Putin travels south to meet generals waging Ukraine offensive
Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with the commander of Moscow's Ukraine offensive in the Russian city Rostov-on-Don, the Kremlin said Saturday, in a rare trip...
2023-08-19 17:27
Prosecutors ask judge to take steps to protect potential jurors' identities in 2020 election case
Prosecutors are urging the judge overseeing Donald Trump’s election interference case in Washington to take steps to protect the privacy and identity of prospective jurors
2023-10-11 00:19
On this day in history, October 1, 1890, Yosemite National Park is established by an Act of Congress
California's Yosemite was the third to get the designation of a national park after Yellowstone National Park and Sequoia National Park
2023-10-01 18:46
Bronny James mostly watches warmups with his No. 23 Southern California teammates
Bronny James was on the court with his No. 23 Southern California teammates for pregame warmups for the second straight game, although he mostly watched from under the basket, did some rebounding and then took three shots from the corner
2023-11-24 07:59
IShowSpeed finally talks to Adin Ross after a major fallout, Internet mocks duo: 'Both glazing so hard'
IShowSpeed finally talks to Adin Ross after a major fallout, here's what happened next
2023-09-21 15:23
Mauricio Pochettino makes Chelsea transfer request before January window
Mauricio Pochettino asks to be more involved in Chelsea's transfer business before the January transfer window.
2023-09-30 21:22
Ex-NFL cornerback Damon Arnette must appear in court for plea deal in felony gun case, judge says
A Nevada judge is requiring former NFL cornerback Damon Arnette to appear in person to resolve a felony gun case by pleading guilty to misdemeanors stemming from an argument with Las Vegas Strip casino valets in January 2022
2023-08-03 05:15
Australia's home prices hit record high -CoreLogic
SYDNEY Australian home prices have defied a substantial jump in interest rates to hit a record high, data
2023-11-22 21:15
So far, Auburn QB Payton Thorne a good fit for the Tigers after leaving Michigan State
Payton Thorne is adapting well to life in the South, and to the Auburn offense
2023-08-30 02:22
'He's home': Missing 73 years, Medal of Honor recipient's remains return to Georgia
An American soldier awarded the Medal of Honor after he went missing in battle during the Korean War is being buried on Memorial Day near his hometown in Georgia
2023-05-29 13:27
Verstappen back on top in Monaco but demands more from Red Bull
Max Verstappen resumed normal service on Friday when he topped the times for Red Bull and then demanded more performance from his team ahead of Saturday’s crucial qualifying session...
2023-05-27 01:52
Raheem Sterling may have no way back as Gareth Southgate shows his hard edge
Gareth Southgate made his reputation as England’s mild-mannered assassin. He ended the international careers of Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart. He showed a willingness to move on to the next generation. But then, having forged a team, he has been transformed into a loyalist. Harry Maguire and Kalvin Phillips – combined total of minutes this season: 0 – were included in the squad to face Ukraine and Scotland and few should be surprised. There were reasons for each; a lack of fit centre-backs with international experience, a shortage of specialist defensive midfielders. Yet there was a notable absentee, a player with more football and in better form than Maguire and Phillips, a face of Southgate’s England. But, once again, a squad did not contain Raheem Sterling’s name. In March, fitness accounted for his absence. In June, it was the forward’s preference, Sterling asking for a break to work on his conditioning. In September, it will be managerial preference. Southgate’s explanation focused on loyalty: to the players who beat Malta 4-0 and North Macedonia 7-0 in June, to ones who have begun the season as well as Sterling. It was, though: “A difficult call and Raheem was not particularly happy about it.” A quarter of a century earlier, when Southgate made Glenn Hoddle’s World Cup squad and Paul Gascoigne did not, the midfielder responded with a tantrum. Sterling’s response was more polite, but his disappointment evident. “Raheem is always really respectful with how he responds, and deals [with things], he will always say ‘I respect your decision’ but of course he wants to get back in the group,” Southgate said. “I wouldn’t expect that to be any other way.” But the expectation was that he would be back in a squad that instead contained Eberechi Eze. Sterling has looked rejuvenated for Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea; he was arguably man of the match even in defeat to West Ham, he scored twice against Luton. “It’s not a decision I have based on the three games he has played,” Southgate said. “What I am hearing him say, he’s very focused and I am under no doubt that he’s going to have a really good season with Chelsea, I think they are going to go well. He looks like he’s back in the groove to score a lot of goals.” Which he has done for Southgate’s England: only Harry Kane has scored more in the manager’s reign. For a long time, he and Kane seemed the two certainties in the forward line, with everyone else competing to accompany them. Southgate does not call every player omitted from his squads: that he rang Sterling was a reflection of the importance he used to have. “Firstly he’s a player who has been a really big player for us, an important part of our team, and I wanted to address the fact that he’s playing really well,” he said. He painted it as a continuity choice from June, waiting for the season to unfold. “By next month we will have had another seven, 10 games and there will be a lot more evidence right across the board, of all the players and where they are at.” And yet the reality is that the wings are the area where England boast the most strength in depth. Southgate listed his rivals’ credentials: Marcus Rashford was involved in three goals against Nottingham Forest, Phil Foden was exceptional against Newcastle, Jack Grealish set up Erling Haaland’s opener at Sheffield United and Bukayo Saka has carried on where he left off last year. “We have got Foden, Grealish, Rashford, Saka, so there’s four for two positions,” Southgate reflected. “Maddison also played there. Whichever one I didn’t pick was going to be the story.” But Sterling is: a player with 55 caps in his reign, England’s outstanding attacker at Euro 2020, the talisman who realised his potential under sympathetic management, the prodigy who had looked on course to break Peter Shilton’s caps record. Then Sterling lost his place at the World Cup, albeit in a tournament when he returned to England after a burglary at his house, and amid a car-crash of a Chelsea season. He felt collateral damage in the chaos Todd Boehly brought to Stamford Bridge, a player who had arguably his worst campaign in senior football. “I understood why he wanted to focus on the fitness in June and we are seeing the benefits of that now,” Southgate said. “Of course, when you are not in, other people have the shirt.” All of which was rational and fair. But it showed a hard edge that he often conceals. Injuries could alter the equation and allow a route back in, yet Sterling will have to displace a high-class player. And for the meantime, it leaves him looking the odd man out, the player whose exclusion is not a one-off as much as a regular occurrence. If it long looked inconceivable that England could enter Euro 2024 without a fit and in-form Raheem Sterling, perhaps it is not now. Read More Jordan Henderson has given Gareth Southgate a Saudi Arabia problem Gareth Southgate says Raheem Sterling ‘not particularly happy’ at England snub Raheem Sterling misses out as Eddie Nketiah handed debut England squad call-up LGBT+ England fans may shun Jordan Henderson for ‘turning his back’ on them Gareth Southgate admits Raheem Sterling not happy after England snub Southgate explains ‘difficult’ decision to leave Sterling out of England squad
2023-09-01 14:56
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