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Chelsea are looking to strengthen multiple key areas in Enzo Maresca’s squad, before they tackle their first campaign back in the Champions League next season, and they’ve made a fantastic start with their deal for Liam Delap.

Chelsea's transfer plans after signing Liam Delap

The striker has now fully sealed his switch to Stamford Bridge after completing a medical (Fabrizio Romano), with Chelsea activating his £30 million release clause and securing their first signing of the summer.

Chelsea in pole position to sign £84m Liverpool target after opening talks

The west Londoners are looking to get in ahead of Arne Slot’s side.

ByEmilio Galantini May 31, 2025

Delap may not be their only striker signing of the summer, either, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reporting late last week that Chelsea remain in serious pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

As well as Ekitike, Chelsea are actively discussing the signing of a new attacking midfielder or winger, with Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jeremy Doku (Man City), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Max Tillman (PSV), Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund), Alejandro Garnacho (Man United) and Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams all considered (Simon Phillips).

BlueCo are said to be working hard to bolster some key areas before the Club World Cup begins in under a fortnight, with Chelsea taking this summer’s tournament seriously given the riches on offer.

Chelsea could secure £97 million worth of prize money if they win the whole thing, and reliable journalist Simon Phillips writes that they’re very keen to sign a new centre-back before the CWC kicks off.

Chelsea held productive talks over a move for Dean Huijsen, but eventually missed out on a deal for the Spain international when Real Madrid came knocking.

Now, they’ve turned to alternative targets, and one of them is Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.

Chelsea ponder "big-money" bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite

The England international, who made his Three Lions debut last year, should arguably have more senior caps for the national team considering his excellent and assured displays on Merseyside, but his talent isn’t lost on Chelsea.

The 22-year-old is high on their defensive transfer shortlist of targets, even if Toffees boss David Moyes is reportedly “pleading” with him to stay.

TEAMtalk have an update on the situation, and they write that Chelsea are “seriously” considering a “big-money” bid for Branthwaite – who could cost up to £75 million.

The Blues are thought to be more “advanced” in their interest than London rivals Tottenham, but it’ll take a marquee fee to prise the highly-rated centre-half down south.

Everton are said to be in a strong position in regard to PSR, and have an option to extend Branthwaite’s contract by a further year, meaning Chelsea will need to stump up a very large fee to even get his club to the negotiating table.

While Branthwaite is expected to be an expensive potential buy, he is one of England’s most exciting young defenders, with Jamie Carragher already calling him a “special” player to watch out for.

Manchester United have now held internal talks over signing a former Barcelona player on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.

Man Utd eyeing cut-price deal after Europa League disaster

Of course, winning trophies is always important for a club the size of Man United, but Europa League glory was arguably even more important from a financial point of view, given that success in the competition grants qualification to the Champions League.

Having failed to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season, United are thought to have missed out on £85m, which could hamper their ability to bring in their top targets this summer, in what could be a very important window.

That is according to Jamie Carragher, who has insisted the Red Devils will need to splash the cash to rebuild Ruben Amorim’s squad, although the former Liverpool man has doubts over whether the former Sporting CP boss is the right man for the job.

Carragher said: “Backing him means getting behind a big idea; a system of play that is uncommon among the elite of Europe, requiring specialist footballers and a squad of back-up wing-backs and centre-halves so he can play three at the back.

“It means spending big on redesigning the squad to meet Amorim’s specific needs in the knowledge that, if he underperforms again next season, his successor will most likely revert to a flat back four.”

However, it appears as though INEOS are set to stand by Amorim, and they have now set their sights on a new target, who could suit the manager’s style of play, having internally discussed a move for Wolverhampton Wanders right-wing back Nelson Semedo.

That is according to a report from Football Transfers, which states Semedo’s name has been raised during talks over Matheus Cunha, with the full-back set to leave Molineux on a free transfer this summer.

Man Utd also ready to pay £44m release clause for "king of kings" after Cunha

The Red Devils are now willing to trigger the release clause for another striker to partner up with Cunha at Old Trafford.

ByDominic Lund May 26, 2025 "Outstanding" Semedo could be ideal for Amorim

The 31-year-old is accustomed to playing at right-wing-back, which could make him a good fit in Amorim’s three-at-the-back system, while his availability on a free transfer is ideal for Man United, having missed out on Champions League football.

Not only that, but the £80k-a-week Wolves star has proven himself in the Premier League over the course of a number of years, with Garth Crooks saying in the 2023-24 season: “Nelson Semedo deserved a mention as he was outstanding. His ability to get forward, but also defend with equal measure, was impressive.”

Admittedly, the former Barcelona man wouldn’t be the most exciting of signings, and there are other areas of the squad in more urgent need of strengthening, with the lack of goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee a real problem.

However, Semedo could be a solid signing as a rotation option at the very least, and the fact the Portuguese defender is available on a free transfer makes him even more appealing.

While there remains a slither of hope that this season ends in Europa League triumph for Tottenham Hotspur, there is no escaping from the fact that, at least domestically, it’s been diabolical.

Ange Postecologu’s side have lost 19 games in the Premier League, and it feels like a certainty that they’ll finish the season with 20 to their name.

However, for all the doom and gloom – of which there is plenty – there remains a reason to be hopeful about the club’s future: their youngsters.

The likes of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Mikey Moore look like superstars in the making, and if recent reports are to be believed, the club are looking to add another name to that list, someone who’d be a massive upgrade on Brennan Johnson, and has been tipped for Ballon d’Or glory.

Tottenham's transfer targets

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other youngsters who’ve been linked with Spurs in recent weeks, such as Dean Huijsen.

Transfer Focus

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

The Spanish international reportedly has a release clause worth £50m in his current Bournemouth deal, and while that is a lot to spend on a youngster, it could well be worth it, as he’s already made 32 appearances for the Cherries this term.

Another youngster from the South Coast who has been heavily linked with the Lilywhites this year is Tyler Dibling.

The Southampton star has racked up a reasonable tally of four goals and three assists in 35 games so far this season and will be available for reportedly £35m.

Finally, the most exciting player, and the one who’d be a significant upgrade on Johnson, is Rayan Cherki.

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Spurs and Manchester United are now leading the race to sign the highly-rated Lyon youngster.

The report claims that the 21-year-old could be available for around €35m, which comes out to £30m.

It might be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Cherki’s immense ability and potential, it’s worth fighting tooth and nail for, especially as he’d be a big upgrade on Johnson.

How Cherki compares to Johnson

So, as Cherki’s primary position is off the right, his main competition for game time at Spurs would be Johnson, but who comes out on top when we compare them?

Well, when it comes down to their raw output, it’s the Frenchman who comes out on top, and by quite some way at that.

For example, in just 41 appearances, totalling 2894 minutes, he’s scored 12 goals and provided 19 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.32 games, or every 93.35 minutes.

In contrast, the Welshman has scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 46 appearances, totalling 2987 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 129.86 minutes.

Unfortunately for the former Nottingham Forest ace, the comparison remains just as one-sided when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.71

0.52

Non-Penalty G+As

0.88

0.60

Progressive Passes

9.31

3.03

Progressive Carries

4.17

2.47

Key Passes

3.33

0.82

Passes into the Final Third

4.46

1.08

Passes into the Penalty Area

3.33

1.52

Live Passes

52.7

26.2

Shot-Creating Actions

6.23

1.99

Goal-Creating Actions

0.93

0.30

Successful Take-Ons

2.11

0.82

For example, Lyon’s “future Ballon d’Or winner,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Alex Barker, comes out ahead in almost all relevant metrics, such as actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Johnson has been a useful player, it’s clear that Cherki would be a massive upgrade and, therefore, Spurs should do all they can to sign him this summer.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool when his £180k-per-week contract expires this summer.

It’s a saddening thought, but one which, without a dramatic turnaround, will end in Liverpool’s boyhood sensation closing the door on his Anfield career aged 26.

While it’s important not to begrudge the right-back his decision, it’s understandable that it will cast a bitter air of ruefulness over Merseyside, for this was the club’s next superstar, forged in the city’s very own furnaces and billed as the next Steven Gerrard.

However, Alexander-Arnold won’t reach the same incredible degree of perpetuity where Stevie G’s legacy stands.

In any case, it’s a sequence of events that reinforces the claim that the retired England international is irreplaceably at the top of Liverpool’s long list of superstars.

Why Steven Gerrard is irreplaceable

Liverpudlian Gerrard made his professional debut for Liverpool way back when, replacing Vegard Heggem during a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in 1998 and going on to achieve footballing immortality at his boyhood club.

Gerrard played the lion’s share of his career at Liverpool, featuring 710 times, scoring 186 goals and providing 155 assists before reaching his twilight years as an athlete and moving to LA Galaxy over the pond, where he saw out his days on the grass.

It’s hard to imagine anyone replacing him. Alexander-Arnold might have got close, but his premature departure ends such chatter.

Another member of Arne Slot’s squad, Dominik Szoboszlai, has been noted for his stylistic similarities to the all-action midfielder, but again, in terms of legacy, it’s hard to imagine he will reach the same level.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live last season, pundit Stephen Warnock drew comparisons between the Hungarian and Liverpool’s legendary skipper: “The long legs and the stride pattern, Dominik Szoboszlai has such similarities to Steven Gerrard.”

One of the greatest captains in Premier League history, the architect of, perhaps, the greatest night in Liverpool’s history, in Istanbul, when the impossible was achieved and AC Milan’s 3-0 lead was demolished, when penalties were won, Gerrard is adored within his city.

The 44-year-old, certainly, is irreplaceable, but that’s not to say Liverpool haven’t been gifted with a new version of the all-inspiring talisman.

It would make sense, given the immutable power of Gerrard’s legacy, that this new star doesn’t ply their trade in the centre of the park, but further up the field.

Liverpool's new version of Gerrard

Having completed 393 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 243 goals and supplying 110 assists, Mohamed Salah has established himself as one of the Reds’ greatest modern players, certainly one who was reared outside the city’s boundaries.

Aged 32, he joined from AS Roma in a deal worth £34m back in 2017 and has been an instrumental part of Jurgen Klopp’s dynasty, breaking the record for Premier League goals in a campaign during his debut term (before Erling Haaland snatched that accolade five years later) and then lifting all the biggest prizes: the Champions League, then the Premier League, then more.

Now, he’s heading toward the end of his contract, but doing so having supercharged Slot’s season to unanticipated heights, scoring 27 goals and laying on 17 assists in the top flight alone this term.

Such greatness has been felt beyond Anfield’s walls. Indeed, Salah’s startling consistency in front of goal has seen him break into the upper level of the Premier League’s scoring records, level with Sergio Aguero in fifth place.

1.

Alan Shearer

441

260

2.

Harry Kane

320

213

3.

Wayne Rooney

491

208

4.

Andy Cole

414

187

5.

Sergio Aguero

275

184

5=

Mohamed Salah

293

184

If the Egyptian King renews his Liverpool deal for another – oh, say – two seasons, you wouldn’t bet against him superseding Harry Kane as the division’s second-best goalscorer. Alan Shearer’s record, admittedly, may be a mile too far.

He’s one of the greats, all right. Salah’s legacy is woven deep into the fabric of Liverpool’s storied years, the definitive face that everyday football fans will partner with the mention of the club, when considering the greatest hits, the biggest moments.

It’s hard to look past him as this modern, glorious version of Liverpool’s superstar above all others, in the same vein as Gerrard, while not actually performing a similar tactical role to the one-time midfield general.

This season, with such an impressive haul vis-à-vis goal involvements, you could argue that Salah has pulled Liverpool through to the finish line – we’re not there yet, but closer and closer by the match-week.

Certainly, his numbers eclipse those of his frontal teammates, all of whom have been frustrated by periods of impotence in front of goal this term.

Mohamed Salah

44

32

22

Cody Gakpo

41

16

6

Luis Diaz

43

13

8

Diogo Jota

30

9

4

Darwin Nunez

41

7

7

Federico Chiesa

11

2

2

Is it any wonder that he’s been declared as an “immense” and “world-class” player by rival pundits such as BBC Sport’s Micah Richards? Honestly, his greatness is without question.

Gerrard might be irreplaceable, but he’s sure to be glancing over his shoulder as Salah continues to go from strength to strength to strength.

All of a Liverpool persuasion will fiercely hope for news in the coming weeks that their star forward is set to pen a contract extension, but even if he doesn’t, the soon-to-be-33 Salah has devoted his prime to Merseyside, has grown alongside the club and conquered the biggest honours on show.

Gerrard is irreplaceable, but Salah has come pretty close.

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He feels “really, really good from a body perspective,” but knows having to evolve continuously is the way forward

Firdose Moonda10-Jan-2025Faf du Plessis is halfway to 41 and still feels “really, really good from a body perspective,” as he enters his 21st year as a professional cricketer, with a whole new outlook on the game.”You have to evolve,” du Plessis, the Joburg Super Kings captain, told ESPNcricinfo at the SA20 captains day press conference in Cape Town. “Batting, for me, has evolved in the last three years. I keep trying to improve my own game. And the same with the training aspect. It’s not the same as what it used to be.”Du Plessis has scored over 1000 runs in T20s in each of the last three years and also maintained a strike-rate above 140 in that time. In 2023 and 2024, his strike rate was 149.46 and 155.80 respectively, the highest of his career.Related

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At the same time, du Plessis considers himself to be in as good a shape as he ever was and showed that off at a training session recently. He puts both down to a “smarter” approach to preparation, which is paying off with a more aggressive ability at game time.”I understand my body better,” he said. “In general, we’ve got a misconception that you have to do a lot to be at your fittest. I don’t think that’s the case. I’m consistent with it, but I don’t feel like I’m doing more. It’s about using your time better.”One-half of that is how he has decided to fill his cricket calendar. Last year, du Plessis played in tournaments in January-February (SA20), March-May (IPL), July (MLC) and August (CPL) which means he got around four months off at the end of the year. In 2023, he did the same thing, albeit without the MLC. The last time du Plessis played in the BBL, BPL and the Hundred was in 2022 and it seems like concentrating on a few marquee leagues is working for him. The clashes with other leagues aside, it also gives him the time for training and most importantly, recovery.

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