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Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Giants QB Russell Wilson touts Brian Daboll's ‘beautiful mind'
August 7 - He has yet to throw a pass in a game setting for the New York Giants, but new quarterback Russell Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowler, is already singing the praises of head coach Brian Daboll's offensive knowledge and understanding. He expressed his thoughts on Daboll and other topics while speaking with reporters on Wednesday. "Daboll's got a beautiful mind, how he sees the game, he's coached tremendous football players, he's won Super Bowls, he's been around winning -- national championships, all that stuff," Wilson said. "... I think that the best part is in terms of the knowledge and what we get to share back and forth is pretty cool. "... Just over the years, all my experience, his experience, how we see the game the same way." Wilson also sang the praises of assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who will continue calling plays for the Giants in 2025. "Obviously Kaf's played the game, played the position, he sees it like the quarterback does and he's got a great viewpoint of the game," said Wilson. "We get to spend a lot of time together in the quarterback room and I think Kaf is a really brilliant mind, too. "I think the ability to share ideas, the collaboration, is what's really special here." Kafka, with the Giants' coaching staff since 2022, also highlighted the importance of communication with his new pivot. "Yeah, just opening up (those) lines of communication, having dialogue on plays that he likes, things that I like, things that are within the offense already, maybe there's some crossover, maybe there's some new thoughts," said the former journeyman QB. "It's just about opening those lines of communication." After two down years with the Denver Broncos in 2022 and 2023, Wilson started 11 regular-season games for the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, posting a 6-5 record while passing for 2,482 yards (225.6 per game), 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. He added another two scores on the ground. Now the 2013 Super Bowl champion is adapting to another new team in New York and transitioning well. "It's going great," said Wilson. "I think guys are working their butts off, man. We're battling every day, going against a really good defense every day, too, so it's even better. "You always want practice to be harder than the games, that mentality of that. ... I think we're getting better every day." Wilson has also expressed his eagerness to play alongside talented second-year receiver Malik Nabers. "I mean, that was (the) first thing I told you guys when I watched him on film. ... It was just his explosiveness," said Wilson of the 2024 sixth overall pick out of LSU. "Once he catches the football, there's only so many people in the world that can do it like he can and I think he's one of the best in the world to do it. "He's going into a second year of it all and it's all fresh and all new, but he's definitely experienced in terms of how he sees the game, his mentality attacking the football in the air. ... It's going to be a special thing. I'm excited to play with him, obviously." At age 36, Wilson added that he's already enjoying playing for his fourth NFL team. "I love this locker room, the guys, just the fellowship that we have together all the way from the lunchroom to the film room after practice," Wilson said. "...It's been great, man. I am truly grateful to be a New York Giant." --Field Level Media
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Chelsea step up efforts to sign Garnacho and Simons in attacking reshuffle
Chelsea are to step up attempts to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and could sell Nicolas Jackson, as they continue to reshape their attacking options. The club have brought in Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens, and moves for Garnacho and Simons are understood to be their priority. Garnacho has played no part in United's pre-season and is thought to be available for about £50m, although Chelsea are understood to be reluctant to pay that. The Argentina forward is believed to be keen to move to Stamford Bridge after Ruben Amorim made clear the 21-year-old is not part of his plans at Old Trafford. Chelsea have yet to make an official approach but are likely to do so, with United seeking to balance their books as they close on the signing of Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig. Chelsea are in talks with the German club over Simons, who is understood to have agreed personal terms despite interest from Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old, who can play in several attacking roles, joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in January for €50m after two successful loan spells. He is expected to cost about €70m (£61m) and Leipzig are targeting Liverpool's Harvey Elliott as a potential replacement. Jackson is understood to prefer to stay at Chelsea despite the arrivals of Delap and Pedro dropping him down the pecking order, but Chelsea are believed to be willing to sell the Senegal striker for the right price. Newcastle could be an option if, as expected, they miss out on Sesko, and Jackson also has interest from Milan and other Italian clubs but Chelsea could demand £80m. Chelsea's 19-year-old Spanish striker Marc Guiu is poised to join Sunderland on loan having completed his medical on Wednesday, and Everton have completed the £28m signing of the midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall on a five-year contract. Burnley are closing in on signing Armando Broja for £20m and are likely to pay a similar fee for Lesley Ugochukwu. Borussia Dortmund are also in talks with Chelsea over a permanent deal for Carney Chukwuemeka, who spent part of last season on loan in Germany. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Chelsea have sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic and João Félix for combined fees that could reach well above £100m. They are also hoping to offload Raheem Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal and has been linked with clubs in Turkey, together with Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell. The Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato became Chelsea's latest summer signing when his £37m move from Ajax was confirmed on Sunday.
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Rusty Viktor Gyokeres not a concern for Mikel Arteta after defeat
Within days of joining Arsenal, Viktor Gyokeres has broken records for the sales of his No 14 jersey once worn by the club legend Thierry Henry. On Wednesday night, supporters turned out in replica kit for their first proper look at the club's new £64 million striker, hoping that he will convert the chances that might have made a difference in last season's campaign, where they were Premier League runners-up and Champions League semi-finalists. Yet there is work to do with 11 days to go before Arsenal begin their new campaign at Old Trafford. Gyokeres looked understandably rusty, short of fitness and his team-mates were not always in sync with his direct runs as Arsenal lost 3-2 to Villarreal at Emirates Stadium. Juan Foyth, formerly of Tottenham, tackles Gyokeres MARC ATKINS/GETTY IMAGES The most notable names on the scoresheet did not include Gyokeres. Nicolas Pépé, the forward who in 2019 became Arsenal's record signing at £72 million, opened the scoring for Villarreal and Christian Norgaard showed he quickly adapted to Arsenal's trademark set pieces by heading in Gabriel Martinelli's corner at the far post. While Arsenal conceded three poor goals, Gyokeres's best chance arrived after half-time, when he was released at an acute angle and shot at Luiz Júnior's goal. Early on he could not climb enough for a cross and mistimed a scissor kick. Twice he drifted left to create space for a dribble and shot. Gyokeres had a frustrating summer as he worked alone to build up his fitness as Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon haggled over the £8.6 million in potential add-ons on top of an initial £54.8 million transfer fee. He has only had a few training sessions at Arsenal after meeting the squad during their tour in Asia. Mikel Arteta said he has no doubts Gyokeres will be mentally ready, at least, by the start of the season. 'Mentally and understanding what he needs to do, it will be 100 per cent or more because he's so willing and so confident as well that he can deliver straight away,' Arteta said. Pépé didn't celebrate at the Emirates after scoring the opening goal of the friendly EDDIE KEOGH/GETTY IMAGES 'I have no doubt that he will be in a really good place. I hope days [for team-mates to get used to him] and every day in training he's getting a really good feeling. His fitness level, he hasn't really trained with the team for two months.' Gyokeres will play in the friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, although it is unclear whether a slight muscular issue will rule Kai Havertz out as it did last night. The 15-year-old Max Dowman impressed again as a substitute, winning a penalty that was converted by Martin Odegaard for 3-2. Gyokeres went off after 62 minutes and Arsenal searched for an equaliser with Mikel Merino up front, like last season. Pépé tapped home from close range after his initial shot rebounded off the post and Jakub Kiwior was outmuscled trying to clear the loose ball. Pépé's Arsenal contract was terminated in 2023, with a record of 27 goals in 112 games. Karl Etta Eyong converted from close range after David Raya parried Alberto Moleiro's shot. Arnaut Danjuma, the former Bournemouth winger, capitalised on further poor defending to fire across Kepa Arrizabalaga, who came on in the second half. 'The result is painful, we've been naive, especially defending open spaces,' Arteta said.
