Former Chelsea and Arsenal star, Emmanuel Petit, has said that the Blues have made a decision to choose 17-year-old, Estevao Willian over Christopher Nkunku in their planning.....Read Full Article>>

DAILY POST reports that the Brazilian youngster has signed for the Premier League side and will join them in the summer of 2025 after he turns 18. The Blues have paid an initial €34 million to Palmeiras for the 17-year-old Brazil international, beating a host of clubs to the signature of the youngster.

Chelsea will only complete the move for the teenager after he turns 18 in April 2025 according to Premier League regulations. He leads the Brazilian top-flight in goals and assists, with 12 goals and eight assists to his name in just 27 appearances this season.

Emmanuel Petit said that the youngster is coming to play in an attacking midfield role, hence the decision to shift Nkunku, who enjoys a similar role, to being a striker.

“Christopher Nkunku isn’t being prioritised at Chelsea because of who is coming in to play in that position, Estevao Willian,” Petit told Casino Hawks.

“This is a player who has broken Neymar’s records in Brazil and has so much quality despite only being 17.

“His agent says that everything is clear with the Chelsea board in terms of plans and he’ll be playing in the number 10 position next season.

“Nkunku has done well and has also played well for France, but his injuries have held him back and although Chelsea will be very happy to keep him, he isn’t their priority.”

Former Brazil and Barcelona player Romario has described Raphinha as one of the best players in the world at the moment.....Read Full Article>>

This is following the winger’s amazing start to the 2024-25 season under Hansi Flick.

The winger has already made 22 goal contributions in 17 games for Barcelona this term.

The 27-year-old also scored his country’s lone goal in their frustrating 1-1 draw against Venezuela last week.

“Barca now have a great team. They’ve won some good games and played well. I think we’ll be champions again this year,” Romario told Mundo Deportivo.

“Raphinha is one of the best players today. He is one of the best in the world. He does very well with the Barca shirt and he is also doing very well with the Brazilian shirt. Raphinha is a pride for all Brazilians; he will give us very special things in football.”

Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, has identified Xabi Alonso as the perfect replacement for manager, Carlo Ancelotti. According to Fabrizio Romano, Perez believes Alonso has everything to coach the LaLiga champions, including the style of football.....Read Full Article>>

Los Blancos have already suffered more defeats (3) in this season than they had all of last season (2).

Toni Kroos’ retirement left Ancelotti’s team without an identity in the midfield and Kylian Mbappé’s arrival has disrupted the team’s attacking chemistry.

Argentina captain, Lionel Messi on Tuesday night achieved another record after his team’s 1-0 win over Peru in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier.....Read Full Article>>

The Inter Miami forward provided the assist for Lautaro Martinez’s 55th minute goal of the encounter.

The match was played at the Estadio Alberto José Armando in Buenos Aires as Argentina ended their memorable 2024 on a high. Messi’s assist means the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star becomes the player with most assists in international football history, joint with USA’s Landon Donovan (58).

It’s yet to be seen if Messi will play for Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 37-year-old is currently the most decorated player in football with over 45 trophies won in his career so far.

Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has said Victor Osimhen is currently the best striker in the world. Osimhen has been in fantastic form since joining the Turkish Super Lig champions on loan from Napoli in September.....Read Full Article>>

The 25-year-old has scored eight goals in nine appearances for the Yellow and Reds. Haaland on the other hand has notched 15 goals in his 16 appearances for Manchester City.

Buruk however believed Osimhen is ahead of the Norwegian on current form.

“There are not many elite strikers in Europe,” Buruk was quoted by Turkish website, Assist Analiz.

“Haaland may come to mind first, but since Manchester City have lost in recent weeks, I would say Osimhen is the best right now.”

Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy could be getting a new job soon.....Read Full Article>>

The Dutchman could be on his way to Leicester City as they are allegedly keen on appointing him as their new manager.

The Foxes have struggled to replicate last season’s success (when they lifted the championship) under manager Steve Cooper this campaign. Leicester City are 15th in the Premier League table, just 10 points from 11 outings with a sub-par goal difference of -7.

The Sun reports that Leicester City have identified ex-Chelsea manager Graham Potter and Van Nistelrooy as potential successors to their current manager.

Van Nistelrooy recently left his role at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s appointment.

He helped the Red Devils register three wins and a draw in four games, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has cautioned manager Enzo Maresca that midfielder Enzo Fernandez may not be well-suited to the Premier League.....Read Full Article>>

Fernandez, who became the most expensive signing in British football history when he moved from Benfica to Chelsea for £105 million in January 2023, has struggled to meet expectations despite showing flashes of his potential.

The 23-year-old Argentina World Cup winner currently finds himself behind Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in Maresca’s midfield preferences at Chelsea.

When asked about Fernandez’s suitability for the Premier League, Gallas told Prime Casino: “Enzo Fernandez is different. Even though he has good qualities, we all know the Premier League is very tough.

“It’s not for everyone, and that’s well-known. He needs to improve his fitness, run more, and be more consistent.

“The position he plays is particularly demanding. What’s expected of him? To provide assists, score goals, and play almost like a box-to-box midfielder.

“Can he do this? I’m not sure he’s suited to playing box-to-box. He either needs to start scoring goals or providing assists regularly.”

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has suspended referee David Coote indefinitely, following a leaked video in which he made derogatory remarks about Liverpool and its former manager, Jurgen Klopp.....Read Full Article>>

PGMOL issued a statement on Monday evening confirming the suspension, stating: “David Coote has been suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation. No further comments will be made until the process is concluded.”

Coote, who served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during Liverpool’s controversial 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield in December 2023, is under scrutiny after the video surfaced. In that match, Martin Odegaard seemed to prevent Mohamed Salah from advancing into the Arsenal penalty area by handling the ball inside the box.

EPL: I love him – Amorim names Man Utd star he’s very happy to coach....Read Full Article>>

New Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim has revealed that he is ‘very happy’ to coach Manuel Ugarte.

Amorim, who will take charge of Man United on Monday, will reunite with the Uruguay international at Old Trafford.

Both men worked together at Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and won the Portuguese league title.

Speaking about Ugarte, Amorim described the midfielder as a ‘very talented boy’.

“All the Uruguayans I managed are incredible and that is why I love all Uruguayans,” Amorim told TNT Sports Mexico.

“Manuel Ugarte is a very talented boy and has a lot of room to grow. I am very happy to know that I have him back at Manchester United.”

EPL: Paul Merson predicts Chelsea vs Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool, other fixtures....Read Full Article>>

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has predicted the Premier League matches taking place this weekend in England.

Brighton will host Manchester City on Saturday evening, while Liverpool will take on Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday night.

Manchester United will tackle Leicester City on Sunday and Chelsea will welcome Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Stating his prediction, Merson said via Sportskeeda:

Wolves 3-0 Southampton

West Ham 2-0 Everton

Brentford 2-2 Bournemouth

Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Brighton 1-2 Manchester City

Liverpool 2-2 Aston Villa

Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Ipswich Town

Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal