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Netherlands icon Ruud Gullit has supported the decision west ham united star Crescencio Somerville for the World Cup, despite differing opinions about him in his home country.

football primer report Comments from the Dutch icon today. He is apparently a big fan of the West Ham star.

West Ham’s best player

Crescencio Somerville has undoubtedly been West Ham’s best player this season, despite falling short in the Championship.

Bouncing back from a difficult first season at the London Stadium last year, the 24-year-old was the driving force behind the Hammers’ efforts to stay up this season. a big summer move Could be on the cards as a result.

His former player has included him in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup ahead of Liverpool’s Jeremy Frimpong. This is despite not having appeared for the senior national team to date.

He has long been linked with a potential call up after playing for his country at U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 level. He has also opposed efforts by Suriname to change allegiance.

Ruud Gullit’s support

Gullit supported the decision, despite Somerville’s reputation raising eyebrows in his homeland.

“I’ve known him for some time,” he said on RTL Tonight.

“He’s awesome; he has an opinion, too. He was always considered a little tough, but really tough players are the most fun.

“They think outside the box, they think differently. He had a stint in England, played for Leeds United and then moved to West Ham United. I think it’s a worthy reward. But it’s certainly bittersweet for other players who thought they would be included.”

Fellow panelist Glenn Helder West Ham United are equally positive about the star’s involvement. He believes the inclusion of Crescencio Somerville is indicative of the out-of-the-box thinking from Koeman and his team.

“I really like it,” he said during Studio Orange.

“He was always a good player, but not really fully functional. He has become a really good footballer in England. These types of players have creativity. I can only appreciate that. It’s really thinking outside the box.”

With Danhausen becoming one of WWE’s more popular talents, a new rumor suggests the company has some big plans for him at WrestleMania 42 this weekend.

The former AEW wrestler’s debut at Elimination Chamber in February did not go as well as expected, as he received a lukewarm reception from WWE fans in Chicago. However, this may have been a good thing as it lowered expectations. Since that moment, the unique comic character has quickly endeared himself to disaffected fans.

Now, the man known for cursing his enemies is quite excited for his first WrestleMania. Although he does not have an official match on the card, there has been much speculation on how he may be used during the two-night event.

Will Danhausen meet John Cena at WrestleMania?

On Friday, we got some new information about WWE’s Danhausen plans for this weekend via BodySlam+. According to the outlet, the wrestling version of Dracula won’t just make a one-time appearance during WrestleMania. In fact, the company is planning for them to have multiple segments over the course of two nights.

Yet that was not the most interesting part of the intelligence. BodySlam+ also reports that one of those segments will see Danhausen face off against WWE GOAT John Cena, who will host both nights of WrestleMania 42.

While no one had Danhausen and Cena in the ring on their bingo card following their retirement in December, they could have finally delivered one of the most memorable moments of WrestleMania 42.

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

liverpool Favorite Dirk Kuyt has admitted he could have joined Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Anfield.

Speaking on the Rondje Robb podcast, the Feyenoord legend explained why he rejected Spurs at the last minute. He chose loyalty over a Premier League switch.

“I could go to Spurs”

The former Netherlands striker has revealed he turned down Tottenham a year before moving to the Premier League with Liverpool.

He joined the Reds in August 2006 for €18m. He made 285 appearances at Anfield, scoring 75 goals and 40 assists and winning the League Cup during his time in the Reds.

During his time on Merseyside he firmly established himself as a fan favourite. But things could have been very different had Tottenham made the call a year earlier.

Kuyt confirmed that Tottenham, under chairman Daniel Levy, applied serious pressure to sign him in the final hours of the window. But the forward refused to walk away from Feyenoord.

“I could have gone to Spurs on the last day, but I didn’t want to do that with Feyenoord.” In 1908 he was reported as saying.

He then expanded on that conversation with Levi. “I told him at the time: ‘I don’t want to do this with Feyenoord on the last day of the transfer window.’

“At that point, you find yourself wondering: ‘Will that opportunity ever come again?’ But a year later, Liverpool came calling.

Atletico Madrid sent a private jet

Tottenham were not the only side trying to lure Dirk Kuyt away from Feyenoord. He revealed that Atletico Madrid had also come very close to securing his signature.

“The president of Atlético Madrid sent a private jet to Rotterdam. He intended to take us to Madrid,” he said.

“My agent told me: ‘You have to understand: If we get on that plane, we’re not coming back.’ I thought it was really amazing that we ultimately decided not to do it.”

no regrets

Luckily for the former striker, it appears he has no regrets. He remained loyal to Feyenoord. A year later he received a big fee from Liverpool. He then became a cult icon at Anfield.

Yet he found a storybook ending at Feyenoord. He made a comeback towards the end of his career and captured the title by scoring a hat-trick in his final game. This was his first time in 18 years.

None of this would have been possible had he accepted Tottenham’s offer so many years ago, something he clearly knows.

Tottenham Hotspur star Xavi Simmons has found himself in the sights of Raphael van der Vaart, and the former Tottenham midfielder is not impressed.

De Telegraaf reports on Van der Vaart’s comments today. He has been critical of Simmons on Ziggo Sport’s Rondo. And he admitted he expected more from the 22-year-old.

“He disappoints me,” He said.

“I expected too much from him. He wants to show how good he is. It has the opposite effect

“He was a young talent and everyone was talking about him. He’s still playing somewhat the same way.”

“Nothing”

This disappointment is partly due to what came before Tottenham. Simons had established himself as a star man at RB Leipzig, scoring 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 games for the club.

He also impressed on loan at PSV Eindhoven, scoring 22 goals and 11 assists in a total of 48 games for the Dutch side. His record so far at Tottenham is four goals and five assists in 38 games.

Van der Vaart was watching and couldn’t understand how it went so badly at Tottenham.

“His spell at Leipzig was really good. Tottenham is nothing. After PSV, he showed it in the Bundesliga as well,” He added.

Van der Vaart is not the only one to be unsure about Xavi Simmons. Dutch icon Ruud Gullit is also watching. And as a result he is left surrounded by questions.

“He’s very hyped. I still don’t really know how good he can be,” He concluded.

Premier League statistics disappoint

Taking a cold look at the numbers certainly wouldn’t make a happy reading with Xavi Simmons, certainly in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has managed just one goal and four assists in 25 games this season. These are not the kind of figures Tottenham expect from a player who cost €65m in the summer. RB Leipzig certainly don’t regret this deal.

TransferMarket now values ​​him at €50m. This alone shows how much Simmons has struggled this season.

Now Van der Vaart has his sights set on him, and he wants everyone to know he’s not impressed. We’re sure Tottenham fans share this sentiment.

One of Middlesbrough’s past idols has come into focus again this week, after a detailed account of his move to England – and why perhaps he should never have left.

Juninho Paulista, who became one of the club’s most recognizable names in the late 1990s and early 2000s, made a significant impact in several spells at the Riverside.

In total, he played 150 matches for Middlesbrough, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists. He came to the club on three separate occasions, underlining both his importance and the relationship he formed with the team and fans.

Notably, he was also part of the team that won the League Cup during his second tenure in 2004, one of the club’s most significant modern achievements.

His comments now provide new insight into Middlesbrough’s recruitment strategy at the time as well as the impact he made after arriving.

According to the player, the move can be traced back to an international tournament in 1995, when he first attracted the attention of English football while playing for Brazilian side São Paulo.

“We played the Umbro Cup in England. It was Brazil, England, Sweden and Japan. We became champions and beat England 3-1 at Wembley.” he explained to one brazilian podcast.

Sport Witness has translated the comments relating to Middlesbrough.

That competition proved to be decisive. Middlesbrough’s manager at the time, Bryan Robson, had close ties to the England setup and quickly rose to prominence at the club.

“The Middlesbrough manager was the assistant to the England coach. That’s when I started getting interested in taking him to England.”

However, the transfer did not happen immediately. Work permit rules delayed the deal, forcing the club to wait until the player met the required international appearance criteria.

“At that time, you needed 70% national team appearances over two years. I didn’t have that yet. They kept waiting, I kept getting called up, and when I became eligible, they came back for me.”

The pitch and initial impact of the Middlesbrough project

Bryan Robson’s role went beyond recruitment. The former midfielder reassured the player with a clear playing approach, which resonated strongly.

“I believed in the Middlesbrough project because Robson convinced me. He said: ‘Come on, we’re going to build a technical team, not a physical team.'”

That promise was in line with his own style. Middlesbrough was not yet an established power, but ambition played an important role.

“Middlesbrough was a small club that wanted to go from medium to big. So I believed in the project.”

The adaptation was not without challenges. The weather deteriorated immediately, but things developed quickly on the pitch.

“I came in a harsh winter. The cold was tough. But I adapted well to English football. With long balls and pace, spaces appeared.”

It suited his game. He got the job done and made an immediate impact.

“In the first year I already had some influence. In the second year, personally, it was great. I was named best player in the league.”

Status and lasting relations in England

At that time, his arrival had widespread significance. He represented Brazil at international level wearing the iconic number 10 shirt.

“I was playing as a Brazilian number 10. For a Brazilian number 10 to go to a mid-level English club, it means a lot.”

That context helped shape how he was received not only at Middlesbrough, but across the country.

“I have a lot of affection for him and he also has a lot of affection for me.”

Even after years, this bond remains strong. Even recent visits underline his enduring popularity at the club.

“I went back with my son. He said: ‘You look like Neymar or Messi here!’ He was surprised at how people treated me.”

According to him, the appreciation remains at Middlesbrough because of how the club values ​​its past.

“There, the past is given a lot of importance. They recognize what you did.”

What does it say about Middlesbrough

The story recalls a period when the club successfully attracted elite level talent through a clear project and strong leadership.

Bryan Robson’s influence was central in both identifying goals and selling the long-term vision. The club’s patience with work permit issues also highlights a strategic approach that paid off.

At the same time, the player’s reflections reinforce his influence on Riverside. His numbers across three spells, coupled with the League Cup win, point to a transfer relationship that provided real value.

He regrets leaving England, which also adds an interesting aspect. This shows that Middlesbrough provided an environment where he could continue to progress.

For a club that continues to balance ambition with stability, there are clear parallels with the current times.

🇩🇪Robin Fellhauer | Middlesbrough initiate contact for the signature of the versatile player

⏩ Trying to transfer borough
📅Interest in winter markets returns
➕ Burnley are also keenhttps://t.co/BkJ9X7r4RH #boro

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 27 March 2026

The San Antonio Spurs have been on a roll lately and continued their winning ways with an impressive win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday evening. It was another solid game for Victor Vembanyama, who scored 19 points with 15 rebounds in the win.

One of the Spurs’ unsung heroes this year is Keldon Johnson, who is one of the leading candidates for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Recently, Spurs commentator and former player Sean Elliott joked about Johnson’s listed weight of 215 pounds after a win over the Grizzlies.

“I wanted to ask you what you have listed here, because we’ve had a lot of fun with it over the last few months. According to the official game notes, you weigh exactly the same as Julian Champagne at 215, Stephen Castle weighs 220, which is more than you… Keldon Johnson, 6’6″, 215. What you’re doing there at 215 pounds is amazing… I want to know how in the world you’re getting away from that. Are,” X, Elliott previously said on Twitter, per FanSided’s Josh Paradee.

Johnson responded with a smile, “I’m not 215 years old.” “Maybe a year ago. I’m a little over 215.”

Regardless of his weight, Johnson has been a key piece for the Spurs this year, providing solid defense, showing an improved three-point touch, and continuing to be a force as a driver to the basket, putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses around the rim.

He is one of several Spurs players who have stepped up to give Wembanyama an elite supporting cast this year, and San Antonio is looking like a legitimate championship contender as a result.

The Spurs next play on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

Washington Commander-One of the greatest players in Redskins history is returning to the field for the first time in 24 years, and it’s all in an attempt to win Olympic gold in 2028.

In two years, the Olympics will return to the United States for the Los Angeles Summer Games. And for the first time, American football will be among the games played. However, it will not be traditional tackle football and will instead mark the debut of flag football as an Olympic sport.

This week, national team tryouts are taking place in Chula Vista, California, and one of the athletes vying for a spot on the USA Soccer roster is a Hall of Famer. The Associated Press reports that Washington Commanders veteran Darrell Green will be one of the players competing in the tryouts.

What makes this news so interesting is that the seven-time Pro Bowler’s 66th birthday is just a few weeks away. And the last time he played in an NFL game was in 2002. However, Green will go down as one of the greatest cornerbacks in league history because he was a freak athlete with epic speed, and it looks like the senior has some left in the tank.

“Darrell qualified through our digital combination. He’s later in his career than other testing participants, but his testing results were impressive,” Kelly Brownson, senior director of high performance and national teams for USA Soccer, told the AP. “Our coaches and staff felt he deserved a closer look. … He is a rare athlete who has remained in shape and is ready to compete this week.”

Green went viral in 2024 after a video surfaced showing how good the 64-year-old athlete was still when he took some high school players under the tree of learning in a training session. Furthermore, this is the same guy who ran a 4.2 40 yard dash in 2000 at age 40.

If there was any player who could surprise USA Soccer officials and earn a spot on the team, it’s Darrell Green. It also helps that some current NFL stars will be taking part in flag football’s Olympic debut.

The corner played all 20 of his NFL seasons in Washington, and is their all-time leader in games played, interceptions and defensive touchdowns. He was the first inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

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

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar is nearing contract expiration with Sao Paulo FC after reportedly waiving a large sum of money due under his deal.

according to globo esporteThe 34-year-old has given up approximately R$53m. This is equivalent to approximately €9.8m (£8.4m) based on current exchange rates. However, he is still demanding a payout of more than R$7m – around €1.3m (£1.1m).

The amount owed relates to unpaid image rights and a signing bonus, known as a “glove” in Brazil. Initially, Oscar wanted the full amount paid. Now he has agreed to receive it in installments till the end of 2027.

financial picture breakdown

The situation is clear from Oscar’s camp. He believes he can legally demand the full value of his contract, which runs until December 2027 and is worth a total of around R$53m (€9.8m / £8.4m).

Instead, the former Chelsea cult icon is only demanding a share commensurate with the period before he suffered a medical incident in November last year. In other words, he is not studying the remaining years completely.

Sao Paulo does not verify the figures. The club considers the contract “suspended” through the end of 2025. Negotiations between executive director Rui Costa and agent Giuliano Bertolucci have been described as progressing well. The club also reportedly owes commission payments to middlemen.

informed about health conditions

As we covered at the time, Oscar collapsed during pre-season tests at the training ground in São Paulo. He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with vasovagal syncope – a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a drop in blood pressure and heart rate.

Doctors indicated that there is no risk of death in this condition. However, this requires monitoring. Oscar followed recovery protocols and briefly returned to the training center, but he finally opted for retirement.

For Chelsea supporters, this is a serious development. Oscar is best remembered for his role at Stamford Bridge during the 2012–13 season, which included their Champions League-winning season.

Now the focus is on next week’s meeting. If the parties agree a €1.3m (£1.1m) settlement structure, their Sao Paulo chapter will formally close – and with it, what many in west London still consider to be the final contract of a player considered a cult favourite.