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Chelsea are under pressure to drop their asking price for Arsenal target Kai Havertz after being informed he has no intention of signing a new contract, sources have told ESPN.
Arsenal are interested in pursuing a move for the 24-year-old but have so far proved reluctant to meet their London rivals' £70 million valuation of Havertz.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Sources have told ESPN that Havertz is open to joining Arsenal and the club do not view his existing wage at Chelsea -- thought to be around £220,000-a-week -- as prohibitive to a transfer.
They have had one offer rejected so far but are expected to return with an improved bid.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern Munich enter the running having previously expressed an interest in Havertz.
Chelsea will hope Bayern table a bid to help drive the price up, but regardless Havertz is believed to have informed the club he has no desire to extend his contract, which expires in 2025.
Sources have told ESPN that during conversations, Arsenal have indicated that in addition to operating as a No. 10 ten or No. 8, they see Havertz as capable of playing in any of three attacking positions in an interchangeable forward line at the top of a 4-3-3 system. Havertz's versatility is a big attraction for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has played a personal role in negotiations.
Sources have told ESPN there is surprise at Chelsea's asking price given they signed Havertz for £71m in September 2020, and he has endured a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge.
Havertz scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final but struggled to find consistency in his performances, scoring 32 goals in 139 games in all competitons.
Chelsea are also under a degree of pressure to raise funds before June 30 as they seek to mitigate losses resulting from spending around £600m on players only to miss out on qualifying for any European qualification next season.
Havertz's valuation is the same as the price Chelsea are demanding for Mason Mount, who is attracting interest from Manchester United. Sources told ESPN that Chelsea rejected a bid of £40m from United last week.
Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation Receives Acclaim for Commitment to Sustainability
The Royal Spanish Table Tennis Federation (RFETM) has received praise for its dedication to sustainability and its active participation in the Green Sport Flag program. The federation’s commitment was officially recognised by the Spanish Sports Association (ADESP) at a gala hosted by the Spanish Olympic Committee.
During the event, ADESP granted special recognition to the RFETM, commending their efforts to promote sustainability in sports. Upon receiving the award, RFETM President Miguel Ángel Machado emphasised the collective work of the federation.
“This award belongs to all members of our federation. It is the result of our collective effort and daily commitment to organising sustainable and world-class competitions,” expressed Machado.
The recognition ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Spanish Olympic Committee on 15 June, coinciding with the Green Sport Flag awards ceremony organised by ADESP. The president of ADESP personally presented the recognition to the RFETM, expressing their pride in bestowing this honour on behalf of the entire board of directors.
Sustainability remains a crucial part of the ITTF Group’s strategic priorities, and has been added to the ITTF Strategic Plan, highlighting its commitment towards the course.
In support of this, the RFETM has been at the forefront of promoting sustainability through various pioneering initiatives implemented during their events. Notable measures include the use of recycled cardboard billboards, the complete elimination of single-use plastics, the introduction of refillable glass bottles, and the utilisation of organic inks in all printing materials. These proactive actions have significantly reduced the federation’s carbon footprint and aligned their commitment to a “zero plastic” policy.
The RFETM’s commitment to sustainability was prominently demonstrated during the Andalucía World PTT Championships 2022 and has been consistently upheld during national events. These efforts underscore the federation’s unwavering dedication to environmental preservation and their endeavour to promote more sustainable and eco-friendly sports management practices, setting the tone for more of such initiatives from other federations.
England: Ollie Hassell-Collins dropped from World Cup training squad
Wing Ollie Hassell-Collins has been dropped from England's World Cup training squad as Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers players return.
Hassell-Collins, 24, made his debut in the Six Nations in February and played in two of England's five matches.
Scrum-halves Ben Spencer and Harry Randall also make way as Tigers' Ben Youngs and Jack van Poortvliet plus Saints' Alex Mitchell are drafted in.
Northampton and Leicester were the Premiership's losing semi-finalists.
The squad is the second of three to be named by head coach Steve Borthwick before the four-Test summer series starts against Wales on 5 August.
On 7 August he will announce his 33-man squad for the World Cup, which starts on 8 September.
Saracens and Sale Sharks players have not yet been included following the Premiership final.
Centre Ollie Lawrence and hooker Jack Walker remain with the squad despite sustaining knee and calf injuries respectively in training last week.
Number eight Billy Vunipola, lock Ollie Chessum and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie are also attending the camp as they continue their recoveries from injury.
England squad
Forwards: Jamie Blamire, Dan Cole, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, Zach Mercer, Beno Obano, Tom Pearson, Val Rapava-Ruskin, David Ribbans, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill.
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Joe Cokanasiga, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Will Joseph, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Guy Porter, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
Real Madrid have signed Espanyol and Spain forward Joselu on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent, the club announced on Monday.
Joselu, 33, scored 16 LaLiga goals for Espanyol last season -- only Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema scored more -- as they were relegated from Spain's top flight.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
He was part of Spain's squad for the UEFA Nations League final four, scoring the winner against Italy in their 2-1 semifinal victory after coming on as an 84th-minute substitute.
Madrid have been looking to bring in a striker after Benzema and Mariano Diaz left this month, leaving Vinicius Junior and Rodrgyo as the club's only senior forwards.
Joselu -- whose full name is Jose Luis Mato Sanmartin -- first signed for Madrid from Celta Vigo in 2009 and scored a career-high 26 goals for reserve team Real Madrid Castilla in 2011-12.
He made one appearance for the first team, scoring in an 8-1 win over Almeria in May 2011, before moving to Hoffenheim in Germany.
Spells at Eintracht Frankfurt, Hannover 96, Stoke City, Deportivo La Coruna and Newcastle United followed before Joselu re-found his goalscoring form at Alaves, scoring 36 LaLiga goals over three seasons between 2019 and 2022.
A move to Espanyol in July last year saw him find the best form of his career, earning a first Spain call-up at the age of 32 in March, during which he scored twice in three minutes in a 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Norway.
Chelsea are considering whether to trigger the €35 million ($38.2m) release clause in Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson's contract in the coming days, sources have told ESPN.
The 21-year-old is believed to have agreed personal terms on a move to Stamford Bridge and talks between the clubs are expected to progress later this week after Jackson represents Senegal against Brazil on Tuesday.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
It remains possible that Chelsea may try to negotiate a lower fee with Villarreal given Jackson's willingness to leave but the Spanish club would ideally prefer not to sell.
Sources also suggest other clubs have expressed an interest in Jackson. He almost moved to Bournemouth in January before the deal collapsed when the player sustained a hamstring injury. It is understood at least one club in Germany is also monitoring the situation.
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is keen to bolster the club's attacking options with Kai Havertz in talks to join Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deemed surplus to requirements. Jackson can play as a central striker or on the wing. He scored 13 goals in all competitions last season but finished in fine form, netting nine times in his final eight games.
Chelsea are expected to confirm the signing of RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku in a deal worth around €60m ($65.5m) at the beginning of July.
Hathurusinghe lauds 'professional approach' by Bangladesh quicks
Hathurusinghe, who joined in February this year, said that the fast bowlers showed maturity in their attack plan against the Afghanistan batters. He said that their use of the bouncers was smart, and showed that they understood their opposition.
"Previously our strength was spin," Hathurusinghe said. "Now we have options to explore the other way, using the fast bowlers and win matches depending on the opposition. It was pleasing to see them not get carried away on the fast, bouncy wicket. The way the bowled was so good. It was a very professional approach. They didn't use the bouncer for the sake of using it. They bowled mostly on the front foot. Those little things show the maturity of fast bowlers. They have come a long way. I am very pleased."
Hathurusinghe said that they will use fast or spin bowling at home depending on the strength of the opposition. "We will decide the best way that we can win the game. We are blessed with spinners and fast bowlers, which is a really good situation as a coach and for the team. Bangladesh cricket is a healthy place at the moment," he said.
Hathurusinghe said that the new opening pair of Zakir Hasan and Mahmudul Hasan Joy also impressed him. They were put together in the last minute after Tamim Iqbal pulled out due to a back injury. Zakir and Joy scored a fifty each, although each of them also got out early in at least one innings.
"I was very impressed actually. I was seeing Zakir bat for the first time. You know that he got injured after that India game. So he had a really good start to his Test career. He is good against pace and spin. Very rarely are openers good against both.
"Joy showed good temperament the way he batted. His record also says that if he gets a start, he goes big. I am also very pleased that Mominul coming into runs as well."
Hathurusinghe added that he is ready to give a longer rope to Zakir and Joy as he believes they are ready for the highest level.
"Definitely those two guys (Joy and Zakir) will get a long run. They have done well. Zakir has played three matches, scoring a hundred and two fifties. Joy has a big hundred and fifty away, and here as well. They can play at this level."
Bangladesh have also scored at an unusually high tempo in their last two Tests. They went at 4.58 to score 369 runs against Ireland in April but in this Afghanistan Test, they batted at 4.44 and 5.31 in the respective innings. Their 425 for 5 declared in 80 overs in particular was eye-catching. Hathurusinghe said Bangladesh would bat the same way if such conditions and opportunities arrived again.
"If the conditions helps us, we will definitely do that. That's how we trained. That's how we gave them freedom to score runs. Name of the game is scoring runs. If the condition is difficult we will be smart enough to bat the way the condition allows us to bat.
"In the same way, we must give credit to Shanto. How he batted in that Test two innings. Especially the first two hours, him and Joy, the way they batted, calmed the nerves of everybody in the dressing room," he said.
Hathurusinghe also hailed the team's preparation and execution, especially how well the Mirpur curator Gamini Silva had managed to change his method of preparing the pitch.
"I put on social media that it is more than a Test win. What I meant was that the way we prepared for this game, we haven't done before. Everything. We prepared a fast and green wicket. So I thought it was a big win for us, to play on that type of wicket and then come out with flying colors. It is a big mental barrier that we broke.
"Before the game, I felt a lot of people had doubt about the way we will go. So the curator Gamini (Silva) gets credit for preparing that kind of wicket. I think it's more than a Test win. New heroes emerged from the win."
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84
5 benefits of choosing sports psychology as a career
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A sports psychology career involves helping sportspersons attain their goals and deal with the anxiety that may obstruct their performance and motivation. As a sports psychologist, you help your clients improve their performance by teaching them mental training techniques or skills they can apply for peak performance or more consistency. You can also teach them how to maximize their practice time and manage their schedule routine well.
Working as a sports psychologist is exciting and fun. However, it’s also challenging, which can help you grow professionally. This article discusses five benefits of choosing sports psychology as a career.
1. Opportunities for specialization
Sports psychology allows you to select a specific area to specialize in. You can study Clinical Sports Psychology which combines sports psychology mental training techniques with psychotherapy to assist clients or athletes with mental health issues. Applied Sports Psychology is another study area that helps you learn teaching skills to boost athletic performance, including imagery and goal setting. Specializing in Academic Sport Psychology paves the way to teach at universities and colleges and also do research. You can explore various Sports Psychology Masters programs to identify one that suits your career goals and requirements.
2. A decent pay
A sports psychologist’s salary in the United States ranges between $63,233 and $81,421 annually. Nonetheless, this differs depending on educational qualifications, area of specialization, and years of experience. Different cities and states pay differently, meaning the state or city you work in will impact how much you earn. Additionally, the level of the sportspersons you’re working with will heavily influence your salary range. Working with professional athletes will make more than working with amateurs.
3. It’s fulfilling
A sports psychologist helps sportspersons build mental prowess for success. They teach them to be more confident, remain composed under pressure, focus better, make their pregame routines more effective, and practice more efficiently. As a sports psychologist, you’re an extension of an athlete or team’s support team. You teach your clients skills that assist in their healing and optimal performance. Watching them improve and succeed in their endeavors and knowing you played a role in making it happen can be rewarding.
4. You can start your own practice
With the education, skills, and hands-on experience in sports psychology, you can become a private consultant or start a private practice to help upcoming athletes or professional sports persons. For instance, parents with promising athletic children can hire you to train their kids. You can also work with amateur athletes who want to enhance their performance. Other sportspersons, including tennis players, triathletes, and golfers, are prospective clients regardless of whether they’re pros or amateurs.
Starting your own practice offers limitless possibilities. With a private practice, you decide where to work, select your working hours, and pick your staff. It also lets you create a schedule that allows you to take time off when needed.
5. Capacity to work in different settings
As a sports psychologist, you can find employment in different places depending on what you want. You can work with individual athletes or a team. You can also work in psychology offices, schools, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, medical clinics, and more.
Endnote
A sports psychology career is exciting and rewarding. Learning everything about the sports psychology field, including its benefits, can help you decide if it’s a career worth choosing.
Poland will be the epicentre of athletics this week with Femke Bol, Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Miltos Tentóglou among those in action
All eyes will be on the Slaski Stadium in Chorzów, Poland, this week with the venue playing host to the European Team Championships. Altogether there are 47 nations battling for honours in three divisions of the competition. For athletics enthusiasts it will provide a six-day feast of track and field.
The event takes place in conjunction with the third edition of the European Games and divisions two and three of the athletics action will unfold on June 20-22 with the division one match on June 23-25. Here are the teams:
First division: Poland, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Turkey, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Portugal
Second division: Denmark, Ukraine, Romania, Estonia, Hungary, Slovenia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Latvia, Croatia, Iceland, Serbia, Cyprus, Moldova, Luxembourg
Third division: Ireland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Malta, Montenegro, Georgia, Armenia, Andorra, North Macedonia, San Marino, Albania, AASSE (Athletic Association of Small States of Europe), Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Austria, Israel
How to watch
The action will be streamed live on the European Athletics website but look out for news, interviews and updates on the AW website and social media channels, especially the progress of the British team in the division one match.
You can view the timetable and results here.
History
The event has a rich heritage and its forerunner – the European, or Europa, Cup – dates back to 1965 with Britain winning the men’s “Super League” title at Gateshead in 1989 and 2000, Munich in 1997, St Petersburg in 1998 and Annecy in 2002 and 2008.
At the 1989 event in Gateshead, for example, many of Britain’s top stars at the time competed and the winners included Linford Christie, Colin Jackson, John Regis, Tom McKean, Steve Backley, Kriss Akabusi and Dalton Grant, with the reward of qualification for the IAAF World Cup.
Colin Jackson wins in 1989 (Mark Shearman)
In 2009 the meeting was reinvented as the “European Team Championships” with male and female athletes now in the same squad and competing at the same venue. There were also controversial rules such as field eventers only being allowed a limited number of attempts and an elimination (or devil-takes-the-hindmost) element in distance races, but the ideas were criticised and subsequently dropped). Originally the new European Team Champs was in the form of four leagues, too, but there are now just three divisions.
The most recent three editions of the event have been held in Poland – in Bydgoszcz in 2019 and Chorzów in 2021 and now 2023 – with the host nation taking advantage of home support by winning twice on the trot and now going for a hat-trick this week if they can triumph in the first division match.
Athletes in action
Femke Bol has been in brilliant form this summer already and represents the newly-promoted top division team, the Netherlands.
Miltiadis Tentoglou is another European champion in action and the Greek long jumper will be up against Italy’s Mattia Furlani and Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer this week.
Hosts Poland have two of their individual European champions from Munich last year in action in the shape of sprint hurdler Pia Skrzyszowska and hammer thrower Wojciech Nowicki.
Pia Skrzyszowska (Getty)
Germany is traditionally strong in the throws and has won the overall title five times since 2009. Their squad includes, for example, javelin thrower Julian Weber.
Yeman Crippa will be looking for maximum points for Italy and is likely to go in the 5000m.
There are some big names in the lower divisions too with high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh and long/triple jumper Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk in the Ukraine team in division two.
Triple jumper Pedro Pichardo, the Olympic, world and European gold medallist, is part of the Portuguese squad.
Pedro Pablo Pichardo (Getty)
Since the event transformed from the European Cup to the European Team Championships, British Athletics has used the meeting as more of an opportunity to blood up and coming talent. The 2023 squad has 11 athletes making their GB & Northern Ireland international senior debut, for example.
In comparison, defending champions Poland have named a full-strength team. However there are some experienced campaigners in the GB team such as throwers Scott Lincoln, Jade Lally and Lawrence Okoye, plus sprinter Richard Kilty in the relay squad.
Lawrence Okoye (Getty)
Great Britain & Northern Ireland squad
Men: 100m: Jeremiah Azu; 200m: Adam Clayton; 400m: Alex Haydock-Wilson; 800m: Ben Pattison; 1500m: George Mills; 5000m: Jonathan Davies; 110m hurdles: Josh Zeller; 400m Hurdles: Seamus Derbyshire; 3000m steeplechase: Zak Seddon; Long jump: Jack Roach; Triple jump: Jude Bright-Davies; High jump: William Grimsey; Pole vault: Adam Hague; Shot: Scott Lincoln; Discus: Lawrence Okoye; Hammer: Jake Norris; Javelin: Joe Dunderdale; 4x100m: Jeremiah Azu, Oliver Bromby, Adam Clayton, Richard Kilty and Tommy Ramdhan
Women: 100/200m: Bianca Williams; 400m: Ama Pipi; 800m: Issy Boffey; 1500m: Ellie Baker; 5000m: Hannah Nuttall; 100m hurdles: Abigail Pawlett; 400m hurdles: Lina Nielsen; 3000m steeplechase: Maisie Grice; Long jump: Lucy Hadaway; Triple jump: Georgina Forde-Wells; High jump: Laura Zialor; Pole vault: Jade Ive; Shot: Sarah Omoregie; Discus: Jade Lally; Hammer: Charlotte Payne; Javelin: Bekah Walton; 4x100m: Alyson Bell, Amy Hunt, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Cassie-Ann Pemberton, Aleeya Sibbons and Bianca Williams
Mixed 4x400m: Charlie Dobson, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Carys McAulay (Nick Dakin, Trafford), Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Ama Pipi and Brodie Young
2023 With The Future In Mind scholarship holders announced
ITTF High Performance is pleased to announce this year’s With The Future In Mind (WFIM) scholarship holders who will benefit from support under three different streams: Paris 2024, Youth Athlete Development, and Olympic Solidarity Youth Athlete Development.
As in previous years, the scholarship support is intended to be a shared commitment between ITTF and Member Associations, providing the beneficiaries with the best possible opportunities to achieve their goals through identifying additional training opportunities and increasing the number of events the athlete can participate in. MAs are encouraged to consult with ITTF High Performance in creating a yearly plan for their athlete that reflects the collaborative spirit of the scholarships.
With the Future in Mind is a joint program of Olympic Solidarity (OS) and the ITTF. Since its inception it has been a core component of the Athletes Development Model, supporting athletes the world over in the pursuit of their Olympic Dream.
Nina Mittelham (GER), WFIM scholarship holder for the past 4 years and current world number 14 says: “The WFIM Program has been supporting me with a significant amount every year since 2019. I am able to use the scholarship for events and additional training opportunities. Especially for female athletes, this financial support is worth its weight in gold, and I am very grateful to receive it.”
Izaac Quek (SGP), the 17-year old world number 60 who recently made his way to the Round of 16 at the Singapore Smash, agrees: “The scholarship provided me with additional funds to go for additional training and competitions which has helped me tremendously in my development. I am grateful to ITTF and Olympic Solidarity for awarding the scholarship to me.”
His 2018 Hopes team colleague, current U17 world number 2 and U19 world number 4 Hana Goda (EGY) echoes his words: “I am very happy to benefit from the WFIM scholarship. It has helped me in my progression by affording me opportunities for training and participation in tournaments.”
The scholarships are intended to pave the High Performance pathway for the selected athletes by enabling them to attend high quality training activities and compete at the most suitable events. The educational component of the scholarship program provides up-to-date and highly applicable know-how to coaches and Member Associations via modern educational methods.
With The Future in Mind is not the only program assisting athletes on their road to the Olympic Games; Olympic Solidarity further supports athletes through the NOC support program in achieving their Olympic dream.
List of WTFIM scholarship holders
Squash’s latest foes for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic bid hopes
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