NFL Talking Point: How much has Tom Brady improved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

It was a dramatic offseason for quarterback movement in the NFL, but there was no bigger transaction than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing Tom Brady.

The six-time Super Bowl winner left the New England Patriots after 20 years and now, at the age of 43, is bidding to lead his new team to the promised land.

The Bucs Raymond James Stadium will host the Super Bowl on February 7 and if they go all the way it will be the first time a team has won the Vince Lombardi Trophy on their own turf.

With the first quarter of the 2020 season in the books and Bruce Arians  team set to face the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football, we have used Stats Perform data to scrutinise how Brady and the Bucs have fared so far.

I’m so grateful to all the players and coaches…

Man City talisman De Bruyne named Premier League Player of the Year

Kevin De Bruyne has been named the Premier League s Player of the Season.

The Manchester City star has driven Pep Guardiola s team to the verge of a fourth title in the space of five seasons with some sensational displays.

Despite having a rather stuttering start to the campaign after suffering an eye injury in last season s Champions League final, and then sustaining another problem during Belgium s Euro 2020 quarter-final defeat to Italy, the 30-year-old has gone on to score 15 goals in the Premier League so far in 2021-22.

Remarkably, those goals have come from an expected goals (xG) value of just 5.8. He has also provided seven assists.

Four of those came in City s 5-1 thrashing of Wolves earlier in May, with De Bruyne becoming the first player since …

Coman one of the top wingers in the world when fit, says Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann claimed Kingsley Coman is one of the top wingers in the world when fit and said the Frenchman must remain patient for a chance at Bayern Munich.

Coman, 25, joined Bayern initially on a two-year loan from Juventus in 2015 and subsequently made the move permanent.

The France international underwent a minor heart operation in September and has managed just 84 minutes in the Bundesliga this term with the Bavarian giants.

Nagelsmann, however, insisted that Coman ranks among the best in his position on his day as he addressed questions over his rotational policy ahead of Bayern s DFB-Pokal clash with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.

I ve emphasised many times that King [Coman] is an amazing person who I really enjoy working with, Nage…

Kiev win would change the mood at Barcelona, says Sergi

Sergi Barjuan says the Barcelona players can feel the pressure ahead of their crunch Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev but knows a win will change the tense mood at the club.

A 1-1 home draw in LaLiga against Deportivo Alaves on Saturday did little to lift spirits at Camp Nou following Ronald Koeman s sacking.

Barca will now travel to Kiev for a crucial contest that will play a huge part in determining their prospects of progression in Europe.

A 1-0 win in the reverse fixture gave Barca their first points in Group E but they still trail Bayern Munich and Benfica with three matches to play.

The players need to find a way, whatever way they can, to achieve this victory, said interim head coach Sergi.  The players are under a lot of pressure, Tuesday…

Unai Emery extends Aston Villa contract

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has committed to the club until at least 2027 after his contract was extended.

The Spaniard’s existing deal still had two years to run but he has agreed terms for an additional 12 months, the PA news agency understands.

Villa are also keen to sit down with the 52-year-old in the summer and discuss a new longer-term contract.

Emery has done an impressive job at Villa Park, guiding them from a relegation fight when taking over from Steven Gerrard in November 2022 to the brink of Champions League qualification this season.

They are also in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League, where they play Olympiacos, and are the favourites to win the tournament which would represent a first European trophy since 1982.

Du…

Prediction: Hungary vs Turkey

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker:

The upcoming friendly between Hungary and Turkey at the Puskas Arena marks their first meeting since November 2020, when Hungary secured a 2-0 home victory in the UEFA Nations League.

Both teams qualified for Euro 2024 as group winners in the qualifying process, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this encounter.

Hungary

Hungary s resurgence in international football, marked by their qualification to three consecutive European Championships, underscores their improved performance in recent years. Under the management of Marco Rossi, they topped Group G in Euro 2024 qualifying, finishing unbeaten with 18 points from eight matches.

Their strong form, marked as quite notable since the summer of 2022, continued with impre…

Prediction: Guniea vs Egypt

Best odds: 28/25

Bookmaker:

Guinea and Egypt will cross paths in the fifth round of the qualifications for the African Cup of Nations at the Stade de Marrakech on Wednesday. It should be a thrilling contest between the two teams looking to finish top of Group D, ahead of Malawi and Ethiopia.

Guinea

Guinea s qualifying campaign had a slow start, but they have turned things around with three consecutive victories, placing them on the verge of their 13th appearance at the AFCON.

Initially, the Syli National suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Egypt in their Group D opener in June 2022. However, they bounced back with a 1-0 win over Malawi just four days later, reigniting their campaign.

Following that, Guinea secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over…

Inter Milan Must Go All Out To Bolster Their Midfield During January

Inter Milan have been performing above the most optimistic expectations during the first half of the 2019-20 Serie A season. Following the first 17 matches of the campaign, the Nerazzurri sit at the top of the standings with 42 points. They have won 13 of their 17 games while losing just once. That lone defeat came at the expense of the reigning league champions, Juventus.

Furthermore, Antonio Conte’s men own the third-best attack in the league with 36 goals scored – behind Atalanta and Lazio – while also owning the best defensive unit having conceded only 14 goals. That last stat shouldn’t be surprising considering Conte’s reputation as one of the best defensive managers in the world. It seems Inter are well equipped to mount a realistic title challenge now that the …

Lewandowski hints at Barcelona stay next season

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski has suggested he will remain at the LaLiga club next season.

Lewandowski joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in 2022 and has since helped them win the league title last season as well as the Spanish Super Cup.

The 35-year-old ended his debut season as the league s top scorer with 23 goals and has netted a further 18 in Barcelona s current trophy-less campaign.

Lewandowski s current contract is set to expire in 2026, but uncertainties about his future have grown since manager Xavi initially announced his departure in January, only to backtrack in April.

Barcelona are also dealing with economic challenges, with a bloated wage bill and a huge renovation project at the Camp Nou stadium having increased the financial strain…

Lyon re-sign Lacazette from Arsenal on free transfer

Alexandre Lacazette will rejoin Lyon on a free transfer from Arsenal, despite the Ligue 1 side not qualifying for European football next season.

Lacazette moved from Lyon to Arsenal in 2017 for an initial €60million (£51.3m) fee on a five-year contract, which comes to its end in June.

The 31-year-old previously suggested he would be open to re-signing for Lyon, adding in April he was in discussion with many clubs .

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas responded by stating if we need to make compromises to get [Lacazette], we will , while director of football Vincent Ponsot outlined his desire to bring the forward back home.

And Peter Bosz s team, who finished eighth in Ligue 1 this season, have managed to seal the France international s return to his bo…