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Ally McCoist, the former Scotland and Rangers football legend, has expressed his opinion on West Ham United captain Declan Rice's potential move to a new club. McCoist believes that if Rice is considering his options, he would be better off joining Arsenal instead of Manchester United during this summer transfer window.

Rice has expressed his desire to leave West Ham United, and several top clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, have been linked with him in recent weeks. However, McCoist offered his perspective on Rice's situation during a discussion on talkSPORT.

In McCoist's view, if he were in Rice's shoes, he would prefer a move to Arsenal over Manchester United. He highlighted Manchester United's recent performances and their overall standing in comparison to their rivals, particularly Manchester City. McCoist stated that while Manchester United has won the League Cup this season, they seem to be lagging behind Manchester City by four or five players.

On the other hand, McCoist believes that although Arsenal is still behind Manchester City, they have the potential to narrow the gap more quickly. He sees Arsenal as a club with the potential to make strides toward challenging the dominance of Manchester City in the future.

McCoist's perspective offers an interesting take on Declan Rice's potential move. While both Arsenal and Manchester United are historically significant clubs, McCoist believes that Arsenal may be better positioned to make progress and bridge the gap to Manchester City in the near future. However, the final decision rests with Rice, and it remains to be seen which club he will ultimately choose to further his career.

Sergio Busquets, the seasoned Spanish midfielder, has been honored with the title of La Liga Player of the Year by his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Aguero. With an illustrious career spanning 18 years and an impressive tally of 722 appearances for Barcelona across various competitions, Busquets has undeniably established himself as one of the world's finest defensive midfielders.

As the curtains draw to a close on his tenure with the Spanish side, Busquets will bid farewell as a free agent in the summer, following Barcelona's final game this weekend. This departure marks the end of an era for the legendary midfielder, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable contributions to the sport.

Aguero, who himself transitioned from Manchester City to Barcelona but faced setbacks due to heart complications, acknowledged Busquets' instrumental role in Barcelona's triumph in the La Liga this season. When asked to select his choice for La Liga Player of the Season by betting site Stake.com, the Argentine expressed admiration for Vinicius Jr's impressive year but ultimately singled out Busquets.

In Aguero's eyes, the 34-year-old veteran's last season at Barca was nothing short of exceptional. Busquets exemplified the essence of Barcelona's distinctive style and proved to be the linchpin that provided the team with the necessary balance to secure the coveted title.

Aguero's endorsement of Busquets' outstanding performances serves as a testament to the Spanish midfielder's immense impact and unwavering influence on the field. As Busquets embarks on a new chapter in his career, his contributions to Barcelona's success will forever be cherished, and his legacy as a true maestro of the game will endure in the annals of football history.

Emerson Royal, the midfielder for Tottenham, has divulged the club that Harry Kane will represent in the upcoming season. Contrary to widespread speculation in the English media, Royal stated that the England captain has no desire to depart from Tottenham.

Numerous reports have linked the 29-year-old with potential moves to Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and even Real Madrid. However, Royal revealed that Kane, who currently has one year remaining on his contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is likely to honor his deal.

Experts opine that this might be Kane's final chance to leave the north London club while he is at the pinnacle of his abilities. Alternatively, he could opt to remain at Tottenham and solidify his reputation as an esteemed figure within the team.

According to Royal, who expressed his own desire to continue playing alongside Kane for an extended period, the talented striker holds a top-ranking position and genuinely wishes to stay with Tottenham. This statement from Royal adds a significant perspective to the ongoing speculation surrounding Kane's future.

Frank Lampard, the interim manager of Chelsea, has expressed his intention to return to the club as a dedicated supporter in the future on numerous occasions. As his short-term deal comes to an end after the Premier League match against Newcastle on Sunday, Lampard aims to secure his first home victory during his second tenure as manager. However, it must be noted that he has encountered significant challenges, losing eight out of the ten games he has overseen.

Lampard, renowned for his illustrious career as a player at Chelsea, which included winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League, did not visit Stamford Bridge after his dismissal as manager in January 2021. It wasn't until April of this year that he made a return to witness Chelsea's goalless draw against Liverpool.

The 44-year-old manager has now shed light on the reason behind his absence, while simultaneously assuring fans that he will be a familiar face among them. He acknowledged the deep connection he feels with the club and the supporters, stating, "This is the corny part, I will never feel like I am saying goodbye to the fans. My career as a player and as a coach first time around and this period, and it is there." Lampard, who resides close to the stadium, intends to maintain a strong presence at Chelsea, emphasizing that embarking on a managerial career does not guarantee an eternal stay at a club where he spent 13 years as a player.

As Lampard's interim role concludes and he prepares to step down from his managerial position, his commitment to remaining connected with the Chelsea faithful shines through. While his time as manager may have been challenging, his dedication to the club and his willingness to support from the stands exemplify the enduring bond between Lampard, Chelsea, and its passionate supporters.

Kylian Mbappe, the talented forward from Paris Saint-Germain, has expressed his support for Vinicius Junior, the winger from Real Madrid, who recently faced racism from La Liga supporters. The incident took place during Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat against Valencia in La Liga on Sunday.

Vinicius became the target of racism and abuse from fans at the Mestalla Stadium during the match. In the second half, he identified the group of fans responsible, causing a temporary pause in play as referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea informed stadium officials about the racist chants, urging them to stop.

According to Scroll, the referee stated in his post-match report that a fan had directed racial slurs like 'monkey, monkey' at Vinicius.

The situation escalated towards the end of the second half when Vinicius was shown a red card after pushing Valencia attacker Hugo Duro in the face, following a VAR check. This happened after Valencia players confronted Vinicius and Duro put him in a headlock, with no repercussions for the latter's actions.

Vinicius took to Instagram after the game and posted a lengthy message, highlighting that racism is unfortunately normalized in La Liga.

In a show of solidarity, Mbappe took to Instagram as well and shared a story in support of the 22-year-old attacker. The story read, "You're not alone. We are with you & we support you."

It is heartening to see Mbappe standing up against racism and offering his support to Vinicius Junior during this challenging time. Such acts of unity and solidarity are crucial in the fight against racial discrimination in football.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup will not feature the Golden Eaglets, as Nduka Ugbade's team lost their final group game to Burkina Faso. This disappointing outcome has led to widespread controversy and criticism, with stakeholders questioning what went wrong with a team that had apparently undergone solid preparation for the U-17 AFCON in Algeria.

Adding fuel to the fire, the outstanding performances of former Eaglets player Victor Osimhen, who currently plays for Super Eagles and Napoli, have further frustrated fans who feel that Nigerian football has missed out on producing another talent like Osimhen.

It is worth examining the issues that may have affected Ugbade's team and prevented them from achieving success. After the victories of the Golden Eaglets in 2013 and 2015 under Garba Manu and Emmanuel Amunike, respectively, the team has struggled to qualify for or excel in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The 2017, 2019, 2021, and now 2023 Golden Eaglets have failed to replicate their trademark performances on the global stage. The question arises: what is going wrong?

To better understand the situation within the context of this article, let's focus on Ugbade's team and the concerns raised by Nigerian football stakeholders and fans.

Agents and scouts play a significant role in Nigerian football, often approaching players and luring them away from clubs and national teams. The undue influence and pressure exerted by these individuals, armed with cash and offers of opportunities abroad, can distract players from showcasing their true talents and instead focus on what the agents and scouts want.

Furthermore, some officials within the football hierarchy are suspected of being agents and scouts themselves, either directly or indirectly collaborating with partners locally or overseas. These individuals are the real enemies of Nigerian football.

Age cheating has become a problem in African football, including at the U-17 level. While it is believed that Ugbade's team consisted of genuine U-17 players in Algeria, the age discrepancies among players from opposing teams should be addressed by examining the official documents, such as international passports and MRI scan results, which were certified by CAF.

Despite the challenges, it is important to present a genuine U-17 squad, even if winning the tournament or qualifying for the World Cup is not guaranteed. Graduating talented players to the senior teams should be the focus in such cases.

There is no shortage of talent at the grassroots and secondary schools in Nigeria, yet coaches often fail to explore these areas to discover players. It is perplexing that a coach who did not visit major football grounds and centers across the country ended up with 3,000 players on the first day of the open screening for the team. The source and background of these players must be investigated to ensure a more effective team-building process in the future.

Hiding the team from the media and fans during training camps, instead of engaging in open training exercises, deprives coaches of the opportunity to identify and assess quality players based on the reactions and opinions of the fans. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has changed this approach, opting for closed-door friendlies against unknown clubs and academies, which hinders the open assessment of players.

The proliferation of football academies without proper oversight raises concerns about the quality of players they produce. Many of these academies are owned by individuals connected to influential figures and agents, who exploit the low remuneration of coaches to place their average players in exchange for favors. The involvement of these academies in the selection process of age-grade teams needs urgent attention, and coaches should focus on scouting talents from schools and grassroots areas, where true potential and accurate age verification can be found.

The quality of friendly matches played by national U-17 and U-20 teams is also a concern. Matches

A new record for the highest price ever paid for a pair of sneakers at an auction has been set, with a game-worn pair of Air Jordan XIII Breds selling for over $2.2 million. This surpasses the previous record set in 2021 when a pair of Nike Air Ships worn by Jordan in his first NBA regular season game were sold for $1.4 million.

The head of streetwear and modern collectibles at Sotheby's, Brahm Wachter, stated that this result further confirms the ongoing and unparalleled demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia. Wachter said, “Today’s record-breaking result further proves that the demand for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia continues to outperform and transcend all expectations.”

These sneakers were worn by the NBA legend during the second half of the Chicago Bulls' 93-88 victory over the Utah Jazz on June 5, 1998. During that game, Jordan delivered an impressive performance of 37 points, five rebounds, three assists, and no turnovers, leading Chicago to tie the series 1-1. The Bulls went on to win the finals, with Jordan receiving his sixth ring and being named the MVP of the finals.

Following the game, Jordan gifted these historic sneakers to a ball boy from the Utah Jazz. This act makes the sneakers even more special and valuable, as they hold a significant place in basketball history. The sale of these sneakers highlights the enduring appeal of Michael Jordan as a sports icon and his legacy that continues to inspire people today.

Bayern Munich regained their position at the top of the Bundesliga table with a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Sunday. The victory saw the defending champions move one point clear of Borussia Dortmund with only four games left in the season.

Bayern took the lead in the 69th minute through a diving header from Serge Gnabry, assisted by Joshua Kimmich. Kingsley Coman then secured the win for Bayern with another goal in the 79th minute, also assisted by Kimmich.

Hertha Berlin, who has conceded ten goals in their last three games, put up a hard fight but were unable to challenge Bayern. The visitors relied on goalkeeper Oliver Christensen to prevent a heavier loss. Hertha remains at the bottom of the league and six points away from the relegation playoff spot, making them a strong candidate for relegation.

Despite Bayern's dominance in the first half, they struggled to break through Hertha's hard-working defense. Christensen made a crucial save from Gnabry, while Sadio Mane was unable to convert a couple of promising crosses from Coman. The home fans were disappointed with Bayern's lack of goals in the first half and voiced their concerns with whistles.

Bayern's highly-rated teenage striker Ibrahim Maza made his debut for Hertha in the 65th minute, but it was Bayern's forwards who eventually found the back of the net. The fans celebrated with the players after the game, chanting "German champion will only be FCB (FC Bayern)."

With the win, Bayern Munich is now on track to secure their 31st German championship. They will face Werder Bremen, Schalke, Leipzig, and Cologne in their remaining matches, while Dortmund will be hoping for Bayern to slip up in order to clinch the title.

(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP)

One factor driving the growth of renewable energy is cost. The cost of renewables, particularly solar and wind, has plummeted in recent years, making them more competitive with fossil fuels. In some regions, renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuels, even without subsidies. This has led to a surge in investment, particularly in solar and wind projects.

Another driver of renewable energy growth is policy. Many countries have introduced policies and regulations that incentivize the development of renewable energy. Examples include feed-in tariffs, which guarantee a fixed price for renewable energy, and renewable portfolio standards, which require utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewables.

Investment in renewable energy has been growing steadily for years and is expected to continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that renewable energy will account for 90% of the global power sector's growth by 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on renewable energy investment in the short term, but many experts believe that it will not significantly slow the long-term growth of renewables.

While there are challenges to the continued growth of renewable energy, such as the need for more investment in storage technology and grid infrastructure, the overall trend is positive. As more and more countries commit to transitioning to renewables, it becomes increasingly likely that a future powered entirely by clean, sustainable energy is within reach.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has announced the temporary closure of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, following the collapse of a floodlight mast. Dare disclosed this in a statement after inspecting the affected floodlight mast. He had earlier visited the stadium on Friday and promised to give his verdict after a thorough assessment. However, after touring the stadium and assessing the situation, the Minister ordered the temporary closure of the stadium to forestall any unforeseen circumstances.

Dare expressed his gratitude that there were no casualties from the collapse of the floodlight mast. He also inspected the other three floodlight masts and discovered that age and weather elements had weakened them, making them potential hazards after 51 years of use. He stated that, based on his assessment and expert advice, the stadium and surrounding facilities would be temporarily closed to ensure public safety, and proper assessment and necessary action would be taken soon.

Furthermore, the Federal Government will expedite the concession process towards fully privatising the Surulere stadium that began last year. This will lead to a comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of the 51-year-old edifice. The Minister noted that the decision to impose extensive restrictions around the stadium was made to be on the side of caution, and he appealed to Nigerians to bear with the inconvenience that the decision may cause.

In conclusion, the temporary closure of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, due to the collapse of a floodlight mast, is a necessary step to ensure public safety. The Federal Government's commitment to fully privatising the stadium and rehabilitating it will not only enhance its aesthetics but also promote the development of sports in Nigeria.

Luciano Spalletti, the head coach of Napoli, is delighted with the return of Victor Osimhen, the team's prolific striker, to competitive action. Osimhen had missed Napoli's last three matches but partially trained with the rest of the group on Thursday. Previous reports suggested that he would be rested for the Italian Serie A match against Hellas Verona.

Despite this, Napoli included Osimhen in the squad for their Serie A fixture against Verona at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday, and he played as a substitute for 17 minutes. The Nigerian international replaced Giacomo Raspadori in the 73rd minute, making his return after a muscle injury suffered while on international duty with the Super Eagles against Guinea Bissau in March.

Osimhen, who is the Serie A's leading scorer with 21 goals, had the best chance of the game for Napoli but hit the crossbar minutes after his introduction, as Napoli and Verona drew 0-0. Spalletti spoke to Radio Kiss Kiss ahead of the Champions League encounter against Milan, giving his assessment of the team's chances and the return of Osimhen, who he counts on to make a difference.

Spalletti stated that Osimhen gave the burst of enthusiasm that the fans attribute to him and showed that he was in the game. He needed the 25 minutes of running to be ready to play on Tuesday. Spalletti added that Osimhen has physicality and speed, and can protect the ball, use his head or change pace. He has so many different alternatives and is a hero of the fans now.

Spalletti also stated that these players are made of different stuff and have so many solutions to help the team, filling the box of delights with all their various characteristics. Osimhen will start against Milan on Tuesday, according to Spalletti. The influential Nigerian missed the 1-0 first-leg loss to Milan last Wednesday.