List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Levi Colwill will not be leaving Chelsea this summer in spite of continued interest from Liverpool and Brighton, the PA news agency understands. The club are not willing to entertain offers for the 20-year-old defender, who starred for England Under-21s as they beat Israel 3-0 on Wednesday to advance to the European Championship final in Georgia. He is currently contracted to Chelsea until the summer of 2024 with an option of another year if certain criteria are met. Colwill spent last season on loan at Brighton where he made 22 appearances and established himself as a Premier League player as the Seagulls qualified for Europe. Brighton had been keen to sign the defender permanently, but PA understands Chelsea are not prepared to listen to offers, including from Jurgen Klopp’s side who reportedly made a fresh enquiry this week. It is also understood that Christian Pulisic’s proposed move to AC Milan is yet to be agreed with the two clubs still apart with their valuation of the player. The United States international is surplus to requirements under Mauricio Pochettino and has also been the subject of interest from Ligue 1 side Lyon. The French side have offered something closer to Chelsea’s valuation but it is believed the 24-year-old favours a move to San Siro. The club confirmed on Thursday that Cesar Azpilicueta has ended his 11-year stay in west London – with the 33-year-old reportedly having agreed a return to Spain to join Atletico Madrid. It means one of Pochettino’s first tasks as manager will be to appoint a new captain, with regular stand-in from last season Mateo Kovacic having been sold to Manchester City. Azpilicueta made more than 500 appearances for the club since joining from Marseille in 2012 and established himself as a favourite at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League in 2015 and 2017 as well as leading the side to victory in the Champions League in 2021. An FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League winner, he appeared in a club-record 13 major cup finals. Co-controlling owner Todd Boehly told the club’s website: “Coaches and team-mates past and present have trusted (Azpilicueta) to lead by example as captain. “He has done so immaculately on and off the pitch, something for which we are grateful.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Clare Connor recalls ‘fairytale’ creation of Women’s Ashes trophy 25 years ago British wild card Jan Choinski determined to return to Wimbledon Stan Wawrinka sets up Novak Djokovic clash in Wimbledon third round

England Under-21s are in Saturday’s Euro 2023 final against Spain as they look to win the tournament for the first time in 39 years. The Young Lions beat Israel in Wednesday’s semi-final to reach their first final since 2009. Here the PA news agency looks at some of the focal points ahead of the final. History makers It has been 39 years since the Under-21s last won the European Championship. Then, it was back-to-back victories in 1982 and 1984 but the drought has not ended since. A 4-0 final thumping by Germany in 2009 is the closest they have got. Lee Carsley’s side can make history in Batumi on Saturday. Unbeatable England England go into the final having scored 10 and conceded none. They have not been troubled at the back with James Trafford, close to a £15million switch to Burnley from Manchester City, unbeaten. The final is a different matter and Spain will provide a sterner test on Saturday. They have scored 50 goals across qualifying and the tournament after thumping Ukraine 5-1 in their semi-final, but there will be a confidence and belief among the squad they can remain unbroken. A long season For most, including semi-final scorers Morgan Gibbs-White and Cole Palmer, their season started over 330 days ago. The new Premier League campaign is just five weeks away and while the squad did manage to get a break before linking up they will be tired, both mentally and physically. It all adds to the debate about player welfare and how much football players can manage. A balanced squad For a long time now the squad has seemed more than the sum of its parts. Previous Under-21 campaigns have ended with disappointment with teams containing Phil Foden, James Maddison, Jordan Pickford, Tammy Abraham and Harry Kane. This class have gelled and, while they are all talented players, they have arguably gone under the radar compared to their predecessors. Spain’s dangerman England will have to stop Braga’s Abel Ruiz, who will be out for revenge having lost the Under-17 World Cup final to the Young Lions in 2017. The striker has three goals and two assists for Spain in the tournament and scored the Euros’ fastest-ever strike when he netted after 20 seconds against Croatia. The 23-year-old also has two senior caps and came through the ranks at Barcelona before a 2020 move to Braga. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Fiery Mark Wood and Stuart Broad give England flying start to must-win Test Jan Choinski’s Wimbledon run ended by former doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz Mark Wood delivers one of the fastest Test spells recorded in England

Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord has returned to the Women’s Super League with a move to Manchester City, the club have announced. The 26-year-old, who was with Arsenal from 2019 to 2021, joins City from Champions League runners-up Wolfsburg on a three-year deal. The PA news agency understands City have paid a club-record fee in excess of £300,000 to sign Roord, scorer of 31 goals in 69 appearances across all competitions for Wolfsburg. She has played 86 times for her country, helping them win Euro 2017 on home soil and finish as runners-up at the 2019 World Cup in France. Roord, part of the Netherlands squad for this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, said in a statement from City: “I’m very happy and it’s a very proud feeling for me to sign for Manchester City. “I have always thought that this was a fantastic club with lots of quality, and I’m super excited to start here. “I really like the way that they play, and I feel that it suits me perfectly. There’s a lot of quality in the team, and it’s a young side with plenty of potential which is very important to me. “I’ve always thought that the Women’s Super League is very competitive, so playing in England again is like a dream – I feel like I have developed a lot as a player during my time in Germany. “In my conversations with Gareth (Taylor, the City manager), I heard everything that I wanted to hear – we think the same way about football which is important, and where he sees me in the team was ideal – it is the perfect fit. “If you play for City, you compete for everything you are involved in and that is what we will be aiming to do – with the quality we have here, anything is possible so I hope that we will be very successful together.” Taylor said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to secure Jill’s signature and bring her to the club. “She has proven her worth in both England and Europe during her career so far, alongside on the international stage with the Netherlands – she is no stranger to success. “She is a player whose calibre speaks for itself with what she has achieved, and we believe she will be a fantastic addition to our squad here at City. “We’re looking forward to welcoming her aboard and working with her over the next three years.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live David Warner’s frustration at the hands of Stuart Broad continues at Headingley Mason Mount says it was clear ‘several months ago’ he was not in Chelsea’s plans Ellen White tips ‘proven winner’ Sarina Wiegman to lead England to further glory

Ellen White has hailed Sarina Wiegman as “a proven winner” and tipped the England manager to guide the country to World Cup glory this summer in Australia and New Zealand. White – the Lionesses’ all-time leading goalscorer – talked up Wiegman’s impact and admitted she is “fascinated” by her former boss as England’s opening group game of the tournament against Haiti rapidly approaches. And after winning last year’s European Championship, Wiegman is looking to make it consecutive wins in major tournaments this summer. “It would be unheard of wouldn’t it? (winning the World Cup),” White said. “She (Wiegman) won the Euros in 2017 with the Netherlands, she got to the final in 2019, she won the Euros with England and what if she went on to win the World Cup? “It would just be insane. She’s a proven winner. I’m very proud to have her as our manager and she brings a level of calmness and understanding, a philosophy everyone can get on board with and I think the whole nation was gripped by her as well (last summer). “I am fascinated by her and we are really excited with what this group can do and I think they can go all the way.” White, 34, noted Wiegman’s character as one of the main reasons behind her success since taking over in September 2021. The players have bought into her ideas on the pitch, and White added: “I think her communication (is her best attribute). She’s very honest, she communicates what she wants, she speaks to each individual and treats everyone as a person and not just a footballer. I am fascinated by her and we are really excited with what this group can do and I think they can go all the way. Ellen White on Sarina Wiegman “She wants to know about your family and has that personal kind of empathy as well. She also has a philosophy that everyone can get onboard with and understand, it’s not too complicated and then she’s really meticulous in her game plan and tactics. “She’s something we’ve needed for a number of years and I’m really excited for her.” Both White and Manchester City defender Demi Stokes were speaking at the launch of Pixel FC, a collective of dedicated women’s football creators helping to close the visibility gap within women’s football. And Stokes believes England’s previous success in major competitions will give them an advantage over other nations Down Under. She said: “If you look at the team they have bags of talent. We’ve shown in past tournaments that we have the capability, we know what it takes to win a tournament and be at a tournament, so I think the girls will be fine.”

Luton captain Tom Lockyer has agreed a new undisclosed contract with the club after making a full recovery from his recent heart scare. The 28-year-old Wales defender had surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation last month after collapsing during the Hatters’ Sky Bet Championship play-off final win against Coventry. Lockyer was key to Luton’s promotion to the Premier League, earning a place in the Championship’s Team of the Season, and Luton boss Rob Edwards described his new deal as “a huge signing”. Edwards told the club’s official website: “Of course, after Wembley his health was the main thing, and that’s where all our thoughts went to straight away after the final whistle. “It was brilliant that we were able to see him sitting up and celebrating in the hospital, just a shame he couldn’t be there with us. “But within a week or two he was back up and about feeling really positive, had every check that was possible so our medical side were really happy with everything. “It was a really scary moment, we all know that, but the main thing is he is OK and ready to crack on with us into the Premier League and we’re all so happy about that.” Lockyer, who joined Luton from Charlton in September 2020, made his 100th Hatters appearance in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Sunderland in May. He scored five goals in all competitions last season and his header in the second leg of Luton’s play-off against Sunderland sealed their place in the Wembley final. Lockyer said: “I’m so happy. I’d really like to build something special here at Luton Town. “I’ve got an incredible relationship with the fans, the manager, all the boys. I love the club and I love being here.”

What the papers say The race for England captain Harry Kane is hotting up, with Tottenham making the 29-year-old an offer which would improve his £200,000 a week salary, according to the Guardian. But the Daily Mail reports that Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has visited the striker at his home in his quest to sign him. Arsenal are close to taking their summer spending to around £200million, with Dutch defender Jurrien Timber, 22, following Declan Rice in agreeing a deal, according to the Daily Telegraph. The Standard says the Gunners will pay Ajax £38.5m for Timber. Leicester midfielder Harvey Barnes, 25, is attracting plenty of interest, with the Guardian suggesting Newcastle lead the way. Aston Villa and Tottenham are also in the race. AC Milan are continuing their pursuit of Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic. The Daily Mail reports the Italian club have made an improved £18.9m offer for the American. Social media round-up Players to watch Levi Colwill: Liverpool are said to be keen on the 20-year-old defender, although Chelsea want to keep him. Lewis O’Brien: Wayne Rooney wants to keep the midfielder, who is on loan at DC United from Nottingham Forest, with Sheffield United also interested, according to the Daily Mirror. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Hannah Dingley insists her appointment as caretaker Forest Green head coach is no gimmick. Dingley, the first woman to take charge of an English Football League club, oversaw her opening game on Wednesday as Forest Green began their pre-season campaign. “It’s the first and it’s great, but I don’t want to be the only,” said Dingley, Rovers’ academy chief who has spent four years at the Gloucestershire club and was put in interim charge after Duncan Ferguson’s brief reign came to an end. “It’s slightly disappointing that as the first academy manager – the only academy manager – because we need more females in these positions in clubs. If we can get more females in the boys’ system in academies this will happen more and more. “This isn’t a gimmick. It’s about those players getting preparation and, if anything takes away from that, it’s probably the wrong thing to do in the first place. “We just need more open-minded people to let these situations happen.” Dingley – who declined to say whether she would apply for the job on a full-time basis – was welcomed by a posse of cameramen and photographers as she took her seat at the Oakfield Stadium against Melksham. A group of female Rovers fans held up a placard with the words ‘Go Hannah Go!’ on it and the man on the microphone also recognised her presence, saying: “It would be remiss of me not to mention Hannah Dingley who is creating Football League history as manager of Forest Green.” Dingley was soon in the technical area and looking at a first-day defeat when at own goal at the start of the second half gifted Melksham the lead. But Callum Jones, on a season-long loan from Hull, equalised 10 minutes from time with a splendid free-kick to spare League Two Forest Green’s blushes against opponents four divisions beneath them. “It’s a bit different to taking the Under-18s but it’s part of the role,” Dingley said at a packed post-match press conference. “The important thing is role-modelling for other female coaches and young girls and growing up knowing that anything is possible if you work hard enough. “It’s been a whirlwind and I haven’t taken a training session with the players yet. The players need to be the focus so we can make a positive start to the new League Two campaign.” Confessing that her appointment on Tuesday had been a “stressful day”, Dingley said: “It’s a bit embarrassing as I was sleeping and my phone started pinging. I was thinking: ‘What’s going on here?’ This isn't a gimmick. It's about those players getting preparation and, if anything takes away from that, it's probably the wrong thing to do in the first place. Hannah Dingley “But I’m grateful for all the messages of support. (Luton manager) Rob Edwards who has been at the club was among those who reached out. “I had no hesitation (stepping up) and I felt it was an opportunity I was ready to take. I haven’t just rocked up today and chose to coach a men’s team. I’ve coached men’s non-league football and in the academy. “I’ve coached men for 20-odd years. This isn’t different to me and I’ve never had a problem with players. They just want good coaching and a good programme. “This is going to sound a bit mean, but the players don’t have a choice. They are professional footballers at a professional club, and in a month’s time they are starting the League Two season. Their responsibility is to prepare properly for that.” Chairman Dale Vince joined Dingley in front of the media and said he “felt like he was in an episode of Ted Lasso” – the sports comedy-drama series when an American football coach is hired to manage a British soccer team. “This is the maddest press conference I’ve ever been at, it’s off the charts,” Vince said. “I knew it was a first in football but I didn’t think it would be such a big deal. “When we made the decision – a club decision – it was based on merit. It was a very simple decision because Hannah was the most qualified person at the club. “She got the job to lead our academy on merit. She’s done a great job and gets our values completely as a club.” Asked whether Dingley could do the job on a permanent basis, Vince added: “The recruitment process will take several weeks. “If Hannah wants to put her name into the hat she’s very welcome. She’s been here four years and you could argue she’s got an inside track, but it’s going to be a very thorough process.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Iga Swiatek breezes through while Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk fights back to win Katie Boulter reaches round two in only British success of the day Lee Carsley feels lucky to coach England Under-21s as they eye Euro 2023 glory

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Lee Carsley backed his England Under-21s to create history after reaching the Euro 2023 final. Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and Cameron Archer eased England past Israel 3-0 and they will face Spain in Georgia on Saturday. It is the first time since 2009 they have made the European final and have not won the tournament since 1984. “It’s a great achievement for the players. We spoke about creating our own history,” Carsley told a press conference. “We’ve done well up till now, but the next thing is the biggest thing. It comes in three days, so recovery will be important now. “I still think we’ve still got a lot of improving to do. There’s still another level for this team to go. They’ve really grown as a group and they’re getting everything they deserve. “I’m so, so pleased for them because I’m a big believer that we’ve got so much quality and they just need the opportunity. “To watch how they’ve developed on and off the pitch has been brilliant. We sometimes take for granted the level of players we’re producing. “We’ve now mainly got to recover, and for the lads to get a bit of down time, and then look ahead to the final. They’re so motivated to do well, I’m so lucky. “All the credit goes to the squad, they’re a very determined bunch. They have a lot of pride in possession, but also in the blocks and clearances. But there are still a lot of things we can sharpen up ahead of the next game.” Gibbs-White missed a 17th-minute penalty after Anthony Gordon was fouled – following a lengthy VAR check – with Emile Smith Rowe having a shot cleared off the line and hitting the post seconds before. But the Nottingham Forest midfielder headed in from 12 yards with three minutes of the first half left to atone for his error. Palmer made it 2-0 just after the hour when he converted Smith Rowe’s cross, although the Manchester City player needed to wait for a VAR check. The midfielder then laid the ball on for Archer to add a third in stoppage time as the Young Lions reached the final without conceding a goal. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Wimbledon day three: Protesters cause delays as Katie Boulter moves on Heather Watson lifted by Sue Barker presence despite Wimbledon exit Stefanos Tsitsipas sets up Andy Murray blockbuster with epic five-set win

A day after nabbing five-star recruit Justin Scott, the Buckeyes have another young football talent in their sights: Dylan Stewart.The Ohio State Buckeyes are making moves this summer. Shortly after they landed five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott, the school is reportedly the favorite to ge...

Not even Caitlin Clark can avoid a rogue iron shot here and there.