Any kind of loyalty or trust is rare in football these days, so it’s always nice to see when a player and a club have a strong bond.
There are numerous examples of someone just being an excellent fit for a certain team, and Idrissa Gana Gueye did play some of his best football at Everton before departing for PSG a few seasons ago, so a return to Goodison Park should be perfect for both sides:
Le Sénégalais a dit au revoir à ses coéquipiers et au staff cet après-midi au Camp des Loges. Même si Arsenal et Chelsea sont arrivés dans le dossier, Gueye avait donné sa parole à Everton et a souhaite la tenir #Mercato#PSGhttps://t.co/gmPoaPqMhz
There’s a key point in this report that should interest Everton fans, as it could be easy to view this as Gueye falling out of the picture at PSG and no longer being an attractive prospect, but it’s suggested that both Chelsea and Arsenal made a late move to change his mind.
He’s not the type of midfielder that’s going to grab the headlines very often, but both London clubs have talented midfielders who are great on the ball, but they need someone like Gueye to make the whole thing work so he would’ve been a great addition for both teams.
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For Everton, they’re getting a known midfielder with quality and energy and he’s a clear upgrade on what’s there just now, so it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of difference he can make at Goodison on his return.
New South Wales copped an almighty blow in its quest to level the State of Origin series with halfback Nathan Cleary suffering a hamstring injury on Sunday night.
The Blues halfback limped from the field clutching at his left hamstring during the first half of the Panthers’ match against the Dragons in Penrith.
Cleary picked up the injury while moving in a sliding defensive line at BlueBet Stadium.
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He was clearly shattered as he left the field with a trainer and stumbled up the race.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary gave a grim assessment of the injury in his press conference.
“We’re going to be without him for a while”, said the Penrith coach.
“I’m not a doctor but it’s a significant injury.
“We’ll get scans tomorrow and we’ll know more.
“I think he’d be very unlikely (for game two), but I’m not a doctor.”
The Blues State of Origin camp was rocked by Nathan Cleary limping from the field during the Panthers’ clash with the Dragons. (Fox League)
Blues advisor Greg Alexander offered his reaction to the injury blow in his role as a Fox League commentator.
“You could tell that he was in trouble immediately. I think you could see by the look on his face that he knows it’s more than just a twinge,” Alexander said.
“As he tried to take off there you could see him hobbling back into place and then when it was tested he was immediately off the field.
“And Nathan Cleary is a tough footballer, so you’re thinking … there’s got to be serious issues there.”
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If Cleary is ruled out of game two of the Origin series, to be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 21, the Blues will likely shift Nicho Hynes into the No.7 jumper, partnering the Sharks playmaker in the halves with Jarome Luai.
Queensland pull off comeback victory to clinch State of Origin opener
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In the lead-up to game one, which Queensland won 26-18 at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night, there were calls from respected rugby league figures to axe Luai and blood Hynes at five-eighth.
When Cleary was scrubbed from game three of the 2021 decider due to a dislocated shoulder, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses took his spot, before the Maroons won 20-18 to prevent a Blues whitewash.
Hynes, Moses and Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds will all be in the mix to replace Cleary if he’s deemed unavailable.
Cleary’s injury blow on Sunday night followed the withdrawal of gun centre Latrell Mitchell two days before the Origin opener, with the South Sydney ace suffering a calf injury during a training session.
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Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program, tipped off the 13th BWB Asia Camp at New York University Abu Dhabi, which featured 78 of the top high-school age boys and girls from more than 20 countries and territories from across Asia and the Middle East.
This year, BWB Asia participants had the opportunity to learn from current NBA players Saddiq Bey (Atlanta Hawks) and Monte Morris (Washington Wizards), and NBA veterans Taj Gibson (most recently with the Washington Wizards), Rodney McGruder (most recently with the Detroit Pistons) and Vladimir Radmanovic. NBA assistant coaches John Bryant (Chicago Bulls), Ryan Forehan-Kelly (Brooklyn Nets), Jim Moran (Detroit Pistons), Ryan Richman (Wizards), Sean Sweeney (Dallas Mavericks) and Mike Weinar (Indiana Pacers); NBA Global Academy Technical Director Marty Clarke; and NBA Basketball School Dubai Technical Director Phil Galvin served as BWB Asia coaches, while Nina Hsieh (Charlotte Hornets) served as the camp’s athletic trainer.
In collaboration with FIBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, BWB Asia 2023 began with an opening ceremony, which included remarks from FIBA National Federations & Sport Senior Manager Kosta Iliev, NBA Europe and Middle East Managing Director Ralph Rivera, DCT Abu Dhabi Strategic Affairs Executive Director Saeed Ali Al Fazari, NBA Asia Head of Basketball Operations Carlos Barroca, NBA Head of International Basketball Operations Chris Ebersole and Atlanta Hawks forward Saddiq Bey.
In the afternoon session, campers participated in a series of on-court drills focusing on enhancing fundamental basketball skills, learned a combination of team offensive and defensive concepts, and competed in 5-on-5 games.
In conjunction with BWB Asia 2023, the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi Elite Camp also tipped off the 3-day event at New York University Abu Dhabi, which brought together 40 of the top boys and girls ages 15 and under from the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League to participate in fundamental skill development and 5-on-5 competition.
NBA Head of International Basketball Operations Chris Ebersole
“Basketball Without Borders is our longest-running elite development program and we’re thrilled to have the 13th edition of the BWB Asia Camp for the first time in the Arabian Gulf. Together with FIBA and DCT Abu Dhabi, we’re committed to providing our boys and girls from across Asia and the Middle East with a memorable experience on and off the court as they train under the guidance of some of the best players and coaches in the world.”
FIBA National Federations & Sport Senior Manager Kosta Iliev
“Basketball Without Borders builds on a decades-long collaboration between FIBA and the NBA that provides a tremendous opportunity to the most talented kids in Asia and the Middle East to grow and to reach the highest possible level in basketball. The campers will learn from some of the best coaches in the game and will compete and interact with some of the best players from other countries and cultures, which will give them a different perspective and vision for the future.”
Atlanta Hawks forward Saddiq Bey
“I’m excited to be part of my first Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp and experience the unique brand of basketball played on this side of the world. BWB is a great reminder that basketball transcends cultural boundaries and I’m looking forward to maximizing this opportunity to engage and connect with the boys and girls through our shared love for the game.”
West Ham have a season-defining Europa Conference League final ahead of them this week before turning their attentions back to the summer transfer window, pre-season and then domestic duties for the 2023/24 campaign.
It’s not clear if David Moyes will still be in charge come next season, with reasons why he could both stay or go depending on next Wednesday’s result.
Should the Hammers win their first European final in 47 years, the Scot could bow out on a high, but equally, if they were beaten by Fiorentina, that could re-ignite the fire for Moyes to push ahead in 23/24 and turn things around just as he did when returning to the club second time around.
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Premier League new boys Sheffield United’s only concern is being able to sign players that will keep them in the English top-flight, and to that end, one West Ham flop is apparently on their radar.
It hasn’t been that long since Turkish side, Besiktas, made Arthur Masuaku’s loan move from the Hammers permanent, but according to Takvim, the left-back is a target for Paul Heckingbottom.
Hammers supporters will surely have something to say about that given that Masuaku’s best moment in a West Ham shirt was a late, and slightly fortuitous winner against Chelsea.
Much of the remainder of his career at the London Stadium was uneventful, the player making only 49 total appearances (including as sub) in the three seasons he was at the club, per WhoScored.
