Latest news with #IMAGO
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Urged to Sign ‘Lightning' Forward in £85m Deal
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike Pursuit: Dave Hendrick's Take from Anfield Index Liverpool, the newly crowned Premier League champions under Arne Slot, are moving decisively in the transfer market. On the Anfield Index Daily Red podcast, Dave Hendrick broke down the Reds' interest in Hugo Ekitike, offering a candid assessment of the young striker's potential and the broader implications for the team. Backing Edwards and the Recruitment Team Hendrick was clear from the start: 'If Michael Edwards has decided that Ekitike is worth going for, then you have to back it.' He reminded listeners that Liverpool have a history of success with so-called 'number two options,' citing Gini Wijnaldum, Sadio Mané and Mo Salah as prime examples. Hendrick noted, 'Mo, he didn't want Mo originally, he wanted Julian Brandt. Sadio, he wanted Mario Götze. He had to be convinced on those players by the recruitment staff.' This trust in the backroom team is key, especially as Liverpool move for a player who Hendrick admits has weaknesses: 'His finishing is inconsistent to be kind, and he does struggle against physicality.' Yet, Hendrick believes those issues will improve, adding, 'He's young, he's going to bulk up. Get him in the door, get him on the steaks, get him in the gym with Mo.' Ekitike's Fit and the Role of Rodrygo Hendrick sees Ekitike stepping into a team filled with firepower: 'He's walking into a team that's going to have Mo Salah on the right, Florian Wirtz in the team, and potentially Rodrygo on the left.' He emphasised the importance of this environment, calling it 'potentially the best possible situation,' and praised Rodrygo's versatility and spark: 'Rodrygo is… lightning… an alternative number nine… he is a spark plug.' Photo: IMAGO There's excitement about how these pieces fit together. Hendrick declared, 'If we get him in, get him playing regularly on the left, he will be outrageous.' He was also clear on expectations, warning against pressure: 'We cannot put that level of pressure on him because he's a young lad who'll be coming to a new country with a lot of expectation and a big price tag already weighing over him.' Learning from the Past and Breaking the Voodoo A recurring theme was Hendrick's concern over the so-called Eintracht Frankfurt 'voodoo,' referencing past strikers who failed after leaving the German club: 'Luka Jović… Sébastien Haller… Randal Kolo Muani… players doing really really well with Eintracht and then not doing well elsewhere.' Still, Hendrick acknowledged Ekitike might break the streak, noting his resilience: 'Even when he was at PSG and it was going disastrously bad… there wasn't a peep out of him.' Photo: IMAGO Hendrick praised Ekitike's work ethic and mindset, highlighting that the striker 'works like a demon on improving his game' and has 'a great personality' with no history of causing issues. Patience and High Expectations Hendrick called for patience: 'It's going to take patience, but like I say, he is walking in to potentially the best possible situation with Salah. Salah and Wirtz alone make it an incredible situation.' Reflecting on the highs and lows of player adaptation, he pointed out, 'Isak's first year wasn't all plain sailing… Darwin scored more than him in the first year.' Ultimately, Hendrick offered a bold assessment: 'I don't think there's a world in which he's just decent for us. I think he's either a disappointment or he's incredible.' Given Michael Edwards' track record, Hendrick is optimistic: 'Michael Edwards doesn't miss. He just doesn't miss.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ornstein: Newcastle shift focus to Brentford as forward search continues
Newcastle Explore Yoane Wissa Move After Ekitike Setback Ekitike Stalls as Newcastle Rethink Forward Strategy Newcastle United's hunt for a new striker has taken a fresh direction. After stepping away from a move for Hugo Ekitike, who was previously top of their list, the club are now exploring a deal for Brentford's Yoane Wissa. As reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic, Newcastle are expected to make contact with Brentford soon, although no formal approach has yet been made. Photo: IMAGO Newcastle had an €80 million bid for Ekitike rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt and are 'not actively working on the situation at present'. With Liverpool now circling the 23-year-old, attention in the North East has shifted. Photo IMAGO Wissa Among Alternatives Considered At 28, Wissa represents a more experienced profile and is coming off an impressive season, scoring 19 non-penalty goals in 35 Premier League matches. It was the highest total of its kind across the division last term, showcasing Wissa's efficiency in front of goal. Photo: IMAGO His contract with Brentford runs until 2026, with an option to extend for another year. Nottingham Forest have already tested Brentford's resolve, but their bid was turned down. Newcastle, aware of the financial pressures within their own recruitment structure, may need to proceed with care depending on the outcome of Manchester United's pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo. Brentford's Summer Shake-up Influencing Sales Wissa's future is intertwined with major changes at Brentford. Head coach Thomas Frank has departed for Tottenham, along with several members of his coaching staff. Captain Christian Norgaard has joined Arsenal and set-piece coach Keith Andrews has been promoted to head coach. Any deal for Wissa must be framed within this wider reshaping of the club's identity and resources. Our View – EPL Index Analysis There was hope that this summer might bring real attacking intent, the sort that would allow Newcastle to finally break free from patchwork back-up forward options. Yet here they are, switching focus from Ekitike to Wissa, a player who, while productive, does not spark excitement in the same way. Fans will be asking: where is the ambition? Ekitike was young, hungry, and clearly rated across Europe. Instead, the club has pulled out after one rejected bid and now pivot to a 28-year-old who has only just had his breakout year? Wissa may well prove to be a clever signing, but this feels like compromise rather than conviction. Newcastle want to challenge for the top four again, yet they appear to be shopping reactively, not decisively. There is a lingering feeling that Newcastle are searching for a plan without truly having one.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool right-back confirms he's ready for new season
© IMAGO - Jeremie Frimpong Liverpool Frimpong looks ready Of course, the situation the new signings find themselves in is going to be particularly difficult to get to grips with. But Liverpool are known to be incredibly welcoming and Arne Slot will be doing his utmost to make sure they feel like valued members of the team, and the players' professionalism won't be in doubt. Advertisement On the Red side of Merseyside, we are all a big family and the support network that the newcomers will be joining when pre-season takes place will only be getting bigger. Before he makes the step to join the rest of the Liverpool squad, Jeremie Frimpong has been pictured working hard on his fitness, completing a variety of training drills to get up to speed. This is extremely positive news because adapting to Premier League football and to the intense playing style that Arne Slot operates with is going to be challenging initially, so getting a head start is going to be key for any of the new recruits if they want to bed themselves into the team from the off. Advertisement The weeks before the season starts and the pre-season games will be integral bonding experiences for the group, be it on a sporting level to develop that team chemistry, or on a personal level, so that everyone feels comfortable around each other as they will be working in close proximity all the time. Of course, it can be easy to get over excited and at a time where everything still feels sombre, so soon after Jota's passing, this optimistic update is valued, but there will be a long way to go until everything starts to feel somewhat normal again, although for some, that is still tough to imagine.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool's summer signing ready for Premier League season
Frimpong Looks Ready as Liverpool Begin the Long Walk Back Liverpool are stirring again. The break has been long but not without grief. Almost six weeks have passed since the season ended and in that time, there has been both movement in the transfer market and an aching stillness following tragedy. Now, with pre-season training set to begin, the club finds itself poised between preparation and mourning. Advertisement The loss of Diogo Jota has cast a shadow across Liverpool and beyond. Football, for all its power to distract, cannot always outrun the weight of real life. 'Players' minds will be elsewhere for the next few weeks while they deal with the grief of losing their friend.' It's a sobering thought and a stark reminder that footballers are human beings first. Support at the heart of Liverpool This is where Liverpool's identity counts for more than slogans and social media posts. On Merseyside, particularly on the red half, togetherness has always mattered. 'We are all a big family' may sound like a cliché to some, but in moments like these, it becomes a truth that carries real strength. Advertisement The return to training on Tuesday will be the start of something new but not just in terms of tactics and fitness. It will be a time for healing. The group dynamic will change, shaped by loss and resilience. The absence of Jota will be felt deeply, but slowly, the dressing room will begin to breathe again. Frimpong working to hit ground running Amidst all this, Jeremie Frimpong has been spotted working on his conditioning, preparing himself for the challenge that awaits. His commitment to personal preparation speaks volumes. 'Frimpong has been pictured working hard on his fitness, completing a variety of training drills to get up to speed.' For a player still bedding into the club's culture, that effort matters. Adaptation to Premier League football is no small task, especially under a coach like Arne Slot who demands energy, structure and intensity. Frimpong's proactive approach to the summer lays a good foundation. 'Getting a head start is going to be key for any of the new recruits if they want to bed themselves into the team from the off.' Photo: IMAGO Advertisement These weeks before the season starts are crucial. Not just for match sharpness, but for forging bonds. The pitch is only part of the job. Being able to trust your teammates, to connect off the field, is where the true cohesion begins. 'Pre-season games will be integral bonding experiences for the group… so that everyone feels comfortable around each other as they will be working in close proximity all the time.' Return framed by grief and determination There is, naturally, an air of cautious optimism. Not one of celebration but of steady rebuilding. 'It can be easy to get overexcited… so soon after Jota's passing, this optimistic update is valued.' Slot's tenure is beginning, the players are returning, and Liverpool, as ever, are looking forward. But this will not be a normal pre-season. Nor should it be. The rhythm of the game will resume, but for many, the tempo will carry a different note now. Still, as Frimpong shows, readiness is not just about fitness. It's about spirit too.
Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wimbledon champion had to flog trophies and £9m mansion in huge fall from grace
Wimbledon champion had to flog trophies and £9m mansion in huge fall from grace Boris Becker won six Grand Slam titles and amassed a fortune of around £100m, but his reckless financial decisions and legal woes led to him being declared bankrupt Boris Becker is piecing his life back together following a period of financial and personal instability (Image: IMAGO/UPI Photo ) Boris Becker, the legendary tennis figure who claimed Wimbledon victory three times, was once an international superstar, amassing a fortune through Grand Slam triumphs and lucrative endorsements. At the height of his success, his net worth was believed to be around £100million. However, a string of poor financial choices and mounting legal issues ultimately led to his financial collapse and a stint in prison. He had to part with his prized trophies and give up his extravagant mansion in Mallorca, as his once-glamorous lifestyle disintegrated. This is the tale of Becker's dramatic downfall and his ongoing effort to recover. Becker's tennis career was remarkable by any measure. Making a sensational debut in 1985, he became Wimbledon's youngest men's singles champion at just 17 – a record that still stands. Known for his explosive serve-and-volley tactics and fierce determination, he secured six Grand Slam titles: three Wimbledon crowns (1985, 1986, 1989), two Australian Opens (1991, 1996), and one US Open (1989). His magnetic presence and style turned him into a household name, attracting multimillion-pound sponsorships. After hanging up his racket in 1999, Becker pivoted to coaching, most prominently working with Novak Djokovic between 2013 and 2016. Under his guidance, Djokovic claimed six Grand Slam championships, reinforcing Becker's status as a brilliant strategist and tennis intellect. He also became a regular voice at Wimbledon through his role as a BBC commentator, where his deep insights and personal experience made him a favourite among viewers. Article continues below Becker used to be a regular at Wimbledon, either as a coach, a commentator or a pundit (Image: Getty Images ) His downfall began in 2017 when he was declared bankrupt over an unpaid £3m loan linked to his luxurious Mallorcan villa, referred to as "The Finca." Purchased in 1997 for £500,000, the sprawling 10,000-square-foot property in Alaro came with seven bedrooms, a pool, tennis and basketball courts. Once valued at £9m, the estate became a burden. Becker spent millions refurbishing it, but by 2018 had deserted the property, which had turned into a "dilapidated ghost house" – its walls defaced with graffiti and its roof partially caved in. In 2020, Becker relinquished ownership of the home to a British bank in an effort to reduce his mounting debt, marking a significant low point. His situation worsened as he was forced to sell off his treasured tennis memorabilia – tokens of his six Grand Slam titles. Becker hit rock bottom when he was sent to prison in 2022 (Image: Getty Images ) In 2018, 82 items – including a replica of his 1985 Wimbledon trophy – were auctioned for £700,000. The sale was a stark indication of his decline, as he let go of symbols from his celebrated past to satisfy creditors. His financial problems were worsened by legal entanglements. In 2022, he was found guilty of concealing £2.5m in assets and loans to avoid repaying debts, breaching UK insolvency laws. The hidden holdings included a £1m German residence and shares in a technology company. Convicted on four counts, Becker was handed a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. He served eight months in HMP Wandsworth and Huntercombe before being released and deported to Germany in December 2022. The court case exposed his mismanagement, as prosecutors detailed his efforts to maintain extravagance while deep in debt. His personal affairs have also seen turmoil. Married twice, Becker is a father of four from prior relationships. Just last month, at age 57, he revealed that he and his 35-year-old wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, are expecting their first child together. Becker was forced to auction off his replica trophies (Image: Getty Images ) The pair, who wed in a lavish Italian ceremony in 2022, have endured public scrutiny, but Lilian has remained a loyal partner during Becker's legal and financial troubles. Despite everything, Becker is working to rebuild. Since regaining his freedom, he has resumed his tennis broadcasting work, and his family – especially Lilian – has become the cornerstone of his rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the ruined Mallorcan property and missing trophies linger as painful symbols of his former life. Article continues below Becker's tale – from Wimbledon's youngest champion to a striking example of overindulgence – is a powerful reminder of how quickly fame and wealth can slip away. With a new baby on the horizon and his bankruptcy behind him, he now finds himself at a pivotal moment, striving to reclaim his legacy with the same intensity that once made him a legend on the court.
