Manchester United is set to increase their offer for midfielder Mason Mount after Chelsea turned down their initial two bids.
The Blues are reportedly seeking a fee close to £65m for the player. United is also keeping an eye on the situation of Declan Rice, the West Ham captain, who is being pursued by Arsenal and Manchester City.
United is preparing a third bid for Mason Mount, which is expected to be around £55m. However, if Chelsea rejects this offer, United will likely end their pursuit.
The club’s previous bids, including add-ons, were worth £50m, but Chelsea’s valuation is higher. United has set a limit on how much they are willing to pay for a player who has just one year remaining on his contract.
United retain an interest in West Ham captain Declan Rice and there have been discussions internally about how possible it would be to sanction a deal.
Man City and Arsenal are also interested in Rice, with Sky in Italy reporting City are prepared to pay £75m + £15m in bonuses payable across two years for the midfielder.
Reporter Gianluca Di Marzio added on Thursday evening that Rice is getting closer to a City move and there is confidence an agreement can be made.
Due to Financial Fair Play rules, it’s unlikely United could spend a huge portion of their budget on one player – especially as they have other areas they want to strengthen.
For that reason, they are looking at a number of other options in midfield. Potential sales of players would, however, increase their spending power.
Erik ten Hag first bumped intoMount when he was Ajax head coach. On loan at Vitesse Arnhem, the 18-year-old’s free-kick led to his side’s third goal as they beat Ajax 3-2 in March 2018.
Ten Hag, then in charge of just his eighth game at Ajax, reportedly tried to sign Mount for the Dutch club on loan from Chelsea the following season. Fourteen goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign of senior football, largely from central midfield, had caught Ten Hag’s attention.
The likelihood of Mount staying at Stamford Bridge is remote with the midfielder unwilling to sign a new deal. Chelsea know this is the time to cash in on a player who has just one year left on his contract.
This marked Chelsea’s poorest placement in over 25 years, as the club experienced a turbulent season under the guidance of four different managers.
Following the dismissal of Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, a club legend, took charge before being replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
Additionally, it was the inaugural season under the ownership of the Clearlake consortium, led by Todd Boehly.
Despite significant financial investments amounting to nearly 600 million euros, the team’s performances fell short of expectations.
Among the many arrivals was Fernandez, who was scooped for a British record fee from Benfica in January. The midfielder had just starred for Lionel Messi’s Argentina as they won the World Cup in Qatar.
Admittedly, the former Benfica star was among the brightest sparks of Chelsea’s otherwise dull season. The 22-year-old has sent out a message of optimism ahead of next season.
“We are moving forward with Chelsea that although the first semester was not as we all wanted, we know that this is a serious project and with people who are looking for the best for the club and this year, we will show it!” he said on his official social media handles.
Fernandez will come back to a fourth different manager with his international compatriot Mauricio Pochettino poised to take over. According to his father, Raul, he is expected to ask the manager to play him further forward rather than in a holding midfield position.
“My son wants to be a champion! I think we will see Enzo play further forward! He was going to ask Pochettino to play further advanced.” as quoted by Chelsea Spot.
How Pochettino could line up
N’Golo Kante’s exit on a free transfer was confirmed by the club, with Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly expected to follow him to Saudi Arabia. Matteo Kovacic is on the verge of joining Manchester City, while Kai Havertz is set to dump one side of London for the other.
Under different circumstances, all these players were guaranteed starters at Chelsea. This begs the question: how will Pochettino approach next season? Does he have enough firepower to challenge for titles on multiple fronts or will he need reinforcements?
Keeping in mind the Argentine’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, Sports Brief takes a look at how the Blues could possibly look next season.
The 21-year-old was the target of two offers from Arsenal in January before agreeing to a new contract with the Seagulls.
Chelsea also still has interest in Nicolas Jackson of Villarreal.
It is believed that there would be little delay in the exits of Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Edouard Mendy to Al Ahli, Hakim Ziyech to Al Nassr, and Kalidou Koulibaly to Al Hilal.
Chelsea have already agreed a £30m deal to sell Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City as the clear-out at Stamford Bridge continues.
They also remain in talks with Villarreal over the signing of forward Nicolas Jackson.
Sky Sports News has been told Chelsea are prepared to pay the €35m release clause but are exploring a structured outlay.
It’s thought Villarreal want the majority – if not all – paid up front. Personal terms are not expected to be a problem.
Kai Havertz could soon become one of the Premier League’s most expensive signings of the summer transfer window despite enduring a difficult season with Chelsea.
Arsenal are close to agreeing a £65m deal for the German after a three-year spell at Stamford Bridge during which he has struggled to find consistency following his £75m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.
How would Havertz be remembered at Chelsea? Which club would be getting the better end of the deal? And what are the qualities that make him so appealing to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta?
Sky Sports’ Joe Shread and Nick Wright tackle the Chelsea and Arsenal angles respectively.
This is the second time Erik ten Hag’s team has had a bid rejected by Chelsea. Mount is unlikely to agree to new terms.
Manchester United’s second offer for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has been rejected.
The second offer is believed to be worth £50 million, including £5 million in performance-related add-ons and £45 million in guaranteed money.
United clearly want to sign the England international but have a valuation in mind, which they are unlikely to go beyond.
Negotiations are expected to continue for Mount, who has one year left on his Chelsea contract.
Sky Sports News reported earlier this month United had made an opening offer worth £40m for Mount, which Chelsea also immediately knocked back.
Erik ten Hag first bumped into Mount when he was Ajax head coach. On loan at Vitesse Arnhem, the 18-year-old’s free-kick led to his side’s third goal as they beat Ajax 3-2 in March 2018.
Ten Hag, then in charge of just his eighth game at Ajax, reportedly tried to sign Mount for the Dutch club on loan from Chelsea the following season.
Fourteen goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign of senior football, largely from central midfield, had caught Ten Hag’s attention.
The likelihood of Mount staying at Stamford Bridge is remote with the midfielder unwilling to sign a new deal.
Chelsea know this is the time to cash in on a player who has just one year left on his contract.
After initially joining Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in 2018, Mateo Kovacic later secured a permanent move to the club for a fee of £40 million.
The Croatian midfielder has enjoyed a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge, winning four significant trophies, including the coveted Champions League title in 2021.
Kovacic’s contract with Chelsea is set to expire in one year’s time, and he has amassed an impressive 221 appearances for the club thus far.
It’s true that Kovacic’s impact in the final third has been modest at best, while his reluctance to shoot from dangerous positions has always been a curiosity given his excellent technical ability.
But it’s also true that Kovacic was never signed to be an attacking, goal-scoring midfielder, as a total of 18 goals in eight years for his three previous clubs should have shown.
Instead, the Croatia international’s strengths lie at the heart of midfield. Since he arrived in the Premier League in the summer of 2018, Kovacic ranks fifth for both completed take-ons and passes per 90 among midfielders.
He excels at receiving the ball under pressure, moving upfield by beating the opponents’ press and linking the defence to the attack – skills that are often overlooked due to his limited attacking output.
But it’s those skills that have likely endeared him to Manchester City, who follow Real Madrid and Inter Milan in adding their name to the glittering CV of Kovacic, who has already won 18 trophies – including four Champions Leagues– during his career.
It’s easy to see Kovacic slotting seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s side, either as competition for Rodri as the pivot – which would spell bad news for Kalvin Phillips – or as a potential replacement for impending free agent Ilkay Gundogan as one of the No 8s.
Cashing in on Kovacic before his contract runs down is sensible for Chelsea but, if Guardiola wants a player, it’s usually a sign that they’re a player worth having.
Midfielder N’Golo Kante, who will be a free agent at the end of June, is close to agreeing a deal to join Al Ittihad.
Chelsea had held talks over a new deal, but understand Kante’s desire to seek a new challenge.
Such is the mutual respect and goodwill between all parties the 32-year-old, who missed the majority of last seasonwith injury, will leave with Chelsea’s best wishes after seven years of service.
Edouard Mendy
Edouard Mendy
Al Ahli are in advanced talks over the signing of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The 31-year-old lost his place to Kepa last season, only featuring for Chelsea once after the winter World Cup.
Mendy is contracted until 2025, but Sky Sports News understands incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino plans to go into next season with Kepa as his first-choice goalkeeper.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Image:Kalidou Koulibaly only signed for Chelsea in 2022
The club is reportedly willing to meet the €35m (£29.8m) release clause, and talks are currently focused on the payment structure and performance-based incentives.
Informal discussions with Jackson’s representatives have been positive, indicating that personal terms are not expected to pose a challenge in the deal.
Informal talks with Jackson’s representatives have been positive and personal terms are not expected to be a problem if and when a deal can be struck.
Jackson is one of a number of forwards Chelsea are looking at.
Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has been released following the expiry of his contract, the club has confirmed.
The 28-year-old was signed by formermanager Antonio Conte shortly after the team’s last Premier League title triumph in 2017 but had not played for the club since the end of his first season.
He has since spent time on loan at AC Milan – with whom he won the Serie A title in 2022 – Napoli and former club Monaco.
He arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £40million deal after helping Monaco to a surprise Ligue 1 title success, having been part of the team that also featured Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva.
The side managed by Leonardo Jardin knocked out Manchester City in the last-16 of the Champions League en route to a semi-final exit to Juventus.
But the midfielder, who won one cap for France in 2017, failed to live up to the expectation that accompanied his arrival.
His most memorable moment in blue came during the 2018 FA Cup final when he played the full 90 minutes as Conte’s side ran out 1-0 winners against Manchester United to lift the trophy.
Another 12 players to have come through Chelsea’s academy have also left the club according to a list released by the Premier League, including goalkeeper Nathan Baxter who played 12 times in the Championship on loan at Hull last season.
Manchester City is close to finalizing a transfer dealfor Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, with the agreement expected to be worth approximately €40 million (£34.2m), according to sources.
Recent discussions between the two clubs have been positive, leading to more detailed conversations about the payment structure.
However, one key matter that still needs to be resolved is the upfront payment amount that City will provide to Chelsea.
The west London club are under pressure to raise funds through player sales by the end of this month after spending in the region of £600m during the first year of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership of the club only to miss out on European qualification altogether.
Any outgoings completed before June 30 will fall under the first full tax year and therefore help mitigate losses to aid compliance with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules.
Although there are still some issues to be resolved, sources have told ESPN the expectation is a deal for the 29-year-old will be completed within the next fortnight.
Kovacic is thought to have broadly agreed personal terms and the transfer will likely progress further after he finishes his international obligations with Croatia.
Their final match comes in Sunday’s Nations League Final against Spain. Kovacic initially joined Chelsea on loanfrom Real Madrid in 2018 before signing a permanent deal in a £40m switch a year later.
He has made a total of 221 appearances, scoring six goals and winning the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Although Pochettino’s official takeover is scheduled for July 1, a clause in his Paris Saint-Germain contract prevents him from assuming a new role until after June 30.
Despite not being officially in charge yet, Pochettino is already providing input from the sidelines.
Chelsea is facing a time crunch to trim their squad and generate funds for potential new signings before the start of July.
Pochettino’s involvement highlights his proactive stance in shaping the club’s future.
The Argentine has identified some priority positions to strengthen – a new goalkeeper, defensive midfielder, and a new striker top the list of targets.
Pochettino to stick with Kepa
Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is the preferred target for the number 1 role as Senegalese goalie Edouard Mendy is set to leave the club this summer.
Mirror UK reports that the role is no longer high up the priority list as the manager advised the club not to spend heavily to recruit for the position.
Sky Sports adds that the former Tottenham boss has decided that Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will keep his place as number 1 but is not ruling out a new goalkeeper joining the club.
Kepa joined for a world record fee for his position in 2018. He has had an inconsistent time at Stamford Bridge, with some high moments that defined success for the club.
Lukaku’s reunion makes sense
The number 9 position is one of the club’s high priorities. Sports Brief analysed why Lukaku’s return makes sense for both parties.
The Blues paid £97.5m to Inter Milan for former striker Romelu Lukaku in 2021, but a fallout with the club made him return to Italy on loan.
The Italians are financially incapacitated and can not meet Chelsea’s asking price; he could save the London club some money by returning as the leading striker next season.
This significant encounter will also serve as Mauricio Pochettino’s return to English football, following his appointment as the new manager of Chelsea.
Scheduled for Sunday, August 13, the fixture will take place just two days after defending champions Manchester City commence their season with an away game against Burnley.
This particular match holds additional significance as Vincent Kompany, now the Head Coach of Burnley, welcomes his former team to Turf Moor.
Arsenal will have an early opportunity to exact their revenge on Nottingham Forest when they clash at the Emirates on Saturday, August 12. Steven Copper’s side claimed a huge 1-0 victory over the Gunners to hand Manchester City the title with three games to spare.
Manchester United, meanwhile, will be in action on Monday night when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.
Debutants Luton Town will have a taste of top-flight football for the first time when they play Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, has suggested that former teammate Eden Hazard, who was earning £400,000-per-week at the LaLiga club collapsed his career at the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos signed Hazard for £88 million fromChelsea in 2019.
However, his four-year spell in Spain ended last week, after Madrid terminated his contract.
Hazard is now reportedly considering retirement at 32, having already called time on his international career after Belgium’s 2022 World Cup campaign.
Kroos, who has racked up three LaLiga titles and fourChampions League trophies during his nine-year spell at Real Madrid, appeared to reference the Belgian flop while firing a warning to Jude Bellingham after his stunning six-year move to the Bernabeu was confirmed on Wednesday.
“We had another player who came for a lot of money and basically let his career die,” Kroos said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.
“It was a lot of money, I think everyone would say that wasn’t a good transfer. But let’s be positive.”
Hazard scored only seven goals in 76 appearances for Real Madrid.
John Hollins, a former Chelsea player and manager, has passed away at the age of 76. Hollins had a distinguished career, playing for Chelsea, QPR, and Arsenal.
He had two separate stints with Chelsea, from 1963 to 1975 and again in 1983-84.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, Hollins achieved significant success, winning the League Cup, FA Cup, and European Cup Winners’ Cup. He was also honored with Chelsea’s Player of the Year award on two occasions.
In a heartfelt tweet, his son Chris Hollins described him as his hero, best friend, and father, announcing the sad news of his passing.
“He was so modest but I will say it. He was a great player, brilliant team mate and one hell of a person.
“My mum, sister and all his grandchildren will miss him so much.”
My hero, best friend and dad left us today. He was so modest but I will say it. He was a great player, brilliant team mate and one hell of a person. My Mum, sister and all his grandchildren will miss him so much. pic.twitter.com/cujSN2SKFM
Chelsea board member Lord Daniel Finkelstein added: “We were so sorry to hear of the death of John.
“He was a hero to the fans of this club and very much that to me. He was at the heart of one of Chelsea’s greatest teams and, as well as contributing to its trophy success, he expressed its spirit.
Chelsea Football Club is greatly saddened to announce the passing of our former player and manager John Hollins MBE.
All at the club send our heartfelt condolences to John’s family and friends. 💙
It is reported that Chelsea is in search of an experienced goalkeeper, as their current options, Kepa and Edouard Mendy, are not considered favorable by the incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Football London suggests that Onana has become a key target for Chelsea, with several other clubs also expressing interest in the Cameroonian goalkeeper due to his impressive performances throughout the season with Inter.
The former Ajax ace was part of Inter’s squad that lost to Manchester City in the Champions League final on Saturday in Istanbul.
However, he was unable to help his side win the tournament, with Rodri’s solitary goal steering City to victory.
Onana speaks on Chelsea links
The Cameroon international used the occasion to address rumours linking him with a possible summer move to Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on the reports, Onana was coy about what the future holds for him at San Siro, adding that he is happy at the club.
“I don’t know. The truth is that I’m happy here, but then at a certain level you never know how it will go,” Metro UK quoted Onana saying when asked about his future.
“I have no problems with Inter. I have an excellent relationship with them and I’m at their disposal. I’ll do what they tell me,” he added.
Onana consoles Martinez
Earlier, it was reported that Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana showed class after immediately running to a visibly broken Lautaro Martinez to console him following the defeat to Manchester City in the final of the UEFA Champions League.
Martinez had a chance to win the game for the Italian giants moments before Rodri netted the only goal as Manchester City were crowned champions of Europe.
After the game, Martinez seemed to have not forgiven himself for the missed opportunity as he broke down in uncontrollable tears.
Manchester City’s final Champions League victory on Saturday earned Pep Guardiola his 12th major trophy with the team.
It marks another remarkable achievement for the ex-Barcelona coach, who has staked his claim as one of the greatest managers of the modern era.
We take a look at some of his best achievements in Manchester.
Cup kings
After a trophyless first season,Guardiolagot his hands on his first silverware at City with a 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final in 2018.
They went on to win the league title in style with a record 100 points the same year before edging out Liverpool by 98 points to 97 in a thrilling title race 12 months later.
They again won the Carabao Cup by beating Chelsea on penalties and thrashed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final to become the first side to win the domestic Treble.
Guardiola’s side failed to mount a successful title defence as Liverpool took the honours in the pandemic-interrupted season in 2020 but they did not go empty-handed, beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final.
City paced themselves superbly in another coronavirus-affected season the year after to win the Premier League with three games to spare ahead of rivals Manchester United.
They also beat Tottenham to claim a fourth successive Carabao Cup but narrowly missed out on the Champions League as they lost toChelseain the final.
Pep’s time
Pep Guardiola is a Manchester City legend
City began April 2022 in the hunt for three trophies.
Their Champions League and FA Cup hopes both ended at the semi-final stage but they pipped the Merseysiders to the title by a point on a dramatic final day by coming from behind to beat Aston Villa.
Fuelled by the record-breaking goalscoring exploits of the remarkable Erling Haaland, City hit form once again in 2023 to reel in long-time leaders Arsenal and claim a fifth title in six years.
Ilkay Gundogan’s brace downed Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final before City emulated their rivals’ 1998-99 treble by beating Inter Milan to win the Champions League thanks to Rodri’s second-half strike.
Mellis, once hailed as a rising star in football, enjoyed the opportunity to showcase his talent on the grand stage of the Champions League during his time with Chelsea.
Unfortunately, recent reports suggest that Mellis is currently facing homelessness, highlighting the drastic change in his circumstances.
Back in his glory days, Mellis was earning an impressive weekly salary of £8,000 as he relentlessly pursued his aspirations of attaining global recognition in the world of football.
These unforeseen circumstances serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and how even those who seemed destined for success can encounter significant setbacks.
However, the publication reports that the once-highly rated football star is now homeless, sofa surfing as he ponders about a career that might have been.
It is understood that alcohol addiction took a toll on Mellis and completely ruined his promising football future.
Who is Jacob Mellis?
According to Goal, Mellis came through the Chelsea academy in the late 2000s and was part of the side that reached the2008 FA Youth Cup final.
Jacob Mellis
Despite his promising start to life as a budding player, he struggled to break through at Chelsea, having loan spells at Barnsley and Southampton, where he continued his development.
He would later seal a permanent move to Barnsley in 2012 before he had spells at Blackpool, Bury, Mansfield and others.
However, he has not played in the Football League since 2021, with his career brought to an abrupt end in 2022 while at Southend after a misdiagnosed knee injury.
Mellis burst onto the scene in 2011 when he came on as a substitute for Chelsea in Champions League wins over MSK Zilina.
Manchester United is said to be the top candidate for Mount’s services, and he has been linked to a potential exit this summer.
The Blues midfielder is destined to quit his childhood club after failing to reach a new contract agreement, according to The Guardian, who claims that United have already started negotiations with Chelsea regarding a deal for Mount.
The publication claimed the Red Devils have already agreed on personal terms with the Englishman ahead of a possible Old Trafford switch.
Be that as it may, the Manchester club will have to contend with competition from Arsenal and Liverpool in their pursuit of the Chelsea academy graduate.
Chilwell sends message to Mount
Chilwell, who is understood to be close pals with Mount, has now urged the midfielder to reject a move to Manchester United and stay at Chelsea.
The former Leicester City ace made the plea when he was asked about his friend’s future while at the Spanish Grand Prix.
“It’s none of my business personally, but he is my best mate so I would love him to stay,” Chilwell told Sky Sports, via The Mirror.
“If he goes, everyone will be sad to see him go,” the left-back added.
Mount has just a year left on his Chelsea contract, with the Blues keen to cash in on him rather than lose him on a free transfer after next season.
Chelsea fans taunt Mount
Sports Brief also reported that Mason Mount was targeted by fans for his dip in form this season amid rumours he is leaving the club.
In a video uploaded on Tiktok by journalist Amelia Dimoldenberg, he was spotted dancing with fans taunting him via social media.
ThatGuyLeee uploaded the video on Twitter and captioned it as the midfielder’s ‘highlights of the season’, sparking many reactions.
After two transfer windows of unprecedented expenditure, Chelsea are facing what will be a defining summer in the club’s modern history. Incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be charged first and foremost with trimming the blubber from a bloated squad packed full of underperforming talent, but there is some targeted spending to be done, too.
Pochettino is believed to want a new core of players; a goalkeeper, central midfielder and striker are top of his shopping list, while Premier League experience is a bonus. One deal is already tied up, but who else are Chelsea most likely to sign in the upcoming transfer window?
GOAL runs through the names below…
Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig)
A shoo-in. While we are still awaiting an announcement, by all accounts Chelsea are certain to bring in RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku as soon as the window opens in mid-June. A deal has been in place for some time, with the Blues set to fork out £52 million ($64m) on the Frenchman.
It’s a move that will raise some eyebrows given the Blues’ already overflowing attacking ranks, but you need only take a quick glance at the 25-year-old’s output to understand that he should be a significant upgrade on the current batch of ineffectual forward players – with an injury-hit 20-goal season following a ridiculous campaign where he made 55 goal contributions.
However, Chelsea have been stung in the past with big-money signings from Leipzig…
Romeo Lavia (Southampton)
A host of leading clubs are certain to be queuing up for Romeo Lavia after Southampton dropped out of the Premier League. There’s no way in hell he’s going down with them. It’s been widely reported that Chelsea will pursue a new No.6, with incoming manager Pochettino seeking Premier League experience to form the new core of his side, and NXGN Nine inductee Lavia may well fit the bill.
His press-resistance, ball-carrying ability and progressive passing would unquestionably be an asset to Chelsea, in an area of the pitch where they are lacking a player with the quality to supplement January arrival Enzo Fernandez. He is now certain to be available for a cut price after the Saints suffered relegation; Lord knows Chelsea could do with saving themselves some cash this summer.
Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)
The jury will be out on whether Chelsea should pursue another deal for Joao Felix after his short-term loan at Stamford Bridge. A permanent transfer should be out of the question, with Atletico Madrid still demanding €100m (£87m/$107m) for the mercurial attacker.
However, a second temporary deal would make sense if an agreement can be found for a relatively low fee. Although his form has oscillated, Felix has largely been one of Chelsea best performers in an extremely challenging period for the club, scoring four of the club’s measly 15 goals since he signed in January. It would be fascinating to see the possibilities in an in-form side – at his flying best he has shown that he can be truly world-class.
What’s more, he seems genuinely happy at Stamford Bridge, although Chelsea’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could be a factor in his decision-making. “I don’t know yet about my future,” he said recently. “It’s four or five months and I love it. It’s a top club, everyone in the club was very good to me. My team-mates were unbelievable and I really like to be here.”
Andre Onana (Inter)
Chelsea will pursue a new goalkeeper this summer, and Inter’s Andre Onana currently seems like the most likely option. There will be very few objections to the decision among the fanbase, with neither Kepa Arrizabalaga nor Edouard Mendy proving themselves to be long-term No.1 options for an elite football club, although the former enjoyed an improved season between the sticks.
Onana fits the archetype of the desirable modern-day goalkeeper, equally as comfortable stepping out from the back to become a pseudo extra centre-back as he is commanding his penalty area. His agility and shot-stopping ability are exceptional, and given Inter’s well-documented financial struggles, he would potentially be a cheaper option.
Manuel Ugarte (Sporting CP)
The latest name to emerge as a possible midfield target is Manuel Ugarte, and things seem to progressing quickly. Chelsea are rivalling Paris Saint-Germain for the Uruguayan midfielder by also matching his €60 million (£52m/$64m) release clause, and he is said to prefer a move to the Premier League.
A technical and combative central midfielder, Ugarte is comfortable using his ball-carrying ability and physicality to get himself out of trouble and move Sporting up the pitch, while he has a knack for winning the ball with perfectly-timed challenges, averaging more than four tackles per game. His doing the dirty work could potentially unleash Enzo as a creative force.
That said, there should be questions asked of the fee, especially given he is unproven in a leading European league and his profile is not dissimilar to Mateo Kovacic, who is likely to leave Chelsea this summer. Although they may have no other choice if they wish to sign the 22-year-old, meeting the release clause seems rash.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
It remains to be seen which direction Chelsea will go in this summer when it comes to a centre-forward, with the possibility still there that Romelu Lukaku could make a sensational (second) return to Stamford Bridge. If they do opt to spend, one name who is undoubtedly high on their list is Napoli hotshot Victor Osimhen.
There is no doubting the Nigerian’s quality in Serie A, but Chelsea will need to think long and hard about whether he can translate his prolific form to the Premier League – especially given Lukaku’s struggles in 2021-22 and that he would cost northwards of £100m.
Osimhen certainly has all the attributes to prosper in English football with his positional awareness, finishing ability and physicality, but Chelsea have had so little success with striker signings that there should be more than a degree of scepticism.
The question is: where else would they turn? The Blues are in desperate need of a striker who can actually put the ball in the back of the net, so will likely have to take an expensive risk in the transfer window. However, if he hits the ground running, the aforementioned Nkunku could provide a solution, too.
Moises Caicedo (Brighton)
The biggest obstacle to signing Moises Caicedo will be the competition Chelsea face from the Premier League’s elite, but that shouldn’t deter them from throwing their hat in the ring. The Blues attempted to bring him in in January, but were given short shift by Brighton, with Arsenal trying their luck soon after.
Though Caicedo went public with his desire to move on at the start of the year, his feelings may have changed after playing a huge part in guiding the Seagulls into the Europa League for next season. Chelsea must also consider that they are unlikely to be the Ecuadorian’s first choice if he does choose to depart, given they cannot offer Champions League football while the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United are sniffing around him too, and he will surely command a whopping fee; do they really want to get drawn into a protracted tug-of-war that they cannot win?
That said, Caicedo is well on his way to becoming an elite Premier League midfielder, and on his current trajectory his value will increase exponentially in the coming years. Chelsea have shown their ruthlessness in ensuring they get their man in the transfer window, but much will depend on the player’s will in this case.
Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
The apparent alternative to Osimhen seems to be Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, but a difficult season for the Serb should serve as a cautionary tale. Chelsea are rumoured to be willing to splurge £70m ($87m) on the powerful frontman, despite the fact he has mustered just 10 league goals this season.
Again, the Blues’ transfer negotiators, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, must give serious consideration to the risks tied up in such a deal given the club’s tainted history with big-money strikers. Spending so much on Vlahovic after such an indifferent season would certainly cause a furore, and good PR should be paramount after such a nightmare first full season under Boehly and Eghbali’s stewardship.
Vlahovic is another centre-forward who has the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and Chelsea could roll the dice if they view this season as a blip, but it is a move that would smack of desperation from a club whose dire need for a goalscorer could be exploited this summer.
David Raya (Brentford)
If it’s Premier League experience Pochettino seeks, then David Raya could be viewed as the solution to Chelsea’s goalkeeping issues. The Spain international shares many of Onana’s attributes, but could well come cheaper; Brentford value him at a lofty £40m (£49.5m), but he should be available for less as he stalls on a new deal, with his current contract expiring in 12 months’ time.
The question he is whether Raya can be a significant upgrade on both Kepa and Mendy and be the difference between winning and losing. Although he is an astute shot-stopper, he doesn’t keep too many clean sheets, although his ball-playing ability from the back makes him a real asset. Perhaps he shouldn’t be their first-choice target, but he is a worthy back-up.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
Perhaps the dream alternative to Osimhen, Vlahovic or a Lukaku return, but also the transfer that seems the least likely at this stage. Chelsea should certainly be testing the waters, though.
Lautaro Martinez has enjoyed his fourth strong campaign in a row with Inter, where he has established himself as the attacking linchpin of the side. His physical style of play and devastating finishing ability suggest he would be suited to the rigours of English football, and the chance to work with his compatriot Pochettino could be enticing.
However, while it is always said that Inter are in financial trouble and therefore need to cash in on their biggest assets, Lautaro seems simply too valuable for the Nerazzurri to part with, and they are in a strong negotiating position with three years to run on his contract. It could be a case of turning the player’s head with a wage package he cannot refuse.
Felix was surprised to be released by Chelsea immediately after the season ended, leaving him uncertain about his future.
Atletico Madrid, his parent club, considers him surplus to requirements and is actively seeking to offload him.
While Paris Saint-Germain has also been linked with Felix, his preference is to stay in the Premier League and play Champions League football, making Newcastle an attractive prospect.
Felix could join Newcastle this summer Credit: Getty
Atletico are ready to strike another loan deal with a modest fee plus the players wages of around £200K a week covered.
That would be a sticking point as Toon boss Eddie Howe admits his club does struggle on pay.
A split on the salary may have to be agreed.
Felix, 23, is on holiday in Ibiza at the moment while his agent and Atletico resolve his future.
He was under the impression that Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly would turn his six months loan into a full-time transfer this summer.
Instead he has become the first casualty of the new regime under incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues paid the players’ wages in full after signing him on loan in January for a fee of £9.7 million.
Felix was initially a big hit at the club but by the end of the season barely got a look in for games.
The striker, who departed Manchester City and has since made a positive impact at Arsenal this season, was on the verge of joining Chelsea’s London rivals.
However, Tuchel intervened and prevented the transfer, causing surprise among the Chelsea board, as per The Guardian’s report.
Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea
The Blues struggled for goals this term, netting only 38 times in the Premier League.
Problems with strikers were a continuous theme throughout the campaign with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz not hitting top form.
Meanwhile, Jesus led Arsenal to a second place finish, scoring 11 league goals despite missing months because of knee surgery.
Reports suggest that the club listened to Tuchel’s wishes on transfers last summer.
He wanted to spend big on defence after losingAntonio Rudiger as well as Andreas Christensen and the choice was also made due to fitness issues regarding Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Tuchel then splashed £160million on Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Kouliably.
The now Bayern Munich boss was sacked after his relationship with the board became frosty and he was replaced by Graham Potter, who was then axed after just seven months.
Mauricio Pochettino will now take over as manager for next season following on from Frank Lampard’s interim spell.
Mauricio Pochettino is Chelsea’s new manager
Boehly is expected to step back from running the club, which was reportedly always the plan, and not because of poor results on the pitch.
Mount, meanwhile, is wanted by a string of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
Elsewhere, Ruben Loftus-Cheek appeared to say his final goodbyes to fans during Chelsea’s final game of the season against Newcastle ahead of a proposed move to the Serie A.
Pochettino approves first Chelsea signing
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Mauricio Pochettino has okayed Chelsea’s pursuit of Sporting Lisbon star Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte is wanted at Stamford Bridge to partner with Enzo Fernandez in the central midfield department.
Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has expressed his support for the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager.
Following the sacking of Graham Potter back in February due to poor performances, the Premier League giants have been on the lookout for a permanent manager.
Initially, former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and Spaniard Luis Enrique were considered frontrunners for the job at Stamford Bridge.
However, Pochettino emerged victorious, securing the position after being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain almost a year ago.
Mauricio Pochettino at PSG
This marks Pochettino’s return to the managerial role, and Sterling is among those who endorse his appointment.
Sky Sports reports that Pochettino’s appointment was confirmed on Monday, May 29, with the ex-PSG boss said to have penned a two-year deal with the west Londoners.
Sterling backs Mauricio Pochettino
Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, has now declared that Pochettino is the right man for the job at Stamford Bridge.
While Poch will be inheriting a shell-shocked squad which finished a lowly 12th with a paltry 44 points, Sterling contends he has what it takes to steer the club to greater heights.
Raheem Sterling
The former Man City winger went on to highlight the three qualities the Argentine will be bringing with him to Stamford Bridge.
“He will bring leadership, he will challenge players physically and mentally. I feel he is going to come here and he is going to have the personality that everyone is going to respect,” Sterling said via The Sun.
“That’s what we need, someone in charge,” he added.
Poch is no stranger to the Premier League, having previously managed Tottenham Hotspurand Southampton.
On Monday, May 29, an official statement fromChelsea confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino would be the next Head Coach of the club
Taking over from Frank Lampard on July 1, Pochettino faces the daunting challenge of leading a team that has struggled despite its talented squad.
Reports suggest that Pochettino’s appointment has been well-received by the players, adding a positive note to what has been a turbulent season in West London since the departure of Thomas Tuchel.
While Pochettino brings proven Premier League experience, his lack of silverware has often been cited as a drawback in his coaching career.
That notwithstanding, his ability to turn young players into world beaters like what he did with Delle Alli and Harry Kane is unquestionable.
What to expect from Pochettino
Chelsea’s faithful will be hoping he can mould the current team into something constructive. Todd Boehly has brought in a raft of young new players like Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke.
So, how does Pochettino operate? Forget his tactical acumen and man management; the Argentine coach has other rituals or superstitions that he holds dear to his heart. These will soon make their way to Stamford Bridge.
1. Bowl of lemons
The former Tottenham boss keeps a bowl of fresh lemons in his office to absorb negative energy. In a past interview with Talk SPORT in 2019, he said;
“So when people arrive with bad every, the energy is going to be in the lemon and not in myself. It’s like a sponge. It takes all the negativity.
“You can see it. It’s unbelievable! I change the lemons every ten days but sometimes every three or four days, they become ugly.”
2. Walking on hot coal
This sounds like training for deep undercover military personnel, but surprise, Pochettino has in the past made his players walk over hot coal.
As the Sun reports, Pochettino brought in motivation expert Xesco Espar ahead of his Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid for this daring exercise.
3. Reading players’ aura
In the modern world, managers often use video replays and training sessions to judge how fit and ready a player is for a game.
“I need data and tests, but what most influences my decisions is my ability to see if the right energy is flowing. I can foresee things that are going to happen and the associated consequences or which path each player is going to take. I can see it in their auras,” he said in his book Brave New World authored by Guillem Ballague.
So I finally finished 'Brave New World' by Guillem Balague about Pochettino's 16/17 season at Spurs. The one thing I take from this is… I miss him. Great insight into how he worked and his motivation. And the section from Levy… It just had me shaking my head the whole time. pic.twitter.com/LXQBtdZ7Ys
It gets scarier or funnier, depending on your sense of humour. Pochettino also had his players attempt to snap arrowheads with their throats. Crazy, huh?
“When you see the arrow, you think ‘, It’s impossible; how am I going to break the arrow against my throat?’
“You say: ‘No, come on, I am going to kill myself.’ You put it with the sharp tip against your throat, but then, bang, you come forward and break the arrow.
“The most important thing is to learn how you can prepare your mind. To be focused. To be proactive. This is key in football.”
It is not known whether any player managed to break the arrowheads or if he had any volunteers, for that matter.
5. Gacon test
Chelsea players should prepare for lots of running in the Pochettino era to test their endurance. In his book, the 51-year-old documented how he uses a proven gruelling run called the Gacon test.
“To start with, the players have 45 seconds to cover 150 metres, with 15 seconds to rest. In each subsequent 45-second rep, they have to run 6.25 metres further, with the intensity steadily increasing.”
6. Specific washing powder
It gets crazier. Pochettino is said to have a specific washing powder that he wants the first-team jerseys to be washed with. He believes that the smell goes a long way in impacting good performances on the pitch.
7. Records training sessions
It is unheard of for managers to record training and gym sessions. But in Piochettino’s world, it is different. His former player Danny Rose was astounded by this practice.
“He was the first manager I came across who records training, records gym sessions. There are no hiding places,” as quoted by the Telegraph.
8. No fines for players
For a manager with very bizarre routines and mannerisms, it would come as a shock that he doesn’t necessarily believe in fining his wayward players.
He, however, still demands respect, especially for the club owners to be greeted with a firm handshake.
Chelsea fans will be hoping that these, coupled up with the massive investment done in the last transfer windows, will help catapult the club back to English royalty. Cause the bottom-half place they are set to finish in this year is not it.
As previously stated, Pochettino’s lack of trophies during his first spell in England with Tottenham Hotspur has always been a consideration when judging his suitability to manage a top club.
However, as Sports Brief reported, he might be the answer to a struggling Chelsea side in dire need of an uplift.
In Poch, Chelsea will get a manager who is willing to put everything on the line while attacking. Scoring goals has been the club’s main issue this season and looking at Pochettino’s previous teams, it was an area he addressed pretty well.
Mauricio Pochettino has been named the new permanent manager of Chelsea, taking charge after a turbulent campaign that saw the club finish 12th in the Premier League standings. Pochettino, formerly the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, has been entrusted with the task of rejuvenating the Blues.
In light of this appointment, it is worth examining Pochettino’s managerial record.
Espanyol (32.9% win rate)
Having finished his playing career with Espanyol, Pochettino was pressed into service to lead a struggling team in January 2009 and lifted them from the relegation zone to a mid-table finish – drawing with local rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and beating them in LaLiga.
After retiring as a player, Pochettino began his managerial career at Espanyol in 2009.
Espanyol finished 11th, eighth and 14th in his three full seasons in charge, though the former Argentina defender left with them bottom of the table in November 2012 after a poor run of form and a dispute over financial restrictions.
Southampton (38.3% win rate)
Taking over mid-season from the popular Nigel Adkins, Pochettino led Southampton to a 14th-placed finish in 2012-13 and an impressive eighth the following campaign.
Conducting press conferences via an interpreter throughout his spell on the south coast, Pochettino was nevertheless clearly able to get his message across to an over-achieving squad and position himself for higher-profile roles to come.
Tottenham (54.3% win rate)
Pochettino’s five-year reign at Tottenham marked the most prolonged period of success and stability in their recent history, with the club finishing fifth, third, second, third and fourth and reaching finals of the Champions League and the League Cup.
Pochettino celebrates with players after victory
The Argentinian nurtured a Spurs squad that was the youngest in the Premier League when they ended as runners-up in 2016-17, containing a mix of domestic talents such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier, and overseas players including Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Toby Alderweireld.
A club that had had 10 coaches in 12 years before Pochettino’s arrival in 2014 have cycled through Jose Mourinho, interim boss Ryan Mason (twice), Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte and caretaker Cristian Stellini in short order since his departure in November 2019.
Paris Saint-Germain (65.5% win rate)
Won 55, drew 15, lost 14;
Paris Saint-Germain, where Pochettino spent time as a player, brought him the first major trophies of his managerial career by winning the Coupe de France in 2020-21 and Ligue 1 in 2021-22.
However, his tenure was not deemed successful as a runners-up finish to Lille in 2020-21 meant PSG missed out on the Ligue 1 title for only the second time in nine seasons, and he failed to guide the capital club to the Champions League final.
Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel
Pochettino was sacked last summer having won less than 66 per cent of matches in all competitions, whereas his predecessor Thomas Tuchel – who started this season as Chelsea boss – had a 75 per cent win rate across his two-and-a-half years in charge.
Mauricio Pochettino is said to have signed a contract to become Chelsea‘s manager next season.
The former Tottenham manager had already verbally agreed to take over from Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, and now he has put pen to paper to make the deal official.
Per reports, he has signed a three-year deal after flying to England from Spain to complete the formalities for his new job.
Since being fired by Paris Saint-Germain at the close of the previous season, the 51-year-old Argentine has not been worked as a manager.
Pochettino agreed to take over the team in April, but he wasn’t scheduled to start until the summer because Lampard would continue as manager despite the Blues’ dismal season.
The 51-year-old is rumored to want to speak with Lampard before he officially assumes the position at the end of the season, however the two managers have not yet had any planned meetings.
Previous conversations between Pochettino and the Chelsea executives were described as ‘incredibly positive’ after he became front-runner for the job when Julian Nagelsmann backed out.
Chelsea have had a disastrous campaign, finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League in a season to forget. They have had four at least interim managers, though will hope for a more settled future with Pochettino taking the reigns next term.
The title race went down to the final day of the season, but their 3-0 win at Reading officially crowned them Women’s Super League winners for 2022/23 and ensured they claimed the trophy for an unprecedented four consecutive year.
However, things did not start quite as smoothly as that might suggest. On the opening day of the campaign, newly-promoted Liverpool gave their rivals hope they could pry their fingers off the trophy by beating us 2-1. The match saw all three goals scored from the penalty spot in addition to a controversial Chelsea strike being disallowed.
Emma Hayes’ side quickly proved that defeat was an anomaly rather than a sign of things to come and displayed their resilience and ability to bounce back from disappointment against title hopefuls Manchester City at Kingsmeadow.
In an eye-catching 2-0 victory, the performance was much-improved and thoroughly composed, even if goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger emerged as the hero of the day with a string of impressive saves in front of a sell-out crowd.
That turned out to be the first of nine consecutive league victories for the Blues; the memory of the opening-day defeat was quickly banished and their title credentials were underlined. And the winning run included big back-to-back victories that will have sent shivers down the spines of their rivals near the top of the WSL.
The first was a confidence boosting 3-0 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby played in front of a big crowd at Stamford Bridge, a day given added poignancy by Hayes’ return to the dugout after missing several games following emergency hysterectomy surgery.
Better was to follow as Chelsea fans in attendance at their next match – away to Leicester City – were treated to a goal-fest as we ran away 8-0 winners, their biggest league victory of the season. By the final whistle at Leicester, the recovery from the early stumble in Liverpool was complete, with the Blues now sat at the summit of the table.
While not as eye-catching, and only worth a solitary point, perhaps just as important was their late equaliser against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in our first match of 2023.
It wasn’t the result the Blues would have hoped for when making the journey across the capital following the winter break, but when Sam Kerr scored an 89th-minute header to level the score at 1-1 with her 11th goal of the campaign, it felt a moment that could prove crucial as it denied the Gunners the chance to draw level at the top of the table and maintained their three-point advantage.
They played just one more league fixture before the end of February, with domestic and European cup matches taking precedent to give their rivals the chance to take the upper hand, at least temporarily. But when they did return to the fight, they picked up where we had left off.
After beating Tottenham and Brighton, it was time for a tense match against their closest title challengers Manchester United. There was plenty on the line. Yet as is so often the case, it was Chelsea and Kerr who came out on top; the Australian latched onto Lauren James’ fine pass and netted an audacious lob to settle a cagey top-of-the-table clash 1-0.
It still wasn’t plain sailing for the Blues, although it was a different Manchester side which inflicted the next setback, as arguably the most competitive WSL title race to date gathered pace.
With a growing injury list to contend with, Hayes’ side succumbed to an early onslaught away at Manchester City at the end of March, with two goals in the opening 30 minutes resulting in a 2-0 loss. It was their first league defeat since the opening and knocked us down to third in the table, although we were still only a point off top spot with a game in hand.
In typical style, they bounced back emphatically. Aston Villa were our victims and were brushed aside with a 3-0 win away in Walsall. The icing on the cake came in the second half when Kerr completed the scoring with her landmark 50th goal in the Women’s Super League.
They continued to keep pace with the WSL leaders and stayed within striking distance thanks to a series of victories, including a late Kerr goal to secure revenge against Liverpool following our loss on the opening day.
Having played fewer games than our rivals, we knew the destination of the title was in our own hands going into the home straight. Maximum points in our final five fixtures would guarantee top spot.
The Blues set about that task ruthlessly. Thumping wins over Everton (7-0) and Leicester (6-0) were recorded before our game in hand arrived in the form of a trip to West Ham United. Again, we made quick work of our opponents, coming home with a 4-0 victory and, most importantly, returning to top of the table with a two-point lead to defend.
Our final home game of the WSL campaign came against Arsenal – and it was an emotional one as captain Magdalena Eriksson and Pernille Harder said goodbye to supporters at Kingsmeadow. They made sure to sign off with an important 2-0 victory, with Eriksson scoring our second goal on the day.
That evening, title challengers Manchester United were a couple of minutes from dropping points against Man City, which would have crowned us champions. But a late winner kept the race alive into the final round of matches.
It proved only a temporary delay to Chelsea’s coronation as Women’s Super League champions, though, as they did their job on the last day by beating Reading and ensuring they ended the season sat at the top of the table for the fourth year in a row.
Erik ten Hag has cautioned the prospective owners of Manchester United about the potential pitfalls of repeating the mistakes made by Chelsea during their ownership transition last summer.
At present, Manchester United is engaged in discussions regarding a possible takeover with their current owners, the Glazer family, who are considering options to either sell the entire club or share control.
Erik Ten hag
The Americans have been under immense pressure from the fans to cede ownership of the club.
Anti-Glazer protests have been a common sight in recent seasons, with many feeling United has stalled in terms of development, as reported by ESPN.
But with new owners comes the risk of clubs losing sight of the bigger picture – if what has happened at Chelsea this season is anything to go by.
Chelsea’s lacklustre season
Chelsea’s long-time owner, Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club after Russia invaded Ukraine early last year.Todd Boehly’s Clearlake consortium won the bid to buy the club.
The American arrived with much promise, picking up from where the oligarch had left off and immediately pumping money into new signings.
However, the club overspent on some players, leaving them exposed in some areas, with the lack of strategy becoming clear as the season progressed.
The Blues are set to record their worst-ever finish in 29 years. Ten Hag is aware and concerned about such a scenario repeating itself in the Northwest.
“You have to do the right things. You can have money but have to spend it in a smart way, and you need to have a strategy behind it – otherwise, the money doesn’t work.
We are now in a good direction – but we can also learn from this season,” the Dutch manager said, as quoted by the Sun.
Ten Hag was speaking ahead of his side’s game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Red Devils would go on to secure a point against Frank Lampard’s beleaguered Blues and secure their spot in Champions League football next season.
Antony goes off injured
In that game,United raced to a 2-0 lead before the break, but winger, Antony was stretched off with a serious-looking injury.
Sports Brief reported the Brazilian came into contact with defender, Trevoh Chalobah and was left screaming in utter agony.
Following Manchester United‘s victory over Chelsea, effectively ending Liverpool’s chances of securing a Champions League spot, fans of the English Premier League have flocked to social media to respond to a post by Mohamed Salah.
In the match, Manchester United triumphed over Chelsea with a resounding 4-1 scoreline, propelling themselves into third place and securing the final UEFA Champions League spot for England.
This outcome occurred after Newcastle United had already confirmed their own spot with a draw against Leicester City earlier.
With just one game remaining, Liverpool finds themselves trailing fourth-placed Newcastle United by four points, making their chances of a Champions League finish increasingly slim.
Fans have taken to social media platforms to share their reactions and thoughts in response to a post made by Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah has reacted to Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Credit: @championsleague
Source: Twitter
The Egyptian forward took to social media to establish his disappointment after failing to make it into Europe’s elite club competition.
“I’m totally devastated. There’s absolutely no excuse for this. We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s Champions League and we failed. We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum.
I am sorry but it’s too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post. We let you and ourselves down,” Salah wrote on Twitter.
His post drew several reactions from fans of rival clubs, with some trolling the Reds for missing the UEFA Champions League.
How fans reacted:
@c_shueb wrote:
Keep crying, Thursday nights on Kazakhstan for you. HOLD THAT
@Gabriel_gunne2 added:
Take heart salah, spurs are nowhere.
@utdaaron tweeted:
Found out he was playing Thursday night football in Lithuania on Thursday nights
@ayshardzn posted:
@Bruno_UNITED1 wrote:
Garnacho is playing Champion league football next season, but Salah can’t! so painful
@MadnessFC_4 tweeted:
@MrStevenHowson added:
7up n all that, aye.
Salah reacts to UCL failure
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah released a worrying statement after his side failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds will have to play in the second-tier Europa League in the 2023-24 season, after Manchester United’s win over Chelsea on Thursday confirmed their place in the final Champions League spot.
This is certainly unfamiliar territory for Salah, as it is the first time Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League since 2017.
Manchester United secured their spot in the Champions League for the upcoming season with a convincing victory over Chelsea on May 25. However, fans of rival teams did not respond positively to the news.
Chelsea entered the game after a 1-0 loss to Manchester City and having endured 15 defeats throughout the season, which left their supporters feeling pessimistic.
While facing the Manchester United fans, the opposing supporters taunted them with the chant: “You’re nothing special, we lose every week,” highlighting their team’s consistent struggles throughout the 2022/23 season.
United fans also showed their humour as well, as there were also chants from the home support that said something to the effect of ‘Super Franky Lampard’.
Chelsea have been in shambles this season, despite immense expenditure from new co-owner Todd Boehly, with Lampard becoming their third manager this season after the sackings of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
The Blues will certainly not be playing in Europe next season, with incoming boss, Mauricio Pochettino facing an uphill task of convincing some of the superstars to remain at Stamford Bridge.
United make statement with win
As far as the game went, Casemiro opened the scoring for the Red Devils before Anthony Martial made it 2-0 deep into stoppage time in the first half.
Bruno Fernandes then converted a penalty in the 73rd minute after a foul from Wesley Fofana, as Marcus Rashford completed the rout minutes later after coming on from the bench, as reported by the BBC.
Chelsea could only muster a consolation goal from Joao Felix as the Blues suffered their eight defeat in 10 games.
The only worry in an otherwise fine night for United will be the injury to winger Antony, who left the pitch in tears after a dangerous challenge from Trevoh Chalobah.
Salah blasts Liverpool over UCL
Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Mohamed Salah’s scathing statement against Liverpool after his team failed to qualify for the Champions League.
This is the first time the Reds will not be in the top European competition since 2017, the same year the Egyptian ace joined the Merseyside team.
In a statement on his personal social media, Salah proclaimed there was ‘no excuse’ on Liverpool’s part for failing to be in the Premier League top four.
Joao Felix has provided a strong indication about his future at Chelsea by expressing his adoration for playing with the club.
The Portuguese international is set to go back to Atletico Madrid in the upcoming summer, and there have been rumors linking Chelsea to a potential second loan offer for his services. Atletico is reportedly demanding €100 million (£86m/$107m) for a permanent transfer.
Joao Felix has dropped a major hint about his Chelsea future. ImageChris Lee.
However, Felix’s recent comments imply a fondness for his time at Chelsea, suggesting that he may be open to continuing his journey with the Blues.
Speaking in a Chelsea team video posted on social media, Felix said:
“I don’t know yet my future, but these four or five months, I’ve loved it. It’s a top club. Everyone in the club was very good to me. My teammates, unbelievable. I really like to be here.”
One thing that does seem to be clear is that Felix doesn’t want to return to Atleti unless manager Diego Simeone departs.
See video below:
🚨🗣️ Joao Felix on his Chelsea future
“I don’t know yet on my future, but these four/five months I love it”
El Mundo Deportivo in Spain claim playing under Simeone is ‘not negotiable’ with the pair falling out four seasons into his staggering £112m move from Benfica, which keeps him as the fourth most expensive player of all time.
That was despite him only having a little more than half a season of senior football under his belt, showing just how big an asset to Atletico the player is.
But with no one looking interested in paying anywhere near his £87m asking price, another loan to Chelsea appears to be the most likely scenario, according to Mundo Deportivo.
While Chelsea have struggled this season, Felix has made 11 starts in the league since arriving in January and has scored four goals.
The Blues are planning for the summer and are set to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager; it remains to be seen how the Argentine views Felix.
Sports Brief previously reported that Chelsea could sign Felix in a player-swap deal.
Felix was a mainstay figure during Graham Potter’s stint at the club but has played a less prominent role since the arrival of Frank Lampard, who took charge as the caretaker boss after Potter was sacked.
Recent reports from the Evening Standard suggest Chelsea are keen to have Felix continue at the club beyond this summer.
Andreas Christensen has been praised as a true Chelsea supporter after his contribution helped maintain a record held by his former club during Barcelona’s defeat to Real Valladolid.
In the match, Christensen displayed his skills by expertly redirecting a cross into his own net with a header, giving Valladolid the lead.
Despite Barca falling behind 3-0, Robert Lewandowski managed to score a consolation goal.
This notable incident highlighted Christensen’s dedication to his former club, Chelsea, earning him recognition as a true fan for inadvertently assisting in preserving a record associated with the club.
According to Daily Star, Barcelona had already matched Chelsea’s record of 25 clean sheets set in the 2004/05 season and were eyeing the least goals conceded of 15 set in the same season under José Mourinho.
Chelsea fans troll Christensen
According to The Athletic, a verbal agreement was reached between Christensen and Chelsea over a new contract, but the Dane walked out of negotiations and joined theLa Liga outfit on a free transfer.
The Blues fans seem not to have forgotten the incident and trolled the player for his own goal, which was Barca’s 16th goal conceded this season.
One wrote:
”Christensen puts the ball in the BACK of his own net. Chelsea 15 goals record is safe.”
Another wrote:
”Agent Christensen helping Chelsea maintain their goal conceded record. Even though he plays for Barcelona now, he still has Chelsea at heart.”
The third wrote:
”Christensen scoring an own goal so that Barcelona won’t defeat Chelsea’s fewest goal record is another win for Chelsea this season. That means Jose Mourinho’s record for fewest goals conceded in a single Premier League campaign still stands.”
Another added:
”Yes!!!!! Always knew Christensen was proper chels!!! That own goal means Chelsea’s 15 GA record stands for yet another year!!”
Christensen rejects wage cut
Sports Brief reported that Christensen rejected Barcelona’s wage cut offer, which was aimed to fund the return of Lionel Messi to Camp Nou.
The offer was made to Andreas and fellow summer signing Franck Kessie, but both rejected it. They felt it was unwarranted to have such offers less than a year into their time at the club.
In a straightforward manner, Manchester City celebrated their latest Premier League title triumph with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Sunday.
Having already secured the title due to Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s Treble-chasing side took to the field at the Etihad Stadium amidst a festive atmosphere.
Despite fielding a much-changed lineup, City delighted their fans with an early goal from Julian Alvarez.
While Chelsea had a few bright moments, City never seemed to relinquish control, although they couldn’t replicate the intensity they displayed in their midweek victory over Real Madrid. The fans were in a celebratory mood, basking in the sunshine and even performing the famous ‘Poznan’ celebration on multiple occasions.
As City entered the field, they were honored with a guard of honour from their opponents. The Blues were left chasing shadows as City confidently moved the ball around, highlighting the gap between the two teams.
It was only a matter of time before the opening goal arrived, and it came in the 12th minute. City won possession in midfield, and Cole Palmer found Alvarez in front of the goal.
The Argentinian World Cup winner took a touch before unleashing a powerful shot across Kepa Arrizabalaga, marking City’s 100th home goal in all competitions this season.
Chelsea struggled to match City’s pace and precision, mirroring their disappointing end to the season under temporary manager Frank Lampard. Former City forward Raheem Sterling attempted to rally the Blues, making promising runs behind the City defense, but he failed to find a teammate on one occasion and had his shot saved by Stefan Ortega on another.
Conor Gallagher came close to equalizing when he headed against the post from a cross by Lewis Hall.
Overall, it was a dominant display by Manchester City, who showcased their superiority and celebrated their fifth Premier League title in six seasons. Chelsea, on the other hand, were left facing a challenging afternoon and a reminder of the gap they aspire to bridge.
Yet City always seemed in command and Phil Foden was only narrowly off-target with an attempted chip and Kalvin Phillips, finally making his first league start for the champions, blasted wide.
Phillips was inches away from getting on the scoresheet after the break when he met a Riyad Mahrez free-kick with a firm header but it rebounded off the foot of the post.
At the other end, Hall and Sterling both shot at Ortega. Sterling had another effort cleared off the line by City substitute John Stones, although an offside flag was raised anyway.
Alvarez thought he had claimed a second with just under 20 minutes remaining but Mahrez controlled the ball with his arm before teeing up the Argentinian.
With it being City’s last home match of the season, star pair Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were given a run-out in the latter stages. Rodri also came off the bench as City closed out their 12th successive Premier League win.
Thousands of fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle, delaying the trophy presentation.
After the celebrations subside, City have further league games at Brighton and Brentford before they play the FA Cup and Champions League finals next month.
After Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing team was already crowned champions for the fifth time in six years.
As a result, the Blues’ visit to the Etihad Stadium coincided with a festive atmosphere, and an early goal from Julian Alvarez gave the crowd additional reason to shout.
Julian Alvarez
Chelsea had a few bright moments but City, without getting anywhere near the intensity with which they crushed Real Madrid in midweek, always seemed in control.
Fans had arrived to party in the sunshine and the ‘Poznan’ was seen on more than one occasion.
City were given a guard of honour by their opponents as they entered the field and they went on to knock the ball around with a such a swagger that – perhaps embarrassingly for a Chelsea side that aspires to the heights City have reached – it appeared the Londoners faced a long afternoon.
It seemed only a matter of time before the opening goal came and it arrived after 12 minutes as City seized possession in midfield and Cole Palmer picked out Alvarez in front of goal.
Chelsea looked well off the pace, much as they have done throughout what has been a dispiriting end to the season under temporary boss Frank Lampard.
Former City forward Raheem Sterling attempted to rouse them. The England international twice got behind the City defence but was unable to pick out a team-mate the first time and then had a shot saved by Stefan Ortega.
Conor Gallagher then went closer when he headed against the post from a Lewis Hall cross.
Yet City always seemed in command and Phil Foden was only narrowly off-target with an attempted chip and Kalvin Phillips, finally making his first league start for the champions, blasted wide.
Phillips was inches away from getting on the scoresheet after the break when he met a Riyad Mahrez free-kick with a firm header but it rebounded off the foot of the post.
At the other end, Hall and Sterling both shot at Ortega. Sterling had another effort cleared off the line by City substitute John Stones, although an offside flag was raised anyway.
Alvarez thought he had claimed a second with just under 20 minutes remaining but Mahrez controlled the ball with his arm before teeing up the Argentinian.
With it being City’s last home match of the season, star pair Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were given a run-out in the latter stages. Rodri also came off the bench as City closed out their 12th successive Premier League win.
And the man himself! City’s goal scoring machine, Erling Haaland
Thousands of fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle, delaying the trophy presentation.
Thousands of fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle, delaying the trophy presentation.
After the celebrations subside, City have further league games at Brighton and Brentford before they play the FA Cup and Champions League finals next month.
Frank Lampard has seemingly confirmed what has been widely speculated – the imminent appointment of a new permanent coach at Chelsea, believed to be former Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
As an interim manager, Lampard, a club legend, has only three Premier League matches remaining before concluding his tenure, overseeing Chelsea’s disappointing season that is destined for a bottom-half finish – their worst in years.
Lampard becomes the fourth manager to take charge of the Stamford Bridge dugout this season, following the tenures of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Bruno Saltor, who managed the game against Liverpool.
According to The Athletic, Lampard will collaborate with Pochettino and the sporting directors to ease the transition and set the team on track for next season.
Lampard’s message to Chelsea players
Chelsea have a bloated squad with over thirty first team members, and there will be a mass exodus at the end of the season regardless of who comes in as the manager.
Some of those departing are already confirmed, while others have their futures depending on the final words of the incoming manager, which is why Lampard has warned them.
“If you want to stay at Chelsea and you want to impress the new manager, show it in these next three games because, for sure, he will be watching,” he told Football Daily.
A mass exodus is planned, and a few incomings must be added for a balanced squad. He has to resolve the goalkeeping conundrum in his first days.
The defensive midfielder role needs a signing; the attacking midfield needs a decision, while the striker needs a decision or a signing, depending on Romelu Lukaku.
Frank Lampard has revealed he tried to sign Erling Haaland for Chelsea during his first spell as the manager at Stamford Bridge.
The Manchester City striker came up against Lampard’s team in a pre-season friendly in 2019 while he was playing for RB Salzburg in Austria.
He scored 28 goals in 22 matches that season before signing for Borussia Dortmund the following summer, but Lampard said he attempted to bring him.
Lampard nearly signed Haaland for Chelsea during his first stay at Chelsea
Ultimately competition for the Norway international’s signature, together with the fact not everybody at Chelsea was convinced that a bid for Haaland would have been the right move, meant that Lampard was left frustrated.
His 36 Premier League goals for title-chasing City this season mean he has scored as many times in the league as the entire Chelsea squad have, with the two teams meeting at the Etihad on Sunday as City look for the victory they need to seal the title.
Chelsea by contrast remain in the bottom half of the table, with their struggles in front of goal this season having shown no sign of easing in recent weeks.
“I’ve got huge respect for him as a player, he’s a player I tried to bring to Chelsea the first time I was here,” said Lampard. “I was really keen to get him here but obviously that couldn’t happen. His level at that point was very clear, we played against him in a pre-season game for Salzburg.
“Credit to him, I love seeing players of that level, I love seeing players of that personality and hunger to play and be the best which he’s proved himself to be. In terms of having to deal with him you have to have obviously a plan and an idea, but players of that level can make anything happen at any moment.
“I think he’s special, I thought he’d adapt straight away just (because of) his level. I think with the level of players and his record of scoring, firstly in Austria then for his country and in the Bundesliga – which is not an easy league – to come into a really good unit already.
“The rest is just credit to himself and the team around him. I did expect that, it’s not just an easy hindsight answer, I’ve got real respect for the player.
Lampard during a post match conference
“I don’t know whether he would have decided to come here anyway but I was a big fan. There are some of those that happen that people don’t know about that could have been this way, people talk a lot about mistakes and the things that could have been in football.
“Whether he would have come I don’t know, but I was pushing big, and for a couple of other players as well. But he was the outstanding one.
“From our point I was pushing it, I’m not sure what the appetite everywhere else in the club was to do it. The competition was big to take him because he was an outstanding player. I think there was a buyout clause at the time which I think was relatively reasonable given the player (he joined Dortmund for around £17million). I don’t have enough detail to say how close it was.”
Lampard has two matches left of his interim spell in charge, with Manchester United at Old Trafford and Newcastle at Stamford Bridge to come after City.
He has won only once during his eight games in the job, a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth earlier in May, with six defeats having come in that time including a Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be confirmed as the permanent successor to Graham Potter, who was sacked on April 2, in the coming days, and he will have a huge rebuild on his hands after a disastrous season for the club.
Mauricio Pochettino
Despite the poor form, Lampard said he has no regrets about agreeing to take over in the short-term from Potter.
“I have enjoyed it, I get asked it a lot,” he said. “You want to always get results but you have to be realistic in football. When I came into this, the Champions League dream that everyone talked to me about, (saying) it’s been done before, can we do it again?
“The realistic answer was we were where we were in the league for a reason. Our view was to try and beat Real Madrid then possible City to get to a final. In terms of the rest of the job, it’s been how many small wins can I try and impact behind the scenes. You can’t always impact results.
“Generally there’s a lot of work to do here. I can have a certain impact with certain individuals within the group because I have a big feeling for the club.”
Sadio Mane is expected to seek a transfer away from Bayern Munich this summer, with the former Liverpool forward not believed to have a future under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Mane, who swapped Liverpool for Bayern last summer, has failed to hit the right strings despite beginning his spell with the Bavarians on a bright note – scoring five goals in his first six outings.
His goals have since dried up while his overall form has significantly dipped, largely due to niggling injuries, with rumours linking him with a move away from the Allianz Arena, per GOAL.
With seven goals in the Bundesliga this season, Mane’s goal returns have dipped significantly and any interested party will now be aware of signing a player whose talents look to have diminished.
Senegal star, Sadio Mane
However, with his valuable experience at the elite level, he could remain a useful option for clubs around the world.
A move away from the Allianz Arena is on the cards for Mane, and Sports Brief takes a look at the potential new clubs for the Senegal star ahead of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea
Even if Chelsea have options in Mane‘s position, it would not be strange for a bid to sign the Senegalese forward to happen, considering Todd Boehly’s transfer approach thus far at Stamford Bridge.
The addition of Mane would increase competition for Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk, although departures are probably necessary before any transfer is made.
The Blues are leading the race for Mane, and they also need to continue the evolution of their squad. However, Boehly needs to learn from the mistakes he made by signing a waning Pierre Emerick Aubameyang in the previous summer.
Saudi Arabia
Mane has been linked to a number of elite European clubs, but the attacker may also be interested in Saudi Arabia, which is now paying high wages to attract top European players.
Lionel Messi is said to be attracting interest to Al-Hilal, where he could earn a staggering £320 million per year. Such astronomical figures might not be on the table for Mane, but he might look for a sizable payment so that he can keep supporting village initiatives in his hometown.
Man United
According to reports in Germany, Mane’s most likely Premier League destination is Manchester United.
The ex-Liverpool superstar has found himself linked to the Old Trafford outfit following reports of discontent in Bavaria.
United boss Erik ten Hag is likely to bolster his frontline, and the club may pursue a player they came close to signing in 2016.
Mane has previously spoken about how close he came to a United move.
“I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “I had the contract there. I had it all agreed. It was all ready, but instead, I thought, ‘No, I want to go to Liverpool.”
PSG
Given that bothLionel Messi and Neymar are anticipated to leave the team this summer, PSG may be forced to look to Mane as an alternative to fill the vacuum.
Mane would be a good fit for this role because of his versatility in the middle of the field and his ability to connect up with Kylian Mbappe.
He might fall outside of their new transfer model, though, since the Parisian club is anticipated to have a new recruitment plan based around bringing in young French players.
Mane told to join PSG
Sports Brief reported earlier that Sadio Mane has been urged to leave Bayern Munich after one season following the Senegalese forward recent struggles with the reigning Bundesliga champions.
The 31-year-old forward has endured a mixed start to life at Bayern, having been plagued with injuries and off-field controversies following his spat with teammate Leroy Sane.
According to PSG Talk, journalist Nabil Djelitt has advised Mane to move to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain this summer to escape his nightmares in Germany.
Former Chelsea star and EPL winner, Lenny Pidgeley, who played for Jose Mourinho, has retired from football and is now employed as a gardener.
When the former custodian joined the Blues as a teenager in 2003, he had the entire world at his feet.
The young custodian was quickly chosen by Mourinho, who had recently transferred from Porto to Chelsea, for his side during the 2004–2005 campaign.
However, it was nearly a given that Pidgeley would not have a significant role that season given the presence of Petr Cech.
Be that as it may, Mourinho still found a place for him on the bench during Chelsea’s League Cup triumph in 2005.
The former goalkeeper went on to make his Premier League debut towards the end of the campaign as the Blues went on to lift the Premier League trophy.
Incredibly, John Terry is said to have even gone out of his way to ensure Pidgeley received a winners medal.
Lenny Pidgeley’s career hits nosedive
However, that is as far asit went with Pidgeley’s career at Chelsea. According to The Sun, the Englishman left Stamford Bridge in 2006 after just two appearances and went on to join Millwall on loan.
After then, he became a journeyman with several lower-tier teams, including Woking, Carlisle United, Bradford City, Exeter City, Newport County, Mansfield Town, Leatherhead, Forest Green Rovers, Hastings United, and Margate.
He would later wind up his career at Farnborough, where his manager infamously announced the goalkeeper’s retirement from football in 2018.
Lenny Pidgeley’s struggle with depression
It is understood that Pidgeley’s football career came to a screeching halt just three months after he had penned a deal with Farnborough.
According to reports, the ex-keeper’s retirement came after a struggle with depression.
“The manager had made me feel so small and suggested it was all my fault if they lost, because I couldn’t play,” Pidgeley told FourFourTwo.
He called out his former manager for stealing his moment in retirement – a moment he believes every professional has the right to.
“That could have tipped somebody else over the edge, but luckily for me I had the coping mechanisms in place to put it to one side,” he added.
More than four years after Pidgeley’s retirement, the former Chelsea star is now working as a gardener – a career switch he has found fulfilment in.
“It’s tempting to wonder how different it could have panned out if I wasn’t one of the thousands who suffer from depression, but I am where I am and I’m finding peace,” he recently admitted.
Kante hints at Chelsea future
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that N’Golo Kante has made a decision over his Chelsea future amid speculation he could depart at the end of the season.
The Frenchman’s current deal with the Stamford Bridge side is set to expire this summer, with his contract situation sparking fears he could leave for free.
Kante has been one of Chelsea’s most influential figures since his arrival back in 2016 from Leicester City, with his latest comments hinting at his plans.
Mauricio Pochettino is set to face a significant challenge in retaining Mason Mount at Chelsea.
The new manager has identified the midfielder’s contract situation, valued at £60 million, as a key priority when he assumes his role at the end of the season.
However, it appears that Pochettino’s arrival has come too late to salvage the ongoing negotiations, and it seems likely that Mount, a highly regarded player among Chelsea fans, will depart his childhood club after being with them for 18 years.
At 24 years old, Mount has just over a year remaining on his current contract, and discussions have reached an impasse after ten months.
Mason Mount in action
SunSport can reveal Mount was offered a one-yearextension by Chelsea in February but this was flatly rejected and seen as a ploy simply to raise his transfer fee.
Relations between the player’s representatives and the club are at an all-time low and Pochettino needs a “miracle” to turn it round.
A Blues source said: “It feels like it is too late now for Mason.
“Pochettino is good but he can’t work miracles.
“If he had been brought in when Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel in September then maybe it would be a different story.
“But in ten months there hasn’t been any resolution and other clubs want him. Good luck to Poch and Mason but we’re not hopeful.”
Mauricio Pochettino is allegedly Chelsea’s new coach
Mount is injured but eyeing a return for the final two games this season — at Manchester United then home to Newcastle on May 28.
That could well be the end of the England star’s Blues journey, which started when he was six.
Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have been strongly linked with interest in Mount.
And Chelsea will sell if he does not sign a new deal as they do not want him leaving for free at the end of next season.
This season in Premier League, Chelsea’s form is Average overall with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 14 losses.
This performance currently places Chelsea at 11th out of 20 teams in the Premier League Table, winning 32% of matches.
Chelsea’s home form is poor with the following results : 6 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses.
According to reports, Chelsea will soon choose Mauricio Pochettino as their manager.
The former Tottenham manager and the Blues have reached a contract agreement, according to reports in various media outlets on Saturday night.
At the conclusion of the season, the 51-year-old Argentinean would succeed Frank Lampard, who was serving as interim manager.
The club has not provided a confirmation. Chelsea has been contacted by the PA news agency.
Graham Potter was fired by Chelsea in April after just seven months of his five-year contract due to a run of poor performance, and the club is now looking for a new full-time manager.
Lampard, who previously managed the club from 2019-21, was brought in on a temporary basis but the team’s struggles have continued and they sit 11th in the Premier League.
Pochettino, who led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019 before being sacked later that year, is available after leaving Paris St Germain last summer.
Reports indicate that, Mauricio Pochettino is already actively working to identify the weaknesses in the current Chelsea side, even before his appointment as the club’s new permanent head coach is confirmed.
Chelsea is expected to finalize the appointment of the Argentine soon. The team has underperformed this season and is currently bloated with players.
Reports suggest that Pochettino will need to conduct a mass clear-out of players in order to start afresh and improve the team’s performances. Football London has reported on this development.
There have been reports that some players have had to change in the corridors after the club brought in eight new players in January alone.
Players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech, and Cristian Pulisc could make way as the rebuild process begins in West London.
Pochettino’s plans for Chelsea
But even as a number of players leave, Metro UK reports that Pochettino will require three new players to form the basis of what he wants to achieve at Stamford Bridge.
The report further adds the former Paris Saint-Germain manager is keen on signing a new goalkeeper, a central midfielder, and a striker.
No specific names have been given just yet, but it is saidPochettino wants players with Premier League experience. His pursuit for a goalkeeper spells doom for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy – the latter who has barely played this season.
The idea of a central midfielder is presumably someone who can partner with January’s acquisition, Enzo Fernandez.
The striking department is self-explanatory, with Chelsea out of luck in that area since the departure of Diego Costa.
The likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and Manuel Ugarte have all been linked with moves to Chelsea.
Pochettino: What Chelsea can expect from
Poch’s lack of trophies during his first spell with Tottenham has always been a consideration when judging his suitability to manage a top club.
However, as Sports Brief previously reported, Pochettino might be Chelsea’s solution to a team which has had many questions asked of it this season.
He can be relied upon to being stability to Stamford Bridge, provide direction, and reign in player power – something Potter’s tenure certainly lacked.
Raheem Sterling has an opinion, but it appears like the search for Chelsea’s new permanent manager for the upcoming season has come to a conclusion.
The English winger cost £50 million when he transferred from Manchester City to the Blues last summer. Thomas Tuchel was one of the four managers that coached him during that time.
In the first full season under the ownership of the Todd Boehly-led consortium, the team has had a very poor campaign.
Subject to confirming and settling on contract specifics, Mauricio Pochettino , a former head coach of Tottenham, is the heavy frontrunner to fill the permanent position as of next season.
Sterling advises coaching selection criteria
The former Manchester City winger has advised the club on the criteria for the selection of a new manager, subtly hinting coaches don’t have full authority at the club since his arrival.
‘‘I’m not one to tell the club what to do, but from what I can gauge from where I was previously, organisation is the most important thing,’’ Sterling told Sky Sports.
‘‘Having a manager that has the final say on everything and it being his way with everyone having to follow that.
‘‘Successful teams always have a manager that comes in, brings his blueprint, and everyone follows. If there are people that don’t follow, then they are not part of the team, and that is how brutal it needs to be at a high level.’’
It is hard to disagree with Sterling, who spent seven successful years at City, where Pep Guardiola is given full decision-making control.
How Chelsea could be relegated
Chelsea are one point away from the mythical 40-point relegation benchmark, but there are unlikely scenarios that could see them relegated.
Frank Lampard celebrated his 100th game in Premier League management with a victory as Chelsea defeated Bournemouth 3-1.
Despite conceding an equalizer from Matias Vina after Conor Gallagher’s early goal, the Blues secured their first win in almost two months with two late goals from Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix, ending their six-game losing streak under interim manager Lampard.
Bournemouth also had the better of the chances before the late drama, with Dango Ouattara squandering a golden opening by heading over from inside the six-yard box.
Yet Badiashile and Felix punished that profligacy, leaving visiting fans to salute the overdue triumph with ironic chants of “we are staying up”.
Victory in Dorset moved the two-time European champions on to 42 points, three ahead of their hosts, albeit they remain in the bottom half of the table.
For Lampard personally, it was a first victory in 17 matches including his Everton days and his first with Chelsea in 832 days dating back to a 3-1 FA Cup success over Luton in January 2021 during his initial spell as manager.
The former Blues and England midfielder opted for five changes following Tuesday’s tame 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling among those dropped, while the Cherries were unchanged from the 4-1 thrashing of Leeds.
Gary O’Neil’s in-form hosts began brighter but after Jefferson Lerma, who scored twice last weekend, curled narrowly wide, Chelsea snatched a ninth-minute lead.
Trevoh Chalobah’s pass afforded N’Golo Kante time and space to deliver an inviting cross from the right wing and recalled midfielder Gallagher beat Adam Smith to the ball to divert a simple, close-range header beyond goalkeeper Neto.
Chelsea supporters responded to the early breakthrough with self-deprecating chants about avoiding relegation and “we’ve scored a goal” after seeing their side net for only the third time in nine outings.
Yet they were not ahead for long.
Uruguay left-back Vina claimed the 21st-minute equaliser, delightfully curling home via the right post from just inside the Blues’ 18-yard box following slick interplay involving Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke.
The Roma loanee’s eye-catching leveller prompted calls of “sign him up” from home supporters, in addition to light-hearted taunts of “you’re going down with the scummers” directed at the away end and referencing local rivals Southampton.
While Chelsea have endured a torrid season under their American owners, Bournemouth have gone from strength to strength since Texas businessman Bill Foley completed his takeover in December.
O’Neil’s men, who won six of their previous nine fixtures to banish relegation fears, remained relatively comfortable for the rest of the half,with Chelsea short of ideas and looking toothless in attack.
The away team continued to monopolise the ball following the restart but the lack of creativity persisted.
At the other end, Badiashile turned behind Ouattara’s dangerous low cross while lively winger Christie rippled the side-netting.
Lampard, who suffered league and Carabao Cup defeats on this ground with Everton earlier this season, then saw his side survive a VAR check for a possible penalty when Thiago Silva slid in on Solanke before Vina was denied a second when his shot was pushed wide by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Ouattara should have given Bournemouth the lead 11 minutes from time when he somehow nodded over unmarked after Lerma headed a Lewis Cook corner back across goal.
That miss proved pivotal as Chelsea grabbed the three points with quick-fire goals in the closing stages.
Former Monaco defender Badiashile restored the Blues’ advantage in the 82nd minute, connecting with Hakim Ziyech’s searching free-kick into the box to volley beyond Neto and claim his first goal for the club.
Belated joy for Lampard was secured four minutes later as Felix put the result beyond doubt with a first-time finish after fellow substitute Sterling burst into the box and slipped the ball to his right.
According to report, a Google software engineer died after collapsing at the internet company’s Manhattan offices.
According to the New York Post, which cited police sources, a 31-year-old man died after falling to his death on Thursday night at approximately 11.30 p.m.
According to reports, the individual was employed by the search engine at its Chelsea headquarters at 111 8th Avenue. He was discovered unresponsive on the street and rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was later declared dead.
Handprints and footprints were reportedly found at an open-air terrace on the Google building’s 14th floor. The man left no note before the fatal fall.
Metro.co.uk has also reached out to Google, who have not responded to any requests for comment.
Thursday’s incident is the second reported death of a New York City Google employee in just over two months.
On February 16, Jacob Pratt, a 33-year-old partnership leader at the company, was found dead in his apartment. His death was ruled a suicide.
It’s also the second falling death in New York City this week. On Tuesday, a 20-year-old mother from Colorado fell to her death from a Times Square hotel.
Dezirae Andersen was found dead after falling from the roof of the OYO Times Square hotel on West 47th Street. Police said that she got into a physical fight with her boyfriend, Tyler Griffin, just before the fatal plunge.
Police were originally called to the hotel on reports of Griffin assaulting Andersen in her hotel room.
Andersen then fell from the building’s 10th floor, and landed on scaffolding above the street.
Police have since arrested Griffin, 24, and charged him with assault, reckless endangerment, and acting in a manner that could have harmed a baby.
Despite splurging over £600 million on talent, the club has not been able to deliver satisfactory performances on the pitch. However, this has not stopped them from continuing to add fresh faces to their squad.
The latest addition to the Blues is Alex Matos, who joins on a free transfer. Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea has “completed” the signing of the 18-year-old winger from Norwich City FC.
Matos will be part of the youth development and recruitment project headed by Jim Fraser, Chelsea’s chief.
Last month, reports emerged that Chelsea was in “advanced talks” to sign the talented youngster. The latest update confirms that the deal is all but done.
Born in 2004, Matos began his career at Luton before joining Norwich City’s Under 12 level in 2016.
He signed a scholarship with the club in 2021 and has been a regular feature in Norwich’s Under-18 squad this season.
Matos has made eight appearances in the Under 18 Premier League, scoring and assisting once each.
Chelsea’s ambitious approach to transfers in their senior squad has caused chaos behind the scenes, with some players being forced to change in the corridor due to a lack of space in the dressing room.
The club’s former manager, Graham Potter, was unable to turn things around, and the interim manager, Frank Lampard has faced a difficult time, with six consecutive defeats. Despite this, Chelsea’s management has continued to invest in new talent.
The addition of Matos to the youth development and recruitment project shows the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
It remains to be seen how Matos will fit into Chelsea’s future plans and whether he will be able to make his mark in the highly competitive world of professional football.
Chelsea’s trigger-happy approach to transfers in their senior squad has caused chaos behind the scenes, with Graham Potter being forced to make a number of stars change in the corridor despite making the dressing room bigger.
Frank Lampard has since taken over the helm, but things have only gotten worse with six defeats on the spin under the interim boss following the latest lacklustre performance against Arsenal.
Reacting to the news, one fan online joked: “Have to make the dressing room bigger again.”
While a third added: “Oh boy another kid because we lost yesterday 😍.”
It has been a difficult season for Chelsea as the beleaguered team has seen a streak of losses, with their vey recent 3-1 loss to Arsenal which thrashed them out of the Premier League.
For the past few months Chelsea, has had about 12 losses, 5 draws and a few wins which raises eyebrows of the clubs form and finnesse which it has had over the years.
Chelsea’s current owner Todd Boehly came under heat after the club’s board called the “failure” of a manger Frank Lampard back for the interim.
Lampard was a highly respected and beloved figure at Chelsea, having played for the club for 13 years and later serving as the team’s manager.
Therefore, it is possible that many Chelsea fans were excited about his return to the club, while others may have had mixed feelings considering his previous managerial tenure ended on a sour note.
However, Julian Nagelsmann is the favourite to become the next permanent Chelsea manager, according to the bookmakers.
But recent news have reported that, Nagelsman seem not to be interested in Chelsea’s offer but looking elsewhere.
Drogba recently called out managers of his former club to sit and revisit the principles table.
Arsenal has released a statement condemning the shining of a laser into the face of Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk during Tuesday night’s Premier League match between the two London clubs.
The incident led to the arrest of a fan.
Television cameras at the Emirates Stadium captured footage of a light being shone in the direction of the Ukraine international.
Mudryk had come on as a second-half substitute for the visitors and had been jeered by some Arsenal fans.
Laser light on Mykhailo
The Gunners had been linked with a move for Mudryk in the January transfer window, but the player instead signed for their London rivals. The incident occurred during Arsenal’s 3-1 home victory, which saw the club move back to the top of the Premier League table.
In its statement released on Wednesday morning, Arsenal expressed its disappointment with the incident, saying, “An arrest has been made following the use of a laser during last night’s match. This behaviour is dangerous and totally unacceptable, and we will fully support the police with their enquiries. We will obviously take the strongest possible action.”
Beam green laser hit Mudryk during match between Arsenal and Chelsea
The Football Association (FA) is expected to investigate the matter, while the Metropolitan Police made three further arrests at the game for ticket touting.
The incident has raised concerns about player safety and the behaviour of fans at sporting events. The use of lasers by fans to distract or injure players has become an increasingly common occurrence in recent years, with football authorities and police forces taking a strong stance against such behaviour.
In 2019, a teenager was arrested for shining a laser at Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos during a Championship match against Nottingham Forest. The offender was subsequently banned from attending any football match for three years.
The incident involving Mudryk has once again highlighted the need for greater vigilance and security measures at sporting events. Football authorities and clubs must take steps to ensure the safety of players and spectators alike, and to prevent incidents of this nature from occurring in the future.
The use of lasers by fans is not only dangerous but also illegal, and those found guilty of such behaviour can face criminal charges as well as bans from attending matches.
The incident at the Emirates Stadium has also led to questions about the behaviour of football fans in general.
While most supporters are passionate and respectful, a small minority engage in abusive or threatening behaviour that can mar the enjoyment of others and damage the reputation of the sport.
Incidents like this can have a significant impact on players’ mental health and their ability to perform on the pitch. The use of lasers and other forms of harassment and abuse can create a hostile environment that affects players’ concentration and confidence, potentially leading to injury or poor performance.
The incident involving Mudryk is a reminder that football fans have a responsibility to behave in a manner that respects the players, the game, and each other. It is essential that fans are educated about the dangers and consequences of their actions and are held accountable for any misconduct.
Football authorities must also take a proactive approach to address the underlying issues that contribute to such incidents,including discrimination, racism, and violence. By promoting diversity, inclusivity, and respect, football can help to build a better society that values fairness, equality, and sportsmanship.
The incident involving Mudryk is a stark reminder of the need for greater vigilance and security at sporting events, as well as the importance of educating fans about the dangers and consequences of their actions. Football clubs and authorities must work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of players and fans, and to promote a culture of respect.
Before the final whistle of Chelsea’s Wednesday night Premier League match against Brentford, several Chelsea supporters were seen departing Stamford Bridge.
Having lost four straight games under Frank Lampard, the Blues were eager to pick up their first win of the season when they played the Bees.
However, the 2021 Champions League winners went on to put on another terrible display at home as Lampard earned his fifth straight loss since he returned as caretaker manager.
The hosts appeared to be in control of the early exchanges before Brentford took the lead in the 37th-minute, courtesy of Cesar Azpilicueta’s own goal.
According to the Evening Standard, the visitors dented Chelsea’s hopes of a comeback after Bryan Mbeumo doubled the advantage with 12 minutes left on the clock.
Chelsea fans spotted leaving stadium
Unsurprisingly, a number ofChelsea fans were unable to watch the remainder of the match and were spotted leaving Stamford Bridge before the full-time whistle.
The Sun reports the Blues faithful vacated the stadium with 13 minutes left, a clear indication of their disappointment following a disastrous campaign this season across all competitions.
Their defeat at the hands of Brentford leaves Chelsea occupying 11th place, with little to no hope of playing in Europe next season.
Lampard’s men will be hoping to make amends next Tuesday when they take on London rivals, Arsenal, who have also hit a rough patch in recent days.
Lampard defenders infuriated Chelsea fans
Sports Brief also reported on club legend and caretaker manager, Lampard defending fans booing players after a fifth successive loss to Brentford on Wednesday.
Azpilicueta’s own-goal and Mbeumo’s late strike condemned the Blues to their latest demoralising loss since the sacking of Graham Potter earlier in the year.
Due to an injury, Barcelona’s England defender Lucy Bronze will miss the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Chelsea.
On Saturday’s first leg, which Barca won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Caroline Graham Hansen, the 31-year-old hobbled off the pitch during the second half.
After having an arthroscopy on her right knee, Bronze will not be able to play in the return match at the Camp Nou on Thursday, the Catalan club has now stated in a statement on Twitter.
Bronze’s injury provides a fresh concern for England manager Sarina Wiegman, with both Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson set to miss this summer’s World Cup.
However, after Saturday’s game Barca manager Jonatan Giraldez provided an upbeat assessment of Bronze’s injury.
He said: “She felt something in her knee in the beginning.
“But in the end right now she’s fine. At the moment we made the substitution the feeling was bad, but right now the feeling she has is good.”
Bronze posted on Instagram that she was “in good spirits” following her operation.
She wrote: “In very good spirits after my knee op yesterday. It’s never easy being sidelined, but I’m as focused as ever to work hard and return to full fitness, hopefully as soon as possible.
“Thank you to everyone for all of your kind messages already! I couldn’t ask for better support, so thank you.
“The hard work has already started already can’t wait to be back on the pitch with this team. See you all very soon.”
Romelu Lukaku is about to receive a second chance at Chelsea after a dismal return from injury last year.
Lukaku signed a five-year contract with Chelsea for over 100 million euros when he departed Inter Milan at the beginning of the 2021–2022 season.
After Diego Costa left the Blues, they had struggled to find a quality striker, and there was widespread belief that the Belgian could fill the void and allay those worries.
The team had just won the league title after a dominant season under Antonio Conte.
Despite a positive start under then-manager Thomas Tuchel, the 29-year-old quickly waned off by falling victim to the curse that is Chelsea’s number 9 shirt.
A dispute between him and Tuchel over an unauthorised interview led to a significant reduction in minutes as well.
He was shipped back to Inter Milan on loan, with the Italian giant’s non-committal on his long-term future. As the Telegraph now reports, Chelsea would be willing to welcome the burly striker back and give him a chance under incoming coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine is expected to be appointed as the new Chelsea coach, as it is always the norm with new bosses, sidelined players often get a new lease of life to prove themselves.
At the end of this season, he will have three more years on his current deal.
What Pochettino can offer Chelsea
At the same time, Pochettino’s lack of trophies during his first spell in England with Tottenham Hotspur has always been a consideration when judging his suitability to manage a top club.
However,it is belived he might be the answer to astruggling Chelsea side in dire need of an uplift.
After Nagelsmann and Enrique withdrew, and with Zinedine Zidane reportedly focused on Juventus, Pochettino was probably the only option Chelsea had.
In addition to Chelsea, at least one other Premier League club is apparently interested in signing Neymar fromParis Saint-Germain.
After another injury-plagued season in 2022–2023, the Brazilian attacker is having worries about his future at Parc des Princes.
He has made 29 appearances this season and has scored 18 goals, however he has been out with an ankle injury since February 19.
While the 31-year-old has not been at his best this season, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is said to have asked about the South American’s potential availability during talks with PSG bosses earlier this year.
Neymar would fit the bill for the Blues when it comes to bringing in another marquee addition.
The Mirror is, however, claiming that Chelsea could face competition from domestic rivals in any scramble to secure Neymar’s signature.
Interest from England is said to be building, with there no doubting that a man with a record 77 international goals to his name remains a match-altering talent on his day.
Neymar is tied to a contract at PSG through to 2025, with there a further 12-month option in his deal that could be triggered.
But the Ligue 1 champions are considering a freshening up of their ranks and the summer of 2023 may present them with a final opportunity to demand a sizeable fee for an ageing playmaker.
Tuchel is reportedly struggling for his job atBayern Munich already. The club’s board is set to make its decision in less than a month whether to let him go or stay following Bayern’s recent struggles.
The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss returned to his native Germany in March when agreeing to succeed Julian Nagelsmann at the Allianz Arena.
He has, however, found the going tough in Bavaria, with Bayern bowing out of the Champions League to Manchester City and the German Cup at the hands of Freiburg.
The reigning champions have also surrendered top spot in the Bundesliga, with Tuchel overseeing just two wins across his opening seven games in charge.
Bild reports that Bayern bosses are now set to meet on May 22 – five days before the club’s final league game of the season – while making big decisions on coaching and directorial staff.
Oliver Kahn, who currently fills a CEO role in Munich, is another facing uncomfortable questions of his future – but he will not be quitting and would need to be forced out – while sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic could also be offloaded if it is determined that change at the top is required.
Kahn, Salihamidzicand Bayern chairman Herbert Hainer all felt the need to enter the dressing room following Bayern’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Mainz on Saturday, with Tuchel under pressure a matter of weeks into a contract that is supposed to run until the summer of 2025.
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