List of All Articles with Tag 'port'

Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Harvey Barnes in the summer, as Leicester City face an exodus of their best players whether they go down or not. Financial drop-offs from the Covid pandemic have played into the 2016 Premier League champions' disastrous season, that has seen a number of rival clubs eye their best talent. Among the most rated are Barnes and James Maddison, with Tottenham Hotspur also having considered both. While Champions League qualifiers Newcastle United have long been seen as the most likely buyers for Maddison since the Saudi Arabian takeover, Barnes could have considerable competition. Villa are currently seen as the likeliest destination due to a strong package the club can put together, as they show continued promise under Unai Emery. It is understood that being able to maintain connections to the area could be attractive. Leicester's asking prices will be significantly affected if they stay up or go down, though, with rival clubs aware of their necessity to sell. It could bring up considerable value off the fees. Last summer, the Foxes were unable to spend without offloading players and centre-back Wout Faes was their only senior capture. They spent big in January to land defenders Harry Souttar and Victor Kristiansen, with Wesley Fofana and Kasper Schmeichel their only sales this year. Ayoze Perez left on loan in January. Leicester sacked Brendan Rodgers after an awful run of form, but Dean Smith has been unable to turn around the side’s fortunes and they head into the final day needing to win to stand a chance of survival. Read More Leicester only have themselves to blame for all-or-nothing gamble after years of bad choices Premier League relegation: What do Leeds, Everton and Leicester need to survive?

Eberechi Eze received his first call-up and Lewis Dunk returned four-and-a-half years after his only cap as Gareth Southgate named the England squad for June’s Euro 2024 qualifiers. Having kicked off Euro 2024 qualification with wins over Italy and Ukraine, Group C continues with next month’s double header against Malta and North Macedonia. Southgate has named a 25-man squad, with Eric Dier and Raheem Sterling the high-profile absentees and Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eze the only uncapped player in the group. Brighton captain Dunk returned for the first time since making his debut against the United States in November 2018. Callum Wilson, Tyrone Mings, Sam Johnstone and Trent Alexander-Arnold also returned to the fold. Sterling, who has won 82 caps, has endured a difficult first season since joining Chelsea from Manchester City. A representative for the forward said: “Following a private conversation between coach and player, a mutual decision has been made for Raheem Sterling to sit out the upcoming internationals, focusing instead on recuperating his body in preparation for the upcoming season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has been called up to England’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine Premier League season, and could make an international debut after earning his first official call-up to the senior national side. Eze was first named in a provisional England squad ahead of Euro 2020, but was forced to immediately withdraw due to injury. Gareth Southgate has named a 25-player squad for the two fixtures, with Brighton defender Lewis Dunk and Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings earning recalls. Raheem Sterling, who has endured a difficult first season at Chelsea, is a high-profile absentee, though Newcastle striker Callum Wilson is included with Brentford counterpart Ivan Toney serving a suspension after breaking gambling rules. There is also no place for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope due to injury, with Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone - who won his three England caps in 2021 - the beneficiary and returning to Southgate’s group. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of three specialist right-backs in the 25-man party, the majority of which will assemble at England’s St. George’s Park training base on Monday 12 June. The five Manchester City players named will join the squad at a later date due to their involvement in the Champions League final, while Declan Rice will also be delayed as he captains West Ham in the Europa Conference League final. England travel to face Malta on 16 June before hosting North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later. They currently top Group C after beating Italy and Ukraine in March. England squad to face Matla and North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifying Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale. Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker. Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice. Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Callum Wilson. Read More Lionesses star Fran Kirby extends Chelsea stay despite injury forcing her to miss World Cup Gareth Southgate celebrates a ‘different’ England and says he has learned a lot Supercharged Newcastle’s four key transfer targets to strengthen for Champions League

Ruud van Nistelrooy, a bonafide Manchester United legend has quit his managerial position at PSV Eindhoven in bizarre circumstances. Despite lifting two trophies with the Dutch side - the KNVB cup and the Johan Cruyff Shield, van Nistelrooy has resigned with a game remaining in the Eredivisie, and will not see out the season at PSV. The club could still seal a second place finish in the Dutch league with a win over AZ Alkmaar (who have been in the news for their own reasons recently), but the ex-striker will no longer oversee that - a reward in itself behind a dominant and immovable Ajax side. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter PSV's statement read as follows: 'PSV regrets van Nistelrooy's decision and is grateful to him for winning the Johan Cruyff Shield and the TOTO KNVB Cup this season and hopes to close the football year with second place.' According to a number of outlets, friction behind the scenes is the cause of van Nistelrooy's dramatic departure. PSV lost two stars to Premier League sides - with Noni Madueke joining Chelsea and Cody Gakpo moving to Liverpool. Bold also state that van Nistelrooy chose to suddenly depart after realising a lack of support for his methods - following a series of meetings with the board regarding 'internal matters'. Van Nistelrooy leaves PSV having won 65 per cent of his games in charge, after a long stint as a backroom and youth coach at the club. It's not the first time he has departed PSV either - in 2001 he left the club to grow his legend at Manchester United. Perhaps something similar will follow now? Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Gareth Southgate will today name his England squad for two upcoming fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia. The Three Lions currently top their Euro 2024 qualifying group, and six further points here will leave them looking well on track to make the tournament having already beaten Italy and Ukraine. These pair of games in June will effectively mark the end of the men’s season, with no summer tournament and club football coming to an end beforehand, meaning a potentially big chance to impress for some players as the qualification campaign reaches the halfway stage. Newcastle’s Callum Wilson, Brighton’s Lewis Dunk and Leicester’s James Maddison are all tipped to be included after strong individual ends to the season, despite contrasting form for their clubs. Read More Roberto De Zerbi: Brighton’s Lewis Dunk has been playing through pain barrier Newcastle striker Callum Wilson set for England recall Gareth Southgate celebrates a ‘different’ England and says he has learned a lot

Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to be ready to face Chelsea on Thursday night but admitted he is not sure whether Manchester United’s top scorer is fully fit. Rashford has missed United’s last two fixtures, first with a leg injury and then through illness, but has returned to training this week. Asked if the 29-goal forward was ready to play, Ten Hag said: “It looks like (it). Yesterday, he returned to training, he looks quite fit but we have to see today what is the outcome of the training, how did we recover and then we will make our choices.” Rashford’s absence against Wolves and Bournemouth – both games United won without him – once again brought into focus United’s lack of depth in the forward positions. Anthony Martial was handed a rare start on the south coast on Sunday, but headed straight down the tunnel when he was withdrawn after an hour before later returning to the bench. Martial’s reaction led to fresh speculation over his United future. The 27-year-old, who finished last season on loan at Sevilla, has scored eight times in 27 appearances for United this season, but has struggled at times with injuries. “If you are not available, you can’t score,” Ten Hag said. “When he was available we played better, the team is winning games, he’s also scoring goals but he has to be available.” And Ten Hag also batted away a question about speculation linking United with Paris St Germain’s Brazil forward Neymar by offering his stock answer on transfer rumours, saying: “When we have news, we will tell you.” United will secure a top-four place and a return to the Champions League for next season if they take at least a point against Frank Lampard’s side. “It’s clear, we want to win every game,” the Dutchman said. “That is what we do all season so tomorrow we want to do the same, we want to win the game, play dominant football and get the job done… “First, we have to win the game tomorrow and get the job done. Then, it’s about judgement from others if it’s a good, bad or normal performance. “We are in a project, we want to go back and win trophies, we win one trophy but we want more trophies, compete with the best, we are still in a journey but we think we are in the right direction but it can always be better. Because good is not good enough.” We are still in a journey but we think we are in the right direction but it can always be better. Because good is not good enough Erik ten Hag With the League Cup trophy already in the cabinet, booking a return to Europe’s premier competition would be another significant marker for Ten Hag in his first season at Old Trafford. “If we want to compete with the best, then you have to be in the Champions League,” he said. “We want to compete with the best and be in the Champions League. In the Premier League, you have to be one of the first four, that’s not easy, many are competing for it, many think they should be in and we are one of them.”

England forward Fran Kirby has extended her Chelsea contract by another year. Kirby, who signed a two-year deal in 2021 that included the option of a further 12 months, joined the Blues from Reading in 2015 and has gone on to become the Women’s Super League club’s leading scorer with 110 goals in 175 appearances. During her time with Chelsea, Kirby has won 13 trophies, including five WSL titles as well as the FA Cup on four occasions. Kirby was also part of the England side which won the European Championship on home soil last summer, but has been ruled out of this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after needing knee surgery. The 29-year-old suffered the injury during Chelsea’s Continental League Cup semi-final against West Ham in February. A club statement read: “Chelsea is delighted to announce that an option to extend the contract of forward Fran Kirby by a further year has been exercised. “We look forward to seeing Fran back in blue next season.” PA Read More England’s World Cup squad: Who’s on the plane, and who’s got work to do? Ella Toone upbeat on England’s World Cup chances despite ‘difficult’ injury setbacks ‘Everyone wants to see us fail’: How Erin Cuthbert drives Chelsea to stay on top

Southampton have confirmed that manager Ruben Selles will not have his contract renewed at the end of the season. A dismal 2022/23 campaign has seen Saints relegated to the Championship, bottom of the Premier League table with one match to play. Ralph Hasenhuttl was dismissed partway through and Nathan Jones appointed, but his tenure was disastrous and short-lived, with Selles taking over from him in February, initially as interim boss. After a positive response and a couple of improved results, Selles was handed the job until the end of the season and was initially bullish about his team’s chances of survival, but a run of just one draw and nine defeats in their last ten has seen them brutally cut adrift and consigned to the drop. Southampton have now confirmed that after talks with the Spaniard, the 39-year-old will not be retained as the south coast club undertake a sweeping overhaul in preparation for life in the second tier. A short statement read: “The club wants to place on record its thanks to Ruben for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League. “Ruben will take charge of the team for the final game against Liverpool on Sunday at St Mary’s. We wish him all the best for his future career.” Earlier in the week, Saints also confirmed the departure of Martin Semmens as CEO, a position he had held since 2019. Ownership group Sport Republic announced they were “taking full operational control” with Dragan Solak appointed Chairman of Sport Republic with the mandate to have an active role in overseeing “the activities of the Group” and “supporting the leadership of the club”. Rasmus Ankersen remains in charge of football strategy and Henrik Kraft stays as Saints’ chairman, while also now taking on the role of interim CEO until a replacement for Semmens is confirmed. Jason Wilcox is also arriving at the club this summer as director of football. Read More When does the Premier League transfer window open and close this summer? Supercharged Newcastle’s four key transfer targets to strengthen for Champions League Roberto De Zerbi: Brighton’s Lewis Dunk has been playing through pain barrier

Israel’s president says he will award the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team the State Cup at his official residence after a chaotic scene by fans disrupted the original trophy ceremony

Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk has been called out by fitness influencer Joey Swoll after filming a man's wardrobe malfunction in the gym and posting it online. The Ukrainian winger clearly has a lot of time on his hands, because he’s not been playing an awful lot for Chelsea since arriving for a whopping £89 million in January. The footballer posted a video of an older gentleman in the gym using a rowing machine. The clip alludes to a wardrobe malfunction as there’s a blurred square over the man’s shorts. The 22-year-old added the caption “?”, and it wasn’t long before Swoll took issue with his actions and uploaded a video of his own challenging the original clip. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Swoll, real name Sergo, said: "So you see that man at the gym, working hard, trying to better himself, with a trainer. ”He's in an embarrassing situation where, yes, he's a little exposed. And you decide: 'Hey, let me take a video of it to post on social media to make fun of him', all for attention. Really? Pardon my language, but what the f*** is wrong with you? You're a professional soccer player, you play for Chelsea in the Premier League! Is this really how you want to represent yourself and your team?" Swoll, who brands himself the “CEO of gym positivity” has amassed 6.7 million TikTok followers with his commentaries on so-called gym culture. However, some have questioned whether his videos are fuelling misogyny by calling out lesser-known female TikTokers and setting them up for harassment online. Mudryk, meanwhile, has struggled for game time during his first season in the Premier League after arriving in January, playing just 16 games in all competitions and scoring no goals. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

NBA fans -- put the brooms back in the cupboard. Following the Los Angeles Lakers being swept out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets, the Boston Celtics were keen to avoid meeting the same fate as their long-time rivals.

The latest climbing season on Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is set to become one of the