Luis Enrique emphatically insisted that he believes PSG will beat Barcelona in Spain despite going down 3-2 in the first leg of the quarter-final.

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Raphinha magic condemned PSG to defeat Gianluigi Donnarumma and Kylian Mbappe had a dismal outingEnrique backs his men to turn around the fixture in Spain WHAT HAPPENED?

Despite Paris Saint-Germain surrendering a 2-1 lead late in the second half, Enrique has expressed unwavering confidence in his team's ability to make a comeback on Tuesday, April 16 at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc. He mentioned that his troops would take the pitch in the second leg deeming it a final – prepared to give their all to achieve continental glory.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWHAT ENRIQUE SAID

Speaking to reporters after the match, Enrique said: "All defeats hurt and bother, but this match, like all others, has had ups and downs. We started well, dominating, but after 0-1, we had doubts when it came to putting pressure against a Barça with a lot of quality who knew how to break the pressure. At half-time, we changed things and we were able to turn the game around, but after a wonderful play from the second line it was 2-2 and then it was 2-3 from a corner. We had two goals, but the result was negative.

"We have been good on an emotional level, but when you concede a goal at home it is normal for moments of doubt to come and we already consider the Barcelona match as a final to go and win. I congratulate Barça for the victory. We could have obtained another result. We accept the result and are now thinking about the return in Barcelona."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kylian Mbappe remained an anonymous figure throughout the 90 minutes and barring a couple of dribbles, had little impact on the match. However, Enrique refrained from individual criticism and stated: "I'm not talking individually after a defeat, I'm talking about the team, about the work, about many things to improve and the coach is the most responsible."

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READY FOR A 'WAR' IN BARCELONA

Despite Barcelona's narrow advantage, Enrique remained undeterred, asserting PSG's readiness to approach the return leg as a battle to be won. Drawing from his experience, including winning the treble with Barcelona in 2015, Enrique maintained that PSG deserved more from the match and refused to consider Barcelona as outright favourites in the upcoming fixture.

"We are going to go to Barcelona to fight a war," he said.

"I never see the opposition as favourites, whoever they are. In top-level competition, that's how I see it. And I will continue to believe that we will go to Barcelona to win the game. I repeat. We could have won this game. (Football) is about small details and let's hope that the small details go our way in the second leg.

"I have no doubt that we can achieve it and I believe that we will achieve it, if there is a team that does not speculate away from home it is us, there are six days left and we depend on winning and that the goals are not worth double away from home. All the games are open in the quarterfinals."

CA chairman David Peever sought to defend his position amid claims the board are arrogant and said now was the time to move forward

Daniel Brettig29-Oct-2018

Jacquie Hey, chair of the review sub-committee, alongside David Peever•Getty Images

Even as he delivered the findings of reviews that damned the culture he had been at the head of propagating, Cricket Australia’s chairman David Peever remained as adamant about maintaining the bans placed on David Warner, Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft as he was about keeping his own position as the lone survivor of the Newlands scandal.Apart from the banned trio directly involved in ball tampering and the subsequent cover-up, CA now has new national team captains in Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, a new coach in Justin Langer and a new chief executive in the internally hired Kevin Roberts. However, Peever, last week re-elected for three years as chairman little more than 90 minutes before the Longstaff and McCosker reviews were finally presented to the state association owners of CA, was unmoved in maintaining that the bans must stay, and also that he was the man to lead CA into better cultural territory.This meant that while Peever mouthed the words “I accept responsibility” in his initial remarks, he went on at some length to defend his own position, and deny any sense of embarrassment for the events of South Africa, while also insisting that Smith, Warner (eligible in April 2019) and Bancroft (January 2019) sit out the remainder of their sanctions. “Sanctions were carried out and imposed by the board after a very full and thoughtful process. So the sanctions stand,” he said, watched by a collection of board directors and state association chairmen.”Not at all [embarrassed], because I’m part of and associated with something that is so important to Australia. I’m not embarrassed at all. There are certainly elements of the report that we need to work on and there are 42 recommendations we have committed to. One we have said we won’t do. The rest are works in progress and in the case of several, it’s not what but how.Reviews make case for ban reduction – ACA

Bans imposed on David Warner, Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft for their parts in the Newlands ball tampering scandal should be re-examined in light of systemic failings raised by the independent reviews into Cricket Australia, the players union president Greg Dyer said.
“The ACA submission to the Longstaff Review reasoned the events in South Africa were in part a by-product of a culture and system which, amongst other things, placed too much pressure on players to win,” Dyer said in response to the review’s release. “The findings of the Longstaff Report affirm this. This is extremely significant, as there is now independent verification that the system and culture were contributing factors.
“Given this, there must be a reconsideration of the harshness of the penalties handed down to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Basic fairness demands these independently verified contributing factors must now be taken into consideration and the penalties reduced.”

“As chairman of the board of CA I accept responsibility for what happened in South Africa, but I’m also very confident that we’re positioned to move forward from here. We’ve learned many lessons and of course there has been a lot going on since then. Both within the playing group and within the organisation itself to move things forward.”In acknowledging that the review had identified CA as “arrogant” in its approach to other organisations, whether it be the state associations, the Australian Cricketers Association or corporate partners and broadcasters, Peever also accepted that there was a considerable gap between how CA’s board and executives had perceived the organisation and how the rest of the cricket community viewed it in reality.”It’s very important that we understand there is a view in the cricket community that Cricket Australia is perceived as arrogant,” Peever said. “What we have to do now is to take that information and understand what it is that we’re doing and need to be doing better to make sure that what we do is get the very best out of the whole cricket ecosystem across the country.””It certainly has identified, as is clear, gaps between what we feel as directors and what senior executives feel and what others feel, and that is helpful. I think it’s difficult because it is confronting and it’s difficult because we might not have believed that, and whether it is reality or perception, what’s important is we take the sentiments and use them to make the game better.”We didn’t put sufficient emphasis on the spirit of the game in our pursuit of wanting to be the very best we could on the field. I think that’s been recognised and we’re using the report now as an opportunity to do better.”It followed naturally from this acknowledgement that questions needed to be asked about how Peever could possibly be the leader to make the required changes to the organisation. But when Peever was queried over how possible this was, the response came from his fellow board director Jacquie Hey, who chaired the subcommittee that set the review’s terms of reference and deliberated on how it would be disseminated.”Change at least in my experience needs to come from understanding what the issue is first, and this was at least the first time for a long time we have asked for an independent view of what’s going on,” Hey said. “Listening to that view and taking action is what kicks off change, and that’s how change happens. That’s the mandate Kevin has from the board to focus on the strategy and the mandate for change.”Sometimes you do need to stop and take stock. I think that’s a really important process for us to have undergone, and I’m very hopeful where this will lead is and how cricket will develop and evolve from here.”One of the many areas explored by the review was the governance structure of Australian cricket, and it stated that CA’s board and executive had a task ahead to work better with the system as it is, not as either the centralist CA leadership or the federalist states would prefer it to be.”It is essential that CA and its stakeholders make the most of the status quo,” the review stated. “That is, CA and the State and Territory Associations need to reinforce a culture of collaboration in which CA is seen as being nothing more (nor less) than first amongst equals. This will require CA to address the perception that it is (or believes itself to be) the sole or principal custodian of Australian cricket. That is, for all of its wealth and associated power, CA needs to be seen as more of a partner in the development of the game – rather than its master.”Changing such perceptions will be no easy matter. Many of cricket’s stakeholders perceive CA to be arrogant and high-handed. CA is believed to presume an authority that others have not ceded. The success of CA in managing the commercial opportunities open to cricket – and the extraordinary financial resources that it has caused to flow to the game – is acknowledged … but not as a source of legitimacy.”Instead, CA is often resented even though the logic of its position and preferences may be unquestionable. In the end, the response to CA rests on a question of the values and principles that one chooses to prioritise. Is precedence accorded to efficiency and effectiveness over mutual respect? Is maximising economic opportunity of greater importance than allowing for local autonomy?”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians conseguiu sua primeira virada em 2020 após vencer o Goiás, por 2 a 1, na Neo Química Arena. Um dos responsáveis pelo resultado positivo foi Juan Cazares, que participou com dois passes para gols na partida.

Retrospectiva 2020 – Corinthians: Fraco no campo, mas com naming rights
​
A evolução do Timão em dezembro, que está sem perder há cinco jogos, passa também pelo crescimento do equatoriano no Alvinegro, que ainda não marcou pelo clube. No entanto, Cazares é o líder isolado em assistências (4) e grandes chances criadas (5) do Corinthians, segundo o site SofaScore. Isso com apenas quatro jogos como titular e outros oito vindo do banco.

Os números não mentem

O site de estatísticas indica que o meia precisa de124 minutos para dar uma assistência, além de ter contribuído com18 passes decisivos e 5grandes chances criadas nos 12 jogos disputados.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians acaba o ano com o pior aproveitamento na Neo Química ArenaCorinthians22/12/2020CorinthiansJô admite volta antecipada e fala sobre as lideranças do CorinthiansCorinthians22/12/2020CorinthiansNatal sem descanso! Veja a intensa programação de treinos do CorinthiansCorinthians22/12/2020

Ainda, com os dois passes para gol contra o Esmeraldino, ele chegou a 19 assistências jogando no Brasil e se consolidou na 8 posição de estrangeiros com mais assistências no Brasileirão por pontos corridos com 20 clubes, segundo levantamento do jornalista Rodolfo Rodrigues.

Também é possível atribuir o crescimento do gringo com a queda de Luan, que briga pela mesma posição no time titular e não aproveitou as chances que teve ao longo da temporada.

Função tática

Com Mancini, o camisa 10 não ocupa uma posição fixa, e costuma se movimentar com bastante liberdade tanto pelo centro como pelos lados, sempre em busca da bola.

Em alguns momentos e dependendo da postura do adversário, ele se junta ao atacante e ajuda a pressionar os defensores rivais, como aconteceu na vitória por 1 a 0 contra o São Paulo.

continua após a publicidade

Últimodesafio do ano e renovação de contrato

O Corinthians chegou aos 36 pontos e subiu para a 9ª colocação do Brasileirão. Agora, a equipe que chegou a flertar com o rebaixamento está a cinco do Palmeiras, primeiro time dentro do G-6.

O próximo compromisso do Timão é no próximo domingo (27), contra o Botafogo, às 16h, no Engenhão, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão.

Com o novo presidente, Duílio Monteiro Alves, a diretoria precisará decidir se irá renovar ou não com Cazares, já que o vínculo do equatoriano com o Corinthians se encerra em junho de 2021.

* Sob supervisão de Marcio Monteiro

Leeds United head into the last weekend before the November international break in third place in the Championship and eight points off the automatic places.

The Whites could close the gap to within a two-game swing if results go their way but their current position shows that they have had a strong start to life back in the second tier.

German head coach Daniel Farke was brought in over the summer and has been able to get the side firing after their relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.

His business throughout the summer transfer window has played an important role in their recent success as nine new players were brought in.

Joel Piroe, Jaidon Anthony, Djed Spence, Glen Kamara, Joe Rodon, Ilia Gruev, Sam Byram, Ethan Ampadu, and Karl Darlow were all signed either permanently or on loan.

However, an impressive start to the campaign may not stop the Whites from making further additions to the squad in the upcoming January transfer window, as Angus Kinnear revealed last month that funds are available to bolster the team – if needed.

One player who has recently been linked with a switch to Elland Road at the start of next year is AFC Wimbledon centre-forward Ali Al-Hamadi.

Leeds United transfer news – Ali Al-Hamadi

According to a report from TEAMtalk, EFL outfits Blackburn Rovers and Derby County are both interested in a possible deal to land the Iraq international in January.

Leeds have also been credited with an interest in the talented marksman and Wimbledon are said to be reluctant to lose him ahead of the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, the League Two outfit are bracing themselves for possible offers from the aforementioned clubs after they turned down approaches from Barnsley and Peterborough over the summer.

Before the last transfer window slammed shut, journalist Darren Witcoop reported that they were looking for a fee in excess of £1.2m for the impressive finisher.

It remains to be seen whether or not Leeds are willing to meet Wimbledon's valuation. However, Al-Hamadi could be an exciting addition to Farke's squad and a lethal partner for current first-team ace Georgino Rutter if he is able to make the step up to Championship football.

The right-footed whiz could provide Piroe with competition for his place to ensure that there is no complacency amongst the frontline, as the Dutch forward has struggled in recent weeks.

He scored four goals in his first five Championship outings for the Whites and has since managed just one goal and one assist in seven clashes.

However, Farke does not have the options to adequately replace him in the XI, even for a few matches, as Patrick Bamford has failed to provide a goal or an assist in seven league games this season, despite racking up 1.16 xG.

This suggests that Leeds could benefit from snapping up a talented forward who could keep Piroe on his toes and provide Rutter with another attacker to link up with at the top end of the pitch.

Rutter's statistics this season

The French maestro has enjoyed a phenomenal start to the 2023/24 campaign and has showcased his ability to make a consistent impact in the final third as a scorer and a creator.

Playing in a hybrid forward role that sees him start as the focal point whilst having the freedom to drop deep to collect the ball and make things happen, Rutter has been an exceptional creative talent for Farke.

The former Hoffenheim starlet has created a staggering 14 'big chances' in 13 Championship starts and created 2.6 key passes per match, to go along with his three league strikes.

Bristol City

N/A

Five

Norwich

Assist

Two

Stoke

N/A

Three

Huddersfield

Assist

Four

Leicester

Goal

Two

Talent scout Jacek Kulig recently revealed that the attacker leads the way in the division for 'big chances' created and hailed him as a "joy to watch".

After struggling, with zero goals and one assist in 11 matches, in the Premier League last season, Rutter has been able to hit his stride at Elland Road this term and has proven himself to be an influential figure at the top end of the pitch as Leeds fight to return to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

The statistics that show why Al-Hamadi could be a good signing for Leeds

Signing the 21-year-old ace would be a gamble by Farke and the Whites as the attacker is yet to prove himself as a consistent performer outside of League Two.

However, the talented youngster has plenty of years ahead of him to develop and grow and could be brought in as someone with the potential to make an immediate impact whilst also being a long-term project who could improve over time.

Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson once described Al-Hamadi as a "great foil" for his strike partner as his ability to play off the shoulder of the last defender causes panic and creates space between the lines for another player to drop into.

This could make him a perfect ace to play alongside Rutter as the French magician could thrive in the space that the Iraq international is able to create with his movement and centre-forward play – given his outstanding creative quality.

Al-Hamadi's form throughout 2023 also suggests that the potential is there for him to provide goals and assists on a regular basis if he is able to make the step up to Championship level.

The impressive youngster has contributed with four goals and five assists in 13 league starts throughout the 2023/24 campaign, after managing an eye-catching ten goals and one assist in 15 starts in the second half of last term.

This means that the 6 foot 2 Wimbledon star has contributed with 14 goals and six assists in his last 28 league matches for the club, which is an average of one goal contribution every 1.4 matches – compared to Piroe's one every 3.5 games over the last seven outings.

He could, therefore, be a lethal partner for Rutter in 2024 – with their respective ability to score and assist goals on a regular basis – and excellent competition for the Dutch marksman if Farke is able to secure a deal for his services, and help him to adapt to Championship football.

Liverpool have reportedly identified a new transfer target as Jurgen Klopp continues to bolster his squad after a challenging 2022/23 season, with the current campaign producing far greater results.

Klopp's squad fell by the wayside last year and there were credible concerns that the esteemed and adored manager was past his peak, headed for a miserable ending to his Anfield reign, not befitting of a man who has done so much for the red half of this city.

Finishing fifth in the Premier League, the Reds were in a pretty dire position heading into the business end, and looked destined for an abject end to the seasonal journey after fighting, and failing, for the quadruple the year before.

Perhaps the bitter blow of falling just short in both the Premier League and Champions League, and for all Klopp's efforts to crowbar some cohesion into his sapped side, the blunt fact was that the midfield was no longer fit for purpose.

Of course, that's all changed now, and a plaintive atmosphere has been wiped away, replaced by a palpable sense of optimism that Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo can sustain the engine room's form this season, with success across multiple fronts very much on the cards.

The work is never done though, and the industrial midfield rebuild came at the expense of defensive acquisitions, which now looks to be at the forefront of Klopp and co's strategy going forward.

Liverpool transfer news

According to a report from Football Insider late last month, Liverpool have 'set their sights' on Ajax defender Devyne Rensch, who has been one of the Dutch Eredivisie's most exciting prospects over the past several years.

A multi-action defender, Rensch has primarily featured as a right-back this season, and while Liverpool are well-equipped in that particular position with vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, there has been a call for depth.

20-year-old defender Calvin Ramsey was touted for such a role after joining from Aberdeen in a £6.5m transfer last year, but has been horribly affected by injuries, playing just twice.

Rensch, also aged 20, is valued at £10m by Football Transfers, is also on Arsenal's radar and could be the perfect, unrefined starlet to be moulded into a valuable member of Liverpool's team.

Devyne Rensch's style of play

Ajax might be bottom of the Dutch top flight right now in what has been a shocking and catastrophic decline, but Rensch can hardly be blamed for the demise at such a young age, having demonstrated such promise in the early phase of his career.

Having risen through the esteemed De Toekomst youth ranks, Rensch has now forged 101 displays for his team, posting seven goals and six assists.

The one-cap Netherlands international's contract is set for expiry in 2025, which makes next year the perfect opportunity for Liverpool to test Ajax's resolve and convince Rensch to make the move out of his homeland.

As per FBref, Rensch ranks among the top 1% of full-backs across divisions similar to the Eredivisie for pass completion, the top 6% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 14% for interceptions per 90, highlighting that core quality so intrinsic to Ajax youth graduates.

His deployment in the Liverpool defence could pay dividends going forward, unleashing a new dimension and bolstering effectively to enrich the depth that is requisite for the possible success on Klopp's mind.

How Devyne Rensch would perform at Liverpool

While Rensch holds a versatile capacity that would allow Klopp to deploy him across a range of positions, he appears to have found a home on the right flank of the backline.

For all of Ajax's woes this season, Rensch has not actually performed too badly and is undoubtedly one of the most talented youngsters that the bruised Eredivisie giants have to offer.

Formerly described as an “incredible” prospect by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Rensch's natural faculty for ball-playing aligns with the way Klopp strives for his team to play, focussing on energy and intensity while maintaining a passing flow that allows the frontal performers such as Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah to excel.

Speaking of Salah, the world-class forward has forged quite the career for himself on Merseyside since joining from Italian Serie A side Roma for £34m in 2017, having scored 196 goals and supplied 83 assists from 319 appearances.

Heralded as "one of the greatest of all time" by pundit and former Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen, the Egyptian star has been the offensive lynchpin of Klopp's dynasty, objectively one of the Premier League's greated attacking players.

Technically a right winger but often found drifting into central positions – something that is evidenced through Salah's rank among the top ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 4% for assists and the top 1% for touches in the attacking box per 90, staggeringly effective but hardly clinging to the touchline.

The £350k-per-week machine has benefitted immensely from the supplementation of Alexander-Arnold, whose relentless rate of assists from (technically) defence has been staggering.

Alexander-Arnold PL Assist Rank (last five full seasons)
Season	Assists	League rank
22/23	9	7th
21/22	12	2nd
20/21	7	13th
19/20	13	2nd
18/19	12	3rd
*Assist charts sourced via premierleague.com

Alexander-Arnold has acknowledged Salah's "frightening" form in the past and will forever wax lyrical over the man who has provided his boyhood club with such devastating offensive distinction, and likewise, Salah will tip his hat to the England international's superlative creativity.

The 25-year-old ranks among the top 2% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, hailed for his "genius" ability by reporter Neil Jones.

Rensch would not bring the same kind of passing ability, rather, a crispness in his ability that does not rely so heavily on aerial, defence-splitting distribution, with Alexander-Arnold ranking among only the top 52% for pass completion.

But that doesn't matter, dynamism in Salah's partner down the right channel might be good for the Reds, opening up a new dimension to ensure that rotation keeps opponents guessing.

Therefore, Klopp must do all in his power to get his hands on Rensch, who is young enough to be nurtured to the German's mould but talented enough to make a marked impact right from the get-go.

كشف أحمد سالم المتحدث الرسمي باسم نادي الزمالك حقيقة رحيل جوزيه جوميز المدير الفني لفريق الكرة خلال الفترة المقبلة، مدافعًا عن الانتقادات التي وجهت إلى أحمد سيد زيزو بسبب مشادته مع ميكالي مدرب منتخب مصر الأولمبي.

وقال أحمد سالم في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة الزمالك: “نادي الزمالك في أمس الحاجة إلى سداد مستحقات اللاعبين، مكافأة الكونفدرالية كان من المفترض كانت تسدد مكافآت اللاعبين وباقي مستحقاتهم بدلا من دفع غرامة خالد بو طيب واستخدامات أخرى”.

وأكمل: “يوجد خطة في النادي للتطوير والأعضاء سيشعرون بذلك في الفترة المقبلة، وكل ما يقال عن حقيقة استقرار جوميز على رحيل بعض اللاعبين كل هذا الكلام غير صحيح، وليس هناك صحة لـ إقالة جوميز أو رحيله عن تدريب الزمالك”.

طالع.. مران الزمالك | تدريبات بدنية وفنية.. وغياب عبد الله السعيد قبل مواجهة الجونة

وأردف: “يوجد فريق كامل من أعضاء مجلس الإدارة يبذلوا مجهودًا كبيرًا جدًا في إعادة هيكلة فرق الصالات بالكامل رغم الصعوبات المتواجدة في النادي وسيكون هناك تدعيمات أكثر لكل الفرق الجماعية، ومجلس الإدارة يبذل قصارى جهده ولكن لديه أولويات وهي دفع مستحقات اللاعبين”.

وتابع: “الموضوع وصل لمرحلة مستفزة جدًا، تشعر وكأن زيزو هو الذي يلعب في الأولمبياد وليس منتخب مصر، يوجد تركيز شديد معه، من المفترض هي لعبة جماعية ونحن في نهاية الموسم”.

وواصل: “كان ممكن لـ زيزو أن يختار الحصول على راحة أو يعتذر مثل الكثيرين الذين اعتذروا، ولكن هو استجاب لمهمة وطنية”.

واختتم: “كلنا شاهدنا فيديو زيزو مع اللاعبين ودوره القيادي معهم، وأتمنى أن ننسى الانتماءات وندعم منتخب مصر، ونترك زيزو في حاله”.

Zimbabwe were dealt a major blow in the Mirpur Test against Bangladesh, after fast bowler Tendai Chatara was stretched off with a suspected Grade 2 tear on his left quadriceps muscle. The injury occurred in the 100th over of the Bangladesh first innings. Chatara pulled up while running in to deliver the over’s third ball, and after some initial checks by the physiotherapist, he was carried away from the ground.A Zimbabwe Cricket spokesperson confirmed the extent of the injury afterwards, but said that there may be more updates on Chatara’s condition as the day progressed.Chatara had been in good form prior to the injury, having taken 1 for 34 in 22.2 overs, with 12 maidens. He had also played a critical role in Zimbabwe’s famous victory in the Sylhet Test, where his three-wicket burst in the first innings opened up Bangladesh’s batting line-up, which eventually collapsed twice in the game.

Chelsea are in the market for new players in January and Mykhailo Mudryk has now thrown his own weight behind the idea of bringing a reported target to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea transfer updates…

Leading up to January, Chelsea will be expected to carry out their extravagant recruitment drive as Mauricio Pochettino aims to bring the best quality available to him in to Stamford Bridge. As most of the footballing world will now know, the Blues have identified Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as their number one striker target as they look to add some elite quality at the top end of the pitch in mid-season, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The report states that the Nigeria international could cost over £100 million to acquire; however, Osimhen is said to be open to the possibility of a move to west London after enduring some difficult relationships in his time at Serie A champions Napoli.

Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez is also believed to be in the sights of Todd Boehly and company following his extraordinary run of form in the Eredivisie; however, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Arsenal all have their eyes on the prolific Mexican forward ahead of the January transfer window.

Potentially available for just £35 million, Gimenez could help to plug the gap in the final third for Chelsea, offering a more cost-effective solution to their goalscoring woes that Osimhen; however, we will need to wait and see on that front.

Chelsea's recent results – all competitions

Opponent & result

Venue

Newcastle United 4-1 Chelsea

St James' Park

Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City

Stamford Bridge

Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 0-2 Brentford

Stamford Bridge

Now, another report had indicated that midfield is also a priority for the Blues this window, with one particular target gaining the approval of Chelsea winger Mudryk.

Chelsea keen on Georgiy Sudakov

According to reports in Italy, via Sport Witness, Chelsea are interested in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, who is also believed to have captured the attention of Serie A giants Juventus.

The outlet claim that Chelsea have a financial advantage over Juventus in the hunt to sign the Ukraine international, who Blues' winger Mudryk is said to have urged boss Pochettino to bring to Stamford Bridge. Several other clubs have also took notice of his consistent form in his homeland.

Offering an offensive threat from the engine room this campaign, Sudakov has netted three goals and laid on one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions for Shakhtar Donetsk (Sudakov statistics – Transfermarkt).

Labelled a "top talent" by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the 21-year-old has also shown his capacity to be a creative presence on the field, recording an average of 1.5 shots, 1.5 completed dribbles and 1.3 key passes in the Ukrainian top-flight across 2023/24 (Sudakov statistics – WhoScored).

Undoutedly, Sudakov has all of the attributes to be a success in the Premier League and it is unsurprising that Chelsea have made their interest known in his talents.

Related Latest Chelsea transfer news: Blues react to Omorodion chaos; trio banished

Enzo Maresca has already made some big decisions at Chelsea this summer.

Posts ByDominic Lund Aug 12, 2024

Joselu hailed Jude Bellingham for belonging to a "different class" and revealed that the English midfielder has "touched everyone" at Real Madrid.

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• Bellingham shining at Real Madrid
• Has been learning Spanish to gel with his team-mates
• Admired for being an invaluable asset to Real Madrid

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At just 20 years old, Bellingham has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike with his remarkable performances in Spain. With 20 goals to his name, he has firmly entrenched himself as a pivotal figure in Carlo Ancelotti's tactical setup. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Bellingham's versatility and ability to create scoring opportunities for his team-mates have earned him plaudits from Los Blancos striker Joselu.

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  WHAT JOSELU SAID

  "Jude’s different class. Physically, he’s incredible. He’s very humble, a great teammate," Joselu remarked to , shedding light on Bellingham's exceptional attributes.

  "From the start, he tried to speak Spanish. He’s touched everyone’s hearts: he’s very special. I learned English when I was there and we speak a lot. I try to help. Jude can achieve everything he sets his mind to. He has the potential to be really important for England and Madrid for, pfff, as long as he wants. He gives us something extra, not just as a goalscorer."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Joselu's testimonial highlights the positive influence Bellingham has had both on and off the pitch, with his dedication to integrating into the team culture resonating deeply with his colleagues. However, Bellingham's journey to Real Madrid was not without its drama, as the club fended off interest from Manchester City to secure his services in a blockbuster transfer worth €103 million (£88m/$111m) from Borussia Dortmund. Since his arrival, Bellingham has quickly endeared himself to the demanding fanbase at the Santiago Bernabeu and was welcomed with a special banner after he made his return following a two-match ban for his X-rated rant at the referee against Valencia.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  As the 2023-24 campaign draws to a close, Bellingham will be eager to add to his trophy cabinet, with aspirations of clinching La Liga and Champions League titles to complement the Supercopa triumph achieved under Ancelotti's stewardship. And with Real Madrid gearing up for a crucial showdown against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday evening, the stage is set for Bellingham to once again showcase his talents on the European stage.

Aston Villa could decide to make a move for a new central talisman should they lose Douglas Luiz in January, according to a reliable journalist.

Arsenal's interest in Douglas Luiz

NSWE, Monchi and Unai Emery will be aware that Arsenal are long-term admirers of Luiz, but he’s also been attracting significant interest from Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The Midlands outfit are adamant that they won’t be entertaining offers from any of his potential suitors no matter the size in the new year, as per the same outlet, but should they receive a bid they can’t refuse, they will have to enter the market to find a suitable replacement.

Latest Aston Villa transfer news: Unai eyes £40m deal; Saudi club want star

It’s a huge summer for Aston Villa and Unai Emery as they prepare for the Champions League.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 11, 2024

Manchester City defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips first joined Pep Guardiola’s side from Leeds United last summer, but it’s fair to say that he’s remained significantly low down in the pecking order during his time so far at the Etihad Stadium.

The England international has made zero starts and just four substitute appearances this season in the Premier League (WhoScored – Philips statistics), showing how out of favour he is, and the 27-year-old’s situation has alerted chiefs that there’s a chance he could be available for transfer in January.

Aston Villa monitoring Kalvin Phillips

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Neil Moxley suggested that Aston Villa could sign Phillips if they were to sell Luiz, but he made it clear that his arrival could force the manager to slightly alter his style of play.

“I think they would. The only slight sort of drawback to that would be that Emery would probably be playing with a defensive two in front of his back four, and he does sort of do that with Luiz and Boubacar Kamara at the moment, but Luiz is allowed to move a little bit more forward.

“Phillips is, as we know, a defensive midfielder, he gets and gives the ball from side to side and he doesn't really venture forward too much. His defensive capabilities are what's got him the move to Manchester City.

“Do I see it as being a natural fit? If Phillips was to go to Aston Villa, it may need a tweak in the tactics which are being deployed.”

Phillips is a "Rolls Royce" in the centre

Over the last 365 days, Phillips ranks in the 99th percentile for pass completion by midfielders, so he’s extremely calm and composed in possession, whilst also listing in the 95th percentile for clearances, proving he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and get rid of the danger before it reaches his backline (FBRef – Phillips statistics).

Guardiola’s £150k-per-week earner (Man City salaries), is capable of operating in three positions in the midfield alongside as a centre-back at the heart of the defence, so his versatility means that he would be able to easily adapt to the demands of Emery.

The “Rolls Royce” England international, as dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting, even shares the same representative, CAA Stellar, as Ezri Konsa and Bertrand Traore (Aston Villa agents), so this existing connection that his management already have to the club could give the board a small advantage should they try to get a deal over the line in January.