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Tottenham Hotspur dropped points for just the second time this season on home soil last night, with their meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers ending 1-1.

Santiago Bueno looked as though he had secured Vitor Pereira’s side their first league win of the Premier League campaign, but Thomas Frank’s side managed to stage a late fightback.

Joao Palhinha’s effort deep into stoppage time saw the Lilywhites claim a late point, extending the side’s unbeaten run to five games across all competitions.

It certainly wasn’t a vintage showing in North London, but it’s certainly a sign of a good side if they can avoid defeat even when not producing one of their best displays.

However, if Frank’s side are to be a success in the near future, the Dane desperately needs to address one issue that arose in the meeting with the West Midlands outfit.

Spurs’ biggest issue against Wolves last night

In front of goal this season, Spurs have been largely impressive, scoring 11 times in their six league outings – averaging nearly two goals per game in 2025/26.

However, their showing against Pereira’s side last night was a somewhat toothless one, subsequently being unable to break down the opposition, who have failed to win a single top-flight outing.

Whilst the Lilywhites had 51% of the play, completing 111 passes into the final third, but could only muster a total of three shots on target during the 90 minutes.

Even when managing to get a shot off, Frank’s men struggled with their accuracy, only managing to get 30% of their shots on target – undoubtedly leading to their inability to secure all three points.

Their subsequent chances only accrued an xG of just 0.87, with the visitors achieving a higher total of 1.15 – subsequently doing so despite managing fewer efforts on goal.

The Lilywhites’ attack was made up of over £150m worth of talent last night, but numerous of such players failed to make the desired impact in forward areas.

The Spurs player who needs to be dropped after Wolves

Xavi Simons joined Spurs in a £52m transfer from RB Leipzig late in the summer window, but as of yet, the Dutchman has struggled to hit the ground running in North London.

The 22-year-old has made five appearances in all competitions, but has only registered one goal contribution, with his assist for Pape Sarr against West Ham United his only tangible reward.

In his showing against Wolves yesterday, Simons only managed a 25% dribble success rate, whilst only completing 27% of the crosses he attempted – highlighting his lack of impact in North London.

In the majority of his matches to date, the youngster has operated in an unnatural role off the left-hand side, which has no doubt contributed to his lack of success since his big-money move.

However, the same can’t be said for Richarlison, with the Brazilian striker being Frank’s first choice number nine in the absence of Dominic Solanke since the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Whilst the 28-year-old started the season in superb fashion, netting two goals in the opening day triumph over Burnley, he’s ultimately struggled to hit such heights in recent weeks.

He’s now only managed to find the back of the net once in his last seven outings across all competitions, hitting a blank against Wolves once again last night.

Richarlison – stats against Wolves

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

90

Touches

20

Passes completed

5

Possession lost

8x

Duels won

33%

Dribbles completed

0

Shots on target

0

Chances created

0

Stats via FotMob

Despite not scoring, Richarlison may have been able to save himself with his all-round showing, but it was an evening to forget for the talisman in North London as he looked way off the pace throughout the draw.

His lack of impact was highlighted by his tally of just 20 touches, a figure lower than that of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who managed 29 throughout the contest.

Richarlison’s dismal showing was further reflected in his tally of just five passes completed, at a success rate of just 56%, whilst also losing possession eight times – losing the ball 40% of the time he touched it.

His further tallies of 0% dribbles completed and 33% duel success rate also indicate how alien he was during the meeting with Pereira’s men, often being dominated by the opposition backline.

As a result of his showing, the £50m forward was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Football London journalist Alasdair Gold – topping off what was a disappointing performance from the Brazilian.

After such a showing, boss Frank has no choice but to make a change at the top end of the pitch, with such a position becoming an issue given the lack of tangible rewards produced in recent games.

The Champions League clash at Bodo Glimt could present an excellent opportunity to try something slightly left field in an attempt to try and rectify the problem currently apparent at the top end of the pitch.

Related Saved by Palhinha: Frank must instantly drop Spurs star who dropped a 6/10

Tottenham salvaged a point against Wolves in the Premier League.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 28, 2025

Manchester United’s midfield department has fallen way below the standards expected from the fanbase during recent seasons – undoubtedly contributing to their lowly Premier League standing in 2024/25.

Ruben Amorim, who’s been in the role since November last year, still has yet to find the perfect combination between the two midfielders in his 3-4-2-1 system.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes is almost certain to operate in one of the aforementioned roles after Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were brought into Old Trafford during the summer.

Casemiro has been the player to feature alongside him so far this campaign, but questions are undoubtedly being asked about his long-term future given the Brazilian turns 34 in February.

Manuel Ugarte is another option currently at the manager’s disposal, but he evidently wanted further reinforcements given their activity in the summer transfer window.

Why Man Utd wanted to sign Baleba this summer

During the summer transfer window, United made their move to land Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion in an attempt to bolster the midfield department.

The Red Devils even entered talks with the player and his representatives over a move to join the club, but the £100m asking price proved to be a huge stumbling block.

A lot was made about the move for the 21-year-old, but why did Amorim desperately want the youngster?

He made 34 appearances in the Premier League last season, scoring three times, including a phenomenal long-range strike against West Ham United back in April.

However, his underlying stats highlight how impressive he was out of possession, subsequently winning 1.6 tackles per 90 – undoubtedly providing the ball-winning presence the side have lacked.

Baleba also came out on top in 6.7 duels per 90, also making 6.6 recoveries per 90, showcasing his phenomenal ability without the ball at his feet on the South Coast.

Missing out on such a talent will have been a bitter blow for the Red Devils’ ambitions in 2025/26, but Amorim may be forced to rely upon one player already plying his trade in Manchester.

The United star who’s a bigger talent than Baleba

The last few months under Amorim have been unsuccessful to say the least, with the 40-year-old only achieving a 40% win percentage over the last 10 months at the helm.

His 3-4-2-1 system requires a very specific type of player – especially in the midfield department – with a deeper option needed alongside the attacking Fernandes at the heart of the side.

Ugarte would appear the best fit, but his lack of form has led to cause for concern – especially after the hierarchy forked out £50m for his signature last summer.

Kobbie Mainoo has struggled to cement his place under the former Sporting CP boss, only starting 19 league games to date and often having to resort to minutes off the substitutes’ bench.

A future “£100m-plus footballer” in the words of United writer Alex Turk, the youngster is adored by many at Old Trafford after his rapid rise to stardom, becoming a key member of the side under Erik ten Hag in the 2023/24 campaign.

However, his lack of action has led to the player himself voicing his displeasure at his lack of action, even requesting a loan move away from his boyhood club in the recent window.

No move materialised away from Old Trafford, with the Englishman deserving of the opportunity to start on a regular basis – hopefully replicating the numbers he produced last season and helping the Red Devils rise up the table.

When comparing his figures to those of Baleba from 2024/25, Mainoo managed to outperform him in key areas – showcasing the quality he possesses despite his tender age.

Mainoo, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by journalist Phil Brown, won more tackles per 90 (1.6) whilst also achieving a better tackle success rate (61%).

Games played

25

34

Minutes played

1651

2661

Pass accuracy

87%

86%

Key passes made

0.8

0.7

Tackles won

1.6

1.5

% of tackles won

61%

60%

Take-ons completed

1.3

1.1

Carries into opposition box

0.6

0.1

Such figures showcase that the youngster is actually a better ball-winner than Baleba, with the decision to keep hold of him this summer a blessing in disguise if he can replicate such numbers.

He also dominated in possession, completing more of the passes he attempted (87%) and completing more take-ons per 90 (1.3) – which could allow him to progress the play and provide the new additions ahead of him with key chances in the final third.

There’s no denying Baleba would’ve offered another excellent option at the heart of Amorim’s side, but ultimately, his £100m asking price was way out of range given the previous business conducted.

As for Mainoo, he’s more than deserving of a run in the first-team to regain his starting position, with Amorim desperately needing to utilise the youngster in their hunt for success.

Ten Hag sold Man Utd's "young Giggs" for just £15m, now he's like Mbeumo

Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing one talented star to leave under Erik ten Hag.

1 ByEthan Lamb Sep 11, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois da morte da palmeirense Gabriela Anelli, atingida por uma garrafa antes do jogo entre Palmeiras e Flamengo, no sábado (8), no Allianz Parque, passou a ser discutida a possibilidade de jogos com torcida única também para confronto entre rivais nacionais. Segundo o delegado César Saad, da Delegacia de Repressão e Análise aos Delitos de Intolerância Esportiva, isso será pensado após o recente episódio.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Em entrevista coletiva na tarde desta segunda-feira (10), Saad falou da rivalidade que existe entre as organizadas do Verdão e do Rubro-Negro para explicar seu ponto de vista e a necessidade de estender a medida da torcida única para esses jogos maiores. O delegado chegou a citar outras confrontos que acabam sendo problemáticos para a polícia.

– Hoje, quem acompanha futebol, sabe que Palmeiras e Flamengo são as equipes que mais chegaram em finais, mais tiveram títulos nacionais e internacionais. Historicamente, Palmeiras e Flamengo têm uma rivalidade enorme de torcidas organizadas. Eu posso afirmar que a gente faz com total segurança um clássico estadual com muito mais segurança do que um clássico nacional, por você não ter o contato, por você não ter o dia a dia desses torcedores que vêm de fora – disse antes de completar:

– Não apenas Palmeiras e Flamengo, mas a gente acompanhou recentemente Vasco e São Paulo, é um jogo que gera bastante conflito de torcidas. Palmeiras e Botafogo também tem bastante confronto entre torcidas… Então é de se pensar sim que medidas precisam ser tomadas, é do trabalho da polícia, não só para esse jogo, mas para os próximos que tenham torcidas grandes no âmbito nacional.

+ Delegado esclarece caso envolvendo morte de torcedora do Palmeiras antes de jogo contra o Flamengo

Em abril de 2016, José Sinval Batista foi atingido por um bala perdida durante confronto entre torcedores de Corinthians e Palmeiras e acabou morrendo. O homem, que tinha então 53 anos, não participava da briga ocorrida em São Miguel Paulista, na zona leste de São Paulo. O choque entre membros da Gaviões da Fiel e da Mancha Verde também resultou em mais de 50 feridos. Logo em seguida, as autoridades do estado tomaram uma medida drástica e vetaram a presença de torcida visitante nos clássicos estaduais. Desde então, a determinação segue valendo.

Manchester United have had a busy summer, bringing in players like Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo to ensure that the team doesn’t suffer from the same inability to score goals that they did last season.

Despite this extensive business, Ruben Amorim still has positions he wants to fill, including a defensive midfielder. Currently, the team has Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro to fill these roles, but there have been question marks over Ugarte and Casemiro, and Mainoo and Fernandes’ best qualities are mainly shown in attack.

There had been reports suggesting that youngster Toby Collyer could make the step up and fill this role, but he has since been loaned out to West Bromwich Albion. Over the recent weeks, United have been heavily linked with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but the south coast side’s asking price exceeded £100 million, which put the Colombian out of their budget.

With previous pursuits turning fruitless, Amorim has turned his attention away from the Premier League and back towards the Portuguese Primeira Liga as he considers reuniting with one of his former players.

Man Utd and Amorim target Hjulmand keen on move

Manchester United are considering signing Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand. The 26-year-old Denmark star was signed by Amorim from Lecce in 2023, and the club now see him as a potential solution to their midfield woes.

Fabrizio Romano spoke about the interest on his YouTube channel, via Stretty News, saying “he’s a player who has always been appreciated by Amorim”. He went on to reveal that this interest is mutual and that “Hjulmand will be interested in a move to Manchester United”. Amorim loved him at Sporting, and he played him on 65 occasions.

It’s currently uncertain how much of their transfer budget Manchester United has left. Reports from The Athletic have indicated that United may have opened another Rotating Credit Facility in order to finance more deals this summer. It also looks likely that United will receive money from the sale of the remaining members of the so-called “Bomb Squad” (Antony, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho), which can help them facilitate a move for Hjulmand.

The defensive midfielder currently has a release clause of £68 million, so unless United can negotiate Sporting down, they’ll once again have to spend big.

Hjulmand is an expensive gamble

While things look positive between two of the three parties, the sticking point in this deal will be Sporting Lisbon. The club have already sold Viktor Gyokeres, Marcus Edwards and Dário Essugo to Premier League clubs this summer, and Romano has expressed their reluctance to let go of any more of their first-teamers.

However, as Hjulmand has the previously mentioned release clause, United could go straight into negotiations with the player and circumvent Sporting if they were willing to pay the £68 million. Amorim’s system involves playing out from the back, and United need players who are both capable of contributing defensively and connecting the defence to the attack.

While Hjulmand will likely be able to contribute defensively, the stats indicate that he won’t do much in the way of connecting the team. Last season, he registered in the 19th percentile for progressive carries and the 13th percentile for key passes, meaning he would be a very similar profile signing to Ugarte.

The alternatives for United is that they try to find a new midfielder, or they wait to sign Hjulmand next summer, when they’ll have a better chance of negotiating Sporting down from his release clause price. However, this would mean another season without midfield reinforcements, which could create major issues for United on the pitch.

The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC about the questions regarding India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February.The PCB wrote to the ICC a week ago, asking the governing body for details and clarity on the BCCI’s decision, which was conveyed to the ICC. The PCB has asked for a written response from the BCCI as well as the date when it informed the ICC about its stance.Despite the lack of a response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he retained “positive expectations” about the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.Related

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“We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had,” Naqvi said at a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy.”Naqvi also said that the PCB intended to stick to its stance – of not using a hybrid model for the tournament – and will not shift from it. But he did say he was willing to talk to the BCCI about the situation in a bid to break the deadlock.”At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come,” he said. “Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit.”When asked whether the PCB would consider the option of boycotting the event should hosting rights be taken away from it, Naqvi said: “Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance.”Naqvi was asked about the event’s trophy tour, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with an altered route after the BCCI had raised objections with the ICC.The PCB had announced the original route last week, which would have taken in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. That destination was taken off after the BCCI’s complaint but has not yet been cancelled. The trophy tour returns to Pakistan in January, after visiting the other seven participants in the Champions Trophy.”My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world’s bodies,” Naqvi said. “And that route has been rescheduled, we haven’t been told about any cancellation.”Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would announce the tournament schedule soon so that the PCB can continue its preparations for the event.

نجح فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا في تحقيق الفوز على نظيره مودرن سبورت بنتيجة 2-0، في المواجهة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وأقيمت مباراة مودرن سبورت وسيراميكا كليوباترا على أرضية استاد قناة السويس، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من بطولة الدوري المصري.

طالع خاص | لجنة الحكام تعلق على الحالات المثيرة للجدل في مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا

وجاء هدف سيراميكا كليوباترا الأول عن طريق اللاعب رجب نبيل في الدقيقة 66، في حين سجل الهدف الثاني صديق أوجولا في الدقيقة 71.

وبهذه النتيجة، يرتفع رصيد سيراميكا كليوباترا إلى النقطة الثالثة عشر في المركز الخامس بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، يتوقف رصيد مودرن سبورت عند النقطة الحادية عشر في المركز التاسع بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصري. أهداف مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا ومودرن سبورت

 

A new update has claimed that Sunderland are now thought to be planning a new offer for a player who has been praised for having a “big heart”.

Adingra wants to "achieve greatness" at Sunderland

The Black Cats have completed their latest piece of transfer business this summer, with Brighton winger Simon Adringra arriving at the Stadium of Light.

The 23-year-old has spoken of his excitement about the move, with Manchester United’s Amad Diallo talking Sunderland up after his loan spell there.

“I spoke to the gaffer and the owner, and they showed me interest, so I decided to come and be part of the project. The Premier League was my dream since I was a kid – I am living my dream. Today, I’m here in Sunderland. It’s a big challenge to face big teams and players, and it’s a great league. I’m about dribbling, speed, scoring goals and getting assists.

“I know Amad very well from the national team and he told me how big this club is. Now, I’m looking forward to getting to know my teammates and getting started. It’s a pleasure to be here and I can’t wait to get started – I hope we achieve greatness together.”

Sunderland will still be looking to complete further signings before the window slams shut on September 1st, however, and a new update has now emerged regarding a primary summer target.

Sunderland planning new bid for international star

According to Sky Sports Germany, Sunderland are now set to submit a new offer for Xhaka, who finds a move to the Stadium of Light appealing.

The Black Cats’ opening bid for the 32-year-old was rejected, but the Premier League newcomers’ interest hasn’t gone away, with Fenerbahce also mentioned as an option in the report. Meanwhile, Leverkusen would like to keep hold of him.

Since then, David Ornstein has added that the Black Cats have an agreement with Xhaka, who only wants to move to the north East. Xhaka would be a signing of such intent by Sunderland this summer, so it is extremely encouraging that they are continuing to pursue a move for him.

Adingra will love him: Sunderland in talks to sign "sensational" £22.5m ace

Sunderland is continuing to negotiate a deal to snap up a £22.5m star

ByKelan Sarson Jul 22, 2025

The former Arsenal man has been a key player for Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga title in 2023/24 and being hailed by ex-boss Xabi Alonso for the “big heart” that he possesses. The Swiss also has quality on the ball, though, with Joe Cole an admirer of his.

“He’s a good finisher, he’s a lovely technician. We’ve seen him score some worldies in his career. He’s a leader in the dressing room, he’s so important for the team.”

Switzerland

137

14

Switzerland Under-21s

5

0

Switzerland Under-19s

10

3

Switzerland Under-18s

3

2

Switzerland Under-17s

13

1

The experience that Xhaka would add to Sunderland’s team would be invaluable, considering he has won an incredible number of caps for Switzerland, and while his very best days may soon be behind him, there is no reason why he couldn’t enjoy two or three excellent years in a Black Cats shirt.

أعلنت رابطة الأندية المصرية، مواعيد مباريات الزمالك في بطولة كأس الرابطة “كأس عاصمة مصر” للموسم الجديد 2025-2026.

وتقام بطولة كأس الرابطة بمشاركة 21 فريقًا من أندية الدوري المصري الممتاز، على أن تقام خلال التوقف الدولي لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 في ديسمبر المقبل، بينما ينتهي دور المجموعات في يوم 17 يناير 2026.

وأسفرت القرعة عن تواجد الزمالك ضمن فرق المجموعة الثالثة والتي ضمت كلًا من المصري وحرس الحدود وزد والاتحاد السكندري وسموحة وكهرباء الإسماعيلية.

يُذكر أن سيراميكا كليوباترا هو حامل لقب البطولة، بعد فوزه في نهائي النسخة الماضية على البنك الأهلي بهدفين دون رد.

طالع | فيريرا يصعد ثلاثي شباب الزمالك وتأهيل محمد شحاتة استعدادًا لـ المصري مواعيد مباريات الزمالك في كأس الرابطة 2025-2026

الجولة الأولى

الزمالك أمام كهرباء الإسماعيلية يوم الثلاثاء 9 ديسمبر على استاد هيئة قناة السويس في تمام الثامنة مساءً.

الجولة الثانية

الزمالك أمام حرس الحدود يوم السبت 20 ديسمبر على استاد القاهرة في تمام الثامنة مساءً.

الجولة الثالثة

الزمالك أمام سموحة يوم الأربعاء 24 ديسمبر على استاد القاهرة في تمام الثامنة مساءً.

الجولة الرابعة

الزمالك أمام الاتحاد السكندري يوم الخميس 1 يناير 2026 على استاد الجيش ببرج العرب في تمام الخامسة مساءً.

الجولة الخامسة

الزمالك راحة.

الجولة السادسة

الزمالك أمام نادي زد يوم الأحد 11 يناير 2026 على استاد القاهرة في تمام الثامنة مساءً.

الجولة السابعة

الزمالك أمام المصري البورسعيدي يوم الخميس 15 يناير 2026 على استاد الجيش ببرج العرب في تمام الثامنة مساءً.

The legspinner picked up 4 for 28 before Taylor anchored the chase with an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls

Madushka Balasuriya26-Jun-2024

Afy Fletcher picked up 4 for 23•SLC

Stafanie Taylor scored an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls after Afy Fletcher’s four-for had kept Sri Lanka under check, as West Indies secured a six-wicket win in a rain-affected game in Hambantota to level the three-match T20I series 1-1. This was also West Indies’ first win of the tour.Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 99 in 15 overs, Taylor and captain Hayley Matthews provided the visitors with an ideal start of 44 runs in 6.5 overs, and in the process ensured West Indies were always ahead of the DLS-par score.After Matthews fell to a Sachini Nisansala arm ball, Taylor then ensured she was around to anchor the chase.In an 18-ball 24-run second-wicket partnership with Shemaine Campbelle, she took a backseat choosing to give strike to her more aggressive partner, who contributed 16 off 13. The subsequent dismissals of Campbelle, Qiana Joseph and Chedean Nation came about as a result of West Indies’ positive approach, but the required rate was always below run a ball.Aaliyah Alleyne then finished off any lingering hopes Sri Lanka might have harboured with a trio of boundaries off Kavisha Dilhari in the penultimate over of the innings.At no point though had West Indies let the game get out of hand. While Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu were going strong in their 44-run opening partnership, that had still come at a touch under run a ball. And once Fletcher spun one past Athapaththu to disturb her stumps, none of the other batters could up the scoring rate on a sluggish surface.Gunaratne hung around for a laboured 24 off 35, but was trapped lbw in the 14th over by a Fletcher googly. Earlier, the legspinner, who had utilised the strong cross breeze to good effect, snuck one under Imesha Dulani’s attempted sweep and then had Harshitha Samarawickrama top-edging on the way to figures of 4 for 23.Dilhari had briefly shown some promise of a late counterattack scoring 14 not out off just six balls that included two boundaries when rain brought the first innings to an abrupt end after 15.2 overs.

Chelsea are not short of quality options in their midfield. Enzo Maresca has some excellent players at his disposal in the centre of the park, including the £100m plus duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. The pair have been integral to the Chelsea side this term.

Former Blues winger Joe Cole recently claimed that Caicedo is an “outstanding” player and picked him for the most improved player in the entire Premier League.

With 38 games, he has played more times in the top flight this season than any other Chelsea player. As for Fernandez, he’s featured 36 times, also highlighting his importance to the Blues.

Remarkably, Chelsea appear to be looking to bolster their midfield depth by adding a title-winning midfielder to their squad this summer.

Chelsea’s midfield target

Adding a new midfielder to this squad would certainly be a statement for Chelsea, given the star power they have. Let’s not forget that Romeo Lavia is also an option for Maresca. However, as all sides with top aspirations should, they are looking to improve their options in midfield.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from Italian news outlet Gazzetta, the West London side have made ‘an important offer’ for Napoli midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa. There are question marks about whether the newly-crowned Scudetto winners can convince him to remain in Naples.

Indeed, it is thought that ‘a clause in his contract allows him to evaluate this option independently’. This could leave the door open for Chelsea to bring him back to West London; the midfielder was formerly on the books at Fulham.

If he does leave, a price has not yet been clarified, but Napoli paid the Cottagers a reported £15m back in 2022, according to The Athletic.

Why Anguissa would be a good signing

For Chelsea’s project under Maresca, it seems like they are about to enter phase two. With Champions League qualification secured, the Blues will surely want to become a permanent fixture in the top four once again, and, eventually, push for a Premier League title.

Well, who better to help with that than a two-time Italian champion like Anguissa? He has played a pivotal role in Napoli’s success under a former title-winning manager at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte.

He played 35 Serie A games this season, notching up 2858 minutes in total, the equivalent of 31 full 90-minute games. One reason why he was pivotal in the middle of the park is his tendency to pop up with a key goal or assist. Anguissa found the back of the net six times and provided five goals for his teammates.

If the Blues agree a deal for Anguissa, perhaps he will bring some of the qualities Declan Rice possesses in the midfield for Arsenal. Of course, the England international was once a Chelsea academy player, years before he broke through into first-team football with West Ham United.

Just like Anguissa, the 26-year-old is an all-action midfielder, known for his hard work off the ball and his quality in possession. In fact, he has similar goal involvement numbers to the Cameroon international, with four goals and seven assists in the Premier League in 2024/25.

The pair are also noted as similar players among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, when looking at their underlying statistics.

For example, the pair are both hard workers off the ball, with the Napoli midfielder averaging 5.4 duels won per 90 minutes compared to 3.9 duels won each game for Rice.

Open play passes completed

39.2

39.9

Forward passes

12

11.6

Take-ons completed

0.8

0.5

Duels won

5.4

3.9

Ball recoveries

4.8

5

As writer Zach Lowy has stated, Anguissa is “one of the most underrated midfielders in Europe”, which the stats certainly back up. There is no doubt that the Blues would want a Rice-type player in their midfield, and he certainly tricks the boxes, given his impressive carrying skills, numbers out of possession and amount of goal contributions.

Whilst a fee is not clear, Chelsea have seemingly made contact with Anguissa already, so this could be a deal that moves swiftly. If they do manage to bring him to the Blue side of West London, he could be an excellent addition to an already star-studded midfield.

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