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The 32-year-old was a statement signing for the Galaxy when he joined from Sevilla but has only scored one goal for the club so far

LA Galaxy has faith in Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and are not looking to loan him out despite speculation surrounding his future in MLS.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a return to Mexico with Chivas, the club where he made his professional debut in 2006.

Hernandez got one goal in a losing cause against Portland Timbers in the MLS Is Back tournament in July, with that being his only league goal since December 2019 – when he was playing in La Liga for Sevilla.

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Chivas sporting director Ricardo Pelaez recently opened the door to a move for Hernandez, suggesting he could be an option in an interview with Azteca Deportes.

“Any player who comes to Chivas, including Chicharito, whoever it is, has to come and work his heart out to achieve our objectives,” Pelaez said.

“We have an obligation to our fans, not for celebrations or parties, but to win titles.”

However, Goal has learned that such a move is not likely ahead of the Clausura 2021, which is due to get underway in January.

Most importantly, the Galaxy have no intention of loaning out Hernandez. They made a significant investment in making him a marquee signing earlier this year, paying $10 million (£8m) to Sevilla and making him one of the highest-earning players in MLS.

“Javier is a landmark signing for our club and this league, highlighting our ambition to continue to be the best in Major League Soccer,” said Dan Beckerman, president and CEO of Galaxy owner​ AEG.

Moreover, the board of directors led by Chris Klein, manager Dennis te Kloese and coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto, have faith in Hernandez to overcome his current goalscoring drought.

The veteran poacher has scored goals in England, Spain, Germany and Mexico and, with 52 strikes in 109 games for his country, has an enviable pedigree when it comes to finding the net.

Therefore, Chivas has little prospect of re-signing Hernandez in the short term.

However, many Mexican soccer fans hope to see ‘Chicharito’ finish his playing career back in his home country, and that possibility remains open for the future.

The Galaxy’s next fixture is a Los Angeles Derby against rivals LAFC this weekend.

The Portuguese manager made the most of his options on the bench and admits it was hard to leave players out

Jose Mourinho hailed Tottenham‘s strength in depth after a much-changed Spurs side earned a 3-0 win over LASK in the Europa League.

Just three players – Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies and Sergio Reguilon – retained their places from Sunday’s 3-3 Premier League draw with West Ham as Spurs got their European campaign underway on Thursday.

But there was no lack of fluency on show as hosts Tottenham raced into an early two-goal lead before putting a seal on the victory in the final 10 minutes.

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Spurs head coach Mourinho was understandably delighted to have seen his team earn such a comfortable victory in London.

“I’m happy for the squad,” he told BT Sport. “We believe in the others because the others work so hard to play and be ready.

“Normally I wouldn’t do it for the first match of the group phase playing at home, you want to make sure you get these three points, but I trust the boys and the answer was good.

“Not a magnificent performance but solid and safe.”

Mourinho’s changes meant he was able to bring the likes of Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso off the bench in the second half against LASK.

Portuguese boss Mourinho admitted he is finding it difficult to leave so much talent out of the starting XI but compared the situation favourably to last season’s battles with a lengthy injury list.

“It is hard because I feel for them. Of course everybody wants to play and for the boys it’s a bit frustrating,” he added.

“They fight to have more minutes and in the end not everybody can play, but it’s great. Last season I had lots of problems with no striking force and not even wingers or attacking players in some periods of the season.

“Now we have this amazing squad and with UEFA allowing to have everybody on the bench, I look to my side and I have so many options.”

Mourinho went on to share his belief that Spurs would have earned a more comfortable win over LASK had supporters been present.

He continued: “Yeah, we could [have scored more], but it’s not a knockout game two legs, it’s just about the three points.

“Of course, it could be more, I believe with supporters in the stadium it would be more because then they push and bring that extra bit of energy. But in the end, opportunities for people to play, to get confidence, three points and that’s a good start.”

 

The Spaniard was typically vocal on the sidelines and earned the ire of his opposite number

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao has slammed Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for his “extremely unpleasant” attitude during their Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Guardiola saw Porto take the lead via Luis Diaz inside 14 minutes at the Etihad Stadium before City pulled level six minutes later via a penalty tucked away by Sergio Aguero.

The Premier League giants would then score twice in the second-half as they claimed a scrappy 3-1 win against their Portuguese opponents.

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Both Guardiola and Conceicao were particularly active on the sidelines during the match with the latter since slamming the conduct of his Spanish counterpart.

“I’ve got a lot to learn from Pep Guardiola, in the way he pressures referees, talks to opposition players and opposition dugout,” Conceicao told Portuguese media.

“He’s a fantastic example. I have to learn this. We were angels compared to the other dugout.

“He spoke about our country using ugly words. Guardiola’s attitude was extremely unpleasant. The whole Manchester City dugout was because if anybody should have been complaining, it was the Porto bench, because we were extremely hard done by.

“I have to apologise to the referees in Portugal, because I complain when I think we are wronged, but comparing the officials of this game and those upstairs in the VAR, international referees have a lot to learn from ours in Portugal.

“The refereeing had a big bearing on the outcome of this match. [Augustin] Marchesin has his leg in a bad state right now because he was fouled before the penalty award.”

Guardiola didn’t call out Conceicao in his post-match comments but did admit he was surprised by how Porto approached the game.

“We knew how tough it would be because Porto and Benfica are the best teams in Portugal. They have the winning mentality, they have to win every game,” Guardiola said.

“I was surprised they played so defensively with five at the back, we had to be patient but in the second half we didn’t concede counter-attacks, we didn’t concede set-pieces, we didn’t allow them to run.

“We did the perfect performance against a really good team. It is nice to win games while suffering.”

The two managers will face off again in early December when City travel to Porto on matchday five of the Champions League.

The Medical Committee will take a final call in the next few days…

The Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has referred Anwar Ali’s case to its Medical Committee, Goal understands.

The Medical Committee will now convene within a short period of time and deliberate on the future of the promising footballer.

Anwar, who had represented India in the 2017 U17 World Cup, was earmarked as one of the brightest talents in Indian football and had signed for Indian Super League (ISL) outfit Mumbai City FC back in 2019.

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However, he was diagnosed with congenital heart disease while at Mumbai City. He was advised not to play by medical experts in Mumbai and France. After a break from football as he sought expert medical opinions, Anwar joined Mohammedan Sporting ahead of their I-League qualifier campaign earlier this month. However, he did not get clearance to play from the AIFF while it deliberated his case.

The player, however, approached the Delhi High Court which on Tuesday, allowed him to carry on playing until the national federation arrives at a final decision. The judge also mentioned that Ali can seek judicial recourse once again after AIFF announces its final decision.

AIFF had consulted AFC’s (Asian Football Confederation) Medical Committee Chairman, Dr. Dato Gurucharan Singh, and the medical practitioner stated that it would be best for Anwar Ali to refrain from participating in competitive sports due to a ‘congenital heart condition’ called Hyper Cardio Myopathy.

In a report submitted to the AIFF (All India Football Federation), Dato Gurucharan Singh has mentioned four key messages which substantiate that playing football professionally constitutes a health risk for the youngster who had represented India at the 2017 U17 World Cup.

1. Inherited cardiomyopathies are recognised leading causes of sports-related cardiac arrest in young competitive athletes and for this reason both European and American recommendations for sports eligibility agree that athletes with cardiomyopathy should be restricted from competitive sports activity.

2. Carriers of desmosomal gene mutation with no signs of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy should also be disqualified from competitive sports activity because intense physical exercise promotes the development and progression of the disease phenotype.

3. There is growing evidence that patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator may practice sports safely. However, it must be emphasised that participation in competitive sports at high cardiovascular demands may promote disease progression.

4. Patients with cardiomyopathy and mild phenotypic expression at low risk of sudden death may practice moderate-intensity recreational exercise. Patients should be educated to avoid peak exertion and recognise warning symptoms.

In 2019, the Minerva Punjab academy graduate travelled to France to be examined by Dr. Francois Carre, chief of the medical department of sports medicine at the University Hospital of Rennes, who opined that the “practice of a competitive sport in competition presented an excessively high risk of a serious cardiac accident.”

Anwar also consulted several cardiologists in Kolkata. Most of them opined that competitive football exposes Anwar to substantial risk to his life which the federation (AIFF) ideally should not take.

It must also be noted that Anwar did get some positive news from Professor Sanjay Sharma, chairman of the Cardiology Consensus Panel for England‘s FA, who told the AIFF that there is a small risk for Anwar but the risk profile could change over time. He further suggested that since the risk is not very high, Anwar and his family should be aware of the same and the final decision to play should be left to them.

It remains to be seen what course of action the AIFF’s Medical Committee takes.

The rising Uruguayan star has wasted no time showing his new club what he can do in front of goal with a future sale already being considered

The Pittsburgh Steelers have six selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, which unfolds from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.

The draft, conducted virtually this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, gives the Steelers the opportunity to fill roster holes before the 2020 NFL season.

 

Follow along for each selection made by Pittsburgh in the 2020 NFL Draft.

FULL DRAFT RESULTS: Pick By Pick 2020 NFL Draft Results

Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL.com/Watch, ESPN.com/Watch and ABC.go.com
Schedule:
Thursday, April 23: Round 1, 8 p.m. ET
Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7, 12 p.m. ET

Next Pick: No Remaining Picks

Round	Pick	Overall	Player	Class	Position	College
2	17	49	Chase Claypool	SR	WR	Notre Dame
3	38	102	Alex Highsmith	SR	DE	Charlotte
4	18	124	Anthony McFarland Jr.	SO	RB	Maryland
4	29	135	Kevin Dotson	SR	OL	Louisiana-Lafayette
6	19	198	Antoine Brooks Jr.	SR	DB	Maryland
7	18	232	Carlos Davis	SR	DL	Nebraska

2019 Steelers Draft

Last season, the Steelers made nine selections, adding these rookies to the team:

Round	Pick	Overall	Player	Position	College
1	10	10	Devin Bush Jr.	ILB	Michigan
3	2	66	Diontae Johnson	WR	Toledo
3	19	83	Justin Layne	CB	Michigan State
4	20	122	Benny Snell Jr.	RB	Kentucky
5	3	141	Zach Gentry	TE	Michigan
6	2	175	Sutton Smith	OLB	Northern Illinois
6	19	192	Isaiah Buggs	DT	Alabama
6	34	207	Ulysees Gilbert	ILB	Akron
7	5	219	Derwin Gray	OT	Maryland

The Houston Texans hold five selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, which takes place Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.

The draft, conducted via video conference this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, gives the Texans an opportunity to fill holes in the roster before the 2020 NFL season.

Follow along for every selection made by Houston in this year’s NFL Draft.

FULL DRAFT RESULTS: Pick By Pick 2020 NFL Draft Results

Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL.com/Watch, ESPN.com/Watch and ABC.go.com
Schedule:
Thursday, April 23: Round 1, 8 p.m. ET
Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7, 12 p.m. ET

Next Pick: No Remaining Picks

Round	Pick	Overall	Player	Class	Position	College
2	8	40	Ross Blacklock	JR	DT	TCU
3	26	90	Jonathan Greenard	GR	LB	Florida
4	20	126	Charlie Heck	SR	OL	North Carolina
4	35	141	John Reid	SR	CB	Penn State
5	25	171	Isaiah Coulter	JR	WR	Rhode Island

2019 Texans Draft

Last year, the Texans made seven picks, adding these players to the roster:

Round	Pick	Overall	Player	Position	College
1	23	23	Tytus Howard	OT	Alabama State
2	22	54	Lonnie Johnson Jr.	CB	Kentucky
2	23	55	Max Scharping	G	Northern Illinois
3	22	86	Kahale Warring	TE	San Diego State
5	23	161	Charles Omenihu	DE	Texas
6	22	195	Xavier Crawford	DB	Central Michigan
7	6	220	Cullen Gillaspia	FB	Texas A&M

The Chicago Cardinals selected Ohio State center Gomer Jones with the 15th pick (sixth pick of the second round) in the 1936 NFL Draft. Jones, the Buckeyes’ first-ever pick in the first-ever NFL Draft, launched Ohio State’s run of 62 consecutive years with at least one draft pick.

That run ended in 1998 when, for the first time ever, zero Oho State players were drafted. Not one of the 241 selections in the 1998 NFL Draft came from Ohio State. After the Broncos’ 30th pick concluded the 1998 first round, Ohio State had 47 all-time first-round picks, 11 behind the all-time leader, USC. Twenty-two years later, after their first-ever draft shutout, Ohio State caught USC and sits atop the NFL Draft world thanks to another wave of first-round Buckeyes.

 

Entering the 2020 draft, Ohio State and USC were tied for the most-ever first-round picks: 81. The tie was broken when the Washington Redskins selected Chase Young with the second pick, and the lead was extended minutes later with the Detroit Lions’ selection of Jeffrey Okudah. USC narrowed the margin with Austin Jackson’s selection at No. 18, though Damon Arnette promptly extended it again with his 19th-overall selection.

Young, Okudah, and Arnette became Ohio State’s 13th, 14th, and 15th first-round picks over the last five years, the most of any college football team over that time. USC’s first-round picks from 2016-20: Three.

“A lot of pride,” Ohio State Day said head coach Ryan Day said when asked about their three first-round picks. “There’s so much that goes into a night like this. It starts off in the recruiting process, going into families’ living rooms and talking to them about our program. This is the dream.”

The dream won’t die anytime soon, nor will Ohio State’s first-round dominance. Cornerback Shaun Wade and quarterback Justin Fields are among the Buckeyes’ potential first-round picks for 2021.

The Oakland Raiders have zero picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, which takes place Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25.

The draft, conducted online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, allows the Raiders an opportunity to fill roster gaps ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

Follow along for every selection made by Oakland in the 2020 NFL Draft.

FULL DRAFT RESULTS: Pick By Pick 2020 NFL Draft Results

Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL.com/Watch, ESPN.com/Watch and ABC.go.com
Schedule:
Thursday, April 23: Round 1, 8 p.m. ET
Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7, 12 p.m. ET

Next Pick: Round , Pick Next Pick: Round , Pick

Round	Pick	Overall	Player	Class	Position	College

2019 Raiders Draft

Last season, the Raiders made nine selections, bringing these rookies onto the team:

Round	Pick	Overall	Player	Position	College
1	4	4	Clelin Ferrell	DE	Clemson
1	24	24	Josh Jacobs	RB	Alabama
1	27	27	Johnathan Abram	FS	Mississippi State
2	8	40	Trayvon Mullen	CB	Clemson
4	4	106	Maxx Crosby	DE	Eastern Michigan
4	27	129	Isaiah Johnson	CB	Houston
4	35	137	Foster Moreau	TE	LSU
5	11	149	Hunter Renfrow	WR	Clemson
7	16	230	Quinton Bell	OLB	Prairie View A&M

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Mark Ingram

Freeman has a lot to prove in 2019 after coming off of back-to-back disappointing seasons. Word from Atlanta is that Freeman appears to look like his old self. Thus far, Freeman has been full go during camp and after suffering through knee, groin and foot injuries last year, the positive remarks are a breath of fresh air. With RB Tevin Coleman gone, Freeman projects to take over as the clear lead back in one of the best offenses in the league while RB Ito Smith is expected to take on the old 1B role that Coleman filled in years past with 10-12 touches per game. With an improved Offensive Line, Freeman is in line for a redemption season and could be a steal later in the draft for fantasy owners.

Sony Michel

Michel’s long history of knee issues coupled with the arrival of 3rd Round Rookie RB Damien Harris make him a risky fantasy investment. Michel is one-dimensional in nature, bringing next to nothing to the table in the receiving game for fantasy owners (for what its worth, Michel has caught 13 of 13 targets from Brady during camp this preseason.) However, Michel looks to be the RedZone guy where New England ran the ball on nearly 75% of Michel’s snaps last season. Owning any Patriots RB, you should know you have potential headache on your hands. We aren’t saying pass on Michel, but be mindful of these circumstances if going light at the position or over-indexing and depending on him.

Derrick Henry

Henry has always been viewed as having potential, but he finally debuted what upside he possesses in the final weeks of 2018. During Weeks 1-12, Henry hovered around a pedestrian 20-60 Yards Per Game with a minimal touchdown dripping in. From Weeks 13-17, Henry totaled 651 Total Yards and 8 TDs! That span of games yielded higher totals than his entire seasons of 2016 and 2017! Each game during that span was exceptional, but Henry really rung the register in Week 14 with 238 Rushing Yards and 4 TDs, following that up in Week 15 with 170 Rushing Yards and 2 TDs. Henry is a one-dimensional back, with minimal receptions to his name (13 Receptions – 2016, 11 Receptions – 2017, 15 Receptions – 2018). Tennessee is trusting that Henry carries that same momentum into 2019 and they are counting on him to be the cornerstone of the offense. Draft Henry as an RB2/RB3 with hopes of monster games catapulting him into RB1 status. Photo: Dion Lewis & Derrick Henry … Wow!

 

Josh Jacobs

Taken Round 1 (Pick 24) of the 2019 Draft, expect Jacobs to be utilized in Oakland right away with next to nothing pushing him for touches (Doug Martin & Jalen Richard). The Rookie walks into immediate production after Marshawn Lynch retired and will benefit from strong athletes on the outside (Antonio Brown & Tyrell Williams). It’s a new look all the way around for Gruden and the Raiders and it’s just a matter of putting it all together at this point.

David Montgomery

Montgomery looks like the favorite for the lead job in Chicago after the Bears sent Jordan Howard packing, then investing a 3rd Round Pick on the Rookie RB. Cohen will absorb the majority of the receiving statistics, but Montgomery possesses a dual-purpose ability that lends him to this style of offense. Out of the gate, Montgomery will be in a great position to produce, but those numbers will be capped by some of the talent around him potentially stealing opportunity away.

Tarik Cohen

At 5’6″ / 181 LBs and with the addition of both Rookie RB David Montgomery and RB Mike Davis, it’s hard to envision a season where Cohen exceeds 2018’s numbers. Last season, Cohen totaled 99 Rushing Attempts for 444 Yards and 3 TDs, while catching 71 Receptions on 91 Targets for 725 Yards and 5 TDs. Expect Matt Nagy and the Bears to continue to be creative with Cohen, especially as they look to develop Montgomery as an every down back. It would be wise to lower expectations from 2018’s results.