ATHLETIC NEWS

Q&A: Mike Richards on Flyers fans, getting traded 'out of left field' and returning for alumni game The Athletic caught up with Richards, who will be in Philadelphia for the upcoming Flyers Hall of Fame weekend.

JANUARY 18 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Oscar De Marcos - Suffers leg injury De Marcos has picked up an injury in his leg ahead of Saturday's match against Valencia, according to his club.

Impact De Marcos most likely won't be an option for Saturday's match against Valencia, having suffered an injury just two days out from that match. He is currently still pending an evaluation, so his current status is unknown heading into the contest. This is a tough break for the defender, as he just returned from an ankle injury that left him out for four games. This will probably delay any chance he had of returning to the starting XI soon, with Inigo Lekue most likely getting the start at right-back once again.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Are Newcastle's PIF owners separate from Saudi Arabia - and why does it matter? The Athletic's revelations about chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan have raised more questions over PIF's links to the Saudi state

JANUARY 17 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Colour, chaos and the mood is really cooking - a magical first night at AFCON Anything goes in Abidjan - as The Athletic found out before AFCON got underway with a 2-0 win for hosts Ivory Coast

JANUARY 14 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Nico Williams - Substituted late against Sociedad Williams registered one shot (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-1 win against Real Sociedad.

Impact Williams displayed his offensive prowess by delivering the second-highest number of crosses in the game, trailing only behind teammate Alex Berenguer. Additionally, he created a chance and completed a dribble. Williams also contributed defensively with three tackles and a clearance. Despite his impactful performance, he has been without a goal involvement for three games. Williams was substituted in the 85th minute, making way for Malcom Adu. Overall, Williams has been a key player for Athletic, recording five assists and three goals in 17 appearances this season.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Scores brace against Sociedad Berenguer scored two goals to go with three shots (two on goal), eight crosses (three accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 2-1 win versus Real Sociedad.

Impact Berenguer exhibited clinical finishing as he scored the opener in the 30th minute and swiftly doubled the lead in the 42nd minute. Both chances were relatively straightforward, showcasing his exemplary positioning. In addition to recording the most crosses in the game, he created two chances and contributed defensively with a clearance and a tackle. Despite frequently appearing off the bench, he has featured in almost every game this season. He was substituted in the 85th minute, making way for Iker Muniain.

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Concedes against Sociedad Simon recorded no saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Simon, despite facing minimal testing moments, couldn't secure a clean sheet as he conceded an unlucky goal to Mikel Oyarzabal in the 88th minute. He has consistently started in every league game this season, boasting the most clean sheets in the league with nine, including three consecutive ones against Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas, and Sevilla prior to this game.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Makes squad for derby Alvarez (thigh) is in the squad to face Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Impact Alvarez has been training for quite some time, so it's not surprising to see him in the squad for this massive matchup against Real Sociedad. If fit, Alvarez can contend for a starting role in center-back alongside either Dani Vivian or Aitor Paredes.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Garcia - Won't face Real Sociedad Alvarez (thigh) is not in the squad to face Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Impact Garcia was initially expected to miss around three weeks in late December, but it seems the recovery process has turned out to be more complicated than initially expected. His next chance to return to action will come against Valencia on Jan. 20, but given the lack of updates in his recovery, that seems like a long shot for now.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Ander Herrera - Assist off bench Herrera assisted once to go with one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Thursday's 2-0 win over Sevilla.

Impact After logging an assist during his Dec. 16 start, Herrera earned another starting opportunity on Dec. 20 and failed to impress then. Thus, the defensive midfielder was demoted to Athletic Club's bench, an action he made the most of by logging an assist for an Aitor Paredes goal.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Five shots, five crosses Williams recorded five shots (zero on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Thursday's 2-0 win over Sevilla.

Impact It marked only the second time this season in which Williams attempted at least five shots and five corners each. There stands a good chance he can do that with some regularity for the next month, as Athletic Club's team may focus on playing more through him without fellow attacking midfielder Inaki Williams available due to international duty.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Starts, attempts four corners Berenguer registered one shot (one on goal), six crosses (zero accurate) and four corners in Thursday's 2-0 victory against Sevilla.

Impact Berenguer began 2024 with his first start since Sept. 27. With fellow attacking midfielder Inaki Williams out to participate in the African Cup of Nations, it would not be surprising if his Spanish teammate plays with more regularity at least until February. By doing so, Berenguer would also receive an improved amount of corner-kick opportunities.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Scores goal Vesga scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Thursday's 2-0 win against Sevilla.

Impact After coming to terms on a contract extension, Vesga was added back to Athletic Club's starting XI on Thursday and made an immediate impact by scoring the team's first goal of 2024. Already with three goals across the 2023-24 La Liga, he has tied his goal tally from the 2022-23 La Liga in 22 fewer appearances.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Records assist De Galarreta assisted once to go with one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Thursday's 2-0 victory versus Sevilla.

Impact De Galarreta marked his return from a two-game absence by logging the assist to Athletic Club's first 2024 goal, scored by Mikel Vesga. It was de Galarreta's first assist since April 23, when he was still part of Mallorca.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Scores goal Paredes scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Thursday's 2-0 win against Sevilla.

Impact Paredes logged Athletic Club's second goal of 2024. The central defender achieving that feat comes off as a surprise, considering he never logged any goals between 2020 and 2023.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Aitor Paredes - Scores goal Paredes scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) in Thursday's 2-0 win against Sevilla.

Impact Paredes logged Athletic Club's second goal of 2024. The central defender achieving that feat comes off as a surprise, considering he never logged any goals between 2020 and 2023.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Logs two-save clean sheet Simon made two saves and allowed zero goals in Thursday's 2-0 victory versus Sevilla.

Impact Successfully saving shots from Kike Salas and Lucas Ocampos was all Simon needed to maintain a clean sheet Thursday. None of Athletic's last three opponents have scored past the in-form goalkeeper. Simon will look to make it four with his next appearance, currently scheduled against Real Sociedad on Jan. 13.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Available off bench Thursday De Marcos (ankle) is on the bench to face Sevilla on Thursday.

Impact De Marcos has been a regular starter for Athletic this season, so it seems he's simply not ready to handle his regular workload if he's on the bench. Inigo Lekue and Yuri Berchiche will start as full-backs, but De Marcos could be an option in the second half if needed. He'll aim to build enough fitness to be a starting option when Bilbao takes on Real Sociedad on Jan. 13.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Not in squad Thursday Alvarez (thigh) is not in the squad to face Sevilla on Thursday.

Impact Alvarez was spotted in training earlier in the week, but it seems he's not ready to return to action yet. His next chance to play will come against Real Sociedad on Jan. 13, and in the meantime, expect Aitor Paredes to start at center-back alongside Dani Vivian.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Starting against Sevilla De Galarreta (calf) is in the starting lineup to face Sevilla on Thursday.

Impact The central midfielder was training with no problems earlier in the week, so it's not surprising to see him in the starting lineup to face Sevilla. He'll slot in his regular central midfield role alongside Mikel Vesga.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Training well Ruiz de Galarreta (calf) has been "training normal" ahead of Thursday's clash against Sevilla, according to manager Ernesto Valverde.

Impact Ruiz de Galarreta could see a return to the starting XI Thursday after missing the last two matches with a calf injury. He has been competing with both Ander Herrera and Bernat Prados Diaz for playing time in the defensive midfield, scoring once during his previous seven games, all of them coming as starts.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar De Marcos - Back on grass De Marcos (ankle) has been "training normal" on the grass ahead of Thursday's clash against Sevilla, per manager Ernesto Valverde.

Impact De Marcos injured his ankle before the winter break, missing the last two games. He had previously started the last 12 matches played, logging in a goal and three assists with 43 crosses (15 accurate). If the defender passes fitness, he will likely get the start at right back for the clash against Sevilla.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Yeray Alvarez - Trains ahead of trip to Sevilla Alvarez (thigh) has been "training normal" ahead of Thursday's match versus Sevilla, said manager Ernesto Valverde.

Impact Alvarez is training on the grass and is looking to make a return to the pitch Thursday. He's missed the last two and a half months with a thigh injury, making just two starts in five appearances for the team. If the defender is ruled fit for the Sevilla match, then he will likely get the start off the bench until he is back to top form.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Heading to Ghana Williams willl link up with the Ghana national team for the upcoming AFCON Cup in January.

Impact Williams is tied for the team lead in goals with eight while also starting in all 18 matches played for the team. He also has an assist along with an an average of three shots and 3.7 crosses per game. During his absence, Alex Berenguer is expected to get the start in the attacking midfield alongside Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE