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Players will be paid match fees of PKR 10,000, a fall from the last edition, where players were paid PKR 40,000 per match

Danyal Rasool12-Mar-2025The PCB has slashed match fees for players participating in the upcoming National T20 Cup. Players in the tournament will be paid match fees of PKR 10,000 (US$ 35 approx.), a 75% fall from the last edition of the tournament, where players were paid match fees of PKR 40,000.It is an even bigger cut when compared to 2022, when players were paid PKR 60,000 as match fees for the tournament. Reserve players in the squad in this edition will be paid PKR 5000 (approx. US$ 17.50) per match.The cut in match fees feels more drastic when looking at the high spends at the PCB under current chairman Mohsin Naqvi.Last year, shortly after becoming chair, he said the money in PCB’s accounts was not meant to be “locked away” and would be spent on the players and in the service of Pakistan cricket.Related

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The PCB is even more disastrous than usual. Here are the numbers to prove it

Since then, the PCB has embarked upon expensive but necessary stadium upgrades, and hired – and soon let go of – foreign coaches on expensive contracts, as well as five mentors on PKR 5 million a month each. It has also hosted a domestic one-day tournament that increased the prize money to participants tenfold.A PCB official told ESPNcricinfo that the decision to cut match fees for the National T20 Cup was not an outcome of financial concerns. Instead, the PCB feels the players’ earning opportunities over the season have risen with more tournaments in the domestic calendar, including the Champions T20 Cup, which took place in December 2024 (but with only five teams).The Champions Cup format of five elite teams of players is replicated in both a 50-over and first-class tournament. With a number of players also employed by a department (for tournaments such as the President’s Trophy) which pays them a monthly salary, the board believes the drop in match fees did not amount to an overall drop in earnings.The National T20 Cup starts on March 14, with 39 matches across three cities: Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan. The final will take place in Faisalabad on March 27. Several leading Pakistan international cricketers will be unable to feature, with the national side having left for New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs.

Chelsea have agreed to a deal with their sister club Strasbourg over the transfer of in-demand striker Emanuel Emegha in 2026. The Blues' controversial yet legal dealings with the French side continue to raise objections from fans, and Emegha's move will certainly trigger conversation over the morality of the agreement yet again.

• Chelsea strike deal to sign Strasbourg's Emegha
• Striker will sign seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge
• Blues aware that rivals were interested

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea have confirmed a deal with Strasbourg to sign Emegha in 2026, and he will pen a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge. Strasbourg have confirmed that their captain will remain with the side until next summer as they look to go deep in the Conference League.

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• AFP
  

  The BIGGER PICTURE

  Emegha's breakthrough at Strasbourg last season saw him being named captain for this season. The 22-year-old has scored 26 goals and registered five assists in 64 outings with the Ligue 1 side, including three goals so far this season. Despite the move being confirmed, Emegha has promised Strasbourg fans that his primary focus will remain on succeeding with the side this season.

• WHAT EMEGHA SAID

  Speaking to Strasbourg club media, Emegha said: "Strasbourg gave me the opportunity to develop and to get to the level that I am today, and I’m not finished developing or growing. I’m really grateful to the club and the supporters for everything they have done for me. I just want to focus 100% on Strasbourg until the end of the season, and then I will leave. I don’t want there to be rumours or distractions for my team or for me, so I think this is the best decision to bring it out now.

  "Everybody knows my personality. It’s not because people know I’m leaving that I will change my behaviour or my work ethic. I’m someone who gives 100% every day for the team and for the club, and I’ll keep doing this until the end.

  "I had opportunities to go to other European top clubs that play in the Champions League. I spoke with Chelsea, with Strasbourg and with BlueCo about what would be best for my career. We had open discussions and agreed that the best decision was for me to stay in Strasbourg for one more year, to lead the team in Europe, to write another piece of history here, and then go to Chelsea.

  "I feel loved in Strasbourg, and I’m happy with how I’ve been treated at this club. As a football player and as a person, the most important thing is to feel respected and loved. Even with what happened at the end of last season, I’m even more eager to do everything for my club and make sure that we reach our goals.

  "We want to play fantastic games in Europe, and we don’t want to be there just to say we played in the Conference League. We really want to achieve something as a team. We are young, ambitious and hungry, and I think that’s all you need to be successful. I know I’m speaking a lot now, but you also know I will show it on the pitch."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The Dutch striker will give Enzo Maresca yet another option in attack, starting next season. With Chelsea being aggressive in the market this summer, Emegha will have to compete against a number of forwards next season, many of whom will have already played a lot of games under Maresca.

Quadricep tear could force her to miss eight of Sydney Sixers’ 10 league games

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Oct-2024

Amelia Kerr picked up 4 for 42 in the opening ODI but also picked up an injury•BCCI

New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against India after tearing her left quadricep muscle. Kerr picked up the injury during the opening game on Thursday, which India won by 59 runs, and is expected to take approximately three weeks to recover. She will not be replaced in the ODI squad.This also puts her WBBL participation in serious doubt for Sydney Sixers with the tournament set to start on Sunday. Amelia was a big-name pre-signing for Sixers as a platinum-category pick and could miss eight of Sixers’ 10 league games even if she recovers in three weeks.An NZC release stated Amelia was taken for scans on Friday morning, which revealed a grade-one quadricep tear, and that she would return home on Sunday to start her rehabilitation.”We’re really gutted for Melie,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said. “Injuries are always a challenging time for a player and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games.”Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is so we’ll certainly miss her but we’re wishing her a speedy recovery.”Soon after playing a pivotal role in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps, Amelia was New Zealand’s best bowler in the opening ODI too, taking 4 for 42 before scoring an unbeaten 25 off 23 in the chase. The remaining two ODIs are on October 27 and 29, also in Ahmedabad.Amelia’s absence could hurt New Zealand’s hopes of climbing the Women’s ODI Championship table, where a top-six finish will ensure direct qualification for the ODI World Cup in 2025. New Zealand are currently placed sixth out of 10 teams and will next play Australia in December.

Manchester United’s well-documented struggles last season led to the nadir of INEOS’ short ownership period. Of course, they haven’t been there all that long, and there’s hope yet that Ruben Amorim can turn things around.

But supporters have been left chagrined by their club’s slump, finishing 15th in the Premier League and failing to grasp a lifeline after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, thus losing the key to next year’s Champions League.

With Matheus Cunha signed and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo edging closer to a move to Old Trafford, it’s clear that the Red Devils want to rewrite their offensive script. Rasmus Hojlund, however, may well stay put.

But the frontline isn’t the only area United need to improve on. Indeed, the midfield also requires a brush-up.

Man Utd looking for midfield upgrade

Christian Eriksen left Manchester United at the end of his contract last month. The ageing Dane needed to go, but it has thinned out the central options all the same.

Well, Director of Football Jason Wilcox is trying to fix that. After reports that United have entered negotiations with Juventus for Douglas Luiz, Fabrizio Romano has elusively revealed an unnamed Premier League outfit has made an approach.

However, United are also looking at another Serie A star who might be an even better fit.

Indeed, as per GOAL, the English club are set to rival Inter Milan and AC Milan for Atalanta’s Ederson, with the suitors all making official enquiries and beginning contacts with the midfielder’s entourage.

Ederson, 26, is a talented player, having attracted interest from Premier League heavyweights last year. Valued at €60m (£51m), he would mark a steep outlay, but one which may well be worth it for a Man United side scrambling to return to the big time.

What Ederson would bring to Man United

Blessed with that distinctive blend of rugged Brazilian combativeness and artful flair, Ederson is a well-rounded midfielder, having gone from strength to strength over a number of years with Atalanta, making 139 appearances in total.

United already have a tough-tackling defensive midfielder in Manuel Ugarte, but Ederson would add competition while serving as more of an eight when called upon too.

In fact, his silky passing and focused defensive efforts make him United’s answer to Martin Zubimendi, who has just signed for Arsenal in a deal worth £51m.

Zubimendi is a Spanish maestro with a steely way about him, and if Amorim wants to close the gap on his rivals, he will indeed need to respond emphatically.

Matches (starts)

37 (32)

36 (33)

Goals

4

2

Assists

1

1

Touches*

65.9

61.0

Pass completion

87%

84%

Big chances created

6

1

Key passes*

1.1

0.5

Dribbles*

0.6

0.5

Ball recoveries*

5.0

3.9

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

3.2

Duels won*

4.9 (56%)

4.6 (58%)

Perhaps Zubimendi is a little more active in the tackle, but Ederson has demonstrated over the past year an aptitude for roundedness, bringing it all together in a way which would only enrich the level of the Theatre of Dreams.

And anyway, Italian content creator Damiano Coccia has even claimed that Ederson is “the strongest defensive midfielder in the world”, which is high praise indeed.

A strong tackler he may be, but Ederson is so much more. The physical player has been praised by Fabio Capello in the past for his completeness: “He is out of this world for his ability to combine running, physicality, technique and intelligence”.

The plaudits are all over the place – just like Ederson. Scout Antonio Mango has remarked that the South American is “just everywhere when he plays”.

Evidence of this can be found in his ground-covering ability, having ranked among the top 7% of positional peers in the Italian top flight for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

Change is afoot in Manchester this summer, and this is exactly the kind of signing that is needed to put the issues of recent years in the past and start making sustained headway back to the top level of English and European football.

Their new McTominay: Man Utd in talks to sign £42m ex-Man City star

Man United are still looking to bring in a raft of new signings for Ruben Amorim.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 7, 2025

Birmingham City sent out a statement of intent last summer when they spent a reported fee of £15m to sign Jay Stansfield from Fulham after their relegation from the Championship.

They smashed the League One transfer record to land the England U21 international on a permanent deal, after he had spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at St. Andrew’s.

Stansfield still has a long way to go before he lives up to that huge price tag, though, after he scored 19 goals in 37 League One matches this season, including nine goals from the penalty spot.

Despite having the English forward on their books, Birmingham are also reportedly in contact with Rennes to strike a deal for Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored ten goals in 22 league games for Celtic in the first half of the season, and he is not the only striker they want to sign.

Birmingham eyeing up Bundesliga striker

According to GIVEMESPORT, the League One champions will not be satisfied by just signing Kyogo to bolster their attack, as they want another forward as well.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that Holstein Kiel centre-forward Shuto Machino has emerged as a target for the Championship side, after he caught the eye in the Bundesliga this term.

It states that the Blues want to sign the Japan international to further add to Chris Davies’ arsenal, which could include Stansfield, Kyogo, and Machino if all things go to plan before the end of the summer transfer window.

GIVEMESPORT does not reveal how much it would cost to sign the Japanese marksman, but Birmingham could land an even better striker than Stansfield by landing a deal for him in the coming weeks.

Why Birmingham should sign Shuto Machino

The Blues should push to sign the 25-year-old striker from the German team, after their relegation from the Bundesliga, because he could come in as an even better forward than the former Fulham youngster.

Whilst Stansfield is three years younger and has the potential to develop and improve in the years to come, the Japan international appears to be the superior option in the here and now for Birmingham.

Machino, who was described as a “true goalscorer” by manager Marcel Rapp, ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 11 goals in 32 Bundesliga outings, outperforming his xG of 6.43.

Stansfield, meanwhile, scored ten goals from 10.44 non-penalty xG and 19 goals from 18.32 xG overall in League One, which suggests that the Holstein Kiel forward could be more ruthless in front of goal as a finisher.

Appearances

32

37

Non-penalty goals

9

10

Big chances created

5

6

Dribble success rate

63%

35%

Ground duel success rate

44%

36%

Aerial duel success rate

39%

12%

As you can see in the table above, the Birmingham star scored one more non-penalty goal and created one more ‘big chance’, whilst playing five more matches in the third tier in England, compared to Machino’s output in the German top-flight.

Whilst playing at a higher level, the 25-year-old forward also provided more to his team out of possession by winning a much higher percentage of his physical duels, particularly in the air, which suggests that he would be an upgrade on Stansfield when it comes to duelling with centre-backs.

Overall, Machino’s qualities in and out of possession appear to place him in a better position to be a star as the main number nine for Birmingham in the Championship next season.

That could mean that Stansfield ends up playing on the left flank, where he made eight appearances this term, more often for the Blues, in order to fit Machino and Kyogo, if all goes well, into the starting XI.

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ByKelan Sarson Jun 24, 2025

If all of these signings are completed, then Davies could have plenty of high-quality options to pick from when it comes to selecting his starting line-ups.

Leeds United are in the market to make further additions to their first-team squad to bolster their options across the park ahead of their Premier League campaign.

The Whites made their first signing of the off-season earlier this month when they completed a free transfer for Germany international Lukas Nmecha, who will officially join when his contract with Wolfsburg expires at the end of this month.

Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the 26-year-old centre-forward has scored five goals in 24 appearances for Wolfsburg in all competitions, including three goals in 19 Bundesliga games this season.

The new Whites striker could be competing with Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, and Mateo Joseph for a place in the starting XI, along with any other number nines the club opt to bring in.

Nmecha is not going to be the only player signed by the Championship champions before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.

Leeds have been linked with plenty of different attacking players, from the domestic market and abroad, and Brighton & Hove Albion playmaker Facundo Buonanotte is one name that has been mentioned as a target.

Why Leeds may want to sign Buonanotte

It was reported earlier this month that Leeds were confident of closing a £30m deal to sign the attacking midfielder, but there has not been an update on that situation since the initial report.

Buonanotte spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Leicester City in the Premier League and caught the eye with some promising performances, despite their relegation back down to the Championship.

Appearances

31

36

Starts

14

28

xG

3.93

3.86

Goals

5

1

Big chances created

7

5

Assists

2

3

As you can see in the table above, he was more impressive than Brenden Aaronson was in his season in the Premier League with Leeds, which suggests that he could provide an upgrade on what Daniel Farke currently has in the number ten position.

That came after the left-footed magician scored three goals and provided one assist in 27 appearances in the division in the previous season, which shows that he improved during his time at the King Power Stadium.

Leeds may, therefore, want to sign the 20-year-old starlet because he has already showcased his qualities, as both a scorer and a creator in the Premier League, and could improve Farke’s options in the middle of the park.

However, the Whites are now reportedly eyeing up another couple of attacking midfield options, and one of them, in particular, could be even better than Buonanotte.

Leeds weighing up moves for attacking midfielders

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds are keen on signing one of Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Leeds United News, Bailey said: “What we’re seeing in the no.10 role is that Leeds are able to be picky. There’s no need to jump in with both feet on a Hamer or a Buendia.

Transfer Focus

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

“They are weighing up options but I firmly believe Leeds will sign a no.10 and I also believe the front-runners are those two. It will be one of those and we know Farke likes both of them.”

The Whites are weighing up whether to go for Buendia or Hamer to bolster their options in the attacking midfield position, and CaughtOffside recently reported that the former is valued at £20m by Aston Villa.

With all of this information in mind, Farke should push for the West Yorkshire outfit to snap up the Villans outcast because he would be an even better option than Buonanotte.

Why Leeds should sign Emiliano Buendia

Buendia is a proven Premier League performer who is experienced but also has plenty of years left ahead of him to give the Whites many years of quality performances.

The 28-year-old playmaker has produced ten goals and 15 assists, and created 25 ‘big chances’, in 121 appearances in the English top-flight for Norwich City and Aston Villa combined, which shows that he knows how to provide goals and assists at that level.

He has also played 121 times for Farke during their time together at Norwich, playing every game for the Canaries with him in charge, and delivered 24 goals and 41 assists.

His best season in a Yellows shirt came in the 2020/21 Championship campaign under the German head coach, as he racked up 15 goals and 16 assists, along with 18 ‘big chances’ created in the second tier.

The Argentina international, who was once lauded as “magical” by analyst Liam Henshaw, knows how to play in Farke’s system, with his style of play, and has shown that he can be incredibly effective at the top end of the pitch.

Non-penalty goals

0.38

Top 7%

Assists

0.41

Top 2%

xAG

0.36

Top 1%

npxG + xAG

0.65

Top 1%

Shot-creating actions

6.46

Top 1%

Progressive passes

7.82

Top 1%

Passes into the final third

5.81

Top 1%

Passes into the penalty area

2.17

Top 1%

As you can see in the table above, Buendia was hugely influential in possession in virtually every way possible, in scoring goals, creating chances, assisting goals, progressing play with passes, getting the ball into the final third, and getting the ball into the penalty area.

This suggests that he could be a far more effective option for Leeds in the final third than Buonanotte, who has failed to deliver more than six goals or three assists in a single season in his career to date.

Buendia, who scored two goals and created two ‘big chances’ in 11 Bundesliga appearances on loan at Bayer Leverkusen this season, could hit the ground running as an attacking midfielder who knows the Premier League and Farke.

Whereas, Buonanotte has not worked with the Leeds head coach in the past and could need time to adapt to the system and way of working, which is why the Villa attacker could be a much better option for the Whites as they look to start strong in their bid to avoid relegation.

A better signing than Muniz: Leeds prepare move for "clinical" £17m star

Leeds United appear to making moves for other strikers other than Rodrigo Muniz.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 20, 2025

Newcastle United are believed to have turned their attention to signing a “world-class” attacking player after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo.

Newcastle suffer Mbeumo transfer blow

Mbeumo has been one of the Magpies’ leading transfer targets in recent months, with the Brentford forward considered arguably the strongest option to upgrade the right-sided attacking role.

Unfortunately, it now looks like the Cameroonian is on his way to Manchester United this summer, with the reliable David Ornstein revealing the news on Monday evening.

It is a significant setback for Eddie Howe, with Mbeumo enjoying a fantastic season for Brentford, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League and standing out as one of the best attacking players in the division.

It’s now time for Newcastle to find an alternative option to the winger and a new update suggests they are targeting a world-renowned player who looks set to be available ahead of next season.

Newcastle turn attention to Champions League winner

According to journalist Christian Falk on his website, cfbayerninsider.com, Newcastle are “interested” in signing Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman.

Barcelona are also keen on snapping up the former Paris Saint-Germain wide man, and “could move for him” if they fail to sign either Liverpool’s Luis Diaz or United’s Marcus Rashford this summer.

This comes after Fabrizio Romano took to X on Monday to claim that Coman will depart Bayern in the summer, having fallen out of favour at the Bundesliga champions.

Coman would be a signing of real intent by Newcastle, given his stature as an elite footballer, winning the Champions League in 2020 and scoring the only goal in the final victory over his old club PSG.

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Meanwhile, Germany legend Oliver Kahn has heaped praise on the Frenchman, saying: “I’m happy that King continuously developed in the past years. He’s absolutely world class and an attraction for the fans, one of the best players in the world technically in fast pace, one of the best dribblers and always a threat.”

Coman does admittedly turn 29 later this month, though, so there is a risk that Newcastle would be signing a slightly ageing player on big wages, meaning a younger alternative could be more sensible.

Bayern Munich

335

70

69

Juventus

22

1

2

Paris Saint-Germain

4

0

0

But if Howe believes the Bayern man is the best Mbeumo alternative, he needs to be trusted, having taken control of more transfer activity after the exit of sporting director Paul Mitchell.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will head into the summer transfer window full of confidence that they can secure a top-half finish in the Premier League next season.

Much will depend on Vitor Pereira’s budget, however. Will he be allowed to spend big in order to carry on the momentum gained over the last few months?

There will certainly be a few sales when the window opens as he begins to build his squad.

The key question for the Molineux faithful: Will Matheus Cunha be at the club on the opening day of 2025/26?

Why Matheus Cunha is a wanted man this summer

If it wasn’t for Cunha’s output in the final third this season, Wolves may arguably have been in real danger of relegation.

The Brazilian has been in remarkable form, scoring 15 times in the top flight while chipping in with six assists in the process.

Not only does this account for 41% of the club’s total goals in the league, but he also ranks ninth in the Premier League for goals and assists.

Despite this, Cunha has clashed with supporters on social media following a post he put up on his Instagram.

He even confessed that he wishes to leave in order to challenge for trophies, and if a big offer comes in, the forward may depart.

The forward currently earns £90k-per-week in the Midlands and, should he leave, this would help free up a big chunk of the wage budget for Pereira.

It does look likely he will move on from Wolves. But there is one player the manager should be actively trying to sell, especially considering he is earning more than the club’s talisman at the moment – Goncalo Guedes.

Why Goncalo Guedes must follow Cunha out the door

£35m signing Guedes was given a second chance at the club after returning from a loan spell last summer, but he hasn’t exactly taken the opportunity.

Across 31 games, he has registered ten goal contributions – five goals and five assists – but only two goals have come in the top flight.

He started in the 2-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, but was subbed off after 59 minutes.

Goals

2

Assists

4

Shots per game

0.8

Key passes per game

0.4

Big chances created

2

Successful dribbles per game

0.2

During the game, he missed a big chance – notably firing a close-range effort over the far – failed to register a shot on target, failed with his only dribble attempt and won just a solitary duel against the Seagulls.

Due to his lethargic display, Guedes was given a match rating of just 5/10 by Birmingham World with journalist Charlie Haffenden noting that he ‘wasted two big chances in the opening ten minutes’ and was ‘not too involved afterwards’ which just about sums up his time at Molineux.

It’s safe to say that if this was an audition to secure his future at the club, he failed.

The Portuguese forward currently earns the same weekly wage as Cunha which given how differently the pair have performed this season, it is a rather remarkable fact.

=1

Goncalo Guedes

£90,000

£4,680,000

=1

Pablo Sarabia

£90,000

£4,680,000

=1

Matheus Cunha

£90,000

£4,680,000

4

Nelson Semedo

£80,000

£4,160,000

5

Hee-chan Hwang

£70,000

£3,640,000

With two years left on his current contract, this summer would be the ideal time for Pereira to cash in on the underperforming forward.

If so, he will be able to free up a big part of the wage bill in the process.

Wolves flop is now a Ballon d'Or contender and a bigger name than Cunha

Wolverhampton Wanderers must surely rue losing this talent who is now arguably better than Matheus Cunha.

1 ByKelan Sarson May 12, 2025

It’s fair to say Chelsea are underperforming in Enzo Maresca’s system at the moment, but having reached the Conference League semi-finals while sitting inside the Premier League’s top qualification zone, it’s all to fight for over the business weeks of the campaign.

Finishing inside the top five should provide a route into next year’s Champions League, and with the Blues sat in seventh place, four points behind Manchester City, it’s crucial that Fulham are beaten at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

The problem, of course, is that Chelsea haven’t won any of their past nine domestic matches on the road, with the Cottagers losing only four of their 16 matches at home in the top flight this term.

Chelsea – Remaining Premier League Fixtures

Date

Opponent

League Position

20/04/25

Fulham (A)

9th

04/05/25

Liverpool (H)

1st

11/05/25

Newcastle (A)

3rd

16/05/25

Man United (H)

14th

25/05/25

Nott’m Forest (H)

4th

Maresca fielded a surprisingly strong line-up against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, losing 2-1 on the evening but prevailing on aggregate.

It won’t be easy, but the Blues simply have to see themselves over the line in this one.

Chelsea team news

Maresca confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Romeo Lavia is available for selection after returning from injury and should be involved.

Wesley Fofana, Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman remain long-term absentees, while Mykhaylo Mudryk is still unavailable.

Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke were benched for the quarter-final tie, but Jadon Sancho did pick up an assist for Marc Cucurella’s goal and may fancy another shot at the wide flank against a stable Fulham defence.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were both excluded from the matchday squad on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s fixture, and with both ready and raring, Maresca may want to make a bold move and drop Cole Palmer for the second time in four Premier League matches.

Why Maresca could drop Palmer

It’s been 15 matches across all competitions since Palmer last found the back of the net. Unquestionably, he’s one of Europe’s superlative attacking midfielders, but equally, he’s well below his best at the moment.

Last season, the 22-year-old was untouchable, matchless in his breezy, Midas touch style in front of goal. Now, he cuts a frustrated figure as chances go begging and fluency looks absent.

The sun will shine again on the England international, who Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher declared “the best player in the Premier League” back in October, having started the term with such panache. Still, he’s got 14 goals and nine assists across 31 appearances, hardly a tally to be sniffed at.

Palmer has maintained an impressive creative level in the Premier League, still showcasing those arresting attributes that have earned him such lofty acclaim.

As per Sofascore, the rangy midfielder averages 2.5 key passes per league game (more than last year’s 2.1 averages per game), winning 56% of his ground duels and creating 20 big chances besides.

However, there’s another playmaking gem who could be unleashed in a fresh role later today. With Lavia combining so well with Caicedo in the early knockings of the season, Maresca may well look to shake things up here.

How Maresca could replace Palmer

It could do Palmer some good to take a seat against Marco Silva’s Fulham, fuelling him to make a positive impact when introduced in the second half.

Chelsea don’t have an abundance of central attacking midfielders, and while Neto could play the role well off Jackson’s back, it’s Fernandez who should be allowed to shift forwards into Palmer’s realm.

Fernandez has been through the emotions since becoming English football’s most expensive player of all time in February 2023, leaving Benfica in a deal worth £107m. He was regarded as a “superstar” by journalist Roy Nemer, and is beginning to prove such praise despite his team’s struggles.

The 24-year-old has come on leaps and bounds with his timing and movement in the danger area, bounding into space and using his feet or head to fire home.

Principally from a deeper-lying role, this is quite impressive, especially when doubling that with the fact that he’s one of the Premier League’s most creative players right now.

To add context to this: during March, no player across England’s top division created more big chances than Fernandez’s eight, the Argentine thriving in his influential central berth.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 10 midfielder ranks among the top 14% of midfielders in the Premier League this season for goal involvements, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for passes attempted and the top 11% for progressive passes per 90.

Clearly, he has the properties to play a more advanced role, and Maresca’s not afraid to give him a shot. Four times already in 2024/25, Fernandez has featured as the number ten, scoring one goal and registering one assist.

He’s not one to shirk away from defensive responsibilities either, winning 4.4 duels and recovering 4.3 balls per game so far. Fielding him ahead of Caicedo and Lavia might compact Chelsea’s midfield while retaining the playmaking spark that Palmer provides with such aplomb, even when things aren’t going his way.

It bears testament to Chelsea’s strength in depth that such a scenario is even a possibility, and it might just be one that Maresca wants to enforce to keep his players on their toes and take Palmer out of the firing line.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Apr 19, 2025

Fast bowler shows worth in match-turning performance, but will sit out final round on England’s orders

Vithushan Ehantharajah18-Sep-2025Josh Tongue’s final act of the 2025 English summer was taking Nottinghamshire to the cusp of the Divison One County Championship title.Tongue’s 5 for 100, his fourth five-wicket haul of the first-class season, completed a thrilling victory against Surrey. Chasing a remarkable four titles in a row, the defending champions now trail Nottinghamshire by 14 points heading into the final round.The new Division One leaders host Warwickshire at Trent Bridge next week, hoping to seal their first Championship since 2010. But they will have to do so without Tongue, who also took 3 for 43 in the first innings, with England erring on the side of caution to preserve Tongue for the Ashes, which begins on November 21 in Perth.Related

• India get caught up in the Tongue paradox

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• Tongue prevails in thriller to put Nottinghamshire on cusp of title

Tongue is currently on an ECB central contract, which is due to be extended next month, and has emerged as a crucial member of the fast-bowling armoury. His high release point, speed and ability to find movement on flat pitches are vital to England’s hopes of wrestling back the urn in Australia.Though unfortunate for Nottinghamshire and Tongue, who only made his debut for the county in April after right pectoral issues and a hamstring tear kept him out of action having joined at the end of 2023, his performances showed why the 27-year-old is worth the cotton wool treatment.He was the difference-maker on day four of this de facto title-decider, bowling 17.2 of a tense final 55.2 overs of the match. A top speed of 93mph was surrounded by consistent pace in the late 80s, and consistent spells – the longest of six overs after the lunch interval. His removals of Rory Burns (ending an opening stand of 74) and Ben Foakes accounted for two of the top four, before a blistering final 3.2 over burst ended a dogged rearguard effort, taking the final three wickets to leave Surrey 21 short of their 315 target.Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores likened Tongue to former England seamer Stuart Broad, for his knack of bending matches to his whim.”The best person I ever coached on sensing moments was Stuart Broad – he knew when to up it,” said Moores, who had two spells working with Broad as England coach, and is on the cusp of becoming the first head coach to win the Championship with three different teams (Sussex in 2003 and 2006; Lancashire in 2011).”The way he [Tongue] impacted the game, it’s reserved for [only] a few people. Bowlers are kings of the game, really, if they have moments like that, because they are the only people that start the process. Everybody else reacts to what they do. But when he’s doing that, and at the top of his mark, we are glued. It’s box office.”Today we saw a player who is enjoying playing the game. He’s talented, he’s got pace and he’s got something I think we should never ignore in a bowler – he’s got an awkward action. You never ignore that. He delivers from past the perpendicular; it looks like it’s coming in but sometimes it’s going away.”England’s caution with Tongue is understandable given his injury history, which includes 15 months sidelined with a potentially career-ending right shoulder issue. That ended up being alleviated unconventionally with botox injections, leading to a Test debut against Ireland in June 2023, followed by an Ashes appearance at Lord’s later that month.Further setbacks kept him out of action entirely in 2024. This year, however, he has delivered the most red-ball overs (382.3) of his career, of which 369.3 have come this summer. Not only was he England’s leading wicket-taker in the Test series against India, with 19 from just three appearances, but he currently has more first-class dismissals (54) than anyone else in the ongoing English season.”I feel like now I’m in a better place physically I can hold that pace for longer periods and longer spells,” Tongue said. “Last year was a tough year for me during my injuries. But I know the hard work that I did over the winter just gone, it’s going to put me in good stead this season.”I did a few long spells during that Test series as well, so I knew I’ll be able to do it for Notts as well. And that’s the main thing, I just want to put all my effort into to winning games of cricket – and thankfully it’s, paid off today.”Tongue is not the only player involved in the title race who will not participate in the final round. Gus Atkinson will also be absent for Surrey’s trip to Hampshire.