Chiefs optimistic that TE Travis Kelce will be back from knee injury Sunday in Jacksonville
The Kansas City Chiefs are optimistic that All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce will be back from a knee injury for Sunday's game at Jacksonville
2023-09-12 03:53
'We are hurt,' says shaken Pakistan skipper Azam
Visibly shaken Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted "we are hurt" after his team was stunned in an eight-wicket defeat by Afghanistan at the World Cup on Monday which...
2023-10-24 02:53
Conway, Gaikwad power Chennai into IPL play-offs
New Zealand's Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed half-centuries to fire Chennai Super Kings into the IPL play-offs with a thumping 77-run win...
2023-05-20 22:21
Juventus go top after dramatic finish at Monza
Juventus ended Monza's unbeaten home record in Serie A this season after a thrilling finale crowned with a 94th-minute winner on Friday, meaning they leapfrog...
2023-12-02 06:18
Kareem Jackson Ejected For Another Dirty Hit vs. Packers
On Sunday the Denver Broncos hosted the Green Bay Packers and Kareem Jackson got himself ejected again. Yes, again. After the Denver safety got thrown out of th
2023-10-23 07:27
Angels are all-in on bringing back Shohei Ohtani under one condition
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Los Angeles Angels "like their chances" of keeping Shohei Ohtani this offseason if offers stay under a certain price point.
2023-09-05 06:47
Kayvon Thibodeaux Got Away With Lots of Kicking During Bills - Giants Fight on 'Sunday Night Football'
VIDEO: Giants - Bills fight on 'SNF'.
2023-10-16 11:27
Man Rushes Stage During Drew Barrymore Event in New York City
Drew Barrymore was having a conversation with Reneé Rapp at the 92nd Street Y on Monday night when someone in the audience decided that he needed to see her at some point and that point was right that moment. The man introduced himself and started walking briskly to the stage before he was intercepted and the duo onstage was quickly ushered off.
2023-08-23 02:56
Why Axel Disasi could solve Mauricio Pochettino’s defensive problems at Chelsea
When it was confirmed in mid-July that Wesley Fofana would face a significant period on the sidelines owing to an ACL injury, Chelsea started to be linked with a host of centre-backs to replace the Frenchman. Harry Maguire was a reported target, so too was Blues academy product Marc Guehi. However, on Sunday evening, reports started to circulate that Chelsea had an agreement in principle with Monaco for towering France international Axel Disasi. The 25-year-old has been on Premier League radars in recent months, with Manchester United and Newcastle both credited with an interest in the Gonesse-born centre-back. Chelsea have since taken the plunge on the defender, bringing him in for €45m. That in itself serves to highlight the extent of Fofana's injury, but even so; Chelsea couldn't afford to pass up the chance to secure Disasi's services. Even with his compatriot available, Mauricio Pochettino's top quality options at the heart of the defence are thin on the ground. Levi Colwill, who is set to pen a new deal at Stamford Bridge, should go on to become a mainstay in the Blues backline, but a partner for the 20-year-old was key. Trevoh Chalobah isn't quite of the standard expected for a club seeking to return to the Champions League, while the west London outfit can't rely on 38-year-old Thiago Silva to manage the backline for another season, particularly in a four-man defence. Benoit Badiashile will return sooner rather than later, but he'll need some time to get up to speed under Pochettino having missed much of pre-season due to a hamstring issue. For the right-sided centre-back role, Disasi can be viewed as a superb acquisition. Standing at 6ft 3in, the France international maximises his stature having won the second most aerial duels (97) of defenders in Ligue 1 last season. And he was consistent in beating opponents in headed battles, too. Of the 143 players to contest 50 or more aerial duels, Disasi's aerial success rate of 70.3% ranked ninth in the division. Considering Chelsea returned an aerial success rate of just 52.1% last season, Disasi's dominance in the air will certainly boost that return. There's also a willingness to get the ball forward quickly from deep. Not only did Chelsea struggle for goals last season, hitting the back of the net 38 times in the Premier League, but they were compounded by an inability to put an opponent to the sword at speed. No team scored fewer counter-attacking goals than Chelsea (1) in England's top tier last term, and even that came in a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United back in May. Disasi, though, is one willing to pick a pass from range, and does so to a decent standard to help quickly turn defence into attack. Indeed, 141 accurate long balls ranked 14th of outfield players in France's top tier last term, and this in itself played a part in Monaco scoring seven counter-attacking goals; only champions PSG (10) netted more. Dominant in the air and sound with the ball at his feet, Disasi seems the perfect fit for a Chelsea side that will seek to control matches where possible. Another key reason behind the drive to sign Disasi, though, will have been his versatility. Primarily a centre-back, he’ll line up at the heart of the defence with everyone fit in Pochettino's 4-2-3-1 setup, but players who can operate in multiple positions are a precious commodity in the modern game. As such, Disasi's ability to play at right-back as well as centre-back will have been another reason behind Chelsea's interest. The departure of Cesar Azpilicueta over the summer means the Blues needed another defender to operate in a couple of roles, and a defensive-minded right-back is a handy squad option. Pochettino has also previously used a three-man backline during his time at Tottenham, a system that does suit the full-backs at his disposal, so the ability to switch between two formations is ideal. Disasi's flexibility will help Pochettino's decision making when it comes to tinkering with his side, particularly in-play, and it cannot be overstated how important this positional interchangeability is for Chelsea. Given how often managers tinker with their setup across the 90 minutes, the potential ability to swap between a four-man and a three-man defence will aid the Blues, not just on a week-by-week basis, but across the season. There are concerns over the defensive side to his game, particularly when up against direct attackers in one-on-one situations, yet from an offensive perspective; Disasi will benefit Chelsea. Given the right protection in front of him, Disasi should be given the crucial time on the ball to help set the Blues on the front foot. Alongside ball-playing star-in-the-making Colwill, Chelsea will have a solid centre-back foundation to help in their quest to return to the Champions League. Read More Chelsea and Barcelona push for Kylian Mbappe player-plus-cash transfer deals Football rumours: Tottenham name Harry Kane price as Bayern Munich prepare bid Chelsea have a Conor Gallagher problem and Tottenham could be the perfect solution Chelsea agree fee with Monaco for France international defender Axel Disasi Football rumours: Chelsea make revised offer for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo England’s attack goes from tired to inspired as new-look front three devastates China
2023-08-02 14:22
Underwater music show in the Florida Keys promotes awareness of coral reef protection
Hundreds of divers and snorkelers listened to an underwater concert that advocated coral reef protection in the Florida Keys
2023-07-09 04:57
Titans' Kevin Byard leaving business of pay cut request to agent
Two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard will talk about most any topic when asked
2023-06-09 07:23
Tennessee couple deny 'Blind Side' NFL player's claims
Lawyers for the Tennessee couple who took in former NFL star Michael Oher as a teenager on Wednesday denied accusations they had cheated him out of earnings from...
2023-08-17 08:46
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