toronto makes a change, would Sandin commit to him in a player development role as well.”

McCabe will be a welcome asset to New Jersey. Given his success in developing players like Weegar, Gustav Forsling and Dmitry Kulikov into vital blueliners, this kind of guidance would prove tremendously helpful to Devils defensemen like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec.

McCabe isn’t the only Panthers executive Mehta may have his eye on.

The Devils GM needs a right-hand man, and Braden Burch is the name being whispered about.

“The other guy I heard might be on Sunny Mehta’s radar is a guy named Braden Burch. Now, Burch’s official position is this [Florida’s] Director of hockey operations and salary cap management. He played hockey. he was actually drawn by [Chicago] Blackhawks in 2008, and then he moved abroad. “He’s been around hockey his whole life.”

“When we were talking about… how some of these teams felt that some of the guys they were interviewing were very quiet and didn’t really have a lot of experience in a lot of different areas, one of the future candidates, because I don’t think he’s ready yet, some people reached out to me about Burch, and they wondered if he was ultimately going to be Sunny Mehta’s right-hand man with the Devils. So just a few names that I pointed out there. Wanted to do.

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

#Devils #Maple #Leafs #compete #front #office #executives

The Maple Leafs are being thrown in the trash with the official announcement of the new front office

We’ve known the names for a while: Mats Sundin and John Chayka. But some people around the game still refuse to believe that a former player (a great guy, admittedly) and a young executive, whose last act in the NHL five years ago was getting suspended by the league, would be the new Toronto Maple Leafs front office duo.

But we are here.

The Leafs are officially announcing Sunday that Sundin and Chayka have been hired to run their front office. Sundin’s role will come with the title of Senior Executive Advisor, Hockey Operations. Chaika will be the general manager.

Friedman said it is a full-time commitment for Sundin. He would move his family from Sweden to Toronto.

As far as the composition of the pair is concerned, he says the goal would be to have the two unite publicly. But he adds that “there needs to be someone who has the final say and reports directly to MSLE President and CEO Keith Pelley. That’s Chayka. The position the organization advertised in its interview process was ‘Chief of Hockey Operations,’ and Chayka will be that.”

The move is already being ridiculed in some circles of the game. Sundin has zero front office experience in the NHL, while Chayka was the youngest GM in league history in 2016 when he was hired by the Arizona Coyotes. He left the team after four years under controversial circumstances. He was ultimately suspended for one year by the NHL for “engaging in conduct detrimental to the league and breaching his fiduciary duty to the club”. That conduct included illegal scouting practices, including watching prospects separately from the NHL Combine.

Athletic beat writer Jonas Siegel said he found it “hard to understand what they’re doing.”

“I find it very disappointing,” Siegel said. “I don’t know how these are the two best candidates.”

After a disastrous 2025–26 season, the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. They finished 32–36–14, in second place in the Eastern Conference.

Exciting times ahead for Leafs Nation.


#Maple #Leafs #thrown #trash #official #announcement #front #office

Front page reports as Chelsea defender wants out – star wants transfer after turmoil

Chelsea defender Mark Cucurella
WROCLAW, POLAND – 05 28 2025: Mark Cucurella is seen during the UEFA Conference League 2025 final game between Real Betis Balompié and Chelsea FC.

Has emerged as an option for Barcelona chelseaMark Cucurella after this season.

The left-back is a product of Barcelona’s academy, but he has not received regular opportunities to prove his worth with their first team.

After spells at Eibar and Getafe, he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 and then Chelsea a year later.

After overcoming early difficulties, the left-back has been a regular for the Blues, and has made 158 appearances.

His Premier League statistics this season are as follows:

  • Appearances: 30
  • Start: 27
  • Total minutes: 2,350
  • Minutes per game: 78
  • Interceptions per game: 1.0
  • Tackles per game: 1.6
  • Recoveries per game: 3.3
  • Clearances per game: 2.9
  • Blocked shots per game: 0.3
  • Duels won per game: 3.5

On Tuesday, Sports Witness Covered claims from Spain That Barcelona want to sign the 27-year-old. The same source said the La Liga side have talked about the Chelsea star within the club.

No contact with Chelsea player

Mark Cucurella would welcome a move to Barcelona, ​​and it’s on the front page of today’s edition sports world.

In the report, the newspaper say the Spain international has ‘opened the door’ to joining the La Liga winners.

Add World: ‘For him, a return to Barça would be a personal dream, a special motivation to return to the club of his life as a more mature player.’

During the last international break, the Spanish media asked him about the possibility of returning to Camp Nou.

At that time he said: “It would be hard to turn it down. I have to think about my family. If it happens, it happens, and we’ll see what decision is made.”

While the defender opens the door, Barcelona sporting director Deco has not yet spoken with his agent.

In addition, the situation at Stamford Bridge is another reason why the 27-year-old player is willing to join Barcelona.

The Blues parted ways with Enzo Maresca in January and appointed Liam Rosenior as his successor. Earlier this month, the Club World Cup winners sacked the latter after a string of poor performances.

Chelsea now sit eighth in the table, two points behind sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa. He is likely to miss the Champions League.

Cucurella could consider leaving the west London club if there is an attractive offer and the Blues would also be open to a sale for around €50m.

It is unclear whether Barca are willing to pay this, even though his wages should not be an issue. At the moment, he is not a priority as Deco is focusing on improving other positions. The Catalan club could consider the Spaniard if there are significant sales in the summer.

Contract, price and agent information

Mark Cucurella’s contract expires in 2028 and is worth €50m transfer market.

The Blues fullback is being managed by agents Alex Pick and Alvaro Dominguez.

#Front #page #reports #Chelsea #defender #star #transfer #turmoil

Front page report Manchester United transfer ‘in jeopardy’ – Summer transfer requires big effort

Manchester United-owned Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona
Manchester United-owned Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona

Manchester UnitedMarcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona and his future after this season remains uncertain.

The La Liga winners have agreed a €30m purchase option with Manchester United as part of a loan deal.

On April 1st, we broadcast news The buyout clause was valid until March 31, but others quickly rejected this claim.

Last week, Sports Witness Covered claims from Spain Rashford’s agent Arturo Canales will hold an ‘important meeting’ with Barcelona sporting director Deco to discuss his future.

The England international has scored 12 goals and provided 13 assists in 43 appearances so far this season.

His La Liga statistics are as follows:

  • Appearances: 26
  • Start: 15
  • Total minutes: 1,442
  • Minutes per game: 55
  • Target: 6
  • Assist: 6
  • Expected target: 6.49
  • Expected Support: 4.00
  • Big chances created: 6
  • Big chances missed: 9

Barca’s concerns with the Manchester United man

Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski are on today’s front page gameIn which ‘at risk’ is written in bold letters.

In the report, the newspaper said that the duo would have a ‘very difficult task’ to extend their stay at Barcelona beyond this season. Lewandowski’s contract expires in June while the Manchester United-owned player is on loan.

In January, Hansi Flick’s side began talks to extend the Englishman’s stay and considered a price tag of €30m to be a ‘deal’. However, the issue with the Red Devils is over his wages.

Sport say the forward earns €18m net per year at Manchester United, which Barcelona clearly can’t afford.

The attacker is ready to find different formulas such as spreading his current salary over a longer contract or even reducing his salary.

Game Status: ‘No matter how much it is reduced, the total cost of Rashford will be too high for a player who has not earned a starting place.’

Therefore, Barcelona can only retain him through another loan or if Rashford takes a significant pay cut. It is unclear whether he is willing to do the latter, but the Spanish giants have started looking for other wingers.

Manchester United is waiting for development

The Premier League team is waiting for Barcelona’s final decision on Marcus Rashford. If the Catalan club decides not to retain him, the player will return to Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick has opened the door for a return, while Manchester United are yet to make a decision on his future. He can only make a move if Barcelona will not buy him.

As things stand, Rashford’s permanent move to Camp Nou is ‘in danger’.

#Front #page #report #Manchester #United #transfer #jeopardy #Summer #transfer #requires #big #effort

Detroit Red Wings front office drama: Are big changes coming?

The Detroit Red Wings have some big decisions to make ahead of the 2026 NHL offseason. Despite scoring the most points (92) in a season since 2016, the Red Wings will not participate in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This comes after a historic decline since January, and an NHL insider has the latest information on whether big changes are coming.

There are no expected changes in terms of what the Red Wings front office looks like at this time, as The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reported on the Chris Johnston Show. This also includes Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman, who has been in NHL rumors for the past few weeks.

Will the Detroit Red Wings make the right decision by keeping Steve Yzerman?

Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Kirthman F. Dossier/USA TODAY Network

It’s fair to wonder if the Red Wings might be making the right decision by keeping Yzerman. On one hand, it was Detroit’s best season in 10 years since making the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Red Wings, on the other hand, suffered a massive collapse late in the season and were in jeopardy of the playoffs again.

The Red Wings roster and coaching staff were put together by Yzerman. Detroit head coach Todd McClellan was a great guy and the team is lucky to have him. Meanwhile, Mo Sider is arguably the best defenseman in the NHL while Alex DeBrincat has scored 40 goals. The franchise had not seen a 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa during the 2008–09 season.

However, there are other flaws that should have been addressed. The Red Wings had very little production from their bottom six and the offense struggled to score in five-on-five play. The two were known prior to the NHL trade deadline, where Yzerman acquired defenseman Justin Faulk and forward David Perron.

Getting to this point has been a slow and heartbreaking process, but Detroit has fallen behind three seasons in a row. The Red Wings have the longest playoff drought in the NHL. Unfortunately, the franchise did not have good luck with its playoff position. This is the 13th-best record entering the regular season finale, when 16 teams advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Yzerman has improved the Red Wings over the years, but a late-season slump has ruined the story. As of right now, it doesn’t look like there are going to be any major changes for the front office in Detroit. It’s not a bad decision, but it does mean Yzerman needs to make positive changes this summer.

What should the Detroit Red Wings change outside the front office

NHL: Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings
Rick Osentoski-Imagen Images

The Red Wings need to find the best way to move forward. Detroit has a group of veterans as well as young prospects who haven’t produced as expected. Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is aging while Cedar and Lucas Raymond are coming into their own. Simply put, there are two directions for Detroit.

The organization needs to put their faith in young players and “throw them into the fire” or use their assets to acquire a specific player. Detroit is in desperate need of an elite offensive forward like Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. It also needs another center to take the pressure off Larkin.

From the top six to the bottom six, there are changes that could optimize the offense. The lower six did not provide much in detail and depth of building had to be prioritized. This could come from NHL free agency or trusting young players to perform at the top level.

The defensive lines seem to be quite organized, with most of the focus being on offensive production. The best decision would be to acquire an elite first line forward. Also, the team should put more emphasis on the bottom six players along with other young players in hopes that they can start performing as expected.

The Red Wings may not have much in-house front office drama, but they will need to address the flaws on this roster. It’s time for a concentrated effort to get Detroit back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings out of playoff race after collapse

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#Detroit #Red #Wings #front #office #drama #big #coming

Maple Leafs front office expecting ‘big changes’

The firing of general manager Brad Treliving last week is clearly the first blow to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ownership and MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley have made that clear. Insider Elliotte Friedman gives us the latest insider information about a recent meeting that has left employees around the organization on high alert.

Following the change in general manager, Keith Pelley held a Zoom call with members of the hockey operations department. And after it’s over, and from talking to several people over the past few days, it’s pretty clear that they’re expecting big changes.

I asked, ‘Did Pele say anything specifically about ‘change’ there?’ And it wasn’t that much Wordit was about how he talked. One of the things he mentioned was, ‘We’re going to use our resources to our fullest capacity.’ And he got the feeling that (Pelé) felt he wasn’t doing it. So I think people are expecting there to be more changes.

The Leafs are believed to have some strong analytical people on their staff, including special assistant to the general manager Darryl Metcalf and hockey research and development analyst Cam Charone. This is probably a big part of what the team president was referring to by reiterating that they were not utilizing their resources to their full potential.

More ‘big changes’ coming for Leafs front office

Pelé cited during his big press conference last week that he has plans to find a more ‘data-centric’ head of hockey operations. It seems like he’s looking for someone like… Kyle Dubas. Leafs fans have probably heard of this guy.

Dubas, who has the Pittsburgh Penguins on the verge of clinching a highly unlikely playoff berth this season, was the man who hired players like Metcalf and Charron for the Toronto front office. Dubas is the one who led that strong analytics department.

Of course, previous Leafs corner office ideologues decided to drop Dubas after the 2022-23 season, after seven seasons of playoff failures that included only one series win. The postseason decline continued for nine years following Dubas’ departure, and has now resulted in a complete ban on the playoffs this year.

For now, assistant GMs Brandon Pridham and Ryan Hardy are co-managing the Leafs on an interim basis.

Pelé and his staff have a lot of work to do to turn this around. From the sounds of it, a lot of people in that front office will be looking over their shoulders.

The irony is that the Leafs may have still won something by losing on Saturday night. By allowing the Los Angeles Kings to steal two points in an overtime win, LA remains in a tie for the final wild card berth in the Western Conference. If the Kings make the postseason, the third-round selection sent to Toronto for Scott Laughton at the trade deadline becomes a second-rounder.

#Maple #Leafs #front #office #expecting #big

Report Details Mess Inside Raiders Front Office, Including One Hating Tom Brady Minion

A wild new report details the messy situation inside the Las Vegas Raiders that has alienated top star Max Crosby, including a teammate of Tom Brady who has few fans in the organization.

One of the biggest stories in the NFL as we approach the start of the new league year is the future of Raiders star pass rusher Max Crosby. During a rough stretch in franchise history, the seven-year veteran has been one of the few bright spots as he has earned Pro Bowl honors each of the last five seasons.

Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, his efforts have mostly gone in vain as the Raiders have reached the playoffs only once during his tenure. Additionally, he has had five different head coaches, and it could be six if he remains with the organization in 2026. It’s understandable why Crosby would be frustrated and want out.

Raiders aren’t consulting Crosby during trade talks

raiders
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagen Images

However, Crosby has remained loyal to Raiders fans despite consecutive losses. But the team threw him into the deep end when he requested that he miss the final two games of the season as they vie for the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Which he did. Nevertheless, this caused a rift between the team and Crosby and it was expected that he would soon be traded. Or maybe not.

According to a new report from Michael Silver of The Athletic, the Raiders have made the process of moving the fan-favorite more “messy” than necessary despite overwhelming interest.

“The Raiders are not assuring him that he will accept the best offer he gets or asking him for input on where he would like to play,” writes Silver. “Theoretically, this saga could extend to the draft – or even the season.

“If that happens, it would continue a pattern of dysfunction that has plagued the Silver and Black throughout Crosby’s tenure, and which no sane superstar would ever welcome.”

Tom Brady’s servant is causing trouble at the Raiders facility

raiders
Tim Heitman-Imagen Images

However, an interesting piece of information in Silver’s report reveals another reason why Crosby has soured on the organization: minority owner Tom Brady’s top in-house minion, Alex Guerrero. The man with the title of “Wellness Coordinator” has surprising influence in the Raiders offices and has reportedly used his unusual power to rub many people in the organization the wrong way.

“Guerrero, who regularly attends practices and meetings, is claimed to have significant organizational power, informing players of impending transactions and even signaling to staff members who do not follow his instructions that their jobs may be in jeopardy,” Silver’s report said.

“Guerrero is believed to have direct access to Brady, who lives in Florida and serves as Fox’s lead NFL analyst, limiting his in-person appearances. Suffice it to say, trust issues are rampant at the Raiders’ training facility in Henderson, Nev.”

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After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

#Report #Details #Mess #Raiders #Front #Office #Including #Hating #Tom #Brady #Minion

‘Right in front of Pep’ – Manchester City player jokes after clanger

manuel akanji
Internazionale’s Manuel Acanzi during the UEFA Champions League match Atlético de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milan at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain on November 26, 2025

sports witness I’ve regularly covered how Manchester City loanee Manuel Akanji is performing at Inter Milan.

The Swiss defender has largely been one of the team’s better players, establishing himself as a regular under Cristian Chivu.

This has convinced the Italian media that Inter will hire him permanently. Even if they do not automatically trigger the clause, the Nerazzurri will attempt to keep him beyond this season.

However, things took a turn for the worse for the Manchester City player on Tuesday.

He was responsible for Bodø/Glimt’s first goal in the Champions League play-off second leg. This gave the Norwegian team a huge advantage, playing a role in their 5–2 victory on aggregate.

Despite how impressive he has generally been, Akanji has now attracted criticism.

What is the reaction to Akanji?

Inter Milan’s shock exit from the UEFA competition is being discussed throughout the Italian media. Often in these situations, pointing the finger at someone helps.

Right now, he is Manuel Akanji.

corriere dello sport Just give it a rating of 4/10. He has been described as the ‘worst’ player during the match, despite this mistake coming after he suffered a head injury.

gazzetta dello sport Do the same, give it a 4.5/10 rating.

It’s all a bit unfortunate because the Manchester City player was largely reliable beyond error. He made many improvements and if anything, the entire Inter team struggled to deal with the opposition’s counter-attacks.

mistake proves costly

tutomercatoweb Looking at this incident in detail, it all appears ironic.

This is because Akanji initially joined Inter because he would play Champions League football. He went to the extent of dismissing rivals AC Milan but it was his mistake which led to Inter being eliminated from the Champions League.

He also agrees with Pep Guardiola’s decision to sideline the defender. The Spaniard is admired for his vision, even if the Swiss has largely been influential.

The outlet is certain that his purchase from Manchester City is not in doubt. His mistake was certainly avoidable and would have given Bodo/Glimt a historic win, but he will be signed permanently.

The Manchester City manager was at the match, and it was said that Akanji made a fool of himself ‘right in front of Guardiola’.

#front #Pep #Manchester #City #player #jokes #clanger

LA adds Dodgers executive for front office role

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired longtime Los Angeles Dodgers executive Lon Rosen as president of business operations, the organization announced Thursday, continuing a comprehensive restructuring under new majority owner Mark Walter.

ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported the move to Rosen began his career as a Lakers intern during college.

Rosen’s appointment follows Tim Harris’ decision to step down after the 2025-26 season. Harris spent more than 35 years with the franchise and The Forum and played a central role in securing the team’s lucrative local television rights agreement with Spectrum SportsNet. His departure marks the end of one of the longest executive tenures in franchise history.

The leadership change comes amid broader organizational changes. Earlier this season, Joey and Jesse Buss were dismissed from their executive positions, along with most of the Lakers’ scouting department, as part of a revised front office structure.

The overhaul follows the historic $10 billion sale approved in late October, when the Busch family sold a majority stake in the team to Walter. Walter, who also leads the Dodgers’ ownership group, has overseen a period of sustained success in Major League Baseball. Under his leadership, the Dodgers have captured three World Series titles, including back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025.

The Lakers return to action against the Los Angeles Clippers (26-28) on Friday night at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. Los Angeles enters the matchup 33-21, seeded fifth in the Western Conference as it begins the final stretch of the regular season.


#adds #Dodgers #executive #front #office #role