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Why does West Ham want to sell El Hadji Malick Diouf?
Senegalese full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf has caught the eye of Newcastle United. His club, West Ham United, is going through a tough financial period and may be forced to sell some players.
The Hammers recently posted record losses, pushing them to consider departures in order to balance their books. In this context, Diouf is emerging as a likely candidate for a transfer, especially as several clubs are monitoring his situation.
Newcastle are seeking a profile capable of competing with or supporting Lewis Hall on the left flank. The young Senegalese, who already has 22 Premier League appearances and 5 assists to his name, has shown impressive qualities for his age. Under contract until 2030, Diouf is valued at around €28 million. His future will depend on West Ham’s strategy, as the club may choose to cash in on his value to ease financial pressures.
'Enough pampering': PCB to fine Pakistan players PKR 50 lakhs each after T20 World Cup exit?
Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup has led to financial penalties for the players, with the PCB deciding to impose fines after the team failed to reach the semifinals.
Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan were knocked out at the Super 8 stage of the tournament. They could not restrict Sri Lanka below 147 in a chase of 213, which meant they were unable to move ahead of New Zealand on net run rate and missed out on a semifinal spot. It was the fourth straight ICC tournament in which Pakistan did not reach the last four.
Instead of announcing structural or administrative changes, the PCB has fined each player PKR 50 lakhs. According to a report in the Pakistan-based news outlet Express Tribune, the decision followed Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, though the move to impose fines was taken after their loss to India in the group stage match on February 15.
The report, quoting sources, said the board has adopted a strict stance on financial incentives and that future monetary benefits will depend on performance. The team played the entire tournament in Sri Lanka, where conditions were considered suitable for them.
"Officials have clearly told the players that enough pampering has been done — from now on, financial benefits will only come with performance," the report says.
There has been no official statement from the PCB on the matter.
Pakistan reached the Super 8 stage after beating Namibia in the group phase. Their first Super 8 match against New Zealand was washed out. A defeat to England then left their semifinal hopes dependent on other results. England’s win over New Zealand kept Pakistan in contention, but their narrow victory against Sri Lanka did not improve their net run rate enough. New Zealand progressed to the semifinals, ending Pakistan’s campaign.
Former captain Babar Azam, current skipper Salman Ali Agha, and senior players Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz have faced criticism. Agha is expected to step down as captain after returning home.
Rams, not 49ers, are among 7 teams listed in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said in his Monday morning column, “I’d lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening, and maybe this week.”
As far as compensation, Breer said it’s unlikely the Las Vegas Raiders receive the haul they got for Khalil Mack eight years ago, what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons last year, or even what the Miami Dolphins received for Laremy Tunsil back in 2019. Each of those deals included multiple first-round picks.
It’s also worth noting the age difference between those prospects at the time. Unlike them, Crosby is long removed from his rookie contract. The good news is that Crosby wants to win, which should make the San Francisco 49ers a potential suitor. Breer named seven teams. Unfortunately for Niners fans, the one he listed in the NFC West was not in the Bay Area:
We should know soon enough which path the Raiders are taking, with teams like Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia and the Rams keeping tabs on his availability.
The 49ers not being listed doesn’t necessarily take them out of the Crosby sweepstakes entirely, but Breer’s omission suggests they aren’t frontrunners in the trade that feels inevitable in the coming weeks. Perhaps the Niners value their first-round pick on a potential wide receiver in this upcoming class or at another position that is cost-controlled for the next four to five years, as opposed to Crosby.
If Crosby is traded for a deal that ends up looking affordable, it will be tough to stomach for 49ers fans—especially if Crosby ends up in the division.
Could Makai Lemon link up with former Trojan teammate?
It is not likely that the Chicago Bears take receiver Makai Lemon with their first round pick. The Bears' last season set their fans' hearts on fire by taking tight end Colston Loveland with their first-round pick instead of addressing other critical needs. That move panned out to be one of the best picks of last year's draft. Colston Loveland looks like a top five tight end already after his rookie season. Ben Johnson was right, and Loveland fits the offense perfectly. Could Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles take another swing for Caleb Williams?
There have been talks that the Bears are going to move on from D.J. Moore, with his current contract not matching his production, and the Bears being in a bit of a pickle with their current cap. If they move on from Moore, there is a bit of a question which receiver would step up to being that alpha male. The Bears do have loads of talent at that position, just still no clear #1. Rome Odunze was supposed to be that guy, but injuries have set that back from happening, and he has a recurring issue with drops. Luther Burden is an insane playmaker, but it might be too early to expect him to be that #1 guy.
Makai Lemon, a former Trojan teammate of Caleb Williams, listed Caleb as one of his picks for quarterbacks he would want to play with. In 2023, there was not much success between these two together, but there is a great relationship still there. With the player that Lemon is now, he would be dangerous in a Ben Johnson offense and with Caleb Williams.
If the Bears were to trade up and draft Makai Lemon, it would be another move that would be hated, but a move that pays off big dividends. Makai Lemon, as a rookie, I think, would be the best receiver on this team, and he would fit in perfectly. He is a smaller receiver who can dominate in the slot, while Luther Burden and Rome Odunze can dominate on the outside. He is elite at things other than his counterparts, making for a truly special offense.
Now, this would be a fantasy situation, but if it were to actually happen, Colston Loveland, Makai Lemon, Luther Burden, and Rome Odunze would maybe be the best receiving combination in the NFL. All of them are young, too, which would be scary for the rest of the NFL. Allowing Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams to work with that seems like it would be illegal.
As I mentioned, it may be a far-stretched concept, but boy, would it be fun to watch. The Chicago Bears would have the best offense in the NFL, and they could bring back the idea of the greatest show on turf. While it is a very unlikely landing spot for Makai Lemon, I do not think there is a better case scenario for him other than landing in Chicago.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Makai Lemon and Caleb Williams would light it up together in Chicago
Spurs given suspended ticket ban over fans' Nazi salutes in Germany
Uefa fine Tottenham Hotspur and give them a suspended ban from selling away tickets after three supporters made Nazi salutes towards Eintracht Frankfurt fans.