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Daniele De Rossi: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Laura Greene — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

AS Roma’s Daniele De Rossi is among the many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Italian midfielder, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 29

Contract Situation: De Rossi’s current contract runs until June 2017.

Career Stops: AS Roma (2002-current)

Current Campaign Stats: Serie A—25 games, 0 goals, 5 assists

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide

Equally at home defending or attacking, De Rossi is a natural leader. His vision and clever passing of the ball, when added to his powerful, assured performances in the center of the park, dictate his side’s play for both the Giallorossi and the Italy national team.

Versatile, he is a tireless worker in the Gennaro Gattuso mold, and he has admitted in the past that he bases his game on Steven Gerrard’s performances for Liverpool.

Where Next?

In some respects, it's hard to imagine De Rossi leaving Roma. In 2012, he became Serie A’s highest paid Italian player on an estimated £5.4 million a year.

De Rossi’s father also played for Roma, and the 29-year-old has played at the Stadio Olimpico for his entire career. Nicknamed Capitan Futuro/Captain Future, he is thought to be the heir apparent to the Roma captain’s armband when Francesco Totti calls time on his playing days.

The midfielder's sour relationship with coach Zdenek Zeman was well publicised in 2012, which led to speculation linking him with a move away from Roma.

However, the Serie A side were quick to insist that their vice-captain would not be sold (FIFA.com).

In an interview with the New York Times, De Rossi appeared committed to Roma, saying, "I’m still young; I’m 29. I live for this club. My story is that I live for the club and, for me, leaving would be a drama, a big drama. I would like to stay here."

Zeman was fired as Roma coach in February, which may have some bearing on whether De Rossi chooses to stay.

This week, reports in Gazetta dello Sport (via The Express) hint that Roma may sanction a sale for De Rossi over the summer months, with Chelsea and Manchester City among his admirers.

Qatar 2022: 5 Stars Certain to Shine in World Cup Finals

Sam Tighe — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:26:09 -0400

Despite the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being nine years away, it's still one of the most talked about items on the footballing calendar.

Here, we look at five young stars who are certain to shine at the showpiece event in Asia, given their fantastic form at an early age.

Add your predictions for who will shine in the comments below!

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Lukas Podolski: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Nick Akerman — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:25:00 -0400

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski is among the many players linked with a move in the summer transfer window. Here's a scouting guide and stats breakdown from the German's first season with the Gunners, along with a few hints as to where he may be playing next season.

Age: 27

Contract Situation: Podolski's four-year contract with Arsenal is set to expire in 2016.

Career Stops: Cologne (2003-2006), Bayern Munich (2006-09), Cologne (2009-12), Arsenal (2012-current)

Current Campaign: Premier League—33 games, 11 goals, 9 assists; Champions League—6 games, 4 goals, 1 assist (Whoscored)

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Podolski's class is proven across the international and club stage, but his debut season with Arsenal never fulfilled its full potential. The German forward has a deadly left foot, an eye for a key pass and terrific ability from set-pieces. Although versatile, Podolski favours playing as a striker and found frustration from being placed onto the wing across his first season in England.

Where Next? Despite playing the last handful of 2012-13 Premier League games in the striker role, Podolski's slight unrest and inconsistent form has alerted Juventus to his services, with Podolski telling German newspaper Bild that he is open-minded about a possible transfer, via Express. The Italian champions are publicly hunting new strikers and could invite Podolski to Turin.

Metro, meanwhile, suggest Galatasaray want to add Podolski to their list of star names that includes Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder.

Follow @Nakerman

Malaga Confident of Europa League Next Season After UEFA Decision

Ian Rodgers — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:18:14 -0400

Malaga believe the team will be able to compete in the Europa League next season after UEFA lifted their additional year of suspension from European competition, as Reuters reported.

In December, the La Liga side was banned from UEFA tournaments for one season by the governing body's Club Financial Control Body due to outstanding debts and faced a possible further season out of competition if the club did not settle its owed monies, as reported by CNN.

UEFA had claimed Malaga owed player wages and had debts with other football sides as well as the Spanish tax authorities, which saw the club fall foul of the Financial Fair Play rules.

The Costa del Sol side believed it was "being punished unfairly and used as an example to others" and vowed to fight the suspension, as The Guardian highlighted.

Malaga has taken its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and UEFA waived the additional second year on May 17 when the club proved it had no outstanding debts, according to this BBC Sport report.

The CAS will deliver its verdict on the suspension for next season's UEFA competitions on June 4, but Malaga director general Vicente Casadois is confident the ban will be overturned, as ESPN reported.

This decision ratifies what we had already said when our fulfilment of the regulations was put in doubt. We are working, and will keep working, on this, as we are very optimistic about the future.

Malaga are currently sixth in the La Liga table with two games of the season remaining.

Under manager Manuel Pellegrini, the team were the surprise package of the Champions League this season and were only denied a semifinal clash with Real Madrid by two late Borussia Dortmund goals at the Westfalenstadion.

Pellegrini has been strongly linked with Manchester City before and after the sacking of Roberto Mancini last week, according to The Guardian.

Malaga sold star players such as Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal to Arsenal this season in a bid to help ease the debts at the club and are owned by Qatari businessman and millionaire Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani, who took over the club in 2010.

There have been question marks over his commitment to the club in recent weeks, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais via ESPN.

If the suspension is fully lifted, it may be too late to prevent Pellegrini making his move, but it does allow the club more room to manoeuvre in its search for a replacement.

Wilfried Zaha: Why Manchester United Fans Should Be Excited About Him

Max Towle — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:15:00 -0400

Many Manchester United fans were left scratching their heads when it was announced in January that Wilfried Zaha had been signed for upwards of £10 million.

Loaned back immediately to promotion-chasing Crystal Palace, there hasn't even been an opportunity to see the man in action at Old Trafford.

There were questions asked about the transfer, the main one being why had so much money been spent on someone who had never played a game of Premier League football before in his career?

Zaha remains a bit of an unknown quantity to many. To the fan who doesn't follow Championship action, that is.

He is a highly rated prospect—but possessing this tag doesn't automatically guarantee success.

This article will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the Ivory Coast-born, England international and seek to rest minds at ease.

This boy is some player.

A Gradual Rise to Prominence

Wilfried Zaha moved to London from the Ivory Coast when he was four years old.

He has only ever been on the books of Crystal Palace. He made his debut for the first team in 2010 aged only 17.

The following season, he was a regular at Selhurst Park under manager Paul Hart and his replacement George Burley.

Zaha played predominantly on the wing, showing his precocious talent in bursts.

He was often criticized by fans of Palace who felt he was a bit of a show pony in his early days, trying too often to beat his man and go for the spectacular.

He was far less raw in his second full season, becoming a more all-round attacking threat.

In November last year, Zaha made his international debut, playing for Roy Hodgson's England side in a friendly against Sweden.

Though he has not featured for the team since, Zaha is undoubtedly a part of Hodgson's long-term thinking.

As well as helping Palace to the Championship promotion playoffs, he scored two crucial goals in the semi-final second leg against Brighton. He will now play one last game for the Eagles at Wembley, in the playoff final.

What Kind of Player is He?

As previously mentioned, Wilfried Zaha is by nature a flying winger.

He has been deployed on either flank by manager Ian Holloway, and periodically as a lone striker.

He may not look the bulkiest 5'11", but Zaha is a natural athlete. He is incredibly quick and has excellent upper-body strength.

Like a young Cristiano Ronaldo, he is never afraid to take on an opposing defender and show off a new trick or two at the same time.

At the moment, he is more Nani than Ronaldo—consistency will be the key if he is to succeed at Old Trafford.

But the point is that he is capable of beating his man one-on-one, something Ashley Young, the Red Devils' current first-choice on the left wing, isn't.

If there are slightly worrying traits about Zaha, it is that he sometimes has a tendency to disappear in games. When this happens, Holloway switches him all over the park to get him more of the ball, but this doesn't always work.

Make no mistake, Zaha always wants the ball. He plays the way the game should be—fun.

He has great stamina and can run and run up and down the flanks. His defensive ethic isn't great, but that can be taught by the Carrington training staff.

His ball control and crossing abilities still need to be worked on, but again, these are flaws that can be ironed out.

How Would He Fit at United?

It is not yet known how David Moyes will tactically deploy his United team next term.

But if his track record is anything to go by, the side will take the form of a 4-2-3-1, with more traditional wingers.

Which means that Wilfried Zaha will spend most of his time playing on the left wing, unless there is a drastic change in personnel over the summer, which is unlikely.

He is not yet a natural enough goalscorer to play as the lone striker. His brace against Brighton last week was impressive, but he had only scored one goal before that in the Championship since the new year.

Over time, it is certainly possible that he could play as a wide forward or striker, but we're talking about what immediate impact he can make here.

The Red Devils' wingers have been terrible this season—Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia—no exception.

If this worrying trend continues, Zaha should get his fair share of game time under Moyes.

The fact that, unlike Young and Valencia, he can play on both wings also aids his cause for regular football.

It would be unfair to label him "one for the future." He will play next term, and I am confident he will make an impact. He is definitely someone to get excited about.

It just depends on how Moyes manages a player that was signed before him.

What kind of impact do you think Zaha will have next season and beyond?

Bleacher Report's Premier League coverage has been nominated in the 2012-13 EPLTalk awards. Cast your vote here.

Follow @MaxBentleyTowle

Cristiano Ronaldo: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Laura Greene — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:15:00 -0400

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is among the many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Portuguese star, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 28

Contract Situation: Ronaldo’s current six-year contract runs out in June 2015.

Career Stops: Sporting Lisbon (2002-2003) Manchester United (2003-2009) Real Madrid (2009-current)

Current Campaign Stats

La Liga—34 games, 34 goals, 11 assists

Champions League—12 games, 12 goals, 1 assist

Copa del Rey—7 games, 7 goals, 2 assists

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide

Ronaldo became the most expensive football transfer in history when he moved to Real Madrid for £80 million back in 2009. It’s easy to see why he commands such a huge fee. Simply put—Ronaldo has got it all.

Whether playing as a winger or an out-and-out striker, his pure athleticism, dribbling skills, tricks and sublime finishing make him one of the deadliest goalscorers in world football.

Most effective playing wide right or left, Ronaldo is also a dead-ball specialist, with heading ability that appears to defy gravity. He is strong, can use either foot and switches with ease from the right flank to the left.

Sir Alex Ferguson sums it up nicely, as he calls Ronaldo: "The complete player."

Where Next?

Ronaldo has two years remaining on his current contract at Real Madrid, and he has stated in the past that he will honour this deal.

However this hasn't stopped a flurry of speculation in the lead-up to the summer transfer window—especially when the 28-year-old admitted last September that he was unhappy at the Bernabeu (BBC Football).

In an article in the Manchester Evening News, he appeared seemingly resistant to inking a new deal at the La Liga side.

Recently, CR7 has been linked with a move back to the Premier League with Manchester United.

However, a buy-out fee of €1 billion may price him out of a move to his former club.

Moneyed Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the Portuguese international in The Sun.

As have Chelsea, whose former manager Jose Mourinho has left Real Madrid and is widely tipped to be returning to the west London club.

Ronaldo’s price tag is likely to keep him out of reach for most suitors and Real Madrid’s next manager, who is yet to be unveiled, could play a huge role in whether he stays or goes.

NHL Playoffs 2013: Breaking Down Wednesday's Penguins vs. Senators Matchup

Donald Wood — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:15:00 -0400

The 2013 NHL playoffs have been action packed thus far, but with only one game on Wednesday, the focus of the hockey community will be solely on the Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators.

After one the wildest finish of the postseason to Sunday's Game 3, both teams are desperate for a win and will do anything to walk away with a momentous Game 4 victory.

If you deem yourself a real hockey fan, you won’t be able to afford missing a second of Wednesday’s action.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators: 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

Game 4, Penguins lead series 2-1

The Penguins hold the 2-1 series advantage over the Senators, but with Game 4 coming from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, the building will be ready to explode in favor of the home team.

As well as Pittsburgh has played throughout this series—dominated the first and second games and had the third game locked up for 59 minutes—the Senators have kept the score close enough in each game to strike and did exactly that in Game 3.

The Penguins had a 1-0 lead in the waning stages of the third period when Ottawa took a penalty and put Pittsburgh on the man advantage. With the Senators shorthanded and just 30 seconds left in the game, veteran Daniel Alfredsson drove the net, found a seam big enough to exploit and put the puck behind goalie Tomas Vokoun for an amazing goal that sent the game into overtime.

The momentum shifted on that goal, and Ottawa went on to win the game in OT.

Wednesday’s matchup will determine which team responds best to the way Game 3 ended. The Penguins must realize they let a victory slip away and come out angry, using their skill advantage to spread the Senators thin in all facets of the game.

Talent only gets a team so far, though, and with the very real momentum Ottawa has created with their stunning victory Sunday coupled with the explosive fans in Scotiabank Place, the Senators must come out on fire and hit the Penguins right between the eyes.

If Ottawa pushes the tempo of the game from the opening faceoff, Pittsburgh will head home with the series tied 2-2. If the Senators rest on their laurels and don’t attack like the series is on the line, the Penguins won’t lose another game in this matchup.

Expect an absolute war Wednesday.

Predicted Winner: Penguins 4, Senators 3

Follow @Donald_Wood

Designing the Ultimate NFL Quarterback

Ty Schalter — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:10:41 -0400

The game of professional football has changed.

Offenses are more complex, with more and more athletic weapons spread more widely across the field. Pass-rushers come around both corners and through every gap in the line. Tight ends and running backs are receivers, not blockers, and beating modern hybrid-front defenses with athleticism is a necessity, not a luxury.

More than ever, wins are built on the back of the quarterback; in one season Andrew Luck transformed the Indianapolis Colts from 2-14 league backmarkers to an 11-5 playoff squad.

Quarterbacks can't just look the part anymore. It's not enough just to have the "right stuff."

To have all the qualities required to succeed in the NFL, a quarterback has to be almost superhuman. Better than he's ever been before. Bigger, faster, stronger. The ultimate quarterback.

We can build him. We have the technology.

Drew Brees's Feet

We build, like a quarterback's throwing motion, from the ground up.

Drew Brees has outstanding footwork, which is the foundation of everything a quarterback does. Whether he's under center or in shotgun, Brees has a lightning-fast, silky-smooth dropback that always ends in a firm back-leg plant. He's then up on the balls of his feet, ready to move or throw.

Watch this bomb to Devery Henderson:

From the shotgun, Brees takes deep steps backward. He stays smooth, plants firmly, then shuffles forward with a wide base.

Here's the crucial part: From that wide base, Brees plants firmly with his front leg and transfers all his weight onto it. It's that weight transfer and resistance that lets his 6'0", 209-pound body generate enough torque to put NFL zip on deep throws like this.

Keep watching that highlight reel, and focus on just Brees's feet; you'll see over and over again how Brees is quick, light, nimble, smooth and strong—and how quickly transferring all of his weight from back leg to front keeps his passes fast and accurate from sideline to sideline, near or far downfield.

Russell Wilson's Legs

There are a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL who could provide us with dangerous wheels. Russell Wilson's legs can do it all though: Great pocket movement to avoid the rush, flushing and rolling to turn broken plays into big plays and flat-out burning a defense for yardage.

Having sprinter's speed can be a fantastic weapon against modern zone defenses; as they're spread out to handle wide-open offenses, quarterbacks can often slice through the spaces in the front seven—or back seven.

As Michael Vick learned, though, and Robert Griffin III is finding out, using a quarterback's legs as a featured offensive weapon comes with risks. Depending on how the quarterback runs are designed and how defenses game-plan for the quarterback, running may or may not be effective. Worse, the quarterback is exposed to harder hits.

Watch Wilson—in one play—use his athleticism in every way a quarterback can use it:

He sees the rush, steps up in the pocket, flushes away from pressure, looks downfield, pump-fakes the pass and runs for a touchdown. What defense can hope to stop that?

Cam Newton's Torso

Cam Newton has a nearly-ideal quarterback's body as it is. From him, though, we'll take his robust upper body. Newton's 6'5", 248-pound frame carries little extra weight; his combination of lean size and core strength make him incredibly difficult to bring down with one tackler, whether on the run or in the pocket.

Aaron Rodgers's Throwing Arm

When it comes to "arm strength," most fans think about how far a quarterback can throw the ball.

In reality, almost all NFL quarterbacks can throw the ball more than far enough. The question is how quickly the ball gets where it's going.

NFL receivers don't often get wide open, so quarterbacks have to quickly deliver the ball through a tiny window. If the ball takes too long to get there, a defender will slam that window shut.

Of course, the quarterback can rocket the ball downfield at 200 miles per hour, but if it's not placed within that window, the pass is just as incomplete.

Accuracy is vital to success in the NFL. Accuracy doesn't just mean keeping the ball off the ground, but placing the ball where a receiver can effortlessly catch it in full stride. If a receiver has to stop, twist, jump or dive for a pass, it might be complete—but yards or even touchdowns that would otherwise follow those catches could be lost.

Aaron Rodgers's arm has the strength to put more than enough zip on every throw, even if he's on the run or off-balance. Rodgers also has the accuracy to consistently put the ball in receivers' hands, regardless of distance or velocity.

Watch Rodgers on this rollout:

The throw is "only" thirty yards downfield, but it's on the move and from the hash to the sideline. Rodgers launches a tightly-spun bullet right from his hand to receiver Randall Cobb's; a few inches in any direction and the pass is likely incomplete.

Instead, it's a touchdown.

Matthew Stafford's Throwing Hand

Matthew Stafford weighed in at the 2009 NFL combine at 6'2" and 225 pounds, per NFL.com. That's three inches shorter and 23 pounds lighter than Newton, he of the prototypical size, whose torso we're borrowing for our ultimate quarterback.

Yet Stafford's 10" hands are one-eighth of an inch bigger than Newton's. To further improve his ease and confidence in handling the ball, Stafford does extensive weight training with his throwing hand and arm:

Stafford's disproportionate hand size and strength not only allow him to quickly and easily launch passes from any arm angle, but it greatly improves his ball security. Despite dropping back to pass more often than anyone else, per Pro Football Reference Stafford had only the 20th-most fumbles of any quarterback in 2012.

Colin Kaepernick's Non-Throwing Arm

It's the most awesome non-throwing arm in football.

Ben Roethlisberger's Ampullae of Lorenzini

Perhaps Ben Roethlisberger is not hiding Ampullae of Lorenzini under his beard. Like the sharks and other sea predators that possess these electric field-sensing pores, though, Roethlisberger can detect living things around him without seeing them.

Roethlisberger's ability to sense and escape the pass rush borders on the magical. Watch him elude and evade most of the Baltimore Ravens front seven, while keeping his eyes downfield. He could have just gotten away, but instead he throws a touchdown:

This is critical for modern quarterbacks.

In today's NFL, more pass-rushers are coming from more places on the field, and fewer backs and tight ends are being kept in to block them. Quarterbacks have to be able to keep themselves clean with their ability to get rid of the ball—and their ability to keep the defense from touching them.

For quarterbacks not only to keep the offense moving, but keep themselves up right, they need the ability to feel the rush and keep away from it.

Peyton Manning's Head

To top it all off, there's only one choice: Peyton Manning's head.

Not the Twitter parody account, but the eyes and brain of the greatest field general of his generation—maybe ever.

Manning has an uncanny ability to break down a defense before the snap. As Chris Brown of Grantland.com explained extensively, Manning's offense uses a small set of plays designed to key off a defense's alignment and attack accordingly. When Manning gets to the line, he not only knows how he wants to attack the defense, he knows how the defense is going to eventually adjust—and he knows how he'll attack them when they do.

Manning stays two steps ahead of defenses by being a student of the game and a film-room fanatic.

Howard Mudd, the legendary offensive line coach who worked with Manning in Indianapolis, talked to Michael Marot of the Associated Press (via the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel) about Manning's intense study habits.

"[Manning's] preparation has never wavered," said Mudd. "Every single year, his intensity, his preparation is exactly the same—or greater. To me, that is his brilliance.”

The Ultimate Quarterback

With Drew Brees's footwork, Russell Wilson's mobility, Cam Newton's core strength, Aaron Rodgers's throwing arm, Matthew Stafford's throwing hand, Colin Kapernick's non-throwing arm, Ben Roethlisberger's senses and Peyton Manning's head, we have built the ultimate quarterback.

Perfectly evolved to attack modern NFL defenses, our apex predator will be impossible to stop. Unfortunately for our salary cap, he's going to cost a lot more than six million dollars:

Manchester City Unveils New Official Nike Home Kit for 2013-14 Season

Tim Daniels — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:06:18 -0400

It's been a busy couple of days for Manchester City. While most of the attention was on the Premier League club's agreement with the New York Yankees to create an MLS franchise, City also released their home kits for next season.

City official Tom Glick made the following comments about the new Nike kit to the club's official site:

"We are delighted to join forces with Nike. Having them as our new Technical Kit Partner demonstrates City’s growing global appeal, and we look forward to working alongside Nike to build and engage our fan base around the world"

He also talked about City's belief in the growth of the sport in the United States:

"We are also pleased to unveil our new look during our matches in New York and St. Louis this week. This is our third visit to the USA in the last three years, and we enjoy a fantastic following here. It’s an exciting time for soccer in the States, and we are big believers in its future. Passion for the game from fans and participants is strong and growing, and we look forward to playing a part in its on-going development."

As for the kit itself, the new design follows a common theme for jerseys around the world. Teams are trying to keep an overall retro style, which harkens back to an earlier era of the club, while still instituting modern updates.

City went with a style that flashes back to the 1892 squad while incorporating a jersey that weighs just 150 grams, an example of the modern technology. As always, the sky blue color scheme remains unchanged in the new kit.

That's the most important thing. When people take a quick glance at the new kit, they should instantly think Manchester City. Keeping that tradition alive is always the key to a successful new design and City certainly remained loyal to their past (image via EPLTalk.com).

So in respect to keeping up with tradition, City receives a passing grade. As Glick mentioned, the club will show off the new look during exhibition matches in the coming week. It will give supporters their first in-game look at what to expect next season.

The bottom line remains the same, though. The more trophies City are able to win wearing the jersey, the better it will look to the fans. Winning overshadows a kit design.

Johnny Manziel's so Good, He Completes 93 Percent of His Passes Blindfolded

Barrett Sallee — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:14 -0400

"Johnny Manziel is out of control."

That's the cry coming from Manziel's critics after the reigning Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the Texas A&M Aggies has gone on a world tour this offseason that has taken him courtside to NBA games, the Super Bowl, Mardis Gras, Cabo San Lucas, Pebble Beach and San Diego—all while taking online classes.

Not only is that alarmist hyperbole, it's also factually inaccurate.

We learned on Monday that Manziel is very much in control.

According to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram, Manziel completed 93 percent of his passes in a blindfolded passing section with quarterback coach George Whitfield, Jr. in San Diego last week.

The most impressive thing @jmanziel2 did in a week of work with @georgewhitfield was be on target for 27 of 29 throws while blindfolded.
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) May 21, 2013

You read that correctly—he was 27-of-29 while blindfolded. It's impressive to post that number against air with both eyes open, much less while blindfolded.

Manziel posted video of one of the passes on Vine.

“I have always said he has the best antenna in football,” Whitfield told Williams following the training session. “I think he just proved that.”

I'll say.

Manziel's feel for the game was apparent from the moment he stepped on the football field last season.

In his first season as the starting quarterback for the Aggies, he dazzled fans through the air and on the ground. Manziel threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns, setting the SEC's single-season total offense record with 5,116 yards.

That was without a blindfold.

With a blindfold, it doesn't appear that his game would take a major it.

Out of control? Nope. Manziel has everything in control.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Manchester United Transfer News: Red Devils Right to Give Rio Ferdinand New Deal

Dan Talintyre — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is reportedly close to signing a new one-year deal with the Premier League champions, according to Sky Sports.

Rio Ferdinand's advisors have confirmed contract talks with Manchester United are progressing nicely and that he could sign a new deal later this week. Ferdinand's representatives told Sky Sports: "Talks regarding Rio's new contract are moving along nicely and hopefully we will have some news soon."

Ferdinand's contract is set to expire this summer, and if signed, the new one-year deal would extent the veteran defender's stay at Old Trafford to 12 years.

Having watched the defender this season, there's little doubting that a new deal is the right move for the Red Devils to make.

Ferdinand—despite his age and supposed dip in form—has been a stalwart at the back and has been instrumental in their Premier League victory. In fact, according to BBC Sport, the England international made more appearances in central defense than any other United defender this season—such was his importance and consistency in 2013.

He was named into the PFA's Team of the Year as a result of that and drew incredible praise from manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the process, as reported by BBC Sport:

Rio Ferdinand has had his best season at the club. We have had continual problems with the centre-backs being fit. Nemanja Vidic has missed half a season, Chris Smalling has missed most of the season, Phil Jones missed a good bit and Jonny Evans missed parts but Rio has managed his situation very well.

Ferguson also added, "at the most important times, he has been there," and there could seemingly be no greater compliment for Ferdinand's this season.

The 34-year-old didn't chalked up incredible numbers in terms of tackles, interceptions or clearances, according to WhoScored, but he has been consistent.

He didn't allowed opposing players to get in behind the United back line, and despite a growing injury toll, he remained as strong and focused as ever.

His performances against some of the best attacking players in the world—Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard—showed just how dominant he can be and just how important he will be to the long-term success of the Red Devils. For while Ferdinand deserves a new deal courtesy of his on-field performances, it's also his wisdom and experience that United cannot afford to lose next year.

Especially with a new manager running the show in 2013.

Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are going to be pushing for a starting berth, and the wisdom of Ferdinand will be key in developing the future of those two players—as well as their relationship with new manager David Moyes.

Should he leave this summer (or not be given a new deal), the reality is that it is that experience and leadership that United would most miss about Ferdinand.

United have a strong future in central defense and will be able to survive if Ferdinand takes a backwards step or two next year. At worst, it just gave them another 12 months of his experience and knowledge.

But at best, it'll give them another 12 months with one of the best Premier League defenders ever and a huge step towards a successful title defense in 2013.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre

Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Price Is Right for Potential Target Gonzalo Higuain

Tim Keeney — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

Arsene Wenger, it's time to open up your wallet and end the monotony.

For nearly the past decade, Arsenal has become predictable: Top-four finish, fail to win a trophy, refuse to overspend in the summer. Lather, rinse, repeat.

That's not exactly meant as criticism, though. Wenger's Gunners have now qualified for the Champions League in 17 straight seasons. The magnitude and consistency of that feat cannot be overstated.

But as Gooners frustratingly know all too well, while the build up has been fantastic, the finish has been lacking. Since winning the FA Cup in 2005, Arsenal has immersed itself in an eight-season trophy drought.

With oodles of cash to spend this summer, it's time for Wenger to bring Arsenal from great to elite.

That starts with Gonzalo Higuain, who, according to The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson, is on the radar:

Wenger was interested in Higuaín before he even joined Real Madrid from River Plate in 2007 and there is a feeling that he could now be attainable for what would be a club-record transfer fee of £19 million.

Higuain represents the exact type of move Arsenal needs to make. A transfer fee of £19 million would shatter the club record of £15 million for Andrei Arshavin in 2009, and it would suggest the Gunners are ready to bid with the big boys.

But it's not just a hey-look-how-rich-we-are type of move. Higuain is actually worth it.

In 26 La Liga appearances (and just 17 starts) for Real Madrid this season, the Argentine netted 14 goals and five assists. He compiled an average match rating of 7.18, sixth best on the squad.

Moreover, his efficiency was absolutely jaw-dropping:

He's tough to move off the ball and has world-class finishing ability.

That's precisely what Arsenal needs up front. Three of its top-four goal scorers in 2012-13, Theo Walcott, Santiago Cazorla and Lukas Podolski, spent a majority of their time as attacking midfielders or on the outside.

The need for another weapon up front—a true striker who is strictly there to find the back of the net—is apparent. Olivier Giroud was solid in that role, but Higuain, who has dominated La Liga for the past five seasons, is of higher quality than the Frenchman.

Not only will £19 million buy the Gunners an elite striker who will instantly improve the club's attack, depth and versatility, but it will prove crucial in helping end the cycle of trophy-less seasons.

Wenger is known to be frugal, but that's money well spent.

David Villa: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Daniel Edwards — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

Barcelona forward David Villa is among many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Spain international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 31

Contract Situation: Villa's current deal expires in June 2014.

Career Stops: Sporting Gijon (2001-03), Real Zaragoza (2003-05), Valencia (2005-10), Barcelona (2010-present).

Current Campaign Stats

La Liga: 26 games, 9 goals.

Champions League: 7 games, 1 goal.

Copa del Rey: 5 games, 5 goals.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

David Villa's transformation from an out-and-out striker at Valencia to almost a winger in Camp Nou is reflected in a sharp drop in his goalscoring record. From 28 and 21 La Liga strikes in his last two Mestalla seasons, the 31-year-old has so far netted just nine times in the current campaign.

These numbers, however, do not reflect how this mobile, intelligent player has adapted to fit Barcelona's system, working fluidly with false nine Lionel Messi and creative geniuses Xavi and Iniesta. Out wide and in the middle, he remains a force to be reckoned with and one of the best strikers in the game.

On the wrong side of 30, though, question marks over his durability and longevity remain, not least because of a couple of debilitating injuries that have curtailed his playing time over the last two years.

Where to Next?

Only in Barcelona could a season that included a Champions League semi-final and a rampant race to the Liga title constitute a failure, but it feels that way around Catalunya and a clearout could well be planned in the close season.

According to AS, Villa could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium, claiming via Caught Offside that a €15 million pre-contract deal is in place for the Spaniard to move this summer. Goal, meanwhile, see El Guaje closer to the Gunners' bitter north London rivals, stating that Villa is likely to move as part of a double striker swoop also involving Brazil star Leandro Damiao.

Roger Federer's 2013 French Open Run Will Be Most Telling of His Career

Patrick Clarke — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

Roger Federer is no longer the top tennis player on the planet, we know that much.

But what will we learn in Paris this summer?

At age 31, the 17-time Grand Slam champion is struggling to keep pace with the elite players in the men's game. If you disagree, take a look at the numbers.

Nearly five months into the tennis season, Fed is just 18-6 in singles play and has yet to win a single tournament. Not since 2000 has Fed begun the year with such a lengthy drought.

That's why the 2013 French Open this summer in Roland Garros will be the most telling Slam appearance of Fed's career. A French Open champion in 2009 and a five-time finalist in Paris, the Swiss legend has experienced tremendous success at the year's second major tournament despite winning just once in 14 tries.

If Federer's brilliant performance at Wimbledon last summer reminded us that he was still among the game's top players, this year's French Open run could reveal whether Fed is primed to repeat at the All England Club in 2013 or set to stumble down the stretch before turning 32 in August.

It's no secret that tennis players begin to fade as they age, especially after they reach age 30.

Despite having played 1,100 singles matches over the course of his career, Fed has still been a model of consistency at Grand Slam tournaments. After all, he's played in and reached the quarterfinals at every major dating back to the 2004 Wimbledon Championships.

But what if Fed gets knocked out in the fourth round in Paris this summer?

Eventually we'll have to acknowledge that Fed is no longer on the same level as the other three members of the Big Four—because he's not.

In 2013, Fed is 0-3 against Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. He's yet to play world No. 1 Novak Djokovic this season, but he's won just two of his past seven meetings with the top-ranked Serb, dating back to the 2011 U.S. Open.

If a short French Open run wouldn't convince you that Fed is fading from the elite, consider the following: Fed is just 2-5 against Djokovic in their last seven meetings, 1-4 against Murray in their last four meetings and 4-12 against Nadal in their last 16 matchups.

While those marks would be considered impressive for any other player in the ATP Top 10, they are telling for a legend like Federer, who was once untouchable and a lock to make the French Open final, even if Nadal was the man to beat.

Now, having failed to reach the final at Roland Garros in two of the past three years, Fed is set to embark on the most revealing Grand Slam journey of his career in 2013.

At this stage of Federer's season and at this point in his career, an early exit or run to the final would not only be significant, but telling in terms of what Fed's future holds.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Kolo Toure Is Terrific Stopgap Target for Reds

Tim Daniels — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

The retirement of Jamie Carragher leaves a void along the Liverpool back line. Filling the spot is one of the top summer tasks for manager Brendan Rodgers. Manchester City defender Kolo Toure is an ideal target to start the process.

Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph reports Liverpool are closing in on an agreement with Toure, who's available for a free transfer after a rocky run at City. He's one of three players linked to the Reds, along with Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Tiago Ilori.

Brendan Rodgers has identified numerous targets to reinforce his central-defensive options, and Toure - available on a free transfer - is poised to have a medical at Liverpool after Manchester City's tour of the United States after next weekend.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has seen his contract run out at the Etihad Stadium having rarely featured since being suspended for six months after admitting accidentally taking a banned substance in 2011.

At 32, Toure is not the long-term answer to Liverpool's questions in the center of defense. That said, he's a veteran with big-match experience that would help cover up the absence of Carragher until a younger option emerges for the Reds.

The fact it would be a free transfer, which would preserve the club's funds for other potential summer moves, is a bonus. It also limits the amount of risk because all Liverpool would have to worry about is wages should Toure struggle.

He started his career at Arsenal, where he quickly emerged as one of the most reliable center backs in the Premier League. His move to City was supposed to bolster the club's defense, but he wasn't able to rediscover top form after that 2011 suspension.

A return to full-time football would give him a chance to show he can still play at an elite level. The good news for Liverpool is that they should only need a couple of solid seasons from him before Sebastian Coates and Martin Kelly are ready to take the next step.

By adding a player like Toure, it would also give Rodgers some flexibility for the rest of the summer. He could still pursue another defender, but the need wouldn't be as pressing. The Reds must try to secure more attacking options to keep pace with the Champions League sides.

So the Toure link makes a lot of sense for Liverpool. The veteran would step right into an important role without the club having to pay a hefty transfer fee. There's a good chance he would be able to regain most of his peak form.

It shows what the Reds need to do in order to keep pace. They can't go out and spend big to fill every hole on the squad. They have to take some chances, like Toure, and hope they work out. Daniel Sturridge is a good example.

Assuming a deal gets done, Liverpool hope Toure provides a similar spark next season.

Giro D'Italia 2013: Breaking Down Final Stages of Prestigious Race

Jesse Reed — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

After 16 grueling stages, the cyclists competing in the 2013 Giro d'Italia are closing in on the finish line. Five more stages remain, and there are a few competitors who have separated themselves as the men to beat.

Spain’s Benat Intxausti Elorriaga won Stage 16 with a strong performance in the medium mountain course. Tanel Kangert of Estonia and Przemyslaw Niemiec of Poland finished in second and third place, respectively.

Italy's Vincenzo Nibali held on to his overall lead, which after 16 stages is just one minute, 26 seconds.

Here's a quick look at the overall leaderboard:

Overall Leaderboard

1	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team	67:55:36
2	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	-0:01:26
3	Rigoberto Uran (Col) Sky Procycling	-0:02:46
4	Michele Scarponi (Ita) Lampre-Merida	-0:03:53
5	Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre-Merida	-0:04:13
6	Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia	-0:04:57
7	Carlos Alberto Betancur Gomez (Col) AG2R La Mondiale	-0:05:15
8	Rafal Majka (Pol) Team Saxo-Tinkoff	-0:05:20
9	Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar Team	-0:05:47
10	Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale	-0:07:34

To see where every cyclist stands after 16 stages, visit the race's official site.

Remaining Stages

Stage 17: Caravaggio – Vicenza

Distance: 214km
Highest point: 402m
Category: Flat

After toiling in the mountains, the competitors will relish the opportunity to take on a flat track.

There is one big challenge toward the end of the stage, however. Near the end of Stage 17 there is a big ramp that will challenge the contestants to keep up their sprint.

This stage will be interesting to watch—especially the last half hour or so—as the pure sprinters will attempt to make up lost time on the flat, while the strong climbers will attempt to regain lost time in the short climb to Crosara.

Stage 18: Mori - Polsa (ITT)

Distance: 20.6km
Highest point: 1,205m
Category: Individual time trial

The second-shortest stage of the race, Stage 18 is a brutal test against nature and against the clock.

According to CyclingNews.com, Stage 18 features some tough grades: "The gradients, an average of five percent and the final 6km at 6.8 percent, look better suited to the specialists than to the thoroughbred climbers."

Time trials pit man against the road without any help from teammates, which really sets the top riders apart from the main group.

Though short, this stage will push the competitors to the limits of their endurance, and should one or a few of the top racers falter, it could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Stage 19: Ponte di Legno – Val Martello

Distance: 139km
Highest point: 2,758km
Category: High mountain

Of all the final stages, this one will likely determine the winner of this year's Giro.

Whereas Stage 18 was a short time trial up a steep grade, Stage 19 is a 139-kilometer test in the high mountains.

The distance itself isn't the big challenge in this stage, however. According to CyclingNews.com, the contestants will battle through "4,300 metres of accrued climbing."

Under any circumstances, this stage would be difficult, but it is even more of a monumental task considering all the hard riding the cyclists will have already done by this point. The contestants with the most energy, willpower and conditioning will separate themselves from their peers.

Stage 20: Silandro - Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Auronzo di Cadore)

Distance: 203km
Highest point: 2,304m
Category: High mountain

Don't let this stage's easy start fool you—it's a bear.

Climb, climb and climb some more—that's what the contestants can expect on the second-to-last stage of this race.

According to Stefano Zanatta of CyclingNews.com, "If the Giro isn't already won, Passo Giau might well determine its outcome. I've seen riders blow spectacularly on it because it's just very, very hard."

Winning this prestigious race won't come easy—especially here near the end.

Stage 21: Riese Pio X - Brescia

Distance: 197km
Highest point: 200m
Category: Flat

After three grueling mountain stages, the final stage of the Giro is almost perfectly flat.

Depending on what kind of lead the top rider has, this final stage could be quite boring. On the other hand, if there are a few competitors close behind the leader, this final stage could conclude with a sprint to the finish line for the ages.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Edinson Cavani: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Daniel Edwards — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

Napoli forward Edinson Cavani is among many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Uruguay international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 26

Contract Situation: Cavani is under contract in Southern Italy until 2017.

Career Stops: Danubio (2005-07), Palermo (2007-10), Napoli (2010-present).

Current Campaign Stats

Serie A: 34 games, 29 goals.

Europa League: 7 games, 7 goals.

Coppa Italia: 2 games, 2 goals.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

In contemporary world football, only Radamel Falcao can realistically challenge Cavani for the title of best centre forward currently in action. The Uruguayan possesses blistering pace and an admirable work ethic, and a brilliant return of 38 goals in 43 games during the 2012-13 season has been a key factor in Napoli claiming the second spot in Serie A.

Devastating down the middle, Cavani is just as happy playing on the right side of attack, or on the wing, where he harries defenders and gives a more physical option on the flank. The Serie A's most prolific man in front of the net is much more than just a goalscorer, and his direct, rapid play makes him a good option for sides in any of Europe's top leagues.

Where to Next?

The 26-year-old forward still has four years on his contract at San Paolo, but with some of Europe's most prestigious and wealthiest teams circling, the transfer window will see him under big pressure to make a move. One transfer that has been consistently rumoured over the last few months is a switch to London and Chelsea.

The Guardian believes that soon to be ex-Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will make Cavani his top transfer target, should the Portuguese coach swap the Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. He may face stiff competition, however, from none other than the Spanish giants.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport via Give Me Football, the Merengue have already agreed personal terms for the marksman, and are now negotiating with Napoli to agree a transfer fee. Madrid's current bid of €50 million plus a player currently falls short of pleasing the Italians, who wish to hold out for a bid approaching €63 million for their star.

Alberto Del Rio Is More Valuable as a Contender in WWE

Drake Oz — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:04 -0400

Alberto Del Rio is the No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, and that’s exactly the spot that he belongs in.

Del Rio, of course, is no stranger to feuding for world titles. He’s done so for the vast majority of his career and, in fact, has been a pretty consistent presence in the World Heavyweight title picture for roughly a year now.

After beating Jack Swagger at Sunday’s Extreme Rules PPV, ADR is once again the top contender for the world title—a spot that he is much more valuable in than he ever was as the actual world champion.

Looking back throughout Del Rio’s history, he’s spent almost his entire career on a quest to win either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship. But when he’s actually done so, success hasn’t exactly followed.

Del Rio’s first WWE Championship reign lasted all of 35 days and featured exactly zero successful title defenses. His second WWE title reign wasn’t much better, either.

It lasted just 49 days, featured only one successful (and controversial) PPV title defense and saw Del Rio be portrayed as one of the weakest World champions in recent memory.

ADR’s third title reign—his first run as a babyface champion and his first run with the World Heavyweight Championship—would be a significant improvement on his first two, lasting 90 days and featuring two successful title defenses, including one on the grand stage of WrestleMania.

Still, what do ADR’s three title reigns add up to? 174 total days (an average of 58 days or less than two months per reign) and three total successful title defenses, two of which ended in controversial fashion.

As you can see, Del Rio the World champion—no matter which title he’s held—has had a really rough go-round every time he’s actually held the belt that he tried so desperately to win.

Simply put, the WWE just didn’t have enough confidence in Del Rio during his first two title reigns to give him lengthy runs with the belt. Meanwhile, his third reign was doomed because of Dolph Ziggler, the Money in the Bank contract and the intense desire of the fans to see Ziggler as World Heavyweight Champion.

Perhaps ADR could have had better world title reigns if the creative team was willing to let them happen. But it wasn’t, and now, we know: ADR is much more valuable as a contender.

As a heel champion, he was booked weakly because he was feuding with the WWE’s top two faces, John Cena and CM Punk, at the time. As a babyface world champion, it was hard to get behind ADR because he won the title so quickly after turning face (meaning we didn’t have time to build up our desire to see it happen) and because his manager Ricardo Rodriguez often outshined him.

As a contender, however, Del Rio has actually been much more entertaining—at least when he has creative on his side.

Although ADR’s five-month long world title feud with Sheamus was pretty terrible overall because he lost so damn much, his original quest to become champion was actually a pretty entertaining one.

Del Rio, of course, preached about how it was his “destiny” to become world champion, and he proved that it might actually be when he won the 2011 Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank matches. Those monumental victories built him up as a strong contender even though he was new to the main roster.

While he wasn’t booked perfectly as a heel contender, he came across like a big deal because of those major victories and the fact that the MITB briefcase essentially guaranteed that he’d become champion one day.

That was a stark contrast from his time when he actually was the champion.

During both of his runs as WWE Champion, the WWE basically refused to let him succeed. Cena and, more specifically, Punk were much bigger priorities at the time, and ADR was just a secondary character in the WWE title picture.

Del Rio, however, would prove his worth as a World title contender in late 2012 when he turned face, almost instantly became the WWE’s biggest Hispanic hero and would try to topple the seemingly unstoppable Big Show to become World Heavyweight champion.

That angle worked so well because Big Show had been portrayed as such a strong champion and because Del Rio’s face turn was so fresh at the time. The fans were beginning to react very positively to him, and they really wanted to see him end the Big Show’s reign of terror.

Naturally, the WWE jumped the gun a little bit by putting the title on ADR so quickly because having to wait to get that win would have made that moment even more monumental for ADR.

But still, there was something so pure about the moment that Del Rio became the World Heavyweight Champion. The fans loved it, and it obviously meant a lot to Del Rio, which generated a genuine reaction from everyone watching—something that doesn’t happen all that often in pro wrestling anymore.

Unfortunately, Del Rio as the World Heavyweight champion just didn’t mean as much as he did when he was the No. 1 contender. He had already reached his goal of toppling Big Show, so what else was there for him to do?

Perhaps that’s why babyface in general make better contenders than champions.

One of the biggest appeals of pro wrestling is the battle of good vs. evil, mainly the quest of a babyface challenger looking to dethrone the heel champion. It’s a simple story that can work so well when done right.

It did so for ADR, but once that moment of his world title win had passed, it was all downhill from there.

Del Rio quickly began to lose his momentum the longer that his world title reign dragged on, and the fans who were once elated over his epic title win began souring on him.

Sound familiar? It should because that’s what seems to happen to Del Rio almost every time he becomes World Heavyweight champion.

As a challenger, he succeeds in winning the attention and adulation of the fans. But as a champion, he just doesn’t.

Drake Oz is a WWE Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter!

Liverpool Should Stop Dragging Their Heels and Buy Christian Eriksen

Richard Morgan — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:03 -0400

Liverpool have missed out on signing a Danish superstar once before in the past when the great Michael Laudrup opted to join Lazio 30 years ago rather than move to Anfield, and the Reds are in danger of history repeating itself once again this summer unless they act fast and snap up Ajax’s Christian Eriksen.

According to the Daily Mirror, a source close to the coveted Denmark international claimed that the Merseysiders have been sending “mixed messages” to the player of late, and that, “one minute there was a concrete interest and Liverpool were willing to pay the fee, but now they are taking their time.”

The 21-year-old’s contract at the Amsterdam ArenA only runs until June 30 2014, and Eriksen has already made it clear that he will not be putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Eredivisie champions, telling Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf (h/t The Express):

“I didn't hear anything from my agent but, if something shows up, I feel like trying.”

However, the worry for Liverpool fans is that they are most certainly not the only club currently interested in the highly talented playmaker, with the same article from The Express reporting interest from Tottenham Hotspur, as well as fellow Premier League giants Manchester City, according to Metro, and UEFA Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, according to The Guardian all reportedly keen on landing the player when the transfer window reopens for business at the start of next month.

In fact, Eriksen has already made it quite clear that he would be partial to a transfer to the Ruhr Valley next season, especially if Jurgen Klopp’s side are crowned champions of Europe at Wembley on Saturday.

Eriksen told De Telegraaf (h/t The Guardian):

Dortmund are a club where I would like to play. I think I would be a good fit with the football there. Dortmund play nice, attacking football.

The Bundesliga has never really been my preferred choice and a few years ago I would not even have considered it, but now I do. The competition is getting stronger and it is no coincidence the two Champions League finalists are German clubs.

I know there has been contact between the two clubs, and both Ajax and Dortmund have already talked to my agent. I will consider all the clubs and quietly make a decision. I want clarity when preparing for the new season, that's the best thing – for everyone.

And yet when you actually delve deeper into the background behind Eriksen’s mooted move to Anfield this summer, the more and more it seems like a marriage made in heaven, especially when one takes into account his reported transfer fee of just £15 million, according to the Mirror.

Firstly, the player has already turned down mega-rich City due to understandable concerns that he will not get regular first-team football at Eastlands next season, as reported in this article by Metro, a factor that compatriot and former Liverpool star Jan Molby also feels will play a part in whoever Eriksen does eventually decide to join.

“What I would say is that Christian needs to play regularly. Maybe that would count in Liverpool’s favour slightly, that they can offer him, you would think, regular first-team football,” Molby told the Liverpool Echo.

Perhaps just as important is that Eriksen has also seen the strides that his former captain at Ajax, Luis Suarez, has made under the tutelage of Reds manager Brendan Rodgers since deciding to swap Amsterdam for Anfield in January 2011.

However, it is believed that the in-demand attacking midfield player has actually been most impressed by the longevity of the Merseyside club’s pursuit of him, with Liverpool having sent scouts out to the ArenA to watch Eriksen in action for the entirety of last season, according to the Daily Mail.

And yet now we hear through sources close to the player himself that Rodgers and Co. have been dragging their heals at the most crucial point of the entire negotiating process.

Now, this would not be the first time since he became Liverpool manager last June that the Northern Irishman has taken his time in deciding whether or not to sign a player, with the Daily Mail reporting that Rodgers opted against bringing Daniel Sturridge to Anfield from Stamford Bridge last summer to allow him more time to investigate the striker’s character traits to ascertain whether he would be a good fit at the club or not.

That delay actually ended up costing the Reds dearly, as they were forced to survive with just Suarez in attack for the first half of the previous campaign, before Rodgers did eventually correct his initial error by poaching the England international in the January transfer window.

One factor that is apparently also concerning Rodgers is where exactly Eriksen will fit into the team next season, especially since the arrival of Brazil international Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan at the start of the year and whether he will have too many impish, ball-playing attacking schemers all operating in the top end of the pitch?

However, if Rodgers is having those thoughts, then he should get rid of them, and quickly. If he really is going to propel the Reds back into the top four of the Premier League next season, and with it a long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League, then he will need players of the creative quality of Eriksen to help him achieve that tough-looking aim.

In fact, Rodgers need only have watched the youngster’s eye-catching displays for Ajax in the group stage of last season’s Champions League, when Eriksen more than held his own when faced with the likes of Real Madrid, City and Dortmund, and none more so than his man-of-the-match performance against the then-Premier League champions in Amsterdam, to have been convinced about the Dane’s star quality.

“He’s a classy player. An old-fashioned number 10 in many ways. He has two great feet, he sees passes and has added goals to his game in recent weeks. He has all of the tools in his locker to be a real top class player,” is Molby’s assessment of his compatriot in the same aforementioned Liverpool Echo report.

“I’d love to see him at Liverpool, and he is exactly the type of player Liverpool should be looking at, but there will be some serious competition I am sure.”

And that glowing tribute was also shared by England midfield player Frank Lampard, who said this of Eriksen following his man-of-the-match showing against the Three Lions in Copenhagen in February 2011 according to Tribal Football:

“I didn’t know much about Eriksen before the game, but Fabio Capello was very aware of him. He is going to be a top player.”

However, perhaps the final word should be left to the man who has been nurturing the youngster’s talents for the past two years in the Netherlands, Ajax technical director Marc Overmars, whose view on Eriksen should surely be final confirmation, if it were needed, that this is a player Liverpool must sign, and quickly:

“The day he leaves, he will be ready to play for the very best. He is a player that even the biggest clubs in the world could do with having in their squad.”

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Assessing Each First-Round Slot After Lottery

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:03 -0400

When all was said and done at the 2013 NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers had once again walked away with the No. 1 overall pick.

Nick Gilbert is a god.

After landing Kyrie Irving with the top pick in 2011, the Cavaliers have an opportunity to land another future star in 2013.

But who will they draft? Kentucky center Nerlens Noel? Georgetown small forward Otto Porter? Perhaps they trade back.

Here's a look at my latest 2013 NBA mock draft, post-lottery edition.

*All measurements and combine information via Chad Ford of ESPN.com

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Despite tearing his ACL in February, Nerlens Noel is widely considered to be the No. 1 prospect in the class based on potential. The Cavaliers aren't going to pass up on potential, just like they did with Kyrie Irving in 2011. Learning under Anderson Varejao will benefit the 19-year-old.

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

Ben McLemore has the most upside out of any shooting guard in the draft. He was inconsistent at Kansas, but he's also only 20 years old. McLemore's athleticism (he dropped a 42-inch vertical at the combine) and scoring ability are impressive. Plus, he reportedly did well in interviews.

3. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV

The fact that Anthony Bennett is coming off rotator cuff surgery hasn't appeared to sway many teams. He's an athletic, powerful prospect who has an inside-outside game. He also has great hands underneath. The Wizards have a void at power forward.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

Victor Oladipo has already shown excellent defensive skills. Combined with his improving jumper, he could be a top-five pick in the draft. Plus, you would have to think Michael Jordan would recognize his undeniable heart.

5. Phoenix Suns: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown

The Suns have needs all over the court. Otto Porter is the kind of do-it-all player who can help them on both sides of the ball. Porter's work ethic came through last season when his jumper improved dramatically.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, G, Michigan

Greivis Vasquez had a solid season for New Orleans last year, but it's hard to pass up on the potential of Trey Burke, especially at No. 6 overall. Burke has a scintillating blend of scoring and playmaking ability. He wouldn't be a bad sixth man for the Pelicans to start off his NBA career.

7. Sacramento Kings: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Alex Len missed the combine due to ankle surgery, but he's one of the most promising big men in the class in my mind. His combination of athleticism, versatility, rebounding, shot-blocking ability and passing skills will be hard to pass up for the Kings, who currently lack an identity.

8. Detroit Pistons: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

The Pistons are in need of some talent and scoring ability on the wing. Enter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, one of the best shooters in the class. Caldwell-Pope also has the athleticism to translate nicely to the pros.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, G, Lehigh

The Timberwolves need an outside shooter to complement point guard Ricky Rubio. McCollum shot 52 percent from beyond the arc for Lehigh last season. His electric performance against Duke in the 2012 NCAA tournament also showed he has the chops to step up his game against better competition.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana

Whether Cody Zeller can succeed at center is debatable. He didn't exactly quiet concerns about his toughness or strength in the 2013 NCAA tournament. But planting him at power forward alongside the developing Meyers Leonard isn't a bad way to go. Zeller has the mobility, scoring repertoire and basketball IQ to succeed at the next level.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke

When I think Mason Plumlee, I think solid prospect. He's not going to jump out at you, but he has the size, athleticism, rebounding ability and mid-range game to be a legit starter in the frontcourt for the 76ers.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Raptors): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

Kelly Olynyk isn't explosive, but he runs the floor well for a big man, he has a nice inside-outside offensive game, and he has a non-stop motor. That fits well with the fast-paced Thunder.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

Shabazz Muhammad's stock likely dropped after the combine. He comes with character concerns, he shot poorly in Chicago and he's small for a small forward (6'6"). On the other hand, his wingspan (6'11"), offensive potential and work ethic will likely keep him in the lottery.

14. Utah Jazz: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (FL)

Shane Larkin's size has undoubtedly raised questions (5'11"), but he does so much well that it's hard for me to put too much stock into that. He has great range, he's incredibly athletic and explosive (posting the second-best vertical leap in combine history) and he plays pesky defense. He's the true floor general the Jazz need.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State

Long, athletic and explosive, Jamaal Franklin is fun to watch. You add in his elite rebounding ability and undeniable heart and you have a strong candidate on the wing for the Bucks, who may lose Monta Ellis in the summer.

16. Boston Celtics: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

I'm not sold on Michael Carter-Williams as a top-10 pick, given his inconsistent jump shot, but he would be a good fit for the Celtics. The Celtics know a thing or two about point guards who can slash to the rim and set up their teammates (i.e. Rajon Rondo). Even if Rondo stays in Boston, Carter-Williams would be an excellent backup. He's also shown the pesky defense Doc Rivers loves.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Rudy Gobert, PF/C, France

Rudy Gobert certainly passes the eye test. He's not only 7'2", he recorded a wingspan of nearly 7'9" and a 9'7" standing reach, both record measurements at the combine. He may not have great hops, but it's not like he has to jump out of the gym with those measurements anyway. Gobert's scoring ability near the hoop, rebounding skills and shot-blocking ability would inject Atlanta's frontcourt with some life.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece

With the Hawks potentially headed for rebuilding mode as Josh Smith enters free agency, they can afford to be patient with a young prospect like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nobody knows how the Greek will respond to higher-level competition, but his fluidity to the hoop, passing skills and handles have drawn comparisons to Scottie Pippen. No one's saying Antetokounmpo will become the next Pippen, but his skill set is certainly reminiscent.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Dario Saric, SF/PF, Croatia

Dario Saric has the fluidity, passing skills, rebounding ability and versatility at 6'10" to be a solid pro, but his jump shot and defense need work. Still, the Cavaliers, who could use some help on the wing, aren't likely to pass up the Croatian here.

20. Chicago Bulls: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia

It's no secret that the Bulls need outside shooting. Sergey Karasev has one of the sweetest strokes in the class. The 19-year-old shot 49 percent from downtown for the Triumph in the Eurocup in 2012-13, via EuroBasket.com. Karasev is also a heady player, which coach Tom Thibodeau should enjoy.

21. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

Steven Adams was already widely considered a first-round pick before the combine, given his size, athleticism, defensive skills and rebounding ability. But Adams' shooting touch surprised a lot of people at the combine. With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap headed for free agency, the Jazz could use some depth behind developing big men Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Tony Snell, SG, New Mexico

Tony Snell's draft stock skyrocketed at the combine. There are questions about his effort on the hardwood, but he can light it up and possesses the athleticism and size (6'7") to eventually make a difference in the NBA. He ranked second among all participants in lane agility testing at the combine. The Nets need shooters.

23. Indiana Pacers: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Dennis Schroeder continues to attract considerable buzz throughout the draft process. The 6'2" prospect is more of a shoot-first point guard now, but his quickness, ability to penetrate the lane and handles have raised eyebrows. He would be a strong candidate to back up George Hill in Indiana.

24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

Jeff Withey averaged 3.9 blocks in his final season at Kansas—that number isn't a fluke. The seven-footer is widely-considered to be one of the best defensive post men in the class. He would be a fine successor to Tyson Chandler in New York.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Pierre Jackson, PG, Baylor

Pierre Jackson may be under 5'11" in shoes, but his explosiveness has drawn comparisons to Nate Robinson. Those comparisons are legit in my mind. When you watch game tape of this kid, he leaps out at you...literally. He needs some work on his jump shot, but his slashing and passing ability are hard to ignore. He would be a nice backup for Chris Paul if Eric Bledsoe leaves in the summer.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

Nikola Pekovic figures to be a hot item in free agency this season. Even if the Timberwolves are able to re-sign him, they could use some depth in the frontcourt. Dieng's defensive skills and shot-blocking ability were evident in Louisville's run to the national championship. His mid-range game also improved down the stretch.

27. Denver Nuggets: Allen Crabbe, SG, California

The Golden State Warriors exposed the Nuggets' lack of outside shooting in the first round of the playoffs this season. Allen Crabbe—who ranked fifth among all participants in shooting drills at the combine—would be a great fit. Crabbe shot 38 percent from beyond the arc at Cal.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Glen Rice Jr., SG, Georgia Tech

Against better competition than college, Glen Rice Jr. averaged 25 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 2.0 steals in the playoffs for the D-League Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season. Those numbers exemplify his well-rounded game. Did I mention he registered a 40.5-inch vertical at the combine?

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ricardo Ledo, PG, Providence

Ricardo Ledo was being hailed as one of the best scorers in high school in 2011-12, but he was ruled academically ineligible in 2012-13. He does come with some character concerns (including fluctuating effort out on the hardwood), but he's still only 20 years old. He has great size (6'6") as a combo guard, he can attack the lane and he shows an eye-opening knowledge of the game. Not a bad option off the bench for the Thunder.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Alex Abrines, SG, Spain

Alex Abrines could end up being a steal. The 20-year-old didn't get a whole lot of minutes on powerhouse Barcelona this season, but when he did, he made them count. He scored 21 points in 21 minutes on April 4 in Euroleague play. He added 10 points in 14 minutes against Panathinaikos. He's athletic, he can score from deep and he's efficient. Adding strength will be crucial for the Spaniard.

Indy 500 2013: Serious Contenders with Porous Starting Positions

Donald Wood — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

The Indy 500 is arguably the most prestigious race in the world, and when the IndyCar Series invades the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, the focus will be on serious contenders with porous starting positions and how they make it through the field.

All of the following racers had mediocre qualifying attempts, but will show why they are heralded as some of the best in the sport by overcoming the adversity and ending up toward the front of the pack.

All times and information via the Official Indy 500 website.

Takuma Sato

Starting Position: 18th

After running a few really strong practice laps, the rain hit Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday morning, delaying the start of qualifying and taking away the momentum IZOD IndyCar Series point leader Takuma Sato had been building.

Sato posted an impressive 226.6 MPH lap during the morning practice, but with the track undergoing changes with the added moisture from the rain and the heat of the jet dryers, the AJ Foyt Racing star only managed a four-lap average speed of 225.892 MPH.

That’s only good enough for 18th overall starting spot in the 2013 Indy 500.

While Sato will have to work his way through the field, the Japanese star knows what it takes to contend for the win at Indianapolis. Sato was in second place on the last lap of the 2012 race when he tried to make a pass on eventual winner Dario Franchitti and crashed.

After coming so close last year, expect Sato to be hungrier than ever.

Predicted Finish: Fourth

Graham Rahal

Starting Position: 26th

While Graham Rahal may only be 24 years old, his lineage of racers and his experience in the Indy 500 makes him a serious favorite. With five career starts in the race already—including a third-place finish in 2011—the young star is a favorite to win it all.

Despite starting all the way back in 26th, the IndyCar sensation has the skill, pit crew and equipment to maneuver through the field in the long race and eventually find himself in contention for the win by the end of the day.

Rahal was a favorite to contend on Sunday anyway, but with his father Bobby calling the shots as the team owner and crew chief Matt Swan making things happen on the track, racing fans are expecting to see the star fighting for the win on the last lap.

Predicted Finish: Eighth

Josef Newgarden

Starting Position: 25th

While the expectations for Josef Newgarden aren’t as high as many of the other drivers in the field, the 22-year-old American has taken the IndyCar series by storm since stepping into the major leagues last year.

Newgarden had a rough race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012, finishing in 25th after starting a very respectable seventh. The hope from the young driver and the entire Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team is that the car is strong enough to work through traffic and be there at the end to contend for a top-10 finish.

If Newgarden can sneak out a 10th-place finish or better in just his second Indy 500 start, there is little doubt that this race would be deemed a success for the Tennessee native and his team.

Predicted Finish: 10th

Follow @Donald_Wood

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: Analyzing Event's Strangest Booking Decisions

Mike Chiari — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:30:00 -0400

Extreme Rules was a very solid all-around pay-per-view with several good matches and sensible results, but there are always a few decisions that leave fans scratching their heads. Not even Extreme Rules was able to escape that fate.

The Shield winning the United States and Tag Team Championships, Brock Lesnar going over Triple H and John Cena and Ryback fighting to a draw were perfectly logical conclusions, however, the same can't be said for a handful of other matches on the card.

Here is some further analysis on the three strangest booking decisions that prevented Extreme Rules from being even better than it could have been.

Instant Replay in Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger

Most fans expected Alberto Del Rio to defeat Jack Swagger in an "I Quit" match at Extreme Rules to become No. 1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, but the manner in which it happened was beyond bizarre. Swagger had Del Rio in the Patriot Lock during the latter stages of the match. Del Rio didn't quit, but Zeb Colter grabbed the towel Ricardo Rodriguez was holding and threw it in the ring. This prompted referee Mike Chioda to rule Swagger the winner.

Another official ran to the ring after the decision was made, however, and told Chioda that Colter threw in the towel. Chioda then went to the timekeeper's area and requested to see a replay. After watching the replay, he restarted the match and Del Rio won with a Cross Armbreaker. Colter was none too pleased with the reversal as he vented his frustrations on Twitter.

Viewing a replay during a match sets a very bad precedent. The WWE can now pull that rule from out of nowhere at any time, which could become quite maddening. As annoying as that was, the worse thing is that Chioda initially called the match when a towel was thrown into the ring. An "I Quit" match can't end unless one of the competitors says that they quit, so that decision made absolutely no sense. Hopefully this entire situation was just a one-off thing that will be forgotten about moving forward.

Sheamus Defeating Mark Henry

For several weeks leading up to Extreme Rules, Sheamus and Mark Henry engaged in a bitter, heated rivalry. It involved both men exchanging backstage attacks and engaging in feats of strength such as tug of war and arm wrestling. The Celtic Warrior ultimately got the last laugh as he defeated The World's Strongest Man in a strap match. Perhaps having Sheamus win wasn't an egregious error, but it certainly wasn't the right decision.

Henry was coming off a victory over Ryback at WrestleMania XXIX, and instead of simply letting him build on that momentum, he was handed a loss. Sheamus is one of the WWE's top faces, but he wins so often that he could have easily rebounded from a defeat. He was able to touch all four corners after blasting Henry with a Brogue Kick, though, and he made sure Henry heard about it on Twitter.

The only logical explanation for having Sheamus win is that Henry is either taking time off or perhaps leaving for good. In a WWE app exclusive following the loss, Henry stated that he was "going home." If that means that an extended or permanent break is forthcoming, then giving Sheamus the win was the right decision. If Henry is going to return soon, however, the move didn't make much sense.

Chris Jericho Defeating Fandango

It seems like no veteran in wrestling is more ready and willing to put over his opponents than Chris Jericho, so his victory over Fandango at Extreme Rules came as a surprise to many. Fandango defeated Jericho at WrestleMania XXIX in his first match, but his progress was somewhat halted by Jericho on Sunday. That doesn't mean Fandango can't bounce back from a loss, but most wrestling fans are probably in agreement that Fandango would have benefited from the win much more than Y2J.

Jericho has lost the bulk of his matches since returning to the WWE at the Royal Rumble, but he has put on a great show and has been one of the company's most consistent in-ring workers. Having Jericho win seemed more like a way to reward his fans than anything. Many of Jericho's followers complain that he doesn't win enough, but that argument is no longer valid. Jericho gave a shoutout to his fans after the big victory on Twitter.

The loss won't necessarily cripple Fandango, but it will be interesting to see where he goes from here. A blow-off match against Jericho at Payback is certainly possible and a win there would pretty much erase his Extreme Rules loss. If they don't wrestle again, though, the feud ends in a stalemate. Fandango doesn't have to win every match he's in; however, a triumph at Extreme Rules would have given him the decisive edge in his rivalry with Jericho.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

UFC 160 Preview: Glover Teixeira vs. James Te Huna Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Craig Amos — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

This weekend's UFC 160 card is loaded with tantalizing matchups that promise to deliver exciting, competitive action. Among the event's many gems is an intriguing light heavyweight showdown between hard-hitting sluggers James Te Huna and Glover Teixeira.

Both Te Huna and Teixeira are rolling right now, which means there is a lot at stake. That they are both aggressive, explosive finishers only adds to allure of this main-card bout.

It's one that you most certainly won't want to miss.

Here we will take a look at the fight between Te Huna and Teixeira and examine how it is likely to play out. We will assess which fighter has an edge in each of the striking, wrestling and submission areas of the game and use those assessments to project the probable winner.

Begin Slideshow

10 NFL Sophomores Ready for Breakout Seasons in 2013

Ryan Riddle — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:06:51 -0400

For whatever reason, every sophomore on this list has yet to really establish himself as a big-time player in the NFL.

Most of them failed to lock up a starting position, while the few who have done so have significantly lacked in production relative to expectations based on draft position, especially considering their opportunities to impress right out of the gate.

Each player who made the list was given their own unique prediction for 2013, which qualifies them as having a breakout season. The contrast between their rookie and sophomore seasons in terms of production is what makes these guys the 10 most noteworthy second-year players primed for a big showing in 2013.

Begin Slideshow

How Rafa Benitez Proved His Worth at Chelsea

Jack Alexandros Rathborn — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:02:40 -0400

It was an opportunity that Rafael Benitez could not turn down. The Spanish manager had to put his allegiance to Liverpool, Chelsea's bitter rivals, to one side in order to grasp the chance at furthering his career.

The 53-year-old entered Stamford Bridge to replace the beloved Roberto Di Matteo in a storm, and although that feeling of resentment will never diminish, it was certainly quelled by the end.

It is important to immediately decipher what Benitez did better than Di Matteo and why, then, was Roman Abramovich proved correct in making the change.

Benitez did not alter the formation too much, it was more or less a 4-2-3-1 formation that was utilised by both managers. There was a key difference in the way that one player was used, though, which was vital.

Juan Mata candidly revealed in Sky Sports' Special Report last week that under Benitez he had been told to position himself closer to the lone striker—either Fernando Torres or Demba Ba—which really helped bring out the best qualities of Mata, even if he has such an array of skills to offer a coach in numerous roles.

Mata was named Chelsea's player of the season, and it is Benitez who should be credited for altering the impact of the Spaniard, rather than the performance.

The 25-year-old played 64 games this season and contributed a staggering 20 goals and 35 assists, but with Mata closer to the holding midfielders, there was an increased pressure on him to carry the ball forward before being able to make those decisive passes in and around the penalty area.

By starting closer to the striker, it definitely prevented Torres, for example, becoming so isolated as he had done under Di Matteo. And while Torres and Ba were hardly prolific, they were at least much more of a handful for the opposition's centre-backs, preventing them from simply double-teaming them.

Good examples of this would be the Ba goal against Manchester City and the Torres goal against Benfica—both examples of the striker holding his position on the shoulder of the last defender and waiting for a pass to be lifted in behind the opposition's defence.

Benitez, in this regard, added more variety to Chelsea's game, and while he encouraged Mata to position himself closer to the striker, he certainly did not prevent him from dropping deeper and looking to influence things when the opposition opted to press higher up, rather than drop deep.

This is when the Frank Lampard factor came into play. Lampard is another player who vastly improved under Benitez as he was given more freedom to join in with the attack when Mata opted to drop deep. Simply put, Benitez allowed the pair to switch at times, and this is where Lampard's goal streak arrived from.

In crucial games to deciding Chelsea's destiny in their race for a place in the top four, Lampard's cleverly timed runs proved very fruitful, such as in the game against Aston Villa. The England international only netted once in open play under Di Matteo this season in nine games, while under Benitez, there were 16 goals in 38 games.

Benitez had a similar record in terms of win percentage compared to Di Matteo, roughly 58 percent, but that does not take into account the first few months in charge, when the Spaniard suffered relentless abuse from the fans that had a knock-on effect on the team's performance and created hostile atmosphere that the Blues had to contend with at home games.

Benitez also proved to be more successful in games against other teams inside the top four (Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal), winning three times in seven games and losing just two. While Di Matteo won twice in five top-four clashes, winning twice.

As the season drew to a close, Benitez also had to compromise his personal ambition to ensure that he delivered Champions League qualification, which was imperative for the future of the club, even if an FA Cup or a Europa League would have been a more attractive goal for Benitez.

Benitez managed to juggle the three competitions well, ultimately finding the perfect balance between satisfying the fans and the owner, while also claiming a trophy to justify his decision to manage a club that was such a fierce rival during his time at Liverpool.

It was a short relationship, but ultimately a good one when you consider the uncertainty behind Di Matteo's ability to deliver relative league success and maintain a push for a trophy in one of the cup competitions.

Di Matteo will always be remembered for delivering the Champions League, but he actually went backwards in the league, falling to sixth place, and this must have been the concern of Abramovich.

Chelsea have a proven track record of delivering trophies, but there was no guarantee that Di Matteo could deliver another. Therefore, Abramovich had to know that the Blues would at least be guaranteed a place in the top four.

Abramovich craves the glory that winning the European Cup brings, it is his ultimate ambition, so while there is great joy in winning other cup competitions, there would be a bad taste at the end of the season if Chelsea knew that they would not be able to play in Europe's premier competition in the next season.

So Benitez found a great balance and ultimately ensures that Chelsea can target the very highest calibre of players and also remain on track to meet the financial targets required in UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP).

It may have taken some months for Chelsea fans, but ultimately they had no option but to endure Benitez and the good work that he achieved at Stamford Bridge, and now greater times await thanks to the Spaniard's ground work to set up next season.

All statistics from Transfermarkt.

Curtis Axel Is the the Perfect Choice to Join Paul Heyman in WWE

Tom Clark — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:06 -0400

Paul Heyman surprised WWE fans on the May 20 edition of Monday Night Raw when he introduced Curtis Axel as his newest client. WWE’s resident evil genius made the announcement to a somewhat shocked audience who may have been expecting someone from Heyman’s ECW past to walk down the ramp and join him in the ring. But for me, Axel is the perfect choice.

First off, the name change is very well done. Let’s face it, Michael McGillicutty was just awful. We’re talking Repo Man kind of awful. Leave it up to WWE to take the son of Mr. Perfect and saddle him with such an imperfect and instantly forgettable name.

But Curtis Axel, in homage to his father Curt and his grandfather Larry “The Ax,” now has a name that is immediately recognizable. WWE all but ignored Axel’s family history during his first stint, but with this new take on his character, it as been acknowledged. And now that it has, we can move on and allow him to build on the opportunity.

And what a huge opportunity it is.

Axel went from zero to 60 in virtually no time, and while many fans believed he deserved a chance, no one saw this coming. Now, Axel has a chance to show what he can do. And he will do it under the tutelage of perhaps the best manager WWE has ever seen.

Paul Heyman is crazy good at what he does. With one promo, Heyman can completely change the tone of the night and truly have you hanging on every word he says. He is so naturally talented on the mic and just makes it look so easy.

Heyman is the epitome of what a great pro wrestling manager should be. When Heyman speaks, he gets your interest. He makes you care. More importantly, he makes you believe. He is an expert in getting over and could teach a heel psychology course that every WWE Superstar should be required to take.

Let’s hope his newest pupil is ready to take notes.

Axel now has the benefit of standing shoulder to shoulder with a 26-year veteran of the business. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from with Heyman and though the manager role is usually just a work, I have to believe that Paul will speak up to help Curtis in his new role.

But with Paul Heyman, there is a certain amount of pressure for Axel that he will have to deal with if he is to succeed in WWE. After all, Paul is basically a legend in the eyes of many fans so for him to do business with a newcomer must mean that he sees something in the young man that WWE did not exploit the first time around.

In other words, don’t screw it up, kid.

Curtis Axel must step up to the plate and take advantage of this opportunity. He has a great mouthpiece in Paul Heyman, a renewed spotlight that is shining like it never has before and a clean slate in terms of what he’s done in his WWE career.

Are there other Superstars in the WWE locker room who are still waiting for their shot? Yes. Are there other veteran stars, in the same vein as CM Punk and Brock Lesnar who could have been paired with Heyman? Of course there are.

But those are safe choices. There are no chances being taken with an existing Superstar who has already had mainstream WWE exposure. There are also no chances taken by featuring an established star that we have seen countless times before.

But we have the great unknown with Curtis Axel. We have a younger Superstar who has not already had an opportunity like this to shine and could not get over. With Axel, there is the feeling of a new start, a new day, one that could potentially bring not just a good career but perhaps even a great one.

Right now, the sky is the limit with Curtis Axel. And he has not even started yet.

That is the power of Paul Heyman’s influence. He has already made fans believe in Axel and the havoc that they could wreak together in the very near future. Heyman is the right man for this job because he is the only one in WWE who could sell this kid to the masses and not only get him over but truly make him a star.

And Curtis Axel is the right talent to represent Paul Heyman in WWE because he is young, talented and hungry. He wants it right now and has all the tools necessary to get where he wants to be. With hard work and commitment to his craft, the son of Curt Hennig should excel in his new role, proving that he is the best choice that WWE could have made.

In fact he is the perfect choice.

NBA Draft Lottery 2013: Teams with Most to Gain from Good Draft Positioning

Justin Onslow — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:05 -0400

In the NBA, lottery selections—particularly top-five lottery selections—are as good as gold. Teams that manage to acquire top-five talent in multiple drafts typically find themselves well out of the lottery in a very short period of time.

While there’s no guarantee every top pick pans out, the odds of finding a true franchise-changing talent are much higher with a little help from the draft lottery. And as we’ve seen so many times in the past, it takes a lot of luck to end up with favorable draft positioning.

Just ask the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs defied the odds again this year in landing the first overall selection in the 2013 NBA draft. There may not be a bona fide elite prospect in this draft class, but general manager Chris Grant will have plenty of options to choose from.

Cleveland wasn’t the only team to win favorable draft position, though. Let’s take a look at the three teams that stand to gain the most from their draft lottery luck.

*Complete order courtesy of Bleacher Report Twitter account:

No. 3 Washington Wizards

With the seventh-worst record in the NBA (29-53), Washington wasn’t expected to win a top-three selection. But the ping-pong balls don’t typically fall the way we expect, and the Wizards are now in position to benefit greatly from the third overall pick.

With John Wall and Bradley Beal in place, Washington has an opportunity to add the final piece to its perimeter-scorer puzzle. UNLV’s Anthony Bennett may be an option at No. 3, but the Wizards will have a hard time passing on Georgetown’s Otto Porter should he still be available.

The 6’8” small forward is an exceptional athlete with all the basketball skill to match. He doesn’t overachieve in many areas, but there’s very little Porter can’t do on a basketball court.

As well as Porter moves without the ball in his hands, a trio of Wall, Beal and Porter would be absolutely deadly at the offensive end of the floor. With the third pick, Washington will have an opportunity to select him without surrendering picks or players to move up in the first round.

No. 8 Detroit Pistons

Detroit isn’t that far from being a true contender in the Eastern Conference, but it needs to make some smart decisions this offseason.

With Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond in place, the Pistons will have a lot of options to fill needs at point guard and small forward—among them, Trey Burke and Shabazz Muhammad.

Should either player be available at No. 8, Detroit won’t have to look very far a long-term solution at one of the two positions. That may not be the case for teams picking at No. 10 and beyond, though.

By securing the eighth selection in the draft, the Pistons should be able to get ahead of the bevy of teams hoping to cash in on this class’ top-tier talent at those positions.

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers

For the third time in the last 11 years, the Cavaliers were awarded the top pick in the NBA draft. While there may not be a surefire talent like LeBron James or Kyrie Irving in this class, there are a couple of players with enormous potential.

Cleveland posted the third-worst record in the NBA this season—a spot at which both of those players would likely be off the board. Instead, the Cavs will have their pick of the bunch, and it’s not hard to predict which prospect they will choose.

While there are some question marks surrounding Kentucky center Nerlens Noel as he recovers from an ACL tear last season, he has the highest ceiling of any big man in this draft class. A freak athlete with tremendous defensive abilities and the frame to match, Noel could be a game-changer in Cleveland’s frontcourt.

With Irving and Dion Waiters in place (as well as terrific complementary pieces like Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao), there aren’t many areas on which the Cavs have to focus this offseason. Noel is the best option at No. 1 overall, and it would be a huge shock to see Chris Grant choose another direction on draft day.

NBA Lottery 2013: Best Selections for Winners of Top 3 Picks

Richard Langford — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:05 -0400

Now that the NBA draft lottery has come and gone, I can finally start mocking with some certainty. And I am certain of the first three picks.

After that, things get a little murky. However, with the Cavaliers, Magic and Wizards taking the top three positions in the NBA draft, there will be a perfect fit for each.

So, take a look at the upcoming draft order for the first round, and then I'll get into the first three selections.

Bleacher Report has it for you in picture form.

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Has history taught us nothing? Taking big men with knee issues over an exciting perimeter player is a risky proposition (see Greg Oden and Sam Bowie).

However, there is a reason teams always take this risk, and that is because it is so hard to find an impact player on the inside. And Noel has the potential to be just that.

At 6’10” with a wingspan reaching nearly 7'4", Noel is an athletic marvel. He is extremely light, as he checked in at 206 pounds at the scouting combine, but he is also in the midst of rehabbing from knee surgery.

While this eases a bit of the concern over his lack of bulk, it brings a more ominous concern to the table. It is always risky taking a big man with knee issues.

However, Noel's upside is through the roof, and assuming his knee returns close to 100 percent, he will be an elite defensive player right off the bat. His ability to block shots, swipe steals and grab boards will help Cleveland.

ESPN's Chad Ford agrees this will be a good fit:

And while his offensive game is raw, he has all the tools to be a solid offensive weapon.

No. 2 Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, G, Kansas

Ben McLemore is a prototypical NBA shooting guard. He is 6'5", 185 pounds. He can drain threes and take it to the rack. He is explosive and can jump out of the gym.

ESPN highlights that with this tweet:

McLemore shot 42 percent on 4.7 three-point attempts per game last year, and he was solid on the boards grabbing 5.2 rebounds per game.

The Magic were 29th in three-point shooting percentage last year, and they have a promising and youthful frontcourt. McLemore is exactly the kind of perimeter scorer this team needs.

No. 3 Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, F, Georgetown

Otto Porter is the kind of player who can be the unheralded backbone to a championship team. Porter is never going to be an elite scorer, but he will do everything else.

He is a rugged defender, solid ball-handler and good passer. He won't stall out the offense trying to score on isolations, he will just do all the little things that helps teams win.

Washington has a solid backcourt brewing with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Those two form a combo that is dynamic and can be prolific, but they also need the ball in their hands a lot.

Porter is not that kind of player. He will help this with his strong defense and heady play. His passing ability will help stretch out the defense and keep the Wizards in motion on offense.

This is the exact kind of player the Wizards need to help mature into a complete team.

Vanderbilt Baseball: Breaking Down Why Commodores Will Win SEC Tournament

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:05 -0400

If you want to know why it's unwise to bet against Vanderbilt in this year's SEC tournament, the easy answer would be that the squad is the top-ranked team in the entire country, so theoretically they should be favored in any game they play.

That's the easy answer. But we all want more details than that, right?

For starters, Vanderbilt was historically good against SEC competition this year. As if the team's 48-7 record on the season wasn't impressive enough, the Commodores went 26-3 in the conference, with the 26 wins setting a new conference record.

Plus, the team comes into this tournament having won 15 of their last 16 games. Positive momentum heading into the postseason is always a plus.

Now, you could point out that Vanderbilt didn't play powerhouse LSU during the season, but winning 26 games in a stacked conference like the SEC is still plenty impressive.

Then, there is this team's balance. As a unit, they hit a ridiculous .319 on the season, led by studs like Tony Kemp (.408, 58 runs, 30 RBI, 27 stolen bases) and Connor Harrell (.319 with 52 runs scored, 11 home runs, 61 RBI and six stolen bases).

In all, all eight Vanderbilt regulars hit at least .297, while six players had 30 RBI or more.

And then there's the pitching. The starting staff was headlined by the two-headed monster of Kevin Ziomek (10-2, 1.99 ERA, 102 strikeouts) and Tyler Beede (13-0, 2.28 ERA, 89 strikeouts), while Brian Miller was excellent in relief (5-1, 1.60 ERA, 14 saves, 36 strikeouts).

With a team ERA of 2.70 on the year, this is a unit that can easily lead Vanderbilt on a long postseason run.

Oh, and don't expect the Commodores to beat themselves—with a team fielding percentage of .976, Vanderbilt is generally a fundamentally sound team.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Vanderbilt is one of the top teams in the nation this year, though how good the Commodores have been thus far is a slight surprise. Still, manager Tim Corbin is a whiz and is establishing Vanderbilt as a true SEC powerhouse.

From David Climer of The Tennessean:

In that regard, Corbin is becoming to SEC baseball what Nick Saban is to football and John Calipari to basketball. Because of his recruiting skill (the last two freshman classes were ranked the best in the nation) and player development (eight first-round draft picks on his watch), Corbin is expected to produce at the very top level.

So to review: Vanderbilt dominated the SEC, comes into the tournament hot, is a balanced and talented squad with two elite pitchers—a table-setter in Kemp and a slugger in Harrell—and is led by Corbin.

That's a recipe for an SEC tournament title, folks, and it may just be the recipe for a national championship as well.

Preakness 2013: Pimlico Pretenders Who Will Be Belmont Contenders

Brian Mazique — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:05 -0400

The Belmont Stakes field will likely feature four holdovers from the field that ran at Pimlico Race Course in the Preakness Stakes, per Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News.

All but winner Oxbow ran disappointing races at Pimlico.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness were anything but predictable, and the trend will continue at the Belmont. Here is how we see three of the pretenders from the Preakness fairing at the Belmont.

Mylute and Rosie Napravnik Will Have Their Moment

After being denied a history-making run at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Napravnik and Mylute are my pick to win the Belmont Stakes.

This horse-and-jockey team is ready to peak. Napravnik was confident but a bit premature when she talked about Mylute's development before the Preakness. She told Colleen Thomas of the Baltimore Sun, “Mylute, he’s definitely coming along. He’s a little bit of a slow learner, but I think he’s really waking up and improving as a race horse, really getting that competitive drive."

The colt has been improving with every Triple Crown race.

After finishing fifth at the Derby and then third at the Preakness, he and Napravnik are ready to win.

Orb Will Round out a Solid Triple Crown Stretch

Shug McGaughey's colt doesn't have a shot at the Triple Crown, but Orb will still be a factor in Elmont, New York.

Jockey Joel Rosario and Orb probably won't get saddled with another rail position.

Even though his attempt to make a move during the Preakness was subdued by the pressure from his right side, the colt still managed a fourth-place finish.

With more room to run and a longer track, Orb will push Mylute and finish second in the Belmont.

Will Take Charge Will Finally Finish in the Money

This D.Wayne Lukas-trained horse was just seventh at the Preakness, but the horse has potential.

Coming into the race, owner Willis Horton was very optimistic about his horse's chances to shine at Pimlico. It obviously didn't happen. Just as Napravnik jumped the gun in expecting a great run from Mylute, Horton was similarly hasty with WTC.

I don't expect the horse to seriously challenge Orb or Mylute, but a distant third is still finishing in the money.

Without the pressure and expectations from owner, trainer and jockey, WTC will run his best race.

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