Juventus is set to terminate Paul Pogba’s contract as the Frenchman is expected to face a lengthy ban.
Pogba has been under suspension since the earlier months of the season due to a failed drug test.
Despite the Frenchman defending himself, recent reports suggest that prosecutors have recommended the harshest possible punishment, and he could potentially be banned for four years.
In response, Juve has already taken steps to move on from the situation and is planning to sign a replacement for the midfielder in January.
Pogba has seen limited playing time at Juve since his return to the club at the beginning of last season, primarily due to recurring injury problems.
While his injury struggles have been known, the news of a failed drug test ban has surprised both the Bianconeri and football enthusiasts in general.
As Pogba awaits his punishment, a report on Football Italia indicates that Juventus is prepared to terminate his contract as soon as the sentence is announced. The club is already geared up to part ways with the 2018 World Cup winner and is awaiting the official verdict.
Juve FC Says
Pogba’s second spell with us has been a disaster, so keeping him at the Allianz Stadium is no longer possible.
As soon as he is banned, we need to act and terminate his contract.
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Liverpool have already had an eye-catching summer transfer window, but they don’t seem to be done by a long stretch. Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pesci, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez have all been added to Arne Slot’s squad, with Hugo Ekitike set to join them in the arrivals hall imminently once his medical is completed in the coming days. Richard Hughes could then turn his attention to bringing in another centre-back, with the Reds down to three senior options in that part of the squad following the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. What centre-backs are Liverpool considering this summer? Marc Guehi has been widely touted as a primary target for that area of the pitch, although reports from Spain have named another Premier League defender as an alternative to whom Liverpool might turn. According to Galicia Press (via CaughtOffside), Real Madrid continue to take an interest in Ibrahima Konate, and they could trigger quite the domino effect if they can lure the Frenchman to the Bernabeu. Should that happen, the Reds’ priority is to sign the Crystal Palace powerhouse, although Slot has a ‘slightly more affordable plan B’ in another England international in Ezri Konsa. The chain is completed by Aston Villa consdering a move for Centa Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza. Would Konsa be worth a go by Liverpool if they don’t get Guehi? Guehi certainly appears to be Liverpool’s primary option in terms of centre-back recruitment, but could his Three Lions teammate be worth an approach if the Eagles defender proves unattainable? With almost 200 Premier League appearances, Konsa definitely knows his way around the division and is currently in the prime of his career at 27. His status as a homegrown player will also appeal to FSG, particularly after the sales of Quansah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Caoimhin Kelleher. The Athletic‘s Jacob Tanswell has lauded him as a ‘modern-day defender’ who boasts ‘outstanding recovery pace’, with coaches noting his ‘inherent anticipation’ and ‘willingness to defend on the front foot’, along with a ‘good arrogance’ in which he displays confidence but not complacency. However, whereas Guehi is only coming into his peak years, the Aston Villa man is well into his (he turns 28 in October), and his underlying performance metrics are concerning. As per FBref, he ranked in the bottom 20% of positional peers in Europe’s five main leagues last season with his match averages for tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances and aerial duels won. The ideal scenario for Liverpool is, of course, that they hold onto Konate and also add the Palace centre-back. Even amid a summer of unprecedented spending at Anfield, that should be feasible for the Permier League champions.
Before Ryan Reaves was traded to the San Jose Sharks earlier this summer, he had a front-row seat to Auston Matthews' first season wearing the “C” for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews dealt with injury setbacks throughout the year, missing 15 games after hurting himself during training camp. He still found a way to finish the season, racking up 78 points in 67 regular-season games, adding 11 points in 13 playoff outings. Reaves appeared on the "Leafs Morning Take" podcast on Monday to discuss that and many other topics. Reaves opened up on his two seasons in Toronto. The enforcer offered insight into what made the 2024–25 campaign unique and how Matthews handled the spotlight during his first year as the team captain. “I think a lot of (Matthews') leadership is led by example,” Reaves said. “He works incredibly hard in practice. And on the ice, I think you see how hard he works in all three zones. “Obviously, grinding through some issues this year, and, you know, really trying to grind through it for the team.” Reaves said that even though Matthews was forced to miss time throughout the season, the captain maintained a presence Reaves — a 38-year-old veteran — found instructive, especially for younger players in the locker room. “To me, Auston was a guy who really led by example, really tried to drag guys into battles, practice,” Reaves said. “Never took days off, never, never coasted in practice. Always working his (expletive) off, on the ice before everybody else, off the ice last, you know. “(It’s) something that, as a vet, it was great to see. It really teaches those young guys how to, how to be, you know, the best in the world.” Reaves, however, acknowledged that Matthews wasn’t the most vocal captain he’d ever played with. That said, the veteran still respected Matthews' approach to leading the Maple Leafs. “Everybody leads differently, right?” Reaves said. “You can’t be the most vocal and the most leading by example, you can’t, you can’t do it all.”
One question remains after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement. How long until Canton calls? On Tuesday, the 12-year NFL veteran revealed he was retiring, effective immediately, ending the New Orleans native's legendary football career. In a statement published to social media, the three-time first-team All-Pro wrote, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way. "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing." He's a surefire first-ballot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame honoree, breaking out while at LSU (2010-11). During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he forced 11 fumbles with eight recoveries, four interceptions and four total touchdowns while finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2011. Mathieu was dismissed from the team in 2012 after failing multiple drug tests and then was arrested on marijuana charges, but he didn't allow that to define his career. Instead, he carved out what could be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame resume, too. Mathieu ends his professional career with 838 tackles, 100 passes defended and 36 interceptions. In addition to being named first-team All-Pro three times, he received three Pro Bowl honors and was a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010 Team. Mathieu also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Per Mathieu's Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor score (65.2), he has a below-average case for enshrinement, with the average Hall of Fame defensive back scoring a 96.93. But players have received a gold jacket with worse scores in the PFR metric, including John Lynch, Eric Allen and Dick LeBeau. While he might have to wait past his first ballot to make it into the Hall of Fame, it would be a shame if Mathieu didn't one day receive his flowers. It certainly helps his case that in addition to being one of the greatest safeties of his generation, Mathieu was, by all accounts, just as outstanding off the field. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and Arizona Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, who covered Mathieu when he played for the Cardinals, were among the media members to share fond stories about Mathieu. "One of those guys who really respected the job we do and would take the time to explain the game," Underhill shared. "He an all-world talent and the most accessible, genuine, introspective superstar I've ever met," Odegard wrote. It could take longer than five years, but it should surprise no one if one day Mathieu receives Hall of Fame recognition. He is the Honey Badger, after all. He takes what he wants.
It’s not been a drama-free start to training camp for the Dallas Cowboys, and the majority of the reason lies with the comments of their owner, Jerry Jones. Already mired in a dispute with Micah Parsons, Jones chose to use the team’s training camp press conference as his bully pulpit earlier this week, making comments on a number of the team’s players, particularly the ones he’s signed to lucrative extensions. Among those were defensive back Trevon Diggs, who drew criticism from Jones over his lack of participation in offseason workouts, forfeiting part of his contract in the process. “He didn’t earn it; he didn’t come. That’s in his contract that he doesn’t get that unless he’s going to be here,” Jones said. Parsons has chosen relatively lukewarm responses so far, but Diggs may have escalated the situation with a simple post on Tuesday. Trevon Diggs responds to Jerry Jones, says ‘they knew where I was’ On his X account, Diggs made a quick and strong response to Jones’ comments, pointing out the facts and leaving no doubt where he is going into the season. Diggs signed a lucrative five-year, $97m extension in 2023 after impressing following joining the Cowboys in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The former Alabama prospect earned that deal following two Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2022, with an All-Pro berth in the former. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2021 to boot, with eleven. However, having only played 13 games since his big extension, he’s part of the increasing scrutiny Jones seems to be placing on long-term deals with his team’s young talent, a possible reason for the ongoing impasse with star linebacker Micah Parsons. Jones continues to be a detriment to his team At this point, Jerry Jones is an active deterrent to the Cowboys succeeding in 2025. While people can rightly disagree over an owner’s intentions or philosophy when it comes to roster building, being in open warfare with your players, particularly ones you’ve already paid, is nothing but hurtful to team chemistry. It’s not even that he was wrong to call out Diggs, who has largely been underwhelming since signing his deal, but it’s just not something an owner should be doing publicly about one of his players, particularly one who he still needs to provide value to the team over the coming years. Jones’ recent outbreak of foot-in-mouth syndrome only increases the pressure on first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who already faces an uphill task dragging a middling roster to reach Jones’ outsize expectations. With disgruntled players and the possibility still existing of a holdout by Micah Parsons, things could continue to get worse. It’s a mess of the Cowboys’ own making, and it’s a pity no one has the power in Dallas to tell Jerry to spend less time at the microphone and more time at the negotiating table resolving these disputes.
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