List of All Articles with Tag 'eppersons'

Manchester City defender John Stones could cap a remarkable turnaround from a virtual outcast to being at the cutting edge of Pep Guardiola’s masterplan with a Champions League victory. Three years ago the 29-year-old’s future was uncertain. He had made just 24 appearances in the 2019-20 season and the club had spent over £100million on centre-backs Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias. That summer Guardiola admitted there was a distinct possibility a player lacking confidence could leave and he did not play a minute in seven of the eight opening league games of the next season. But over the course of three seasons he has turned things around so much he is now seen as an integral part of his manager’s latest tactical tweak, with the current fashion for a defender to play as a midfielder when the side is in possession. “It was probably one of the hardest times in my career,” said Stones of that period in 2020. “I literally went back to firstly looking at myself, being super-critical of myself and what I could do better on the football pitch, and then looking into every fine detail, down to what food, what training, what extras. “That’s come down to doing stuff here and then going home and doing work, even late at night, or straight after the training, finding these small margins, putting them all together to kind of break where I was at after coming back to playing. “Yeah, (it was a) big learning curve for me and maybe who I am today.” In that time period a number of players have left, with Guardiola’s propensity for dispensing with full-backs a little too close for comfort at times for Stones. But the former Everton defender never considered seeking opportunities elsewhere. “I never thought about that. I think as soon as you accept that or have that mindset then you have killed yourself,” he added. “I always wanted to stay, I have stayed and I absolutely love it. I wanted to prove to myself. I didn’t say to anyone ‘It was because I want to prove to you’. “I think, if anything, you have to prove to yourself first and foremost that you deserve to be here, you are good enough to be here, and what you bring to the team.” The goals of Erling Haaland have helped propel City to a second Champions League final in three years where they start as strong favourites against Inter Milan in Istanbul. But Stones’ role and that, to a lesser extent, of Rico Lewis in stepping forward has added another dimension to an already multi-layered team. “People have always said from a young age that they can see me playing in there. I still do love playing as a centre-half and I’ve absolutely loved this role as well,” said the Barnsley-born defender. “I think I have showed myself that I’m able to do it, maybe showing some attributes that I didn’t know that I had. “But the manager has seen (something) in me and ultimately I think I’m just trying to show what I can do in there and be able to help the team ultimately win with my attributes.” City may be the favourites but Stones insists they will not be under-estimating Inter, a team who finished in third 18 points behind Serie A champions Napoli. “They’re in the Champions League final for a reason,” he added. “No matter who we’re playing, no matter what league they’re in, we give the team the respect that they deserve because even the FA Cup, let’s make an example of that, there’s giant-killers, smaller teams in League One and League Two that beat Premier League winners. “That’s where the respect (comes from) that every team deserves. “They’ve got incredible players. How they played in a big occasion, in a derby game in the Champions League semi-final (against AC Milan) is never easy. “We know what we’re up against, they are an incredible team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘This is not where we are going to stop’ – Michail Antonio on West Ham’s ECL win No complacency as Man City prepare for Champions League final – Kevin De Bruyne Shoulder injury rules Jack Draper out of Wimbledon

JP Dellacamera will be Fox’s lead play-by-play commentator for the third straight Women’s World Cup and two-time FIFA Player of the Year Carli Lloyd will work as a studio analyst

The Nuggets secured a series lead in Game 3 behind a dominant efforts from Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.The two stars were majestic on the road, Jokic dropped the first ever 30-20-10 in NBA Finals history while Jamal Murray posted a triple double. After winning 109-94 on Thursday night, can the...

Sunday night marked the end of an era at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou, with the club set to play away from the iconic stadium as it undergoes renovation. The work is set to be completed in late 2026 and the La Liga side will host home games at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium next season. Before moving away from Camp Nou, Barca president Joan Laporta was joined by a number of club legends to bury a time capsule under the pitch. Xavi added a shirt to the capsule, while Sergio Busquets - who is leaving Catalonia this summer - put one of his captain’s armbands in.

The Minnesota Vikings have finally made a long-anticipated decision on Dalvin Cook's future with the team.After several weeks of waiting for this news, the Minnesota Vikings have finally made it official, parting ways with running back Dalvin Cook.When this move is looked back on, out o...

Neymar's representatives have held talks with Saudi Arabia's Pro League over a potential move to the Middle East. The 31-year-old will be allowed to leave PSG this summer despite having two years left on his contract.

England captain Ben Stokes says he wants to be involved in an Ashes series that goes "beyond cricket" as he prepares to face...

Nikita Mazepin, the Russian Formula 1 racing driver dropped from his team following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 8, 2023--

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach a thrilling conclusion, the NHL rumors are flying. Today, we're focusing on the Devils, Sabres and Jets.The NHL offseason will officially begin after the Stanley Cup Final. The offseason is already underway for all NHL teams but the Florida Panthers and ...

Pete Alonso responded to Braves fans cheering him leaving a game after being hit by a fastball from Charlie Morton on Wednesday.Pete Alonso has almost singlehandedly made sure the latest division rivalry series between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets has lived up to the hype. In the opening...

Formula 1 insists next week’s Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is not at risk despite wildfires in nearby regions. More than 400 wildfires are raging in Canada which have led to mass evacuations in the Quebec region and officials warned this could be the country’s worst wildfire season on record, with over 6.7 million acres already scorched. In Montreal, thick layers of smog have descended on parts of the city in the last few days but F1 insist next week’s race meet at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is set to go ahead as planned. An F1 spokesperson said: “The event is not at risk, and we have been assured by all the relevant information that the situation in Montreal at this time is different to other parts of the country and northern US and the risk remains low and air quality is good in Montreal.” F1 had to previously cancel last month’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola due to devastating flooding in the region. Despite calls in cities as far south as New York for residents to stay indoors if possible, Montreal has not enforced a similar requirement of its locals this week. The government situation states the situation in the city is low risk, with wind direction set to move the smoke away from Montreal in the coming days - and expected rainfall should also alleviate the situation. F1 will continue to monitor the situation but there is no concerns at this stage. Max Verstappen won last year’s race in Canada - the first grand prix in the country for three years due to the Covid pandemic - and holds a 53-point lead in the championship this season after recent wins in Monaco and Spain. Read More F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled after heavy flooding in region Smoky haze blanketing US, Canada could last for days as wildfires rage, winds won't budge ‘Apocalyptic’ photos capture smoky haze blanketing New York City as moon turns red and air alerts raised