Juventus and Inter Milan will clash this weekend in the highly anticipated Derby d’Italia, and one of the intriguing storylines surrounding the match is the potential face-off between the Thuram brothers—Khephren and Marcus. Both players find themselves on opposite sides of this historic rivalry, with Khephren joining Juventus this season while Marcus has already made a name for himself at Inter Milan, contributing to their league title victory last season.
For Khephren, the game presents an exciting opportunity to showcase his talent and cement a spot in the Juventus starting lineup, especially amid the club’s current injury challenges. He is expected to feature from the start, given the absences of key players like Teun Koopmeiners and Nicolas Gonzalez. This match could be a chance for the younger Thuram to make a statement in one of Serie A’s most significant fixtures.
Marcus, on the other hand, is already established at Inter and has been a key player for the Nerazzurri since his arrival. His contributions have helped Inter maintain their strong start to the season, and his familiarity with Italian football gives him an edge in this high-stakes encounter. With both brothers likely to start, it sets the stage for an exciting subplot in the rivalry.
Khephren expressed his anticipation for the upcoming match, sharing how playing against his brother on such a stage is a realisation of a childhood dream. He stated, “I’m really happy and proud as a professional, it was what we dreamed of as children. It’s something big but the most important thing is the match, we will play against Inter, a great team, and we have to do our best and play a great match in Milan” as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.
The encounter will not only be a memorable family moment for the Thurams but also a critical test for Juventus, who are looking to bounce back from their midweek Champions League loss to Stuttgart. Securing a victory against Inter would be a significant morale boost and an important step in maintaining their unbeaten record in Serie A. For Khephren, making a mark in the Derby d’Italia would be a perfect way to announce his arrival on the big stage, while Marcus will be eager to help his team extend their impressive form.
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Sunderland are ready to improve their offer for Bologna's Jhon Lucumi, a Colombian center-back who is also a target for Leeds United. According to Quotidiano Sportivo, the Black Cats will offer €20 million + €2 million in bonuses, which will bring their proposal closer to the €25 million demanded by the Serie A side. The same outlet states that Lucumi is also a target for Bournemouth, but doesn't specify if there has been any significant progress from the Cherries. In May, TBR Football reported that Leeds United were another club interested in signing the 27-year-old defender, but they also cited Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Brighton, Brentford, and Crystal Palace. Sunderland raise bid to €22 million for Leeds United target Jhon Lucumi "Sunderland are awaiting news from Jhon Lucumi", journalist Marcello Giordano began writing for the cited outlet. "Sunderland, led by former Roma transfer manager (Florent) Ghisolfi, are ready to raise their bid and come close to Bologna's €25 million asking price with an offer of €20 million plus €2 million in bonuses, assuming the Colombian defender accepts the move," he added. A couple of weeks ago, Il Resto del Carlino reported that Lucumi had already rejected an offer from the Lads board. The same outlet pointed out that the Colombian center-back's goal was to join a team playing in UEFA competitions, preferably in the Champions League. "The interest was genuine and firm (...) he wants a team that can compete in cup competitions, possibly the Champions League," explained that report. However, the most recent update from Quotidiano Sportivo suggests that Sunderland haven't lost hope of being able to secure the signing of the defender. Additionally, it has also been said that in Italy Lucumi has gained a couple of admirers, including Juventus and Inter Milan, who, if we consider the Colombian's desire to play European competitions, would have a clear advantage. Read More:
Following the shocking news of Hulk Hogan’s passing, wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes, known to millions as Goldust in WWE, took to social media to share a deeply personal and provocative reaction: “Hospitals truly kill people. I really do mean that.” Rhodes’ blunt statement stunned many fans, but those who know his story saw the pain behind the words. His father, the iconic Dusty Rhodes, passed away in 2015, aged 69, after a fall at home led to hospitalization for kidney failure. After his father's passing, Dustin shared a contemplative response on WWE's YouTube channel to discuss the legacy his father left behind. The news of Hogan's death comes just a month after reports suggested he was on his "deathbed" after undergoing a neck procedure back in May. Hogan's reps denied that was the case. In June, US Weekly reported that Hogan had also undergone a "pretty serious heart surgery and was doing well afterward." Dustin’s connection to his brother Cody Rhodes, now a top WWE superstar and face of the company’s next generation, is unbreakable. The Rhodes family legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of pro wrestling history, and seeing another legend like Hogan pass has clearly hit close to home. While Goldust and Hulk Hogan never had a headline-grabbing rivalry, they did share the ring once. It occurred in WCW in 2000 when Dustin Rhodes matched up against Hogan. Although their paths didn’t often cross in the squared circle, Hogan and the Rhodes family were part of the same larger-than-life era that helped define pro wrestling for decades and catapult the sport into society's zeitgeist. Rhodes’ comment about hospitals might not sit well with everyone, but it speaks to a raw and honest pain felt by someone who has seen too many legends, both personal and professional, fade away in similar fashion. The sport of wrestling has endured more than its fair share of lives cut short. As tributes continue to pour in for Hogan, Rhodes’ reaction serves as a powerful, if somber, reminder of the real human emotions behind the wrestling personas.
Who doesn't love playing in a big market like New York, Los Angeles, and some of the other prime destinations that the NBA has to offer? Kevin Love certainly doesn't mind them. In fact, the former All-Star prefers them. Jake Fischer recently offered insight into where the aging big man may end up as his next destination. The NBA insider reaffirmed previous reports that stated Love prefers a big market. Fischer said, "So with Kevin Love, to my understanding, he really only wants to be in the big glamour markets. I do think it would mostly be something along the lines of Kevin Love going to a New York or a Los Angeles type of situation. So, we'll see if that can materialize for him." With the New York Knicks still in the market for a boost to their depth, Love could be a natural connection for the team to explore. The recently-traded big man will await his buyout from the Utah Jazz. If or when those terms are settled, the Knicks could add the former champion to a spot on the bench. Veteran presence of Kevin Love not without value for New York Love is certainly long past his days as a double-double machine, like he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The floor-spacing big man is not even what he used to be with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, writing him off entirely would be unwise. If there is not key thing Love can still offer to any team, it is undoubtedly his 3-point shooting. The 36-year-old shot 35.8 percent from beyond the arc last season for the Miami Heat. No one is saying to offer Love a prominent bench role, or anything of the sort. However, when the situation calls for an offensive lift and a spaced out floor, the former top five pick can still fit the bill in that scenario.
For years, the Sacramento Kings have struggled due to a lack of size and athleticism, especially at the forward positions. But new GM Scott Perry has a goal to address that team need this offseason to help move Keegan Murray to a different spot in certain lineups. The Kings came into the offseason with two main goals: to add a lead point guard and to add length and athleticism. They brought in Dennis Schröder to solve their point guard needs, but haven't fully addressed the need to add wing depth. They drafted Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, who both bring good size, but neither fits the 3/4 prototype of a 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 wing that could help Keegan Murray on the frontcourt. But it appears that the need is still on Scott Perry's mind, as he stated when he joined Sactown Sports 1140 on the Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross. "It's always on my radar to get better. That position, the four position, if a team has a good four-man, they're holding on to him," Perry stated. "In an ideal world, I'd like to be able to get Keegan more opportunities playing the small forward to allow us to play bigger as a team. " With the roster as currently constructed, the Kings' only backup power forward options are Dario Saric, who may be more of a center at this point in his career, and second-year big Isaac Jones. Doug McDermott could fill in, but he's a little undersized for the power forward spot and the Kings shouldn't go into the season relying on him for more than a shooting spark off the bench. It's also possible that Raynaud gets some time at the power forward spot, as he has the potential to be able to play next to Domantas Sabonis thanks to his outside shooting. But again, he's not the switchable wing that is so valuable in today's NBA. The Kings are still tied to restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, with the two sides meeting for the first time in recent days, with the meeting going well between Perry and Kuminga. Bringing in the 22-year-old wing would certainly solve the problem that the Kings are facing and give them extra size on the wings. A duo of Kuminga and Murray would be the best forward duo the Kings have had in recent years, potentially passing Harrison Barnes and Murray. What will be interesting to see what happens if the Kings strike out on Kuminga and are unable to get a sign and trade done with the Warriors. Perry seems to be patient going into next season, taking his time to build the roster in a way that fits his long term vision. There are a few options out there, including Precious Achiuwa and Kai Jones, or they could look to bring Trey Lyles, who they can go over the cap to sign since they have his bird rights. For now, we appear to be stuck in a wait-and-see situation until the Kuminga deal is resolved, but it's at least good news that Perry still has the power forward spot on his mind as the offseason continues.
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