data-mm-id=”_te6jqpzbq”>The NBA and its players are gearing up for the season restart in Orlando, scheduled to kick off on July 30. Amidst all the tidbits of news about how the bubble will operate came the surprising report from Jackie MacMullan that the NBA was making a second bubble for the eight teams not participating in Orlando. Yes. There will be a second bubble. In response to this news, I ask a simple question: why?The NBA is closing in on signing off on a second “bubble” in Chicago for the eight teams that were not invited to play in Orlando, enabling mini-training camps and subsequent games against other clubs with a target date of September, sources tell ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2020In MacMullan's article, Dwane Casey had the following to say about why he wants his Pistons to be able to do this: “”The reason we want these mini-camps is to get our team together, to have that camaraderie, to improve and enjoy some competition. We feel we can do that safely in our own environment. We can’t let these guys sit around from March 11 to December without something. It’s going to hurt their careers. It’s too long of a layoff.””- Dwane Casey I get that. I also think it might be a bit of an overstatement to say it'll hurt their careers in any substantial form since this is (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime situation and one weird offseason won't throw anybody off for longer than a calendar year. But while Casey's point holds weight, isn't there another, safer way to do this?The teams that would participate in this second bubble feel left out and still have regional sports networks contracts to fulfill. There would be a certain competitive advantage even for the teams that don't make it past the regular season portion of the bubble at the start of the 2020-21 season. Even playing eight games of basketball is better than not playing any since March, which is what the eight leftover teams would be facing without this second bubble. But Brian Windhorst said a month ago the players not playing in the bubble because their teams stunk would be getting the same pro-rated salaries as their colleagues in Orlando. If player money isn't an issue, how does that risk-reward balance out? Putting together a bubble is an extremely complicated endeavor, as anyone who's kept an eye on NBA news over the last two months can attest to. It comes with risk of coronavirus infection, a virus so deadly it shut down the world. It still runs rampant in this country. It's an immense risk to put eight teams' worth of personnel together without a big upside from where I'm sitting. Putting everyone under one roof has its benefits, but with all the complications and bigger risk of widespread infection, it's fair to wonder if it's worth it.
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New Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino is in the process of overhauling his squad following the club’s worst season in almost 30 years.
Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Seagulls midfielder Moises Caicedo, with Brighton said to be looking for a £100m fee.
France forward Christopher Nkunku, who arrived from RB Leipzig in a £63million switch, continues to be assessed on a knee problem which forced him off during the final game of Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States against Borussia Dortmund.
Pochettino updates on Nkunku s injury.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
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Real Madrid have not been very active during the current January transfer window. However, they managed to sign one of the top young talents from South America when they snagged Reinier from Flamengo. Los Merengues acquired the 18-year-old forward for a reported €30 million earlier this month.
It seems that has the makings of a new policy at the Santiago Bernabeu. Over the last few years, Real Madrid have found value in signing youngsters who can become the face of the team in the future once the current era of established stars such as Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Marcelo are no longer in the squad. But this has been a process that started years ago.
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Arsenal desperately need a positive result against Wolves if they are to draw a line under a tumultuous week at Emirates Stadium, but Nuno Espirito Santo s men have a strong record against the top flight s big six .
The Gunners have been reeling since they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in a game that saw Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka booed by his own supporters, and the visibly angry Switzerland international cupped his ear to the disgruntled crowd as he left the field.
The result left Arsenal winless in two league games and facing something of a crisis of leadership as they prepare to face Wolves, who arrive in north London unbeaten in their last five league matches.
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Crystal Palace are set to sign Chris Richards from Bayern Munch in the summer transfer window, according to . The report in the British tabloid has claimed that Premier League club Palace have agreed to pay German and European giants Bayern £8.5 million in transfer fees to secure the services of the 22-year-old defender.
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Corinthians fined star forward Jo for wearing green boots, the colour of their arch Brazilian rivals Palmeiras.
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After Corinthians fans were left outraged, the club sanctioned and warned the former Brazil international, who is prohibited from wearing the boots again, even in training.
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista s football board communicates that they spoke with striker Jo about the use of football boots in the match against Bahia, this Sunday, a statement read.
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According to a recent report from Sky Sports News, David Moyes is in a good position to return as manager to one of his two former clubs: Everton or West Ham United. Manuel Pellegrini of the Hammers and Marco Silva of the Toffees are both under a great deal of scrutiny at this moment in time, with the popular belief being that they aren’t going to last beyond the next few weeks – or, if they’re lucky, months.
Moyes is high up on the shortlist of both clubs, and while Everton and West Ham are both willing to give their bosses a little bit more time, he’ll be waiting in the wings to try and take advantage of any opportunity that is gifted to him.
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The 20-year-old 6 4 centre-back is spending the season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, where he s so far made 21 appearances in all competitions and even scored four goals. Apparently, Roma boss Jose Mourinho is keen on having him in his ranks, and the Serie A club have been sending scouts to Netherlands for a while now.
Roma could, however, face competition from Everton s neighbours Liverpool, as well as Manchester United. Both English heavyweights are aware of Branthwaite s talents too and have been monitoring the situation, seeing his homegrown status, as well as the fact that he s left-footed, as important points regarding a potential pursuit of the young defender.
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A Manchester United great, could Cristiano Ronaldo end up in the blue of the Red Devils neighbours?
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Looking to extend on their early La Liga flurry, Barcelona will travel to Madrid when they meet Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday night.
Rayo Vallecano
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