標籤: prepares

chelsea’s It is becoming easier to understand the interest in Victor Frohold at FC Porto with each passing week.

The midfielder has become one of the faces of Porto’s title-winning campaigns. He is one of the most talked about young midfielders in Europe. Furthermore, he has increasingly become a player Premier League clubs are drawing serious plans around.

Chelsea is one of the most linked clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United. However, there is an extra layer added to the Blues’ situation with uncertainty surrounding Enzo Fernandez’s future at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Portuguese press, Chelsea are interested Directly linked to Enzo’s eventual departure. This background helps to explain why the London Club has intensified its monitoring of the freehold.

And Dane’s praise from all quarters is growing louder.

Porto is already thinking long term

Francesco Farioli has now publicly addressed the growing relocation noise around Freehold. Furthermore, his comments left no doubt as to Porto’s intentions.

talking to gameThe Porto manager pointed directly to the midfielder’s own recent comments regarding his desire to stay. He also wants to play Champions League football with the club next season.

“I think his words after the last game were very clear about where he wants to play next season and how he feels here at FC Porto.” Farioli said.

The Italian also made Porto’s wider strategy very clear.

“There is a clear desire and intention to move forward on the right path, trying to keep the best players and progress this group.”

Farioli also confirmed that talks are already taking place behind the scenes ahead of the summer market.

“There are discussions and negotiations with players, agents and clubs to understand the situation,” Emphasizing that Porto wants to be, he explained “Ready to make the right decision when the market comes.”

This is in line with what has been consistently coming out of Portugal in recent weeks. Porto want to keep Froholdt as a core part of the team. This is especially important ahead of their return to the Champions League after two years away.

“A unique player”

In fact the loudest praise is coming from Denmark. game This week we spoke to former Copenhagen academy coordinator Martin Wingard and former Denmark international Morten Bisgaard. Both personalities worked closely with Frohold before his rise to prominence in Porto.

Both paint a picture of a player whose mentality set him apart long before he reached senior football.

“He was always a hard-working player with a top-level mentality,” Vineyard explained.

The former academy coordinator revealed that Fröholdt consistently dominated every race and endurance test at the Copenhagen Academy, even when more attention was given to the bigger talents around him.

“When it comes to hard work, no one can beat Froholdt.”

Wingard also highlighted the midfielder’s consistency and mentality in big matches.

“He loves big games and is never afraid,” the former coach explained before adding another line that comes up when discussing Froholdt’s influence.

“It was always easy to notice whether he was on the pitch or not.”

He also believes that Porto have found the ideal role for the midfielder. While Denmark has used Froholdt in a number of positions, Wingard feels the Porto system allows him to show his best qualities as a number eight.

“He just loves playing football. He doesn’t care who he’s facing, he just wants to play well and win.”

Bisgaard was equally powerful.

“He is a unique player,” the former Udinese striker said while discussing Froholdt’s rise.

“You have Messi and Ronaldo, who are incredibly good because of the goals they score, but Frohold’s mentality and dedication could make him one of the best players in Europe.”

“What surprised me was how quickly he reached the second level in Portugal,” Bisgaard explained.

“He was very good at under-17 level, brilliant at under-19, but when he reached the Copenhagen first team he immediately became extraordinary. He has done exactly that at FC Porto.”

Bisgaard even suggested that Fröhold should stay in Portugal for the next one, two or three seasons as the club provided the stability needed for the next stage of his development.

“If he continues like this, he will become FC Porto’s next big sale”He concluded.

what happens next

Chelsea’s interest is unlikely to wane, especially as questions over Enzo Fernandez continue to loom in the background.

At the same time, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are firmly in the race, and Porto are aware that the summer market could move very quickly once formal discussions have begun.

However, the player wants to stay. The manager wants to keep him. Porto wants to build around him. So this combination could ultimately delay any immediate Premier League move, even though England’s biggest clubs are already preparing themselves for the future.

As Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCann prepares to face the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time since their trade at the deadline, the second-year guard reflected on the change he’s made and the kind of reception he’s expecting. McCann returns to Philadelphia with the Thunder in search of their 12th consecutive win, as the defending champions are once again the hottest team in the NBA.

As far as McCann’s reception from 76ers fans at their games in Philadelphia as a member of the visiting Thunder, he is expecting a friendly reaction from the fans.

“I’m hoping for the positive,” McCain said. “My friends and family — they ask me what’s going on and what’s going on. So, I know they’re excited to be back. Hopefully it’ll be fun.”

Since his trade to the Thunder, McCann says he has felt the embrace of Sixers fans, despite the fact that he is playing for the defending champions.

“It means a lot. I’ve always loved the Philly fans. They were always very nice whenever I went out, when I got hurt, they were always very positive and very helpful in my opinion,” McCann said. “So, I guess, thank you to him for supporting me through this process and always being there for me.

“The DMs I’ve gotten have been great, and they’re just saying they miss me and my stuff. So, yeah, definitely love the Philly fans.”

Amid the Thunder’s five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams, McCann scored a season-high 26 points in a 121–92 win against the Brooklyn Nets last week.

Jared McCain questions Thunder’s intentions after 76ers trade

Second-year guard Jared McCann admitted he had to ask the 76ers about his trade a second time. He was so devastated by the news of the trade that he did not go where he was going. Then, once he realized he was headed to the Thunder, he wondered why the defending champions would want him.

McCain said, “They won the championship. Why do you want me? It’s almost a scary feeling about what’s going to happen next.” “You have no clue. It’s just the unknown. But they’ve been nothing but welcoming to me, and it’s been so amazing to be with this team. The vibes are amazing. Just the culture of the organization. This process has been very seamless for me, and I finally landed in a place. So, I’m happy with it.”

McCain joining the Thunder has undoubtedly been a smooth process.

Washington, DC – One of the Washington Wizards’ most dramatic games of the season was a 123-118 home loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday, which included a Trae Young ejection. But third-year guard Bilal Coulibaly’s season-high 23 points (9-16, 5-7 3-point) were the most important aspect of the night for Washington’s development.

The 21-year-old player told ClutchPoints after the game What has helped him improve? Recently his shooting took place.

Bilal Coulibaly scored a season-high 23 points tonight and went 5 of 7 from deep. His shot has improved significantly recently, and he attributes it to getting more reps and finding his rhythm. The oft-injured guard has been in the lineup consistently since late January, having… pic.twitter.com/EbxySnQcwl

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 3 March 2026

“Just getting more reps, being out there more,” he said. “Finding my rhythm, and yeah, just my thing.”

Koulibaly’s recent increase in shooting efficiency has coincided with his healthiest stretch of the season. The 6-foot-7-inch, 195-pound player has appeared in 15 of the Wizards’ last 16 games after missing multiple contests in each month from October through January. He struggled offensively throughout the postseason, topping out with a 41.7% field goal clip in January and a 29.6% 3-point clip in November. However, he posted a 46% field goal clip (33.3% 3-point) in February.

Head coach Brian Keefe was asked if the improvement was due to more reps or any specific changes such as his shooting form.

He said, “I’m not going to go into that specifically, but you know, he’s diligent about his craft, he’s working on specific things.” “It’s really intentional, and you have to put time into it, and he’s doing it all.”

While Keefe kept the details to himself, Coulibaly’s look now looks more effortless than ever. For example, the shot of the original Frenchman in this practice clip from October 18 was disjointed, because he didn’t always release the ball At the top of his jump.

After practice, Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly hit three shots. Coulibaly continued to work after suffering a thumb injury at the EuroBasket. pic.twitter.com/xVcoVyCm8d

-Joshua Valdez (@joshvaldez100) 18 October 2025

However, Monday’s game was a different story. The clip below shows Coulibaly shooting with fluid motion And without a hitch, when he hit an off-dribble three after letting the ball go at the top of his jump.

Four triples in the first half for Bilal

📊 14 PTS | 4 pm 3 pm pic.twitter.com/Q5d76aewLj

– Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) 3 March 2026

The eye test shows that Coulibaly has made necessary changes to his mechanics, which could change the direction of his career. At this point, the two-time Rising Star has established himself as a defensive specialist with supreme athleticism, as he is known for explosive dunks. But his field goal clip has decreased each season, as he posted a 43.5% mark as a rookie before dropping to 42.1% last year and 41.9% this year. Additionally, his three-point percentage as a rookie dropped from 34.6 last season to 28.1, and this year he is at 30.4%. This has made him a liability offensively.

Injuries have played a role, as Koulibaly was shut down in March 2024 with a right wrist fracture and then again last March with a hamstring strain. Additionally, the 2023 No. 7 overall pick had thumb surgery in September after tearing a ligament while playing for France at EuroBasket, causing him to miss the first four games of the season. He also had other minor illnesses due to which he lost time.

It’s difficult for a player to settle into a rhythm and improve when he’s constantly injured, but if Koulibaly continues to stay healthy and efficient offensively, he’ll make a strong case as a long-term player ahead of his first extension-eligible offseason.

Young, who will make his Wizards debut on Thursday at home against the Utah Jazz, should get more open looks than Coulibaly because of his offensive intensity. If the latter player takes advantage of the opportunity, he could finish the season with a career-best shooting percentage.

Trae Young, Kevin Durant headline fun Wizards-Rockets contest

Young (knee/quad) didn’t play Monday, but he made his presence known when he was ejected for walking the floor in street clothes while Washington rookie Jameer Watkins and Houston forward Tari Eason got into an altercation. Youth was stuck For Watkins, as Eason had pushed him to the ground moments earlier.

Trae Young was benched from Wizards-Rockets before even playing a minute with the team 😳

He went to the floor during an argument between Jameer Watkins and Tari Eason.

pic.twitter.com/T5vsaMdneK

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 3 March 2026

Fans cheered Young as he entered the tunnel, and after the game he posted about the incident on social media.

He added, “Don’t expect me to be out in DC that many times.. but I’ll definitely bring that energy and competitiveness when I come back for my brothers.”

Although Young broke the rules by taking the court as a passive player, it showed that he cared about his teammates. Additionally, the former All-NBA honoree announced via social media on Tuesday that he will not be suspended before Thursday’s start.

Additionally, Rockets superstar and D.C.-area native Kevin Durant recorded 30 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3-point) with seven rebounds in 37 minutes on his homecoming night. The 37-year-old also became irritated with second-year Wizards guard Bub Carrington as the two talked trash before pushing Carrington back at the end of the game. The latter player then fell to the ground and Durant faced a technical foul.

However, the future Hall of Famer held no grudge against Washington. it was seemed to be giving signals Second-year Wizards wing Keyshawn George postgame via On SI’s Lachard Binkley.

KD loves basketball. Even after playing 37 minutes, he is still giving the other team’s youngsters pointers that they can use for the rest of their careers. pic.twitter.com/HvUUvyak7m

– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) 3 March 2026

Durant also said he is “excited for the hometown team”, now that youth and star big man Anthony Davis is in the district via Carita Park of Double Take Sports. Wizards fans haven’t had much to get excited about in recent years, but the team’s young core combined with their new stars and whoever they draft in the lottery this summer gives them a chance to be competitive next season and beyond.

Victor Wembanyama has a chance to become the NBA’s youngest-ever MVP during his third season. While he feels the success of the San Antonio Spurs is his strongest argument, he knows he must step up his individual performance to differentiate himself.

“I know I’m in the MVP conversation. Of course, that’s one of my goals,” Wembanyama said after Thursday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I think the main argument for this is the team’s success. That’s always the first thing. But I also know that I need to push a little harder during the last part of the season to win awards.”

Wembanyama’s two-way play has led San Antonio to the NBA’s third-best record (43–16), just 1.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot. The Spurs are on an NBA-best 11-game winning streak in February.

Victor Wembanyama is making an MVP case as he leads the Spurs’ rise in the NBA standings

Wembyanyama is averaging 23.7 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .501/.347/.815 shooting splits in 45 appearances. He and Nikola Jokic are the only NBA players to average marks on such efficiency.

Meanwhile, Wembanyama has solidified himself as the NBA’s top point guard while anchoring a San Antonio unit that ranks third in the NBA. The 22-year-old leads the league with 3.8 steals (steals + blocks) per game, which is 0.8 ahead of the next highest player (Scotty Barnes: 3.0). According to CleaningTheGlass, he has posted a -10.6 defensive rating swing (team points allowed per 100 possessions with a player on versus off), the league’s second-highest mark, trailing only Rudy Gobert (-12.7).

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said there was no doubt that Wambanyama had an MVP-level impact.

“He is a great facilitator to help his team win [as anybody],” Johnson said. ”The individual stuff that is identified as the best or most valuable is offense, defense, boards and everything that falls in between. He is at the forefront for [each of] They. And there are other guys in the league who do that, too. I haven’t delved into it, but I definitely think it’s in the conversation. It would be difficult for anyone to make a logical argument as to why he is not in that conversation.”

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Wembanyama currently has the fourth-best MVP odds at +2500, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-250), Nikola Jokic (+400) and Cade Cunningham (+850). The French superstar can only miss three more games to maintain his eligibility for the award.