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Shubman Gill averages 63.73 in ODIs at the top of the order. Rohit Sharma averages 55.21 when opening. Together, their numbers are approaching all-time great territory.They’ve only opened together 28 times in this format, so the sample size is small. But in those innings they’ve put on 1943 runs at an average of 71.96. Only in ten of those 28 innings have they failed to get India to 50 for no loss or better. To this dependability, they have also braided in aggression. India travel at more than seven an over on average when these two are together.Their numbers put this pair at the top of the all-time list for players that have opened together at least 25 times in terms of average and strike rate*, with daylight between themselves and the next-best pair (Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, who memorably helped deliver England the 2019 World Cup). Part of their effectiveness, Gill said on the eve of India’s match against Pakistan, was down to their varying but complementing methods.Related

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“The way we play the game in the powerplay is quite different to each other,” Gill said. “Rohit likes to play more aerial shots, and tries to hit those big sixes. And I like to play along the ground, and I like to pierce those gaps. In between, if I see the bowler is under pressure, I like to go over the circle. I think that’s the hallmark of us as a pair. We score boundaries with different shots. The bowlers really have to think which areas to target for us, because the areas we play the shots are different from each other.”It’s a delight to watch [Rohit] from the non-striker’s end. He has his own style and if at all it helps me to find my own groove.”Much of this was in evidence on Thursday, when they put on 69 for the first wicket against Bangladesh, in the 9.5 overs they were together. Rohit’s rapid start had given Gill the space to play a more sedate innings, as he made 101 not out off 129 balls. The key stat for Rohit is the strike rate – he has gone at 120 in the four ODIs he’s played this year. Gill, meanwhile, has gone at less than a run-a-ball (strike rate 96.46 as opener in 2025). But he’s averaged a mammoth 136.50, scores of 112 and 60 preceding the latest hundred (to go with one score of 87 from No. 3).Gill had had a rough time in the Tests in Australia, making a top score of 31 in the five innings he played there during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But a return to his favourite format has led to a spectacular return to runs.”I don’t think there was any flaw in my batting in Australia that I couldn’t score runs,” he said. “But, definitely, sometimes there is a mental aspect and we start focusing on the batting, which leads us to think there has to be some fault in the batting that the runs aren’t coming.”But, I don’t think every time it has something to do with batting. It is possible, we are lacking in some other facet. I haven’t worked on any area in particular, but knowing I am going to play white-ball format now and then T20s, so I practised accordingly.”

حقق منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا، تأهلًا تاريخيًا إلى دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس العالم للشباب بتشيلي، بعد الفوز على أمريكا، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما، مساء الأحد.

والتقى منتخب المغرب مع أمريكا، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع النهائي من منافسات بطولة كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا.

واستطاع منتخب المغرب أن يحقق الفوز على أمريكا، بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، ليتأهل إلى دور نصف النهائي من مونديال الشباب.

وكان منتخب المغرب تقدم بالهدف الأول عن طريق فؤاد زهواني في الدقيقة 31، وتعادل منتخب أمريكا في الدقيقة 45+6 من نهاية الشوط الأول بهدف سجله لاعبه كول كامبل من ركلة جزاء.

طالع | موتسيبي يوضح موقف كاف من سحب تنظيم كأس أمم إفريقيا من المغرب

وعاد منتخب المغرب ليسجل هدفه الثاني أمام الولايات المتحدة، عن طريق مدافع المنتخب الأمريكي جوشوا ويندر بالخطأ في مرماه.

واختتم منتخب المغرب الثلاثية، عن طريق اللاعب جسيم ياسين في الدقيقة 87، لتنتهي المباراة بتأهل تاريخي ومستحق لـ أسود الأطلس، كما فعلوا الكبار في نسخة كأس العالم 2022 بقطر، عندما تأهلوا إلى نصف النهائي ومن ثم تحقيق المركز الرابع في البطولة. أهداف مباراة المغرب وأمريكا اليوم في كأس العالم للشباب

وبهذا الفوز، ينتظر منتخب المغرب الفائز من مواجهة فرنسا والنرويج، لمواجهته في الدور قبل النهائي من بطولة كأس العالم للشباب.

منتخب المغرب كان قد تأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي، بعد تصدر مجموعته برصيد 6 نقاط، متفوقًا على البرازيل وإسبانيا والمكسيك، وفي مباراة دور الـ16 استطاع الفوز على كوريا الجنوبية 2-1.

Everton felt the excitement as they waved goodbye to Goodison Park and geared up for a new chapter at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, led once again by David Moyes.

But that excitement has been tempered by a frustrating summer transfer window, with the Premier League season now up and running and Everton still in need of a few more faces.

The Toffees were defeated at Leeds United in their season opener, and while the likes of off-the-bench debutants Jack Grealish and Thierno Barry illustrated the start of a new-look Everton, there’s no question that the performance was flat, and that it’s imperative that something is done before the closure of the transfer window.

Everton hunting more signings

Everton’s one-goal defeat at Elland Road left a lot to be desired, and it’s clear that the club need more sparkle going forward.

Grealish will be billed as one of the principal providers in that regard, but the Blues could do with a few more signings to assist the England international.

Though Everton need right-siders and perhaps another forward too, Moyes is considering a move that would bolster his central ranks, and he’s peering over the edge of the Premier League and into the Championship.

Well, according to Football Insider, Everton are now working on a deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, though they face stiff competition from Crystal Palace in the race for the 23-year-old.

A move to Ipswich Town has already fallen through for the English talent, with a £20m fee agreed between the clubs, but personal terms proving insurmountable at the negotiating table.

What Hayden Hackney would bring to Everton

Hackney has completed 116 appearances for Middlesbrough since graduating from the club’s youth academy, establishing himself as one of the maestros of England’s second tier.

An all-action player, Hackney is calm and composed when against the ball and sharp and intelligent when in possession, with his natural-born creativity allowing him to influence from the deeper fathoms of the midfield.

Last season, he started 43 times in the Championship, completing 85% of his passes and averaging 1.5 key passes and 6.5 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

Such vast ground-covering performances would add much to Moyes’ Everton side, and the Boro star might even prove the perfect midfield partner to restore Grealish to his one-time level, having been untouchable during that final year at Aston Villa in 2020/21.

Matches (starts)

26 (24)

Goals

6

Assists

10

Shots (on target)*

1.9 (0.7)

Big chances missed

4

Pass completion

83%

Big chances created

14

Key passes*

3.2

Dribbles*

2.5

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

Total duels (won)*

8.9 (61%)

It was a truly remarkable year from the Three Lions star, one that saw him earn his record-breaking move to Pep Guardiola’s brood. However, Grealish has lost his sparkle over the past few years in Manchester and could rekindle that flame on Merseyside.

Everton aren’t blessed with the same depth of technical quality as Man City, but the Birmingham-born forward should have greater freedom to roam and make things happen, and with Hackney playing in balls from behind, the chances of a fluent system are only increased.

As per data from FBref, Hackney ranked among the top 5% of midfielders in the Championship last season for passes attempted, the top 1% for progressive passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90.

There’s no question that he bears the range of passing and the athleticism to add a dimension to Everton’s midfield, thus providing the fleet-footed Grealish with a constant supply line from which he can work his magic in and around the penalty area.

Hailed by former Boro boss Michael Carrick for his “immense” performance against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup during the 2023/24 season, Hackney has spent plenty of time developing his skills in the Championship and is surely now ready to take the leap forward into the Premier League.

His long, calculated passing puts him in a different category from Everton’s current midfield crop, and he would be the perfect kind of deep-lying playmaker to restore Grealish’s X-factor and ensure the Toffees make it a successful and exciting season.

Their new Stones: TFG begin talks to sign "special" £26m star for Everton

Everton still hope to make a few signings before the end of the summer transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 18, 2025

The South Africa head coach says that growing the talent pool means sometimes playing youngsters in big series

Firdose Moonda16-Nov-2024South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter will make “no excuses,” for South Africa’s 3-1 defeat to India but explained the series as a “balancing act,” between fielding the best XI and exposing younger players to top-level competition.In particular, South Africa’s attack, who conceded over 200 three times in four matches, were in focus. They were without the experience of Kagiso Rabada (rested), Lungi Ngidi (injured), Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi (both no longer nationally contracted) and appeared out of their depth, or at least out of practice. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee both made their returns from months on the sidelines as they recovered from injury and concentrated on conditioning, Andile Simelane debuted in the series, Nqaba Peter played his first internationals at home and Lutho Sipamla returned to the fold after a period of three years, all of which left Keshav Maharaj as the senior-most hand, who lacked support.Walter argued that is in the inevitable consequence of trying to deepen the player pool.Related

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“To grow the net of players, there’s times we have to play younger guys even in big series against good teams. And ultimately, that’s where they’re going to learn the most,” he said in Johannesburg after South Africa’s 135-run defeat in the fourth T20I. “It’s really a balancing act and there’s no right or wrong. We’re trying to get it right, we’re trying to get rest right, we’re trying to get rotation right, we’re trying to get exposure right all at the same time. But it doesn’t excuse the performance. We still need to be better and that starts with me as the head coach of the team.”Since Walter took over in February 2023, South Africa have played seven bilateral T20I series and not won any of them, which he acknowledged is an “incredibly difficult,” thing to accept. But it may be made easier with the knowledge that he is also the only coach to oversee the men’s team to a major tournament final, at this year’s T20 World Cup.Asked to explain the discrepancy between their bilateral form and the tournament success, Walter did not miss a beat. “The easy answer is that when we go to the world tournaments, we’re picking our very best 15 players but we can’t pick those same 15 players every single time we play. It’s just not feasible. It’s just too much cricket. So, the rest of the time we have to build our base of players up to be to the same level, which is what you’re seeing with the Indian side, right?”Only four of the XI that won the T20 World Cup in June were part of the Indian squad that beat South Africa in this series, which speaks as much to the quality of their depth as it does to the concern with South Africa’s and Walter recognised that.Lutho Sipamla returned to the fold for South Africa after three years•AFP/Getty Images”Their fringe players are stepping up and creating pressure on the guys that are in main XI,” he said. “Ultimately, if you look at the stats around the number of players used by the different international sides, they all sit in the same space over the last two years, in between 30 and 36 players roughly. Everyone’s attempting to do the same thing because the cricket landscape is actually the same for everyone.”And that’s where he may stand corrected, to some extent. India are the only country who do not have to concern themselves with losing players to franchise leagues because they do not allow their active players to compete anywhere but the IPL, which offers sufficient compensation. South Africa, whose home currency, the Rand, is the weakest among SENA countries, are at particular risk of their players opting for hard currency payments in leagues abroad and the two biggest examples are Nortje and Shamsi. Both opted out of central contracts this year – Nortje partly because he wanted to manage which formats he played as he came back from a severe injury – and though they are available for South Africa, there is also a need to look elsewhere.”A guy like Anrich, I certainly wouldn’t doubt his want to play for South Africa and his commitment to do that. But he made a decision personally around contracting so that he could move away from playing Test cricket for a while. I think physically he was finding it a bit tough to do everything and I respect that,” Walter said. “At the end of the day, when it comes to the world tournaments, we want to pick our best side. And if he is one of those best players, we consider him. Shammo has done exactly the same thing. We need to be cognisant of what’s happening in world cricket. It’s not easy and the national side is competing with franchise cricket. The money lies in franchise cricket, not international cricket. That’s the reality that we live in.”There was an audible sigh before he finished that thought. “And so, again, the balancing act continues.”

تمكن نادي مانشستر سيتي في أن يبدأ بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا بشكل مميز، وتمكن من تحقيق فوز مريح على نظيره نابولي بهدفين دون رد اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة المجموعات.

مواجهة اليوم أقيمت على ملعب الاتحاد، حيث دخل مانشستر سيتي اللقاء بهدف تحقيق انتصار يريحه في قادم المباريات في المسابقة الأوروبية.

ودخل مدرب مانشستر سيتي بيب جوارديولا، بتشكيل مكونة من: جيانلويجي دوناروما، عبد القادر خوسانوف، روبن دياس، جوسكو جفارديول، نيكو أورايلي، تيجاني ريندرز، رودري، برناردو سيلفا، فيل فودين، جيريمي دوكو، إيرلينج هالاند.

أقرأ أيضًا .. فيديو | دوكو يسجل هدف مانشستر سيتي الثاني أمام نابولي

مانشستر سيتي بدأ لقاء اليوم ضاغطًا بقوة بحثًا عن تسجيل الهدف الأول، في حين اكتفى نابولي بقيادة مديره الفني أنطونيو كونتي بالتراجع والدفاع داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وتبعرث أوراق كونتي بعدما تعرض قائد نابولي، جيوفاني دي لوريزنو، للبطاقة الحمراء في الدقيقة 21، وذلك عقب تدخله على نجم مانشستر سيتي، إيرلينج هالاند.

وعاد حكم اللقاء إلى تقنية الفار التي أكدت عرقلة دي لورينزو لهالاند ليطرد الدولي الإيطالي تاركًا نابولي بعشرة لاعبين.

هذا الطرد استفاد مانشستر سيتي كثيرًا منه، حيث كثف النادي الإنجليزي هجماته بحثًا عن تسجيل الهدف الأول.

وجعل طرد دي لورينزو كونتي يخرج كيفن دي بروين من أرضية الملعب ويحل محله ماتياس أوليفيرا وسط تحية كبيرة من قبل جماهير مانشستر سيتي للدولي البلجيكي.

وتحقق مراد مانشستر سيتي في شوط اللقاء الثاني، حيث استغل هالاند هجمة منظمة لينهي الكرة برأسه في شباك نابولي في الدقيقة 56.

ولم يكتف مانشستر سيتي بهذا الهدف، حيث ضاعف جيريمي دوكو التقدم لمصلحة النادي الإنجليزي في الدقيقة 65 من مجهود فردي رائع.

وظلت النتيجة على حالها حتى النهاية، ليحقق مانشستر سيتي انتصارًا مستحقًا على نابولي مرسلًا رسالة واضحة إلى بقية المنافسين حول رغبته في الفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم.

مانشستر سيتي بذلك حصد أول ثلاث نقاط له في مرحلة الدوري ليتواجد في المركز العاشر، بينما بقي نابولي بدون رصيد في انتظار قادم الجولات المقبلة في الدور. أهداف مباراة مانشستر سيتي ونابولي في دوري أبطال أوروبا

أشاد الإعلامي حازم إمام، نجم الزمالك السابق، بمسيرة لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء، مؤكدًا أنه واحد من أبرز أساطير الكرة المصرية في العصر الحديث.

وقال حازم إمام في تصريحات عبر إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “عبد الله السعيد واحد من أساطير كرة القدم المصرية وسيظل كذلك، الموسم الحالي هو رقم 20 في مسيرته وما زال يسجل أهدافًا”.

وتابع: “عبد الله السعيد كان نجمًا في الإسماعيلي والأهلي وبيراميدز وأخيرًا الزمالك، ورغم أنه انضم للقلعة البيضاء وعمره 37 عامًا، إلا أنه نموذج للاعب الذي يجبرك على احترامه مهما كان انتماؤك، لأن الناس في مصر يُقدرون اللاعب الجيد”.

طالع أيضًا | حازم إمام يشيد بلاعب الزمالك: الكرة جميلة بين قدميه.. لكن أداءه يهبط عند الدقيقة 60

وأضاف: “عبد الله السعيد هو (الحاجة الحلوة في مصر الآن)، وأتمنى أن يتعلم منه كل اللاعبون، إنه لاعب غير طبيعي، وفي المباراة الأخيرة أمام المصري كان أفضل لاعب رغم أنه على وشك إكمال عامه الأربعين”.

وواصل: “بعد أن تألق مع الأهلي وانتقل إلى بيراميدز قالوا إنه انتهى، لكنه كان هداف الدوري، ثم انضم للزمالك وقيل نفسي الشيء، والآن هو أفضل لاعب في الفريق”.

واختتم حازم إمام، تصريحاته قائلًا: “أي لاعب يريد أن يصنع اسمًا كبيرًا في كرة القدم، عليه أن يرى ما يفعله عبد الله السعيد ويقتدي به، لأنه النموذج الذي نتمنى أن نرى كثيرًا مثله في مصر”.

Crystal Palace are now in talks over signing a 32-year-old international on a free transfer, according to a recent report.

Crystal Palace stepping up transfer plans

The Eagles have been waiting for clarification on their participation in the Europa League for next season, and with reports now emerging that they could be allowed in the competition, the club are likely to go ahead with their transfer business.

"I've been told" – Crystal Palace could receive "reliable" Newcastle player in Guehi swap

The Eagles could get a player in return.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 11, 2025

It’s already been reported in the early parts of this transfer window that Palace have made an approach to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting. The Portuguese side want £40 million for his services, and his arrival could be seen as a replacement for Marc Guehi, who is continuing to be linked with a move to Newcastle United.

In fact, Andrew Musgrove has now revealed that Palace could be open to the idea of letting Guehi leave as long as they get Matt Target in a swap deal. That is because Ben Chillwell has returned to Chelsea, and the Eagles want another option behind Tyrick Mitchell, with some cash coming their way as well.

They are not the only defenders the club are looking at, as it’s also been reported by The Sun that Oliver Glasner is pushing the South Londoners to sign Strahinja Pavlovic from AC Milan. Glasner is a big fan, and while Milan value the Serbian at £40 million, Palace may look to start the bidding at around the £25 million mark.

Crystal Palace now in talks to sign goalkeeper Walter Benitez

It appears that Glasner wants to strengthen the spine of his team, as according to reporter Uriel Lugt, relayed by Ben Jacobs, Crystal Palace are also in talks to sign goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

The 32-year-old has been at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven since July 2022, but he is now coming to the end of his contract this month, and the Eagles are looking to swoop in and sign him on a free.

Benitez has been a regular in the PSV side since joining the club and, in the last two seasons, has been a key performer in the club winning the Eredivisie, the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup. In the 2024/25 season, Benitez, who has been capped by Argentina, kept nine clean sheets in 34 league games.

Walter Benitez’s PSV stats
Apps	134
Goals conceded	152
Clean sheets	43

His potential arrival at Selhurst Park would see him go up against Dean Henderson for the number one spot. That is because Matt Turner’s loan spell at Palace has now come to an end after playing just four games for the club, which all came in the cup competitions.

Despite being older, Benitez may be seen as an upgrade to Turner, as his experience and track record of winning and playing in Europe is something that Glasner will want to have more of in his squad as they look ahead to the 2025/26 season.

Glasgow Rangers have enjoyed the services of several loan players over the years, with the majority being overwhelmingly successful.

Ryan Kent spent the 2018/19 campaign at Ibrox on loan from Liverpool under the watch of Steven Gerrard, and he was excellent at times.

The English forward excited the Ibrox support with his quality at the top end of the pitch, as the forward registered 15 goal contributions – six goals and nine assists.

A few years later, Malik Tillman used his spell at Rangers to seal a move to PSV Eindhoven. The youngster may have struggled at times with the physicality in Scotland, but that didn’t stop him scoring 12 goals and grabbing five assists at Ibrox.

This theme continued last term when Abdallah Sima, on loan from Brighton, showcased his abilities on the left wing regularly for the Light Blues during his temporary spell, with 16 goals in all competitions.

Vaclav Cerny was the annual loan signing last summer, and he produced better numbers than all of those who preceded him at the club, that’s for sure.

Vaclav Cerny has been one of Rangers’ best signings this season

Philippe Clement secured the services of the winger on loan from Wolfsburg last summer, and it looked like a shrewd move.

He scored five times for the German side in just 25 appearances last term and even netted against Celtic back during his days at Ajax. It may have taken a few weeks for him to get out of second gear, but when he did, the Ibrox faithful were in for a treat.

Indeed, across his 51 matches for Rangers, the Czech forward has scored 18 goals and registered nine assists across all competitions.

Metric

Cerny

Tillman

Sima

Goals

12

10

11

Assists

4

4

2

Big chances created

7

12

2

Key passes per game

2.4

1.6

0.8

Successful dribbles per game

1.5

1.5

1.2

Shots per game

2.9

1.7

2.9

Wonderful numbers, yet it looks as though he will return to his parent club when the season finishes, as it is unlikely Rangers can afford him.

In the January transfer window, Wolfsburg claimed that they would be expecting to recoup the majority of the £8m that they had paid for him should the Gers seek a permanent move.

Even with the 49ers Enterprises closing in on their takeover, a move to sign the winger this summer looks unlikely, especially as a new manager has yet to be appointed.

Rumours are circling that Davide Ancelotti – Carlo’s son – is the frontrunner to take charge at Ibrox ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite the lack of a full-time manager, the club are still looking ahead to the transfer window as they seek to strengthen.

Why Rangers could get bargain deal for League One winger

Rangers are in the market for several attacking players this summer, which has seen them turn to League One in England for potential signings.

Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku has been on the radar since late last year as the club plan ahead for the future.

His contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, which opens the door for Rangers. Birmingham City are also keen, but the Scottish club have the advantage as they will only have to pay the cross-border compensation fee and this doesn’t apply to English sides.

“Celtic and Rangers have been at most of our games this season, but I don’t believe Kwame will go to Scotland.” Said Barry Fry recently, and it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks.

Much will depend on just who takes over as the new manager of the Gers, but if it is Ancelotti, then Poku may prove to be a solid signing who could make the club forget about Cerny once his loan is over.

Why Kwame Poku can shine under Davide Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti may have won everything there has to be won in the game, especially during his time with Real Madrid, but Davide has played a huge role tactically in his second spell at the club.

Judging by the way Madrid have set up, Ancelotti would likely utilise a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-3 system, which could work well with those in the squad.

He would certainly start his teams on the foot, enabling the starting XI to attack high up the pitch. Working under his dad, however, will ensure he can be flexible with his playing style, depending on who the opponent is.

An attacking philosophy could suit someone like Poku, who thrives when his team are attacking in the final third.

This season, the Ghana winger has scored 12 goals and contributed 11 assists across just 31 matches for the Posh. Of course, it may be League One, but it still proves how effective he is in the final third, whether it is scoring or generating chances for his teammates, and shows that he could deliver as much as Cerny at Ibrox.

His manager at the Posh has lauded Poku previously for his starring role in their 2024/25 campaign, saying: “The boy is unplayable at the moment, he’s just so good. He deserves all the plaudits and all the credit.”

It looks as though he is now ready to leave the club and a move to Rangers could be perfect as he seeks to take the next step in his development.

Not only will he challenge for domestic trophies, but Poku will get the chance to play in Europe for the first time.

Across 27 games in the English third tier, Poku has averaged 2.4 shots per game, along with recording a goal conversion percentage of 19%, created nine big chances and averages 1.2 key passes per match for his club.

These are impressive statistics regardless of the league he is playing in, and Poku could be an excellent option for Ancelotti to call upon next season, should he become the new manager.

The next few weeks are extremely important for the club. If Ancelotti is the man set to take charge, he will have to be backed significantly.

While he hasn’t managed before, his ability to think on his feet and help power Madrid to plenty of titles has drawn plaudits. Could he do the same at Rangers?

Only time will tell.

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Chelsea are prepared to open talks over re-signing a former “leader”, who one source describes as the perfect player for Enzo Maresca’s dressing room.

Enzo Maresca makes "very important" Conference League claim

The west Londoners take a commanding 4-1 lead into their Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgardens tonight, and all signs point towards Chelsea easing past Jani Honkavaara’s side as they look to confirm a spot in the final on May 28.

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Maresca has a golden chance to win his first piece of silverware as Chelsea manager during his debut season in charge, and a lot of expectation is riding on him, as they’ve been backed as solid favourites to lift the trophy since the beginning of 2024/2025.

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

While Chelsea have much grander ambitions in the long-term, being knocked out of the Conference League at this stage would arguably be a disaster, and Maresca says winning the competition is “very important” for many reasons.

“Very important, very important for sure, 100 per cent,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s Conference League ambitions.

“For different reasons but the main reason is because we want this club winning trophies. In this moment we are in the Conference so we have to try to win the trophy in the competition that we are.

“So yeah, it’s important personally, but for me, it’s much more important for the club, for the fans. We said many times that it’s the only trophy that Chelsea didn’t win in the past and Chelsea can become the first club in Europe to win all the European competitions so it’s also good for the club.”

It would also end the campaign on a high, even if Chelsea’s race for Champions League qualification is taking centre stage right now.

The club’s ambitions to compete in Europe’s most prestigious competition will also have a knock-on effect when it comes to summer transfers, and it is believed the signing of a new centre-back is a top priority for Chelsea ahead of next term.

Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen and Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi are among Chelsea’s rumoured central defensive targets, but according to Football Transfers, they now have their eyes on a possible reunion with Antonio Rudiger.

Chelsea ready to open talks over bringing back Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger

According to their information, the Blues have made contact with their ex-defender’s camp “in recent days” to be informed on his future at the Bernabeu – as they lay some groundwork over a potential deal.

The Germany international, while generally satisfied with life at Real, has apparently become “increasingly difficult” to deal with, and one source describes his situation as “tense” amid clashes with those in his inner circle.

The reasons for Rudiger’s dissatisfaction are kept vague, but this has apparently alerted Chelsea. Indeed, as well as reaching out to the £238,000-per-week defender’s representatives, it is believed Chelsea are “ready to negotiate” re-signing Rudiger if they get the green-light from him or Real.

The 32-year-old, despite some drama behind-closed-doors, has been described by an FT source as “exactly what the dressing room needs”. Rudiger’s experience could also be vital for Maresca’s very young squad, and he’s already a proven Premier League defender.

“He’s a leader, a warrior, exactly what this Chelsea dressing room needs,” said the source.

“There’s no fear about his personality. If anything, that fire is what we’re missing.”

With the end of the campaign in sight, the race for the Championship automatic promotion places and playoff slots is heating up, and excitement is starting to build over who will earn a shot at Premier League stardom.

Promotion hopefuls planning for top flight return

Sheffield United retain a two-point lead at this stage, but know that Leeds United and Burnley lurk directly below and will be on hand to deal a blow to their title aspirations at the first sign of complacency.

Evaluating wider competition, Sunderland, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Bristol City are directly contesting each other for a place in the playoffs, creating a tense atmosphere across the division ahead of this weekend’s matches.

How the race looks with eight matches left

1. Sheffield United

83

2. Leeds United

81

3. Burnley

81

4. Sunderland

72

5. Coventry City

59

6. West Bromwich Albion

57

7. Middlesbrough

57

8. Bristol City

57

Undoubtedly, the pick of the round has to be West Brom’s home clash with Sunderland on Saturday lunchtime. The former are desperately clinging to sixth place after a run of only one win in five league games.

Tony Mowbray may even find his side knocked off their perch by Middlesbrough amid the latter’s kick-off against Blackburn Rovers on Friday evening. Either way, there is a lot of tension brewing between divisional rivals desperate for a shot at top-flight football.

On one end of the scale, Burnley would be devastated to miss out on an automatic return at the first time of asking. Meanwhile, clubs such as the Baggies and Boro have strong Premier League pedigree, even if they have spent a few years away from the dizzying heights of England’s most prestigious domestic environment.

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Intriguingly, the trio mentioned aren’t only battling on the pitch, they are also now fighting for the signature of an international player who could be available for free this summer.

West Brom, Middlesbrough and Burnley want to sign Tom Lawrence

According to The Daily Mail, West Brom are joined by Middlesbrough and Burnley in the hunt to sign Rangers midfielder Tom Lawrence, who is out of contract in Glasgow at the end of the campaign.

Competition is fierce for his signature, with Coventry City, Wrexham, PAOK, Olympiacos and Besiktas also in the mix to tempt the 23-cap Wales international elsewhere on a free transfer.

Having previously played in the Championship with Derby County, Wayne Rooney paid tribute to his “excellent” leadership skills while captain of the Rams under his stewardship.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old’s injury struggles have limited him to just 25 appearances at Ibrox this term, during which time he registered six goals and two assists across all competitions.

No confirmation has emerged regarding Lawrence’s next steps, creating an opportunity for interested parties to present a vision that could tempt the Wrexham-born man to seek regular football in an alternative environment.

Who will win the race for his signature? It is too soon to say, but achieving promotion to the Premier League would certainly help West Brom, Middlesbrough and Burnley make a compelling case.