Latest news with #Championship
New York Times
32 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Who are Leicester's returning loanees and could any be first-team solutions for them next season?
Towards the end of last season, it became increasingly clear what Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy had in mind for the team's future. Teenagers Jeremy Monga, Jake Evans and Olabade Aluko all made their debuts, with Van Nistelrooy saying he would be involving more young players in his pre-season plans. Advertisement The Dutch manager has a reputation for developing youngsters, but in light of Leicester's alleged profit and sustainability rules (PSR) breach and possible sanctions for the 2025-26 Championship, the club may need to put their faith in academy graduates. The good news on that front is that several players who emerged from Leicester's academy in the past couple of years went on loan last season, gaining first-team experience. There could also be fresh starts for returning — almost forgotten, in some cases — senior players who were also farmed out on temporary deals after being deemed surplus to requirements in the Premier League. Here, The Athletic looks at Leicester's returning loanees and their readiness to play a part in the upcoming second-tier campaign… The Scotland-born Australia international has had a rough time since joining the club in January 2023. He made 12 appearances for Leicester as they slipped out of the Premier League that season under Brendan Rodgers and interim successor Dean Smith, but just four more in the two seasons since. A loan spell at Sheffield United in the Championship last season didn't go to plan as he ruptured his Achilles tendon on Boxing Day, so was sent back to his parent club for treatment. Souttar still has three years left on his contract, but it would take a remarkable change in fortune for him to come close to spending that time with Leicester. The prospects look better for Choudhury, who ended last season out on loan, again at Sheffield United, and played in their play-off final defeat by Sunderland. Choudhury's versatility and ability at Championship level could mean he has a prominent role for Leicester in the campaign to come, especially if there is the expected clear-out of some senior, high-earning players following relegation. Having come through the club's academy, the locally-born Bangladesh international could provide much-needed leadership to Leicester's younger players, too. The England Under-20 international (pictured top) had a taste of the first team at Leicester under Enzo Maresca in the 2023-24 promotion season, making eight appearances in all competitions. At times, he was preferred to more experienced colleagues Conor Coady and Souttar, two full internationals who were substitutes as Nelson started and scored in a home defeat by Queens Park Rangers that March. Advertisement Elegant and agile on the ball, the club wanted him to gain experience, so sent him on loan to Oxford United last season in the expectation that the newly-promoted Championship side would have a fair bit of defending to do. The theory was that Nelson would learn to protect his team's penalty area and to stand up to physical, second-division strikers who could toughen the lad up. After signing in late August, he started eight consecutive league games before a November thigh injury kept him sidelined for four months, then made a further eight starts when fit again. Nelson will be involved in pre-season, so has a chance to impress Van Nistelrooy. There had been a buzz around Alves at Leicester even before he was handed his senior debut, aged 16, by Rodgers in a January 2022 FA Cup tie against Watford. A devastating knee injury suffered playing for the club's under-21 side that December jeopardised his career, and Leicester have been extremely careful in nurturing him back to fitness ever since, but a new four-year contract, which Alves signed in August, was testament to how highly they regard him. Alves went out on loan for the second half of last season at Cardiff City and was one of the bright spots of what was a desperately disappointing season that saw the Welsh side relegated from the Championship. Alves made 15 appearances, eight of them starts, and scored once, as well as supplying three assists. He will begin pre-season with the first-team squad and is expected to be involved in the warm-up friendlies. Thomas has only been with Leicester for two years, after being released by Chelsea, but was one of the young players who had their contracts extended by the club. He spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic in League One, English football's third tier. Manager Shaun Maloney, who told Wigan's website he had been watching Thomas closely in Leicester's under-21s for 'the last 18 months', gave him 23 starts until he suffered a knee injury in February and returned to Leicester to begin rehab. The Londoner didn't score during his time there, but got three assists. Thomas can play on either wing and, although those are positions where Leicester have lots of options, will get an opportunity in pre-season. Highly regarded in the England junior pathway (he has played for his country at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level and is known as 'Leicester's Iniesta'), Braybrooke has made just one substitute appearance for Leicester's senior side and his first loan was probably overdue. James Maddison, the England international midfielder who took Braybrooke under his wing at Leicester, prospered on loan in Scotland's top flight at Aberdeen when he was 20, and it was hoped a season at Dundee in the same division would do the same for Braybrooke. 'If you look at Madders, his loan to Aberdeen was pivotal,' Tony Docherty, Dundee's manager at the time, told local newspaper The Courier last August. 'I am hoping this proves the same way with Sammy.' Advertisement However, Braybrooke made just two starts in the Scottish Premier League and returned prematurely to Leicester in January, spending the rest of the season playing in their under-21s. (He was unable to go out on loan again as he had played for Leicester in the EFL Trophy in August before leaving for Scotland, so by rule couldn't be registered by a third club in the same season.) With Leicester's squad currently packed with central midfielders — Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp, Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare and Choudhury — opportunities with his parent club next season may be limited unless a lot of players depart before the September 1 transfer deadline. Marcal, who joined Leicester's academy at age 12, came to the fore two seasons ago under Maresca, when he made eight appearances, scoring once, and he signed a contract extension until 2026 in December 2023. Then, surprisingly, he was sent out on loan in August to De Graafschap, in the second tier of Dutch football, and became Leicester's forgotten man. Marcal, who was born in Leicester and is of Portuguese and Angolan descent, didn't make his De Graafschap debut until December and only appeared 15 times, scoring and assisting just once each. It is likely he will start pre-season behind several other wide options, including teenagers Monga and Evans, on Van Nistelrooy's depth chart. Cover is a versatile type who can play as a midfielder or as a right-back, and he had an interesting season out on loan. He first joined League Two side Port Vale and was due to stay with the fourth-tier club for the duration but, after 17 league starts and two goals, Leicester recalled him in January, due to concern he wouldn't get much more game time there as several senior players returned from injury. He was then farmed out to Fleetwood Town, in the same division, but only made four starts among eight appearances in the second half of the campaign, all on the right side of midfield. Regardless, Cover — who made his Leicester debut under Maresca in January 2024 and trained with the first team under Steve Cooper after he succeeded the promotion-winning Italian in the summer — was one of the young players handed contract extensions last week. Having previously been with Arsenal and Chelsea, Richards joined Leicester in 2022, and was named the club's academy player of the season after his debut year. He went out on his first loan last season at Exeter City in League One but struggled to get game time, and was recalled in January after just two starts and 200 minutes of league action. Richards finished the season playing for Leicester Under-21s in Premier League 2. Another loan seems likely. The Wales Under-21 international joined Leicester in 2021 after being released by Manchester United and made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup at Tranmere Rovers last August, before being sent out on loan to Barrow in League Two. It wasn't a fruitful experience. Popov only made three starts and just 12 appearances in total. As with Richards, another loan is on the cards. Goalkeeper Brad Young, who was on loan at Hartlepool United in England's fifth-tier National League, defender Ben Grist, who was a division lower on the ladder with Worksop Town, Arjan Raikhy, who made three first-team appearances during Maresca's season in charge but went out on loan at Tamworth of the National League, and fellow midfielder Oliver Ewing, who had a spell at sixth-tier Buxton last season, have all been let go. (Top photo of Ben Nelson:)
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Indiana Pacers push past Oklahoma City Thunder to send NBA Finals to Game 7
Indiana Pacers push past OKC Thunder. Image via: Abbie Parr/ AP The battle for the Championship has only intensified. The Indiana Pacers are still alive and now just one win away from a stunning NBA championship. With their backs against the wall, the Pacers dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. The victory, driven by a gutsy effort from an injured Tyrese Haliburton and a well-balanced team performance, sends the series to a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday, June 22 at 8 PM ET on ABC. As the NBA wrote on Instagram: 'WE'RE GOING TO GAME 7.' Tyrese Haliburton defies odds to lead Indiana Pacers to Game 6 victory Playing through a strained right calf that had fans fearing the worst, Tyrese Haliburton proved he wasn't ready to let the season end. The All-Star guard suited up despite the injury, limiting him to just four points in Game 5. In Game 6, he made plays that sparked momentum-shifting runs. Haliburton finished with 14 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals in just 23 minutes before sitting out the final stretch with the game well in hand. Haliburton's highlight moment came late in the second quarter when he picked off a pass, tiptoed along the sideline, and delivered a no-look dime to Pascal Siakam for a two-handed dunk over two Thunder defenders. The play ignited Gainbridge Fieldhouse and helped extend Indiana's halftime lead to a commanding 22 points. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo 'I have to be as smart as I want to be,' Haliburton said a day earlier. 'I have a lot of trust in our medical staff. They trust me to make the right decision on my body.' His decision to play—and play well—shifted the series. Pascal Siakam backed up his floor general with a steady 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, anchoring Indiana's interior attack. Off the bench, Obi Toppin exploded for a team-high 20 points, while T.J. McConnell continued his postseason brilliance with 12 points, 9 boards, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Andrew Nembhard added 17 points on 71.4% shooting, keeping the Thunder defense off balance throughout. As a team, Indiana forced 21 turnovers and completely outpaced Oklahoma City in transition and hustle plays. Also Read: 'Next level fashion' — Tyrese Haliburton's dad John Haliburton's outfit for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Game 6 sparks intense fan reaction Despite a combined 37 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the Thunder were overwhelmed by Indiana's second-quarter 36-17 run and never recovered. Coach Mark Daigneault pulled his starters early in the fourth as the Pacers' lead ballooned to 31. Now, with their home crowd behind them, the Thunder must regroup quickly or watch Indiana complete an improbable run to a championship on their floor. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Daily Tribune
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Wilder sacked by Sheffield United after play-off failure
Chris Wilder was sacked as Sheffield United manager after the club's failure to win promotion to the Premier League. Wilder paid the price for United's agonising Championship play-off final loss against Sunderland last season. United finished third in the Championship and beat Bristol City in the play-off semi-finals before blowing the lead in a 2-1 defeat by Sunderland, who scored a stoppage-time winner through Tommy Watson at Wembley. Wilder leaves Bramall Lane for the second time after a previous succesful spell in charge of his boyhood team ended in 2021. The 57-year-old, who led the Blades into the Premier League in 2019, returned in December 2023 after Paul Heckingbottom was sacked with the club bottom of the top flight. 'A Blade through and through, the legacy Chris and his staff have created here will never be forgotten, going right back to 2016 when he initially took the job with the club rooted in League One,' a club statement said.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein's ‘desperation' take before Game 6 vs Pacers
The post Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein's 'desperation' take before Game 6 vs Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints. INDIANAPOLIS — While Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein knows the Indiana Pacers will be fighting to keep their season alive in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, he can almost taste the champagne and smell the cigar smoke. The champagne bottles will be on ice, accompanied by boxes of cigars at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, awaiting the Thunder to clinch their first championship in franchise history. Hartenstein's traveled a long road to reach this point. Advertisement It's a journey Hartenstein shares with many of his Thunder teammates in his first season with Oklahoma City. Hartenstein believes the Thunder, with a 3-2 lead in the Finals' best-of-7, have to play with a level of desperation that surpasses the Pacers' approach in Game 6. 'It's the first to four. So, we're not going to come in acting like everything is sealed, everything's done,' Hartenstein said. 'They're gonna come out with desperation. They're a great team, and we're gonna come out with the same, probably even more, desperation. That's where we're at,' Hartenstein said. 'We're not looking too far ahead. Mark does a great job of not focusing too much on the outside. Not focusing too much on if we win one game, we're going to win a championship. 'We're really focused on let's play this Game 6. Let's go through the ups and downs through the Game 6, but then also, just establish it early, and come out with an emphasis,' Hartenstein concluded. The notion that the Larry O'Brien trophy and everything that comes with it — commemorative Thunder championship t-shirts, cigars, and champagne will be in the building at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse — should yield a desperate approach. Couple that with the possibility of hosting a Game 7, where anything can happen, back in Oklahoma City, and you'd understand why it's imperative for the Thunder to close out the Pacers on the road in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Isaiah Hartenstein, Thunder's battle adversity, is paying off Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Before Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein inked a three-year, $87 million deal, he was fighting to stay in the NBA. It's a background many of his teammates can relate to, which Hartenstein addressed before practice for Game 6. Advertisement 'We've all been through certain obstacles in our careers. I think we're very mature for our ages because we've been through that adversity,' Hartenstein said. 'I also think Sam [Presti] and Mark [Daigneault] did a great job of just establishing a culture where you can thrive in situations.' Now, the Thunder are on the cusp of capturing their first championship in franchise history. Related: Chet Holmgren's honest message before NBA Finals Game 6 Related: Mark Daigneault explains how Thunder can clinch championship in Game 6
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Taimoor, Dalia tame rivals to clinch tennis titles
The winners and runner-up players of the inaugural ISDIN tennis championship are seen with chief guest Shahrukh Khursheed, STA SVP Khalid Rehmani, Director Sports Comm Karachi Ghulam Mohammad Khan and other officials and guests at the DA Creek Club after the finals. PHOTO: KTA Taimoor Ansari and Dalia Ashraf tamed their respective rivals to clinch the mens and ladies singles titles respectively as the inaugural ISDIN Tennis Championship concluded at the DA Creek Club Karachi on Wednesday evening. Taimoor was stretched to the limit by Mahateer Muhammed in the final, the two players matching each other stroke for stroke. However, Taimoor, with his superior skills on the day, emerged as the winner with scores of 6-4,0-6, 11-9. The ladies singles final was also a well contested affair with Eschelle Asif giving a tough time to Dalia Ashraf. Both the players displayed high class tennis before Dalia emerged victorious by 9-7. In the under-13 singles final, spirited tennis was seen from Meer Abbas Bhagat who outplayed Syed Abdullah 4-1,4-1 to win the title. The event was hosted under the auspices of Karachi Tennis Association Shahrukh Khursheed, Director Operation COSMO Group, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and distributed cash awards worth rupees 200,000 among the winners and runners up of all the five events. In his speech, Shahrukh thanked KTA and Managment of DA Creek Club for professionally and excellently organizing the tennis championship. He added that ISDIN is a world renowned brand and world number one Alcaraz who recently won the men's singles title at French Open is its brand ambassador. He also announced to hold the National Tennis Championship later this year in winter. Khalid Shamsi, Moulana Hafiz Abdul Majeed and Ain, Vice President Sindh Karate Association, also spoke to the sizeable audience at the closing ceremony. They all praised the excellent organisation of the Championship. Muhammad Khalid Rehmani, SVP STA thanked the sponsors and Creek Club management and media for their fullest support to promote tennis in country. He disclosed that 100 plus entries were received for five events. He added that KTA/STA will hold three Nationals in July during summer vacation and one in the month of August in Karachi. Director Sports, Commissioner Karachi's office, Ghulam Mohammad Khan was also present on the occasion among other guests. Results: Men's Singles Final Taimoor Ansari beat Mahateer Muhammed 6-4,0-6, 11-9 Ladies Singles Final Dalia Ashraf beat Eschelle Asif 9-7 Girls Under-17 Singles Final Dalia Ashraf beat Eschelle Asif 8-7 rtd. Under-13 Singles Final Meer Abbas Bhagat beat Syed Abdullah 4-1,4-1.
