So everyone's all abuzz this morning about Tom Verducci's Sports Illustrated cover story this week, a look the complex organism that is the brain of Alex Rodriguez. We think Verducci is one of the best guys SI has, and the story's well-written enough, we guess, but we don't quite understand what the big deal is. A-Rod is kind of a weirdo, his teammates aren't sure whether they like him or not, he and Derek Jeter aren't the best of pals, so on. As much fun as it is to see Rodriguez revealed to the world as the basket case we've know he was all along, we just didn't find that much new in the story. Well, two things, actually. First: When did Jason Giambi all of a sudden become some clubhouse leader? He's quoted throughout the story like some sort of locker room sage; wasn't it just a year and a half ago that people thought he was being eaten by some steroid parasite? And second, this anecdote, from a Red Sox rep: In December 2003, when the Red Sox were frantically trying to acquire Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers, several Boston executives called on Rodriguez in his New York hotel suite after 1 a.m. Rodriguez answered the door in a perfectly pressed suit, tie knotted tight to his stiff collar. The Red Sox officials found such polished attire at such a late hour odd, even unsettling. See, now that's just beautiful. It would not surprise us in the slightest to learn that A-Rod sleeps in a suit. Inside A-Rod's Tumultous Season [Sports Illustrated]
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Vicente del Bosque says football has given him everything after receiving a lifetime achievement award.
Del Bosque, 61, coached Real Madrid to two Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs, before claiming the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship with Spain.
This week the veteran coach, who made 312 appearances for Real as a player, was recognised at the As Del Deporte Awards 2012.
It makes me very proud, it is an honour for me, he told AS.
Football has given me everything. When I was 16 I arrived in Madrid as a provincial kid, with the dream of becoming a footballer. Now, at 61-years-old, I can say my wishes were fulfilled, thanks to being lucky enough to belong to two fine institutions in Real Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation. …
Market: Both teams to score
Odds: 5/6 @
In what could prove to be an enjoyable affair from Home Park on New Year’s Day, Plymouth will welcome Watford to Devon.
Starting with the hosts, while Plymouth might have watched their four-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end against Southampton over the weekend, the Pilgrims still sit in pole position to extend on their Championship status. Opening the New Year holding a commanding seven-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the Devon-based outfit will certainly be excited to make a return to Home Park here. Along with signing opening December with a 2-1 victory against Stoke, Plymouth are unbeaten in all of their previous six straight showdowns in front of their own supporters a run that stems all the way…
Tottenham have confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor has been called up to represent Togo at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The 28-year-old had initially ruled himself out of the tournament due to fears over his safety and an ongoing row over player bonuses with the Togo FA.
But talks between Adebayor and Togo s president Faure Gnassingbe have prompted a turnaround from the Spurs striker.
The ex-Arsenal forward will be available for Tottenham s trip to Loftus Road to face QPR on Saturday, before travelling to South Africa to join up with the rest of the Togo squad next week.
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas had publically stated that he would not block Adebayor from partaking in the tournament, but the striker hinted at a disagreement with the Portuguese …
The FA has asked Sir Alex Ferguson for his observations after he criticised assistant referee Simon Beck during Sunday s 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
The Manchester United boss described the linesman s performance as shocking and slammed Beck s failure to award a penalty to Wayne Rooney after seeing his side concede a 90th-minute equaliser.
Tottenham s late goal from Clint Dempsey meant United s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to five points, following Manchester City s victory over Fulham.
The 71-year-old also claimed that Beck had failed to spot that a Didier Drogba winner at Old Trafford back in 2010 was offside a result which effectively handed the title to Chelsea that season.
Ferguson now has until 18:00GMT on Thursday to respond to the r…
David de Gea may have made a rare mistake in Spain s friendly with Switzerland on Sunday but Vicente del Bosque believes the Manchester United stopper is the complete goalkeeper .
De Gea s strong club form included 18 clean sheets during the 2017-18 Premier League season, earning him the Golden Glove for the first time.
He was unable to keep Switzerland at bay in Villarreal on Sunday, though, spilling a shot from Stephan Lichtsteiner that allowed Ricardo Rodriguez to earn a 1-1 draw.
Despite that error the 27-year-old will travel to the World Cup as Spain s undisputed number one, and Del Bosque remains a big fan.
David is a really complete keeper, the World Cup and European Championship-winning coach told Omnisport.
He plays well with his feet, …
Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of midfielder Thomas Delaney from Werder Bremen for an undisclosed fee.
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract with BVB after a deal in the region of €20million was reportedly agreed between the clubs.
The Denmark international, who had been linked with a transfer to the Premier League, moves to Signal Iduna Park only 18 months on from joining Werder from Copenhagen.
Borussia Dortmund have always had a top-class experience with Denmark internationals, sporting director Michael Zorc told the club s official website.
Thomas Delaney is a physically and mentally strong player. He will enrich our game with his physical presence.
Heute in Dortmund
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB)
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Harry Kane s future at Tottenham is uncertain, with his contract due to expire in 2024.
As a result, speculation is developing about a move for the England international striker during the next transfer window.
Manchester United are known to be interested in the 29-year-old, while Bayern Munich were previously linked too.
TOP STORY – PSG TO CONTEND WITH UTD FOR KANE SIGNATURE
Paris Saint-Germain will battle it out with Manchester United to land Tottenham forward Harry Kane, reports Le Parisien.
PSG sporting director Luis Campos wants to bolster the side s attack and has identified Kane as their top target.
The French champions president Nasser Al Khelaifi has a good relationship with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, which may help negotiation…
Concussion substitutes will be trialled in the Premier League from February 6, English football s top division has confirmed.
A maximum of two substitutes will be allowed in addition to the stipulated allocation of three substitutions in the event of a player suffering a head injury and showing symptoms of concussion.
The Football Association (FA) and the Premier League applied to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to introduce the trials .
The 12:30 GMT kick-off between Aston Villa and Arsenal on February 6 will be the first game of the trial, which runs until the end of 2020-21, with an option to extend into next season.
The Women s Super League and Women s Championship will also take on concussion subs from the same date, with the men…
Central Coast goalkeeper Mat Ryan has backed a young Mariners squad to grind out a result in China on Tuesday.
With one eye Sunday s A-League semi-final showdown with Melbourne Victory, Mariners coach Graham Arnold elected to leave several experienced players in Gosford ahead of the AFC Champions League match with Guizhou Renhe.
Instead, he has placed his faith for the trip to China in a host of youngsters, with just three of the 15-man squad over 25.
Ryan turned 21 on Monday, but has 86 senior appearances since making his debut in 2010. He had some reassuring words for his young team-mates ahead of the match at the Guiyang Sports Centre.
There is nothing more I like than to see a young boy getting a chance and taking it, he said in a club statement.
…
Former Barcelona midfielder Deco believes comparisons made between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not fair on either player.
The Clasico rivals are widely regarded as the two greatest players in the world, but the former Portugal international believes trying to choose between them is impossible.
Having played with both during his career, Deco believes they have very different characteristics that separate them from other players in the game.
It is a privilege to have played with both of them, he told Perform.
But I think it is unfair to compare as they have different styles, and are so good with their styles, that it would be unfair to judge who is better.
Last year, Cristiano was better in the first six months, I mean he had better numbe…