'Worse than death itself': Survivors describe Libya floods
Residents of Derna tell the BBC how they got out alive as floodwaters smashed through the city.
2023-09-14 22:23
Romelu Lukaku, a chessboard and the Jose Mourinho phone call that lured him to Roma
It was, not for the first time in football, a Jose Mourinho call that proved persuasive. The Roma manager last week rang Romelu Lukaku personally to say he was exactly what they were missing. “We have a good team but we are missing a champion,” Mourinho said. The Portuguese also explained to Lukaku exactly how he would work with Paulo Dybala. The hope is that the loan move reignites Roma’s faltering start to the season, and Lukaku’s career. Staying at Chelsea, while something that manager Mauricio Pochettino at least toyed with, was never really on. The club want to go in a new direction based on younger players developing in their career and capable of going to higher levels. That will be a consideration as they look for a forward in the final days of the window, although there is an expectation they will eventually move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney. The entire Lukaku situation says a lot about this summer’s market, and how it was influenced by the chase for forwards and Saudi Pro League money. The Belgian had a huge offer from the newly disruptive league from the off, that would have more than quadrupled his current wages. Lukaku wasn’t prepared to go there, though, and leave the top end of the game. It had long been anticipated that he would stay at Internazionale, where he was on loan last season, but there were already doubts in his mind. Lukaku felt he was back in top physical condition from the spring, with the goals to prove it, which made it all the more surprising that he was so often left on the bench for big games. Edin Dzeko might have been enjoying a late career surge, but the very fact that Inter manager Simone Inzaghi knew the Bosnian was leaving made it surprising that he didn’t seek to use Lukaku more. Lukaku felt it was better to move on, which is where Juventus came in. As with Roma now, a huge attraction in Juventus wasn’t just the status of the club but also the status of the manager. Lukaku was convinced by Max Allegri. There was just one major problem, as it turned out: Juventus first had to sell Dusan Vlahovic before bringing in Lukaku. This is what took the move so long. In talking with Chelsea about Lukaku, Juventus assured them there was a market for Vlahovic, and it was just a matter of time. That didn’t prove to be the case, despite a series of top clubs wanting strikers – including Chelsea themselves. All of them had Vlahovic on their list, but quite far down. It is quite an unexpected development for a player who turned down Arsenal over a year ago, although unfortunate fitness issues haven’t helped. Either way, Bayern Munich were singularly focused on Harry Kane. Paris Saint-Germain are likely to get Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani, and Vlahovic isn’t seen as a good fit for new PSG manager Luis Enrique in any case. Manchester United were never interested, as they pursued Rasmus Hojlund. “There was no place for him on the chessboard,” in the words of one involved figure. It got to the point where Juventus even turned around and offered Vlahovic to Chelsea. It never happened, though, which left the forward frustrated. There was also the complication that Chelsea were at that point insistent on Lukaku moving on a permanent transfer rather than another loan. It was then that Roma and AC Milan came in, and delicate negotiation was required by Roc Nation’s Alan Redmond and Michael Yormark, as well as Belgian lawyer Sebastien Ledure. The former had the benefit of a good relationship with Chelsea, as Roma took the lead by having Mourinho speak to the player and eventually sending a party to London to do the deal over the weekend. The Portuguese was adamant they don’t come back without getting it done. Milan never went so far, although the interest from almost all of the country’s major clubs reflects Lukaku’s reputation in Italy, where has been hailed as “the king of Serie A”. After long negotiations, and a lot of details to be finalised, a deal on a loan fee was eventually struck. Roma and Lukaku will now press ahead seeking to fire their season. Chelsea will press ahead trying to bring in one more forward before the window closes. Another domino in this interconnected forward market has gone, though. Whether that clears the way or makes it harder to navigate remains to be seen. Read More Chelsea’s Academy stars can rise to Carabao Cup challenge – Mauricio Pochettino Roma set to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on season-long loan Roma officials fly to London for talks with Chelsea over Romelu Lukaku loan deal Chelsea transfer news: Balogun, Olise, Lukaku, Chalobah and more Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze Mauricio Pochettino says Chelsea and Romelu Lukaku must share blame for standoff
2023-08-29 22:23
Garrett Shrader passes for four touchdowns in Syracuse's 65-0 rout of Colgate in season opener.
Garrett Shrader passed for four touchdowns to four different receivers, LeQuint Allen ran for 107 yards and a score, Syracuse scored on five consecutive possessions in the first half and the Orange went on to defeat Colgate 65-0 in the season opener for both teams
2023-09-03 07:47
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets excited for new chapter with Inter Miami
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets say they couldn't be more excited about the future with Inter Miami. The legendary duo have been registered as Designated Players until 2025.
2023-07-19 16:48
Is Simon Cowell retiring? Source claims star 'doesn't want to be in limelight anymore' as he moves to countryside
Simon Cowell recently sold his impressive $57 million Holland Park residence sparking rumors of his choice to embrace a quieter life
2023-07-30 17:55
Andrew Vaughn has double, homer, 2 RBIs and two runs scored as White Sox beat Royals 6-4
Andrew Vaughn doubled, homered, drove in two runs and scored two as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-4 to snap a five-game losing streak
2023-09-07 11:28
Celtics honor Maine mass shooting victims with moment of silence, special jersey patch
The Boston Celtics made several acknowledgments for this week's victims of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine during their home opener
2023-10-28 09:50
Race and ethnicity can be hard to define. Here's why
If it seems like the distinctions between race and ethnicity are confusing, unsatisfying or unclear, you're onto something.
2023-05-30 12:16
Game 4 Ukraine: When is kick off, how to watch and who is playing
At Stamford Bridge on Saturday a number of football legends and celebrities will take to the pitch to raise money for war-torn Ukraine. The first Game 4 Ukraine will be played in front of fans, with the money designated to help rebuild the infrastructure and facilities damaged by the Russian invasion of the country. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the crowd, before a minutes silence for all those killed in the conflict, and the mascots will be displaced children. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Game 4 Ukraine? The Game 4 Ukraine is due to kick off at 6 pm BST on Saturday 5 August at Stamford Bridge in London, will music and lights continuing until after 9pm. While the game will kick off at 6 pm BST, but will be stopped at 6.24 pm to pay respect, with fans asked to cheer and clap to in tribute to the bravery of the people of Ukraine. Half time shows include Pete Doherty and Boombox, before a trophy presentation and live music, with The Pretenders closing out the music before a light show at 9 pm. How can I watch it? Game 4 Ukraine will be shown live on Sky Max, with coverage starting at 5pm (UK time). Sky subscribers will also be able to watch the game via Sky Go. Team news The Blue Team, or Team Shevchenko will be managed by Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes and includes a number of players from Chelsea including Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien, and Claude Makelele, along with current Ukranian player Mykhailo Mudryk. The Yellow Team, or Team Zinchenko will be managed by Arsene Wenger contains a number of former Arsenal legends among other including Robert Pires, Jens Lehmann and Gilberto Silva. They will play alongside Cluj Ukranian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka and former player Yevhen Levchenko. Outside of football, Roman Kemp and Mark Strong will line up for the Yellow Team, and Russell Howard, James Arthur and Chelcee Grimes for the Blue Team. Read More Russia's war with Ukraine has generated its own fog, and mis- and disinformation are everywhere Ukraine accuses Russia of planning ‘false flag’ attack in Belarus to draw Minsk into war Ukraine says Russian missiles hit another apartment building and likely trapped people under rubble The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary
2023-08-05 18:17
Sudan conflict: Living in Cairo, longing for Omdurman
The BBC's Mohamed Osman writes about his emotional return after war forced him to flee.
2023-09-30 07:47
Kristen Welker and Craig Melvin take over 'Today' as Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie remain missing from NBC show
Kristen Welker was replaced to take the place of the two absent hosts, even though she would be departing the 'Today' show in September 2023
2023-08-29 16:54
Bucks' Jae Crowder to undergo surgery and miss two months due to adductor and abdominal tear
Milwaukee Bucks forward Jae Crowder will miss about two months due to a left adductor and abdominal tear
2023-11-14 07:51
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