Clairet Lipide

Gattuso ‘Happy’ With Lazio Progress, Opens up on Taylor Incident: “That’s the Spirit”

· Yahoo Sports

Gattuso ‘Happy’ With Lazio Progress, Opens up on Taylor Incident: “That’s the Spirit”

Lazio manager Gennaro Gattuso saw some positive signs in his team’s 6-3 win over Avellino on Saturday morning.

Lazio Put Six Past Avellino

This was the Biancocelesti’s toughest pre-season test thus far, having already beaten their Primavera team as well as their amateur neighbors Flaminia. While the Serie B boys took an early lead, Lazio youngster Federico Serra scored the equalizer, and Petar Ratkov followed it up with a brace.

Visit afsport.lat for more information.

Reda Belahyane netted right after the interval, while Gabriele Artistico added the fifth from the spot. Avellino responded by scoring twice in quick succession, but the Aquile had the last word through Kenneth Taylor.

Gennaro Gattuso Happy With Lazio Performance

In his post-match interview with the club’s social channels (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Gattuso expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress, while admitting that further improvements are required.

The team is starting to do what we want. We’re pressing high, keeping a high defensive line, and going man-to-man when opponents try to play out from the back. There’s always some risk involved, but our fitness is improving too. We’re happy because there’s real enthusiasm. Naturally, we still need to raise our level and there are things we’re missing. Right now we’re focusing on the players we have, we’re working well, and it’s only natural that we have to raise the bar. It’s a pleasure to coach them.

Gattuso Dampens Kenneth Taylor Incident

Gattuso didn’t shy away from discussing his training-ground spat with Taylor. The head coach kicked the Dutchman out of the squad in Thursday’s morning session for the way he complained following a challenge from a teammate. Nevertheless, the midfielder rejoined the squad in the afternoon and was handed a light-hearted ‘punishment’.

The other day, some people had fun writing about Taylor, but that’s part of the game. Anyone who knows me knows how I think and the kind of approach I have. As far as I’m concerned, after 30 minutes it was all over, and you saw that in the afternoon session too. That’s the spirit we need to have. We’re happy because simply getting through this period without losing players to serious injuries means we’ve kept the damage to a minimum, and that’s a big advantage. Now we need to be consistent and reach higher levels of intensity and speed.

Gattuso Glory Days with Alessandro Nesta

The Lazio boss was delighted to reunite with his former Italy and AC Milan teammate Alessandro Nesta. The Biancocelesti legend returned to Formello as Avellino’s head coach.

Nesta was a fantastic teammate with the national team and at Milan. We’ve always maintained a great relationship and we speak often. He’s a bit calmer and more composed than I am, while I’m more emotional. As a player he was a champion, and as a coach he has some very good ideas. We often exchange views. He’s a friend I’ve always cared about and still care about deeply, and I have enormous respect for him.

Gattuso Pays Homage to Franco Baresi

Finally, Gattuso paid tribute to Milan and Italy icon Giuseppe Baresi, who sadly passed away on Friday at the age of 66.

My condolences to the Baresi family. Whenever I spoke to him, I almost stood to attention. He was the captain—a man who spoke little and smiled even less, but every word he said carried weight. He was unique, a legend. Whenever you spoke to him, you could feel that. He passed away too soon, but now he’s keeping company with so many other great champions. He’ll remain part of football history forever. He deserved a lifetime Ballon d’Or for the way he revolutionised the sweeper role. He was like an assistant referee too—when he raised his hand, he was almost never wrong about an offside. That’s how I’ll remember him.

Read full story at source

Newt Gingrich details plan for senators to win big in November: Exploit ‘weird’ socialist values

· NY Post

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wants congressional Republicans to ride to victory in November by going full-bore at DSA, “Big Government Socialism” and “weird values.”

Visit freshyourfeel.com for more information.

Read full story at source

Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham Hotspur leading the race to sign Premier League forward

· Yahoo Sports

Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham Hotspur leading the race to sign Premier League forward

Tottenham Transfer News: Cody Gakpo Emerges as Major Spurs Target in £72m Liverpool Talks

Tottenham’s summer planning appears to have moved firmly towards the forward line, with Fabrizio Romano for Men in Blazers identifying Cody Gakpo as a player to watch closely in the weeks ahead. The latest indication from the market is that Spurs are seriously exploring the Liverpool attacker, while external reporting has placed them among the leading candidates if a deal develops.

Visit moryak.biz for more information.

After heavy spending elsewhere in the squad, Tottenham’s priority now looks increasingly clear. Reinforcements have already arrived across multiple positions, and there is a growing sense that the next phase of recruitment will focus on adding quality, versatility and proven output in attack.

That helps explain the attraction of Gakpo. He is comfortable from the left, capable of operating through the middle, and offers the sort of tactical flexibility clubs place a premium on in modern recruitment. For Tottenham, that profile has become more relevant following the injury setback suffered by Eli Junior Kroupi, which effectively ended any realistic chance of a move this summer.

Cody Gakpo profile suits Tottenham recruitment

The market context is important. Spurs have also been working on a separate attacking track, with Savinho regarded as a leading option for the right side. Bringing in another wide player, particularly one with Gakpo’s ability to cover central areas, would represent a significant statement of intent.

Romano’s update was brief but notable. “Keep an eye on Tottenham Hotspur and Cody Gakpo in the next weeks,” said Romano via Men in Blazers. “They really like the player.” That aligns with other industry noise suggesting Tottenham’s interest is genuine and active, rather than speculative.

There is no indication at this stage that an agreement is close, and that distinction matters. Interest is one thing, execution is another, particularly when dealing with a club such as Liverpool and a player who remains an established first-team option.

Liverpool transfer stance sets high bar

The biggest issue may be price. Reports have placed Liverpool’s valuation at £72m, a figure said to be based on wider market comparisons, including Anthony Gordon’s reported £69m move to Barcelona. Whether that number proves negotiable remains to be seen, though it certainly sets a high threshold for any suitor.

Photo IMAGO

From Liverpool’s side, that is understandable. Gakpo is an experienced international, entering what should still be strong years of his career, and offers depth across several attacking roles. Clubs do not part easily with players of that type unless the financial terms are compelling.

For Tottenham, the decision would revolve around value as much as need. There is clear logic in targeting a player who can solve more than one problem, yet £72m is the level at which every part of the package, fee, wages and long-term fit, comes under sharper scrutiny.

Tottenham transfer strategy enters key stage

What does appear evident is that Spurs are moving decisively. Their summer has already been aggressive, and the attacking shortlist is being refined with intent. Gakpo’s name is firmly in that conversation, and his suitability to Tottenham’s evolving squad build is easy to understand.

As things stand, this is one to monitor rather than one to call. Tottenham’s interest looks credible, Liverpool’s valuation is substantial, and the coming weeks should reveal whether admiration turns into formal action.

Our View

From a Tottenham supporter’s perspective, this feels like the sort of rumour that is exciting but also slightly difficult to fully trust until there is something more concrete. Gakpo is clearly a very good player, and there is no doubt he would improve the squad. He has quality, he can play in more than one position, and he comes with experience at a high level. All of that makes sense.

At the same time, there is a natural hesitation around the figure being discussed. £72m is a huge amount, even in this market, and supporters will want to be sure that any deal at that level is absolutely right. Tottenham have already spent heavily, so there is a question over how far the club can keep pushing without compromising other areas that may still need attention.

There is also the Liverpool angle. When a club values a player that highly, you have to ask whether they genuinely want to sell or whether they are simply protecting themselves in case someone comes in with an enormous offer. If it is the latter, Tottenham may find the whole process difficult.

Still, if Spurs want a forward who can play left wing or centrally, there are not many available options with this level of pedigree. It might come down to whether the club see Gakpo as a market opportunity or an expensive luxury. Right now, it feels possible, but far from certain.

Read full story at source