LONGSHOT MS PEINTOUR RALLIES TO WIN GRADE III, $100,000 ASTRA STAKES BY TWO LENGTHS UNDER BLANC; TRAINED BY KORINER, SHE GETS MARATHON 1 ½ MILES ON TURF IN 2:26.71
LONGSHOT MS PEINTOUR RALLIES TO WIN GRADE III, $100,000 ASTRA STAKES BY TWO LENGTHS UNDER BLANC; TRAINED BY KORINER, SHE GETS MARATHON 1 ½ MILES ON TURF IN 2:26.71ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 19, 2020)–Winless in her last eight races at shorter distances, Samantha Siegel’s Ms Peintour relished a mile and one half on turf today at Santa Anita as she rallied to register a comfortable two length win in the Grade III, $100,000 Astra Stakes under Brice Blanc. Trained by Brian Koriner, the 5-year-old daughter of Paynter got the distance in 2:26.71.Well beaten when close to the early pace in the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf here Dec. 28, Ms Peintour was attentive to the Astra pace while well in-hand, in fourth position about two lengths off Lostintranzlation heading into the far turn.At that point, Blanc angled out, rallied three-deep turning for home and took command a furlong from home while winning as much best.“After her last race, I told Brian I think she wants to run further,” said Blanc. “She stays very steady and even though she doesn’t have a big turn of foot, she keeps trying. This race came up at a mile and half and it was perfect. I’m very happy to be right and I’m glad to have this opportunity with Brian and Samantha.”Off at 13-1 in a field of seven older fillies and mares, Ms Peintour paid $28.40, $9.60 and $4.00.“She’s always loped out strong,” said Koriner, who bagged his third win of the day. “She doesn’t have that turn of foot, but she’s acted like she wants to go and go. We thought if Brice could get the jump on them today, we wouldn’t have horses finishing like they do at shorter distances.”Bred in Kentucky, Ms Peintour is out of the Dynaformer mare Dyna’s Destiny. Although she was Grade II stakes placed at age three, today marked her first stakes win and her third overall from 13 career starts. With the winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $166,534.Fourth turning for home, favored Tiny Tina rallied but had to settle for second money, finishing one length in front of Siberian Iris. Ridden by Flavien Prat, “Tiny” was off at 7-5 and paid $3.00 and $2.20.Irish-bred Siberian Iris, the second choice at 8-5 with Drayden Van Dyke up, paid $2.40 to show.Fractions on the race were 24.48, 48.20, 1:12.96, 1:36.95, 2:01.78 and 2:26.71.One of LA’s longtime top sportscasters, KNBC 4’s Mario Solis, was on hand to make the Astra Trophy presentation.
MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham fans are struggling to make kick-off amid traffic chaos due to the Amazon Prime-fuelled early kick-off.The eagerly-anticipated clash – which sees Jose Mourinho back at Old Trafford – started at 7.30pm due to its streaming on Amazon Prime.2 Fans were caught in awful traffic in Manchester as they aimed to get to Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press AssociationMost midweek Premier League games start at 7.45pm or 8pm.And fans were left scrambling to make it to the ground in time after the city centre ground to a halt.According to reports in Manchester, commuters rushed out of the office early in a bid to get to the ground – or even back home to fire up their Amazon Prime account.Transport for Greater Manchester warned of major delays in key areas of the city – both inbound and outbound.Taking to Twitter, they wrote: “Traffic generally much heavier on many routes as football traffic heading for Old Trafford is mingling with rush hour traffic.”Motorways are a bit stuffed too.”Incredibly, fans on Twitter complained about the journey from Salford Central to Chapel Street – a 0.1 mile journey – taking an HOUR.One wrote: “For reference it took the 100 bus I’m on over an hour to get from Shudehill to past those lights today.2MORE MAN UTD STORIESLive Blogunited newsMan Utd news LIVE – Latest updates from Old TraffordMAN DOWNUtd and City face TWO-WEEK summer if they reach Euro finals before new Prem seasonDEPAY CHARTMan Utd flop Memphis used computer data and analytics to quit Old TraffordODS ON?Ighalo to leave Man Utd TOMORROW unless dramatic extension can be reachedPEA SHOOTERHernandez: Man Utd ‘still haunted’ by ‘mistake’ of Moyes replacing FergusonDEVIL’S ADVOCATEEx-Man Utd star Chadwick dreaded being picked for Keane’s team in trainingPicturedTRAINING DAYFernandes back in his Mini while Pogba arrives for training in yellow FerrariMARCSMANWatch Rashford floor Man Utd team-mates with ‘naughty’ bit of skill in trainingPicturedHOMER WINEngland and Dortmund star Sancho shows off new Simpsons and Sonic tattoosGossipBERN IT UPMan Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea on alert after Bernardeschi reveals Prem plans”As soon as we got past them on Chapel Street we’ve been moving a lot faster.”Another replied: “Same here, just taken 45 minutes to get from Salford central to the bus lane on chapel street.”People won’t use busses when they get stuck like this everyday!”Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the next two games give his team the chance to prove themselves
Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Putin’s, Xi’s ruler-for-life moves pose challenges to West “If they say, like Troy, he was honest to say, ‘I’m with the second group of Gilas, I wasn’t really that tired’ so it was actually him who told me, ‘I am more ready than the other three guys.’”Roger Pogoy, Rosario and Romeo also took part in the ruckus and were thrown out.READ: Brawl breaks out in Gilas-Australia gameBut Racela cleared that had the game against the Painters was of utmost importance, he would’ve expected Castro to suit up.“Assuming let’s say Alaska lost last night (Friday), I expect Jayson to play. I think he’ll take it upon himself to be available.”Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next ‘High crimes and misdemeanors’: Trump impeachment trial begins Report: Disney dropping the ‘Fox’ from movie studio names Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ “He just needed time to recover from the incident. Hopefully, he’ll be ready by next round,” Racela said.TNT hardly needed the services of Castro on Saturday as it blew out No. 1 Rain or Shine, 100-85, behind Joshua Smith, Troy Rosario and the steady playmaking of Terrence Romeo.Racela said he had no problems in giving what Castro was asking for.READ: Fans divided over Gilas-Australia brawl “To me as a coach, because they asked for it, it’s my responsibility to give it to them. If they say I cannot play today then I will not play them, that’s my trust,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT Ilagan forced to watch from bench as Stags come up short vs Pirates Trump assembles a made-for-TV impeachment defense team LATEST STORIES MOST READ According to Racela, Castro had to take a time off to “recover” from the brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia in the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers last Monday.“He needed time to recover. Jayson talked to me before the game. He was asking for some rest,” Racela told reporters on Saturday after the game.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’READ: Gilas players say sorry for failing to keep emotions in check leading to brawlCastro played a significant role in the free-for-all as he was seen punching Aussie big man Daniel Kickert in the face. The veteran point guard was among the 13 players ejected. Jayson Castro missed TNT’s final elimination round game in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup against Rain or Shine to rest, as per his head coach Nash Racela.ADVERTISEMENT Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding Palace OKs total deployment ban on Kuwait OFWs Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments
Motolite-Ateneo displayed enough spunk to rout title favorite Pocari Sweat, 27-25, 25-21, 25-21, Saturday night in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at Imus Sports Complex.Bea De Leon scored 12 points and provided the leadership for the Lady Eagles, who bounced back from a defeat at the hands of the Creamline Cool Smashers last Wednesday.ADVERTISEMENT Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil No Jaja, no Dindin, no problem Japeth Aguilar embraces role, gets rewarded with Finals MVP plum Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Gov’t to employ 6,000 displaced by Taal Allen Durham still determined to help Meralco win 1st PBA title Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award MOST READ Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college
Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. LATEST STORIES Tim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crown It was Motolite-Ateneo’s sixth win in eight games, tying resting BanKo Perlas at second place behind Creamline.May Matulid had 11 points to lead Iriga-Navy over Akari-Adamson, 25-18, 26-24, 25-23, for only its second win in an earlier game.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSJapeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for GinebraSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissWith the victory, Iriga kept the Lady Falcons winless in the tournament. Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines? View comments Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next
Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) My Dearest “Archmar”, It has been 8760 hours since you were snatched away from us by the cold hands of death…these have been the most difficult days of my life thus far… for death is the only natural phenomena of life that we are never prepared for nor can we accept no matter when it occurs , how it occurs or how old the person is… yet we must all experience it… how it is handled by us differs from individual to individual and from situation to situation…. but there are certain elements that are just unique to death itself… it creates an illusion as to whether it is real or not… is this really happening to us… am I in a dream .. is she/he really dead…. Ultimately, you come to grips with reality that your loved one is no longer with you physically…this creates a very deep seated pain that you must bear… such a pain is like a gigantic hole in your heart.…then the grief period begins…very difficult time that has no specific time frame…. At times you get mad with your loved ones for leaving but was it up to them?… certainly not…it was all another natural act of God… you have to bear the various stages of grief…. These come without any time frames and are not to me in any specific order… there is the shock & denial period.. when you cannot realize what just happened….the excruciating pain and guilt follows…. This must be experienced by you…For it cannot be hidden…Anger and frustration set in . We began to ask “why us”…. did we deserve this ??…Depression / frustration set in…the magnitude of one’s lost is realized….Then comes the upward turn…the adjustment period without the one you loved….Is this possible you asked yourself…then comes the reconstruction period….The hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.. this is the belief that will take you through all of this… without this you are forever down…finally will come the acceptance & hope period that will allow you to deal with the reality of the situation… such an acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness…given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy…But you will find a way forward…Friends and family members would say to you…you need to move on… some will say it this is life….it happens all the time…you will get over it…you are being too hard on yourself…..you will hear all sorts of words that are sincerely meant to comfort you…Yet they do not realize that they are not in your shoes… but in your mind, you only want to believe for the moment that this is not really happening… it is a dream…. they do not know your situation and perhaps have not yet experienced such a lost….. all that is left with you as an individual are the loving/ cheerful memories of the fun , good and sad times that you encountered over the years As I reminisce about my “kidoh”, my “archmar”, all I can think about is her desire to live a good life…. indeed, she did…she achieved the goals she set for herself….she even went beyond them…Her day was done on this earth….the Good Lord took her from labor to eternal rest…all of us miss her uplifting smile…her unique cheerful giggle, her comforting laugh and her warmth that she showed us whenever she was around….she loved folks…She cared for her family, her friends , co-workers and even her known enemies…the sad thing is that we did not get to grow old together as a couple to reach the promised “three scores and ten” and by his Grace, years beyond that point …..But above all I am grateful that I struck that conversation with her back in 1994…neither of us ever thought that this was the beginning of a lifelong relationship…yet it turned out to be an indelible, enchanting and amazing encounter for us …… She will always be my amazingly, loving wife that I so dearly miss…. Without whom I am very lost…but by His Grace, I do believe that true love will come around again…rest in peace my love…Until the resurrection….ANS
Dear Editor,Every day, another horrifying public health story shocks the people of Guyana. Last week, at least three families were forced to use ice boxes to store the bodies of their deceased relatives in Wakenaam. Even as storage was a problem because of the malfunctioning mortuary refrigerators, deceased bodies could not be removed from the hospital because there was no doctor to sign-off the death certificates. One family complained that their relative died on Friday, but was still there on Sunday because they had to await the arrival of a doctor. Up to Sunday afternoon, there still was no doctor, and when checks were made about noon on Monday, a doctor was still unavailable to sign-off the death and so relatives were forced to continue using the icebox to keep the body from deteriorating.At Wakenaam District Hospital, the problems are many – the malfunctioning mortuary is obscene. But there are other problems. Availability of doctors has become a major concern for citizens in this humble farming community. In a discussion with the Chairman of the NDC on the island, he confirmed there is a major problem with missing doctors, with availability becoming periodic rather than sustained. This important district hospital, more often now, has no doctors. The Ministry of Public Health has completely ignored the urgent calls from citizens in Wakenaam and from the RDC of Region Three to address the doctor availability problem. Even as the availability of doctors, nurses and other service providers at the Wakenaam Hospital affect the delivery of public health, the availability of medicines has become a chronic problem. It is as if the Ministry of Public Health is in a mode of phasing out the Wakenaam District Hospital.Public health in Guyana has rapidly declined since May 2015. For most of that time, Ms Volda Lawrence, the People’s National Congress (PNC) Chairman, has been in charge of the Public Health Ministry. This lady, who vowed her only friends are “PNC-people” and that as the Chairman of the PNC and as a senior Minister in the APNU/AFC Cabinet her mandate is to find jobs “only for PNC-people”, failed to appreciate that public health must be for all people. She failed to recognise that when public health fails, it affects all Guyanese, including “PNC-people”. The next person who requires the use of a mortuary or an X-ray or medicines or doctors might well be one of these “PNC-people”. We never know the next person who needs the public health system.The rapid deterioration of the public health system is on display every single day, with newspaper, TV and radio news and public discourse stories highlighting the many struggles people endure as they try to access public health. A week ago, I had frantic calls from the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam about troubles at the district hospital there. This hospital, which should be a place where people go for their ailments, is now a place filled with its own ailments as described above.As Minister of Health, I worked diligently with our people, the public health staff and the Government to ensure we stopped the practice of iceboxes to preserve the bodies of our loved ones. We ensured that all our district hospitals were equipped to provide refrigerated storage of the bodies of deceased persons. But non-functioning mortuaries has become a malady of the public health system. There are occasionally reports that the mortuary of the GPHC, the premier hospital in Guyana, is down. There have been reports of other non-functioning mortuaries around the country. For many months now, the mortuary at New Amsterdam has been unavailable. Passing through Mahaicony two days ago, I was similarly told by residents that Mahaicony is not offering refrigerated mortuary service presently. At Fort Wellington, the refrigerated mortuary facility used is a private mortuary, paid for by the families of the deceased patients. It is heartbreaking that the public health sector adds further trauma and stress to people because they must worry about the preservation of the bodies of their deceased relatives.As this unnecessary stress intensifies within the public sector, the Minister herself has treated this important function of the public health sector as an orphan. In a recent trip to commission a repaired kitchen at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, a few feet away from the empty, unused, broken-down mortuary, she completely ignored that the hospital forces people to use private mortuary services, at a cost many of them cannot afford. Even as people outside picketed her, trying to draw her attention to the non-availability of mortuary services at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, she ignored any recognition that there is a problem.In the last week, Volda Lawrence, who still refuses to acknowledge the people fired her on December 21 and that she has been illegally squatting as the Minister of Public Health since March 21, has visited Regions Six, Five and Three. Ms Lawrence and her APNU/AFC colleagues have unfortunately been rejected by the people, having to speak to only people who were bussed-in and greeted with protesters everywhere. But even as they parade across these regions, brazenly funding their political campaign with taxpayers’ money, she totally ignores the many, many problems in a rapidly declining public health system. Ms Lawrence must take responsibility for a declining public health sector.Sincerely,Dr Leslie RamsammyFormer Health Minister
We consider this Editorial a very serious one, because it is intended to make a direct and urgent appeal to President George Weah to come to Phebe Hospital’s rescue, in the same way President William R. Tolbert saved this hospital in 1973.What is at stake is yet another very serious crisis at one of the nation’s leading medical and health institutions—Phebe Hospital in Suacoco, Bong County. Why is Phebe so critical? Because it serves millions of rural Liberians; and also travelers through Liberia’s vast interior that may fall sick en route or become victims of terrible accidents along the highways leading through Bong County, on to Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and beyond.Why do we say that history is about to repeat itself? Because the crisis at Phebe today is identical to that which befell Phebe in 1973, just after Dr. Walter Gwenigale returned home from his highly successful medical studies in Puerto Rico and Los Angeles, California, United States of America.The alarming story from our Bong County Correspondent Marcus Malayea, published on the back page of yesterday’s Daily Observer, told us that Phebe is probably the nation’s oldest hospital—97 years. It was started by American Lutherans in Harrisburg, Montserrado County around 1921 when they opened their first Liberian mission in this part of Montserrado County, on the Right Bank of the St. Paul River. Attached to the hospital was a School of Nursing. There in Harrisburg the Lutherans also planted the E.V. Day Girls School. The Lutherans put their male students school across the river in Millsburg, and called it the Muelenberg Boys School.Nearly a half century later the Lutherans, in collaboration with the Episcopal and Methodist Churches, relocated Phebe to Suacoco, in the then Central Province which in 1964 became Bong County. It was an ultra-modern medical facility in the heart of rural Liberia, equipped with a modern operating room and X-ray department, electricity and running water. A little later, Phebe joined with Cuttington College and Divinity School (now Cuttington University) to open the nation’s first degree-granting School of Nursing.But immediately upon Dr. Gwenigale’s return from his medical studies, the Lutheran missionaries at Phebe told him they were closing Phebe and turning it into a health center. They said there was no money to continue running the hospital, because American Lutherans were now focusing on saving “the heathen at home, rather than the heathen abroad.”Dr. Gwenigale, who had returned with his Puerto Rican wife Carmen, a well-trained radiologist and their year-old first son, Walter, Jr., did not panic at this alarming revelation. The doctor, also a surgeon, made a fast move. He drove to Monrovia one morning and found his Cuttington classmate, now a journalist, at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and told him the terrible news about Phebe. Walter Gwenigale, along with his Lutheran Training Institute classmate Wilton Sankawulo, had graduated in 1959, just as Kenneth Y. Best had graduated from the Booker Washington Institute that same year and the three of them, among many others from all over Liberia, met at Cuttington as freshmen in February 1960. In mid-1961 the Lutherans sent Walter to Puerto Rico for medical studies. He presented to his classmate the crisis he faced immediately on his return—Phebe, the hospital he had returned home well prepared to serve, was closing down.“So what do you want me to do?” asked KYB.“I want you to write about it to see if we can stop Phebe from closing.”That same weekend Mr. Best traveled to Phebe in Suacoco, interviewed the Lutherans in charge of Phebe, who confirmed the imminent closure, met the Hospital Board that was meeting that Saturday morning, then toured the entire facility, including all the infrastructure. The result was two major stories the following week—on Tuesday and Thursday, published in the Liberian Star, a daily, and the bi-weekly Liberian Age. On seeing the stories, President William R. Tolbert summoned his Health Minister, Counselor Oliver Bright, who confirmed to him Phebe’s imminent closure, because the Lutherans said they had no more money to keep the hospital open. “How much does it cost to run Phebe annually,” President Tolbert enquired.“US$400,000, Mr. President, according to Mr. Best,” Minister Bright replied.President Tolbert immediately dictated a letter to his younger brother, Finance Minister Steve Tolbert, directing him to provide US$400,000 annually to keep Phebe Hospital open.Dr. Gwenigale took over Phebe immediately and ran it successfully for over 30 years, even through the war years. It was this enviable legacy that led President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to appoint him her Health Minister for most of her tenure.We appeal to President George Weah to repeat history by doing for Phebe what President Tolbert did for this critical medical institution on which millions of our rural people as well as travelers up country depend for their health, medical and even emergency needs.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Police Lance Corporal Jason Kyte testified before the 12 member jury as the retrial of Anthony Morrison, who is accused of murdering his reputed wife, DonnaAccused: Anthony MorrisonThomas, continued at the High Court on Tuesday. The woman was reportedly killed between May 25 and 26, 2012. The Police witness, who was stationed at the Brickdam Police Station at the time, testified to examining the body of the murdered woman, who he found with what appeared to be blood on her head, hands and face.Kyte noted that he also saw blood on the bed where the woman was lying at an apartment where she lived at Lot 65 Cross and D’Urban Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. He recalled that on May 27, 2012, at the Brickdam Police Station, he told the accused of the offence after which he reportedly stated whilst in custody:“I was going out; she didn’t want me to leave. I had a knife and I cut she in she neck. Me an know that woulda happen to she,” Kyte recalled.He also noted that he saw a man lying on a make-shift bed in a nearby apartment. Kyte said no one else was charged for the woman’s murder. The case will continue before Justice Sandhill Kissoon at the High Court this morning.According to reports, Thomas’ body was found in a pool of blood with several stab wounds at the home she shared with Morrison. A post-mortem examination revealed Thomas died from asphyxiation due to compression to the neck, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head.Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh had testified that he observed the woman had 16 incised wounds to one hand, while he found six such wounds on the other hand. Based on his expert knowledge, he said these wounds were defensive. He observed that Thomas died as a result of being deprived of oxygen and that her heart eventually stopped.
1 Belgian forward Kevin Mirallas suffers an ankle injury during 3-1 win over QPR Everton manager Roberto Martinez admitted he is concerned for Toffees star Kevin Mirallas’ fitness after he was stretchered off at the end of Monday’s 3-1 victory over QPR.The Belgian forward felt the full force of Jordan Mutch’s rash challenge late on at Goodison Park, and Martinez revealed Mirallas is set for a scan on his ankle.“Kevin is a real negative today, he’s got a real bad ankle,” said the boss.“We’re going to scan it in the morning and see the extent of the injury.“It was a real disappointment to see him carried off at the end.”On a more positive note, the manager was delighted with his team’s cutting edge in front of goal, with Mirallas on the scoresheet with a deflected free-kick strike, sandwiched by goals from Ross Barkley and Steven Naismith, to seal a comfortable win over the struggling Rangers.“I was really, really pleased in the manner that we carried that sort of threat,” Martinez added.“We always had a good balance, we defended well when we had to, we had real good pace on the counter-attack and overall we were clinical in front of goal.”Martinez was also full of praise for England starlet Barkley, who took the man of the match honours.“The big enjoyment working with Ross is how quickly he takes concepts on and how quickly he experiments with different starting positions,” the Spaniard said of the 21-year-old.“The power and pace that he has combined with that technical ability and ball control makes him special.“Sometimes you get a really talented footballer who is skillful on the ball or the powerful and strong that can show that physicality on the pitch. He’s got both.”
0Shares0000Alvaro Morata is close to joining Atletico Madrid after passing a medical on Sunday © AFP/File / Adrian DENNISMADRID, Spain, Jan 27 – Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata appears close to securing a move to Atletico Madrid after the striker was pictured passing a medical with the Spanish club on Sunday.Morata was shown leaving Atletico’s medical clinic on Sunday morning, with the 26-year-old giving a thumbs up and telling reporters, “everything has gone well”. Atletico have not made any official statement but Morata spoke to reporters at Madrid’s Barajas Airport, after landing in the early hours of the morning.“I’m very happy, I have been waiting for days,” he said. “I am looking forward to everything being closed so I can start training with my teammates.”Morata spent two years in Atletico’s youth ranks as a teenager but later joined their city rivals Real Madrid in 2008, where he enjoyed two separate spells either side of a move to Juventus.Some of Atleti’s fans have not forgotten Morata’s links to Real, with a minority even chanting against his arrival during the team’s La Liga victory over Getafe on Saturday.“Their opinion is respectable and people can say what they want,” coach Diego Simeone said after the match. “I look for players that serve the club and the team.”After an impressive start at Chelsea, Morata lost form and confidence, with coach Maurizio Sarri admitting last week the Spaniard had requested to leave at the start of this month.Morata will bolster Simeone’s options up front, which already include the in-form Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa, who is expected back from injury next month.Croatia’s Nikola Kalinic, who joined Atletico in August, could be allowed to leave.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)