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Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisted Saturday the statistics indicate “the best season” of his career as he brushed aside talk of tensions with some of his players.

“Statistically, it’s my best as a coach. Even if you (the media) criticise, that there are lies invented, it’s my best in terms of numbers, chances generated by us, by the opponents, it’s the best,” the Spaniard said ahead of Sunday’s league match against Lyon.

PSG head into the final round of Ligue 1 games this calendar year unbeaten domestically and with a five-point lead from nearest challengers Marseille and Monaco at the top of the table.

However, they are in 25th place in the Champions League rankings and in the elimination zone of the elite European tournament.

“I look at everything the team does, the players, and we don’t depend on any particular player, only on the team. And I see that the level of training is rising, that the players are getting better every day,” he said.

The former Barcelona and Spain coach brushed aside talk of tensions with France winger Ousmane Dembele, insisting he had “the same relationship with all the players”.

“I’m a coach. I’m not their father, brother or ‘bro’, I decide, I have to make decisions, I have no problem making them, those that I consider to be the best for my team,” he explained.

The idea is to “get everyone out of the comfort zone, those who play more as well as those who play less. I have always done it in my career and I do not intend to change.

“To see the best version of these players, we can make unpopular decisions. It’s a team, like an orchestra, there can’t always be players doing the same thing, we have to coordinate.”

Enzo Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, said on Friday that he felt privileged to work with Cole Palmer despite calling him “different” from the Premier League’s other elite forwards.

In their unanticipated relegation to second place in the Premier League, Palmer has been Chelsea’s outstanding player.

With 11 goals in 15 games, the England international is Chelsea’s top scorer and has also provided six assists.

Palmer’s confidence and quality were on display once again with the cheeky chipped penalty in last weekend’s win at Tottenham.

Maresca argued that the 22-year-old has a truly unique talent because of the eye-catching moment in which case.

“Working with Cole makes me feel very privileged and proud. Cole is a different one to the rest”, the Italian said.

Chelsea take on Brentford on Sunday in West London to maintain their title-chasing pressure on Liverpool.

The Blues are four points clear of Liverpool, who are also aiming to win the Champions League.

Palmer will be key to Chelsea’s hopes of keeping pace with Liverpool and returning to Europe’s elite club competition.

Maresca, who worked with Palmer during his time in charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, praised his forward’s ability to handle the pressure and expectations of being Chelsea’s main man,

“Many top players have that way”, he said. They appear to be avoiding conflict, saying that being in it gives them more freedom. It’s just their way.

They can unwind, and Cole can see that he is doing the same. Five years ago, Cole was this way, and he continues to be who he is.

When asked if Palmer was the best player currently playing in England, Maresca responded, “At this point, he could be, but England are lucky because there are so many good players, and Cole is one of them. The Premier League has a sizable roster of talented players.

“Absolutely he can be world class but as you said, he is only 22 and there are many things he can improve, including that at the moment, everyone is marking him man-to-man, but there are many things he can still improve”.

Despite the struggling striker being below the “standard” in the Champions League victory over Girona, Arne Slot remained firm that Darwin Nunez is still a key player in Liverpool’s plans.

Nunez has made just one goal in his last ten starts, and three more overall, this season, despite suffering from a long slump.

The Uruguay international cut a growing list of opportunities after missing several chances in Liverpool’s victory on Tuesday in Girona.

Slot admitted he kept Nunez on for an extended period, before eventually replacing him in the 71st minute, in the hope he would score a confidence-boosting goal.

After receiving criticism in midweek, Nunez posted on Instagram: “They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together. ”

The 25-year-old needs the support of supporters and his teammates, according to Slot, to resurrect his form that made him so popular at Benfica prior to his 2022 move to Anfield.

He is undoubtedly one of our players who feels the support of our fans. Mo (Salah) is scoring so many goals he likes the support of the fans but doesn’t really need it at the moment,” Slot told reporters on Friday.

Everyone needs an arm around you, whether from a team-mate, the fans, or your manager, because they all saw it when he missed a few chances on Tuesday.

I also made it clear to him that he is also judged on how well he plays the team, not just on the goals he scores, but also how well he contributes to the team’s performance with his work-rate and how much he excels in getting the ball back high up the pitch. ”

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‘Disappointed’ 

Slot’s only fault with Nunez was the Reds manager’s rebuke for the Reds manager’s work-rate decline against Girona.

He should have scored more goals, he claimed. But what should always be there is work-rate and I think that is what he has, apart from two games,” Slot said.

I told him that yesterday, and he shouldn’t have had the best of the final half-hour of his game against Girona.

He was disappointed that he had missed a number of chances, he claimed. ”

Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will be under increasing pressure in Nunez’s position as they prepare to make a Saturday return to the squad for a game against Fulham.

Since joining Liverpool from Juventus in the offseason, Chisa has only played 18 Premier League games.

The Reds, who are four points clear of the top of the Premier League on the verge of capturing their first title since 2020, have only three appearances in all competitions.

“Federico missed quite a lot for a long time, was ill last week, so we have to wait and see how he is exactly doing,” Slot said.

However, it depends a little on the numbers we have and how he recovered from his illness whether Diogo is in the squad or Federico is. ”

Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle, has admitted he is trying to lift the spirits of his struggling club as they adjust to lower expectations.

The Magpies are languishing in 12th place in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leicester.

That is a significant improvement over the top four spots they had previously ranked after winning the Champions League.

Newcastle had hoped to become one of the best clubs in the world when the Saudi takeover of St James’ Park was finished with great fanfare in 2021.

However, the Saudis’ efforts to improve their position in the Premier League have been hindered by profit and sustainability regulations.

Howe is aware that it might be harder to keep his players happy and attract new talent with little evidence of significant spending on new players in January.

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“Players are very astute human beings. He said to reporters on Friday, “I always say players feel everything at a football club.”

Because they are on the front line, they are the most perceptive. They are the ones who deliver for us, so they are the ones who take in the action during a football game.

” Naturally, PSR has had an effect on the club and we haven’t been able to strive and reach as quickly as we wanted to initially. That has been somewhat stopped in a number of ways.

They have, of course, felt that and been made aware of that. For me, it’s important for me to keep that in mind when I watch performances, mood, and club affiliation.

Newcastle haven’t made a significant signing since their first four transfer windows, but they did so for £400 million ($506 million) on new signings.

Howe, who replaced Steve Bruce at Newcastle in 2021, finds himself under pressure after last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford, with his side having won just two of their last 11 league games.

“The best players we have, they’re like gold dust, and I’ve said that many times. They’re difficult to find, you’re not going to pick them up off the street”, Howe said.

“When you have them, you have to cherish them, care for them, and make the environment as strong as possible so that they can stay as part of that.”

Rwanda will submit a proposal to host a Formula One race in the capital city of Kigali, according to President Paul Kagame on Friday.

The Great Lakes nation has been working diligently to arrange an F1 Grand Prix, with the goal of bringing the sport back to Africa for the first time since 1993.

It is the latest step in the country’s broader strategy to use sports to enhance economic growth, tourism, and global visibility — denounced by critics of Kagame’s government as ‘ sportwashing’.

At the FIA General Assembly in Kigali, Kagame expressed his excitement by formally announcing that Rwanda is attempting to host a Formula One Grand Prix in an effort to reintroduce the thrill of racing to Africa.

The FIA General Assembly on the continent was hailed as an “important milestone” by the Rwandan leader.

He claimed that it “aligned the motorsport industry’s goal” to communicate directly with African fans and aspiring drivers.

“It all comes down to respect, and giving everyone the chance to contribute, where they can”.

Critics, including Kagame’s opponents, have accused his administration of sportswashing — using high-profile international events to enhance its global reputation, while masking serious human rights abuses, muzzling free speech and curtailing political freedoms.

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In August, Formula One chiefs confirmed talks with Rwanda over hosting a Grand Prix, with CEO Stefano Domenicali saying the country was a “serious” option.

The race would take place on a permanent track, Domenicali claimed. Motorsport.com Kigali had presented a serious plan.

The announcement will also delight one of the sport’s biggest superstars, Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion has long called for an African stop on the F1 circuit, backing Rwanda’s plans in August and calling the country “one of my favourite places”.

“It’s amazing that they’re so keen to get it”, he told ESPN.

Last season, Manchester City made record-breaking revenues for a Premier League team, with an increase in revenue of £715 million ($903).

The City City team won an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title last term while their revenue increased from £712.8 million to the new record for the year to June 30.

However, profits dipped from £80.4 million in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign to £73.8 million last season.

Due to Pep Guardiola’s side failing to win their first Champions League title in 2023, they saw a decline in broadcast revenue.

The north stand expansion of the Etihad Stadium, worth $300 million, is one of City’s pending investments.

In the club’s annual report, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak remarked, “Our persistent desire to achieve the unheard of is a testament to the organization we have become.

Our determination to tackle the next challenge is supported by careful planning and a common belief in the collaborative learning culture we have created, both on and off the field.

“We continue to put our focus on enhancing our business’s growth and evolution, and creating more value in every way possible.”

City take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday after being defeated by Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.

After their shocking demise, they are eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and face the prospect of not making the Champions League’s last 16.

The Premier League has filed 115 alleged financial rules violations against them, and City are awaiting a decision.

If found guilty, the club, who have vigorously refuted the allegations, could lose points or even be sent back to the top of the standings.