
Tiger Woods returns to play in the Bahamas. European tour splits time in Australia and South Africa
Tiger Woods is back after nearly eight months
2023-11-29 02:52

NFL Rumors: Nick Bosa trade buzz, Cowboys squash narrative, Patriots hero makes a comeback
NFL rumors: Nick Bosa trade gets proposed, the Cowboys clarify their Trey Lance trade communication, and a Patriots' Super Bowl hero returns.
2023-08-30 09:21

Ump Show: Bryce Harper ejected, throws helmet as Angel Hernandez remains worst ump in MLB
Once again, Angel Hernandez maintains his reputation as one of the worst umpires in MLB. This incident occurred during a Phillies game when Bryce Harper vented his frustration at Hernandez for a blown call, ultimately resulting in his ejection.
2023-09-29 07:58

How Jude Bellingham can become the anti-Haaland for Real Madrid
It may be of scant consolation in the Ruhr Valley but Borussia Dortmund’s status as the footballing world’s preeminent feeder club seems cemented. A few days before Erling Haaland, their 2022 flagship sale, played in a Champions League final, there was confirmation that Jude Bellingham, his 2023 counterpart, is going to serial Champions League winners Real Madrid. He was perhaps overshadowed by the Miami-bound Lionel Messi but it probably still represents the summer’s most momentous transfer. There have been times over the last two seasons when Real have seemed to be mounting a lone campaign to prevent the Premier League from dominating Europe; they eliminated three English opponents last season and two this before the emphatic 4-0 defeat to Manchester City. It doesn’t quite reverse the scoreline, but as City were also suitors for Bellingham, Real gained revenge of sorts. Perhaps they are never more potent in the transfer market than when hammered on the pitch: in 2009, after being thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool, they went out and bought Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Kaka. Fourteen years and five Champions Leagues later, Benzema is finally leaving. That Bellingham is still a teenager, if only for a few weeks, opens up the prospect of a sequel, a continuum of success. Maybe a generational talent will help swing the balance of power back to where it has often resided, in the Bernabeu. It also shows that his is a career unlike any other English player: even if the Premier League eventually does beckon, it will only be after playing in the Championship, the Bundesliga and La Liga. There is an English trait towards insularity, but Bellingham feels increasingly cosmopolitan. And Real still seem the ultimate destination club. In a world of various rivalries – England versus mainland Europe, new money against old – the siren call of Spain’s two superpowers remains strong. Being Real – or Barcelona – comes with certain advantages; they have long exerted a gravitational pull for Spanish, Portuguese and South American footballers but Bellingham is proof it still extends beyond them. It also confers an economic advantage. If Barcelona’s current financial strategy is to get everything and everyone on the cheap, Real may have got Bellingham for a relative bargain. Sizeable as an initial fee of £86 million is, it is less than many anticipated. When Liverpool bowed out of the race for him, the sense was that Bellingham could go for £130 million; even £86 million would have been beyond Liverpool’s parameters, as some other clubs had already concluded, while Manchester United’s need for a striker meant he could not be their top priority. It may have only left a market of two: Real and City. In his own way, Bellingham is the anti-Haaland. Whereas there was a clear vacancy for a centre-forward in Manchester, there is congestion in the queue for midfield spots in Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti might be the greatest diplomat of his age. He might also need to be, with the next generation of Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, while there is also the ancien regime of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric to placate. In one respect, it may have been better for Real had Bellingham joined in 2024 when one or both of Modric and Kroos could leave. In the meantime, even the compromises of fielding Camavinga at left-back and Valverde on the right wing may not shield the reality each has a compelling case to start in midfield in the major matches. Six into three does not go. Nevertheless, Real still look masters of succession planning. It is a way in which they have reinvented themselves. Vinicius Junior is proof they are now signing Galacticos before they become Galacticos and, for all his talent, Bellingham has not yet gravitated to the level of fame players such as Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham had when Real bought them. But it is notable that Bellingham joins as perhaps the last of the old-school Galacticos goes: Eden Hazard was the trophy signing, the €100 million man who left on a free transfer. Real got four goals in La Liga from Hazard over four seasons and if injuries rendered him and them luckless, Bellingham offers the prospect of more longevity and resale value as well as a greater impact. Hazard apart, Real have been smart buyers in recent years, with a judicious mix of long-term investments, astute free transfers and players acquired for less than their actual value. They have debunked their own dishonest rationale for trying to found the Super League by handling transition within the existing parameters of their budget, and perhaps emerging stronger at the end of it. Now Real are simultaneously delaying the future with Kroos and Modric, being forced into it by Benzema’s departure and preparing almost perfectly for it. They seem to have the midfield for the 2020s. If, in due course, Bellingham is joined at the Bernabeu by either Haaland or Kylian Mbappe, they may have the forward for the decade, too. Read More Jude Bellingham to become the eighth Brit to play for Real Madrid Lionel Messi to Inter Miami: Apple deal, MLS contract, salary, debut and everything we know The trick that made Erling Haaland the ultimate finisher – in more ways than one
2023-06-12 16:20

Jets focus on improving on their glaring struggles on third down and in the red zone
Nathaniel Hackett studied what his New York Jets offense did in the team’s first six games and he was blunt with his assessment
2023-10-27 06:49

NBA rumors: Giannis won’t extend with Bucks, Dillon Brooks’ delusions, Lillard silent on Blazers
The latest slate of NBA rumors involves Dillon Brooks' continued delusions, Giannis warning the Bucks, and Lillard avoiding the Blazers in conversation.
2023-08-27 03:52

Former Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim in discussions to do TV, radio work for ESPN, Westwood One
Longtime Syracuse basketball coach and Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim is becoming a member of the media
2023-10-20 02:45

Springboks' Reinach 'in a good spot' before World Cup semi despite death threat
South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said on Friday scrum-half Cobus Reinach was in a good place before this weekend's Rugby World Cup semi-final despite receiving...
2023-10-20 20:21

Fire department removes wasp-swarmed spotlight before Dortmund's title-deciding Bundesliga game
The fire department had to remove a TV spotlight that was being swarmed by wasps before Borussia Dortmund’s title-deciding game against Mainz in the Bundesliga
2023-05-27 21:58

Jeremie Frimpong signs new contract at Bayer Leverkusen through 2028
Dutch right back Jeremie Frimpong has signed a new contract at Bayer Leverkusen taking him through the end of the 2027-28 season
2023-10-03 19:23

US Open provides the scene for the latest chapter in rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz
The stage is set for another epic showdown between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open which starts on Monday.
2023-08-28 12:17

Milton throws 2 TD passes and runs for 2 other scores as No. 12 Tennessee routs Virginia 49-13
Joe Milton III threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the 12th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers routed Virginia 49-13 in the season opener for both teams and the Cavaliers’ first game in 294 days
2023-09-03 05:51
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