Latest news with #ex-Watford
Metro
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Man Utd transfer target told he is making mistake by choosing Chelsea instead
Troy Deeney says Liam Delap is 'missing a step in his development' by opting to join Chelsea over Manchester United. Chelsea have reportedly won the race to make Delap their first piece of business of the summer transfer window, with the 22-year-old Ipswich striker on the cusp a move to Stamford Bridge. According to Fabrizio Romano, Delap has now completed the first part of his medical with the Europa Conference League winners – and the deal is expected to be finalised over the coming days. Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Everton had all been credited with an interest in Delap after the forward's eye-catching season in the Premier League, in which he racked up 12 goals and two assists in a struggling Ipswich side. The Red Devils were even favourites to capture Delap at one stage, only to fall behind Chelsea in the running, with the Blues able to offer the young attacker Champions League football next season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. A relegation release clause in Delap's contract at Portman Road means the England Under-21 international is set to join Chelsea for a fee of just £30million this summer. Reacting to the latest rumours on talkSPORT, ex-Watford striker Deeney argued that a switch to Old Trafford may have made more sense for Delap's development. 'I think, personally, when I just look at his development, I thought Manchester United was a perfect fit,' Deeney said. 'The jump from Under-23s football, he's had a couple of loans and some were okay, some weren't okay. 'But then he goes to Ipswich and has a solid season, I wouldn't say it was exceptional. In the second half of the season he wasn't great. 'The second they got relegated, he didn't play. Whether that's a manager's decision looking forward or whatever… but I think he's got so much more of his game that he still needs to develop. 'Going to Manchester United at this stage of his career, where they are, he would have had to deal with the big experience, being the man to take them to the next level, then he would be ready for Europe. 'I think he's missing a step in his development [by joining Chelsea].' Asked if Chelsea are a level above United, Deeney replied: 'Of course they are. 'Purely from a football point of view, he's going from being in a relegation scrap to now fighting in the Champions League, expecting to win more cups and trying to go and kick on.' Deeney warned Delap over the level of expectation he is likely to face at Chelsea, pointing to the struggles Gonzalo Higuain experienced when taking over the 'heavy' No.9 shirt in west London. More Trending Quizzed on whether Delap could be the man to finish Chelsea's chances and take the club forward, Deeney responded: 'I don't know, yet to be seen. 'I think he's a good finisher, I don't know if he's a great finisher. 'You've had the likes of Higuain come in at Chelsea and it's a different, heavy shirt to wear than doing it at Ipswich. 'I think he can do it. I just think in an ideal world he would have one more step and then he would have gone into the Champions League.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal and Chelsea learn price to sign transfer target from Premier League rivals MORE: Chelsea and Tottenham miss out as Liverpool agree deal to sell Caoimhin Kelleher MORE: Rio Ferdinand says Matheus Cunha signing raises questions over future of Man Utd trio
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Football club ban fans from eating SUNFLOWER SEEDS to protect stadium from ruin
A SPANISH football club have banned fans from eating their favourite food... after their stadium was overrun by RATS. Second-division leaders Elche could host 2 Elche have banned fans from eating sunflower seeds at their stadium Credit: Getty 2 Rats and pigeons eat the dropped shells which also block drains and pipes Credit: Alamy But their Martinez Valero ground has become infested with vermin as a result of fans munching SUNFLOWER SEEDS - and scattering shells on the ground. Club chiefs have now banned the popular Spanish snack from the 34,000-capacity arena. They announced: "Elche Football Club has decided to ban the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds throughout the entire Martinez Valero Stadium, starting from our next game against Levante. "This measure is in response to the need to protect the ground, ensure hygiene and reinforce our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "The Martinez Valero is not just a football stadium, but a symbol shared by thousands of fans. "However, the vast consumption of sunflower seeds in recent years has created problems for the building. "The shells block drains and pipes, damage the seats and affect the paint finishes to multiple surfaces. "They significantly raise the costs of cleaning and maintenance. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "They attract plagues of rats and pigeons. And, above all, they put the cleanliness of the stands at risk. "Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning staff, we need to remove all the shells after every game. 'This is so impressive' - Fans amazed as Oli McBurnie speaks in flawless Spanish just months after joining LaLiga "The shells also damage the concrete underfoot and collect in hard-to-reach areas. "This decision is not meant to punish any fan, but instead to preserve a communal space in the best possible conditions. "Elche CF calls on your collective responsibility to maintain the Martinez Valero as an example of civility, respect, cleanliness and pride in the club. "We thank fans for their understanding, aware of the value of keeping a stadium fit to enjoy football in safety and comfort." Elche, based near Alicante in south-eastern Spain, ended a three-year spell in LaLiga in 2023. Former Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby, 27, plus ex-Watford man Mario Gaspar are part of their current squad.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Football club ban fans from eating SUNFLOWER SEEDS to protect stadium from ruin
A SPANISH football club have banned fans from eating their favourite food... after their stadium was overrun by RATS. Second-division leaders Elche could host Real Madrid and Barcelona next season if they win promotion to LaLiga. 2 But their Martinez Valero ground has become infested with vermin as a result of fans munching SUNFLOWER SEEDS - and scattering shells on the ground. Club chiefs have now banned the popular Spanish snack from the 34,000-capacity arena. They announced: "Elche Football Club has decided to ban the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds throughout the entire Martinez Valero Stadium, starting from our next game against Levante. "This measure is in response to the need to protect the ground, ensure hygiene and reinforce our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. "The Martinez Valero is not just a football stadium, but a symbol shared by thousands of fans. "However, the vast consumption of sunflower seeds in recent years has created problems for the building. "The shells block drains and pipes, damage the seats and affect the paint finishes to multiple surfaces. "They significantly raise the costs of cleaning and maintenance. "They attract plagues of rats and pigeons. And, above all, they put the cleanliness of the stands at risk. "Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning staff, we need to remove all the shells after every game. "The shells also damage the concrete underfoot and collect in hard-to-reach areas. "This decision is not meant to punish any fan, but instead to preserve a communal space in the best possible conditions. "Elche CF calls on your collective responsibility to maintain the Martinez Valero as an example of civility, respect, cleanliness and pride in the club. "We thank fans for their understanding, aware of the value of keeping a stadium fit to enjoy football in safety and comfort." Elche, based near Alicante in south-eastern Spain, ended a three-year spell in LaLiga in 2023. Former Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby, 27, plus ex-Watford man Mario Gaspar are part of their current squad.
Metro
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal legend Ian Wright squares up to ex-Man Utd midfielder at Baller League
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright was caught up in a fiery altercation as tempers flared at Baller League UK on Monday. The first season of the high-paced, star-studded competition began last month and night five proved a bad-tampered affair, with Troy Deeney at the centre of the drama at London's Copper Box Arena. Making his debut for Wembley Rangers AFC against FC RTW, Deeney was seen throwing himself about throughout and the ex-Watford captain was eventually sent off by referee Mark Clattenburg after barging over Tareiq Holmes-Dennis off the ball. Holmes-Dennis, formerly of Charlton and Bristol Rovers, reacted by shoving Deeney back and an all-out brawl threatened to break out before the situation eventually cooled. Wembley Rangers would go on to suffer a 4-3 defeat in Deeney's absence, but the bad blood did not end there. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Arsenal legend Wright, managing the losing team, was pictured unleashing into a heated argument with FC RTW's Josh Harrop in explosive full-time scenes in the capital. 'I don't think Ian Wright was very happy with Josh Harrop. He felt like he was falling to ground a bit too easily,' lead commentator Brandon Smith said during Sky Sports' live coverage. Meanwhile, Baller League's social media team picked up some of the verbals Wright and Harrop exchanged as they squared up, with players forced to get between the pair before tensions escalated any further. 'I'm a grown man, don't speak to me like that,' ex-Manchester United, Preston and Cheltenham midfielder barked, to which Wright replied: 'You said, 'Who the f*** are you?', though!' Wright then told Harrop: 'I'm talking to you!' 'Yeah and I'm asking you why!' Harrop bit back at Wright, 32 years his senior. There is sure to be plenty more drama and talking points over the coming months, with Baller League taking place weekly until the final on June 11. Yanited, managed by YouTube sensation Angry Ginge, have won all five of their opening matches and are flying high at the top of the table. N5 FC, led by legendary ex-Arsenal trio Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann, Robert Pires, have a 100 per cent losing record thus far and sit rock-bottom of the league. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Virgil van Dijk makes prediction for potential Arsenal vs Crystal Palace title decider MORE: Owen Hargreaves tips Arsenal to sign £70m star to replace Thomas Partey MORE: Graeme Souness sends warning to Aston Villa over Marcus Rashford transfer
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
🎧 Watford fans rally around boss Cleverley
'Tom Cleverley gets what it means to be a Watford guy and a Watford manager.'Aaron Paul and ex-Watford winger Jobi McAnuff are joined by Hornets fan Jacob Culshaw to discuss boss Tom Cleverley's future at a club that has had 20 different permanent head coaches since owner Gino Pozzo acquired the Vicarage Road team in can catch the newest episode of the 72+ podcast in full on BBC Sounds.
