Soccer is a team sport played by a team of 11 players against another team of 11 players on a field (uncategorized).
The team has one designated goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. Outfield players are usually specialised in attacking or defending or both. A team is typically split into defenders, midfielders and forwards, though there is no restriction on players moving anywhere on the pitch.
It is known as soccer in North America, but is called football in most of the rest of the world. Its full name is Association Football.
We bring to you all the latest soccer news (uncategorized), match previews and reviews, as well as international transfer news from clubs around the world. Update 24/7.
Stoke City sporting director Jonathan Walters has revealed that the club were chasing Ipswich Town star Ali Al-Hamadi in the summer and insisted that the Potters need players like him
The Iraq international had spells with Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon before he joined the Tractor Boys last year.
He played 14 times for the Tractor Boys last season, scoring four important goals when they secured automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Al-Hamadi mostly played as an off-the-bench substitute at Portman Road this season and Stoke loaned him in for the rest of the season in the winter window.
Walters revealed that they wanted to sign the striker in the summer and insisted his admiration towards Al-Hamadi for his in-game intelligence.
We were after Ali in the summer as well, alongside Tom [Cannon]”, Walters told the Potters’ media about the Tractor Boys loan star.
“He has a point to prove I think; he has gone there and been involved in their promotion season, last season.
And they all loved him, the staff, players, fans because of attitude, his game intelligence and his work-rate on the pitch.
“And he is the type of player we want at this club.”
He scored a goal on his Stoke City debut against Hull City earlier this month and he will be looking to have a telling impact against Swansea City on Saturday.
Newcastle United could sign Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo for £50million in the summer transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition ofFootball Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Cameroon international “would be a dream” for the Magpies.
The 25-year-old has been linked to Newcastle for a while as Eddie Howe wants to strengthen his attacking options.
A fee of around £50million is expected to be enough to secure Mbuemo and prize him away from the Bees.
The versatile forward is under contract with Brentford until 2026, placing pressure on the Bees to make a decision about his future.
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That’s because there is set to be a lot of competition for his signature, as there are a number of clubs ready to sign him.
Well-placed sources have informed Football Insider that the race to buy Mbeumo is set to be “pretty intense” during the summer.
Newcastle are also considering Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven as another option to strengthen their right wing next season.
Bryan Mbeumo has become a consistent goal threat
Bryan Mbeumo has proven himself in the Premier League since moving to Brentford, having scored 36 goals and provided 24 assists in his 122 appearances so far.
14 of those goals have taken place this season as he has caught the attention of the footballing world with his consistent performances.
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Suffolk County Council has been awarded £3.7 million to improve cycling, walking and accessibility infrastructure across the county.
Why it matters: The funding will support projects to make travel cleaner, safer and more accessible throughout Suffolk, building on previous successful schemes like those at Ipswich Waterfront.
By the numbers: The funding comprises:
£0.9 million from Round 5 of the Active Travel Fund
£2.8 million from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund
Ipswich Waterfront Suffolk County Council
The details: The money can be used for multiple infrastructure improvements including:
Better footpaths and crossing points
Maintenance of existing walking and cycling infrastructure
Improved cycle routes
Traffic calming measures
Improvements to the Public Rights of Way network
Rail station access improvements
What they’re saying: “Such schemes are important to the county, making it easier, cleaner and safer for people to get around,” said Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste.
“Cycling, walking and wheeling can help improve our health, whilst also reducing vehicle emissions to improve air quality and protect Suffolk’s environment,” he added.
What’s next: With funding now confirmed, the county council is considering suitable local projects, which will be announced in the coming months.
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Crafters and artists called to help transform The Walk for spring market
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Local creatives are being sought to contribute handmade bunting and stalls for The Walk’s upcoming spring market.
Why it matters: The market, scheduled for Sunday, 13 April, aims to build on December’s successful Christmas market, that saw thousands of shoppers visit the pretty thoroughfare, and continue revitalising one of Ipswich’s prettiest thoroughfares.
Organisers Threads for All are seeking makers, artists and crafts people to participate as stallholders.
Creatives are also being called upon to create bunting to make the area “fun and colourful”.
The event follows December’s Christmas market which brought together 20 local traders, offering craft beer, preserves, fashion, jewellery, arts and crafts.
Behind the initiative: The market is being organised by Will and Jenny, owners of Threads for All, who opened their independent fashion and homeware store in The Walk in late summer 2024.
What they’re saying: “We will try to make it bigger and better than the very successful Christmas one,” said Will Hamer, co-founder of Threads for All.
What’s next: Anyone interested in participating can contact Threads for All through their social media channels, website, or visit the shop directly.
The bottom line: Following the successful Christmas market that showcased The Walk’s potential, organisers are now calling on the local creative community to help deliver an even more ambitious spring event.
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.
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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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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.
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Not only is he so obviously effective going forward – with four goals and two assists to his name – but his defensive work should also not be ignored. When he loses a duel or is beaten, it registers in the mind because of how infrequent this is.
Bogle is not quite bulletproof but he is the best any second division side can hope for. Even Farke believes he has the best right-back in the Championship.
Leeds have certainly got their money’s worth from their £5million summer signing. No other Championship right-back has scored more than his four goals while his two assists also makes him one of the top defenders for overall goal contributions.
The 24-year-old has 50 Premier League appearances under his belt and he is sure to build on that tally before long. Leeds will just hope this happens while he is still on their books.
If United do go up, then fans could see an influx of new faces, a number of whom could become line-up regulars. There would still be several familiar names though – Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Daniel James to name three.
If Bogle continues his form and upwards trajectory, he will be on that list too. But first, eyes down and focus on the task in hand. Because not going up could have fatal ramifications for United’s long-term strategy plans.
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.
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.”
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?
“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.
