Latest news with #centraldefenders
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Collins selects Sunderland top five
Throughout Friday, we will be revealing former Sunderland defender Danny Collins' top five Black Cats central defenders of the past 50 years. In fifth place, Collins has opted for current player Dan Ballard, who was the goalscoring hero in last season's dramatic play-off win over Coventry. Advertisement "You see what he brings to the team," said Collins. "Big call to bring him back in against Coventry and he was outstanding, best player on the pitch for the two games, and again outstanding at Wembley in the final. Old school, rugged centre-back. I like watching him out there." Since joining Sunderland from Arsenal in July 2022, the 25-year-old has made 89 appearances, and fought back from a hamstring injury late in the season to play a key role in the successful play-off campaign. Jonny Evans, who had two loan spells at the Stadium of Light from Manchester United between 2006 and 2008. was selected in fourth place. Advertisement "I had the pleasure of playing aside him and even at that age, the composure of the young lad coming in was impressive," Collins said on Evans. "Then he came back in the season after we got promoted and progressed. The club were looking to buy him but United could see he was a player and kept him and he won numerous trophies and won 107 caps for Northern Ireland. "Fantastic player - 37 now and still about it." Listen to Collins' selections here Or come back later on Thursday to discover who Collins considers the best centre-backs to play for Sunderland.
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
FC Barcelona Flick Chooses Which Defender To Sell
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and his staff have decided which of the club's many central ... More defenders it should try and sell this summer according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources. FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick and his staff have decided which of the club's many central defenders it should try and sell this summer according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources. The German currently has an 'overbooking' of centre backs in his recently domestic treble-winning squad. For much of 2024/2025, and most likely moving forward, Flick's first choices were Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez. This was mostly prompted by Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo out being injured, and a lack of a natural right back other than La Masia graduate Hector Fort meant that Jules Kounde played in the position. Together, Cubarsi and Martinez became one of Europe's best central defensive partnerships, making it difficult for Araujo to find his way into the first XI when he finally returned from the knock picked up in the Copa America during Uruguay's Copa America quarterfinal win against Raphinha's Brazil. Towards the end of the season, Araujo was criticized for perceived blunders against Inter Milan in a Champions League semi-final second leg defeat at the San Siro, while some thought that Christensen was the steadier option off the bench or when Flick's regulars need a rest if not unavailable. Moving forward, Barca needs to sell a center back and plans to keep four of them according to Mundo Deportivo. Counting Kounde as a full back, the three certs are Cubarsi, Martinez and Eric Garcia, with the latter making the list because of his versatility across the backline and as a defensive midfielder. That means that it comes down to a decision between Araujo and Christensen, and the same paper writes that Flick and his staff have opted for the South American. Because the Dane arrived at Camp Nou on a free from Chelsea in 2022, Christensen's potential sale is more attractive from a financial perspective because it would present pure profit for the Catalans. As his contract only runs until June 30, 2026, however, Barca would have to act swiftly in demanding a fee for the 29-year-old. FC Barcelona might not have a say in Araujo staying Even though Flick wants Araujo, FC Barcelona might be powerless in having Araujo stay if someone triggers his release clause. For the first 10 days of July, it'll drop to a relatively cheap $74.7 million (€65 million) before increasing again to a usual value past $1 billion.
