Latest news with #defender
BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Bright withdraws from England Euros selection
England defender Millie Bright has made herself unavailable for selection for this summer's Euros. More to follow.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Harrogate sign defender Cass from Grimsby
Harrogate Town have signed defender Lewis Cass on a two-year deal from fellow League Two side Grimsby 25, can play at right-back or centre-half and has previously played for Hartlepool, Port Vale and made 31 appearances for the Mariners last season, including their 2-1 Boxing Day win over Harrogate, scoring head of recruitment Lloyd Kerry said, external: "We tried to bring him in a couple of seasons ago and have been monitoring him since."He's a big strong powerful right-back who likes to go forward and knows the level well so he'll be a solid addition."We're looking for competition for places in each position and have good options in that area of the pitch now."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Gossip: Lewis-Skelly set to sign new deal
Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, is expected to sign a new contract at Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners keen to ward off rumoured interest in the England defender from Real Madrid. (Mail), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
St Johnstone sign Morton captain Baird
St Johnstone have secured the signing of Greenock Morton captain Jack defender will pen a two-year deal when his contract at Cappielow expires this centre-back says he is "absolutely over the moon" to join the Perth side, who have just been relegated from the top flight."In my opinion, St Johnstone are a Premiership club," Baird said. "It is a club I want to play for and I am excited to get started."Looking ahead to the challenge of the Scottish Championship next season, Baird added: "In terms of the league, it is a really difficult one to play in."It seems to get harder every year. I have played in it for nine seasons, this season coming will be my 10th."I know what to expect from the league and I hope I can now help St Johnstone with this transition."
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Premier League 2024-25 review: young players of the season
It was tempting to exclude Bergvall from consideration for this list simply because he played in Spurs' 4-0 League Cup semi-final defeat at Anfield, as cowardly a display as could possibly exist. Overall, though, he's enjoyed a fine debut season, especially as, when he joined Spurs from Djurgården, there was little sense he'd establish himself so soon. But with a little help from injuries and incompetence, he forced his way into consideration and is now a fixture in Ange Postecoglou's starting XI – with good reason. In this era of attacking and defensive prefixes, Bergvall is that rarity: a midfielder who plays in the middle of the field. Clever enough to create, calm enough to score, physical enough to tackle and athletic enough to harry, perhaps his best quality is his decision-making, especially notable for a player of his age. If he continues improving, this will not be the last time his name makes a list of this ilk. These days, every footballer has feet – even the big lads and the goalies. But to find a centre-back with feet and fundamentals is as rare as it ever was, all the more so in one so young. There's a reason players in Huijsen's position take longer to break through: more than any other, it needs to be learned, because attackers are unpredictable and working in a unit is difficult, with intellect as important as instinct. Huijsen, though, is not only big and quick but a front-foot defender who supports the press and reads the game well enough to nick the ball off opposing attackers. It is a shame but no great surprise that he has attracted the attention of richer clubs than Bournemouth, nor that he has plumped for Real Madrid and Real Madrid have plumped for him: his style of play looks an ideal fit for the style newly-arrived Xabi Alonso will seek to inculcate. A red-meat, iron-rich cuboid, Kerkez is nails in defence and enterprising in attack. Playing for Andoni Iraola is not easily done, and he is one of the players who makes a demanding method work: when the opposition are in possession, Bournemouth like to surround them on the ball-side even if they leave the big switch open, and Kerkez is a big reason why, a one-man left flank able – both mentally and physically – to deal with being left alone. Though Iraola is wedded to a system, within it there is scope for improvisation with 'drive the ball' one of his favourite phrases to describe what he wants from his players. And this is another area in which Kerkez excels: he is fast and strong but also skilful and intelligent, able to cover ground then produce something worthwhile at the end of the, er, action. No aspect of facing him looks pleasant. Anyone who knows anything about age-group football knew Lewis-Skelly was coming and yet, assessing his debut season as a first-teamer, he has confounded expectations nevertheless. Young players breaking through are often forced into positions that are not their favourite and Lewis-Skelly is one such, excelling at left-back while also inverting into his more natural midfield role. Like Bukayo Saka, who broke into the Arsenal team in the same role, Lewis-Skelly has a football brain of fearsome agility, his confidence in it and in himself equal parts inspiring and affirming. Because he knows exactly how good he is and that the game is as fun as it is serious, he oozes confidence and attitude, regardless of who he's playing with or against – just ask Manchester City or Real Madrid. And, in the meantime, his mother, through her organisation is helping other parents safely navigate football's shark-infested waters. Lewis-Skelly is a potential superstar. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Even before joining Manchester United, Yoro had a reputation as the best young centre-back in world football, but looked anything but when ravaged by Southampton's Kamaldeen Sulemana in January. Yoro, though – who arrived at Old Trafford with his own personal coach – studied his performance, learned from his mistakes, and hasn't been caught like that since. His physical qualities are obvious – an obelisk on skates, he is strong, tall and fast with seemingly extendable legs – so too his mental attributes and he has the composure to make correct decisions in difficult circumstances and the calmness to not to get caught up in the maelstrom of elite-level sport. But what sets him apart is his timing, particularly when tackling in the penalty area: he doesn't just win the ball, he confiscates it. In recent weeks, this sense has been put to increasing offensive use: Yoro is now exploiting the playmaking freedom Ruben Amorim gives his outside centre-backs. Starting by fizzing low, line-breaking, Roy Keane passes – there are few higher compliments – as his confidence grew he began driving forward with the ball, beating men and creating openings. Of course, it is impossible to rule out the possibility United ruin him, but for now, he is every bit as good as everyone said he was.
