data-mm-id=”_chjf5lh5a”>For only the second time in two decades, the New England Patriots must find a name other than Tom Brady to start under center in Week 1. After releasing Cody Kessler yesterday, their options are currently journeyman Brian Hoyer or sophomore Auburn product Jarrett Stidham, who barely played his rookie season after going in the fourth round of last year's draft. It seems likely the Patriots will add another quarterback in some form before the season starts, but the time has come and gone for New England to shoot for a quick-fix solution like Andy Dalton. Still, Cam Newton remains unsigned, and while there has been nothing linking the team to the former MVP, it's still a talking point because it makes a lot of sense. Newton's market is barebones for a number of reasons and he's almost guaranteed to bring more production than any of the Patriots' other options right now. That's why Greg Jennings argued on First Things First this morning that New England is making a mistake by not going after Newton. "The Patriots are making a mistake by not going after Cam. … I can't say Belichick doesn't know what he's doing but this is uncharted waters. For the 1st time in NE he's having to plug-in at QB. If he gets this wrong nothing else he has planned works." — @GregJennings pic.twitter.com/riDJtjaKGd— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 2, 2020Jennings' argument, and the general reasoning of most outside Gillette Stadium, can be summed up as, "What do they have to lose?"And that's a fair point. The Patriots are pressed up against the cap ceiling, but as Jennings notes, teams can always make some room to find the money for talent they don't have. New England couldn't clear enough to sign Newton to a long-term deal (nor would they want to if they did decide to bring him in), but the worst-case scenario for Belichick is he commits around $5 million to Newton, he doesn't work out, and they part ways. Should be an easy decision when the payoff involves getting a healthy version of Newton who bottoms out as an above-average quarterback, right?That line of thinking makes sense to us, but Belichick is unlike anyone in NFL history. Nobody can ever think like him, but looking at the situation critically, Newton's presence is about opportunity cost. Even if he came to New England and returned to something near his 2015 MVP form, Belichick wouldn't commit to him long-term as Newton enters the wrong side of 30 with a rather extensive list of injuries to pair with his physical play-style. Newton at quarterback for 2020 alone could result in more success than any other potential iteration of the Patriots next season, but Belichick thinks two, three, five years down the road. Starting Newton means the team still doesn't know what they have in Stidham, and Newton's spot could be used for another developmental player who could turn into a valuable contributor, as Belichick has done numerous times with the 53rd roster spot. Moving enough money around to sign Newton would severely limit the team's flexibility for the rest of the offseason, and while they may not end up doing a thing with that flexibility, it's important to have. Belichick is a believer in the process when it comes to football. Each man does his job and go from there. It seems unlikely he'd willingly go for what is ultimately a Band-Aid solution for a long-term problem. He's more inclined to trust the players he knows and the coaching staff to step up than take a risk on Newton when the team currently has very little room for error, especially when quarantine restrictions limit his ability to fully evaluate Newton. Not pursuing the former No. 1 overall pick may ultimately prove to be a mistake, but signing him is anything but a home run. Newton in a Patriots jersey won't be coming.
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Out of form and out of favour, Pogba has found himself out of the starting line-up this season and the Frenchman is not happy.
Could Pogba be prepared to wait for his perfect move away?
TOP STORY – POGBA EYEING EXIT
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba could leave Old Trafford on a free transfer, according to The Athletic.
Pogba left United for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 before returning to Manchester for a then-world record €105million (£89.3m) in 2016.
But the France international is unhappy at the Theatre of Dreams, where he is contracted until 2022, amid links with former club Juve and LaLiga champions Real Madrid.
ROUND-UP…
Luka Jovic was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Wednesday, and Los Blancos new striker is one of the headline names taking part in the Under-21 European Championship.
The tournament starts on Sunday, with Poland taking on Belgium before hosts Italy face Spain; Jovic s first taste of the competition will come when Serbia play against Austria in Group B on Monday.
But Jovic is not the only young star who is looking to shine at this event, with Manchester City s Phil Foden likely to be a key cog in England s midfield, while Sandro Tonali is one of Italy s brightest prospects.
And, ahead of the tournament, we have taken a look at the main players who will be looking to make an impact for each side.
Who s winning the this year?
— UE…
Cristiano Ronaldo may be enduring his toughest campaign at Real Madrid since arriving in 2009, but the Portugal superstar is not to blame for Los Blancos disappointing performances, according to Deco.
Forward Ronaldo s stunning performances since moving from Manchester United have seen him collect four Ballons d Or, two LaLiga titles and three Champions League crowns.
He has failed to reach the heights of previous campaigns this term, though, despite finding the net on 23 occasions in all competitions.
Ronaldo s personal slump has coincided with Madrid s struggles under Zinedine Zidane, with the reigning European champions sitting 17 points adrift of league leaders Barcelona having been beaten in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by Leganes.
That has led s…
Bruno Fernandes penalty sent Manchester United level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as they edged Aston Villa 2-1 at Old Trafford.
A Villa side looking to move third in the table always promised to pose a tricky test for United and so it proved in an open encounter.
The visitors appeared to be in the ascendancy after Bertrand Traore s 58th-minute effort cancelled out Anthony Martial s first-half opener.
However, United s lead was re-established through Fernandes ninth Premier League penalty since the start of February 2020 his tally in that time two more than any other player.
And it was enough for United to further boost their title hopes, with only goal difference keeping Liverpool top of the pile.
+3pts for Man Utd <…
According to a recent report from Gianluca Di Marzio, Everton are contemplating heading into the market for a new midfielder during the January transfer window. The report indicates that their main target at this moment in time is none other than Southampton star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The Danish midfielder is believed to be valued at around £35 million, but at this moment in time, they are reluctant to pay that kind of fee. He has been at the heart of Southampton’s recent resurgence in the Premier League which has seen them move to within just a few points of the top six.
The Toffees are going in search of a few new faces before the window closes as Carlo Ancelotti attempts to turn this club’s fortunes around. While most of their work will begin in the summ…
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted his team will not be impacted by protests against the club s owners and the European Super League ahead of a defining week at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer s Red Devils were held to a 0-0 draw by rivals Leeds United in Premier League action at Elland Road on Sunday.
The pre-match build-up had been centred on the Super League controversy, which has fuelled an already negative view on Manchester United s owners – the Glazer family.
The breakaway competition, which sought to establish a closed-shop competition featuring 12 of the continent s elite clubs – including United – collapsed 48 hours after its launch, in the face of widespread opposition.
United fans have continued to protest against the Glazer…
Neymar has lauded Casemiro as the best midfielder in the world after the latter fired Brazil into the knockout rounds of the World Cup against Switzerland.
After sustaining an ankle injury in the Selecao s opening Group G match, the Paris Saint-Germain attacker was forced to watch his team s second match from their hotel.
In a cagey encounter, it was the Manchester United midfielder s late strike that earned Brazil a 1-0 win, and Neymar was succinctly effusive in his praise for his team-mate after the final whistle.
Casemiro has been the best midfielder in the world for a long time, the forward simply wrote on Twitter after the match.
Casemiro é o melhor volante do mundo há muito tempo
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr)
Having left it late to s…
Xavi has told Ousmane Dembele to stop prevaricating and either sign a new Barcelona deal or find another club by the end of January.
According to Xavi, there is no alternative for the French forward, who has entered the final six months of his contract at Camp Nou.
Dembele has struggled since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for an initial €105million, and this month s transfer window could be a final chance for the club to recoup some of that outlay.
Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany told Dembele this week he must leave immediately , which prompted the 24-year-old to issue an angry riposte on social media.
I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail, Dembele wrote.
Barcelona are …
Real Madrid are not contenders to win the Champions League this season, according to former player Hamit Altintop.
Madrid won three consecutive Champions League trophies under Zinedine Zidane between 2016 and 2018 but, without the Frenchman, exited to Ajax in the round of 16 last term.
Zidane is back at the Santiago Bernabeu with Madrid already guaranteed to finish second in Group A behind Paris Saint-Germain, while domestically Los Blancos are only behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona on goal difference.
Altintop spent the 2011-12 season with Madrid and the former Turkey international does not believe Madrid are cut out for Champions League success this term.
I don t think they are a championship contender, Altintop told Omnisport. I think you can compare th…
England captain Harry Kane will come back stronger from his penalty heartbreak against France, says Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris.
The Three Lions suffered a 2-1 loss in Saturday s keenly fought quarter-final tie, sending Gareth Southgate s side home from Qatar 2022 as Didier Deschamps men remained on course for a title defence.
Having converted an earlier spot-kick to level both the match and Wayne Rooney s all-time England goal record, Kane subsequently skied another penalty over the crossbar late on, missing the chance to make it 2-2.
Lloris, who has played with Kane at Tottenham for a decade now, says he has briefly spoken with his club colleague, and believes he will pick himself up in impressive fashion when the dust has settled.
I don t need to …