Cole Palmer wins the 2023/2024 PFA Young Player of the year award.
After an incredible breakout season, Chelsea star, Cole Palmer has been voted the PFA Men’s Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals, edging out talents like Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo, and Alejandro Garnacho for the award. At 22, Palmer has become the first Chelsea player to win this honour since Eden Hazard. In his debut season with Chelsea, Palmer emerged as the team’s standout performer, netting 22 league goals and finishing second in the Golden Boot race, just five goals shy of Erling Haaland. Despite his impressive form, Palmer was controversially left out of the PFA Team of the Year, sparking significant backlash from fans on Social Media who felt his contributions warranted recognition in the final lineup.
Cole Palmer is the PFA Young Player of the Year. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xA1CE0jkaN
— Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) August 20, 2024
Isaiah Thomas set to join the Sacramento Kings’ workout this week.
The Sacramento Kings are set to host “competitive workouts” this week, inviting several free agents, including Isaiah Thomas, Tony Bradley, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Lonnie Walker, as they vie for a roster spot. Thomas, a former MVP candidate, has struggled to find stability in the league since his standout 2017 season with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 28.9 points and led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Following a Trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers and later to the Los Angeles Lakers, hip issues hampered Thomas’s career, leading to brief stints with nine different teams since 2017. Last season, he appeared in six games for the Phoenix Suns, averaging 1.3 points. Thomas, who began his NBA journey with the Kings in 2011, remains a fan favorite and could serve as a valuable mentor for Sacramento’s younger players.
Isaiah Thomas will join the Sacramento Kings for a competitive workout this week with other free agents, per @SeanCunningham
The return? 👀 pic.twitter.com/3voiUZpOXO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 20, 2024
Gabby Williams rejoins the Seattle Storm after an impressive Olympics run.
After leading France to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Gabby Williams has rejoined the Seattle Storm on a rest-of-season contract. Williams, who was named the best defensive player of the Olympic tournament and included in the All-Star five women’s basketball team, is no stranger to the Storm or the WNBA. Originally drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Sky in 2018 out of UConn, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021 before joining the Storm in 2022. In her last WNBA season, she averaged 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting a career-best 44.4% from the field, and earned all-defensive team honors. Williams, who had taken a break due to injury before playing overseas, expressed her excitement to return, saying she’s eager to finish the season strong in Seattle.
Gabby Williams has signed with the Storm for the rest of the season 🔥
She is making her return to the WNBA after helping lead France to a Silver medal 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7e4IsdEFvl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 20, 2024
UEFA will conduct its Champions League draws with a special software.
The UEFA Champions League is undergoing a major transformation for the 2024/25 season, with significant changes to both the format and the draw process. Instead of the traditional group stage, all 36 teams will now compete in a single league format. Alongside this, UEFA has introduced a new software-based system for conducting the draws, moving away from the traditional ceremony where prominent players selected teams. This new system, developed by UEFA’s partner AE Live, has been rigorously tested to ensure accurate and reliable results. The entire draw process has also been reviewed by Ernst & Young to ensure fairness and adherence to the rules. The upcoming Champions League season is set to run from July 9, 2024, to May 31, 2025, under this new structure.
🚨🚨| OFFICIAL: The UEFA Champions League draw will be conducted by specialized software. 🔮💻pic.twitter.com/qlL3T0Eo56
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 20, 2024
Ipswich Town set to sign Armando Broja on a season-long loan deal.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja is nearing a season-long Loan move to Ipswich Town, with an option to buy set at around £30 million. The purchase clause could become an obligation if Ipswich avoids relegation from the Premier League. Broja, 22, is scheduled to undergo a medical with Ipswich tomorrow and is expected to strengthen their attack as they navigate their first top-flight season in 22 years. Ipswich opened their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Liverpool, but Broja could be available for their upcoming match against Manchester City. A product of Chelsea’s academy, Broja has made 38 first-team appearances and has spent time on loan at Southampton and Fulham, where he played the second half of last season.
🚨🔵 Armando Broja to Ipswich Town, here we go! Verbal agreement completed on initial loan deal.
There will be mandatory buy clause in case #ITFC avoid relegation.
Total package worth over £30m accepted by Chelsea with salary covered until June.
Medical in the next 24h. pic.twitter.com/iTOkUMRMHX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2024