Latest from South Wales Guardian
South Wales Guardian
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Enzo Fernandez will be even better next season
The Argentina midfielder, signed from the Portuguese giants for a then British record £106.8million two years ago, took time to find his feet at Stamford Bridge. But he excelled in the second half of the 2024-25 season, finishing the campaign with eight goals, and has continued to shine at the Club World Cup. The 24-year-old scored in the opening win over Los Angeles FC and created two goals in as many minutes as the Blues beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in their final group game on Tuesday. Their reward is a last-16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. Maresca told reporters at his pre-match press conference: 'I'm very pleased with Enzo, especially because, first of all, he's a nice boy. He's polite, he's a good boy. 'Then he's worked very well in all aspects inside the pitch, outside the pitch. Our struggle at the beginning was (for him) to understand the way we want to play. 'But he is doing fantastic in terms of numbers, goal assists. This is what we want from our attacking players. 'I've said many times that I prefer to have the attacking players score 10-12 goal each, rather than just a striker with 40 goals. 'So his contribution this season has been top and I am sure next season will be even better.' Despite that, Fernandez could face competition for his place after Maresca suggested he sees Brazilian Andrey Santos more as an attacking player than a defensive one. The highly-rated 21-year-old has rejoined the club this summer after a successful loan spell at Strasbourg and made his debut as a second-half substitute against Esperance. Maresca said: 'His season has been very good but I think you need time to adapt. 'In terms of position, I see Andrey in this moment in more like Enzo's position than Romeo's (Lavia) position. 'The Premier League demands (players) to be physically strong. In this moment, I see Andrey more of an attacking player than defensive in the field.' Maresca added that he hopes 19-year-old defender Josh Acheampong will stay with the club despite being linked with Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund. He said: 'My idea or my plan with Josh is quite clear. I think he potentially can be a top defender for this club. I feel the best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Maresca would also like England international Trevoh Chalobah to stay, but offered no guarantees. He said: 'All the players that are here with us, I don't want to lose them but when the transfer window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen – not only for Trevoh, for (all) the 25 players of the squad.' Maresca expects a tight contest against Benfica. He said: 'It's going to be a balanced game, a tough game. In this kind of game the small details are very important.'
South Wales Guardian
41 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Rod Stewart says country should ‘give Farage a chance'
The 80-year-old singer backed the Reform UK leader ahead of appearing in the festival's afternoon legends slot on Sunday, 23 years after he headlined the Pyramid Stage. 'I've read about (Sir Keir) Starmer cutting off the fishing in Scotland and giving it back to the EU. That hasn't made him popular,' he told The Times. 'We're fed up with the Tories. We've got to give Farage a chance. He's coming across well. Nigel? What options have we got? 'Starmer's all about getting us out of Brexit and I don't know how he's going to do that. Still, the country will survive. It could be worse. We could be in the Gaza Strip.' Admitting his wealth ensures 'a lot of it doesn't really touch me', he insisted he is not out of touch and expressed his support for Ukraine – criticising US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance for their treatment of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky on his visit to the White House – and Gaza. 'It's depressing, what's going on in the Gaza Strip,' he said. 'Netanyahu doesn't realise that this is what happened to his people under the Nazis: total annihilation. And Trump is going to turn the Gaza Strip into Miami?' Stewart said a prolonged bout of flu, which forced him to cancel five shows in the US, nearly forced him to withdraw from a Glastonbury appearance he described to ITV as his 'World Cup final'. 'This time last week I was thinking of cancelling,' he told The Sun, crediting his wife Penny Lancaster with nursing him back to health. 'I have had Influenza A. It's been so terrible. It's the worst thing anyone could possibly have, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. 'Apart from (Vladimir) Putin. I'd wish it on him.' Stewart told The Sun he had negotiated an extra quarter of an hour on top of the allotted 75 minutes for his set. He confirmed he will be joined at Glastonbury by former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Lulu, as well as performing the song Powderfinger by Saturday headliner Neil Young.
South Wales Guardian
41 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ed Sheeran joins Olivia Rodrigo for surprise duet at BST Hyde Park
Rodrigo, 22, opened the 2025 British Summer Time Hyde Park (BST Hyde Park) series on Friday ahead of her headlining set at Glastonbury on Sunday evening. She took a brief pause from performing some of her biggest hits to introduce Sheeran to the stage for a duet version of the English singer's 2011 song The A Team. A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos) He wrote: 'Both (Rodrigo's) albums (Guts and Sour) are no skips for me, I'm a proper fan. We first met at the rock and roll hall of fame back in 2022, sat next to each other with her mum and my dad and went on to hang and keep in touch from there. 'Was gonna go watch the show anyway but she hit me and asked to sing The A Team with her, which was such a buzz. 'That song turns 15 this year, and I remember playing it to rooms with no one in it in 2010, so to still be playing it to new fans with one of the brightest stars of the next generation is an honour and a privilege. Rock Glasto headline Sunday @oliviarodrigo , UK loves you x.' Other performers scheduled for this year's BST Hyde Park series include Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young and Stevie Wonder.
South Wales Guardian
41 minutes ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Harry emphasises importance of ‘compassion' in surprise New York appearance
According to the organisation's website, the event on Friday brought together more than 350 of the world's 'most influential next-gen philanthropists, impact investors and social innovators' to 'tackle global challenges and shape a better future for 2025 and beyond'. Harry was an unannounced featured speaker for the event, where he discussed the impact of service and the importance of establishing stronger communities to tackle issues such as disconnection and social isolation. He pointed to the work of his Archewell Foundation in fostering community and combating social isolation, both online and offline. Harry and the Duchess of Sussex founded the non-profit organisation in 2020. He told the crowd: 'As the world gets harder, as people's lives become harder, compassion can shrink. 'The thing that gives me the most hope is the grassroots approach. 'Many of you here today are connected and involved with so many community solutions, because it's what energises all of you, and that service part is really what energises me as well.' In his address, the duke also urged those in attendance to use their platforms to serve the wider community, telling the crowd: 'Whatever you put out there, you get back.' Harry met with the Nexus Australian delegation, made up of people and organisations working to address mental health and social media safety, and a Brazilian delegation of 12 young people striving to tackle inequality through education and volunteerism. The summit runs until Saturday, with other featured speakers ranging from journalists to activists and chief executives.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
The Old Cross Inn in Ammanford is our pub of the week
This community hub is praised for its welcoming atmosphere and "spectacular" service. Located at the main crossroads in the town centre, the pub is easily accessible with nearby car parking. It is a popular spot for a quick drink or a meal, with a menu that boasts Welsh favourites and seasonal ingredients. (Image: Supplied) Visitors often mention the "homely atmosphere" as a key part of its charm, making it the perfect place to unwind after a long day. The pub, which is dog-friendly, aims to attract families, particularly those with canine companions. The owners, Tim and Charlotte Phillips, who took over the establishment in April 2024, have previously said: "We're dog-friendly, which not many places are. "So it's a great place for people to come have food and relax without having to sit outside and worry about the weather." The couple, who have a history of transforming pubs, have plans in place to continue the success of the Old Cross Inn. Having previously turned a quiet pub in Northampton into a bustling social spot, they are keen to replicate their success in Ammanford. (Image: Supplied) With summer now upon us, they are hoping to have a range of events planned to bring the community together. Charlotte Phillips said of last year's events: "We're hoping to do some theme nights for the pub and we're also going to do in a few months a BBQ outside of the front of the pub for the summer." It is hoped that similar events are likely for this summer. The Old Cross Inn has received positive reviews from guests, with many highlighting the courteous staff, great choice of dishes at reasonable prices, and fine décor. The pub has a Google rating of 4, according to guests' opinions. The Old Cross Inn is the place to be for a friendly, welcoming pub experience in the heart of Ammanford, whether you're after a quick drink, a hearty meal, or an evening of entertainment. And if you have a furry friend, they are more than welcome to join in the fun.
