#MIDFIELDER JONATHAN ERA

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john stones assist

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Monday, 25th March

Welcome, laipni lūdzam, ողջու՜յն (voġčuyn), tervetuloa 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 25th March through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

25th March 2022 🗓️ : Death - Taylor Hawkins Taylor Hawkins, American drummer and singer (b. 1972) "Oliver Taylor Hawkins (February 17, 1972 – March 25, 2022) was an American musician who was best known as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters. Joining the band in 1997, Hawkins quickly became one of the group's most recognizable faces. He remained the band’s drummer for over 25 years until his..."

Image licensed under CC BY 2.0? by Raphael Pour-Hashemi

25th March 2019 🗓️ : Death - Barrie Hole Barrie Hole, Welsh footballer (b. 1942) "Barrington Gerard Hole (16 September 1942 – 25 March 2019) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as a midfielder. A Wales international, he began his career with Cardiff City and made his professional debut as a teenager...."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by Vesuvio14

25th March 2014 🗓️ : Death - Jon Lord (politician) Jon Lord, Canadian businessman and politician (b. 1956) "Jonathan Joseph Lord (December 29, 1956 – March 25, 2014) was a Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from Alberta, Canada. ..."

25th March 1974 🗓️ : Birth - Serge Betsen Serge Betsen, Cameroonian-French rugby player "Serge Betsen Tchoua (born 25 March 1974) is a former French rugby union player who played as a flanker for London Wasps and Biarritz at club level and for France internationally. He is generally considered to be one of the top flankers of the professional era (post-1995) of rugby union...."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Clément Bucco-Lechat

25th March 1924 🗓️ : Event - Greek War of Independence On the anniversary of Greek Independence, Alexandros Papanastasiou proclaims the Second Hellenic Republic. "The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. In 1826, the Greeks were assisted by the British Empire, Kingdom of France, and the..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by SJCAmerican

25th March 1824 🗓️ : Birth - Clinton L. Merriam Clinton L. Merriam, American banker and politician (d. 1900) "Clinton Levi Merriam (March 25, 1824 – February 18, 1900) was a United States representative from New York. Merriam was born in Leyden, Lewis County, New York on March 25, 1824. He attended the common schools and Copenhagen Academy, Copenhagen, New York; engaged in mercantile pursuits in Utica, New..."

Image by Charles Pierce Merriam, James Sheldon Merriam

25th March 🗓️ : Holiday - Mother's Day (Slovenia) "Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar..."

Image by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

[dippedanddripped]

Watching Aminé’s “Caroline” music video can evoke vivid high school memories of the days when a freshly minted driver’s license conferred upon its holder the freedom to meet up with friends and do anything — or nothing. The video, like the song, is bubbly and carefree; it documents Aminé and his friends riding around town in a Honda Sedan stocked to the gills with bananas, lounging around in the grass, and watching each other play video games. In that 2016 summer of #BlackBoyJoy in hip-hop (when Chance the Rapper, Lil Yachty, D.R.A.M., Anderson .Paak, Rae Sremmurd, MadeinTYO, and Desiigner also flourished), “Caroline” went quadruple-platinum and helped make Aminé the first rapper ever from Portland, Oregon to become a national star.

The video for “Shimmy,” the lead single from Aminé’s forthcoming album Limbo, is a collage of Portland-specific flexes, a tribute to how far he’s come. He cheeses for the cameras while flanked by a phalanx of lawyers and dances midfield at Providence Park. He stands, perhaps symbolically, on the roof of Mike’s Drive-In (the burger joint where “Caroline” was shot) and trades the Honda for a speedboat zooming up the Willamette River.

Just as importantly, “Shimmy” is a subtle homage to the heavily gentrified areas of northeast Portland, where Aminé — born Adam Daniel to Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants — grew up. In the video, he meets up with other members of the Portland rap scene plus Yosief Berhe and Jonathan Ressom, his two friends who co-star in all of his videos, to bike en masse down NE Alberta Street. He stops by Kee’s, a popular soul food truck, and heads to Woodlawn Park, his old stomping grounds located a few blocks from his childhood home.

“Woodlawn is the neighborhood that I grew up in,” he tells Highsnobiety over Zoom. “It used to be very much a part of the Black community. It’s kind of turned into a hipster park now, but it’s definitely the first place I got jumped. The first place I had my first fight in. Woodlawn represents a lot of good memories for me and my friends. Like our innocent adolescence.”

Rapid gentrification continues to gut Portland’s Black community, which accounts for less than six percent of the city’s total population. Aminé alluded to the transformation of Woodlawn on his 2017 song “Turf��: “Flipping through my past like I used to flip the phone / They kicking out the Blacks and all the houses getting clones.”

“The gentrification is insane,” he says. “I used to have only Black neighbors. And now my parents only live next to white people. The only reason my parents are still on that block is because, you know, I pay for everything. But it’s not the same for a lot of Black people in Portland.”

His friends Yosief and Jonathan echo this sentiment during a phone interview: “You’re getting chains of dispensaries on the same corners where police would try to nail people for weed,” Jonathan says. “I can go in there, and it’s gonna be a girl in a skirt giving me a dub. Meanwhile, no lie, like six, seven years ago, homies getting locked up doing the same shit on that same corner.”

“People in Portland sometimes have the right intentions,” Yosief adds. “But it really irks my nerves when I go down Mississippi or Albina or through historically Black neighborhoods, and it’s 85 percent white. All the houses have Black Lives Matter signs on the lawn but displaced a bunch of Black families to be there. It’s unfortunate.”

Limbo arrives four years into Aminé’s tenure as a major-label rapper, at a point where he’s established himself, but is still unsure of where to go or how to proceed with his career. “The title came from where I’m at in my life,” he explains. “There are two meanings behind it. I feel like I grew up thinking that once I achieved one level, the next level would be easier to achieve. But as I’ve grown, I’ve come to realize that with every level that I achieve, every level gets harder, just like the game of limbo. It just doesn’t seem to change for me, and it’s honestly made me feel like I’m completely in limbo. I thought the older I get, the wiser I’d get. But I’m figuring it out.”

Bittersweet nostalgia for high school and college years has been a recurring theme in Aminé’s music. In this sense, Limbo picks up where his 2017 debut album Good For You left off. Co-executive produced by Aminé and “Caroline” producer Pasque, it features one song that is entirely dedicated to Woodlawn Park, another to Aminé’s mother. Other songs, including his recent release “RiRi,” wistfully revisit past romances that sputtered. That era, which saw the first, fitful yawns of Aminé’s music career, is fertile terrain for storytelling. “I miss being naïve. I miss hoping, not knowing what your future was looking like,” he told Pigeons & Planes earlier this year. “Just being in your room in college, broke as hell.”

Aminé’s rap career began in the booth of Benson High’s radio broadcasting program, where he and his friends once rapped over Flockaveli beats. “Then we actually realized that Adam was pretty good,” Yosief tells us. He spent summers in New York, working youth camps in the Bronx and holding down internships at Complex and Def Jam — staying with his aunt in Harlem, eating plain leftover rice out of her fridge when food money inevitably got low. After high school, he started putting out mixtapes into a localized scene that Pasque describes as “stuck in the golden age.” Casual co-signs from Damian Lillard (who came to a show) and Kaytranada (who sent free beats) were good omens that also helped him stand out. All the while, he matriculated at Portland State University and lived at home with his parents. PSU is where he met Pasque, and where they made “Caroline.”

“We found out about this classroom inside of the music building that was always left unlocked,” Pasque says. “We had a schedule. I would go to work, and then after I clocked out, I would go immediately to school and work on music all night, basically. And it was like that for about five or six months. And then, eventually, it got to the point where we had a good amount of music, and our manager, Justin, was like, ‘You guys gotta put something out.’ We decided to put out ‘Caroline.’ And after that, it was no looking back.”

“I remember him putting out these little mixtapes, trying to get stuff retweeted, putting freaking fliers on corners, and [getting help from] all our friends in Portland,” Yosief says. “The slow grind. I remember Adam was trending [on Twitter] just in Portland, and it was like a big-ass deal. I remember him having like 1,000, 2,000 views on SoundCloud, to him going like, ‘Hey, this song got two million plays on Spotify, we’re about to make a music video for it.’ All of us still broke.”

Weeks after “Caroline” came out and started racking up gaudy streaming numbers, Vevo offered to fly Aminé out to New York to record a video performance of the single. He was in his senior year, and the video shoot conflicted with a finance final, but he decided to go anyways.

“I literally was told that if I failed this final, I would fail the class. So, I was like, ‘I don’t give a fuck.’ I just didn’t care,” he says. “I hated college. I knew it wasn’t for me, but I still kept doing it because I have strict African parents that I lived with. There was no other alternative for me to live under [their roof] without going to school.”

Aminé’s affable, low-key charm and new deal with Republic Records facilitated his smooth entry into the mainstream. The summer after “Caroline” blew up, Malia Obama requested to meet him after his set at Lollapalooza, and Young Thug called him a “young legend” backstage at a European music festival. “I didn’t even know if [Thug] knew who I was,” he says. He relocated to Los Angeles, where he has lived a charmed life, ensconced in a network of the city’s coolest, smartest, and most famous young artists. Late last year, Issa Rae — who co-starred in his 2017 “Spice Girl” video — asked him to guest star in Insecure as a dumb guy named Darnell. “I moved to LA just because, like, half of the features I get are just because me and the homies are in the studio,” Aminé explains. “Like, I can text Vince [Staples] and he’ll pull up to the studio. Money can’t buy timing. That’s pretty much the only reason I’m here.”

Still, to a great extent, Aminé strives for anonymity rather than celebrity. “When people want to go to, like, 1 OAK, or the club, I’d rather just go to a small bar with a couple of my good friends and chill,” he says. He adds that “normal things” have helped him stay sane during quarantine — like meeting friends in the park with food, or his morning ritual of smoking a joint and walking his 11-month-old goldendoodle Oliver.

This aversion to the limelight extends to his relationship with Portland, where he is something of a modern cultural icon. He doesn’t go out to restaurants with his parents anymore, for the sake of their privacy. He expresses his hope that he could signal boost Portland’s Black businesses and the city’s overall profile in the music industry, rather than don the cape of Captain Portland: “I’m just such an indoor person, and I don’t love that kind of pressure on me. Like, I was never really prepared for this type of career.”

Aminé intends to eventually build a massive compound in Portland, with a studio and acres of land. It’s likely to happen one day — just don’t hold him to it. Public expectations can be dangerous. “The main thing to take away from [this album] is, I’m still just a guy figuring it out,” he says. “I don’t have the answers. And I don’t want fans to look at me for every answer. I’m just a guy, literally. I’m just in limbo.”

Limbo is out August 7 via Republic. Pre-order the record here.

[totalsoccer]

Minute-by-minute report of the 4.30pm BST kick-off

Jonathan Wilson: Havertz and Werner raise stakes for Lampard

When Southall’s stunning save at Spurs pushed Everton to title

Email rob.smyth@theguardian.com with any thoughts

3.35pm BST

The big summer signings on both sides all start. I’m not sure about Everton’s formation, though I reckon it might be a midfield diamond.

Spurs (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies; Hojbjerg, Winks; Moura, Alli, Son; Kane. Substitutes: Hart, Sanchez, Aurier, Lamela, Sissoko, Ndombele, Bergwijn.

3.23pm BST

Hello and welcome to live coverage of a meeting between the Premier League’s eternal optimists. Despite perpetual disappointment, Spurs and Everton always come back for more with a hopeful demeanour and an open chequebook. This time the optimism stems from the fact it’s their first full season under two of the most successful managers of the modern era, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. Everton, too, have made some intriguing signings, particularly the darling of the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez.

It’s a huge season for both clubs. This might be Mourinho’s last chance to show he is still compatible with the modern footballer. And if Everton’s refurbished squad can’t improve on last season’s 12th position, they really are in trouble.

Continue reading... via Football | The Guardian

[sportsleague365]

The 2019/20 Premier League season has only just finished, but the transfer market is open and already in full swing. Chelsea have been the busiest in the summer window so far, with deadly attackers Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech already joining in big-money deals from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively. Werner has already been training with Chelsea following his move from RB LeipzigAnd more arrivals could be coming to Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard accelerates his efforts to sign Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Manchester City are said to be close to sealing their first signing of the summer with Valencia starlet Ferran Torres close to joining in a £40million deal, and Nathan Ake may well follow too. But what position does every Premier League club – including newly-promoted sides Leeds and West Brom – need to strengthen in this summer? Find out below… LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS GOSS Transfer news live: Spurs in Deeney talks, Chelsea's £50m Pope bid, Man United targetLATEST Aubameyang quizzed on Arsenal future, Arteta 'wants to build squad around him'GOSS Arsenal transfer news live: Aubameyang 'sounds like' he is leaving, Guendouzi to JuveEMOTIONAL Martinez breaks down in tears as Arsenal keeper sheds light on 'long' journeyPAINFUL Pulisic and Azpilicueta to miss Bayern clash with injuries suffered in FA Cup finalGOSS Chelsea transfer news live: £50m goalkeeper swoop, starlet wanted in BundesligaGOSSIP Man United transfer news live: Juve's Smalling swoop, £13.5m ace wanted, Sanchez feeINJURY Heartbreak for Pedro as he dislocates shoulder in last minutes as Chelsea playerCLUMSY Arsenal FA Cup hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drops trophy during celebrationsEND OF ERA Eddie Howe leaves Bournemouth by mutual consent ARSENAL – MIDFIELDER With William Saliba joining up with the Gunners squad for the first time since his impressive loan spell at Saint-Etienne, it seems there is now a defender to genuinely be excited about at the Emirates. And although another is definitely needed, Arsenal should now be prioritising a move for an attacking midfielder to replace the out-of-favour Mesut Ozil. Philippe Coutinho has been linked with a loan move but he seems to have lost his magic touch and Mikel Arteta should go all out to sign Dominik Szoboszlai from Red Bull Salzburg. The Hungarian midfielder has had an excellent campaign, having scored nine goals and added 10 assists in 27 league appearances. He has a release clause of just £22million which would make him a viable option for the club. Szoboszlai has been a long-term target of Arsenal and he is available on the cheapAFP or licensorsASTON VILLA – STRIKER Their struggles at the top of the pitch has been clear for all to see this season so a proven goalscorer simply must be a priority this summer. Dean Smith should look no further than former marksman Tammy Abraham. The Chelsea ace had a great league campaign in 2019/20, finding the net 15 times, but became a bit-part player at the end of the season due to the red-hot form of Olivier Giroud. What’s more, the arrival of Werner at Chelsea could see his game time limited even more so perhaps a loan move back to Villa would be a no-brainer for both parties. Villa should go all out to sign Abraham on loan this summerBRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION – MIDFIELDER Graham Potter has been praised for keeping the Seagulls up whilst playing an expansive brand of football this campaign, but he will know there must be additions if he is to keep his side in the Premier League next season. A new defensive midfielder is a must and Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure would be a great option, though he won’t come cheap. If not, Huddersfield’s Jonathan Hogg could be a handy acquisition as he is good on the ball and could work well with former teammate Aaron Mooy. Doucoure is a workhorse in Watford’s midfield and he will now be a wanted manGettyBURNLEY – WINGER Speculation has been rife about the future of Sean Dyche, who has so far refused to rule out leaving Turf Moor this summer. The Clarets will barely have any money to spend this summer, but if they do find any cash they need to sign a new wide man. Johann Berg Gudmundsson has barely featured this term due to a string of injury setbacks while Dwight McNeil and Ashley Barnes need more help in the final third. Perhaps a deal for Watford’s Gerard Deulofeu could be a smart acquisition. Like Doucoure, Deulofeu will be a wanted man now that Watford have been relegatedCHELSEA – GOALKEEPER A left-back will almost certainly be signed this summer but right now a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga will be a priority for Lampard. The Spaniard has kept just eight clean sheets in the Premier League in 2019/20 and just ONE clean sheet away from home all season. Perhaps the most realistic target is a deal for Burnley’s Nick Pope, who has made 83 appearances in all competitions for the Clarets since joining from Charlton in 2016. The 28-year-old has been a standout performer in Sean Dyche’s XI ever since he replaced now-Aston Villa ace Tom Heaton. Pope kept 15 clean sheets this seasonAFP or licensorsCRYSTAL PALACE – WINGER Ryan Fraser has left Bournemouth after seven years on the south coast and he represents a ready-made replacement for Wilfried Zaha, whose time with the Eagles may come to an end this window. Fraser has undeniable talent and although he’s not been at his best this season, he would suit the Eagles’ counter-attacking style well. However, some bigger clubs in the division may well swoop in for the Scot, who has plenty of years ahead of him in the Premier League at the age of 26. Zaha is a fan favourite at Selhurst Park but he may not be at his boyhood club next seasonGetty Images - GettyEVERTON – WINGER Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott have both struggled for the Toffees since moving from Arsenal, and Bernard, despite impressing in bursts, has also lacked consistency. Therefore, a young and direct winger should be targeted this summer and Ismaila Sarr from Watford fits the bill. The Senegal forward impressed against Liverpool and Arsenal this season and has been a standout player for the Hornets in their disappointing relegation to the Championship this season. He is a constant threat on the counter attack and already has plenty of admirers in the top-flight following Watford’s fall into the second tier. Sarr could seek a Watford exit now they are relegated to the ChampionshipAFP or licensorsLEEDS – STRIKER Canada international Jonathan David looks certain to be heading for a new club this summer and Elland Road could be his new destination. The Gent striker scored 18 goals, with eight assists, in just 27 games in the Belgian league this season to put him on the radar of some of Europe’s top clubs. David is still only 20 and has enormous potential so his next move will be intriguing. The two clubs leading the race appear to be the Whites and Ligue 1 side Lille. It would be an enormous coup if Bielsa could snap him up. David has been on sublime form for Gent this seasonGetty ImagesLEICESTER CITY – WINGER The resumption of football couldn’t have gone much worse for the Foxes, but it’s still been a great season for Brendan Rodgers’ men. The need for more firepower is evident as that was clear from the absence of James Maddison in the last quarter of the season. Harvey Barnes has improved hugely this season and Ayoze Perez has been good in in parts, but another attacker to help Jamie Vardy up top needs to be brought in. Perhaps Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen would be a good signing for Leicester. The Jamaican, who has been linked with Chelsea in the past, is direct, quick and has a good goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga. Bailey, 22, has a good goal-scoring record in the BundesligagettyLIVERPOOL – LEFT-BACK James Milner has been a superb deputy for Andy Robertson when the Scot has been sidelined, but injuries are slowly starting to catch up with the veteran midfielder. A back-up for Robertson is needed and Jurgen Klopp should consider a move Norwich’s Jamal Lewis Lewis, who plays internationally for Northern Ireland, is well accustomed to the rigours of Premier League football, making him a very attractive option indeed. Lewis could be on the move this summer and several top clubs may be interestedGetty Images - GettyMANCHESTER CITY – CENTRE-BACK Pep Guardiola has spent an astonishing amount of money on defenders since he has been at the Etihad, but has remarkably never had a solid back four. However, Nathan Ake is set to seal a £41m move from Bournemouth in the coming days. City have also identified their replacement for Leroy Sane, with Ferran Torres set to join from Valencia, and other rumours have suggested that another centre-back could be signed. Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been linked with a move to England for several years, is said to be the next man on Guardiola’s wish-list. He fits the bill for the type of defender the Spaniard wants, with excellent distribution and an aerial presence to match. Kalidou Koulibaly is still one of the highest rated centre-backs in EuropeGetty Images - GettyMANCHESTER UNITED – WINGER The Red Devils seem to have finally cemented a solid back four after years of disarray, and now their focus must be on adding strength in depth in midfield. Another attacking midfielder – namely Jack Grealish – has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but a move for an out-and-out winger is a must and Jadon Sancho could be man to take the iconic no.7 shirt. The Borussia Dortmund ace had a blistering Bundesliga campaign, hitting 17 goals and the same amount of assists this season. A deal for the England ace looks to be edging closer by the day. Sancho is a long-term target for Man United and a deal could be finalised soonAFPNEWCASTLE UNITED – STRIKER Joelinton has had a torrid first season at St James’ Park but by his own admission he isn’t an out and out striker and prefers playing out wide. Therefore, Steve Bruce should give him a run-out on the wing and sign a goal-getter who actually knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. Troy Deeney is Premier League proven and could be a great option, but if that fails, a move for former striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could be smart – though that will depend on whether Fulham are promoted. Deeney could be a good option for Newcastle now that Watford are downGETTYSHEFFIELD UNITED – GOALKEEPER There has been a lot of speculation regarding the future of Dean Henderson, who is currently on loan at Bramall Lane. Manchester United could make him their new no.1 in place of David de Gea next season as the Spaniard has struggled for form throughout the campaign. Other reports have claimed Chelsea could also make a bid for the 23-year-old, who has been a standout performer for the Blades on their return to the Premier League. Aaron Ramsdale has been touted as a possible replacement for Henderson should the England stopper return to Manchester United. It is believed the Cherries will demand around £11m for their glovesman. Ramsdale is a reported target for Sheffield United this summerGETTYSOUTHAMPTON – CENTRE-BACK Saints had a brilliant turnaround following their 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton, but they have still shipped in a disappointing 59 goals in the Premier League season. That is more than any team not directly involved in the relegation battle since lockdown and Ralph Hasenhuttl is in the market for at least two new centre-halves. Valladolid’s Mohammad Salisu, who has a £10.9m release clause, is said to be one his main targets in the market. Real Valladolid defender Salisu is a reported target for Southampton this summerGETTY IMAGESTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – LEFT-BACK Spurs need to strengthen in several positions, including in midfield and on the wings, but their need for new full-backs is the biggest necessity. Japhet Tanganga had to fill in as a makeshift right-back earlier this season when Serge Aurier was suspended, whilst Danny Rose was loaned to Newcastle and will probably stay there permanently. A cheap option for Jose Mourinho could Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico. The 27-year-old has been a standout performer for the Dutch club over the last two seasons and would reportedly be available for £20m. The Argentine provided five goals and five assists for Ajax in all competitions in 2019/20 and back in May, his agent admitted that the left-back would be looking for a new club in the summer. Tagliafico could be a cheap full-back option for MourinhoWEST BROMWICH ALBION – ATTACKING MIDFIELDER Slaven Bilic has done a brilliant job to get the Baggies back in the big time but they need signings or they could go straight back down. One player who should be high up on his wish-list should be QPR’s playmaker Ebere Eze. The 22-year-old has racked up 14 goals and eight assists in 46 Championship outings for Rangers this season. West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle are also said to be considering a move. Eze is a target for a host of Premier League clubsGetty Images - GettyWEST HAM UNITED – STRIKER The form of Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek undoubtedly saved West Ham’s season and perhaps showed that the flashier signings such as Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson shouldn’t be relied on. A striker needs to be brought in to partner Antonio and West Ham should go all out for Brentford ace Ollie Watkins, who has been brilliant this season with 25 goals in the second tier. If Brentford are promoted through the play-offs, a deal for the 24-year-old would be unlikely, however. Watkins netted 25 goals in the Championship this seasonGetty Images - GettyWOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS – CENTRE-BACK Ryan Bennett is set to return from Leicester after failing to make an impact at the King Power Stadium, but he may not play a further part for the club with Roman Saiss cementing himself as the third centre-back behind Conor Coady and Willy Boly. Nevertheless, Nuno Espirito Santo will need another centre-back and who better to add than Jan Vertonghen? He’s as experienced as they come and would do enormous things for the club’s squad depth, as well as provide fresh competition for any one of the centre-backs who has a dip in form. It would be a great signing if they managed it, but a host of top European clubs are circling on the Belgian. Vertonghen has left Tottenham after almost a decade with the clubGetty Images - Getty #PremierLeague #CrystalPalace #ManchesterCity

[thisdaynews]

Watch: Six Nations - Wales v Italy

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Watch: Six Nations - Wales v Italy

Got a TV Licence?

You need one to watch live TV on any channel or device, and BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s the law.

Find out more

Live Reporting

By Dafydd Pritchard

All times stated are UK

Posted at 14:0614:06

‘Slowly, slowly catchy monkey’

Wales v Italy (14:15 GMT)

I caught up with former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees in the media room to see what he makes of Wales’ new era.

Rees expects Wales to evolve their attacking play under Wayne Pivac – but he warns fans will have to patient.

Video content

Video caption: Richie Rees preview Wales v Italy with Dafydd PritchardRichie Rees preview Wales v Italy with Dafydd Pritchard

Posted at 14:0314:03

comments

Get Involved

#bbcrugby on Twitter or 81111 on text (UK only)

Lisa Higgins:It’s Six Nations time yet again, Let’s Go Wales!! So much to prove for both sides looking forward to a exciting game!

@rosserger:So happy I have today off and get to watch this first match. Come on Wales.

AT London:My first run in six weeks after knackering my ribs is done. Chores around the flat: done. So now feet up and 6 Nations!

Posted at 14:0214:02

Post update

Wales v Italy (14:15 GMT)

Jonathan Davies

Wales and British and Irish Lions centre on BBC One

It was a great occasion winning the Grand Slam last year. It was a great way to end it with Warren Gatland and there’s excitement now for the new regime.

Posted at 13:5713:57

Wales’ new era

Wales v Italy (14:15 GMT)

Huw Evans Picture AgencyCopyright: Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wayne Pivac (right) oversees Wales training on FridayImage caption: Wayne Pivac (right) oversees Wales training on Friday

The last time Wales started a Six Nations campaign with a new head coach in charge was way back in 2008.

Warren Gatland kicked off his reign with a stunning comeback win over England at Twickenham, which got the ball rolling for a Grand Slam in his first campaign.

No pressure for his successor then?

The man taking the reins after the longest and most successful coaching tenure in Welsh rugby history is Wayne Pivac.

Formerly of Scarlets, Fiji and Auckland among others, Pivac comes with a reputation for exciting, expansive rugby.

He’s also picked up a few trophies along the way. How close might he come to the four Six Nations titles – and three Grand Slams – Gatland managed with Wales?

Posted at 13:5313:53

Italy team news – two 10s

Wales v Italy (14:15 GMT)

Huw Evans Picture AgencyCopyright: Huw Evans Picture Agency

Italy interim head coach Franco Smith is a former South Africa internationalImage caption: Italy interim head coach Franco Smith is a former South Africa international

Italy have also tweaked their midfield. Temporary head coach Franco Smith has named Carlo Canna, usually a fly-half, at inside centre, with Tommaso Allan at 10.

Alessandro Zanni, who has 117 caps to his name, captains the side in the second row, where he is joined by debutant Niccolò Cannone.

Prop Danilo Fischetti is also in line to make his debut from the bench.

Here’s how Italy line up…

Matteo Minozzi; Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morisi, Carlo Canna, Mattia Bellini; Tommaso Allan, Callum Braley, Giosuè Zilocchi, Luca Bigi (capt), Andrea Lovotti, Alessandro Zanni, Niccolò Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn.

Replacements:Federico Zani, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Riccioni, Marco Lazzaroni, Dean Budd, Giovanni Licata, Guglielmo Palazzani, Jayden Hayward.

Posted at 13:4913:49

Wales team news – North at centre

Wales v Italy (14:15 GMT)

Huw Evans Picture AgencyCopyright: Huw Evans Picture Agency

The headline news for Wales is that George North has switched from wing to outside centre.

This will be North’s fifth start at centre in his 92nd Test, with Wales struggling with injuries in midfield including British and Irish Lions star Jonathan Davies, who has been ruled out for the entire campaign.

Taking North’s place on the wing is uncapped Scarlets back Johnny McNicholl, who was born in New Zealand but is Wales-qualified through residency.

He plays his first Test after scoring a try in last November’s uncapped win over Barbarians.

Elsewhere, Tomos Williams is preferred to the returning Rhys Webb at scrum-half, while Josh Navidi’s injury paves the way for a back row of Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau, who makes a welcome return from injury.

Here’s the Wales team in full…

Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements:Ryan Elias, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Ross Moriarty, Rhys Webb, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.

Posted at 13:4613:46

The Six Nations is back

Wales v Italy (14:15 GMT)

Huw Evans Picture AgencyCopyright: Huw Evans Picture Agency

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… the Six Nations is here!

The 2020 edition starts today as reigning champions Wales take on Italy here at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Wales have a new head coach, Wayne Pivac, in charge and so do Italy, Franco Smith.

It’s a brave new world and, for Wales, it’s Wayne’s World.

You can watch BBC One’s television coverage, listen to BBC commentary and follow live updates right here.

Let’s go!

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[gadgetsrevv]

Mexico ratings: Araujo abysmal as defense collapses vs. Argentina

There were plenty of poor performances but Nestor Araujo made multiple mistakes in Mexico’s loss to Argentina.

Simply put: Mexico was thrashed on Tuesday night. In a friendly against El Tri, Argentina completely obliterated the North American side that limped to a 4-0 loss at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The result marks the first defeat in 2019 for Mexico manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino.

Positives

A silver-lining is that this was a humbling and necessary moment for Mexico. Keeping in mind that the team appeared to be on cloud nine after last week’s 3-0 win over the United States, Tuesday’s result was a much-needed reminder of the progress that still needs to be made by the Mexican squad — especially if it wishes to become one of the elite national sides in the world.

Negatives

The defense was in shambles, the midfield regularly failed to recover the ball and it looked like the frontline was constantly running into an Argentine brick wall. All that said, the center of the backline was by far the weak-link in the XI. Mexico has once again been left with more questions than answers when it comes to deciding the ideal central defensive partnership.

Manager rating (out of 10)

4 — Although Martino fielded arguably his best XI, he couldn’t find a way to breakdown Argentina’s organized approach. Most importantly, when Mexico looked completely devastated defensively, the manager didn’t do much to alter or help rearrange it. A forgetful evening for the coach.

Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano couldn’t spur Mexico to a win over a tough Argentina squad.

Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Guillermo Ochoa, 3 — Despite the fact that Ochoa shouldn’t be given most of the blame, the goalkeeper couldn’t halt a handful of the shots that the opposition launched towards him.

DF Miguel Layun, 4 — A quiet start to the game eventually developed into a more active role in the second half. Nonetheless, it was too little too late for Layun.

DF Carlos Salcedo, 2 — Salcedo’s handball and poor coverage directly had a role in two of the goals that Mexico allowed. Very few positive moments from the central defender who never built good chemistry with Nestor Araujo in the backline.

DF Nestor Araujo, 1 — Araujo finished with the worst performance by a Mexican player in the Martino era. The La Liga player looked shell-shocked as he created mistake after mistake and gifted Argentina easy opportunities.

DF Jesus Gallardo, 3 — The 25-year-old was atypically lost on the left flank. Argentina’s defense did an excellent job of silencing Gallardo’s occasional high-pressing sprints throughout the evening.

MF Jonathan dos Santos, 5 — One of the few Mexican players who could (possibly) hold his head slightly high. Dos Santos never seemed to stop running as he chased the ball and desperately attempted to create the build-up of attacking plays.

MF Edson Alvarez, 3 — Argentine players constantly dashed past the defensive midfielder with ease in the win. An early yellow seemed to have thrown off the Ajax youngster who was partially at fault for one of the goals allowed.

MF Hector Herrera, 4 — Herrera struggled with winning the ball back for Mexico. Like Alvarez, the midfielder was seen chasing the ball on too many occasions.

FW Jesus Corona, 5 — Credit is due to “Tecatito” for at least trying to make something happen. The winger attempted to single-handedly salvage Mexico with his risk-taking and vertical dribbling in the final third.

FW Raul Jimenez, 4 — With no real attacking support, Jimenez didn’t see very much of possession on Tuesday. The Wolves player was never a threat once the ball came to his feet.

FW Hirving Lozano, 5 — A subdued start was followed by some tenacious moments in the 2nd half that highlighted a hunger to make an impact. Despite these efforts, Argentina’s defense controlled the pacey player who only had one shot in the game.

Substitutes

MF Carlos Rodriguez, 4 — Substituted in for Herrera during the 63rd minute. Rodriguez’s cameo appearance only featured a couple of dangerous passes and little else.

MF Marco Fabian, 4 — Substituted in for Corona during the 63rd minute. The Mexico veteran was underwhelming as he failed to alter Mexico’s chances in the final third as the No. 10.

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[bloginstahiphop-blog]

Gareth Bale: Could Real Madrid man have 'David Beckham effect' in China?

Ryan Giggs saw first-hand how David Beckham was worshipped in East Asia when they toured countries such as China and Japan during their playing days at Manchester United. So when Giggs compared the hero's welcome Gareth Bale received in China with Wales last year to the fanfare which Beckham inspired in the Far East, he was speaking from a position of authority. "It's the same when Becks came into the team. He took the limelight away from me," Giggs said at the 2018 China Cup, where he was managing Wales. "Gareth would have been out here in the Far East plenty of times with Real Madrid. "Huge teams like United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich - the players are used to the adulation they get, especially in this part of the world, because footballers are treated like gods." Bale 'very close' to leaving Real Madrid for China Bale mania hits China Why did Real Madrid fall out of love with Bale? Beckham remains a global icon of the game and his marketability owes much to his popularity in Asia, which rose to stratospheric levels when he represented England at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and grew even greater after he joined Real Madrid a year later. ADVERTISEMENT Bale's then world record move to the Spanish giants in 2013 had a similar effect on his profile, evident as he was mobbed at Nanning Airport before last year's China Cup and then cheered wildly by the home fans even as he scored a hat-trick during Wales' thumping win over the hosts. Now the Welshman is "very close" to joining Jiangsu Suning in the Chinese Super League on a three-year deal. If such a transfer were to materialise, Bale would represent the league's highest-profile acquisition yet - as Beckham's 2007 move to LA Galaxy was for Major League Soccer. So how could Bale's potential move to China affect his own future, the perception of Chinese football and Wales' international prospects? Gareth Bale arrives for China Cup with Wales An historic moment for Chinese football? When Beckham joined LA Galaxy in 2007, MLS commissioner Don Garber proclaimed it "one of the most important moments for soccer in this country and perhaps the history of professional sport". Such hyperbole could have been a burden but Beckham's legacy included back-to-back MLS Cups for the Galaxy, a rise in the league's average attendances and a spike in interest in the MLS thanks to his celebrity status. Beckham certainly helped boost the profile of the MLS and, while other players may have been more influential on the field, his time at the Galaxy can justifiably be considered a watershed moment for domestic football in the United States. Players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard followed Beckham to the MLS, and Chinese Super League bosses would hope Bale could have a similar impact on their competition. The league's highest-profile recruits so far have included the likes of Carlos Tevez, Didier Drogba and Hulk, earning some of the highest salaries in the world during their various stays in China. But Bale would dwarf all his predecessors, both in status and earning power. Having just turned 30, he is not at his peak but young enough to prosper at the top level for a few years, and his success with Real Madrid has enhanced his global marketability. That is why Jiangsu Suning are reportedly prepared to make Bale the first footballer to earn £1m a week. They are among the wealthiest of China's supremely rich clubs and, as their current foreign players are Brazilian midfielder Alex Teixeira and Italy internationals Eder and Gabriel Paletta, Jiangsu could be in the market for a bona fide marquee signing. Bale's time at the China Cup demonstrated his mass appeal in the country and, when he was asked about the prospect of moving to China, the Welshman did not rule anything out. "Whenever I come to China we always have such an amazing reception from the Chinese fans," Bale said at the time. "It's a great country with great people. I'm sure that if I ever did come I'll be looked after very well." David Beckham met Gareth Bale on Real Madrid's tour of the United States in 2017 Beginning of the end, or could Bale and Wales prosper? Some worry that a footballer's move to a league less prestigious than its European counterparts represents the beginning of the end of a career, holding out in the twilight years for one last big contract. That has traditionally been the case for most foreign signings in the Chinese Super League, though that trend appears to be changing. Brazil midfielder Oscar, for example, left Chelsea for Shanghai SIPG when he was 25, while his countryman, ex-Tottenham midfielder Paulinho, moved to Barcelona from Guangzhou Evergrande in 2017, albeit returning to the Chinese club a year later. Those two career paths would suggest the Chinese Super League is more than the lucrative retirement home it might once have been. Wales may also take encouragement from Marek Hamsik, Napoli's all-time leading goalscorer who joined Dalian Yifang earlier this year but remains as influential as ever as Slovakia's captain. The 31-year-old midfielder is his country's record cap holder and goalscorer and, when Slovakia faced Wales in a Euro 2020 qualifier in March, there were no indications that his move to China had diminished his ability. Beckham is another who continued his international career after leaving European club football, winning 19 of his 115 England caps after making his LA Galaxy debut aged 32. One contributing factor to Beckham's prolonged England career was the fact he had two loan spells at AC Milan during his five years at LA Galaxy. The dates of the MLS season overlapped with European leagues in a way which allowed Beckham to play for both clubs over the course of a year, even if it angered some Galaxy fans who questioned his commitment to the club. In theory, Bale could do something similar. The Chinese Super League runs between March and December, creating a potential window of opportunity to play in Europe during the winter. So if Bale felt he needed to be playing at the highest level to keep himself sharp for Wales, could this be a way of doing so in Europe while still accumulating great wealth in China? Like Beckham, that could be in Milan. Bale's purported suitors in China, Jiangsu Suning, are owned by Suning Group, which owns the majority of shares in Inter Milan. Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has dismissed the suggestion of a permanent transfer to Inter this summer but, should a move to China materialise, a subsequent loan to the San Siro might not be beyond the realms of possibility. For the time being Barnett remains coy about the Wales forward's potential destinations, though he has told BBC Sport Wales he is "working on a few things" given Bale's increasingly likely departure from Real Madrid. There may be some who have reservations about a move to China but, as Beckham and others have shown, exploring new footballing worlds may not be a harbinger of the end but the dawn of a new era.   SOURCE:https://www.bbc.com/ Read the full article

[tkmedia]

DCL next? The six British players to sign for Real Madrid

Not many British players have had the opportunity to represent Real Madrid, but those that do usually leave their mark. Returning manager Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly set his sights on reuniting with Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The chance to play for Real remains incredibly prestigious and some of British football’s biggest names have strutted their stuff at the Bernabeu. We’ve taken a look at how the six British players to play for Real fared in the Spanish capital. Gareth Bale He may have salted the earth at Real Madrid with his perceived reluctance to embrace Spanish culture and his love of golf, but Bale has experienced immense success in Spain. After completing a move from Tottenham in 2013 for a then-world record transfer fee, Bale picked up the habit of scoring crucial goals while never fully winning over the Madrid fans. His highlights included that goal in Kyiv and four Champions League trophies, but it’d be a surprise if Bale played a starring role for the club again. Jonathan Woodgate One of the great bad debuts and not much else – Woodgate’s time at Real Madrid was disastrous. The centre-back had to wait a year to make an appearance following injury problems and proceeded to mark the occasion with an own goal and red card. That’s where the story usually ends, but Woodgate did establish himself in the first team during the 2005-06 season, only for injuries to strike again, and he moved to boyhood club Middlesbrough in 2006. In 2007, he was voted the worst signing of the 21st century by readers of Marca, Spain’s leading sports daily newspaper.

READ: Remembering Jonathan Woodgate’s calamitous Real Madrid debut Michael Owen It never really happened for Owen at Real, but he was more effective than is usually remembered. Signed at the peak of the club’s Galacticos era, Owen was competing with the likes of Raul and Ronaldo for a starting spot. Sixteen goals in 45 appearances doesn’t sound too bad in that context, but the England striker was frustrated with the lack of opportunities and moved to Newcastle in 2005. In his autobiography Reboot – My Life, My Time, Owen said: “As strange and perhaps defeatist as this might sound, almost as soon as we arrived in Spain, I instinctively had this sense that my time there was going to be short. “From mid-August, the club put us up in a hotel while we tried to find a house. The two of us existing in one room, with a young daughter who was at the age where she needed to be entertained, would have been difficult enough for one month. But one month became two, and then two became four.” David Beckham The Galacticos’ Galactico, Beckham was signed for £25million from directly underneath Barcelona’s noses in the summer of 2003. His arrival definitely boosted shirt sales, but the England captain didn’t win any silverware in his first three seasons in Spain as various managers failed to get the best out of the numerous extraordinary attacking talents. Fabio Capello marginalised Beckham in 2006-07, but the midfielder successfully fought his way back into the first team as Real won the La Liga title that season. Beckham scored 20 goals in 155 appearances before departing for LA Galaxy in 2007. Steve McManaman McManaman’s time at Real Madrid underlines the sense that his talent as a player goes somewhat overlooked these days. Having impressed for Liverpool and England, McManaman moved to Spain on a free transfer in 1999 and won the Champions League in his first season, winning man of the match during the 3-0 win over Valencia in the final. The arrival of Luis Figo reduced his game time, and Real made McManaman surplus to requirements. But he stuck around and remained a crucial squad member, scoring in a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2002. His tenacity and attitude won plenty of people over and McManaman is fondly remembered by the Madrid fans to this day.

READ: Liverpool’s bittersweet thrill of Steve McManaman thriving at Real Madrid Laurie Cunningham Cunningham became the first English player to represent Real Madrid after signing from West Brom in 1979. An exciting winger with pace to burn and an eye for goal, Cunningham scored twice on his debut and helped the Spanish giants win the league and cup Double in his first season. Known as the ‘Black Pearl’ in Madrid, Cunningham impressed the fans with his flamboyance but injuries and a commitment to sampling Madrid’s nightlife limited his overall impact. Cunningham left the club in 1983 and was sadly killed in a car accident six years later. He was only 33 at the time of his death. More Real Madrid Six Real Madrid greats that left in acrimony under Florentino Perez A forensic analysis of the quite ridiculous 2001 Pepsi World Challenge ‘We’re the best, f*ck you’: The story of Barca & Real’s four Clasicos in 18 days Can you name Real Madrid’s XI from their 3-2 win at Man Utd, 2000? Read the full article

[junker-town]

A brief history of Bill O’Brien’s worst decisions

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Houston’s head coach made an all-time terrible move when he traded DeAndre Hopkins. His poor decision-making goes back further, though.

Bill O’Brien has gotten his share of criticism as the head coach, and now general manager, of the Houston Texans. However, he made easily the worst trade of his career when the Texans sent No. 1 wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals.

As baffling as the move may sound, it’s only one of many dumb decisions O’Brien has made since arriving in Houston in 2014.

Let’s take a look back at some of his worst ones (so far), broken down into three categories.

No. 1: Trades

O’Brien was officially named Houston’s general manager in January 2020. But he was essentially already doing the job since the Texans were operating without one after Brian Gaine’s firing in June 2019. In that time, O’Brien’s made several trades that have been widely panned.

Not getting a first-rounder for Hopkins is an all-time bad trade

Hopkins is a three-time All-Pro who led the Texans in receiving in six of his seven years. He’s one of the two or three best receivers in the league and is only 27 years old. In exchange for Hopkins the Texans got:

Running back David Johnson, who is a dynamic weapon at his best — but hasn’t been consistently productive since 2016

A second-round pick

The Texans — who don’t have a first-round pick this year — lost one of their biggest stars on the team for a second-round pick. This came just hours before the Vikings got a first-round pick in a package for receiver Stefon Diggs, putting Diggs (but not Hopkins), in good company:

WRs traded away for a 1st round pick: Percy Harvin ✅ Roy Williams ✅ Joey Galloway ✅ Peerless Price ✅ Keyshawn Johnson ✅ Brandin Cooks ✅ Brandin Cooks again ✅ Amari Cooper ✅ Odell Beckham Jr. ✅ Randy Moss ✅ DeAndre Hopkins ❌

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 16, 2020

Yes, there reportedly was friction between Hopkins and O’Brien. Hopkins also wanted an extension despite three years remaining on his contract, and Houston is also due to give Deshaun Watson and left tackle Laremy Tunsil their own pricey extensions.

But the fact that the Texans couldn’t even get a first-rounder out of this trade makes this easily O’Brien’s worst move ever.

The Texans waited way too long to get a left tackle

The Texans needed a left tackle to protect their most valuable player, Watson, ever since they traded Duane Brown in 2017. Watson was sacked 19 times in seven games his rookie year before an ACL tear cut his season short, and he took a league-high 62 sacks in 2018.

Instead, Houston didn’t properly address the glaring need until less than a week before the 2019 season started. In a trade with the Dolphins, the Texans:

acquired Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills

gave Miami two first-round picks and a second-round pick

Both Tunsil and Stills played well in 2019 (despite Tunsil leading all offensive tackles in penalties) and filled a need. The issue is O’Brien could’ve done more in free agency and the draft, rather than wait until he was forced to overpay and cost his team future draft capital.

They only got a third-round pick for Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney was taken by the Texans at No. 1 overall in 2014, and he accounted for 29 sacks through his first five years with Houston. Still, he never quite lived up to his draft status as he dealt with injuries throughout his career.

The Texans decided to give Clowney the franchise tag, which he never signed because he was holding out for a long-term extension. Rather than tag-and-trade him (like the Chiefs and Seahawks did with Dee Ford and Frank Clark, respectively) earlier in the offseason, Houston waited until there wasn’t much of a market for him. Clowney nixed an attempt to trade him to the tanking Dolphins, and the Texans ended up sending him to the Seahawks, who knew Houston was just trying to offload him.

In exchange, the Texans got:

A 2020 third-round pick

Linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin

Clowney was very good but not an elite pass rusher for the Seahawks, while Mingo and Martin were only adequate rotational pieces for the Texans. Still, the Texans got pennies on the dollar for a former No. 1 overall pick and didn’t even address their biggest hole until later that day when the traded for Tunsil. Football Outsiders ranked Houston’s defensive line at No. 22 in 2019 after it had come in first the year before.

The Texans gave up a third-round pick for Duke Johnson and an OL for Carlos Hyde

Duke Johnson — similar to David Johnson — is a dual-threat receiving back who has averaged 9.2 yards per catch in his career. Duke Johnson made it clear he was unhappy in Cleveland last summer, but the Texans still gave up a valuable pick (a conditional pick which ultimately vested as a third-rounder) to get him.

Weeks later, they added another running back. Hyde was expected to be cut by the Chiefs in August, after which the Texans could’ve signed the veteran back as a free agent, likely for at or below market value.

Instead of waiting, Houston traded young tackle Martinas Rankin for Hyde. Rankin was a 2018 third-round pick who struggled some as a rookie, but was still a depth option for a team badly in need of offensive line help.

Hyde, who had his first 1,000-yard season, and Johnson were a mostly solid duo for the Texans in 2019. But once again, O’Brien gave up more than he should have.

The Texans gave up a second-round pick for Brandin Cooks

O’Brien found his replacement for Hopkins by trading away the 57th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft for Cooks. While he’s the type of deep threat receiver who has thrived with Deshaun Watson, the cost of the trade was questionable, at best.

Cooks began his career with the Saints, breaking out as a star with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons before he was traded to the Patriots in 2017. After one season in New England, he was traded to the Rams. Now he’s on the move again for the third time in four offseasons.

His most recent season was his worst. Cooks finished 2019 with just 42 receptions, 583 yards, and two touchdowns. That wasn’t nearly enough production for a player just two years into a five-year, $81 million contract that expires in 2024.

Houston was willing to take on the remainder of that contract, and give away a second-round pick to get the deal done. That looks especially bad when the Texans gave away Hopkins earlier in the offseason for only a second-round pick in return.

It’s even worse when you consider Cooks’ recent concussion problems. He was brutally knocked out of Super Bowl 52 in February 2018 and missed he two games during the 2019 season due to another concussion.

Yet another reason to question the trade is the $18 million guaranteed that the Texans gave Randall Cobb in free agency. That’s pricy for a receiver who’s now fourth on the depth chart.

No. 2: Playcalls

O’Brien took over playcalling duties during the 2016 season and is expected to give them up in 2020. Here’s a quick look at when he screwed up the most.

The Texans’ Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs was O’Brien’s biggest playcalling failure

In their most important game in the O’Brien era, the Texans blew a 24-0 lead, in part because of two O’Brien decisions that came in the second quarter.

They had a chance to go for it on fourth-and-1 to go up 28-0, but kicked a 31-yard field goal instead. After the game O’Brien said he didn’t have a play he liked, then later admitted that he didn’t realize it was fourth down:

I walked with #Texans HC Bill O’Brian from his dressing room to the team bus. One interesting point about not going on fourth-down at KC 11 was he sent in a play for first down, believing they made it, not fourth down. Changed mind during TO go kick FG.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 13, 2020

On Houston’s next drive, after Kansas City score its first touchdown, O’Brien called this ridiculously bad fake punt:

pic.twitter.com/g5SfCdEGZT

— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) January 12, 2020

With the short field, the Chiefs scored on their ensuing possession. They ultimately won, 51-31.

Throughout the years, he’s struggled with fourth-down calls

A few examples:

In a 2016 Monday Night Football game against the Raiders, O’Brien punted on a fourth-and-5 near midfield when his team was down 27-20 with three minutes left. The Texans lost without getting the ball back.

In 2017, he opted for a field goal in the red zone on fourth-and-1 against the Patriots to go up 33-28 with 2:28 left. His decision resulted in Tom Brady countering with a game-winning touchdown drive.

During the 2018 season, the Texans lost to the Colts in the playoffs when Houston went for five fourth downs and turned the ball over on downs three times.

No. 3: QB decisions

Watson can make magic happen anytime he’s on the field, but O’Brien hasn’t always had the young quarterback around to save him from himself.

O’Brien actually wanted Brock Osweiler as his starting QB

After rotating through uninspiring quarterbacks like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Case Keenum, Brian Hoyer, and T.J. Yates, the Texans went out and signed Osweiler in 2016 to a four-year, $72 million deal. Osweiler went 5-2 as a starter for Denver the season before but was benched for a near-retirement Peyton Manning.

The choice to sign Osweiler wasn’t all O’Brien’s — Rick Smith was still the GM — but O’Brien had made up his mind before even talking to Osweiler. Per Peter King:

O’Brien did as much fact-finding as he could on Osweiler. He watched tape of every game Osweiler played in Denver. He grilled Osweiler’s college coordinator, Noah Mazzone, who loved Osweiler. He paid attention to the impressive game Osweiler played against New England on a Sunday night in crunch time. He was sold, and told owner Bob McNair and GM Rick Smith he really wanted Osweiler.

A year later, the Texans gave up a second-round pick just to get rid of Osweiler.

In Houston’s first game in 2017, O’Brien opted to start Tom Savage instead of Watson

Soon after dumping Osweiler, the Texans made the wise move of trading up to draft Watson. Then, O’Brien elected to start Savage rather than Watson in Week 1 against the Jaguars.

In the first half, Savage went 7 of 13 for 62 yards and was sacked six times. The Texans trailed 19-0 at halftime.

Thankfully, O’Brien started Watson in the second half. He finished with 102 yards and a touchdown. Watson remained the starter until he tore his ACL midway through the season.

O’Brien is 52-44 overall as Houston’s head coach, including a 2-4 record in the playoffs. Now that he’s the team’s GM, he has more decision-making power than ever. If being laughed at while achieving mediocrity is what the Texans want, that might be all they get as long as they stick with O’Brien.

[footballghana]

Columbus Crew open contract talks with Ghanaian defender Harrison Afful

Major Soccer League (MLS) side Columbus Crew have opened contract talk with Ghanaian right-back Harrison Afful about a contract extension.Afful has been at Crew for the past four years and his contract is currently running down, allowing for a possible exit should both parties fail to reach an agreement over a new deal.His teammate and compatriot Jonathan Mensah, on the other hand, has been confirmed on coach Caleb Porter's roster for the 2020 season."Crew SC exercised the options of defenders Waylon Francis, Hector Jimenez and Jonathan Mensah; as well as midfielders Luis Argudo, Pedro Santos and Wil Trapp," the club announced in a statement on their official website."The club is also currently in negotiations with out-of-contract defender Harrison Afful."“As we continue preparations for the 2020 season, our goal is to build a roster that can compete for championships,” said Crew SC President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko.“We want to build on the work done by our technical staff and players this season as we continue to solidify our identity in this new era of our Club."While it is never easy to make difficult personnel decisions at the beginning of each offseason, we are... source: https://footballghana.com/

[torentialtribute]

England’s golden generation are managing nicely

If Frank Lampard 's appointment feels like a change of direction at Chelsea then it is another positive stride forth in a revival for English managers

Lampard is the first Englishman to take charge at Stamford Bridge since Glenn Hoddle left to be England manager 23 years ago.

He has the rare fortune of chance manage an elite squad of players in the Champions League and he is not about to take it for granted.

Frank Lampard's appointment at Chelsea is a positive step for England's golden generation

The former Chelsea midfielder has returned to the club as boss on a three-year contract

"I'm pleased as a young British manager to be given this chance," said Lampard. "It has been something we have spoken about a lot and something the FA have worked on. We've seen Steven Gerrard, Phil Neville and Scott Parker being given chances.

'I don't see as a responsibility, but I would love to do well, because we are a generation of players who worked under a lot of managers and would have been influenced by a lot of managers and a lot of different qualities.

'I don't want to be the standard bearer for young English managers but I would love to do well personally at this club and I would love to see other young English managers come through and get this kind of job. '

Players of Lampard's era – dubbed the Golden Generation – are beginning to emerge as managers.

Phil Neville had his chance with the England women's team, taking them to the World Cup

Gerrard is about to start his second season at Rangers and Neville has reached the World Cup semi-finals with England's women. John Terry is learning with Dean Smith at Aston Villa and Scott Parker is preparing for a first full campaign in charge of Fulham.

Lee Bowyer has led Charlton back into the Championship, Jonathan Woodgate has duties over at Middlesbrough and Sol Campbell performed one of last season's most spectacular feats by rescuing Macclesfield from relegation out of the League.

In March 2014, there were only four ex-England internationals managing England's top 92 clubs – Nigel Clough at Sheffield United, Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa, Chris Powell at Huddersfield and Keith Curle at Carlisle, with a total of only 25 caps between them. Clough and Curle are still in work albeit with different clubs but now the new wave is advancing, resisting the lure of TV work to get their coaching qualifications.

Sol Campbell performed one of last season's most spectacular feats by rescuing Macclesfield

Parker, speaking to Sportsmail in May, said: "There were a group of us, myself, Phil Neville, Frank, and the FA have been first-class, looking after us, trying to nurture us, giving us everything possible to be as successful as we can because we all understand how difficult the next step is and how volatile it is. And they've done it the right way.

"One ingredient you need is passion. There is probably an easy route for the modern-day footballer, because you deserve a lot of money, good money and the work of the manager is hard.

'It's demanding and stressful, it probably says a lot about us . We're passionate and we want to be successful and give it a go. ”

The FA forced open doors to encourage their elite players into coaching but fashion has also played a part and certain managers can have more of an influence on their players than others.

Steven Gerrard has found himself in the dugout at Rangers and his starting his second season

Many who played for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United have now moved into management and several of Jose Mourinho's former players are on the same path. Mourinho's first Premier League game as Chelsea manager was against United at Stamford Bridge in 2004.

On the team-sheet for United were Roy Keane, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who have all managed.

Chelsea included Petr Cech, back at the Bridge in a technical role, Claude Makelele, set to be appointed to the coaching staff at Chelsea, Paulo Ferreira and Carlo Cudicini, who have been on the backroom team for years, Parker, Terry and Lampard.

Scott Parker, tasks on by Fulham, has said the FA have been 'first class' in helping hopefuls

Parker added: "Frank and John were personalities and people who wanted culture, drove standards and what the manager wanted.

"I'd put myself in that sentence because I used to like helping out the manager – and that's probably why they're doing what they're doing."

Lampard's first Premier League game back at Stamford Bridge – Leicester City on August 18 – has been selected for live coverage by Sky Sports.

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Vote: Who has been the best British export of Premier League era?

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Vote: Who has been the best British export of Premier League era?

Sergio Aguero’s hat-trick against Aston Villa on Sunday made history – his tally of 177 Premier League goals is the highest number scored by a foreign player.

He has competition to be the greatest import – Henry? Zola? Bergkamp? Hazard? – but how about great British exports?

Who is the British player with the best career abroad since the Premier League began in 1992?

Have a read of our chosen shortlist, listed in alphabetical order, and put it to the vote…

Gareth Bale

Overseas clubs played for:Real Madrid

Major honours won overseas:Champions League (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), La Liga (2016-17), Copa del Rey (2014), Uefa Super Cup (2014, 2016, 2017), Club World Cup (2014, 2017, 2018)

Why him?His future in Madrid remains in the balance and he may even prefer golf – but you simply cannot argue with Gareth Bale’s haul of medals in Spain. Only 11 players have won more than his four Champions League titles and he has scored in two finals.

He has scored 80 league goals in 167 games for the club. Not too shabby.

David Beckham

Overseas clubs played for:Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain

Major honours won overseas:La Liga (2006-07), MLS Cup (2011, 2012), Ligue 1 (2012-13)

Why him?A title winner in four countries and on two continents, David Beckham was part of a team ofGalacticosat Real including Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo but only won the title in his final season in Spain. LA Galaxy changed their badge and the colour of their kit when he arrived to fit in with his image and he delivered two titles in his time before short spells with both AC Milan and PSG ended his career.

John Collins

Overseas clubs played for:Monaco

Major honours won overseas:Ligue 1 (1996-97)

Why him?The classy Scottish midfielder won the French title with Monaco and then went all the way to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1998 alongside the core of that summer’s World Cup-winning French side in Barthez, Sagnol, Trezeguet and Henry.

Paul Gascoigne

Overseas clubs played for:Lazio, Gansu Tianma

Major honours won overseas:None

Why him?OK, so he didn’t win anything at Lazio, but just think of the profile Paul Gascoigne’s move to Serie A gave the game in the UK. James Richardson, coffee shops,La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Was injured for large periods of his time in Rome but scored a crucial goal against rivals Roma and remains popular with fans – “Welcome back Gazza. Lionheart, headstrong, pure talent, real man: still our hero,” read a banner when he attended a Lazio v Spurs game in 2012.

Owen Hargreaves

Overseas clubs played for:Bayern Munich

Major honours won overseas:Champions League (2001), Bundesliga (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006), German Cup (2003, 2005, 2006), Intercontinental Cup (2001).

Why him?Can an export be an export if they play in Europe before the Premier League? A grey area. But in terms of England internationals playing in Europe not many players have won more than Owen Hargreaves.

Spent a dominant decade at Bayern Munich before coming to Manchester United and winning the Champions League for a second time. A key player for England under Sven-Goran Eriksson, and would have won more caps and honours had it not been for injury.

Paul Lambert

Overseas clubs played for: Borussia Dortmund

Major honours won overseas:Champions League (1997)

Why him?A surprise capture from Motherwell in 1996, Lambert was signed by Borussia Dortmund following strong performances against the club previously in the Uefa Cup.

Lambert instantly proved a key figure for Dortmund under Ottmar Hitzfeld, and produced a man-of-the-match display in the biggest game of his club career as the German side stunned Juventus to win the Champions League.

Lambert – the first British player to win the European Cup with a non-British side – set up Karl-Heinz Riedle for the opening goal, but even more impressive was the man marking job he did on Zinedine Zidane.

Steve McManaman

Overseas clubs played for:Real Madrid

Major honours won overseas:Champions League (2000, 2002), La Liga (2001, 2003), Uefa Super Cup (2002)

Why him?Often overlooked, it’s easy to forget just how good a player Steve McManaman was. A key player at Euro 96, he was versatile enough to play right across midfield and was superb with the ball at his feet at times. Liverpool failed to offer him a good enough deal to stay and he became a high-profile free transfer to Real Madrid in 1999.

The first Premier League player to play for Real, McManaman was a huge success despite nearly being sold on after his first 12 months – scoring in a Champions League final and helping Real win the trophy twice.

Michael Owen

Overseas clubs played for:Real Madrid

Major honours won overseas:None

Why him?Another player to go from Liverpool to Real – Michael Owen never reached the same heights as Steve McManaman. Managed a very respectable haul of 16 goals in all competitions in just 26 starts but was never first choice and moved back to England after just a year.

David Platt

Overseas clubs played for:Bari, Juventus, Sampdoria

Major honours won overseas:Uefa Cup (1993), Coppa Italia (1994)

Why him?A pioneer? David Platt joined Bari before the Premier League era began but spent four years in total in Serie A, racking up transfer fees totalling £17.2m – which was enormous in the early 1990s.

Scored goals wherever he went and managed in Italy too – albeit only for six games.

Jadon Sancho

Overseas clubs played for:Borussia Dortmund

Major honours won overseas:None

Why him?It’s early days but Jadon Sancho is also a bit of a pioneer. One of the first young English players to look at a move abroad instead of sitting in Manchester City’s academy, the Bundesliga gamble has certainly paid off.

Still only 19, Sancho has become a regular for England and with 22 goals in 61 league games for Dortmund he is one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment.

Also under consideration…

Paul Incehad two good years at Inter Milan in the mid-1990s without winning a medal, while current Middlesbrough managerJonathan Woodgatewas a big-money signing for Real Madrid in 2004 but struggled through injury.

CouldAaron Ramseyjoin the list of British players to win the Champions League overseas? Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo can only help, with the Welshman’s Juventus side up against Lyon in the last 16.

Quiz: Can you name the highest-scoring foreign players in the Premier League?

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United States face another top opponent with Tabarez’s Uruguay becoming global force

Alejandro Moreno feels United States star Christian Pulisic should take on a leadership role to handle any nerves the side has facing opponents like Mexico.

In an interview with ESPN, Seattle Sounders star Nicolas Lodeiro discusses how MLS has grown and his desire to return to Boca Juniors before he retires.

Three different Mexicans found the net in Mexico’s 3-0 rout of the USMNT at MetLife Stadium.

There are easier ways to bounce back from a bad evening than to face the Uruguay national team.

True, results in friendly matches are not a priority. Even so, the United States’ 3-0 defeat to Mexico was a blow to morale, just as Uruguay’s 2-1 win away to Costa Rica was a boost. It was a match that illustrated why coach Oscar Washington Tabarez is so keen to stay in charge, and will still be directing operations in St. Louis on Tuesday night.

– Replay: Stream U.S. 0-3 Mexico highlights (U.S. only) – Pulisic: U.S. must stop playing afraid vs. Mexico – Davis: This USMNT squad is a long way off

Tabarez, who is 72 and suffers from a neurological problem that limits his movement, took Uruguay to the World Cup all the way back in 1990. His second spell started almost 14 years ago and has returned Uruguay to the game’s top table. Last year in Russia, Uruguay were the most successful South American side, and it might have been thought that the 2018 World Cup would bring his distinguished career to a dignified end. But he carries on, and anyone who watched Friday’s win over Costa Rica will understand his motives.

Uruguay were away from home against highly experienced opponents. They were without the three main stalwarts of their side, captain and centre-back Diego Godin, and the world class strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. And still they found a way to win.

Uruguayan football is famous for its deep rooted drive, an inner capacity to dig deep and grind out results in unfavourable circumstances. But it would be an insult to attribute their recent success to this characteristic. After all, in the era before Tabarez took over for his second spell, Uruguay qualified for just one World Cup — and failed to make it out of the group stage. Since then they have always made it to the World Cup and always made it out of the group stage. Something has clearly changed, and it has everything to do with Tabarez.

Before taking charge in 2006, Tabarez, a qualified teacher, thought long and hard about the effects of globalisation on the modern game. He saw clearly that a country with the population of Uruguay (little more than 3 million) had no chance of maintaining a top-class domestic league. The best players would always be sold abroad, at an ever younger age.

His conclusion was simple. He would have to use the youth ranks of the national team to develop players good enough to secure the future of the senior side. Firstly, this entailed identifying youngsters with the capacity to hold their own at the highest level — players with speed of thought, movement and technical execution. Once identified, these players were then to be developed, as footballers and as human beings. And crucially, they would receive an intensive course in the importance and tradition of the sky-blue shirt.

The centrepiece of this project has been the under-20 side, envisaged as the conveyor belt to the senior side. The success rate here has been extraordinary; the 2007 U20s produced Suarez and Cavani, along with defender Martin Caceres. In 2009 came centre-back Sebastian Coates, reserve keeper Martin Campana and Nicolas Lodeiro, among others. The 2011 team produced midfielder Matias Vecino.

Two years later came centre-back Jose Gimenez, left-back Diego Laxalt and attacking midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta. From 2015 emerged midfielder Nahitan Nandez, 2017 produced the midfield lions Rodrigo Bentancur and Federico Valverde, plus left sided Marcelo Saracchi and Matias Vina, who came off the bench to make his debut at left-back on Friday. And the 2019 side produced LA Galaxy winger Brian Rodriguez, who was handed his first start against Costa Rica.

Oscar Washington Tabarez has masterfully created one of the world’s best talent production lines in Uruguay.

Almost the entire squad, then, are graduates of the Tabarez college course. And the current generation are so promising that, quite rightly, Tabarez cannot drag himself away. Enthused by the potential of his squad, Tabarez is understandably keen to see how far he can take them.

At some point, of course, the likes of Godin, Suarez and Cavani will have to be replaced. All three will surely be past their best by the time the next World Cup comes round. Uruguay have been planning for this, preparing replacements. Gimenez is ready to step up and lead the defence in the absence of Godin. There are high hopes for recent Valencia signing Maxi Gomez as a bull-like striker who could take over from the likes of Suarez and Cavani.

Indeed, the absence of Uruguay’s first choice strike duo can also be seen as an opportunity. Having both Suarez and Cavani has over the last few years effectively forced the team into a 4-4-2 formation, which sometimes can leave them looking rigid. Against Costa Rica Gomez operated up front on his own, and was replaced in the second half by match winner Jonathan Rodriguez. Behind him Uruguay lined up in something like a 4-1-4-1, allowing them more freedom to attack down the flanks. An alternative would be a 4-4-1-1, with the talented De Arrascaeta in his most natural role, as a playmaker able to roam behind the centre forward.

Uruguay, then, keep rolling on smoothly, reaping the benefit of years of good preparation. Gregg Berhalter and his men will need the spirit of St. Louis to get the better of them on Tuesday.

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"Should be our No.1 priority", "Hasn't done enough" - These Everton fans torn on big decision

Everton fans on Twitter are split over whether or not the club should turn Andre Gomes’ loan move into a permanent deal.

The Portuguese international arrived at Goodison Park on loan from Barcelona back in the summer, and has impressed with his composure on the ball and his passing ability in the blue of Everton.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

One would assume that most Toffees supporters would want to see the 25-year-old sign on a permanent basis, but one factor that has been influencing their thoughts is the huge reported fee that the Spanish champions want for Gomes.

Marca have revealed that Barcelona could ask for more than €40m for the former Valencia man, a figure that would be a hefty one for Marco Silva’s side to splash on just one player.

However, given the uncertainty over Idrissa Gueye’s future, perhaps a permanent deal for Gomes could be seen as a necessary capture come the summer.

Let’s see what the Everton fanbase, who appear to be torn over the matter, are saying on Twitter…

Get him signed he’s class build the midfield around him

— John Flood (@JohnFlo60680924) March 15, 2019

The way he’s been playing since November, I’d be swerving it as it stands at present. If he regains form between now and end of season then yes we should be all over it. He has to prove himself again, it’s all down to him now.

— BeerGuzzler (@BeerGuzzler1973) March 15, 2019

Get him in 100%

— Simon (@Sc1878Simon) March 15, 2019

Depends on the cost – he has shown that he can be a brilliant player, but not in our current system so much. If we could get him for £20m then maybe yeah, as we would have money to bring in someone alongside to help him. If they still want £40m, maybe not.

— Duke Silver (@Carl0sAlbert0) March 15, 2019

All day. Absolutely amazed at some prople turning their nose up at him.

— Darren (@nsno_83) March 15, 2019

Only at the right price. Anything significantly over £20M and I start to doubt

— Jonathan Quirk (@jonathan_quirk) March 15, 2019

Anything over 30 mill I’d say no hasn’t done enough for me

— Joshua Jones (@jonesjosh1988) March 15, 2019

Should be our number one priority making his deal permanent, class player and with having this season to adapt and a full pre season, he’ll be even better.

— keith conchie (@keithconchie) March 15, 2019

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A brief history of Bill O’Brien’s worst decisions

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Houston’s head coach made an all-time terrible move when he traded DeAndre Hopkins. His poor decision-making goes back further, though.

Bill O’Brien has gotten his share of criticism as the head coach, and now general manager, of the Houston Texans. However, he made easily the worst trade of his career when the Texans sent No. 1 wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals.

As baffling as the move may sound, it’s only one of many dumb decisions O’Brien has made since arriving in Houston in 2014.

Let’s take a look back at some of his worst ones (so far), broken down into three categories.

No. 1: Trades

O’Brien was officially named Houston’s GM in January 2020. But he was essentially already doing the job since the Texans were operating without one after Brian Gaine’s firing in June 2019. In that time, O’Brien’s made several trades that have been widely panned.

Not getting a first-rounder for Hopkins is an all-time bad trade

Hopkins is a three-time All-Pro who led the Texans in receiving in six of his seven years. He’s one of the two or three best receivers in the league and is only 27 years old. In exchange for Hopkins the Texans got:

Running back David Johnson, who is a dynamic weapon at his best — but hasn’t been consistently productive since 2016

A second-round pick

The Texans — who don’t have a first-round pick this year — lost one of their biggest stars on the team for a second-round pick. This came just hours before the Vikings got a first-round pick in a package for receiver Stefon Diggs, putting Diggs (but not Hopkins), in good company:

WRs traded away for a 1st round pick: Percy Harvin ✅ Roy Williams ✅ Joey Galloway ✅ Peerless Price ✅ Keyshawn Johnson ✅ Brandin Cooks ✅ Brandin Cooks again ✅ Amari Cooper ✅ Odell Beckham Jr. ✅ Randy Moss ✅ DeAndre Hopkins ❌

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 16, 2020

Yes, there reportedly was friction between Hopkins and O’Brien. Hopkins also wanted an extension despite three years remaining on his contract, and Houston is also due to give Deshaun Watson and left tackle Laremy Tunsil their own pricey extensions.

But the fact that the Texans couldn’t even get a first-rounder out of this trade makes this easily O’Brien’s worst move ever.

The Texans waited way too long to get a left tackle

The Texans needed a left tackle to protect their most valuable player, Watson, ever since they traded Duane Brown in 2017. Watson was sacked 19 times in seven games his rookie year before an ACL tear cut his season short, and he took a league-high 62 sacks in 2018.

Instead, Houston didn’t properly address the glaring need until less than a week before the 2019 season started. In a trade with the Dolphins, the Texans:

acquired Tunsil and receiver Kenny Stills

gave Miami two first-round picks and a second-round pick

Both Tunsil and Stills played well in 2019 (despite Tunsil leading all offensive tackles in penalties) and filled a need. The issue is O’Brien could’ve done more in free agency and the draft, rather than wait until he was forced to overpay and cost his team future draft capital.

They only got a third-round pick for Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney was taken by the Texans at No. 1 overall in 2014, and he accounted for 29 sacks through his first five years with Houston. Still, he never quite lived up to his draft status as he dealt with injuries throughout his career.

The Texans decided to give Clowney the franchise tag, which he never signed because he was holding out for a long-term extension. Rather than tag-and-trade him (like the Chiefs and Seahawks did with Dee Ford and Frank Clark, respectively) earlier in the offseason, Houston waited until there wasn’t much of a market for him. Clowney nixed an attempt to trade him to the tanking Dolphins, and the Texans ended up sending him to the Seahawks, who knew Houston was just trying to offload him.

In exchange, the Texans got:

A 2020 third-round pick

Linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin

Clowney was very good but not an elite pass rusher for the Seahawks, while Mingo and Martin were only adequate rotational pieces for the Texans. Still, the Texans got pennies on the dollar for a former No. 1 overall pick and didn’t even address their biggest hole until later that day when the traded for Tunsil. Football Outsiders ranked Houston’s defensive line at No. 22 in 2019 after it had come in first the year before.

The Texans gave up a third-round pick for Duke Johnson and an OL for Carlos Hyde

Duke Johnson — similar to David Johnson — is a dual-threat receiving back who has averaged 9.2 yards per catch in his career. Duke Johnson made it clear he was unhappy in Cleveland last summer, but the Texans still gave up a valuable pick (a conditional pick which ultimately vested as a third-rounder) to get him.

Weeks later, they added another running back. Hyde was expected to be cut by the Chiefs in August, after which the Texans could’ve signed the veteran back as a free agent, likely for at or below market value.

Instead of waiting, Houston traded young tackle Martinas Rankin for Hyde. Rankin was a 2018 third-round pick who struggled some as a rookie, but was still a depth option for a team badly in need of offensive line help.

Hyde, who had his first 1,000-yard season, and Johnson were a mostly solid duo for the Texans in 2019. But once again, O’Brien gave up more than he should have.

No. 2: Playcalls

O’Brien took over playcalling duties during the 2016 season and is expected to give them up in 2020. Here’s a quick look at when he screwed up the most.

The Texans’ Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs was O’Brien’s biggest playcalling failure

In their most important game in the O’Brien era, the Texans blew a 24-0 lead, in part because of two O’Brien decisions that came in the second quarter.

They had a chance to go for it on fourth-and-1 to go up 28-0, but kicked a 31-yard field goal instead. After the game O’Brien said he didn’t have a play he liked, then later admitted that he didn’t realize it was fourth down:

I walked with #Texans HC Bill O’Brian from his dressing room to the team bus. One interesting point about not going on fourth-down at KC 11 was he sent in a play for first down, believing they made it, not fourth down. Changed mind during TO go kick FG.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 13, 2020

On Houston’s next drive, after Kansas City score its first touchdown, O’Brien called this ridiculously bad fake punt:

pic.twitter.com/g5SfCdEGZT

— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) January 12, 2020

With the short field, the Chiefs scored on their ensuing possession. They ultimately won 51-31.

Throughout the years, he’s struggled with fourth-down calls

A few examples:

In a 2016 Monday Night Football game against the Raiders, O’Brien punted on a fourth-and-5 near midfield when his team was down 27-20 with three minutes left. The Texans lost without getting the ball back.

In 2017, he opted for a field goal in the red zone on fourth-and-1 against the Patriots to go up 33-28 with 2:28 left. His decision resulted in Tom Brady countering with a game-winning touchdown drive.

During the 2018 season, the Texans lost to the Colts in the playoffs when Houston went for five fourth downs and turned the ball over on downs three times.

No. 3: QB decisions

Watson can make magic happen anytime he’s on the field, but O’Brien hasn’t always had the young quarterback around to save him from himself.

O’Brien actually wanted Brock Osweiler as his starting QB

After rotating through uninspiring quarterbacks like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Case Keenum, Brian Hoyer, and T.J. Yates, the Texans went out and signed Osweiler in 2016 to a four-year, $72 million deal. Osweiler went 5-2 as a starter for Denver the season before but was benched for a near-retirement Peyton Manning.

The choice to sign Osweiler wasn’t all O’Brien’s — Rick Smith was still the GM — but O’Brien had made up his mind before even talking to Osweiler. Per Peter King:

O’Brien did as much fact-finding as he could on Osweiler. He watched tape of every game Osweiler played in Denver. He grilled Osweiler’s college coordinator, Noah Mazzone, who loved Osweiler. He paid attention to the impressive game Osweiler played against New England on a Sunday night in crunch time. He was sold, and told owner Bob McNair and GM Rick Smith he really wanted Osweiler.

A year later, the Texans gave up a second-round pick just to get rid of Osweiler.

In Houston’s first game in 2017, O’Brien opted to start Tom Savage instead of Watson

Soon after dumping Osweiler, the Texans made the wise move of trading up to draft Watson. Then, O’Brien elected to start Savage rather than Watson in Week 1 against the Jaguars.

In the first half, Savage went 7 of 13 for 62 yards and was sacked six times. The Texans trailed 19-0 at halftime.

Thankfully, O’Brien started Watson in the second half. He finished with 102 yards and a touchdown. Watson remained the starter until he tore his ACL midway through the season.

O’Brien is 52-44 overall as Houston’s head coach, including a 2-4 record in the playoffs. Now that he’s the team’s GM, he has more decision-making power than ever. If being laughed at while achieving mediocrity is what the Texans want, that might be all they get as long as they stick with O’Brien.