List of All Articles with Tag 'foot'

Manchester United’s valuation on the New York Stock Exchange plummeted by more than £500million in the wake of a report that the Glazers have decided not to sell. Nine months ago the owners announced a full sale was among the options being considered as part of a strategic review at the Old Trafford club. Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe made offers to buy United, yet the interminable potential takeover process rumbles on as fans continue to protest against the Glazers. Hopes of a full sale were seemingly dashed when the Mail on Sunday reported that the owners are taking the club off the market and will try to sell again in 2025. That report led to more than £500m being knocked off United’s share price on Tuesday. After the New York Stock Exchange reopened following the Labor Day holiday, the price plummeted from 23.66 US dollars (£18.83) to 19.35 US dollars (£15.40) by close. United’s market capitalisation – the company’s worth on the stock market – was left at 3.15billion US dollars (£2.5billion) after the 18.22 per cent drop. Earlier this year the Glazer family reportedly valued United at £6bn. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

What the papers say Manchester City are reportedly leading a long line of suitors for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. According to the i, any move would be viewed as future-proofing the side should Erling Haaland elect to depart the club once his contract expires in 2027. The Telegraph says Manchester United have commenced contract extension talks with defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The 25-year-old is in the final year of his current deal, but manager Erik ten Hag is believed to be impressed with the right-back’s progression in recent months. Reports from the Daily Mail indicate Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq are still pushing to sign Everton winger Demarai Gray before the transfer deadline window closes on Thursday. Social media round-up Players to watch Kylian Mbappe: The Paris St Germain forward is open to joining Liverpool next summer, according to L’Equipe. Jorginho: Italian outlet Tutto Mercato says the 31-year-old midfielder is set to rebuff interest from Fenerbahce to stay at Arsenal. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

For Eddie Nketiah, it is a story of Arsenal royalty and Chelsea rejects. A first senior call-up for the record scorer in the history of the England Under-21s capped a fine start to the season and came after a reunion. Nketiah and Declan Rice were players who thought their dreams had died, south Londoners who were released by Chelsea as teenagers. Now they could be teammates for club and country: one is currently Arsenal’s first-choice forward, the other their £105m record signing. “It is funny how life works sometimes,” Nketiah reflected. “We have done the full 360 to be back together. I was there from the ages of nine and it came as a shock to me because I was doing well at the time. Obviously Declan was of that age group as well and had a similar experience.” Rice was the first to taste disappointment; two years later, Nketiah was deemed too small. Each could seem a costly mistake; then it was a crushing blow to them. “I think it gives you an awakening and just knowing that things can change like that: that you can lose everything you have worked for,” he said. “It gives you that extra bit of motivation and resilience when times are hard. I’m able to dig a level deeper than maybe some people can or don’t want to go into.” Arsenal helped him dig, rebuilding his confidence with the aid of their two greatest goalscorers of all time. Ian Wright became a mentor. Thierry Henry coached him in the academy. His best advice to Nketiah was motivational, not tactical. “Probably just to believe in yourself,” said the younger forward. “He came in and saw the quality I had when I was 16 or 17 and said that I just needed to believe in myself, whatever anyone else said. That is what is going to drive you, to motivate you.” They may seem simple words but the stature of the man delivering them meant they had added meaning. “He knows what he’s talking about, so it’s not a bad feeling,” Nketiah said. As a player, he may share more similarities with Wright than the World Cup winner but there is an echo of Henry whenever he dons the Arsenal kit. The No 14 shirt used to be the Frenchman’s. “Thierry wearing it has made it a lot more special,” Nketiah said. “When the number was available and offered to me, it was something that I embraced. I’m not here to try and recreate Thierry’s moments. I’m here to put my own stamp on it and create my own special memories in the shirt.” Which, at times, he has done: January’s 90th-minute winner against Manchester United was an indication of the merits of a predator. Nketiah has taken advantage of Gabriel Jesus’ absence to start three of four league games this season. And yet the shirt number can have another meaning: Nketiah has often seemed roughly the 14th man, the perennial substitute. Two-thirds of his Premier League appearances have come off the bench. When he was loaned to Leeds in 2019-20, 15 of his 17 Championship outings under Marcelo Bielsa came as a replacement. Much as Nketiah wants to start, the temptation is to wonder if his excellence as a substitute helps account for Gareth Southgate’s decision to select him: in a squad where Harry Kane’s pre-eminence among the strikers is established, England may want a game-changer in reserve. A perennial starter for his club, like Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, has less experience of being sent on in the dying minutes of major matches. That status as the regular reserve may account for his Under-21 scoring record: without playing enough club football, he was less likely to be promoted to the senior set-up and so ended up with 16 goals in 17 caps. Meanwhile, this month marks six years since his Arsenal debut: he has been overtaken by Bukayo Saka, two years his junior but with 28 full caps to his name. Nketiah, meanwhile, was courted by Ghana. The England call-up came at an opportune time, when Nketiah was at home, surrounded by family and a friend. “When I got the text it was surreal. I am usually a calm guy but I did lose a little bit of composure for a 10 seconds or so,” he said. “My parents were really emotional. They sacrificed a lot for me to get here and it was really nice to see that happiness and pride on their faces.” His father used to drive him to every game and booked flights to watch him on tour. His mother would stay up late, washing his kit. His sisters would finish school, come home and put him on a train to first Chelsea’s Cobham training ground and then Arsenal’s Hale End academy. The journey was not a simple or straightforward one but Nketiah is now on the brink of an England debut. Read More Eddie Nketiah ready to make “own story” for Gareth Southgate’s England in upcoming internationals Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah’s fight to play for England after first call-up England can benefit from Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich – Gareth Southgate

Levi Colwill’s amazing year shows few signs of slowing as the defender looks to make his England debut and prove his worth to Gareth Southgate with Euro 2024 on the horizon. An impressive season-long loan with Brighton was followed by helping England Under-21s become European champions over the summer. Colwill returned to Chelsea and was rewarded with an improved six-year deal, before going onto make his debut in their season opener. The 20-year-old has been an ever-present under new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino and his eye-catching displays earned a first formal England call-up. “It has been an amazing year,” Colwill said. “There have been a lot of ups and still been downs, and a load of stuff that I have had to overcome. But it’s all part of my career and you’re going to get that. “A hundred per cent it’s all worth it in the end. You’ve got to keep working hard, that’s what I have done so far but now it’s about keep going.” Colwill cited the initial lack of game time under Graham Potter and Brighton successor Roberto De Zerbi as examples of down moments he overcame. But the success that followed on the south coast saw him brought in to train with the England senior squad in June, even travelling with them for the qualifier in Malta, before heading off on Under-21s duty. “Coming and training in June was a big blessing,” Colwill said. “I enjoyed it so much and then obviously getting formally called up now is amazing. “When I got the text I called dad straight away. I think he was getting emotional, to be honest. Dream come true. “Everyone was so welcoming and it made a big difference for me. “Now I have settled in a bit, I am ready to kick on and hopefully prepare for the upcoming week.” Colwill is hoping to make his debut against Ukraine in Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Poland, or in the Hampden Park friendly against Scotland three days later. The 20-year-old allayed fitness concerns ahead of that double-header after sitting out training on Tuesday, pointing to a tough previous week and the fact he is “a young boy still growing”. Asked if making it into next summer’s Euros squad is a target, he said: “Of course. Playing for Chelsea – one of the biggest clubs in the world – it’s got to be my aim to hopefully be in the England team come the Euros. “Obviously it’s still a long time until that comes so I’ve just got to keep working hard, pushing myself and let’s see what happens next.” England have yet to mathematically seal qualification for Euro 2024, but it has long looked a case of when rather than if their place in Germany is wrapped up. The uncapped Colwill already appears to have a strong chance of being involved – an opportunity that will only be bolstered by Chelsea boss Pochettino. Adam Lallana, who the defender calls a key influence in his career, made his England debut at Southampton under the Argentinian, who his former Brighton team-mates had praised to the hilt. Colwill took that on board when committing his future to Chelsea, where he is excited to develop under a manager with a fine track record of maximising English talent. “I think the big thing for me was the first day I came in, him just putting an arm around me and showing me that he respects me as a person and also a player,” he said of Pochettino. “That allows me to work my hardest and want to play my best for him. “Just working under him in general, I know I’m going to improve. I can guarantee that because he’s such a good manager and he will push me. He won’t let me have any off days and that’s what I need. “Someone like me, if someone lets me go to sleep I might just have a good day or a bad day. But I need someone there to give me that kick up my bum and say ‘keep going’ and that’s what he does.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live On this day in 2012: Teenager Jonnie Peacock wins Paralympic 100m gold in London US Open Wrap: Novak Djokovic adds yet another milestone with semi-final berth England new boy Eddie Nketiah motivated by ‘magnificent’ Thierry Henry

Alabama hosts Texas in by far the biggest college football game of Week 2 and the Crimson Tide are clearly not above playing some mindgames.

ESPN has been blacked out for Spectrum users since Labor Day, making college football fans miss out. With the blackout not ending soon, what does this mean?

Ethan Ampadu believes Wales will feel the benefit of his settled life at Leeds and the end of his wanderlust. Ampadu holds no regrets over leaving Chelsea this summer and heading to Elland Road after loan spells at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia – at the last three clubs he suffered relegation. The 22-year-old joined Chelsea at the age of 16 in 2017 and was their longest serving player until his July departure, despite making just 12 senior appearances there in six years. “It comes down to you as an individual,” Ampadu said about his Stamford Bridge exit. “If you want to stay then you voice that opinion, but I felt it was the right time to leave.” Ampadu has become a popular figure with Leeds fans in the early weeks of the Sky Bet Championship campaign, despite an indifferent start under Daniel Farke, and is the only man to play every minute for the Yorkshire club this term. Utilised during his 44-cap Wales career either in central defence or midfield, Ampadu is relishing the opportunity to play in the middle of the park at Leeds. I've enjoyed the step I've taken and I'm excited to see what comes from it Ethan Ampadu on his Leeds move A rich history is associated with that role over the years with Billy Bremner, David Batty, Gary McAllister and Kalvin Phillips among his central-midfield predecessors at Elland Road. Ampadu said: “It’s not just the position I play but the history of the club in general, where the club belongs. “We know on the outside where everyone wants us to be and within ourselves what we need to do to get where we want to be. “You obviously feel the pressure in the club, but it’s more of an exciting pressure of knowing what you can achieve. “I feel good and I’m enjoying being settled. I gave my all in each of the loans and I was focused on developing and becoming a better player. “But maybe in the back of your mind when you know you are settled somewhere and you’re not on loan, there are little things you can improve on. “If you are playing in one position, you can work on the finer little details within that position to take you to the next level. “The results have not really gone our way so far. But our performances have given us the belief for the games coming up after the international break that we can do really well.” Wales host South Korea in a Cardiff friendly on Thursday before meeting Latvia in a crunch Euro 2024 qualifier in Riga next Monday. Rob Page’s side are in desperate need for points to book a top-two automatic qualifying spot after defeats by Armenia and Turkey in June. “We’ve had time to reflect,” said Ampadu. “Everyone knows when you see a Wales team and how we performed in those games, well, that’s not us. “Put that aside, we have to learn from it. It’s about reminding ourselves of those standards and what has got us success in the past. “I’m sure that’s the baseline for us in these games coming up.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live England could still use ‘magician’ Marcus Smith at full-back – Kevin Sinfield Jonny May confronted Steve Borthwick after initial omission from England squad Novak Djokovic thrives in New York heat to beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets

Mason Greenwood says he is “happy to be here” at Getafe as he was unveiled in front of the home crowd for the first time following his loan move from Manchester United. The 21-year-old made the switch to Spain on deadline day after it was announced last month that he would continue his career away from Old Trafford. Greenwood was suspended by United back in January 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online and faced charges including attempted rape and assault, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February this year that the case had been discontinued. Greenwood had the opportunity to train in front of the Getafe fans in an open training session on Tuesday and was later unveiled in front of the home supporters alongside fellow new signings Diego Rico and Oscar Rodriguez. The one-cap England international was the last of the three to be unveiled and entered the Coliseum Alfonso Perez to cheers from the Getafe faithful before he waved back and kicked a signed ball into the stand. Greenwood said: “I am very happy to be here. “I have been training for four or five months, I am getting up to speed and have been training with my team-mates and feel quite good. “We take it one game at a time and the next home game is coming in a few weeks and we will try to win and do our best.” Greenwood’s last appearance came for United in a 1-0 win over West Ham in January 2022 and he could make his debut after the international break when Getafe come up against Osasuna on September 17. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Wales boss Warren Gatland has reported a clean bill of health among his World Cup squad heading into the crunch tournament opener against Fiji. Co-captain Dewi Lake and number eight Taulupe Faletau were among a handful of players who nursed injuries during Wales’ World Cup warm-up Tests. Number eight Faletau played no part in those fixtures due to a calf muscle problem, while hooker Lake went off after suffering a knee injury during Wales’ defeat against England at Twickenham. Ryan Elias, Dafydd Jenkins and Gareth Anscombe have also recovered to be available for Sunday’s Pool C clash in Bordeaux. “The last couple of weeks we’ve had a few niggles – we had eight or 10 players not taking a full part in training,” Gatland said. “Nothing serious, but just a few bumps. They’ve all been rehabbed and everyone is now fit, which is a positive place for us to be in. “He (Faletau) has been taking a full part in training for the past three weeks. “There is no doubt in the first week he was blowing pretty hard in terms of some of the set-piece stuff the boys have been doing for a number of weeks. “That has taken a little bit of time, but we’ve kept a close eye on his GPS figures and they have been excellent for him. “Even though he hasn’t been running around, he has done a lot of off-feet conditioning. Some of the work on the side of the pitch is harder than being on the pitch, and he is definitely in contention for the weekend.” Lake departed during the first half at Twickenham, and the hooker added: “It always plays on your mind when you come off injured 20 minutes into a game. “I am very grateful to be sat here, to the medical staff who got me through the three weeks at home and the coaching staff for selecting me post-injury. “A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to get me ready for this weekend.” Wales trained amid temperatures of more than 30 degrees on Tuesday, while the forecast for Sunday’s encounter is for 28 degrees at kick-off, even though the game does not start until 9pm local time. It is understood that World Cup organisers are considering water breaks during the opening round of pool fixtures. “We would like the ball on the park as often as we could. We think we’re in pretty good shape physically,” Gatland said. “In terms of that, we are not going to push back on water breaks if that’s what is decided. We won’t be arguing with World Rugby on that decision.” It will be a fifth successive World Cup for Wales and Fiji to meet in the pool stage, and Sunday’s victors will take a significant step towards the quarter-finals. Fiji are fresh from an outstanding away victory over England, and they are fancied by many to defeat a Wales side with just three wins from 13 Tests. “I thought they were excellent at Twickenham,” Gatland added. “They have got some great athletes, we are aware of that. “They are a lot more structured now as a team than they would traditionally have been in the past. “We’ve got to impose our game on them as well. We know they are a good side at the moment, and a lot of their side play in Super Rugby and in France as well. It’s going to be an exciting challenge. “They have always had incredibly world-class individual athletes who could open up a game. But bringing that organisation and structure makes them more dangerous. “I think from a coaching perspective, the ultimate pinnacle is the World Cup. It’s the one time in international windows that you get full preparation. “It feels like you’re working with a club side in having a pre-season. We’ve been able to work on a lot of things in the last few months in terms of the detail and putting together a strategy.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Clubs send out wrong message playing footballers accused of abuse – Women’s Aid Shane Lowry defends Ryder Cup selection and says Europe have ‘best 12 players’ Ireland trio Jack Conan, Dan Sheehan and Dave Kilcoyne out of World Cup opener

Paul Finebaum didn't hold back on the TCU Horned Frogs after they were upset in Week 1.

The Spanish Football Federation has sacked women’s manager Jorge Vilda only two weeks after winning the World Cup amid the ongoing Luis Rubiales crisis. Vilda’s entire playing and coaching staff resigned in protest against Rubiales, the Federation (RFEF) president who refused to step down over his conduct during the final in which he kissed forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips during Spain’s trophy presentation. He was also pictured handling other players, kissing them on the cheek and grabbing his own crotch in an aggressive celebration. Rubiales has been provisionally suspended by Fifa from all football-related activity and banned from contacting Hermoso or those close to her while an investigation is carried out. In a speech made to RFEF officials and the media, Rubiales refused to resign and hit out at a “witch hunt” against him – and Vilda was pictured in the audience applauding the man who appointed him as head coach of the women’s team in 2015. Vilda later issued a statement condemning Rubiales’ conduct but did not resign, and he has now been removed from his post, according to multiple reports in Spain. Vilda has long been a controversial and unpopular figure among the Spanish squad. His team looked to be on the brink of implosion 12 months ago when 15 players made themselves unavailable for selection, saying that the environment of the national team was having a negative impact on their mental health and emotional wellbeing. They complained about the oppressive nature of Vilda’s managerial regime and were unhappy about how outdated the international set-up seemed. Some of the arrangements, like travelling long distances by bus or not having staff in certain key roles, fell well below their standards at club level and they did not feel the Spanish FA was given them the best chance of fulfilling a unique generation of talent. Other complaints included the coach’s demands that their hotel room doors remain unlocked until midnight, and that their bags were routinely checked. Meanwhile, the current RFEF president, Pedro Rocha, has written a letter distancing the organisation from Rubiales’ actions, saying he is “ashamed” by them. “The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and the values ​​of football and sport as a whole have been enormous,” Rocha’s letter said. “Mr Rubiales’ actions do not represent the values ​​defended by the Spanish federation, nor the values ​​of Spanish society as a whole. “His actions must be attributed solely and exclusively to him, since he is the one solely responsible for those actions before society, before the sports governing bodies and, if applicable, before justice. To be clear, this position was that of Mr Rubiales, not that of the RFEF. We feel especially sorry and ashamed for the pain and additional distress this has caused.” more to follow... Read More Luis Rubiales speaks out to ‘continue defending myself’ over kiss scandal Spain manager asks for ‘forgiveness’ after applauding Luis Rubiales speech Watch: Wiegman dedicates Women’s Coach of the Year award to Spain players

Jordan Henderson has apologised to the LGBTQ+ community after the former Liverpool captain’s move to Saudi Arabia. The England international, who joined Steve Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq this summer in a £12m move, has been a vocal supporter of the community and campaigns to support its inclusion in the sport. Henderson, who has been a leading voice in the Rainbow Laces campaign and has worn a rainbow armband when captaining Liverpool, caused controversy this summer with his move to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal. “I can understand the frustration [from the LGBTQ+ community],” Henderson told The Athletic. “I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that. My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they have asked for my help. Henderson was one of three Liverpool players to move to the Saudi Pro League, with Fabinho signing for Al-Ittihad and Roberto Firmino linking up with Al-Ahli as a free agent. The 33-year-old, who is yet to score for Al-Ettifaq, has helped Gerrard’s side to a positive start. They are currently sitting fifth in the table after five games. Henderson was cautious when pushed about future involvement in the Rainbow Laces campaign, highlighting the prospect that it could “disrespect the religion and culture in Saudi Arabia”. Henderson also insisted his move to the Saudi Pro League will have a positive impact, but stopped short of predicting any meaningful change. “I think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now. And I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing. I can’t promise anything, but what I can do is sit here and say I have my values and beliefs,” Henderson added. “I’m comfortable knowing exactly what I am and exactly what I stand for. But I get and I can accept not everyone’s going to get that. So that’s why I can only apologise to those people if they feel like that.” Read More Football rumours: Al-Ittihad set to make record £215m bid for Mohamed Salah What Mohamed Salah’s dressing room speech says about Liverpool future Liverpool reinvented as midfield shuffle hints at Jurgen Klopp’s past