شهدت مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد ومارسيليا، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مساء يوم الثلاثاء، الكثير من القرارات التحكيمية، التي جاء بعضها لصالح الملكي، والآخر للفريق الفرنسي.
واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد ومارسيليا في الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري، من دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26.
وتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق فوز صعب على مارسيليا بهدفين لهدف، بفضل النجم كيليان مبابي الذي سجل هدفي كتيبة تشابي ألونسو من ضربتي جزاء.
واحتسب حكم المباراة ضربتي جزاء لصالح ريال مدريد، في الدقيقة 28 و81، بينما طُرد اللاعب داني كارفاخال في الدقيقة 71.
ويرى بيريز بورول، الحكم الإسباني السابق، أن ضربة جزاء ريال مدريد الثانية لم تكن صحيحة على الإطلاق، مع العلم إنه تم احتسابها بداعِ وجود لمسة يد على لاعب مارسليا فاكوندو ميدينا.
GOAL!@KMbappe just about squeezes the ball past Rulli for his 50th Real Madrid goal!
The 10 men lead with stoppage time fast approaching ⏱️#beINUCL #RealMadridMarseille #UCL pic.twitter.com/k6eQGzx2fc — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 16, 2025
وأوضح بورول أنه كان يتعين على الحكم عدم احتساب ضربة جزاء لصالح ريال مدريد في ذلك الموقف، كون أن ميدينا في حالة سقوط على أرض الملعب، ومن ثم فإن رد فعل جسده كان طبيعيا في تلك الحالة.
وقال بورول، في تصريحات لراديو “ماركا” بعد المباراة: “في رأيي، احتساب ركلة الجزاء لم يكن قرارًا صحيحًا لأن حركة (ميدينا) كانت طبيعية، لقد سقط اللاعب على أرض الملعب، وذراعه لم يتجه نحو الكرة”.
Seamer’s 4 for 15 capped the Steelbacks’ target to 141, which was only reached with two balls to spare
ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024
Ben Sanderson celebrates a wicket•Getty Images
Northants144 for 5 (Vasconcelos 41, Sowter 2-17) beat Durham 140 (Ackermann 70, Sanderson 4-15) by five wicketsLewis McManus and Ashton Agar held their nerve to take Northamptonshire Steelbacks to victory in the last over of this Vitality T20 Blast thriller at Wantage Road.Northamptonshire needed 10 runs an over in the last five after falling behind the rate chasing 141 to win, but McManus showed just how much his batting has improved this season, hitting 25 off 16 balls. The hosts went into the last over needing eight to win, but a huge six from Agar, playing his first game for the Steelbacks, took his side to the brink of victory.Earlier, Ben Sanderson returned career-best T20 bowling figures of 4 for 15, including two in just three balls, as Durham slumped to four for three in the opening three overs. The top three batters all fell without scoring.Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Colin Ackermann was the mainstay for the visitors, striking 70 off 52 deliveries with four fours and four sixes to push his side towards respectability as they closed on 140 all out. Left-arm spinner Freddie Heldreich chipped in with three wickets.Willey set the tone by bowling a testing maiden opening over before Sanderson struck. First, he had Alex Lees caught behind and then got one to jag back to bowl Ollie Robinson.Things only got worse next over when Graham Clark skied one in the air as he attempted to hit Willey down the ground, Gus Miller taking a good running catch. It left Durham in tatters at 4 for 3 after only 16 deliveries, an Ackermann on drive providing the only runs.Ben Raine (20), though, quickly got off the mark with a brace of boundaries off Willey. He greeted Ravi Bopara’s first over with similar intent, striking consecutive fours before attempting to pull the all-rounder high over deep midwicket, where Ricardo Vasconcelos took a brilliant running catch.Durham finally passed 50 in the tenth over as Ackermann and Ashton Turner put on 41 for the fifth wicket, Ackerman crisply pulling Miller for four and Saif Zaib square for six.Turner (19) swung Ashton Agar high over deep midwicket but when he tried to mete out the same treatment to Heldreich, he could only top edge the ball, Vasconcelos running in from the boundary to take a sensational tumbling catch.Heldreich struck twice in his next over, bowling Bas de Leede and picking up Michael Jones caught by Agar on the long-on boundary.The tumble of wickets failed to deter Durham who upped the ante. Ben Dwarshuis struck Agar for six and dispatched hit Heldreich for another. Meanwhile Ackermann reached his half-century off 41 balls when he struck Heldreich over deep midwicket.Sanderson made a crucial double breakthrough when he returned to bowl the penultimate over, having Dwarshuis caught behind off a top-edge and bowling Callum Parkinson.Ackermann finally departed, caught off Raphy Weatherall in the 20th over, but not before he struck another six down the ground.Durham bowled tightly up top, Northamptonshire finding it difficult to time the ball. The first boundaries did not come until the fourth over when Vasconcelos (41) scooped de Leede for six and four. Easing into his work, he then garnered two legside boundaries off Dwarshuis.The hosts lost their first wicket when Raine had Matthew Breetzke caught off an attempted pull, but Vasconcelos continued to make hay, taking consecutive fours off the same bowler.Willey, too, was proactive, smashing Ackermann for two boundaries, but he fell soon afterwards when he tamely chipped a return catch back to Nathan Sowter. The Steelbacks lost a second when Parkinson trapped Vasconcelos lbw. The opener had passed 1,000 runs in T20 cricket for Northamptonshire, with Zaib passing the same milestone shortly afterwards.Northamptonshire lost a fourth when Bopara picked out Turner at long-off off Sowter to leave them 86 for four at the end of the 14th over, still needing 55 to win.With Durham keeping up the pressure in the field, McManus eased home nerves slightly with a six off Sowter and slapping Parkinson down the ground. He and Zaib shared an enterprising stand of 32 in 3.3 overs which ended when Zaib chipped Raine straight to mid-off.McManus swung a huge legside six off the penultimate over from Dwarshuis to keep Northamptonshire in the hunt, leaving them needing eight off the last over.Parkinson bowled a dot ball first up, but Agar flicked him high behind square for six before a wide brought the scores level. After another dot ball, Agar ran a single to earn victory.
صعّد الجهاز الفني لنادي الزمالك بقيادة البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، 3 لاعبين من فريق الشباب للمشاركة في تدريبات الفريق الأول خلال الفترة المقبلة استعدادًا لمباراة المصري في الدوري.
ويلتقي الزمالك مع المصري البورسعيدي يوم 13 سبتمبر الجاري على استاد الجيش ببرج العرب في الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وصعد يانيك فيريرا، كل من محمد حمد ومحمد فرج وزياد مدحت، ثلاثي الشباب، للمشاركة في التدريبات، وفقًا لسياسة الجهاز الفني، بتصعيد أفضل العناصر من فرق قطاع الناشئين للمشاركة في تدريبات الفريق الأول، بجانب تعويض غياب اللاعبين الدوليين بالفريق.
طالع | الونش يعتذر لجماهير الزمالك: لم أسامح نفسي.. ومُتقبل العقوبة الكبيرة
ويجيد محمد حمد مواليد 2008 اللعب في مركز الجناح الهجومي، في حين يلعب محمد فرج مواليد 2008، في مركز الظهير الأيمن ، بينما يلعب زياد مدحت مواليد 2007 في مركز لاعب الوسط.
ومن جانب آخر، أدى محمد شحاتة لاعب وسط الفريق، تدريبات تأهيلية اليوم الأحد، على استاد الكلية الحربية، على هامش مباراة الأبيض أمام النجوم في إطار الاستعداد لمباراة المصري.
ويعاني محمد شحاتة من إصابة بشد في العضلة الخلفية، تعرض لها قبل مباراة وادي دجلة الأخيرة في الدوري، يخضع حاليًا لبرنامج تأهيلي وعلاجي مكثف لتجهيزه للمشاركة في التدريبات الجماعية في أقرب وقت ممكن.
ويحتل فريق الزمالك، المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز، برصيد 10 نقاط، بعد مرور 5 جولات، انتصر في 3 وتعادل في واحدة وخسر في لقاء.
Leeds United may have to brace for the departure of a “fantastic” player, who now wants to leave the club this summer, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed.
Leeds' summer rebuild well underway
Having been promoted from the Championship last season, Leeds have been busy assembling a squad capable of surviving in the Premier League, with centre-back duo Sebastian Bornauw and Jaka Bijol recently sealing moves to Elland Road.
Striker Lukas Nmecha has also secured a move to West Yorkshire, with Daniel Farke looking to bolster his options in attack, despite already having the 2024-25 Championship top scorer at his disposal in the form of Joel Piroe.
Lecce centre-forward Nikola Krstovic also remains of interest to the Championship title-winners, with it being revealed they are now pushing to get a deal over the line, which means one of Farke’s current striker options may need to make way.
"Done deal" as Leeds sell 6 foot 2 player who Farke called "great"
A “full agreement” has been reached.
1 ByCharlie Smith Jul 3, 2025
In an interview with Leeds United News, Bailey has now revealed that Mateo Joseph could be on the move this summer, with the forward eager to seal an Elland Road exit and return to his home country of Spain, amid interest from La Liga side Real Betis.
The transfer expert said: “From what I’ve most recently been told, he does want to go back to Spain. But Leeds have got to be careful, in my opinion. You can’t just let Mateo Joseph go and do whatever and then be left short. That’s the consideration.
Mateo Joseph in action for Leeds.
“But I think Joseph will end up back in Spain. Betis have sold a forward in Jesus Rodriguez to Como and that’ll be used to help pay for Joseph.
“From what I’m hearing, he could be accelerated into the first-team squad for Spain very quickly. And I think that’s probably in his consideration as well.”
Krstovic could be excellent replacement for Joseph
Piroe was Leeds’ main man in attack last season, scoring 19 goals in the Championship, but Joseph also featured regularly, picking up seven goal contributions in the second tier, and his departure could be a blow for Farke.
At just 21-years-old, the £13m-rated youngster still has a lot of room to develop, but he has already caught the eye of scout/writer Jacek Kulig, who described the forward as “fantastic” a little over a year ago.
That said, Krstovic could be a solid replacement for Joseph, given that the Montenegro international was regularly amongst the goals for Lecce last season, netting 12 times across 38 appearances in all competitions.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Serie A
37
11
5
Italian Cup
1
1
0
Having already proven himself in a major European league, the Lecce star could be an instant upgrade on Joseph, so if the starlet makes it clear that he wants to leave this summer, Leeds should not stand in his way.
Lionel Messi called an English icon a “once in a generation player” and claimed that there was “nobody like him” in world football.
The Argentine is regarded as the greatest footballer of all time by many, beginning his professional career back in 2004 at the age of 17.
After Ronaldinho set up Messi’s first goal in a Barcelona shirt, he has gone on to break numerous records and is the most decorated player in the history of professional football with 45 team honours.
On a personal note, no player has won more than his eight Ballon d’Or titles, while he has also been named FIFA’s world’s best player on eight occasions. Messi’s first Ballon d’Or crown came in 2009 and his last was in 2023, a year on after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
Years Messi has won the Ballon d’Or
Club
2009
Barcelona
2010
Barcelona
2011
Barcelona
2012
Barcelona
2015
Barcelona
2019
Barcelona
2021
Barcelona
2023
Inter Miami
Messi named Brazilian striker Ronaldo as his favourite ever player, and he has also named his 10 favourite teammates, all of which played alongside him at the Nou Camp.
Lionel Messi’s 10 favourite teammates in pictures:
The iconic attacker has also come up against several English stars in his career, and one in particular stood out.
Messi: Wayne Rooney was “special" and a “once in a generation player”
One player who Messi came up against on several occasions was Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. The England striker is the Red Devils’ record scorer with 253 goals, but Messi broke Rooney’s heart twice in the Champions League.
Messi scored in the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals at the Stadio Olimpico and Wembley Stadium, with Barca lifting the European crown on both occasions. Rooney scored Man Utd’s goal in the 3-1 defeat at Wembley, and he was a player who caught the eye of Messi during his career.
Talking back in 2015, Messi hailed Rooney after the striker became England’s all-time leading goal-scorer with his 50th international goal.
That tally has since been surpassed by Harry Kane, however, Messi called Rooney “a once in a generation player” and that there was “nobody like him”.
Arsenal are on the lookout for promising talent this summer and could now beat Liverpool and Chelsea to one of Europe’s top young talents, according to a report.
Arsenal look to kickstart a summer of note
The Gunners have aspirations of claiming Premier League glory after coming close in years gone by and a big few months is expected by all involved at the Emirates to shift the balance of power that Liverpool currently hold.
Mikel Arteta previously promised a high turnover of players at Arsenal, stating earlier this year: “It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it. The way we planned the first five summers, they were going to be very big, and they were going to have different objectives.
“There were a lot of players with three, four or five-year contracts. So the turnaround of the squad and how you visualise the next five years was very dependent on that.”
Jakub Kiwior and Aleksandr Zinchencko could leave Arsenal to help create room for new blood in North London. A few others may join them, but who has been lined up to sign on the dotted line at the Emirates Stadium?
Understandably, Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres is the Gunners’ main target to strengthen their forward line following his return of 54 goals in 52 matches across all competitions, though he isn’t the only high-profile name linked with a move elsewhere this summer.
He's more proven than Gyokeres: Arsenal in talks to sign £63m "monster"
Arsenal could sign a proven elite striker instead of Viktor Gyokeres.
ByMatt Dawson Jun 15, 2025
Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens could also be on his way to Arsenal if they can see off competition from Chelsea for his signature.
In a crowded market where deals are there to be done, Arteta may have designs on showing their London rivals who the boss is on more than one occasion.
Arsenal readying bid to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato
According to TBR, Arsenal are now readying a bid to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato after holding talks with the Eredivisie giants over a move for the Netherlands international.
Valued at around £40 million, the Rotterdam-born man is also the subject of interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, with the former also taking part in discussions to bring him to West London.
Jorrel Hato’s strong campaign for Ajax in 2024/25 – Eerdivisie (Fotmob)
Tackles won
36
Chances created
18
Long ball accuracy
60%
Duels won
128
Aerial duels won
51
However, he sees the Emirates as an ideal destination to continue his development and is viewed as someone who would fit Arteta’s philosophy ‘perfectly’ over the coming years.
Labelled “fantastic” by Jordan Henderson,, the 19-year-old has been followed by the Gunners over the last four years and the fact that Kieran Tierney has went back to Celtic alongside potential exits for Zinchenko and Kiwior has made the pursuit come to life.
Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly remain as potential left-back options, but Hato would definitely take Arsenal closer to where they need to be if all parties can come to an agreement.
It’s been a hectic off-season so far for Aston Villa, as many members of Unai Emery’s camp consider moves away from the West Midlands.
Emiliano Martinez, Amadou Onana, and Youri Tielemans all reportedly face uncertain futures with the Villans, with plenty of fresh signings then needed to balance the books, even amid a tricky PSR situation.
Aston Villa manager UnaiEmeryduring a lap of honour after the match
Some major sales could finance this statement deal; therefore, with the Villans now ready to enter into the intense race for this attacking star’s services.
Aston Villa join race for £50k-per-week ace
As per a new report from The Independent, Villa are now set to enter the race for Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The report states that Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, and an Erik Ten Hag-led Bayer Leverkusen are all keen on the pacey 20-year-old, with a bumper £70m price tag also placed above his head off the back of this frenzied interest.
It is also stated that a big move for Garnacho will only take place on Villa’s end if the likes of Morgan Rogers were to move on.
Whilst he has experienced a bumpy patch of his Old Trafford career under Ruben Amorim, it’s undeniable that the £50k-per-week winger is a top, Premier League-capable talent on his day.
It could even be argued that the Red Devils youngster is a bigger talent than Jhon Duran once was during his electric Villa playing days, with the Colombian also a wide-eyed attacker in his own right that terrorised top-flight defences for fun.
Why Garnacho is an even bigger talent than Duran
Duran’s spell at Villa Park went by in a goal-laden flash, with the clinical 21-year-old only on the books of Emery’s men for 78 games in total.
He definitely left a lasting impression, however, with 20 strikes picked up along the way, despite mainly being utilised as a blistering impact substitute by the Spaniard.
Garnacho once had to be patient himself at the Theatre of Dreams for first team opportunities, as seen in his first five goal contributions for the illustrious club in Premier League all coming from off the bench, before going on to solidify himself as a deserved regular with acrobatic efforts such as this wondergoal against Everton soaring in.
Of course, his spell at United could well be tainted now for good by a public falling out with Amorim, but his consistent numbers for United – away from his stay at Old Trafford turning sour – over many a season shows off his expertise of the daunting level, proving further that he is a more exciting talent at his peak than the dangerous Duran.
Garnacho’s G/A numbers by season for United
Season
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
24/25
57
10
10
23/24
50
11
7
22/23
34
5
5
21/22
2
0
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Despite being pushed to the exit door, Garnacho is just fresh off collecting 20 goals and assists combined from 57 total clashes last season, with his entire tally for United in the men’s ranks coming in at a very impressive 26 strikes and 22 assists from 144 contests.
Amazingly, that hefty goal tally is six more than Duran would manage at Villa Park, despite the 21-year-old lining up as an out-and-out centre-forward. Equally, the United man has registered 24 goals and assists in 93 Premier League outings, while Duran provided just 12 – none of which were assists – in 55 top-flight games for Villa.
Garnacho, too, also boasts big-game experience, having scored against Manchester City in the FA Cup final and Community Shield last year.
That’s also some weighty experience of the Premier League for an attacker who is still only 20 years old, with Emery hopeful he can work his Marcus Rashford magic on the exciting South American if he relocates to the West Midlands shortly.
After all, Emery managed to help repair Rashford’s own damaged Red Devils career with four goals and six assists heading his way last season, donning Villa claret and blue.
Garnacho
In this example, however, it’s not as if Garnacho’s form has suffered from a horrible dip, with everything pointing in the direction that the “superstar” – as he’s been previously lauded by football content creator Liam Canning – could be a rip-roaring success at Villa Park, much like Duran was.
Emery loves him: Aston Villa now one to watch in race for £300k-a-week star
The Villans are in the race for an “unbelievable” player, with Unai Emery thought to be a keen admirer.
Arsenal’s recruitment drive is becoming more interesting by the day, with news coming to light on their attempts to sign a highly-rated forward for Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal targeting new striker and winger this summer
The Premier League title eluded Arteta by a seismic distance last term, and sporting director Andrea Berta is working to back the Spaniard with new signings to reinforce the squad ahead of a more hopeful challenge next season.
Arsenal talks could advance in "next few days" as Berta eyes £59m signing
The Gunners have been in contact this week.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 5, 2025
The reasons behind Arsenal’s failed title bid come down to injuries and a lack of potency in the final third, with a plethora of key first-team players, including the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, all sidelined for extended periods throughout 2024/2025.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury, sustained in an FA Cup defeat to Man United, also left Arteta without a senior natural striker for the majority of 2025. Mikel Merino was forced to play in an emergency striker role, and Berta will be determined to ensure Arsenal’s manager isn’t left so short of options next term.
Arsenal are currently working to discover the conditions of deals for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, who are fresh off impressive campaigns at Sporting CP and RB Leipzig respectively (BBC).
Meanwhile, extensive groundwork is being laid when it comes to Arsenal’s pursuit of a new wide option, with Real Madrid sensation Rodrygo reported as a top target for Berta. However, talks have currently stalled due to salary demands, prompting the north Londoners to weigh up alternatives (Florian Plettenberg).
According to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel, one of those was Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
The Cameroonian has enjoyed the season of his life under Thomas Frank, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, but it looks highly likely that Old Trafford will be his next destination.
Negotiations have now started between United and Brentford over Mbeumo, but there is still a glimmer of hope for Arteta.
Arsenal tried to sign Bryan Mbeumo before Man United decision
Mokbel reports that Arsenal had “big” interest in Mbeumo and tried to sign him, before the African gave priority to Ruben Amorim’s side. However, if a move falls through, the BBC reporter suggests Arsenal could be there to salvage a move.
“I think Bryan Mbeumo is probably going to be ending up at Man United. I think that probably will happen,” Mokbel told Highbury Squad on YouTube.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
“But I do know that Arsenal had a big interest in him and have tried. I think perhaps what Man United put on the table may be more favourable than Arsenal, and I think that perhaps that might be why he’s chosen to go to Man United.
“If the Mbeumo deal, for whatever reason, didn’t happen, I would not be surprised to see Arsenal be there or thereabouts to try to pick up the pieces of that deal.”
Reports suggest Man United have bid around £55 million for Mbeumo, but given Brentford’s valuation is actually around £60 million, there is still work to be done there.
While the 25-year-old only has a year left on his contract, Brentford possess the option to extend it by a further year, meaning they can charge a much higher fee than what you’d expect.
Tottenham Hotspur are now confident they can win the race for a midfield “magician” following their Europa League triumph against Manchester United, according to a report.
Spurs end 17-year trophy drought in Bilbao
Tottenham’s long wait for a trophy came to an end earlier this week, sealing European glory with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao, which sparked some wild scenes upon their return to north London.
Ending the 17-year wait for major silverware was of the utmost importance to Ange Postecoglou, who once again delivered in his second season, but his side’s Europa League triumph also secures a return to the Champions League next season, despite their dismal Premier League form.
As such, moving to Spurs should be an attractive proposition for some top players in the summer transfer window, and they are now growing in confidence they can win the race for a midfielder, who is also being targeted by Man United.
Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, both Tottenham and United are interested in signing Lille’s Angel Gomes, who is set to be available on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract this summer, and the north Londoners are now confident about winning the race.
England'sAngelGomesin action
The Red Devils’ defeat in the Europa League final means they will not be playing European football of any description next season, which could make a move to north London more appealing for Gomes, who has been a long-standing target for Postecoglou’s side.
"Magician" Gomes could be excellent signing for Spurs
Ange has been plagued with injuries throughout the campaign, with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison spending time on the sidelines, while there is also a feeling the manager could look to offload fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer.
As such, it makes perfect sense for Tottenham to bring in more depth in the middle of the park this summer, and the Lille maestro could be an excellent addition to the squad, having received his first England call-up earlier this season.
Tottenham submit bid for Kompany-esque defender to replace Cristian Romero
He’s been likened to the former Man City captain and Bayern Munich manager.
ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025
Indeed, the Englishman caught the eye of former interim boss Lee Carsley, while he has also received high praise from former teammate Jonathan Panzo, who said: “He’s like a magician,”
“He’s a small player, but his IQ is so smart and he just knows how to get around the pitch.”
Tottenham’s return to the Champions League should ensure they have money to spend in the upcoming window, but signing Gomes on a free transfer would still be a smart piece of business, and a move to north London should be far more appealing than Old Trafford after the heroics in Bilbao.
Chelsea’s desire to sign a new defender this summer is no secret. After conceding 57 goals across all competitions this term, it is clear another centre-back or two is needed.
Much will depend on just how much money Enzo Maresca has to spend when the transfer window opens.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescacelebrates after the match
A few players might be sold in order to balance the books, although if the club achieves Champions League qualification, Maresca will need to strengthen his side.
Several defenders have already been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, although one has chosen Real Madrid instead…
Chelsea targeting defenders in the transfer window
Dean Huijsen was a name on the list of targets for Chelsea, but defender ended up joining Real Madrid, who activated the £50m release clause that was in his Bournemouth contract.
The Blues must move on, and they have already earmarked an ideal alternative to the Spaniard. Ajax defender Jorrel Hato is the latest name linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
AFC Bournemouth's DeanHuijsen
Hato, who is currently valued at £42m, only turned 19 in March and has the advantage of being able to play either at centre-back or on the left side of the defence.
The chance to play Champions League football with the Blues could give them a boost in their pursuit and he would make for an interesting signing.
Despite showing interest in both of these young, talented defenders, Maresca has someone in his squad who came through the Cobham academy and is valued higher than Hato and Huijsen; Levi Colwill.
Why Chelsea have struck gold on Levi Colwill
Colwill may have had to wait until the 2023/24 season to make his debut for Chelsea after a number of loan spells, but he has been a regular ever since.
Under Maresca, the Englishman has played 36 times in all competitions, even breaking through to earn three caps for England.
Levi Colwill’s PL stats for Chelsea
Metric
2023/24
2024/25
Accurate passes per 90
38.2
67
Clean sheets
4
9
Total duels won per 90
5
4.5
Tackles per 90
2.1
1.4
Possession lost per 90
10
8.9
Via Sofascore
Colwill has missed just three Premier League games this season for the Blues and, throughout the campaign, he has won 56% of his total duels per match, kept nine clean sheets and recovered 3.5 balls per game in the top flight.
Furthermore, when compared to his peers in the division, Colwill ranks impressively, notably sitting in the top 12% for passes completed (67.32) per 90, along with ranking in the top 32% for aerials won (2.32) per 90 for Chelsea.
He is still only 22, meaning he could be a cornerstone for the club over the next few years. Indeed, his performances have even seen his value rise exponentially with some reports noting last year that the club now value him at a whopping £100m.
This means he is worth even more than both Hato and Huijsen put together, signifying just how impressive a player Maresca has on his hands.
His performances were praised during a loan spell with Brighton and Hove Albion during the 2022/23 campaign, with talent scout Jacek Kulig claiming he was a “world-class talent”.
If he continues on this upwards trajectory, Colwill could become one of the best players for the Blues over the coming years, and they have certainly struck gold on him.
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