Latest news with #transformational
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool are About to Sign a ‘Generational Talent' as Arne Slot ‘Attacks the Window'
Florian Wirtz to Liverpool? Dave Hendrick Believes It's Transformational The Anfield Index podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick, delivered what he described as an 'emergency broadcast' following dramatic developments in Liverpool's pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. In a 20-minute episode full of breaking news and fervent analysis, Hendrick was unequivocal in his excitement, labelling the potential signing as nothing short of 'earthshaking.' Florian Wirtz: A Generational Talent According to Hendrick, 'we are on the brink of signing a generational talent, where we're on the brink of signing a transformative player.' The urgency in his tone echoed throughout the podcast. He compared the potential impact of Wirtz to signings like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, remarking, 'Florian Wirtz would be a transformational signing for this club.' Advertisement Wirtz, who turned 22 on 3rd May, starred for Bayer Leverkusen during their historic unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season. Hendrick was effusive in his praise, stating, 'He was the best player in a Leverkusen team that went undefeated and won the Bundesliga.' He also cited Wirtz's accolades including Bundesliga Player of the Season, his 29 caps for Germany, and his role in Germany's Under-21 European Championship-winning squad. Liverpool Moving Aggressively in the Market 'This is us being incredibly proactive, incredibly aggressive,' Hendrick said. 'We've won the title this season, and we're attacking this window.' He noted that deals for Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giorgi Mamardashvili are either done or near completion, adding, 'We might get to June 1st when the transfer window opens and have four signings done.' The podcast highlighted the reported visit of Wirtz to the UK, previously assumed to be for Manchester City. 'He never met with Manchester City. He met with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes and then was brought house hunting,' Hendrick disclosed. He emphasised Liverpool's role in the visit, noting, 'Liverpool flew him over. They didn't fly him over so he could go and visit Man City.' Photo: IMAGO Why Wirtz Fits Liverpool's New Era Wirtz isn't just about flair. Hendrick pointed to his numbers: '49 games with 18 goals last season, 45 with 16 this season… and he's not primarily a goal scorer, he's primarily a creator.' The combination of 16 goals and 15 assists this past season is, as Hendrick described, 'immense production.' Advertisement The podcast painted a tactical picture too. Hendrick suggested a partnership with Milos Kerkez on Liverpool's left: 'That pairing could be absolutely outrageous,' he said. He believes Wirtz would slot into a narrow left-sided role, mirroring his expected position at Bayern Munich had he joined them. Hendrick continued, 'There are very few players in the world as good as Florian Wirtz. Whether it's £120 million or maybe a little bit less that we have to pay, he is going to prove worth it.' What This Means for Liverpool and the Premier League 'This is the type of signing that sets us up to be very good in the post-Mo Salah era,' Hendrick remarked, hinting at Wirtz as a potential focal point of Liverpool's attack in the future. He even suggested Wirtz might allow Salah to 'play a little bit freer' and 'score more goals because he's getting fed the ball by the type of creator Mo hasn't played with since Phil Coutinho left.' Advertisement He concluded with optimism, 'Nobody else in the Premier League this summer is signing a better player than Florian Wirtz. Nobody.' As it stands, the deal is not yet official. Hendrick cautioned, 'We need to proceed with caution because the deal's not done. The fee is not agreed.' However, he also added, 'I feel like this one gets done.' Final Thoughts Liverpool fans are no strangers to transfer sagas, but this one feels different. Dave Hendrick's analysis is grounded in facts, bolstered by insider details, and fuelled by the promise of what Florian Wirtz could bring to Anfield under Premier League-winning manager Arne Slot. Should the move materialise, the signing of Florian Wirtz will not only signify intent but could usher in a new golden era for Liverpool Football Club.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bangor: Work to begin on long-delayed Queen's Parade project
After many false starts, work is finally set to start on the Queen's Parade development project in Bangor later this completed, it will include new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, retail, cafes and seafront site in County Down has been derelict for almost 30 years and has faced years of planning on Tuesday, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said that "after years of expectation", the project would be "transformational for Bangor". The site was bought by the Department for Communities (DfC) back in 2013 and in 2019, Bangor Marine was selected as the developer for the that time, the developer was a consortium made up of Karl Group and Farrans, who pulled out before Christmas and have since been replaced by Oakland investment is expected to cost £145m, with around half of that funding (£73m) coming from the Belfast City developer is investing £50m, £10m has come from the UK government's Levelling Up Fund and almost £10m has been invested by the department so far. 'A bright future' Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he was "absolutely delighted" that work could now said he could understand that some residents might be "sceptical", given previous delays."We're at the end of this process but we're starting work now which is the important bit. This will be completed in its entirety over the next three to four years and I can't wait for that work to start." Ards and North Down Mayor Alistair Cathcart described the start of work as "an important and positive milestone" but said he would "only be fully satisfied when there are "diggers on site". Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine said the developer looked forward "to working with all parties to deliver this very exciting and important regeneration scheme". Analysis John Campbell, BBC News NI business and economics editorBangor is the largest settlement in NI's most prosperous area and has fast transport links to in theory transforming a stretch of its waterfront should have been a straightforward and commercially attractive practice there has been almost 30 years of failure and property and banking crisis of the late 2000s cast a long shadow over the project, alongside the need for redesigns and the usual planning there is a promise that work will finally begin within weeks, though Bangor citizens will take some convincing that it has been worth the wait. What does the Queen's Parade project involve? Construction on the first phase of the project, the public realm scheme, is hoped to start by the end of this month and run for 13 will include a new play park, two pavilions, kiosks with food and beverage offerings, an events space, and associated landscaping. The second phase will be largely residential apartments and also retail. It is due to begin in October.A hotel and office space will be included in the third phase. The fourth phase of more apartments and a cinema is expected to start in 2027, with completion due summer 2028. Timeline January 1999: Outline planning permission for a redevelopment scheme in the Queen's Parade area is first the coming years, the project will go through various redesigns, be held up by land acquisition issues and endure the property 2012: The then Department for Social Development (DSD) agrees to buy the development site from developer Karl Greenfarm Properties.2013: Approval to take forward the scheme is granted to the DSD, and work begins to acquire all the required properties within the site boundary. July 2015: Planning approval for the development is awarded to the 2019: Bangor Marine, a joint venture partnership between Karl Group and Farrans, signs a development agreement with the DfC and council to deliver the 2020: The developers submit a planning application for the 2021: The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) issues a holding direction on the proposal over concerns about potential flooding at the site linked to a reservoir in 2022: The then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirms the DfI will not review the application, returning it to the council for further action, allowing the project to move 2022: Full planning permission is granted. January 2023: The project gets a £9.8m boost from the UK government's Levelling Up 2024: Pre-construction clearance work begins, in preparation for what is billed as construction work beginning later that 2024: It is announced that work is now expected to begin in January 2025: Bangor Marine's Aran Blackbourne says that "outstanding legal issues" mean the expected start date for construction work is 2025: Bangor Marine tells BBC News NI that legal documentation is still being finalised. Later in the month, the council confirms that Belfast-based Oakland Holdings will replace Farrans in the consortium. It says the final legal documents can now be signed to enable work to begin on 2025: The DfC announces that work will begin on the project.
Hospitality Net
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Yassin Mahmoud has been appointed General Manager at The H Dubai
STORY Hospitality, the international hospitality brand redefining meaningful travel, is pleased to announce the appointment of Yassin Mahmoud as General Manager of The H Dubai. A seasoned hospitality leader with over 17 years of global experience, Mahmoud brings a dynamic blend of operational expertise and people-first leadership to one of Dubai's most renowned and recognised hotels. Yassin's career spans key roles with renowned international brands including Marriott, Radisson Blu, Hilton, and Le Meridien, across the UAE and Egypt. Throughout his journey, he has successfully led complex hotel operations, driven consistent revenue growth, enhanced guest satisfaction, and delivered award-winning service across diverse markets. In his new role, Yassin will spearhead a transformational phase for The H Dubai, as the property further elevates its positioning within Dubai's competitive luxury hospitality landscape, offering a refreshed guest experience that reflects STORY's bold design ethos, emotional storytelling, and deep sense of place. This appointment comes at a pivotal time for STORY Hospitality, which is expanding its portfolio across the MENA region with upcoming openings in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. With a focus on creating transformative stays that engage all the senses, STORY Hospitality continues to grow its global presence through meaningful service, strategic innovation and immersive design. As the rebrand of The H Dubai takes shape under Yassin's leadership, guests can expect the signature STORY blend of elevated comfort, thoughtful experiences, and authentic connections, right in the heart of the city.
CTV News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
PM Carney's remarks at the White House during first meeting with Trump
PM Carney's remarks at the White House during first meeting with Trump Prime Minister Carney thanks U.S. President Trump for his hospitality and calls him a 'transformational president.'
