WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT
HOT JONNY BAIRSTOW
LET’S be clear about one thing: Bairstow’s row with the media regarding England’s World Cup ambitions was entirely of his own making. So to say he has proved people wrong — as some have phrased it — is quite incorrect. Nevertheless, his batting has almost single-handedly placed England back in the hunt for the trophy. Well played, Jonny.
COCO GAUFF
WHAT a player, what a story, what a tricky road ahead. The 15-year-old’s defeat of Venus Williams ensured Wimbledon got off to a flyer and provided the women’s game with a boost at a time when it is low on intrigue. Gauff is desperately young, though, and we hope she is handled well from this point on. Sport — and tennis in particular — is littered with the charred remains of those who burned brightly too early.
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
A CATCH-UP with a veteran football manager this week saw talk turn to the England team’s semi-final defeat by the USA. The chat was not about the standard of play and did not seek to make comparisons with the men’s game. It was just about the details of the match. That is a sign of progress.
NOT RAFA BENITEZ
IT WAS interesting that the Spaniard did not wait to see if there were any Premier League clubs interested after finally cutting ties with Newcastle. Benitez — who did a brilliant job in the North East — spoke of the need for a club that matched his vision and promptly joined Chinese club Dalian Yifang. Dalian have employed 17 managers in the last 10 years, which suggests the only vision they have is a short-term one.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
EIGHT years into Qatari ownership, the French club continue to seek credibility. Their latest player investment comes in the form of a five-year contract for Manchester United squad player Ander Herrera (above). The Spaniard has a great attitude but he is 30 next month. Such a lengthy deal is peculiar and doesn’t seem the best way to keep a player hungry.
CLEMENT BERARDO
THE French golfer was disqualified from a Challenge Tour event in Spain after running out of balls on the 16th hole. Reports have not revealed exactly how many he had lost by that stage. We need to be told.