List of All Articles with Tag 'ball'

Jude Bellingham has revealed David Beckham sent him a good luck message after joining Real Madrid. The 20-year-old has become just the seventh British player to join the Bernabeu club following his 103million euros (£88.5m) move from Borussia Dortmund last month, following in the footsteps of the likes of Beckham, Gareth Bale and Michael Owen. Beckham was perhaps the highest profile to make the switch to the Spanish capital following his 2003 move from Manchester United, which only heightened his global profile, and the former England captain recently got in touch with Bellingham. And the new Bernabeu star said he might tap into Beckham and other former players’ knowledge of playing at Madrid. “David Beckham messaged me briefly to wish me all the best,” Bellingham told the PA news agency. “It is one of those moves where everyone has their input from the outside so you do hear a lot of things and advice, I am quite good at filtering out the good from the bad, so far it has been really positive from ex-players. “I will try and take that on board and at some point maybe get in touch with them and see how they adapted to life in Spain.” One of the things Bellingham will be doing to adapt to his new lifestyle in Spain is to learn the language. The midfielder has started using a learning app, aiming to build on the vocabulary he got at school. “I have got it on my phone, I’ve got a good little streak going at the minute,” he added. “It’s nine days since I started taking it properly seriously. “It is one of those things where you hear it and you start to pick up little things and you see it on TV with interviews of other players, so it comes a bit more naturally than you think. “It is a lot easier than trying to learn German at least. I did Spanish at school up to year 9, obviously, in hindsight, I would have carried it on.” Bellingham is now an ambassador for McDonald’s Fun Football programme, the largest grassroots programme in the UK for 5-11 year olds, where 250,000 children have had access to free football in the last 12 months. He used to attend similar events but admits that it was not immediately obvious that he was destined for greater things. “For the first year or so of going to things like that I was more interested in British Bulldog and some of the fun games,” he said. “So for me it was a process of getting into the game, but it was made easy because there was no pressure on me. “For my parents that was the main thing, just getting that social aspect of it and something that is healthy and good for me.” :: Jude Bellingham was speaking at the largest ever McDonald’s Fun Football session to celebrate the landmark of over 250,000 children across the UK benefiting from access to free football this season. Sign up to a free session near you at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On this day in 2009: Serena Williams reclaims Wimbledon title off sister Venus Roger Federer returns to Wimbledon for a celebration on an action-packed day two Stuart Broad thinks Pat Cummins will regret handling of Jonny Bairstow dismissal

What the papers say Steven Gerrard could target his successor as Liverpool captain after taking over as manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. The Daily Mail reports England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 33, has emerged as a potential target for Gerrard, along with Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 34. Chelsea are in talks with Southampton about bringing their former youth player Tino Livramento, 20, back to Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Mail. The England Under-21 right-back is valued at £38 million with Newcastle also showing interest. The race to sign Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo is hotting up, according to the Guardian. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are all interested in the 21-year-old but Paris St Germain are moving into pole position. Granit Xhaka‘s time at Arsenal is almost over. The Sun reports that the Switzerland midfielder, 30, will complete a £21.5 million move to Bayer Leverkusen this week. Social media round-up Players to watch Romeo Lavia: Liverpool are favourites to beat Chelsea in the race to sign the Belgium midfielder, 19, from Southampton. Callum Hudson-Odoi: Nottingham Forest are among those chasing the England winger, 22, from Chelsea. Read More Dominik Szoboszlai inspired by Steven Gerrard to wear number eight at Liverpool A closer look at England’s recent hat-tricks as Bukayo Saka celebrates his first ‘I won’t be taking that offer’: Gerrard rejects coaching job in Saudi Arabia

What the papers say Steven Gerrard could target his successor as Liverpool captain after taking over as manager of Saudi club Al-Ettifaq. The Daily Mail reports England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 33, has emerged as a potential target for Gerrard, along with Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 34. Chelsea are in talks with Southampton about bringing their former youth player Tino Livramento, 20, back to Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Mail. The England Under-21 right-back is valued at £38 million with Newcastle also showing interest. The race to sign Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo is hotting up, according to the Guardian. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are all interested in the 21-year-old but Paris St Germain are moving into pole position. Granit Xhaka‘s time at Arsenal is almost over. The Sun reports that the Switzerland midfielder, 30, will complete a £21.5 million move to Bayer Leverkusen this week. Social media round-up Players to watch Romeo Lavia: Liverpool are favourites to beat Chelsea in the race to sign the Belgium midfielder, 19, from Southampton. Callum Hudson-Odoi: Nottingham Forest are among those chasing the England winger, 22, from Chelsea. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Joey Votto is a cool guy with an untucked shirt.

Michael Jordan is not a fan of son Marcus dating Larsa Pippen.

Georgia football legend Aaron Murray thinks a west coast contender could end the Dawgs'championship run.The Georgia Bulldogs have won back-to-back national championships. Kirby Smart is not only defensive genius and schematic master; he's also the best recruiter in the sport. The Dawgs...

New Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to bring happiness back to Stamford Bridge and is aiming to win in style. The Argentinian took up his new post at the start of July and heads to west London at a turbulent time for the club. The Blues finished 12th in the Premier League last season, playing under four different managers who all struggled to integrate almost £600million of new signings into the team. Former Tottenham boss Pochettino has now been tasked with bringing about an upturn in form and results and is ready for the challenge that lies ahead. “I know very well that Chelsea is one of the greatest clubs in the world,” he said in an interview with his new club released on social media. “Of course, it was easy for us (Pochettino and his backroom staff) to take the decision to move here. “I think it’s exciting for us and of course what we want is to bring the happiness again to this great football club, working hard, playing in the way that the fans can enjoy football.” I think in the last 10, 12, 15 years Chelsea is the greatest team in England Mauricio Pochettino Pochettino has yet to win silverware as a manager in England but did lift the Ligue 1 title as Paris St Germain coach in 2022 before being sacked weeks later. “The history of Chelsea is to win,” the 51-year-old said. “But it’s important also in the way that we are going to build up the victories – I think in the last 10, 12, 15 years Chelsea is the greatest team in England. “I know very well the Premier League, I know very well what Chelsea means, the culture of Chelsea. “Our fans, they’re so excited also to again be on the road of trying to win and of course, for us we feel really excited about working with a very young team.” It has already been another summer of change on the pitch for Chelsea, who have signed forwards Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku to add to Pochettino’s firepower. They have also moved on a host of talent with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek departing and Mason Mount on the cusp of joining Manchester United.

Sam Kerr says she would "love" to wear the ‘OneLove’ armband during Australia’s 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign but will not "put the team at risk" by doing so. The armband was at the centre of a row that was a major talking point during the early stages of the men’s competition in Qatar last year. And on Friday it was confirmed that, as at that tournament, players will not be allowed to wear it in matches at the women’s showpiece in Australia and New Zealand this summer, with FIFA unveiling a range of other, approved bands which can highlight social issues and causes. Speaking at a press conference on Monday as Australia’s 23-player World Cup squad was announced, Matildas skipper and Chelsea striker Kerr said: "The men’s World Cup, the women’s World Cup... being honest I kind of expected it, I didn’t expect them to change it (the rule). "Obviously we would love to wear it - like most of the teams in the whole world, everyone has voiced that they would love to wear it. "But I think you saw with the men’s World Cup, (England captain) Harry Kane for example, first game, if he had worn it, yellow card, if he’d got a yellow card in the game, he would’ve been sent off. "So for me it’s not worth the risk of putting the team at risk, of putting the tournament at risk, putting everything at risk. "There will be multiple opportunities where we get to use our voice, and there will be multiple opportunities where I get to use my voice for things. "We would have liked to have worn it but I’m not going to put this team at risk, the tournament at risk, and we have to abide by the rules that we’re given really." At the Qatar World Cup, captains of the nations involved in the ‘OneLove’ campaign, including England and Wales, were threatened with sporting sanctions starting at a yellow card if the bands were worn because they would have been a breach of FIFA equipment regulations. The forthcoming tournament gets under way on July 20, with Australia opening their Group B campaign that day against the Republic of Ireland in Sydney. Read More Steven Reid returns to Nottingham Forest as first-team coach Josko Gvardiol wants Manchester City move, says RB Leipzig sporting director Man Utd transfer news: Mount medical, De Gea and Onana latest

Former Republic of Ireland international Steven Reid has returned to Nottingham Forest as first-team coach a year after leaving for a new challenge. Reid, 42, left Steve Cooper’s staff 12 months ago after playing his part in the club’s return to the Premier League to become a specialist coach offering support to players around mental well-being, confidence and leadership. However, the former Millwall, Blackburn, West Brom and Burnley midfielder has now rejoined Forest, where he served briefly as interim manager following Chris Hughton’s departure in September 2021. Reid told the club’s official website: “It is a club that has stayed close to my heart for many reasons, firstly because of the amazing journey to promotion, but also because of the support I felt from within the club and the amazing fanbase when stepping away from football to do some work around mental health and well-being. “I have remained close to Steve and many of the coaching staff and players and cannot wait to get going again.” Cooper added: “I’m delighted that Reidy is returning to the club. He had a massive impact in our Championship promotion-winning season, but he also has experience of working and playing in the Premier League and knows what it demands.”

RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol has expressed an interest in joining Manchester City, the German club’s sporting director has revealed. Max Eberl has told a German newspaper that the Croatia international has informed the Bundesliga outfit of his desire to move and that “talks” are ongoing. There is no indication City have officially submitted a bid for the player and the treble winners have not commented on Eberl’s claims. Eberl told Leipziger Volksnachrichten: “Josko and his advisers have submitted the wish to us for a transfer to Manchester City. “We are in talks with Manchester. There is nothing more to say about it at this moment.” Gvardiol, 21, has long been linked with City and caught the eye when he scored against them in the Champions League last season. Leipzig reportedly value Gvardiol at around £86million (100million euros) but are under little pressure to sell as the player is contracted until 2027. The club have already sold one key player this summer, with Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai moving to Liverpool for £60million at the weekend. City have already made one new signing, with £30million midfielder Mateo Kovacic arriving from Chelsea. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Newcastle have completed their swoop for AC Milan star Sandro Tonali as they gear up for a return to Champions League football. The 23-year-old Italy midfielder has signed for an undisclosed fee – understood to be in excess of £50million – on an initial deal which will keep him at St James’ Park until 2028. Tonali, who has 14 senior caps, has captained his country at the European Under-21s Championship in Georgia and Romania in recent weeks and the announcement of his signing came a day after the Italians exited the competition. The former Brescia player said: “First of all, I want to thank Newcastle United because they are giving me a huge opportunity for my career. “I want to repay the trust on the pitch, giving it my all, as I always have. I’m really excited about playing at St James Park, I can’t wait to feel the warmth of the fans.” Tonali is the kind of marquee signing Magpies head coach Eddie Howe has been targeting since guiding the club to a top-four Premier League finish last season to end a two-decade exile from Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Howe has signalled his intention to recruit quality rather than quantity this summer while remaining within the bounds of the spending limits under which a club which had invested more than £250million in the first three transfer windows under its new Saudi-backed owners must operate. He has acknowledged the difficulty of competing on the domestic and European fronts next season and knows a repetition of a remarkable league campaign will be made all the tougher by the demands of rubbing shoulders with the continent’s big boys once again. However, landing a player of Tonali’s stature is an indication of the direction Newcastle hope to take and the 45-year-old was delighted to have got his man. Howe said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sandro to Newcastle United. He is an exceptional talent and has the mentality, physicality and technical attributes to be a great fit for us. “At 23, Sandro already has important experience as a key player in one of Europe’s top leagues and in the Champions League, as well as playing for his country. “But he also has the opportunity and potential to grow and evolve with us, and I’m excited to add him to our squad as we approach the exciting season ahead.” Tonali began his career at Brescia, where he helped the club win promotion to Serie A, and moved to Milan during the summer of 2020, initially on a season-long loan deal. He leaves with 130 appearances to his name in the Italian top flight and having played in all 12 of the Rossoneri’s Champions League fixtures last season as they made it to the semi-finals, where they were beaten by arch-rivals Inter. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ben Stokes’ record since taking over as England captain after latest heroics Sir Geoffrey Boycott urges Australia to ‘apply some common sense’ and apologise Roger Federer to visit Wimbledon for celebration of his career on Centre Court

Roy Hodgson has targeted a top-half Premier League finish after being appointed Crystal Palace manager for the 2023-24 season. Hodgson, who will celebrate his 76th birthday on August 9, returned to Selhurst Park in March following the departure of Patrick Vieira. Palace were involved in a relegation battle at the time, but the former England manager guided the Eagles to an 11th place finish. “I am immensely pleased and proud to be extending my time at Crystal Palace, and I would like to thank the chairman and sporting director for their continued faith in me,” Hodgson told the official club website. “I know what a fantastic squad we have here. It’s a great blend of youth and potential, alongside experienced players with Premier League and international pedigree. “I have spoken with the chairman at length and we agreed that we must be ambitious in getting the most out of such talent. “As such, we have set ourselves the target of a top-half finish, which we believe is eminently achievable with such a fabulous group of players and the most magnificent supporters who get behind the team, week in, week out.” I have spoken with the chairman at length and we agreed that we must be ambitious in getting the most out of such talent Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “Roy’s record as manager speaks for itself. “His return earlier this year along with Ray Lewington and assisted ably by Paddy McCarthy produced a fantastic return both in results and producing some stylish performances, helping us climb the table and get international recognition for our players. “Appointing Roy for another season will enable him and the squad to hit the ground running for a full pre-season and continue the magnificent momentum that has built up since his return.” Croydon-born Hodgson took charge of his boyhood club between 2017 and 2021 and has overseen 172 Palace games from the dugout, more than at any other club. As well as being England boss between 2012 and 2016, Hodgson has managed Switzerland and Finland. He also counts Fulham, Liverpool and Inter Milan among the clubs he has been in charge of during his 47-year managerial career. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Roger Federer to visit Wimbledon for celebration of his career on Centre Court Jude Bellingham relishing chance to play part in ‘brilliant’ Real Madrid history Brad Hogg says England were ‘hard done by’ after ‘cheap’ Jonny Bairstow wicket