Philippa Kaur

More stories

  • 213 Shares46 Views

    in Soccer

    Ex-Champions League club celebrate end of two-year transfer ban by signing NINE players including forgotten Chelsea ace

    PORTUGUESE giants Boavista have celebrated the end of a two-year transfer ban by signing a staggering NINE players.The former Champions League club were unable to sign new talent due to debts to third parties.This forgotten Chelsea star has just joined Boavista after their transfer ban endedCredit: Action Images – ReutersFormer Blues man Marco Van Ginkel last played for Vitesse ArnhemCredit: GettyBut they wasted no time in adding to their squad in this window.The Primeira Liga side completely revamped their squad, even adding a forgotten ex-Chelsea star to their ranks.The former Blues star joined the Premier League outfit for £8million in 2013 from Vitesse Arnhem.A box-to-box midfielder, he was dubbed the ‘next Frank Lampard’ at the time of his signing.Read more football newsHowever, things didn’t go to plan.Two months into the player’s career at Stamford Bridge, the Dutchman suffered an ACL injury which forced him to miss the remainder of his debut season.The man in question is none other than Marco van Ginkel, who made just four appearances in eight years for the club.Van Ginkel would then go on loan four times, including spells at AC Milan, Stoke City and PSV twice.Most read in FootballThe Eredivisie giants would snap him up in 2021, before he returned to Vitesse last season.Inside Chelsea’s new £1.6BILLION stadium plans with Stamford Bridge project set to rival Tottenham’sBut, he was released in the summer and has been without a club for six months.The now 32-year-old has the chance of reviving his career in Portugal.Last week, he was announced as one of nine players who will be joining the club.Other notable signings include ex-QPR defender Osman Kakay and former Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa, who appeared 154 times for the French champions.Van Ginkel will be happy to be playing again, although he revealed his career was nearly cut short from that ACL injury when he suffered a rare infection.He told  Goal: “The danger was there that I would lose my career, of course.”Especially after the first week of infection, they didn’t know what the infection was doing inside the joint.Dutch veteran van Ginkel signed for Boavista last week and made his debut on FridayCredit: Rex”After three months I reacted well, but it was going to be a tough, tough time to be at the top level again, to come back and play for PSV, Chelsea or whoever.READ MORE SUN STORIES”At that moment, it was more about whether I could walk again. Football didn’t matter.”The infection that came six weeks after my operation killed my knee a bit. That’s why it took so long, it damaged my knee and cruciate and I had to be operated on all over again. It was a very hard time.” More

  • 225 Shares69 Views

    in Soccer

    Man Utd ‘join Liam Delap transfer race’ and have secret weapon to sign Ipswich star already in ranks

    MANCHESTER UNITED have joined the race to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich, according to reports.The striker has been a revelation in his debut Premier League season, scoring nine goals for the Tractor Boys.Liam Delap has caught the eye this seasonCredit: ReutersAnd his performances are attracting attention with a number of clubs lining up to sign him.Delap is now subject to interest from United, according to The Athletic.Ruben Amorim is understood to want a striker with a presence and Liam Delap’s aggressive running fits the mould.Ipswich would likely demand a huge fee to let him go, however their asking price would likely reduce if they are relegated.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited would have to fend off interest from Chelsea to land the 22-year-old, while Manchester City have a £40million buyback clause in the deal that saw him leave the Etihad for £20m last summer.The Red Devils could be well placed to beat their rivals to Delap thanks to technical director Jason Wilcox, who brought him to Man City from Derby in 2019.United have several attacking options in mind with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling for goals.Scouts have been tracking Prem duo Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile Lille striker Jonathan David is also on their radar.United could fund a move by cashing in on one of their homegrown talents, Alejandro Garnacho or Kobbie Mainoo.’Silence is deafening’ – Man Utd fans ready to protest at Arsenal clash and vow to ‘rise again to defend our club’ More

  • 263 Shares46 Views

    in Soccer

    Man Utd player ratings: Rasmus Hojlund arguably worst No 9 in club’s history while Patrick Dorgu has a horror Prem debut

    MANCHESTER UNITED slipped to a 12th defeat in the Premier League with Rasmus Hojlund coming under fire again.Andre Onana was up to his usual poor shot-collecting mishaps, United were wide open in midfield at times and nobody could put the ball in the back of the net when the chances did come.Andre Onana pushed out Lucas Bergvall’s shot into James Maddison’s path inside 13 minutesRuben Amorim has lost eight of his 14 Prem gamesRuben Amorim – who was forced to put eight untried teenagers on the bench – has now lost eight of his last 14 Prem games as United look over their shoulders at those scrapping away from relegation.The Red Devils’ makeshift attack lacked chemistry and missed a trio of chances in 30 seconds – just before James Maddison’s tap-in opener.In the end, United were beaten by Spurs – with the returning Guglielmo Vicario pulling out several excellent saves in the second half – for the third time this season.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side – who are now three places above them in 12th – in North London.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAndre Onana – 3United can’t do anything with him between the sticks. Can’t be trusted to collect anything.His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison’s path in the 13th minute.Noussair Mazraoui – 5An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn’t get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.Most read in FootballPulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman’s headed chance late-on.Matthijs de Ligt – 6His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.Harry Maguire – 5A mixed bag. Sent a long ball over the top for Hojlund’s chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son Heung-min later on.Diogo Dalot – 6A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too. Patrick Dorgu – 4A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on for fouling Brennan Johnson albeit after a poor Onana throw.Casemiro – 5Looked every bit a player that hasn’t played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.Curiously dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 91 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.Casemiro struggled in the middleBruno Fernandes – 5Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain’s game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter. Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.Alejandro Garnacho – 4Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores. A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week. Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.Joshua Zirkzee – 6The best of a desperately poor front three. There’s a street player in there and he’s great with his touches at times.But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.Rasmus Hojlund – 3Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United’s recent history?The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.He was even caught offside when Fernandes flicked on an Onana goal-kick in the first half – how often do you see that happen?READ MORE SUN STORIESSUBSChido Obi-Martin (90+1 for Casemiro) – N/AThe academy sensation from Arsenal was handed his first United minutes in the final embers.The 17-year-old was one of eight teens with ZERO Prem minutes named to the matchday squad. More

  • 225 Shares83 Views

    in Motorsport

    Cristiano Ronaldo Wag Georgina Rodriguez dressed head-to-toe in leather as she’s given important role at Formula E race

    CRISTIANO RONALDO’s partner Georgina Rodriguez was given a special responsibility at Formula E’s latest event.The motorsport series was in Saudi Arabia on Friday and Saturday for rounds three and four of the championship.Georgina Rodriguez made a special guest appearance at Formula ECredit: GettyShe was dressed in leather as she was welcomed into the pit laneCredit: GettyDrivers, including Jake Dennis were on hand to explain how the sport workedCredit: GettyGeorgina was given the privilege as a special guest of visiting the pit lane before the race.Dressed from head to toe in leather, she completed her look with a striking multi-coloured black, white and light blue jacket.The 31-year-old spoke with Porsche driver Antonio Felix Da Costa about how the sport and cars work.But her most important role was still to come.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs German DS Penske driver Maximilian Günther crossed the line to win the race, Georgina was given the chance to wave the chequered flag.Nissan driver Oliver Rowland was leading the field until the final moments, when pole-sitter Gunther lunged down the outside to get ahead.There was also a third-place podium finish for 20-year-old Brit, Taylor Barnard with NEOM McLaren – in Saturday’s race he became the youngest ever Formula E pole-sitter and came second in a first-ever all-British podium.Georgina is the mother of Ronaldo’s fourth child Alana and his youngest daughter Bella.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSShe was born on January 27, 1994, in Jaca, Spain to a Spanish mum and Argentine dad.Georgina learned dance before changing careers to modelling after studying English in London.Man City legend Sergio Aguero’s new career as a racing driver for PorscheThe 30-year-old was first spotted on a string of dates with then-Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo towards the end of 2016.Georgina has claimed that her first meeting with the football star was “love at first sight.””Our first meeting was at Gucci, where I worked as a sales assistant,” she recalled in an interview with The Sun .”Days later, we saw each other again at another brand’s event.”It was then that we could talk in a relaxed atmosphere, outside my work environment. It was love at first sight for both.” More

  • 300 Shares50 Views

    in Soccer

    Tottenham 1 Man Utd 0: Spurs top of the flops with first home win in 105 DAYS thanks to Maddison as United rue misses

    WELL Ruben Amorim wasn’t far wrong when he described his team as ‘probably the worst Manchester United team in history’.They are certainly the worst of the Premier League era, after defeat in ‘Hell Clasico’ plunged them into the bottom six of the table for the first time at any advanced stage of a season.James Maddison celebrated his goal with a ‘shush’Credit: PAMaddison also performed his trademark darts celebrationCredit: PAThe Spurs star fired in a rebound after Lucas Bergvall’s shot was savedCredit: GettyAlejandro Garnacho was guilty of missing chancesCredit: GettyThis was the first time this competition has seen two of its biggest clubs meeting with both in the bottom half during the second half of a campaign.And it lived down to expectations – with James Maddison’s early tap-in settling a terrible match between two sides who did little to disguise their harrowing lack of confidence.For Spurs, it was a second straight league win – although they have been dumped out of both domestic cups since they beat Brentford last time out.Ange Postecoglou’s prospects are looking a little brighter thanks to the return of Maddison and keeper Guglielmo Vicario, who made several decent saves.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut United, in an injury crisis of their own, continue to flounder – now plummeting to new depths in the modern era.With Vicario and Maddison back in the starting line-up, while Brennan Johnson and Destiny Udogie were fit enough for places on the bench, Spurs were in the novel position of facing a side more depleted than themselves.While Postecoglou was without six senior players, Amorim was missing a dozen – Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo the latest casualties.It meant that eight of United’s nine subs were teenagers who had never previously played for the first team.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBoth Vicario and Maddison were straight at it.Tottenham’s keeper pulled off two decent stops in quick succession to deny Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho before Diogo Dalot had a follow-up effort hacked clear by Ben Davies.Ruben Amorim makes blunt admission as Man Utd face cash crisis Then Maddison, who’d already lost possession with two back-heels, opened the scoring.A Son Heung-Min shot was blocked as far as Lucas Bergvall, whose drive was pushed out by Andre Onana for the Spurs playmaker to tap in.United’s keeper will feel he should have held Bergvall’s effort but Maddison didn’t care, throwing darts and telling people to shush. Don’t mention the league table, kind of thing.While United were doing much of the attacking, they kept embarrassing themselves.At one point, Casemiro simply fell over in the centre circle and started pleading to the referee, like an upturned pensioner in the street.Then Garnacho, fed by Bruno Fernandes, without a Spurs defender in the same postcode, inexplicably propelled his shot into Row Z.Mathys Tel, who looks very promising, had a shot smartly saved by Onana.For a while, it descended into the funereal sort of occasion we’d imagined. Casemiro was booked for lacking pace maiming Son. Perhaps the Brazilian could tootle around midfield in a mobility buggy.“We are the pride of Europe,” sang United’s fans – their exact levels of irony difficult to gauge from the press box.After the break, Djed Spence darted down the left and centred low but Tel made a hash of his shot.But United were still on top, Garnacho twice forcing fine saves from Vicario.Maddison was withdrawn on 63 minutes, having improved Spurs significantly, and was replaced by Pape Matar Sarr as Johnson arrived for his return from injury.Then, from a Noussair Mazraoui centre, Zirkzee missed a sitter of a header.Amorim was picked out by TV cameras staring lengthily at the ground, pondering his life choices.Casemiro had another fall, this time in the Spurs box, but again ref Peter Bankes refused to play the good Samaritan.Kulusevski shot too close to Onana when he ought to have put the game to bed.READ MORE SUN STORIESBentancur was withdrawn and spotted on the bench with an ice pack on his knee – the latest in a long running sick joke being played out against Postecoglou this season.An unmarked Zirkzee completely missed an attempt at a volley – the Dutchman left looking as if he was playing in clown shoes. More

  • 250 Shares46 Views

    in Soccer

    ‘It’s like Messi… there I said it’ – Pundits rave about Arsenal ace Nwaneri as Shearer dubs him ‘potential superstar’

    PUNDITS have been left raving about Ethan Nwaneri after his masterclass for Arsenal against Leicester.The 17-year-old bagged an assist as his side won 2-0 thanks to a brace from sub Mikel Merino.Pundits have lined up to praise Arsenal starlet Ethan NwaneriCredit: APOne has even compared him to the legendary Lionel MessiCredit: AFPNwaneri has now scored or assisted four Premier League goals before the age of 18.That puts him in an esteemed group alongside legends Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Cesc Fabregas.While during the game itself, Nwaneri controlled proceedings with four shots, six dribbles and 32 passes.He even put in a strong defensive contribution with three successful tackles and 12 duels won.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd now, pundits are lining up to sing Nwaneri’s praises.Perhaps the boldest comment came from Joe Cole, who compared the teenager to Lionel Messi.Cole said on TNT Sport: “These touches he produces, in and around the box, tiny little touches.“I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi. I’ve said it.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“I don’t want to put any more pressure on his shoulders. I’m sure he’d deal with it.”Meanwhile, Alan Shearer lauded Nwaneri’s masterclass on Match of the Day.Arsenal player ratings vs Leicester: Ethan Nwaneri excels amid injury crisis but dreadful Raheem Sterling shadow of old selfJoe Cole reckons Nwaneri can handle the pressureCredit: AlamyAlan Shearer feels Nwaneri played his heart out against LeicesterCredit: GettyThe Newcastle icon said: “17 years of age… a potential superstar. He was, without doubt, the bright spark for Arsenal.“Even when things weren’t going for them, which were large parts of the game, he was the one that was probing, he was the one putting crosses in and having pops at goal.“He [Nwaneri] just shifts the ball on to the left foot and he whips it in but Declan Rice can’t quite get on the end of it. “Again, he gets the ball and works it onto his left foot. This time he cuts inside and has a pop at goal but hits the crossbar.“But he can and does also like to down that right-hand side. “If you show him too much room, if you invite him to go down there then that’s fine, he will do that as well. “He was the best player on the pitch today, so lively.” More

  • 250 Shares55 Views

    in Soccer

    ‘It breaks all rules in football, absolute madness’ – Gary Neville slams Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd tactics in Spurs clash

    GARY NEVILLE had some less-than-kind words for Manchester United’s first-half performance against Tottenham.The injury-ravaged Red Devils still managed to field a starting XI worth £448million, but were second best in the first 45 minutes in North London.Gary Neville savaged the ’embarrassing’ midfield plan of Man UtdCredit: GettyCasemiro was paired with Bruno Fernandes in midfield against TottenhamCredit: AlamyBut Neville claimed the selection ‘broke all rules of football’Credit: AlamyJames Maddison’s goal was the difference maker as he reacted first to Lucas Bergvall’s rebounded shot after Andre Onana could not push it far enough away.Spurs had five shots to United’s eight, though the home side had three on target compared to the visitors two.But Neville was particularly critical of the way Ruben Amorim had set up his midfield pair of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.Speaking on co-commentary for Sky Sports, he blasted the midfield plan as “embarrassing”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe explained: “The distance between the two central midfield players, see where Casemiro is and where Bruno Fernandes is, that cannot be right. “It breaks all rules in football. Absolute madness.”The former defender added: “United may win today and may score goals but I have to say that the structure of the team is awful.”The gaps in that midfield between Fernandes and Casemiro. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”That’s a tactic, they’ve been asked to do that, Bruno’s been asked to come out to this side and it isn’t right.”Bruno Fernandes is playing right wing, the two of them in midfield are split, it’s embarrassing. Mass of fuming Tottenham fans flood streets and chant ‘we want Levy out’ in biggest protest against club’s ownership”You wouldn’t see this in Under-9s or Under-10s football.”Despite the criticism, the Red Devils arguably should have gone in at the break level. Alejandro Garnacho had been played into the penalty area on his favoured right foot with only the goalkeeper to beat just 11 yards out from goal.However, the Argentine, who has not scored in the league under Amorim skied his shot miles over the bar.It compounds a worrying stat for the 20-year-old that he has the worst big chance conversion rate of any player in the Premier League to have had at least 10 of them, with only two of his 14 scored – a rate of just 14 per cent.Amorim named EIGHT teenagers – including seven academy stars – on his bench with 12 senior stars out of contention. More

  • 288 Shares50 Views

    in Soccer

    Man Utd ‘in for 18 months of pain’ predicts Redknapp as Sky Sports pundit says ‘they need to get rid and change culture’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are set for “18 months of pain”, according to Jamie Redknapp.And he believes there needs to be a serious overhaul of the culture at Old Trafford to turn the mess around.Jamie Redknapp had his say on the current state at Manchester UnitedCredit: Sky SportsRuben Amorim has struggled to have the positive impact he would have wantedCredit: RexRuben Amorim has struggled since replacing Erik ten Hag in November, losing eight of his first 20 matches in charge as United sit 15th in the table going into the trip to Tottenham.He has also binned Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia out on loan while the club’s woes run far deeper than just on-field issues. Sir Jim Ratcliffe needs to sort out the financial chaos – but his methods of increasing ticket prices, job redundancies and staff perk cuts are proving unpopular. However, Redknapp gave his backing that Amorim can be the manager in the dugout to help lead the transformation with the right people above him.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut he warned it will not be a comfortable ride for anyone connected to United – with plenty of players needing to be pushed out of the exit door along the way.The Sky Sports pundit said ahead of the Spurs game, in which United were forced to put eight untried teenagers on the bench: “For what it’s worth on Amorim, I like him. I think he’s got something about him. And I totally get the performances haven’t been good enough. “But I actually like what he’s doing more off the field than actually what he’s doing on the pitch. Because that club needs a change of culture. “We’ve spoken about how it works. Get people like Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho that have left and one or two others who have had a mention about leaving. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Now, if they’re not going to buy into having a good way of living and coming in and training correctly and being involved and helping the group and create a winning mentality, they’ve got to be surplus to requirements.”I see Manchester United as having still much more pain, even 18 months more pain, because they need to get rid. Ruben Amorim makes blunt admission as Man Utd face cash crisis “Whoever’s been in charge or even managers have gone so far and then they’re panicked and then they’ve gone and bought 30-year-old players that aren’t going to maybe take the club any further forward. I think now they have to take their time. “They’re trying to get… Jermain [Defoe] mentioned getting the best in class. People like Jason Wilcox, they’ve got the guy from Manchester City, the CEO there [Omar Berrada]. They’re trying to do things slowly and I think that’s how they have to do it.”Amorim has not been afraid to show his ruthless attitude during his time in charge – in more ways than one.He exiled £325,000-a-week academy graduate Rashford – even publicly slamming him by saying he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach – and declared this is the “worst United team in history”. But despite his difficult start in terms of results and becoming the quickest United manager in history to reach five home Premier League defeats, Amorim refuses to budge from his 3-4-3 system.And Redknapp feels like that lack of adaptability could be costly.He added: “I like what he’s trying to achieve but it might take a bit more time than what you’d like. “You know, I think he’s got to be more flexible in the system. “When I hear a manager having one system, that worries me because you’ve got to adapt in game each time you’re playing against another team. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But I think Manchester United will get there. It’s just going to take a bit of time but they have to go all in on it. “They can’t just go, ‘We’re going to panic now and go buy more average players’, because the players right now aren’t good enough to produce the performances that Manchester United want, hence why they’re in this position.”United’s bench was packed with kidsUnited are 15th in the Premier League table before facing TottenhamCredit: Getty More