Yunus Musah believes he is capable of thriving as a wing-back for AC Milan after being asked to fill an unfamiliar role with the Serie A giants.
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American made summer move to ItalyHanded first start versus VeronaFeels happy in a wider roleWHAT HAPPENED?
The 20-year-old United States international has built his reputation in the middle of the park, with his energy and ability being embraced by club and country. That skill set was put to good use at Valencia in Spain, earning Musah a €20 million (£17m/$21m) transfer to San Siro.
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He has been eased into the Milan fold, and made his first start for the Rossoneri when operating as a right wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation against Verona. Musah told of filling a wide role: “I felt really good in this position, I do have the characteristics to play on the wing. I like to play more or less anywhere, as sometimes when I am a midfielder, I tend to drift wide anyway.”
WHAT THEY SAID
Musah helped Milan to a 1-0 victory in their latest Serie A outing, and he is adjusting quickly to the demands of life in a new country and squad. He told : “I’m happy to have played lots of minutes today and also to have won the game. This is a good squad, which welcomed me with open arms right from day one. There are very good players here, and are also very grounded too, so they helped me adapt right from the start and this has helped me adapt better.”
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Musah has USMNT colleague Christian Pulisic alongside him in Italy, with the American duo hoping to help Milan piece together bids for major silverware at home and abroad in 2023-24.
The opening batsman said “there will definitely be some words exchanged” come the start of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2017David Warner won’t have any qualms about engaging with England players in the middle during the Ashes, believing his verbal sparring performed a key role in the 2013-14 whitewash.No sooner had he returned from the limited-overs tour of India, Warner was thinking of the opening day at the Gabba as he talked of the need to find “hatred” of England in the heat of the Ashes tussle.Warner, lauded in recent years for a more mature approach to his game, wasn’t afraid of having a few words four years ago which included saying England had “scared eyes” during the Brisbane Test as they were dismantled by Mitchell Johnson although later admitted he had gone “too far” when he labelled Jonathan Trott’s second-innings dismissal as “poor and weak.””As soon as you step on that line it’s war,” Warner said on . “You try and get into a battle as quick as you can. I try and look in the opposition’s eye and try and work out ‘how can I dislike this player, how can I get on top of him?’ You’ve really got to find that spark in yourself to really take it to the opposition.”You have to delve and dig deep into yourself to actually get some hatred about them to actually get up when you’re out there. History is a big part in this and that is what carries us onto the ground.”Warner added, however, that he would leave the talk until he gets onto the field in Brisbane even suggesting he will take a “subtle” approach in trying to get under England’s skin.”Four years ago, during that first Test I made some statements in the media and at the time I thought it was a great thing to come out and speak what I said,” he said. “I have no regrets about that and I think that could have played a little bit of a role in the back of their minds.”At the moment I’m not going to put any vibes out there or get into a verbal stoush … but come day one when we walk out there, there will definitely be some words exchanged. But I think the subtle approach these days is how it is and how it goes.”Australia’s players have three rounds of Sheffield Shield matches to prepare for the first Test with the major question marks over their side revolving around who will bat at No. 6 and who will take the wicketkeeping gloves.England, who are set to be without Ben Stokes, depart at the end of the month and have three warm-up matches before the first Test which starts on November 23.
Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven is keen on joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer and manager Ange Postecoglou personally believes Spurs have a great chance of signing him.
Who will Spurs sign?
The Lilywhites are aiming to take this transfer window by storm and back Postecoglou in his attempts to restore exciting, expansive football at Hotspur Way.
Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte before him encouraged a more pragmatic style but Postecoglou appears determined to deploy a much more different approach.
“In terms of how quickly the players embrace it, the new players coming in will help," said the former Celtic boss on his playing style.
"That’s the part I have control over – whether that’s James or Guglielmo in goal.
"They’re players who fit in the direction I want to go in. Then it’s about seeing with the existing group how many of them are able to adjust and embrace the way we’re going to play.”
Spurs have already sealed the signings of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli, a deal for James Maddison from Leicester City, the free transfer of Manor Solomon and Dejan Kulusevski on a permanent deal from Juventus.
The aforementioned boost Tottenham's options defensively and going forward, with reports suggesting they're now targeting major additions for their central defensive line.
There are a fair few names attracting Spurs' interest, including van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Barcelona's Clement Lenglet and Galatasary star Victor Nelsson.
Van de Ven, though, is at the centre of reports claiming he is closing in on a move to north London – with reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano claiming a deal is close.
Micky van de Ven
As per The Daily Mirror and journalist Darren Lewis, Postecoglou personally thinks the Dutchman will be Tottenham's "fifth summer signing" after Vicario, Maddison, Solomon and Kulusevski.
The Australian is apparently confident he will join Spurs, and much like Romano, the Mirror claim an agreement is nearing. As well as this, van de Ven is thought to be keen on making the move to N17, a factor which could support Daniel Levy's attempts to sign him.
The 22-year-old is thought to command a price tag of around £25 million, a figure which may well be affordable from Tottenham's perspective.
How good is Micky van de Ven?
According to WhoScored, the defender stood out as a real shining light under Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac last campaign.
Making more blocks per 90 than any of his teammates, van de Ven also ranked among Wolfsburg's top three best players for clearances made on average (WhoScored).
Indeed, it speaks volumes that Kovac selected van de Ven more than any other of his outfield players in the German top flight last year (WhoScored).
Called a "monster" of a player on Voetbal International, the Bundesliga website have described him as a lightning quick player and even compared him to Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.
They wrote:
"Much like Liverpool’s Dutch centre-back, Van de Ven can be a nightmare for attacking players with his immense strength, determination and precision tackling scuppering the most promising of forward moves.
"With incredible pace and passing ability among his many assets, the Netherlands U21 international – who captained his country at the 2023 UEFA Europan Under-21 Championship – is on course to become a regular for the senior Oranje in the near future."
Former United States international Clinton Dempsey went on an insane freestyle rap reminiscent of Eminem at CBS Sports’ Destination Miami set.
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Dempsey wows studio with freestyle rapBlows away Richards, Carragher, and HenryPokes fun at CBS Sports host AbdoGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
On CBS Sports’ Destination Miami set, former Fulham and Tottenham player Dempsey went on an Eminem-like rap in front of the likes of Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, and host Kate Abdo.
Right at the end of his improvisation, he poked fun at Abdo before walking off set, much to the amusement of the watching crowd and the rest of the panel.
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Outside of a distinguished career in football, where he also played 141 times for the US, Dempsey has a passion for hip hop music. In 2006, the Houston-born player, who had the nickname of Deuce, teamed up with Nike and along with fellow Texan rappers Big Hawk and XO, they released the song 'Don't Tread'. It was used as part of the company's advertising campaign for the 2006 World Cup.
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Dempsey is likely to be back in action for CBS Sports when the Champions League returns on December 12.
Mikel Arteta may be the next manager to announce his imminent departure as a report claims that he is considering leaving Arsenal this summer.
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Arteta reportedly considering Arsenal exitClaims come days after Klopp & Xavi announcementsGunners boss still has a year on his contractWHAT HAPPENED?
After Jurgen Klopp announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season and Xavi confirmed he will step down as Barcelona coach, Arteta is the third big name to be linked with a shock departure this summer. According to the Spaniard has told people close to him that he is considering calling time on his Arsenal career once the 2023-24 campaign ends.
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As Xavi just confirmed his exit on Saturday, the report says that no one at Barcelona has been in touch with Arteta about taking over as head coach at Camp Nou. However, president Joan Laporta is said to be an admirer of the former Barcelona, Arsenal and Everton midfielder and believes he would be a good fit for the club.
DID YOU KNOW?
Arteta joined Arsenal as head coach in December 2019 and has turned the north London team into Premier League title contenders, having been top of the table until late on last season before they missed out as Manchester City beat them to the crown. His team are still in the mix this season, but have fallen to third place and sit five points behind leaders Liverpool.
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Arteta's contract with the north London side runs until the summer of 2025. If he really wants to leave the Gunners a year early, he would have to negotiate with the club for a peaceful end to the partnership which has lasted almost five years.
Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun, a left-arm quick, moves a step closer towards professional cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-20171:15
Tendulkar’s son bowls at England in the nets
Arjun Tendulkar, son of Sachin Tendulkar, has been selected for the Mumbai Under-19 one-day side for the JY Lele invitational tournament to be played in Baroda from September 16 to 23. Arjun, who has also represented Mumbai in Under-16 cricket in 2015-16, will turn 18 on September 24. Although not a BCCI tournament, the team will represent the Mumbai Cricket Association, which could be a step closer to selection for official U-19 cricket.A left-arm quick, Arjun recently bowled in the nets in the lead-up to the Lord’s Test between England and South Africa, sending Jonny Bairstow off with an injury scare when he hit him on the toe with a yorker. He has also bowled in India nets previously.A day after his selection on Saturday, Arjun played an important part in helping Parel CC draw their Kanga League B division match at Shivaji Park. He batted an hour for 15 runs, and returned figures of 1 for 14 in five overs. One of the opposition batsmen was former Mumbai wicketkeeper-batsman and coach Sulakshan Kulkarni.”I faced Arjun, and it seems he is an aggressive bowler,” Kulkarni told “The more he bowls the better he will get.”Arjun’s father, Sachin Tendulkar has in the past asked to spare his son any comparisons.”I am not interfering in his career because I think it is not fair,” Sachin told in April 2016. “He has to have freedom to express himself. I can guide him. Not on a regular basis, but when I feel that he needs to be told something, then I do. I don’t take his class every evening when he comes back home. I do not want to lecture, but let him enjoy the game and fall in love with cricket, which he is (doing). I have told him things about hard work like any father would.”Unfortunately, he has the excess baggage of his surname and I know that is going to be there. It is not easy for him. For me, it was different as my father was a writer and nobody questioned me on cricket. I feel that my son should not be compared to me and should be judged for who he is.”
The 27-year-old fast bowler had only just overcome a knee problem to play the recently concluded series against West Indies
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jan-2018Doug Bracewell has been ruled out of New Zealand’s first two ODIs against Pakistan with a hamstring problem. The 27-year-old fast bowler had only just returned from a hiatus of nearly a year in the recently concluded series against West Indies, playing five out of six limited-overs matches to pick up six wickets. On Wednesday, though, he hurt his right leg in the field and will now undergo medical assessment to determine his recovery.New Zealand ODI squad
Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, George Worker, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
Opening batsman George Worker has been called up as replacement. He struck back-to-back ODI fifties against West Indies and has also played well for the Central Stags in the ongoing Super Smash T20 tournament. Having hit 75 off only 38 balls, and coupling that with a wicket as well, the 28-year-old will join the national squad in Wellington on Friday.New Zealand coach Mike Hesson sympathised with Bracewell, considering the fast bowler had battled a difficult knee-injury over the previous season. “Doug’s worked really hard to make it back into the side after a pretty serious injury last year and he’s impressed in the opportunities he’s had. We know he’s a hard trainer and back him to rehab well and be available for selection in the not too distant future.”Colin de Grandhomme, who took time off after the death of his father, is expected to be back in action for Auckland from Sunday. Hesson hoped the 31-year old allrounder would then be available for the final three ODIs of the Pakistan series, the squad for which is yet to be picked. The first out of five ODIs will be played on January 6 at the Basin Reserve.
This weekend, Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Community Shield in what will be the curtain-raiser for the upcoming Premier League season.
Of course, Pep Guardiola and his side won the treble last season, while Mikel Arteta's men fell just short in their title challenge.
But with all that now behind us and a new campaign to look ahead to, this meeting between last season's first and second-placed teams in the Premier League will no doubt be an interesting match-up.
Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…
Football FanCast has decided to predict the starting lineups for both teams ahead of the game, which takes place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 6th August at 4pm UK time.
Who will start for Arsenal vs Man City?
There has been plenty of speculation about the goalkeeper's position of late with the Gunners said to be closing in on a deal for Brentford's David Raya, while Matt Turner could be sold to Nottingham Forest. But with this game just a matter of days away, Aaron Ramsdale – who recently gave a brilliant interview – will almost certainly start between the sticks.
With William Saliba now fit after his injury woes at the end of last season, he'll likely start alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back, with Ben White to his side at right-back. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed all of pre-season with a calf issue and remains a doubt.
With that being the case, it affords new signing Jurrien Timber the opportunity to impress in a new position – which seems a likely option for Mikel Arteta, as the former Ajax man has started in the inverted left-back role for the past two friendly matches.
In midfield, with Granit Xhaka no longer at the club, Kai Havertz will likely be asked to play that role – as he's done in pre-season – while £105m man Declan Rice will also potentially step into the team for his Arsenal debut.
Arsenal's Declan Rice
Of course, Arteta could be more cautious and look for continuity by playing Thomas Partey ahead of one of those two, but seeing as the Community Shield really is more of a glorified friendly, he may opt to experiment with his new-look midfield – although, of course, captain Martin Odegaard will be in the side to offer some on-pitch guidance to his teammates.
Bukayo Saka has had a sickness bug of late but it appears he'll be fine to start, while Gabriel Martinelli will likely play from the off in his usual role on the opposite flank.
Sadly, however, Gabriel Jesus will be out for a number of weeks as he undergoes knee surgery. This opens the door for someone else to impress in the No 9 role.
It's probably a toss-up between Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard, but with the Belgian impressing more in pre-season – notably in netting twice during the 5-3 win over Barcelona – it wouldn't be a huge shock for Arteta to name him up top as he looks to out-manoeuvre Guardiola at Wembley.
Arsenal's predicted XI:
Aaron Ramsdale; Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Ben White; Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka
Who will start for Man City vs Arsenal?
For good measure, we may as well include a quick predicted Man City lineup for your enjoyment, too!
According to the Evening Standard, the Manchester outfit are sweating over the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne ahead of Sunday’s match, so it's unlikely he'll be rushed in.
On top of that, Nathan Ake is also a bit of a fitness doubt. However, with new signing Josko Gvardiol only just through the door, it's more likely that someone else will be asked to fill in if Ake can't make it.
Elsewhere, Guardiola must work out how to help fill the void left by Riyad Mahrez who has joined Saudi Pro League outfit
Al Ahli for a fee reportedly worth £30m. At least new signing Mateo Kovacic can likely slot straight in for Ilkay Gundogan who has joined Barcelona.
Man City's predicted XI:
Ederson; Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Kyle Walker; Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden
USMNT star, Matt Turner, was restored to the the Nottingham Forest line-up as Steve Cooper made seven changes for crunch Wolves clash.
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Cooper desperate to turn around his fortunes Rang in the changes and brought back Turner Manager reported to be on borrowed time at City groundWHAT HAPPENED?
The 29-year-old keeper was brought from the cold at the Molineux with Cooper's job on the line. Turner had lost his place to Odysseas Vlachodimos following their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in October but the manager was forced to fall back on his trusted lieutenant after a 5-0 thrashing to Fulham at Craven Cottage in their previous match.
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Turner started the campaign as the first-choice keeper for Forest following a summer move from Arsenal and stood between the sticks for the first 10 Premier League games, before being replaced by Vlachodimos. Cooper explained that Turner was dropped as he was "10 per cent not so good" but hailed him for his "work and his commitment" in the training sessions.
DID YOU KNOW?
Turner opted for a switch to Forest from the Gunners with the hope of getting more playing minutes. But his mistake against Liverpool that saw Mohamed Salah tapping into an empty net moved him down the pecking order.
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Forest are currently going through a lean patch of form after succumbing to four successive defeats in the Premier League. It has been reported that Evangelos Marinakis, the Forest owner, is not entirely convinced with Cooper at the helm, with his side winning just one in 11 games since September, and has lined up former Real Madrid and Wolves manager Julen Lopetetegui as a potential successor. If Forest fail to turn the tide against Wolves, Cooper could head towards the door.
Newcastle United have opened "talks" regarding a contract extension for Joelinton at St. James' Park, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
When is Joelinton out of contract at Newcastle?
The Brazil international first arrived in the Premier League from Hoffenheim back in 2019 and has since gone on to become a regular feature in the northeast, clocking up a total of 157 appearances to date.
The Magpies talisman still has another two years remaining on his contract at St. James’ Park, but having established himself last season in a remarkable personal campaign as Eddie Howe’s overall second best-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 7.24, he’s bound to attract interest during the upcoming window.
PIF and the boss will be pleased to learn that the 26-year-old is yet to have any clubs chasing him as far as public knowledge is concerned, but you can never be too careful as we approach this busy time of year and it sounds like the hierarchy are keen to tie him down before any potential suitors start circling.
Have Newcastle offered Joelinton a new contract?
Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Newcastle have now entered discussions with Joelinton about the possibility of him putting pen to paper and committing his long-term future to the club. He wrote:
"Excl. News #Joelinton: @NUFC wants to extend his contract beyond 2025 now! Talks have started. Early stage. Result open. After a top season the 26 y/o is about to make his debut with Brazil. Key player."
Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton.
Newcastle will know that Joelinton was one of their most standout performers last season, and considering the high standard of quality that he displayed, the attacking midfielder being rewarded with improved terms is nothing less than he deserves.
The ROGON client, who earns £85k-per-week, racked up eight goal contributions (six goals and two assists) in the top-flight during the previous term and ranked in the 97th percentile for number of attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area and the 94th percentile for successful take-ons, as per FBRef.
The Alianca native, who offers wonderful versatility with his ability to operate in seven different positions, is also highly regarded among his fellow players and black and white striped supporters having taken home the Player of the Year award in 2021/22, and this love story will only develop even further should he sign on the dotted line in the weeks ahead of us.