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Roma will need to address the wings in January, as Zeki Celik has played a lot but has been subpar, while Angelino has been up and down and constantly targeted by the opponents. Claudio Ranieri has earmarked a player he’s well familiar with, Gabriele Zappa, whom he coached at Cagliari for a couple of seasons, Corriere della Sera relayed (via OneFootball).
The Giallorossi have tested the waters for the fullback. His contract expires at the end of the season. He’s generating interest thanks to his strong performances this campaign. Milan have been linked to him but more for a Bosman move. They’ll likely let Davide Calabria go next summer.
Zappa tops the Roma shortlist for the role at the moment. He scored two wonder goals in a recent clash with the Rossoneri, his lone ones this campaign. He has played extensively also as a right ‘braccetto’ when Cagliari were using a three-man defense.
The capital club is about to get some help from the infirmary. Alexis Saelemakers has completed his rehab from ankle surgery and has been called for the Tottenham clash He’s been out since mid-September due to a malleolus fracture.
Our Take on Roma and Zappa
They need an upgrade, and he’s probably destined to be a deputy in a big team, but they should be more ambitious, as they have had issues in such a position for a few years. Saelemakers will aid but only when they use 3-5-2 or something similar, as he has never fully transitioned to being a fullback in Serie A.
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Why Tottenham should sign wantaway Man Utd #9 to solve attacking problems – Opinion
Tottenham have been looking to bring in a new striker in the ongoing summer transfer window, and we have seen the North Londoners shuffling through a lot of possible targets along the window, given how Daniel Levy is looking to bring that quality and depth into the offensive roster. Now the North Londoners have been switching through the possible options again as they look to add some goalscoring player that can complement Dominik Solanke, given how he struggled to take the sole goalscoring burden upfront. Moreover, given that Dominic Solanke is already a bit of a doubt going into the season kick-off week, the North Londoners are still looking for someone who can bring that long-term goal threat leading the line in a Thomas Frank system. And this is where Manchester United striker Hojlund comes into the picture. The 22-year-old has been subject to links with a move away from Old Trafford this summer following the arrival of Benjamin Sesko at M16, and this is where Daniel Levy can put the Lilywhites’ name in contention for his signature. We know how the Dane head coach uses his forwards from his years at Gtech Community Stadium, where he always preferred to have strikers who have that physical presence but also have that mobility about their movements. Start thinking of Ivan Toney at his peak and how aggressive he was going into duels and yet how clever he was with back-to-goal play. Playing under Frank, he was also relentless in closing down defenders. And Hojlund fits that mould almost perfectly. How can Hojlund fit in at Tottenham? The Dane head coach likes to accommodate pressing triggers in his structures where the forward is more of a first man press to force the opponents into deploying wide centre-backs, so this is where the system follows and tries to rush the opponents into passes. Given the speed and work rate that we have seen from Hojlund in his time at M16, it makes him a natural fit for that role. But there is more… Frank also likes to have his #9 making those early and direct runs into space to stretch the pitch. And the 2003-born excels at timing runs beyond the last defender (which could come as a massive asset with the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Tel or Brennan Johnson supplying balls in behind). Moreover, the North Londoners could be looking to use more variety in their attacking build-up while trying to put together a complement of crosses and set-piece routines. And given the height and athleticism of Hojlund, he would fit right into it. And then Hojlund’s ability to hold up the ball and bring wide forwards into sequences would be crucial in those transitions. Strengths The 22-year-old fits the long-term rebuild, and the Lilywhites could get five or six prime years from him before even thinking about any possible resale (like with Harry Kane). And then he is really good with his high presses and has that quick-transition style. Moreover, he has already been leading the line for a while for Denmark, and while he has not yet got going in the English top tier, he now has that experience in the Premier League, and he could be ready to take strides in his development in the upcoming years, especially under someone like Thomas Frank, who has that capacity to get the best out of young players and bring them to their potential. Weaknesses He would be a massive gamble given his performances for the Manchester Reds and then a physical risk as well given that the 22-year-old has been having niggling injuries every now and then. Author Opinion If Tottenham can sign Hojlund for a fee which is closer to £30–40m and then Levy ends up using the money saved on adding another creative midfielder, then the Dane would be a superb signing to lead the attack for a long time to come. But if he comes at a premium fee which works along with £50m+ and limits what else Frank can do this window, then is it a pointless risk to take?
'Absolutely' - Browns Are Considering Surprising Quarterback Move
It's the Browns. When the Cleveland Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders this April, they had a total of five quarterbacks on their roster between their incoming rookies, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and the injured Deshaun Watson. And despite the kind of confusing nature of their stockpiling so many QBs, it sounds like the team could double-down on the the decision by the time the regular season kicks off. According to The Athletic's Zac Jackson, "the Browns absolutely might keep all four quarterbacks" heading into Cleveland's season opener. While also adding, "No, Shedeur Sanders is not going to start Week 1 for the Browns. But he's put a lot of pressure on his coaches and fellow QBs headed into this week — the biggest week of training camp as the Browns head to Philly." Fans reacted to the reporter's update on X: "At this point it's not even a QB room anymore. It's a pitching rotation now," a user said. "One as a starter, One as a backup, One to hold on field goals, And one listed as a wide receiver for tax purposes," another commented. "[Shedeur Sanders] should be developed and shouldn't be thrown out there week 1 but he should be considered to be put over Gabriel and Pickett," a fan pointed out. "While also finally getting meaningful reps with the 1's." "I'm a Shedeur fan who wants Flacco to start with Shedeur at QB2," another person replied. "Sitting behind a veteran QB can be very valuable, and you know he'd be ready if he had to come off the bench. Just my .02." "This isn't unprecedented," another user posted. "The Patriots kept 4 QBs in the 2000 season. Worked out ok for them. Not saying there's a Brady in their QB room. But if they have 4 guys who they think are NFL worthy (even if none are QB1 right now), they can make it work." The Browns have been bitten by the injury bug thus far in camp with Pickett and Gabriel both dealing with ailments this preseason — opening up a window for Shedeur Sanders to earn his way up the depth chart. Sanders played well in Friday night's debut with a 14-of-23 performance for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the way to a 30-10 win over Carolina. But head coach Kevin Stefanski says the team in "evaluation mode" when it comes to their QBs.
Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return For Final Match
20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer will return to the tennis court to play one more match at this year’s Shanghai Masters. Federer, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Friday, played his final match on the professional scene in September 2022 at the Laver Cup. It was an emotionally intoxicating doubles match in which Federer reunited with his great rival, Rafael Nadal. Roger Federer Announces Tennis Return Three years on from his retirement, Federer plans to grace the courts in Shanghai to play a celebrity doubles match. The tournament confirmed on X that the legendary Swiss will return to China at the start of October, when this year’s edition will be up and running. “Roger Federer is coming back to Shanghai. Join us on October 10th for the @rogerfederer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match!” The tournament relayed the news. While the full schedule of who Federer will partner or play with is unknown for now, that match will take place two days before the singles final of the 2025 Shanghai Masters. In a short video announcing his return for one more doubles match, the two-time Shanghai champion said, “Hello, this is Roger. I’m really happy to be returning to the Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans and unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game. I look forward to seeing you there on October 10th. Shanghai, let’s meet.” Why Shanghai? Shanghai is the penultimate Masters 1000 on the calendar and has previously been voted as the best ATP tournament of the year by players. The tournament represents some of the world’s best brands, including Rolex, which is its title sponsor. The Swiss watchmaker company is one of Federer’s most valuable sponsors. Federer has endorsed Rolex since 2001, and that partnership continues to grow stronger post-retirement. Federer has visited Shanghai in each of the last two years and has toured the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, which serves as the main court in the tournament. In 2023, he was presented with the Icon Athlete Award by the tournament in honor of his illustrious career in front of a packed stadium. And last year, Federer watched on from the stands as Jannik Sinner defeated one of his former rivals, Novak Djokovic, in the final.
Atlanta Dream Coach Has Strong Words for Brittney Griner on Sunday
The Atlanta Dream returned one of their most prized possessions, Brittney Griner, for a matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. Griner had missed three straight games ahead of the team's matchup against Phoenix. She was working through a neck injury that kept her sidelined, joining Rhyne Howard as another Dream star to be dealt an unfortunate injury. After missing three straight games, Griner returned to the lineup to play her former team, helping Atlanta earn a 74-66 victory over the Mercury. Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko discussed the return of Griner after the game, mentioning that she had a great performance against one of the best teams in the WNBA. "I thought BG was great," Smesko said. "She was moving great. She looked really good out there. Defensively, she was excellent. She was controlling the point. I thought really good first game back for her." Griner finished the win over the Phoenix Mercury with two points, two rebounds and one assist. She capped off the night playing 13 minutes in her first game back with the Atlanta Dream. Griner is currently playing in her first season with the Dream, looking to help lead Atlanta to a WNBA title alongside stars Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. While the Dream have dealt with several injuries and setbacks during the season, they have climbed up the league standings, holding the No. 3 slot in the entire WNBA. Throughout her first season with the Dream, Brittney Griner has posted 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.
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