Latest news with #Kamara
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Aston Villa's player of the season: Youri Tielemans – fitter than ever, better than ever
It came as little surprise that Youri Tielemans swept up at Aston Villa's end-of-season awards. His form has been unerring, a still point in a campaign of contrasting emotions. Fifty-two starts in 55 matches — 4,511 minutes — for a 28-year-old central midfielder demonstrated a unique robustness, made more impressive given criticism of his athleticism, physicality and mobility at previous club Leicester City. During his debut campaign at Villa he was frequently sluggish when opportunities to play arose, making just 17 Premier League starts. Advertisement This season, however, he came narrowly close to being Villa's sole Premier League ever-present, until injury earlier this month curtailed things. Regardless, he became the first Villa player to start more than 50 games in a single season since Alan Wright and Mark Bosnich in 1995-1996. Memories can often be short in football and it was only in August when many were pondering where Tielemans actually fitted into Unai Emery's starting XI. Boubacar Kamara was close to returning after an ACL injury and was expected to be partnered by new £50million club-record signing Amadou Onana. A similar scenario a transpired a year earlier, when Douglas Luiz had forged a midfield partnership with Kamara that had left Tielemans making do with either a substitute role or competing for one of the two No 10 spots further up the pitch. Speak to close observers and the Belgium international is a player and character who requires rhythm; he needs regular games and a lot of them to feel fully attuned. Even if he did develop his work between the lines as a No 10 last season, he did not necessarily have the confidence or speed of thought to influence matches. This time has been different. He seized the small window of opportunity as Kamara was weeks away from recovering fitness and ensured he became undroppable and indispensable in Emery's mind. He started the season how he finished it: the gravitational centre of Villa's build-up play. He has grown in presence and authority in the changing room. On the pitch, he directs play and takes up positions to help progress Villa up the field. No player has made more forward passes than Tielemans. Indeed, no player has made more passes, tackles, or accrued more minutes. He became the first player in the Premier League this season to create more than 50 chances and make over 200 passes into the final third. Only Morgan Rogers, possibly the only team-mate to rival Tielemans for player of the season, is ahead in assists. Advertisement More impressively, he has rarely lost a midfield battle, despite being up against ostensibly bigger and more athletic opponents. He is fitter than ever, more intense in his pressing and counter-pressing and such has been the improvement Emery frequently instructs him to lock on and pressurise the opponent's deepest midfielder, knowing Tielemans now has the physique and fitness to make longer sprints and cover larger areas. Tielemans is, in many ways, a throwback. Football has become an increasingly athletic sport, where recruitment can be based as much on physical ability as technical. Those who are technically gifted and would have thrived in previous eras can be left behind if they are not seen to have the ability to eat up ground. An inherently end-to-end game, exceptionally so with Villa a transition-based attacking team, does not exactly suit a player like Tielemans once was. Even though Villa signed him aged 26, scouts and recruitment specialists, who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, insist there was a perception his best years were behind him. While still young, he had already been a professional for a decade and it was felt, or was beginning feel, like there were too many matches in his legs and it was taking a toll on his performances. It is why the clubs he was previously linked to — Arsenal and Manchester United — were not in the running when his contract at Leicester expired. Villa pounced, emboldened by Emery's affection and the club's recruitment team looking beyond perception and running critical numbers on his data. The feedback suggested he was part of a failing team that was proving detrimental to his own development, rather than any physical decline. He joined as a free agent in June 2023 with a hefty signing-on fee. If he was to leave, Villa would certainly make a sizeable profit that the PSR accounting books would be deeply thankful for. Advertisement Through patience and perseverance, Tielemans has transformed into what was expected of him as a precocious teenager at Anderlecht. He's one of the best central midfielders around, possessing a rare capacity to control the game through the tempo he sets on the ball and ensuring his endurance is up to such levels that no one can hold it against him. He thinks quicker than most, he sees developing pictures ahead of him quicker and is malleable enough to make the same impact either as a deep-lying playmaker, box-to-box midfielder or a No 10. Even when Villa won just six times in 21 fixtures between September and February, owing to a general flatlining of performance, Tielemans was a cut above. Central midfield is one of the most demanding positions, and especially so under Emery. They must have the courage to take the ball in tight areas while playing at maximum intensity. There has to be equal composure and ferocity. Tielemans has mastered the balance, being brave in wanting the ball whatever the situation or stadium while never willingly giving ground to an opponent. This has made him Villa's most important player, a leader and, undoubtedly, player of the season. (Top photo by Mike Hewitt via Getty Images)
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alvin Kamara's 106-yard kick return touchdown is the Saints Play of the Day
Alvin Kamara's 106-yard kick return touchdown is the Saints Play of the Day Alvin Kamara set a New Orleans Saints team record with his first kick return TD There are 106 days to go until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 season with the Arizona Cardinals, which means Alvin Kamara's 106-yard kick return touchdown is our Saints Play of the Day. He answered an early score by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense to help tie it up 7-7 in Week 17's regular season finale. Kamara set a team record with his first kick return TD as a rookie back in 2017, which you can see here. Before that, the team's longest kick return had traveled 102 yards, a record set by Eric Guliford back in 1997, which we'll reflect on further in just a few days. On this play, Kamara chopped his feet in the end zone to read the field, then sprinted out to follow good blocks from teammates like Jonathan Freeny, Chris Banjo, Willie Snead, and Taysom Hill. Michael Mauti and Justin Hardee sprang him free at the Saints' 30-yard line, and at that point all Kamara had in front of him was 70 yards of green grass. It's an impressive play, and while Kamara hasn't maintained an active presence in the return game (largely due to how important he's been offensively), it did show many of the traits that made him special. Patience to follow his blockers and decisive cuts in the open field have gone a long way in Kamara's career. He didn't become the Saints' all-time leader in rushing attempts (1,543), yards on the ground (6,779), and touchdown runs (60) by accident. With his career moving into its final stages, we're eager to see what he has in store for 2025.
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints vs. Patriots Tickets: Week 6, Sunday, October 12
Saints vs. Patriots Tickets: Week 6, Sunday, October 12 The New Orleans Saints (0-0) and the New England Patriots (0-0) square off on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome. Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Saints vs. Patriots tickets for sale Saints vs. Patriots game info Game date: Sunday, October 12, 2025 Sunday, October 12, 2025 Time: 4:25 p.m. ET 4:25 p.m. ET Venue: Caesars Superdome Caesars Superdome Location: New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana TV: CBS CBS Live stream: Paramount+ Saints leaders Last year on the ground, Alvin Kamara had six touchdowns and 950 yards (67.9 per game). Kamara also caught 68 passes for 543 yards and two TDs. Derek Carr threw for 2,145 yards (214.5 per game) in 10 games last season, with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, and a completion percentage of 67.7%. Plus, Carr scored one touchdown and accumulated 71 yards. A season ago, Taysom Hill scored zero TDs, hauling in 23 balls for 187 yards (23.4 per game). Saints schedule Saints vs. Seahawks Saints vs. Bills Saints vs. Giants Next game: Saints vs. Patriots Saints vs. Bears Saints vs. Buccaneers Saints vs. Rams Patriots leaders In 13 games last year, Drake Maye racked up 2,276 passing yards, with 15 TD passes and 10 INTs, connecting on 66.6% of his passes. He added 421 yards on the ground, and scored two rushing TDs. He averaged 32.4 yards per game and 7.8 per attempt. Rhamondre Stevenson scored seven rushing TDs, totaling 801 yards (3.9 per carry and 53.4 per game). Stevenson added 33 catches (2.2 per game) for 168 yards (11.2 per game) and one receiving TD. He was targeted 41 times. In 16 games last year, Demario Douglas had 66 catches (4.1 per game on 5.4 targets per game) for 621 yards and three TDs. Patriots schedule Patriots vs. Steelers Patriots vs. Panthers Patriots vs. Bills Next game: Patriots vs. Saints Patriots vs. Titans Patriots vs. Browns Patriots vs. Falcons Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Watch the NFL on Fubo!
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints vs. Jets Tickets: Week 16, Sunday, December 21
Saints vs. Jets Tickets: Week 16, Sunday, December 21 The New York Jets (0-0) next have a road game against the New Orleans Saints (0-0) at Caesars Superdome on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Saints vs. Jets tickets for sale Saints vs. Jets game info Game date: Sunday, December 21, 2025 Sunday, December 21, 2025 Time: 1 p.m. ET 1 p.m. ET Venue: Caesars Superdome Caesars Superdome Location: New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana TV: CBS CBS Live stream: Paramount+ Saints leaders In 14 games last year, Alvin Kamara rushed for 950 yards (67.9 per game) and six scores. Kamara also had 68 receptions for 543 yards and two touchdowns. Derek Carr aired it out for 2,145 yards (214.5 per game) last season, completing 67.7% of his passes, with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games. Plus, Carr scored one touchdown and accumulated 71 yards. A season ago, Taysom Hill had 23 receptions for 187 yards (23.4 per game) and zero touchdowns in eight games. Saints schedule Saints vs. Dolphins Saints vs. Buccaneers Saints vs. Panthers Next game: Saints vs. Jets Saints vs. Titans Saints vs. Falcons Date: TBD TBD Home/Away: Away Away Tickets: Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Jets leaders Breece Hall rushed for five TDs last season, and had 876 total yards rushing (54.8 per game and 4.2 per attempt). In addition to his rushing stats, Hall had 57 catches (on 76 targets) for 483 yards, with three receiving TDs. He averaged 30.2 receiving yards per game. Garrett Wilson had 101 receptions (seventh in the NFL) for 1,104 yards and seven receiving TDs. He was targeted 154 times and averaged 5.9 catches in 17 games. For the Steelers last season, Justin Fields passed for 1,106 yards, five TDs and had one INT. He connected on 65.8% of his passes, averaging 110.6 yards per game and 6.9 per attempt. Jets schedule Jets vs. Falcons Jets vs. Dolphins Jets vs. Jaguars Next game: Jets vs. Saints Jets vs. Patriots Jets vs. Bills Date: TBD TBD Home/Away: Away Away Tickets: Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Watch the NFL on Fubo!
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints vs. Cardinals Tickets: Week 1, Sunday, September 7
Saints vs. Cardinals Tickets: Week 1, Sunday, September 7 The Arizona Cardinals (0-0) are set for a road matchup with the New Orleans Saints (0-0) at Caesars Superdome on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Saints vs. Cardinals tickets for sale Saints vs. Cardinals game info Game date: Sunday, September 7, 2025 Sunday, September 7, 2025 Time: 1 p.m. ET 1 p.m. ET Venue: Caesars Superdome Caesars Superdome Location: New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana TV: CBS CBS Live stream: Paramount+ Saints leaders Last year on the ground, Alvin Kamara had six touchdowns and 950 yards (67.9 per game). Kamara also caught 68 passes for 543 yards and two TDs. Derek Carr passed for 2,145 yards (214.5 per game) in 10 games last season, with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, and a completion percentage of 67.7%. Plus, Carr scored one touchdown and accumulated 71 yards. A season ago, Taysom Hill had 23 receptions for 187 yards (23.4 per game) and zero touchdowns in eight games. Saints schedule Next game: Saints vs. Cardinals Saints vs. 49ers Saints vs. Seahawks Saints vs. Bills Cardinals leaders Kyler Murray averaged 7.1 passing yards per attempt (20th in NFL) and 226.5 yards per game last season, completing 68.8% of his passes on the way to 3,851 total yards, 21 TDs and 11 INTs in 17 games. Murray also ran for five TDs and 572 yards. James Conner had 1,094 yards rushing and eight rushing TDs, averaging 68.4 yards per game and 4.6 per attempt (13th in NFL). Conner added 47 catches (2.9 per game) for 414 yards (25.9 per game) and one receiving TD. He was targeted 55 times. Last season, Marvin Harrison Jr. caught 62 passes for 885 yards and eight TDs . He was targeted 116 times, and averaged 3.6 receptions in 17 games. Cardinals schedule Next game: Cardinals vs. Saints Cardinals vs. Panthers Cardinals vs. 49ers Cardinals vs. Seahawks Buy tickets for this game on StubHub! Watch the NFL on Fubo!
