data-mm-id=”_uc0mvw9jb”>An observant golf reporter whose name escapes me right now pointed out during last week's Charles Schwab Challenge that wondering if Jordan Spieth is back is the new wondering if Texas football is back. This person wins closest-to-the-pin honors. Because Spieth, once the anointed one, is playing alternate shot with low lows and high highs in his five rounds since the Tour returned. He rocketed out of the gates at Colonial, posting back-to-back 65s. The wheels stayed on Saturday with another two-under round before falling off on closing day, which saw three bogeys in a four-hole front-9 stretch that doomed any realistic chance of his first victory since the 2017 Open. Going off early at the RBC Heritage this morning, Spieth wasted no time getting into serious trouble. He triple-bogeyed No. 12, his third hole played, to plummet to the cellar. But then, in true wild card fashion, the immensely talented and mercurial golfer channeled the better angels of his nature and simply caught fire. It took a bit for the kindling to catch. Spieth rebounded by reclaiming a shot on the very next hole but things didn't ignite until after the turn, ripping off six consecutive birdies and seven in the final eight holes. The effort put him at five-under for the day and in perfect position to be in the weekend hunt. He may not be reliable but he's fun as hell. Like your buddy Dennis, who flakes when he's supposed to help you move yet somehow redeems himself by getting free floor seats to the Knicks while renovating some rich guy's kitchen island. Spieth is equally likely to fly to the top of the leaderboard as he is to hit it with a hooked drive. It may not the be same way he became must-see television, but it's compelling nonetheless. It'll take three more days of solid play to break that unfortunate victory drought. This has a Charlie Kelly-in-a-tuxedo suit vibe to it. You're not sure what's going to happen — good or bad — you just know it's going to be a thrill ride.
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Both United and Sporting are believed to have agreed to a deal that is worth around €55 million, which will also include some bonuses depending on the future success of Manchester United.
This is a move that has been in the making for a while now, and despite it initially seeming like they’d be able to get it over the finish line pretty quickly, United have fallen into the trap once again of a transfer being dragged out for most of the window.
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Sterling and England are back in action against the Czech Republic on Friday, with the formality of qualification for Euro 2020 on course to be confirmed during the current international break.
Gareth Southgate s side boast a 100 per cent record in Group A – a Sterling hat-trick against this week s opponents having set the wheels in motion at Wembley in March.
The Manchester City star has finally brought his prolific club form to the international arena, with six goals in the campaign so far.
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Juventus have taken a big risk in signing Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The former Manchester United superstar completed a €112million move from Real Madrid to the Serie A champions in June.
While it is believed to be less than his wages in Spain, Juve are reportedly paying Ronaldo €30million a year across a four-year contract, which is substantially more than the rest of their top players earn.
De Laurentiis believes such enormous fees represent a gamble on a player entering his 17th full season as a professional.
Cristiano is getting on a bit now, De Laurentiis told La Verita, as quoted by AS.
To maintain some kind of balance, it s very dangerous for a club to spend so much money on just one player…
Trent Alexander-Arnold s ability to step into midfield was never in doubt, says Jurgen Klopp, but the Liverpool boss has warned his new hybrid role cannot solve all the Reds problems.
Alexander-Arnold produced an impressive display in Monday s 6-1 rout of Leeds United at Elland Road, drifting infield from his right-back position to register two assists.
By teeing up goals for Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, Alexander-Arnold reached 50 Premier League assists – only Kevin De Bruyne (84), Andrew Robertson (53) and Mohamed Salah (53) have managed more in the competition since his December 2016 debut.
Alexander-Arnold s position has been the subject of much debate this term, with his defensive shortcomings being criticised amid a poor campaign for Liverpool.
A…
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United have been linked with big money moves for the likes of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish and Birmingham City sensation Jude Bellingham among others.
The Red Devils – without a Premier League crown since 2013 – are expected to be active buyers in the market after watching bitter rivals Liverpool claim their first league title since 1990.
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Turning up the heat in training
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Pochettino s Tottenham take on Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday in the first all-English showdown in the final of Europe s elite competition since Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties in 2008.
Klopp s side reached the final last season, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid, with the German also having been beaten when he guided Borussia Dortmund to European club football s biggest game of the 2012-13 campaign.
Klopp also lost the Europa League final to Sevilla in his first term in charge of the Reds, but Pochettino thinks his opposite number deserves far more credit for simply reaching this stage.
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Messi has won everything on offer during his time as a Barcelona player – the Champions League, LaLiga, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana.
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The Santiago Bernabeu has seen four consecutive Madrid losses for just the third time ever and first since May 2004, and Santiago Solari s position as head coach is surely hanging by a thread.
It was a week that could not have gone any worse.
Wednesday, February 27 – Copa hopes dashed
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