Conceiçao con una formazione inedita per la partita di domani alle 18. Tijjani verso un turno di riposo: in mezzo al campo Musah con Fofana. Ballottaggio Gimenez-Abraham
Giornalista
Il primo Milan con Joao Felix, Il secondo Milan consecutivo senza Leao. Sergio Conceiçao per la partita di domani alle 18 proporrà quasi sicuramente un Milan inedito. Alla vigilia, ci sono certezze e qualche dubbio. Le due (ragionevoli) certezze sono in lingua portoghese: Rafa Leao andrà ancora in panchina, come in Coppa Italia contro la Roma. Il motivo? La condizione fisica non ottimale spiega sicuramente molto, al netto dei ragionamenti di Conceiçao sugli equilibri. Joao Felix invece sarà titolare per la prima volta nella sua carriera milanista, da numero 10-seconda punta, il suo ruolo ideale.
musah in mezzo
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Cambia anche la coppia in mezzo al campo: Musah-Fofana saranno titolari, con Tijjani Reijnders in un inedito riposo. Musah conferma così il grande momento, mentre per Fofana non ci sono dubbi: giocherà sempre, anche con il Feyenoord a metà della prossima settimana.
gimenez in ballottaggio
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Qualche dubbio in più sugli altri reparti. Gimenez e Abraham si giocano una maglia: sono stati provati entrambi, l’inglese pare in vantaggio ma ci sono dubbi. In mezzo alla difesa torna Matteo Gabbia, con la maglia al suo fianco da assegnare. Malick Thiaw ha una chance.
Il Milan annuncia la formazione per la partita contro l’Empoli e la grande novità è la presenza di Joao Felix tra i titolari. Il giovane attaccante portoghese avrà l’opportunità di dimostrare il suo valore fin dall’inizio, mentre Rafael Leao partirà dalla panchina. Sarà interessante vedere come si comporterà la squadra senza uno dei suoi attaccanti più prolifici, ma la presenza di Joao Felix potrebbe portare una ventata di freschezza e creatività all’attacco rossonero. Forza Milan! #Milan #Empoli #JoaoFelix #Leao
Things have moved really quickly in regards to Joao Felix’s negotiations, and AC Milan have reportedly wrapped the deal up with Chelsea in the last few minutes.
Felix’s name was heavily mentioned at the start of January, but due to Chelsea’s loan parameters, the deal seemed to be difficult to complete. As a result, things went quite quiet down that avenue, at least until the last few days.
Reports have stated that Felix ‘wants’ a move to Milan and the idea of working with Sergio Conceicao has made him push for the move it seems, and with the Blues’ situation opening up slightly, there was slightly more wiggle room for negotiations.
Once again, a loan deal was the target with the Rossoneri spending large on another attacker already this window, and the Blues have become increasingly more open to the idea.
Until the point of now, where a deal has been agreed, per Fabrizio Romano’s report this afternoon. According to the journalist, a bid has been accepted by the London outfit for a ‘straight loan’ with no option.
The Diavolo will cover the full salary of the Portuguese attacker and the full package will cost in excess of €5m over the six-month period.
As Romano says, the deal is done and ‘here we go’!
In an unexpected turn of events, AC Milan has agreed to a six-month dry loan deal with Chelsea for Portuguese forward Felix Romano.
With Romano struggling for game time at Chelsea, Milan saw an opportunity to bring in the talented young player to bolster their attacking options for the second half of the season.
Romano, known for his pace, skill, and eye for goal, is eager to make an impact at his new club. In an interview, he expressed his excitement about the move, saying, “Here we go! I can’t wait to get started and show what I can do for Milan.”
Fans of both Milan and Chelsea will be eagerly watching to see how Romano performs in his new surroundings. Will he be able to make a significant impact and help Milan push for silverware? Only time will tell.
Stay tuned for updates on Romano’s progress at Milan as the loan deal unfolds.
Reports are claiming that AC Milan are now close to securing the signing of Joao Felix on what will be a loan deal from Chelsea.
The Felix rumours have been doing the rounds for most of the month now, given that Milan’s links with Jorge Mendes have blossomed again following the appointment of his client Sergio Conceicao.
As we headed into deadline day there was a lot of uncertainty regarding whether the deal would get over the line or not but there seems to have been positive progress in the past few hours.
According to Matteo Moretto of Relevo, Milan are ‘close’ to the signing of João Félix. The Rossoneri recently presented a written offer to Chelsea and ‘official contacts’ between the clubs for a loan are continuing.
The discussions are ongoing with Mendes towards a’ total agreement’. The parties are trying to square the costs of the deal when factoring in the paid loan and the Portuguese’s salary.
Sérgio Conceição is pushing hard for João Félix, who he believes will be a useful reinforcement for an attacking department that has at times looked quite light this season.
According to Matt Law, Joao Felix will not be in the Chelsea squad tonight as Milan close in on a loan deal. That will be Chelsea’s last international loan spot meaning Axel Disasi will have to stay in the Premier League.
Gianluca Di Marzio is also stating that the Portuguese forward is now getting ‘every closer’ to ending up with the Diavolo.
According to multiple reports, AC Milan is on the verge of signing Portuguese star Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. The 21-year-old forward has been linked with a move to the Serie A side for weeks now, and it seems like a deal is finally close to being completed.
Felix, who joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a then-club record fee of €126 million, has struggled to live up to expectations at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, Milan sees great potential in the young talent and is reportedly willing to pay around €60 million to secure his services.
The addition of Felix would be a major coup for Milan, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season. The Portuguese international is known for his technical ability, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess, and could provide a much-needed spark to the Rossoneri’s attack.
While the deal is not yet official, reports suggest that both clubs are close to reaching an agreement, with Felix potentially set to join Milan in the coming days. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Milan are set to cover the 25-year-old’s full salary as part of a straight loan deal without a buy option, which will also include a loan fee package worth €5.5million.
Chelsea are happy for the Portuguese to move before the window closes to allow him to experience more first-team football, having started only three Premier League games this season. He prefers a move to Serie A over other European leagues.
Aston Villa were interested in a move for the 25-year-old, with manager Unai Emery wanting to sign him in the summer.
However, The Athletic reported on Sunday a move to Villa was increasingly unlikely due to their concerns over a permanent transfer fee.
Villa have already signed forwards Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund and Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United this month, and the club have agreed a deal to sign Marco Asensio on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Forward Jhon Duran, meanwhile, departed in January to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
Joao Felix would be Milan’s second arrival of the window following the signing of right-back Kyle Walker on loan from Manchester City.
Sergio Conceicao was appointed as the club’s new head coach in December after the dismissal of Paulo Fonseca. Milan are eighth in Serie A and progressed to the Champions League knockout play-offs, where they will play Feyenoord.
Joao Felix joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth approximately £44.5million ($58m) in August. It marked his a second spell at the club after spending the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Stamford Bridge.
The Portugal international signed a six-year contract with Chelsea with the option of an additional 12 months.
Joao Felix has made 20 appearances for Chelsea this season in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing two assists. However, he has found Premier League minutes hard to come by, only appearing in 12 games. He was not involved in the matchday squad for last weekend’s defeat to Manchester City.
GO DEEPER
Joao Felix has hard work ahead of him to convince Chelsea fans
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
AC Milan have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Chelsea for the loan transfer of Portuguese wonderkid Joao Felix. The 21-year-old forward is set to join the Serie A giants for the upcoming season, with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the loan spell.
Felix, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in a big-money move last summer, has struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup under Thomas Tuchel. The talented youngster is keen to get more playing time and develop his skills at Milan, where he will have the opportunity to shine in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Milan are looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season, and Felix’s arrival is expected to provide a major boost to their squad. The Rossoneri are hoping that the Portuguese starlet will be able to make a significant impact and help them challenge for the Serie A title next season.
With the agreement now in place, it is only a matter of time before Joao Felix officially completes his move to Milan. Fans of the Italian club will be eagerly anticipating seeing the talented forward in action and hoping that he can help lead them to success in the upcoming campaign.
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Milan, Joao Felix, loan, Chelsea, transfer, agreement, football, Serie A, Premier League, soccer, sports, news, deadline day
Manchester United’s move for Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel collapses as Arsenal wait in the wings, Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is in demand and Joao Felix is wanted by AC Milan and Aston Villa.
France forward Mathys Tel, 19, wants to join Manchester United but negotiations with Bayern Munich have collapsed at present, with the Bundesliga club keen for the inclusion of an obligation to buy or a permanent transfer. (Sky Germany), external
Manchester United have targeted Tel, but Chelsea and France striker Christopher Nkunku, 27, is another option on deadline day. (ESPN), external
Arsenalare waiting in the background after United had two bids for Tel rejected on Sunday. (Mail), external
Chelsea could make a late move for Manchester United’s 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho. (Football.London), external
Southampton have agreed a fee with Royal Antwerp for 20-year-old Nigerian forward Victor Udoh. (Daily Echo), external
Newcastlewill allow English defender Lloyd Kelly, 26, to leave for Juventus in a deal that will be made permanent for £20m in the summer. (Mail), external
Joao Felix is expecting to leave Chelsea on deadline day with AC Milan and Aston Villa both interested in the 25-year-old Portugal forward. (Sky Germany), external
Manchester United have entered the race to sign Ipswich and England Under-21 striker Liam Delap, 21, who has also been linked with a move to Tottenham. (Express), external
Ajax will not allow England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, to move to Monaco during the current transfer window. (Mail), external
Brighton have had an £8m bid for teenage winger Tommy Watson, 18, turned down by Sunderland, who are expecting more offers for their England youth international. (Guardian), external
Evertonare working on a deal to sign Rennes and France left-back Adrien Truffert, 23. (Mail), external
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner wants to sign AC Milan and Serbia centre-half Strahinja Pavlovic, 23, in a £25m deal. (Sun), external
Arsenal and Italy midfielder Jorginho, 33, is close to reaching an agreement with Brazilian club Flamengo to join them in the summer. (Sky Italy, via Sky Sports), external
Napoli’s move for Al-Ahli’s 27-year-old French winger Allan Saint-Maximin – currently on loan at Fenerbahce – is in danger of falling through. (Corriere dello Sport in Italian), external
Spurs are weighing up a move for Lorient’s French striker Eli Junior Kroupi, 18, who is also being tracked by Chelsea and West Ham.(Football Insider), external
Brighton are closing in on a deal for PAOK’s Greek forward Stefanos Tzimas, 19, who is currently on loan at Nurnberg. (Sky Sports), external
Are you ready for some juicy football gossip? Here’s the latest on Tel, Disasi, Kelly, Felix, and Jorginho:
1. Tel: Rumor has it that Tel, the star striker for a top European club, is considering a move to a rival team in search of more playing time. Will he make the switch or stay put?
2. Disasi: Disasi, the young defender who has been turning heads with his impressive performances, is reportedly being scouted by several big clubs. Will he make a big-money move this summer?
3. Kelly: Kelly, the talented midfielder who has been a key player for his team, is said to be unhappy with his current contract situation. Will he push for a move away from his current club?
4. Felix: Felix, the exciting young forward who burst onto the scene last season, is rumored to be a target for several top clubs. Will he stay loyal to his current team or seek a new challenge?
5. Jorginho: Jorginho, the experienced midfielder who has been a consistent performer for his club, is reportedly attracting interest from clubs in Italy. Will he return to his homeland or stay in the Premier League?
Keep an eye on these players as the transfer window heats up and the gossip continues to swirl. Stay tuned for all the latest updates in the world of football!
Auger-Aliassime reaches 17th final with renewed indoor prowess in Montpellier
Kovacevic stuns Rublev, advances to maiden ATP Tour final
February 01, 2025
JB Autissier/Open Occitanie
Felix Auger-Aliassime in semi-final action at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier. By Jerome Coombe
Felix Auger-Aliassime is reigniting his indoor form this week at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier, where he is into his second ATP Tour final of 2025.
The second seed delivered a clinical display when under pressure to oust Jesper de Jong 6-4, 7-6(4) on Saturday and reach his first indoor championship match since he won Basel in 2023. Auger-Aliassime recovered from a break deficit in the second set, where he also saved two set points, to move into a 17th career final (6-10) after two hours, two minutes.
“The second set was very tricky, up and down,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I started serving less good and kept him in the match, but in the end I was glad I was able to come back and win in two sets. Not every match is going to be a straight road forward, so to pull it through in straight sets is a great thing.”
After suffering a back injury at the end of last season, which forced him out of the Rolex Paris Masters, Auger-Aliassime has begun the year with a renewed vigour. The 24-year-old won his sixth ATP Tour title at the Adelaide International in January and holds a 9-2 record in 2025 heading into the Montpellier final on Sunday. He is seeking his first multi-title season since he lifted four trophies, all indoors, in 2022.
In Saturday’s semi-final clash with De Jong, Auger-Aliassime held his nerve when it mattered most. The Canadian No. 1 lost his way in an error-strewn second set, where he was broken to love and forced to save two set points, but produced an emphatic response in the tie-break to seal a straight-sets victory.
“[I was] very focused until the very end, until the last ball. I have lost matches like this where you miss the forehand and all of a sudden you’re in a third set,” said Auger-Aliassime, who squandered a two-sets-to-love lead against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round at the Australian Open last month. “So I tried to stay calm and very focused until the end.”
In Sunday’s final, Auger-Aliassime will face qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic, who stunned top seed and World No. 10 Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-4 for the biggest win of his career. In a match dominated by baseline exchanges, Kovacevic produced consistent depth from both wings to irritate his opponent en route to reaching his maiden tour-level final.
“It seems like every day we have the same conversation about me playing the best match I ever played,” Kovacevic said in his on-court interview. “My level has definitely been good this week. Andrey is an incredible player, I have been watching him for years. Just stepping on the court with someone like this is a privilege.
“When you’re an underdog, playing a Top 10 opponent like that, you’re a lot more free. You have to go for it against these guys. I’m honoured to be on court with them, but if you don’t show up they’re going to take it, just like they always do.”
With his 95-minute win over Rublev, Kovacevic climbs to No. 75 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, three spots off his career high. The 26-year-old produced a gutsy display throughout his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Rublev, but was particularly fired up in the second set. Kovacevic saved a break point with a big second serve in the ninth game before reeling off four of the last five points on return in the following game to seal victory.
Felix Auger-Aliassime continues to impress on the ATP Tour, reaching his 17th final with a renewed indoor prowess in Montpellier. The young Canadian has been showcasing his talent on the indoor courts, and his recent success in Montpellier proves that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Auger-Aliassime’s run to the final in Montpellier highlights his ability to excel in different playing conditions. His aggressive playing style and powerful serves have been key factors in his success on indoor courts, where he has been able to dictate play and outsmart his opponents.
With this latest final appearance, Auger-Aliassime is proving that he is a rising star in the world of tennis. His determination and skill on the court have earned him the respect of fans and fellow players alike, and he is sure to continue making waves in the ATP Tour.
Stay tuned to see if Felix Auger-Aliassime can clinch the title in Montpellier and further solidify his status as one of the top players on the tour.
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Felix Auger-Aliassime, indoor tennis, Montpellier, ATP Tour, final, renewed prowess, young tennis star, Canadian athlete, ATP Montpellier, Felix Auger-Aliassime final, indoor tennis tournament.
The second seed at the indoor hard-court ATP 250 defeated Buyunchaokete 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals for a second consecutive year. By advancing to the last four in Montpellier, Auger-Aliassime joins Jannik Sinner (33) and Carlos Alcaraz (31) as the only players born since 2000 to reach 30 tour-level semi-finals. The 24-year-old, who won his sixth ATP Tour title at the Adelaide International earlier this month, improves to 8-2 in 2025.
“My game is more disciplined,” said Auger-Aliassime when asked about his new approach to the 2025 campaign. “I feel like last year I had some brilliant shots but also moments where I made a lot of mistakes. But now, two straight-sets wins, [I am] more solid and I am happy with that because that’s the goal. Hopefully I go one more step and get to the finals on Sunday.”
With his 51st indoor win since the start of the 2022 season, Auger-Aliassime extended his Tour lead ahead of Holger Rune (42) and Sinner (40). The former World No. 6 was imperious on serve throughout his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Buyunchaokete, during which he won 86 per cent (30/35) points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats, and fired 11 aces.
Auger-Aliassime will next face Jesper de Jong, who stunned countryman and fifth seed Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(5), 6-4 after one hour, 46 minutes to reach his maiden tour-level semi-final.
“We know each other well, it’s never easy… but I was very hungry to play him,” said De Jong, the No. 131 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “He is No. 1 in the Netherlands, the pressure is on him. I had nothing to lose so I was ready and looking forward to it.”
Competing in his first ATP Tour quarter-final, De Jong showed few signs of nerves. The 24-year-old saved each of the six break points he faced in the first set before producing a stunning backhand pass at 3/3 in the tie-break to move clear. In the second set, an out-of-sorts Griekspoor was unable to limit his unforced error count, which ultimately rose to 30.
On the other side of the draw, Andrey Rublev advanced to the semi-finals after Nikoloz Basilashvili was forced to retire with the top seed leading 5-2 in the first set. With his second win of the 2025 season, the 27-year-old advanced to his 42nd ATP Tour semi-final, and first since reaching the ATP Masters 1000 Montreal final in August last year.
“I played many great matches with Niko, he won many of them and I won some of them as well,” said Rublev, who now leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4-3. “He’s a really great player and a really nice person, so I hope that it’s nothing serious and that he will recover for the next week.”
With a title run in Montpellier, Rublev would become the fourth man to win his first 17 tour-level titles all at different events in ATP Tour history (since 1990) after Medvedev (20), Stich (18) and Ivanisevic (17).
Rublev will next face American qualifier Aleksandar Kovacevic, who upset two-time champion Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-2. Kovacevic, 26, won 84 per cent of his first-serve points and fended off all eight break points he faced. The former University of Illinois standout is into his second tour-level semi-final and first since 2022 Seoul. Kovacevic is up to No. 83 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
Felix Auger-Aliassime continued his impressive run at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, defeating Buyunchaokete in straight sets to reach his second consecutive semi-final at the tournament.
The Canadian rising star showcased his exceptional talent and determination on the court, overpowering his opponent with his powerful serves and aggressive baseline game. Auger-Aliassime’s consistency and composure under pressure were evident throughout the match, as he maintained control and capitalized on his opportunities to secure a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
With this win, Auger-Aliassime advances to the semi-finals of the ATP Tour event in Montpellier for the second year in a row, further solidifying his status as one of the top young talents in men’s tennis. His impressive performance in this tournament serves as a testament to his potential and ability to compete at the highest level.
Fans and tennis enthusiasts alike can look forward to watching Auger-Aliassime continue his pursuit of glory in Montpellier as he aims to reach the final and potentially claim his first ATP Tour title. Stay tuned for more updates on Felix Auger-Aliassime’s exciting journey in the world of professional tennis.
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Felix Auger-Aliassime, ATP Tour, Montpellier, semi-final, Buyunchaokete, tennis, Canadian player, young talent, tournament, professional sports, victory, match, competition, French Open, Grand Slam, rising star
Scouting Report: Rublev, Auger-Aliassime headline action in Montpellier
An executive summary of what every fan should know about the coming week
January 26, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Richard Gasquet will all compete in Montpellier this week. By ATP Staff
The ATP Tour heads to Europe this week for the first indoor hard-court action of 2025 at the Open Occitanie in Montpellier.
Top 10 star Andrey Rublev leads the field in the south of France, where Felix Auger-Aliassime and defending champion Alexander Bublik will also compete. Former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka plays as a wild card, while home favourite Richard Gasquet, who has triumphed in Montpellier a joint-record three times, is set to make his farewell appearance at the ATP 250.
ATPTour.com looks at five things to watch this week.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH IN MONTPELLIER 1) Top Seed Rublev: The hard-hitting Rublev heads to Montpellier chasing his first match win of the 2025 season following early exits in Hong Kong and at the Australian Open. The 27-year-old will be confident of finding his best form under the roof in Montpellier: he has won six of his 16 ATP Tour titles indoors. Rublev, who will open against Christopher Eubanks or a qualifier, reached the quarter-finals on his only previous event appearance in 2018.
2) Can Felix Fire In France?: In contrast to Rublev, Auger-Aliassime has already notched six tour-level wins this year, including four en route to the title at the Adelaide International. The Canadian, who is currently No. 23 in the PIF ATP Rankings, will aim to improve on his 2024 semi-final run in Montpellier when he chases his sixth indoor hard-court ATP Tour crown. The 24-year-old, who is the second seed, will begin his tournament against Wawrinka or Frenchman Arthur Cazaux.
3) Bublik Chases Montpellier Hat-trick: The man Auger-Aliassime fell to in the last four a year ago was Bublik, who went on to clinch his second Montpellier title in three years. The Kazakhstani is 10-2 at the ATP 250 event. The fourth seed, who also has a bye, will play German Dominik Koepfer or French wild card Gregoire Barrere in the second round.
4) Gasquet, Wawrinka In Action: Home fans will have their final chance in Montpellier to cheer on three-time titlist Gasquet, who last year announced he plans to retire after 2025 Roland Garros. The Frenchman is 28-9 in Montpellier, where he triumphed in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Another former Top 10 star, Wawrinka, will make his event debut, while 2018 titlist Lucas Pouille and 2021 winner David Goffin join Gasquet and Bublik as former champions in the draw.
5) Doumbia/Reboul Defend Crown: In 2024, Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul lifted their maiden ATP Tour title on home soil (and second overall) by triumphing in Montpellier. They will hope to channel local support to great effect once again. The top-seeded pair’s rivals in this year’s draw include second seeds Jamie Murray/Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hong Kong champions Sander Arends/Luke Johnson. Wawrinka is playing doubles with Cazaux, his first-round singles opponent.
Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime headline the exciting field at the upcoming Montpellier tournament on the ATP Tour. As two of the rising stars in men’s tennis, fans can expect some thrilling matches as they battle it out on the court.
Rublev, currently ranked No. 8 in the world, has been in top form recently, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and clinching the title in Rotterdam last year. Known for his powerful baseline game and aggressive style of play, the Russian will be a formidable opponent for anyone in the draw.
Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime, ranked No. 12, has also been making waves on the tour with his dynamic playing style and impressive results. The Canadian reached the final in Marseille last year and will be looking to make a strong showing in Montpellier.
With other talented players like David Goffin and Jannik Sinner also set to compete, tennis fans can look forward to a week of high-quality matches and intense competition. Stay tuned for all the action at the Montpellier tournament as Rublev, Auger-Aliassime, and the rest of the field battle it out for the title.
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Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Montpellier, ATP Tour, tennis, players, tournament, rankings, match, schedule, results, competition, sports, event, France, professional, athletes
A little over five years ago, Félix Hernández departed the mound for the final time. The 2019 season had been a rough one for him, marred by a shoulder injury and the end of a decline that had started all the way back in 2017.
Despite only pitching 71 2/3 innings for the Mariners that year and posting a 6.40 ERA, he was sent off to raucous applause and cheering, an emotional conclusion to a stellar career in Seattle.
With six All-Star selections, two ERA titles, and a Cy Young award under his belt, King Félix will now seek to join baseball’s elite in achieving the most-prized accolade in the sport: earning a plaque in the Hall of Fame. His case isn’t as clear-cut as former teammate Ichiro Suzuki’s, but his candidacy has strong statistical backing in addition to an outpouring of qualitatative support from his fans.
Let’s start with the numbers. Over the 2,729 2/3 career innings he pitched, all with the Mariners, he posted a 3.42 ERA and a 117 ERA+. He has 169 wins (an even more incredible accomplishment given the quality of his offense during his prime) and 2,524 strikeouts. He leads the franchise in innings pitched, strikeouts, starts (418), and pitching rWAR (49.9).
To non-Mariners fans, he’s most well-known for throwing a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012, narrowly securing a 1-0 victory. In fact, he is the only pitcher in baseball history to throw a perfect game, immaculate inning, and a four-strikeout inning.
So what’s holding him back? The biggest obstacle is his lack of longevity. He retired very young at just 33 years old, just a year older than Luis Castilllo is now. He debuted at 19 which still gave him a solid 15 years of big league work but if he had managed to stick around for a few more years and had tenures similar in length to other names on the ballot like CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, he would likely be a shoo-in.
Furthermore, key counting stat milestones like reaching 3,000 strikeouts or 200 wins are held in very high regard among the voters. For example, Ichiro’s inclusion in the 3,000-hit club is likely a major driver behind his current Hall of Fame sentiment. Based on public ballot data, Felix will likely have the 5% vote required to stick around on the ballot, but he’s still a far cry from being inducted.
Felix Hernandez was the most fascinating baseball player I’ve ever https://t.co/VRxND5edNK’s why I voted for him for all the Hall of Fame. And I will continue to do so in the years to come https://t.co/azrOYamWmk
In a best-case scenario, he’ll follow in the footsteps of fellow franchise legend Edgar Martínez and get in at the last second. Martinez, being a soft-spoken designated hitter who played in the smallest market on the West Coast for all of his career, struggled to win the support of writers until he received outspoken praise from the likes of Pedro Martínez, Randy Johnson, and Mariano Rivera. He was a unique case being one of the first pure DHs to be on the ballot, and once the writers knew how to properly compare him to his peers they finally came around.
Unfortunately for Felix, writers are no strangers to analyzing starting pitchers. Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson were the first to be elected to the hall in 1936 and it has been a steady stream of generational talent since then. For pitchers who fail to accumulate the incredible counting stats of Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, and Steve Carlton, the other option is to have a dominant peak akin to Sandy Koufax or Catfish Hunter.
On this day in 2012, Félix Hernández threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history.
How the writers perceive his candidacy remains to be seen since this will be the first time this discussion is seriously had. For now, he’ll have to continue relying on what his fans have always done best, support him through to the very end. His results could also sway the future hopes of another franchise great who will soon be eligible himself.
As Seattle Mariners fans, we have been privileged to witness the greatness of Felix Hernandez on the mound for over a decade. From his dazzling pitching performances to his unwavering loyalty to the team, King Felix has solidified his place in Mariners history.
Now, as his career winds down and retirement looms on the horizon, Mariners fans are rallying around his case for the Hall of Fame. Despite never winning a World Series or a Cy Young award, Hernandez’s career accomplishments speak for themselves. With over 2,500 strikeouts, a perfect game, six All-Star appearances, and an AL ERA title, Felix has cemented himself as one of the best pitchers of his generation.
But beyond the numbers, it’s Hernandez’s impact on the Mariners organization and the city of Seattle that truly sets him apart. He has been a mentor to younger players, a leader in the clubhouse, and a beloved figure in the community. His dedication to the team and the city has endeared him to fans in a way that transcends statistics.
As Mariners fans, we believe that Felix Hernandez deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame. His legacy as a player and as a person is one that should be celebrated and remembered for years to come. Let’s rally together to support King Felix and make sure his greatness is recognized in Cooperstown. #FelixHOF2023 #GoMariners
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Felix Hernandez, Mariners, Hall of Fame, baseball, fan support, Seattle Mariners, MLB, Felix Hernandez Hall of Fame case, King Felix, baseball fans, Mariners fans, Felix Hernandez retirement, baseball legend, Felix Hernandez career stats, Felix Hernandez highlights
On Tuesday afternoon, the 2025 class for the National Baseball Hall of Fame will be announced. Former Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki is going to get in, though it’s a question of if he will be a unanimous selection or not.
When he does get in, he’ll become the third player in history to wear an M’s cap on his plaque, joining Ken Griffey Jr. and Edgar Martinez.
One Mariners player that won’t get in on Tuesday is starting pitcher Felix Hernandez. With 183 ballots currently known, Hernandez has 26.2 percent of the vote. It’s impossible for him to get in on this ballot, but he’s achieved the five percent of the vote needed to stay on the ballot next year.
His former teammate Robinson Cano, speaking with Mariners on SI last week, said he’d like to see Hernandez get in in the future.
“He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. We all know what he did in Seattle….”
Felix Hernandez won’t get into the Hall of Fame tomorrow, but his former teammate Robinson Cano says he deserves to get in someday.#TridentsUppic.twitter.com/ULhcfUtFWP
Hernandez won a Cy Young and was a two-time Cy Young runner-up. He was a six-time All-Star who also threw a perfect game. He’s a member of the Mariners Hall of Fame and had a run of 16 straight starts of seven or more innings pitched and two runs or less allowed, which made baseball history in 2014.
Lifetime, Hernandez was 169-136 with a 3.42 ERA. He made 419 career appearances, with 418 of them being starts. He struck out 2,524 career batters, the most in M’s team history. He played 15 years, all with the M’s.
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Former Seattle Mariners star Robinson Cano took to social media today to express his support for longtime teammate Felix Hernandez’s Hall of Fame bid. Cano, who played alongside Hernandez for several seasons with the Mariners, praised the pitcher’s accomplishments and impact on the game.
In his post, Cano highlighted Hernandez’s impressive career statistics, including his 2,524 strikeouts, 3.42 ERA, and six All-Star selections. Cano also emphasized Hernandez’s leadership and presence in the clubhouse, noting that he was a mentor to many young players on the team.
Cano concluded his post by stating that Hernandez deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame and urging voters to consider his contributions to the game. Mariners fans and baseball enthusiasts alike have echoed Cano’s sentiments, with many agreeing that Hernandez’s stellar career is deserving of recognition in Cooperstown.
As Hernandez’s Hall of Fame candidacy continues to be debated, it’s clear that he has the support of his former teammate Cano and many others who appreciate his talent and impact on the game.
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