Chelsea will play Western Sydney Wanderers in their first pre-season match, which will also mark Xabi Alonso’s debut as manager. The game is scheduled for Tuesday at Stadium Australia. This fixture is part of the Sydney Super Cup, a series of matches bringing international clubs to Sydney.

The pre-season schedule for Chelsea includes six matches. Following the game against Western Sydney Wanderers, they are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in Australia. Other matches include games against Juventus in Hong Kong, AC Milan in Indonesia, Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia, and Real Sociedad back at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso’s Debut and Squad Details

The match against Western Sydney Wanderers offers fans a first look at how Chelsea will perform under their new manager, Xabi Alonso. The travelling squad features players such as Marco Palestra, Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian, and Joao Pedro.

Fans can watch the match live through a CFC+ subscription, which costs £14.99 per year and includes access to all six pre-season games. Alternatively, individual match passes are available for £9.99 per fixture. Subscribers to CFC+ have also had access to behind-the-scenes content, including the team’s flight to Australia and Alonso’s open training session.

For Western Sydney Wanderers, the match comes during their A-League off-season, approximately one month into their tenure under new boss Ufuk Talay. The team recently secured a 2-0 victory against Tigers FC in the Australia Cup Round of 32.

Wanderers’ Perspective on the Match

Alex Gersbach, a leader for Western Sydney Wanderers, noted the excitement among the players, particularly the younger members, regarding the opportunity to play against a Premier League team. He mentioned that the arrival of such clubs provides a boost for A-League players.

Despite the high-profile opposition, Talay has emphasised that this is not merely a friendly game. He has instructed his players to approach it as a competitive pre-season match, focusing on their training and preparing for the upcoming league and cup competitions. The team aims to maintain their playing style and work on strategies developed during training.

Gersbach, who previously played against Chelsea a decade ago, advised his younger teammates to play their usual game and do their best against the world-class opposition. He highlighted the unique opportunity this match presents for young players to experience playing against top-tier talent.

The Sydney Super Cup also includes other fixtures: Tottenham Hotspur versus Sydney FC on July 29, Tottenham Hotspur versus Chelsea on August 1, and Chelsea FC Women versus A-Leagues All Stars Women on August 12.

In recent competitive matches, Chelsea experienced mixed results in the Premier League, including losses to Sunderland and Nottingham Forest, and a draw with Liverpool. They also lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup. Western Sydney Wanderers recorded a win against Tigers in the Australia Cup but faced losses in the A-League Men against teams such as Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix, and Sydney.

The match on Tuesday marks a significant event for both clubs, with Alonso’s debut for Chelsea and an important pre-season test for Western Sydney Wanderers.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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Adam Ramsay-Peaty, the three-time Olympic champion, has expressed his frustration after securing two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. After finishing third in the 100m breaststroke on Saturday, Ramsay-Peaty, 31, again took bronze in the 50m breaststroke. He was unable to match the pace of Australia’s Sam Williamson, who claimed his second gold medal of the competition.

Ramsay-Peaty, who was visibly emotional after his 100m race, appeared less so after the 50m event but remained uncertain about his recent performances. He stated that he is working hard and needs to reassess his approach, noting that his current results do not reflect the effort he is putting in. He described the situation as “sailing in some rough seas” and not sustainable, though he also mentioned having overcome worse challenges in the past.

Reflecting on performance and changes

Ramsay-Peaty, widely regarded as a dominant breaststroker, held an eight-year unbeaten streak in the 100m event and holds world records in both the 100m and 50m distances. He was the defending Commonwealth champion in the 50m breaststroke and continued his career after the event was added to the 2028 Olympic schedule.

Following his 50m race, Ramsay-Peaty finished in 26.94 seconds, 0.44 seconds behind Williamson. He expressed disappointment with his time, acknowledging that “times equal medals.” He felt he could have been quicker and indicated a need to understand why his performance is not aligning with his expectations, stating that “nothing makes sense this week.”

His previous successes were largely achieved under the guidance of coach Mel Marshall, who moved to Australia in 2024. After the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ramsay-Peaty initially trained at Repton in Derbyshire before moving back to London to train under Lisa Bates. He expressed satisfaction with his current training environment, emphasising the hard work involved and the need for it to be directed effectively. He noted that significant improvements take time, often around two years, and require continued investment.

Ramsay-Peaty also reflected on a shift in his priorities, explaining that during his undefeated period, he was “athlete first, then human.” Now, he views himself as “human first, then athlete,” a change he considers a “very fair price to pay.” He suggested his “superpower” has evolved, now involving juggling family life, which he sees as a different kind of strength. Despite this, he affirmed his commitment as a professional athlete and his competitive mentality, noting that his approach has had to adapt.

He admitted to frustration with his recent performances, particularly as training data throughout the season has shown an upward trend. He struggles to pinpoint why he has lost power per stroke and feels something is “not clicking.” However, he also highlighted that securing two bronze medals in his first championship since Paris is a form of success, especially with relays still to come. He stated he would not be too hard on himself and aims to maintain perspective.

Other notable performances

In other swimming events at the Commonwealth Games, England’s Brock Whiston won gold in the women’s 200m breaststroke SB8 final. Her 15-year-old team-mate, Iona Winnifrith, secured a bronze medal in the same event. Amalie Smith, 16, earned a silver medal in the women’s 200m individual medley final. Additionally, the England quartet of Freya Colbert, Abbie Wood, Leah Schlosshan, and Freya Anderson claimed silver in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

In the same 50m breaststroke final where Ramsay-Peaty won bronze, Sam Williamson of Australia took gold in 26.50 seconds, and South Africa’s Michael Houlie secured silver in 26.77 seconds. Ramsay-Peaty’s bronze medal finish was just 0.01 seconds ahead of Chris Smith of South Africa.

A notable moment during the competition involved Scotland’s Archie Goodburn, who received a significant ovation despite finishing tied last in the 50m breaststroke race. Goodburn, 25, was competing two years after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, specifically oligodendrogliomas, which accounts for approximately 3% of all primary brain tumours. He has made it his mission to raise awareness about his condition and has been using Vorasidenib, a new treatment designed to slow the spread of cancer, which has delayed the need for chemotherapy.

Goodburn expressed profound gratitude for the support he has received from friends, family, and the University of Edinburgh, reflecting on his journey from a “dark spot” 12 months prior. He advocates for future patients and young individuals under 40 with brain cancer, highlighting that brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for this age group in the UK.

Ramsay-Peaty’s bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke marks his second bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Source: bbc.co.uk

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England defender John Stones is reportedly in advanced discussions with Inter Milan regarding a move to the Italian club on a free transfer. The centre-half became a free agent at the end of June after his departure from Manchester City.

Reports suggest that Serie A champions Inter Milan have engaged in positive talks with the 32-year-old and are understood to be leading the pursuit for the Premier League and Champions League winner. The proposed deal is for a two-year contract.

Interest from across Europe

Stones has attracted significant interest from various clubs across Europe. Both Chelsea and Juventus were among the teams reportedly showing interest in the defender.

In the Premier League, Arsenal and Chelsea had also registered their interest in acquiring the England international. However, Inter Milan, aware of the competition, worked to secure a deal for Stones.

According to reports, Stones has verbally agreed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer. His representatives are now expected to finalise the terms of the two-year contract with the Italian club.

Juventus had made contact with Stones’ camp over the past weekend. Despite the interest from multiple clubs, Inter Milan appears to be the frontrunner.

Career at Manchester City and injury concerns

During his time at Manchester City, John Stones made 295 appearances after joining from Everton in 2016. He was a key part of a highly successful period for the club.

With Manchester City, Stones contributed to winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup, and the Uefa Super Cup.

The former Barnsley defender has also earned 93 international caps for England and was part of the squad that secured a third-place finish at the World Cup.

However, concerns have been raised regarding Stones’ fitness history. He was limited to only 439 Premier League minutes in his last season due to thigh, calf, and muscular injuries. In the campaign before that, he played only 547 minutes, which was also affected by injuries.

Throughout his 10 seasons at Manchester City, Stones did not play more than 59 per cent of the available Premier League minutes in any single season.

Potential impact and other transfer targets

The move for Stones comes as Inter Milan also reportedly maintains interest in Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero, who is considered a top defensive target for head coach Christian Chivu. However, the cost associated with a potential deal for Romero is expected to be substantial.

There is a possibility for Inter Milan to sign both Romero and Stones if Benjamin Pavard departs the club. As it stands, Inter Milan is actively pursuing Stones.

For Arsenal, the potential acquisition of a new centre-back was considered after an injury concern to William Saliba during this summer’s tournament. Saliba was forced off in France’s semi-final against Spain with a back problem.

Chelsea also had Stones on their centre-back shortlist as they aimed to strengthen their defensive depth. Reports indicate that Maxence Lacroix is set to move to Chelsea from Crystal Palace in a £52 million switch, and Marco Palestra has been added as a versatile full-back option. Chelsea is also reportedly interested in Pep Chevarria, the Rayo Vallecano left-back, to replace Marc Cucurella.

Despite these other movements and interests, widespread reports suggest that John Stones’ deal with Inter Milan is on track to be completed by the end of this week, with some reports indicating an agreement is already in place for his switch to the San Siro on a two-year deal.

Source: bbc.com

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Tadej Pogacar, the 27-year-old Slovenian cyclist, has claimed his fifth overall victory in the Tour de France, matching the record held by cycling legends Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Induráin. His latest triumph concluded on the Champs-Élysées, with the final stage won by Mathieu van der Poel.

Pogacar’s achievement places him as the youngest and fastest to reach five Tour wins. He has spent nearly 9,500km in the yellow jersey across his five victories, a remarkable feat considering he first took the lead in his inaugural Tour win in 2020 on the penultimate day. His average speed of 41.99kmh surpasses that of any other five-time winner, and he has secured more mountain stage victories.

A Dominant Performance and Team Success

The UAE Emirates XRG team, led by Pogacar, demonstrated significant dominance throughout the race. The team earned €832,750 in prize money, while the Picnic PostNL team received €12,770. Pogacar’s teammate, Isaac del Toro, also made it to the Paris podium, finishing third overall and securing the white jersey for the best young rider.

Del Toro’s success was partly attributed to Pogacar’s strategic support, including sacrificing a potential victory on the ‘queen’ stage to Alpe d’Huez to help consolidate Del Toro’s podium position. Del Toro, at 22 years old, won stage two with Pogacar’s assistance in the lead-up to the finish line.

Pogacar’s victory marks his third consecutive Tour win and included a record-breaking ascent of Alpe d’Huez on stage 19. This performance highlighted his explosive launch and consistent pace, leaving rivals with limited answers. His career includes wins in major races such as the Tour of Flanders, Giro d’Italia, Milan-San Remo, Road World Championships, Giro di Lombardia, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, accumulating 127 wins in his professional career.

The final stage in Paris, typically a ceremonial sprint for overall contenders, featured a circuit over Montmartre hill. Mathieu van der Poel, a classics specialist, took the stage victory after a charge with Pogacar with 11km remaining. Van der Poel managed to stay ahead of a chasing pack, securing a prestigious win on the famous cobbles.

Records Broken and Future Prospects

Pogacar’s performance included breaking Marco Pantani’s Alpe d’Huez climbing time record, covering 13.8km in 35 minutes and 27 seconds, over a minute faster than the previous record set in 1995. He also set a new record for the Col du Tourmalet, beating his own previous best from 2023. These records contribute to this year’s Tour de France being the fastest in the race’s history, averaging 43.326kph over 3,321km.

The increased speeds are attributed to advancements in bicycle technology, equipment, and athlete training and nutrition. Team principal Mauro Gianetti of UAE Team Emirates noted significant improvements in bike components, tyre pressure, helmets, and kit fabric over the last five years. He also highlighted the enhanced training systems and nutrition as key factors.

Despite his dominance, Pogacar’s mother, Marjeta, stated that he would stop racing when it is no longer fun. She speculated he might continue at his current level for another 10 years. Pogacar is expected to participate in the Vuelta a España, which begins in Monaco on 22 August.

French riders had a mixed experience in the Tour. For only the third time, there were no home stage wins, but three French riders—Paul Seixas, Lenny Martinez, and Jordan Jegat—finished in the top 10. Nineteen-year-old Seixas, despite recovering from a June crash and a cold, finished fourth in the general classification. He expressed disappointment at missing the podium but found motivation in Pogacar’s performance, aiming to work harder to achieve his dream of winning the Tour.

The future plans of Pogacar’s rival, Jonas Vingegaard, remain uncertain after he crashed out of the Tour. Both Pogacar and Vingegaard were subjected to nocturnal doping controls by the International Testing Agency, though no results have been released. Remco Evenepoel of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgohe finished six minutes 26 seconds behind Pogacar overall.

Other jersey winners included Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost, who claimed the king of the mountains’ polka dot jersey after winning stages 18 and 20. Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek secured the green points jersey, winning stage four and accumulating points through tenacious riding. The final stage results saw Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Premier Tech) finish first in 1hr 58mins 49secs, followed by Jasper Philipsen (Bel/Alpecin-Premier Tech) at the same time, and Mads Pedersen (Den/Lidl-Trek) in third.

Source: theguardian.com

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Diomande’s journey to European football

Yan Diomande, a winger from Ivory Coast, is reportedly on the verge of joining Real Madrid. The Spanish club has reportedly agreed personal terms with the RB Leipzig player and is prepared to pay a significant transfer fee to secure his services from the German club. This potential move follows interest from other prominent European teams, including Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.

Diomande’s path to this point has involved overcoming several rejections in his early career. After moving to Florida in 2022, he played for Yulee Hornets High School. He underwent trials with various clubs, including Chelsea, Bournemouth, Rangers, Crystal Palace, and Olympiacos, but none resulted in a contract. Even reserve teams in Major League Soccer did not offer him a place, leading to concerns about his footballing future as his visa was set to expire.

His professional career began when Leganes offered him his first contract in November 2024. Four months later, he made his debut in La Liga, playing against Real Madrid and scoring against Real Valladolid, despite his club’s subsequent relegation. It was during this period that Leipzig’s data scouts identified his potential, prompting the club to activate his release clause in July 2025.

Breakthrough season at Leipzig

Leipzig’s decision to sign Diomande for €20 million proved to be a successful investment. The winger quickly made an impact in the Bundesliga, showcasing his acceleration, two-footed dribbling, and willingness to challenge defenders. In his debut season, Diomande recorded 12 goals and eight assists, earning him the Rookie of the Season award.

His performances continued to impress, including his contributions for Ivory Coast during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These displays reportedly convinced Real Madrid to pursue him as their latest major signing. The reported transfer fee for Diomande is €130 million, which would represent a substantial profit for Leipzig, having acquired him just a year prior.

This reported transfer fee would also make Diomande the most expensive African player in history and the largest transfer in Real Madrid‘s history, surpassing the €127 million paid for Jude Bellingham in 2023. Leipzig stands to gain a profit of €110 million from the deal in just over 12 months.

Impact on transfer rankings

The reported transfer of Diomande is set to significantly impact the rankings of football’s most profitable transfers. His move would place him second on the all-time list for one-season transfer profits, behind only Ousmane Dembélé, whose transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona generated an estimated €113 million profit in 2017.

Diomande’s rise would see him surpass other notable transfers in terms of profit generated. For example, Enzo Fernández‘s move from Benfica to Chelsea generated approximately €77 million in profit after one season. Other players in the top five include Hugo Ekitiké, whose transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool produced about €64 million in profit, and Rasmus Højlund, whose move from Atalanta to Manchester United generated almost €59 million.

This development would also see Victor Osimhen, previously noted for his profitable transfer from Lille to Napoli, move down the rankings. Osimhen’s transfer generated an estimated €57 million profit for Lille, placing him sixth on the chart and making him the second African player in the top ten of this particular ranking.

Osimhen’s career included a loan spell at Sporting Charleroi in the 2018-19 season, where he scored 20 goals in 36 matches. Charleroi then activated a €3.5 million purchase option before selling him to Lille in August 2019 for an initial €12 million, with performance-related bonuses potentially increasing the total to €14-15 million. Lille made a substantial profit when Napoli acquired Osimhen in July 2020 for €70 million plus €10 million in bonuses.

Diomande’s personal journey has been marked by significant moments, including the influence of his sister, Roxane, who consistently supported his football aspirations. He has publicly dedicated his on-field efforts to her memory, including during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes earned a significant sum from his image rights during the 2024/25 season. Accounts filed by BF8 Sports last month indicate that the firm, which lists Fernandes as its sole director, generated over £9 million. This figure represents an increase from the previous year.

BF8 Sports, established in 2020, reported £9.5 million during the period. The company also reduced its tax and social security bill, resulting in £9.2 million. This off-pitch income is in addition to his wages from Manchester United.

Contract Situation and Club Stance

Fernandes signed his current contract two years ago. There are now 12 months remaining on this deal, though it includes an option for a further season. While Manchester United currently have no plans to offer a new contract, this situation could change during the upcoming season.

The club has communicated to Fernandes that they do not wish to lose him during the current transfer window. This follows previous considerations by the club regarding his future, which were made without informing the midfielder. However, Fernandes is reportedly content to remain at Old Trafford, particularly after observing progress under Michael Carrick last season.

When questioned about Fernandes’s future after the final Premier League match of last season against Brighton & Hove Albion, United‘s head coach stated there was no reason to believe he would leave. The coach noted Fernandes’s enjoyment of his football and his desire to remain on the pitch.

Interest from European Clubs

Juventus is reportedly exploring a move for Fernandes, as Luciano Spalletti seeks to enhance his squad’s creativity and leadership. Fernandes’s experience and technical skills are seen as attractive qualities for a club aiming to compete for major honours.

Despite Juventus‘s interest, a transfer appears difficult due to the timing. Fernandes is entering the final year of his contract, though United holds an extension option. Talks regarding a new agreement are ongoing, and the midfielder is expected to stay at Old Trafford.

Sources within the agents industry suggest that Fernandes is among the attacking midfielders being considered by Juventus sporting director Frederic Massara. The Italian club aims to improve the technical level of Spalletti’s squad, with Fernandes potentially offering goals, creativity, and extensive experience. His previous stints in Italy with Novara, Udinese, and Sampdoria suggest he would adapt well to Serie A.

Reports indicate that Juventus has inquired about his situation with his representatives. However, financing a transfer and matching his wages could be challenging, especially if United demands a fee between €50 million and €75 million. A report suggests Fernandes remains committed to Manchester United despite overseas interest.

Talks over improved terms are continuing, though a final agreement has not yet been signed. His deal reportedly includes a release clause for clubs outside England. While Juventus is monitoring the situation, a transfer seems unlikely unless negotiations between United and Fernandes unexpectedly collapse. The Italian club would need to offer substantial wages and a significant fee to tempt him away.

Fernandes has expressed his perspective on playing for Manchester United, highlighting the special moments and the responsibility that comes with it. He believes everyone at the club feels the responsibility to win again and compete at the top of the Premier League and European football, driven by the club’s history.

He added that players believe they can be the ones to change the club’s recent history and enable United to contend on all fronts, viewing this as a special opportunity for the players to be key figures in this transformation.

The latest indications suggest Fernandes’s immediate future remains firmly at Old Trafford.

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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Littler secures second consecutive World Matchplay title

Luke Littler has successfully defended his World Matchplay title, defeating Gerwyn Price 18-9 in Blackpool. Littler achieved an average of 111.53 in the final match, contributing to a tournament average of 111.04. This performance surpassed Phil Taylor’s previous record of 106.31 for the tournament average. Littler also set a new personal competition record for 180s, hitting 12 maximums in the final to bring his total for the week to 66.

This victory marks Littler as only the third player to successfully defend the Matchplay final, joining the ranks of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, who last achieved this feat in 2016. The win keeps Littler on track for a notable year, having already secured titles in the World Championship, UK Open, Premier League, and the Masters. He is also set to defend his titles in the Grand Slam, Grand Prix, and Players Championship Finals.

Littler’s dominance was evident from the early stages of the final, where he established a 3-1 lead with a 167 checkout. He extended his advantage to 11-3 with a third bullseye finish of the night. Although he missed double 10 twice, allowing Price to reduce the deficit to 14-7, Littler quickly regained control. Price managed an 11-darter to make the score 15-9, but Littler responded with a 148 checkout before closing out the match.

Reflecting on his performance, Littler described the week as “crazy” and among the best of his life in terms of darts played. He acknowledged the difficulty despite the statistics making it appear easy, highlighting the challenging conditions on stage. Littler expressed that he played some of the best darts of his career, feeling it was “the best version of myself.”

Price’s journey to the final

Gerwyn Price was making his first final appearance since 2022, having not previously won the World Matchplay trophy. Earlier in the week, Price had indicated confidence in his ability to challenge Littler if he performed at his best. Despite averaging 104.97 in the final, Price was unable to overcome Littler’s strong performance.

Price commented on Littler’s exceptional talent, calling him “one in a million.” He felt he played “pretty decent” but acknowledged missing opportunities, particularly mentioning Littler’s bull checkouts and the 167 finish as significant turning points, even early in the game. Price admitted he didn’t play brilliantly but considered his performance decent.

The path to the final for Price included a semi-final match against Gian van Veen. Price had a strong record against Van Veen in the Premier League, winning five out of their seven encounters. In his quarter-final match, Price was pegged back to 12-12 after leading Ross Smith 12-8, but he then secured four consecutive legs to advance. His quarter-final average was 102.78.

The World Matchplay tournament, held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, features 32 players in a straight knockout format. The final is played as the best of 35 legs. Littler had entered the semi-finals with strong title odds, having delivered dominant performances throughout the competition.

Women’s World Matchplay results

In the earlier matches, Beau Greaves secured her third Women’s World Matchplay title in four years. She narrowly defeated Fallon Sherrock 6-5 in a closely contested final. Greaves started strongly with checkouts of 148 and 144 in successive legs.

Sherrock fought back, winning consecutive legs to level the score at 5-5, forcing a deciding leg. Both players hit maximums during the match, but Greaves ultimately triumphed with a 56 checkout to claim the championship. Greaves described her win as a relief, acknowledging Sherrock as a formidable opponent and player. She knew she had to perform well and felt an outpouring of relief after hitting the final dart.

Littler is now focusing on the Pro Tour to qualify for the Player Championship Finals. He mentioned that this commitment would involve travelling to Leicester for some Pro Tours, altering previous plans for a trip to Spain.

Source: theguardian.com

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Lewis Hamilton has voiced his frustration with his Ferrari team following a strategic decision at the Hungarian Grand Prix that resulted in him losing points in the title race. Hamilton finished fourth on the track at the Hungaroring but, after receiving a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, was classified fifth. The race was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull finishing second and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in third.

Hamilton’s team called him into the pits late in the race for a stop under a virtual safety car. This decision provided him with fresh tyres but cost him valuable track position to Verstappen and Antonelli. He was unable to regain these positions, and it was from this pit stop that he incurred the penalty. The call led Hamilton to question his team’s strategy.

“It was pretty bad. Pretty frustrating,” Hamilton stated. “I definitely don’t think we should have taken the stop but the call came literally just before the pit-lane entry and I didn’t have time to debate.” He added that he would not have stopped if it meant sacrificing track position, believing he could have held onto second or at least third place.

Hamilton was 45 points behind Antonelli before the race but now trails the Italian by 50 points as Formula One enters its summer break. The British driver has also accumulated several penalties in recent races, including one at Silverstone, another at Spa, and a three-place grid drop in Hungary for impeding during qualifying, in addition to the pit-lane speeding penalty during the race.

Hamilton’s Recent Penalties and Outlook

The pit-lane speeding sanction was Hamilton’s second penalty at the Hungaroring within two days, following a three-place grid drop for impeding Oscar Piastri in qualifying. This dropped him from second to fifth on the starting grid for Sunday’s race. He had also received five-second penalties in the two preceding races.

In Belgium, Hamilton was penalised for a collision with George Russell on the opening lap. Two weeks prior, at Silverstone, he received the same sanction for a jump start. Hamilton acknowledged that he has made “lots of mistakes” in recent races and expressed his determination to avoid further penalties.

“I’ll work hard to try and come back, reset,” Hamilton said, noting that the annual shutdown has arrived at an opportune moment. He expressed optimism for Ferrari’s performance in the second half of the season, stating, “The second half will be stronger, usually the second half is a stronger period for me. So I’ll really take this time to reset and try and come back stronger, fitter and better mentally prepared.”

He also highlighted the team’s efforts, saying, “I am massively grateful to the team because they have really done a great job in this first half.” He noted that despite being down on pace and power in the first half of the season, there is more to come in the second half.

Norris’s Performance and McLaren’s Progress

Lando Norris secured his and McLaren’s first victory of the year at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Norris believes his current driving performance is among his best, even suggesting it surpasses his form from last season. He highlighted his ability to extract maximum performance from the car, often pushing to the limit.

“Today I would probably say it was up there with one of my best performances, in terms of extracting performance out of the car and being so close to the limit every single lap,” Norris commented. He added that the team sometimes had to ask him to ease off slightly.

Norris is 91 points behind Antonelli in the championship standings, with 12 races remaining. Despite the significant points gap, Norris, like Hamilton, believes there is still much to contend for in the latter half of the season. He pointed to the effectiveness of the significant upgrades McLaren introduced in Hungary as a positive sign.

Norris expressed satisfaction with the car’s speed, despite finding it challenging to drive at times. “I was convinced I could win the race today and we did. We were just on another level and I felt in a very good flow of things,” he said. The Formula 1 season will resume after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled from August 21-23.

Source: theguardian.com

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Chiesa’s aspirations under new management

Federico Chiesa, the Liverpool forward, has expressed his desire for a “new chapter” at the club under new head coach Andoni Iraola. This follows what he described as a frustrating period under former manager Arne Slot. Chiesa hopes that the change in management will lead to a change in his fortunes at Anfield, where he has struggled for playing time over the past two years.

Despite making 36 appearances last season under Slot, only five were starts. His last start came in the FA Cup fourth-round victory against Brighton on 14 February. Chiesa, who is 28 years old, views the start of the new year as a fresh opportunity to prove himself. He recently scored in Liverpool’s 4-2 friendly win against Sunderland in Nashville.

“It is always a fresh start at the beginning of the year,” Chiesa stated. “Maybe there have been too many fresh starts [for him]. But I don’t care, I am trying to do my best for this new manager.” He added that he felt ready for a larger role last season, but acknowledged that playing time depended on the coach’s decisions.

Focus on Liverpool and national team ambitions

Chiesa confirmed that he has not yet discussed his future with Iraola, with their conversations primarily focusing on pressing and tactics. He noted that Iraola deployed him as a striker against Sunderland, a role he is willing to embrace despite having played most of his career as a winger. The Italy international, who has two years remaining on his Liverpool contract, prioritises proving himself to the new head coach over seeking a return to Serie A, despite links to clubs like Como and his former team, Juventus.

“Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool,” Chiesa affirmed. “I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. I am doing the best I can to have a chance here. And then we will see. At the minute, the only thing I am thinking about is Liverpool.”

Chiesa also reflected on Liverpool’s previous season, which he described as troubled. The club secured Champions League qualification on the final day, which was Slot’s last game in charge. Chiesa believes that simply qualifying for the Champions League is not enough for a club of Liverpool’s stature, stating, “Liverpool deserves more.” He highlighted that two seasons ago, the team were Premier League champions, and last season they were battling for fifth place, which he considered fortunate for Champions League qualification.

“It was a tough season last year and this season we need to do better, in the Champions League as well,” Chiesa said. “We went out to PSG. We want to go further in that competition and then we want to do even better in the Premier League as well.”

Beyond his club aspirations, Chiesa hopes to regain his place in the Italian national team. He has not added to his 51 caps for Italy since Euro 2024. The national team is currently searching for a new head coach after failing to qualify for the World Cup under Gennaro Gattuso. Chiesa explained that he had conversations with Gattuso but was not physically ready at the time. He looks forward to playing for the national team again, having previously won the European Championship with them.

Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus in August 2024. He has accumulated 50 competitive appearances for the Reds over the last two years. He has been training with the new coach for two weeks, noting Iraola’s preference for high intensity and one-versus-one play across the pitch.

Chiesa’s focus remains on his current club, aiming to help restore Liverpool to competing for major trophies after the challenges of the previous season.

Source: theguardian.com

Запис Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa hopes for ‘new chapter’ under Andoni Iraola спершу з'явиться на NewsGB.org.

Andoni Iraola secured a winning start as Liverpool head coach with a 4-2 victory against Sunderland in their opening match of the pre-season tour in the US. The game, held in Nashville, saw goals from Kieran Morrison, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa, and Lewis Koumas for Liverpool.

Iraola, who took over from Arne Slot in June, witnessed his side produce an impressive performance, particularly in the second half. Despite the positive result, an early injury to stand-in captain Joe Gomez was a significant concern for the team.

Match Action and Key Moments

The match began with an early setback for Liverpool as Joe Gomez was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle issue just eight minutes into the game. This incident occurred in an area of the squad where Liverpool’s defensive options were already limited.

Liverpool opened the scoring in the 13th minute through young midfielder Kieran Morrison, following a team move involving McConnell, Ngumoha, and Elliott. Sunderland equalised in the 28th minute when Le Fee scored from 25 yards after McConnell lost possession. Sunderland then took the lead early in the second half with a goal from Tuterov.

However, Liverpool responded strongly after the break. Dominik Szoboszlai levelled the score in the 56th minute with a powerful strike. Further goals came from substitutes Federico Chiesa in the 72nd minute and Lewis Koumas in the 85th minute, securing the 4-2 win for Liverpool.

Iraola made numerous changes throughout the match, utilising 22 players. He noted that the team lacked some freshness due to training but considered the performance a good starting point for improvement. He also highlighted Gomez’s injury as the “worst news” from the match.

Defensive Concerns and Player Performances

The injury to Joe Gomez, who has a history of injuries, adds to Liverpool’s defensive challenges. With captain Virgil van Dijk on holiday and Giovanni Leoni recovering from an ACL injury sustained last September, Iraola’s options at centre-back were already limited. Jeremy Jacquet also missed the game due to a minor knock after recovering from a shoulder issue.

Gomez, at 29, was replaced by Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who formed a defensive partnership with 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye. Ndukwe, signed from Austria Vienna, and Ndiaye, from Amitie, performed admirably. However, Ndukwe will be sent out on loan as he does not meet the work permit requirements for the UK.

Dominik Szoboszlai, who recently signed a five-year contract, delivered a strong second-half performance, taking the armband after his introduction. He scored a significant goal to bring Liverpool level and was also involved in the build-up to Koumas’s goal.

Young players also made an impact. Kieran Morrison, 19, opened the scoring and signed a four-year contract in May. James McConnell, 21, performed well in midfield during the first half, while Trey Nyoni, 19, took on a similar role in the second half. Lewis Koumas, returning to Liverpool after helping Hull City gain promotion, was involved in Szoboszlai’s goal and scored the final goal of the match.

Liverpool’s next pre-season fixture is against Wrexham in New York, followed by a match against Leeds in Chicago.

Source: skysports.com

Запис Nashville: Andoni Iraola begins Liverpool tenure with 4-2 victory over Sunderland спершу з'явиться на NewsGB.org.