Sports
Newcastle’s Fabian Schar Caught in Middle East Conflict
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has opened up on the recent ‘terrifying’ time he has had, having been caught up in the escalating conflict across the Middle East.
The region has been turned into a warzone after Israel and the United States launched military attacks on Iran. In response, Iran has fired missiles and drone attacks against Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman.
While not the most important aspect of the current geopolitical climate, the recent events are already having an impact on the world of football. After all, it now looks unlikely that Iran will participate in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US.
Many people have also been stranded in the Middle East over the past few days, with airports unable to operate as usual. Newcastle ace Schar is among those who have felt the impact of the conflict.
Schar Was in Middle East Amid Injury Issues
Explaining that he was in the Middle East as part of his rehabilitation programme, having undergone surgery on his ankle back in January, the player said on his social media account:
“I’ve just had a few of my most terrifying days having unfortunately witnessed first-hand what’s happening in the Middle East.
“I was there as part of my rehabilitation programme and I’m glad I found a way to get home safely.
“But what we experienced there, and what’s happening right now, is truly frightening. I hope that help gets to all of the people who need it in those affected areas.”
As per Newcastle Chronicle, more than 3,400 flights have been cancelled, and Dubai and Doha airports were closed as 102,000 Brits out of 300,000 registered with the UK Foreign Office in recent days. Many, however, have since managed to get flights back to the UK, which are taking off today.
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Graeme Souness Also Has Flights Cancelled as Foreign Secretary Speaks Out
Another man with a Newcastle link, having coached them from 2004 to 2006, has also found it hard to travel amid the ongoing conflict. Graeme Souness revealed that he was trapped in Abu Dhabi, having seen his flights cancelled.
On 1 March, he explained: “Chaos continues. The flight’s been cancelled, still hearing explosives, so we give up. We’re just going to check into a hotel for a couple of nights and see where we are. Hopefully, this will settle down and we’ll get back on our flight.
“You get grumpy – well I do – when you get delayed and stuff at airports but I think we should think of people that maybe at this point might die. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted.”
On the issue of British citizens returning to the UK, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a statement: “The safety and security of British citizens is our top priority, and we know that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the conflict and escalation in the Middle East and the Gulf.
“This includes holiday makers, business travellers and visitors who can’t return home because of airspace closures or strikes.
“That’s why we have the Foreign Office crisis centre that is open 24/7 and why we’ve asked people to sign up to register your presence, so that we can make sure there is up to date information and to follow travel advice across the region.
“But most importantly, we are working with airlines, with the travel industry, with governments across the region to make sure that there will be safe ways for people to return home.”
Chelsea have reportedly submitted a £26m offer to sign a Chelsea star in the summer transfer window, as personally requested by Xabi Alonso.
The Blues will be looking to back their new manager after he took over earlier this year.
It’s been a difficult period for Chelsea, who won’t be competing in the Champions League next season, and they did superbly to attract a manager of Alonso’s calibre.
The club now needs to back him with new additions in order to suit his style, while the squad also needs a refresh after their disappointing campaign.
GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Chelsea are set to sign Atalanta wing-back Marco Pelestra, kick-starting their summer spending.
Chelsea Submit £26m Bid
According to a report from journalist Luca Cerchione, Chelsea have submitted a £26m bid to sign Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window.
The potential signing is believed to have been personally requested by Alonso, who managed Xhaka during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
It feels unlikely that Sunderland would be willing to accept a bid of just £26 million for Xhaka, considering he was their ‘best‘ player last campaign and won their player of the season award.
Alonso knows the midfielder well, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are targeting that profile of signing.
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Chelsea Need to Add Experience
Chelsea have heavily focused their recruitment on bringing in young talent from around the world over the last few years.
Although it could be an effective method in the long term, they do lack experience in all positions.
The Blues are one of the most ill-disciplined sides in the Premier League, getting more red cards last season than any other team.
The signing of someone like Xhaka won’t only offer experience in himself. He’s also the type of leader who can help get the best out of other players.
Sunderland managed to qualify for European football last season, despite only being promoted the previous campaign, and Xhaka was a key reason behind that.
Manchester United look set to miss out on a potential new signing as he’s now agreed a deal to join another club in a record-breaking move.
The Red Devils have been incredibly busy in the summer market already, looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a season in the Champions League.
United showed they have a squad capable of finishing in the top four last season, but they were without the distraction of European football.
They are heading in a new direction under manager Michael Carrick, who was appointed as permanent boss earlier this year.
There’s no doubt they’ll need new additions in order to compete on all fronts next season, and they are working on multiple deals at the moment.
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Man Utd Miss Out on ‘Elite’ Star
Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets as he’s now agreed to join a different club.
According to a report from Team Talk, AC Milan have agreed a club record deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos.
Manchester United held talks with intermediaries representing Ramos earlier in the transfer window, and he was firmly on the radar of the Premier League club.
United didn’t make a formal offer for Ramos, who has been described as ‘elite’, and he is now set to join AC Milan for a fee in the region of £60m, eclipsing their previous record when they signed Rafael Leao for around £43m.
United were among a number of Premier League clubs to have held talks with Ramos, but it’s no surprise that PSG have accepted such a big offer from AC Milan.
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Man Utd in Market for New Striker
Manchester United do appear to be in the market for a new striker in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are looking to bring in an experienced forward to help develop and provide cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko.
Reports have suggested that their dream target for this position is Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, but a deal could be difficult due to the finances involved.
United need to ensure that they do not ruin the pathway of development for Sesko. They also need to ensure he has strong competition and cover, especially as they prepare to compete in the Champions League.
Tottenham have reportedly made a £100m offer to secure a new signing in the summer transfer window as they continue their big spending.
It’s already been a hectic window for the North London club, confirming three new additions with plenty of other deals being worked on.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have all signed on the dotted line at Tottenham so far.
They certainly won’t be the only additions to arrive through the door in the coming weeks, with Spurs in talks to sign a number of players.
It’s no surprise that Tottenham are incredibly busy after such a disappointing season in the Premier League, finishing 17th for the second campaign in a row.
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Tottenham Make £100m Offer
According to reports, Tottenham have taken a big step towards securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window.
Tottenham have submitted a £100m offer to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and the Italian international wants to make the move to Spurs this summer to play under Roberto De Zerbi.
A few details are missing before Spurs can complete a deal, but Tonali, who has ‘incredible pace’ according to the Premier League, remains Tottenham’s number one target for the midfield position.
Tottenham are heavily prioritising signing new midfielders after strengthening their defence earlier in the window. Tonali does appear to be the priority target, with Spurs willing to pay a hefty amount of money to secure his signature.
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Tottenham Working on Fernandes Deal
Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.
The north London club face competition from Manchester United for his signature, but Spurs are actively pushing to bring him to the club in the coming weeks.
The Portuguese midfielder could cost in the region of £85m to prise him away from West Ham, and it’s a competitive race to secure his signature.
Tottenham are clearly prioritising a move to sign a midfielder or two this summer, and it will be interesting to see if they try to bring in both Fernandes and Tonali.
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