Antonee Robinson assists on Fulham's last-second winner, helps side seal a 2-1 win over Brentford
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Robinson provides late assistWilson scores diving headerFulham escape with 2-1 winFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
U.S. international Antonee Robinson helped seal a massive win for Fulham against Brentford with a last second assist to secure three points.
Fulham were behind for nearly all of Monday's clash with Brentford, with Vitaly Janelt's 24th-minute goal giving the visitors a lead they held until stoppage time. Harry Wilson leveled the scoreline at 1-1 with a goal in the 92nd minute, seemingly earning Fulham one point.
They'd end up with all three, though. Robinson broke through on the left and whipped in a cross in the 97th minute, putting the ball right on Wilson's head. His flicked-on header found the back of the net, sealing a huge come-from-behind win at Craven Cottage.
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Robinson continues to be a key piece for Fulham, with his latest big moment earning the club a win that few could have predicted. The American was Fulham's Player of the Season in their last campaign and, to start this one, Robinson already has three assists, including Monday's vital set-up of Wilson's last-gasp winner.
That's great news for the USMNT, as Robinson remains a key piece on the left side of defense under new coach Mauricio Pochettino.
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ROBINSON?
Fulham will play one more match before the start of the international break, with Robinson assumed to be part of the USMNT squad for the key Nations League clashes with Jamaica. Prior to that, though, Fulham will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their final pre-international break match.
After his planned stint at Surrey was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Michael Neser has belatedly got the chance to play county cricket in 2021 after signing with Glamorgan for the County Championship and Royal London Cup.Neser, 30, will link up with Queensland team-mate Marnus Labuschagne in Cardiff, with the pair filling Glamorgan’s overseas quota for four-day and 50-over cricket following Marchant de Lange’s departure to Somerset. Labuschagne is also set to be available in T20 cricket, pending his international commitments, and they have one remaining overseas spot for the Blast.ALSO READ: Somerset sign de Lange from Glamorgan on overseas dealLabuschagne has previously credited his time at the club ahead of the 2019 Ashes as a springboard for his international breakthrough, and Neser – who is yet to make his Test debut despite regularly featuring in Australia squads – said he hoped that it could have a similar effect on his career.”I’m thrilled to sign for Glamorgan and play in Wales,” Neser said. “I’ve played with a few guys who have played at Glamorgan – Charlie Hemphrey, Usman Khawaja, and especially Marnus – and they’ve had nothing but praise for the club, the way things are done, the culture at Sophia Gardens and the friendliness of all the staff and locals.”I’m still desperate to play county cricket after my spell this year was cancelled, so when I heard Glamorgan were interested I didn’t have to think twice. I’m keen to come over, showcase my skills, and do what I can to win games of cricket for Glamorgan. I’ve got those international ambitions, and I saw what playing for Glamorgan did for Marnus, and I’m hoping to do the same thing.”Neser started the Sheffield Shield season in style, taking his fourth career five-wicket haul before adding a maiden first-class hundred in an innings win against Tasmania. That performance prompted Justin Langer to describe him as a “fine cricketer”, having highlighted the lack of allrounders as a problem area for Australia.”I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets an opportunity with the Australian cricket team soon,” Langer said. “He’s been in lots of tours but, geez, he keeps knocking hard.”Neser was due to play in the first half of Surrey’s County Championship campaign last summer, but in early April was the first in what became a torrent of players to have an overseas deal cancelled because of international travel restrictions.With the club’s chief executive Richard Gould confirming that they would keep Hashim Amla and Morne Morkel as overseas players following the expiration of their status as Kolpak signings, they were unable to offer Neser a new deal.
Aston Villa have been admirably ambitious in the past few years, under Unai Emery's management and before, but that pursuit of prosperity has left the club teetering on the line of safety in regard to Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.
Adhering to the division's financial regulations is crucial after qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four finish, for breaching may lead to a damaging points deduction at a time of great promise.
But it's for that reason that Douglas Luiz is on the brink of a transfer to Juventus, with Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea (plus cash) heading to Villa Park in return.
Aston Villa: First Five Premier League 24/25 Fixtures
Fixture
Venue
23/24 Result
West Ham United
London Stadium
1-1 draw
Arsenal
Villa Park
1-0 win
Leicester City
King Power Stadium
N/A
Everton
Villa Park
4-0 win
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Villa Park
2-0 win
With an ostensibly winnable run of Premier League fixtures to start the 2024/25 season, Emery's working hard to seal deals early – a £35m plus fee for Ian Maatsen has also been agreed – but the Villans are certainly not done yet, with a one-time Midlands talent on the radar.
Aston Villa transfer news
As per Portuguese outlet O Jogo – via Sport Witness – Aston Villa are trying to work out a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon star Pedro Goncalves, who has been on Monchi's radar for quite some time.
Pedro Goncalves of Sporting CP
The once Molineux-based youngster was in exceptional form for Ruben Amorim's title-winning side last season and has already been the subject of a €30m (£25m) offer from Bayer Leverkusen, though this was swiftly rejected by the Liga Portugal champions.
While Goncalves is happy in his homeland, he would be tempted by the right move away, and given that Villa Park can offer him Champions League football, he might be convinced to take the next step in his career.
Why Villa are interested in Pedro Goncalves
Described as a "dangerous" player by Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert, Goncalves was instrumental in Sporting's 2023/24 campaign, scoring 18 goals and adding 17 assists across all competitions.
The 25-year-old fluctuates between the wing and a central attacking midfield position but invariably offers a prolific edge that speaks of his dynamism and fluidity.
Pedro Goncalves: 23/24 Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Left winger
29
8
10
Central midfield
13
8
6
Right winger
5
2
1
Attacking midfield
1
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
His positional flexibility is no doubt a standout element behind Emery's interest, though it is left-wing that he would find as his most regular home at Villa Park, with Aston Villa a little light on the left flank. Leon Bailey is principally a right-sided wideman and Moussa Diaby completed half of his performances last term in a central advanced role.
As the positional table above highlights, Goncalves' creativity is at its zenith when placed at left wing, though he's also an excellent goalscorer, ranking among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to Liga Portugal for goals and the top 3% for assists per 90, as per FBref.
Sporting Lisbon's Pedro Goncalves.
Hailing from Sporting Lisbon, Goncalves has drawn comparisons to the club's erstwhile playmaking leader, and Villa may well be able to replicate the success of Manchester United in signing such a player.
"The new Bruno Fernandes"
The man in question, of course, is Bruno Fernandes. Signing for Manchester United from Sporting in a deal rising to £68m back in January 2020, the Portugal international has cemented himself as one of Europe's standout attacking midfielders.
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Across all competitions for the Old Trafford side, the £240k-per-week phenom has scored 79 goals and supplied 66 assists across 233 outings, proving to be an incredibly consistent outlet as he hs proven himself to be a fantastic scorer and creator of goals from an attacking midfield position.
The road to success has been rocky on Greater Manchester's red half but Fernandes has undoubtedly been instrumental in the success the Red Devils have achieved over the past four years, winning the Carabao Cup in 2022/23 and the FA Cup last season.
The watchword would be all-encompassing. Fernandes ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for both progressive passes and clearances, and the top 12% for tackles per 90.
Like Fernandes, Goncalves likes to vary his attacking output while chipping in commendably with defensive work. He might not be quite as athletic and energetic as his predecessor but he certainly knows how to perform a dynamic game.
Goncalves vs Fernandes: League Stats 23/24
Stat
Goncalves
Fernandes
Matches played
32
35
Matches started
32
35
Goals
11
10
Assists
12
8
Pass completion
81%
79%
Big chances created
18
21
Shots per game
2.8
2.7
Key passes per game
2.0
3.3
Ball recoveries per game
3.8
5.7
Tackles per game
1.7
1.9
Dribbles per game
0.9 (38%)
0.5 (48%)
Duels won per game
3.5 (44%)
3.9 (43%)
All stats via Sofascore
It's no wonder that he's been dubbed "the new Bruno Fernandes" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with the respective seasonal statistics for the two countrymen highlighting just how effective they both are across numerous positions.
Once labelled a "superstar" by journalist Jack Collins, the Portugal talent might play out wide more often than Fernandes but the principle lying at the base of his skill set remains the same.
This suggests that the potential is there for him to arrive at Villa Park as Emery's own version of the Manchester United sensation this summer, to light up the pitch next term in the Premier League and the Champions League.
While Amorim and his outfit have already laughed off the £25m proposal canvassed by the German Bundesliga's invincible champions Leverkusen, Villa could soon make their move and present an offer begging to be accepted.
Douglas Luiz's sale might feel like a blow for a Villa team fast on the rise, but there is no question that Emery is working hard to sign a range of talented replacements to succeed the Brazil midfielder in the aggregate. Goncalves would truly be an immense addition, and he must be signed.
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This coveted player is expected to leave his club this summer.
When the first ball is kicked to start Ipswich Town's mission to stay up in the Premier League next season, this will be the first time the Tractor Boys have tasted football in the elite division since the close of the 2001/02 campaign.
George Burley was the iconic manager in the dug-out at the time, managing to steer the Suffolk-based side to fifth in the Premier League standings before relegation occured, and the new top-flight outfit will hope Kieran McKenna can be their next legendary boss in the top league akin to the Scotsman if he doesn't walk away in the off-season unexpectedly.
Ipswich won't go through a whole host of players in the summer you imagine, having stuck by their successful model in League One moving up to the Championship, with Luke Woolfenden raring to go and succeed again having been in and around the Portman Road ranks since 2017.
The 25-year-old, who would have been just three years of age when Ipswich were last positioned in the top-flight, has been there through all the recent ups and downs in Suffolk before the surreal success story got underway and continues to go from strength to strength with two promotions in his back pocket now under McKenna's guidance.
Luke Woolfenden's rise at Ipswich
Given his first-team debut by divisive ex-Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy back in 2017, Woolfenden's rise has been a slow and gruelling one from his perspective.
The homegrown centre-back would only make five first-team appearances during his first two full campaigns pulling on a Tractor Boys jersey, before starting to leave an impression on the men's team during Ipswich's collapse all the way down to League One.
1. GK – Bartosz Bialkowski
2. RB – Jordan Spence
3. CB – Adam Webster
4. CB – Luke Woolfenden
5. CB – Jonas Knudsen
6. LB – Myles Kenlock
7. CM – Tristan Nydam
8. CM – Callum Connolly
9. RM – Ben Folami
10. LM – Mustapha Carayol
11. ST – Martyn Waghorn
Woolfenden is the only surviving member of the XI from his debut clash now, going on to become a main first-team presence during Ipswich's stint in the third tier.
It wouldn't be until McKenna's emergence onto the scene that his spot would become set in stone for good however, with 87 league appearances managed three seasons on the trot in the league before the ex-Manchester United man arrived, which has resulted in his transfer value skyrocketing – according to Football Transfers.
Now, the 25-year-old has only missed ten league games over the last two campaigns and will want to remain as important to the Ipswich cause for the foreseeable, even whilst the underdogs make the colossal leap up to the Premier League.
Woolfenden's season in numbers
The defenders at Portman Road have, arguably, not been given their moment in the spotlight this season with the full-throttle nature of McKenna's men going forward meaning the attackers will always steal the plaudits – with 92 goals scored in total across 46 games.
Still, the likes of Woolfenden and his frequent partner in the heart of defence, Cameron Burgess, have been equally as important, with the 25-year-old living up to his label as a "leader" by his manager which was given to him just this February before promotion was officially sealed.
Passes attempted
61.50
67.64
Pass completion %
87.8%
81.7%
Tackles
0.92
0.66
Interceptions
1.15
1.29
Blocks
1.25
1.34
Clearances
3.79
4.84
Aerials won
1.77
4.04
Complementing each other well at the back, with Woolfenden the more measured operator on the ball – when looking at the table above – compared to the brute strength of his ex-Accrington Stanley teammate, the Ipswich Academy graduate will hope he can hack the step-up to the top-flight after excelling in the two divisions below.
The dependable Tractor Boys number six demonstrated his calmness under pressure on the final day against Huddersfield Town, picking up his 14th clean sheet of the season in the 2-0 win, whilst also only misplacing five of his 64 passes as his boyhood club pulled off the unthinkable to finally return to the Premier League.
He won't want to stop here though, eager to keep progressing at a club very much on the rise, after not feeling that secure about his future in Suffolk before McKenna's arrival onto the scene.
The 6 foot 4 warrior's transformative arc in becoming one of the first names on the Ipswich team sheet has coincided in his transfer value also going through the roof, with his valuation – at this current moment in time – making him worth three times more than Wes Burns, who has shone for the promotion-winners in his own right this season alongside Woolfenden.
Wes Burns
Woolfenden's transfer value in 2024
Woolfenden actually boasts the tag of being the most valued asset in the jubilant Ipswich camp at the moment, according to Football Transfers, with his valuation sitting pretty at a handsome £7.2m.
To add further context to his hefty price tag, Woolfenden's defensive teammate in Leif Davis – despite picking up a monumental 21 assists from left-back – is worth nearly £3m less at £4.8m.
Burns also finds that his valuation pales into insignificance when glanced at side-by-side with the centre-back's, worth just £2.3m despite opening the scoring on the final day to calm any nerves that Ipswich might slip up against the Terriers.
The Welshman's ten goal contributions from 38 games overall this campaign shows off his importance in Ipswich moving up to the top-flight regardless of this low estimated value, but with his 30th birthday coming towards the end of the calendar year, he doesn't arguably have the same time on his side that Woolfenden has to blossom into an even better talent.
Once only valued in the £800k region back in 2020, Woolfenden will hope he doesn't crash back to reality when lining up to face the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City next season, and he can just continue riding this wave of success for as long as he possibly can.
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أعلن البرتغالي جورج جيسوس، المدير الفني لفريق الهلال السعودي، تشكيل لاعبيه لمواجهة الغرافة القطري، في المباراة التي تقام بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال آسيا.
ويلتقي الهلال مع الغرافة القطري، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الخامسة من مواجهات مرحلة الدوري للبطولة القارية، وذلك على أرضية استاد المملكة آرينا.
ويخوض فريق الهلال مباراته كتحصيل حاصل بعد حسم بطاقة الصعود لدور الـ16 رسميًا.
موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة الهلال والغرافة القطري اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا.. والمعلق
ويحتل فريق الهلال المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب مجموعة غرب برصيد 13 نقطة حصدهم من 4 انتصارات وتعادل وحيد.
أما فريق الغرافة فيحتل المركز التاسع برصيد 4 نقاط حصدهم من فوز وتعادل فيما نال 3 خسائر. تشكيل الهلال اليوم أمام الغرافة القطري في دوري أبطال آسيا
حراسة المرمى: ياسين بونو.
خط الدفاع: متعب، كوليبالي، علي البليهي، ياسر الشهراني.
خط الوسط: محمد كنو، ناصر الدوسري، سالم الدوسري.
خط الهجوم: الحمدان، مالكوم وليوناردو.
📋 قائمة #الهلال في مواجهة اليوم ⚽️💙 pic.twitter.com/a5EhUsMnH9
— نادي الهلال السعودي (@Alhilal_FC) December 3, 2024
Leeds United are one of a number of clubs that are considering a move for a 25-year-old Swedish international.
Leeds' promotion charge takes a hit
Leeds United have spent much of the 2023/24 Championship campaign in and around the automatic promotion places. The Whites headed into the latest set of fixtures sat second in the table and a point above Ipswich Town with 44 games played. However, their hopes of securing a top-two finish have been dented after they were thumped 4-0 by the QPR on Friday night.
A number of Leeds stars failed to impress in the loss to QPR, suggesting Daniel Farke still has a lot of work to do with the Peacocks no matter what division they end up playing their football in come the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Should the West Yorkshire outfit secure a swift return to the Premier League, which remains very possible this season, they will need to add a much higher quality of player to their ranks to ensure they are not relegated straight away, like Sheffield United and Burnley are expected to be this term.
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One player who would certainly add some top-flight quality to their squad is former star Kalvin Phillips. The Englishman has struggled for any sort of consistent form since leaving Leeds for Manchester City, and it was claimed earlier this month that Leeds had contacted Phillips’ representatives over a summer move, setting aside £30m to secure a permanent transfer.
Elsewhere, according to a report earlier this month, Leeds United would 'love' to turn Joe Rodon's current loan into a permanent move in the summer. Rodon has been crucial to Leeds having one of the best backlines in the Championship this season. Even after conceding four versus QPR, they still have the second-best defence in the division with 41 goals conceded across 45 games.
As well as looking to make Rodon a permanent member of their backline for the forthcoming campaign, Leeds have now been tipped to improve their goalkeeping options.
Leeds United eye 25 y/o international
According to a report from Swedish outlet Aftonbladet [via Sport Witness], Leeds United are considering a move for Rotherham United star Viktor Johansson, but could face competition from fellow Championship side Stoke City and the soon-to-be relegated Sheffield United.
Rotherham United goalkeeperViktor Johansson.
Unlike Stoke or the Blades, Leeds could well be plying their trade in the Premier League next season. As a result, it is unsurprising to see the report claim that Leeds are currently considered the frontrunners to land Johansson, with the belief in Sweden that the goalkeeper will not be staying at Rotherham next season.
Game
Match Rating
Rotherham 2-0 Coventry (Oct 2023)
8.83
Rotherham 0-1 Plymouth (Apr 2024)
8.55
Rotherham 0-0 Huddersfield (Mar 2024)
8.31
Southampton 1-1 Rotherham (Oct 2023)
8.12
Swansea 1-0 Rotherham (Apr 2024)
8.05
Rotherham have endured a dismal 2023/24 season, sitting on just four wins from 44 league outings heading into this weekend. Despite their awful form, Johansson, who is valued at around £2.5m by Transfermarkt.com, has shone on a number of occasions, including in their recent 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle, during which he made 11 saves. The 25-year-old's impressive form even earned him his first cap for the Sweden national side on 12th October, 2023.
It will be interesting to see how Leeds' end to the season affects their transfer activity.
Southampton will hope they're not the Championship's nearly-men this season, falling short of promotion straight back up to the Premier League by unsuccessfully winning the lottery of the playoffs.
Russell Martin's men are limping over the line to those playoff matches to come if their defeat to Stoke City the weekend just gone was anything to go by, allowing Steven Schumacher's men to pick up a 1-0 win to secure their second-tier status with just three weak shots on target all game.
There will be more motivation in the ranks to perform when they travel to Leeds United on the final pulsating day of the regular season, however, knowing that the Whites could well end up being their playoff final opponents at Wembley after the showdown at Elland Road.
If they do return to the top-flight at the first time of asking, the Saints won't want to burn money recklessly like they have done in the past, such as with one former £8m buy who is now largely forgotten about at St. Mary's.
Jordy Clasie's transfer to Southampton
Jordy Clasie's move to the Saints back in 2015 would have been seen as a coup, considering the ex-Feyenoord's midfielder importance to his Eredivisie employers before uprooting to England and then Southampton executive director Les Reed stating that the Dutchman was "one of the most highly-sought after midfielders in Europe".
Clasie ended up amassing 189 appearances in total playing at De Kuip before relocating to the then-Premier League side, picking up nine goals and 26 assists as a steady and reliable holding midfield presence.
Signing on the dotted line at Southampton on a bumper five-year deal, this wouldn't be the only notable transfer blunder sanctioned by Ronald Koeman and Co in that transfer window with Juanmi also joining alongside Clasie.
Joining the Saints for a hefty £5m on top of Clasie's £8m price tag, the Spanish attacker would never find the back of the net from 19 unmemorable appearances before leaving after just one disastrous season.
At least Juanmi wasn't the South Coast club's problem anymore after this brief stint, but Clasie would end up remaining on the Southampton books for far longer as an even bigger failure.
Clasie's time at Southampton
The former Feyenoord man would make only 49 appearances for Southampton across two full campaigns, struggling to ever make a spot in the starting eleven his own before being shipped out on loan to both Club Brugge and back to Feyenoord two seasons on the trot.
1. GK – Kelvin Davis
2. RB – Cedric Soares
3. CB – Virgil Van Dijk
4. CB – Jose Fonte
5. LB – Ryan Bertrand
6. CDM – Victor Wanyama
7. CM – Steven Davis (Jordy Clasie)
8. CM – James Ward-Prowse
9. RW – Sadio Mane
10. ST- Graziano Pelle
11. LW – Duscan Tadic
Only gifted 30 minutes on his debut for Southampton too, having had to wait until October for his first taste of action owing to bad luck with injuries, Clasie's lack of minutes during his forgettable time with the Saints arguably wasn't helped by stars such as Victor Wanyama and James Ward-Prowse excelling in the middle of the park whilst he was trying to cut his teeth.
Clasie did muster up weak numbers in his new location compared to his exploits in his native Netherlands as well to justify the lack of consistent game-time, only picking up two goals and one assist in total.
Describing his Saints ordeal as "horrible" when opening up whilst out on loan in Belgium, Southampton were left cursing this deal even further when you examine how high the Dutch flop's excessive wage was at St. Mary's which came in as being two times higher than Kyle Walker-Peters' current pay-packet.
Jordy Clasie's wage at Southampton
As an established Premier League side, Southampton weren't exactly cautious when handing out big wages to their stars when Clasie walked in through the door nearly ten years ago.
During the 2016/17 season in particular, Southampton's highest earner, Manolo Gabbiadini, was pocketing an eye-watering £80k per week despite going on to leave the Saints eventually after just 60 games.
1. Manolo Gabbiadini
£80k per week
2. Jose Fonte
£75k per week
3. Virgil Van Dijk
£65k per week
4. Martin Caceres
£65k per week
5. Sofiane Boufal
£60k per week
Clasie's high £40k-per-week salary wouldn't see him enter into the top five highest earners at the Saints, however, but it's staggering to see that the one-time Saints dud once earned just £25k-per-week less than his fellow compatriot in Liverpool colossus Virgil Van Dijk.
Van Dijk now pockets a ridiculous £220k-per-week playing for Jurgen Klopp's Reds, whilst Clasie sees his underwhelming career out back in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar on just £18.7k-per-week.
Carabao Cup winner Virgil van Dijk.
Clasie's pay packet at Southampton would see him earn two times that of current Saints star Walker-Peters' £20k-per-week wage though, even whilst the ex-Tottenham Hotspur man has nearly eclipsed the Dutchman's appearances for the Saints overall just this campaign with 43 matches played.
Walker-Peters will be crucial to Martin's men in their battle to win the playoffs, desperate to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking with his South Coast employers where he's shone before.
Moreover, Clasie's wage saw him rake in £10k-per-week more than Che Adams even whilst the Saints striker continues to fire in goal after goal for Martin's promotion-chasers to take his ever-growing season tally to 17 for the campaign.
When adding all up the numbers, therefore, Clasie would have cost Southampton a jaw-dropping £12.1m in his original transfer fee and his wage costs to go down as a very poor misfire.
Southampton manager Russell Martin.
With Martin at the helm, Southampton will hope they can break back into the top-flight after all the drama of the playoffs is over and done with no repeat blunders like Clasie purchased if they do end up returning to the Premier League.
Southampton's big-money flop would be worth as much as £36m in 2024 money
Southampton paid way over the odds for this dud 12 years ago.
Chelsea are already preparing an offer to sign a clinical Victor Osimhen alternative this summer, as they remain on the hunt for a striker.
Boehly targeting new frontman despite Chelsea worries
Some concerns have surrounded their ability to comply with PSR regulations, after the club posted seismic losses for the second financial year running.
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There are suggestions that Chelsea need to raise £100 million through player sales by June 30, to avoid potential sanctions, but it remains the case that Mauricio Pochettino's side are chasing a new number nine.
One front man who they've been very regularly linked with is Napoli star Osimhen. It is believed Chelsea are among the frontrunners to sign Osimhen this summer, with former midfielder John Obi Mikel even playing agent.
"I know you're going to come to Chelsea," said Mikel.
Cole Palmer
16
Nicolas Jackson
9
Raheem Sterling
6
Mykhailo Mudryk
4
Conor Gallagher
3
"I'm telling you, I'm going to be the agent to broker that deal! You are 100 per cent going to Chelsea next season. I'm going to make sure that deal happens because we are crying out for someone like you. Since the big man left the club, you know Didier Drogba, my teammate, we haven't had anybody with that figure, that stature, that personality.
"Someone who can score goals in big games and somebody we can depend on scoring goals, and I just feel like you are that person, you will fit right in at what we need to achieve at the club."
While Osimhen would be a dream capture from Chelsea's perspective, reports also suggest Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis could remain firm on the Nigerian's release clause (Fabrizio Romano) – which stands at around £113 million.
It could therefore be wise to have alternatives to Osimhen when the window reopens, and it is believed one such player could be Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swede has scored a quite sensational 36 goals and bagged 15 assists over 2023/2024, lighting up the Primeira Liga under Ruben Amorim ever since he opted to make the move to Portugal from Coventry City.
This has alerted Chelsea chiefs, as explained by journalist Pedro Sepulveda this week.
Chelsea preparing summer bid for Gyokeres
According to Sepulveda, Chelsea are "preparing an offer" to sign Gyokeres this summer as they gear up for a transfer tussle with Arsenal – who are also on the look out for a star frontman.
While an £86 million release clause still represents a significant investment on Chelsea's part, the valuation remains lower than that of Osimhen's, so this could be one to watch.
Stumps Watchful half-centuries from openers Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza set Zimbabwe on track for a healthy first-innings total, on a flat Harare Sports Club pitch. Another fifty from Craig Ervine, batting at No. 3, then consolidated Zimbabwe’s position and carried them to a scoreline that constituted an excellent first day of Test cricket in over a year.The hosts only made 189 for 2 in 84 overs, but there was almost a sense that this was a team striving to affirm that they belonged at this level, after the hiatus that had much more to do with administrative flaws, than any fault of the cricketers themselves. Although Sri Lanka never allowed Zimbabwe to get away from them, the hosts certainly had the better of day one.There was a boundary in the first over, but there would only be 21 in the day. Masvaure whipped Suranga Lakmal to the long leg boundary fourth ball, before settling into a slower rhythm, picking off occasional singles, and waiting for the wide balls that he could cut. Kasuza, playing his first Test, was even more circumspect. He took 17 balls to get off the mark, and 35 deliveries to get into double figures. If anything, his strike rate dipped after that. At lunch, he was 20 off 76 deliveries. By tea, he was 48 off 169.Both Kasuza and Masvaure revelled in defence. They deadbatted much of the first two sessions, as Sri Lanka’s bowlers largely bowled dry and waited for mistakes that didn’t actually come. Lahiru Kumara, the quickest of Sri Lanka’s seamers, troubled Masvaure a little in the first session, hitting him on the helmet in the 17th over, and then prompting an inside edge the next over only for the ball to whizz past leg stump. But after lunch, even Kumara had become a miserly line-and-length operator. Of the six overs he bowled in the second session, four were maidens. Sri Lanka bowled 30 overs in the afternoon, and Zimbabwe scored only 46 – a scoring rate of only 1.53.The pair had batted chancelessly through the first session, but Kasuza did provide a half-chance early in the second, mis-hitting a bouncer from Suranga Lakmal almost to Dimuth Karunaratne at midwicket, who dived but couldn’t hold on to the tough chance. Masvaure progressed to his maiden half century before tea, getting there off the 123rd delivery he faced. He then slowed down, until he was dismissed by left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, who had him caught at mid-off for for 55 off 149 balls. Kasuza, whose boundaries largely came off the spinners, via the sweep, didn’t get to his fifty until the 178th delivery. He was dismissed late in the day by a Kumara full-toss that reverse-swung and caught him on the thigh, in front of the stumps.Ervine was more fluent, in comparison to the two openers. His first three boundaries were sixes, all off Dhananjaya de Silva, whom he deposited straight down the ground, over long-on, and over deep cover. He accumulated more efficiently, and was striking at exactly 50 when he completed his half-century, off the very first delivery bowled with the second new ball. He went to stumps on 55 off 116, with Brendan Taylor for company. Taylor had hit a six off Embuldeniya to get off the mark and was 13 off 25 at the close of play.Sri Lanka’s attack will be pleased at having at least contained Zimbabwe on a flat pitch – something they had failed to do against Pakistan in Karachi. And yet, their bowlers were once again unable to create chances on a flat deck. Both Lakmal and Kasun Rajitha were accurate, but were perhaps guilty of not bowling enough balls at the stumps, on a pitch that was offering no lateral movement. Kumara, at least had pace and energy, and deservedly finished with the best figures from the day.The spinners could get no turn from this track. They bowled tight lines and decent lengths, and will hope that cracks will open up for them, and that the pitch will dry up by the second innings.
Manchester United could make a return for an old target to replace Raphael Varane this summer, and he could be available at a bargain price.
United in need of defensive additions
Manchester United's defence has been the subject of constant scrutiny this season. Harry Maguire has remained at the club and somewhat returned to the fold, but had previously been strongly linked with a move to West Ham over the summer and could well be on the move again if Erik ten Hag is granted a stay of execution.
Manchester United's defensive options
Contract until
Harry Maguire
2025
Victor Lindelof
2025
Raphael Varane
2025
Lisandro Martinez
2027
Jonny Evans
2024
Willy Kambwala
2025
Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez has been sidelined for much of the campaign, and there has been constant speculation linking Raphael Varane with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer. With Victor Lindelof's long-term future also uncertain, it is clear that a defensive overhaul will be necessary at Old Trafford no matter who is at the helm.
Manchester United ready to poach another Premier League backroom staff star
INEOS are changing things behind the scenes and are lining up another addition
ByBen Browning Mar 6, 2024
Enter, Trevoh Chalobah. The Chelsea defender has been on the radar of Manchester United previously, with his versatility thought to be a major factor in their interest. Chalobah can play at centre-back or right-back comfortably, and he was strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich in January, only for the Bavarian giants to opt to sign Eric Dier instead due to Chelsea's hefty asking price.
With Dier now having confirmed his permanent move to Bayern, and Chalobah's biggest admirer Thomas Tuchel leaving the club at the end of the season, there could be less competition for the Englishman's signature.
Chalobah has largely missed this season after picking up an injury at the beginning of the campaign, with Pochettino instead opting for other options over the Englishman. He made his first start of the season in their most recent outing, but could not prevent them from slipping to a 2-2 draw against London rivals Brentford, a result which leaves them 11th in the Premier League with 11 games left to play.
Chelsea need to sell in latest twist
Chelsea's latest financial results paint a grim picture, with the club posting a loss of £90m for the financial year, and the Telegraph report that 'Chelsea’s rivals believe the club need to raise at least £100 million by June 30'.
It means that just like last summer, Chelsea are under pressure to balance their books for financial fair play reasons. Unfortunately for them, however, the figure that they need to raise is now thought to be even greater than last summer, and they can no longer rely on their golden goose to get out of trouble, having sold him to Manchester United for £60m 12 months ago.
Manchester United player Mason Mount
They could well be on their way to raising some of those funds already, with options to buy included in loan moves for both Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall. Should both deals go through, that could raise around £70m of pure profit, but they are thought to need a further £30m, something which is most easily achieved by selling homegrown talent.
To that end, the options are limited to Armando Broja (on loan at Fulham), Conor Gallagher and Chalobah, who has drawn admiring eyes from Old Trafford for a long time. It may be an opportune moment for clubs to re-open lines of communications for those players, with pressure firmly on the selling side to strike a deal quickly, and a potential bargain to be had.