Jurgen Klopp sends message to Chelsea after Liverpool beaten to Christian Pulisic transfer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has sent a message to Chelsea over their successful signing of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund.

The USA international’s move was confirmed today, with the player now returning to Dortmund on loan for the remainder of this season before linking up with Chelsea in the summer.

MORE: (Photo) Chelsea star cheekily takes credit for Christian Pulisic transfer

The Daily Mirror previously linked Pulisic as a target for Liverpool in a potential swap deal, while the Reds were still favourites to snap up the 20-year-old from Jurgen Klopp’s old club with bookies Ladbrokes earlier this week.

Chelsea have got in ahead of the Merseyside giants, however, and Klopp has now spoken about Pulisic following his decision to move to Stamford Bridge.

The German tactician told Chelsea they were getting themselves a fine signing and a skilful player, whilst also stating Dortmund got a good deal out of the situation.

Christian Pulisic will join Chelsea in the summer

Decision made: Real Madrid, Barcelona suffer blow in pursuit of €90-rated superstar, ace’s ‘most feasible’ destination revealed

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been dealt some news regarding Man Unite and France midfielder Paul Pogba, and it’s not good news for either of the Spanish giants. 

According to Don Balon, both Real and Barca, as well as Juventus, are all in the hunt to sign the World Cup winner, however it seems like the Italian giants may be the ones who win the race to sign the United star in January.

The Spanish news outlet’s report states that Pogba has asked his agent, Mino Raiola, to seal him a departure from Old Trafford in January, with Juventus the ‘most feasible’ destination for the midfielder.

This will be bitter news for both Real and Barca to hear, as it seems like Pogba has his heart set on a move back to Turin, and to neither of the Spanish giants.

Pogba has largely divided opinion since his move back to Man United from the Old Lady in the summer of 2o16, with fans either seemingly loving or hating the Frenchman for his displays for the Red Devils during the last two seasons.

Pogba looks set for a move back to Juventus, snubbing Barca and Real in the process

As per Don Balon’s report, United are after €90M for Pogba, however if things pan out a certain way, Jose Mourinho’s side could take in even less than that for a player they signed for £89M back in 2016 (fee as per BBC).

Only time will tell us if Pogba actually manages to seal his preferred move back to Turin, a move both Real and Barca won’t be wanting to see materialise any time soon…

PGA of America mentors Moroccan Sports Delegate Naoual Zaaraoui for U.S. Department of State, espnW’s Global Sports Mentoring Program

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America is actively participating in the sixth annual U.S. Department of State and espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program by hosting Naoual Zaaraoui, a sports leader and delegate from Morocco.

Throughout October, Zaaraoui will be mentored by the PGA’s Director of Technology Operations Laurie French, and Section Business Operations Coordinator Jenna Tidd, under the guidance of Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion Sandy Cross. They will help Zaaraoui acquire the sports marketing, communications and organizational leadership skills she needs to pave her entrepreneurial path and inspire a brighter future for generations of working women and aspiring female coaches and athletes in Morocco. This is the fourth time the PGA has taken part in the Global Sports Mentoring Program.

“The PGA of America is excited to host Naoual Zaaraoui, as she works to advance the rights and participation of women and girls in Morroco through sports,” said Cross. “We are mentoring and guiding her in the creation of a comprehensive action plan that is designed to promote inclusion through sport.”

Zaaraoui is the daughter of El Ghazi, who competed in Track and Field in the 1964 Olympics. Naoual’s dream is to become Morocco’s second female sports minister. She also hopes to create her own company, The Golden Horse Agency, as a way of providing women with career opportunities.

“I want to prove that when a woman creates a project, she can take it to the last step,” said Zaaraoui, a Track and Field Coach for the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation. “For us, the project is like a baby. We must do everything to make it grow up and have a good future. With this, we can change the way of thinking toward women.”

Working side-by-side with emerging female leaders, American sports sector executives open their respective organizations as host sites while sharing personal entrepreneurial and management insights. During the mentorship, emerging global leaders develop business plans to support “sport for social change” initiatives in their home countries.

These strategies allow communities at home and around the world to experience the benefits that come from cross-cultural relations and participation in sports, thereby creating more resilient and stable societies. In turn, the American mentors are enriched by new perspectives and an expanded domestic and international network.

The GSMP class of 2017 hails from Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, China, France, India, Kosovo, Morocco, Nigeria, the Palestinian Territories, Peru, South Korea, Taiwan, Uganda, and Venezuela. This delegation will join the ranks of 82 global alumnae—Olympians, Paralympians, journalists, ministerial officials, civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and sports administrators—from more than 45 countries who are providing opportunities for thousands of individuals to become leaders on the field, in the boardroom, and in their schools and governments.

In addition to the PGA of America, U.S. mentors represent the following organizations: the Big East, Burton Snowboards, Eli Lilly & Company, ESPN, Fox Sports, Gatorade, Google, NCAA, NHL, Saatchi & Saatchi LA, Under Armour, Spurs Sports & Entertainment, University of Connecticut and the Women’s Sports Foundation. The GSMP is implemented in cooperation with the University of Tennessee’s Center for Sport, Peace, and Society.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #EmpowerWomen.

For more information on the PGA of America, please visit PGAMediaCenter.com.

Manchester United star to leave in January after being cast aside by Jose Mourinho

One Manchester United star is eyeing the exit door at Old Trafford in January, the star’s rift with manager Jose Mourinho has taken centre stage recently.

According to the MailOnline, United captain Antonio Valencia is open to leaving Old Trafford in the January transfer window, the right-back has reportedly accepted the fact that he has no chance of winning back Mourinho’s trust.

Valencia and his agent discussed the 33-year-old’s options in a meeting in Manchester this week, it’s understood that West Ham as well as clubs from Spain are interested in the Ecuadorian.

Valencia found himself in hot water with Mourinho in October after he was found to have liked a post that called for Mourinho to be sacked on Instagram.

Valencia is United’s longest serving player in their current squad, the Red Devils veteran has made 337 appearances since he joined from Wigan in 2009.

The full-back is unhappy with the way he’s been treated and the report also highlighted that the rift between Valencia and Mourinho has left the two barely on speaking terms.

The fact that United’s manager is not close to the club’s captain further reinforces the idea that the Manchester club are in turmoil right now.

The Red Devils are currently 6th in the Premier League and after a horrendous start to the season United fans will have to accept that Champions League football next season isn’t very likely.

If Justin Thomas isn't an A-list name yet, he could be soon

NORTON — By the end of a dripping wet afternoon at TPC-Boston yesterday, the Big Names had Justin Thomas surrounded. Today, under expected sunny skies, he gets a chance to prove if he's ready to join them.

Thomas has won $7.37 million this year and four tournaments, including his first major last month at the PGA Championship. He is the leader in the race for Tour Player of the Year and seems to be blossoming into what he always dreamed he could be. But neither that nor his remarkable run yesterday of eight birdies have yet elevated him to the level of the names that will be breathing down his neck today in the final round of the Dell Technologies Championship.

Much has been made the last few days about how recent FedEx Cup playoffs have been dominated by the sport's biggest names as they all rush to become the last 30 players standing at the Tour Championship later this month, when a $10 million bonus will be handed out to the winner. For all his success this season, Thomas is not yet on that A list, but Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson are — even though the latter has not played particularly well lately until this week.

As luck would have it — be that good or bad — when Thomas walked off the course yesterday he found himself not only tied with Marc Leishman at 12-under but facing the lurking presence of Spieth at 10-under, DJ at 9 and Mickelson at 8. More concerning, all three finished with the kind of flourish that made the week-long discussion of the Big Names winning these events all the more difficult to ignore.

Spieth birdied three of the final five holes for a 5-under-par 66 while DJ, who beat Spieth in a playoff last weekend at the Northern Trust in the first round of the playoffs, birdied four of the final five holes for his own 66 that left him 3 shots off the lead. As for Mickelson, his reputation more than his production this season has left him with the kind of long shadow that can make a young man like Thomas think.

Earlier last week, Mickelson cryptically claimed his doctor had discovered some malady that had been disturbing his ability to focus and cured it. He refused to elaborate but his rounds of 69-67-69 have him at 8-under, leaving Rickie Fowler to ponder why the playoffs seem to bring out the best in golf's biggest names.

"Sometimes not being in good position, kind of back is up against the wall and knowing they need to make something happen … to either make sure they are set up for East Lake or move them forward … when that happens guys that are the best players in the world find a way to just get the job done," Fowler said, knowing Mickelson is in such a position if he hopes to be selected for the Presidents Cup team.

"I think something like that this week. You're looking at Phil kind of back up against the wall, knowing he needs to do something to show Strick (Cup captain Steve Stricker) and the guys on the team that he still wants to be there. It's amazing when guys are put in those situations (that they respond). It's no coincidence, I don't think."

Certainly it is not. It's why the Big Names are the Big Names … because when their moments came, they won. Now it is Thomas who seems to be on the cusp of becoming golf's next Big Thing, a position long expected of him. But it's a long putt still from expectations to exhortations.

He and Spieth seem to be in a two-man battle for Player of the Year but it is moments like today where a young player like Thomas can enhance his status in the fan's hard eyes. Moments when all around him are the names the average fan most readily recognizes. Names like Mickelson, Spieth and Johnson.

DJ and Spieth are presently Nos. 1 and 2 in the world and the latter had the chance to become the youngest player in golf history to win the career grand slam at this year's PGA Championship only to be stymied by Thomas (and his own jitters). Today Thomas is looking down the barrel of three of the top-5 players in the world (young Jon Rahm being the other at 9-under). He himself is No. 6, which is nothing to sneeze at but, frankly, who remembers the sixth-ranked anything in sports today?

No one does unless it's someone with the kind of long history of dominance Mickelson has, the kind of resume that even at the age of 47 makes his name closing in on you on the leaderboard a tight fix and a testing moment for an apple-cheeked 24-year-old like Thomas.

Although Spieth is Thomas' contemporary, he has shot almost immediately into the consciousness of golf fans, winning three majors, 11 tournaments, the 2015 FedEx Cup championship and Tour Player of the Year. He was the second youngest to win the Masters and the youngest player since Bobby Jones in 1923 to win the U.S. Open. With Tiger Woods in the woods, Spieth, Rory McIlroy and, of late, Johnson have formed their own Big Three. To crack it, or at least join it, you have to win in situations like the one Justin Thomas finds himself today.

Good as he is, and Thomas is quite good, a win today would give him five victories this season, including his first major and very likely a lock on Player of the Year unless Spieth were to win the Tour Championship himself. Asked if he had a preference of winning the FedEx or being named Player of the Year, Thomas didn't hesitate.

"FedEx Cup pays better, I know that," Thomas joked, knowing that $10 million bonus is the gift that keeps on giving. "I just feel like if you win the FedEx Cup, in reality, you obviously had a great year. You played well when you needed to. There's not many names on that trophy. It would be really cool to be part of it. I think winning trophies is motivating enough for me. I really enjoy that."

Thomas understands the recent history of FedEx Cup events is that the Big Names win — McIlroy last year, Spieth the year before. It has not always been that way but we live in a world where 140 characters is now considered as hefty a tome as "War and Peace" and history is measured in weeks, not years. He knows then how fans' minds work.

"I would say the best are going to win," Thomas conceded, not delving much deeper into what the definition of "the best" might be. Perhaps that's because he understands if he holds off the Big Names today, he will have taken another step toward putting his own name not only on the FedEx Cup trophy but on the Big Boys' list as well.

This article is written by Ron Borges from Boston Herald and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

Chelsea star has verbal agreement to seal transfer to Champions League giants

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard reportedly already has a verbal agreement on a transfer to Real Madrid, though the two clubs are not yet negotiating a deal together.

The Blues attacker will be out of contract at the end of next season, meaning it is little surprise to see talk of him moving on from Stamford Bridge.

MORE: Chelsea star ready to cancel current deal in order to clinch transfer to Premier League rivals

The latest from Don Balon is that he has a deal of sorts with Real Madrid, though it remains to be seen if or when Chelsea will agree to let the Belgian go.

Hazard is one of a number of big-name attacking targets for Los Blancos, who are also looking at Paris Saint-Germain duo Kylian Mbappe and Neymar as they bid to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real have struggled since selling the Portuguese goal machine to Juventus in the summer, with players like Gareth Bale not really stepping up since then.

Brandt Snedeker among those making push for a Masters invite

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Tournaments in two countries last week might have gone a long way toward who finishes in the top 50 of the world ranking at the end of the year and gets into the Masters.

Dylan Frittelli, the South African who holed the winning chip for Texas when it won the NCAA title in 2012, defeated Arjun Atwal in a playoff in the Mauritius Open and moved to No. 55 in the world. Frittelli is playing the Joburg Open this week, the final event of the calendar year on the European Tour. He also is entered in the Indonesia Masters next week on the Asian Tour.

In the final event on the Japan Golf Tour, Sotoshi Kodaira closed with a 67 to tie for 21st. Only the top 22 received world ranking points, so it was a big finish for Kodaira because that allowed him to move up four spots to No. 49. Yusaki Miyazato won the tournament and moved up 16 spots to No. 58. Both Japanese players are entered in the Indonesia Masters next week.

And they will have company.

Brandt Snedeker missed five months with an injury to his sternum and slipped 15 spots to No. 47 before he returned for the PGA Tour's last official event of the year at Sea Island. He shot 70-70 on the weekend and tied for 29th. Snedeker fell to No. 50 this week and will keep losing ground.

MORE: Unofficial list of players qualified to play in the 2018 Masters

But the American has entered the Indonesia Masters, the last event of the year that offers world ranking points. The field will get a tiny bump because Justin Rose (No. 6 in the world) has decided to play. That would be Snedeker's last chance to try to crack the top 50.

Players still have until March 25 to get into the top 50 and earn a spot in the Masters, but it would help to have that taken care of going into the new year.

Also playing in Indonesia is Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, who is No. 60.

Among those not playing is Ian Poulter, who is No. 52. Poulter did not play two weeks ago in the Hong Kong Open, where he is a past champion. He said in a text message it has been a long year and he needs time off, but that "I will make the top 50 before the Masters I promise."

Bill Haas also is outside the top 50. He has not missed the Masters since 2009.

A year ago, 12 players not already eligible for the Masters finished the year in the top 50 to earn invitations. That number will be smaller this year. Players who are assured of finishing in the top 50 are Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren, Matt Fitzpatrick, Branden Grace, Ross Fisher, Yuta Ikeda and Bernd Wiesberger.

Among those who will have to earn their invitations in the spring is Lee Westwood, who is No. 66 and not playing the rest of the year. Westwood has been eligible for every major since he missed the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot. The last time Westwood failed to qualify for the Masters was 2004.

TOUR SWITCH

The European Tour has tapped into the PGA Tour to find its latest executive to oversee television production.

Stu Nichol, the senior vice president of broadcasting and programming for the PGA Tour, has left to become head of television production for the European Tour. Nichol is expected to start his new job in January at a time when the European Tour is taking control of European Tour Productions. Previously, it was a shared venture between the European Tour and IMG Media.

Nichol's decision stemmed from a chance meeting with European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley during the World Golf Hall of Fame induction in New York in late September. Both are Canadians. Nichol's first job in the late 1980s was at TSN in Toronto, where he was an assignment editor and Pelley was the producer.

Nichol was not looking to leave the PGA Tour, though the move became attractive when the PGA Tour decided not to opt out of its television contracts and consider the possibility of its own network. Nichol had been involved in potential models.

AILING KOEPKA

Brooks Koepka won the Dunlop Phoenix by nine shots, then returned home for Thanksgiving and to get ready for the Hero World Challenge. Somewhere along the way, the U.S. Open champion felt soreness in his left wrist.

"I have some wrist issues," Koepka said in the Bahamas. "I want to figure that out. I can't grip anything strong with my left hand."

Koepka said he first felt some tightness on Saturday before going over to Albany Golf Club. He has the next month to let it heal or figure out if anything is wrong before starting the new year in Kapalua at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

TRAVELING MAN

A year ago, Justin Rose withdrew after the first round of the Hero World Challenge with a nagging back injury. This year, he's stronger than ever, and he has the airline miles to prove it.

Rose won the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and then went straight to the Turkish Airlines Open. He came home to the Bahamas for one week before returning to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship, then returned to the Bahamas for the Hero World Challenge. After a week at home with friends, Rose is off to Jakarta for the Indonesia Masters.

"It's been a test — I can't lie," he said. "But I'm feeling good. I'm feeling really good."

DIVOTS

Sony Corp. has agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the Sony Open another four years through 2022. Sony took over as title sponsor in 1999. The tournament has been held at Waialae Country Club down from Waikiki Beach since 1965. … Ian Poulter missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open and thought he had lost his full PGA Tour card until he was spared by a technical oversight in tour regulations. Since then, he has made the cut in 19 consecutive tournaments worldwide to finish out the year. … Scott Reid, formerly tournament director of the RSM Classic, will be the tournament director for the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. … The World Cup returns to Melbourne next fall, only this time it will be headed to Metropolitan Golf Club. Metropolitan held the Match Play Championship in 2001 won by Steve Stricker.

STAT OF THE WEEK

Dustin Johnson will become only the third American to finish the year at No. 1 since the world ranking began in 1986.

FINAL WORD 

"You can't go through a career without some heartache." — Justin Rose.

 

This article was written by Doug Ferguson from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.

 

Juventus could sell €80m+ star man in order to land superstar signing to pair with Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus have been tipped to explore an ambitious transfer strategy which involves selling Paulo Dybala in order to land Kylian Mbappe.

The Bianconeri have continued their domestic dominance so far this season, opening up a nine point lead at the top of the Serie A table as they go in search of an eighth consecutive Scudetto.

SEE MORE: Juventus chief confirms interest in Arsenal star and sends message to Man Utd over Allegri

Signing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer was done with a view of ending their long wait for success in Europe, and although the Portuguese superstar didn’t hit top form in the group stage, they advanced to the last 16 of the competition to remain on course on that front too.

However, as reported by Calciomercato, via the paper edition of La Repubblica, they could be formulating a long-term plan to bring in another superstar signing in the form of Mbappe, which could require the sale of Dybala who is given a valuation of between €80m and €100m.

Selling the Argentine forward doesn’t sound like a particularly sensible idea to start with given his ongoing influence for the Turin giants, while he’s only 25 years of age himself.

In turn, question marks could be raised over that point alone as he remains one of the top forwards in Europe.

Nevertheless, it’s suggested that Mbappe could be signed to pair him with Ronaldo up front, and there is no doubt that the French international and World Cup winner would be a sensational signing for the Italian champions.

The 20-year-old has bagged 37 goals in 63 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain since leaving Monaco, while he’s already won two Ligue titles.

There is no doubt over the quality that he possesses, but it remains to be seen if Juve can put an offer on the table to convince PSG to sell him.

As noted by the Guardian, the French giants do face ongoing FFP issues, and so that perhaps could eventually force them into an unwanted transfer decision involving the sale of a marquee name.

Double swoop: AC Milan eye €50m+ Chelsea duo to bolster key area of squad

AC Milan have concerns in midfield with their current injury crisis but Chelsea pair Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas could reportedly emerge as the solution.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso will be without both Giacomo Bonaventura and Lucas Biglia for the long-term after both sustained serious injury setbacks.

SEE MORE: Bizarre Arsenal related Ivan Gazidis issue touted as AC Milan chief faces fine risk

In turn, that has left him short of quality and depth in midfield, with loanee Bakayoko handed a more prominent role than was expected alongside Franck Kessie.

The Chelsea loanee has stepped up and impressed in his defence, putting aside a shaky start to establish himself as a consistent performer and key figure for the Rossoneri.

In turn, as noted by Calciomercato, it’s suggested that Milan could make his move permanent by exercising the €40m clause in their deal with the Blues and so he could remain as a long-term solution in midfield.

However, that isn’t the only deal that they could do with Chelsea, as it’s suggested by Calciomercato that by spending €40m on Bakayoko, Milan will hope the Premier League giants give them a discount on the €10m-€12m demands being made for Fabregas.

The Spaniard would offer something different in midfield with his technical quality, vision and passing range to help add creativity in a deeper role.

That is where Biglia’s limitations come into play, and so perhaps with Fabregas complementing the likes of Bakayoko and Kessie, it could be a sensible strategy to launch a double raid on Chelsea for the pair.

Meanwhile, Sky Sport Italia note that Milan are also set to complete the €35m signing of Lucas Paqueta who will arrive in January, and so with these potential key additions, it could prove decisive in helping them secure a top-four finish in Serie A this season to qualify for the Champions League.

Tommy Fleetwood wins 2017 Race to Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tommy Fleetwood won the Race to Dubai and the right to be called the top golfer in Europe after a tense battle with Justin Rose that was ultimately decided on the final green of the season on Sunday.

Rose, seemingly in cruise control after 11 holes as he opened up a one-shot lead atop of the leaderboard on 19-under par, then wobbled and made bogeys on the 12th, 14th and 16th holes on the Earth course of Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The 37-year-old No. 6-ranked golfer reached the par-5 18th hole three shots behind clubhouse leader Jon Rahm of Spain (19 under), and needed to make an eagle to move up to second. With Fleetwood in the clubhouse in joint 21st at 11 under, Rose needed to finish in solo fourth place or better to win his second Order of Merit title.

Just short of the green with his second shot, Rose used his putter and came agonizingly close but the ball did not go in. He finished in joint fourth place at 17-under par with three other players, handing the title to Fleetwood.

Spain's Rahm, winner of the Irish Open earlier this year on the European Tour, fired a final-round 67 to finish on 19-under par 269 to win the tournament.

Ireland's Shane Lowry shot the day's best round, a 63, to finish tied second at 270 alongside Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat (67). Masters champion Sergio Garcia (65) and South African duo of Dylan Frittelli (69) and Dean Burmester (68) were the other players tied for fourth with Rose.

Rose made four birdies in his first seven holes, and played his first poor shot on the 12th when his approach found the greenside bunker. He made a bogey there, before finding the water with his second shot on the par-5 14th and missing a two-foot par putt on the 16th.

After two successive rounds of 65, Fleetwood failed to make headway on Sunday, and could only watch the drama unfold in the scoring tent after a two-over par 74 round.

"It's the biggest day of my career for sure. The emotions were difficult on me. I don't trust computers, so even when everything had finished, it was so difficult to get up or down. Then I felt for Justin a lot. He was so gracious when he came in.shows a lot about his character," said Fleetwood after accepting his trophy.

RELATED: Tommy Fleetwood shoots record 63 at Carnoustie

Rose was disappointed with his finish, but delighted for Fleetwood.

"I just feel I went a bit flat around the turn. I had opportunities around 10 and 11 and didn't take those. I got a little bit out of my routine and a little distracted, had a poor shot on the par-5 and then it was a struggle from there on in. The shots on 13 and 14 were the undoing," he said.

"Tommy, I'm pleased for him. He's battled hard all year and put a good week in South Africa and had a great couple of comeback rounds this week to fight back and deserve it. He's been leading all year and it's good for him to finish it off."

As other players struggled down the stretch, Rahm birdied the 14th and the tough 16th to take the lead for good.

"I was a little anxious before teeing off. I really wanted to win. I really wanted to finish strong," said Rahm, who also won the PGA Tour event in Torrey Pines and is expected to climb up to fourth place in the world rankings on Monday in his first full season as a professional.

This article was written by The Associated Press from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.