標籤: rebuild

chelsea had already placed Ousmane Diomande high on their defensive shortlist for the summer. However, now, bournemouth Sporting are also on the move for the defender as the race for the Premier League grows closer to them.

The 22-year-old centre-back has become one of the hottest defensive names on the market after a season that has boosted his reputation across Europe.

Initially, the strongest English interest came from Crystal Palace, which Traced a move worth almost €50m (£43m) last year. Since then, the market around Diomande has changed dramatically.

Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and Manchester United have all been linked at various stages.

However, Chelsea remains different because of its Clear need for defensive reinforcement.

Chelsea sees Diomande as ideal profile

Latest reports from Portuguese outlets game Diomonde is already said to be one of Chelsea’s defensive targets under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Chelsea spent large parts of the season struggling with defensive instability. Injuries, inconsistency and frequent changes at centre-back caused major problems throughout the campaign.

And of course Alonso hasn’t even officially started at Stamford Bridge yet, but planning for the next transfer window is already underway.

The report presents Diomande as one of the names being discussed for Chelsea’s defensive rebuild ahead of the new era under the Spaniard.

Bournemouth now entering the picture

The latest development in this story is the emergence of Bournemouth. According to the same report, the south coast club are looking at Diomande as a possible replacement for Marcos Senesi.

It introduces another Premier League contender into an already crowded race.

Bournemouth may not operate at the same level as Chelsea, PSG or Bayern Munich financially, but their emergence in the race should not be underestimated.

Unlike Chelsea, the south coast club have already secured European football for next season, and this could become a key factor in talks about the defender’s future.

Under its current structure, Bournemouth has developed into one of the most competitive and well-organized emerging projects in English football.

Their recruitment has been aggressive and smart, and clubs are willing to compete for players who have previously overlooked that level of Premier League team.

Sports conscious pressure is increasing

Sporting renewed Diomande’s contract earlier this year until 2030 and retained his €80m (£69m) release clause.

Nevertheless, Portuguese reports indicate that the club would negotiate below that figure if the right offer came forward.

That number is also increasing. Earlier discussions centered around €50m (£43m). Recent reports suggest that Sporting can now expect a move closer to €60m (£52m).

And with the World Cup around the corner, it’s likely that valuations will rise further.

Chelsea clearly remain serious contenders due to their need for a defensive upgrade and Xabi Alonso’s interest in the player.

But Bournemouth joining the race is another sign that the market for Diomande is moving fast – and becoming increasingly difficult for any one club to control.

wolverhampton wanderers Scouts were in attendance when FC Porto clinched the league title with a 1–0 win over Alverca, and their presence comes with a very different context than other Premier League sides.

The information was brought to you by local outlets to ball And record. And demotion certainly changes everything. Wolves are now preparing for life in the Championship, and this inevitably reshapes their recruitment strategy.

Instead of chasing established names, the focus shifts to players who are willing to step down even when offered upside. This match provided exactly that market.

Alvarca profile fits championship reality

The Alverca side might have been as relevant as Porto’s title winners.

Despite the defeat, midfielder Lincoln and winger Chiquinho stood out. Both the players were active throughout, brought changes and tried to take the team forward. Lincoln, in particular, combined defensive work with forward runs, recording several recoveries and winning duels.

Chiquinho added unpredictability. His dribbling and willingness to take on defenders created moments when he did not have strong support around him. That kind of directness could translate well to the championship, where physical intensity and transitions play a major role.

Young Davy Gui also made an impact in a small cameo. The 19-year-old recorded 15 actions in just 12 minutes, bringing energy and urgency to the game. That profile – young, dynamic and still raw – may represent a lower-cost, higher-profit option.

Porto’s midfielder Pablo Rosario provides a more experienced midfield presence. He helped stabilize Alvarca’s structure and showed quality in longer sequences. His profile could be attractive if Wolves want a balance of young players as well.

Squad depth and developmental options

Wolves may also have taken note of Martim Fernandes, who came on for Porto in the second half and showed composure on the ball. Although not a major name, he still fits the type of player who clubs often quietly monitor for deeper roles.

Elsewhere, the wider context of the match still matters. Diogo Costa made important saves, while Gabriel Veiga impressed in the attacking phases with his assists.

However, those profiles are less aligned with Wolves’ current position unless circumstances change significantly.

what happens next

Recruiting after demotion is about finding players who can perform immediately while maintaining long-term value. The Alvarca Group offers several names that fit that brief.

Lincoln and Chiquinho look ready to take a step up in intensity. Dewey Gui provides the developmental aspect. At Porto, young Martim Fernandes guarantees quality at right-back and Pablo Rosario adds experience in the middle of the park.

If Wolves make a quick move, they could find value in a market that bigger clubs are also eyeing – but for very different reasons.

swansea city Having already secured their survival in the Championship, the club’s internal rebuild now takes center stage.

We previously covered parts of Vitor Matos’ interview regarding the striker zhan vipotnik status. Anyway, full conversation with Portuguese newspaper to ball Provides great insight into Swansea’s structure, identity and long-term planning.

Below, the main themes of that interview are organized and expanded upon, with Matos’s full comments preserved and grouped for clarity.

Arrival and immediate priorities

Vitor Matos moved closer to the relegation zone with Swansea. The initial focus was on survival, but also laying the foundation for something more stable.

“Above all, it was a challenge because of the moment the change happened. It was about the moment that mattered for Marítimo and Swansea. It was a decision driven by ambition, but also something I always wanted, which was to return to England. It’s a positive balance.”

“The first big challenge was to stabilize the club, which had fallen to the bottom of the table, very close to the relegation places. The priority was to stabilise, then gradually improve the quality of play and the individual quality of the players.”

He also highlighted how little time he had to implement the ideas in the beginning.

“It’s not easy in the Championship. We arrived after the Bristol game, did two training sessions and then immediately played the derby. Two days later, West Brom away. Only after that did we have time to train properly.”

“So the priority was to get it right, but already trying to present how we wanted to change some things.”

creating a game identity

One of the clearest messages from the interview is that Swansea are trying to redefine the way they play, moving away from previous formations.

“The team was coming from a less positive period and was also playing in a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 formation, which I clearly wanted to change from day one.”

“It’s about understanding the team, identifying the qualities we can work with and starting to shape our view of the game. Understanding the short and medium-term priorities is fundamental for the team to become more competitive.”

Matos also emphasized how complex the process is in a championship environment.

“Stability in this league comes from a lot of little things. It’s a complex process. It has to do with the number of games, the type of opposition and the variability you face.”

“This is part of the development of tactical maturity that the team needs. We have evolved, become more consistent, but there is still a lot of improvement to be made.”

Culture, identity and relationship with the club

Beyond tactics, Matos repeatedly returned to the importance of rebuilding Swansea’s identity and culture.

“A culture isn’t built in a day. The culture we want to develop is about values, a competitive mentality and the connection between players, fans and staff.”

“Swansea is a club with a very rich history and has a very clear identity from its evolution towards the Premier League. That was lost at some point, and that’s what we’re trying to develop again.”

He clarified that this is beyond the pitch.

“For it to survive, there has to be a recruiting vision that aligns with it, a vision of how the club views and engages with the community.”

“There must come a moment where, beyond belief, there is joy in the club’s identity. That’s how we are building.”

To reconnect with that identity, Swansea turned to figures from their past.

“That cultural side is very strong and still exists, but short-term results can push clubs away from it. That was happening.”

“One of our concerns was to bring in Joe Allen and Leon Britton, who represent that period. We found a development path while respecting the essence of the club.”

Competing with top teams and raising the standards

Matos also talked about changing the mentality within the team, especially in matches against stronger opponents.

“It was important to find a base eleven and continuity to make the team more competitive and more effective.”

“We want to look at the top teams and not only compete, but try to dominate them, whether through possession or through pressure.”

“It was important for the club to realize again that it is possible to stay in high positions and compete with the best teams.”

He emphasized that results remain at the center of everything.

“The most important thing is always to win. That’s the basis on which you are evaluated. The way you do it may change, but winning is always the objective.”

Managing change and dealing with pressure

Despite a long-term contract, Matos made clear that short-term pressures still define his role.

“This is a volatile profession, evaluated in the short term. You have to build the process with the idea that there should be feedback from day one.”

“At the same time, your concern should be to improve the quality of the game. This should be visible to the owners and the fans.”

He also stressed the need for gradual development rather than major changes.

“You can’t change everything at once. Sometimes it’s possible depending on the results, sometimes not. You need care on an individual level when making changes.”

“We managed to find stability. We haven’t used a large number of players and we are the team with the lowest number of muscle injuries in the league. This shows the culture and sensitivity.”

Transfer Strategy and Squad Management

One of the most relevant sections to Swansea’s future and players like Zane Vipotnik is how the club approached the transfer market.

“Our biggest concern was not to lose players in January. It’s not about bringing in 14 players and sending out 14.”

“It’s about looking at the team, understanding the priorities, and starting to build something. Only after building can you understand the path.”

Rather than rebuild, Swansea opted for targeted additions.

“We signed Gustavo Nunes from Brentford, Leo Walta and Joel Ward. Each brought something different and added depth in the short term.”

“Joel brought experience and stability. The team needed that. Gustavo is a huge talent and gave us more options, which helped maintain our mobility.”

Matos also highlighted the internal focus.

“Our main objective was to look at all the players including the academy, the squad and those on loan and start building from there.”

What comes next for Swansea?

With survival secured, attention turns to the next phase of the project.

“You always have to build on the present knowing that the future will shape us. We want the club to continue to grow and move towards a play-off position.”

“But it is a very competitive league with a large number of games. Emotional stability is essential.”

He also spoke about the physical demands of the championship.

“We have more games than Bayern. It’s such a high number that you need emotional stability and a strong process.”

“The team must remain focused on training and recovery, even if training time is limited.”

Finally, he outlined a broader vision for the club.

“It’s about building culture, short-term competitiveness and long-term value. That includes the department, the fans, the community and scouting.”

“Everything should work under the same approach, with a clear process that allows players to arrive fresh and ready to compete.”

What does this mean for Swansea

This entire interview shows that Swansea is no longer operating as a short-term survival project.

There is a clear emphasis on stability, identity and controlled development. Swansea suffered from losing key players in January. With a stronger structure now in place, any summer decision will likely follow the same logic – consistent with the broader project set out by Matos.

This makes it much more than a standard transfer case. It is part of a wider rebuild that will define Swansea’s next steps.

Tottenham Hotspur were one of the clubs present for FC Porto’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, and the visit comes at a time when Spurs are already looking to reshape parts of their squad.

Whether they stay up or fall down, expect change in North London. This makes such fixtures useful checkpoints, especially when facing a team like Porto, who have added experience and emerging talent to a strong first-leg performance.

report from portuguese game And to ball Confirmation that Tottenham had scouts at the Estadio do Dragão along with several other European sides. From a Spurs perspective, the focus is likely to go beyond a single profile.

Gomes is a wide option for Tottenham to consider

William Gomes was one of the most obvious attacking threats on the pitch. The 20-year-old winger scored for Porto and constantly caused problems with his movement and direct approach.

He finished the match having made three shots, two successful dribbles and winning six duels. His current form is also excellent, with four goals in his last five games and 13 goals overall for the season.

For Tottenham, that type of output from a wide player would be relevant. The depth of the squad in attacking areas has been constantly discussed, and Gomes offers both urgency and long-term potential.

Experience and physicality are also on display

As well as the young talents, Porto’s more experienced players also made an impact.

Sékou Fofana played a key role in the transition phases, using his strength and ability to carry the ball forward. He covered the ground effectively and contributed defensively with interceptions and recoveries, showing the kind of all-action profile that could translate well to the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Zhaidu Sanusi provided the energy down the left. The 28-year-old full-back handled the pressure well and got forward again and again, helping Porto convert defense into attack. leeds united There is already an eye on him.

Both players are older than the usual Tottenham signings in recent years. However, if the club wants to balance youth with ready-made options, they represent a variety of solutions.

Veiga impresses – but Spurs have already invested

Gabriel Veiga was one of the standout performers overall. The 23-year-old dictated Porto’s attacking tempo, assisting the opening goal and completing 26 of his 29 passes.

He showed composure in tight spaces and created two strong chances. On any other day, his impact might have led to a more comfortable victory for Porto.

That said, Tottenham have recently committed significant money to Xavi Simmons, who operates in a similar role. While Veiga’s performance may have gone unnoticed, the positional overlap at this level makes the move less obvious.

Other notes of the match

Young striker Deniz Gul added energy from the bench and offered a more physical option up front. Winger Pepe also made an impact after coming on, helping Porto maintain offensive pressure towards the end of the game. Both could be good options for the Premier League rotation.

Victor Froholdt also appeared, coming on for Gabry Veiga in the second half and playing for about 30 minutes. The midfielder did not make a major impact, keeping a relatively low profile as the game dragged on. However, this should not affect his wider reputation.

Froholdt is considered one of the most sought after players in Porto’s squad Already monitored by SpursHis presence in this particular scouting mission adds an extra layer of intrigue.

As for the Nottingham Forest side, Stefan Ortega made a number of crucial saves which ensured the English side remained level despite Porto’s dominance.

In short, Tottenham looked at a mix of profiles that could meet different needs depending on their summer season.

William Gomes provides pace and output from wide areas, while Fofana and Sanusi bring experience and physicality. Gabriel Veiga impressed, even if his role matches that of a recent investment.

For a club preparing for potential change, the diversity of options is exactly what these trips are designed to assess.

The Las Vegas Raiders officially began their 2026 offseason schedule on Tuesday. No pad. No live representative. No, Fernando Mendoza is not taking pictures in the silver and black just yet. Just meetings, strength and conditioning work, and rehab of players coming back from injury.

Sounds boring, right?

it.

What happens in those first days, especially how Clint Kubiak runs them, will tell us more about the direction of this franchise than any free agent signing or mock draft projection. Culture doesn’t start in training camp. It doesn’t start with a draft. It starts now, in a building in Henderson, Nevada, with a first-year head coach trying to establish something this organization has lacked for too long: a coherent identity.

Kubiak has a chance to set the tone for whatever is to come this week. How he uses it is what matters.

Meetings are where culture is made – or broken

Stage one is essentially a classroom stage. The players are in the building, they’re conditioning their bodies and they’re sitting in the meeting room. For Kubiak, it’s really an opportunity, not a limitation.

Every new coaching staff faces the same challenge in Year 1: Players are bringing habits, tendencies and, frankly, the baggage of whoever came before them (ahem, Pete Carroll!). The Raiders have had substantial coaching changes in recent years, with some of the veterans having seen this film before. They know how to nod in meetings and wait to see if the new guy is really different. Three coaches will do this to one player in three years.

Clint Kubiak really needs to be different.

This means that messages in those rooms may not be as normal this week. It can’t be “we’ll work hard and hold each other accountable” boilerplate. Raider Nation has heard it. The players in that building have heard it. What they haven’t heard, and what this organization hasn’t had for years, is a clear, specific, non-negotiable vision of how this team will operate. Just not aggressively. Just not in a planned manner. Culturally.

This is Kubiak’s chance to draw that line in the sand before even throwing a single ball.

Max Crosby sets the tone if Kubiak empowers him to do so

Here’s something that isn’t discussed enough: Max Crosby’s presence in that building this week is just as important as Kubiak said.

Crosby’s trade with Baltimore was voided. He is an attacker. And does Kubiak still fully understand it, Crosby is the most important cultural asset he has. Not because of his rush numbers, although they speak for themselves, but because of what Crosby represents to every player who walks through that door.

He decided to stay. He could force his way out. He didn’t.

This means a lot in a locker room environment where players want to see who really believes in what is being built in Vegas. If Kubiak is smart, he’s leaning on Crosby in those early meetings. Not in a fanciful, “let’s cheer on the star” way — but in a genuine acknowledgment that the approach of the veteran leadership and coaching staff has to work in the same direction, or none of it will work.

A coaching staff that sidelines its own culture bearers in Year 1 is a coaching staff that is already behind.

What Kubiak’s approach says about his leadership style

New head coaches fall into two camps as the early offseason begins. Some people treat phase one as a formality, like getting bodies into the building, checking compliance boxes and saving the actual setup for OTAs and training camp. Others consider it the basis.

Given what Jon Spytek and the Raiders have built this offseason, Clint Kubiak can’t afford to treat this as a formality. They are having a voluntary veteran minicamp April 20-22, three days before the draft begins in Pittsburgh. That minicamp, combined with the first two weeks of Phase One, gives Kubiak about three weeks to establish the relational equity he’ll need when real competition begins.

Three weeks is not long. But it is enough to show the players what kind of head coach you are. Does he know their names before he knows your snap counts, do you walk the same way in the practice facility, are the cameras running or not, are the standards you preach the standards you actually enforce.

Attention is paid to those things. They are discussed. They go from veteran to young players faster than any plan.

All eyes are on Kubiak and the tone he sets

Tuesday is the beginning of something. Is this the start of something real. Will this be a cultural change that will actually stick in Las Vegas or not? It depends on what Clint Kubiak actually decides to do these early, quiet, unnatural weeks.

The Raiders have plenty of big moments and bold announcements. What they’re missing is the foundation beneath all this.

The first phase is starting from Tuesday. Now the foundation is laid.

Scott Gulbranson is the editor-in-chief of our Silver & Black TODAY Las Vegas Raiders community, a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and host of Silver & Black TODAY on 101.5 KDAWN in Las Vegas.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

Kenny Attkisson knows the challenges of rebuilding. The former Brooklyn Nets head coach, now leading the championship hopefuls Cleveland Cavaliers, also knows what it takes to succeed.

While Atkinson acknowledged the difficulties of the Nets’ situation, he is confident The team would eventually advance, as their group did when they made the playoffs in 2018–19.

“You will definitely go through them [hard] moment. You like to be process-oriented and stick to it, but you’re going home after the game and you’re taking that L. It’s tough, especially when they start piling up,” Atkinson said before Brooklyn’s 106-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. “Everyone says, ‘Okay, don’t worry.’ Of course, if you’re competitive you worry. But that’s part of it, part of going through a rebuild and part of being a young coach. You’re looking at Charlotte right now, well, they went through it. that third year [in Brooklyn] When we were successful and reached the playoffs, it was almost doubly rewarding, because you go through these real struggles and tough times.

“I’ll never forget when we won the playoffs; it was like winning the championship. It was crazy, because you look back at the first year, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Will we ever win another game?’ [The turnaround] That will happen here because they have drafted really good talent. They have a good coaching staff and a good front office. It will break. You’re just waiting for it, like ‘When’s that going to happen?’ And you look at it like, ‘Is it ever going to happen?’… But they work so hard, it’s going to happen eventually with the talent they have.’

Kenny Atkinson explains whether it’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude during a rebuilding year like the Nets:

“It’s tough, especially when the losses start piling up… My first year here, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Can we… pic.twitter.com/IOIruXRfkk

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 1 March 2026

The loss was the Nets’ eighth consecutive loss to Cleveland, their longest of the season. Still, a four-point loss against the fourth-seeded Cavaliers after Friday’s 148-111 loss to the Boston Celtics was a step in the right direction.

Nets searching for wins through challenges of rebuilding season

In another season of rebuilding, Brooklyn’s focus is not on wins or losses, but on development. While developmental wins are paramount, they don’t show up on the scoreboard.

Danny Wolf admitted accepting reality has been a challenge in the Nets locker room.

“Most people in the NBA come from winning teams, no matter what level,” Wolf said. “This is the first time I’ve been a part of it, I don’t say we’re a losing team, obviously our record is 15-45, but we are the youngest team in the NBA and there are a lot of valuable lessons. I don’t like to say you can learn from losing, because it hurts and it sucks, and losing as a contender is one of the worst feelings, but with such a young group, I think there’s resiliency and fight. [is important]. When you lose by four points to a team that you lost to by 30 points a week before, I think that points to improvement.”

The Nets are hoping this rebuild will produce similar results to Sean Marks’ first. However, the current team is a stark contrast to the groups Atkinson coached from 2016 to 2019.

Brooklyn was devoid of rookie talent during those years. The Nets now feature an NBA-record five rookie first-round picks. While this is a luxury compared to their previous rebuilds, it is also an unprecedented challenge for Jordi Fernandez and his staff.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of the difficulties of the situation in Brooklyn, “It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids who are just learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” “You have to, sometimes, take a step back and give grace and be patient. They’re learning what it takes to survive in this league, which is a lot. When you have a lot of young players trying to do that, it’s hard to have the connectivity or cohesion that it can take to make some tough performances in a given game or over time. But it’s also very rewarding when you have guys with character, good young players and hard workers. Jordi [Fernandez] You have done a great job. You see the competition every night. You just have to live with it.

Mitch Johnson when asked how challenging he thinks it will be to develop five rookies for the Nets:

“It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” pic.twitter.com/dOFqkdPDpf

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 26 February 2026

The Nets have done their best to control the development of their rookies – Igor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Wolf. Apart from Demin, all of them have spent a long time in the G League. Each has been an encouraging addition to Brooklyn’s rotation, providing encouragement to the team’s brass.

The Nets’ 15-45 record puts them in prime position to add a star-level draft pick to their young core this summer. While draft status would remain the main story in the team’s last 22 games, Fernandez was adamant that his team would compete until the final buzzer of the season.

“The record is what it is. It is a reality, and we are well aware of it,” Fernandez said. “And at the same time, we don’t like it. Hopefully, everybody feels the same way, and that’s what our players do: They show up every day and work. It’s not pulling teeth, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s not a bad feeling. So it’s all good. Coming here and feeling like we can go against anybody should be very important. If you’re up 10, you want to be up 20. If you’re down 20, you Wanting that to be down to 10. Those things have to matter. We don’t have to flip a switch and suddenly we’ll be there.

“I like where the group is. The group cares, the coaches care, the organization cares. Finding our wins, we did it last year, we’re going to do it differently this year because it’s a different context. We really like where we are. We have a process and a plan. You can’t control everything because there are things that are [out of your control]But it is very exciting. And everyone should feel the excitement of the next step. Obviously, I want to win every single game, but to compete in these 25 and then play this summer, it’s the greatest summer of our lives.