data-mm-id=”_6s6c8vv3h”>Adam Thielen has never won a championship, is on the back nine of his career, and hit free agency for the first time this offseason. That combination of factors almost always leads to a cheap deal with a Super Bowl contender. With that in mind, experts largely predicted he would end up with the Kansas City Chiefs or another team basically assured to be in contention next year. Thus, many were surprised when Thielen ended up signing with the Carolina Panthers. A team very much not in championship contention. Thielen inked a three-year deal with the Panthers worth $25 million, including $14 million guaranteed. That latter number feels like the strongest reason the veteran wideout signed there. That's a lot more guaranteed money than any true contender would give a guy whose numbers have been on the decline over the last three years. If that were the only reason Thielen signed, nobody would blame him. But the man himself gave some… interesting reasoning for landing in Carolina when appearing on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday to discuss his new team. Thielen said with a straight face that he firmly believes the Panthers have a shot at the Super Bowl this year. And that the signing of Andy Dalton played a big role in his signing. Adam Thielen says he feels like the Carolina Panthers have a real shot at winning a Super Bowl and that Andy Dalton signing was a major reason why he chose them. pic.twitter.com/bXj4bpN3ki— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) March 20, 2023We aren't gonna clown the guy for gassing up his new team but the fact that he brought up Dalton first as a motivational factor is a solid reflection of the state of the team. However, while the Panthers are picking in the top-10 in the NFL draft for the third year in a row, seeing them at least qualify for the postseason would not be that surprising. The NFC South is horrid, so anything is possible. Given how wide-open the NFC as a whole appears in the wake of Aaron Rodgers' imminent departure, you can see the extremely optimistic view that if everything goes right the Panthers will be in the mix. They almost definitely won't be, but that's the beauty of the offseason. Months of dreams before the regular season starts and crushes hopes.
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Juventus expressed an interest in the former Leeds United midfielder last month, and last week they were contacted by City who wanted to know if the interest stood. It apparently does, but there is some way still to go before an agreement between the two clubs is reached.
Juventus have so far offered to take Phillips on loan for the rest of the season with an option to make the deal permanent in the summer. City, however, want to make the purchase at the end of the season mandatory.
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Mikel Arteta insisted Bukayo Saka will take Arsenal s next penalty, despite the England international failing from 12 yards in last weekend s 2-2 draw with West Ham United.
Saka, who had been successful from both his previous spot-kicks this season, shot wide at the London Stadium, with his miss proving costly as the title-chasing Gunners surrendered a 2-0 lead.
It was the 21-year-old s first failed attempt from 12 yards since Italy s Gianluigi Donnarumma infamously denied him in the Euro 2020 final 21 months earlier.
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France will not call up a replacement for Karim Benzema after the Ballon d Or winner was ruled out of the World Cup with a thigh injury, head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed.
Deschamps side are looking to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962, but they have suffered several injury blows ahead of the tournament in Qatar.
Having already seen midfielders Paul Pogba and N Golo Kante ruled out, France lost Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku after naming their 26-man squad for the competition, but the most severe blow was still to come as Benzema was forced to leave their camp after failing to complete Saturday s training session.
With Benzema facing three weeks on the sidelines, reports suggested France would decide whether to call…
Dundee’s home game against Aberdeen was called off about an hour before kick-off to become the second cinch Premiership casualty of the wet weather.
The game between Ross County and Hibernian was earlier postponed after a 10am pitch inspection with the surface at the Global Energy Stadium deemed unplayable because of a waterlogged pitch.
Dundee announced after 2pm that their game had been called off by referee David Munro.
Our game with Dundee this afternoon has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and concerns over player safety.
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC)
A short statement read: “Due to persistent heavy rain this afternoon’s match against Aberdeen has been called off. The referee deeming that the goalmouth area of the pitch is un…
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Two sides who find themselves battling it out at the foot of the Serie A standings, Cagliari will welcome Sassuolo to the Unipol Domus on Monday night.
Cagliari
Starting with the hosts, while Cagliari might have claimed a welcomed boost when opening November, the Islanders have come crashing back down to earth. Although Claudio Ranieri’s men might have secured a Serie A return for this season, the former Leicester boss is desperate for his squad to find some crucial stability. However, last seen putting in another toothless performance as they suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of Lazio, the Sardinia-based outfit are tipped as a leading relegation contender in 2024. Mustering just 10 points from their first 14 top-flight appearances th…
Thomas Tuchel s impressive start to life as Chelsea head coach continued with a 2-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
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Ben Godfrey s first-half own goal put the hosts ahead before Jorginho s penalty after the break ensured Everton s winless run at Chelsea would stretch to 26 Premier League games.
Chelsea remain in fourth but move back to within three points of third-placed Leicester City winners against Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend while the Toffees are now four points further back in fifth.
Two goals. Three points!
UP THE CHELS!
— Chelsea F…
Ander Herrera was one of 36 players cleared of sporting corruption by a Spanish court on Monday.
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Roma have confirmed Daniele De Rossi will leave the club at the end of the season but say he has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.
The 35-year-old s contract will not be renewed, ending a 19-year association with his hometown club.
After joining the club s youth ranks in 2000 from Ostia Mare, he has gone on to make 615 appearances for the senior side, scoring 63 goals. Only Francesco Totti has made more appearances for the Giallorossi.
De Rossi has made just 14 Serie A starts for sixth-placed Roma this season and the club have confirmed his last game will be against Parma on May 26.
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Gareth Southgate will stay on as England manager through Euro 2024, ending speculation over his future following the Three Lions quarter-final exit from the World Cup.
Southgate, who took charge of England in 2016, saw his side eliminated at Qatar 2022 after a 2-1 loss to France in the last eight.
Having previously led England to a semi-final finish at Russia 2018 and the final of Euro 2020, speculation had been rife over whether Southgate would step away from the role.
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A 3-1 defeat to fierce rivals Liverpool on Sunday proved to be the final nail in Jose Mourinho s Manchester United coffin. Less than 48 hours later, the Premier League club announced his departure.
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