Aston Villa and Chelsea have reached an agreement on the transfer of Dutch defender Ian Maatsen, with the 22-year-old left-back set to join Villa Park for a fee between £35 million and £40 million, depending on add-ons. The transfer is subject to a physical, after which Maatsen is expected to sign a six-year contract with Aston Villa. Maatsen’s decision to join Villa is reportedly influenced by the team’s qualification for the Champions League next season. Despite interest from Borussia Dortmund, who he played for on loan in the second half of last season, Maatsen has chosen Villa as his preferred…
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Chelsea faces a challenging start to the season under new head coach Enzo Maresca, hosting defending champions Manchester City in their opening game at Stamford Bridge. Maresca will encounter numerous obstacles throughout the season, including a potentially grueling schedule if Chelsea qualifies for the Europa Conference League group stage. The team must win a two-leg play-off match, with the first leg on August 22 and the second leg on August 29, to advance. If Chelsea succeeds in the play-off, they may face a congested December schedule, with up to nine games possible, including a Carabao Cup quarterfinal. The current schedule,…
Arsenal is gearing up for a defensive overhaul this summer, despite having the best defensive record in the Premier League last season. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are looking to strengthen the team’s central defense, which lacks depth beyond Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. While Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, and Ben White can play as center-backs, Arteta prefers using them as full-back options. Arsenal is reportedly interested in Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce, which could allow for more flexibility in the defense. However, the team is also keen on signing another central defender to provide solid backup to Saliba…
Ryan Bertrand’s selection as the starting left-back for Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich is one of the most notable decisions in the club’s history. At just 21 years old, Bertrand had limited experience, with only a dozen top-flight starts and no prior participation in the competition. Yet, interim head coach Roberto Di Matteo showed faith in him, and Bertrand repaid that trust by helping Chelsea secure a historic victory. He became the first player to make his Champions League debut in the final and lift the trophy. Bertrand’s heroics in Munich cemented his place in Chelsea’s history,…
Arsenal is reportedly keeping tabs on several players ahead of the summer transfer window. One of the players on their radar is Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy, an 18-year-old Turkish forward who has impressed scouts from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City at EURO 2024. According to HITC, Arsenal and Manchester City are leading the race to sign Kilicsoy. Another player Arsenal is considering is AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The Athletic reports that both Arsenal and AC Milan are interested in the defensive midfielder, who could cost around £15 million. Fofana can play as a number six and could be…
Frank Lampard, the former England and Chelsea star, has revealed that he intentionally kept his distance from Cristiano Ronaldo while they were both on holiday at the same hotel. Despite being a huge fan of the Portuguese superstar, Lampard felt a bit intimidated by Ronaldo’s impressive physique and dedication to fitness. Lampard recalled the encounter, which took place a few months ago, and how he made sure to keep a safe distance from Ronaldo, who was busy with his personal trainer, hitting the gym twice a day. Lampard joked that he didn’t want to be seen next to Ronaldo’s “amazing”…
Manchester United’s young prodigy, Kobbie Mainoo, has lavished praise on Arsenal’s midfielder, Declan Rice, in a recent Euro 2024 interview. Mainoo, who has been impressive for England, credited Rice for his outstanding performances, stating that he has justified his £105 million price tag and proven his quality in both the Premier League and international football. Mainoo, who has played alongside Rice for England, expressed his admiration for the midfielder’s defensive prowess, which allows him the freedom to move forward and attack with confidence. He acknowledged that Rice’s presence provides solid cover, enabling him to focus on his attacking game without…
Arsenal is gearing up to make a bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who impressed at Euro 2024. After failing to sign Benjamin Sesko, the Gunners have shifted their focus to strengthening their squad in various areas, including defense and the wing. With William Saliba and Bukayo Saka lacking adequate backup, Arsenal recognizes the need to address these gaps before the new season. Marc Guehi has emerged as a top candidate to bolster Arsenal’s defense, with the club preparing an initial bid. However, they are hesitant to meet Crystal Palace’s £50 million asking price. Guehi’s performance at Euro 2024,…
Chelsea’s preparations for their highly anticipated Premier League opener against Manchester City have been dealt a significant blow with the suspension of defender Reece James. The 24-year-old will miss the match at Stamford Bridge on August 18, along with three other games, due to a four-match ban imposed by the Football Association. James’ suspension stems from an off-the-ball altercation with Brighton’s Joao Pedro during Chelsea’s 2-1 victory last season. The incident occurred just 15 minutes after James came on as a substitute, and he was subsequently shown a red card. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed disappointment and frustration with the…
Arsenal is poised to make a significant move in the transfer market, with Amadou Onana emerging as a top target. According to Mundo Deportivo, Everton is eager to sell the Belgian midfielder before the end of June, and Arsenal is considered the frontrunner to secure his signature. This development comes as no surprise, given Mikel Arteta’s admiration for Onana’s versatility and skill. Everton’s motivation to sell Onana stems from their need to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules, and they hope to strengthen their financial position by offloading the midfielder. While other top clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Bayern…