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Paul Pogba was spotted catching up with tennis legend Novak Djokovic in Miami as his wait for a new club continues after doping ban.

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• Pogba enjoying time in Miami
• Met with tennis legend Djokovic
• Has been linked with a move to MLS

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Juventus and Manchester United star had initially been handed a four-year ban, but after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the sanction was reduced to 18 months. With his suspension officially ending earlier in March, Pogba is now free to sign with a new club as a free agent.

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  WHAT POGBA SAID

  Amid the speculation of his future, Pogba was spotted catching up with Djokovic in Miami. The French midfielder took to Instagram to share a picture with the 24-time Grand Slam champion, captioning the post: "Only positive vibes with the legend and friend @djokernole."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The meeting between the two sporting superstars comes at a time when Pogba is considering his next chapter in football, with reports linking him to clubs in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Saudi Pro League. Miami, where he has been enjoying time with family and friends, is home to David Beckham’s Inter Miami, a club that has already attracted global superstars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez. A move to MLS would allow Pogba to reignite his career in a more relaxed football environment while benefiting from the growing appeal of the league.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League remains another strong possibility. The league has already attracted several high-profile French players, including Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, who both play for Al-Ittihad. Additionally, former Juventus executive Pavel Nedved has recently joined Al-Shabab as their sporting director, further increasing speculation that Pogba might consider a move to Saudi Arabia.

James Tavernier is having a season to forget. The Rangers captain has been one of the club’s star performers in recent seasons, especially last year when he scored a hugely impressive 24 goals and provided a further 12 assists in all competitions.

This term, however, he’s managed just two and five respectively in 24 games, while his performances have also come under heavy criticism.

If Tavernier is sold: Rangers already have 3 perfect future Ibrox captains

The Glasgow Rangers captain has been linked with an exit from Ibrox.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 17, 2024

After the Gers were thrashed 4-1 by Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in the Europa League back in October, Tavernier was given a 2/10 rating for his performance by Rangers News. The 32-year-old has also recently been linked with a possible move away from Ibrox, with clubs in Turkey reportedly circling.

Clement wants Kasanwirjo

Against Lyon, Tavernier was dragged off after an hour and replaced by Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who is spending the season on-loan at Ibrox from Eredivisie side Feyenoord.

The 22-year-old has also featured on 11 other occasions this term, mostly as a substitute, though he is now set to miss the remainder of the campaign through injury. Kasanwirjo suffered a knock to his knee while playing for the Netherlands Under-21s against England earlier this month. He’s since undergone surgery and is not expected to feature again this term.

Despite this, Rangers boss Philippe Clement is still keen on completing a permanent move for the Dutchman, according to Mail Online. The publication claims that Rangers see Kasanwirjo as a long-term replacement for Tavernier, having displaced him from the starting line-up on multiple occasions before succumbing to injury. Rangers retain an option to buy Kasanwirjo, who is valued at £1.5 million, at the end of the season.

Kasanwirjo "disappointed"

After Rangers’ 1-0 win over St Johnstone in Scottish Premiership at the weekend, Clement opened up about Kasanwirjo’s injury.

“Nana’s operation was good, but he will be at least out for four to six months. So we cannot count on him, so we will see at the end of the season how things go,” said the Belgian boss.

Clement said that Rangers have an agreement with Feyenoord that will see Kasanwirjo return to his home country to undergo his rehabilitation, but that he won’t lose contact with the defender.

“I stay in touch with Nana, who was really disappointed not to continue the work he’s been doing, because he loves the club, he loves the dressing room, even loves the staff – that doesn’t happen so much,” he explained. “So we will see at the end of the season how it will be with him, but we cannot count on him in the next couple of months.”

Kasanwirjo has previously been described as “solid” by BBC Sportscene pundit Marvin Bartley, who said of the former Groningen star: “He came into the team and did very well, he can definitely gallop and wants to play the ball forward when he can and he’s also technically very good.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s downward spiral got a whole lot worse on Sunday afternoon.

Ange Postecoglou’s side responded to their 1-0 defeat away to Bournemouth in the week with a 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea.

The North Londoners found themselves 2-0 up early in the first half, but some horrendous defending in the second 45 saw the Blues complete a memorable comeback.

Unfortunately, there is no time to rest and recover for the Lilywhites as they’ve got an incredibly tough away game against Rangers to deal with tonight, but given the onslaught of games, Postecoglou has to make some changes, such as dropping Dominic Solanke for a youngster previously compared to Harry Kane.

Why Solanke should be dropped

Okay, so the first thing to clear up is that this isn’t necessarily down to Solanke’s form, as even though he’s not been exactly prolific since his £65m move to North London, the former Cherries ace has been impressive, and even scored against the Blues over the weekend.

Instead, Postecoglou should be looking to rest the club’s main number nine due to his importance.

As things stand, the Englishman’s tally of seven goals is the second-best in the entire squad, behind only Brennan Johnson, so the club must ensure he is not played into the ground and kept fit and firing to hopefully fire the club into some better form as the season progresses.

It was his absence in the game against Fulham that clearly defined his importance to the team, as while Son Heung-min can still be a useful player, he simply cannot fulfil the role of a number nine in Postecoglou’s system, as he lacks the ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play from central areas.

So, with Solanke hopefully getting some important rest tonight and Son simply not an option, who should the manager turn to?

The player to replace Solanke

The player who deserves a chance to lead the line tonight is academy product Will Lankshear, who has already won some flattering comparisons to the legendary Kane.

The one to make the comparisons was Spurs writer Alasdair Gold, who was full of praise for the youngster after a particularly impressive Premier League 2 performance in which he scored a hat-trick last season.

Speaking on his podcast, he described the forward as having “a little bit of the [Harry] Kane physique about him,” before going on to wax lyrical about his “lovely touch” and the partnership he had with Jamie Donley, which reminded him “a little bit of Kane and Son.”

However, away from comparisons to the England and Spurs great, the teenage phenom is also an incredibly promising marksman in his own right, with a record of 31 goals and five assists in just 41 appearances for the club’s various youth sides.

Moreover, while he foolishly got himself sent off in his previous start against Galatasaray, he also scored his first senior goal and seemed relatively unbothered by the incredibly hostile atmosphere, which bodes well for how he’d deal with Ibrox.

Ultimately, while he’s not ready to replace Solanke on a permanent basis, Lankshear has the raw ability and physical stature to be a brilliant stand-in, and as his role in the squad increases in the coming years, he could develop into a genuine rival for the former Bournemouth man.

Postecoglou may have found Tottenham's new Serge Aurier in error-prone dud

The young international has made too many mistakes for Spurs this year.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 11, 2024

Joao Felix could move to Galatasaray this summer, with his agent Jorge Mendes initiating talks as the Chelsea flop seeks a new club.

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• Felix on loan at AC Milan
• Unlikely to remain in Italy
• Galatasaray contacted to gauge interest

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Felix has endured a difficult couple of seasons since moving to Chelsea for a second time in the summer. He played 20 times in all competitions, before joining Milan on loan in January. In Italy, though, he has made just four Serie A starts and reports in Turkey suggest his agent is attempting to engineer a move to Galatasaray for his client.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Per Sporx, Felix is said to be keen on a move to Gala, who are set to reshape their attack in the summer. Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi, and Alvaro Morata could all leave the club so they may be able to negotiate a deal to sign the Portugal star. They would rather take him on loan with an option to buy, but Chelsea would rather he left permanently or, if he does go on loan, for an obligation to be included in the deal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Felix has made a total of 40 appearances for Chelsea across his two spells. He has scored 11 goals and registered two assists in that time.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Galatasaray will first attempt to win the Turkish Super League. They are currently top, nine points clear of Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce in second, having played a game more.

Turning their attention towards the January transfer window in the middle of another tough spell of form, Manchester United are reportedly pressing to sign a defensive reinforcement who has already spoken to Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd transfer news

Shocked by Wolverhampton Wanderers and embarrassed by Bournemouth at Old Trafford, Manchester United desperately need the January transfer window to arrive, especially since they sit eight points clear of the dropzone in what should not even be a concern for a side of their stature heading into the second half of the season. With Newcastle United up next, however, things don’t get any easier.

Man Utd on red alert as January opportunity emerges to sign "fantastic" ace

The Red Devils could land a bargain deal…

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By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 29, 2024

Even in the middle of such a run, it doesn’t look as though Marcus Rashford will be granted a return after being exiled by Amorim. Yet to be impressed by the Carrington graduate, the new manager looks set to show Rashford the door and leave some of Europe’s biggest clubs circling around his signature when 2025 arrives.

Instead, the focus looks set to be on finding players who suit his 3-4-2-1 system to finally turn things around at Old Trafford, which may well see a vital defensive reinforcement arrive.

According to RMC Sport, via Sport Witness, Manchester United have submitted an opening offer to sign Nuno Mendes from Paris Saint-Germain in the winter window. SW also relayed reports from Portugal that the left-back has already spoken to Amorim in what was reportedly a convincing conversation.

Having been not impressed at PSG’s new contract proposal, Mendes’ current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2026. Whether that hands United the chance to land a cut-price deal remains to be seen, but it could certainly accelerate any transfer.

"Explosive" Mendes could be instant upgrade

A player who thrived under Amorim at Sporting Club to earn a deserved move to PSG, Mendes, valued at £58m, seemingly has the chance to work under his former manager at Manchester United in what would be the biggest move of his career yet. The left-back could be an instant upgrade too, given how well he knows the new system and how much of an attacking threat he provides compared to Diogo Dalot.

Still just 22 years old, the best is yet to come for Mendes as Manchester United look to become the ultimate benefactor in continued rise to the top of European football.

Replacing Luke Shaw feels more and more important for those at Old Trafford, with patience slowly running thin over his ability to avoid consistent injury setbacks. Dubbed “explosive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Mendes should be high up on the list of candidates to replace the England international as early as the January transfer window.

Harry Kane has been told that he is "absolutely top three in the Ballon d'Or", with the Bayern Munich striker still chasing down first place.

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• Prolific frontman aiming to break trophy duck
• Chasing down domestic & continental titles
• In contention for a prestigious Golden Ball

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international has famously gone his entire career to date without winning a major trophy. He is, however, in the hunt for Bundesliga and Champions League titles in 2025 – with his silverware drought seemingly about to come to an end.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If Kane, with over 30 goals to his name again this season, were to fire Bayern to European glory then he could come into contention for a prestigious Golden Ball. He is competing with the likes of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona attacker Raphinha for that honour.

• WHAT JURGEN KLINSMANN SAID

  Ex-Bayern and Tottenham frontman Jurgen Klinsmann has told that Kane will "absolutely be in the top three of the Ballon d'Or." The German went on to say: "If you go at least into the final four, probably if you win the Champions League, it kind of comes along."

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Klinsmann added on Kane, who has followed a similar career path to the one that he took in pursuit of tangible success: "He had a similar situation to what I had at a club level. Until I left Spurs and went to Bayern, I didn't have a club title yet. I always said if Harry leaves Spurs at a certain moment in time, he will get that opportunity to win titles with his club team."

Chelsea are hoping to continue the momentum that they have built in the early part of the season, despite their midweek stumble against Fulham. The Blues have faltered slightly, falling to third after the 2-1 loss to their West London rivals.

Enzo Maresca’s side were leading with ten minutes to go thanks to a first-half goal from Cole Palmer. However, the Cottagers managed to turn it around at the death. Harry Wilson equalised in the 82nd minute and moments later Rodrigo Muniz scored a winner in stoppage time to win the game.

In many ways, this game highlighted the Blues’ need for a striker, given they had three big chances, as per Sofascore. It is an issue that they have had for many years.

Chelsea’s striker struggles

The West Londoners have had their fair share of impressive strikers. Didier Drogba is perhaps their most prominent, and he scored 164 goals in 381 games for Chelsea.

Nowadays, Nicolas Jackson is first choice, and he too is having a strong season, having scored nine times in the Premier League.

However, there have also been some big names who disappointed at Stamford Bridge. Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata were two players who joined on loan.

The Argentine came from Juventus, and scored just five goals for the club, with the Spanish striker scoring 24 goals in 72 games. Morata joined permanently from Real Madrid on a £60m deal, before later returning to La Liga to join Atletico Madrid.

Another player who Blues fans expected so much from was Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker joined from Liverpool for a British record of £50m in January 2011. However, he scored just 45 goals in 172 appearances for the Blues.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Andriy Shevchenko was also a player with so many expectations on him when he joined Chelsea from AC Milan. The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner was fantastic for the Rossoneri, with 175 goals, but he managed just 22 goals at Stamford Bridge.

None of those strikers managed to supplement or replace Drogba, and they are seeing a similar issue with Jackson today. However, they have been linked with another big move for a striker from Milan, with Inter striker Lautaro Martinez a target.

Chelsea's search for a striker

A report from Christmas Day by Calcio Mercato referenced the fact the Blues are chasing Martinez, as reported by Argentine news outlet El Grafico. Chelsea are reportedly conducting a ‘search for a true number nine’.

Although it will be ‘a very difficult negotiation’ if they want to sign Martinez, they are believed to be willing to do a player plus cash deal. The players who could be offered to Inter are reportedly Benoit Badiashile, Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Martinez, who earns £260k-per-week, as per Capology, would certainly bring goals to the Blues side. He has 135 goals in 303 games for I Nerazzurri, with his best season coming in 2023/24. The Argentine scored 24 goals in 33 Serie A games as Inter won the Scudetto.

This season, the 27-year-old has not fired to the same level yet. He has five goals and three assists in 14 top-flight games.

However, his underlying numbers from last season, and the fact that he scored so many goals, suggest he is ready to explode. As football scout Antonio Mango described him, Martinez is a “beast”.

As per FBref, the 2022 World Cup Winner averaged 0.81 goals per game and 0.5 goals per shot on target in last season’s Serie A. That ranks him in the top 1% and the top 7% of strikers in the top flight of Italy.

Impressively, Martinez finished seventh in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, a testament to his impressive form over the past 12 months or so. That saw him finish above Palmer, who is the jewel in Chelsea’s crown, suggesting he has even been better than the Englishman in recent months.

That is an impressive feat given the 22-year-old’s record in that famous Blue shirt so far. He has played 65 games, scoring an outrageous 37 goals and grabbing 21 assists in that time. For Martinez to finish above him is commendable work.

Signing the 27-year-old could be a smart move for Chelsea. He is a ready-made striker, full of experience and quality to compete with Jackson.

While the Blues may be concerned over enduring a Shevchenko repeat – with regard to signing a ‘proven’ striker after huge success in Serie A – the hope will be that he can fare better than the legendary Ukrainian.

It might be an expensive deal, but one that could suit the Blues down to the ground.

Jackson upgrade: Chelsea target £94m ace who's "the best 9 in the world"

The sensational striker would make Chelsea far more dangerous.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 27, 2024

Enzo Maresca's side barely needed to get out of first gear in order to beat their rivals on an ill-tempered night at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League's top four with a 1-0 win at home to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. The Blues moved back ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle United with the victory, ensuring Spurs' record at Stamford Bridge remains at only one win since 1990.

Contrastingly, the result meant Tottenham remained mired in 14th place with 34 points after 30 games as the pressure mounted on Ange Postecoglou, who clashed with fans during the derby.

Chelsea nearly went ahead inside 60 seconds when a straight ball over the top from Trevoh Chalobah found Nicolas Jackson, who bundled into Guglielmo Vicario and had Micky van de Ven's clearance come off his shin and strike the post. Malo Gusto then hit the side-netting with a fierce strike soon afterwards, with half of Stamford Bridge fooled into thinking it had gone the right side of the upright.

Midway through the first half, a cutback from an unmarked Cole Palmer through the Spurs box found Enzo Fernandez, but Destiny Udogie was on hand to smother the Argentine and keep the ball from rolling across the line. On the stroke of half-time, the Blues should have notched themselves ahead. Pedro Neto's deep cross flew all the way to Jadon Sancho, whose top corner-bound strike was brushed over by Vicario.

Within five minutes of the restart, Chelsea had their opening goal. Palmer shifted out to the left and whipped in a delicious cross for Fernandez to thunder in with his head having escaped the marking of Tottenham's half-committed defenders.

The hosts didn't have to wait long to find the net again, either. Spurs failed to deal with a free-kick into the box, and Moises Caicedo was on hand to volley home from just inside 18-yard area, but after an extremely lengthy VAR check lasting several minutes, it was ruled out for offside on the initial delivery.

Out of absolutely nothing, Tottenham thought they had levelled it up with little over 20 minutes to play. Pape Matar Sarr, just on as a substitute, robbed Caicedo of possession before letting fly from 25 yards, and Robert Sanchez could only parry the shot onto the underside of the bar and in. However, a VAR check led to referee Craig Pawson deciding Sarr had clipped Caicedo's leg with his boot to win possession and Spurs' equaliser was cancelled.

Palmer nearly grabbed a goal for himself when his looping shot had to be swiped aside by Vicario before Sanchez became the hero at the other end for denying Son Heung-min at point-blank range. The Blues' win was confirmed after 12 minutes of added time in light of the two VAR delays.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Robert Sanchez (7/10):

  It was a quiet evening for the Spaniard until Son raced to the back post in the last minute of regulation time, coming up with a stretching stop. In that sense, he almost literally saved the points.

  Malo Gusto (6/10):

  Used as more of a traditional full-back without stepping into midfield as Maresca often demands. Son flew by him early doors but the Frenchman shut up shop after that.

  Trevoh Chalobah (7/10):

  Was desperately unlucky not to have registered an assist in the first minute with an exquisite pass to Jackson. That got his confidence going and he continually tried his luck with similar balls. Untroubled by Solanke.

  Levi Colwill (7/10):

  Likewise given no real problem by Spurs' toothless attackers. A mini-brawl ensued late in the first half when Colwill was shoved over by Romero, which was as much trouble as he really got into.

  Marc Cucurella (7/10):

  Ruthless and aggressive from the off, making Odobert and Johnson's lives misery on that flank. Chelsea didn't need his newfound scoring prowess on this occasion.

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  Midfield

  Moises Caicedo (7/10):

  Sustained a hefty knock within the first couple of minutes, which required treatment on three separate occasions. The Ecuadorian was able to soldier on and the Blues required his steely relentlessness to win the midfield battle.

  Enzo Fernandez (8/10):

  Moved back into a deeper role upon Palmer's return. Sought to be the protagonist with an extensive range of passing and crashing of the Spurs box, getting his reward with a goal. Given a rest for 12 minutes of added time, replaced by Dewsbury-Hall.

  Cole Palmer (8/10):

  Passed fit for this one having missed out on last month's trip to Arsenal and England's two World Cup qualifiers. Took a while to find his sharpness again before bursting into life, first testing Vicario with a stinging shot and then picking out a beaut of an assist for Fernandez. Subbed in added time for another defender in Adarabioyo.

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  Attack

  Pedro Neto (5/10):

  Tested Tottenham with whipped crosses in the first half, but that threat couldn't be sustained on his flank.

  Nicolas Jackson (6/10):

  Made his return from injury and was so close to being back among the goals, only for the ball to get away from him when trying to bring down Chalobah's first-minute long pass. Subbed for James late on.

  Jadon Sancho (6/10):

  Had the beating of Spence as he pleaded though frustrated the home crowd with his consistent indecision thereafter. Withdrawn for Madueke midway through the second half.

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• Subs & Manager

  Noni Madueke (6/10):

  Back from injury via the bench without much to note.

  Reece James (6/10):

  Wasn't risked from the off and only got a runaround in the final stages.

  Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (N/A):

  Much of his work was off-ball for 12 minutes of added time.

  Tosin Adarabioyo (N/A):

  Slotted into a back five to see out the win.

  Enzo Maresca (7/10):

  Chelsea should have won by more and a better team than Tottenham would have made them pay, though how much of that blame you can put at the manager's door is questionable.

Jamaica have stepped in for China in one of Emma Hayes' side's June fixtures, US Soccer announced on Friday

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• Jamaica to replace China in June's friendlies
• China initially agreed to double-header, will now play once
• USWNT have only faced Jamaica six times

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The USWNT have seen a schedule change for this summer, with China opting out of one of two scheduled fixtures – and Jamaica is now set to fill the gap, US Soccer announced Friday.

  Emma Hayes' side will still play China on May 31, but rather than face them again on June 3, will square off against Jamaica.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Jamaica and the U.S. don't have an extensive history in the women's game. The two sides have only met six times – despite both being CONCACAF members. The USWNT won the last matchup, besting the Reggae Girlz 5-0 at the 2022 W Gold Cup.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  The June 3 fixture will also see Becky Sauerbrunn honored. Sauerbrunn, a long-time USWNT center back, announced in December that she is hanging up her boots. The St. Louis native ended her USWNT career with 219 appearances and two World Cups.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

  The U.S. has six weeks off before they face China on May 31. They are coming off a mixed international window in which a young side won one and lost one against Brazil.

Chelsea are emerging as the main contenders to sign a new midfielder after reaching out to his club, and it is believed the west Londoners have been considering a deal for more than 12 months.

Chelsea working on new centre-back for January

Despite the odd report linking Enzo Maresca’s side with a new striker, the consensus is that Chelsea are prioritising a new centre-back in January.

Fabrizio Romano – Chelsea chiefs debate January deal for £50k-per-week star

The Blues are working on a potential winter signing.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 7, 2025

Injuries to Wesley Fofana, who could be out for the rest of the Premier League season, and Benoit Badiashile have cut Maresca’s central defensive options in half – with there being many reported targets on Chelsea’s shortlist.

Tomas Araujo [Benfica], Antonio Silva [Benfica], Ousmane Diomande [Sporting], Illia Zabarnyi [Bournemouth] and Dean Huijsen [Bournemouth] are all centre-backs being considered by Chelsea, according to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, but perhaps the most headline-grabbing one of them all is former player Marc Guehi.

The Crystal Palace stalwart, fresh off the back of an incredible 2024, is being eyed by Chelsea as an option for the club before February 3, even if a deal is described as difficult to do.

Chelsea chiefs have been internally debating a January deal for Guehi, according to Fabrizio Romano, but it is unclear just how much Palace will demand for the England international after rejecting a £65 million bid from Newcastle in the summer.

The 24-year-old has 18 months left on his deal at Selhurst Park, so perhaps Palace chairma Steve Parish could be forced to sell for a cheaper fee if Guehi pushes for a return to Stamford Bridge.

As rumours surround the potential arrival of Guehi, there are suggestions that Chelsea are considering a loan recall for Trevoh Chalobah as well, so Palace face the very real possibility of losing at least one defender this month.

Meanwhile, in terms of other positions, TEAMtalk report that Chelsea have looked at a January deal for River Plate sensation Franco Mastantuono.

Chelsea moving into pole position to sign Mastantuono

The teenager is fast earning a reputation as “one of the world’s best upcoming young stars”, as per TT, and he’s been in Chelsea’s sights for over a year.

Chelsea have been in contact with River Plate over signing Mastantuono in that period, and Maresca’s side are entering pole position for the Argentine ahead of other interested clubs.

However, while they’ve entertained the possibility of bringing the 17-year-old to west London as soon as this month, they will have to wait until the summer as things stand.

Mastantuono’s deal includes a unique release clause, currently set at around £38 million, but it is set to increase as January goes on. The clause could go as high as £43 million, and this has apparently prompted Chelsea to stall on moving for him until later in 2025.

In any case, TT state that Chelsea are “working hard” on his signing, as BlueCo carry on their trend of cherry-picking world football’s hottest emerging talents.