Month: May 2019

The Argentine missed out on the final months of the Premier League season but has been passed fit for the Champions League final in Madrid

Erik Lamela says he is ready to put an injury-ravaged season behind him and make history with Tottenham by lifting the Champions League trophy in Madrid.

The Argentine has suffered a recurring hamstring injury in the latter part of the campaign, causing him to miss out on the final months of Spurs’ Premier League season.

He also missed the first leg of the team’s sensational Champions League semi-final against Ajax that set up Saturday’s showpiece final with Liverpool, making a brief appearance from the bench as the team recovered from 3-0 down to progress.

And despite a fragmented season, he has been declared fit to play a part at the Wanda Metropolitano, as boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to lift the first trophy of his career and bring Europe’s top prize back to north London.

“I’m feeling good,” said Lamela. “I still have a few more days to train after tomorrow to arrive in the best condition.

“We’ve prepared well. We’ve trained hard and we are ready mentally and physically. It’s been good for the team.

“It’s been a difficult [season]. When I pick up a new injury, with everything that I’ve lived through in my career now with the injuries, it’s difficult. It’s part of the game no? Sometimes it happens to me, sometimes to other players.

“I hope now to enjoy this game because it’s like a present I’ve been given after such a difficult period I’ve been through. I’m preparing myself to give my best.”

“The last two months I’ve finished the season with just the last two games and it’s been hard. The last part of the season is the most important, no? But now it’s an opportunity we need to take.

“We talk among ourselves that it’s a great opportunity to be in the history of this club and that’s what we want. We’re trying to arrive in the best condition, the best feeling and I think I am confident we’re going to play a very good game.”

Spurs have more than once looked set to exit the competition this season, having made a disastrous start to their group-stage campaign by losing two of their first three matches.

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Pochettino’s team recovered to qualify for the knockout stages on the final matchday, before late drama against Manchester City – where the team survived a disallowed City goal in stoppage time – and Ajax edged them into the final against the odds.

And Lamela thinks it is the indomitable belief of the players that has carried the team to Madrid.

“Of course, we always believed,” he said. “This team always fights and all the players believe. Now in the final, we believe more than ever.”

The club also confirmed that Leonardo has resigned after just a single season as sporting director

AC Milan have confirmed that Gennaro Gattuso has left his position as manager by mutual consent.

Gattuso has been in charge since November 2017 and departs after failing to lead the club to a Champions League spot for next season, with Milan finishing in fifth place in Serie A in 2018-19.

The 41-year-old admitted he was considering his future on Sunday after Milan ended their season with a 3-2 victory at SPAL, with the win not enough to leapfrog rivals Inter or Atalanta for a place in the Champions League. 

“AC Milan wishes to thank Gennaro Gattuso for his leadership during the last 18 months,” a statement on the club website read. 

“A true legend of the Rossoneri, Gennaro stepped into the role during what was a difficult period for the club and has performed admirably, securing the club’s highest league points total since 2012-13.”

Gattuso himself had confirmed his departure earlier on Tuesday, saying he is walking away despite having two years remaining on his contract. 

“I have had the privilege to get to know Rino Gattuso over the past six months since my arrival at the club,” club CEO Ivan Gazidis said in a statement.

“Rino has given everything to our efforts this season, and has worked tirelessly, always taking full responsibility, putting the club above every other consideration.

“I want to say from the bottom of our hearts, thank you Rino”.

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Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim and Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi have been linked with with the now-vacant managerial position at San Siro.

In addition to Gattuso’s exit, Milan also confirmed that sporting director Leonardo is leaving the club after just one season at the helm.

“Leonardo joined AC Milan in its hour of need a few short weeks before the closing of the summer transfer window,” Gazidis said.

“Under very difficult circumstances he put his heart and soul into addressing a highly complicated situation and transmitting his energy and his ambition to the team.

“I am very grateful to Leonardo for everything he has contributed to our great club and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

The Brazilian has been linked with a move back to Paris Saint-Germain, where he previously served as the club’s director of football. 

The climax of the international competition begins the Wednesday after Saturday’s clash between Liverpool and Tottenham

The final stages of the inaugural UEFA Nations League begin on Wednesday, June 5, but the preparations for the semi-final encounters have been hampered by the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham just four days earlier.

Portugal play Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday before the Netherlands host England in Guimaraes 24 hours later.

The final of the mini-tournament will take place on June 9 in Porto, with a third-fourth play-off match also taking place that day.

Unsurprisingly, given that the European club showpiece will be fought out between two Premier League sides, it is Gareth Southgate’s unit that is most significantly hampered by the presence of the match.

“There’s been some difficult decisions to make and we are obviously a little bit complicated with so many players involved in the Champions League as well, but we are really excited by the squad and the players that are around it,” the Three Lions boss said after announcing his unit on Monday.

But what players will be late to the party?

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England

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Up to seven players could be involved in the Champions League final at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, and all will join up with the national team late.

Among their number is Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who has confirmed that he will be fit to play at the weekend and then with the World Cup semi-finalists, having suffered an ankle injury against Manchester City in March.

Spurs team-mates Danny Rose, Dele Alli and Eric Dier are also in the squad.

From Liverpool, meanwhile, there are three players who will join up with Southgate’s side in a delayed fashion: defenders Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and midfielder Jordan Henderson.

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Netherlands

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Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk has been named in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for the forthcoming matches and will necessarily join up with the squad late because of his club commitments.

Anfield team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum, who was one of the heroes of the Reds’ stunning comeback against Barcelona in the semi-finals, has also been named in the panel.

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Switzerland

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Xherdan Shaqiri will represent Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday and as such will be late to join his national team for their preparations to face Portugal on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Bayern Munich man faces the quickest turnaround time of anyone involved in the Champions League final, though he is not expected to start the match.

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Portugal

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Nations League Finals hosts Portugal are the only team unaffected by the Champions League final.

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The England U21 international spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Derby and would be willing to return to Pride Park next season if given the chance

Fikayo Tomori has opened the door for another move to be made away from Chelsea this summer.

The 21-year-old defender spent the 2018-19 campaign on loan at Derby.

He impressed back in the second tier, having previously spent time in the Championship with Brighton and Hull City.

Tomori took in 54 appearances across all competitions and helped the Rams to the play-off final, where they came unstuck against Aston Villa.

Quizzed by BBC Sport on whether he would consider another stint at Pride Park, the highly-rated defender said: “Of course.”

Tomori is one of several players tied to contracts at Chelsea who are facing important career calls this summer.

The Blues boast an army of loanees, with those stockpiled down the years having been allowed to head away from Stamford Bridge to all corners of the world.

Plenty have opted to stay close to home, with Tomori among those eager to make his mark in English football.

He added on his time in the East Midlands and the future: “I have loved it. I grew so much as a player. Derby is such a great club.

“The manager [Frank Lampard] has shown me a lot of confidence playing me in a lot of games. I have nothing but good words to say about Derby, the club, the fans and my team-mates.

“I am really proud. We are disappointed and we are hurting, but we had such a fantastic season. Even though we lost, we still had a lot of good moments to look back on and cherish.

“I am not really thinking about Chelsea at the moment but we will see when the new season comes.”

Tomori was joined at Derby in 2018-19 by Blues team-mate Mason Mount.

Liverpool forward Harry Wilson also linked up with the Rams on loan, with all three now having to decide whether they will be sticking with their respective parent clubs or seeking more moves elsewhere.

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The former Barca player has been tipped as a replacement for under-pressure boss Ernesto Valverde, and did not rule out a move on Tuesday

Ronald Koeman refused to confirm he will stay on as Netherlands head coach, despite speculation linking him to Barcelona, as the Dutch national side prepares for the Nations League finals. 

The 56-year-old has been tipped to succeed under-fire Barca boss Ernesto Valverde , whose future has been called into question following the Spanish giants’ disappointing end to the season.

A 4-0 second-leg loss to Liverpool ended Barcelona’s Champions League hopes at the semi-final stage as they crashed out 4-3 on aggregate, and they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Valencia in last weekend’s Copa del Rey final.

However, despite reports in the Spanish press that Koeman is being considered as a possible replacement for Valverde, the former Barca defender was unwilling to comment on matters beyond Netherlands’ Nations League preparations.

“I think this is about the Dutch national team, so I would like to leave it at that,” he said at Tuesday’s news conference.

Asked if he was willing to give assurances that he will stay on as Oranje head coach, Koeman responded: “That would be very easy, but I will not.”

Koeman is preparing his side for the inaugural Nations League finals, with the Dutch taking on England in the semi-finals on June 6 – the day after hosts Portugal face Switzerland in the other last-four game.

Despite a gruelling campaign for the Ajax contingent in his squad, Koeman insists the Eredivisie winners’ run to the semi-finals of the Champions League can only be considered a positive.

“It was great to watch the development of Ajax players this season,” he said. “The success in Europe hasn’t proved to be prohibitive for development. Many players have grown as a result.

“But by looking at how the guys have trained, you wouldn’t have the idea that they’re thinking that the season’s over already. I don’t see that they’re struggling with a few more matches, or that they’re tired.”

Unlike the other three sides left in the competition, the Dutch players had an extended break heading into the 2018-19 campaign after they failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

Koeman was appointed following that failed qualification campaign, replacing former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat.

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The former Tottenham boss would be “very surprised” if the highly-rated Argentine opted to walk away from a role in north London this summer

Mauricio Pochettino has “a great situation” at Tottenham, says Harry Redknapp, with the former Spurs boss saying he would be “very surprised” to see the Argentine move on.

Speculation has suggested that the man currently at the helm in north London could be lured to pastures new this summer.

Pochettino has done little to quash those rumours, with the 47-year-old stating that he plans to make a decision on his future after the Champions League final.

That contest is due to take place in Madrid on Saturday, with Tottenham taking on Premier League rivals Liverpool.

It could prove to be Pochettino’s final game in a position he has filled for five years, but Redknapp is not expecting that to be the case.

He told the Daily Mail: “I’d be surprised if he did [go].

“I think he knows he’s got a great situation at Tottenham. Everything is in place, the team is great, training ground, stadium.

“I think he has got a great job there and I’d be very surprised if he looked elsewhere. He surely knows when he is well off and he is well off at Tottenham.”

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European glory would likely sway Pochettino towards staying put and Redknapp believes Spurs are destined to claim a first European Cup triumph.

He added on a side that staged a stunning semi-final second-leg comeback against Ajax to book a date with Liverpool: “You just get the feeling that Tottenham have got their name on the trophy.

“They’ve gone through when they looked like going out in the knockout stages, last-minute goals in other games got them through.

“It’s been drama after drama after drama – the Manchester City game away with VAR.

“I’ve just got the feeling that Tottenham have got their name on the trophy this year – I really do.

“I’m a big fan of both clubs, I’m a big Liverpool fan, but I’ve just got a feeling that Tottenham, it could well be their year.”

Liverpool have plenty of attacking talent at their disposal in the form of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, but Redknapp sees Spurs boasting an impressive cutting edge of their own.

He said: “Tottenham are dangerous. Tottenham are an excellent team.

“If Harry Kane is fit and you’ve got a forward line of Kane, Lucas Moura, Son, Dele Alli in behind – it’s a bit of a scary proposition.

“Both teams are great going forward, attacking full-backs. I’ll be very surprised if we see a boring game. I think there will be goals.”

A well-preserved Neolithic settlement site has been discovered in east China’s Shandong province, local archaeological authorities said.

The provincial cultural heritage administration said the site was found near Ximengzhuang Village in the city of Tengzhou, and an excavation of the site has been launched.

Archaeologists said the settlement was part of the Longshan Culture, a late Neolithic civilization in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.

Covering an area of 6,000 square meters, the site was badly damaged due to human activities since the 1970s. Fortunately, the bottom of the site was well-preserved.

So far, two foundation trenches of walls, 15 housing sites, 21 pits, one tomb and a low-lying area have been found. Archaeologists believe that those pits were built in the middle of the Longshan Culture period and the rest of the findings were built during earlier part of the period.

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"Most of our knowledge about Longshan Culture’s social organization was learned from large-scale city settlements. The discovery is of great significance to the study of the grassroots settlement and social structure," said Zheng Tongxiu, director of the provincial cultural relics and archaeology research institute.

Journalists from 18 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative visited the Shanghai Tower on the morning of May 27 as part of a training program to learn more about China’s development and foster international exchange.

Located in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, the 632-meter tower is the tallest building in China and the second-tallest in the world following the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

"This building is fantastic," said Zorkina Kristina, an editor from Information Telegraphic Agency of Russia-TASS. "You can enjoy a very beautiful view of the city from here. There are a lot of gardens, cafes and a swimming pool. You can really enjoy life here.

"It’s a great opportunity for me to be here and to be part of the international team," she added.

As members of the China Global Media Fellowship program, 19 participating foreign journalists get to attend presentations on China’s latest economic, political, cultural and social developments from May 13 to June 1.

They have visited Beijing and Hunan province, and are in Shanghai until the end of the week. In the program, they participated in field studies with well-known domestic media groups and exchanged their ideas with other media professionals.

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Jointly launched last year by China Daily, the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and the Shanghai International Studies University, the training program aims to promote deeper communication between Chinese and foreign journalists to enhance development of countries and regions involved in the BRI.

A Tsinghua professor discusses the value of exchanges to such realms as cultural communication, heritage preservation and innovation, Fang Aiqing reports.

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Cultural exchanges and fusion have produced creative thinking and sustainable development, Lyu Zhou said during a session at the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in Beijing on May 15. The Tsinghua University architecture professor adds that it’s an important starting point to discuss exchanges of Asian cultures and civilizations.

He was speaking at a session titled Safeguarding the Diversity of Asian Civilizations held by the Ministry of Education and UNESCO.

Quanzhou in East China’s Fujian province is a notable hub of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and has been a rendezvous point for religious cultures, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Manicheism.

Lyu says the city’s Manichean statue is the only one in the world. He points to it as an example of innovative development brought about by cultural exchanges.

He calls for greater support for the application of the Historic Monuments and Sites of Ancient Quanzhou (Zayton) for UNESCO World Heritage listing in a year or two.

Tories warn UK PM hopefuls Johnson and Raab against no-deal Brexit

Two of the front-runners in the battle to replace United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May have been told they will not be allowed to preside over the nation crashing out of the European Union without a divorce deal.

The Guardian newspaper said former foreign secretary Boris Johnson and one-time Brexit secretary Dominic Raab have both been told by influential figures in the ruling Conservative Party that its rank-and-file members of Parliament would rather bring down the government than see the nation leave the EU in a so-called no-deal Brexit.

Johnson and Raab are both hardline Brexiteers who have said they would rather leave the bloc without a deal than under the conditions May had negotiated. They were among Conservative Party MPs who worked in recent months to undermine May and oust her as leader and they are now both eager to lead the party and the nation.

With Nigel Farage’s anti-EU Brexit Party performing very well in last week’s European Parliament elections and stealing support from the Conservatives, there are now fears that the party will lurch to the right.

Both Johnson and Raab are on the right and both favor taking the UK out of the EU at the end of October, the scheduled exit date. Neither favors extending that date in order to carry out fresh negotiations with the EU bloc.

Raab even said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that he would ignore the will of Parliament, if necessary, in order to leave with a hard Brexit.

“It’s very difficult for Parliament now to legislate against a no-deal, or in favor of a further extension, unless a resolute prime minister is willing to acquiesce in that-and I would not,” he said.

But Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said Conservative Party MPs would not allow that to happen.

“Any prime minister would find it very difficult to govern if he or she were to pursue a no-deal Brexit without Parliament’s permission,” he said.

“Parliament has voted very clearly to oppose a no-deal Brexit. A prime minister who ignores Parliament cannot survive very long.”

So far, eight MPs have thrown their hats in the ring seeking May’s job, which she will officially vacate on June 7 and which she will then hold in a caretaker role until a new leader is selected. Most would-be replacements are hardline Brexiteers who are willing to pull Britain out of the EU without a divorce deal.

MPs will whittle the list of candidates down to two and party members will choose their next leader from them.

Michael Gove, the British environment secretary, is taking a more moderate line than Johnson and Raab and has said he is willing to compromise in order to keep the Conservative Party together. He would also be willing to extend the exit date beyond the end of October.

Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, is hardline in her Brexit stance, like Johnson and Raab, but is not seen as a front-runner. She too wants to leave at the end of October, with or without a deal.

Esther McVey has the hardest Brexit line of all. She wants to leave the bloc without a divorce deal and wants to keep her distance from the EU once Britain has extricated itself from the bloc.

Among those seeking May’s job, only Rory Stewart, the international development secretary, and Matt Hancock, the health secretary, have ruled out a no-deal Brexit.

Stewart has said a no-deal Brexit would be “undeliverable, unnecessary and is going to damage our country”.

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So far, none of the Conservative Party’s pro-EU MPs have joined the leadership race.

Many pundits are saying a general election is becoming increasingly likely.