crystal Palace Won the UEFA Conference League after beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 last night.

Oliver Glasner led the Eagles to the FA Cup title last season, the first major trophy of his career. Since then, under his leadership Crystal Palace have won the Community Shield and now a European trophy.

The match against Rayo Vallecano was the Austrian’s last match with the Premier League team.

They are working on appointing Glasner’s successor and Andoni Ierola is in the running. The latter ended his three-year stint at AFC Bournemouth and is looking for a new club.

On Wednesday, Sports Witness Covered claims from Spain The Eagles made a multi-million pound offer for the 43-year-old. He also has an offer from AC Milan while Bayer Leverkusen are keen.

Irola chose Crystal Palace over Milan

Journalist Daniele Longo took xThe Spaniard did not respond to AC Milan’s report on what was previously known as Twitter.

At San Siro, there is a feeling he will ‘stick to the previous agreement’ with Crystal Palace.

Longo insisted that the manager made his decision on the Eagles based on ‘project and personal matters’ rather than ‘money and contracts’.

gazzetta dello sport Report that the coach, who is first choice for the Rossoneri, is moving to Crystal Palace.

It seems he has decided to accept the London club’s offer rather than Milan’s offer. After failing to qualify for the Champions League, the latter dismissed Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, director Igli Tare and Geoffrey Moncada.

The Italian club will have a new management, which will have to build a new project from scratch, which will make the managerial task more complex.

A move to Selhurst Park would keep Andoni Ierola in the Premier League and allow his family to remain in England. He ‘can enter the market with an ambitious budget’ and that seems impossible with the Italian club.

Gazzetta says Ierola is joining the Eagles, who could announce the deal as early as Thursday.

Italian media unable to accept the verdict

The newspaper says: ‘In football in the early 2000s, no manager hesitated between AC Milan and a team finishing 15th in the Premier League.’

Crystal Palace have qualified for the Europa League after winning the UEFA Conference League. Gazeta did not pay attention to this.

The Italian media seem to be having difficulty accepting that Andoni Ierola prefers the Eagles to Milan, who compete for the title.

Aston Villa Star Emi Buendia has detailed the conversations he had with Unai Emery this summer which led to his return under the Spaniard this season.

AS held an interview with the 29-year-old man today. He is on a high after playing a key role in Aston Villa’s Europa League success Heading towards the World Cup with Argentina.

Best Aston Villa Season

The midfielder has enjoyed his best season to date at Aston Villa. He scored 11 goals and nine assists in 54 games in all competitions and played a key role under Emery after returning in the summer.

He returned to Aston Villa in the summer after a loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen for the second half of last season.

The perception was that Aston Villa would focus on different players and make moves in the summer. However, a difficult summer window gave the Argentine a chance to impress. He has done just that and explained how.

When asked what the key to the transformation was, she said, “A lot of hard work. A lot of hard work, a lot of confidence too.”

“I always knew and told both the coach and the coaching staff that I felt capable of staying at the club this season.

“Then, throughout the season, with hard work, you see things start to go well. That’s important in this game. And well, it’s also about personal confidence, confidence in my teammates, confidence in the coaching staff and trying to have my best season individually.”

unai emery conversation

His return to Aston Villa last summer saw him in talks with Unai Emery about what he could do going forward.

The midfielder has previously struggled to impress under the Aston Villa boss but is now one of his star men. And he revealed what their conversation was like before the season started.

“When the transfer window opened, we had a conversation where we discussed what I could contribute to the team,” he said.

“I made it clear that I want to stay at the club and help. Emery knows how to get the best from each player. Personally, in my role on the field and taking into account the demands he makes on each player, we work individually to be able to deliver what he needs as a coach.

“From the beginning, with a lot of hard work, paying close attention to every detail, paying attention to everything that can make a difference. We grew with the team throughout the season.”

move flop to success

The turnaround is interesting for Emi Buendia, who was considered a major flop before impressing under Emery.

After impressing for three years at Norwich City he moved to Villa Park in 2021 on a €38.4m deal. He was a star for the Championship team but struggled to make the step up to the Villans. Now he is a major player and is thrilled to remember that move from five years ago.

“It wasn’t that big a leap because I spent three incredible seasons with Norwich, in which we won all four championships. In mid-season we played in the Premier League, but we couldn’t avoid relegation,” he concluded.

“When I signed for Villa, I already had experience of playing at the highest level in the world. I grew up embracing the pace of English football, which is essential to playing this dynamic style. And then developing technical skills which are very important.

“I remember the call from Aston Villa with great emotion because the project they presented to me, fortunately, gradually became reality over the years.

“The club’s ambition was to achieve the things we are experiencing now. It was a big step in my career. I’m personally very proud of it, and today I can enjoy all these wonderful things.”

bournemouth RB Leipzig full-back David Raum is currently the frontrunner, although he is set to remain at the German club.

Sport Bild reports on the 28-year-old player todayAnd how the World Cup could lead to a summer move for the left-back.

bournemouth front runner

The newspaper reports that although Leipzig are well ahead in their planning for next season, the World Cup could throw everything into disarray.

While the club is wishing for a strong World Cup for its players, the reality is that it could also bring an offer to the table that the club cannot easily refuse.

David Raum is one of those who could attract offers. The defender has been very open about his plans at the moment. He has asked Leipzig’s management to discuss a possible extension of his deal, which expires in 2027.

But he also has his sights set on the Premier League. This means he is looking to showcase his skills in front of the top English clubs during the World Cup, and is hoping to open doors for the ‘above average teams’ who have recently shown interest.

marco rose connection

According to the newspaper Bournemouth are currently the ‘frontrunners’ for his signature.

Next season they will be managed by Marco Rose. David Raum made 97 appearances under him at Leipzig, more than the other four managers who worked under him at the club.

In fact, Rhum has played more games under any other visiting Bournemouth manager in his career so far. This link is clear for this summer.

But it is not clear that Raum believes Bournemouth is big enough as a club. The suggestion here is that he wants to attract bigger clubs than the Cherries in the Premier League. A good performance in the World Cup can help in this.

Sport Witness covered a report on Raum’s interest last year In a move to Manchester United. Since they are still looking for a new leftist, perhaps this is what he is trying to explain.

Eljif Elmas will be looking for a new club in the summer and have expressed interest in Aston Villa And Sunderland.

Napoli signed the 26-year-old on loan from RB Leipzig in the summer. Partenopei had the option to buy him permanently €17 million, having seen him perform well in the ongoing campaign.

The midfielder has played 32 times in Serie A, playing in the middle of the park during injury crises. He has also performed out wide and in attacking midfield, scoring a total of four goals.

sports witness Have covered interest from Manchester United over the past few months. Although it has not started, it is certain that Napoli will not exercise their option to buy.

tutomercatoweb There have now been reports of interest from Aston Villa and Sunderland.

Initial contact is being made

The report makes it clear that Napoli CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis has no intention of exercising his option to buy. Elmas is not part of Leipzig’s plans and this will leave him looking for a new club.

Sunderland and Aston Villa have made moves for him in recent times.

The player is keen to play Champions League football, leaving the Black Cats as an option he is not attracted to.

This makes Aston Villa a more likely option. As a result, Unai Emery’s side will increase their efforts by already making inquiries for him.

Aston Villa are smart to move forward

Elmas is a classic market opportunity and a very useful player to add to the team. He can play in a variety of positions, often contributes to goals and has a clean fitness record.

This is why Aston Villa would be smart to make a move, Emery is no stranger to having versatile players in the squad.

He is only 26 years old and is unlikely to be worth much. While his Leipzig contract expires in 2028, he is not part of their plans and around €17 million could prove enough to sign him.

Aston Villa should be alert to the situation, Elmas’ technical ability may also attract Emery.

The Green Bay Packers signed wide receiver Jaden Reed to a three-year contract extension in April, ensuring that another key part of their offense will be around for years to come. With summer practice approaching, we may see contract extensions for some other Packers players.

Let’s take a look at what contract extensions could look like for Tucker Craft, Lucas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and Christian Watson.

tucker craft

If Tucker Craft doesn’t suffer an ACL injury in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers, there’s a good chance he could have received some second-team All-Pro votes in 2025. Green Bay’s standout tight end totaled 489 receiving yards with 6 touchdowns in eight games. Among tight ends with more than 40 targets, he led his teammates in yards per reception (15.3) and yards per route run (2.56). Although there is some additional risk to Kraft due to his torn ACL, it makes sense to sign him to a long-term deal now rather than waiting until his contract expires. Given that Kyle Pitts recently signed the franchise tag at $15.045 million, the cost of an extension would likely be high. We think a four-year deal that makes Kraft one of the three highest-paid tight ends in the NFL can be accomplished, with Green Bay working in bonus structures depending on Kraft’s health.

• Prediction: 4 years, $68 million ($17 million AAV) and $40 million total guaranteed

Connected: Green Bay Packers players who may be out in 2026

devonte wyatt

Selected by Green Bay with the 28th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt has taken some time to really establish himself. He was on pace to record more than five sacks in a season for the third consecutive year before suffering a fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle. Assuming he makes a full recovery, Green Bay will have an interior pass-rushing specialist who is still a bargain at his fifth-year option salary of $13.922 million. The rate of pass-rushing interior tackles has increased in recent years, demonstrated by the fact that 13 defensive tackles now have deals worth more than $20 million per season. Realistically, should Wyatt beat out the Javon Kinlow deal ($45 million over three years) by a wide margin, Zack Siler ($21.333 million AAV) could potentially be a high-end target for a deal.

• Prediction: 3 years, $62 million ($20.6 million AAV)

RELATED: Green Bay Packers who could be on the roster bubble in 2026

Christian Watson

It’s fair to say the Packers wish they had signed Christian Watson to a contract extension before Alec Pierce re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Watson has durability issues working against him, but he has also put up 1,231 receiving yards in his last 25 games over the past two seasons and averaged 19.2 yards per reception. He is entering a contract year and the fact that Green Bay did not use any draft capital on a receiver suggests that Brian Gutekunst has long-term plans for Watson in Matt LaFleur’s offense. We believe a deal could be reached this summer, but it would cost much more than some estimates.

• Prediction: 3 years, $85.5 million, with $65 million total guaranteed

READ MORE: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, see where the Packers land

lucas van ness

Lucas Van Ness hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations the Packers front office had for him when he was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In 43 career games, he has only managed 34 pressures, 23 QB hits, 17 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. However, Green Bay exercised its option for the 2027 season with $13.8 million fully guaranteed. It certainly shows that the coaching staff still has a lot of confidence in him, especially after new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon took over. We think something similar could be done with Jordan Love in 2023, when he was signed to a one-year extension.

• Prediction: 1-year, $15 million extension

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

newcastle united Sporting is taking a closer look at another striker after seeing Victor Gyökeres succeed following his move to Arsenal.

And the player attracting attention this time is Luis Suarez, who has quietly had one of the most productive seasons in Europe. And yes, he has the same name as the former Liverpool striker.

He’s not even Uruguayan – he’s Colombian. And he has scored 35 goals in 50 official matches for Sporting this season.

He has also added several assists and has become the clear attacking point of reference for manager Rui Borges’ team after arriving from Almería last summer. As replacement for Victor Gyöckeres.

Before moving to Portugal, Suárez had already shown his goalscoring ability in Spain by finishing as the second division’s top scorer during the 2024–25 season. That form has now pushed him firmly onto the Premier League radar.

to attract attention again

earlier this year, We covered Portugal’s claims Newcastle United and Liverpool mentioned as interested parties. The dust settled a bit when Sporting advanced to the Champions League knock-outs and chased Porto in the league.

Now that both the races are over, speculations have started increasing again.

and according to recordNewcastle have been making inquiries about the 28-year-old striker and have been submitting scouting reports throughout the season, especially after his performances in the Champions League.

The Portuguese newspaper reports that there is still no formal offer on the table. Sporting are also relaxed about the growing interest due to the player’s €80m (£69m) release clause, with the Lisbon side reportedly having no intention of lowering it.

Newcastle United are keeping a close eye

Luis Suarez has reportedly become a regular topic inside Newcastle’s scouting department in recent months. The Magpies are considering attacking reinforcements and see parallels between the Colombian’s rise and the path previously taken by Gyöckeres at Sporting.

However, the Record note Newcastle’s playing situation could play a factor in any final negotiations. Eddie Howe’s side are currently in mid-table and could miss out on European football next season.

It matters to Suarez. The striker reportedly wants to continue fighting for trophies and playing European football after returning to Europe’s biggest stage this season.

For now, his focus is on Sporting’s final matches of the campaign and the upcoming World Cup with Colombia, where they could face Portugal during the group stage.

confident about the situation

Despite transfer noise, reports state that Luis Suarez is happy in Lisbon and currently wants to stay at Sporting.

The forward has reportedly settled very well in Portugal and feels trusted by the club’s hierarchy, coaching staff and supporters.

The record states that stability has been particularly important during a difficult personal period, including a legal dispute involving his children from a previous marriage.

It leaves Sporting in a strong position ahead of the summer window.

The Portuguese club have a striker scoring at an elite level, a player who is not under pressure to leave, and an €80m (£69m) clause that protects them from lower offers.

Nevertheless, Newcastle’s growing interest suggests that Premier League clubs believe Suárez could follow Gyöckeres’ path and become Sporting’s next major export.

of leeds united The long-running pursuit of Hidemasa Morita is now moving towards a concrete result, with the midfielder’s position strongly pointing towards a summer move – provided one key condition is met.

The Sporting CP player is on Leeds’ radar for 2025. At the time, the club had assessed a deal but backed out. The fee, estimated at around €10 million (£8.7 million), and concerns over fitness made the move difficult to justify.

Twelve months later, the same deal looks very different. Morita is now approaching the end of his contract and is expected to Skip to free transfer.

As we recently coveredSports fans are pleading for him to stop. His form has improved, his availability has been more consistent and he has become one of their most important players this season.

However, what has changed most is the level of clarity around the move.

Now move forward gathering real speed

As reported by Portuguese outlet to ballHidemasa Morita’s departure from Sporting is considered almost certain, with the midfielder having already decided not to renew his contract. “Leeds road tolls continue to decline”His latest piece says.

More importantly, the Japan international has made it clear that he wants to play in the Premier League and, importantly, that it is a condition rather than a priority.

He has indicated that he is only Interested in moving to England’s top flightShaping the entire conversation around that need.

Leeds are currently in a strong position to secure it, and that fixture strengthens their hand. Instead, the rest of the deal aligns naturally.

The club has maintained interest in it since last summer and it is again being ranked as the most likely destination. Contrary to previous reports, the move is now described as very advanced, suggesting that discussions have moved beyond simple surveillance.

Farc effect and strategic fit

Another important development is the role of Daniel Farke in this process.

The Leeds United manager is understood to be a driving force behind the interest. His intention to create a more possession-based midfield has influenced recruitment thinking, and Morita is seen as a player who fits that profile.

His ability to operate as both a No. 6 and No. 8 adds to that appeal. Although he is not a high-output player in terms of goals, his strengths lie in positional play, control and balance.

The scenario now is a free transfer, a player eager to make the move, a manager who wants him, and a club that is already familiar with his profile.

So the deal that Leeds once walked away from now looks like they are ready to complete.

near barcelona Tottenham HotspurCristian Romero on his short list for the summer.

The La Liga winners are preferring to sign Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni, but his €70m price tag is too high.

On 29 April, Game Witness Covered claims from Spain The Tottenham star is Bastoni’s main option.

tottenham players suit flick

Sport covered two previous reports on Barcelona’s interest in Cristian Romero.

A fresh claim from game The latest covers and the headline says the Tottenham Hotspur defender’s leadership impresses Hansi Flick.

Accompanying the report, the newspaper states that Alessandro Bastoni remains the main defensive target.

However, Barça will not and cannot meet his €70m price tag.

The Argentina international is still in Plan B and has the characteristics that match what the German coach is looking for.

Flick recently used Iñigo Martínez, now at Al-Nassr, as an example to explain the importance of leadership qualities.

“Last season we had Iñigo Martínez, who was a great leader. We need players who are able to lead on the field,” He said.

“It’s not just about talking about tactics; we need players whose performances on the field become the talking point. In Champions League matches, we need players who can show us where we need to go.”

The Tottenham star has ‘more than enough pedigree’, having won the World Cup with Argentina and the Europa League with Tottenham.

Romero is not fit at all and lacks ‘the finesse of Bastoni’, but is still a ‘good fit’ for Barca.

He could leave Roberto De Zerbi for a ‘very good price’. Sport claim his valuation is around €50m, which could drop further if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League.

Our opinion: Spurs unlikely to offer huge discount

With a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur moved out of the relegation zone.

They are now in 17th place, one point ahead of 18th-placed West Ham United and two points behind 16th-placed Nottingham Forest. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have three more matches to avoid relegation to the championship.

In the event of relegation, Spurs will still remain firm on the price of Cristian Romero as he attracts interest from some top European clubs.

The World Cup winner’s contract expires in 2029 and his value, accordingly transfer marketIs €50m.

armory, chelsea, Manchester City And Manchester United Ajax star Mika Godts is unlikely to face competition from Barcelona this summer.

Journalist Matteo Morato reports that the Catalan giants have no interest in the 20-year-old, despite reports to the contrary. Voetbal Primeur reported his comments today.

Premier League interest

Mika Godes is set to receive a big-money move this summer after establishing himself as a rising star in Europe at Ajax this season.

The youngster has scored 16 goals and 13 assists in 39 games for Ajax this season, including a spectacular solo goal in the 2-0 win over NAC Breda that grabbed the headlines. Overall, the youngster has scored 24 goals and 23 assists in 106 games for the Dutch giants since his debut.

The Premier League is already making the rounds. Sport Witness covered a report stating that Arsenal and Chelsea have already sent scouts. Manchester City and Manchester United are also in the mix. However, fans have been urged to avoid heading to the Etihad.

A report from the Netherlands has also included Barcelona in the mix. But, speaking to Radio Marca, Matteo Moretto insisted that is not the case.

“I’ll tell you something else, Ajax winger Mika Godts’ name has come up often,” he said. Brand radio program La Pizarra de Quintana.

“He is very good, very talented, and has already been offered to Barça several times. Barcelona do not want to pursue this option at the moment.

“They’re not interested. They prefer a more experienced, winning profile.”

Where next for Mika Godts?

It appears that Barcelona are not keen, with Mika Godts having to make an interesting decision regarding his future this summer.

If bigger clubs come calling, is he out of Ajax at that point? Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all have the money to give Ajax what they want. And also give a big contract to the young player.

But the question is whether either side would be best for his future. After all, he has benefited from regular playing time at Ajax and experience in the Eredivisie and Europe. It will be a completely different story in the Premier League.

The growing feeling in the Netherlands is that it should look for an intermediate step. It remains to be seen whether he heeds that advice amid a potentially busy summer.

Nils Lundqvist has become an unsung hero for the Dallas Stars this year.

But Dallas will need a win without the defenseman to take a 3-2 lead in the series against the rival Minnesota Wild.

The Stars ejected Lundqvist from Game 5 on Tuesday night after he skated into the face of Wild forward Michael McCarron.

Lundqvist has two points in the series, both assists, while his average time on ice is 16:45. He is playing on Dallas’ second pairing with Thomas Harley and is also killing penalties for Dallas.

Stars rule out Nils Lundqvist but ‘must watch’ him before series ends

Lundqvist did not need to go to the hospital with injuries to his face. But Stars coach Glenn Gulutzan confirmed he will not be available for the all-important game at American Airlines Center, although the Stars have him listed as day-to-day.

“You won’t see Nils in the game tomorrow,” Gulutzan told reporters on Monday. “We need to see that before the series ends.”

Lundqvist, whom Dallas acquired from the New York Rangers in September 2022, has been a regular on the Dallas blue line when healthy. He had 11 points this season and has skated in 16 Stanley Cup playoff games over the past three seasons – he missed the entire postseason last year due to shoulder surgery.

Tyler Myers is expected to replace Lundqvist with Harley on the Stars’ second pairing. The Houston-born, 6-8 defenseman has no points and is minus 3 while averaging 21:04 on ice over the course of four games.

Who will replace Nils Lundqvist in the Stars lineup?

Of course, the Stars will want to have Lundqvist ready for Game 5. But even with him out, they still have options.

Ilya Libushkin is the most likely player to be in the Dallas lineup against Minnesota. Libushkin played in 53 games with the Stars this season and was plus-1, plus he’s a veteran of 28 playoff games, including 14 games while filling in for Lundqvist in the playoffs a year ago.

But Alex Petrovic also suited up for 54 games and had 10 points for the Stars. Petrovic played in 17 postseason games for the Stars in 2025 and contributed one goal and one assist.

Both Libushkin and Petrovic are right shooting guards, so the decision depends on whether Gulutzan wants to go with the 6-5 Petrovic or the faster but equally bulky Libushkin.

Gulutzan is confident that no matter who he chooses, the game will not decline much.

“They all played well,” Gulutzan said. “That’s the beauty of our lineup, they all played well. That helps when you make your decision.”

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

After a 6-1 loss on Sunday, the Buffalo Sabers could be even stronger on Tuesday.

The Sabers have beaten the odds in their first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins with a mix of momentum and growing injury concerns.

In Sunday’s decisive Game 4 victory, the Sabers recorded a dominant 6–1 victory.

However, the game came at a material cost. Forwards Tyson Kozak and Jason Zucker both left in the third period and did not return.

Head coach Lindy Ruff explained that the decision was precautionary. He said the team’s substantial lead allowed them to prioritize player health rather than pushing the injured duo back onto the ice.

“Just treat them and leave them in the dressing room, where the game was going on,” Ruff said after the game.

Additionally, forward Josh Norris missed his second consecutive game due to an undisclosed injury. Ruff confirmed that Norris remains day-to-day, a status that keeps him questionable for upcoming competitions.

current injury report

• Josh Norris, F (undeclared): Out April 21st. Missed Games 3 and 4 of the series; day to day.
• Sam Carrick, F (left wing): Out since March 31 after suffering an injury during a fight. Week-to-week and expected to miss the first round.

long term injuries

• Jiri Kulich, F (blood clot): Out November 1st. Originally projected to miss the season, he has resumed non-contact skating, but is still sidelined.
• Justin Danforth, F (lower body): Out since October 15 due to knee injury. Due to persistent pain after surgery, recovery is continued by skating intermittently.

These absences test the Sabres’ depth as they struggle for series control.

Despite some injuries, the Sabres’ resiliency has been surprising. They are relying on strong performance from goaltender Alex Lyons and emerging key contributors from rookie forward Noah Ostlund.

The series moved 3–1 in favor of the Sabers to Buffalo for Game 5. If home ice wasn’t enough to put the nail in Boston’s coffin, perhaps the return of Norris and avoiding the worst with Zucker and Kozak is.

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

The date for Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is now set for late 2026 after years of failed negotiations. Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on 27 April that the fight was “signed, sealed and delivered”. The fight is expected to take place in November, although the exact date has not been announced. This confirmation brings clarity to one of boxing’s most talked-about bouts.

The Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight has been in the news for almost a decade, with both fighters rising to the top of the heavyweight division at different times. Broadcast plans point to a global audience on Netflix, underscoring the program’s expectation of worldwide reach.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury date, venue and broadcast plans

The date for Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury is currently targeted for November 2026, although officials have not released a full schedule. Site details also remain open. Initial discussions include a larger stadium in the United Kingdom or a Saudi-backed event. Croke Park has already been ruled out as an option.

The Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight will stream globally on Netflix, which is a huge step forward for boxing broadcasting. This ensures wider reach for fans in different regions.

Before this, Anthony Joshua is scheduled to fight Christian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh. This fight will serve as preparation for the main event.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight background and career record

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are two of the most recognizable names in heavyweight boxing. Joshua won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and has won several world titles during his career. Fury retained the WBC title and lineal championship and became world champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko.

The Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury matchup brings together different styles. Joshua relies on power and direct strikes, while Fury utilizes speed, reach and ring awareness. These contradictions have kept the fight relevant at different stages of his career.

The deal came after talks with Saudi boxing personality Turki Alalshaikh. Reports confirm a two-fight structure for Joshua, including his July return and main event at the end of the year.

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight: who will win

The Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury fight has been officially confirmed, with key details yet to be announced. Organizers are expected to announce the official venue, full fight card and final event in the coming weeks.

Both the fighters are expected to complete their preparation through scheduled bouts and training camps before the scheduled date.

Dogley Wilberforce is a boxing writer for SportsNaught, covering fight news, fighter reactions and major bouts in the sport… More about Dogley Wilberforce

This may be the most important offseason in New Jersey Devils franchise history.

Sunny Mehta has an extensive list of tasks to get the Devils back on track as playoff and Stanley Cup contenders this summer.

He began his introductory press conference by stating that he was extremely optimistic about the roster as currently constructed.

“I am extremely optimistic about this team,” Mehta began. “We have a lot of talented players, and I really believe that these talented players are going to reach a turning point and get over that hurdle. It’s my job to make sure this roster is consistently filled with the amount of talent needed to be a championship team, and I intend to do that.”

However, that doesn’t mean New Jersey shouldn’t make changes, on and off the ice.

To reach that hit point, Mehta will have to press all the right buttons.

True to his poker player nature, Mehta didn’t reveal his hand as to what was going to happen through the rebuild. He explained anything and everything is being evaluated.

This leaves us with several key questions regarding the important offseason.

Will Sheldon Keefe stay?

When Mehta was introduced at the Prudential Center earlier this week, head coach Sheldon Keefe was in attendance. Mehta thanked Keefe and the Devils players in attendance for their hospitality.

The new Devils GM explained that he and Keefe have already had several conversations, emphasizing that Keefe is a “fantastic guy” while reminding everyone that everything will still be up for evaluation.

Still, when discussing the team’s identity and roster construction, Mehta admitted he hadn’t given it much thought on his second day on the job. However, he clarified that he would talk to Keefe to get a better idea on how to move forward with building his team.

So, will Keef return? We don’t know for sure. However, his attendance at the introductory conference and his involvement towards the settlement indicate that Keefe may be behind the Devils’ bench again next season.

What happens to Dougie Hamilton?

Certainly, this is no mess that Mehta has created. However, it has to be cleaned up somehow.

Dougie Hamilton’s situation is a strange one for Mehta. By now, you know that Hamilton has not been made available to the media since December, refusing to speak on multiple occasions after his agent made public his mockery of the former regime.

His reluctance to speak in exit interviews indicates that tensions remain despite Tom Fitzgerald’s absence.

This is an important part of what happens with the Devils this offseason. Will Mehta decide that a fresh start is best for everyone for Hamilton and waive his $9 million cap hit?

Or, will Mehta see Hamilton’s 28 points in the final 37 games speak loudly for the Devils GM as part of the solution moving forward?

Either way, once Hamilton’s situation is resolved, it may have little impact.

What is Simon Nemec’s influence?

One of the key questions hinged on the Hamiltonian situation is, whichever way it works, what impact does it have on Simon Nemec?

Nemec is a pending restricted free-agent who has shown positive growth from the blueline this season.

The 22-year-old defenseman got a clutch gene en route to an 11-goal year. His offensive touch also gets him top power play minutes.

What Nemec lacks, however, is his defensive game. In their region, they have shown slower growth than anticipated. Nemec is still a green banana that may take a while to ripen. Still, for the Devils to return to the playoffs, can they afford the No. 17 pick to develop his defensive game at the NHL level?

Either way, it feels like whether Hamilton stays or goes, Nemec will have an adverse impact.

Trade or keep the 2026 first round pick?

The Devils’ chances of moving up in the Draft Lottery are quite slim. Right now, they are 12th from the bottom in the league-wide standings and are only eligible to reach second place overall.

We’ll find out in two weeks where the Devils are going to select. Still, unless they have a chance at Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, the Devils should plan on moving this selection in favor of a top-six forward to play with Jack Hughes.

How aggressive will Mehta be in pursuing reforms?

Leaving aside the trade discussion regarding their 2026 first-round pick, we wonder how aggressive Mehta will be in improving the team.

Devils have certain needs. First of all, as I said earlier, the Devils need a top six forward to pair with Jack and Jesper Bratt. If Mehta is going to do this, it’s more than likely he’ll use the first-round pick they currently have.

However, could Mehta also have decided that he needed to shake up the culture? If a big-name player like Brady Tkachuk or Jason Robertson becomes available on the trade market, would Mehta be included as a serious trade partner? If Mehta feels that the current core has not worked, and perhaps they are not aligned with his analytical thinking, then it is not far-fetched to think that he would make a deal that would break a piece off from the core.

After all, Mehta has no attachment to anyone on the roster as of now. While Fitzgerald probably had a lot of love for his own roster, there should be no strings attached to Mehta in terms of making a trade.

And let’s not forget that the bottom six needs work too. The Devils rank 27th in goals scored this season. There was no reduction in their depth which impacted the top six.

How many new faces will we see in September?

Can Mehta fix the goaltending?

The Devils’ goaltending was structured as the last line of defense. Obviously, right? You have to beat the goaltender to score.

However, Jacob Markstrom was brought in for his high-threat defensive pedigree. Fitzgerald locked down Allen as a reliable 1B/backup. Only one of those two things happened in 2025-26.

The problem is that both goaltenders are on the wrong side of 35. Mehta could work with Allen who is on the hook for just $1.8 million for the next four seasons.

However, Markstrom’s new two-year contract begins on July 1 and runs through 2027–28.

Markstrom has shown signs of decline this season, and if it gets even worse, the Devils are going nowhere fast. Is there any solution this summer? They don’t have a 20-team trade list, so Mehta’s only option is to go with 11 other teams.

Otherwise, perhaps Mehta should reconsider Dave Rogalski as the goaltending coach.

Big ticket for Nico Hischier?

Perhaps the biggest question of the offseason. Will the Devils extend Nico Hischier when he becomes eligible on July 1?

When asked about his pending contract during the regular season, Hischier stated in his exit interview that he wanted to win a Cup in New Jersey.

However, if Mehta cannot resolve his contract with Hischier as soon as possible, it could put a halt to the crucial 2026-27 season. Allowing Hischier to reach unrestricted free agency would be an obvious mistake.

Coming from Florida, one of the comparisons to Hischier would definitely be Sasha Barkov. Could Hischier sign the same 8x$10M contract that Florida’s captain signed in 2021?

Five years later, you’ll have to account for the cost of inflation in an era of rising salary caps.

Short or long term extension for Arseniy Gritsyuk?

Arseniy Gritsyuk’s rookie season could only have been better if he had not been injured in the final stages of the season.

The 25-year-old first-year NHLer scored 13 goals and 31 points in 66 games this season, and is an outside candidate to receive a Calder Trophy nomination.

Everything about Gritsyuk screams core player.

Still, the Devils have been burned by KHL-imports before. Looking at you, Nikita Gusev.

So will Mehta commit to Gritsyuk long-term? Or is the bridge contract ready?

Everyone, including Jack Hughes, wants Gritsyuk to stay long term. But, again, Mehta has no relation to the player.

Gritsyuk has passed both eye tests and his analysis is impressive. It seems like he is a player Mehta would like to keep around for a long time.

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

‘Wolves’ Months after leaving them for the Premier League team, Ferr López returned to Celta Vigo in January.

The La Liga side sold the attacking midfielder to Wolves for €23m in June 2025 and his sale helped them balance their books.

López did not receive regular minutes with the English club and struggled to impress when given limited opportunities.

To put this into context, he failed to score and contribute one assist in 364 minutes in 12 matches for Wolves. A limited role led him to return to Celta Vigo on loan for the remainder of the season.

Since moving back to Spain, the Wolves man has started to enjoy regular minutes.

His La Liga statistics this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 11
• Start: 8
• Total minutes: 727
• Minutes per game: 66
• Target: 1
• Help: 0
• Expected target: 0.82
• Expected Support: 0.79
• Big chances made: 2
• Big chances missed: 1

Earlier this month, the 21-year-old said He wanted to be happy again and is now enjoying it at Celta Vigo.

On 7 April, Game Witness Covered claims from Spain His future is open after this season.

The Wolves man is clear about future plans

Celta Vigo wanted to sign him on loan for 18 months, but the Premier League team only allowed him to join until the end of the season.

uncheck It turns out and reports that Fer López wants to remain with the Spanish club next season. His agent, Jorge Mendes, is well aware of his transfer desire for the summer.

Wolves’ relegation from the top flight was confirmed earlier this week, and it is unclear whether it will have any impact on Lopez’s desire to remain at Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo president Marian Mourinho and sporting director, Marco Garces, will have to open fresh negotiations with the English club for a new loan deal, perhaps with a purchase option. It is clear they will not be able to offer the €23m fee they received from Wolves last summer.

He faced some challenges during talks in January. With this in mind, the report states that ‘another lengthy negotiations are set to take place between Celta Vigo and Wolves.’

Celta Vigo is now seventh on points with Getafe in sixth. There is a belief that it will be easier for Europe to reach an agreement by securing qualifications. However, Wolves have the final say on whether to approve a second loan.

Our view: Mendes key to summer transfer

The super-agent has a close relationship with the English club, who will make a number of changes to their squad in the summer.

Jorge Mendes is aware of Ferr López’s desire to remain at Celta Vigo and could use his good relationship with Wolves to help his client secure another loan transfer.

The representative has an important role to play in helping the player extend his stay in Spain.

Sunny Mehta soon became a New Jersey Devils loyalist on Tuesday. But, come on. He is a former professional poker player. Of course he was not going to show his hand.

However, he did tell me about my accent, which is blatantly obvious that it originates from Staten Island.

Yes, that’s where I grew up. Don’t worry, I’m originally from New Jersey now.

Anyway, Mehta has said all the right things. He didn’t give much away, but he gave us enough to chew on. More details on the key takeaways below.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Here are three takeaways from Sunny Mehta’s introductory press conference that included news regarding Devils ownership.

📺 devil’s rink report: So, what priorities will Mehta face as he steps into his new role as general manager in New Jersey? We break it down in the latest Devils Rink report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Forever Blueshirts: One of the biggest issues with the New York Rangers last season? No one was afraid of his top-six.

Athletic ($): Could Kevin Adams be back in the front office already? The Vancouver Canucks are allowed to talk to him about a potential role.

Pittsburgh hockey now: Here’s how NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has hit back at goaltender interference and the optimism surrounding the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose Hockey Now: Michael Misa had a good rookie season. However, the San Jose Sharks forward knows he has a lot more to offer, and he’s excited to show the “real” version of himself next season.

Philly hockey now: The Philadelphia Flyers are fun to watch right now, man. That’s why Philly was actually successful after taking a commanding 2-0 lead over its Pennsylvania rival.

montreal hockey now: If you missed the highlights of the exciting matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, check them out here.

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

Tottenham Hotspur Luka Vuckovic is in ‘intensive medical consultation’ with HSV Hamburg, who will not be put at risk in any way, shape or form.

BILD Add to growing information About the 19-year-old as he looks to return from a knee injury before the end of the season.

three way approval

The Croatian centre-back has been shining at Hamburg since joining on loan from Tottenham in the summer.

He is a very important player for the German team at the moment. And his absence has been greatly felt without him in the last two weeks. In that time, Hamburg have conceded seven goals, lost two games and felt the pressure on their neck was increasing.

They currently sit on 31 points, seven points more than Wolfsburg on 17^th and five ahead of St. Pauli in 16^th. But there is still plenty of time left to drag them back. They want the Tottenham loanee back as soon as possible.

But it is not their job to take decisions. Reports from Croatia and Germany today made this clear. According to him, Tottenham have all the power for a possible comeback. Now add your own information to BILD.

‘Intensive medical consultation’

BILD reports that any return to the Defender requires a triple ‘yes’. HSV must be confident that it can play safely. The player himself must also be confident. Then Tottenham made the final decision.

They are currently engaged in ‘intensive medical consultation’ regarding their protector. BILD says no decisions will be taken that are contrary to Spurs’ interests.

In other words, Tottenham will not risk allowing a premature return to the pitch, which could aggravate his injury. It seems that they would prefer that the Croatian not play.

Whether this is with an eye on next season, or a summer transfer, has not been made clear. But it seems that Tottenham will remain firm and make decisions based only on their own interests. And there is a risk of it upsetting HSV as they look to battle against demotion.

The Montreal Canadiens emerged victorious in their Game One matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning on the back of a hat-trick effort from forward Juraj Slafkowski.

It is impossible to ignore the fact that all three of their goals came on the powerplay, a situation that will be very difficult to replicate going forward.

Canadiens vs Lightning at 5v5

The Lightning have an excellent penalty kill, shutting down 82.6% of their opponents’ man advantages during the regular season, third best in the NHL.

With this in mind, it is important to evaluate how teams performed at 5v5 to better understand how the series will progress. While special teams will play a significant role in some games, hockey is mostly played at even strength.

In that vein, the Lightning controlled 54.8% of shots (34-28) on Sunday night, which isn’t particularly surprising as they do a better job of controlling shots than the Canadiens, however, when we filter the results further, it becomes clear that the Habs were far better on high-danger shots.

The Canadiens held an 8-1 advantage in high-danger shots at 5v5, a flat-out dominant share of one of the most important statistical categories in hockey.

As we all know, not all shots are created equal. While a team that outshoots its opponents generally has a better chance of winning, that advantage diminishes when the opponent does a better job of creating high-quality shooting opportunities.

The Canadiens took many of their shots from the slot, while the Lightning were largely kept to the perimeter.

To put a nice point on his excellence in high-danger opportunities, Slafkowski made three times more high-quality shots than the entire Lightning lineup.

In an ideal world, you want your team to control both the quantity and quality of shots. However, in a short series, just focusing on quality could be enough to ensure four wins.

All Montreal Canadiens stats are 5v5, via Natural Stat Trick, unless otherwise noted.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, Dallas Cowboys fans have a lot to look forward to. Not only is Cowboys owner Jerry Jones never afraid to make a big deal, but Dallas already enters April 23 with two first-round picks. Certainly, fireworks are in order.

Additionally, there are plenty of rumors suggesting the Cowboys are trying to trade for the prospect they want most. We now have a better idea of ​​which players the Cowboys have strong interest in.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys are actually leaning toward a huge defensive overhaul with their two first-round selections. They’re willing to negotiate a trade, but Dallas hasn’t really been very active in discussing deals yet this week. However, the two prospects the Cowboys have set their sights on are Miami running back Ruben Benn Jr. and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.

The Giants trading up for the 10th pick could change how the draft board falls ahead of Dallas at No. 12. Previous reports indicated that the Cowboys were trying to trade up to the Giants at No. 5.

Well, now the Giants have traded ahead of the Cowboys for another pick before No. 12. Would this mark a move from Dallas? If so, Styles may actually be the player Dallas wants, as it is believed he could play the No. 5 spot for New York.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys urged to trade for Pro Bowl cornerback

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

bournemouthTalks with Marco Rose have been going on for three weeks as they prepare him to replace Andoni Ierola.

BILD report on the 49-year-old’s imminent move to BournemouthIncluding the person who recommended her to Cherries.

Bournemouth’s next manager

It appears that Marco Rose is the man Bournemouth have chosen to replace Areola this summer. Reports throughout this week have indicated Now a deal has been agreed for his transfer in the summer.

Ierola announced on Wednesday that he would be leaving Bournemouth this summer. His contract expires at the end of the season, and the Spaniard has decided to move on.

BILD reports that talks have been ongoing with Rose ‘for the past three weeks’. According to his information, now a basic consensus has also been reached. This information has also been given elsewhere.

The interesting aspect is that Rose is still under contract with RB Leipzig. The German side sacked him in March last year, but his contract runs until June 30^th This year. Thus, he will likely not move to Bournemouth before that point.

a doctor’s recommendation

According to BILD, Marco Rose’s name was presented to Bournemouth by Leipzig’s former head team doctor, Dr. Percy Marshall.

He made it clear to the Cherries that Rose is keen to return to the touchline next season. He has been keeping himself away from the public eye for the last few months but is now ready to make a comeback.

Marshall has been working as Bournemouth’s medical and performance director since July last year. Again, he was in a good position to recommend Rose.

That wouldn’t be Leipzig’s only reunion, either. Rose also previously worked with Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert and Amin Adly. Presumably, Bournemouth have considered this.

Then again, it seems Rose’s move to Bournemouth is no quick deal. In fact, Cherry has been working on it for some time, courtesy of a recommendation from March

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.

Real Madrid could improve their defense by signing tottenham hotspur Christian Romero in the summer.

The La Liga side could take advantage of the uncertainty over the centre-back’s future at Tottenham.

Spurs have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their third manager of the season after a string of poor performances.

The Premier League team is now 17th in the table, one point above 18th-placed West Ham United. The Italian manager’s first game in charge will be against Sunderland on Sunday, and his immediate task is to help the club remain in the top flight.

Real Madrid have also not enjoyed a good run, losing the 2026 Supercopa de Espana to Barcelona and Albacete Balompié, knocking them out of the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Los Blancos are second in the table, seven points behind leaders Barcelona. They lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals earlier this week. In short, the Madrid club risks finishing without silverware this season.

tottenham star could be the solution

Alvaro Arbeloa now has Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, Raul Asensio, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba as his five centre-backs. The latter two are under contract until June while Militao continues to struggle with injuries.

Multiple claims in Spain suggest that Real Madrid would like to sign at least one new centre-back in the summer.

Former Argentina international Oscar Ruggeri, who won the World Cup in 1986, has now given an interview bolavip. He urged Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero in a bid to fix the key sector for next season.

“If I were Florentino Pérez, I would without a doubt choose Cristian Romero. He is a fantastic player, a serious player for this position, who has created a great partnership.” [Nicolás] otamendi [for the National Team]” He said.

Our opinion: Romero is likely to leave Spurs

The World Cup winner’s contract is until 2029, and transfer market He is worth €50 million.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from Argentina Real Madrid’s verbal agreement with Cristian Romero. However, there have been no concrete claims of their interest in the Tottenham Hotspur player since then.

However, there have been claims of interest from other clubs in the South American. Earlier this week, Romero’s father, Victor said Spurs want around €43.4-60.6m for their son.

Argentina could advance after the 2026 World Cup. It is unclear where he will go next, but this is likely to be his last season at Spurs.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Falcons suddenly felt a need when their starting right tackle Caleb McGary announced his retirement. He was the team’s first-round pick in 2019 and has started all six seasons of his career. Yet, after missing the entire 2025 season due to a serious foot injury, McGarry felt it was time to retire at the age of 31.

Even though he did not play last season, his sudden departure left the Falcons with a significant hole at right tackle. While the news of McGary’s retirement came as a surprise to outsiders, it is clearly something the Falcons have known about for some time.

On Wednesday, less than an hour after McGary’s retirement became public, the Falcons already lined up his replacement.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Falcons have signed right tackle Jawan Taylor to a one-year contract with a base price of $5 million. He could also earn an additional million through contract incentives.

While Taylor is projected to replace McGary in the Falcons’ starting lineup, he signed a fraction of his previous four-year, $80 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Still just 28 years old, the Falcons are adding a player who has started all 111 of his appearances in the NFL, including the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win in 2023. More importantly, Atlanta no longer has an urgent need to fill in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they only have five selections and none in the first round.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals urge trade up, draft first-round QB

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Sunderland John Lucumi can be kept a close eye on this week as Bologna face Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League.

The defender has been a regular for the Italian team this season and has played 36 times in all competitions. Their campaign has been mixed, but the Colombians will play on Thursday, with the second leg to be played next week.

Lucumi made two important performances against AS Roma in the Round of 16. The second leg went into extra time and the South American held on throughout the contest, playing a major role in an important victory for Vincenzo Italiano’s team.

He had a slow start to the season but the centre-back has returned to his usual high standards.

Sunderland remain transfer interest

The background of the campaign has been interesting. sports witness The Italian’s claims about how keen Sunderland were were covered up.

They offered to land him but Bologna somehow managed to fight it off, even though Lucumi himself was interested in it.

Soon, it became clear that the player was not signing a new deal at the Rossoblu. His current contract expires in 2027 and the summer of 2026 is the ideal time for his sale.

Sunderland are saved Willing And the list of claimants has continued to grow. Barcelona are now also keeping an eye on the centre-back, with Bologna hoping the World Cup will help them raise Lucumi’s value.

The 28-year-old will play a key role for Colombia and if he performs well, more clubs could join the race.

Big match in England likely to be important

Bologna have played against Aston Villa several times in the last two seasons. Interestingly, Sunderland reconnoitered him The two clubs met in the group stages at the start of the campaign.

This in itself shows that Thursday’s game could prove to be a great opportunity for the Black Cats to focus on his progress.

It is absolutely certain that he will not be a Bologna player next season. The only drawback for Sunderland will be competition from other clubs.

Potential transfers may have a lot of time to spare by laying some groundwork this week to ensure they get an edge over others.

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.

chelseaThe pursuit of Valentin Barko has been on the rise in recent weeks, and the latest update suggests the club are now at the finish line.

after Failing to land a midfielder in JanuaryThe Blues kept pressing. Reports earlier this month indicated they were making progress in talks with Strasbourg, and confidence is growing over a summer move.

However, precautions were still taken. Sources close to the situation stressed that a final agreement has not yet been reached.

That gap may have closed now.

Agreement reached as Chelsea make decisive move

spanish journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos There are now reports that Valentin Barco will play for Chelsea with full agreement.

According to him, the 21-year-old has agreed to a six-year contract with the Blues. argentina outlet gazetteHowever, report slightly different terms – they claim the midfielder is set to sign a five-year contract running until June 2031.

Transfer fee details are unclear at this stage. Still, it is expected to be significantly higher than the fee of around £8m (€9.4m) paid by Strasbourg to Brighton last summer.

Either way, the deal follows a strong transfer push from Chelsea after the international break, building on the groundwork already laid in the process.

Liam Rosenior’s influence has again been central. The Chelsea manager is said to have worked closely with Barco at Strasbourg played a decisive role In convincing the player to accept the move.

Chelsea have also presented a clear game plan. Barco has reportedly been assured that he will be a key part of the project, being seen as a potentially key figure in the team moving forward.

That promise appears to have made a difference.

From advanced negotiations to full agreement

This latest development marks a change from the previous update.

Argentina’s earlier claims Told that the talks are going well, but have not been completed yet. Despite Chelsea’s clear advantage due to the BLUCO structure linking the two clubs, there was discussion about the details still needing to be sorted out.

Now the tone has changed. The move is being presented as full consent rather than just termination.

Chelsea have been in a strong position throughout. His ownership relationship with Strasbourg has simplified negotiations, while Rosenior’s relationship with the player has added a personal layer to the deal.

what happens next

Valentin Barco is expected to join Chelsea in June after the end of the season.

If confirmed, it would complete a transfer story that has developed in clear stages. Initial interest turned into a failed attempt in January, followed by renewed efforts and now, apparently, a full agreement has been reached.

The final step is official confirmation. Until then, Chelsea’s pursuit of Barco appears to be almost complete.

🇵🇹 Exclusive: Maxi Araújo

⏩Tottenham and Chelsea are in contact
➡️ Source gave information @UllalIBT
➡️There is also further Premier League interesthttps://t.co/K17lRpjlUG #thfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

Danny Rohl could be without Rangers’ Youssef Chermiti next season as PSV Eindhoven look to lure him away from Ibrox.

The striker graduated from Sporting’s youth system and left them for Everton in 2023. He played 295 minutes in 24 matches over two seasons with the Premier League team.

That didn’t stop Rangers from bringing him to Ibrox for £8million [€9.2m] In September, when Rohl’s predecessor, Martin Russell, was in charge.

The striker has been playing regularly for Rangers and has been showcasing his qualities this season.

His Scottish Premiership statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 23
• Start: 14
• Total minutes: 1,388
• Minutes per game: 60
• Target: 9
• Help: 2

His performance on behalf of Rohl did not go unnoticed in the winter market. In January, Sports Witness broadcast news Fenerbahçe offered, but the deal never took shape.

Club maintains interest in Rangers man

PSV Eindhoven have now stepped forward to attempt to sign Youssef Chermiti in the summer window.

is according to eindhovens dagbladThe local newspaper of the Dutch club, covering the latest.

The Eredivisie side are pursuing the Rangers player along with other unnamed clubs. ED reports PSV discovered or were offered a number of players in the last window.

The 21-year-old was on their agenda in January and PSV will likely continue to keep an eye on him until the next window. Feyenoord also have him on their radar for 2025.

At the moment, the Dutch club do not have much interest in the Rangers player, which means signing him is not their priority.

The Portugal U21 international’s stance on a potential summer transfer to PSV has not been made clear in the report. Should he decide to leave Ibrox after this season, Rangers will have a decision to make.

ED says Rangers’ fee demand is a ‘crucial factor’ if Chermiti pushes for transfer. There is no mention of a figure, but it would certainly be in the double digits, meaning €10 million or more.

Contract, price and agent information

Youssef Charmiti’s contract at Ibrox will expire in 2030 transfer market He is worth €9 million

British agency ICM is managing Stellar Rangers Man.

🇵🇹Rangers scouting in Porto

⭐️ We take a look at who shined in front of scouts, and which options are realistic…https://t.co/1l45ZjvLtf #rangersfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 17 March 2026

Nottingham Forest are quickly building up the layers as they prepare for their Europa League quarter-final against FC Porto. The latest developments have further increased the challenge they face.

Vitor Pereira’s side already know they will face Strong atmosphere in Portugal For the first phase. even Nuno Espirito Santo attended On the creation of this tie. Now, they are also set to face off against a Porto team boosted by the return of key players at a crucial moment.

Main returns before forest conflict

according to gamePorto received encouraging news on the injury front this week. Rodrigo Mora has accelerated his recovery from a muscle problem. Despite some limitations, he is now back in integrated training.

He is expected to be available for the upcoming fixtures, including the clash with Nottingham Forest.

The young winger is seen as one of Porto’s most creative options, and his availability increases Francesco Farioli’s flexibility in midfield selection.

At the same time, there is clarity regarding star goalkeeper Diogo Costa. He is suffering from an adductor problem, which has forced him to withdraw from Portugal’s recent international matches. However, the goalkeeper is now expected to be fit in time to face Nottingham Forest.

Their presence is important. The Porto captain has already registered 22 clean sheets in all competitions this season. In the league alone, he is chasing his 19th shutout. It’s a mark that would match Iker Casillas’ 2016/17 campaign.

For Forest, this points to a difficult attacking task. Porto will likely have both their first-choice goalkeeper and a key creative option in the squad for the first leg.

“Blue Sea” is ready to sail again

There is activity off the pitch too, and this reinforces the scale of the occasion.

according to to ballPorto supporters have already sold their entire ticket allocation for the second leg at the City Ground on 16 April. The travel section will be packed. This would ensure a strong Portuguese presence in Nottingham.

Porto fans too Filled your allocation for the last meeting between the sides in the league stage, when the “Blue Sea” was described as “flooding Nottingham”.

This consistency highlights just how active Porto’s support has been throughout this European run.

Buildings required for Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest are heading towards a tie with the intensity increasing from every angle.

On the pitch, Porto is regaining key players at the right time. Furthermore, their supporters continue to travel in large numbers, alternating both legs in high-pressure environments.

Forest have already shown resilience in this competition. However, this tie now presents a different kind of test – one shaped by a clear understanding of the quality, experience and pace of their opponents.

With both teams close to full strength and the stands already full in both countries, everything points to a quarter-final that will demand control, composure and sharp execution from Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United’s summer transfer window plans may include an unexpected twist as their roster includes one of Germany’s most reliable defenders.

image reportAnd supporting other claims that Borussia Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton is a target ahead of the summer.

Leadership and Reliability from Waldemar Anton

Waldemar Anton has been a rock for Borussia Dortmund this season, making 37 appearances so far.

He is also in contention for Germany before the World Cup. He did not feature in the recent friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, but coach Julian Nagelsmann has strongly hinted that he will be in his World Cup squad. That level of trust speaks volumes.

Inside Dortmund, Anton is valued as a vocal leader, a player who sets standards in the dressing room and brings structure to the back line. No one paid attention to those qualities.

A report yesterday said Manchester United were interested And BILD now supports that. They confirm there is interest from both Spain and England, adding real significance to what initially seemed like an unusual move by United.

Atletico’s long-standing admiration

Spanish interest comes from Atletico Madrid. He had pushed for VfB Stuttgart to sign him in the past and his praise never waned. In fact his development at Dortmund has only strengthened his position.

Now Manchester United is in the picture. This report from BILD is the second separate report on their interest, which suggests there may be something to it.

But their possible involvement makes no sense. At 29, Waldemar Anton does not fit the long-term profile they have been targeting in recent windows. They are also well-stocked at centre-back, with Harry Maguire in particular expected to sign a new deal.

However, Waldemar Anton provides immediate leadership and reliability at the back. This could be something that is in charge of the Old Trafford price.

However, for now, it seems an agent is pushing his client ahead of a busy summer rebuild at Borussia Dortmund and nothing more.

🇵🇹Samuel Dahl | Manchester United for Benfica left-back

➡️ Viewed 10+ times by club officials
🇸🇪Interest in Sweden goes back a long time
📅 #MUFC protectors are on their agendahttps://t.co/mWvKMxT3sl #free

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) April 1, 2026

Manuel Ugarte has largely disappointed since joining Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. His exit from Old Trafford is now certain.

The Uruguayan has played just 791 minutes in the Premier League so far this season. His last start came against Burnley and since then, he has been on the bench four times under Michael Carrick.

sports witness He made no secret of his frustration at the 24-year-old’s lack of game time when explaining his stance to the Uruguayan press earlier this month.

The midfielder’s situation is catching the attention of Juventus, who are now keeping a close eye on the former PSG man.

juventus will explore ugarte

gazzetta dello sport The report says the midfielder will feature in Uruguay’s friendly against Algeria on Tuesday. Coincidentally, the match will be played at the Allianz Stadium and this will help Juve defeat Ugarte.

Sporting director Marco Ottolini is keen on the prospect of bringing him to Turin in the summer. He will keep a close eye on the Manchester United player, who has been the subject of interest for the Old Lady in the past.

During the player’s time at Sporting, Juve attempted to execute a deal for Ugarte. Even during his ongoing tenure at Old Trafford, attempts were made to sign him on loan last July.

Tuesday’s game could give Juve the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at the player. If things go well, Ugarte could top the Bianconeri’s summer shortlist for midfield signings.

Our opinion: Manchester United should cut their losses

It doesn’t feel like Ugarte is offering enough to the current team. That’s why Manchester United are considering midfield signings that will take that position to a new level in the summer.

Keeping him around long-term would derail the Uruguay international’s career and could see his value drop further.

Manchester United could use the money gained from Ugarte’s exit to help bring in another midfielder. A good World Cup for the player would do wonders to boost his fee, Juventus’ interest could only help further.

Despite dominating the first period, the New York Sirens couldn’t get the job done in the latest PWHL Takeover Tour game in Detroit on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Montreal Victoire 3-1. Montreal scored three unanswered goals in the third period for a strong comeback victory in the first nationally-televised PWHL game.

Victoire improved to 46 points (12-4-2-5) and extended its points streak to 11 games (7-2-2-0). They are two points behind the Boston Fleet for first place overall in the PWHL.

New York missed a chance to move ahead of the fourth-place Toronto Raptors after Boston beat Toronto 4-0 on Friday. After losing their fourth consecutive competition, the Sirens remain four behind Sceptres in the standings with 27 points (8-0-3-12); Each team has seven games left in the regular season.

Katherine Dubois took the lead in the third period with two goals just 4:44 apart. Alternate captain Laura Stacey added some relief, extending the lead just 49 seconds after Dubois’ second tally. Victoire goalkeeper Anne-Renée Desbiens took over the rest, allowing one or fewer goals for the 13th time this season.

Sirens goaltender Kayleigh Osborne suffered her fourth consecutive loss despite a strong start, stopping Montreal’s first 17 shots. In her league-leading 22nd appearance of the season she finished with 26 saves on 29 attempts.

New York kept things quiet for Osborne by outshooting Montreal 11–2 in the opening frame. Jade Downey-Landry recorded Montreal’s first shot at 1:58, but Victoire went 14:26 without another shot until Michigan native Shian Darkangelo ended the drought at 16:24.

The Sirens took the lead into the first half for the first time since March 8, thanks to Casey O’Brien’s sixth goal of the season. Jaime Bourbonnais’ one-timer went past Desbiens, and O’Brien crashed the net to bury the loose puck at 9:09.

O’Brien extended his point streak to three games. The 2025 No. 3 overall pick leads all PWHL rookies with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists).

Coach Greg Fargo offered after the game, “I thought today was a different story for us than the last few games.” “We got off to a great start. I thought our first period was as good as we’ve played.”

Montreal took the momentum in the second round by defeating New York 15–7. The Sirens maintained the lead thanks to the composed play of Osborne, who stopped Lena Ljungblom on a breakaway and denied Hayley Scamurra twice in a row. Desbiens was just as quick, stopping O’Brien on two breakaways.

New York nearly took a 2–0 lead at 7:54 when Kristin O’Neal deflected a point shot from Micah Zandi-Hart, but the officials ruled out a clear goal for high-sticking after review.

Victoire maintained its lead in the third period – only this time, it showed on the scoreboard.

Dubois took advantage of a miscue by Siren rookie Anna Bergman to equalize at 1:54. The 2025 fifth-round pick (No. 33 overall) sent a cross-ice pass straight to the stick of Victoire rookie Natalie Mlinkova, who quickly led the Montreal Rush and knocked the puck back to Dubois in the high slot. Bergman then collided with Siren forward Claire Degeroge as Dubois stretched it to the left point and fired a wrist shot over Osborne’s blocker.

Dubois gave Montreal its first lead of the day at 6:40 of the third minute, when a slick backhand feed from Darkangelo set up the 30-year-old for a one-touch shot through Osborne’s five-hole. Stacey immediately redirected defender Kati Tabin’s long shot to make it 3–1 at 7:29.

Victoire Fourcheque suppressed any possibility of the siren’s return. New York managed one shot after Montreal took the lead – a Sarah Fillear wrister at 19:47 broke a 14:06 shotless stretch.

“Momentum is a funny thing,” Fargo reflected. “You get a little bit, and I think Montreal started to get a little bit more as that second [period] Close, and they took it to third for good. Some mistakes hurt us.”

Sirens lost for the second time this season after scoring the first goal (6-0-0-2). New York’s points percentage dropped to .391, more than 50 percentage points below the fourth-place Sceptres (.449) and fifth-place Ottawa Charge (.455).

New York was without rookie star Kristina Kaltunkova, who missed her second consecutive game with an unspecified injury. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick is day by day.

Detroit native Elle Hartje joined Fillier and O’Brien in New York’s starting lineup in front of a crowd of 15,938 at Little Caesars Arena. He won four of six face-offs and recorded one shot on goal in 15:15 of ice time.

“It’s been great to be home. That’s a hard question to answer right now,” Hartje said after the game. “Obviously, it’s about hockey, so not getting the ‘W’ is pretty disappointing, but it’s great to see Hockeytown represented all the time.”

Victoire: The siren failed in the third period against the takeaways

New York flips the script on first period problems

The struggles of the Sirens’ first period are well documented. New York entered the opening frame on Saturday with the most goals scored (26) — an even greater increase from the minus-eight goal differential since the Olympic break.

They flipped the script against Victoire thanks to a strong forecheck and impressive play from their top forward line of Fillier, Anne Cherkovski and O’Brien.

“I don’t think we need to change anything,” O’Brien insisted during the first intermission.

This is easy to say but not easy to do. New York was outrebounded 27–13 in the final 40 minutes, having only six shots and three scoring chances in the third.

“Some parts of our game that we liked – the way we were handling the puck – as the game went on, we started to get away from it a little bit for one reason or another,” Fargo explained. “We have to find a way to match and exceed that effort moving forward.”

Despite strong offensive pressure out of the gate, the Sirens failed to finish second behind reigning PWHL Goalkeeper of the Year Desbiens. New York was clearly frustrated when Dubois tied the score in the third and offered little resistance in the face of a heavy Montreal forecheck.

“When we have a tough game or something that ends up in the back of your net, we’ve got to find a way to respond a little better in those moments, because bad things are going to happen,” Fargo said. “we know that.”

The sirens are still chasing ‘the full 60 minutes of hockey’

There are some serious issues in New York right now, but continuity is key.

O’Brien said after the game, “I don’t think we’ve played a full 60 minutes of Siren hockey in a long time.” “And we know that if we do that, we’ll win.”

Whether it’s a slow start or a late-game collapse, the end result has been all too familiar lately. And at this stage of the season, the Sirens cannot afford to leave points on the table.

“I think the important thing for us is to stay connected to our game on a more consistent basis,” Fargo said. “Playing a complete game with good habits, great structure and great energy – that’s what it takes to win at this level. You can see that the difference between winning and losing in the PWHL is really small.”

Even as the Sirens entered the Olympic break in a playoff spot, questions arose from time to time about their consistency, especially with such a young roster. Those concerns only grew with this second half’s decline.

Fargo added, “We have to put together 60 minutes of hockey with our habits and the details of our game.” “The team is working through it. They want to win. We all want to win, and it’s going to change for us. We just have to stay on track with what we’re doing.”

New York doesn’t have much time to right the ship.

Do you get déjà vu?

The Sirens lost six out of seven games after the Olympic break and nine out of 10 through January 20. If this vibe sounds oddly familiar, you’re not imagining things.

In 2024–25, the Sirens lost nine consecutive games (0-0-3-6) from January 31 to March 5. They finished the season last in the PWHL, missing the playoffs by seven points.

Last season, the New York Sirens lost 9 consecutive games from January 31 to March 5.

Some déjà vu this season. Since January 20, the Sirens have lost 9 out of 10 games. 4 points out of a playoff spot with only 7 games remaining. If they miss the playoffs again, you know where to look.

– Lou Orlando (@SweetLouuuu) 28 March 2026

This year’s team still has a chance to avoid that fate, but it will need a sharp turnaround to do so.

“Obviously, nobody likes to lose, so I’m not happy about it, but I don’t think anybody is disappointed,” O’Brien said. “We all know what a great team we have.”

If the Sirens look for a spark to break out of this slump, they will have to find it on home ice. New York returns to the Prudential Center on Wednesday to host the Minnesota Frost before Saturday’s matchup against the Seattle Torrent in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd.

Lou Orlando is an alumnus of Fordham University, where he covered the New York Rangers for three seasons… More about Lou Orlando

On Thursday evening, the Houston Rockets lost their second consecutive game, once again, to the Los Angeles Lakers at home. It was another tough performance from the Rockets’ offense, which scored only 24 points in the final frame.

Tari Eason once again struggled beyond the arc In this game, the lead is 0-3. In fact, Eason is just 1-28 on three-pointers in the month of March, good for an astonishing 3.6 percent.

The pain of Terry Eason’s 3pt shot (2026) https://t.co/M9DTjJd2f3 pic.twitter.com/bqyUX2pq36

– Div B (@statcenter) 19 March 2026

Eason’s last lead from three-point range came on March 5 in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Eason was once regarded as an elite spot-up shooter, and he’s still averaging over 37 percent from beyond the arc on the season, showing how well he was shooting the ball from that range before his current epic slump.

However, if he and the Rockets want to turn things around going into the playoffs, he will need to rediscover that shooting touch sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, it was a second disappointing home defeat for the Rockets against the Lakers, leaving them completely behind the eight ball in their quest to clinch the third seed in the Western Conference, which Los Angeles is currently chasing.

The Rockets are now 41-27 on the season, and their offensive troubles in the clutch are certainly not going to ease fans’ concerns about their chances of postseason success.

It was also another quiet game for Kevin Durant, scoring 18 points on only 11 shot attempts, with the Lakers’ suddenly superior defense once again stifling him.

Houston will look to bounce back their winning streak when they next face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday evening.

After having a career night against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks star Josh Hart revealed the real reason he’s had such a great game — and you won’t guess why.

He responded to the Knicks’ celebratory post after defeating the Pacers on Twitter. The Knicks reported that Hart joined elite company by scoring more than 30 points while making more than 90% of his shots.

“Because it’s Mike and Ike’s night,” Hart replied, tagging the iconic candy brand’s official X account.

The Mike & Ike Gift Night was held at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, when the Knicks took on the Pacers. Fans were given T-shirts and this inspired Hart.

Josh Hart had the best night of his career as the Knicks blew out the Pacers.

The Knicks played their final four games against the Pacers on March 17. They defeated Indiana, winning by 26 points and were led by Hart.

In 26 minutes on the floor, Hart scored 33 points while making 12 of 13 shots. He was also perfect from behind the three-point line, and made all five shots. He also made four out of five free throws. Additionally, Hart recorded seven rebounds and five assists. He also had two steals in the game.

For context, Hart is averaging 12.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game during the 2025-26 season. His statistics are a bit behind last season’s, but he is averaging about eight minutes less per game.

OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns also contributed 26 and 22 points, respectively. Jose Alvarado was also integral, scoring 16 points and making half of his shots.

The Knicks will now travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Friday, March 20. Like the Pacers, the Nets are also out of the playoffs. His record is 17-51.

Currently, the Knicks are in third place in the Eastern Conference. They sit behind the Detroit Pistons (49-19) and Boston Celtics (45-23).

The Dallas Cowboys knew they had to make a change after finishing with just a 7-9-1 record and missing the postseason in 2025. After giving up more points than any other team last season, one area they had to fix was scoring defense. The good news is that Dallas has made several upgrades so far.

The Cowboys have added defensive lineman Otito Ogbonia, outside linebacker Rashaan Gary, safety Jalen Thompson, running back PJ Lock and cornerback Kobe Durant. Nevertheless, they also traded Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers. Overall, the Cowboys feel like they have improved on defense overall, but that doesn’t mean they have accomplished all of their top goals.

according to athleticAlong with John Makota, the Cowboys also expressed interest in signing middle linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Somehow, both of them ended up signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ need at middle linebacker has not yet been addressed elsewhere. Machota believes this could be an area that gets resolved early in the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys have two first-round picks.

While the Cowboys have the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round, as Machota said, they could also turn to the trade market. With eight selections in the upcoming draft, the Cowboys have enough trade capital to execute a deal. They have already discussed a trade for a former Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Since its inception in 1946, the NBA has a rich and storied history in which countless stars have left their mark. LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is on his way to making history as he tries to lead his team out of the depths of the Western Conference standings and into the NBA Playoffs.

Behind the herculean efforts of Leonard, the Clippers are back in the playoff race this season, and now sit at 34-33 on the season. But it wasn’t long before things were looking grim, with just a 6-21 record, no draft selection to look forward to, and an aging roster that seemed to get even older before their eyes.

now in His 14th season in the NBAKawhi Leonard is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game in 53 games this season. This is the first time in NBA history that a player has averaged a career-high in points per game at the end of his NBA career.

Former LA Clippers guard Lou Williams became the first player in NBA history to average 20_ points in his 13th season or later. Williams became the second player in NBA history to have the highest career scoring average in his 13th season, joining Chauncey Billups.

Leonard has now passed both, and has done so while shooting 50.1 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three and 89.7 percent from the free throw line.

What has been the key to his success so far in his NBA career?

“The guy up there and I are just able to play the game,” Kawhi Leonard told ClutchPoints. “The offseason was good for me, I was able to just work. Just praising him, work ethic and believing. Just trying to get better at the game. Not worrying about the outcome. Whether it’s working on my shot, handle or passing, just being aggressive and making mistakes.”

On Saturday night, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points in the Clippers’ home loss to the Sacramento Kings. This marked the 45th consecutive game that Leonard scored at least 20 points in a game, surpassing Bob McAdoo for most consecutive 20-point games in Clippers franchise history.

The 20-point streak now ranks 24th, equaling Tracy McGrady and Karl Malone’s streak of 45 consecutive games of 20+ points. Leonard’s streak at 128 is the second-longest active streak in the NBA behind Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record of 126 consecutive games.

“It’s amazing,” Leonard said of making Clippers history. “Thank God I was able to play consistently this year and interact with the great players of the game.

“Just being on the floor and being able to play basketball is always great. In the NBA you go through a lot of ups and downs, either it’s a bad game, missing a shot, getting sick, or the team failing, and then the peak. It’s great to be able to interact with great guys like him.”

Leonard sprained his left ankle in Saturday night’s loss to the Kings, causing him to leave the game in the fourth quarter and exit early. He is listed as “doubtful” to play in Monday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, but he is likely to receive round-the-clock treatment and try to warm up before his status for the game is determined.

If he misses the game, it would be the 15th game missed by Kawhi Leonard this season, putting him close to the 17-game mark, which would eliminate him from eligibility for season-end NBA awards such as All-NBA Teams, All-Defensive Teams and MVP consideration.

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak will miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Slovenia international has been Diego Simeone’s No. 1 for more than a decade. He has played every minute in the Champions League this season and conceded 20 goals in 10 matches.

He failed to keep a clean sheet in the competition and conceded two goals in Atletico’s Champions League win over Tottenham last week.

Oblak has not enjoyed a good season in Europe so far compared to last season. statistics below [this season first] There is a clear indication of this.

• Clean Sheet: 0 – 2
• Shots on target: 51 – 16
• Saves: 31 – 12
• Saving Percentage: 75 – 60.8

They have conceded one goal per game in La Liga this season and this has increased to two in the Champions League. All 20 goals conceded were scored inside the box and the 33-year-old has saved 3.1 goals per game so far in Europe this season.

Atletico won 5-2 in the first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium last Tuesday. Igor Tudor’s decision to start Antonin Kinski in goal backfired and he was replaced after 17 minutes.

last week, Spanish newspaper criticized Tudor and six Tottenham players for their performances against Los Rojiblancos.

Oblak will miss the Tottenham match

Monday edition of Mark Report the stopper will not be traveling to London with Simeone’s squad and will be a ‘big absence’.

He is ‘still suffering’ from a muscle strain which caused him to miss the league win over Getafe at the weekend.

The Spanish Capital Club’s initial plan was for him to continue working on his recovery with the hope of traveling to London.

However, that won’t happen as he has been eliminated from the contest.

Oblak will need to continue working on regaining fitness. At present, he is doubtful to play in the derby match against Real Madrid on Sunday.

After keeping a clean sheet against Getafe on Saturday, Juan Musso is more likely to start against Spurs in midweek.

Another Spanish newspaper, AsMusso also reported to start for Atletico in north London due to Oblak’s setback. The latter suffered it during training on Friday and did not train with his teammates on Sunday.

Simeone and the Madrid club have full confidence in Musso, who will start in goal against Tottenham.

Not much to worry about against Tottenham

Atletico will not have to worry about Oblak’s injury for the Champions League second leg against Spurs. However, he could be a big miss in the crucial clash against Real Madrid this weekend.

The visiting team has a three-goal lead from the first leg against a team that has not registered for more than a month.

Tottenham’s last win was against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on 28 January. Earlier, Spurs had defeated Borussia Dortmund in the same competition and both of these are their only wins in 2026.

The punchless Memphis Grizzlies have gotten to the point in one losing season where NBA Draft prospects matter more than pride. With a 23-43 record and no realistic path to the postseason, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. Fortunately for the front office, the remainder of the schedule assures about a dozen other odds-boosting losses, according to bookmakers. However, it is the battles against the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and Milwaukee Bucks that matter most.

Tuomas Isalo may be looking to pick up some positive culture-building wins over the next few weeks, but the stakes are huge in those games against other lottery-bound Even-Rans. Sitting eighth-worst in the league, Memphis currently has a 6% chance at the top spot and a 7.2% chance at a top-four spot. As things stand, falling to the 10th pick is a realistic possibility.

The Grizzlies have a path to reach the fifth-worst record, which would increase those odds significantly. EVP Zach Kleiman will go to the ping-pong party with a 10.5% shot at one of the top four spots. Finishing below the Jazz in the standings will ensure a top-8 selection. Sweeping the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, two teams that are consistently trying to win games, gives Memphis a 9% chance of landing Cam Boozer, Darius Acuff, AJ DiBantsa, or Kingston Flemings.

Dealing for Caleb Wilson or Nate Ament is a far better outcome than giving up either Mikel Brown Jr. or Brayden Burries. Nothing against Brown Jr. or Burroughs, it’s just that the Grizzlies are hoping to acquire a franchise cornerstone in a one-year reset, not take a chance on another late-lottery role player.

Grizzlies are sour on jazz notes

Chicago is still looking for respect and has enough talent to consistently win competitive games. That trip to the Windy City on March 16 marks the beginning of the injury-plagued team’s last stretch. Isalo’s shorthanded team will take on the Bulls again on March 28 at FedEx Forum. This game will also be the sixth game in nine days for Memphis. Tired legs led to the defeat at the end of the season, so fans should not be too disappointed about the results.

Memphis will also have to spend Easter Sunday away from family. The Grizzlies will take on the Bucks on April 5 while everyone else will be talking about the Final Four. There will be some hiatus before flying back to Beale Street for one last home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (April 6). Those last three games, starting on a high in Denver before facing the Jazz and Houston Rockets, will likely sap the last bit of energy from all the players still standing.

There is very little margin for error on the downs, and these four games will ultimately decide how high the Grizzlies can climb when lottery balls come out. In a season defined by heartbreaking defeats, the most important is still to come.

Team USA lost an influential member of its pitching staff before a big game in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, as the New York Mets demanded he be sent back to spring training.

Team USA is feeling a lot of pressure ahead of the start of the elimination rounds at this year’s World Baseball Classic. After a surprise loss to Italy earlier this week, the United States needed the Italians to beat Mexico on Wednesday night to avoid going home early from the tournament.

Nevertheless, they are expected to defeat Canada in their quarterfinal game and move one step closer to winning their first WBC title in nearly a decade. However, it looks like they won’t have two-time All-Star Clay Holmes for the matchup with Canada and any other games in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

NY Mets demand Clay Holmes withdrawal from World Baseball Classic

“Clay Holmes will return to the Mets from the World Baseball Classic and take part in tomorrow’s Grapefruit League game,” MLB Network’s Anthony DiComo reports. “The Mets wanted him back because Team USA could not guarantee him the workload he needed for the season.”

Despite Team USA having four games under their belt during pool play, Holmes has only taken the mound once. This happened during their win over Great Britain last week when he pitched three scoreless innings and struck out six.

With Holmes set to be a part of the NY Mets’ starting rotation again in 2026, it’s understandable if the organization feels he isn’t being prepared adequately for the start of the season in a few weeks.

This is a significant reduction in the WBC for American fans, as MLB teams are prioritizing their goals over Team USA. So now the US club will have no meaningful respite for some big matches in the next few days.

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

The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are set for one of the biggest matchups of the season on Thursday evening. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, remain in the West standings as the regular season campaign concludes. Meanwhile, the Celtics are business as usual, with Jaylen Brown elevating his play to an MVP-caliber level. But the highly anticipated clash comes with a worrying injury report for the Celtics.

The Celtics released their injury report, with Jayson Tatum and Derrick White both questionable for the matchup. While White is dealing with a right knee injury, Tatum is managing his comeback from his right Achilles injury. While Tatum and White haven’t been completely ruled out, both of their losses could be a blow to the Celtics as they look to take on the reigning NBA champions.

Tatum has been effective in his return from his Achilles injury. Although obviously not putting up his typical MVP stats, he still averaged 19.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He stepped up in a big way for Boston on Tuesday after Jaylen Brown exited the game late in the second quarter. Tatum had 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 125–116 loss in 27 minutes of play.

White has been a constant in the Celtics lineup. Playing 63 games this season, he has averaged 17.5 points, 5.7 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. With both White and Tatum out of the lineup, getting a win in Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City could be a tough task.

MIAMI – Following the Miami Heat’s win over the Detroit Pistons, the team is now on a five-game winning streak led by captain Bam Adebayo. With Adebayo as the Heat star consistently reaching milestones like scoring 10,000 career points, he has also been used carefully by head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Adebayo is arguably in the midst of his best performances of the season so far, as over the last nine games where Miami has played coming out of the All-Star break, he has averaged 21.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

The numbers when Adebayo is on and off the court are staggering, as the team has outscored others by 19.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the floor. Additionally, Adebayo has a net rating of +12.1 per screwball, which shows how important he is to the team, as during this recent period, the big man has taken a breather while working with both the starting and second units between his first and second stints of each half.

As for Spoelstra, he speaks on ‘maximizing’ his minutes, especially since Adebayo is in his “prime” phase.

“I think he’s accepting it. I think he’s really enjoying it right now,” Spoelstra said after the win over the Pistons. “He’s been on the court in both units, and we’re in the time of the year right now. He’s in his prime. I’ll play with him for a few minutes right now when we’re going for it. And I think he’s liking it, because he has a role with the starters, and then when he comes in with the second unit, it’s a little different. And even on offense and defense, I think it’s really keeping him engaged as a leader for us, he’s perfect. Is important in both lineups, being able to toggle between them.”

Erik Spoelstra explains how Bam Adebayo is taking his interesting rotation scheme, where he gets quick rests and plays with both units:

“I think he’s accepting it…he’s in his prime, I’ll just play with him for a few minutes while we go at it…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/b0kTH3fl90

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 9 March 2026

The Heat’s Bam Adebayo on his unusual rotational pattern

While the Heat face an important week looking to extend their win streak and solidify their spot in the Eastern Conference standings, Adebayo will look to continue his stellar play on both sides of the ball if the team wants to avoid the play-in tournament. Not wanting to play in the tournament and finish eighth in the East, as was the case in his previous three seasons, Adebayo is willing to do whatever is necessary to win, as he especially feels better when Kel’El Ware comes in when he needs relief.

“I just go out there and work hard, man,” Adebayo said. “There’s really no order to it, and you’ll realize it after a while. We’ll talk about it. He was like, ‘I’ll change it up a little bit.’ At this point, I got into the rhythm, and hopefully he doesn’t change it again. And the thing about it is, we’re starting to trust the young fellow [Kel’el Ware] More. “He’s starting to come along.”

“And like I said, there won’t be 20 and 15 every night, but his presence was felt today. He was plus 11, and that’s what I look for for him, like making the right plays, being out there a lot, running in transition, blocking shots, and that gives me time to rest, and then we get a little bit of a synergy of double major lineups.”

In addition to Ware coming in for Adebayo, Spoelstra has started to utilize the duo on the floor together, which has led to positive minutes, as Miami looks to continue that when the team faces the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

Juventus’s Cheffren Thuram has become one of the best midfielders in Serie A over the past two seasons. Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are now focusing on his situation in Italy.

The Red Devils’ interest was covered exclusively sports witness Over the weekend.

Calciomercato IT believed Juve were rushing to tie down the Frenchman to a new contract. There was also interest from Inter Milan, who are looking for a big midfield signing in the summer.

Given Thuram’s rise in Serie A since arriving from Nice, all of this really comes as no surprise.

today’s tuttosport The forward looks to mention Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa as potential suitors.

Aston Villa, Liverpool and Man United will have to run

The Turin newspaper began the report citing agent Misa N’Diaye, who represents not only Thuram but also another Juve player in Jeremy Boga. The attacker joined on loan in January and they are looking to sign him permanently.

The article believes that N’Diaye will be very important for the Bianconeri in the summer. His operation could also determine Thuram’s future at Juventus after the season.

Sirens are coming from Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa for the 24-year-old. Juve, meanwhile, have taken evasive action and have already spoken to N’Diaye about a renewal.

Preliminary talks have taken place, with the Old Lady willing to guarantee Thuram a big pay upgrade. He currently earns €2.4m per season and with progress, the new deal could net him more than €4m per season.

The France international is seen as ‘untouchable’ property by the Italian side. That’s one reason why there is growing concern about tying him down and beating Premier League clubs to a renewal.

Our opinion on Khefren Thuram’s situation at Juventus

Khefren Thuram is probably one of the most recognizable faces in Serie A. He is of great value to the Bianconeri at a time when Juve are looking for such players in a period of instability.

He has developed into a very reliable ball-carrying asset in the midfield. He would add a lot to any club – even Manchester United, Liverpool or Aston Villa. But it seems that the point of interest to English clubs is the agent matter.

The Tuttosport report seems like a way to promote the midfielder’s agent and the good work he is doing for Juve.

Chelsea may consider renewing Estevao’s contract after the World Cup as they consider him an important part of their current and future plans.

This is according to AS, which covers youth aged 18 today. The Spanish newspaper reports that Chelsea consider the winger to be key to everything in their plans.

The Brazilian was named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards this week. This was confirmation of Estevao’s rising status at Stamford Bridge, where he has ‘stole the hearts’ of Chelsea fans.

The club’s hierarchy is similarly charmed. They consider him an important player for the present and future of the club. In fact, he is one of the few ‘untouchables’ on the team.

Key players for Chelsea

The Blues see him as a unique player. He is someone who has talent, quality and magnetism in equal measure. According to AS, this makes him a truly unique player.

She is his ‘biggest sensation’, However fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro Can also claim that status. His first season in England is certainly going to be excellent.

However, his contributions go beyond the pitch. He is also a ‘commercial goldmine’ for Chelsea. There is a belief that he can bring about a revolution that has not been seen since the successful era of Eden Hazard.

Chelsea cherishes her and values ​​her ‘like the great diamond’ that she is. There is also talk that the contract renewal will be sorted out as soon as possible.

This would mean a lot, especially after the World Cup where he will be a key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.

already impressive record

For now, the focus is on finishing the season strong before that. With seven goals and two assists in 31 games in all competitions this season, Estevao is already impressing in numbers.

He is already Chelsea’s youngest player with an assist, their youngest Champions League scorer and the youngest Brazilian to score a Premier League winner.

He is only the third teenager in history to score in his first three Champions League matches. The others are Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

The least we can say is that this is a reputable company and it seems Chelsea are planning to make him a superstar like him before long.

Kasparus Jakusionis has been playing a valuable role with the Miami Heat during his rookie season. After a ball-dominant freshman season at Illinois, the No. 20 pick’s dramatic shooting improvement has allowed him to catch up with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others.

After shooting 31.8 percent from three with Illinois, Jacusionis is shooting 44.0 percent from three on 7.5 attempts per 100 possessions this season. The 19-year-old leads all rookies in three-point percentage (minimum 30 attempts).

“Kas has really been working on it, and he’s obviously one of our better three-point shooters,” Erik Spoelstra said after Thursday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I don’t know if you can make that case in July. He was a good three-point shooter, but he’s really refined it. His release is sharp. His reps are always at the top of our roster in the gym. And he’s able to do a little bit more going forward now, and it really helps us. We need that differentiation, we need his creativity, we need the things he can do off the dribble, but we look at his shooting, others. He is getting the benefits of playing. And he will get even better.”

“It’s hard to find players that can do both. They can make plays off the ball and move and get into open spaces. He’s also a very good, smart catch-and-go guy. But in his one year at Illinois, he was ball dominant, so he’s one of those guys. It won’t be as much with us right now, but you can see he’ll have a skill set that he can lean on as well.”

Jacusionis’ floor spacing has allowed him to make an immediate impact.

Kasparas Jakusionis getting attention amid shooting improvement with Heat

According to CleaningTheGlass, the Heat score 3.7 more points per 100 possessions with the rookie on the court versus off. This is the fifth-best mark in the NBA among all players under the age of 22.

“He’s not hesitating. He’s not really thinking about it. He’s just catching and just shooting it,” Bam Adebayo said. “When you’re in that kind of rhythm, we want you to just catch and shoot. Don’t overthink it. Because a lot of times that’s going to be the best shot you’re going to get. So for Kass, it’s just keeping it simple for him.”

Jaksionis would play a key role in the Heat’s playoff run in the final 19 games of the regular season. The Lithuanian guard has played 19.8 minutes per game over the past five weeks, eighth-most on the team.

The Heat are struggling to avoid falling in the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Miami, the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic are separated by half a game for the East’s sixth to eighth seeds.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat’s win over the Houston Rockets last Saturday demonstrated an area in which the team thrives. Because the Heat are determined to be tough and do the dirty work, their defensive gameplan includes an aspect the team leads the NBA in, although head coach Erik Spoelstra has a love-hate relationship with it.

It hasn’t been rare to see Miami run a zone defense on opponents this season. In fact, the Heat have been using it to the point where they have led the NBA in zone possession over the past three seasons. They are on pace to do so for the fourth time in a row as they recorded 575 zone possessions in Tuesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, and made the most of it in Saturday’s big win over the Rockets.

Spoelstra explained how there are moments when he ‘hates’ zone defense due to the lack of individual accountability that goes away compared to man-on-man. The head coach would emphasize at clutchpoints that zone is an important part of the defense, adding that the “hate” comment was made “in jest” due to his mentor’s views, in reference to Pat Riley.

“It’s in our defensive system, year in and year out, no matter what we feel about it. I’m beyond that. I say it jokingly, just because of who I was mentored under. You know, I believe they said at some point, ‘We’ll never be a zone organization,’ but the league is a lot different than it was 20 years ago. We’re all trying to figure it out. Skill level, shooting, speed, location, you just try to make it. “We are being as tough on other teams as we can and the best version of us defensively is a really tough-minded group, we have to get that more consistently.”

Erik Spoelstra was asked about the pace of leading the NBA again in MIA territory and his love-hate relationship with it:

“It’s in our defensive system, no matter what we feel about it. I was saying it jokingly, just because of who I was trained under…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/9vIJhzTlCQ

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 3 March 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra on zone defense: ‘Sometimes I hate it’

Heat captain Bam Adebayo and young center Kel’El Ware played key roles in slowing down Houston and its size in the zone defense, which led to the defense’s success. It’s not just in one game that the defense has been impressive, Miami is fourth in the league in defensive rating (111.5).

Going back to Spoelstra’s original comments, he talked about zone defense after Monday’s practice, detailing a time when he ‘hated’ it.

Despite the success of zone defense, Spoelstra said after Monday’s practice, “Sometimes I hate it.” “Because sometimes there’s not sure accountability. And sometimes you have the mentality that the zone will save you, or you won’t have to work as hard. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We actually have to burn more calories than the man in the zone. And there are a lot of different activities going on. But that’s a part of our defensive system. It’s not the only part of it. Obviously, our fastball is our man-to-man defense when we do our best. Are.”

At any rate, the Heat will continue to use it throughout the remainder of the season, as the team’s record heading into Tuesday’s game against the Nets was 32–29, placing them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. After Tuesday, the team will face the Nets again on Thursday, and conclude the week with a home match against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.

John Carew had quite a memorable experience at Aston Villa before retiring and turning to acting.

He joined the Villans from Lyon in 2007. This came as he scored 17 times for the French side, while also making key performances in the Champions League.

Carew lived up to expectations at Birmingham and became a cult hero at Aston Villa.

Acting career started in Birmingham

Carew, who also worked at AS Roma, spoke to gazzetta dello sport In an extensive interview. He recalled how his passion for acting was first born in Birmingham.

The former striker said: “In 2009, I was playing for Aston Villa. I was 30 years old. Some of my friends in London worked in the film industry, and one day they said to me, ‘John, you look interesting to be an actor.’ At first I didn’t believe it.”

He revealed that he first started taking lessons during his time at Aston Villa.

“Then I convinced myself and started taking courses. Acting allowed me to create a channel to express my feelings.”

The former player also claimed that it was Prince William who convinced him to move to the Premier League in 2007.

Revealing some background he said: “We met during a dinner with the royal family in Norway. I remember we talked only about football, and shortly after, he invited me to England to watch a match of his team Aston Villa. He convinced me to go there in 2007: for three consecutive seasons, I scored double figures in the Premier League.”

Additionally, Carew pointed to his good relationship with Prince William.

“He praised me. In 2019, we watched the play-off final against Derby County at Wembley together, securing our return to the Premier League.”

At Aston Villa, Carew scored 48 times and added 12 assists in 131 matches.

At the end of the January transfer window, Inter Milan attempted to sign Liverpool’s Curtis Jones. sports witness The short-lived saga was covered up again and again, and the deal was never completed.

The main reason for this was that the Reds initially wanted to extend the midfielder’s existing contract on Merseyside. The player’s hesitations ensured he stayed, even though he was seen as a replacement for Davide Fratesi. As a result, the Italian’s transfer to Nottingham Forest also failed.

Since then, Jones has started only once in the Premier League for Liverpool. This may not be a worrying sign, but there is still a possibility of a summer outing.

This has now been confidently claimed in Italy.

Inter still in pursuit of Liverpool player

today’s corriere dello sport Inter manager Christian Chivu reportedly fell in love with Jones when the two teams met in the Champions League.

The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Liverpool won 1–0. Perhaps it was Chivu’s liking for him that made the Nerazzurri make the first move in January.

The Romanian is still keen and would like Inter to make another attempt in the summer. Meanwhile, the Serie A leaders have strengthened their relationship with Jones’ squad.

The Liverpool player has the same agent as Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji, who is expected to join Inter permanently in the summer. This common connection can help with a deal, especially if Fratesi leaves at the end of the campaign.

Jones could be a low-priced deal

The England international’s current contract at Liverpool expires in the summer of 2027.

This could make a relatively cheap deal for Inter in 2026. This could be quite an exciting move, mainly because Jones is still at the right age. He is at the peak of his powers and offers greater technical ability than Fratesi, who is more of an outlet in the final third.

A lot could depend on Liverpool’s demands. The Reds are not known for leaving their players cheaply.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly stalling the process that requires an urgent solution to lift the transfer ban imposed on Brazilian side Santos FC last week.

according to espn brazilSantos is awaiting a formal document from Tottenham to finalize the payment structure relating to Souza’s move to north London. Without that paperwork, the Brazilian side cannot settle its outstanding loan with Portuguese side FC Arauca – the same issue that led to the FIFA transfer ban.

The sanction was imposed due to an unpaid fee linked to the arrival of defender João Basso from Arauca. Santos is owed €2.7m (£2.3m) including interest. Until that amount is paid, they cannot enter new signatures.

Interestingly, earlier this month brazilian report detailed how Santos had already advanced his share of the Souza transfer fee through an international banking operation, precisely because Tottenham were considered financially reliable.

The club gained advance access to approximately £13.7m (€16.2m) of the deal, with less risk associated with Tottenham’s payment. That context makes the current delay somewhat curious.

Delay in documentation complicates the situation

Santos’ plan is simple. they want to use some of it €15m (£12.8m) fee agreed with Tottenham To fully repay the Portuguese loan to Souza. However, the transfer ban cannot be lifted until Arauca receives payment – ​​and this depends on the amount of money being released.

Brazilian reports state that Arauca are waiting for formal confirmation from Tottenham so that the transaction can go ahead. Until he arrives, Santos will be unable to function.

The issue is already affecting squad planning. The newly signed midfielder has not been registered due to a ban, despite taking part in training. As a result, Santos’s options are limited while waiting for the administrative green light.

Wider context around Spurs

From Tottenham’s point of view, this may be a routine documentation process. Nevertheless, the delay is effectively preventing Santos from resolving the ban imposed by FIFA.

Although there is no suggestion that Spurs are refusing to pay, the timing of the paperwork is significant. Santos is pushing to settle the case before the end of the week. Any delay risks extending the ban and increasing pressure on the Brazilian club hierarchy.

Recently, UK media have reported that Spurs are going through a delicate financial situation, which is linked to the team’s poor results and the risk of a possible relegation battle. That background naturally increases scrutiny on outgoing payments and cash flow management.

It is unclear whether this will have any impact on delays, and it is likely that it will not. However, from Santos’s perspective, the North London document is the final piece needed to lift the ban. Until that arrives, the Brazilian club will remain in limbo.

two weeks ago, sports witness Calciomercato’s claims about Aston Villa’s desire to sign Douglas Luiz permanently covered.

This gave Juventus hope of signing Ian Matson in a swap deal. He saw the Dutchman defender as a replacement for the struggling Andrea Cambiaso.

It was believed that with both players being equally valued, the Villans were open to a swap. The main reason for this was his satisfaction with the Brazilian people.

today’s tuttosport If you look closely, there is excitement about the player in Turin.

Douglas Luiz is giving hope to Juventus

The newspaper wrote how the midfielder has won two man of the match awards in his last five matches for Aston Villa. He has started all those matches and now, there is a big possibility of signing this player permanently.

This is a positive thing for Juve, who have not had a particularly pleasant last few days. They have lost to Inter Milan, Como and Galatasaray, which has spread negativity around the club. There are the usual concerns over finances but the transfer of Douglas Luiz will go a long way to address them.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been credited with getting the most out of the midfielder.

€28.5m package from Aston Villa

The report clarifies the terms of the deal.

Aston Villa have an option to buy the 27-year-old for €25m and they are more than confident about exercising it. Juve are also hoping that Douglas Luiz will perform well next season as he will earn a €3.5m bonus.

All of this would be a huge boost to the club’s ‘bloated coffers’, especially as the Brazilian never made an impression in Turin.

Now, he has also put his injury troubles behind him, and his fitness will likely play a key role in whether Aston Villa actually exercise his option.

Last year, just before the season started, the Dallas Cowboys surprised everyone by selling the face of their franchise, Micah Parsons. The Cowboys received Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks in the Parsons trade. Now they may be ready to trade one of their top assets again this offseason.

Recently, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones revealed that the team is “open-minded” to trading one of its two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“It’s hard to project, but we’re definitely open-minded,” Jones said. “If the right guy fits, if he’s a perfect fit, we’ll definitely look at it.”

The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks in the first round, the latter of which stems from the Parsons trade with the Packers. Dallas acquired two star defensive tackles last season, and now they are switching to a multiple defense with a 3-4 base scheme.

It’s possible they’ll use some of their draft compensation and cap space to acquire another proven edge rusher to help offset the loss of Parsons. Either way, with Pro Bowl receiver George Pickens set for free agency, the Cowboys will have some big decisions this offseason, and trading a first-round pick could certainly be part of the equation.

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Napoli are ‘finally making moves’ to improve their midfield this summer and Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes is their ‘main target’.

is according to Niccolo Ceccarini, journalist for Tuttomercatoweb. He revealed that the Wolves man has been placed at the top of Napoli’s midfield wish list.

After a disastrous defense of their title, the reigning Italian champions will be busy reshaping their squad this summer. They are currently 11 points behind Inter Milan and are in third place in Serie A.

Injuries have caused major problems for them, and the club will probably need to refresh the squad to keep Antonio Conte on board.

The Italian club wants reinforcements in midfield, and Ceccarini reports that Gomes is at the top of the list.

Wolves star wanted

According to their information, Napoli are making moves to strengthen their midfield this summer. And, the Wolves midfielder is the ‘main target’ in that regard. There is no further information available about the 25-year-old.

But Sport Witness has reported on Napoli’s interest in the midfielder for months. In fact, there have been several reports since the January transfer window alone.

For example, on 11 January, Sport Witness covered a report suggesting the Wolves midfielder was awaiting a transfer. At the time, the club valued him at €40m.

Efforts from January transfer window

A report three days later theorized that Wolves’ potential demotion this summer would make a transfer easier. Two days ago it was confirmed that the Wolves midfielder remains a target for Napoli this summer.

Now Ceccherini has added to this that he is a main target for Conte. Given that they’ve also said they’re finally making the move, it suggests something is going on behind the scenes.

In fact, it would not be surprising if sooner or later there were reports about contacts with Gomes’ agents. Even if that isn’t happening right now, Gomes’ future appears to lie away from Molineux.

Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini is causing concern for Roma, who know ‘time is running out’ to renew his contract.

Roma Giallo Rossa covers the 29-year-old today. The Italian outlet published a report earlier this week stating that Tottenham have shown an interest in Pellegrini.

Sport Witness covered that report from Italy two days ago. It revealed that Tottenham were showing a keen interest in the midfielder. He was reportedly recommended by his interim coach Igor Tudor.

The assumption was that he is on Tottenham’s list for the summer as they keep an eye on free agents. Much of this was linked to Tudor, who could have pressed for a deal if the end of the season was put in place.

Tottenham’s interest in Pellegrini

However, Tottenham’s interest in Pellegrini is nothing new. Actually, back in August, Sport Witness covered the possibility of Spurs beating West Ham in their signing.

Roma Giallo Rossa has now added its information, stating that Pellegrini’s ‘marriage’ to Roma appears to be nearing its end. Renewal of his deal is ‘still a way off’ and no deal is in sight.

The possibility of him becoming a free agent in the summer is becoming a ‘reality’. Roma’s management is worried about this and now it has to take a decision. Either they hurry up for renewal or bid farewell to ‘one of the symbols of recent seasons’.

key to tudor future

If it’s the latter then Tottenham are set to capture him. Tudor greatly respects Pellegrini and considers him an ‘ideal candidate’ to strengthen his midfield.

However, Tottenham will have to give him a long-term deal before he can make an impact on their transfer strategy.

Meanwhile, Roma is watching and pondering. The Italian side knows that ‘time is running out’ to resolve the situation. The pressure on him has not been easy to handle due to interest from Spurs.