Chelsea are now going all out to sign a “stunning” winger, and they may be willing to trigger the £42m release clause in his contract, according to a report.
Blues keen to strengthen in attack
Nicolas Jackson made a flying start to the campaign, but the 23-year-old is still without a Premier League goal in 2025, having now failed to score in his last 11 matches, most recently drawing a blank in the 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town.
The Blues’ disappointing draw against Ipswich may have significantly dented their Champions League aspirations, while also underlining the need for Enzo Maresca to strengthen his squad this summer, and new forwards are of particular interest.
Ipswich star Liam Delap is one of the main targets at striker, with the west Londoners recently opening talks over a deal for the Englishman, while they could also consider a move for Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, who is currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.
Sky Sports: Tottenham looking to sign £38m star who wants to leave Bayern
Tottenham are in the race for a winger, who has now made it clear he wants to leave his club.
ByDominic Lund Apr 13, 2025
Not only is signing a new striker on the agenda, but there may also be a need to bring in a new winger, given that Noni Madueke has widely been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
According to a report from Spain, a new target has now entered the frame, with Chelsea going all out to sign Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez, who has a £42m release clause included in his contract with the Spanish side.
The Blues are yet to make an official bid, but they are considering stumping up the release clause to ensure they win the race for Rodriguez’s signature, amid interest from other unnamed clubs.
Real Betis'JesusRodriguezcelebrates scoring their second goal
Betis hope to keep hold of the winger for at least one more season, but they are powerless to prevent his departure, should any of the interested parties be willing to fork out the release clause.
"Stunning" Rodriguez enjoying breakthrough season
The ongoing campaign has been a real breakthrough season for the 19-year-old, having made 24 appearances in all competitions, picking up two goals and two assists in the process.
The teenager has certainly managed to impress the Spanish media with his performances, having been lauded as “stunning” by journalist Alvaro Borrego, who adds the youngster will soon be part of the Spain national team set-up.
The Spaniard’s performances over the past year indicate he is a well-rounded winger, who is effective on the front foot, but also willing to pitch in defensively.
Statistic
Average per 90
Interceptions
0.64 (83rd percentile)
Successful take-ons
2.78 (90th percentile)
Progressive carries
4.59 (77th percentile)
Blocks
1.39 (94th percentile)
That said, while Rodriguez is showing very promising signs at such a young age, his attacking numbers are yet to justify a £42m outlay, and Chelsea should continue to monitor his performances between now and the end of the season.
Newcastle United are just over a week away from the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Liverpool await.
What should be a joyous occasion has been tainted by a slew of setbacks, casting Eddie Howe’s squad back into a depleted state that makes life difficult indeed given the calibre of opposition.
Still, the sixth-place Magpies are one of the most dangerous teams in Europe on their day. If Newcastle can make it a successful finish to the campaign, it would help immensely going into the 2025/26 campaign.
Newcastle are reportedly ‘excited’ by the upcoming transfer window after battling through PSR concerns, with Howe looking to be backed as he pushes for a return to the Champions League.
Newcastle's transfer plans this summer
Now that Miguel Almiron’s re-signed for Atlanta United in an £8m deal, Newcastle are short on options at right wing.
Jacob Murphy’s form has mitigated the urgency, but Premier League stars such as Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford are allegedly on the shortlist and could be targetted this summer.
With Sven Botman struggling for fitness and Lloyd Kelly leaving on loan in January, a centre-back would also go down a treat, but Newcastle are also eyeing a deal further back.
James Trafford, 22, has been incredible between the sticks for Burnley this season, keeping 24 clean sheets from 34 Championship matches and saving 87% of his shots faced, as per Sofascore.
Is it any wonder the Toon are keen on a deal? TalkSPORT suggest Burnley will want £30m for their goalkeeper, but this would surely be worthwhile as Howe looks to engineer the next phase in Newcastle’s development.
If he’s welcomed, though, someone will need to go…
Howe must cash in on £60k-per-week star
Newcastle might be compliant with PSR-related concerns, but if they wish to invest, sales will be necessary.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe reacts
If Newcastle strike gold and bring Trafford to St. James’ Park, it makes little sense to keep Nick Pope on the books, an idea Howe subscribes to given United are already stirring up plans for his sale this summer.
As per Football Insider, Newcastle would be willing to let Pope exit for around £15m in the next window, which would be an absolute triumph given he was purchased from Burnley for just £10m.
Nick Pope
Pope has been a stalwart shot-stopper during his time at Newcastle, but having been dealt a string of injury blows this season, PIF chiefs are warming to the idea of his sale since he is losing his way between the sticks.
With unavailability and a declining sense of security in shot saving, bagging a rising star of Trafford’s ability makes a lot of sense.
24/25*
Newcastle
17
3
67.9
23/24
Newcastle
16
5
72.4
22/23
Newcastle
37
14
74.6
21/22
Burnley
36
9
74.5
20/21
Burnley
32
11
77.2
Moreover, the 32-year-old (who turns 33 next month) is in the penultimate year of his £60k-per-week contract. With Trafford at the top of the Toon’s wish list, it feels right that he should move on this summer, no longer boasting his one-time unflappability and indeed feeling the effects of Father Time.
There have been several indicators of regression. Recently, loose passing and a lack of authority nearly cost Newcastle in a 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest, while his shot-stopping security has also raised questions – see below against Tottenham Hotspur.
Reporter Adam Clery even suggested several weeks ago the England international “looks absolutely petrified” when diving – a by-product of his injury issues – and that this is “fatal” for a goalkeeper.
Trafford would be the perfect fit to jockey with Martin Dubravka for the top spot, having been hailed for his “sensational” exploits this season by Burnley podcaster Natalie Bromley.
Bringing Trafford in would create a neat kind of continuity, for Pope too came from Turf Moor. His ship has run its course, and Howe will want to make the requisite transfer adjustments this summer to take his Tyneside crew to the next level.
Left in 2014: Newcastle dud flopped under Pardew, now he's outscoring Gordon
He’s made a name for himself after falling by the wayside at St. James’ Park.
Chelsea are now in a strong position to win the race for an “unbelievable” forward whose price tag has recently dropped by £79m, but there will be competition for his signature from Barcelona, according to a report.
Maresca set to strengthen attacking options
Enzo Maresca is keen to strengthen his attacking options in the summer transfer window, amid doubts over Christopher Nkunku’s future, and Barcelona’s Ferran Torres is the latest player to be named as a target, with a £25m offer currently being prepared.
The Blues are trying to prise Torres away from Barca, and they are also set to battle the La Liga side for the signatures of a number of forwards at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s Luis Diaz has caught the eye of both clubs, with the Colombian viewed as an ideal acquisition, although he remains keen on agreeing new terms to extend his stay at Anfield.
Chelsea offered £302k-per-week Barcelona player by intermediaries
The Blues have been approached over his potential availability.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 22, 2025
Another winger being eyed by Barcelona and Chelsea is AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, with a report from Spain revealing both clubs are interested in a summer deal, but the Premier League side could hold a major advantage (via TEAMtalk).
The Blues are said to be in a strong position to win the race for Leao’s signature, as Barca’s financial issues could pose a problem, and the AC Milan winger will not be cheap, although his price has recently dropped significantly.
AC Milan's RafaelLeaoreacts
Previously, Milan had informed interested parties to pay the £145m release clause in the Portugal international’s contract, but they are now willing to sanction his departure for a fee of £66m, with the asking price dropping by £79m.
The 25-year-old is seen as an ideal fit for Maresca’s squad, and he is now set to be available for a much more affordable price at the end of the season.
"Unbelievable" Leao could take Chelsea's attack to next level
Journalist Sam Tighe has lauded the AC Milan star as “unbelievable”, and for good reason, given how influential he has been for the Serie A side for a number of years, having regularly contributed with goals and assists.
Season
Serie A appearances
Goals
Assists
2019-20
31
6
2
2020-21
30
6
6
2021-22
34
11
10
2022-23
35
15
10
2023-24
34
9
10
2024-25
23
5
6
The Portuguese forward has proven himself at the highest level, having scored three Champions League goals this season, so there is every indication he would be an excellent addition for Chelsea in the summer.
After exhibiting some promising signs at the start of the Premier League season, Jadon Sancho’s form has gone downhill recently, with the Manchester United loanee picking up just one goal contribution in his last 11 matches.
Fabrizio Romano has stated the Blues are locked into making Sancho’s stay a permanent one, with a £25m deal on the cards, but if his performances don’t improve between now and the end of the season, Leao should become a major target.
da bet7： Arne Slot’s Liverpool project is built atop the foundation paved by Jurgen Klopp in his last hurrah.
da dobrowin： That’s not to say that the Dutch tactician has been riding on his predecessor’s coattails; far from it. Slot has taken a talented Liverpool side and shaped it toward his vision.
He’s done it with aplomb. The Reds are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League and await Newcastle United in next month’s Carabao Cup final. They have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain for the Champions League’s last 16 too.
And all this having barely touched the transfer market. In fact, Federico Chiesa from Juventus for £12.5m stands as the only first-team addition since the summer 2023 market. Giorgi Mamardashvili signed last summer but has stayed with Valencia on loan.
Much of this boils down to Liverpool’s midfield rebuild. Klopp’s last hurrah, he pieced a malfunctioned engine room back together, with FSG opting for several parts instead of the attractive option named Jude Bellingham.
When Liverpool missed out on Jude Bellingham
There was a point, about two years ago, when Liverpool held onto hopes of bringing Bellingham to Anfield. Spanish sources revealed in December 2022 that Real Madrid were the favourites but that Liverpool held the financial advantage. Fans waited with bated breath.
Bellingham signed for Los Blancos in a deal worth £115m, leaving Borussia Dortmund having established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the business.
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham
Toward the end of the 2023/24 season, Joleon Lescott claimed that the robust midfielder is “the best player in the world.” Whether this is actually true is open to question, but there’s no doubt that Bellingham is in the world-class bracket.
He has lifted La Liga and Champions League titles and has racked up 57 goal contributions from 77 matches. According to CIES Football Observatory’s player valuation model, Bellingham is currently valued at £225m, making him the second-most valuable player in the world, behind only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland at £244m.
Carlo Ancelotti has described Bellingham as “a gift for football” but Liverpool ultimately hit the jackpot in investing in the aggregate. Had the Three Lions superstar been signed and resources have been exhausted, it’s unlikely that Liverpool’s midfield, maybe still comprised of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, would be serving up a title challenge.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch are title-chasing Liverpool’s main options, while Wataru Endo surprised a few in helping Klopp’s team toward a resurgent 2023/24 campaign, winning the Carabao Cup too.
However, there’s another Reds midfielder who’s proving himself to be an unsung hero in Slot’s midfield, and he cost absolutely nothing.
Arne Slot's unsung hero at Liverpool
Curtis Jones has always been just outside the limelight.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones celebrates
A dynamic midfielder with a technical gift and selfless intelligence, he’s been a valuable asset to the Merseysiders since emerging from the academy.
His introductory goal against Everton in the 2020 FA Cup third round when he was only 18 to seal passage to the next phase illustrated the latest Merseyside sensation to come through the gates.
His ball-playing style aligns neatly with Slot’s own footballing ideology, but injuries and suspensions have kept him from nailing down a regular starting berth.
In fact, the regularity of suspension and fitness blows across his senior career so far might have proved detrimental to many up-and-comers, but his determination and self-belief have instead seen him go from strength to strength.
Below, you will see how Jones’ technical qualities have been shifted to accommodate Slot’s more control-focused system. This, for sure, serves as an accurate barometer of the nuanced tweaks away from Klopp’s set-up.
Curtis Jones in the Premier League (23/24 vs 24/25)
Stats (per 90)
23/24
24/25
Goals
0.08
0.26
Assists
0.08
0.26
Shot-creating actions
2.78
2.33
Touches
70.57
62.96
Pass completion
91.1%
93.9%
Passes attempted
59.85
52.36
Progressive passes
5.71
5.43
Progressive carries
2.39
1.12
Successful take-ons
1.16
0.78
Ball recoveries
5.55
4.39
Tackles + interceptions
2.62
2.41
Stats via FBref
Under Slot’s wing, Jones is effectively moving around less, touching less of the ball while maintaining his expertise in playing the ball. Speaking warmly of his midfielder in November, the Dutch coach hailed his all-round ability: “He has an incredibly hard work rate and we trust him in defence. He is complete. For him now, it is all about consistency.”
Praised for his “truly special” style of play by one analyst, Jones’ knack for impressing across the different central roles serves as another string to the bow. As per Transfermarkt, he has featured 14 times in an advanced role this year, 11 dead in the centre and has played four matches in a deeper-sat position, making long stroking passes to build the fluency of Slot’s team.
Jude Bellingham for England
His glue-like quality allows those around him to flourish, and brings the best out of them. In fact, he might even have some intriguing similarities to the aforementioned Bellingham, with FBref recording the Real Madrid Galactico as Jones’ most comparable midfielder when crunching numbers across the past 365 days.
Bellingham ranks among the top 2% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals and assists, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 7% for touches, and the top 6% for tackles and interceptions made per 90, as per FBref.
He’s the footballing paragon of midfield completeness, transcending the position and becoming a unique talent unto himself. Jones, we have to admit, isn’t operating at the same level, but he does carry a stylistic semblance and this is a treat for a Reds side blessed with such dynamic and balanced midfield proportions.
The Sky Sports pundits see something Bellingham-esque in Jones’ skill set, with Jamie Carragher remarking that he has “a bit of everything” in his game.
Indeed, Jones needs to keep his head down and prove himself worthy among his fellow midfielders. According to Football Transfers, the England international’s transfer value has skyrocketed from about £15m to £44m in just a matter of months, perfectly illustrating his progress under new Liverpool management.
Bellingham’s a showman, yes, but he’s also a warrior and a thoroughbred workhorse. Jones doesn’t quite encapsulate the same sweeping gamut, but he’s a top player in his own right, and so undervalued within this title-charging Liverpool team.
Left in 2015: Liverpool's £4m flop is outscoring Darwin Nunez in 24/25
It highlights the non-clinical edge of Darwin Nunez’s game.
As one Bundesliga club look to make instant profit, it’s Manchester United who could reportedly take full advantage in a deal that could cost them as much as £67m this summer.
Man Utd transfer news
The Red Devils struggled on the reinforcements front during the January transfer window – only welcoming Patrick Dorgu and young Ayden Heaven – and must now turn their attention towards much-needed improvements in the summer.
That winter failure was there for all to see against Leicester City in the FA Cup too, as Ruben Amorim’s side were forced to win late on against a struggling Leicester City side courtesy of Harry Maguire’s contentious winner.
Sat in the bottom half of the Premier League, Amorim desperately needs a summer of additions if he is to turn what has so far been an Old Trafford nightmare into a gradual rise into the dream move he may have envisioned.
With that said, the Red Devils could take full advantage of one club’s pursuit of profit this summer. According to Christian Falk via Caught Offside, Manchester United are plotting a summer swoop to sign Xavi Simons.
Man Utd decision makers head over heels for big money English midfielder
Man Utd are keen on an English star to kickstart the Ruben Amorim era.
BySean Markus Clifford Feb 8, 2025
The German reporter explained that despite only just completing a permanent move to RB Leipzig last month, the Bundesliga club could look to sell their star man for instant profit of just over £25m this summer.
Falk told Caught Offside: “It was a little bit surprising that Leipzig committed to a permanent deal with Simons. At the beginning, they didn’t think they’d get this chance, but they did it for €50m (£41m), which isn’t a lot for this kind of player. His contract, of course, isn’t that long, running just until 2027.
Xavi Simons for RB Leipzig
“So, you see, his stock is rising! Leipzig are thinking they have signed a player for €50m (£41m) who has the potential to be an €80m (£67m) player, so they could earn a lot of money on a potential sale. I’m sure there’s a gentleman’s agreement or a release clause, which would see Simons sold in the summer.”
Simons would solve Amorim's frustrating problem
The story of Amorim’s Manchester United tenure so far has been square pegs in round holes in a system which simply hasn’t suited the squad that Erik ten Hag left behind. Simons’ arrival may well spell the beginning of the end of that narrative, however.
In Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system – which operates with two advanced midfielders – the Dutchman would be the perfect candidate to slot straight in alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes and finally sharpen a blunt Old Trafford attack.
Starts
12
23
Goals
4
5
Assists
2
6
Key Passes P90
1.95
2.29
Dubbed a “crazy” talent by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, 21-year-old Simons would certainly be a worthwhile investment to kickstart the Amorim era at Old Trafford this summer.
da supremo： Alan Ferreira foi contratado pelo Corinthians em 2020,para jogar no Sub-23. Em novembro de 2021 foi emprestado para o Oeste – equipe de Barueri que disputa a série A-2 do Campeonato Paulista – com vínculo de empréstimo até o fim deste ano. Mas ao que tudo indica, deve permanecer no time do interior paulista.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansAtletas do Corinthians eFootball são destaque na Liga das NaçõesCorinthians07/12/2022CorinthiansCorinthians desiste de contratar auxiliar técnico Rodrigo SantanaCorinthians06/12/2022CorinthiansPerto de Romero, Corinthians está no limite da cota de estrangeirosCorinthians06/12/2022
da 888casino： O próprio atleta projetou a temporada 2023 pela equipe atual. De acordo com o zagueiro, a intenção é disputar o Campeonato Paulista e buscar o acesso do Oeste para a série A-1 do estadual.
Artilheiros da Copa do Mundo 2022: veja lista de jogadores que marcaram
Veja tabela da Copa do Mundo e simule os próximos jogos
– Assim como eu, todo grupo espera conseguir acesso ao Paulistão, que não veio nesta temporada. Vendo a formação da equipe e do trabalho, é impossível não ficar otimista – disse Alan Ferreira.
continua após a publicidade
O contrato do defensor com o Corinthians vai até julho de 2023. Quando chegou ao clube, em 2020, assinou um contrato de três anos. Inclusive, foi agenciado pela mesma empresa que ajudou a negociar nomes comoLéo Natel, Cantillo e André Luis ao Timão.
Ainda não se sabe se o Oeste procurará adquirir o jogador em definitivo durante este primeiro semestre ou se estenderá o vínculo de empréstimo por estes seis meses. Neste ano, atuou em 19 partidas.
A look at the form in the first half and the challenges ahead for the top four teams on the points table
Gaurav Sundararaman15-Sep-2021The IPL resumes on September 19 with its El Clasico, Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians. A lot has happened since it came to an abrupt halt in early May after the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the tournament bubble. Players have pulled out due to fatigue, workload management and injuries. Not only will there be some new faces, but the remaining 31 matches will also be played at different venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – as opposed to the first half of the IPL, which was played at four venues in India.The second half of the IPL is vastly significant not just for the franchises but also the players and the various international teams as the men’s T20 World Cup will be played in the UAE and Oman from October 17. ESPNcricinfo runs a comb through the eight teams identifying not just the strengths but also the areas they need to work on.Related
Ricky Ponting: Shreyas Iyer's return 'makes the make-up of our team look more complete'
Kohli: Skillsets of Hasaranga and Chameera will be of huge help in UAE
IPL returns to UAE as familiar foes Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings take centre stage
IPL 2021: Rishabh Pant to continue as Delhi Capitals captain
IPL 2021 returns: Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad look to turn fortunes around
Delhi Capitals
Squad changes from first phase
In: Shreyas Iyer, Ben Dwarshuis, Kulwant Khejroliya
Out: Aniruddha Joshi, Chris Woakes, M Siddharth Strengths
A strong start in the first half has ensured Delhi Capitals are now favourites to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Two further victories will assure them of that prize. Despite the absence of regular captain Shreyas Iyer (who is back having recovered from shoulder surgery), Capitals’ batting did not suffer with the opening pair of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan adding 512 runs at a run rate of 9.25 and a handsome average of 64. It was in the powerplay phase where Capitals sealed the deal in most games. They also displayed adaptability in terms of conditions by winning in Chennai, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. They boasted the best performing spin attack in the competition during the first phase.2020 UAE strategy
Their bowling was their strength last time around. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada were crucial to their success as was the variety provided by spin twins Axar Patel and R Ashwin.Challenges for 2021
While Avesh Khan emerged as a match-winner during the first phase, the rest of the Capitals fast men struggled. They took just nine wickets at an economy of 11.17, which was the second-worst among all teams. Avesh’s success meant Capitals could afford to leave out Nortje but expect him to be back in the UAE. The other issue will be picking between Steven Smith and Shimron Hetmyer for the middle order, which will be reinforced by Iyer’s return. Last year in the UAE, both Shaw and Rishabh Pant, who will continue as captain*, had struggled. How they fare this time could decide whether Capitals win a maiden IPL title.Potential XI: 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Steven Smith/Shimron Hetmyer, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Axar Patel, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Avesh Khan
Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians will kick off the second phase•BCCISquad changes from first phase
In: Josh Hazlewood
Out: Jason BehrendorffStrengths
If not for a Kieron Pollard blinder in Delhi, Chennai Super Kings would have been sitting on top of the table with six wins from seven matches. Having finished in the bottom half in 2020, MS Dhoni’s team surprised everyone by shedding their usual conservative approach to batting. With an unmatched depth – Deepak Chahar slots in at No. 11 – Super Kings scored at a rate of 9.47 between overs 7 to 16. A lot of credit goes to the opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis who set strong foundations upon which the likes of Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja could build big totals. On the bowling front, Chahar and the spinners were the key playmakers.2020 UAE strategy
The UAE was not a happy hunting ground for Super Kings last season. Injuries, absentees and lack of practice meant they peaked too late. Hardly any of their moves worked because virtually everyone was out of form. This time around they have been practising for over a month and would look to keep faith in what has worked in IPL 2021 rather than going back to what worked in previous seasons.Challenges for 2021
The form of their fast bowlers – Lungi Ngidi, Josh Hazlewood, Shardul Thakur and Dwayne Bravo – will be crucial for the multiple-time champions to extend their good start. There will be pressure on Suresh Raina too, who has managed 123 runs in six innings at an average of 24 with a solitary half-century. If Raina can perk up the middle order with some impactful cameos, it will ease the burden on the finishers.Potential XI: 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2 Faf du Plessis, 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Ambati Rayudu, 6 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Shardul Thakur, 10 Deepak Chahar, 11 Dwayne Bravo/Josh Hazlewood/Imran Tahir
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Will Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore make it to their second straight playoffs?•BCCI/IPLSquad changes from first phase
In: Tim David, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, George Garton, Akash Deep
Out: Finn Allen, Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Washington SundarStrengths
Contributions from Harshal Patel, Glenn Maxwell and Devdutt Padikkal showed that Royal Challengers Bangalore were no more dependent on just Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. The franchise has also got some attractive replacements who have the potential to be X-factor players.2020 UAE strategy
That revolved around Yuzvendra Chahal and Chris Morris, both of whom played a key role in the last IPL. Chahal will be hurting after failing to make the World Cup squad, but he remains the lead spinner for Royal Challengers and his form could once again be a key factor.Challenges for 2021
Can Royal Challengers qualify for the playoffs as they did last year? Perhaps, if they find the right balance in the absence of Washington Sundar, who is recovering from a finger injury picked up at the outset of the Test series in England. For a like-for-like replacement, they might have to look at their overseas contingent, which will force at least one more change. Also, in case Harshal’s cutters fail on the faster UAE pitches, the team will need to find the right bowling combination without losing momentum.Potential XI: 1 Devdutt Padikkal, 2 Virat Kohli (capt), 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Shahbaz Ahmed, 7 Kyle Jamieson, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
Looking to get one over on London rivals Chelsea, Crystal Palace are now reportedly keen to hijack the Blues’ chase to sign an impressive Ligue 1 defender who has been compared to Dayot Upamecano.
Crystal Palace at risk of losing European place
For all their hard work, Dean Henderson’s save to deny Omar Marmoush’s penalty, Eberechi Eze’s Wembley heroics and Oliver Glasner’s tactical victory over Pep Guardiola which was months in the making, it could all come crashing down for Crystal Palace. The Eagles looked set to soar across Europe for the first time, but UEFA may well be about to clip their wings.
The same shareholder cannot hold a majority stake in two clubs in the same European competition and that’s a problem for John Textor, who not only holds large shares in the South London club but also French club Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. Naturally, the simple solution for all may have been to at least drop Palace into the Europa Conference League. That too would be a problem, however.
Crystal Palace battling to sign £150k-p/w ace with same agent as Henderson
He could be their first signing of the summer.
1
By
Tom Cunningham
Jun 7, 2025
Like Textor, Dan Blitzer’s involvement in Brondby means that he would have two clubs in the UEFA Conference League. Simply put, Palace would have the same problem again and they’re now at risk of being kicked out of European football altogether.
When INEOS had the same problem amid Manchester United and Nice’s European qualification, they put shares into a blind trust to navigate past the rules. The City Group did the same when Manchester City and Getafe both qualified for the Champions League. Although they have reportedly since offered to do the same, however, Crystal Palace have missed the deadline to do so.
Whether Textor and Parish’s meeting with UEFA on Tuesday changed things remains to be seen. For now, Palace must hope for the best and push on with their summer preparations, including on the transfer front.
Crystal Palace keen to hijack Doukoure chase
According to The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now keen to hijack Chelsea’s chase to sign Ismael Doukoure this summer. The Strasbourg defender enjoyed an excellent season in France and, at 21 years old, is attracting plenty of interest from across Europe. Given that Marc Guehi has been the subject of several exit rumours at Selhurst Park too, a move for the Strasbourg man would certainly make sense for Palace.
U23 scout Antonio Mango went as far as to describe Doukoure as “magnificent” in 2023, whilst scout Jacek Kulig compared the defender to Bayern Munich’s Upamencao in incredibly high praise, praising his pace, anticipation and aerial ability.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Ismael Doukoure
Dayot Upamecano
Minutes
2,639
1,759
Progressive Carries
20
17
Tackles Won
22
22
Aerial Duel Win Percentage
61.9%
58.4%
Kulig’s comparison certainly makes sense. When compared, Doukoure kept up with Upamecano in possession – albeit having played more minutes – and impressively outperformed him in the air.
Also matching his fellow Frenchman for tackles won, Doukoure will be desperate to follow a similar path to the top as Upamecano and that could first feature a move to the Premier League courtesy of Crystal Palace.
da prosport bet： Nottingham Forest are now willing to make a £21m bid for a “superb” midfielder, which would be enough to get a deal over the line, according to a report.
Forest eyeing new signings amid Elanga uncertainty
da cassino online： After making an unexpected push for the Champions League places last season, there was also going to be interest in some of Forest’s best-performing players this summer, and the future of Anthony Elanga remains very much up in the air.
Newcastle United, who pipped the Tricky Trees to a fifth-place finish, are now thought to be closing in on a move for Elanga, which would be a major blow, given that the Sweden international amassed 17 Premier League goal contributions in the 2024-25 campaign.
As such, Nuno has been running the rule over potential replacements for the winger, with FC Porto’s Pepe believed to be of interest, having held talks over a deal for the 28-year-old, while Juventus’ Timothy Weah has turned down a move to the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest set to make £20m+ move for EURO 2024 Golden Boot winner
Nottingham Forest have joined the race to sign a promising young striker.
ByBrett Worthington Jun 30, 2025
Having missed out on Weah, Nottingham Forest have now turned their attentions to another Serie A player, with a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) revealing they are now willing to make a €25m (£21m) offer for AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah.
Musah is described as being one of the key candidates to leave Milan, with the Italian club looking to raise funds for their own transfer business, and a move to the City Ground could be on the cards, as there is a belief he could shine in the Premier League.
AC Milan'sYunusMusahin action with Girona's Donny van de Beek
Milan would be likely to accept a £21m offer, but there is set to be competition for the central midfielder’s signature, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also willing to make a bid of the same value.
"Superb" Musah could flourish at Forest
Despite being just 22-years-old, the maestro already has plenty of experience in some major European leagues, making 108 appearances with Valencia, before going on to receive regular game time with current club AC Milan.
During that time, the USA international has displayed his versatility, predominantly featuring in central midfield, but also playing on both wings, perhaps due to his stellar dribbling ability, ranking in the 93rd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year.
Scout Jacek Kulig also lauded the American for his “superb” performances at the 2022 World Cup, showcasing his ability to perform at the top level, which could make the Milan ace a solid signing for a Forest side with aspirations of competing in Europe.
Nuno’s side should be wary of Wolves’ interest, but Europa Conference League football being on offer at the City Ground next season could give them an edge in negotiations for Musah.
All you need to know about Mexico's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Mexico are undoubtedly one of the most entertaining teams to watch at any World Cup and have built a reputation for causing upsets and putting up strong fights against some of the biggest teams in the tournament.
They have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts and will be optimistic about making a deep run. Most recently, they defeated rivals USA in the final to lift the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Although El Tri are a reasonably strong side, their performance at the previous edition of the World Cup in 2022 was disappointing. They were knocked out in the group stage, despite having previously reached the Round of 16 seven times in a row.
Mexico's best-ever performance at the World Cup is now a distant memory, having reached the quarter-finals in both the 1970 and 1986 editions of the competition. Will they be able to go further this time around? Let's find out by taking a closer look at their squad strength.
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Goalkeepers
When it comes to Mexican goalkeepers, every football fan is familiar with the name Guillermo Ochoa. The 40-year-old keeper will be 41 by the time the World Cup kicks off next year. However, despite his age, Ochoa is expected to make the Mexico squad, having already played in three World Cups.
This time around, though, Ochoa is expected to serve as the backup, with Luis Malagon of Club America showing great promise for El Tri between the sticks. Malagon started all of Mexico’s matches during their triumphant Gold Cup campaign and is currently the front-runner to be the first-choice goalkeeper at the tournament next year.
Player
Club
Luis Malagon
Club America
Jose Rangel
Deportivo Gualdalajara
Guillermo Ochoa
AVS
Carlos Moreno
Pachuca
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Defenders
Mexico's backline for the 2026 World Cup will be filled with experience. Although they may not have the depth to rotate many players, some names are undroppable regardless. Johan Vasquez of Genoa will be an essential figure at the heart of the defense, while Jesus Gallardo and Jorge Sanchez, in the wider areas, bring immense experience and will be key for Mexico if they are to make a deep run in the tournament.
Cesar Montes is also a valuable asset for Gerardo Martino's side and could partner Vasquez as the second center-back, having already featured in the 2025 Gold Cup final.
Meanwhile, Julian Araujo has performed decently for Bournemouth in the Premier League and could be an interesting option moving forward if he continues to deliver at the top level.
Player
Club
Johan Vasquez
Genoa
Victor Guzman
Monterrey
Jesus Orozco
Cruz Azul
Rodrigo Huescas
Copenhagen
Julian Araujo
Bournemouth
Bryan Gonzalez
Deportivo Gualdajara
Jorge Sanchez
Cruz Azul
Cesar Montes
Lokomotiv Moscow
Jesus Gallardo
Toluca
Mateo Chavez
AZ Alkmaar
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Midfielders
Unlike the defense, Mexico have a balance of young talents and experienced players in midfield. Edson Alvarez has been a key figure for West Ham United in the Premier League and has also played a crucial role for the national team in the defensive midfield position. Alvarez will be essential for Mexico at the World Cup in maintaining their shape and dictating the tempo of the game. He also scored the winner for Mexico in the recent Gold Cup final against the USA.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Gilberto Mora also started in the Gold Cup final and, despite his young age, has already secured his place as a starter for the national team. Although Mora will be just 17 by the time the World Cup kicks off, he could emerge as one of the star players of the tournament if Mexico go far.
Marcel Ruiz and Carlos Rodriguez have also performed well for the national team and could have a role to play for El Tri at the showpiece event next year.
Player
Club
Edson Alvarez
West Ham
Erik Lira
Cruz Azul
Luis Chavez
Dinamo Kyiv
Marcel Ruiz
Toluca
Gilberto Mora
Tijuana
Orbelin Pineda
AEK Athens
Carlos Rodriguez
Cruz Azul
Luis Romo
Deportivo Guadalajara
Fernando Beltran
Leon
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Attackers
In the forward line for Mexico, Raul Jimenez is expected to play a key role as the center-forward. The Fulham striker will carry the responsibility of finding the back of the net for Mexico, alongside San Diego’s Hirving Lozano. Back in 2018, Lozano scored the only goal in a shocking upset against then-defending champions Germany.
Santiago Gimenez, who recently joined AC Milan from Feyenoord, has also been a regular in the national team and is expected to feature in the starting lineup at the World Cup for Gerardo Martino’s side.
Julian Quinones has also made a strong case for himself in recent months, thanks to his brilliant goal-scoring run for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. He finished the season as the fifth top scorer in the league, behind big names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.