標籤: place

expected to sit with lens crystal Palace To discuss a deal for Pierre Sage in the coming days.

report team Despite Sage and Lens announcing they were going their separate ways this week, talks are planned between the two clubs.

Lens exit agreed upon

The newspaper covers Pierre Sage’s situation today and how the rift has developed between him and the leadership of Lens over the past few weeks.

While Sage has delivered an incredible season for Lens, with a Coupe de France win and a second-place finish in Ligue 1, tensions have increased behind the scenes.

He informed the club’s leadership on Tuesday evening of his desire to leave the club after one season. This matches reports from Crystal Palace They have made him their number one choice to replace Oliver Glasner.

This news did not come as a surprise to the leadership of Lens. They realized that separation was imminent during the media tour after winning the Cup. Rishi explained during those ceremonies that while his heart was in the lens, he was in high demand and needed to assess his options. Now he has made it clear that he wants to go.

“Given his personal ambition and his desire to maximize his market value, his departure makes sense in principle,” a source told the newspaper.

“But the way it was handled is still disappointing. It will be impossible to mend fences after these last few days.”

crystal palace talks

Secession has now been ‘ethically agreed’ but has not been formalized at the administrative level. Pierre Sage still has two years left on his deal. And the French side is committed to ‘standing firm’ and not compromising with any interested party.

Talks are expected to take place with Crystal Palace in the coming days. Despite suitors in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, he is the strong favorite to hire him.

He is the Eagles’ number one man to replace Glasner this summer. Sage could earn triple his current salary of €100,000 a month at Selhurst Park.

But he is keen on the project, which ‘mainly serves the former Lyon coach’s Premier League ambitions.’ However, first, Lille must agree a deal with Crystal Palace that they find acceptable.

Manchester United And armory Morten are now emerging as the two clubs with the strongest case for Hjulmand.

The Sporting captain’s expected summer departure is looking like a Premier League battle straight out.

In recent weeks, Manchester City He looks to be the frontrunner after reports in Portugal claimed Hugo Viana’s relationship with Hjulmand had given the Premier League champions a significant advantage.

Soon after, Manchester United moved ahead of their rivals.

Now the latest report from Portugal puts both United and Arsenal at the front of the queue, with both clubs seriously pursuing the Danish midfielder ahead of the summer window.

the agreement is months ago

Another interesting tidbit to emerge from Portugal is that Hjulmand was close to leaving Sporting at the beginning of the season.

according to morning mailThe midfielder had the opportunity to move in January, but instead reached an agreement with Sporting’s hierarchy to stay for the remainder of the season and leave this summer.

This helps explain why Sporting has appeared relatively quiet during a time of increasing transfer noise around the player.

Now an agreement is said to have been reached to allow Hjulmand to leave for around €40m (£34m), while his official release clause is €80m (£69m).

So it looks increasingly like a transfer route has been quietly prepared for months.

Arsenal and Manchester United both matter

Manchester United’s involvement is easy to understand. As we detailed earlier, the club are keen to bring more control and stability to the midfield. And as Casemiro’s departure approaches, Morten Hjulmand could be one of the men to do the job.

But Arsenal’s position is also logical. The Gunners are taking a close look at midfield options capable of bringing structure and balance.

Plus, there’s *that* personal aspect. Hjulmand is an Arsenal fan And there’s even a tattoo associated with the club, which has come up again and again Whenever their future is discussed.

However, any discussion will have to wait for at least a week. The midfielder is currently recovering from a foot injury, but is close to a return and could even play against Gil Vicente this weekend.

If that happens, it could turn out to be his final match at Sporting’s Estadio do Alvalade.

Sporting will then face Turin in the Portuguese Cup final, with the game being seen in Portugal as a potential farewell opportunity for the captain ahead of his expected summer transfer.

what happens next

appear sporting prepared for his departure. The player already has an unofficial route to transfer. And the battle looks increasingly centered between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Manchester City hasn’t completely disappeared from the picture, but the pace of the story has clearly shifted elsewhere.

With the season nearing an end and departure talk growing in Portugal, it is no longer really expected whether Hjulmand will leave or not. Once that is done it ends there.

brentford Now know that it is becoming a very real race for Issa Doumbia. And Sporting aren’t really hiding their intentions anymore.

The Venezia midfielder has had a huge season in Italy. The 22-year-old has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 37 appearances. He has helped Venezia gain promotion back to Serie A. So it is natural that he has made himself one of the most talked about midfielders in the country.

That rise has attracted the attention of many clubs across Europe. However, The Brentford name will continue As one of the English sides was seriously interested in the position.

The problem for them is that sporting is moving fast.

Sporting is working hard for Doumbia

according to to ballThe Portuguese side have already moved beyond simple interest and made a concrete contract offer to the player.

Now the financial details have also come out. The newspaper reports that Sporting are offering Doumbia a five-year contract worth €100,000 (£85,600) a month after tax until 2031.

At 6:57 PM ET, approximately 150,000 people will be inside Churchill Downs Racecourse to see which competitor will win the first leg of the 2026 Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. This year’s field includes a deep list of contenders, hidden horses and long shots. But who is the best of the best at Saturday’s event?

We want to answer that question with our rankings of the 2026 Kentucky Derby horses, as well as the best bets to win, show and place tonight.

20.Oceli (50-1)

Ouseley, a horse trained by D. Whitworth Beckman, jumped into the 2026 Kentucky Derby after several horses, including Right to Party, were ruled out of tonight’s race. Although Ouseley has six championships on his resume, he does not have any wins to his name. Furthermore, he is entering this year’s derby on a downward trend after finishing sixth in his last three matches.

19. Fearless (50-1)

Early in his career, the Jeff Mullins-trained colt Intrepido showed great promise after winning two of his first three races, including last year’s American Pharoah. However, since then, the horse has been struggling. Finished fifth in the following race, and finished fourth at Santa Anita a few weeks earlier. That’s why he’s a big underdog this Saturday.

18.Robusta (50-1)

Calumet Farms product Robusta has been awarded a spot in this year’s event after suffering three scratches during race week. The colt is a huge underdog due to his disappointing career so far. While the three-year-old has first- and second-place finishes on his five-race resume, he also has a pair of seventh-place finishes. That includes a showdown against several derby competitors at Santa Anita last month.

17. Great White (50-1)

The John Ennis-trained colt Great White has been all over the map in his first four races. The three-year-old won his debut match in December and the John Battaglia Memorial in February. However, White finished fifth in his other two races, including the Blue Grass in April. This unpredictability is a major reason why he is one of the biggest underdogs on Saturday.

16. golden time (30-1)

The Cherie Devaux-trained horse Golden Tempo made a solid start to his career by winning the first two races. However, when his team increased the competition this year by placing him in a G2 race, the three-year-old struggled. Finished third in two races in Louisiana. That’s why the tempo on Saturday is seen as a long shot.

15. Litmus Test (30-1)

Bob Baffert’s colt Litmus Test is one of the most experienced competitors in this weekend’s race. However, this is rarely a good thing. In six races, he has only two wins, and his chances of advancing to Saturday are long after a very disappointing seventh-place finish in the Arkansas Derby in March.

14. Six Speed ​​(50-1)

The Bhupat Seemar-trained colt Six Speed ​​is one of the exotic-bred contenders in this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. The horse is also one of the more inexperienced competitors, having only three contests in his career. However, Speed ​​has performed well so far, winning two of those three races. Nevertheless, given the weak level of competition he has faced so far in the UAE, he remains a long chance in the derby.

For riskier punters looking for an under-the-radar show option with great odds, Speed ​​is a horse to keep an eye on.

13. Albus (30-1)

The Riley Mott-trained horse Albus had a slow start when he debuted last year. Finished fourth and third in his first two matches. However, 2026 has been far better for the three-year-old as he has scored two consecutive wins, including the Wood Memorial in April. Albus is an interesting show choice on Saturday.

12. Wonder Dean (30-1)

Japanese colt Wonder Dean is one of the international competitors in the 2026 event. The Yoshinari Yamamoto-trained colt has appeared on the track only twice since his debut in the Saudi Derby in February. However, a UAE Derby victory over fellow Kentucky contender Six Speed ​​shows he is the top foreign horse this weekend. Dean is a solid choice for the show on Saturday.

11. Pavlovian (30-1)

The Doug O’Neill-trained colt Pavlovian is one of the most experienced horses in this year’s race after competing in 10 contests since his debut in May 2025. However, he is one of the biggest underdogs in the event as he has just two wins to his name.

Nevertheless, despite average performances throughout his career, Pavlovian finished second to fellow Kentucky competitor Emerging Markets in the Louisiana Derby. So he has a chance to win the show bet, but he’s a sleeper tonight.

10. Incredibolt (20-1)

The colt Incredibolt, trained by Riley Mott, has had a checkered career. That’s why he’s at the back of the betting odds at the event after finishing sixth at the G3 Face off in January. However, Incredibolt turned heads in March when he won the Virginia Derby, leading some to wonder if he could perform better than expected on Kentucky’s fast dirt track and likely place second this weekend.

9. Mighty (20-1)

Potente, a three-year-old trained by racing legend Bob Baffert, is an interesting betting choice heading into the Kentucky Derby. The colt has appeared on the track only three times since his debut in January. However, he has scored two wins and a second against notable Kentucky contender So Happy at Santa Anita in early April. Potente is an interesting alternative to place and show bets.

8. Chief Wallaby (8-1)

The William Mott-trained colt Chief Wallaby will take to the track for the fourth time in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Although there are good odds for the three-year-old, it would be a big surprise if he won the race. In his last two meets, he has lost twice to fellow Kentucky competitor Commandment, including a third-place finish to both Commandment and The Puma in Florida.

7. Dannon Bourbon (20-1)

Although Dannon Bourbon grew up in Kentucky, the Manabu Ikezo-trained colt went to Chiba, Japan in March for his debut and finished first. Despite being the least experienced of all the horses in this year’s race, Bourbon has solid prospects. Showing that the three-year-old has talent will be a big problem on Saturday. The Colts are a sleeper option as a win bet tonight.

6. Emerging Markets (15-1)

The Chad Brown-trained colt Emerging Markets is an under-the-radar sleeper in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Yes, he only has two races on his resume after making his debut in February. However, after those races, he has two wins on his record. Including a big win in the Louisiana Derby, where he defeated fellow Kentucky Derby competitors Pavlovian and Golden Tempo. The market is a great option for place bets.

5. Very Happy (15-1)

The Mark Glatt-trained colt So Happy enters this year’s Kentucky Derby as a top contender after an impressive start to his career. Since debuting in January 2025, the three-year-old has won three of his four races. Although he faltered when finishing third at San Felipe in March, So Happy bounced back with a big win at Santa Anita in April. A race that included fellow Kentucky competitors Potente and Intrepido.

Happy could certainly show up on Saturday, but he’s an intriguing option for bettors looking for a sleeper option for the Place.

4. Forward Movement (6-1)

Furthermore, Edo’s career had an up-and-down start, finishing third and fifth in his first two races. However, since then, the Brad Cox-trained colt has been on fire. Won three of his last four starts, while his only loss was a second-place finish to one of the favorites in the Kentucky Derby, The Puma. Also Edo will get a lot of stakes for the show and place tonight, but he has the talent to win it all.

3.Pumas (10-1)

Puma – trained by Gustavo Delgado – is a favorite going into the 2026 Kentucky Derby as he has faced stiff competition during his four-race career. While they only have one win (never lower than a third-place finish), they have previously faced Kentucky competitors Chief Wallaby, Renegade, Forward Edo and Commandment.

This gives Delgado important information to further prepare his talented horse for victory in Saturday’s race.

2. Ajna (6-1)

Commandment is one of two Brad Cox-trained horses who are a real threat to win the Kentucky Derby. After a surprising fourth place finish on its debut in October, the team has reworked and Commandment is very excited ahead of this year’s race.

The colt has won four in a row, including big wins over The Pumas and Chief Wallaby in the Florida Derby in March. Commandment will be a popular choice among bettors and is our pick to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

1. Renegade (4-1)

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt Renegade enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby as one of the favorites due to his strong five-race career and recent hot streak. While he finished third in his debut in August 2025, he has steadily improved in each race since.

Renegade has won two in a row, including a strong performance in March when he placed first in the Arkansas Derby. However, his February win at Sam Davis may have been his best win to date as it also included another Kentucky contender, The Puma. Renegade is the safest bet for Show and Place on Saturday, and the favorite to win for good reason.

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

Aston Villa Has been regularly mentioned as a suitor for Lazio’s Mario Gila in recent weeks. Their task is now becoming complicated, as AC Milan are pushing for a deal.

last month, sports witness Covered TuttoSport’s claims about Villans’ interest in the defender.

It didn’t end there as Gila’s agent Alejandro Caamaño spoke About your client last week. He clarified that no club has approached him yet, but he is open to offers.

It was the biggest sign yet that the defender’s time at Lazio is drawing to a close. His contract expires in 2027 and there is no renewal.

AC Milan are now pushing for his signature and this is a warning to Aston Villa.

individual agreements in place

journalist transfer market Danielle Longo tweeted about the 25-year-old, who was missed by Lazio in their 3-3 draw against Udinese on Monday.

The Rossoneri have now made new contact for Gila and have agreed a draft deal on personal terms. This is pushing the deal forward, with the club now seeking permission from Redbird ownership before moving forward.

Currently, Lazio wants €25m for the defender. It may take some time for Milan to initiate contact with the Roman club but it is believed that an agreement is quite possible.

It remains to be seen whether Aston Villa uses that time to progress. But Gazzetta dello Sport – via LalaziosononoiClaim Milan are unlikely to go ahead €25 million in a deal.

While that limit may also attract suitors, Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito is unlikely to make a transfer easy.

Our View: Lotito holds the key

Historically, Lotito has been a very tough negotiator in the marketplace. Notoriously, he has caused problems for Lazio players and their agents in the past, often turning them away from staying in Italy and moving abroad.

This is why Aston Villa can never be ruled out as a destination for the defender. Furthermore, Lazio’s financial situation is not very good and they have no choice but to approve the sale.

Italian clubs may not have as much financial power as the Villans and this could sway things in Unai Emery’s favour.

The Houston Astros have faced some tough situations recently. After finishing in first place at the beginning of the year, they are now in last place in the American League West with a 10–18 record. Despite a ridiculously good offense, their pitching has repeatedly lost them games.

In fact, their offense has been one of the best (if not the best). Best) in MLB. The club ranked sixth in home runs (35), fifth in batting average (.259), fourth in RBI (136), slugging percentage (.436) and OPS (.782), and third in on-base percentage (.346). It is a historic disappointment for Astros fans that such a good offense has barely managed 10 wins across the board.

But the crown jewel of that Houston offense – the one hope that fans can cling to – has been the performance of Yordan Alvarez. And, oh my god, has it been good.

Picture painted by metrics

Alvarez has had a great start to 2026. The 28-year-old slugger is in bad form, leading MLB in home runs with 11 through 28 games. In fact, Alvarez leads MLB in every important hitting statistic (expect second place in slugging percentage) with a .353/.464/.755 slash line and an earth-shattering 1.219 OPS.

The craziest part? Expected metrics are even better. His xwOBA (.556), xBA (.381) and xSLG (.871) are all in the 100th percentile of MLB hitters. This means Alvarez is performing worse than he should and is still the best offensive player in the league. Nobody can do what he is doing now.

Batting run value is a Statcast metric that specifies the run impact on each pitch, hit or plate appearance based on its outcome. A positive number indicates production above average while a negative number would indicate production below average. This is the total for the entire season.

For context, in 2022 when New York Yankee Aaron Judge broke the American League record for home runs with 62, he had a stellar +90 BRV. Alvarez is on pace to have a +118 BRV.

the ever present question of stability

Like most things in life, baseball is a game that more than anything else asks whether something is sustainable. In most cases, the answer is no. And the same thing is true here also to a great extent. Alvarez probably won’t keep up these ridiculous statistics.

Perhaps.

That being said, if he accomplishes what he’s on pace to do: 224 hits, 64 home runs and 150 RBI. Needless to mention, Alvarez is on pace for 139 walks (both intentional and not). Those are historical numbers. Apart from the fact that Álvarez would hold the American League home run record, no player in all of MLB history has ever had a stat line like this.

You’ll notice I didn’t answer the stability question. The main reason for this is to prevent the dream of being an offensive powerhouse like Alvarez from ending. It would be incredible to see a player lose like that, especially with how young he is. It’s easy to forget that the slugger is only 28 years old.

Whether or not he finishes the season with Houston is another question entirely. He has already been the subject of trade rumors with the San Diego Padres (a club searching for a high-impact bat) and, although the Astros would be crazy to trade him, the club is not looking so attractive. Started the year last in the AL West with a 10–18 record.

Who knows what the future holds for Alvarez? It’s impossible to predict the future — especially in baseball — but the Houston slugger certainly looks formidable to start the 2026 season. No matter how this ends up, Alvarez will be fun to watch.

Everton are set to complete a permanent €23 million contract with Merlin Rohl after avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

football transfersrelaying information from kickerReport that a mandatory buyout clause for the 23-year-old is now ready to be activated.

Everton earns form transfer

According to the newspapers, Everton agreed a permanent deal for Merlin Rohl last summer When he joined on loan from SC Freiburg.

The Toffees paid an initial €2m loan fee, but also agreed a mandatory clause of €23m if they managed to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

That compulsion to buy has now started. Everton are currently 10^th On 47 points in the table; 16 points ahead of Tottenham in 18^th. With only five games remaining in the season, they are mathematically safe. Thus, the buyout clause for Rohal has now come into effect.

They will now be forced to pay an additional €23m for Rohl, despite him only appearing sporadically this season. Freyberg is just waiting for the money to come.

everton position question

Meanwhile, Everton will likely look back at a deal they regret. Marilyn Rohl arrived from Germany with a solid reputation. But he has barely featured under David Moyes this season.

While there have been impressive cameos, the Everton manager’s preferred midfield trio of Idrissa Gueye, James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has meant Rohl has spent the majority of the season sitting on the bench.

Even Tim Iroegbunam and Harrison Armstrong appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Whenever he was given a chance, there were glimpses of talent, but it was very limited. €25 million for a midfielder who has made 358 appearances in a total of 12 minutes is certainly not ideal.

Whether he can carry on next season after a year of acclimatising in England remains to be seen. Either way, Everton will pay €23m for him at some point in the coming weeks.

It looks like Nikki Bella will not be cleared to compete at WrestleMania 42: Night 1. However, a new rumor reveals a replacement that longtime WWE fans will love.

Three weeks earlier, on an episode of SmackDown, Bella injured her ankle in a tag match with her sister Brie against two WrestleMania 42 opponents, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. After the show, it was reported that the injury was not minor, and his availability for this weekend’s show was up in the air.

Well, on Friday, PW Insider is not cleared to participate in the Women’s Tag Team Title match also featuring Bayley and Lyra Valkyria and defending champions Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend). However, while Nikki is out of the match, her sister is reportedly staying in. But will she be competing alone?

No, Bella will have a mysterious partner. The outlet also revealed that none other than Paige, aka Saraya in AEW, will be making her grand return to WWE on Saturday night for the first time since retiring from the company due to a neck injury in 2018.

Paige will return at the long-awaited WWE WrestleMania 42

PW Insider’s Mike Johnson wrote, “Sarayah Jade-Beavis, better known as Paige during her original tenure with the company, has signed to return as a wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment and is expected to return to the ring as part of WrestleMania 42 this weekend.”

After ending his wrestling career at just 26 years old, Page worked as an interviewer and host for WWE until his contract expires in the summer of 2022. A few months later, she would end her retirement and return to the ring for AEW. She would go on to win the top women’s title.

Paige/Saraiya officially parted ways with AEW last year after their contracts with WWE’s top rival expired.

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

This year’s World Baseball Classic proved to be a huge hit with fans and players, with a massive turnout for the different countries represented and huge TV ratings for the broadcast. So, when will the next World Baseball Classic take place?

According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, baseball officials are eyeing the next WBC in 2030. The timeline is based on how many times they want to host the tournament and what happens after that.

This year’s World Baseball Classic served as a preview of things to come in two years. Because the 2028 Olympics are being held in the United States, baseball will be a part of it. So, fans will get to see All-Stars and MVP candidates represent their countries at the Olympics with medals at stake.

The WBC has been held twice this decade, with the tournament taking place this year and in 2023. However, there was a six-year gap between the tournaments in 2017, when the United States last won, and 2023, when Japan won.

Officials expect it to be held every four years, with the cycle existing from 2009–2017. Needless to say, given what happened in the WBC this year, Japan and Team USA will be especially motivated to win at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

By the time the 2030 World Baseball Classic begins, baseball fans can expect to see rising MLB stars such as Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Connor Griffin, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crowe-Armstrong and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Weatherholt among the standouts representing Team USA.

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

brighton and hove albionThe signing of Saeed Al-Mala may have boosted expectations, with the player admitting he did not want to be separated from his brother Malek.

90 minutes.de Cover the 19-year-old winger’s comments today from an interview in Köln’s stadium magazine, GeissbachEcho.

After arriving as a relative unknown before joining FC Colón from 3. Liga side Victoria Colón, El Mala has experienced a meteoric rise this season.

He did not need time to settle in, becoming their most important player and a great hope in their fight against relegation.

The Brighton transfer target joins his brother Malek at the German club, with whom he has played throughout his career so far. It’s something he wants to continue.

“We talk every day, we live together, and we have the same friends. There is a particularly strong bond between us, like two pieces stuck together that cannot be easily separated.” He said.

Good news for brighton transfer

These words should come as good news for Brighton. The seagulls have been chasing El Mala since last summer and are eager to get him this time.

discussions are taking place behind the scenesbrighton was keen to take place during their Recent international break.

And, crucially, a report last month said they were happy to sign both El Mala brothers. According to that report, Brighton were the only suitors who were happy to sign both.

This will go over well with his family. He recently took over the representation of Saeed El Mala, replacing his previous agent.

Possible vacation this summer

However, El Mala is now naive about the situation. He acknowledges that they could part ways this summer, but clearly has no outward desire to do so.

“We know this moment may come eventually. But as long as things are the way they are, we’re enjoying it.” He concluded.

Then again, the opportunity is Brighton’s.

If they are happy to sign Malek as well, that gives them a distinct advantage, especially as Said is now represented by his family.

That’s an advantage he should take home, especially with bigger clubs also circling the 19-year-old winger.

🇧🇷 Special: Alvaro Montoro ‼️

➡️Brighton interest texter meets financial crisis
➡️ #BHAFC The official saw them against Gremio
➡️ Traveled to Porto Alegre especially for Montoro
➡️ Pedro Reinert explains the situation in Brazil…https://t.co/jLvcE1ZoHR

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026

Leicester City’s Wout Fess says the Championship side were in good shape under Enzo Maresca.

The Italian took over from Leicester City in July 2023, after being relegated from the Premier League.

Under his command, the Foxes won 31 out of 46 league matches and collected 97 points. This gave them the chance to win the Championship and secure promotion to the Premier League.

Maresca left Leicester City for Chelsea in the summer of 2024. Earlier this year, he resigned from his role at Stamford Bridge and is now without a club.

Meanwhile, the Foxes finished 18th in the Premier League last season and are relegated to the Championship.

Since Maresca’s exit, the English club have had Steve Cooper, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Marty Cifuentes and Gary Rowett as permanent managers. The latter has been in charge since February.

These changes were caused by a series of poor results. With this, Leicester City is in 22nd place due to point deduction for violation of PSR rules. They are one point behind Portsmouth, who are in 21st.

Faces talk about the unity of Leicester city

Wout Fes struggled for a leading role at Leicester City in the first half of the season. He played 16 matches and was not used by Martí Cifuentes in December and January.

Therefore, the 27-year-old joined AS Monaco on loan in January and the move allowed him to enjoy regular minutes again.

His Ligue 1 statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 8
• Start: 8
• Total minutes: 659
• Minutes per game: 82

Team The Foxes had a chat with the defender, who is enjoying life in Monaco. He asks whether he had felt Monaco’s ‘collective strength’ at his previous clubs.

While responding to this, he talked about how Leicester City were under Enzo Maresca.

“There was a year when I worked with Enzo Maresca at Leicester. There too, we really had a plan. We were like a family, we had one goal, and we had the same drive in every training session.” He said.

“I feel the same way here [at Monaco]. The coach is very demanding, he is very detail-oriented, he strives to keep the group on his terms – for some, this may even be a bit much. He does not allow anyone to be lax. Once, we asked for an extra day off: they refused. But we know why we are doing all this.”

What’s next for the Leicester City man?

last month, belgium said He wants to make his stay at AS Monaco permanent.

The Ligue 1 side has an option to buy as part of the loan deal. It is unclear whether this section will be active after this season.

If Monaco do not retain him, Wout Fes will have to find a new club as he is unlikely to play for Leicester City again. They will also consider selling him, as his contract expires in 2027 and his salary does not match their current reality.

For a brief moment, the top three PWHL teams were tied for first place with 10 games left in the regular season.

Montreal Victoire tied with Boston Fleet and Minnesota Frost after defeating Seattle Torrent in regulation on Thursday. Boston and Minnesota advanced with regulation wins over the weekend, but the race for the No. 1 seed is as tight as can be.

The battle for the final playoff spot in the league is equally interesting. As the New York Sirens’ post-Olympic losing streak continues, the Toronto Raptors sit fourth in the PWHL standings – though the Ottawa Charge aren’t far behind.

This all resulted in quite a shakeup in our power rankings, including a brand new team in the No. 1 spot.

1. Minnesota Frost (42 points, 11-3-3-4, +25 GD)

Previous ranking: 3 (+2)

The gap between Minnesota, Boston and Montreal is as narrow as possible, but Frost is ranked No. 1. Minnesota extended its winning streak to five games (4-1-0-0) and its fourth straight with a 3-1 win over the Vancouver GoldenEyes on Saturday.

Frost scored at least three goals in each win and outscored opponents 19–6 during the streak. Their 67 goals are 15 more than the next best team, Montreal (52).

Kelly Pannek, Taylor Heise and Britta Curl-Salem are locked in a three-way tie for the league lead with 22 points. Pannek scored in back-to-back games, including a two-goal effort against Ottawa on Wednesday. He recorded points in 10 of his last 11 games.

But while Minnesota’s offense grabs the headlines, don’t overlook the sharp play of goalkeepers Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley. Both have goals-against averages under 2.00 in near-identical splits. Rooney has not allowed more than two goals since January 4 and is third in the PWHL with a 1.90 GAA. Despite some uneven performances in March, Hensley is fourth with 1.98.

Frost ranks third league-wide in goals against per game (2.00) and save percentage (.927). It will be tough to match Boston or Minnesota in net, but the Rooney-Hensley tandem can hold its own.

Both offense and scoring ability will be tested this week, as Minnesota hosts Victoire on Wednesday and Fleet at Grand Casino Arena on Sunday. First place in the standings – and these are power rankings – is on the line.

2. Boston Fleet (42 points, 10-5-2-4, +15 GD)

Previous ranking: 2 (-)

A highly anticipated matchup between Fleet and Victoire on March 15 lived up to the billing. Boston erased a 3–0 deficit in the final 13:59 of regulation, and Ella Huber provided the game-winner 1:33 into overtime. This was not without controversy. Lauren Gabel’s goal, which opened the scoring for Boston at 6:01 of the third minute, was initially ruled out for goaltender interference. Despite a significant collision between Fleet captain Megan Keller and Victoire goalkeeper Anne-Reneé Desbiens, officials overturned the decision after video review and credited Gabel with the goal.

For now, that win keeps them two points ahead of Montreal with nine games left to play. Toronto beat the Fleet 2-0 on Tuesday, but Boston responded with a 3-0 win over Seattle Torrent on Saturday behind Erin Frankel’s league-leading fifth shutout.

Fleet general manager Daniel Marmor added another scoring threat on Monday, acquiring winger Jessie Aldridge from Seattle Torrent in exchange for Theresa Scheftezahl. Boston thrived in low-scoring games thanks to Frankel and a strong defensive system, but the offensive-minded Aldridge helps address its biggest weakness.

Jesse Aldridge: Elite on the power play. Take a step back this year. Very good at finding rebounds and loose pucks for goals around the net. 5v5 goal share is consistently higher than team average. She has been on the last-place team every year. https://t.co/jifbam6Wj7 pic.twitter.com/uHaXtgS7gU

– Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) 17 March 2026

Aldridge was scoreless in his first two games, but having him in the top six makes Boston much more dangerous.

3. Montreal Victoire (40 points, 10-4-2-5, +21 GD)

Previous ranking: 1 (-2)

Despite two losses last week, Montreal extended its point streak to nine games (7-0-2-0). Overtime losses to Boston and Ottawa led to a 4-1 win over Seattle on Thursday.

The Victoire have a clear path to the league’s top seed, sitting just two points out of first with matchups remaining against Boston and Minnesota. The biggest concern is the condition of Captain Marie-Philippe Poulin, who was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) on Tuesday.

Poulin ejected during the first period of Montreal’s March 15 matchup against Boston after taking a hit on the boards from Fleet forward Shay Maloney. Palin appears to have injured his right foot – the same injury that ruled him out for two games during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The 34-year-old missed Thursday and Sunday’s games with a lower-body injury.

Palin is eligible to return on April 5. Montreal’s bottom-six production has made big strides since the New Year, but any prolonged absence for its top goal-scorer will be difficult to absorb.

4. Toronto Sceptres (31 points, 8-1-5-8, -12 GD)

Previous ranking: 6 (+2)

Scepters seem to be heating up at just the right time. Toronto earned a point in all six games since the Olympic break (4-0-2-0) and moved into a playoff spot after a snowy first half.

Sceptres made it four consecutive 2-0 wins last week, highlighted by a win against the Fleet in a statement on Tuesday. Regan Kirk recorded the first two shutouts of her career, stopping all 58 shots over the two games. Toronto’s No. 1 starter now ranks fourth league-wide in save percentage (.929) and fifth in GAA (2.05).

Regan Kirk was the last pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft.

After back to back shutouts his career has now opened up

.925 SV%
2.13 GAA

Not bad for a last pick. pic.twitter.com/2XeNdQZiFV

– Jordan (@JordanBTW) 18 March 2026

Toronto has turned in an inspiring stretch after floundering in December and January, although its attack may be difficult to sustain. Sceptres scored two or fewer goals in four of the six games following the Olympics. Daryl Watts and Blair Turnbull have shined, but they will need more overall production to stay above the cutline.

5. Ottawa Charge (30 points, 5-7-1-9, -8 GD)

Previous ranking: 5 (-)

If the Charge reach the playoffs in 2025–26, they can thank their 7–1 overtime record. Rebecca Leslie scored 12 seconds into overtime on Sunday to lead Montreal to a 2-1 win. Ottawa has two more overtime wins than any other team in the PWHL.

Since New Years, there’s been nothing strange in Ottawa. The Charge have not won or lost any consecutive games since January 11. This has helped them keep within striking distance of a playoff spot, but it has also made it difficult to separate from the pack.

This can work in their favor, especially when battling for position with the highly volatile Sceptres Squad and Falling Sirens.

6. Vancouver GoldenEyes (24 points, 6-1-4-10, -10 GD)

Previous ranking: 8 (+2)

Vancouver has earned points in three of its last four (1-0-2-1), although only one game ended in a GoldenEyes victory. That win – a 5-2 blowout against New York – was Vancouver’s first since January 25.

The GoldenEyes still have a long way to go to get back into the playoff mix, but a strong performance against the Sirens has given them a boost in our power rankings. Vancouver’s struggling power play led to a goal Wednesday, and the GoldenEyes got exciting contributions from their bottom six.

Vancouver is seven points behind Toronto with nine matches left. There’s no doubt the GoldenEyes can make some noise going forward, but they haven’t proven they can win with any consistency.

7. New York Sirens (27 points, 8-0-3-10, -8 GD)

Previous ranking: 4 (-3)

The siren chose the wrong time to hit the skid. New York has lost four of five games (1-0-0-4) after the Olympics and seven of eight games (1-0-2-5) through January 16. They are now four points outside the playoff places with nine games left to play.

New York’s effort isn’t in question – especially in the third period – but a slow start and poor penalty discipline is proving costly. Sarah Fillear has scored three goals in her last three games after a slow start in that department, but it coincided with a five-game points drought for rookie star Kristina Kaltunkova.

It didn’t help that New York’s second-leading scorer, Taylor Girard, suffered a season-ending injury on March 15 against Minnesota, while rookie center Casey O’Brien missed their last two games due to an upper-body injury. If O’Brien is sidelined in April, the Sirens will struggle to climb the standings.

8. Seattle Torrents (19 points, 5-1-2-13, -23 GD)

Previous ranking: 7(-1)

Any hopes were short-lived after Seattle’s 3–2 win over Boston on March 13. Torrent dropped to 13-2 with four consecutive losses.

Seattle’s offense slowed down. The Tornadoes were defeated by Boston and Toronto, and scored only one goal each against Minnesota and Montreal. General manager Meghan Turner added Gabrielle David after a strong campaign in the SDHL, but with Aldridge’s departure via trade, there is no reason to expect a change in the final nine games.

The upside is that Torrent is in a good position to gain a draft order point and land University of Wisconsin star Caroline Harvey in the 2026 PWHL Draft.

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

Scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United were in attendance for FC Midtjylland’s Europa League defeat to Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

Scouts from across Europe have visited the Danish club’s home stadium, MCH Arena, throughout this season.

This includes Liverpool and Manchester United, who are sending their officials to Denmark.

Nottingham Forest suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg at the City Ground last Thursday. The return leg took place at the MCH Arena yesterday and Vítor Pereira defeated the Danish club via a penalty shootout.

Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates got their names on the scoresheet in the 41st and 52nd minutes respectively.

In the 69th minute, Martin Erlik scored for Midtjylland, making the aggregate score 2–2. This resulted in a penalty shootout and Nottingham Forest came out on top.

Liverpool and Manchester United sent officials

campo Now report that Arne Slott’s side and Red Devils officials were in Herning to follow Midtjylland’s latest clash live.

This is not the first time that the Premier League pair have traveled to Denmark. On 12 December, Game Witness broadcast news Scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United are watching the Danish club.

This indicates that the two English clubs are continuing their scouting mission, and have been joined by others. Officials from Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Mönchengladbach, AS Monaco and Ipswich Town were also present.

No mention or suggestion of player[s] Liverpool, Manchester United and other clubs came to watch.

Players who could be on the agenda for PL Duo

Earlier claims indicated that Liverpool and Manchester United could have looked at Midtjylland’s Dario Osorio, Aral Simsir and Mikael Ggorza. The trio could be potential summer targets for the Anfield club and Michael Carrick’s side.

four days ago, game witness Covered claims from Denmark Osorio is on Liverpool’s radar. The Chilean right winger is also on Arsenal’s agenda, while AFC Bournemouth are leading the transfer race.

Osorio, Simsir and Ggorza are all wingers, with the latter two operating primarily as a left winger.

Osario details: 22 years old, six goals and 10 assists in 42 matches this season and transfer market He is worth €10m.

boxwood, 23, valuable horse €6mHas 11 goals and 18 assists, while 19-year-old Ggorza has five goals and three assists. He is estimated to be worth €3m transfer market.

Should Liverpool and Manchester United be considering the same player, there could be a battle.

🇩🇪Nathaniel Brown | Manchester United suits €60 million transfer to club

✅ ‘Almost completely profitable’
‼️ #MUFC and real madrid move forward https://t.co/K8hA9pKOtr

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 18 March 2026

The impact of Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult season is now beginning to extend beyond north London, with Richarlison’s status for Brazil becoming a topic of discussion ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The striker has long been a reliable option for Carlo Ancelotti. Their relationship dates back to their time together at Everton, when the Italian became increasingly dependent on Richarlison as a key attacking figure.

This relationship carried over to the Brazil setup, where the Tottenham forward continued to receive opportunities even during an inconsistent period at club level.

Richarlison featured in Ancelotti’s first four call-ups. Despite not scoring he appeared in six matches, including two starts.

Even as his minutes fluctuated at Tottenham, the Brazilian coach continued to value his profile – physical presence, aerial ability and work rate – as something different within the team.

Tottenham struggling to lose weight

Tottenham’s season has been nothing short of turbulent. The club is suffering a poor run of results, struggling for consistency and getting uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.

The situation in Europe has not been very good. Spurs suffered a heavy 5–2 defeat to Atlético Madrid, effectively ending their Champions League hopes despite the formalities of the second leg still pending.

In that environment, Richardson is trying to rebuild momentum after another injury setback. The Brazilian missed several weeks between January and February due to a thigh problem.

Since returning under Igor Tudor, he has appeared in five matches. During that spell, he scored twice – including a decisive goal against Liverpool – and also added an assist. Although he has not changed Tottenham’s collective form, He has at least shown signs of personal acuity.

There is also increasing clarity regarding the future of his club. As we recently coveredTottenham and Richarlison have already agreed that he will leave at the end of the season.

The decision is said to have been taken after internal talks, with both sides considering June 2026 as the right time to move forward. There is no pressure involved, but rather a shared understanding about what will happen next in their careers.

Tottenham have also scheduled an assessment ahead of the summer window. The club are expected to demand around £21.5m (€25m) for the striker, with this figure likely to guide negotiations.

Ancelotti and Richardson: trust built over time

Richarlison’s importance to Brazil is not based on numbers alone. He was the team’s key striker at the 2022 World Cup, scoring three goals and establishing himself as a reference point in attack.

Since then, despite injuries and irregular club form, he has largely maintained Ancelotti’s support. The Italian has often shown a willingness to prioritize familiarity and tactical fit over pure club performance, particularly in transitional periods.

This context helps explain why their absence from the list of Brazil’s final international friendlies before the 2026 World Cup has been highlighted this week.

Brazil’s decision confirmed

As highlighted in this news bolavip In Brazil, for the first time under Ancelotti, Richarlison has been left out of the squad despite being fit and available.

The report suggests that his absence says more about the current situation at Tottenham than the player himself. With Spurs struggling badly, it appears the wider context has influenced the decision.

This marks a clear change. Prior to this, Richarlison had remained a part of the team even without strong club momentum. Now, with competition for the No. 9 role increasing and the World Cup approaching, the margin for error has become less.

what happens next

Richardson is now entering the decisive phase. With the World Cup around the corner, every performance takes on extra importance.

Tottenham’s clash may complicate his case, but the Brazilian is at least beginning to show signs of life after returning from injury. If he continues to contribute goals and assists, he may yet be forced back into Ancelotti’s plans.

However, for the first time, there is a clear indication that trust in the past alone may no longer be enough.

🇦🇷 Christian Romero | respect and affection for tottenham

🤍 Defender questioned over transfer – changes angle
💬 Explains the feelings for Spurs, but doesn’t rule out the summer being gone… 👇https://t.co/HvSTngEh6z #thfc #Happiness

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 19 March 2026