Manchester United don’t need Delan Rice

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov says the Red Devils don’t need to sign Declan Rice since they already have Casemiro.   The Red Devils are one of the clubs credited with an interest in the England and West Ham midfielder, even though no official approach has been made. But they are expected to bid for Rocs this summer as they look to continue the rebuild under Erik ten Hag. Read more: Lionel Messi open to Inter Miami transfer this summer However, Berbatov does not see the need for United to join the race for the 24-year-old valued at over £100 million because they invested heavily in Brazil international Casemiro to fill their holding midfield role last summer. “It all comes down to what the manager wants and how he sees the team in his head,” Berbatov told Betfred. “Declan and Casemiro play in the same position, but the main difference between them is that one of them is 24 years old, and the other is 30 years old. One is slowly going towards the end of their career, and the other is not even in their prime yet and is producing football of great quality. “Of course clubs are going to be after Declan Rice, and the main thing that Declan will want from a new club is the promise that he’s going to play. If he went to Manchester United, then he’s going to want to play, demand to play and he’s not going to want to sit on the bench. He won’t go to Manchester United if he believes there’s a chance that he may be a backup to Casemiro. It would be strange if Manchester United bought Declan Rice, considering that they’ve just bought Casemiro from Real Madrid. The only option you’d have would be to play them at the same time, but if you did that, then you’d have to sacrifice another midfielder that plays a more advanced role up the pitch.”

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nba 2023 all-star viewer's guide

NBA All-Star 2023 Viewer’s Guide

Prepare for all the NBA All-Star 2023 weekend celebrations happening in Salt Lake City with a daily breakdown of every event and live stream. Download the NBA App for complete coverage. The NBA All-Star weekend 2023, will tip off with three action-filled days. All of these festivities will eventually lead up to the 72nd annual All-Star Game, where the Greek Freak’s crew hopes to dethrone 5x captain LeBron James and his squad. Below is everything fans should watch out for before Sunday’s All-Star Game. Friday, February 17 7 p.m. ET: Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (ESPN) Fans must have heard their music or seen their faces on the silver screen, but they will be getting a chance to watch their favourite celebrities take the courts. In a battle of bars, rappers 21 Savage and Cordae duel on the court instead of on the microphone. Simu Liu may just tap into his superpowers for the challenge and Calvin Johnson might bring his talents on the turf to the hardwood. 9 p.m. ET: Jordan Rising Stars (TNT) The Jordan Rising Stars’ three-game mini-tournament will give a brief insight into the league’s youngest talent, with seven of the top 10 overall draft picks over the last two years taking the court. After their practice which will be televised on NBA TV at 2.30 p.m. ET, the four star-powered teams coached by NBA legends Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Deron Williams and Jason Terry will be showcased. Fans can relax with some popcorn as they bear witness to the future of the Association, which is just getting started. NBA App Streams: 5:30 p.m. ET: Basketball Hall of Fame News Conference (NBA TV) Saturday, February 18 1 p.m. ET: NBA All-Star Practice Presented by AT&T (NBA TV) This will be a rare chance for fans to look behind the curtain as the league’s best players get ready for the game. 4 p.m ET: NBA X HBCU Classic Presented by AT&T (NBA TV / TNT / ESPN2) Grambling State University and Southern University men’s basketball teams will go against each other for this year’s NBA HBCU Classic. NBA legend and Southern University alumni Bob Love and Grambling State alumni Willis Reed have been selected as honorary captains of the 2023 NBA HBCU Classic and will represent their alma maters leading up to the game. 8 p.m. ET: State Farm All-Star Saturday Night (TNT) Kia Skills Challenge: The Skills Challenge is always exciting for the fans, who watch NBA stars show off passing, shooting and dribbling while they work their way through an obstacle course. Starry 3-Point Contest: Who is the best shooter in the NBA? One of the most interesting questions in basketball gets an answer yearly in the 3-point Contest. The league’s best shooters fighting for bragging rights should not be missed. At&T Slam Dunk: There is probably no play in basketball that is more legendary than the slam dunk. For this one, the NBA’s highest flyers will unite to put on an aerial show NBA App Streams: 1 p.m. ET: NBA All-Star Media Day Presented by AT&T @ 1. p.m ET 7 p.m. ET: Commissioner Adam Silver’s news conference @ 7 p.m. ET (NBA TV) Sunday, February 19 3 p.m. ET | NBA G League Next Up Game (NBA TV) To begin Sunday’s events, the G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson and the Iowa Wolves’ Luke Garza will captain the two teams in a showdown of the league’s best up-and-coming G League talent. 7.30 p.m. ET: All-Star Draft Presented by Jordan Brand (TNT) This year will be the first time the All-Star Draft happen right before the game. Following a 6 p.m. ET Pregame Show on TNT, team captains LeBron and Giannis will spend time curating their squads for the matchup to follow. 8:30 p.m ET: 72nd NBA All-Star Game (TNT) The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will be fulfilled when Team LeBron and Team Giannis play to take the crown. The NBA’s most elite talent will meet in a best-of-the-best matchup with the aim of raising awareness and sponsoring two local Utah organizations. Team LeBron will play for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, and Team Giannis for Raise the Future looks to give almost $1 million to the organizations by the end of the weekend. NBA App Streams: 1 p.m. ET: NBA Legends Awards (NBA TV) For a clear look at the NBA All-Star 2023 festivities, fans can check the complete 2023 All-Star Weekend schedule. Related: 2023 All-Star Weekend: Burna Boy, Jewel, Post Malone, Rema, Tems, and Vin Diesel among entertainment headliners

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2023 all-star-weekend

2023 All-Star Weekend: Burna Boy, Jewel, Post Malone, Rema, Tems, and Vin Diesel among entertainment headliners

There will be an Afrobeats-themed halftime show and a performance by Post Malone after the first-ever in-arena NBA All-Star Draft headline the festivities at the 2023 All-Star Weekend. NEW YORK- The National Basketball Association (NBA) yesterday announced that three Nigerian superstars – 2023 GRAMMY Award-winning and Oscar-nominated singer and producer Tems, GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer Burna Boy, and singer Rema will be headliners at the NBA All-Star Game 2023 halftime show which has an Afrobeats-themed performance. After the performance, James LeBron will be honoured by the NBA family for becoming the league’s all-time scoring leader. The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City and air on TNT. Before the tip-off, global superstar Post Malone will perform for fans a medley of hits following the first-ever in-arena NBA All-Star Draft (at 7:30 p.m. ET), and Vin Diesel, the lead actor of the upcoming ”Fast X” movie, will welcome fans to the event. GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Jewel will sing the U.S. national anthem and JUNO Award-winning and platinum-selling artist Jully Black will sing the Canadian national anthem on Sunday for the NBA All-Star Game. The Bonner Family a Utah singing group will perform the U.S. national anthem before the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars, at the 2023 All-Star Weekend, which will be played on Friday, February 17 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. They will also perform the Black national. ”Lift Every Voice,” at the NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T, which will tip off on Saturday, February 18th at 4 p.m ET on TNT, ESPN2 and NBA TV. Related: NBA All-Star 2023 Viewer’s Guide

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chiefs' super bowl lvii

Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory parade highlights

Days after winning the biggest NFL game of the season, the Chiefs hit the streets of Kansas City, Missouri to celebrate their Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs got into the sightseeing buses to travel through the city, where they engaged excited fans for the second time in four seasons. Their celebrations ended at Union Station with rousing speeches from Super Bowl LVII MVP Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, calling out “haters” who ”were saying the Chiefs would never make the playoffs.” In attendance were also Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, president Mark Donovan, general manager Brett Veach, head coach Andy Reid, and Donna Kelce. Below, we have sampled some Tweets from Wednesday’s celebrations: In Other News: NFL news roundup: Current league updates from February 15

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nfl news roundup

NFL news roundup: Current league updates from February 15

The NFL is aiming to keep fans updated with all the latest news from around the league. Dedicated supporters can visit the NFL’s transaction hub for a daily breakdown of the NFL news roundup. On this note, these are some updates regarding the various teams in the NFL: (Teams are listed in alphabetical order) Baltimore Ravens Signings DE Brent Urban CB Daryl Worley Buffalo Bills Coaching News Veteran WR coach Adam Henry, according to reports by Tom Pelissero NFL Network Insider. Henry has coached at LSU and five other NFL teams. He was Indiana’s co-OC/WR coach. Carolina Panthers Coaching News The Panthers have hired Parks Frazier to be their new pass game coordinator. Frazier was part of Carolina’s head coach Frank Reich’s staff in Indianapolis. He was promoted to offensive play-caller during the last part of the 2022 season. Chris Tabor special teams coach, OL coach James Campen and assistant OL coach Robert Kugler will be retained on Reich’s staff. Denver Broncos Coaching News Declan Doyle will leave the New Orleans Saints to join Sean Payton’s Denver team as a tight ends coach, according to reports by Ian Rapoport NFL Network Insider. Doyle’s last four seasons were spent with the Saints as an offensive assistant. Jacksonville Jaguars Suspensions WR Calvin Ridley was suspended indefinitely in 2022 for wagering on NFL games during the 2021 season and applied for reinstatement on the 15th. Ian Rapoport reports. Kansas City Chiefs Signings QB Chris Oladokun (reserve/futures) RB Jerrion Ealy (reserve/futures) RB La’Mical Perine (reserve/futures) WR Cornell Powell (reserve/futures) WR Ihmir Marsette-Smit (reserve/futures) TE Kendall Blanton (reserve/futures) TE Matt Bushman (reserve/futures) G Mike Caliendo (reserve/futures) C Austin Reiter (reserve/futures) NT Danny Shelton (reserve/futures) LB Cole Christiansen (reserve/futures) DB Dicaprio Bootle (reserve/futures) Miami Dolphins Coach News Another NFL news roundup features Vic Fangio was announced as the official Miami defensive coordinator. Fangio signed a low-key contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to help the with their match against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl LVII. Tom Pelissero reported that Fangio would be joining the Dolphins on January 29th. New England Patriots Roster Cuts WR Kristian Wilkerson waived DB Tae Hayes waived K Quinn Nordin waived New Orleans Saints Coaching News The Saints have officially hired Joe Woods to be their defensive coordinator. Rapoport had reported on February 6th that New Orleans would be hiring the former Cleveland Browns DC. New Orleans also announced that they hired Todd Grantham as a defensive line coach, Marcus Robertson as a secondary coach, Clancy Barone as a tight ends coach and Kevin Carberry as an assistant offensive line coach. Philadelphia Eagles Signings WR Devon Allen (reserve/futures) WR Tyrie Cleveland (reserve/futures) OT Fred Johnson (reserve/futures) OT Roderick Johnson (reserve/futures) G Iosua Opeta (reserve/futures) DE Tarron Jackson (reserve/futures) DE Matt Leo (reserve/futures) LB Davion Taylor (reserve/futures) DB Mario Goodrich (reserve/futures) Pittsburgh Steelers Retirements John Mitchell, after spending 29 years as an assistant head coach to the Steelers and Mike Tomlin, announced that he was retiring. Of all of Tomlin’s staff, Mitchell was the longest-tenured member. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching News Seahawks QB coach Dave Canales is being hired as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. This is according to a report by NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo. Washington Commanders OC Interviews Eric Bieniemy, current Chiefs offensive coordinator, will interview for an OC job with Washington today. According to Rapoport NFL Network Insider, Bieniemy is considered a “top candidate”. More from the NFL: Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory parade highlights

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Liverpool handed a boost in Mason Mount’s pursuit

Liverpool have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Chelsea’s Mason Mount. According to Football Insider, the Reds are in pole position to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea, given that he will come cheap. The attacking midfielder has just 18 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, so he will not cost much, given Chelsea will be willing to sell this summer to avoid losing him for free next year. Read more: Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be sold this summer to fund Declan Rice Chelsea’s move Chelsea had opened contract talks with Mount, but both parties are far apart in their valuation, leading to Mount looking elsewhere. However, Jurgen Klopp loves the player and will love to bring him to Anfield as he attempts to rebuild his squad in the summer.

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Lionel Messi open to Inter Miami transfer this summer 

Lionel Messi is interested in signing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami according to reports. The Paris Saint-Germain forward is out of contract at the end of this season. However, talks have been going on between his entourage and PSG about extending the terms of his contract at Parc des Princes. Read more: Newcastle targeting Alphonso Davies But according to the French publication L’Equipe, Messi is growing increasingly unsure about staying in France, and Inter Miami are in pole position to sign him. The MLS club, owned by David Beckham and coached by former Manchester United player Phil Neville, have been interested in Messi since he left Barca two seasons ago. They were reportedly close to agreeing on a deal with the Argentina international but fell short at a crucial time as Messi wasn’t ready to leave Paris. But from reports in France, Messi and his family are now open to living in the United States. 

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Madrid want to use Díaz in the deal to sign Napoli star, Kvaratskhelia

Real Madrid want to sign Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer but will use a player as part of the deal. According to reports in Spain, Los Blancos want to use AC Milan forward Brahim Díaz as a make-weight in the deal. Real Madrid  Although former Madrid man Diaz has been signed permanently by AC Milan, Real Madrid can still bring him back to Santiago Bernabeu as they have a buyback clause in the deal that took him to San Siro. Read more: Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be sold this summer to fund Declan Rice Chelsea’s move According to the report, Madrid intend to bring him back and include him in a deal for Kvaratskhelia so that Napoli will reduce their asking price. The Serie A side signed the Georgian for just €10m last summer. But his form this season has attracted the interest of Europe’s leading clubs, including Real Madrid.  As such, Napoli will look to sell him for at least €70m. Kvaratskhelia has scored eleven goals and provided 14 assists in 23 games this season.

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Newcastle targeting Alphonso Davies

Premier League top four hopefuls Newcastle United want to sign Bayern Munich and Canada defender Alphonso Davies next season. According to journalist Ben Jacobs in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, the Magpies’ sporting director Dan Ashworth recognises Davies as the ideal profile for the club’s left-back position and will attempt to sign him next season. Read more: Manchester United target Paulo Dybala Davies is Bayern’s number-one left-back and will not come cheap. The 22-year-old has made 26 appearances for Bayern in all competitions this season, scoring two goals and providing six assists. He is valued at €70.00m, meaning that Newcastle will have to break their transfer record to land him. However, given their wealth under Saudi owners, the Magpies can easily afford the player and still not break FFP rules.

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Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be sold this summer to fund Declan Rice Chelsea’s move.

Chelsea could sell midfield duo Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher to raise funds to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. According to Football Insider, the Blues want to secure a “box-office midfielder signing” this summer and have identified the West Ham captain as one of their priorities once the summer transfer window opens. Read more: Manchester United target Paulo Dybala But to secure the deal, they might have to part ways with one or two midfielders to create space for Rice and raise the funds needed to facilitate the deal. Gallagher, whose contract runs till 2025, and Loftus-Cheek, whose contract runs till 2024, are the players likely to be sold at the end of the season to push the deal. Another player who could also be released is Mateo Kovacic, whose contract expires in June 2024.

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