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Everton will surely feel smug about the number of top-drawer academy products they’ve managed to uncover.

The likes of Anthony Gordon and John Stones have the blue half of Merseyside to thank for kickstarting their Premier League careers, before Newcastle United and Manchester City beckoned, while Everton undoubtedly got more out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin than what was expected, after once picking him up as an 18-year-old prospect from Sheffield United.

71 goals would come Calvert-Lewin’s way across 273 games, but even he will know his rise to Toffees first-team glory pales into insignificance when weighed up next to Wayne Rooney’s remarkable ascent from teenage prodigy at Goodison Park to world-beater with Manchester United.

David Moyes was the boss who first gave Rooney a chance in the Everton senior mix at just 16 years of age, as the Scotsman now goes about assessing what promising youngsters he currently has at his disposal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium who could also go on to have an extensive career at the very top.

Everton's most promising youngsters right now

Many of the Everton U21s personnel right now will surely be dreaming of their Rooney moment in the spotlight under the Glaswegian.

Omari Benjamin could well feel he’s deserving of a first-team opportunity very soon, especially if Beto continues to fluff his lines on Merseyside, with the former Arsenal youth player turned rising star at the Toffees boasting two goals this season in Premier League 2 action.

Up to 12 goals in total now for the U21s, it only feels like a matter of time before the 19-year-old hotshot is handed some men’s minutes.

Other names catching the eye include Justin Clarke, who also boasts two goals himself this season in the Premier League 2, alongside 18-year-old Joel Catesby, who is more of a creative force than a goalscoring menace, having accumulated seven assists to date in both the U18 and U21 picture.

Moyes will have to err on the side of caution with some of these promising starlets, however, with the gap between youth football and the pressures of the Premier League a notoriously hard one to bridge.

That’s why the youth-focused boss will be over the moon with how well this other exciting youngster is doing out on loan away from Everton, as the Toffees potentially now have their best prospect since Rooney burst onto the scene.

Everton's biggest prospect since Rooney

The once wide-eyed number 18 would never look back after being slotted into the first team at just 16, with 17 goals and four assists tallied up for the Toffees during his first stint on the Merseyside, ending up being just the start of his unbelievable tale in the Premier League.

Harrison Armstrong will hope his current loan spell with Preston North End is a similarly memorable first chapter he can look back on in a few years time after he’s exploded in the Everton first-team set-up, with one Preston-based content creator already tipping him to have a “huge future” beyond Deepdale.

Armstrong has even picked up a Man of the Match accolade out on loan in Lancashire, too, with seven duels won across the course of his bruising 90 minutes, the sort of grit Preston needed to complete a 3-2 comeback win over Sheffield United on Friday night.

With three assists also next to his name in the Everton first-team picture, it’s clear that there’s a plausible pathway to the senior side for Armstrong under Moyes when this formative stint is complete, having also been previously dubbed a “first team regular in the making” at Everton by journalist Richard Buxton.

Everton U18s

22

5 + 1

Derby County

15

1 + 0

Everton U21s

15

3 + 1

Everton

8

0 + 3

Preston

8

0

The bold claims don’t stop here, either, with another Preston-oriented voice also wildly stating that he “will play for England one day” long after his Championship journey is up.

After all, the likes of Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins must still be eternally grateful for their respective EFL educations, before they then went on to receive a Three Lions cap.

Everything is pointing in the direction of Armstrong being Everton’s brightest prospect since Rooney’s whirlwind moment, with it now being up to the 18-year-old to succeed with all this hype weighing down on him.

Fewer touches than Pickford: Everton flop must be axed if Richarlison joins

This Everton dud will surely be on borrowed time even more if Richarlison rejoins the Toffees.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 27, 2025

Ajax have sacked John Heitinga as the Dutch giants find themselves languishing eight points behind leaders Feyenoord. The 40-year-old has been sacked with immediate effect, just four months into his tenure, after a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. It has been a horror show in Europe as they have suffered four defeats in as many games, which has placed them at the bottom of the league phase table.

Caretaker Grim steps in after Heitinga exit

On Thursday morning, Ajax issued a blunt statement confirming the exit of Heitinga. It read: "Ajax has suspended John Heitinga with immediate effect. The head coach’s contract was due to run until June 30, 2027, but will now be terminated. The same applies to assistant coach Marcel Keizer."

In an emotional admission, Technical Director Alex Kroes laid bare the club’s disillusionment.

"It's a painful decision. But looking back at the past few months, we must conclude that things have turned out quite differently from what we had envisioned," he said.

"We've seen too little progress and have unnecessarily dropped points. We know it can take time for a new coach to work with a squad that has undergone changes. We have given John that time, but we believe it's best for the club to appoint someone else to lead the team."

Kroes himself offered his resignation, though the Ajax board “strongly urged” him to continue. 

"My contract runs until the end of the season; should the club appoint a new technical director earlier, I will hand over my responsibilities at that time," Kroes added.

With Heitinga gone, Ajax have turned to Fred Grim, a steady pair of hands and a man who knows the club’s DNA, to steer the ship until a permanent appointment is made.

"Ajax is looking for a new head coach; in the meantime, Fred Grim will take over Heitinga’s duties," the club informed. 

AdvertisementAjaxTVThe Ten Hag whisper: A reunion written in the stars?

Reports have emerged that Ajax are plotting a blockbuster reunion with Erik ten Hag, who has masterminded their modern golden era. According to , Kroes met Ten Hag earlier this week in Huizen. Although it was labelled as just a "coffee meeting", the timing of it speaks otherwise. Ten Hag, now 55, remains a revered figure at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Between 2018 and 2022, he turned Ajax into a global sensation as they won three Eredivisie titles, two KNVB Cups, and conjured even conjured that unforgettable 2019 Champions League run, when Ajax stunned Real Madrid and Juventus before falling to Tottenham in the semi-finals. Under his watch, the club became a beacon of high-pressing, fearless football, producing world-class stars like Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Donny van de Beek. His possible return is seen inside the club as the only route back to order after months of instability and confusion.

Premier League opportunity also knocking for Ten Hag

Ten Hag, who left Manchester United last year and endured a nightmarish, short-lived spell at Bayer Leverkusen, surprisingly isn’t short of admirers. According to , the Dutchman is also “interested in talking” to Wolves, who recently dismissed Vitor Pereira. The Midlands club are on the lookout for a long-term leader and has already held informal talks with former boss Gary O’Neil, though he has now ruled himself out. However, it is also mentioned that Wolves’ hierarchy reportedly prefer a younger, progressive manager to lead their rebuild, with names like Michael Carrick (44) and Rob Edwards (42) under consideration.

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Getty Images SportKroes under pressure: Can he survive the storm?

While Heitinga’s departure might ease the immediate tension, Kroes is far from safe. His own future hangs by a thread after months of criticism over recruitment and strategy. Ajax now travel to Utrecht on Sunday, a trip that suddenly carries enormous weight. Anything less than victory could plunge the club further into crisis and accelerate talks with Ten Hag. If the former United manager ultimately returns to his former stomping ground, he will have a tough task at hand to revive a club that has suddenly been gasping for identity. 

Real Madrid are expected to receive numerous offers for wonderkid Gonzalo Garcia in the upcoming January transfer window. However, head coach Xabi Alonso is set to block any potential departure, as he trusts the Spain Under 21 star to be an important rotational piece. Gonzalo was the top scorer at the Club World Cup, but has made just one start in the 2025-26 season.

• Gonzalo's Club World Cup exploits earn him a promotion

  Madrid went to the Club World Cup with Kylian Mbappe and Endrick carrying injuries. It proved to be a blessing in disguise for both the club and Gonzalo, as the 21-year-old started all six games, scored four goals, and produced one assist to finish as the tournament's top scorer. The club ended their search for a profile who could be a physical presence inside the box. Madrid rewarded Gonzalo with a new contract until 2030 and, by default, a promotion to the first team. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Gonzalo struggling for game time in the 2025-26 season

  His impact at the Club World Cup seems to have been forgotten quickly. The academy graduate has featured in just six of the 10 games Madrid have played, starting just once and racking up a meagre 101 minutes of game time. Mbappe's incredible form – which has seen him plunder 14 goals already – as well as Rodrygo's continuation has stymied his progress. 

• Clubs will try to poach Gonzalo in January

  Several clubs showcased interest in acquiring the rising star's services over the summer, including Premier League outfits. However, Gonzalo eventually stayed put and didn't entertain any offers. His lack of prominence in the ongoing season is set to attract interest from a lot of clubs in the January transfer window, according to a report from . 

  Endrick has marked his return from injury and is determined to fight for his spot in Madrid despite not having played a single game under Alonso yet. reports that having to fight for minutes with the Brazilian teenager could be another factor which could prompt Gonzalo to seek minutes elsewhere. 

  On the contrary, Serie A heavyweights Juventus are reportedly keeping tabs on Endrick ahead of a potential January swoop. Not just Juve, but the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham and Real Sociedad also setting their sights in coveted young striker.

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• AFP
  

  Alonso counts on Gonzalo

  Despite the high likelihood of offers coming Gonzalo's way in winter, manager Alonso doesn't want to lose a player he has blind faith in. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach sees Gonzalo as a crucial jigsaw of Madrid's rotational puzzle, and hence will not allow him to leave in January.

Abtaha Maqsood shines with the ball to keep Lancashire in check

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay04-May-2025

Jodi Grewcock struck her first half-century of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition as Essex overcame Lancashire at Chelmsford to break their duck in the tournament.The left-hander finished unbeaten on 73 from 91 balls, accumulating singles and hitting only six boundaries as she shared a decisive fourth-wicket partnership of 89 from 88 with Flo Miller (41 from 48) and steered Essex over the line with 16 balls to spare.Grewcock had earlier made a key contribution with the ball after Eve Jones (57 from 75) and Emma Lamb (43 from 53) gave Lancashire a strong platform with an opening stand of 106 from 117 – their third consecutive three-figure partnership.But Grewcock and fellow legspinner Abtaha Maqsood triggered a middle-order collapse to restrict the visitors to 230 for 8 after seven wickets went down for 76.Essex opted to bowl after winning the toss, but could not establish control in the powerplay as Jones and Lamb built steadily, consistently picking out gaps in the field.Jones began to accelerate, dispatching Grace Scrivens for successive boundaries – but there was a touch of fortune about the left-hander’s drive off Maqsood that took her past 50, with Jo Gardner fumbling a mid-off catch before the ball rolled on to the rope.Maqsood did eventually dismiss Jones, who pulled her to deep midwicket, but Lancashire still looked on course for a sizeable total when Lamb and Katie Mack guided them to 133 for 1 just after halfway.Kate Coppack’s second spell triggered a shift in momentum as the seamer accounted for both Lamb and Seren Smale in the space of three balls and almost 11 overs went by without Lancashire finding the boundary.Essex’s spinners stifled the middle order, capturing wickets at regular intervals and it was only due to a late flurry by Tara Norris and Grace Potts, who added 21 from the final three overs, that the visitors reached 230.Scrivens immediately made inroads, punching the first ball of her side’s reply to the cover fence while new opening partner Lissy MacLeod also produced some classy strokeplay to ensure they kept pace with the required rate.The pair put on 77 from 86 – Essex’s best opening stand of the tournament – but both fell in successive overs from Hannah Jones (3 for 39), Scrivens bowled attempting to reverse-sweep the left-armer before MacLeod speared one to mid-off.Grewcock and Cordelia Griffith nursed the innings along with a partnership of 42 but they were held up by the teasing off-breaks of Lamb, who removed Griffith as Norris flung out her left hand to pouch a drive that had looked destined for the boundary.However, that wicket brought Miller to the crease, providing Essex with fresh impetus and, although she was neatly caught on the boundary with 14 still needed, Grewcock sealed the win by slamming a Lamb full toss for four.

Former Tottenham and Manchester United defender Sergio Reguilon is in line to reportedly link-up with Lionel Messi as the Spanish star is in shock talks to join Inter Miami as a free agent. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who was released by Tottenham when his contract expired in July, is now exploring a move that would see him become the latest European star to land in Major League Soccer alongside some of the game’s biggest names.

• Spurs flop could find new life in the sunshine state

  Reguilon’s time at Tottenham ended quietly after a season in which he made just six appearances, with only two starts to his name. Despite that, he still managed to find himself at the heart of the club’s Europa League celebrations, bizarrely collecting a winner’s medal and even kissing the trophy on stage, despite never playing a single minute in the competition.

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  Reguilon's record at Spurs

  Reguilon departs north London having racked up 73 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing nine assists. His career has been a rollercoaster, featuring loan spells at Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, and Brentford, but the opportunity to reignite his career in Miami might prove too good to refuse.

• Reguilon could join Miami's title push

  According to Inter Miami are considering Reguilon as part of their final roster reinforcement ahead of the MLS playoffs, with hopes of getting the deal done before the post-season kicks off. With the MLS regular season concluding on October 19, Miami have already secured their spot in the Eastern Conference play-offs, sitting fourth with 56 points. The top seven teams in each conference qualify automatically, while those in eighth and ninth battle it out in a wildcard round. If the deal is completed swiftly, Reguilon could become part of Lionel Messi’s charge for the club’s first-ever MLS Cup, adding European experience and defensive depth at a crucial moment.

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  Miami look to bounce back as Reguilon waits in the wings

  Miami’s play-off preparations took a slight hit after their recent 5-3 defeat to Chicago Fire, a result that exposed defensive vulnerabilities, something a player like Reguilon could help address. The Florida-based side will aim to return to winning form when they take on the New England Revolution this Sunday, with their star-studded squad eager to finish strong.

Former NZ quick suggests caution since another injury in the same spot where Bumrah has already had back surgery “could be a career-ender”

Nagraj Gollapudi11-Mar-20251:54

Bond: Transition from IPL to Tests a danger period for Bumrah

Another back injury for Jasprit Bumrah in the same spot where he had surgery “could be a career-ender” according to former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, whose career ended prematurely due to chronic back problems.Bumrah has not played since he walked off for scans on the second afternoon of the New Year’s Test in Sydney this year. What was reported as back spasms then turned to be a stress-related injury, which forced him to miss the Champions Trophy. Bumrah is currently at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru doing rehab and there is no clarity yet on when he will be fully fit or whether he will start for Mumbai Indians (MI) at IPL 2025.This is the first time Bumrah has suffered a back injury since he had surgery in March 2023. Bond, who has worked with Bumrah in the past – he was bowling coach with MI for several years – and is currently in India as bowling coach at Rajasthan Royals, said that Bumrah’s workloads need to be managed conservatively to avoid another relapse.Related

Bumrah to miss Oval Test against England; Akash Deep likely to replace him

Shane Bond: 'If you ask any injured player if they're okay to play, they'll say yes'

“When he went off for scans, it was at Sydney, there was some messaging coming up around that he had sprains and stuff like that,” Bond told ESPNcricinfo in a wide-ranging chat* during the Champions Trophy, when he was one of the experts on the analysis show Match Day. “I worried that it wasn’t going to be a sprain, it might be a bony injury around that area [the back]. I thought he may struggle to make the Champions Trophy if it was.”Bond was probably the first fast bowler, at least this century, to undergo back surgery, which he had at 29, the same age at which Bumrah had his surgery. Despite persistent injuries Bond continued to play until he was 34 before deciding to retire, first from Tests and then from all formats in less than six months. In a chat with ESPNcricinfo in 2010, Bond said, “I broke if I played few games on the bounce” in first-class cricket and he was sick and tired of doing rehab.The “danger” zone where fast bowlers suffer injuries, according to Bond, is when they quickly transition from T20 to Test cricket. And that, Bond highlighted, would be his primary concern for Bumrah too, considering India will travel to England to play five-Test series in June barely a month after the IPL ends on May 25.”Look, I think Booms will be fine, but it’s just that [workload] management [matters],” Bond said. “Looking at the tours and the schedule going forward, where are the opportunities to give him a break, but really where are the danger periods? And often it is that the [transition from] IPL to the Test championship will be a risk.Jasprit Bumrah poses with his ICC Awards for 2024•ICC/Getty Images

“Anywhere you transition from particularly T20 to a Test match, it’s challenging. If you are playing a one-day series, it’s generally not too bad. You will play three games a week, you will have a practice, you are sort of in around that 40 overs [range], that’s pretty close to a Test match week anyway. But in T20, particularly in the IPL, when you might be playing three games in a week, there’s two days of travel, you might get one training [session], you are sort of bowling 20 overs maybe if you’re lucky. That’s sort of half of a Test match load or even under a half of, which then is a big jump and you are not bowling back-to-back days. That’s a big jump when you transition out of that.”India’s schedule for the England tour is a tight one with five Tests between June 28 and August 3. Bond said that India cannot give Bumrah the kind of workload he carried during the 2024-25 Australia tour, which also comprised five Tests. Overall, Bumrah bowled 151.2 overs in nine innings including 52 in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, his most in a Test match.Going forward, Bond said, he would not want Bumrah to play more than two consecutive Tests at one go.”He’s too valuable for the next World Cup and stuff. So you’d be looking at five Tests in England, I wouldn’t want to be playing him in any more than two in a row. Coming out of the back end of the IPL into a Test match is going to be a huge risk. And so how do they manage that is going to be key.”They may say, look, it’s four Test matches in total. Or three. If we can get him through the English summer and he’s fit, we can probably then go with some confidence that we can carry him across the rest of the formats. So that’s hard because he is your best bowler, but if he has another injury in the same spot, that could be a career-ender, potentially, because I’m not sure you can have surgery on that spot again.”With the Indian domestic season over, the IPL is the only competitive series Bumrah can feature in before the England tour. While Bond felt the IPL “maybe touch and go” for Bumrah, he said “there will be an element of risk depending on the intensity that he’s bowling at by the time he gets back”.Bond said that it was also Bumrah’s responsibility to work in tandem with the decision-makers in Indian cricket to chart out a safe path that would help him extend his career. “So it’s going to take some good management and just some open conversations with the player and say, look, we are doing this with your best interest in your career. Any player who’s gone through that, and having myself [gone through it], you are desperate to play, but you also understand there are some risks at certain times and you have to make some compromises.”* The full interview will be published on ESPNcricinfo later this month.

Following a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal, Leeds United are reportedly in talks to sanction the departure of a player who earns over £900,000 a year at Elland Road.

Farke: Arsenal thrashing not "season-defining"

Daniel Farke could have counted on one hand the amount of Premier League fans that expected Leeds to head to Arsenal and secure a shock victory, such is the difficulty for newly-promoted sides against the top six.

It was always likely to be the ruthless welcome back to the top flight that Everton were unable to hand the Whites, but Farke was quick to claim that their 5-0 defeat was far from “season-defining”.

Whilst their trip to the Emirates should be one that Leeds learn from, they should also move on quickly and prepare for both Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup and then Newcastle United’s visit to Elland Road next weekend.

Not just Gruev: Farke must drop 4/10 Leeds star who lost 100% duels

Daniel Farke should ruthlessly drop this Leeds flop as well as Ilia Gruev for the next Premier League game.

ByDan Emery Aug 24, 2025

As they look to return to winning ways, however, they may have to do so without one attacking player who could be heading to La Liga before the end of the transfer window.

Valencia in talks to sign Ramazani

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Valencia are now in talks to sign Largie Ramazani on loan from Leeds this month. The winger was left out of Farke’s squad to face Arsenal after the German opted to pick other options.

Now, he could leave on loan to the La Liga club, managed by former Marcelo Bielsa assistant Carlos Corberan, who could reportedly cover his £910,000-a-year salary and have a buy option included in their deal.

Since then, reports from Spain have claimed the 24-year-old has ‘fully agreed terms’ with the La Liga side. After just one season at the club, Ramazani’s time at Leeds looks destined to come to a swift end this month.

The fact that the winger was left out of Farke’s squad to face Arsenal was never a good sign, even though the Leeds boss told reporters when questioned about that decision: “It was just due to the decision about Noah Okafor, not against Largie.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A Seleção Brasileira está convocada para a Copa do Mundo Sub-20. Nesta sexta-feira, o técnico Ramon Menezes, que conduziu a Amarelinha ao título do Sul-Americano da categoria no início do ano, anunciou a lista de 21 atletas chamados para o torneio, que será disputado no Argentina, entre os dias 20 de maio e 11 de junho.

Um dos principais destaques no Sul-Americano, o voltante Andrey Santos, do Vasco, está confirmado na lista e será um dos líderes da equipe. Outros nomes, porém, podem ser cortados, uma vez que os clubes não são obrigados a liberar atletas por não se tratar de Data Fifa. No caso de Andrey, o Chelsea, clube que o jogador pertence, já concordou com a liberação.

+ Veja a tabela e os jogos do Campeonato Brasileiro 2023

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Assim como no futebol principal, o Brasil tem cinco títulos mundiais e vai em busca do hexacampeonato. A equipe canarinho está no Grupo D, ao lado de Itália, República Dominicana e Nigéria. A estreia será no dia 21, contra os italianos, no Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, na cidade de Mendoza.

A Seleção Brasileira não conquista o título do Mundial Sub-20 desde 2011, no torneio realizado na Colômbia, em geração que tinha nomes como Casemiro, Philippe Coutinho e Oscar. A última participação do Brasil foi em 2015, quando acabou com o vice-campeonato. Em 2017 e 2019, o time canarinho não se classificou, enquanto em 2021 a competição não foi realizada pela Fifa em virtude da Covid-19.

+É na terça! Veja os times e regras para o sorteio das oitavas da Copa do Brasil 2023

VEJA A LISTA DE CONVOCADOS

Goleiros:Mycael (Athletico-PR), Kaique (Palmeiras) e Kauã Santos (Flamengo);

Defensores:Arthur (América-MG), André Dhominique (Bahia), Kaiki Bruno (Cruzeiro), Kaiky Fernandes (Almería-ESP), Michel (Palmeiras) e Robert Renan (Zenit-RUS);

Meio-campistas:Marlon Gomes (Vasco), Andrey Santos (Vasco), Guilherme Biro (Corinthians) e Ronald (Grêmio);

Atacantes:Marcos Leonardo (Santos), Giovani (Palmeiras), Matheus Martins (Watford-ING), Matheus Nascimento (Botafogo), Sávio (PSV-HOL), Kevin (Palmeiras), Giovane (Corinthians) e Pedrinho (Corinthians).

Chelsea are making a serious statement of intent this summer, with the Blues expected to remain very active in the market, both in terms of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge.

Related Player "personally trying to force" Chelsea move as club reduce asking price

He’s determined to join Enzo Maresca’s side.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jul 30, 2025

Earlier this week, Enzo Maresca’s side completed their fourth major signing of the summer window after agreeing a deal worth over £35 million for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.

The Netherlands international is now due for a medical at Cobham, and he could soon be joined by fellow Dutchman Xavi Simons, as Chelsea talks remain ongoing over a deal for the 22-year-old playmaker.

After Hato, Chelsea’s summer spending now totals nearly £270 million, if you include their deals for Kendry Paez, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo and Estevao which were all agreed prior to this window.

To balance this out, Chelsea have raised around £158 million through player sales after their latest confirmed departure of defender Ishe Samuels-Smith to sister club Strasbourg.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Add in the revenue gained from Champions League qualification, estimated to be nearly £80 million (Stefan Borson), and their £87.5 million cash prize from winning the Club World Cup, Chelsea are still in very good stead when it comes to PSR despite their costs this window.

This is potentially why Chelsea are able to make even more new signings before deadline day on September 1, with reports suggesting that the west Londoners could bid for another left-winger alongside Simons.

Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho’s potential switch to London is still on the cards, and journalist Simon Phillips reports that an unofficial swap deal with the Red Devils could take place.

Chelsea and Man United discuss Christopher Nkunku amid "fresh approach"

Writing via his Substack, Phillips hints that Chelsea could use United’s interest in £195,000-per-week winger Christopher Nkunku to strike a ‘favour for a favour’ type transfer or ‘PSR deal’ – essentially a swap deal without the actual swap.

Nkunku would go to Old Trafford, and Garnacho would go to Chelsea in separate moves.

Man United have apparently made a “fresh approach” to Chelsea for Nkunku, which occurred last weekend, so there is a real opportunity for BlueCo to sweeten talks for Garnacho by agreeing the Frenchman’s exit to Manchester.

They’re now prepared to green-light Nkunku’s transfer at a reduced rate too, potentially helping Ruben Amorim’s cash-strapped United.

“Manchester United have also always been interested in signing the attacking midfielder, and SPTC sources understand that they made a fresh approach to Chelsea for Nkunku over the weekend,” wrote Phillips.

“Chelsea will sell to a Premier League rival, and they have even dropped the asking price slightly. A deal can certainly be done should United push on it now after their latest enquiry.

“What could help them, and this one will not go away, is Chelsea’s interest in Alejandro Garnacho. Something could be done here to help and suit both clubs.

“I’d always heard that if Chelsea went for Garnacho then it would either be a loan to buy deal like they did for Jadon Sancho, or it will be with a player going to United as a favour for a favour deal, or a PSR deal as it is commonly known as.”

Nkunku managed 15 goals in all competitions last season and put in some promising performances at the Club World Cup, but Chelsea are clear that he’ll be a squad player next season if he stays (Nizaar Kinsella).

A fresh start up north could really suit the versatile attacker, who former teammate Joao Felix called a “top player” and a pleasure to team up with.

His 4-37 helps bowl home side out for 255 before Notts enforce the follow-on

ECB Reporters Network18-Sep-2024

Kent were once again fighting to save a match in the Vitality County Championship, reaching 85 for no wicket in their second innings against Nottinghamshire at Canterbury, still 123 behind at stumps on day two.Tawanda Muyeye was unbeaten on 55 and Ben Compton was 22 not out when bad light stopped play with seven scheduled overs remaining.Notts were all out for 433 early during the morning session, Nathan Gilchrist finishing with 4 for 101, but Farhan Ahmed then claimed 4 for 37 as Kent were dismissed for 225 in their first innings.Joey Evison was the highest scorer, hitting 76 against his former side, while the second-biggest contribution came from the extras column with 43.Kent were forced to follow on and the seven bonus points the visitors have stockpiled mean that even if the hosts pull off an improbable win here, Notts would need just a single point from their final fixture next week at home to Warwickshire to ensure Kent go down – and if Lancashire beat Somerset, Kent will be relegated regardless of what happens on the final two days.The visitors began day two on 393 for 6 and Luke Fletcher had moved to 22 when he played an elaborate leave shot against George Garrett, who clipped a bail.Rob Lord survived a strong first-ball appeal for caught behind but was lbw in the next over to Nathan Gilchrist, who then sent Ahmed’s off stump cartwheeling for 2.Dane Schadendorf was the last man to go when he holed out to Akeem Jordan and was taken by Daniel Bell-Drummond, who sprinted to long off.Kent’s reply was just five balls old when Compton was adjudged lbw to Fletcher for four and Muyeye went for 10 when he flicked Fletcher to Lord on the square leg boundary.It was 60 for 2 at lunch and Bell-Drummond went soon after, caught by Schadendorf off Lyndon James for 28.Joe Denly edged Lord to Schadendorf for 5 and it nearly got worse for Kent when Freddie McCann put down Evison when he was one after he’d edged James.Jack Leaning went for 26, trying to fend off a short ball from Lord that he gloved to Schadendorf.Ahmed took a wicket with his first ball, getting Harry Finch caught at short leg by Jack Haynes and at that point the game looked like it might be over in two days, let alone three but Jordan made a game 23 in a partnership of 63 with Evison before he was lbw to Ahmed.Ahmed then got Parkinson for a 28-ball duck after a sharp catch at short leg by McCann and an already interminable-seeming afternoon session was prolonged when Jacob Duffy bowled Nathan Gilchrist for four with last scheduled ball before tea.Evison eventually holed out to Ahmed and was caught by Ben Slater on the deep cover boundary, forcing Kent were forced to follow on for the sixth time this season, but not for the first time this campaign they made a better fist of it second time around.Muyeye sped to 50 from 49 balls but with the light deteriorating, play was abandoned at 6.06pm.