Minnesota United sign Teemu Pukki on Designated Player contract
Minnesota United have announced the signing of Finland international striker Teemu Pukki on a Designated Player contract. The Finland striker was available on a free transfer after his Norwich City contract expired.
2023-06-27 23:51
Fans fawn over Brad Pitt as star films Formula 1 movie 'Apex' at British Grand Prix: 'Nothing short of greatness'
Brad Pitt and co-star Damson Idris were seen donning custom black and white race suits, designed for their fictional team APXGP
2023-07-10 16:46
The all-or-nothing transfer dilemma Tottenham face this summer
Tottenham Hotspur have, yet again, a summer of change and big decisions ahead of them. The mid-campaign sacking of Antonio Conte has left plenty of questions to be answered, ones which Cristian Stellini was unable to deal with and which Ryan Mason hasn’t fared much better on either, but as usual in the close-season there’s one issue which matters above all else: transfers. For most clubs without a head coach in place, while not an ideal scenario, there will still be a normal process to follow and an expected list of targets to bid for. Those exact names might change depending on who takes over, but the recruitment team will already know, for example, they need to replace an out of contract central midfielder, or want to upgrade on the goalkeeper and so on. For Spurs, it’s rather more complex given they don’t have a sporting director in place either - this summer really is a clean slate in that regard. It’s an opportunity to start afresh, but also presents a bit of a problem from a tactical team-building perspective, specifically because the managers Daniel Levy appears to be targetting are so radically different from Conte. The Italian favoured a regular 3-4-3 setup, while the potential incoming names most heavily linked have been first Arne Slot - he has since announced he’s staying at Feyenoord - and now Ange Postecoglou, both coaches who have had fixed back four systems this season and before. By and large that’s not a wild issue to contend with; the Spurs front three could fit in the Celtic boss’ 4-3-3 without question as an example, but there is one area of this Tottenham team which is an absolute misfit for any back four boss: the defensive flanks. Spurs’ squad is, naturally, built with wing-backs. And not the full-backs-turned-wing-backs type after being let off their defensive leash either, but outright flexible, offensive-minded, hard-working attacking outlets, mostly wingers asked to play from deeper starting positions. Ivan Perisic was a wide forward; Ryan Sessegnon made his name as a winger. Emerson Royal has never been a full-back worthy of the title, even when he was nominally included in a Barcelona back four lineup. Back in October, Pedro Porro lined up on the right and Perisic on the left directly against each other - the Spaniard then playing for Sporting CP, as wing-back, of course. Stellini’s final game in charge as interim boss showed the folly of trying to quickly repurpose the wing-backs on Spurs’ books into back four players. With Porro on the right and Perisic on the left, Tottenham had no line, no cohesion, no protection against the speed, movement and confidence of Newcastle’s attack, resulting in being five goals down in 21 minutes. A 23rd-minute sub put an end to that experiment, and it wasn’t repeated afterwards until Spurs’ most recent outing. Another defeat ensued. With Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie due to return from loans, both also far more adept as wing-backs than full-backs, there’s a real dilemma as to the future in that area of the pitch unless an incoming boss is determined (or convinced) to stay the course with a three-man setup. While the centre-backs are also more adept at being in a three than a pair - Eric Dier, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies at the very least are more comfortable in this system - there’s more scope for a club to sign a central player who can play in both arrangements than there is to start a total overhaul down the flanks. That is particularly important as these positions affect buildup play so much for both of the recently linked bosses, while defensively there’s absolutely no evidence to suggest a back three has helped Spurs - only the bottom three, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have conceded fewer this season. Postecoglou, it should be noted, has been tactically flexible in his career. He used a back three with Australia at times, though usually in matches where they were the underdog. Whether that’s his preferred stance when reshaping an entire team is doubtful. Whoever the incoming manager is will, naturally, want a say on at least the type of player and the area of a team they want guarantees in. Perhaps the appointment of a new sporting director will do likewise, them having clarity of how the team should be rebuilt and move forward. Regardless of the eventual name the club lands - and judging by their recent attempts to fill the dugout, even an approach for Postecoglou might be a long way from a success - there’s one absolute certainty: if they plan a Tottenham future with a back four in place, a complete overhaul is necessary to go from leaky wing-backs to a stable setup, only adding to what is already set to be a chaotic and expensive summer in north London. Read More Tottenham identify new first choice for manager after Arne Slot snub Arne Slot makes decision on Tottenham job Premier League 2022/23 season awards: Best player, manager, transfer flop and breakthrough act Tottenham identify new first choice for manager after Slot snub Arne Slot makes decision on Tottenham job Tottenham identify leading candidate to be next manager
2023-05-25 22:53
Gausman pitches streaking Blue Jays past Yankees 6-1 to maintain slim lead for 2nd AL wild card
Kevin Gausman tossed six shutout innings, outpitching Michael King as they traded strikeouts all night, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees 6-1 for their fifth consecutive victory
2023-09-21 10:55
Drop-prone Chiefs get shut out in second half for third straight time
The Kansas City Chiefs were shut out for the third consecutive game in a Super Bowl rematch with Philadelphia on Monday night, allowing the Eagles to rally for a 21-17 victory
2023-11-21 13:27
How many goals has Erling Haaland scored in the Champions League?
Erling Haaland's Champions League goals have fired Manchester City to the 2023 final
2023-06-11 00:58
Southampton make decision on future of manager Ruben Selles
Southampton have made a decision on the future of manager Ruben Selles ahead of their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.
2023-05-13 19:30
León beats LAFC again, claims 1st CONCACAF Champions League title
Lucas Di Yorio scored in the first half and Club León secured its first CONCACAF Champions League title with a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC
2023-06-05 11:50
Cardinals Rumors: Wainwright replacements, new prospect dazzles, trade bait
Cardinals Rumors: Newly acquired prospect Drew Rom enjoys a spectacular debutIt's only been two weeks, but the Cardinals' return for Jack Flaherty is looking up. At the MLB trade deadline, St. Louis received Baltimore Orioles prospect Drew Rom and two other players in exchange for Flaher...
2023-08-14 03:49
Could Zach Wilson turn the New York Jets season around after an impressive Week 4 showing?
Zach Wilson and the New York Jets have struggled through the first three weeks of the season. Against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, the 2021 second-overall pick showed up. With his performance, he has won back the confidence of his teammates.
2023-10-03 04:25
NBA 2K24 Best Defensive and Rebounding Badges: Current and Next Gen
The NBA 2K24 best Defensive and Rebounding badges on Current and Next Gen are Anchor, Glove, Challenger, and Clamps.
2023-09-19 03:46
Ilkay Gundogan reveals why he chose to join Barcelona
Ilkay Gundogan speaks about what motivated him to join Barcelona.
2023-07-16 18:16
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