Kyle Walker was forced to deliver a “we are not Lionel Messi” message to AC Milan team-mate Joao Felix during a half-time scolding.
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Chelsea are planning a January exit for a “quality” member of Enzo Maresca’s squad, and he’s got an array of Premier League suitors heading into the looming winter transfer window.
There are a good few players who could be shown the Stamford Bridge exit door when the window opens for business on January 1, and they’re exactly who you’d expect.
£42 million forward keen to join Chelsea after talks held with his agents
He’s now interested in a move to Stamford Bridge.
3
By
Emilio Galantini
Dec 17, 2024
Maresca has already ruled out any January departure for Christopher Nkunku, with the Frenchman proving extremely useful off the bench and scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
There were murmurs of Nkunku being unhappy with his lack of game time, but Maresca poured cold water over a possible exit next month.
However, the same cannot be said for left-back Ben Chilwell, midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka or Cesare Casadei. Chelsea are fielding approaches for Chilwell before January, according to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, while there is a belief that Chukwuemeka is pushing to leave Stamford Bridge amid his lack of opportunities.
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Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Everton (away) |
December 22 |
|
Fulham (home) |
December 26 |
|
Ipswich Town (away) |
December 30 |
|
Crystal Palace (away) |
January 4 |
|
Bournemouth (home) |
January 14 |
Reports in Italy are heavily linking Casadei with a return to Serie A. Indeed, it is believed Monza have been in talks over signing Casadei on loan, while AC Milan and Juventus are also believed to hold a serious interest.
All three players have been bit-part players this term, mainly used in cup competitions, and summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall certainly falls into that bracket as well.
The Englishman, who was a star man under Maresca during Leicester City’s push for Premier League promotion last season, now finds himself on the fringes of Chelsea’s first team after joining them for around £30 million in the summer.
Dewsbury-Hall has been regularly linked with a Chelsea exit as a result, but CaughtOffside now write that the midfielder is in serious demand. Indeed, it is believed that as many as 10 sides from Britain alone are keen on offering him an escape route next month as Chelsea plan to offload Dewsbury-Hall in January.
Leicester City, Fulham, Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Manchester United and Arsenal are all monitoring this situation closely, with the plethora of teams sensing a real opportunity to bolster their midfield ranks.
It has been a tough time for Dewsbury-Hall in his new surroundings, but it will be comforting for the player to know there are many other potential destinations for him as we fast approach 2025.
“Maresca knew about him and knew he was a quality player,” said journalist Graeme Bailey to The Chelsea Chronicle recently.
“It was a very strange deal. I don’t think he’s going to be at Chelsea at the start of next season. It is what it is. He’s not the only one it will happen to. Chelsea are well set in that department.”
Ibrahima Konate revealed his frustrations with playing alongside Virgil van Dijk as he joked that the Liverpool captain hogs all the limelight.
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Manchester United have now earmarked a trio of stars for potential January transfers as they look to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad for the second half of the season, a new report has claimed.
After a promising start to Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have reverted to type in recent weeks. A 3-0 loss against Bournemouth at Old Trafford left them 13th in the Premier League, the first time that they have ever spent Christmas in the bottom half of the table.
With more losses than wins this season, they also have a negative goal difference and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham in midweek, leaving them with just the Europa League and FA Cup left to play for this season.
Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe summed up their fall from grace at the beginning of December, explaining: “Manchester United has become mediocre, it is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world.”
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In Numbers: Manchester United’s mediocrity in 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
Premier League rank |
|
|
Position |
13th |
13th |
|
Goals scored |
21 |
16th |
|
Goals conceded |
22 |
8th |
|
Goal difference |
-1 |
13th |
|
Wins |
6 |
12th |
|
Yearly wage bill |
£181.9m |
3rd |
Changes are inevitable, and they have already begun. Marcus Rashford seems certain to be a high-profile casualty of Amorim’s arrival, with the Englishman left out of the squad for a third consecutive game by the new Manchester United boss and publicly admitting he was seeking a fresh start. Now, they are reportedly set to make even more changes in January.
That comes courtesy of a shock report from Spain, which claims that the Red Devils are ready to back Amorim to the tune of almost £150m in the January transfer window, with three players in their crosshairs.
Amorim now puts 2 more Man Utd stars up for sale alongside Marcus Rashford
It seems there might be an exodus at Old Trafford after the New Year.
By
Barney Lane
Dec 23, 2024
First among those is Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling, who has risen to prominence this season and who United are thought to want to add to their ranks. As per the report, Southampton are asking for £30m to part ways with the academy talent, who has been their sole shining light this season but could be available even more cheaply should they be relegated, a fate that looks overwhelmingly likely.
Then, the Red Devils also want to upgrade at both ends of the pitch. In goal, they are eyeing up a move for Borussia Dortmund’s ‘world class’ goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. It is claimed that the German side are “asking for 70 million euros” [£58m] but that United are “willing to invest” that sum in the 27-year-old.
And in a bid to fix their goalscoring issues, Manchester United also want to raid Sporting CP for “world class” forward Viktor Gyokeres, who the report claims would cost a further €75 million (£62.2m).
Of these moves, Dibling’s perhaps appears the most likely, with Kobel an ever-present for Dortmund this season and Amorim having promised upon arrival that he would not sign any players from his former club in the January transfer window.
In truth though, all three deals seem unlikely to take place in the middle of the season, and seem more likely to be summer transfers if they were to happen at all.
Newcastle have tied defender Fabian Schar to a new contract, keeping him at the Premier League team until the summer of 2026.
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Manchester City’s academy has produced some fantastic players in recent times. That does not just go for players currently plying their trade at the Etihad Stadium, with several players who have come through the Citizens academy performing at other clubs across the Premier League.
Indeed, a large reason for such success in their youth set-up is due to the investment from the club, and have shown great commitment to producing talented homegrown players.
The academy, which celebrated its tenth anniversary at the start of the month, has managed to make £300m from player sales. The investment is paying off in many ways and has produced some fantastic players.
Phil Foden is one of the first players that springs to mind when thinking of City’s academy. The 24-year-old attacker has been a mainstay in the Citizens squad for a number of years now.
Although he has struggled this season after failing to score a Premier League goal, the Stockport-born star has a fantastic record for his boyhood club, with 90 goals and 55 assists in 288 games for the club.
In terms of City academy graduates thriving away from the club, Cole Palmer is perhaps the best example. His record for Chelsea since leaving the club is astounding, with 36 goals and 21 assists in 63 games.
Jamie Carragher recently said “there’s no better player in the Premier League” than the Wythenshawe-born star.
Looking further afield than the Premier League, Brahim Diaz is a prime example of someone who has excelled outside of England. He played 15 times for City and has since gone on to play 124 games for Italian giants AC Milan and 85 games for Real Madrid, his current club.
Those are merely some examples of City academy graduates performing well for the City first team, at other clubs in the Premier League or elsewhere in Europe. Another example of a quick rise to the top from a City academy graduate is Rico Lewis, who has become crucial for Pep Guardiola and has seen a sharp rise in value.
Guardiola is known as something of a tinkerer, and when he first brought Lewis into the fold in 2022/23, the treble-winning season, it was a bold call. However, the talent he saw in the youngster was clear for all to see when he got that chance in the first team.
The 20-year-old has played 73 times for the club so far, scoring four times and grabbing eight assists. He has shown incredible versatility during his short professional career.
The City number 82 – who Guardiola described as “one of the best I’ve ever [coached] by far” – has played in a variety of different positions, including both full-back roles and all across midfield.
|
Lewis record by position for City (min 45 mins played) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Games |
G/A |
|
Right-back |
27 |
4 |
|
Defensive midfielder |
18 |
6 |
|
Left-back |
7 |
1 |
|
Central midfielder |
5 |
1 |
|
Right midfield |
4 |
0 |
|
Attacking midfield |
1 |
0 |
|
Centre-back |
1 |
0 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
||
It has been an awful season for the team from the Blue side of Manchester. They have won one game in their last 11, beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 as their only win. With that being said Lewis has been one of their better performers. He has played 23 games in all competitions, in defence and midfield.
He has also got on the scoresheet this term, as well as grabbing four assists across all competitions. His only goal this term came against Crystal Palace, in a game where he also got sent off for two yellow cards.
Given his importance to the City team over the years it is no surprise that Lewis’ value has shot up so much. He is now worth roughly £38m as per Football Transfers. That is an incredible rise given he was an academy investment who did not cost them anything.
Football statistician Statman Dave described the England international as a “serious talent”. Given his exceptional rise to the top, it is not hard to see why. Already he is a crucial player for the Citizens, and the rise in his value reflects his importance to Guardiola.
Yet again, it is a prime example of an academy player proving to be a fantastic option for City, and one of the best talents they have at the club.
Man City can replace Stones with 'one of the best teenage CBs' in the world
Manchester City may have a John Stones replacement right under their noses.
By
George Light
Dec 19, 2024
Two clubs have made a move to sign a £2.5 million Celtic player who the Hoops don’t want to sell this month, according to a Sky Sports reporter.
The Hoops will be looking to continue their assault on the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League in the second half of the season. Therefore, Brendan Rodgers may want to make a few changes to his squad this month to improve their chances of success.
Celtic closing in on agreement for "great" goalkeeper to rival Schmeichel
He could be allowed to leave his current club.
2
By
Tom Cunningham
Jan 4, 2025
The Scottish champions look to be closing in on the signing of defender Kieran Tierney. It has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that negotiations have now begun in terms of Celtic re-signing Tierney. The left-back is out of contract at the end of this season, but talks are underway for an agreement to be reached this month, with Tierney keen on a move back to Celtic Park.
As well as looking to sign Tierney this month, it has also been reported that Celtic are closing in on the signing of Altay Bayindir from Manchester United. The Turkish international is currently the second-choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford, behind Andre Onana, and with him keen on playing more minutes, a move could be on the cards this month, as United look to freshen up their goalkeeper department and Celtic look to replace the ageing Kasper Schmeichel.
As Rodgers and co have their eyes on arrivals, they may also have to be prepared for one or two departures, as according to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Genoa and Olympiacos have expressed an interest in Celtic winger Luis Palma.
The 24-year-old joined the Hoops in August 2023 for a reported £3.5 million, and it was an impressive first season at the club for the Honduras international, as he scored six goals and registered nine assists in 24 Scottish Premiership games.
Palma, who can operate anywhere across the frontline, has struggled to have the same impact in this 2024/25 season, as he’s hardly featured under Rodgers. Palma has started just two of the eight games he has played in all competitions, starting just one game in the league, and that came against Dundee in October.
|
Luis Palma’s Celtic stats |
|
|---|---|
|
Apps |
44 |
|
Goals |
10 |
|
Assists |
10 |
Joseph now reports that Genoa and Olympiacos have made a move to sign Palma from Celtic this month. Palma is under contract until the summer of 2028, and with that, the Hoops are not interested in letting the forward leave, especially as James Forrest is still out with an injury. The Scottish champions are in the market for a new winger, and should one arrive, that may change their stance on Palma.
Leeds are keen to move on from goalkeeper Illan Meslier this summer, with Newcastle stopper Nick Pope a top target on their shortlist.
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Tottenham have now identified a new target to bolster their attacking ranks this winter as they look to move up the Premier League in the second half of the campaign, according to a fresh report.
Ange Postecoglou’s side fell to their 11th loss of the season as they were beaten 2-1 by north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Managing just two shots on target, the result leaves the Lilywhites stranded in midtable after extending their horrific form away at Arsenal to just one win in 31 league visits.
European football for next season already seems a longshot, with 10 points separating them from 8th placed Bournemouth, but it is clear that Spurs are moving in the transfer market to try and improve their season in the second half of the campaign.
Tottenham set sights on £50m Premier League forward after Kolo Muani blow
The Frenchman has headed to Juventus.
By
Emilio Galantini
Jan 16, 2025
They have already signed Antonin Kinsky to replace Fraser Forster, while they are also keen to add another forward to their ranks and have been linked with a move to sign Marcus Rashford, who is out of favour at Manchester United.
However, such a move seems unlikely given his mammoth wages at Old Trafford, while a move abroad is currently seen as more likely for the England international. As a result, Spurs have been forced to look elsewhere, and now a report in Spain has claimed that they are looking to poach a forward from Barcelona.
That is according to Sport, who report that Tottenham have tabled an offer to take Ansu Fati on loan for the remainder of the season as they look to find more attacking options for Postecoglou. The forward spent last season on loan at Brighton and failed to catch the eye, having seen his career blighted with injuries since he burst onto the scene with Barcelona as a teenager.
So far this campaign, he has featured just four times for Hansi Flick’s side in La Liga, starting only once, and it has been made clear to him that he is free to leave before the window shuts on February 3rd.
|
Ansu Fati at Brighton 23/24 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
19 |
|
Goals |
2 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Minutes per goal/assist |
256 |
However, he is undoubtedly talented, inheriting Lionel Messi’s shirt at Camp Nou and singled out for praise by former boss Xavi, who dubbed him an “extraordinary” talent after working with him.
Currently taking home a mammoth £226,000 a week at Camp Nou, the report claims that Barcelona are willing to let him leave on loan for no fee provided a club covers that salary, meaning that Tottenham will have to shell out around £6m to bring him to north London for the second half of the season.
And that has piqued their interest, it is revealed, with both Spurs and West Ham having lodged bids to bring him back to England, with Spurs having been kicked into action by their defeat in the north London derby.
There is also believed to be an offer on the table from Turkish side Besiktas, but Fati is keen to avoid moving to Turkey and as a result a move to the Premier League seems the most likely outcome. Would he be a good addition for Spurs and Postecoglou’s style of play, even just in the short term?
GOAL Convo: Carlton Cole talks West Ham, the Premier League and his unique perspective on the American game
It never really hit Carlton Cole just how much time he's spent around American soccer. But as he sits deep in the bowels of Atlanta United's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it starts to all come together.
There was the MLS All-Star Game back in 2008, when he led the line for West Ham against a team that included David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel. There was that brief stay in the USL with the Sacramento Republic at the tail end of his playing career. There was that life-changing week in Raleigh for the initial TST, too.
All unique and, in some ways, weird experiences that have helped him find his own place in the wild world of the American game.
And while he is still eager to pick a fight with anyone that calls the game soccer instead of football, Cole has found his own appreciation for the sport in the U.S., and it's that appreciation that recently brought him to Atlanta. He arrived to represent West Ham, the club near and dear to his heart, as they prepare to embark on their own American adventure this summer.
The Hammers will take part in the Premier League Summer Series alongside Manchester United, Bournemouth and Everton, playing in Atlanta, Chicago and New Jersey in the English league's latest push to market itself to the ever-growing American market. Cole is at the forefront, visiting training facilities, bars and MLS stadiums to, as he so eloquently puts it, "spread the good name of West Ham United".
Now seven years since he's retired, Cole remains totally connected to West Ham, the club he represented for a decade of his life. He scored 68 goals across 293 appearances for the club, living some of his best and worst moments in the claret and blue.
The days of him wearing that shirt are long over, but he's now the London club's renaissance man: part-time ambassador, part-time youth mentor, part-time loans manager and, at least for one summer, part-time player. In some ways, he's Mr. West Ham, which is why he'll be right at the forefront of the club's American push this summer.
"Listen, because of football, I've gotten to travel the world," Cole tells GOAL. "I've met so many different people that all have different perspectives of the game, and it's all been beautiful, man. When you summarize it and add it up, football takes me across the whole world and I still get to enjoy it from a different point of view. It's been a great journey so far, and it's still ongoing for me. That's why I like to say that football has been a joy to my life in all aspects."
Ahead of the West Ham's big summer, Cole discussed the club's aims, the growth of American soccer and the joy of representing his team in the latest GOAL Convo, a recurring Q&A with central figures in soccer.