Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro says it is difficult to train and play with only ’13-14 players’ in the Premier League.

Igor Tudor’s side travel to Spain to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday. The return leg will take place in North London next week.

Ahead of tomorrow’s match, the right-back gave an interview radio markaLa Tribu to assess the situation at Tottenham and their poor performance in the Premier League.

Spurs performed well in the Champions League group stage, winning five of their eight matches and losing one. This left them fourth in the table behind Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

However, the north London club has failed to replicate their European form in the Premier League. Spurs have won seven from 29 league matches and are now in 16th, one point above the relegation zone.

Tottenham’s main concerns

Radio Marca asked Porro why English clubs have performed well in Europe and so poorly in the Premier League.

While reacting to that, the 26-year-old cited injuries to several players as the main reason.

“It’s difficult, because when you’re competing in four competitions in these conditions… we already had a bad experience in the Premier League last year with so many injured players, and you can’t compete,” He said.

“We have young players who are performing strongly, and looking at this season, it’s basically the same. You’re going to play against Arsenal, City, Liverpool, or Chelsea, and you can’t do that.”

The Spain international even said that the current injured players could be stronger than the fit players.

“We can field a starting XI of injured players that could be even stronger than the XI that is currently playing. And this is not to disrespect anyone, but that is basically the reality.” Poro explained.

“We have to think and maintain a positive mindset. I have told my teammates, it is difficult to compete like this, but we always have to give 100%, even if things are not going well in the Premier League like last year. We are going into the match with the same ambition that we have shown so far in the Champions League.”

Analysis: Poro has a point

Dejan Kulusevski has not featured for Spurs this season as he has been on the sidelines since May 2025.

Tottenham’s injury list includes the Swede, James Maddison, Mohamed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall, Radu Dragusin, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogi and DZ Spence.

sweden manager Graham Potter said It is going to be difficult for Kulusevski and Bergvall to make room for the March international break.

Meanwhile, Micky Van de Ven will be suspended for the next league tie after being sent off against Crystal Palace last Thursday.

Phoenix Suns’ Dillon Brooks never shies away from a challenge on and off the court. The 30-year-old is confident in himself and has taken part in feuds with many of the game’s greats in recent years, including Draymond Green and LeBron James.

Well, during his recent appearance on Million Dollar’s Worth of Game in front of Gilly Da King and Valo267, Brooks threw shade at a series of NBA stars. When reviewing the list of the league’s top-50 players by Complex, Brooks was asked if he felt he deserved to be ranked higher than the No. 48 spot he garnered.

“No, even though he’s having a great year,” he said of Keyontae George before labeling him ‘soft’. Brooks called Austin Reeves of the Los Angeles Lakers dishonest, and claimed that Cooper Flagg had no better year than him, while acknowledging that he deserved a higher finish.

“No, it’s not a better year than me because if I was there we would be in the playoff race, that’s what I do,” Brooks said.

Regarding Trey Murphy, Brooks claimed he “can’t stand losing”, claiming that Karl-Anthony Towns was “too sweet”. Brooks also said “no” outright to Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren, and responded similarly to Scottie Barnes, claiming the Toronto Raptors star couldn’t shoot. Brooks also said ‘no’ outright to Joel Embiid.

“No. Hurt too bad. He just got hurt. Like you could probably go to sleep for a week and wake up and he’s probably hurt again,” he said. Finally, Brooks also believes that he is having a better season than LeBron James.

“No, he didn’t have a better year than me,” he said.

Brooks is averaging nearly 21 points, 3.7 rebounds and nearly 2 assists per game this season, a career-high scoring rate for the veteran wing. Most of the players he mentioned undoubtedly have better numbers, including Cooper Flagg and LeBron James, who are in the midst of historic seasons for different reasons.

While some of those claims may be worth considering Brooks’ logic, most fans may think he has overstated his current form, especially as the Suns still only sit in 7th place in the Western Conference with a 36–27 record.

The Chicago Bulls continue their road trip Sunday night when they face the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Chicago is entering the matchup with two wins from its last three and will look to carry the momentum against the 14-50 Kings.

However, they will have to do so with several key injuries, with Josh Giddy, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams all listed as questionable on the official injury report. Giddy and Bouzelis are both dealing with right ankle sprains, while Smith and Williams are dealing with left shin and right quadricep sprains, respectively. Sacramento has lost three consecutive games and is struggling with several injuries.

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Josh Giddy injury, Matías Bouzelis status vs. Kings

Giddy’s availability is a game time decision. He was not involved in Chicago’s most recent win against the Phoenix Suns, but delivered a double-double of 20 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in the two teams’ last meeting.

In their likely absence, Collin Sexton, who scored 30 against Phoenix, and Tre Jones will be expected to carry the offensive load. Meanwhile, the last time these two teams met, Bouzelis had 27 points and he wasn’t even involved in Chicago’s last game. Nonetheless, fans will hope that despite the potential absence, they have enough firepower to pull off another win.

After losing 11 consecutive games in February, the Bulls have won two of their last three games. They are currently completely out of the playoff race and need consecutive wins to get back into the picture.

Additionally, the Kings have dropped 20 of their last 22 games, which puts them firmly in the lottery race. They will also be without key players like Domantas Sabonis, De’Andre Hunter and Zach LaVine, and could suffer another loss at home.

oxen injury report

Matas Buzelis: doubtful (sprained right ankle)

Josh Giddy: Questionable (sprained right ankle)

Jalen Smith: Questionable (left calf strain)

Patrick Williams: Questionable (right quadricep strain)

Zach Collins: Out (surgery on right toe)

Noah Esengue: Out (left shoulder surgery)

Jaden Ivey: out (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)

Mac McClung: Out (G League two-way assignment)

Effernie Simmons: Out (left ulnar styloid fracture)

Kings injury report

Dylan Cardwell: Out (left ankle sprain)

De’Andre Hunter: Out (retina repair of left eye)

Zach LaVine: Out (right fifth finger tendon repair)

Keegan Murray: Out (left ankle sprain)

Domantas Sabonis: Out (left knee meniscus repair)

Celtic’s Marcelo Saracchi had the opportunity to leave Martin O’Neill in the winter market.

Saracchi received interest from two South American teams but was unable to leave Celtic Park midway through the season.

is according to bolavipWhich covers the interest of both Club Nacional de Football and Club Atlético Peñarol in the Celtic player.

The Uruguay international joined the Scottish Premiership side on loan from Boca Juniors in August 2025.

He wanted to terminate his contract with the Argentine club, who rejected his request. Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from South America This led to his loan move to Celtic.

Uruguay interested in Celtic player

Sarachi’s agent Marcelo Tejera spoke to Minuto 1, where he confirmed that the left-back has the chance to return to Uruguay. Bolavip has released its comments.

“Nación and Peñarol were interested,” He said.

Bolavip reports that two Uruguayan clubs had a look at the 27-year-old in the last window. However, Nacional and Peñarol could not pry him away from O’Neill’s side. No explanation has been given as to why the move did not go through or whether Celtic blocked his exit.

The Bhoys paid a loan fee to sign him and did not secure an option to purchase. Therefore, after his loan spell at Celtic, the fullback must return to Boca Juniors.

The outlet claims the Argentine club are ‘very likely’ to negotiate his transfer following his return from Celtic. However, the final decision will depend on who their manager is at the time.

Boca Juniors appointed Claudio Ubeda as their manager following the departure of Marcelo Gallardo on 26 February. Ubeda’s long-term future may still need to be sorted out, which could impact Sarachi’s future.

contract and value of celtic man

The defender has played 847 minutes in 19 matches for Celtic in all competitions and 283 minutes were under Rodgers.

Saracchi’s contract at Boca Juniors expires in December 2027.

transfer market He is valued at €2m and had a highest valuation of €14m in December 2018. His valuation has increased by €500k since joining Celtic. Marcelo Tejera represents players primarily aimed at the South American market.

Nottingham Forest’s Lorenzo Lucca has been struggling with an injury which has caused him to miss recent Premier League matches.

is according to radio marsWho are following the 25-year-old’s latest situation at Nottingham Forest.

In July 2025, Udinese allowed the striker to join Napoli on loan with an obligation to buy. He struggled under Antonio Conte and there were question marks over his attitude at the Naples club.

Despite this, the Serie A side made his stay permanent in January and immediately sent him on loan to Nottingham Forest. When he arrived at the City Ground, Sean Dyche was in charge.

Last month, the Reds parted ways with the former Everton boss and appointed Vitor Pereira as his successor.

Nottingham Forest player’s mystery revealed

The Italy international started in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 home defeat to Fenerbahce in the Europa League. Despite the defeat, the English club has made it to the next round of the competition.

The Napoli-owned player has not appeared for the Premier League team since. Earlier this month, Sport Witness Claims broadcast from Italy Questions are being raised on his attitude at the city ground.

four days ago, game witness Italy’s claims covered again He stressed that there was no clarity on Perera’s decision to remove Lucca.

Pereira left him out of the squad for the Premier League matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City.

Radio Marte State: ‘Urban legends suggest character issues, such as those that emerged in Napoli.’

However, the reality is different as Lucca is ‘suffering from an ankle problem’. The report said this was why he was substituted after the break against the Turkish club. There is no mention or indication of how long Lucca may be out of action.

Lucca’s contract situation at the City Ground

The frontman made his Nottingham Forest debut in a 3–1 Premier League defeat to Leeds United in February. He came off the bench to score for the Reds and it remains his only goal so far.

Lucca has played 194 minutes in five matches for the English club, who have secured a purchase option.

If he is sidelined for a long period of time, the chances of Nottingham Forest using the buyout clause will be significantly reduced. Even if he returns soon, it is not likely that Perera’s team will buy him.

Aston Villa star Lucas Digne has revealed he has made a significant tactical move since Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park.

SO FT HAS AN INTERVIEW Today with the 32-year-old. He discusses various topics, Which also includes traveling to and from London for the sake of his children.

The Frenchman is at Aston Villa until 2022, joining from Everton in a £25m deal in the January transfer window. He was the second big arrival under Steven Gerrard that month after Philippe Coutinho.

aston villa key players

He has been a key player since then, establishing himself as first-choice under Gerrard and his replacement Emery.

The Spanish boss arrived at Villa Park in November 2022, where Digne scored a spectacular free kick on his debut in a 3-1 win over Manchester United.

Digne has been a stalwart of the team after recently signing a contract extension until June 2028.

It means he has been a key part of the transformation at Villa Park under Emery so far. Progress has seen Aston Villa qualify for Europe and occasionally challenge for the title this season.

unai emery teachings

However, it seems like the pair will have to understand each other properly first. Digne drew on Emery’s well-established video analysis.

“When Unai Emery arrived at Aston Villa, he asked me to make more passes inside, to look for a player rather than a specific area,” He said.

“He didn’t forbid me from crossing, but you could tell it wasn’t his plan. Over time, he understood what my ability to cross could bring, so he asked me to keep doing it.

“Now, I just know that I should cross only when necessary. It has taught me to choose the right moment to do so without compromising my style. Younai is one of the coaches who has guided me the most in my career.”

passionate and careful

“He’s really passionate. He’s meticulous; we do four hours of video analysis a week. Everything is scrutinized. I was 28 when we met, and I improved a lot thanks to him, at an age when I didn’t think I could take the next step. Both offensively and defensively.”

“For example, he wants his two full-backs to see each other, to be in a position where they can see the defensive line. In French football training, I was always told to keep an eye on the opposition player.

“It meant I had to completely change my approach and learn a new way of defending. It’s not easy to change my habits after so long, but in the end, it’s beneficial.”

Analysis: The player appears to have reached an agreement with the manager

Lucas Digne has been frustrated many times in his career that people are not rating him enough. Although this partly relates to the France national team, it has also been an issue at clubs before Aston Villa.

Defenders have struggled to convince, an example of which is Didier Deschamps. Now he is expected to go to the World Cup with France and it seems certain at the club level too.

Digne has not been in his best form for Aston Villa, yet there was no hint of complaint in a lengthy conversation about his career. He has found a place where he feels comfortable on and off the field and Unai Emery has played a big role in that.

🇫🇷Lucas Digne | “There is no French school there”

🚘 Aston Villa star travels from London
➡️ Says he is one of 3 or 4 #avfc players are also doing the same
➡️ Putting children’s education firsthttps://t.co/1QGOC8cNh7

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 5 March 2026

HSV Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin has ignored Tottenham Hotspur youngster Luka Vuckovic’s recent outburst on the pitch.

image cover the situation today, And the Tottenham youngster’s anger after the 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

The 19-year-old was badly involved in drama late in the game. HSV were attempting a late equalizer when he failed to convert a first-time effort from four meters out. He then headed the rebound against the bar from three meters out.

A few seconds later, the game is over. And instead of gaining a point, HSV lost 1–0. What followed was complete disappointment from the young Tottenham player.

what the build said happened

He kicked the pillar four times with full force. He then proceeded to kick an advertising board before taking off his shoes and throwing them onto the empty substitutes’ bench. It has been described as a wild explosion on the pitch for all to see.

This naturally attracted the Tottenham youngster a lot of attention, and not exactly positive. It certainly raised eyebrows given the calm, composed and cool nature of He has impressed for the German team so far this season.

This wild outburst, perhaps, showed that he was still young and had a lot to learn. At least that’s the stance his coach Marilyn Polzin is taking. He downplayed the incident in his post-game comments.

“Luca thrives on his emotions,” He said.

“I think when you have a chance against a team like that in front of almost 60,000 fans, it’s absolutely normal to have emotions coming out at the end.”

He then addressed the defender who was kicking the post with a smile on his face.

“I’m sure the goalposts are strong in Hamburg and they will absorb it.”

Tottenham player’s angry incident

Interestingly, this is not the first time that Vuckovic has found the Post to be his enemy. Earlier in the season, in a 2–1 win against Heidenheim, he had missed a golden opportunity from the same position. It was seen that he was hitting the pole with a hammer with his hand and during this his finger got injured.

The difference that time was that HSV won. This time it is defeat, perhaps that is why he started using his legs.

Our opinion on the Luka Vuckovic situation

The young defender has been one of the best in the Bundesliga this season, which shows why Tottenham were right to sign him in the first place. He has already been the subject of talk at Bayern Munich, although it was nothing particularly serious.

As we’ve covered repeatedly, Vuckovic has made it clear that he wants to play with his brother in Hamburg. Mario is currently serving a doping ban and will only be available for the next season.

This would mean that Tottenham would agree to another loan. While this may be disappointing for Spurs, it would be a way to keep the player and his family at bay. Having Vuckovic throughout the duration of his contract represents greater value, and so another loan for the first half of next season is a possible solution for everyone involved.

Contract status, price and agent

Tottenham have the defender on a contract running until 2030, with his Hamburg loan set to expire in the summer. transfer market He is valued at €40 million, with 2024 seeing that sum rise dramatically by €7-10 million.

Vuckovic is represented by Goal International and is their most valuable client.

Sunderland goalkeeper Melker Aalborg admitted it was “difficult” to make his Premier League debut after the 22-year-old kept a clean sheet in the Black Cats’ 1-0 win over Leeds United.

spoke to the swedish goalkeeper sportbladet After the match he described the moment as an “incredible” experience. January transfer from Malmö FF.

Aalborg was given the starting spot as regular goalkeeper Robin Roefs missed the game due to injury. Sunderland took all three points, with Habib Diarra scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.

The goalkeeper spoke immediately after the final whistle while the Sunderland team bus headed north. He said the team’s mood was positive after both the win and his individual achievement.

“It’s a good atmosphere and everyone is very happy, both for the win and for me too,” Aalborg said.

However, the young goalkeeper admitted that the moment was not quite over yet.

“It’s hard to accept. It’s a dream come true. To make your debut in the best league in the world and keep a clean sheet feels incredible. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Instant effect after January arrival

Aalborg only arrived at Sunderland during the January transfer window, when the club signed him from Malmö FF. Swedish reports said the deal was worth around £3.3m (€3.9m).

Despite being new to the club, the goalkeeper revealed the transition has been smooth.

“It was perfect. I felt so welcome from day one that it felt like I’d been at Sunderland for more than a month.” He said.

The 22-year-old also highlighted how Sunderland’s defense helped ease his debut night.

“It was nice to make a good save and feel like I came into the game. It’s been a pretty simple match for me.”He said. “Our outfield players and defenders work very hard to block shots and clear the ball away. He made it easy for me.”

Good news for Sunderland

Aalborg’s debut may not require sustained heroics, but a clean sheet in his Premier League debut will certainly strengthen his case for more opportunities.

With Roughs currently sidelined, Sunderland may now have another reliable option between the positions. Aalborg, meanwhile, has already given the kind of start most young goalkeepers only dream of.

Crystal Palace and Everton will be more attractive destinations for Genk defender Zakaria El Ouhadi than PSV Eindhoven this summer.

This is according to Michel Vercauteren, Via Voetbal Primeur. As far as he is concerned, a move to PSV is not the move the 24-year-old is looking for this summer.

He has suitors in the Premier League, with reports linking a number of sides with a potential move.

Everton and Crystal Palace in particular are at the front of the queue for him. Sport Witness has covered his interest extensively.

Everton and Crystal Palace

The two parties were strongly linked during the January transfer window. Actually, a report on the 9th^th Was Both sides are in advanced talks for the defender.

No deal for either side A report on the 27th^th of february Indicated that Crystal Palace was continuing to push. A report last week said El Ouhadi may be Available this summer for as little as €15 million.

It added that PSV Eindhoven were also interested. In fact, this renders the Dutch champions as the team most pressing for the defender at the moment. It seems they are eager to beat the competition.

It was also made clear that El Ouhadi is considering a move as he looks to take the next step in his career. The question is whether he considers converting Belgium into the Netherlands a sufficient step.

Better option than PSV

Verkauteren doubts that is so. And, as far as he is concerned, El Ouhadi should think carefully about it. He could have had better options at Everton, Crystal Palace or others.

“Do you want to be champion in the Netherlands or play for sixth or seventh place in the Premier League?” He said.

“The gap between the top team in Belgium and the top team in the Netherlands is not very big. Belgian clubs have already closed that gap.

“I don’t understand why Dutch clubs are still held in high esteem. PSV may be a step ahead of KRC Genk, but not as far ahead as they were 30 years ago.

“And I’m not saying that Real Madrid will sign him now. But the teams that will sign him from PSV will also do the same from Genk.”

Zane Sellar’s loan from QPR to Fortuna Düsseldorf is turning into a farce.

The Championship club sent the 26-year-old to Germany last summer with the hope of turning it into a permanent deal.

Ahead of the winter market, Fortuna Düsseldorf explored the possibility of sending the 26-year-old return to qprDecided the player was not for them.

That approach was rejected, with the London club hoping to improve the debt.

Unfortunately, the opposite has happened. During the season, Sailor has played nearly 400 minutes in 15 games. This resulted in zero goal contribution.

Now he is facing problems in training also.

QPR player got into a fight with teammates

Fortuna Düsseldorf had a training match on Monday, and the QPR player was not looking in a good mood. His performance was well below the expected standard, although it appears his attitude was the greater cause for concern.

The German newspaper Rhinesche Post states: ‘QPR Looney played a poor pass, didn’t hold the ball and had a selfish shot on goal, but most of his shots went wide. His behavior in the training match angered his teammates. His team was disappointingly behind, but at least everyone else fought back and tried to limit the damage. The seller showed little interest in it. He barely defended, remained indifferent and selfish, which clearly frustrated many teammates.’

Vice-captain Tim Oberdorf reprimanded Sailor, resulting in a ‘verbal explosion’ From QPR player.

Manager sends public message

Manager Marcus Beginning told the newspaper: “It’s a difficult situation for Zain. He came here to play a lot. He’s doing less of that now. He hasn’t used the playing time given to him in a way that deserves the spotlight. My job is to show him a mirror and make it clear that he’s not doing himself any favors. Emotions have to go somewhere. That’s OK. He just shouldn’t hurt the team.”

There have also been talks about internal action, however, no decision has been taken yet. What this will look like is unclear, although there are clearly concerns his attitude will cause widespread damage.

Added Start: “If that had happened, we would have had to intervene. That hasn’t happened so far. It’s OK that players sometimes discuss amongst themselves. I come from a time when things were very different. I’m happy that they exchange ideas and someone actually speaks.

“Maybe the player doesn’t even know what he’s doing at the time. I’m happy to see things coming from within the team and that helps them sort things out on their own. If it starts going in the wrong direction, I have to intervene.”

Not exactly what QPR were hoping for.

chicago bulls The monkey was finally taken off their back after defeating the milwaukee bucks Spending February without winning a single game. On Tuesday, the Bulls faced the defending champion OKC Thunder.

Still, Chicago was without Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simmons, Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith due to injury. Ivey suffers from left patellofemoral pain syndrome. Meanwhile, Simmons is dealing with a left ulnar styloid fracture. Additionally, Smith is nursing a right calf strain and Williams is out with a right calf strain.

Before the game, head coach Billy Donovan officially outlined Here’s what each of these players will do over the next five games, according to Chicago Sports Network’s Casey Johnson. Donovan said Ivey would stay behind, but Simmons would travel. However, it is not guaranteed that Simmons will play. Williams and Smith, meanwhile, will travel with hopes of playing.

Additionally, Donovan predicted what he thinks will happen to these players upon their return.

“I think ultimately that’s what’s going to happen is that whenever these guys can come back and be somewhat healthy and complete, regardless of the number of games left, we’re going to have to evaluate it,” Donovan said.

The Bulls are 25-36 and have lost 9 of their last 10 games. Their next five games are on the road, starting Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. After this they will play against Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Next Chicago will be in California to play the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, the LA Lakers on Thursday and the LA Clippers on Friday.

The Minnesota Vikings have some clear objectives this offseason. The first thing to do is clear up cap space. Right now, they’re $40 million over the 2026 spending limit. While cutting or trading Aaron Jones and/or Javon Hargrave could provide some cap relief, more work needs to be done.

One area the Vikings have almost too much depth is the pass-rusher position. Now they may be willing to thin the herd to improve their salary cap sheet, even if it means trading one of their best players.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Vikings are “open” to trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. However, Schefter reports that the Vikings “would like to keep Greenard.” However, the salary cap issue has prompted some trade discussion. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says teams he has talked to are operating under the belief that the Vikings want a second-day draft pick for Greenard.

Even with the emergence of Dallas Turner as well as the presence of second-team All-Pro Andrew Van Ginkel, it’s surprising if the Vikings would even listen to trade offers on Greenard. She was essentially a replacement for Danielle Hunter’s departure in free agency two seasons ago. But this was before Van Ginkel became a Pro Bowler, and before they selected Turner in the first round.

Greenard performed strongly in Minnesota, producing 12 sacks and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl after signing a four-year, $76 million contract. He is still under contract for two more seasons and has a cap hit of $22.1 million in 2026.

The 28-year-old battled a shoulder injury and was limited to 10 starts and 12 appearances, recording three sacks in the process. If the Vikings are considering a Greenard trade, it would naturally create an even bigger role for Turner, but it would leave the Vikings a little weaker on the edge.

RELATED: $75 million ‘price monitoring’ for Minnesota Vikings 2x Pro Bowl quarterback

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

Daryl Janmat, who played for English clubs Newcastle United and Watford, has opened up about his cocaine addiction after the end of his playing career, describing it as a “very dark period” of his life.

talking to the local newspaper Advertisement Ahead of the premiere of the documentary ‘Real Men Don’t Cry’ – in which former Dutch players discuss the impact of specific sports on mental health – the 36-year-old admitted his problems began when he was forced to retire due to a serious knee problem.

The former Netherlands international earned 34 caps and represented clubs including ADO Den Haag, Feyenoord, Newcastle United and Watford during his career.

“I was very, very low. Really very low,” Public opinion said. “I have three children who listen and read things. I can’t and don’t want to tell all the details, but my cocaine addiction caused a lot of grief.”

End of career started going downwards

Janmat reported that his struggle began when a knee injury effectively ended his professional career. After an injection went awry and a joint became infected, he had to accept retirement earlier than planned.

“I still wanted it so much, but the knee injury ruined everything,” He said. “My career was over. I couldn’t deal with it.”

Moving into a technical manager role at ADO Den Hague didn’t help. Instead, he found himself without the structure that had defined his life as a player.

“As a player everything is clear. You go from training to training, match to match. When all that disappeared and as a technical manager I didn’t feel in the right place, it went wrong. And properly wrong.”

He admitted that the addiction gradually increased. “You start lying to people you love. It’s horrible. I’ve hurt a lot of people.”

Life after football and a warning to others

Janmat insisted that pressure was never an issue during his playing days. He referenced major occasions, including the World Cup semi-finals and Premier League matches with Newcastle United and Watford, and said he could handle the stress on the pitch.

“The problems started only after I stopped,” he explained.

In 2023, reports emerged in the Netherlands that he was found to be under the influence of drugs. Shortly after, he entered a rehabilitation clinic in South Africa.

Now, he says he has rebuilt his life. Janmat runs his own gym in Scheveningen and recently appeared in a legends match for Feyenoord against Celtic.

“It was cocaine, nothing else. No alcohol,” He said. “It can happen to anyone. I never thought I could get addicted.”

Janmat also revealed that although he is officially still married, he and his wife are no longer together. “A lot of damage was done,” He accepted, adding that they now have a better relationship.

He hopes speaking publicly will serve as a warning.

“Cocaine destroys a lot. Addiction is a real battle. It breaks a lot. I’ve gone in a different direction now – good direction. Luckily.”

Who is the best player in baseball at each position? We’ve officially finished our MLB positional rankings series ahead of the 2026 season, working from catcher to closer and looking at the 10 best players at each position. Now it’s time to make a list of the best players at each position in MLB.

Let’s take a look at our list of the best MLB players by position just ahead of Opening Day 2026. Note, as we conclude our position-by-position series, you can find an attached link below each position with a top 10 list at that position.

Catcher: Cal Raley, Seattle Mariners

If Cal Raleigh couldn’t win MVP last season after having the best season ever by a catcher in MLB history, it’s hard to imagine a time when a backstop would take home the honor. The Seattle Mariners catcher led the way in home runs (60) with the fourth-best OPS (.948) and third-most RBI (125), and he was second in fWAR (9.1). For good measure, he was also a top five pitch framer. Despite the potential for some downside, Raley has a chance to win both a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award at catcher in 2026.

RELATED: Best MLB Catchers 2026

First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is coming off a season where he had a .397 batting average and 1.289 OPS with 29 hits, 15 RBIs and 8 home runs for a team that was one step away from winning the World Series. While his offensive production during the regular season has been a bit sporadic in recent years, he still boasts the highest OPS (.903) and wRC+ (154) among first basemen over the past two seasons, and he tied for fourth-most defensive runs saved at first (eight) last year. He is a superstar who has proven that he can carry a team in the postseason.

: : RELATED: Best MLB First Basemen 2026

Second base: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

At a time when second base is thinner and weaker than in years past, Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star hitter Ketel Marte is setting the standard for the position. After winning the NLCS MVP in 2023, he has earned an All-MLB First Team selection and a Silver Slugger Award in each of the last two seasons at second base. That’s thanks to a spot-leading 147 wRC+, .911 OPS, 143 RBIs and 54 home runs along with the second-best batting average (.287) and third-highest walk rate (11.7 percent) over that two-year span.

RELATED: Best MLB Second Basemen 2026

Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

It didn’t take long for Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to prove he was one of the best MLB players. He showed glimpses of it in his first two seasons, but MVP-caliber play occurred the last two years. As of 2024–25, Witt has won a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award at shortstop both seasons, and it came with All-Star nods and an All-MLB First Team selection. Among all shortstops over the past two years, Witt ranks first in batting average (.312), wRC+ (150) and OPS (.915), with the third-most home runs (55) and second-most runs (220) and stolen bases (68).

RELATED: Best MLB Shortstops 2026

Third base: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

Jose Ramirez is the gold standard at third base right now. The Cleveland Guardians star has won six Silver Slugger awards, made the All-Star Game seven times, and has been named to the All-MLB First Team at third base each of the past two seasons. Even as a 32-year-old in 2025, he hit 30 home runs with 103 runs batted in and set career highs in stolen bases (44), along with his highest batting average (.283) over the past five years. Among his teammates at the hot corner over the past two seasons, Ramírez ranks first in runs (184), batting average (.292), wRC+ (147), fWAR (12.4), steals (70) and OPS (.903), and he is second in RBI (174) and home runs (62).

RELATED: Best MLB Third Basemen 2026

Left field: Juan Soto, New York Mets

The New York Mets are moving Juan Soto to left field for the 2026 season. While this won’t do much to erase the fact that he isn’t good defensively, it does make him a top player in left field now. Still only 27, Soto’s 2019 resume includes a World Series title, an NL batting crown, a Silver Slugger Award in six consecutive seasons and four selections to the All-MLB First Team. He consistently performed like an MVP, posting a 1.005 OPS with 34 home runs and a .282 batting average from June to September, and he is one of four players in all of baseball with over 200 RBIs and over 200 runs scored over the past two years combined.

RELATED: Best left fielders in MLB 2026

Center Field: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners

What’s particularly noteworthy about Julio Rodriguez is that he has boasted a career .800 OPS in his first four seasons despite starting slow almost every year. For whatever reason, the Mariners center fielder starts out cold and then gets hot in the summer. Establishing a .900 OPS with a .290 batting average, 45 RBI, 18 home runs and 13 steals allowed him to earn All-MLB First Team honors in 2025 for the first time in his career. He’s also excellent defensively in center field, and if we ever get a year where he performs well at the plate from April to September, he could make a serious bid for AL MVP.

RELATED: Best MLB Center Fielders 2026

Right field: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

Watching New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge play baseball is a treat. He has had better four-year performances than Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr. and Mickey Mantle during their best four-year peaks. That’s why Judge has earned three AL MVP awards since the 2022 campaign, including last season when he led the Majors in batting average. Judge is the only player in baseball with more than 250 RBI and more than 250 runs scored over the last two seasons – a stretch where he also leads the game in batting average (.326), walk rate (18.6 percent), home runs (111) and OPS (1.152).

RELATED: Best MLB Right Fielders 2026

Designated Hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is likely going to become just the second player in MLB history to win NL MVP in four consecutive seasons. In related news, doing so would put him in special company with Barry Bonds as the only two players in baseball history to win MVP five times. Ohtani has made the All-MLB First Team in six consecutive seasons, and he ranks second in OPS (1.025), wRC+ (176) and home runs (109) over the past two years, along with the third-most RBIs (232) and fourth-most steals (79).

RELATED: Best Designated Hitter 2026

Starting pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

No player has won the AL Cy Young Award in three consecutive seasons. Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal is so good he could make history in 2026. Over the past two seasons, the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner has the second-lowest ERA (2.30), highest fWAR (12.6), second-best strikeout rate (31.2 percent) and K-BB rate (26.7 percent), third-lowest batting average (.199) and lowest WHIP. (0.91) among starters who have played more than 300 innings. There’s a reason he broke the arbitration record ($32 million), and why he’ll eventually become the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.

RELATED: Best MLB Pitchers 2026

Closer: Mason Miller, San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres gave up one of the top prospects in baseball to acquire closer Mason Miller at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. In half a season with the club, he posted a 0.77 ERA and a 54.2 percent strikeout rate in 23.1 innings while allowing a .096 batting average. Over the past two seasons, Miller has boasted a .148 batting average (first in MLB), with the third-lowest WHIP (0.89) and the highest strikeout rate (43.1 percent) among relievers. To put Miller’s 32.9 percent K-BB rate into perspective, that’s the same number as the 13th-highest strikeout rate in MLB over the past two seasons.

RELATED: Best MLB Closers 2026

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

The 2026 NHL trade deadline is less than a week away. The New Jersey Devils are out of playoff position and possibly looking to prepare for next season.

After all, preparing in the spring to rebuild in the summer is in GM Tom Fitzgerald’s DNA. That’s what they did when they acquired Jake Allen two deadlines ago.

There appears to be no indication that Fitzgerald isn’t making a decision, he will proceed as if he will be heading into the 2026 NHL Draft and there will be three men in charge on July 1.

Despite some players with expiring contracts, the Devils still have value moving forward next Friday with some short-term deals with favorable cap hits.

We wouldn’t speculate on players like Brendan Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic, who have full no-move clauses. Although they may offer a discount, we are not sure that will happen.

And New Jersey’s Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier aren’t going anywhere. Still, there are parts on the Devils that will be coveted by Friday.

However, here’s a mix of what we’re hearing about some players, including some speculation based on the opposing team’s needs.

So, who could be next?

dougie hamilton

for detroit red wings

Rasmus Andersson recently acquired Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in 2028.

Except, Anderson’s trade protection is much less limited than Dougie Hamilton’s. A six-team no-trade list as opposed to Hamilton’s 10-team trade list, thus, expect a smaller package in return.

The Detroit Red Wings will certainly want to strengthen their right side as they are in playoff position and want to solidify themselves as a playoff threat. Behind the Moritz Seider, it is a little thinner.

Cider isn’t exactly a power play specialist. Perhaps Hamilton can increase the Detroit man advantage, whether by replacing Seider, or setting up a tandem in the left circle.

The Red Wings have the ability to do the same, with $12,778,692 in their pocket. Even the devils will not have to be retained.

Hamilton will not trap someone like Simon Edwinsson. Don’t go there either.

However, could the Devils poach Axel Sandin-Pellica? Maybe attached with draft compensation? After all, Hamilton is still viewed as a top-pairing defenseman with a hot shot that any power play would love. And the Red Wings are ripe with young blueliners like Ceder, Edvinsson and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

Detroit seems to be a good fit for Hamilton as a team that looks like he’s headed to the postseason and could come back for the duration of his contract. Why wouldn’t he approve a transfer to the Motor City?

cody glass

to edmonton oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a third-line centre.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has moved to the wing, and seems to be comfortable there, and Chris Knobloch likes having him there.

Thus, they want to reel in a center with size and speed.

Cody Glass fits the bill. A center core heading into the playoffs of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Glass is strong to interchange with Adam Heinrich and Curtis Lazar on the fourth line.

The Oilers do not have any first-round picks this year. But for a 20-goal, third-line defenseman, Glass can probably score one goal. Perhaps McDavid’s thirst to win is on the table next year – especially after the Olympic loss.

If Kiefer Sherwood and Mason Marchment receive second-round picks-plus, Glass as a center should net a little more to play at a premium position. Additionally, the Oilers’ first round pick is as close to a second round pick as they can get.

Otherwise, perhaps a bubble NHLer like Isaac Howard could be included in a deal.

jonas siegenthaler

to the buffalo sabers

Buffalo Saber!

Who would have guessed that the Lindy Ruff-led Sabers were postseason bound?

Well, Ruff certainly knows Jonas Seigenthaler, and he looks to be a much better fit on the third pairing than Zack Metsa in Buffalo.

The Sabers have a ton of young talent that could be of interest to the Devils.

Zach Benson, Jack Quinn, Jiri Kulich, Konsta Helenius. There won’t be room for all these people in Buffalo.

Seigenthaler will provide the Sabers with a steady presence on the blueline to compliment their offensive defenders like Bowen Byrum, Rasmus Dahlin, and to a lesser extent, Owen Power.

Familiarity with Ruff is one reason for the former Devils head coach to advocate for him. There is a match.

Dawson Mercer

to utah mammoth

The Utah Mammoth are looking for a top-nine forward with tenure.

Dawson Mercer is in the second year of a three-year contract that keeps him a restricted free agent. Thus, he is in control for at least the next three seasons.

Mercer is an upgrade over some of the forward players at Utah who are probably playing better than expected in the Mammoth lineup.

Jack McBain and Kailer Yamamoto are good players, but Mercer can offer more offensive flair, as well as provide two-way play that will open up the ice for Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley at Utah.

What doesn’t Mammoth have in terms of compensation? They have all of the second- and third-round selections in addition to their 2026 selection.

But, Mercer is young enough and strong enough to do some important things.

I’m not sure Utah is ready to part ways with Tyz Iginla. However, perhaps Danil Butt will be on the table.

But he stands tall at 6-foot-5, 203 pounds. Certainly, the Devils could use more size on the wing, and he brings that element. And he’s already shown some promise at the NHL level with three goals and seven points in 28 games.

evgeny dadonov

for the vegas golden knights

Evgeny Dadonov has been there and done that, but only for a short time, playing in Sin City for one season in 2021-22. The Vegas Golden Knights need some middle-six help, and Dadonov has no reason to stay in New Jersey.

The Golden Knights don’t have much to offer either. They are a match here to connect in a low-risk, high-reward business deal.

Dadonov’s price tag also isn’t too high for Vegas, who don’t have a lot of wiggle room with $5,503,376 in cap space. If they throw up to a fourth-round pick to the Devils, be it next year or not, it might be a little too much for Dadonov, who hasn’t recorded a single point in 17 games this season.

paul cotter

for the montreal canadiens

Playing against the Montreal Canadiens could be a little tough.

So they would want Paul Couture.

Cotter is a pending restricted free agent who has not duplicated his production on the stat sheet in 2024-25.

However, he still hits everything and that motor never stops.

That’s the type of player the Canadiens are in the market for. Plus, without much cap space, Couture’s $775K is easily affordable.

The Canadiens have everything except their fifth-round draft pick in 2026. Some mid-to-low draft compensation, maybe New Jersey’s own pick that Montreal has, is all it takes.

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

Manchester United are certain to sign a midfielder in the summer window, with Casemiro having already announced his exit. The 34-year-old player’s contract expires at the end of the season and will not be renewed.

This will lead to the Red Devils being in the market for a replacement, and the Newcastle United pair are being targeted. As reported by major Spanish newspaper AsManchester United has many targets and is already making efforts.

The men in question are Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Wolves’ Joao Gomes.

It’s nothing new for the latter three, they have all been endlessly linked with a move to Old Trafford.

It’s something Newcastle United claim is a step forward.

What’s new in transfer claims?

Informal contact is said to have been made, with Manchester United said to have contacted squads of both Magpies players.

In fact, it is even claimed that Casemiro recommended it. Guimaraes personally.

It is not clear how much confidence should be given to AS’s claims. Given the number of players mentioned and the information shared, if true it would be from a Manchester United source.

Additional information from Casemiro may point in that direction, but it all takes a lot to be believed. It’s unlikely Casemiro even knows who Manchester United are targeting as his replacement. It is equally unlikely that they have much say in that matter.

Newcastle United will be reluctant to sell anyone, especially to a Premier League rival in the summer. A lot will depend on whether the Magpies qualify for the Champions League and what their financial situation will be going forward.

Manchester United’s own involvement in the competition will also be important, although their finances are not as dependent on it as Newcastle’s.

For Sandro Tonali, A The return to Serie A has been pushed back The midfielder has been in Italy since his departure, and Juventus are trying to work out the finances for a move.

Recently, the Philadelphia 76ers received some tough news when it was announced that big man Joel Embiid would be sidelined due to an oblique strain. The injury occurred during a recent home win over the Miami Heat, and came as Embiid was recently returning from a calf injury that kept him from playing time since the All-Star break.

Now, In Street Clothes’ Jeff Stotts has shed more light on what the timetable for Embiid’s recovery might look like.

“New Joel Embiid Injury Update: Oblique strains are far more common in sports like baseball, but do occur in the NBA. NBA players to suffer the injury include Desmond Benn and Dame Lillard. In the NBA, the average time lost for oblique strains in a season is 4.2 games (~11.6 days),” Stotts on X, formerly Twitter, reported.

Injuries have been a major part of Embiid’s career, derailing both his 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons following his MVP campaign in 2022-23. He has been in and out of the lineup all year for the 76ers this season as he tries to manage his chronic knee issues.

Meanwhile, the 76ers are still awaiting the return of Paul George, who is currently serving a suspension for violating the league’s banned substance policy.

The 76ers have done a solid job of holding down the fort in the absence of their two stars, with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe forming one of the most explosive backcourts in the NBA. The 76ers are currently 33-26 on the season, and are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors. If the postseason began today, Philadelphia would face the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs in a rematch of their 2024 matchup.

In any case, the 76ers will next take the field against the Boston Celtics on Sunday evening.

A new rumor claims teams around the NFL are leery of the idea of ​​giving an elite prospect to the Kansas City Chiefs with their first pick in April’s NFL Draft.

After 10 consecutive seasons of excellence, the Chiefs’ dynasty may be coming to an end. For the first time since head coach Andy Reid took over in 2013, Kansas City finished with a losing record (6–11). To add insult to injury, superstar QB and face of the organization Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Keeping your Week 1 availability up in the air.

That’s why this will be a very interesting offseason as the Chiefs front office looks to make roster changes to get back to their Super Bowl contender standard in 2026. Improving parts of the offensive line and defense will definitely be on the to-do list. However, with the ninth overall selection in the 2026 draft, they have a rare opportunity to get a top 10 player from this year’s class.

The team has been linked with a number of different players at No. 9, including Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love. And according to ESPN draft expert Matt Miller, rival organizations are praying the Heisman Trophy finalist doesn’t fall into the Chiefs’ lap.

NFL teams fear the Kansas City Chiefs are drafting Jeremiah Love

“Being here [at the combine] For two days now, I can tell you one thing I hear from everyone in the NFL. ‘Please don’t let Jeremiah Love come to Kansas City. Don’t let this happen. ”Patrick Mahomes don’t give Jeremiah any love,” Miller said during an appearance dan patrick show.

The NFL Draft expert also claimed that Love is the best prospect in the entire draft, and it’s “not even close.” However, he also said that teams were also afraid of the Chiefs getting Xavier Worthy in Round 1 of the 2024 event. While the receiver has been a solid contributor to the team, he has not become the star that rivals thought he could become.

It should be noted that Love is a player with a much more impressive resume than Worthy and looks ready to make an impact in Year 1. The Chiefs have lacked a true No. 1 for years. Getting one that can break up plays in the run and pass game would give Mahomes a serious weapon in 2026.

Additionally, with NFL teams placing a lower value on running backs, it is very possible that Love might go ninth overall.

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

Tottenham Hotspur have been described as Atletico Madrid’s “favourite” opponents in the Champions League draw in Spain – but there is a clear caveat attached.

in a column for AS, journalist FJ Diaz Atlético claim that “the draw has not made their performance worse. Quite the contrary”. However, he immediately adds context that Spurs supporters will find interesting.

According to Diaz, “supporters and players preferred Tottenham over Liverpool in this round of 16 tie”. The logic is simple. Liverpool are too familiar rivals for Atlético, while Spurs were seen as the more attractive option.

Still, Spanish journalists are uneasy about the narrative being built around the tie.

He writes: “Atletico can eliminate Tottenham, because they have the squad and the level to do it.” Yet he follows it up with a clear warning: “I don’t like, and certainly Simeone doesn’t like, that Atletico are being labeled as favourites.”

In fact, Díaz reminds readers that “whenever Atlético has been considered the favourite, things have not gone entirely well.”

This caution explains a lot about how Tottenham are viewed in Madrid.

Spurs are still seen as Premier League giants

Despite Tottenham’s domestic struggles, Diaz insisted that they “remain one of the big clubs in the Premier League, even if they are at the bottom of the table.”

So while Atlético may feel privately satisfied, the Spanish press are careful not to write off Igor Tudor’s side.

Conspiracy has also been added regarding two Tottenham players.

Conor Gallagher, who previously played for Atletico, will face his former club. Diaz notes that Gallagher was not successful in Madrid, but “left a good memory at the Metropolitano.” That subplot ensures that the tie-in has an emotional edge.

Meanwhile, Cristian Romero was Atletico’s big objective in the last summer transfer window to strengthen the defence. According to the excerpt, Romero “did everything to come through,” but This move ultimately failed.

Romero is ready to step out in the summer and Atleti remains one of the contenders. He will now go up against Diego Simeone, who reportedly fought hard to sign him.

what happens next

The Spanish tale is unfolding for Tottenham. On the surface, Atletico are happy. Below, there is the concern of carrying favorite tags. AS have made it clear that overconfidence has hurt Simeone’s side before.

Spurs could be draw favorites. However, in Spain there is no sense that this would be straightforward.

Whatever happens, Madrid’s warning shows Atlético know exactly who they are up against.

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is happening, which is generating all kinds of football rumors, including rumors involving the Chicago Bears. General managers are in close contact with each other, making it easier for them to discuss the offseason ahead, including which players may become available via trade.

So far, Bears general manager Ryan Polese has been busy gaining trade interest in several players on the roster. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, teams are calling the Bears about trading for backup quarterback Tyson Baigent, wide receiver DJ Moore and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter.

Each of the three have been considered valuable contributors for the Bears. While Baigent does not get a chance to play often, the Bears feel Baigent has the potential to be a future starter, so they value him as a capable player if something happens to Caleb Williams.

Moore, meanwhile, led the team in receiving yards in 2023 and 2024, but he saw his role diminished in Ben Johnson’s debut last season. However, now that Moore has a guaranteed salary of $26 million for 2026, he is considered expendable in Chicago.

As for Dexter, he is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Still, he’s recorded a respectable 13.5 sacks in three seasons, and he’s still only 24.

Since teams are already expressing interest in each of the players mentioned above, the Bears should be able to add to their draft capital this offseason. They currently have seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three of the first 90 selections.

RELATED: Chicago Bears trying to trade 2x Pro Bowl player

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

Raul Jimenez has enjoyed good form with Fulham over the past two months.

The Mexico international has scored six goals and provided one assist in his last 11 Premier League matches for Fulham.

This included winners against both Nottingham Forest and West Ham United and Fulham’s 3-1 win over Sunderland at the weekend.

According to these results, Marco Silva’s side are 10th in the table, 12 points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham and three points behind seventh-placed Brentford.

Jimenez has been one of Fulham’s key men and his recent performances have caused a stir in Mexico. This is mainly due to the World Cup taking place this summer, with some matches being held in the country.

During the 2022 World Cup, El Tri exited after the group stage, and Jiménez made three substitute appearances.

Why does Mexico want Fulham’s early release?

The striker has also performed brilliantly for the national team in recent years and has scored 11 goals in his last 17 matches. There will be expectations from him for good performance in the FIFA tournament.

half time And Opinion Both report that the national team want Fulham to release him before the end of the season.

The Premier League team will face Newcastle United in its final match on May 24. The outlet says FIFA rules state players called up for the World Cup must take at least a week off.

If Jimenez makes his way into Silva’s squad against Newcastle United, he will miss the friendly against Australia on 30 May. In other words, the frontman will only be eligible to take part in the final friendly match against Serbia.

Therefore, Medio Tiempo and La Opinion State Mexico manager Javier Aguirre will travel to England for talks with Fulham. The trip to London will be a bid to convince Silva’s side to release Jimenez before the end of this season.

Opinion Status: ‘The Mexican national team coach plans for Jimenez to participate in at least Mexico’s last three friendly matches against Ghana, Australia and Serbia on May 22 and 30, as well as June 4.’

There is no mention of the 34-year-old’s stance in both the reports.

His contract expires in June and it is unclear whether he will remain with the English club. Two months ago, Jimenez expressed his desire To return to his former team, Club America.

Celtic’s Europa League hopes of returning could be dealt a blow, with VfB Stuttgart set to welcome back star Angelo Stiller.

This is according to BILD. The German newspaper today gives a positive update on the 24-year-old’s injury, at least from a German perspective.

Celtic head to Stuttgart on Thursday looking to reverse their 4-1 defeat last week. The German side dominated at Celtic Park in the first leg, with a clinical performance amid protests from the Celtic fans.

Why Celtic won’t find it easy

Sports witnesses have already covered their mindset before the second leg. head coach Sebastian Hoenes promises That they would be “prepared accordingly” despite their innate advantage.

One possible complication was Stiller’s injury. There were fears that he might have suffered a serious injury during the match played in Heidenheim on Sunday evening. But, an MRI scan on Monday evening confirmed that there was no problem.

In fact, it’s even possible that Stiller could return to the team for the second leg against Celtic on Thursday. However, the midfielder was not on the field for Tuesday’s training session.

Instead he completed an individual session. At this point, the assumption is that Hoehn would likely prefer to rest Stiller against Celtic. They have captain Atakan Karazor to replace Stiller in the interim.

facing celtic history

But still, having the 24-year-old available would be a big boost. And Celtic’s hopes of pulling off a Europa League miracle were dealt a blow.

Although Martin O’Neill’s side may not play as poorly as they did in the first leg, the trip to Germany will certainly not be easy. If they can come back, it would mean history in the making.

Neither team has successfully overturned a three-goal deficit from a 4–1 defeat in the first leg. Teams have come back from 3–0 or by different scores, but never 4–1.

In 2019 Eintracht Frankfurt had a team come close to recovering from a 4–1 defeat in the competition.

The historic rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics took center stage at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, ending with a disappointing 111-89 loss for the home team. While the game remained competitive for three quarters, Boston fell behind in the final frame, with Jaylen Brown delivering a 32-point masterclass. The Lakers’ frustrations were further compounded when the team was whistled for three technical fouls, penalizing Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and coach JJ Redick for arguing officiating decisions. Even Luka Doncic, who finished with a modest 25 points, mocked the situation after the game, noting that if he had not been the one receiving the technical, the officiating would have actually been questionable.

The tension centered on a few specific non-calls that left the Lakers coaching staff looking for answers. According to a post from Oh No He Didn’t on X, JJ Redick addressed three technical fouls by highlighting the missed goaltending call on a LeBron James layup.

Redick said Celtics center Neemias Queta used a “stealth” strategy that stunned him. Redick said, “They missed an obvious LeBron layup, which was scored off the backboard, and Cueta stuck his whole hand, I can’t jump that high, so he stuck his whole hand through the rim.”

The coach said he would seek clarification on the legality of the move, joking that “Honestly, it’s a great way to defend floaters.” A separate video surfaced that shows Redick attempting to mimic the reach by holding the rim himself to emphasize the point.

Wow, I didn’t know JJ could jump like that, hahahapic.twitter.com/ccdLWEt7wh

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 23 February 2026

Despite the officiating play, LeBron James gave high praise to Jaylen Brown’s ability to keep the Celtics afloat during Jayson Tatum’s absence. James acknowledged that Brown is playing with a chip on his shoulder after the Boston roster was revamped in the offseason.

While James pointed to past friction, particularly Brown’s viral Summer League comments about Bronny James, he said their relationship remains civil and respectful.

For the 34-22 Lakers, the focus now turns to controlling their emotions and finding more offensive consistency as they look to move on from this bitter loss in the rivalry.

Last October, Sports Witness Covered claims from Denmark FC Copenhagen’s interest in Newcastle United’s Emil Krafth. His wish was to sign him at a reasonable price in the winter market, but that did not happen.

The Sweden international is still at St James’ Park, where he is under contract until the end of this season.

Craft made only one Premier League and two EFL Cup appearances for Newcastle United this season. His limited role with the Magpies meant he missed national team fixtures in October.

Sweden manager Graham Potter initially did not include the right-back in the squad in November. They had to recall the Newcastle United player following concerns over the fitness of Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Newcastle United player injured

The fullback played 65 minutes in Sweden’s 1–1 draw against Slovenia in a World Cup qualifier in November. This is his last appearance as he has had to spend time on the sidelines due to injury.

Eddie Howe recently admitted that the 31-year-old may not play again this season. football direct It is said that Hammarby IF’s Hampus Skoglund could be a contender for a place in Potter’s squad for the March international break.

The former West Ham United boss, who will be without Krafth and Bologna’s Emil Holm for next month’s fixtures, watched Hammarby IF’s 2-0 cup win over Bjerg on Friday.

Skoglund played the full 90 minutes in his preferred role as a right-back and spoke to Football Direct after the match. They had no idea Potter was in attendance.

“No, I had no idea. But the fact that he was there is a good sign. There aren’t a lot of right-backs in the national team, and the goal is definitely to get there,” He said.

Kraft and Holm’s injuries are lucky for someone else

The outlet is quick to mention that Newcastle United defender and Holm is injured, and Holstein Kiel’s Alexander Bernhardsson has returned from injury.

When asked if this should open the door to Sweden for him, Skoglund explained: “Yeah… I didn’t know it was that bad.”

“Yes [there are not many right-backs]But I meant it more generally. “It’s unfortunate for him that he got injured, but fortunate to have someone else who can take that spot in that situation.”

As things stand, Craft will leave Newcastle United as a free agent after this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers made room for another statue outside Crypto Arena. Lakers’ legendary head coach and current Miami Heat president Pat Riley now has a golden statue. However the relay ceremony came with some ribs.

Riley stepped inside the Lakers’ home venue to accept his latest honor. But the 80-year-old still has jokes especially for James Worthy and others he trained.

Pat Riley’s speech at halftime, where he praised James Worthy for being the only former player to wear a tie and mocked everyone else for giving him a $2,000 fine: https://t.co/fqcqzh11fh pic.twitter.com/cUa6lBKVzP

– Khobi Price (@khobi_price) 23 February 2026

The night was filled with laughter and jokes, especially among the famous relay players. But there was still a serious tone from Riley, particularly with this message inscribed on his statue:

The message reads, “There will come a time when you will be challenged. And when that time comes, you have to find your footing. You have to stand firm. You have to make a point. Who you are, what you do and where you come from. And when that time comes, you do this.”

That quote came during the 1985 NBA Finals won by LA against the rival Boston Celtics.

Comparing current Lakers coach to Pat Riley?

The four-time NBA champion with the Lakers Riley founded the famous “Showtime Lakers” of the 1980s. Riley turned to names like Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Magic Johnson, Worthy and others to dominate in the 1980s.

JJ Redick now occupies the position that Riley made famous nearly four decades ago. Redick was a child during the Lakers’ run in the ’80s — yet many believe his coaching style mimics the great leader.

However, the current Lakers leader decided to give his rose to Riley.

Redick told reporters, “I didn’t think much about the comparisons at the time. I think Pat, to me, kind of set the standard for modern NBA coaches and I’ve always looked at the NBA as two very different eras.” “You can make the demarcation point right at the time of the merger or right in 80-81 when Dallas joined as the 23rd team.”

Redick added: “Pat set the standard for what a modern NBA coach should be.”

Riley joins Shaquille O’Neal, Johnson, Abdul-Jabar, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn and Kobe Bryant as Lakers to erect a statue outside of Crypto.

Brighton & Hove Albion have emerged as a new contender to sign River Plate’s Lautaro Rivero.

is according to river newsWhich covers the latest on Brighton’s interest in the 22-year-old.

Rivero is a product of the Argentine club’s academy and spent 18 months on loan at Central Cordoba and returned to his parent club in June 2025.

Since then, the centre-back has been a regular for River Plate and his performances have attracted the attention of European clubs.

In the first half of this season, Sport Witness Covered claims from Argentina Interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs reportedly took a look at him in the winter market but a move never materialised.

Two months ago, Sport Witness again News broadcast from South America Aston Villa’s replacement for Rivero.

Bryton Rivero joins Chase

Fast forward to February and Fabian Herzeler’s side were added to their list of English supporters.

Over the years, the Seagulls have regularly signed emerging talents from South America and sold some of them on at huge profits. Moises Caicedo and Alexis McAllister are two great examples.

Brighton have now set their sights on Rivero, who has already established himself as an ‘indispensable player’ at River Plate. His development and impressive performances have been noticed by several European clubs.

Seagulls add Argentina to shortlist

The report claims River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo is aware of the growing interest and is concerned about losing Rivero in the next window.

As things stand, Brighton have added the defender to their shortlist but are yet to make an approach.

It’s very possible the Seagulls make a move to try to bring him to the Amex after this season. Should he make the move, River Noticias claim the South American club ‘will not let him go that easily.’

Rivero’s contract runs until December 2028, and includes $100m [€85m] Section. If he were to leave, it would likely be for a fee much less than his buyout clause.

Three members of the Montreal Canadiens will have a chance to medal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy.

Gold Medal Game, Team Canada vs. Team USA, Sunday, Feb. 22, 8:10 a.m. ET/5:10 p.m. PT

Nick Suzuki and Team Canada will face the Americans in the gold medal game, a repeat of the final in the 4-Nation Faceoff Tournament. Canada somehow failed to make it through the elimination games, requiring the heroics of Suzuki and Mitch Marner to defeat Czechia in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, it looked like Finland, a team that always performs well in international games, was going to ruin Canada’s gold medal aspirations, but a late-game push resulting in goals by Nathan MacKinnon, Shea Theodore and Sam Reinhart was enough to ensure the victory for the Canadians.

As for the Americans, they suffered a major setback in the semifinals, however, as superstar Quinn Hughes scored in a 2–1 overtime win against Sweden. This led to a relatively easy semi-final match, in which the Americans easily defeated Team Slovakia.

Bronze Medal Game, Team Slovakia vs. Team Finland, Saturday, February 21, 2:20 PM ET/ 11:20 AM PT

While most predicted Canada and the USA to meet in the final, few expected Slovakia to challenge for another Olympic medal. Yes, they won a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games, but that tournament did not include NHL players.

This time, Slovakia is impressing against the world’s best players, and Montreal Canadiens star forward Juraj Slafkowski is leading the way.

Like most Slovaks, Slafkovsky faced a tough time in the semi-finals against the Americans, a team loaded with NHL superstars. But in the grand scheme of things, Slafkovsky has clearly emerged as one of the most impressive players at the Olympics, with three goals and four assists to his name.

It remains to be seen whether Oliver Kapanen will be in uniform for the Finns, and if so, whether he will actually be given a shift. As one of the youngest players at the Olympics, Kapanen has spent more time watching hockey than playing hockey, and although he dressed in the semi-finals against Canada, Antti Pennanen stuck him to the bench.

Either way, it’s certainly been a unique experience for Montreal’s second-line centre.

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

In a new interview, Athletics All-Star Brent Rucker fueled rumors that a salary cap for players will be a non-starter in the new collective bargaining agreement.

Right now, MLB players are preparing for the 2026 MLB season in either Florida or Arizona. While goals and aspirations for the new season are at the forefront of their minds, there is something dark looming in the distance. Negotiations over the next CBA between the league and the MLB Players Association.

Due to the out-of-control spending by the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and other big-market teams over the past few years, the buzz around the sport is that many owners are willing to finally bring a hard salary cap to MLB. It’s similar to some other major leagues like the NFL, NHL and NBA or something similar.

However, it still has to make its way to MLB as the MLBPA has proven time and again that they are the strongest players union in the game. Whenever the owners push for a major change, the players push back even harder, and they have yet to break even.

Brent Rucker on hard cap: We will not tolerate it being implemented

And when it comes to the hard cap, the Athletics’ two-time All-Star Brent Rucker is the latest MLB star to make it clear that the idea is a complete non-starter for players.

“The salary cap is designed to suppress wages so owners can make more money. That’s enough. That’s the goal behind them. They’re not trying to accomplish anything else. It’s not good for the players, it’s not good for the league, it’s not good for competitive balance or equity.”

“We will not tolerate it being implemented into our game,” Rucker said when asked about the hard cap during an event on Wednesday. foul zone podcast.

It certainly seems like both sides are ready to take a deeper look at the hard cap issue. If they’re both adamant, it looks like there’ll be another work stoppage like 1994 – coming early next year.

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

Atletico Madrid have been linked to the signing of Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara.

At least that’s what RMC Sports journalist Daniel Riolo is reporting, and le10 sport Has released his comments.

After ending his 18-year tenure at Marseille, the France international joined Aston Villa on a free transfer in July 2022.

Kamara’s refusal to commit his future to his boyhood club attracted interest from several European clubs and Unai Emery’s side won the battle. His decision to leave the French club for Villains did not please Marseille president Pablo Longoria.

La Liga side Aston Villa wanted the player

Prior to his move to Villa Park, Riolo claims that Atletico Madrid had shown solid interest in the midfielder. In fact, the La Liga side had sent an official to France for face-to-face talks with him.

Los Rojiblancos wanted to include the 26-year-old in Diego Simeone’s squad and the trip to France was mostly to convince him to choose him over others. Riolo gives an insight into what happened behind the scenes with the Spanish club.

“He almost went to Atlético. I’ll tell you a little story anyway. At one point during the season Atlético showed interest in him. Joining such a club would have been a very good option for him,” He said.

“Atletico were so interested in him that they sent their director to meet Kamara. They were wondering where they would meet. If they were seen together would people talk or not, etc. As it happens, the Atlético director is not very famous in France, so they thought, ‘No problem, I’ll come to you!’

Atletico official meets midfielder in France

The journalist did not mention details of the officer who had traveled to France.

“So he [the director] Went to Kamra’s house. He arranged a meeting, gave him his address,” Riolo explained.

“He arrived, rang the doorbell, and Kamara welcomed him, in shorts, barefoot. The Atlético director said, ‘I walked through the door, and I knew perfectly well that such a person could never sign with us. Because you can’t welcome a sporting director dressed like that, without any consideration, without any thought. There were three dudes there, barefoot, in shorts…’ He talked, and he thought, ‘We would never have such a person. Will not be able to sign.

Atletico missing out on Kamara will surely please Emery and Aston Villa. Last July, the Premier League side rewarded him with a new contract until 2030.

Paolo Di Canio has hit out at commentators comparing Donyal Malen to Gianluca Vialli after shining brightly after leaving Aston Villa.

lazio we are Cover the former striker’s comments today. He is not too impressed by Roma’s recent praise for Malen.

The Dutchman joined the Italian side on loan from Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

That agreement includes an option to make the move permanent if the player meets certain performance and eligibility requirements this season.

Malen flourishes after Aston Villa

Malen has certainly made it a possibility. He has made a significant impact under Gian Piero Gasperini since his arrival, becoming a central figure in the Giallorossi attack and scoring five goals in five games.

This led to some impressive praise in Italy, which Sport Witness has covered. For example, on the 10th^th, There were comments in which he was compared to Gianluca Vialli.

Even yesterday he had a relationship with Gasperini and Roma A great marriage was compared. However, there has been some pushback on this.

For example, Antonio Cassano wanted to point out that Serie A is “five steps down” Premier League. The suggestion that Malen should have found it easier to flourish in Rome is obvious.

Di Canio not impressed

Di Canio isn’t going quite that far, but he is less impressed by the comparisons to Vialli. He was close friends with the Italian, having a relationship going back three decades.

They played together at Juventus, while Vialli tried to sign him as Chelsea manager. Di Canio subsequently publicly defended his friend and described the Blues’ decision to sack him as “incredible”.

He now feels comparisons with Malen disrespect his legacy as he continues to shine away from Aston Villa.

He said, “He is 27 years old and nobody paid attention to him (Malen).”

“Yet we commented on him in the cup competitions with Dortmund, where he was a little more than a reserve, a co-starter, right?

“At Aston Villa, that was truly reserved for Rodgers and especially Watkins, who are strong. He comes here, scores five goals in five games, and who are we going to mention? Vialli? My big brother, a kiss to heaven, I’m sorry they mentioned you.”

Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira will make his debut against a familiar opponent as he prepares to face Fenerbahce in Turkey.

The Portuguese manager recently arrived at the City Ground. Last year, he was snapped up by Wolverhampton Wanderers, and now begins a new chapter with Forest. His first test came at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, where he had previously worked during two stints in charge of Fenerbahçe.

Talking to Portuguese outlet to ballPereira acknowledged the importance of the occasion but insisted he felt “very confident”.

“It will be a tough match in a complex environment,” He said. “But I think there’s a lot of quality in the team. There will be a lot of talent on the pitch.”

Courage and recognition in limited time

Forest lie close to the relegation places in the Premier League. However, Perera showed no signs of fear. Instead, he gave his players a simple message.

“For the players, this is the ideal environment. They love to play with that kind of energy. For me, it is a pleasure to be here and face a passionate team, to show their passion, their energy, their ambition. It is important to play with courage and organization”He said.

Time was not on his side. They have only two days to work with a team lacking in confidence. Still, Pereira believes something has already changed.

“From day one we started transmitting that energy. I believe a team absorbs the passion and personality of the coach. We should look at this game as an opportunity to showcase our qualities, prove our value and, in the end, be proud of what we did.”He said.

He also acknowledged that the strategic details should be kept simple at this stage.

“In two days, you can’t arrive with too much information. You need to be intelligent to deliver clear tactical messages. You know I like to play tactically and that can’t change in two days”he explained.

starting from the front foot

This sustainability could shape the forest’s immediate future. European progress will provide momentum. More importantly, it can instill confidence in the dressing room under home pressure.

Perera insists the foundations are there. “I recognize the quality of our players and the team. We just need harmony and wins to build more confidence.”

For a coach who was recently sacked and has now been handed yet another Premier League rescue mission, tonight represents much more than a start. This is the first chance to prove that Forrest’s gamble may soon pay off.

Anyone who watched the Wout face at Leicester City will have been surprised to see him in this week’s Champions League clash with Monaco. Keyes Quackman certainly shared that reaction.

He is talking about the former Leicester City defender today, Via Fein Online. And he couldn’t hide his surprise at seeing the 27-year-old star in Europe’s biggest club competition.

Faze has endured a disastrous spell at Leicester after arriving for a £15million deal in 2022 to replace Wesley Fofana.

positive start

Signed from Reims on deadline day that summer, he made his debut in a 6–2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and despite that result initially looked like a smart signing.

He soon established himself as a key defensive figure, with Leicester keeping five clean sheets in their next seven matches.

He stuck with Fox through demotions and promotions, but he failed to win over fans.

Fans developed a love-hate relationship with the Belgian, whose Premier League spells featured a number of high-profile errors.

The biggest of them was two suicide goals in the defeat to Liverpool in 2022. Fan sentiment became increasingly unfavorable after the defensive performances by 2024 and 2025 were labeled ridiculous.

hostile in leicester

Things eventually turned hostile, with Face being booed from the stands after scoring the winner against Sheffield Wednesday and Face responding by covering his ears to the Leicester fans.

He moved in the January transfer window, Joining Ligue 1 side Monaco. This means he is now in the Champions League, something that surprised Quackman this week.

“I see Voute face getting back in the lineup. He should have a really good agent,” he said on ESPN’s Voetbalprat.

“He was a hit every week at Leicester last year. Playing at that level doesn’t mean you can’t play football. But I find it remarkable that he’s playing for such clubs.”

Last year, he was disgracefully sacked with Leicester for diving under a ball every week, and now he is back at a good club.

VfB Stuttgart are expected to receive a ‘top offer’ for their key players in the summer after a move from Nottingham Forest this year.

This is according to the sport build. The German newspaper has covered Stuttgart today and revealed how they could be busy on the summer departure front.

According to their report, Stuttgart are focusing on winning the Europa League for the money it will bring.

That extra money could help them retain their stars in the summer. A number of people have already been targeted by the Premier League. Prominent among them are Jamie Lewelling and Ramon Hendrix.

Leveling in nottingham forest

For example, leveling up was Nottingham Forest’s goal last summer. Sport Witness covered it extensively at the time.

At first it was explained that we would Really need an extraordinary offer If they were to sign the 24-year-old any time soon.

A separate report then described how Lewelling had made it clear that he did not want Nottingham Forest.

He even clearly told his agents to leave him alone. Whether this has changed now remains to be seen. But there is a feeling that Nottingham Forest could come back for him at some point.

One goal hendricks too

He’s not the only Stuttgart player in their sights either. There’s also Ramon Hendrix. Nottingham Forest, as well as Borussia Dortmund, moved for him in the January transfer window.

Sport Witness also covered it at that time. Indeed, Stuttgart’s sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth It was even confirmed that they had rejected a bid.

He then explained that the German side did this because they were continuing to support Hendrix’s development. Undoubtedly, its value may see a significant increase in the future. Whether this means a summer sale is on the table is debatable.

But the feeling is that Nottingham Forest, and others, can get back to that point. So Stuttgart is focusing on the Europa League. If they had won the entire tournament, they could have received approximately €34m in prize money from their participation.

This is a huge sum for the German team and should help ease interest in their best players this summer.

The Detroit Pistons remain on top of the Eastern Conference with a 40–13 record, led by stellar play from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, along with steady contributions from a supporting cast.

The Pistons display toughness on both ends of the court, with some claiming they are reminiscent of the team’s “bad boy” era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, others are not happy with the pistons, saying they are too stiff and too physical.

However, Detroit coach JB Bickerstaff expressed a different opinion, as he noted in an appearance on Road Trippin’.

“People are talking about and limiting the basketball abilities of our guys, and just calling them roughhouses and hooligans and things like that,” Bickerstaff said.

“Our guys get grabbed, tackled and wrestled. You go back every night and look at us and see everything that happens, and it’s physical, right? We put out as much as we can, but we don’t cross the line, OK? I want everyone to be aware of that. Our guys go out and impact winning basketball games through their physical ability and the toughness of it all.”

Recently, the NBA suspended Duren for four games and Isaiah Stewart for seven games for fighting with the Charlotte Hornets. This was not the first time that Duren and Stewart were involved in a controversy.

Bickerstaff, who joined the team in 2024, admitted that although they are trying to emulate the Pistons’ “bad boy” era, they are not intentionally trying to hurt anyone. He stressed that he is only working hard for the fans because that is what is expected of him.

“He loves that style of play, that grit, that toughness, you know, the ability to not back down from anybody, play an unselfish brand of basketball and work extremely hard every night,” Bickerstaff said.

Detroit returns to action on Thursday against the New York Knicks.

The Detroit Pistons remain on top of the Eastern Conference with a 40–13 record, led by stellar play from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, along with steady contributions from a supporting cast.

The Pistons display toughness on both ends of the court, with some claiming they are reminiscent of the team’s “bad boy” era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, others are not happy with the pistons, saying they are too stiff and too physical.

However, Detroit coach JB Bickerstaff expressed a different opinion, as he noted in an appearance on Road Trippin’.

“People are talking about and limiting the basketball abilities of our guys, and just calling them roughhouses and hooligans and things like that,” Bickerstaff said.

“Our guys get grabbed, tackled and wrestled. You go back every night and look at us and see everything that happens, and it’s physical, right? We put out as much as we can, but we don’t cross the line, OK? I want everyone to be aware of that. Our guys go out and impact winning basketball games through their physical ability and the toughness of it all.”

Recently, the NBA suspended Duren for four games and Isaiah Stewart for seven games for fighting with the Charlotte Hornets. This was not the first time that Duren and Stewart were involved in a controversy.

Bickerstaff, who joined the team in 2024, admitted that although they are trying to emulate the Pistons’ “bad boy” era, they are not intentionally trying to hurt anyone. He stressed that he is only working hard for the fans because that is what is expected of him.

“He loves that style of play, that grit, that toughness, you know, the ability to not back down from anybody, play an unselfish brand of basketball and work extremely hard every night,” Bickerstaff said.

Detroit returns to action on Thursday against the New York Knicks.