List of All Articles with Tag 'eppersons'

The Warriors struggled to find the optimal blend of young talent and veterans in their rotation this season. The No. 19 pick in the NBA Draft gives them another chance to get it right.After winning the 2022 NBA Championship, it seemed like the Warriors were pulling off their two timelines approa...

Brighton have announced the signing of James Milner on a free transfer from Premier League rivals Liverpool. The former England international has agreed a one-year contract at the Amex Stadium, with the option for a further 12 months. Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi told his club’s website: “I’m very glad to welcome James to Brighton. “He’s an excellent addition for us and I’m sure he will help to bring us to an even higher level.” Milner, who won 61 international caps between 2009 and 2016, began his career with Leeds and has also played for Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City. The 37-year-old won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during eight years at Anfield. He will join Brighton following the expiration of his Reds contract on June 30 and add experience to De Zerbi’s squad ahead of the club’s maiden Europa League campaign. Seagulls technical director David Weir said: “His experience speaks for itself with the amount of games he has played and the trophies he has won throughout a decorated career. “These games include European competition, which will be of huge value to us as we embark on our first season in Europe.” Milner is currently third in the list of all-time Premier League appearances with 619, behind Gareth Barry (652) and Ryan Giggs (632). The veteran midfielder, who can also operate at full-back, is Brighton’s second signing of the summer following the club-record arrival of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Watford. Read More When does the Premier League transfer window open and close this summer? Bellingham gone but who’s next? Midfield merry-go-round will define summer Liverpool begin midfield overhaul by completing Alexis Mac Allister signing

South Africa rugby director Rassie Erasmus said on Wednesday that injured Springboks captain Siya Kolisi will definitely miss the Rugby Championship in July, but may play in...

Ciaran Clark is leaving Newcastle this month, the club have confirmed. The 33-year-old defender, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, joined the Magpies from Aston Villa in August 2016 and was named player of the year as they won promotion back to the Premier League in his first season. Clark went on to make 127 appearances during his time at St. James’ Park, which comes to end this month upon the expiration of his contract. Also leaving is academy graduate Matty Longstaff, but he will remain at the club and continue to receive treatment on an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered towards the end of 2022. The 23-year-old scored the winning goal on his Premier League debut against Manchester United in October 2019 and went on to play 20 times for the club, having also spent time on loan at Aberdeen, Mansfield and Colchester. Matt Ritchie is staying for another season after the club triggered an option to retain the services of the 33-year-old, while contract offers have also been made to defender Paul Dummett and goalkeeper Loris Karius. Newcastle have taken an option on goalkeeper Mark Gillespie’s deal to keep him for another 12 months and defender Dan Burn gets another year on his deal after activating an appearance clause. Striker Chris Wood will make his move to Nottingham Forest permanent at the start of next month after he spent the second half of last season on loan with Steve Cooper’s side.

Ella Toone says she feels “ready and prepared” to launch into a World Cup summer with England on Monday, three weeks after the conclusion of the Women’s Super League season. Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman had long planned for a pre-tournament camp to start on June 19, but there was uncertainty when she named her World Cup squad on May 31 as talks continued over the timing of players being released for duty ahead of the showpiece in Australia and New Zealand, which gets under way on July 20. The European Club Association had in April highlighted July 10 as the earliest date for player release under FIFA regulations, and in mid-May the two bodies proposed June 23-29 as a guideline timeframe that they said “(struck) the all-important balance between players having sufficient rest while allowing adequate time to prepare”, with exact dates to be agreed between clubs and national associations. Last week the June 19 start for England’s camp was confirmed by the Football Association, which said it was “grateful for the mutual understanding of the clubs, as we have collectively worked towards a solution with the wellbeing of players at the heart.” Regarding the recent uncertainty, Toone told the PA news agency: “It’s not been ideal, but for us it’s what we can control and that was making sure we had rest and recovery, making sure we were physically and mentally getting ourselves back to where we know we need to be. “Now I’m back on it, working hard and can’t wait to go into camp.” Toone, part of Great Britain’s Tokyo Olympics squad in the summer of 2021 before helping England win the Euros last year, has been a regular starter for her country across 2022-23 and featured in a Manchester United side that achieved WSL and FA Cup best efforts as runners-up in each competition. The 23-year-old Wigan native – speaking at a McDonald’s Fun Football session in Manchester – says it has been a “long season, but one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed” and has declared herself “really happy” with the agreed camp start date, adding: “I’ve had time to switch off and now I feel ready and prepared. “We have a lot of trust in our England staff and they thought the 19th was right for us and so did we as players. “It’s a World Cup, my first World Cup, so I can’t wait to get going.” Toone feels it is important player welfare and scheduling is something that continues to be looked at closely as the women’s game keeps developing, saying: “We’ve seen quite a few injuries in the WSL this season. “We have to make sure we get that rest and recovery right, as teams and as players. The women’s game is growing massively, as a club we are in the Champions League now as well so that’s extra games. It’s definitely something we all need to focus on because injuries are a big part of the game right now.” England captain Leah Williamson and Euro 2022 top-scorer Beth Mead will not be at the World Cup after sustaining ACL injuries, and Fran Kirby is also absent due to a knee problem from a 23-player group scheduled to face Portugal in a warm-up match at Milton Keynes on July 1 before flying to Australia four days later. Toone said: “It is an amazing squad. We know how much talent we have in England now. We’re obviously missing a few big names and people who were massive in the Euros win, but we’ve got to look forward and be confident in the team that’s going.” Fun Football is an initiative to give children aged five to 11 free access to the game, and Toone said: “It’s great for the next generation of young girls. “It’s something we probably missed out on and wish we’d had when we were growing up. It’s an amazing thing that McDonald’s are doing for communities and for young girls and boys to start out on their journey.” :: Ella Toone was speaking at a special McDonald’s Fun Football session to celebrate the opening of sessions in Lionesses’ hometowns during the Women’s World Cup. Toone hopes to encourage the next generation of young girls to get involved. Sign up to your nearest free session at 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 Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff leaving Newcastle John Hollins: A Stamford Bridge fixture who turned reading game into an art form Harry Brook is hoping to realise his Ashes dream against Australia

John Hollins turned reading the game into an art form across almost 600 Chelsea appearances, but one moment of typically impeccable timing trumped a career’s worth of pivotal interventions. The Guildford-born Chelsea youth-team graduate popped up with a telling pass just when the Blues needed him most – trailing 2-1 to Leeds with mere minutes to play in the 1970 FA Cup final. As Leeds geared up to play out for victory at Wembley, Hollins dropped into space on the inside left and whipped in a pinpoint near-post cross that Ian Hutchinson flicked home. All the folklore from that 1970 FA Cup run tends to revolve around the brutal replay, where both teams hacked each other to bits before Chelsea ground out glory with a 2-1 triumph after extra-time at Old Trafford. But without Hollins’ solitary moment of quality in that scrappy first final on a boggy Wembley pitch, the Blues would never have had the chance for any of that Manchester madness. The versatile midfielder, who moved to right-back later in his career, amassed 592 Chelsea matches in a career rich in both quality and longevity, although he only managed a single England cap, against Spain as a 20-year-old in 1967. Born into a footballing family – his older brother David went on to play for Wales – on July 16, 1946, Hollins quickly made his mark at youth level and went on to make his senior Chelsea debut aged just 17. That first appearance came in 1963 and for the next 12 years he proved a Stamford Bridge fixture. Hollins featured in the first leg of Chelsea’s 3-2 aggregate win over Leicester in the 1965 League Cup final, but that 1970 FA Cup triumph was to provide the centre-piece of his Blues career. When Chelsea claimed the European Cup Winners’ Cup a year later, Hollins missed the crucial replay win over Real Madrid in the final through injury. In the 1971/72 campaign Hollins found the net a career-high 17 times, helping the Blues to the League Cup final where they lost to Stoke. He left Stamford Bridge in 1975 and four-year stints at QPR and Arsenal followed. He came within a penalty shootout of winning a second European Cup Winners’ Cup with the Gunners, scoring his spot-kick as Arsenal were beaten in the 1980 final by Valencia. He returned to Chelsea for the 1983/84 campaign and helped steer the west Londoners to promotion back to the First Division before retiring having made more than 900 first-class appearances in his career. An immediate step into coaching followed, with Hollins staying on at Chelsea and eventually replacing the retired John Neal as manager in 1985. The Blues mounted an early title challenge in Hollins’ first year at the helm only to slip to a sixth-place finish, in a season that also comprised victory in the Full Members’ Cup. By March 1988 Chelsea had slumped to a four-month winless league run, however, and Hollins was duly relieved of his duties. Hollins went on to play one game for Irish side Cobh Ramblers before joining the coaching staff at QPR, for whom he had a brief stint as caretaker boss in the 1997–98 season. Spells as manager of Swansea, whom he led to the Third Division title in 2000, and Rochdale followed becoming assistant to Nicolas Anelka’s brother Claude at Raith Rovers in 2004. He left after a month, with the pair reportedly not seeing eye to eye. He also managed Stockport, Crawley and Weymouth. Hollins, who has died at the aged of 76, is survived by his wife Linda, son Chris, a TV broadcaster who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2009, and daughter Liz.

Euro 2024 qualifiers are well underway and Gareth Southgate has his squad together again for another two this month - and 14 June marked exactly one year before the tournament itself starts. While qualifiers will play a big role in deciding who goes in the Three Lions’ squad - assuming no incredible fall-off and they somehow fail to reach the extended tournament - performances during the new 2023/24 campaign should be the biggest indicator of who goes. With that said, it’s worth looking at who might be in pole position for a place in the final 26 right now and where the movement in a potential England squad could come from, both from those currently out of favour and those who might come from nowhere to seize a role next year. Here are our current selections, ordered by position and then ranking within each group. On the plane... Goalkeepers Jordan Pickford - The undisputed No.1 for Southgate, but with two challengers in the Champions League next term, he’ll need a big season of his own Nick Pope - Was one of the league’s top couple of goalkeepers last year; same again and he’ll be confident of a charge at a major role at a major tournament Aaron Ramsdale - Playing for one of the top teams will help his cause but needs more consistency to seriously trouble for the jersey. An easy pick among the three, though Defenders John Stones - From being a candidate to leave out a few years ago to suddenly being England’s only in-form and must-have centre-back...and he doesn’t even play centre-back for his club anymore Luke Shaw - If he’s fit, he’s in. Shaw has been excellent at times for club and country and there are not too many other left-backs who can match that Kieran Trippier - The right-back debate will no doubt rumble on throughout the course of Euro 2024 qualifying but Trippier looks a lock right now Kyle Walker - As above, the Man City man has proven his worth for England in a variety of tactical setups and is unlikely to be overlooked Midfielders Declan Rice - The definite lock-in to start in midfield, with the minor caveat that a summer transfer obviously has to see him settle well Jude Bellingham - As above, but a bigger talent. He’s also joined a bigger club though. Star at Real Madrid and he’ll be one of the first on the teamsheet for England Mason Mount - Hasn’t had a good year but nor has anybody at Chelsea really. Too good, versatile, consistent and hard-working to not be in Southgate’s plans Forwards Harry Kane - Captain and record goalscorer, he’s obviously starting Marcus Rashford - Won his place back for the national team at the World Cup but must continue to push on and maintain that level for next season too Bukayo Saka - Has nudged ahead as the right-wing starter and rightly so. Immense talent who has it all Jack Grealish - Playing regularly for Man City and winning everything so he’ll be in, though probably with a sub role still Phil Foden - Might be top of the “best of the rest” pile at present but there’s still the sense there’s another level to come from Foden. Perhaps next season we’ll see it more consistently Raheem Sterling - Perhaps in need of a reset and might get it under Mauricio Pochettino. Was a guaranteed starter not long ago so will still be involved Almost there... The players in favour and in the mix right now, but who must maintain fitness, form and consistency to make the eventual cut: Marc Guehi - To be blunt, nobody is absolutely assured of being an England centre-back beyond Stones. Guehi might not be likely to start but a place in the squad could certainly be his if he just...plays, and does it reasonably well for Crystal Palace Harry Maguire - At the other end of the certainty scale, Maguire would be in and starting if he had a club role, but he doesn’t. A transfer this summer has to go well Reece James - Perhaps just about third in the right-back battle at present is the Chelsea man, but he’s had real fitness issues over the last year and missed the World Cup too Trent Alexander-Arnold - The Liverpool man has been in wonderful form for a few months but has a Stones-type role for his club. For England, he still appears to have...not much of anything Ben Chilwell - Will make the squad if he’s fit as second left-back, but hasn’t had an international impact for some time now Jordan Henderson - One of the long-term squad members who might now be forced to look over his shoulder after a desperately poor season. Will be 34 by the time England play either their first or second game at the finals Conor Gallagher - As hit-or-miss as they come right now given his club squad role, uncertainty over even that and his own lack of regular place in the Three Lions’ squad Callum Wilson - Probably just about ahead in the race for the backup to Kane at centre-forward right now, but this specific backup role has been in a constant state of flux for about five years In consideration... Those who have been in recent squads, but either not fully seized their chance yet or need an upturn in consistency, top form or managerial favour to earn a spot in the 26 over another challenger: Sam Johnstone; Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings, Ben White; Eberechi Eze, Kalvin Phillips; James Maddison, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen Work to do... Whether through injury, loss of form or suspension, or simply Southgate preferring others right now, a handful of players have been in and around the squad over the past few years but look somewhat down the order of preference at present: Dean Henderson; Eric Dier, Conor Coady, Fikayo Tomori, Joe Gomez; James Ward-Prowse; Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin Wildcards... And finally, a few players who are either uncapped or have been in the international wilderness for a long spell - but showed good form in 2022/23 and could mount a real charge for a place if they begin 23/24 brightly... Solly March - A potential left-back alternative? The Brighton man delivered work rate and final-third contribution from a range of roles under Roberto De Zerbi Joe Willock - Competition for places will be important but so too could be big displays in the Champions League Sean Longstaff - The same as above, but slightly more combative and defensive-minded Jacob Ramsey - A potential door-unlocker who can play centrally or from the channels and has captained the U21s Harvey Barnes - Get a transfer, fit right in, score goals in Europe, get a shot at a shirt. Job done Dwight McNeil - Might need a few wide attackers to fall off the grid before he’s considered but don’t rule the Everton man out entirely Emile Smith Rowe - Remember him?! Needs a massive season, but certainly has the technical ability Morgan Gibbs-White - The most out-there shout in terms of top-level experience, but he was genuinely excellent for Nottingham Forest last year Read More Jodi Jones relishing chance to take on England after overcoming injury despair Rashford underlines commitment to England after missing recent games Eze in line for long-awaited England debut after setbacks of most brutal timing Eberechi Eze feels injury nightmare gave him platform for England recognition Jude Bellingham uses pain of England’s near misses in bid for Euro 2024 glory Pretty Woman makes Pep Guardiola’s day as Julia Roberts hails Man City champions

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has discussed last year's transfer saga which saw him linked with Manchester United.

Australia will head into the Ashes series with their batters occupying the top three spots in...

Real Madrid has confirmed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said he would take on Italy in the Nations League semi-final on Thursday as if it was...

Wednesday's Real Madrid transfer rumours, including updates on Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.