Category Sports News

Meg Jones is unquestionably the best player at this World Cup because of her speed, strength, industry, and uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right moment.

She was also one of Amazon’s best delivery drivers for a while during the initial stages of the Covid lockdown.

Besides, she has bladder control.

The England international praised her Barely Rugby podcast, saying, “I was really good, so good.

“I was very quick. They wished I had a documentary about me.

“Ok, but toilet breaks are not really a thing. You arrive at 5 am, and you’ll likely leave without getting wee until 4 pm.

Jones, age 23, had already attended a Rugby World Cup final while wearing her hi-viz vest as she delivered door to door.

She had been outside center when New Zealand defeated her in 2017. She had previously traveled to the Olympics as a teenager and played in the fourth-place British team’s absence.

But she believed her rugby career might be over because of the pandemic and her frozen Sevens contract.

According to Jones, “It was scary.”

“My livelihood had suddenly vanished because I’ve never had a job in your life.”

“I just assumed that I would spend the rest of my life working as an Amazon deliveryman.”

Jones had exceptional talent. When she was six, her father Simon took her to Glamorgan Wanderers and she was born in Cardiff.

She was 11 years old when the Cardiff Schoolboys beat Bridgend in the DC Thomas Cup final at Principality Stadium.

Her performance in the Cardiff Blues under-15 girls team, which she had played a year ago, was still outstanding.

According to a report from the time, “her ball playing probably was only eclipsed by her kicking display.”

Danielle Waterman, the winner of the England World Cup, was impressed by her performance in one of her matches.

Waterman was watching because Jones had a future plan that would take her across the border despite her Welsh heritage, Welsh father, and native tongue. She had a plan in place.

Waterman ran the best program for teenage girls in the UK at Hartpury College, followed by Loughborough University, where young people had a direct chance to reach the top of women’s club rugby, and finally England, who was then only second to New Zealand in the women’s Test game at the time.

Jones’ plan for the journey came exactly as it was intended.

She made her England debut at age 18 when New Zealand defeated England 26-7 in July 2015.

However, the rise on the pitch was accompanied by domestic conflict.

Paula, Jones’ mother, had an alcohol problem.

On a neurology ward, she also served as the senior nurse.

She struggled for 20 years, according to Jones, who later admitted to being a functioning addict.

What I mean by that is that you drink in one day, then you go to work the following day, acting as though nothing ever happened.

It’s quite common, they say. However, over time, things only gradually got worse.

Less than seven months after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, Jones’ father, Simon, passed away in August of 2024.

While Paula’s condition worsened as a result of Jones’ parents’ spitting when she was 17 when she left for Hartpury, the shock of his death made matters worse.

“I believe my mother was grieving,” Jones said. “I think she was just grieving.”

Paula had been leaving the house, looking after her family for a while. However, Paula relapsed once Jones returned to her own life in Leicester. Another bout of drinking was caused by a missed bottle of amaretto in Jones’ housecleaning.

She was unable to be saved this time. She passed away in December.

In just four months, Jones lost both of his parents.

She claimed in a letter to her grief that “it’s never easy and it never really ends.”

You believe it will pass, but it simply catches you off guard.

“I always believe they’re present in the crowds.

I even feel like they’re all at home right now. In a few weeks, I’ll go see them.

“But generally speaking, I don’t think about anything else whenever I step on that pitch or whatever I’m training.” It almost seems like my safe haven.

Jones is a current patron of Cardiff and Carmarthen’s The Living Room, a charity that assists those who struggle with addiction.

She also gained something else from her loss.

A fearlessness that was born of bitter perspective fuels her stellar performance this year.

Nothing is as bad as hearing that news, she told the Guardian, “because it was the best rugby I’ve ever played.”

Losing my dad, one of my closest friends and the lifeblood of our family, is the worst thing that can make me sadder or lessen my worth.

She wept joy this week as her team-mates’ announcement of her nomination for world player of the year was met with cheers and hugs.

Regardless of the outcome, there will undoubtedly be more tears on Saturday.

A £22 million move to Fulham was on track to leave Chelsea in the summer, but it was only completed late on deadline day.

The 19-year-old, who had a first-team lifeline, played a pivotal role as the Blues came back from a Carabao Cup defeat at Lincoln City.

Rob Street’s effort gave the League One side adeserved lead at half-time, but George hit a fine half-volley in the 48th minute before giving it to Facundo Buonanotte to score the winning goal two minutes later.

The academy graduate’s vital contribution to his fight for the future at his boyhood club is now in full swing.

George stepped up after struggling with his teammates as a lone striker rather than as a winger under the aggressive direction of Lincoln.

A humiliating defeat at Sincil Bank would undoubtedly have posed doubts about Enzo Maresca’s ability to manage Chelsea’s development following back-to-back defeats against Bayern Munich and Manchester United in the Champions League.

The Italian said he “absolutely” fired his players into action during the half-time break to end their comeback.

Because they are the most direct team in League One, crosses, free kicks, throw-ins, and other such situations require you to defend them, said Maresca.

“I am aware that some of them never played these kinds of games. In the first half, we had a little trouble, but in the second half, we were much better.

George was deemed surplus to requirements as Chelsea made a number of attacking signings for their squad in the summer.

He had earlier spoken with RB Leipzig about moving to Fulham, but the Cottagers chose to sign wingers Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze as a result, leading to Harry Wilson’s own collapse.

However, George’s performance as a deputy only fit for Joao Pedro’s fourth start and return could prove to be a disguised blessing.

Despite the Spaniard being called out from a loan deal at Sunderland on deadline day to replace the injured Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson left for Bayern Munich, Maresca chose the teenager at the expense of a natural striker in the Premier League.

Guiu was eligible to play in Tuesday’s third-round tie despite being eligible as a result of a recent change in EFL regulations governing cup-tied players.

Maresca, however, said he didn’t want to risk playing Guiu because he “felt something” during Monday training.

However, George showed promise with a strong finish and poise to sign Buonanotte, who he also signed on-time for a loan from Brighton on deadline day.

Breakthrough, loan, and first team are typical paths taken by Chelsea academy graduates. Or sale, loan, or breakthrough.

In the last ten years, the Blues have acquired more than 40 native players and made $ 315 million from the sale of academy-trained talent, or £100 million more than Manchester City.

However, their most recent high-profile prospect George has bucked that trend and can see how Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, and Reece James have risen to prominence in the first-team.

George became the Premier League’s 19-year-old scorer with a 20-day strike against Fulham on April 20 at the age of 19 years and 75 days, joining Callum Hudson-Odoi as the club’s youngest scorer since January 2020 when he scored against Burnley.

The winger played more than 750 minutes in 12 Conference League games, including a goal in the quarter-final first-leg win at Legia Warsaw, along with Carabao Cup games against Barrow and Morecambe, substitute league games against Arsenal and Brighton, and more than 750 minutes in the opener.

George turned 19 in February, and he is reversing the “Chelsea” narrative thanks to a level of dedication that is unusual in a time of youth development.

One of his idols, Hudson-Odoi, was the last Chelsea player to enter the first team on a loan program in January 2018.

Up until about the age of 10, George was a “middling” player in his early years at Chelsea, according to a source close to the source.

His father hired a goalkeeper as well as a personal coach, David “Gurus” Sobers, to improve his game at that time.

George would begin his training with Chelsea in midweek, and then, starting at age 13, he would start playing in South London’s Vauxhall or Nine Elms Power League nine-a-side games.

Before returning to Chelsea on Sunday, he would practice on Saturdays once more and conduct post-game analysis with Sobers from his Power League games the night before.

As I believed I could assist him, Sobers claimed, “I used to spend hours traveling on public transportation for two-hour sessions, or longer, with Tyrique.”

We would spend hours working on one-on-one, technical, and shooting drills, and I liked how much he exerted himself.

“I’d be a bad’ referee when he played against 18-year-olds, so he would get kicked,” he said, “but I had to get up and win the ball back.”

Manager Jimmy Thelin says Aberdeen have hit “rock bottom” after an insipid defeat by Dundee United left them adrift in the Scottish Premiership.

Ivan Dolcek and Vicko Sevelj struck either side of half-time for United to leave the Pittodrie side with just one point from their opening five matches, having failed to score in each of them.

Despite their Scottish Cup triumph in May, Aberdeen have won only four times in the top flight in 2025 and they were booed by the away end on the full-time whistle after a flat performance pock-marked with mistakes.

Thelin did not sugar coat the situation post-match, saying “this was rock bottom”.

The Swede added: “We can’t go deeper than we are right now. We need to step up and not have this tension when we play. We’re all too tense.

Thelin oversaw a significant turnover of players in the summer, as Aberdeen invested a large sum of money in reshaping the squad after their Hampden triumph.

However, the manager does not yet seem to have settled on his best team, with changes in midfield par for the course game to game.

Kevin Nisbet has struggled so far to replicate the impact he had while on loan last season, while Bologna loanee Jesper Karlsson has tried plenty without much coming off. Granted, both have only played three times so far.

Another deadline-day arrival, Stuart Armstrong, is short of match fitness but the 53-time Scotland cap grew into the game at Tannadice and hit the bar.

Thelin pointed him out as an example for others to follow when they face League Cup conquerors Motherwell on Saturday (17:45 BST).

“As individuals, I know the players can do better but we have to be more focused and trust our quality,” Thelin said.

“Stuart did really well, he has experience, there is a lot of expectation but he plays very composed and that’s what we need to spread through the whole team.

One only had to look at the away supporters that remained after the match at Tannadice to understand the discontent among the Aberdeen fanbase.

Thelin stood stony-faced with his players as fans booed and stood with arms wide, asking what has gone wrong.

“The fans are not applauding the players back, all they’re getting is abuse,” Aberdeen legend Willie Miller said on Sportsound. “There’s nothing to be celebrated for Aberdeen just now.

“Even through the bad results last season, the fans stayed and applauded. But this season, they’re away home before the final whistle. The next stage is usually a few banners and a wee demonstration outside.

“Thelin needs results quickly. Starting with Motherwell at Fir Park is a huge task.”

Thelin says he understands the strength of feeling and insists it’s on him and the players to provide some positivity on the pitch.

“It’s tough,” he said. “We shared with the supporters after the game that they’re angry and frustrated with our performance and result.

Olly: An Aberdeen manager losing their job after a loss to Dundee United? The ghost of Roy Aitken is peering over Jimmy’s shoulder…

Alistair: Disgraceful that Dons fans are singing for Jimmy Thelin to be ‘sacked in the morning’. Don’t bother coming back if that’s how you feel.

Ross: We always question the manager but surely the players need to have some pride in what they do.players need to take responsibility and fight for the club in these tough times.

Malc: Tempting to bin JT in the morning – but let’s not unless there’s a genuine, viable, committed alternative lined up and ready to hit the ground running.

Martin: Thelin must go now, no improvement, ots baffling on why He cant get thus team motivated, I personally think there’s something wrong in the dressing room, Thanks for the cup, Jimmy, but you need to go.

Dave: Change of formation and shape has to happen now for Thelin. He bravely changed to win the cup final and now has to change again, away from this failed 4-2-3-1 shambles.

Matthew: We keep with the same formation that has failed us consistently since November. Five wins in 32 league games is the sort of form that doesn’t give you any leeway. You can change personnel but it’s the formation that needs to change. Which he’s shown he won’t. Thanks for the cup, Jimmy, but times up I’m afraid.

Graham: The message is simple now. Thelin is not good enough for AFC. Must go unfortunately.

Aldo: Thelin has to go. The tactics are terrible, a squad of supposedly creative players create no chances whatsoever. Beating a few lower division teams and a terrible Hearts, then a flukey win over Celtic on pens should not keep him in the job.

SPB: The rather bizarre Scottish Cup final gave him a stay of execution. He won’t see out the year I’m afraid. His purple patch last year – when he blew a fantastic start – is all he has achieved in his tenure. He’s not the only one who should be walking at the club.

Ally: Awful! Lazy and slow. No passion, no heart. I’m afraid the bell tolls for the Aberdeen manager. Faith in your shape has failed! Thanks for the cup, Jimmy, but fare thee well!

Denis: Board must act now. Give Leven a few games as he was up for it last year when acted as interim manager.

Neil: Can someone tell Thelin that performing the same experiment (formation) over and over again, and expecting different results, is the definition of insanity! Adapt, or go!

A moment of madness has cost Liverpool’s other top-notch forward a fortune on a night when they celebrated the record signing Alexander Isak’s arrival.

In the Carabao Cup’s fourth round, Hugo Ekitike scored the winner in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Southampton.

However, Ekitike removed his shirt and held it up in celebration as he was caught up in the 85th-minute goal.

He had probably known that he would be booked for that, and he was glad to pay the price, but it appeared as though he had forgotten that he had already received a yellow card.

He will be suspended for Saturday’s Premier League game at Crystal Palace, which is unacceptable when the player he is potentially competing with is back to full fitness.

Ekitike apologized on social media on Tuesday night, saying: “I was so happy to help the team win another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup game.

“I got upset with the emotion,” I said. I’m sorry to everyone in the Red family. Thank you to the fans who continue to cheer us on and to my teammates for winning!

However, his manager Arne Slot was perplexed by the incident when he spoke shortly after the game.

Even if you haven’t received a yellow card yet, he said, “It’s not stupid because it was his second yellow.”

Maybe you can say, “This is all about me,” but I did score a few goals (not at his level), and if I put one in the top corner after three other players, it was probably too late.

However, if I scored like he did tonight, I would turn to Chiesa and say, “I didn’t have to do a lot,” “it’s about you Federico.” Perhaps it’s because I’m old-fashioned.

Ekitike, a £69 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, has been excellent this season so far.

He has three Premier League goals and one assist in the first five games that the Reds have won since signing Isak, taking their time to work the Sweden forward until they are fully fit.

That underscores Liverpool’s significance to the team, despite his unnecessarily dismissal on Tuesday, and has helped them win every game they have played since their Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace on August 10.

In fact, he picked two unnecessary cards. Isak was replaced at the start of the second half, but soon after receiving a foul he threw the ball in the air.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton claimed on BBC Radio 5 Live that “for Ekitike to receive a second yellow card for taking his shirt off is just pure stupidity.”

He has been a significant player for Liverpool this season, including his important goal against Southampton, but Arne Slot won’t be happy if he sits out the weekend game.

Important learning experiences are likely to be the main takeaway for Ekitike from this.

I’d be surprised if he repeats the phrase, “added Slot.”

He probably misplaced his yellow card. He will grow from it because he is young. He won’t do it again, I assure you.

Since joining Liverpool, Isak has been carefully managed in terms of playing time.

His previous two starts included a cup match against Southampton on September 17 with a 58-minute start against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and a second-half start against Atletico Madrid.

He made just one Premier League appearance, coming off the bench in the team’s 2-1 win over Everton at the weekend, when he came off the bench in the 67th minute.

Slot may have planned to give Isak more game time at Crystal Palace, so he likely did because he likely had one eye on the weekend.

He also had a big chance early in the game but fired straight at goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Isak told ITV, “I feel good.” Every game I play is very beneficial and helps me get in better shape.

It is difficult to say, he continued, “On if he feels ready to start.” It combines football and fitness into one.

Arsenal interested in Takefusa Kubo, and Liverpool prepared to offer midfielder Ryan Gravenberch a new deal, while Crystal Palace is not interested in selling Adam Wharton.

Ryan Gravenberch, a 23-year-old Netherlands midfielder, will be offered a new long-term contract by Liverpool. (Talksport)

Takefusa Kubo, 24, from Real Sociedad, is a transfer target for Arsenal in January. (Fichajes – Spanish)

In the January transfer window, Liverpool were informed that they had no way of convincing Crystal Palace to sell England international Adam Wharton, 21. (Teamtalk)

Frenkie de Jong, 28, a 28-year-old Netherlands midfielder, has agreed to extend his stay until 2029 on reduced wages, making it possible for Barcelona to make a breakthrough. (Mundo Deportivo, Spanish)

Former Leeds United and Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford, 32, is a free agent after seven years at the club, according to Getafe. (Football Espana)

Both Liverpool and Arsenal have been informed that Vinicius Junior, a 25-year-old Brazilian winger, is uncertain about his future at Real Madrid. (TBR Football)

Harry Wilson, 28, who was targeted by Leeds over the summer, will hold talks with Fulham manager Marco Silva regarding a contract extension. (Sky Sports)