NBA
NBA
NBA
NBA
Jamaica Premier League
Jamaica Premier League
Jamaica Premier League
LaLiga
LaLiga
LaLiga
EPL
EPL
EPL
Champions League
Champions League
Champions League
Windies
CPL
Windies
Windies
Windies
Windies
ICC World Cup
ICC World Cup
ICC Test Championship
Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri thinks Denis Zakaria’s exit to Chelsea was the best move for club and player, saying his Bianconeri squad is “complete” even after some deadline-day departures.
The Switzerland international was one of a handful of last-gasp exits from Turin, alongside fellow midfielders Arthur and Nicolo Rovella, who moved on to Liverpool and Monza respectively.
Allegri was only able to add one more player, in a loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain man Leandro Paredes, but nevertheless, he remains happy with the composition of his squad.
“[It] is difficult to say [if I am satisfied with the market],” he added. “The club has worked very well with both incoming and outgoing moves. We held onto the young people who were the goal of the club.
“With Zakaria, there was the possibility [of an exit] because he felt a little withdrawn. He enthusiastically accepted this opportunity. I wish him and Arthur good luck.
“We’ve made our choices and they are happy. We have completed the squad in the best possible way. We think about our recoveries and then we will be complete.”
Ahead of the clash with Fiorentina, Allegri is still juggling a host of injury concerns, with Paul Pogba and Federico Chiesa long-term absentees, while Adrien Rabiot will also miss out.
But Angel Di Maria could feature in some capacity, with the head coach adding: “He is not in an optimal condition, but he can play. If it is 45 or 60 minutes, we will see.”
The Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga may not be finished, with new reports he has agreed to terms on a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Ronaldo, 37, has come off the bench in each of Manchester United’s last three wins on the trot, with his only start of the season coming in the 4-0 loss at Brentford.
With the transfer window shut in England, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and most of Europe’s top leagues, it seemed like Ronaldo was destined to remain with United until at least January – but the Turkish window remains open until September 8.
TOP STORY – RONALDO STILL WANTS OUT OF OLD TRAFFORD, AGREES TO FENERBAHCE MOVE
Turkish Super Lig outfit Fenerbahce could be set for a massive influx of star power after Ajansspor reported Ronaldo has been convinced by the club’s Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus to make the jump.
No team in the Super Lig has scored more than Fenerbahce’s 13 goals in four games this season, and more firepower could be on the way as club president Ali Koc is reportedly on board with the move, with just last details required to finalise things.
Koc has experience with high-profile signings, having convinced Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Mesut Ozil to sign last season, collecting eight goals and two assists in 22 league matches before opting to remain in the Super Lig for another campaign, moving to Istanbul Basaksehir.
ROUND-UP
– Marca is reporting Paris Saint-Germain offered Manchester City the chance to sign Neymar as the deadline approached, but they declined.
– According to The Athletic, Tottenham had serious interest in Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, but could not thrash out a deal.
– The Manchester Evening News claims the United board vetoed a move for Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech.
– Ajansspor is reporting Fenerbahce are working on a transfer for Leicester City’s Turkish centre-back Caglar Soyuncu.
– Leicester City still have interest in adding another centre-back, with 27-year-old free agent and Belgian international Jason Denayer their main focus, according to Fabrizio Romano.
FIFA and UEFA have issued a joint statement condemning a “horrific act” that saw gunshots fired at the Turkish Football Association headquarters on Thursday.
Reports from Turkey indicate 11 shots were fired in the direction of the building in Istanbul as the board met inside, though fortunately nobody was hurt.
Turkish Interior Minister, Suleyman Soylu, said two suspects were arrested shortly after the incident occurred, describing them as “drunk”, with investigations ongoing.
Football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA condemned the indicent, expressing relief that no injuries were sustained.
“On Thursday, a horrific act of gun violence against the people and property of the Turkish Football Association (TFF) occurred at the TFF’s headquarters in Istanbul,” the statement read.
“As much as we are relieved that these acts resulted in no injuries, we regret that there are still people capable of such crimes with no respect for human life or safety.
“FIFA and UEFA jointly condemn this violent act and express our full support for the TFF and its staff at this difficult time. Violence is a disease that cannot be tolerated in any form.”
Former Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Turkey international Hamit Altintop, now one of the federation’s leaders, was in the building at the time of the incident.
“We threw ourselves to the ground as soon as we heard the shots,” he told the Milliyet daily.
Xavi Tamarit, UEFA Pro License Coach from Valencia, Spain, will be in Jamaica for the next two weeks, during which time he, along with Andre Virtue, the founder and director of Ballaz Academy, will evaluate and strengthen the academy’s overall philosophy, technical, tactical, and coaching capabilities. They will also finalize an eight-year development plan that the academy is about to embark on.
Tamarit boasts an enviable record in football development and philosophy with over 15 years of coaching experience.
He has coached at the professional level in the English Premier League with Southampton FC, in La Liga with Valencia CF, Deportivo Alavés and CD Leganés and in Greece with Aris FC and Levadiakos FC.
He has also coached in Argentina with Estudiantes de La Plata, CA Independiente and Vélez Sarsfield.
He has also written two internationally recognized books on the methodology of training called Tactical Periodization and has spoken at conferences around the world at the invitation of federations and universities.
As a player, Tamarit competed in the Champions League, UEFA Cup, Libertadores Cup and South American Cup.
Xavi’s visit, the result of an invitation from Virtue, is part of the strengthening of the relationship between Ballaz Academy and The Next Generation Sports (TNGS), Valencia Spain.
The two organizations have in place an MOU which includes Coaching Development & Education, player and coach exchanges, tours, camps, clinics and workshops.
“As we celebrate 20 years, we have much to give thanks for. We have achieved much and impacted the lives of many of Jamaica’s most talented football players at the primary, secondary and club level,” said Virtue.
“As we look ahead, however, we are committed to pioneering even more pathways for our players and coaches and we are being more intentional about connecting with global stakeholders and partners.
“Xavi’s presence here is a part of that intentionality. First and foremost, he is a friend, then a coaching colleague with an amazing football mind and we share a passion for youth football development and the opportunities that football can provide.
“It is an honour to have Xavi here sharing his love for football, Jamaica, and his experiences as a pro coach. As we continue to build our relationship with TNGS, we build pathways of opportunity for our players and by extension other Jamaican coaches and players.”
Xavi, who has had previous visits to Jamaica in 2011 and 2012 shared that, “Being in Jamaica is a wonderful experience. Andre’ and the Ballaz family came to Spain in July and we were able to see the high level of play as well as the character demonstrated by the players.
The coaching philosophy of Ballaz is also one that is impressive because it focuses not only on developing world-class footballers but great people. I know that this relationship started many years ago with Ivan Salazar, Director of TNGS and it is good to see that it is now at a place where Ballaz can benefit even more from what we have to offer.”
Since, 2002 Ballaz International has been coaching the lives of their football players with the goals of not just top-class football, but building the character of its participants in an atmosphere of love, family and professional excellence. “Our vision is to transform individuals, families, communities, the nation and the world through love and football,” Virtue said.
Aug 31, 2022 LaLiga
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
