His Test career under scrutiny, India batter Ajinkya Rahane compiled a much-needed century to keep himself in India reckoning while guiding Mumbai to 263 for 3 against Saurashtra in their Ranji Trophy opener on Thursday in Ahmedabad.Choosing to bat, Mumbai were also boosted by Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten 121 off 219 balls on the first day of their Elite Group D match.The focus was, however, firmly on Rahane who ended the day on an unbeaten 108 from 250 deliveries.Rahane, who had a mediocre Test series against South Africa recently, got to his century in 212 balls, hitting 14 fours and two sixes along the way. He had managed just 136 runs in six innings in India’s 1-2 defeat in the Test series in South Africa earlier this year.With the Test series against Sri Lanka set to be played from March 4 after the T20Is starting on February 24, this century will provide the confidence that he needs and could ensure that he retains his place in the Indian team.Another struggling senior India batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, who is playing against Rahane in this match, will also look to get a big knock in the game to ensure the national selectors retain him for the series against Sri Lanka.With new-ball bowlers Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya operating well, Mumbai found themselves in trouble early on, losing openers Aakarshit Gomel (8) and Prithvi Shaw (1) with just 22 runs on the board.First-change Chirag Jani had No. 3 Sachin Yadav trapped in front as Mumbai slipped to 44 for 3.However, Saurashtra failed to make any more inroads after that as Rahane and Sarfaraz added 219 runs for the fourth wicket to put their side in a comfortable position at stumps.Rahane took his time before starting to play freely and got to his 36th first-class hundred.He got to 99 with a big six against left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, before getting to the century with a single.Rahane’s 479 Test runs in 2021 came at an average of 20.82, leading to his sacking from the vice-captain’s post for the tour of South Africa.
Leeds United will desperately be hoping for promotion come the end of the season, aiming to bring an end to their two-year stay in the Championship.
The Whites were relegated at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season, ending their three-year stint in the top flight after previously going 16 years without top-division football at Elland Road.
Marcelo Bielsa was the man who led the club to the promised land, winning England’s second tier during the 2019/20 campaign, catching the eye with his intensity system.
Marcelo Bielsa
However, after an impressive first term in the Premier League, he would ultimately be sacked in February 2022, with American Jesse Marsch tasked with securing survival in that campaign.
The 51-year-old succeeded in his task, but found himself in a precarious position 12 months later, with various pieces of transfer activity taking place in January 2023 to try and maintain their top-flight status.
Leeds’ transfer window in January 2023
Incomings were to be expected after a poor first few months of the season, with the hierarchy splashing the cash to try and prevent relegation.
Georginio Rutter arrived in a £36m deal from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim during the aforementioned window, a club-record deal with the hope of bolstering the attacking department.
Leeds forward Georginio Rutter.
However, the Frenchman took longer than expected to settle into life in England, failing to score a single goal and registering just one assist in the process over the next six months.
Weston McKennie arrived on loan from European giants Juventus for the remainder of the season, looking to add needed quality to the Leeds side who were well and truly stuck in a relegation scrap.
The American suffered the same fortune as Rutter during his temporary spell in Yorkshire, making 20 appearances but unfortunately unable to prevent the Whites from dropping into the Championship at the end of the season.
January 2023 also saw the departure of one of their key man during the promotion-winning campaign, with midfielder Mateusz Klich departing on a free transfer to join MLS outfit DC United to allow him to gain more game time.
Former Leeds midfielder Mateusz Klich.
The Pole failed to start a single outing in the league before his transfer away from Elland Road, subsequently leading to his transfer away from the Whites.
However, the now 34-year-old wasn’t the only player to depart the club during that time frame, with the decision to allow another star to depart now looking to be a potential mistake.
The player who’s outscored Piroe & Gnonto in 2024
Polish attacking midfielder Mateusz Bogusz joined Leeds back in the summer of 2019 from Ruch Chorzow, with the youngster having huge potential upon his transfer.
Former Leeds midfielder Mateusz Bogusz.
However, he would only feature three times for the club’s first-team, before various loan spells at Logrones and UD Ibiza before a permanent move to MLS outfit Los Angeles FC for just £880k.
Bogusz, who’s since been described as “dangerous” by current boss Steve Cherundolo, has taken his career to the next level, scoring 20 times in this calendar year, more than current Leeds first-team members Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto.
Games played
35
Goals scored
16
Assists
7
Pass accuracy
84%
Chances created
72
Successful dribbles
38
Touches in opposition box
116
Dutch striker Piroe has registered a total of 11 goals since the turn of the year, with winger Gnonto scoring ten as the pair remain key if Daniel Farke’s side are to return to the top flight.
However, his outfit would stand a much better chance had they kept hold of their former player, who’s now valued at a peak of €22m (£18m) as per CIES Football Observatory.
The 23-year-old clearly knows where the back of the net is as demonstrated by his tally for the American side this year, undoubtedly providing that added edge for Leeds had they kept hold of him.
Unfortunately, their mistake is LAFC’s gain, with Bogusz set to make them a hefty payday should he transfer clubs at any point in the near future.
Leeds' original Summerville was a Thorp Arch grad who's now worth £20m
The former Leeds United star has thrived since moving on from Elland Road.
تمكن الفريق الأول لكرة السلة رجال بالنادي الأهلي، من تحقيق فوز هام على الجزيرة، في اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين مساء أمس الجمعة ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري السوبر.
المباراة أقيمت على صالة اتحاد الشرطة في الدور الأول الترتيبي لبطولة دوري السوبر، وشهدت أداءً قويًّا من جانب الأهلي لتنتهي بفوز الأحمر بنتيجة 77-66.
وقدم رجال الأهلي عرضًا قويًّا وسيطروا على مجريات اللعب، وظهروا بشكل جيد خلال المباراة تحت قيادة المدير الفني أوجستي بوش.
طالع أيضاً.. الزمالك يهزم دلفي ويضرب موعدًا مع الأهلي في نهائي كأس مصر لسيدات الطائرة
وكان رجال سلة الأهلي قد حقق الفوز في المباراة السابقة على طلائع الجيش بنتيجة 88-70 ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري السوبر.
الجدير بالذكر أن الزمالك تمكن أيضاً من الفوز على طلائع الجيش بنتيجة 78-74، وذلك على صالة الفريق العسكري.
Newcastle United are reportedly in advanced talks to sign a £50m Premier League ace in the coming transfer window as they look to bolster their ranks under Eddie Howe following a tricky start to the season.
Newcastle continue winless run
A narrow 1-0 defeat to Brighton made it four Premier League games without a win for Newcastle United, as they lost ground on the early Premier League leaders. The Magpies have lost two and drawn two since they beat Wolves a month ago, though they did edge past Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup in that time.
It is a result that has left them in eighth place, five points off a top-four spot and a return to Champions League football after their disappointing finish last time around.
Following a summer that was difficult for the club with financial fair play pressures and a failure to attract any truly big names to the club as they did 12 months previously with Sandro Tonali, and with concern over the relationship between manager Eddie Howe and Director of Football Paul Mitchell, it has not been an enjoyable campaign start at St James’ Park.
1 duel won, 10x ball lost: Howe must axe 5/10 Newcastle man after Brighton
The Newcastle ace struggled against Brighton
1 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 20, 2024
But Howe remained upbeat, saying after the defeat that he sees signs of improvement in his side even in their tricky spell of results.
“I thought it was a vast improvement overall in terms of performance from the start of the season, and I think we’re gathering in terms of our overall level, it’s just we’re not totally clicking in every area. And of course to win games at this level, you need all guns firing.”
Nonetheless, new faces could be needed to continue their progression towards the Premier League elite, and now they may have identified their next addition.
Newcastle in advanced talks for Premier League winger
That is according to reports coming out from Spain, which claim that Newcastle United are “in fairly advanced negotiations” to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
The Cherries forward has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, scoring three times and grabbing an assist in his seven outings, and appears destined to leave the Vitality Stadium sooner rather than later amid growing interest.
Antoine Semenyo for Bournemouth.
Indeed, his massive improvement in recent months has been hailed by Football Analyst Ben Mattinson on X, who dubbed him a “very intelligent” player who has “improved so much” under Andoni Iraola on the south coast.
According to the report, Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham are among those eyeing up a move for the winger, who plays predominantly on the right side of attack, a position that Bournemouth were keen to strengthen over the summer.
Antoine Semenyo vs Miguel Almiron 23/24 Premier League
Antoine Semenyo
Miguel Almiron
Appearances
33
33
Goals
8
3
Assists
2
1
Expected goals
4.6
4.5
Shots on target per 90
1.28
0.56
Shot creating actions per 90
3.08
2.42
Successful take-ons per 90
2.14
1.07
However, it is Howe’s side who have taken the next step and are the most advanced to sign him, though no side has yet made any “concrete” approach to the Cherries.
It is suggested that any signing could “reach £50m plus bonuses”, a move that would be among the most expensive in Newcastle’s history. However, with the winger still just 24 years old and likely to improve further, he could fit their recruitment strategy and may well be the man who finally gets Howe’s side back to the top echelons of the Premier League.
Luiz Araújo acredita que a disputa da Copa do Mundo de Clubes serviu de aprendizado para o Flamengo antes da final da Copa Intercontinental contra o PSG, marcada para quarta-feira (17). Nesta segunda (15), durante o primeiro treino visando a decisão, o atacante citou o erro que cometeu durante a derrota para o Bayern de Munique como referência direta para a preparação do elenco.
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➡️ Flamengo: entenda o trabalho específico que faz Danilo ‘voar’ nas cabeçadas
— É muito importante (ter enfrentado europeus na Copa do Mundo de Clubes). Enfrentamos o Chelsea, o Bayern de Munique, mas sabemos que (contra o PSG) é um jogo completamente diferente. Contra o Chelsea a gente saiu vitorioso, contra o Bayern não. O diferencial foram os erros, então, sabemos que não podemos cometer erros contra essas grandes equipes. Serve de aprendizado não só para mim, que cometi um erro contra o Bayern, mas para o grupo todo. Vamos com tudo para cima e se Deus quiser vamos sair com o título — disse em entrevista à Flamengo TV.
O camisa 7 destacou que o elenco rubro-negro já acompanha o PSG há meses e citou o desempenho do time francês na Champions League como um dos pontos de atenção para a decisão no Catar. Segundo ele, o Flamengo chega preparado, mas ciente das dificuldades impostas pelo adversário.
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— Assistimos muito o PSG jogar na Champions League. Eu mesmo gosto muito de assistir futebol, e o PSG não encantou só a mim, mas o mundo inteiro. Sabemos de todos os grandes jogadores que tem, não só defensivamente, mas ofensivamente, com certeza faz diferença. Jogadores que são muito diferentes no um contra um, que podem decidir o jogo. Então, o melhor de tudo é que a gente conhece todos eles, mas sabemos que no momento do jogo pode sair alguma coisa diferente. Vamos estudar muito mais do que já estudamos, e se Deus quiser sair com esse título, que é o sonho de todos nós — avaliou.
➡️ Flamengo conta com ‘trunfo’ que já superou o PSG para o Mundial; entenda
Luiz Araújo também reconheceu o favoritismo do adversário, atual campeão da Champions League, e afirmou que o Mais Querido pretende entrar em campo com foco no próprio jogo e sem assumir o peso das projeções externas.
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— O PSG sim é o favorito, é o time a ser batido, atual campeão da Champions League, que é um dos campeonatos mais difíceis do mundo. Sabemos da nossa qualidade também, deixamos o favoritismo para eles, entramos com o pezinho no chão, para jogar o nosso futebol. Sabemos da pressão de vestir o manto sagrado, de vestir a camisa do Flamengo, sabemos que é o sonho de toda a nação, mais de 45 milhões, mas vamos entrar com o pezinho no chão, jogar muito futebol e no final a gente vai ver quem vai ser campeão — declarou.
Por fim, o atacante ressaltou a importância de o Flamengo chegar à final contra o PSG com o elenco completo, destacando o trabalho do departamento médico ao longo da temporada.
— Isso é muito importante para o Flamengo, ter todos os jogadores disponíveis. Isso mostra a qualidade do Departamento Médico também, de chegar no final de uma temporada de muito jogos desgastantes, também de conquistas. Isso só tem a ganhar o Flamengo. Vamos com tudo para essa final, se Deus nos abençoar, vamos trazer esse título para o Brasil.
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Bayern de MuniqueCopa IntercontinentalFlamengoLuiz AraújomundialPSG
Sam Billings has insisted that the last-minute withdrawals of a number of players from the Royal London Cup as replacements for teams in the Hundred will leave young cricketers “far better off” than staying with their counties.Kent, where Billings is club captain, have ten Vitality Blast regulars – including overseas players Qais Ahmad and Adam Milne – involved in the Hundred, with Zak Crawley on England Test duty, Jack Leaning (Trent Rockets) and Matt Milnes (Welsh Fire) both called up as late replacements in the last week, and Jordan Cox (Oval Invincibles) and Fred Klaassen (Manchester Originals) picked as wildcards.As a result, their Royal London Cup campaign has started poorly, with three defeats and a no-result, but Billings said that players’ involvement in the competition would serve the club well ahead of their Blast quarter-final against Birmingham Bears later this month and in the longer term.In particular, he highlighted the example of Milnes, who played for Kent in the Royal London Cup on Sunday afternoon and was called into the Fire’s set-up on Monday as an injury replacement for Liam Plunkett. With Jake Ball also sidelined – he had a scan on Monday after leaving the field in Saturday’s fixture against Manchester Originals – Milnes went straight into the side against Billings’ Oval Invincibles and dismissed Jason Roy with his first ball in the Hundred, eventually returning figures of 1 for 28 from 20 balls and capturing the attention of Dale Steyn on Twitter as he was clocked at 87mph/140kph.”What a great opportunity for him,” Billings said. “This is what the Hundred is about. Look, I know that in terms of the 50-over comp, the performances for Kent haven’t quite been there at the moment and of course as a club it’s disappointing.”But the positive is we’ve got nine or ten guys in this Hundred at the moment and this is international cricket. You’ve got a full Oval crowd there and he’s come in for his first game after playing for Kent yesterday. It’s a completely different atmosphere, completely different level, against an international line-up.”What a great experience for a young bloke, getting a wicket with his first ball and riding the emotions of that game. That is what’s going to produce international cricketers. For us as a club – and as Kent fans in general – that’s what we want to do: produce England cricketers and franchise cricketers.Related
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“These young guys, nine or ten of them, for a ‘small county’, that’s really shown the work we’ve done as a club. It’s great for Matt Milnes and other guys like that and going into our T20 quarter-finals as a Kent group, it’s really important that these guys have this experience because they are going to be far better off for it.”The Invincibles won their second game of the men’s Hundred on Monday night, chasing 122 with seven balls to spare against the Fire, and Billings said that it had been a relief to get back to winning ways on the back of a washout against London Spirit and defeat against Northern Superchargers.”It was hard to get into a rhythm so it was nice to get the win on our home ground,” he said. “We weren’t far away at Headingley and considering how badly we played, we did exceptionally well to take that game that deep.”I still think we can play better and that’s the exciting thing for our group. The fielding certainly hasn’t been up to the standards we’ve set and that’s me included, setting the tone with the gloves. That’s the positive thing: I still think there are areas we can make really good strides in, and if we put it together, we know what a quality outfit we are. We don’t fear anyone and can put anyone under pressure on our day.”The Fire, meanwhile, failed to reach 150 for the first time in the competition and have now lost both of their games since Jonny Bairstow joined up with England’s Test squad. Ben Duckett, their stand-in captain and the leading run-scorer in the men’s Hundred, admitted that the loss of Bairstow – as well as Liam Plunkett, Lungi Ngidi and Ball – was “not ideal”.”If you lose big names it’s obviously going to hurt you but we believe we’ve got the squad to come in and cover for that,” he said. “We’ve had guys stepping up, like Milnesy tonight taking a wicket with his first ball to get J-Roy. We were 20 or 30 short of par so obviously nowhere near good enough, but it’s the first time we’ve struggled with the bat and it’s going to happen in this comp at some stage.On his own form, Duckett said: “It’s probably the best I’ve hit the ball – ever, I’d say – but I was probably 10-15 short myself tonight. I really struggled to get going and we kept losing wickets. I’m feeling good but I don’t like scoring runs when you don’t win the game so I’m a bit disappointed.”
A French legend believes Kylian Mbappe can silence his haters after turning his life around at Real Madrid.
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Mbappe struggled to settle at Real MadridHas picked form up in recent weeksBacked to prove doubted wrong by French iconFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After facing a hefty amount of criticism in the aftermath of his move to Real Madrid, Mbappe's stock is finally on the rise, and French icon Emmanuel Petit is backing his compatriot to prove every single one of his haters wrong. The 26-year-old has netted in four of his last six La Liga outings and the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star helped Los Blancos reach the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
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Petit believes Mbappe's attitude adjustment has played a key part in his recent upturn in form. Whereas at PSG he had to lead on all fronts and play the role of celebrity, at Madrid he is in a team full of global superstars. It was never going to be easy settling in alongside Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Co but he has started to form a relationship with them on the pitch that has led to Madrid's revival after a slow start to the campaign.
WHAT PETIT SAID
Speaking to, Petit said: "Kylian Mbappe can definitely get silence his haters if he wins La Liga. He had to bare the responsibility at PSG and for France because he's the leader of those teams. But, joining Real Madrid, who won La Liga and the Champions League last year, it was never going to be easy.
"But, step by step, Mbappe is improving and settling. There have been problems off the pitch too, but that seems to be coming to an end. He had too much presence on social media too, now he's being a bit more humble and silent, focusing on his form at Real Madrid. His passion to be the best is showing and he has the ability to stand out."
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?
Another blockbuster Clasico is on the cards this weekend as Madrid take on Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Mbappe will be hoping to leave his mark on the fixture having been on the receiving end of a humiliating 4-0 loss to Barcelona in La Liga back in October.
Gabriel rose highest. The ball crashed into the back of the net. The Brazilian dashed off towards the Arsenal support. Against the run of play, the Gunners found themselves ahead on the patch of Manchester City no less.
It was another emphatic celebration from the Arsenal centre-half who scored for successive weeks. Why have Erling Haaland up top when you have the Haaland of defenders at the back? Gabriel is prolific and a man for the big occasion.
A week ago he scored the winner in the north London derby and very nearly netted the winner again, only for another defender in John Stones to pop up late on and rescue a point for Pep Guardiola’s men.
What a peculiar match that was. Everyone expected Arsenal to sit back but their hands were forced when Leandro Trossard was sent off on the verge of half-time for kicking the ball away. It was Declan Rice versus Brighton all over again.
But Gabriel, together with his partner in crime William Saliba, rallied and helped to withstand nearly 60 minutes of pressure once injury time was said and done to take a share of the spoils from Manchester. And breathe. Everyone can breathe now. We go again in February when the two teams will meet again at the Emirates Stadium. A potential title decider awaits.
So, how have Mikel Arteta’s men got themselves into a position where they stand a realistic chance of winning the league? Gabriel and Saliba have to be commended.
Why Gabriel and Saliba are so special
During the 2022/23 season, there were concerns surrounding Gabriel. “He’s rash and makes mad, wild decisions,” voiced the ever-outspoken Rio Ferdinand.
Well, how he has proven the doubters wrong over the last few seasons. He is now one of the foremost defenders on the continent and together with colleague Saliba, have established one of the best defensive partnerships in the Premier League era.
No team conceded fewer than Arsenal’s 29 in the top-flight last season. In fact, since their star Frenchman was introduced into the team, his record of keeping clean sheets is rather awe-inspiring.
This term, he has been part of a backline who have kept four clean sheets in six games. Last term it was 22 clean sheets in 48 matches and the campaign prior 13 shut outs. Arsenal have steadily been getting better and they have their monstrous defensive partnership to thank.
Saliba vs Gabriel. League stats for the 2023/24 campaign.
Only last week, Jamie Carragher wrote for The Telegraph that ‘William Saliba and Gabriel are on threshold of joining great centre-half pairings’ alongside the likes of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, and Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Quite right but they must win the Premier League at the very least first.
Either way, just to be mentioned in the same breath as those icons is quite something.
Saliba is a ray of composure and perhaps doesn’t quite have the same aggressive nature as Gabriel but they complement each other tremendously. The latter has even become quite the regular scorer of goals.
1. Gabriel
16
2. Kurt Zouma
11
3. Lewis Dunk
10
4. Ben Mee
10
5. Virgil van Dijk
9
6. Michael Keane
9
7. Fabin Schar
9
8. John Stones
9
He’s far and away the most prolific centre half in the country and he takes some stopping from set-plays, scoring the winner against Tottenham last weekend and popping up against Man City on Sunday too.
It obviously takes the right player to be so good in these situations but the right routine must be put into place and for that they have Nicolas Jover to thank.
Gabriel vs Manchester City (2-2 draw).
He currently forms part of a duo behind the scenes who have proven to be every bit as important as Gabriel and Saliba over the last seven days.
Arsenal's next-best duo
Jover is becoming quite the household name in English football. He isn’t the first of his kind but he’s perhaps the most famous set-piece coach in the land.
Lured from Manchester City, like Arteta was, he has racked up quite the record while among the Spaniard’s coaching staff. He’s left many in awe, including the club’s manager.
Arteta said last week: “In his field [he is the best], in other fields and as a person. And the relationship that we have – that’s why I made the decision to bring him to City when I was there and then to Arsenal. Him and the rest of the staff have injected the belief to the players that there are many ways to win football matches.”
The 42-year-old is often seen on the touchline the moment Arsenal get a set-piece and you can see why. The Gunners have won so many games – including the derby against Spurs – courtesy of their set-plays. His intricate attention to detail is second to none and the numbers say it all.
Arsenal's set piece record under Nicolas Jover.
Last term, no side in the Premier League scored more goals from set-plays than their 22. When it came to conceding goals, they shipped just six from corners and free-kicks, the second-best record in the division.
In 2022/23, they found the net 15 times from dead ball scenarios, the fourth-best tally in the Premier League. So, remarkably, they are getting even better.
Described as a “pleasure to work with” by Trossard, the players must absolutely adore him. Set-pieces have always been important but their crucial nature has only been heightened by the incredible numbers Arsenal are racking up.
So, who else is part of this duo? There are a number of coaches within Arteta’s team but goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana deserves praise for the work he’s putting in with David Raya too.
Both lured from Brentford, it is perhaps no coincidence they get along so well. It’s since they’ve worked together at Colney too that Raya has become one of the best glovemen in the world.
The Spaniard has shown as much this term, making an astonishing stop to deny Ollie Watkins in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa and then making a jaw-dropping double save to keep out Mateo Retegui’s penalty and follow-up effort against Atalanta last week in the Champions League.
How did Cana play such an important role? Well, while there was a VAR check to determine if the penalty should stand, Raya darted straight over to his goalkeeper coach and took on plenty of instruction.
“He helped me a lot in every aspect, so credit to him as well”, Raya said at full-time. “He does all the work with everything and it’s credit to him as well for the save.”
If Arsenal do eventually prevail in their quest to win England’s top division, Arteta will no doubt be the man who takes most of the praise. However, he has quite the coaching team – Cana and Jover included – who are helping take this team to the next level.
Alongside Gabriel: Arsenal star who made 0 passes all game bullied Man City
Arsenal nearly escaped the Etihad with all three points.
More than half of the current Manchester United squad could be sold in the next couple of transfer windows as INEOS look to rebuild the team.
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Half of United squad likely to be soldINEOS look to rebuild teamDiallo, Mainoo among key players to be retainedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Per , more than 50 per cent of the United squad has been deemed surplus to new manager Ruben Amorim's needs and could be sold over the next few transfer windows. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group have decided to entrust Amorim with the squad rebuilding process, however, for that to happen, the club need to make sales first.
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The journalist further claims that only a few key members of the team will be retained on a long-term basis which includes players like Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Lenny Yoro and Andre Onana. Captain Bruno Fernandes, who penned a fresh deal earlier this season, will also remain at Old Trafford at least until 2027.
DID YOU KNOW?
With the squad overhaul in mind, the Red Devils have already prepared a shortlist of players they want to sign in the upcoming transfer window. The club could raid Amorim's previous team Sporting CP in January as they hope to sign striker Viktor Gyokeres and young defender Geovany Quenda.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
After facing back-to-back losses in the Premier League, United will aim to get back to winning ways on Thursday as they take on Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.
Chelsea have made contact with a £34 million defender as BlueCo continue to scour the market, this time seeking new options for Enzo Maresca's backline.
Chelsea sporadically tipped to sign another centre-back
Rumours of a potential new centre-back signing after Tosin Adarabioyo have died down in the last two months, but it was something which couldn't be ruled out towards the beginning of the summer window.
Chelsea expected to sign £17 million player alongside Joao Felix
The Blues could announce it shortly.
ByEmilio Galantini Aug 21, 2024
Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, speaking in May, shared his belief that Chelsea could sign two centre-backs this summer, including Tosin, as current defender Trevoh Chalobah will need to be sold for FFP reasons.
Chalobah was left out of Chelsea's pre-season tour of the USA, sparking outrage among sections of the fanbase and speculation that the 24-year-old is very much on Maresca's list of players to be sold before summer deadline day.
Cole Palmer
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"He was probably our best defender in the last 10-15 games last season," said Chelsea season ticket holder Bert Barrett to GOAL.
"It's a joke they have signed Tosin to replace Chalobah, who is a better player and has been at Chelsea since a kid."
Chelsea are apparently ready to sell Chalobah for around £25-30 million, despite his impressive performances under Mauricio Pochettino last season. While the versatile Cobham academy graduate is a boyhood supporter, his treatment by the club lately has prompted reports that Chalobah is now ready to leave Chelsea and open talks with other clubs.
Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in Chalobah, as Newcastle United lodge repeated bids to sign their star centre-back Marc Guehi. If the latter departs Selhurst Park for St. James', Chelsea's outcasted defender could be an ideal replacement. However, the question still remains, who could replace the exit-bound Chalobah at Chelsea?
Chelsea make contact with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez
According to respected Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips, writing on his Substack, it is believed that Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has been on the radar of Stamford Bridge chiefs for a while.
The Englishman, who is said to command a price tag of around £34 million, could come in to succeed Chalobah if he does seal a move away. Indeed, Chelsea have already made contact with Gomez over joining from Liverpool, and the fact he shares Maresca's agency makes a deal "pretty straightforward".
“A Liverpool source has confirmed that Chelsea have now recently made contact with defender Joe Gomez about a potential move this summer,” Phillips said (via CaughtOffside).
“Chelsea have also reached out to the agents of the player to see if there would be any interest in the move, and there would be. At this point, it is Chelsea finding out the full financial conditions of any deal and whether they can make it happen or not. Nothing has yet advanced past that at the time of writing this, but we know how fast things can move.
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.
“SPTC sources expect this would be a move dependent on Trevoh Chalobah and another centre back leaving. As you know, Chelsea have been looking at new centre backs for THIS window and as we exclusively reported on this site in July last year, Gomez has been on the Chelsea radar under the new ownership for quite some time now.
“He is also under the same agency as both Enzo Maresca and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, so any deal if Chelsea wanted to do it, is expected to be pretty straightforward.”