Chelsea are wasting no time this summer, with their preparations for next season well underway.

Mauricio Pochettino has been replaced by Enzo Maresca, with Tosin Adarabioyo and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both joining the Italian at Stamford Bridge.

However, Todd Boehly is still working tirelessly to bring in new additions to the club, as he once again aims to close the gap to the Premier League’s top four.

He could add numerous more talents to his ever-growing list of additions, potentially increasing his spending to over £1.5b since his takeover back in 2022.

His side have recently been linked with one ace who could be a monster hit in the Premier League, but if they are to win the race for his signature, they may have to part ways with one player who’s endured a nightmare at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s interest in £25m attacking star

A couple of weeks ago, David Ornstein confirmed that Chelsea were in talks with the representatives of Jonathan David over a potential move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a stellar campaign in Ligue 1 last season, scoring 19 times in his 34 appearances – an average of one goal every 1.7 games in which he featured in.

David, who also has interest from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United, finished the campaign as the league’s joint-second top scorer, with only new Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé scoring more goals.

Another report states that despite his phenomenal campaign in Ligue 1, the striker could be available for just £25m – an absolute bargain, with David undoubtedly able to improve Maresca’s already stacked attacking department.

As a result of the interest in the Canadian, the Blues may want to shift some players out of the club to prevent any FFP problems, including one player who wants to leave the club this summer.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s weekly wage at Chelsea

After joining the club for a reported £71.6m from Athletic Bilbao during the summer of 2018, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who cost a world-record sum for a goalkeeper, had high expectations of being the Blues' long-term replacement for Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian had departed for Real Madrid.

In total, he's made 163 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2018, before joining Real Madrid on loan last summer for the 2023/24 campaign – where he made 20 appearances during their double-winning season.

Kepa, who's been described as potentially the club's "worst signing" by talkSPORT's Rory Jennings, currently earns £150k-per-week with the Blues, as per Capology, earning a staggering £39.1m in wages alone.

When coupled with his extortionate transfer fee, £110.5m in just under six years – a ridiculous amount of money given his lack of impact at Stamford Bridge.

Romelu Lukaku

£325k

Raheem Sterling

£325k

Reece James

£250k

Wesley Fofana

£200k

Ben Chilwell

£200k

Christopher Nkunku

£195k

Enzo Fernandez

£180k

Marc Cucurella

£175k

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£150k

To put things into perspective, transfer target David currently only pockets £27k-per-week on his current deal at Lille, with Kepa pocketing over five times more on a weekly basis.

With his deal at the club set to expire next summer, Boehly and co need to shift him off the books as soon as possible – amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

The huge figure for his wages is a real concern, especially given the club's losses in the last few months. Although a potential sale of Kepa wouldn't immediately solve the club's woes, it would go a long way to ensure Maresca's side stay within the permitted yearly losses of FFP for another 12 months.

Enzo must axe Chelsea flop who earns more than Adeyemi & Calafiori combined

He’s not had the impact the club would’ve wished for upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jul 11, 2024

GOAL runs through the most costly deals since the turn of the millennium and judges whether they have been successes or failures

Transfer fees have entered another stratosphere in the 21st century, with inflation pushing sums from high in the tens of millions to nine figures for the first time in the history of the sport.

Football's commercialisation and TV rights deals mean that leading clubs have huge financial muscle to flex, and it's projected that fees could reach between £350 million and £650m ($443m-$708m) by the year 2050.

There have been plenty of transfers that have pushed valuations to these new heights, but which have been the most expensive of the 21st century so far? Below, GOAL runs through the top 25 and gauges whether they have been a hit or miss:

Getty Images25Harry Maguire (Man Utd – £72m)

Manchester United grossly overspent on Harry Maguire back in 2019, and the centre-back has never been able to live up to his price tag in what has been a tumultuous period in the club's history.

The England international has had periods of form and popped up in some key moments, but he is widely considered to be something of a liability due to a number of high-profile errors and unimpressive displays.

Result? Miss.

AdvertisementGetty Images24Jadon Sancho (Man Utd – £73m)

Another Manchester United move that went awry. The Red Devils seemed to have pulled off a real coup when they saw off competition to land Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for what seemed like a reasonable fee at the time.

However, poor form and a monumental falling-out with then-manager Erik ten Hag saw Sancho's time at Old Trafford go badly wrong, culminating in him being loaned back to Dortmund before a summer switch to Chelsea in a loan-to-buy deal.

Result? Miss.

Getty Images23Romelu Lukaku (Man Utd – £75m)

The start of this list will make grim reading for Manchester United fans. United broke the bank to sign Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton for a then-record fee, but he flattered to deceive in two seasons at Old Trafford, scoring 42 times in 96 appearances.

Despite a fast start, Lukaku fell out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and after a deterioration in the relationship it was deemed best for all parties that he moved on as he joined Inter.

Result? Miss.

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Getty Images22Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus – £75.5m)

Juventus have a habit of shelling out when they deem it necessary, and they did just that to snare the prolific Gonzalo Huguain from rivals Napoli in 2016 as they triggered his release clause.

The Argentine repaid that investment by plundering 40 Serie A goals in two seasons as he helped to fire the Bianconeri to two Scudetti, though he was unable to end their Champions League hoodoo.

Result? Hit.

As much as Chelsea are focusing on new additions to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer, they’re also aiming to offload numerous first-team members who aren’t at the level required for the Italian.

Romelu Lukaku has been a disaster addition since his £97.5m deal to rejoin the Blues, only scoring 15 times in his second stint at Stamford Bridge.

His poor form at the club, coupled with his huge £325k-per-week wages, has seen the club entertain offers for his services, with Serie A side Napoli looking the most likely destination for the 31-year-old.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has also been touted with a permanent move away from the club, just six years on from his £71.6m move to the Blues – a deal that made him the most expensive ‘keeper in world football.

However, one other first-team member appears to be edging closer to an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer, with Maresca making it evidently clear the academy graduate isn’t in his plans for the upcoming season.

Chelsea set to offload £35m talent this summer

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are looking to sell centre-back Trevor Chalobah this summer after being omitted from the squad by new boss Maresca.

The Englishman featured 13 times for the Blues in the Premier League last season, but looks as though he will have played his last game for Chelsea – the club where he’s been ever since a youngster.

He wasn’t included in Maresca’s squad to travel to the US for their pre-season tour, with journalist Graeme Bailey claiming that the defender will also be left out of the club’s Premier League squad for the 2024/25 campaign.

Undoubtedly, it’s put numerous sides on red alert for his signature, including Newcastle United and West Ham United, but the Blues will demand a fee in the region of £35m to part ways with Chalobah despite his omission.

It would be great business receiving a fee in that region, especially considering the fact Maresca already has an upgrade in his current squad – meaning any money would be pure profit against the club’s ongoing FFP battle.

Why Colwill is an upgrade on Chalobah for Chelsea

Chalobah, who’s previously been dubbed a “monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would undoubtedly be hard done by in any departure, with the fans likely sharing his frustrations at his lack of game time in recent years.

However, unfortunately for Chalobah, he’s been unable to dislodge one talent who’s also succeeded in coming through the Cobham academy since 2020.

Levi Colwill has rapidly progressed at Chelsea, becoming a key member of the defensive unit over the last 12 months after various loan spells at Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion.

He’s gone from strength to strength at Stamford Bridge, registering 23 Premier League appearances last season, and backing up Maresca’s decision to stick with him and offload his fellow centre-back.

When comparing the two’s stats from last season on FBref, Colwill has blown the 25-year-old out of the water, having the potential to become even better as he’s four years younger than Chalobah.

Games played

13

23

Progressive carries

0.5

1.2

Progressive passes

2.9

3.6

Tackles won

67%

77%

Interceptions

0.8

1.3

Aerials won

46%

68%

Blocks

0.8

1.4

The former Brighton loanee dominated defensively, winning 10% more tackles, whilst coming out on top in 68% of aerial battles, compared to Chalobah’s tally of just 46%.

However, Colwill also excelled in possession, making him a perfect fit for Maresca’s possession-based system – averaging more than double the number of progressive carries and 1.3 more progressive passes.

It may seem a harsh decision to offload Chalobah this summer, but the Italian boss is showing a ruthless nature that is needed to drag the club back towards the top end of the Premier League.

The funds generated could allow him to invest in key areas of the squad, such as the centre-forward position, which could give the Blues the added cutting edge they were lacking last season.

Chelsea had a howler on Sarri signing who's now worth 3x less than Chalobah

He really hasn’t had the impact he would’ve imagined upon joining the Blues.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 25, 2024

The U.S. will head to Kingston for the first of a two-leg series that will have a huge impact on how 2025 will unfold

ORLANDO, Fla. – It's not that Mauricio Pochettino's first two matches in charge of the U.S. men's national team weren't important because they were, in more ways than one. Setting the tone in that Panama game was key. The lessons learned in Mexico will be even more vital. It was a building block and an introduction before the real games began.

Those real games have arrived. Just a month after Pochettino met his players for the first time, the USMNT will face Jamaica in a two-legged CONCACAF Nations League clash. The stakes are simple: win and move onto more meaningful games in the spring or lose and… well, that would require some figuring out.

All eyes are on the 2026 World Cup, and rightfully so, but for the U.S. to get there in the right way, this team has to win games like this. Starting with Thursday's visit to Jamaica, the U.S. has to prove it can beat other good teams and, if not, opportunities to do so again will be even harder to come by.

"We try to find the best balance, thinking not only about [performing] today, but to build something for 2026," Pochettino said after naming his squad. "That is the main objective. Of course, the objective is always about to win because we need to be competitive but it's important because we are not going to have too many camps to see players."

The first game, Thursday's visit to Jamaica, will be particularly challenging. The are a talented team, one that will be spurred on by their home crowd. This is a new era for them, too, under new manager Steve McClaren, one they hope ends with something the USMNT already has: a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

The USMNT has a big task on their hand in the first real game of the Pochettino era. Last camp was an introduction and now the real work begins.

• Getty
  

  A new-look USMNT

  A total of 20 players are back from Pochettino's first camp, giving some level of familiarity with what's going on. But, even for those 20, this is all still very new. Everyone involved is still adjusting a little bit to the new normal.

  "It's only the second camp, and it's not like it was the exact same roster last camp. We have new players and others coming in. It's all still new," said midfielder Yunus Musah. "We're still trying to get to know each other as players and staff, but the main thing is the game tomorrow. At the end of the day, [it's about us] really competing to win. We went right into training to make sure that we're ready and give our best."

  Pochettino's first camp had its ups and downs. The U.S. took down Panama 2-0, with Musah combining with club teammate Christian Pulisic on the opener. Ricardo Pepi, the likely starter at striker this camp, scored the second, sealing a debut win for the new coach.

  The trip south to Mexico, though, was a challenge. The U.S. were thoroughly beaten by , although that team was far from full strength. Pulisic and Pepi were among the players out of the squad, but the ones in it were still left frustrated by the performance in Guadalajara.

  For those players, the trip to Kingston is a chance at redemption and another chance to prove that they can perform away from home. For those coming into, or back into, the squad, it's a chance to make a big impression on Pochettino, who is still learning what he has at his disposal.

  "Every coach has their has their differences," Pulisic said. "It's been a good kind of reset for everyone. It's brought an environment where everyone is a bit on their toes. Especially in training sessions and meetings, I think everyone is that much more focused. You obviously want to make a good first impression. You want to impress the coaches. They've obviously coached some of the best players in the world."

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Traveling to Jamaica

  Traveling in CONCACAF is never easy, even against teams that the U.S. should easily beat. Jamaica isn't that. This is going to be a big challenge for the USMNT.

  The U.S. has played in Kingston 10 times, winning just three of those matches. They did draw six, and it could be argued that a draw would be a fine result in this opening leg, but even getting that will be hard. If the last two World Cup cycles have taught us anything, it's that getting results away from home in CONCACAF is hard. Last cycle, the U.S. earned just six points from seven World Cup qualifying games on the road. During the 2018 cycle, they earned just three points from five, which was a big reason they missed out on a trip to Russia.

  The USMNT's last visit to Jamaica came in a November 2021 qualifier, one which ended as a 1-1 draw. Several members of that group remain, and they remember how difficult that game was.

  "I've only played there once before, but it's obviously going to be a tough place to go," Pulisic said.

  Adds Musah: "We know that it's going to be a really challenging game with the conditions and a physical team, so we have to match their intensity before even trying to play or anything like that. We have to really be ready to fight, really. That's the key thing tomorrow."

• Getty
  

  Don't underestimate the Reggae Boyz

  For the last several years, Jamaica has been its own biggest opponent. Federation squabbles have derailed the team at crucial moments, preventing from truly reaching the levels they should.

  Make no mistake, though: this is a talented team and, from what we've seen recently, those federation squabbles may be a thing of the past.

  The federation took a big swing earlier this year, hiring former England manager McClaren. The veteran coach had most recently been working as an assistant under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, but has also coached at the highest levels of English soccer as a head coach himself. He's yet to lose since taking charge, defeating Honduras and Nicaragua while drawing Honduras and Cuba to book this Nations League quarterfinal date with the USMNT.

  McClaren's arrival has brought a new sense of optimism to Jamaica, who feature stars like Michael Antonio, Demarai Gray, and Ethan Pinnock. The key player, though, is Leon Bailey. After a year-long exile due to his feud with the federation, the Aston Villa star is back in the team, giving the a legitimately elite attacker to threaten the USMNT.

  "They are obviously a team with a lot of good athletes," said Pulisic, "A very physical team, and one that I think has improved a lot as well in recent years, so quality-wise, for sure, I think it's a game that you absolutely have to be ready for because it's going to be a challenge."

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• Getty Images
  

  The prize at the end

  The CONCACAF Nations League has, by and large, been the USMNT's playground. The U.S. has won every iteration of this tournament, with a final win over Canada sandwiched between two triumphs over Mexico.

  Right now, getting back to the final is about more than a trophy, though; it's about meaningful games.

  Should the U.S. win, they'll play in two more meaningful games in the spring, starting with a semifinal and ending with a final or third-place game. Given the calendar ahead, those games are crucial. Aside from the Gold Cup, the Nations League is all the USMNT has left when it comes to games with real stakes, which only further puts into perspective how much of a missed opportunity this past summer's Copa America was.

  Should the U.S. lose, though, and things get dicey. UEFA will be playing Nations League quarterfinal games during the spring window. CONMEBOL will have World Cup qualifying, too. The same can be said for Oceania, CAF and AFC. The only teams available will be the CONCACAF teams that also weren't invited to the semifinal round.

  Those are the stakes the USMNT are playing with. This trip to Jamaica is about more than a trophy; it's about a process. The road to 2026 is short and every game counts. This trip to Jamaica will be among the harder ones on the schedule until the and, for Pochettino and the USMNT, this is an opportunity to show where they are in that process as this new era continues.

The defeat to India has brought suggestions that all is not well in the dressing room after a season that has tested everybody

Daniel Brettig01-Feb-2021Justin Langer believes rumblings within the Australian dressing room about its uncompromising environment are a “wake-up call” he cannot ignore, ahead of key meetings among administrators who have the ultimate say about how long he remains as coach of the national team.The CA Board are due to meet on Friday for the first time since the end of the series loss to India, while any concerns from within the team about Langer’s approach as a coach may well be addressed when the new Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) chief executive Todd Greenberg has his first formal sit-down with the governing body’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley later this month.A shocked Langer had fronted some of the concerns in reply to a piece published in the on Friday, seemingly adamant the anxieties raised are without basis. But the fact that a way was found for sensitive internal issues to be raised publicly underlines that numerous players have either not been comfortable enough to front Langer about them directly, fearing selection or other consequences, or do not feel that any feedback already presented thus far has had the desired effect.Speaking to ESPNcricinfo on Monday, Langer acknowledged that any issues could be a matter for discussion between Greenberg and Hockley, and described the episode as a considerable reality check for him between the end of a draining India series and the proposed tour of South Africa.Related

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“I’m not going to ignore this, of course, and absolutely it is a wake-up call,” Langer said. “Whenever I finish this coaching career I hope I’m still calling myself a novice coach…I’ll see this criticism as a great gift in a few weeks or months.”My greatest mentors in life are the people who told me the truth and were toughest on me, and I’ve always needed that honest feedback. I might not enjoy it at the time, but it is so, so valuable.”The Test captain Tim Paine stepped forward to defend Langer over the weekend via , where he is contracted as a columnist, but others have been extremely hesitant to stick their heads above the parapet in public.”JL is a passionate guy, particularly when it comes to this team and Australian cricket,” Paine said. “He’s also the guy who kicks the bin over and then puts the rubbish back in. He wears his heart on his sleeve, is tough, fair and at times emotional, just as he was as a player and now as a coach. You would be worried if that wasn’t the case.”Justin Langer has a huge amount on his plate as Australia’s head coach across formats•Getty Images

Langer and his backers argue – with plenty of merit – that his methods, moods and propensity for the occasional outburst at players and staff have not changed over the course of nearly three years in the coaching job. He began amid the depths of the months after the Newlands scandal, through grueling but successful World Cup and Ashes campaigns to this summer’s draining cycle of Covid-19 bubbles and Australia’s third consecutive Test series loss to India.However, the counter view is that Langer should have changed more significantly, evolving his ways and loosening up slightly with a group of players he has now spent a lot of time alongside that is no longer the remorseful and less seasoned bunch he inherited from Darren Lehmann in 2018.The key question is whether Langer’s intensity – a tag that has followed him around across his whole playing and coaching career – can again be tempered as it was somewhat by the presence of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh at considerable expense on the 2019 England tour.Anxiety about broaching sensitive issues with Langer has been a recurring theme from time to time over that period among players and staff, a dynamic captured quite frankly in the Amazon documentary The Test.Greenberg, as a former chief executive of the NRL and the Canterbury Bulldogs before that, is well acquainted with the difficult conversations around a long-term coach’s future. He was only a matter of months into the Bulldogs job in 2008 when he and the Canterbury board guided the late Steve Folkes to the exit after a period of underperformance at the end of 11 seasons as coach that had also reaped five premierships.There were sound judges of Australian cricket who felt, even as Langer was about to take the job in 2018, that the aftermath of Newlands was the only time when his ways would have suited the national team coaching role, given a set project to improve the team’s reputation and performance over a specific period. At other points, they reasoned, Langer’s methods were better tailored to domestic cricket, as he had demonstrated with the Perth Scorchers in the BBL in particular.Since the Newlands scandal, Justin Langer and Tim Paine have worked well together•Getty Images

Equally, Langer’s tenure has been marked by a gradual build-up of handpicked staff and support around him. The team manager Gavin Dovey stayed on in his role after Lehmann’s departure largely due to his closeness to Langer, while the head of national teams, Ben Oliver, had a long history of working alongside Langer in Western Australia prior to his appointment – alongside high performance chief Drew Ginn – to fill the large managerial hole left by Pat Howard and then temporarily occupied by Belinda Clark.Among team support staff, the likes of David Saker and Graeme Hick departed in 2019 and 2020, replaced by Andrew McDonald as senior assistant, while others such as Troy Cooley and Trent Woodhill have lent their support on a tour-by-tour basis. The former ODI captain George Bailey joined Langer and Trevor Hohns on the selection panel towards the end of the 2019-20 season, a deeply respected figure among Australian playing ranks.Paine and Aaron Finch, the national ODI and T20I captain, have formed effective working relationships with Langer during that time. Paine is set to lead the Test squad on the proposed tour of South Africa later this month, while Finch leads a white-ball squad on a short tour of New Zealand, where that team is to be coached by McDonald. Langer has always been strident in his belief that the national team coach needed to be in overall command given how much the game’s formats overlap.”I don’t see anywhere around the world where it’s worked well to split the roles between formats, and that’s stayed true since the first letter I wrote to David Peever and James Sutherland about the job,” he said. “I love the job, there’s nothing I don’t love about it, including the criticism.”

Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) interim board has been granted a two-month extension by the country’s sports minister, Nathi Mthethwa, in order to conclude its work. The board, chaired by Dr Stavros Nicolaou, will be in place until April 15 after initially being appointed on October 30, 2020 for a period of three months. This is the second extension granted to the board after they had their tenure stretched to mid-February last month.”Bearing in mind that in announcing the Interim Board late last year, the minister anticipated that even with the best laid plans, no one had a crystal ball on how things would practically pan out. As the Minister takes deadlines that he sets seriously, he considered and was persuaded by the rationale for the requested two-month extension, which was influenced by such external issues as the disciplinary hearings as well as consultations with internal and external stakeholders,” a statement issued by Mthethwa’s office read. “The minister is persuaded to grant the extension on the grounds stated, he has consulted with the members council (the highest decision making body at CSA made up of the 14 provincial presidents) and it was unanimously concluded that this is the best decision for cricket.”The interim board is currently in the process of disciplinary proceedings against CSA’s company secretary Welsh Gwaza and acting CEO Kugandrie Govender. It also needs to lay the framework for electing a permanent, and mostly independent board, and needs to ensure CSA is in a position to hold its AGM, which was postponed from September last year. Overall, the interim board’s scope of work remains the same: “to generally do whatever is necessary and appropriate in order to restore the integrity and reputation of CSA,” as the minister’s statement put it, following years of maladministration.But the board has not had it all smooth sailing. Last month, former interim board chair Zak Yacoob stood down following a verbal tirade on a journalist, while former board member Omphile Ramela is fighting the interim board in court over his removal as a director.

Her replacement in the squad is the uncapped Canterbury seamer Gabby Sullivan

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2021New Zealand pace bowler Lea Tahuhu has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against England with a hamstring injury and is in doubt for the T20Is that follow.Tahuhu was helped off the ground late in the opening match in Christchurch on Tuesday. She will have an MRI scan this week to determine the full extent of the injury. Her replacement in the squad is the uncapped Canterbury seamer Gabby Sullivan.Related

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“It’s unfortunate news for Lea and a big loss for the team,” New Zealand coach Bob Carter said. “We wish her the best of luck with her recovery and know she’ll be doing everything to get back on the park as soon as possible.”The flipside of this is a great opportunity for Gabby who’s been impressive for Canterbury and deserves the call up.”It is the second significant injury Tahuhu has suffered this season after the side strain she picked up against Australia in Brisbane last October which led to her missing a large portion of the WBBL with Melbourne Renegades.New Zealand lost the opening match of the series by eight wickets although there was an impressive debut from Brooke Halliday who hit 50 off 54 balls. The next two matches take place in Dunedin.

MatériaMais Notícias

Os protocolares três pontos da Seleção Brasileira vieram no 3 a 1 sobre a Venezuelae os 100% de aproveitamento foram mantidos nas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo. Contudo, os comandados de Tite deram em Caracas uma impressão muito forte de desajuste coletivo e repetiram momentos de marasmo que podem custar caro contra rivais de grande porte.

>>> Veja a tabela das Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo!

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Faltou equilíbrio à equipe, em especial no meio de campo. O desejo de deixar Fabinho como cabeça de área e dar mais liberdade para Gerson se aproximar a Paquetá e Everton Ribeiro ficou apenas no papel.

Além da falta de entrosamento, o volante e o jogador do Olympique de Marselha tornavam o meio de campo burocrático e permitiam espaço para Soteldo surpreender em contra-ataques. Não demorou muito para o camisa 10 surgir pela direita e achar Eric Ramírez, que concluiu para a rede após um “escorregão duplo” de Marquinhos e Fabinho.

Tímidos, Danilo e Guilherme Arana pouco agregavam e a criatividade passava ao largo da equipe canarinho. Lucas Paquetá se dedicava, mas Everton Ribeiro era quem se mostrava mais centrado e levava algum perigo à zaga adversária. Paquetá e Gabriel Jesus tiveram seus posicionamentos variados, mas em vão. O placar seguia em branco.

A solução foi apostar, de maneira para lá de arriscada, em cartadas extremamente ofensivas. Everton Ribeiro deu lugar a Raphinha já na volta do intervalo e reconfigurou a equipe. Atuando pela ponta-direita, o estreante trouxe o dinamismo que a Seleção precisava ao buscar jogadas, cruzamentos, se apresentar para tabelas.E em uma partida que se desenhou tão pesada, o empate veio por via aérea: Raphinha alçou para Marquinhos estufar a rede.

A arriscada aposta pelos lados ficou mais extensa: Paquetá saiu para a entrada de Vinicius Júnior. Por linhas tortas, o quarteto de atacantes acabou funcionando depois de tantas tentativas diante da frágil Venezuela. Dos pés de Vinicius Júnior surgiu o lance que culminou no pênalti sofrido (e convertido) por Gabigol.

O único gol com bola rolando veio nos acréscimos, novamente com Raphinha em cena. O atacante aproveitou lançamento de Emerson, cruzou e Antony completou para a rede. Suficiente para garantir os 100% nas Eliminatórias. Mas longe do “alto nível” que Tite considerou do segundo tempo. E mais: ainda muito longe de pensar em uma disputa de título no Mundial.

No Newcastle United fan could have envisaged the impact midfielder Bruno Guimaraes would have had at St James’ Park upon his £40m move to the club back in January 2022.

It was a move that certainly raised eyebrows given the Magpies’ lowly league standing and absence from European football, but the Brazilian bought into the club’s project with Eddie Howe and Co reaping the rewards over two years later.

Guimaraes has excelled in Tyneside, scoring 17 times in his 107 appearances, playing a crucial role in the middle of the park – helping the Magpies secure a Champions League spot back in 2022/23.

He’s also formed an excellent partnership with fellow compatriot Joelinton, with the duo cementing two of the three midfield spots in Howe’s 4-3-3 system.

However, the pair could finally find their permanent partner alongside them, with Newcastle pursuing a move for one talent this summer.

Newcastle interested in 48-cap international

According to Football Italia, Newcastle are set for talks with French star Adrien Rabiot after he turned down a fresh deal with Juventus.

The 29-year-old, who is now a free agent, has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, Manchester United and AC Milan – with Rabiot ready to negotiate a deal in the Premier League to match his wage demands.

The midfielder started all but one game for Didier Deschamps' side at Euro 2024, taking his international cap tally to 48.

Whilst he’s a man in demand this summer, he would be a sensational pick-up for the Magpies, especially on a free, potentially being the perfect player for Guimaraes on Tyneside.

Why Rabiot would be perfect for Guimaraes at Newcastle

Towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Brazilian ace Guimaraes operated in a slightly more advanced role, subsequently allowing him to post a tally of seven goals and eight assists – the third-highest tally of goal contributions in the Newcastle squad.

It’s clear he would be better suited in that role with a ball-winning midfielder who’s confident with the ball at his feet, operating in a slightly deeper role behind him.

The “brilliant” Rabiot, as described by Opta Paolo, could well prove to be the missing piece in Howe’s midfield puzzle, producing some excellent stats that could play into the hands of Guimaraes.

In Serie A last season, the Frenchman completed an average of 4.1 progressive passes and 2.4 progressive carries per 90 – demonstrating his ability to play the ball forward and create opportunities.

He also averaged 2.2 shot-creating actions, allowing Guimaraes and the forward line to have more chances in front of goal, and increase the club’s chances of securing a return to European football.

Rabiot has also excelled defensively, winning two tackles per 90 and winning 1.8 aerial duels, with the 29-year-old able to regain possession for Howe’s side and also able to retain the ball once he’s made the vital defensive actions.

He’s undoubtedly a man in demand, but given the club’s recent interest, they need to step up their attempts to secure his signature.

With his contract up at Juventus, he would be available for free. This would consequently allow the club to save a huge chunk of their money in their FFP battle but also dramatically improve the playing squad.

Newcastle in talks with "sensational" ace who's better than Summerville

He could be available on the cheap this summer.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 17, 2024

Liverpool are believed to be in final negotiations with a 23-year-old who Zinedine Zidane rates as a player, according to a report from his homeland.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are still waiting for their summer to ignite in terms of new signings to bolster Arne Slot's squad, but some business should still be expected in the coming weeks and months.

Adrien Rabiot is a reported target for Liverpool this summer, with the 29-year-old wanted by a number of other clubs, including Premier League rivals Manchester United. He is now available on a free transfer having left Juventus, so there could be a scramble to snap him up – though the Merseysiders are thought to be the current frontrunners.

Another transfer claim has stated that the Reds are interested in signing Celtic attacking midfielder Matt O'Riley, who looks increasingly likely to leave the Hoops during the current window. That being said, Atalanta appear to be in pole position to sign him.

Dani Olmo is arguably one of the summer's most talked-about players having starred for champions Spain at Euro 2024, and Liverpool are seen as one of the teams in the mix to acquire his signature. Again, United are battling with them, as well as Manchester City.

Liverpool in talks with player who Zidane rates

According to Japanese newspaper Sports Nippon (via This Is Anfield), Liverpool are in the "final stages" of negotiations over Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, with a potential £50.6m deal on the cards.

In fact, the 23-year-old's agent has already reportedly headed to England to strike a deal, with the situation seemingly gathering steam all the time.

While a new winger isn't necessarily seen as priority business for Liverpool this summer, Kubo could represent a fascinating option in terms of increasing competition for places out wide.

The Japan international bagged seven goals and four assists in La Liga last season and is a former Real Madrid player, albeit having never made an appearance for them. He caught Los Blancos manager Zidane's eye during that period, with the legendary Frenchman saying of him during his loan spell at Real Mallorca:

"I think he’s having a good season. He’s playing a lot and that’s what we all wanted. He is a very interesting player, for the present and the future. I’m happy he’s doing well."

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The Reds are yet to start their summer business.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 21, 2024

At 23, Kubo is still a young player who could improve further alongside superior players under Slot, and his searing pace down the right flank could be a great weapon to have off the substitutes' bench.

He could even be viewed as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, although whether he can ever reach the Egyptian's level or not is up for debate. Their compared stats last season show that there isn't too much difference in certain areas, though:

Appearances

30

32

Starts

24

28

Goals

7

18

Assists

4

10

Dribbles per game

1.8

0.8

Key passes per game

1.9

2.1

Shots per game

1.5

3.6