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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni vehemently dismissed criticism suggesting quarterback Jalen Hurts was merely "along for the ride" with the NFL's most talented roster to their Super Bowl appearance. Sirianni called the idea "bull@#$," defending his Super Bowl MVP quarterback. Sirianni argued that football is the ultimate team game and challenged Hurts' detractors, asking them to name any consistently winning team or coach that succeeds without good players around them. He noted that the intense roster talent fueled perceptions that the Eagles should win, leading to dynasty talk about them and assertions that their Super Bowl opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs, were descending. Despite achieving exceptional success together – Sirianni holds a .706 winning percentage in the Super Bowl era and Hurts has a 52-23 record as starter – both the coach and quarterback are often undervalued. Sirianni pointed out that Hurts is rarely mentioned among top QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Joe Burrow, while he himself lags behind top-ranked coaches like Andy Reid. Sirianni emphasized that Hurts' primary quality is his selflessness, doing "whatever he needs to do to win each and every game," whether that means throwing 50 times or handing off 50 times. He admires this trait, noting that while any QB might want high passing stats, Hurts prioritizes team success. Sirianni observed the irony that if Hurts focused on personal statistics instead, the winning would likely decrease, and critics would then question why the Eagles weren't winning as much.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers have made only one signing so far in the transfer window, Fer Lopez from Celta Vigo for £19.5 million. This lack of further new players is causing slight concern among fans, especially as pre-season has started and potential recruits are missing valuable preparation time. Despite acknowledging the need for a summer rebuild, the club's level of incoming activity has been disappointing thus far. However, there is a report suggesting Wolves are closing in on a couple of deals, offering hope for imminent good news. Wolves are reportedly showing interest in Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as a potential new signing. The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, scoring seven goals in 35 appearances. He is said to be on Wolves' shortlist to replace Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United at the start of the window. Rak-Sakyi is reportedly available for £10 million, with Rangers also interested but potentially deterred by the price. Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has previously praised Rak-Sakyi's maturity and believes he has a big future. While Rak-Sakyi is considered an exciting talent and an England U21 international, the report cautions that he should not be viewed as a direct replacement for Cunha. Cunha was a proven performer who regularly contributed goals and assists. His replacement, it is argued, should ideally be of a similar age and level of experience, rather than a 22-year-old with limited Premier League minutes (212 minutes).
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PSG's victory in the UEFA Champions League this season significantly damaged Lamine Yamal's prospects of winning the Ballon d'Or. While Inter Milan's elimination of Barcelona prevented the latter from reaching the final, this outcome simultaneously gave PSG's Ousmane Dembele a major advantage in the race for the individual award. There was an expectation that the FIFA Club World Cup, which PSG participated in but Barcelona did not qualify for, would be decisive for the Ballon d'Or. However, Mundo Deportivo reports this might not be the case following the tournament's result. PSG lost the Club World Cup final 0-3 to Chelsea, and Dembele had a particularly poor performance in that match, described as a night to forget. Although Dembele played a significant role for PSG throughout the event, starting two games and playing in four, his display in the final was unfavourable. Despite the Club World Cup loss, Dembele remains a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or. His credentials include winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, the French Super Cup, and the French Cup. He also recorded impressive individual statistics last season with 35 goals and 15 assists for his club. Yamal, who was considered a major favourite due to his outstanding performances for both club and country last season, could regain ground in the Ballon d'Or race following PSG's Club World Cup defeat. His impact on the global game and perception is highlighted. Yamal won the domestic treble with Barcelona and contributed 18 goals and 25 assists for the club.
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Esperance de Tunis has reportedly agreed to sign 19-year-old Malian winger Adama Coulibaly from Al Hilal Omdurman for $850,000 (R15.2 million). The player had previously been linked with South Africa's Orlando Pirates during the current transfer window after expressing a desire to leave his Sudanese club ahead of the 2025/26 season. Coulibaly attracted significant interest following his standout performances in the CAF Champions League, particularly his decisive goal in a 2-0 away victory against Young Africans. His consistent domestic displays further heightened his profile among clubs across Africa and globally. Despite international attention, Coulibaly has opted to remain on the African continent by joining the record Tunisian champions. Esperance recently completed a dominant 2024/25 campaign, securing a domestic treble by winning the league title, cup, and Super Cup. The acquisition is viewed as a strategic move to reinforce Esperance's wing depth amid growing speculation about the potential departure of current winger Elias Mokwana from Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took a walk with former Socceroo Kevin Muscat along Shanghai's waterfront during his diplomatic visit to China. Muscat has gained celebrity status in Shanghai since becoming the manager of Shanghai Port FC in January 2024. In his first year managing the club, Muscat secured its first back-to-back Chinese Super League title, following their 2023 win; the club currently sits fourth in the 2025 league table after 16 games. Prime Minister Albanese explicitly linked Muscat's success to Australia's diplomatic efforts with China, calling the manager and his team "ambassadors". He emphasized the importance of building people-to-people relationships between the two countries, citing Australian participation in football, the upcoming Australian Open tennis tournament in Chengdu, and business relationships. Albanese stated he had discussed this ambassadorial role with Muscat during their meeting. Muscat welcomed Albanese to China, lending his profile to the Prime Minister's six-day diplomatic trip. He thanked Albanese for taking time to visit and presented him with a personalized Shanghai Port FC jersey featuring Albanese's name and the number 10. Albanese accepted the jersey, saying he would wear it proudly in Australia, while humorously noting his own football skills were limited from playing on an "not very good" parliamentary team. The article also provides background on Muscat's reputation as a fiercely competitive "hardman" during his professional playing career, noted for receiving 123 yellow cards and 12 red cards. He earned 46 caps for Australia and played eight seasons in the UK across four teams.
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The central question revolves around whether the Buffalo Bills can finally overcome the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, drawing an analogy to younger siblings surpassing older ones in competitive families. Domonique Foxworth asserts the Chiefs remain the "big brothers" of the AFC, noting their regular-season struggles last year didn't prevent success, and he anticipates evaluating the gap between Kansas City and other AFC contenders this season. Patrick Mahomes holds a dominant 4-0 playoff record against Josh Allen, despite Allen leading the regular-season series 4-1. Harry Douglas is skeptical of Buffalo's chances, stating Kansas City missing the playoffs would require "pigs to fly" and that the Bills could only win a postseason matchup if another team first upsets the Chiefs. He recounted a young Bills fan’s resignation after the 2023 AFC playoff loss, emphasizing the psychological toll an 0-5 playoff record against Mahomes and coach Andy Reid would inflict on the organization and fans. Bills fans are divided on whether Buffalo has equipped Allen adequately to challenge Kansas City. While the team extended contracts for Khalil Shakir, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard, they did not retain James Cook. ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell ranked Buffalo’s non-quarterback skill players 28th in the NFL, citing unthreatening receivers like Keon Coleman, Dawson Knox, and Dalton Kincaid. Allen’s MVP-caliber ability to elevate teammates and improvise with his legs was highlighted, exemplified by his game-winning touchdown run against the Chiefs in Week 11 when receivers failed to get open. In contrast, during the AFC Championship Game, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo confidently blitzed with top cornerback Trent McDuffie on a critical fourth down. Allen nearly completed a spectacular play, but Kincaid dropped the pass. The article concludes that Buffalo’s capacity to create separation against Kansas City’s defense will be pivotal in determining the AFC’s Super Bowl representative.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma's future at Paris Saint-Germain is uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract, with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City showing interest. The goalkeeper, who joined PSG on a free transfer from Milan in 2021, is in negotiations for a new deal. According to reports, Donnarumma has stated his intention to maintain his current salary level for a new contract, particularly after helping PSG win the Champions League. However, PSG has offered him a revised contract structure where up to one-third of his wages would be performance-based, primarily linked to the number of games played. This proposed performance-related pay could significantly reduce Donnarumma's overall earnings and is seen as a move by coach Luis Enrique to foster greater competition for the starting goalkeeper position. While Donnarumma reportedly prioritizes extending his stay at PSG, he has strong alternatives, especially from the interested Premier League clubs. Interest from Italian clubs like Juventus and Inter has also been mentioned, but it is noted that no club in Italy would be willing to meet his current salary demands of €8-10 million.
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Real Madrid concluded a trophyless 2024-25 season with a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, sparking analysis of the reasons behind their disappointing campaign. A prominent issue identified is the perceived lack of compatibility between star forwards Kylian Mbappé, who joined from PSG last summer, and Vinícius Junior. The article highlights concerns over the pair's lack of effort, citing the Club World Cup as a recent example, and notes rising tensions, particularly from Vinícius' side. Adding to the situation, Vinícius has reportedly paused contract negotiations with Real Madrid, raising concerns about his future at the club despite his current deal expiring in 2027, with the possibility of a departure emerging. Furthermore, reports indicate that Real Madrid, specifically club president Florentino Pérez, would favor retaining Mbappé over Vinícius if a choice had to be made. Pérez's long-standing pursuit of the French international is cited as a likely reason for this stance. Looking ahead to next season, manager Xabi Alonso faces the challenge of finding an effective balance. While there is a chance he might opt to start only one of the two forwards, his preference is to play both Mbappé and Vinícius together, acknowledging their world-class abilities. The key challenge remains ensuring they can perform effectively as a duo.
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The New England Patriots, needing a clear top wide receiver (WR1) after another offensive disappointment, found the 2025 free agent receiver class underwhelming. Despite missing out on other trade targets, they acquired Stefon Diggs, a move initially questioned by local media and fans due to his season-ending 2024 ACL injury and past issues leading to departures from previous teams. So far, Diggs' time with the Patriots has been mostly positive, aside from an earlier "boat incident" that made headlines. The new coaching staff has praised him, and Diggs himself has addressed his mindset publicly through a series of YouTube videos documenting his offseason. In one video filmed in Europe, he recounted his journey as a fifth-round draft pick who fought for his opportunity and emphasized his gratitude for this new chance with the Patriots. Diggs explicitly stated his determined mindset: "There is no second chances... You gotta take advantage of the right now," highlighting the strong competitive chip on his shoulder that aligns with the Patriots' appreciation for highly motivated players. He stressed taking advantage of the opportunity New England is giving him, which is encouraging for the team given he wasn't heavily pursued in free agency, likely because of his injury. Although unable to participate much in spring practices, Diggs' extensive off-site training has put him significantly ahead in his ACL rehabilitation, leading many to believe he could be ready for Week 1. While his Week 1 availability would be ideal for quarterback Drake Maye and the offense, the key takeaway is that Diggs is entering his Patriots tenure with the right motivated mindset, which the team hopes will dispel any lingering doubts.
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Arsenal have resumed training for a pivotal season where winning a trophy is deemed essential under manager Mikel Arteta. Most of the squad is currently undergoing warm-weather training in Spain, preparing to return to the UK next week ahead of a tour to Asia. While sporting director Andrea Berta handles transfer activity, the players are enjoying reuniting, with a positive atmosphere as new signings are welcomed into the group. Defender Gabriel Magalhaes is back in full training after suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham in April, which sidelined him for the rest of the season (where Jakub Kiwior replaced him). Gabriel expressed his happiness about returning via an Instagram post from La Manga, captioning a training photo: "Happy to be back! Let’s go." He aims for consistent performances to help Arsenal win a major trophy this season. Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, preparing for his first full season with the first team, revealed he missed Declan Rice the most during the summer break, specifically citing missing Rice's "banter." However, Rice did not reciprocate the sentiment, stating instead that he missed his England teammate Bukayo Saka. New midfield signing Christian Norgaard is settling into life at Arsenal. Upon his arrival, he was asked about his favourite ever Arsenal player.
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The 2025 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament takes place from July 11-13 in South Lake Tahoe, featuring numerous NFL players. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen participates for the fourth consecutive year, aiming to improve on his 20th-place finish in 2024 where he scored 39 points under the Modified Stableford format. The event includes a strong NFL quarterback presence with active players like Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Trevor Lawrence, alongside retired stars including Derek Carr, Tony Romo, and Joe Theismann. Overall, 90 celebrities from sports, entertainment, and broadcasting are competing. Allen announced his participation in February via a sponsored Instagram post. He is grouped with fellow 2018 NFL Draft picks Mayfield and Darnold for Friday's opening round, teeing off at 9:15 a.m. local time. Vince Carter, new minority owner of the Bills and retired NBA star, will compete alongside Grant Hill and Ray Allen at 8:39 a.m. Friday. Pro Football Hall of Famers participating include Charles Woodson, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, and DeMarcus Ware. Active non-quarterback NFL players in the field feature George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Davante Adams, and Adam Thielen. The tournament offers a $750,000 purse, with Peacock streaming all rounds live. NBC will broadcast coverage on Saturday and Sunday.
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The intense rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona transcends football, encompassing political and social dimensions alongside sporting competition, and has profoundly shaped football history. Former Real Madrid player Gareth Bale issued a warning to Barcelona, stating in an interview with RMC Sport that "Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid is preparing to be fierce," signaling that "a new era begins for Real Madrid" for Barcelona and the world to take note of. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid has undergone drastic tactical changes in just a handful of games, developing a clear identity and visible execution, despite having played fewer than 10 matches under his leadership. These changes mark a significant departure from the Carlo Ancelotti era, making the team look completely different. Alonso's project is still in its early stages, with more refined versions of the team expected. This new Real Madrid is designed to be aggressive – suffocating, dismantling, and imposing its will, moving away from a more passive style. This shift heralds a distinct new era under Alonso, generating significant anticipation. The first El Clasico of the season is scheduled for late October, giving Alonso over two months and numerous matches to further develop his squad. The tactical evolution expected by then leads to the clear conclusion that Barcelona has been warned: something formidable is brewing at Real Madrid, and it won't be favorable for the Catalan club.
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The Club World Cup final will be an all-European match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at New York's MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Chelsea qualified for the final by defeating Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday, with both goals scored by new signing João Pedro. Pedro, who joined from Brighton for £60 million, marked his full debut with a goal in each half after making his initial appearance as a substitute in the previous match. PSG advanced to the final after a dominant 4-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring early, followed by Ousmane Dembélé within nine minutes, before Ruiz added another before halftime. Gonçalo Ramos completed the rout in the 87th minute, securing PSG's place in the final and moving them closer to their third trophy this season. While Chelsea recently won the Europa Conference League, PSG claimed their first-ever Champions League title this season with a 5-0 win over Inter Milan. This followed PSG's earlier triumphs in securing their 13th Ligue 1 championship and the Coupe de France.
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Several NFL head coaches face potential job insecurity if they fail to meet expectations during the 2025 season. While coaches like Brian Daboll (Giants), Shane Steichen (Colts), and Brian Callahan (Titans) are clearly under pressure to deliver, other less obvious candidates could also be on the chopping block if they stumble, as NFL offseasons typically see six to seven coaching changes. Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, despite being regarded as a strong offensive mind, faces questions about his leadership. If the Dolphins struggle this season, which is a possibility due to a questionable offseason and concerns about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's health, McDaniel could lose his job. His regular-season record is 28-23 with an 0-2 playoff record. Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris is only in his second season, and owner Arthur Blank supports him. However, with significant investment in a talented roster aiming to win now in a winnable division, a step back from last season's 8-9 record (e.g., 5-12 or 6-11) would put Morris on the hot seat. He has only one winning season in four full years as an NFL head coach. Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor, who led the team to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2021 season, has seen the team go 9-8 and miss the playoffs in the past two seasons. If he fails to secure a postseason berth in 2025 and wastes a prime season with stars Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, his job could be in serious jeopardy. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, the NFL's longest-tenured coach (since 2007), is included surprisingly. Despite never having a losing season, the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016. The franchise is operating with unusual urgency this season. If the playoff drought continues, a reset, potentially including Tomlin's departure, might be considered.
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The Kansas City Chiefs selected Josh Simmons, a left tackle from Ohio State, with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, aiming to secure a long-term solution for a position that has lacked stability since Orlando Brown Jr. departed for Cincinnati. Chiefs fans are hopeful that Simmons can justify his first-round status and end the team's struggles at left tackle. Jason Kelce, a former Philadelphia Eagles center and brother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has publicly endorsed Simmons as a top prospect. On the latest episode of the "New Heights" podcast featuring Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Kelce praised Simmons, comparing his movement, bending, and redirecting abilities to those of elite offensive linemen like Jason Peters and Trent Williams. Despite Simmons having no NFL experience yet, Kelce's endorsement carries significant weight due to his Hall of Fame career in Philadelphia, making him a highly credible source for evaluating offensive linemen. His consistent advocacy highlights Simmons' potential impact. Simmons faces immediate challenges, including competing with free-agent addition Jaylon Moore for the starting left tackle role and overcoming a recent injury that kept him out for much of Ohio State's 2024 National Championship season. If Simmons meets Kelce's high expectations, he could become the Chiefs' permanent left tackle throughout Patrick Mahomes' career, providing much-needed stability at a critical position and addressing a key weakness for the team since Mahomes arrived in Kansas City.
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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy faced significant fan protests last season due to perceived insufficient spending and poor team performances, creating widespread discontent among supporters. Contrasting previous windows, Spurs are now pursuing major signings: Mohammed Kudus has completed his transfer from West Ham, while the club activated a £60 million release clause for Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White, signaling a shift in transfer strategy. Football finance expert Dan Plumley attributes this spending surge to Tottenham's qualification for next season's Champions League, which brings an estimated £86-130 million windfall. He notes this financial boost creates investment optimism and that fans will likely welcome the ownership's changed approach despite past tensions. The potential acquisitions of Kudus and Gibbs-White would exceed £100 million combined. Further transfers may depend on player sales, with Cristian Romero (linked to Atlético Madrid) and Yves Bissouma potentially generating substantial fees through exits. Additionally, Tottenham are reportedly considering a move for Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who could reunite with former manager Thomas Frank at Spurs, indicating ongoing recruitment activity beyond the two primary targets.
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The author is currently reading two books from the Middle East and North Africa. The first is the novel "The Angels Die" by Algerian writer Yasmina Khadra. Purchased nearly a year ago, the book follows Turambo, an Arab boxer from Algeria navigating racial, religious, and class divides between Arabs and Europeans between the First and Second World Wars. Turambo uses boxing to escape poverty, but the narrative suggests an uncertain and potentially unhappy ending. The author is nearing completion of this novel. The second book is "Faces of Love," a collection of Persian poetry carried during commutes on the Washington DC metro. It features three 14th-century Iranian poets from Shiraz: the renowned lyric poet Hafez (whose work is considered the pinnacle of Persian literature and key to understanding Iranian culture), Jahan Malek Khatun, and Obayd-e Zakani. The poets' diverse socioeconomic backgrounds provide a fascinating perspective on the era's poetry. The collection includes a substantial 100-page introduction by Dick Davies exploring the writers, Shiraz, and the socio-cultural context that shaped their work. The author found this book at a Capitol Hill bookstore and considers it a valuable discovery of underrepresented literary figures.
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The Houston Texans, having won the AFC South for two consecutive years, enter 2025 as division favorites. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars' offseason overhaul positions them as legitimate contenders, per NFL analyst Garrett Podell of CBS Sports. Podell asserts Jacksonville's success hinges on quarterback Trevor Lawrence maintaining health—a challenge given his injury-plagued 2023–2024 seasons. With new coach Liam Coen boosting offensive strategy and Lawrence fit, the Jaguars (+300 division odds) could challenge Houston (+110 odds). Despite Houston's strong 2024 defense, concerns linger: quarterback C.J. Stroud faces pressure after a lackluster season, compounded by unresolved offensive line weaknesses. Offseason signings (tackle Cam Robinson, guard Laken Tomlinson, trade for Ed Ingram) are deemed insufficient. Injuries to running back Joe Mixon (long-term absence likely) and receiver Tank Dell further strain the offense, even with backup Nick Chubb signed. Conversely, Jacksonville fortified its roster: receivers Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown join Brian Thomas Jr., while running backs Bhaushul Tuten, Travis Etienne, and Tank Bigsby deepen the backfield. Offensive line improvements should enhance run and pass protection. Defensively, tackle Arik Armstead shifts inside alongside Maason Smith, with Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen bolstering the pass rush. Ultimately, Lawrence's health remains the critical variable. If he avoids injury, the Jaguars could emerge as the division's most formidable threat; if not, their title hopes diminish significantly.
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Adidas and Arsenal have officially launched their new "Festival" collection, the latest release within the overarching 'Urban Purist' theme for the 2025-26 season. This vibrant range features bold colors and patterns designed for both stadium stands and streetwear. The collection showcases two distinct graphic styles: pre-match apparel displays a multi-colored brushstroke/feather pattern blending red, yellow, and blue, while other items like windbreakers and shorts feature bold yellow and blue graphics for a contrasting visual impact. Garment silhouettes, particularly in track tops and hoodies, continue the 'Urban Purist' aesthetic by drawing inspiration from Adidas' 2010-2011 training gear, identifiable through unique paneling and seam line designs. Comprising nine distinct pieces, this marks the third collection in the collaborative series following its March launch. A forthcoming special collaboration with NTS is also announced, establishing a cohesive seasonal narrative for the club's apparel line.
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Several football figures have commented on Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. Martin Keown hailed Guardiola as the greatest-ever manager, emphasizing his impact on English football. Paul Scholes named David Silva as Spain's standout player throughout their history, praising his contributions under Guardiola at City. John Terry offered a critical perspective, claiming that many teams, including his former club Chelsea, try to imitate Manchester City's style. Terry, who played in an era of more direct Premier League football, stated that watching City break down teams that set up in a low block with 11 men behind the ball is "boring." He argued it limits exciting actions like shots or players similar to Eden Hazard and Joe Cole, citing this as a reason he co-founded the Baller League, which forbids backward passes over the halfway line to encourage attacking play. Terry has faced Guardiola's teams three times as a player. While his Chelsea side beat Guardiola's Manchester City 2-1 in April 2017 (where Terry was an unused substitute), they suffered two defeats against Guardiola's City and Bayern Munich teams. The article notes that Guardiola's successful track record likely means he isn't overly concerned by such criticism. It also counters Terry's view by stating that Manchester City have often been a joy to watch, particularly during their periods of winning four consecutive league titles and lifting successive titles in 2018 and 2019.
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Barcelona face salary limit pressures and are open to significant player sales this summer to ease financial concerns, although several key players are not officially for sale. Ronald Araujo has publicly stated his desire to stay despite being a potential candidate for departure. Fermin Lopez is another player linked with an exit, specifically to Chelsea, with Barcelona willing to consider offers around €60 million. However, manager Hansi Flick has requested the club retain Lopez, valuing him as a useful squad asset due to his attitude and skillset. Eric Garcia, who proved versatile across three positions last season, is in a similar situation to Lopez and is expected to sign a contract renewal with the club. Marc Casado, despite Flick speaking highly of him and his impressive performances early in the year (including against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid), is a player Barcelona are more actively looking to sell. The club believes youngster Marc Bernal is a more talented long-term option in Casado's position. Barcelona see the current time as opportune to sell the 21-year-old Casado while his value is high following a good season, though Casado himself prefers to stay. His playing time decreased in the second half of the season after Frenkie de Jong took over his midfield role. Separately, Marc-André ter Stegen has returned to the Ciutat Esportiva following his holidays and will meet new signing Joan García for the first time.
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams are positioned as long-term collaborators to lead the team's future. Their offseason work has focused on rebuilding the offense, with Johnson's efforts yielding significant progress, though further development is needed. Bleacher Report's Mitchel Milani ranked Johnson as the second candidate for 2025 NFL Coach of the Year, citing his reputation as an "offensive genius" and "best play caller" in football. Milani highlighted Johnson's success with the Detroit Lions' top-ranked offense last season, praising its balanced run game and play-action execution as "art." However, Milani expressed strong criticism of Williams' rookie performance, calling him "pretty awful" and citing deficiencies in pocket presence, decision-making, and film study. He emphasized that Johnson faces the critical task of elevating Williams to meet expectations, dismissing external factors like coaching changes or offensive line issues as excuses. The Bears have made notable roster improvements, particularly on offense. They overhauled an offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks last season by adding three new interior starters. Additionally, Chicago used three of its first four 2025 draft picks (all within the first two rounds) on offensive talent. During practices, Johnson has rigorously coached Williams on releasing the ball faster to avoid sacks, while also focusing on leadership development and body language. Statistically, Williams completed over 62% of passes for 20 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024, but his 10 fumbles and high sack count drew criticism. These struggles occurred despite disruptive circumstances, including three different play-callers and two head coaches during his rookie year. The partnership remains a work in progress as Johnson implements his versatile offensive scheme. With the Bears having finished last in total offense, Johnson aims to provide stability while Williams—armed with elite skills—must deliver on his potential under the coach's guidance.
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Milan legend Demetrio Albertini, in an interview with Gazzetta, discussed the club's transfer activity. He strongly endorsed the signing of Samuele Ricci, comparing it to the previous acquisition of Sandro Tonali. Albertini believes seeking Italian players like Ricci is crucial for building team cohesion and achieving results, adding that Ricci's specific skills were needed. He expressed hope that Milan would be a "starting point" for Ricci to truly develop. Albertini supported Milan's plan, announced by director Igli Tare, to sign a new centre-forward to compete with Santiago Gimenez next season. He stated that a consistent goal-scoring striker is essential, suggesting that Gimenez struggled to settle after his arrival and wasn't at his best form from February onwards. Therefore, Albertini concluded that bringing in another strong striker is necessary. Regarding the potential signing of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, Albertini declared he would sign the version seen at Fiorentina "with my eyes closed." While acknowledging some doubts after Vlahovic's time at Juventus, Albertini is confident the Serbian would "do well" at Milan if placed in the right conditions, noting Vlahovic's undoubted potential and apparent desire to move. He also commented on the difficulty of signing top strikers due to high costs and limited availability. Finally, Albertini criticized the decision to loan young striker Francesco Camarda to Lecce. He argued that Milan should have kept Camarda and given him playing time, pointing out that top foreign clubs often trust their talented youth players.
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Paris St-Germain delivered a dominant 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final against Chelsea. This emphatic win follows their 5-0 triumph against Inter Milan in the Champions League final just over five weeks ago, demonstrating their continued formidable form. PSG took control early, leading 3-0 within the first 24 minutes thanks to a double from Fabian Ruiz and a goal from Ousmane Dembele. Goncalo Ramos added a fourth goal late in the game. Despite a previous setback against Botafogo, PSG has impressively beaten Atletico Madrid (4-0), Real Madrid (4-0), and Bayern Munich (2-0, even with nine men) during the US tournament. The team's overwhelming pace, passing, and pressing have proven too much for opponents to handle. Pundits reacted strongly to the performance, with Andros Townsend stating "Luis Enrique has created a monster," and Gareth Bale noting PSG looks like a young, relentless team that "want to embarrass teams" and will "be around for a long time." The article notes a significant shift for PSG: within a year, they have transformed from a team many neutrals disliked in the Champions League to potentially the "best team in the world to watch." This new era under Luis Enrique, moving away from the "old PSG" characterized by egos, was underscored by the fact that figureheads from that previous era were on the losing side of this 4-0 hammering.
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Real Madrid, despite suffering a loss to PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final just 24 hours prior, is nearing its fourth signing of the transfer window, targeting Benfica left-back Álvaro Carreras. The club had pursued Carreras before the tournament but failed to secure a deal at that time. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano announced on July 20 that a verbal agreement is in place for Carreras to join Real Madrid, with the club set to pay Benfica €50 million in multiple installments rather than a one-time payment. However, the deal hinges on Manchester United, who hold a buy-back clause after signing Carreras from Real Madrid's academy as a youngster; Real must wait for United to confirm they will not activate this option. It is widely expected that Manchester United will not exercise the buy-back clause, as they recently acquired a left-back in the January transfer window and stand to benefit financially from a sell-on clause in Carreras' contract. If the transfer proceeds, it could signal the end for Ferland Mendy at Real Madrid, who is currently injured, while Fran Garcia—who impressed during the Club World Cup—may become the backup option.
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A mural honoring Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, featuring the words "Forever 20" (referencing his squad number) painted in white on a black background, has been created on Sybil Road near Anfield stadium. The piece, produced by street art collective Murwalls on Tuesday 8 July, has been widely praised by fans as "absolutely class". Fans have added personal messages of remembrance to the mural. Grace Merritt, who knew Jota personally through media work, expressed her appreciation, visiting multiple times to pay tribute and stating the mural is a fitting memorial. She highlighted Jota's humility and respectfulness, both on and off the pitch, noting that tributes emphasized his character as well as his talent. Artist Kevin Gates (Kop Artist) also signed the wall, describing Jota as a "phenomenal player" who would be "very much missed" and emphasizing that every player holds significant meaning for Liverpool fans. This mural is likely not the only large tribute planned. Well-known Liverpool street artist Paul Curtis has launched a crowdfunding campaign for a separate artwork commemorating Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the crash in Spain. Curtis initiated the fundraiser after fans questioned the lack of murals on social media. At the time of reporting, the campaign had raised over £25,000, with donations coming from beyond just Liverpool supporters.
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The opening of NFL training camps signifies the start of teams' first real evaluation period for the upcoming 2025 season, bringing together players for initial contact practices. It also provides analysts with their first substantial opportunity to assess how teams compare before the season begins, acknowledging that changes and surprises will occur. Bleacher Report analysts Gary Davenport, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton, and Brent Sobleski have collaborated to rank all 32 NFL teams from worst to first based on the current outlook. While the top-ranked team isn't surprising, there are a few surprises elsewhere in the rankings. The New Orleans Saints are highlighted as facing very low expectations for 2025, with one of the NFC's lowest projected win totals, numerous questions on offense and defense, and a new head coach, Kellen Moore. Despite this external pessimism, veteran safety Justin Reid stated that Moore is instilling a winning culture, emphasizing strong locker room culture, player belief in the system, and the absence of bad character guys as foundational steps. However, analyst Gary Davenport strongly disputes Reid's optimism. He argues the Saints have too many problems: uncertainty at quarterback (either a struggling veteran or an injury-prone rookie), lack of offensive weapons beyond Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, a below-average offensive line, and issues across all three levels of the defense. Davenport concludes the Saints have needed a complete rebuild for years and believes 2025 will be that rebuilding year.
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