Roma trailing behind in race for Lorenzo Lucca
One of Roma's priorities in this summer window will be to secure an additional striker.
The main name on the Giallorossi's shortlist is that of Lorenzo Lucca, a player who's been linked with Roma since January.
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According to Il Messaggero, however, Roma now find themselves trailing behind the likes of Inter and Milan, both of whom have been on Lucca's tracks for some time.
The newspaper reveals that Milan even went as far as meeting with Lucca's agent.
Udinese are currently asking for 25 million euros to let the striker go.
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New York Times
33 minutes ago
- New York Times
Christian Pulisic has his say as USMNT past, present debate his summer decision
After weeks of discourse about Christian Pulisic's decision not to play for the U.S. men's national team in the upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup, the Milan winger finally addressed his absence. On Thursday morning, Pulisic appeared on CBS's Call It What You Want podcast, a show hosted by ex-USMNT players Tony Meola, Jimmy Conrad and Charlie Davies. Advertisement 'It sucks for me to miss out with the team,' Pulisic said. 'I want to be a part of the team always. But to be honest, towards the second half and the end of the season, my body just started talking to me, and my mind. I started to think, you know, what's going to be best for me leading into next year and going into the World Cup. Is that to play eight more games, get no rest at all, go straight into preseason and then grind another year, and go straight into the World Cup? That's not what I felt was best for my body.' Throughout a lengthy interview, Pulisic repeatedly backed his decision as being best for his body and mind. He drew a direct link to his fitness and his ability to perform at his best, and that this rest would ultimately benefit him during a World Cup on home soil. He also revealed that he asked to be part of the team during its recent friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, which the USMNT lost 2-1 and 4-0, respectively, but was told that Mauricio Pochettino and his staff only wanted one roster for the summer. 'The only point I would make with that is that I did want to be part of at least the two friendlies,' Pulisic said. 'I did speak with the coaches, and I asked and I wanted to be part of the team in whatever capacity I could. They said no; they said they only wanted one roster, and that's a coach's decision. I fully respect that. I didn't understand it, but it is what it is. I wanted to be a part of that, but that's just the way things went. I had to make the best decision for myself, and also, in the long run, my team — although, clearly, some people haven't seen it that way.' "I did want to be a part of at least the two friendlies, but they said no… I had to make the best decision for myself and, in the long run, for my team." Christian Pulisic opens up on his decision to sit out the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup 🇺🇸 — Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) June 12, 2025 Stated as a wry disclaimer, it was the first of a few references to the backlash which followed his decision to skip the Gold Cup. A chorus of detractors have since questioned his loyalty to the USMNT, perhaps most vocally from program legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, who now co-host a podcast together. Advertisement In an episode released on May 28, Donovan compared Pulisic's decision to when he took a lengthy sabbatical in 2013. Infamously, Donovan's 'break' was among the top reasons why Jurgen Klinsmann ultimately omitted the program's joint-record goalscorer from his 2014 World Cup squad. However, Donovan said he felt Pulisic's decision lacked the same 'this is why' component that he himself had presented over a decade ago. Donovan also alluded to Pulisic's decision when appearing on FOX's UEFA Nations League final studio show and lauding 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo for continuing to turn out for his national side. When asked directly about Donovan, Howard and outside noise from former U.S. players, Pulisic continued to back his decision. 'To question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion that's way out of line.' Christian Pulisic responds to the criticism he has received from former players including #USMNT legend Landon Donovan 🗣️ — Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) June 12, 2025 'I've always said you guys would probably be surprised with how little (discourse) actually gets to me,' Pulisic said. 'I try to stay away from it as much as I can. When it comes to those guys, I don't know… It is tough, because I looked up to those guys growing up. Some of those guys were my idols, and I respect them so much as players. It's tough, especially when — some of them, as well, privately, the way they talk to me and clearly want to show support and be your friend and everything. And then it goes, and they say something slightly different publicly. That's fine. It doesn't hurt me. 'Am I surprised by it? I don't know, not really. People are always going to have their opinions, but in the end, I'm focused on how can I better myself? What am I going to do for bettering myself and, ultimately, the best thing for the team. That's what I do. Of all things: you can talk about my performances, whatever you want, but to question my commitment, especially towards the national team? In my opinion, that's way out of line. But you know how it is: people forget really quickly. Once I'm back with the national team — I hope — once I'm back with the national team and can play again, score a goal and win a game, people will forget all about this quickly.' This story will be updated.
NBC Sports
43 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Christian Pulisic speaks on USMNT hiatus, Pochettino relationship, public criticism
Christian Pulisic broke his relative silence on Thursday morning when he met with Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola on a CBS Sports podcast to speak about his break from the United States men's national team. The USMNT captain tried to strike a calm, composed, and assured demeanor but has clearly been bothered by the grief that's been thrown his way for stepping away from the team one year before they host a World Cup. And it's clear that he's been further fueled for both club and country. 'You guys will see,' he said late in the interview. 'I'm hungrier than ever, truly. I'm looking forward to big things to come.' Pulisic says his body and mind needed the break in order to best ready him for the club season and ensuing World Cup, and he also left some things in between the lines that we'll analyze over time. The 26-year-old said he initially asked USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino to be allowed to play in the two friendlies prior to The Gold Cup but was rebuffed by the coach, who wanted to have one roster for the whole summer. That was a surprise to Pulisic, and perhaps lifts the lid on the status he believes he has in the program. After all, several other players in the squad have been going through a similar grind. Then again, Antonee Robinson was allowed to miss a couple of international windows after playing through an injury last summer with the USMNT. It's also very, very clear that Landon Donovan's comments criticizing Pulisic's decision having really stuck in his craw. That's not a surprise given Donovan also stepped away from the national team and it also likely cost the USMNT legend his place at the 2014 World Cup under Jurgen Klinsmann. For now, let's start with his answers to several questions from the podcast. On his career year at AC Milan, and taking on a leadership role: 'Even in my last days at Chelsea, I always felt confident and I was ready for the next step. Once I was able to have this platform and a team that really showed me a lot of trust. I felt good about it right from the start and I think I've just grown in confidence and all parts of my game. It's led me to where I am now going into this season I wanted to take it one step further, just keep growing as a player and improving.' What was this year like? 'It's definitely a combination, physically and mentally. It's always tough with the amount of games we play and everything going on at the club. It's hard for people to see from the outside. There's definitely a lot of pressure on us, especially at a club like Milan when things are going as they expect, and what they expect is for us to win games and trophies. It can take a big toll on you but I'm grateful to be in this position. I wouldn't want it any other way. To play for a team like Milan, it just makes me more hungry to bring us back to where we belong. I'm excited for the future.' Why did you decide to skip the Gold Cup? 'It sucks for me to miss out with the team. I want to be a part of the team always. But to be honest, the second half and end of the season my body just started talking to me and my mind. I started to think what is best for me leading into next year and going into the World Cup? Was that to play eight more games and get no rest at all, go straight into preseason, grind another year, and then go right into the World Cup? It's not what I felt was best for me and my body. The only point that I would make is that was I wanted to be at least a part of the two friendlies. I did speak with the coaches and I asked to be a part of the team in whatever capacity I could. They said no and they only wanted one roster. That's coach's decision. I fully respect it. I didn't understand it but it is what it is. That's just the way things meant. I had to make the best decision for myself and my team even though some people haven't seen it that way.' Given the criticism you've received, would you still make the same decision? 'I don't regret my decision. I think it's the right thing for me. The way I'm feeling right now is honestly really good. I'm excited to get back into training again this week and work on some things that I've really wanted to work on myself. I know it's going to put me into an amazing position leading into next season.' How was your conversation with Mauricio Pochettino? 'We had one phone call where we discussed everything. He understood where I was coming from and that's as much conversation as I've had with him. I'm supporting the team. I want the best for this team truly. I think it's a great opportunity for some players that are coming in as well and also some faces that have been around. I'm only wishing them the best.' Catching criticism from Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and others? 'You'd be surprised at how little gets to me. I try to stay away from it as much as I can/ When it comes to those guys, it is tough because I looked up to those guys growing up, some of these guys were my idols, and I respect them so much as players. It's tough especially when some of them privately, the way they talk to me and clearly want to show support and be a friend and then they say something different publicly. Does it hurt me? Am I surprised by it? I don't know. Not really. In the end I'm focused on how I can better myself and ultimately for the best thing for the team. That's what I do. Of all things, you can talk about my performances, but to question my commitment to the national team, in my opinion that's way out of line. You know how it is, people forget really quickly. I'm sure once I'm back in the team, I hope if I can get back, once I score a goal and win a game people will forget about this quickly.' Would you like to hear more from Pochettino? 'I've had a lot of coaches in my short career. Some would say I'm the problem. What I've learned throughout all this time is that every coach is very different. I've had coaches who daily want to talk and get things off their brain and talk to their players. I've always appreciated that when people make an effort to care about the player and the person, too. This is who he is. I'm not a guy either who needs to speak to the coach. I'm a quiet guy. I'm not reaching out. Has it been different with some of my other national team coaches? Yeah but it's not something I'm looking into too much.' More on the decision to rest: 'I knew how I was feeling. I was dealing with a couple small things that kept lingering. To go straight into summer, play for six weeks, and then right into club season and into the World Cup. People can question my decision, I just don't understand why also so many people are so big on wanting to give out these takes when they've been through tough moments themselves. I don't understanding wanting to divide the fan base against the players. I don't let it affect me too much. This is the right decision for myself and the team. People will say that. ... You guys will see. I'm hungrier than ever, truly. I'm looking forward to big things to come.' Feeling pressure to captain a host nation at a World Cup? 'I'm so excited about it. I think it's going to be an incredible event for us. To play a World Cup in your own country — not a lot of people get to do that. It's something on the brain but I'm just focused on me and what's next.'
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Tom Cleverley in advanced talks to be Plymouth Argyle head coach
Plymouth Argyle are in advanced talks to appoint Tom Cleverley as their new head coach. Plymouth — who will play in League One next season following relegation from the Championship — have been seeking a replacement for Miron Muslic, who joined German second division side Schalke last month. Muslic, who led Plymouth to the FA Cup fifth round including a fourth-round victory over Liverpool, had himself only been appointed in January to replace Wayne Rooney. Advertisement In May, Cleverley parted company with Watford, his first managerial position, at the end of the 2024-25 campaign after 14 months in charge. The former midfielder won 20 of his 59 matches in charge at Vicarage Road, with the club finishing 14th in the Championship last season — 11 points off the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League and eight points clear of relegation. The 35-year-old — who was capped 13 times for England — retired from playing at the end of the 2022-23 season and had coached Watford's Under-18 team prior to coaching the first-team following the dismissal of Valerien Ismael. Cleverley made 146 appearances across seven seasons at Watford, having previously played for Manchester United, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Everton in the Premier League. ()
