Of course when a match or event is about to start, cognitive dissonance usually takes over. Sport might horrify us, but it still draws us in even more. Yet it is hard to argue that for some sports, and especially athletics and cycling, that the endless scandals have not damaged their appeal in some way.However, speaking to the Guardian recently, Lord Coe insisted he remained optimistic about the power of sport to meet the problems it faces head on.“By a distance, sport has more to offer than the challenges that are currently confronting it,” he said. “We connect with more people in a more meaningful way than politicians, the church, and financial institutions, and internationally we still have the ability to bring communities and countries together.
“Yes, there are challenges. Yes, we can address them. And can we move on from them? Absolutely yes we can.”Pickford, who is on duty with England Under-21s before the European Championship, is expected to have a medical and complete the formalities of the deal when he returns.The 23-year-old will become the most expensive British keeper if he completes the move.Pickford made 29 Premier League appearances last season but could not prevent Sunderland being relegated.He joined the Black Cats' academy in 2010 and had spells on loan at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston.Pickford made his first-team debut for Sunderland in a 3-1 FA Cup defeat by Arsenal in January 2016.Everton's offer for him is an initial £22m transfer fee with £8m of potential add-ons and would be a five-year deal, BBC Radio 5 live chief football reporter Ian Dennis said.Buffon's move from Parma to Juventus in 2001 was reported to be worth 53m euros, or £32.6m at the time, while at current exchange rates, Ederson's 40m euros transfer to Manchester City last week is equivalent to £35m, which is a world record in sterling, but not euros.The 32-year-old was offered reduced terms by the Bluebirds, but has decided to end his 10-year stay at the club and drop down a division to League One.
The former Aston Villa trainee and England Under-21 international made 450 appearances for the Welsh side.Whittingham is boss Tony Mowbray's first signing since Rovers' relegation."I've had ten-and-a-half awesome years at Cardiff City, reached several cup finals that I never thought I'd reach, won promotion and played a lot of games at this great club," Whittingham said in a statement on Cardiff's website.
"For me now, it is time for a new challenge. I'm not one of those footballers who can train all week and sit and watch a match. I want to play as many games as possible - and I think at this stage of my career this move will help me to do so."