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Ian Wright urges Man Utd to sign ‘hungry’ Chelsea transfer target

Ian Wright has urged Manchester United to make a summer swoop for Ipswich Town striker and Chelsea transfer target Liam Delap.

Delap has impressed in his first season in the Premier League, scoring nine goals in 23 appearances since arriving at Portman Road from Manchester City in the summer.

The 22-year-old’s exploits and physical characteristics have led to interest from several top clubs, with Chelsea said to be one of the clubs monitoring the striker’s situation ahead of next summer.

A return to City could also be on the cards as Pep Guardiola’s side are said to have inserted a buy-back clause in the deal that saw Delap originally move to Ipswich.

United, meanwhile, still find themselves in desperate need of a reliable goalscorer, with Ruben Amorim even resorting to deploying Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in early February.

Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have flattered to deceive since their respective moves to Old Trafford, with the pair registering just five goals combined in the league this season.

And having opted against signing another forward in January, Wright believes the club should now go all out to try and win the race for Delap’s signature in the summer.

‘Go and get Delap,’ the former Arsenal striker on the most recent episode of Wrighty’s House when addressing United’s striking woes.

‘The thing is he’s got that hunger and disrespect for everybody and it just feels like the kind of player they need.

‘They need a hero like that and he’s a hero waiting to happen. He’s hungry.’

Wright, however, was keen to stress that United’s in-possession approach must improve drastically before any striker can truly thrive in Amorim’s set-up.

‘Obviously, Zirkzee came on (against Leicester in the FA Cup) and he got one but I don’t think they put the ball in the box enough,’ Wright added.

‘I don’t think there’s anyone in the box for when the cross comes in. I don’t think they link the play or keep the ball well enough in the final third to sustain pressure on a team.

Ruben Amorim is looking for reinforcements in the summer (Picture: Getty)

‘They lose the ball and then teams can break on them. There’s no structure to whether they are going to try to play through teams or around them.

‘So the forwards don’t know what’s coming. They don’t get the kind of service they depend on.

‘When’s the last time you saw a Man United player score a goal where he’s got across a guy at a near post? You don’t see those goals from Man United.’

Speaking earlier in the season, Delap said he was paying no attention to speculation linking him with a move away from Ipswich.

‘I don’t really look at things like that. So, yes, I’m just focused on Ipswich,’ Delap told Suffolk News in late December.

‘We are lucky to be playing in the Premier League. I think we’ve got a great opportunity here at Ipswich and we’re just trying to show our ability week in, week out, that’s a big plus for me.’

February 11, 2025

Who impressed in the cup? Four players who could earn more league minutes for Town

Ipswich Town put in a strong display against Coventry City despite making 11 changes

Ipswich Town made 11 changes for their FA Cup clash against Coventry City, winning the game 4-1. Alex Jones picks out four players who impressed against the Championship side and could look to work their way into Kieran McKenna’s Premier League starting lineup.

Cameron Burgess is facing stiff competition to start at centre-back

Cameron Burgess is facing stiff competition to start at centre-back (Image: PA)

Cameron Burgess

Defensively, Ipswich have a lot of depth. The first-choice back line now seems set in stone, with Axel Tuanzebe and Leif Davis playing either side of Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves. Consistency is key in that part of the pitch.

That leaves the likes of Ben Godfrey, Ben Johnson and Luke Woolfenden in a difficult position. Cameron Burgess finds himself in a similar situation.

The 29-year-old hasn’t been left totally in the cold. He was brought in for his first Premier League start against Everton back in October, which happened due to Greaves’ hamstring injury.

He’s played 10 games at the level so far this season, registering an assist for Conor Chaplin’s goal against Bournemouth in December.

His consistent displays saw him briefly keep his place in the starting lineup once Greaves returned to fitness, but the 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United changed all of that. His only league start since then came in the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.

With McKenna keen to pack his bench with attacking options, there’s rarely any space for natural centre-backs. That being said, Burgess rarely puts a foot wrong and surely has to be in the manager’s mind.

Could another strong display against Coventry see him force his way into the starting lineup? With this entire discussion, there is, of course, the caveat that the FA Cup tie was against a Championship side that made four changes, but it shouldn’t take much away from the display as a whole

There’s every chance we see Burgess play in the Premier League again before the end of the season.

Most of Jack Taylor’s Premier League minutes have come from the bench

There’s a big debate about Ipswich’s midfield. Sam Morsy, Jens Cajuste, Kalvin Phillips – who starts? Jack Taylor has become a side note in this entire discussion, which is probably a bit unfair.

The 24-year-old has made a huge leap. Yes, he played a season in the Championship with Peterborough United in 2021/22, but his side suffered relegation back to League One, where he became one of the best players in the division.

He’s since stepped up to the Premier League via a bit-part season in the second tier, now facing stiff competition to start.

Everything we’ve seen from Taylor has been good. His cameos have been sharp, particularly the one at Wolves, where he scored a late winner. He earned his first start in the 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, putting in a solid display in a game his side should have won.

Since then, he has only started in the FA Cup, having scored against Bristol Rovers in the third round – albeit from a blatantly offside position.

Is there a chance he gets another look in? With question marks surrounding Morsy’s performances, Cajuste’s fitness and Phillips’ consistency, it’s not impossible. He offers something different to those three as well, which could be used to Town’s advantage in some games.

Jack Clarke scored twice and provided an assist against the Sky Blues

Welcome to the party, Jack Clarke. We saw glimpses of promise in a Town shirt, but his display against Coventry showed what he’s capable of.

Overall, it’s been a tough start to life at Portman Road for the winger, who has started just five games in the Premier League. His best display came at home to Aston Villa back in September, where he bagged the assist for Liam Delap’s opener, but he wasn’t able to sustain his form.

Despite notching a goal and an assist against Bristol Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup, his confidence has clearly taken a hit. He started against Manchester City and looked lively, but then faded and made a terrible mistake that led to their fifth goal.

He failed to make the squad for the subsequent game at Liverpool and only played two minutes off the bench against Southampton. At that point, it was hard to see a way back.

The win at Coventry showed a different side to his game. He felt like the main man in attack, but he also linked up well with those around him. He was selfish and clinical at times, but he also sacrificed an opportunity for a hat-trick to set up Jaden Philogene for his first Ipswich goal.

Crucially, he enjoyed playing in that match. He looked much more like his old self, like the one that tore the Championship to shreds with Sunderland. His performance, coupled with the scenes after the match where he was pushed to celebrate in front of the away fans, should do him the world of good.

Performing like that against Premier League opposition is another matter entirely, but this game could give him the platform to kick on. With Sammie Szmodics set for another spell on the sidelines, there may be some more opportunities for him on the horizon.

George Hirst suffered three injuries between December 2023 and November 2024

Striker George Hirst hasn’t had it easy this season. Having picked up an injury over the summer, he returned to find that Delap had taken his place in the starting lineup following a run of hot form at the start of the season.

His comeback lasted less than two months before he suffered another knock, ruling him out for a couple of months. That was his third injury in less than a year – a gutting moment for him.

He’s determined to stay fit now. If he can do so, there’s no reason why he can’t earn more starts in the Premier League.

Yes, Delap’s form is an issue for him. There’s no real platform for him to play week in, week out, but McKenna isn’t afraid to rotate. We saw that away at Brentford – Hirst’s only Premier League start so far this season – where the former Manchester City man was brought off the bench instead.

Hirst’s two starts this season have seen him notch a goal and an assist in each. If he can stay fit, then those cameo appearances could turn into starts. Based on what we’ve seen so far, he would be ready to take those opportunities.

There aren’t many players who boast the same attributes as him – tall and physical, yet agile, mobile and intelligent on the ball with a clear eye for goal.

He showed that on numerous occasions against Coventry, creating the chance for the penalty before firing home from the spot. His assist for Clarke looked simple, but required him to turn and find a pocket of space to play the pass.

McKenna will know how to get the most out of the 25-year-old between now and the end of the season. As one of two natural strikers in the squad, he will have a big part to play.

February 11, 2025

Watkins, Konsa, Mings: Latest Aston Villa injury news ahead of Ipswich fixture

Unai Emery could be without as many as six first-team players for this weekend’s showdown at Villa Park, and we’ve got all the latest injury news and updates on the Villans’ stricken players below, along with their expected return dates when available.

Watkins suffered his groin injury during the recent 2-0 league defat to Wolves and it appears that he is still feeling the effects. The England international striker didn’t train last week, according to Emery, and it is not yet clear when he will be back on the turf at Bodymoor Heath.

Donyell Malen deputised in the central striker’s role against Spurs and may be called upon again, with Watkins still a doubt, although there is also a chance of a full Villa debut for deadline day signing Marcus Rashford up front. Emery had said after the Wolves defeat that Watkins’ injury was “hopefully” not a significant one, but a detailed prognosis has not been made public.

There are no indications that Watkins will be out for the long term, and Villa are typically more up front about serious injuries, but he is a doubt for the game against Ipswich. The only other player in the more attacking sections of the squad who could miss out is midfielder Ross Barkley, who has missed the last five matches with a calf injury. He is due to return to full training this week but is unlikely to be ready to start on Saturday.

Villa may have made it through to the next round of the FA Cup, but their win over a struggling Spurs side came at a cost – key defender Konsa was withdrawn before the half-hour mark after beating the ground in frustration after picking up an injury.

The injury was expected to be assessed by the club’s medical staff at the start of the week but the results have yet to be made public. Emery said after the game “hopefully it is not a big injury” and Konsa himself echoed his manager’s comments in a social post, saying that the muscular issue “hopefully isn’t a bad one”.

Clearly there is optimism from both player and coach that the injury, exact details of which are not yet available, is only a minor one, and Konsa was able to walk under his own steam after being withdrawn, but it remains to be seen whether he will recover in time to feature against Ipswich.

Konsa’s injury is made all the more worrying by the volume of injuries elsewhere along the defensive line. Tyrone Mings, who has missed the last four matches thanks to a “small injury” to his knee, is believed to be closest to a return, but he is still a serious doubt for Saturday’s Premier League game.

Polish international wing-back Matty Cash, meanwhile, was sidelined for “three to four weeks”, in Emery’s words, by an unknown muscle injury at the end of January. He is expected to miss the upcoming games against Ipswich and Liverpool, with the game against Chelsea a week on Saturday the earliest realistic point of return according to Emery’s timeline.

The most serious injury is that sustained by centre-half Pau Torres. He picked up an ankle issue in early January that was expected to sideline him for at least two months. Early March remains the earliest point at which the Spaniard can realistically return to the line-up.

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February 11, 2025

Whether you dislike or like it, you have to give Usain Bolt credit” – When Sha’Carri Richardson reflected on sprinting icon’s legacy

Sha’Carri Richardson once reflected on Usain Bolt’s legacy.

Sha’Carri Richardson once reflected on the legacy of retired sprint icon Usain Bolt. She stated that Bolt was the greatest sprinter in history and deserved recognition.

Via FloTrack, in a June 2021 interview, a journalist talked about her viral photo with Mondo Duplantis, where both were holding a document during their freshman year, which was from their first day at Louisiana State University (LSU). In the document, Richardson had named Bolt her favorite athlete.

The journalist then asked her whether she had any other athletes she looked up to. Sha’Carri Richardson reacted, mentioning why she had chosen Bolt in the document. She added that people may have different opinions about him, but he deserves respect for his accomplishments:

“I said that because of the fact that Usain Bolt is an athlete that puts himself on the track. Uh, whether you dislike it, whether you like it, in a day you have to be able to give this man his credit because he is the greatest sprinter in history.”

Additionally, Richardson reflected on her close friendship with two-time Olympic champion pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, calling him one of her favorite people, during the interview. To date, the 2023 100m world champion and Duplantis share a strong bond and are often seen together when they attend the same event or meeting.

Three years later, Richardson made her Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she had a successful campaign, collecting two medals.

Sha’Carri Richardson opens up on emotional podium moment at Paris Olympics 2024

Sha'Carri Richardson gets emotional on 4x100m relay podium at Paris Olympics. Credits –

Sha’Carri Richardson gets emotional on 4x100m relay podium at Paris Olympics. Credits –

Sha’Carri Richardson reflected on her emotional moment on the podium after winning gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, her first-ever Olympic gold, at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She detailed her emotional reaction in an interview with Refinery29.com in August 2024, following the quadrennial games, saying:

“Getting emotional on the podium, that was not a plan, that was not scripted [laughs]. I would honestly say that moment was just a full circle moment, just embracing everything, not even including what had happened in the general moment to make it on the podium, but just embracing the entire journey of being just a human and growing, not even just as an athlete, but as a woman, as a spirit.”

She further shared that this was only the beginning and believed greater progress awaited her. In addition to her gold medal victory in the team event, Richardson accomplished great success in the individual 100m event by winning a silver with a time of 10.87s in the finals.

February 11, 2025

Leeds development may have solved one Premier League transfer worry for Farke

It always seems like tempting fate when looking ahead to plans after possible promotion. It’s never wise to count your chickens before they’ve hatched.

Leeds United and Daniel Farke know this after last year, and they won’t be getting ahead of themselves. Yet there will be a word document somewhere at Thorp Arch with an idealistic plan of how the next few years look under the 49ers.

Promotion will be top of the agenda. Stadium expansion might also be on there somewhere too. It would not be outlandish to suggest that United’s fate this season dictates the pace of how fast the blueprints are put together.

Recruitment will, meanwhile, have an eye on the summer already. Having overseen a quiet January with no money spent, and actually a little gained, Leeds have a little more room within Financial Fair Play limits. They will need it if they do go up.

While this squad is the best in the division on paper – and on the field, currently – there are major doubts over whether this set of players can stay up in the top-flight. A major overhaul in many areas would be needed.

One area that might be less of a concern is right-back. Jayden Bogle has been in terrific form in recent months, so much so that Farke said he had been his best player over the festive period.

Ryan Williams signs NIL deal with nail polish brand for his 18th birthday

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s star wide receiver, Ryan Williams recently celebrated his 18th birthday by signing an NIL deal with nail polish brand, “Sally Hansen”.

Williams showed off his new collaboration with the brand via Instagram on Sunday, Feb. 9.

“Big game and birthday ready with @sally_hansen #sallyhansenpartner,” Williams captioned the post.

Williams previously explained how this came up earlier in the 2024 Alabama regular season in October while on an appearance on the “Hey Coach! Show with Kalen DeBoer”.

“My little sister she decided that she really liked doing nails,” Williams said. And first she started with my mom. And she wanted to try on me. So, I was just like, I’m comfortable in my own skin. It didn’t really bother me. I think the first time it was just clear. Now she’s gotten so much better, every week.”

Williams now gears up for his sophomore season under second year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.

February 11, 2025

Town mascot Bluey visits Ipswich primary school

2 hrs ago Town mascot Bluey for Children’s Mental Health Week visited an Ipswich primary school.

The Blues’ mascot joined Suffolk Mind at Ranelagh Primary School on Tuesday, February 4 to teach children about the importance of mental wellbeing.

The mental health charity’s visit was part of its Bluesday Tuesday initiative, which aims to re-engage with schools and encourage fundraising for mental health resources.

The children were taught about reflective listening, movement and the dragon breathing technique.Bluey joins Louise Taylor-Harris from Suffolk Mind and the student council at Ranelagh Primary School. (Image: Suffolk Mind)

Louise Taylor-Harris, the charity’s children, family, and young people’s service manager, said: “Developing listening skills is very important for children.

“What we teach is called reflective listening, it’s like holding a mirror up to someone.

“When you listen to someone it’s easy to end up jumping in saying ‘don’t worry’ or not truly paying attention to what they are saying.

“But that doesn’t always help.

“If another person is feeling angry or sad, to have someone say ‘yes, I understand you’ and to really hear them is so important.”

She also explained the benefits of the dragon breathing technique, which helps to calm, relieve tension, and promote clear thinking.

The children were thrilled when Bluey joined in with the assembly.

Children were excited to see Bluey (Image: Suffolk Mind)

Ms Taylor-Harris added: “It was wonderful having Bluey come down to the event as it reinforces the importance of movement to mental health.

“It was really fun for the children too.”

The school emphasises promoting positive mental health and wellbeing among its pupils

Nicky Ling, headteacher at Ranelagh Primary School, said: “Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing is key to helping our children here at Ranelagh achieve and thrive in their learning.

“Louise and the team at Suffolk Mind are regular visitors to Ranelagh and we were delighted that they were able to visit today to help us promote Children’s Mental Health Week as part of Bluesday Tuesday.”

February 11, 2025

Buccaneers Could Make Play to Sign Free Agent Super Bowl-Winning Linebacker

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could find themselves in the market for a Super Bowl-winning linebacker this offseason.

Todd Bowles’ defense was not the strongest of units last season and finished 18th in the league allowing 341.8 yards per game last season.

Tampa Bay’s defense also allowed 22.6 points per game last season, good enough for No. 16 in the league. Bowles and general manager Jason Licht should be looking to shore up the defense that registered 46 sacks last season (sixth in the NFL).

And it just so happens that one of the best pass rushers in the league could be available.

On Sunday, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat tallied 2.5 sacks in the 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, in the final game of his reworked one-year deal.

During the regular season, Sweat registered eight sacks, and his ferocity would be welcomed on a Tampa Bay defense that needs to show a little more of that.

Do the Bucs have a shot at Sweat? Can they lure him away from Philly?

After the game, Sweat told the Philadelphia Inquirer it’s not just “about the money.”

“Money’s important, sure, but I want to be in the right situation,” Sweat said. “I don’t know what it looks like for me now, but I’m happy.”

As is the case with any Super Bowl-winning team, free agents could get plundered quickly. So the Bucs should move fast as soon as the clock strikes 12 a.m. on March 10.

What would the money look like? Spotrac.com reveals Sweat’s possible value at three years and $56.5 million or almost $19 million per season. The site also shows the Bucs to have just $5.6 million available cap space for next season before any moves.

Licht has other concerns too, like what to do, if anything, with Chris Godwin, who is a free agent.

We’ll see in exactly one month.

February 11, 2025

FA Cup fifth round draw in full – Brighton, Man United and Ipswich Town confirmed

Brighton fell behind when goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen inexplicably spilled Cole Palmer’s tame effort into the net.

Georginio Rutter quickly headed Albion level before a fine finish from Mitoma, who was subject of a failed bid from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr during the transfer window, settled the all Premier League tie with 57 minutes played.

Their reward for beating the Blues was another all-Premier League tie as they face a 700-mile round trip to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, who advanced to the fifth round thanks to their 3-2 victory at Birmingham City last weekend.

Elsewhere, Plymouth’s reward for beating Liverpool in the FA Cup is a fifth-round tie away to Manchester City.

The Pilgrims dumped the current Premier League leaders out of the competition with a 1-0 win on Sunday, and will now head to the Etihad Stadium for a last-16 tie on the first weekend of March.

Cup holders Manchester United will face Fulham after beating Leicester in controversial circumstances while there are also all-Premier League ties between Bournemouth and Wolves.

Fifth round draw in full: Preston v Burnley, Aston Villa v Cardiff, Doncaster or Crystal Palace v Millwall, Manchester United v Fulham, Newcastle v Brighton, Bournemouth v Wolves, Manchester City v Plymouth, Exeter or Nottingham Forest v Ipswich.

February 11, 2025

Texas women make good on their opportunity, break South Carolina’s 57-game SEC winning streak in meeting of top-four programs – The Boston Globe

Texas assistant coach Elana Lovato made a bold statement to head coach Vic Schaefer last month after the Longhorns were overwhelmed in a 17-point loss to South Carolina.

“[She] looked at me and said, ‘We will beat them in a month,’ ” Schaefer said Sunday. “And that’s God’s honest truth.”

The No. 4 Longhorns made the most of their national television game on Super Bowl Sunday and won their rematch with No. 2 South Carolina, 66-62, a victory that ended the Gamecocks’ 57-game winning streak in regular-season Southeastern Conference games dating to December 2021.

The victory by the Longhorns forged a three-way tie atop the SEC standings with the Gamecocks and LSU, all at 10-1.

South Carolina (22-2) had won 17 straight since losing to top-ranked UCLA on Nov. 24. The Gamecocks arrived with confidence and Dawn Staley sporting a Super Bowl sweatshirt in support of her hometown Philadelphia Eagles, who crushed the Chiefs later in the day in New Orleans for the NFL title.

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Texas’ Madison Booker scored 20 points and Rori Harmon hit two critical free throws in the final seconds to secure the Longhorns’ eighth straight win and 20th in a row at home since January 2024.

Staley, per usual, was one to consider the bigger picture of her sport.

“Great atmosphere,” Staley said. ”It’s great for women’s basketball, probably great for TV. Close game, great for our game. It’s just unfortunate somebody had to lose.”

Texas (24-2) was never in the first game against South Carolina, shooting a season-low 28 percent. On Sunday, the Longhorns shot 44 percent. They outrebounded the Gamecocks, 42-35, outscored them, 40-26, in the paint and 19-12 in second-chance points.

“It took tremendous toughness to win that game,” Schaefer said. “They earned it. I don’t have to tell you how good that team is we played today. In my mind, they’re the number one team in the country. And I mean no disrespect to UCLA.”

Booker converted just 3 of 19 shots during the loss at South Carolina. She shot better in the rematch against South Carolina’s tough defense, hitting 7 of 22 shots, and grabbing 11 rebounds, including a critical one late in the game.

“It’s my job to rebound,” Booker said. “I should be down there.”

Booker, a sophomore, is not just Texas’ best player, she’s the most versatile. A natural small forward, the 6-foot-1 Booker moved to point guard last season, replacing Harmon after she sustained a season-ending knee injury. Texas recently lost starting power forward Aaliyah Moore to a knee injury, and Booker has asserted herself more as a rebounder.

“She was a beast on the boards,” Staley said.

Texas centers Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre combined for 24 points and 12 rebounds.

“That’s my two-headed monster,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer proudly put them on display for a national audience.

“It makes me really happy to be a part of that,” Harmon said. “The history and just this movement with women’s basketball. To be able to have this game, like a little pre [Super Bowl] game. I think that’s so cool.”

Did the NBA trade deadline actually move the needle?

4:33

WATCH: Celtics beat reporter Adam Himmelsbach evaluates if any team around the league did enough to beat Boston in June.

February 10, 2025

Author: admin