Que vexame! Corinthians assiste ao Independiente del Valle, é derrotado e dá adeus à Libertadores

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E o Independiente del Valle fez mais uma vítima brasileira: o Corinthians. Após vencer o São Paulo na final da Sul-Americana do ano passado e bater o Flamengo na Recopa disputada no início desta temporada, os equatorianos fizeram 3 a 0 no Timão, garantiram a classificação às oitavas de final da Libertadores e, de quebra, eliminaram a equipe alvinegra da competição continental.

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Em um primeiro tempo onde foram totalmente dominado, os corintianos viram o atacante Michael Hoyos marcar duas vezes na etapa inicial. E poderia ser mais, já que o clube do Equador teve, pelo menos, outras três chances claras de gols.

+ Roger Guedes se aproxima da ponta: veja os maiores artilheiros da Neo Química Arena

Na etapa final, o Timão acertou a marcação, mas, ainda assim, foi inoperante ofensivamente. E ainda teve tempo de sofrer o terceiro gol, marcado por um velho conhecido: Sornoza, meio-campista que vestiu a camisa alvinegra em 2019.

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Com o resultado negativo, o Corinthians só não caiu para a quarta colocação do grupo E da Libertadores porque o Liverpool, do Uruguai, também foi derrotado. Na última rodada, o Time do Povo enfrenta os uruguaios para ficar, pelo menos, na terceira colocação e ir para a Sul-Americana.

BAILE DO DEL VALLE

Constrangedora. Esse é o adjetivo perfeito para se referir à atuação do Corinthians no primeiro tempo contra o Independiente del Valle, em Quito, nesta quarta-feira (7), pela Libertadores. E a equipe equatoriana, que não tem nada a ver com isso, aproveitou e passeou frente ao corintianos na etapa inicial. Foram dois gols marcados, ambos pelo atacante Michael Hoyos, mas poderiam ser mais, já que os mandantes tiveram, pelo menos, três grandes oportunidades desperdiçadas.

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FRAGILIDADE DEFENSIVA DO TIMÃO

O lado esquerdo defensivo foi o grande problema corintiano no primeiro. Foi por lá, inclusive, que saíram os dois gols de Hoyos. E o presságio veio desde o início da partida, quando uma descida com liberdade por aquele setor resultou em uma bola cruzada para trás, encontrando Faravelli, que finalizou e viu Matheus Bidu salvar no meio do caminho. No rebote, Medina também levou perigo, mas chutou para fora, mas próximo ao gol de Cássio. E mesmo depois de balançar a rede duas vezes, o Independiente del Valle teve total liberdade pelo setor direito ofensivo. Em uma, Bidu tentou afastar e quase mandou contra o próprio patrimônio, mas parou em grande defesa do goleiro corintiano. Depois, Ortiz recebeu na entrada da pequena área e mandou para fora, mas com muito perigo.

LUXA ACERTA A MARCAÇÃO, MAS CORINTHIANS NÃO EXISTE NA CRIAÇÃO

Já no segundo tempo, o técnico corintiano Vanderlei Luxemburgo acertou a marcação pelo lado esquerdo, tirando Matheus Bidu e colocando Roni no lugar. O zagueiro Murillo passou a reforçar o setor canhoto. Ainda assim, o Timão não teve forças ofensivas. A primeira, e única, finalização ao gol da equipe alvinegra no jogo aconteceu aos 21 minutos do segundo tempo, com Róger Guedes, que parou em boa defesa do goleiro adversário. Os corintianos chegaram até marcar um gol, mas que foi anulado, pois Gil estava impedido quando desviou de cabeça após uma falta cobrada por Renato Augusto. Bruno Méndez foi o autor do tento irregular.

LEI DO EX É GOLPE DE MISERICÓRDIA DO DEL VALLE

E a última pá de cal na campanha do Corinthians na Libertadores de 2023 foi colocada justamente por um ex-jogador do clube: Sornoza. O meia, que já tinha dado a assistência para o primeiro gol, recebeu um bom passe de Lautaro Díaz, vindo pelo lado direito, e finalizou com enorme precisão, no canto alto direito do goleiro Cássio. A bola ainda beliscou a trave antes de entrar.

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FICHA TÉCNICA
INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE (EQU) 3 X 0 CORINTHIANS
LIBERTADORES – FASE DE GRUPOS – 5ª RODADA

Estádio:Estadio Banco Guayaquil, Quito, Equador
Data e hora:7 de junho de 2023, às 19h (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Alexis Herrera (VEN)
​Auxiliares:Lubin Torrealba (VEN) e Antoni Garcia (VEN)
Árbitro de vídeo:Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (VAR-FIFA/RJ)
Cartões amarelos:Landázuri, Pellerano e Sornoza (Independiente del Valle); Bruno Méndez, Roni e Biro (Corinthians)
Cartões vermelhos:

GOLS:1-0 Michael Hoyos (17’/1T); 2-0 Michael Hoyos (24’/1T); Sornoza (23’/2T)

INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE (EQU): Pinargote; Landázuri, Pellerano e Schunke; Fernández, Alcivar, Faravelli e Medina (Cortez, 26’/2T); Ortiz e Sornoza (Páez, 26’/2T); Hoyos (Lautaro Díaz, 18’/2T). Técnico: Martin Anselmi

CORINTHIANS: Cássio; Bruno Méndez (Caetano, 29’/2T), Gil e Murillo; Fagner, Maycon (Adson, 28’/2T), Fausto Vera, Renato Augusto (Biro, 28’/2T) e Matheus Bidu (Roni, intervalo); Róger Guedes (Pedro, 28’/2T) e Yuri Alberto. Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

'See how many hat-tricks we can get together' – Harry Kane sets challenge for Thomas Muller after Bayern Munich legend begins MLS adventure with Vancouver Whitecaps

Harry Kane has warmly thrown down the gauntlet to Thomas Muller after he followed in his former Bayern Munich team-mate’s footsteps by scoring a hat-trick against Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon. The England captain maintained his exceptional start to the 2025-26 season as he fired the German champions to a thumping victory in the Bundesliga.

  • Kane already up to 13 goals for the season in ridiculous start

    Kane’s hat-trick against Hoffenheim took his goal tally to 13 for the season so far, having netted eight times in just four league matches. He also scored twice in Bayern’s Champions League victory over Chelsea in midweek, with his other goals coming in the German Cup and the German Super Cup.

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  • Muller speaks directly to Kane following Vancouver hat-trick

    The former Tottenham striker’s latest hat-trick came after Muller, who played alongside Kane at Bayern between 2023 and 2025, scored three times in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ 7-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union in MLS on September 14. And in a social media post following his efforts, Bayern icon Muller spoke directly to Kane, saying “Harry, now I know how you feel.”

  • Kane responds! England captain issues warm challenge to Muller

    Kane was quick to respond to Muller over social media following his hat-trick against Hoffenheim, challenging both himself and the Germany legend to keep up their rich veins of goalscoring form this season. Speaking directly to Muller on Instagram, Kane said: “Wanted to give a little shout out to Thomas Muller. I know you sent me a video last week and, yeah, here’s one back and let’s see how many hat-tricks we can get together. So wishing you all the best for the rest of the season.”

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  • Muller achieved ridiculous numbers in legendary Bayern spell

    Emerging through Bayern’s youth system in 2008, Muller went on to become the club’s all-time leading appearance maker with 756 matches played across 17 seasons. The forward scored 250 goals and recorded 223 assists for the German giants, winning 13 league titles and two Champions League crowns. He joined Vancouver on a free transfer in August.

Leeds racing to sign £35m Liverpool target who is "definitely" world-class

Leeds United are now racing to sign a sought after midfielder who is “definitely” world-class, and his club have made him available, according to a report.

Leeds looking to improve midfield options

Leeds are still in the market for an attacking midfielder, having mainly bolstered their options in more defensive areas up to this point, and Leicester City’s Bilal El-Khannouss has now emerged as a target, with talks set to take place soon.

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Having already brought in Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach this summer, strengthening in deeper midfield areas may no longer be a priority for Daniel Farke, but there may still be room for one more addition in that area of the pitch.

Newcastle United's SeanLongstaffin action with Bromley's Jude Arthurs

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which reveals Leeds are one of a number of Premier League clubs racing to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, who has now been made available for a transfer this summer.

A deal could be expensive, however, with the Italian club looking to receive €40m (£35m), amid widespread interest in Luiz’s signature, with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and West Ham United also named as potential suitors.

Nottingham Forest are thought to be leading the race for the former Aston Villa man, and there are indications that he could be keen on a return to England, with his representatives turning down an approach from Turkish side Fenerbahce.

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He loves playing against the Whites.

ByCharlie Smith Aug 6, 2025 Luiz would be statement signing for Leeds

Upon the Brazilian’s arrival at Juventus, he received high praise from ESPN’s Leonardo Bertozzi, who said: “Douglas Luiz world class? Definitely yes, Douglas Luiz has been coveted by the big Premier League clubs and would have played at City with Guardiola if he had received his work permit earlier.

“On the national team level, he will be one of the leading names for the 2026 World Cup.”

The 27-year-old also has a proven track record of success in the Premier League, indicating he could be a real difference-maker in Leeds’ battle to avoid relegation, performing remarkably well across the 2023-24 campaign.

That said, it could be very difficult to win the race for Luiz’s signature, given the interest from some top clubs, and it is more important for Leeds to strengthen in more attacking areas, having already signed Stach and Longstaff.

رئيس ليفربول يوضح سبب فشل صفقة جويهي والفارق بين كلوب وآرني سلوت

أنهى ليفربول في اليوم الأخير من سوق الانتقالات الصيفية، صفقة التعاقد مع المهاجم السويدي الدولي ألكسندر إيزاك والتي تبلغ قيمتها 125 مليون جنيه إسترليني من نيوكاسل يونايتد، حيث وقع على عقد لمدة ست سنوات.

وعلى الرغم من نجاح ليفربول في إنهاء هذه الصفقة إلا أنه قد فشلت محاولات النادي للتعاقد مع مارك جويهي من صفوف كريستال بالاس في اللحظات الأخيرة من سوق الانتقالات، ويعود ذلك لفشل بالاس في تأمين التعزيزات الدفاعية الكافية.

وكان ليفربول قد اتفق مع كريستال بالاس على ضم جويهي مقابل 35 مليون جنيه إسترليني وقد سافر إلى لندن لإجراء الفحص الطبي وكان يستعد لتوقيع عقده الجديد لخمس سنوات.

وقد رفض رئيس كريستال بالاس ستيف باريش الموافقة على رحيل اللاعب بعد أن اختار إيجور جوليو ومانويل أكانجي الانتقال لأندية أخرى مما جعل جلاسنر يصر على ضرورة التعاقد مع مدافعين جدد قبل رحيل جويهي.

أقرأ أيضاً.. يويفا يستعد لتحقيق جديد في واقعة مباراة ليفربول وأتلتيكو مدريد المثيرة للجدل

وتحدث توم فيرنر رئيس نادي ليفربول في تصريحات عن ضم إيزاك وصفقة جويهي ونشرها الصحفي البريطاني “ديفيد أوكوب”: “في حالة نيوكاسل كان على ناديهم إيجاد بديل”.

وأضاف: “لقد ظننا أننا نمتلك عرضًا ماليًا رائعًا لكنه كان مرتبط بعقد لثلاث سنوات، كنا نشعر أننا تعاقدنا مع إيكتيكي ليكون مهاجماً وشعرنا أنه إذا نجح الأمر سيكون رائعاً وإذا لم ينجح سيظهر خيار آخر في النهاية، لم أكن أعرف شيئاً أكثر من وسائل الإعلام”.

وحول مارك جويهي كشف فيرنر: “ظننا أننا سنتعاقد معه من بالاس، بدأ ناديهم بشكل جيد جداً في المفاوضات، ولم يكن رئيسهم مستعد لخسارته مهما حدث”.

وحول تحقيق الانتصارات في ليفربول أتم تصريحاته: “الفوز يتطلب جهدا كبيرا وليس بفضل موهبة لاعب واحد، إيزاك سيكون رائعاً لكنه ليس المهاجم الوحيد في العالم”.

وحول الفارق بين آرني سلوت ويورجن كلوب كشف فيرنر: “أحترم في سلوت أنه يتطور أكثر في الشوط الثاني دون تقليل من كلوب”.

وعن ذكرى ديوجو جوتا رد فيرنر: “العائلة تحظى برعاية مالية جيدة، لقد كان جوتا شخص استثنائي محبوب ليس لأنه كان هداف بل لأنه كان طيب القلب، أجده فضولياً للغاية وعندما أتحدث معه كنا نتحدث كثيراً عن الألعاب وكان لديه فريق رياضات إلكترونية، كانت لديه روح فضولية مميزة جذبت الناس له وكان يتمتع بشعبية كبيرة بين زملائه في غرفة الملابس”.

وختم فيرنر: “لقد تعرض العام الماضي لبعض الإصابات الخطيرة لكنه لم يستسلم وركز على مساعدة النادي وكان يعلم أنه قادر على ترك بصمة إيجابية حتى لو لم يبدأ أساسياً في المباريات، لقد تواصلنا مع أرملته وإعلام عائلته أننا في ليفربول عائلة واحدة ونريد التأكد من حصولهما على رعاية مالية جيدة”.

Breakthrough expected: Man Utd may sign £60m+ star before pre-season tour

Manchester United could now be set to complete their second signing of the summer transfer window before their pre-season tour of the United States of America, as a breakthrough in talks with a £60 million-plus star is expected, according to a recent report.

Andre Onana is set to miss Man Utd's pre-season tour

The Red Devils have just completed their first week of pre-season training under Ruben Amorim, with another week of hard work set to get underway before they play their first pre-season game, which is against Leeds United in Sweden next Saturday.

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After the match against their arch-rivals, United will jet off to the USA, as they will play a three-game tournament in the Premier League summer series. This is a chance for Amorim to see how his team is looking ahead of the new campaign, but goalkeeper Andre Onana will not be part of the experience, as the Cameroon international has picked up a hamstring injury that is likely to see him miss several weeks.

Onana’s injury means Altay Bayindir will likely become Amorim’s first choice goalkeeper in the USA, but The Telegraph have reported that United could now be forced to enter the market to find a new goalkeeper, and reports from Brazil have stated that United are ready to submit a bid to sign John Victor from Botafogo, as he could be available for just £6 million.

Man Utd could sign £60m+ star before pre-season tour

As the Red Devils weigh up their options to replace Onana, according to reliable reporter Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Man United are expected to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford over the coming days ahead of their USA tour.

Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo celebrates after the match

The report states that there is an expectation that a breakthrough in talks will happen in the coming days, and therefore, a deal will be wrapped up this week in time for the pre-season tour.

The Red Devils have been chasing the Brentford attacker for well over a month now and have seen two bids already rejected by the Premier League side. Mbeumo has prioritised a move to Old Trafford despite teams who are playing in the Champions League this season making significant efforts to sign him. Despite the turned-down bids, with the latest being in excess of £60 million plus, United have remained in talks with Brentford over a deal for Mbeumo, and the next offer could be the one that gets the deal over the line.

Apps

38

Starts

38

Goals

20

xG

12.26

Goal conversion

24%

Assists

7

Big chances created

17

Key passes

1.8

Successful dribbles

1.4 (53%)

Mbeumo’s potential arrival at Man United will be seen as a major coup for the Premier League side, especially given he will join Matheus Cunha, another player who really excelled last season. The 25-year-old scored 20 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, and Amorim obviously believes his arrival, alongside Cunha, can help transform United’s attack and get them back to the top end of the table.

Noffke leaves Queensland, Brisbane Heat for Otago job

He will also stand down as an assistant coach of UP Warriorz in the WPL

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2024Ashley Noffke will leave Queensland’s WNCL set-up and Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, while also stepping down as an assistant with UP Warriorz in the WPL, to take up a new coaching role with the Otago men’s team in New Zealand.It continues a winter of significant coaching changes within Queensland cricket after Wade Seccombe departed the men’s position with the state and Heat despite claiming the BBL title. Noffke was strongly linked with those roles before Johan Botha was handed the jobs.Mark Sorell, the former coach of the Australia women’s team from 2005-2007, has been named as Noffke’s replacement for both Queensland and Heat on a one-season contract.”This is a fantastic opportunity for me in my coaching journey,” Noffke said of his move. “The Volts and Otago Cricket are on the cusp of something special, and I’m keen to be part of that”.Noffke took on the Heat and Queensland coaching roles in 2019-20, winning a WBBL title in his first season and guiding Queensland to its inaugural WNCL title in 2020-21.”It’s bittersweet to be leaving the Fire and the Heat,” he added in a Queensland Cricket statement. “I’m excited about what lies ahead, especially working in a new program, but there are a lot of good memories from my time in Queensland.”I’m thankful for the guidance and support from the senior players, especially Jess Jonassen and Georgia Redmayne, and Mark as the assistant coach who is also a good mate. I wish the players, coaches and staff every success this year and look forward to watching the Heat and Fire teams flourish in the summers ahead.”Noffke, who starts with Otago later this month, will continue as coach of London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred this season before resuming the pre-season back in New Zealand.Queensland and Heat captain Jess Jonassen conceded there had been some upheaval during the off season but was confident the teams were well placed to handle it.”We’ve undergone some change throughout the off season and to have ‘Motsa’ [Sorrell] commit to the head coach position is a great way to provide our group with some stability moving forward,” she said. “He is extremely experienced and brings a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm to the role. I’m excited to see him dive in and continue to challenge the group.”

Amorim must now bench Hojlund to unleash Man Utd "genius" in new role

And so, it all comes down to this. A pivotal game that could not only define a season, but also define the future of Manchester United.

Victory in the Europa League final would see United sneak into next year’s Champions League, providing the benefit of additional funds and an extra negotiating tool for upcoming transfer negotiations.

It would also provide a welcome boost for the early Ruben Amorim regime, a moment to kickstart a tenure that has been largely wretched on the Premier League front.

The Portuguese coach has repeatedly stated that winning the competition would not be enough to “save” the club’s season, although the prospect of potentially finishing empty-handed and in 17th in the table is too grim to ponder.

In truth, the Red Devils simply have to win. The problem is, the same will be true of Tottenham Hotspur, amid the need to end their own 17-year barren run with regard to silverware.

With so much riding on a game of immense magnitude, Amorim and co can’t afford any passengers – something which a certain Rasmus Hojlund is looking like right now.

Rasmus Hojlund's game in numbers vs Chelsea

While Ange Postecoglou took the decision to rest his key men against Aston Villa on Friday – with Micky van de Ven among those left out of the matchday squad at Villa Park – Amorim opted for a different approach at Chelsea, having deployed what could well be his starting lineup for tonight’s clash in Bilbao.

The worry for the former Sporting CP boss will be that despite an encouraging opening, which saw Harry Maguire’s fine finish chalked off for offside, the Red Devils still ended up on the losing side, having again failed to provide that cutting edge in the final third.

Amid what was the eighth league game in succession without a win for the Old Trafford side, chances were few and far between, with Amad Diallo coming closest with an effort from the angle late on.

For Hojlund, meanwhile, it represented yet another game this season in which he failed to even register a shot in the top-flight, having merely been a bystander to proceedings at Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, the struggling Dane lost the ball on 13 occasions from his 26 touches, as per Sofascore, having also failed to complete a single successful dribble, alongside recording a 65% pass accuracy rate.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

A particular issue remains the 22-year-old’s desire to engage in needless battles with opposition centre-backs, as he ultimately won just two of his 11 total duels, getting little change out of Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.

Amorim subsequently stated that he is “really happy” with the former Atalanta man, although perhaps the Portuguese is merely attempting to gee up the misfiring marksman, amid the lack of an obvious alternative through the middle.

Games (starts)

14 (10)

Goals

6

Shots*

1.5

Big chances missed

4

Goal frequency

154min

Assists

2

Big chances created

5

Key passes*

1.3

Total duels won*

36%

Possession lost*

5.4

Indeed, it might be time to consider actually replacing Hojlund with a wildcard solution, even if it would be a risk in a game of such importance…

How Man Utd can replace Hojlund

With just ten goals to his name in 2024/25, including just four in the top-flight, Hojlund is approaching the end of a miserable second season in Manchester, having failed to build on a debut campaign that saw him finish as the club’s highest scorer in all competitions.

Those woes have ensured that it would be worth considering a potential centre-forward replacement for Wednesday night’s clash, albeit with options limited due to Joshua Zirkzee’s recent absence through injury.

The Dutchman has been pictured in training, alongside Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot, although whether he will be rushed back into the action this evening remains to be seen.

One solution may be to trial Kobbie Mainoo in that role once again, following his surprise start as a striker against Crystal Palace in February, albeit with that experiment failing to work out as the youngster ‘faded after the first 15 minutes’, as per journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

Man Utd top scorers

The aforementioned Maguire, meanwhile, should surely only be a last resort in the dying embers of a game, with the Englishman needed to hold the fort defensively, amid concerns over the likes of Matthijs de Ligt.

With that in mind, Amorim may instead need to call upon talismanic skipper, Bruno Fernandes, to slot into a false nine berth, with the 30-year-old yet to be trialled in that role in this 3-4-3 system.

The Portugal star has previously played in that central berth in the past, having notably worked in tandem with Scott McTominay as part of a front two in last year’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

A player of invaluable versatility and quality, the playmaking “genius” – as hailed by Erik ten Hag – appears to thrive wherever he is deployed, with such a switch then allowing Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte to offer greater defensive solidity as part of the midfield two.

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes, meanwhile, could then be flanked by two of Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Mason Mount in the number ten berths, with that fluid frontline potentially able to cause problems for a Spurs side who have endured their own notable woes this term.

A further benefit of that switch would be Fernandes’ ability to drop deep and drag the likes of Van de Ven and Cristian Romero with him, rather than the alternative of Hojlund attempting to engage in a duel with the stellar duo.

As The Athletic’s Jay Harris has noted, ‘with Van de Ven and Romero in the starting XI, Spurs can play thrilling football and look capable of competing for trophies. Without them, they look mediocre.’

Trying to get the better of the centre-back pairing will be vital at San Mames, with Fernandes able to give the two men something more to think about, rather than being content in dealing with the hapless Hojlund.

Yes, it would be a bold call to make such a switch for a final, yet with his performance at Stamford Bridge having been so underpar last time out, Hojlund can’t merely be guaranteed of start simply because of the lack of alternatives.

Man Utd flop who should be "fourth choice" has been even worse than Onana

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ByDan Emery May 20, 2025

Chelsea prioritising move for Barcelona star after news of £55m exit clause

Chelsea have now shortlisted a Barcelona star among their “priority” targets for the summer transfer window, after hearing about the player’s release clause, with BlueCo handed a chance to sign him for £55 million.

Chelsea transfers dependent on Champions League qualification

The tight race for a spot in next season’s Champions League draw will define the success of Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, and it will also play a vital role when it comes to their summer transfer policy.

£195k-per-week Chelsea player holds talks over joining Tottenham via agents

His team are trying to find a new club.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 30, 2025

Chelsea want to sign a new centre-back, winger and striker this summer (Simon Phillips), with rumoured talks already held over a move for Borussia Dortmund starlet Jamie Gittens recently.

However, failure to qualify for the Champions League next season could threaten to alter these plans, by Maresca’s own admission in a recent press conference.

“Football is not five, 10 years ago when the rules were different,” said the head coach.

Chelsea’s final four Premier League fixtures

Date

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

“Today you have to be careful how much you spend. It will be a completely different kind of target if we finish in the Champions League.”

In Chelsea’s pursuit of a central defender, Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen is reliably believed to be a serious target for Maresca’s side, but they face stiff competition from elite Premier League rivals.

Alternatively, perhaps a move for Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo could be on the cards.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo

The Uruguay international’s contract will include a release clause of around £55 million when it becomes active in July, presenting an opportunity for Chelsea to swoop in and strike a deal for him.

Chelsea prioritising move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo

That is according to reports in Spain, which state that Chelsea are now prioritising a move for Araujo this summer amid knowledge of the clause.

Araujo signed a new deal earlier this year, committing him to the Camp Nou until 2031, but it appears his agents negotiated this exit clause to give the South American a chance to part company if he wishes.

Barcelona defenderRonald Araujo.

Injuries have largely diminished the 26-year-old’s playing time under Hansi Flick this term, but Araujo has been entrusted with the captain’s armband when fit and available.

The defender has also been lavished with praise by Barcelona legend Carles Puyol during his time in Catalonia.

“He’s in extraordinary condition,” said Puyol in 2023.

“I’ll stick with what they’ve told me, because I don’t know him personally, but he’s very professional, humble, he always gives his best in training and matches and that’s where his performance is.

“Right now, if he’s not the best central defender in the world, he’s among the top three. He’s young, he still has room for improvement and I think we have a very good central defender at Barcelona for many years to come.”

West Indies showcase aesthetic of defence in a Bazball world

Greaves and Roach stayed put for 68.1 overs to deny New Zealand and eke out a miraculous draw

Abhijato Sensarma06-Dec-20251:01

Chase: Roach is a modern-day legend

Strong winds make impressions on the sweaters worn by New Zealand’s players. Creases on their foreheads make a bigger one. The sun is out, shadows lengthen, and they are being made to sweat.Cricket’s most aesthetic miracles end in victory against the odds – Kolkata 2001, Edgbaston 2005, Gabba 2021 to pick three from this century. High drama and tense finishes. Christchurch 2025 is different.West Indies are 72 for 4, chasing 531, before tea on the fourth day. Defeat appears inevitable. Shai Hope and Justin Greaves survive until stumps. Normal service resumes when Hope and the No. 7 Tevin Imlach fall quickly on the final morning. Kemar Roach joins Greaves. They begin to bat, and bat.Related

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For the next session and a half, they survive on a pitch without much jeopardy. The odds of a draw increase ever so gradually; the faintest glimmer of a shot at victory. West Indies need 132 in the final session of the final day, but are one wicket away from it all crashing down. A crowd of a few hundred around the lush banks at Hagley Oval is watching.Across the Tasman, thousands are watching Test cricket in fast-forward at the Gabba. If Bazball is aesthetic for some, Australia are responding with their own brand of break-neck batting. Roach, however, has not scored for 72 balls. At some point during this passage of play, he survives an appeal for caught behind to a Michael Bracewell delivery spinning away from off stump, and is saved because New Zealand have no reviews left. Soon, a ball from Zak Foulkes rises at him. He gets inside the line – almost in a tangle – and somehow pushes it to mid-on.Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach helped West Indies pull off an epic draw•Getty ImagesNew Zealand will not be breaching his defences today.At some point in the final session, as the rest of the cricket world begins to wake up to the possibilities in Christchurch, it becomes evident West Indies are playing for a draw. Like the summit of a mountain, 531 is within sight, but it’s farther and more fraught with risk than it appears to those on the outside. Fatigue is physical and mental, and focus is fragile.Roach deadbats deliveries. The pitch is placid but once in a while a ball rips in from the footmarks outside off to threaten the stumps or the edge, forcing the batter into coming forward to block. At other times, he contorts into positions that keep the bat face tilted down, knocking the ball into the pitch.Defence becomes an all-encompassing routine: eyes on ball, move your feet, keep head still, pat it down, repeat. No matter whether you need one run to win, or a couple hundred, you defend the same. The ball yields no result beyond an annotation for itself: it’s a , an acknowledgment of the inability to – or intent not to – score off it.Turbo-charged batting influenced by white-ball formats has contributed to some memorable Tests in recent years, but this match has entered a meditative space unique to the five-day format – the aesthetic of attrition. Roach is on 53 for the longest time… and suddenly, 54. He keeps meeting the ball with the full face of the bat anyway. His contortions do not matter as much as the fact that he is running down the overs.1:36

Did West Indies think of going for the win on the last day?

At the other end is Greaves, taller, with a higher back-lift, and a more solid defence, inching towards a double-century. New Zealand’s bowlers pull back their lengths. Greaves plays with a long stride, and brings his bat down with flair, almost like a full-frontal chop.He too has pared back his scoring options as the overs go by. New Zealand start bringing fielders in as the danger of defeat recedes. For Roach, there are four close catchers on the corners of the small box around him. Once in a while, ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ are heard: a close chance at short leg, a ball drifting in padded away, the faint hopes of a fainter edge.The final hour begins. West Indies are 96 away with four wickets in hand. Greaves on 185, Roach on 53. No Bazball batting here. Spectators stroll beyond the boundary, a child stretches out on his father’s shoulders, and out in the middle they block.After another incidental run, an announcement is heard that West Indies have achieved the second highest fourth-innings total in Test history – 452. It’s received with a ripple of applause. Greaves and Roach gently bump fists in the middle. They have climbed a summit no one else has this century.Justin Greaves scored his maiden double hundred in Tests•Getty ImagesGreaves gets to his own landmark in the penultimate over of the match – off a rare full delivery, sliced over backward point. For once, the ball means something beyond survival. He takes off his helmet, bumps fists with his partner, and acknowledges his dressing room. He’s only the seventh man to make a double hundred in the fourth innings of a Test.They remain unbeaten for 68.1 overs. Greaves for 388 deliveries, Roach for 233. West Indies finish 74 short of the target, but their victory is in 163.3 overs survived.Let’s stay with them for this one last ball. Rachin Ravindra jogs in. His delivery is short of a length, sliding across off. Greaves moves back, head still, eyes on the ball, offering the full face of the bat for one final time.The shadows are now long in Christchurch. Greaves and Roach take off their helmets and gloves and embrace near the pitch. It’s still a sunny evening. A strong wind makes impressions on their jerseys. And as they begin walking towards their team-mates in the dressing room, the creases on their foreheads are gone.

Moeen Ali: 'My advice to young cricketers is that you have to play red-ball to be a proper cricketer'

The offspinner-allrounder talks about his time in the BPL, playing under MS Dhoni, and what he makes of England’s young Test spinners

Interview by Mohammad Isam08-Mar-2024This is your third season with Comilla Victorians. How has playing in the BPL been?
I played the BPL years ago but that experience wasn’t great. Over time, it got better. Comilla approached me a few years ago through Tamim [Iqbal]. He obviously left. [Umpire] Richard Illingworth asked me. He knows [team owner] AHM Mustafa Kamal.Comilla looks after me really well. They are professionally run, and one of the best franchises I have played in. I enjoy coming here. I like to play for the right reasons, that’s why I come to play for Comilla. They want to win. BPL has become a stronger competition this year. I just want to win trophies in my career.You got the second hat-trick of your career in this season’s BPL.
My son always asks me to get a hat-trick. I always tell him that it is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. When he found out that I got a hat-trick here, he was really happy. I never got even one hat-trick in backyard cricket, so I’m really happy to get two in professional cricket!Last year when Ben Stokes sent you a message to return to Test cricket, you came back into something called Bazball.
Test cricket is the best. I love playing Test cricket. It is the best format of the game. When I first retired, I was a bit down. I finished not playing so well. [Brendon] McCullum and Stokes gave me this opportunity, which I couldn’t turn down. It was the Ashes at home. I finished Test cricket with such great memories, such a high. I just absolutely loved it. I batted three, bowled spin.I feel like they are changing the face of cricket. I know they are 2-1 down in India [this interview was conducted on February 24] but they have played unbelievably. They have taken to India on difficult wickets. I love that about Bazball. There’s always a chance. The belief is there. India are also playing really well. They are also taking the game on. Look at the way [Yashasvi] Jaiswal is playing. He is doing unbelievably well.It is the way the game needs to go for people to watch. Like ODI cricket changed, Test cricket also has to change. There’s still time for proper Test match batting, but it needs to get forward. This is what Bazball is doing.Related

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How do you think Ben Stokes has captained spin bowling on the current tour of India?
He did really well. The way he backs his spinners – even when I played in the UK, he had [innovative] field settings against Australia [like] a guy dead-straight behind the [bowler’s] arm. He is always willing to do things like that. I had Joe Root and Alastair Cook as my captains [previously] but Stokesy was just different. Everyone knows that. The way he’s taking the game and team forward, it’s really amazing. In such a short period of time, he took England from not playing great cricket to amazing and entertaining cricket. Everyone is talking about Bazball. [The team themselves] actually don’t believe much in [the term]. They just want to play this brand of cricket. I think he is a special captain and a special player.What do you make of England’s spin trio – Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir – in India?
They have done really well. It’s not easy. India is a very difficult place. I know the wickets have spun nicely, still they have carried their own. I thought Hartley did really well in the first game. No matter what wicket, on debut, under pressure, the way he has battled is really, really good.This is a very inexperienced bowling attack. It is not even experienced in domestic cricket. You have to give them a lot of credit. They have kept England in the games. They bowled well. Hartley bowled really well in the first game. Bashir bowled really well today [day two in Ranchi]. Rehan hasn’t taken wickets but he has learned a lot. I think he has changed the way he bowled in red-ball cricket. They have done an excellent job. People don’t realise how hard it is against such good players of spin.How hard is it to convert from a child prodigy like Rehan was to doing well in Test cricket in India?
It is very difficult. He is a talented young player in England that everyone is talking about. There is big hype around him. They are used to this in India. They have seen become unbelievable players. They have seen people fail completely and go off the rails. Rehan will get the backing from Stokesy. He has, already. We know it will take time. They are prepared to give them as much time [as they deserve]. As long as he is doing well, Rehan will naturally take over from Adil Rashid in the white-ball formats. There’s no doubt that Rehan will come good. There is a bit of pressure. He has a good head on his shoulders. He will be fine.Moeen Ali expects 19-year-old Rehan Ahmed to go on to become an England spearhead in the white-ball sides, taking over from Adil Rashid•Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesYou are available for the T20 World Cup that’s coming up in June. What are your plans going into the next few months?
Obviously home from here for a bit and then the IPL. After IPL, we have Pakistan [playing T20Is in England] and the World Cup [in the West Indies and USA]. I really want to defend this World Cup. We have a particularly brilliant team in T20s, provided everyone is fit.It is changing a bit now. Before you could prepare for a series or a World Cup properly. Now everyone is all over the place and you get together with the international side. I think we will do well. I think we have a very good chance.How do you regard this cricket calendar, with all the T20 leagues?
It is a great time for me. I am 36. There’s leagues everywhere. I think it is brilliant. When you have too long a break at this age, you have more chances of getting injured. I like to keep playing. As long as you are mentally fresh, two weeks of time off is enough.It is also tough. You retire from international cricket to spend more time at home, [but] you actually end up being away a lot of the time [when playing in leagues]. It is just as tough. The pressure of Test cricket is not there. Playing for a franchise has a different pressure. It is really good, but I can see that it can be a problem at the same time.You mentioned that you want to defend the T20 World Cup. Will you take lessons from the ODI World Cup last year, where England lost six out of nine games?
Definitely, it will be silly not to. I think we have learned a lot. I think we were expecting to do decently and see where it goes. The balance of the team was difficult. We changed a few things. I think we have a great chance in this T20 World Cup. It is too early to say if we are favourites, but we will be fine.Are you happy to have a floating role with bat and ball?
Whatever is good for the team. It is not just with England – in most places, a lot of the time I float. I don’t mind. When the left-handers are in, captains like to bowl me. Batting-wise, as long as I feel like I can adapt, I like to do whatever the team needs. I try to do the best I can.

” I want to look back in my career and think about what trophies I have won. It is not about my averages. It is about winning trophies and being part of a team that leaves a bit of a legacy”

Is it hard for younger players now to play a lot of red-ball cricket?
People might see a lot of players playing white-ball cricket all over the place, but it is not the same. You have to play a lot of red-ball cricket to know your batting and bowling. Your technique has to be different. It is easier to go from red ball to white than sometimes the other way around. Batsmanship has to be there. Knowing and understanding why you are not scoring runs.A lot of the players who go big in T20 cricket, when they are out of form, they are out of form for a long time because they don’t understand their own batting technique. Whereas a guy who has played a lot of red-ball cricket, their bad form in T20s is not massive because they know the techniques. They have played a lot of first-class or Test matches. I think that’s the only thing that’s going out of the game.As a young player coming through now, I would still want to play a lot of red-ball cricket to understand your own game. You just play, play, play. T20 leagues and the money will always be there.You said that Bazball is the way forward. Isn’t that sort of cricket what kids would like to play too?
Bazball is not just slogging. These guys are sweeping and reverse-sweeping more than they ever used to do. For example in India now they have sent bowlers back under pressure in tough situations. They have also soaked it up when they need to. It is about winning games at the end of the day. They won in Pakistan on three unbelievably flat wickets. They did it by scoring 400-500 runs in a day. They understood that they could move the game forward by scoring 500 in a day. It leaves enough time to bowl teams out. That would be what Bazball is, really. It is great for Test cricket.Is it trickling down to county cricket?
I think somebody who is going to bat 300 balls for a hundred nowadays is probably not going to play as much as someone who can score a hundred in 150 balls. I think that has changed in county cricket. Before Bazball, we won one game in 17 Tests. Since Bazball, we have won many games and we’ve got a great winning percentage away from home. I am a massive fan.”I think we have a great chance in this T20 World Cup. It is too early to say if we are favourites, but we will be fine”•Ashley Allen/Getty ImagesSouth-Asian-origin players like Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir are now in England’s XIs. Do you think diversity and inclusion are better in English cricket now?
Ever since I have played, it has always been good. I don’t know what it felt like before me. If you are good enough, you are going to play wherever you are from. Shoaib Bashir has hardly played any cricket. But they identified him as someone who can bowl well in India. Hartley is the same. They liked his style of bowling. They felt he can do it in India. Stokesy and these guys will go on gut feel.The ECB have been doing a great job in terms of diversity and inclusion over a period of time. Nobody ever gets it right straight away. It takes a bit of time. It is happening. I still believe that if you are good enough, you will play.You mentioned that you love the T20 leagues. Do you see yourself playing into your 40s?
I will play as long as I am playing well, as long as I feel like I can contribute to the team. I watch players like Imran Tahir. He is a massive inspiration at 44. Shoaib Malik has been playing for a long time. Not playing Tests and ODIs will prolong my career in terms of playing domestic cricket all over the world. I know there will be a time physically when I can’t play. I want to play till then.What’s it like to play under MS Dhoni in the IPL? You have been heavily involved in Chennai Super Kings’ title wins recently.
Everyone knows that Dhoni is a special player and a special captain. He is a very good guy. I have played three seasons but I don’t know what he is going to come up with. His strategic persona is really good. It is exciting as a player – what role he has for you. When you are playing for CSK with Dhoni as the captain, whether the team is weak or strong on paper, you always have a chance of winning.

“Before Bazball, we won one game in 17 Tests. Since Bazball, we have won many games and we’ve got a great winning percentage away from home. I am a massive fan”

From a personal point of view, I want to win as many trophies as I can. I want to look back in my career and think about what trophies I have won. It is not about my averages. It is about winning trophies and being part of a team that leaves a bit of a legacy. With Comilla, for example, we won the last two BPL trophies.Given cricket’s changing landscape, what would be your advice to any young cricketer starting off now in Asia, Africa or the UK?
I would tell a young kid to play as much red-ball cricket as you can. It will help your game. The reason why there haven’t been good legspinners in Tests after Shane Warne is because they haven’t played enough red-ball cricket. You have to play red-ball cricket to be a proper cricketer.It looks good from the outside, chasing all the money and playing the leagues, but for your own cricket, red-ball is the way forward. As a young cricketer, I would play overseas first-class cricket instead of T20s. Those leagues will be there [even later].The other thing I would like to say is: don’t chase after things that won’t be good for your game. Do what is right for your own game first, even if it is means staying home for a winter. Do the basics right. Get a good shape on the ball if you are a spinner. Spin the ball, become accurate. You can be an average spinner in T20s and get away with it. You have to bowl well to get wickets in red-ball cricket. I have very rarely seen people taking a lot of wickets bowling badly in red-ball cricket. Understand your game first before you want to do other stuff. That’d be my advice.

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