10 months agoArsenal striker Lacazette opens door to MLS move
TagsTransfersAbout the authorPaul VegasShare the loveHave your say Arsenal striker Lacazette opens door to MLS moveby Paul Vegas10 months agoSend to a friendShare the loveArsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is open to a move to MLS.Lacazette has bagged seven goals so far this campaign and appears happy in north London.There is no suggestion he wants to leave nor is there that the club are considering offloading the clinical finisher.But after Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday, Lacazette hinted at a future destination once his Gunners contract is up.Compatriot Chris Mavinga, who has played with Lacazette through the France youth set-up, was watching from the stands.Midway through the game, the Toronto defender tweeted a picture of his view, saying: “Scouting day at emirates stadium .. next challenge trying to bring @LacazetteAlex in @torontofc @mls.”Lacazette then replied to his friend, posting two shrug emojis and a smirking emoji, saying: “Ahaha maybe in the future.” 
Jim Harbaugh MichiganMichigan’s satellite camp tour continued today in Los Angeles, and you know what the means. Jim Harbaugh had to show off another jersey ( or in his case shirsey) of a popular local player. Today, he chose Kobe Bryant. Tomorrow, Harbaugh and company will be in Hawaii, at St. Louis High School in Honolulu. Based off this picture he tweeted today, it looks like he’ll be wearing a Marcus Mariota Titans jersey for the occasion.Last minute shopping in L.A. All set for tomorrow, Thx Larry pic.twitter.com/cuw5nZvwCn— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) June 25, 2016Mariota is a Honolulu native and St. Louis High alum, so the shirt makes perfect sense.The Honolulu camp is the second-to-last one on Michigan’s schedule. The final one will be in American Samoa on June 30.
Sebastian Rode has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.Rode has struggled to make an impact since joining Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2016.The midfielder last appeared in the Bundesliga in May 2017 and will spend the rest of the campaign on loan with Eintracht, where he played between 2010 and 2014. Article continues below Editors’ Picks ‘There is no creativity’ – Can Solskjaer get Man Utd scoring freely again? ‘Everyone legged it on to the pitch!’ – How Foden went from Man City superfan to future superstar Emery out of jail – for now – as brilliant Pepe papers over Arsenal’s cracks What is Manchester United’s ownership situation and how would Kevin Glazer’s sale of shares affect the club? “We thank Sebastian Rode for his commitment to this day and wish him much health and match practice for his time at Eintracht,” said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.Rode has been out of action with a groin injury, but the 28-year-old declared he is ready to make an impact on his Eintracht return.”I am very happy to be able to attack fully again,” he told Eintracht’s website. “I have the time in harmony and above all the team is in very good shape and they have a lot to plan for the next six months and of course I want to do my part.”Dortmund are six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga going into the mid-season break, with Eintracht in sixth spot, and sporting director Fredi Bobic feels Rode’s arrival will be a boost.”We are confident that the quality of the squad will be further enhanced with Sebastian, an absolute team player, who has gained a lot of experience at Bayern and Dortmund in the past four years and will now benefit us,” said Bobic.”Sebastian is a very good fit in our team and we’ve been looking at him over the past few weeks and months to find he has completely overcome his injury, and we believe this solution is a win for all parties.”Sebastian Rode has shown his potential in the past, if he stays injury free, he will be able to help us, he wanted to join us and did his bit to make it happen.”Eintracht will return to Bundesliga play when the league resumes in mid-January with a home date against Freiburg.
Jesse Lingard has been billed as “the English version of Andres Iniesta” by Rene Meulensteen, with the Manchester United midfielder considered to share many attributes with a Barcelona legend.A 26-year-old academy graduate has not always enjoyed such lofty billing at Old Trafford.Several loan spells were taken in before he was finally given his United break by Louis van Gaal in 2015-16. Article continues below Editors’ Picks ‘There is no creativity’ – Can Solskjaer get Man Utd scoring freely again? ‘Everyone legged it on to the pitch!’ – How Foden went from Man City superfan to future superstar Emery out of jail – for now – as brilliant Pepe papers over Arsenal’s cracks What is Manchester United’s ownership situation and how would Kevin Glazer’s sale of shares affect the club? Lingard has not looked back from that point, taking in over 150 appearances and recording 29 goals – including a number of vital efforts in Wembley showpieces.He is now considered to be a key man at club level and with the England national side, with Meulensteen of the opinion that his creative qualities were always going to flourish at some stage.Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant told 888sport: “Sir Alex always had a clear picture of what a good player looked like and they had to have quick feet, quick brain, and a big heart.“That is basically everything that Jesse had but he was very slight for his age. I worked with him from the age of eight or nine and taking him abroad for tournaments and he was always having to fight battles because he was of a tiny build.“But all things level themselves out and eventually those three things make a difference – quick feet, a quick brain, and a big heart. And he has done every so well.“The fans always need to associate themselves with players who have come through the ranks.“While I was there and Sir Alex was there it was so important to keep bringing young players through.“The difference with Jesse is that he was always the English version of Iniesta. He can play in the pockets, he’s very mobile and very agile.“He can beat a man and he’s good in combination play. The last few seasons he started to score important goals as well.”
The emergence of Lingard has helped to bolster the creativity ranks at Old Trafford, but United do still find themselves short in other areas.Additions at centre-half have been pursued for some time and Meulensteen concedes that reinforcements are required to help complement the impressive development of Victor Lindelof.The Dutchman said: “Stability is a big thing, especially in the back four. Most of the successful teams are able to play with a solid and stable back line, including the goalkeeper.“It’s normal with a club like Manchester United that it takes some time for a player to settle in but you can see now that Victor has settled.“He’s played a string of games so he’s starting to find his feet and learning what is required to play at this level.“He’s done well but the defence is still an area which people are looking at critically. Antonio Valencia is getting on and Ashley Young is a bit older now but still doing a great job.“There is a need for a really good centre-back alongside Lindelof who can lead from the back and stabilise everything.“If you look at the firepower and the pace United have up front along with the variety of abilities they can scare any defence in the Premier League and across Europe.“In midfield they are strong. You have Paul Pogba to the fore and getting better. Nemanja Matic is very strong with a lot of experience.“But you could maybe do with another creative player there, a passer that can unlock defences from deep.”Read the full 888sport interview with Rene Meulensteen, including his thoughts on why Pogba is thriving on the responsibility Solskjaer has placed on his shoulders. Check out Goal’s Premier League 2019-20 fantasy football podcast for game tips, debate and rivalries.
Stoke City winger James McClean has hit out at the English Football Association, labelling them “a bunch of cowards” for their apparent failure to deal with the racism he receives.McClean, an Irishman, has received anti-Irish abuse during his career in England but feels that it is not treated the same way as other incidents of racism by the authorities.Earlier this year, the 30-year-old shared a birthday card on social media that he received containing racist abuse due to his stance of not wearing a poppy, with there having been seemingly little action taken. Article continues below Editors’ Picks ‘There is no creativity’ – Can Solskjaer get Man Utd scoring freely again? ‘Everyone legged it on to the pitch!’ – How Foden went from Man City superfan to future superstar Emery out of jail – for now – as brilliant Pepe papers over Arsenal’s cracks What is Manchester United’s ownership situation and how would Kevin Glazer’s sale of shares affect the club? He points to what he perceives as contrasting recognition that Sterling has earned for the way he has tackled the racism he’s received and called the football authorities in England “hypocrites” and “cowards” as a result.”The only reason I highlighted it [the birthday card abuse that he shared on Instagram] and the only reason I put it up was to prove a point and I think proved it right. It’s that Kick It Out and the FA are a bunch of hypocrites, a bunch of cowards,” McClean said, as quoted by the Irish Examiner.”Look at the Sterling case, previously. He’s been lauded as this kind of hero for speaking out. Getting awards and this and that. What he got is nothing compared to what I’ve got for the past seven or eight years.”And there hasn’t been a peep, a single word or contact. I got a token gesture from Kick It Out after people highlighted it and went after them. Nothing will ever be done. I’m a white Irishman, to put it bluntly. That’s not high on the agenda in England.”It’s just a fact of proving a point that they are a bunch of hypocrites and a bunch of cowards.”They [the FA] never contacted me for starters. Do you watch Sky Sports News? Have you ever seen a story about me being discriminated against? There wasn’t a peep about the birthday card. So, just be consistent.”McClean was given a written warning by the FA after his goal celebration in a game for West Brom in 2015 where he appeared to taunt Sunderland supporters. On that decision, he added: “The same thing happened this year, with the Middlesbrough game where I clearly got abused.”People were trying to come on the pitch and I called them uneducated cavemen, which they were. I’m getting a warning from the FA. It’s only when I fire back at the FA publicly that they kind of back off and just give me a warning rather than taking any action.”But sure, that’s what it is.” Asked if he thought Sterling would be reprimanded if he called supporters “uneducated cavemen”, McClean continued: “No, he’d probably have got another award.”
The No. 2 recruit in the country is ready to announce his decision. Kayvon Thibodeaux has set a commitment date.Thibodeaux, a five-star defensive end from Thousand Oaks (Calif.) Oaks Christian, will announce his commitment this Saturday, December 15. He’ll do so on ESPN at halftime of the New Mexico Bowl between Utah State and North Texas.Thibodeaux will choose from Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Oregon.ESPN’s Tom Luginbill broke the news regarding Thibodeaux’s announcement.Breaking News: No. 1 high school football recruit @KayvonT8 will announce his college decision live on @ESPN during halftime of the @NMBowl on Saturday, Dec. 15 @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/4GokwLxJuH— Tom Luginbill (@TomLuginbill) December 13, 2018Thibodeaux officially visited Alabama and Florida State in September and Oregon in October. He took an OV to Florida last month.The 247Sports Crystal Ball isn’t foolproof, but right now, Alabama is trending for Thibodeaux. Oregon still has more total predictions, but the most recent picks have all been for the Tide.The New Mexico Bowl kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, so expect Thibodeaux to announced between 3:30 and 4 p.m. ET.
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 15: Greg Schiano, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, watches the action during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on December 15, 2013 in Tampa, Florida. San Francisco won the game 33-14. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano might not be out of work for very long.The former NFL head coach could be heading back to the league.ESPN’s Mike Reiss believes that the New England Patriots could be the landing spot for Schiano.The former Buckeyes’ assistant coach shares a close relationship with Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick.New England’s current defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, is reportedly a candidate for the Miami Dolphins’ head coaching job.And @MikeReiss says Greg Schiano would be a perfect fit on Bill Belichick’s coaching staff, especially if the Miami Dolphins follow through with their hope to make Brian Flores their next head coach. https://t.co/RNiFDdvTBR— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2019From ESPN.com:When Ohio State announced last week that Greg Schiano wouldn’t be returning as defensive coordinator in 2019 and that he would be pursuing opportunities in the NFL, the first thought that came to mind was that he would be a perfect fit on Belichick’s coaching staff, especially if the Miami Dolphins follow through with their hope to make Brian Flores their next head coach. The connection between Schiano and Belichick is well-documented.One other notable point as it relates to Flores’ potential departure: While it was clearly Flores’ defense on game day in terms of making calls, my understanding is that Belichick was notably involved during the week of preparation, in terms of his presence in some full-unit defensive meetings. That would likely continue, and perhaps even expand, regardless of who fills the void created by Flores’ departure.The Patriots, meanwhile, are set to kick off against the Chargers shortly after 1 p.m. E.T.The game is on CBS.
TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 24: A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers on October 24, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)One of the top quarterbacks in the 2020 class is back on the market. Carson Beck has backed off his pledge to Alabama.The Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin four-star signal caller committed to Alabama in June but continued to hear from a number of major programs, including Florida, Miami, Georgia Tech and Ohio State.Beck visited Florida over the weekend and was also reportedly set to check out Miami as well.Beck revealed he was reopening his recruitment during an interview on Jacksonville’s 1010XL radio-92.5FM on Monday night.Mandarin High’s @carsonbeck01 tells the Sports Den on 1010XL-92.5FM he is de-committing from Alabama and open up his recruiting process— Dan Hicken (@DanHicken) February 5, 2019Beck is the 38th-ranked junior in the state of Florida, per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings. He’s also the No. 10 Pro-Style quarterback in the 2020 cycle.As a junior in 2018, Beck completed 209-of-356 passing attempts for 3,546 yards, 39 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He was named Mr. Football in Florida as well after leading his team to a state title.Even with Beck out of the picture, Alabama still has the No. 1 2020 recruiting class in the country as of now. The Tide will have to find a new quarterback commitment though.
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 15: Head Coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks onto the field before the start of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)FOX has officially announced its plans for a new college football pregame show, aimed to compete with ESPN’s highly successful College GameDay.The show, which will feature former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, will include a number of notable 21st century college football stars.FOX Sports PR officially announced the news today.“This fall, college football’s biggest stars are on FOX,” they tweeted. “FOX Sports unveils the lineup for its new college football pregame show featuring Urban Meyer, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and host Rob Stone.”This fall, college football’s biggest stars are on FOX 🌟FOX Sports unveils the lineup for its new college football pregame show featuring Urban Meyer, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn and host Rob Stone.📰: https://t.co/E5kjoEpGTZ pic.twitter.com/BfPlAHNdDT— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) March 11, 2019From the announcement:Today, FOX Sports announces plans for its new college football pregame show, featuring some of the biggest names to have played or coached the sport in the last 15 years. Host Rob Stone sits alongside a panel of analysts comprised of three-time national championship coach Urban Meyer, USC legends Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart and record-setting Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. The one-hour show airs each Saturday during the college football season on the FOX broadcast network beginning Week 1. Today’s announcement was made by Mark Silverman, President, FOX Sports National Networks.“With a head coach that won three national titles in 10 years, two of the most successful college quarterbacks in recent memory and one of the sport’s most electric running backs, our new college football pregame show has the game covered from all angles,” Silverman said. “Not only will this all-star cast resonate with viewers because of their recent on-field accomplishments, but this group is going to have a lot of fun discussing the games each week.”Meyer and Bush are new additions to FOX Sports, while Quinn spent the last five seasons calling games for the network. Stone and Leinart have contributed to FOX Sports’ college football coverage since 2013.ESPN’s College GameDay is one of the most-successful live pregame shows in sports history, so FOX has some serious work to do in order to compete with it.However, FOX has acquired the television rights to some major games – including Ohio State-Michigan – and it’s possible this combination of names and game lead-ins could spark viewership.
AUBURN, AL – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs walks the field prior to facing the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)There probably wouldn’t be a college football season without a little bit of off-field drama. Unfortunately, the Georgia Bulldogs have recently been connected to a sizable chunk of it.Speaking at Tuesday practice per DawgNation, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart expressed his disappointment at seeing so many of his players get arrested in the few months since the 2018 season ended. From February to March, four Georgia players have been arrested in incidents across the southeast.“Obviously, I’m extremely disappointed,” Smart said on Tuesday, after the Bulldogs’ fourth spring practice. “There’s a standard of behavior that’s expected of student athletes at the University of Georgia.”Sophomore linebacker Latavius Brini was arrested charged with misdemeanor simple battery. Linebacker Jaden Hunter was arrested for car violations and driving with a suspended license.But defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and wide receiver Tyler Simmons were allegedly involved in a skirmish at a bar in Athens.Smart expressed his concern regarding his players’ decision-making and made it clear he expects them to be “law-abiding citizens.”“My concerns are the decisions that are made to put yourself in that situation,” Smart said. “When you go downtown you’ve got to behave. You’ve got to act the right way and be law-abiding citizens. That’s the expectations we have for our players, and to be honest with you, most of our guys do that.All four players are continuing to practice with the team.[DawgNation]