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lololol fucking Fichajes ass clowns on nuclear powered steroids Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan in the coming months. Tottenham plot move for 26-year-old Chelsea target after Paratici’s green light https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/12/19/tottenham-plot-move-alessandro-bastoni-Chelsea-target/ They will face competition from London rivals Chelsea, as per Fichajes, and it will be interesting to see where the Italian defender ends up. The 26-year-old has been outstanding for Inter Milan, and he is certainly one of the best defenders in European football right now. The player is at the peak of his career, and he could improve both teams. Tottenham and Chelsea have looked vulnerable at the back this season, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch. The 26-year-old is not just a quality defender, but he is also excellent with the ball at his feet, and he will add control and composure to the side. The player has proven himself in Italy, and he could be open to taking a new challenge. The move to the Premier League could be an exciting opportunity for him.

And last season we finished just 2 points behind them. Right now we are not that far behind. So isn't logical conclusion that Maresca is better or same level as Pep but only quality of players makes the difference? Although CWC title has more value than these 8 points Pep won over Maresca since Enzo is here.

🔵Chelsea has its sights set on 20-year-old center back Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes. Chelsea is competing with Real Madrid, PSG, Atlético Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United to sign Jérémy Jacquet. (@Le Parisien)

Enzo Maresca says he will ‘absolutely’ be at Chelsea next season https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6902477/2025/12/19/enzo-maresca-Chelsea-future/ Enzo Maresca has promised Chelsea fans he will be at the club next season and says there is still a lot he wants to achieve at Stamford Bridge. The Athletic revealed on Thursday that Maresca is high among the candidates Manchester City are considering in case Pep Guardiola exits the club next summer. Maresca’s Chelsea future was already under scrutiny when, following the 2-0 win against Everton on Saturday, he said that the previous 48 hours had been the worst of his tenure. Chelsea fans showed their backing for him by chanting his name at the team’s Carabao Cup win at Cardiff City in midweek. When asked during Friday’s press conference if he can guarantee he will be at Chelsea next season, Maresca replied: “Yes, absolutely. I have a contract until 2029 (the club has the option to extend until 2030). “It (Manchester City interest) doesn’t affect me at all because that is 100 per cent speculation. And in this moment, there is no time for these kinds of things. “My focus is just about this club and I’m very proud to be here. But again, it’s speculation. One week ago, I was (linked with a job) in Italy with Juventus. So I don’t pay attention because I know that it’s not true. If we continue to talk about that, that means that I’m paying attention to that. “Now, it’s important to understand the reason why this news was there. But it’s not my job, I don’t care at all. I think the players, they are focused on a Newcastle game (tomorrow) that is a very important game and very difficult.” What You Should Read Next Chelsea are calm about Enzo Maresca’s situation amid City interest – they must move on from the drama Enzo Maresca is high on City's list of possible candidates if Pep Guardiola leaves at the end of the season Maresca has made a positive impact since being appointed Chelsea head coach in June 2024. Last season, the club finished fourth in the Premier League, and won the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup. Chelsea go to Newcastle United on Saturday sitting in fourth, as well as being in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and should at least secure a Champions League play-off place from the league phase. Their FA Cup campaign begins with a third-round tie at Charlton Athletic next month. Pressed on whether he feels there is still a lot more he wants to achieve as Chelsea head coach, he said: “Absolutely, yes. Again, the other day, we achieved the third semi-final in 18 months. Last year, again, I think was good also in terms of trophies, finishing fourth in the Premier League, bringing this club, playing in the Champions League. And now the target is to try to improve what we did last season.” Chelsea, meanwhile, have been boosted by the news that striker Liam Delap is on course to return from a shoulder injury sooner than expected. The forward suffered damage to the AC joint against Bournemouth earlier this month but could make his return against Aston Villa on December 27, just three weeks after suffering the blow. Winger Estevao Willian is also set to be back for that match, having missed Cardiff with a minor muscular problem. Did Maresca convince when addressing his Chelsea future? This was a much more forthright response from Maresca to all the noise that has been around his position over the past week. Maresca has cast quite a tense and sombre character in front of the media over the last few days, but the Italian did a much better job of trying to change the narrative this morning. Walking in smiling and answering some initial light-hearted questions about his Christmas plans, Maresca repeated on more than one occasion that he is contracted to the club until at least 2029 and dismissed talk over his future as “speculation”. Any supporters concerned about losing Maresca to a domestic rival might be a bit more reassured by his promise to still be in charge in 2026-27. It will help quieten the noise surrounding him for now. As The Athletic reported earlier on Friday, everyone at the club wants to focus on what matters most — the team getting results and performances in all four competitions for the remainder of the season. Chelsea always wanted to review everything about the club at the end of Maresca’s second season in charge and that remains the case. But in light of his Everton outburst, which came after Chelsea’s first win in five matches, Maresca will inevitably have more tough questions to answer the next time his team have a bad patch of form. By Simon Johnson Chelsea Correspondent

Chelsea are calm about Enzo Maresca’s situation amid City interest – they must move on from the drama https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6901681/2025/12/19/enzo-maresca-Chelsea-man-city-interest/ Chelsea have to put the drama surrounding head coach Enzo Maresca over the past week behind them as quickly as possible. That is certainly the intention, but it might be easier said than done now that there has been another twist added to the plot. The exclusive story broken by The Athletic’s David Ornstein on Thursday about Maresca being on a wishlist of targets at Manchester City — amid a growing impression that this is Pep Guardiola’s last season in charge at Etihad Stadium — means Maresca and the club are under even more scrutiny. There was already a lot of intrigue over Maresca’s situation at Stamford Bridge following the rather self-inflicted wounds he caused by that post-match press conference after the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday. As The Athletic explained, the Italian’s complaint that he had experienced the worst 48 hours of his time at Stamford Bridge due to a lack of support for him and his team came as a surprise to people at the club. The Athletic has spoken to several sources in the construction of this article, who all spoke under the condition of anonymity to protect relationships. One of those sources said there had been no falling-out or disagreement leading up to Maresca’s outburst. Granted, he remained vague over who he was referring to, yet the theory that there are problems behind the scenes did not dissipate with Maresca’s unconvincing answers and behaviour in the press conferences either side of the Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City in midweek. Eyes will be even more on him for every game and media interview, starting with Chelsea’s very difficult Premier League game against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday. They have lost at that ground on their last four visits. Understandably, everyone wants to know how Chelsea have reacted to Maresca being potentially targeted by Manchester City at the end of the season. Sources insist there is a sense of calm and business as usual. Basically, the plan has not changed. The desire is to focus on getting good results and performances for the rest of the season so Chelsea can finish in the top four of the Premier League and do well in the three cup competitions (Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup). The intention to hold a review into everything at Chelsea, including Maresca, at the end of his second season in charge — so around late May or early June — remains. Chelsea are accustomed to clubs wanting their players and staff, whether it is something genuine or just speculation. For example, they were aware of reports in Italy two months ago that Juventus were interested in Maresca following the sacking of Igor Tudor. The club reacted the same then as they are now, by just getting on with things as normal. The club are in a strong position anyway. Firstly, because of their policy on contracts. Just like the majority of the players, Maresca was given a long-term deal on joining from Leicester City. His agreement runs until 2029, with an option in place for Chelsea to extend it by another 12 months. It will not be easy for anyone to prise him away. Secondly, Chelsea have aimed to build a structure where they are not reliant on just one person. This even applies to the playing side. Sources point to the fact that Chelsea are still on track in terms of achieving their targets for the campaign despite being without their best defender, Levi Colwill, since the start of the season, after a knee injury. Their most gifted player, Cole Palmer, has made just seven appearances so far due to injury. Sources say that Chelsea have been happy with the job Maresca has been doing and backed him during bad runs of form last season and this, committing to the two-year review plan. They also say they have done their due diligence and looked into compiling a list of potential successors for Maresca, but stress it is what every club tries to do over their staff and players. Maresca acknowledging the away end at CardiffDan Istitene/Getty Images This should not be read into too much, given the recent events. It is standard practice and was already in place before Maresca’s outburst last weekend. No professional organisation wants to start from scratch in the event someone leaves, whatever the reason for that is. You simply have to prepare for all possibilities. Chelsea sources say communication between Maresca and the hierarchy has continued and that the working relationship remains unchanged. Understandably, it is going to be a lot harder for those on the outside to believe that, given the extent of Maresca’s original comments and the manner in which they can be perceived. Even if Maresca comes out now to say he is happy at Chelsea and 100 per cent committed to them — the former midfielder has already said words to this effect earlier in the week — the seed has been planted by him that it might not be the case. Chelsea must avoid the commotion caused by that, as well as the potential threat of City’s interest, from having a destabilising impact on their season. Everyone should bear in mind that this is the first time Maresca has managed a club into a second year. Before that, he had coached at Parma for just 14 matches and had one full campaign at Leicester City. He deserves some benefit of the doubt that he did not expect to cause such a stir — the way he acknowledged the away support at Cardiff and pumped his fist against the Chelsea badge on his jacket sent a more positive message. The best medicine to nip this all in the bud, certainly until the review takes place, is simple. Maintain a consistent run of good results, and the inquisition from the outside will be negated somewhat. Well, for the time being at least. By Simon Johnson Chelsea Correspondent

How similar is Enzo Maresca’s football to Pep Guardiola’s? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6897163/2025/12/19/maresca-guardiola-tactical-comparison/ Being compared with Pep Guardiola is nothing new for Enzo Maresca. The 45-year-old’s managerial career at Parma, Leicester City and Chelsea has seen him repeatedly swat away suggestions that he is a diluted version of his friend and former colleague, but now those comparisons will go into another stratosphere. The Italian is high among candidates Manchester City are considering in case Pep Guardiola exits next summer, as The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Thursday. What You Should Read Next Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca high on Manchester City’s list in event of Pep Guardiola exit City are advancing contingency planning as there is a growing anticipation of this being the Catalan manager's last season. Some City fans might initially scoff at Maresca’s credentials to step into the shoes of their club’s greatest-ever manager — one of the most influential tactical minds of all-time. However, strip away any bias and consider the checklist that City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, will want to tick off if and when he looks for Guardiola’s replacement. A coach whose style aligns with the one that brought them the most success at the club? Check. A coach who has experience of the rigours of the Premier League? Check. A coach who has worked alongside Guardiola himself? Check. You can even tick the immeasurable “understands the club” box, with Maresca having won the Premier League 2 title as manager of City’s elite development squad in 2020-21, before becoming Guardiola’s assistant manager during the 2022-23 season — the year that City won a historic treble. Maresca had a good managerial grounding at Man City before taking the Chelsea jobAdrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images Guardiola’s tendency to praise opposition managers can occasionally appear facetious, but his recent comments on Maresca were as big a ringing endorsement to a successor as you are likely to get. “One of the best managers in the world, Enzo Maresca, I know him quite well, but the job he has done at Chelsea does not get enough credit,” Guardiola said earlier this month. “Winning the Club World Cup, Conference League, and qualification for the Champions League in a league that is so tough with a young team. It is exceptional.” What You Should Read Next How much like Pep Guardiola is Enzo Maresca? Chelsea's new head coach Maresca worked closely with Guardiola at Manchester City - so how similar are they? There are justified arguments that Maresca deserves more praise for the job he has done at Chelsea since arriving in the summer of 2024. In attack, only Liverpool and Manchester City have a better expected goals (xG) rate than Chelsea’s 1.8 per 90 since the start of last season. Defensively, there is almost nothing between Chelsea’s 1.3 xG conceded per 90 compared with City’s 1.2 per 90 in that time. As Guardiola has acknowledged, posting those numbers with the youngest average squad age — weighted by minutes played — in each of the last two seasons shows elite coaching must have been a key part of Chelsea’s success. The phrase “Diet Pep” or “Pep Lite” has been previously used as a criticism of Maresca’s style, but in the context of the latest news, it must surely be seen as an encouraging comparison for City fans. Tactically, those comparisons have plenty of substance. Guardiola and Maresca are meticulous in their approach to building a coherent possession-based system, and have achieved success from positional principles — or juego de posicion — that see their players occupy certain zones of the pitch to break down an opponent’s structure. One core similarity is the carefully constructed build-up the two share, which will often see a full-back come inside to form a 3-2-5 shape with a situational double pivot when working the ball through the thirds. This can be seen in Chelsea’s recent home game against Everton, with right-back Malo Gusto joining Reece James in midfield. Maresca has frequently switched which full-back inverts, but it requires players who are highly technical or, as Maresca refers to them, those who can “play in the traffic”. While this build-up approach helps to create numerical advantages in the centre of the pitch to progress upfield, it is worth remembering that such a setup is ultimately defensive. “One of the reasons why we bring the full back inside is to avoid transitions and to defend better in the moment that we lose the ball,” Maresca told The Coaches’ Voice in 2023. A strong rest defence, for those who enjoy the technical term. What You Should Read Next How Chelsea play: Building from the goalkeeper, a box-shaped midfield and lots of short corners The Athletic looks at the tactical setup of Enzo Maresca's side ahead of the 2025-26 season Guardiola has become more unpredictable in his build-up shape this season, but the core ideas are still comparable. Looking at City’s latest Champions League game with Real Madrid, the 3-2 build-up shape is found in different ways — either by a midfielder dropping in (Phil Foden) or via a supporting full-back (Nico O’Reilly). The principles are designed to be fluid and versatile for both managers, but zoom out and examine the wider structure of Chelsea and Manchester City’s most common starting formation last season, and the patterns across the pitch pop out. Control in the centre, networks in wide areas, and a territorial dominance that squeezes the opposition into their own defensive third. The similarity is compelling. Qualitatively, Guardiola has changed City’s shape this season with more rotations between traditional wide full-backs and narrow wingers coming inside. Here, the idea is to flood the centre of the pitch and make space in wide areas, but the fundamental principles are largely unchanged. It is those same uncompromising principles in Maresca that will be attractive to City’s key decision-makers. His reciprocal admiration of Guardiola is unwavering, with the Catalan underpinning the way that he looks at the game. “I decided to be a manager because of Pep’s team, Barcelona, years ago,” Maresca said in a press conference last month. “Now, if clubs or teams decide (to play) with different styles, I’ve said many times that any club, any team can decide in the way they want to play. I chose mine years ago, and this will be the way I like to watch my team play football, and also in the future.” There is room for flexibility within it, but a patient, considered style is ultimately still at the heart of what both managers want to achieve. As shown below, no team this season has more passes per sequence or a slower progression upfield (direct speed) than Chelsea and Manchester City. Tempo is a keyword that both are proud to be associated with. A team that can control the rhythm and speed of the game is often the dominant side of the two, and Maresca’s desire to replicate Guardiola is further borne out in the numbers. Since Maresca arrived, Chelsea have arguably looked better when they picked up the tempo and attacked directly with runners ahead of the ball. Still, the graphic below highlights just how keen Maresca was to stamp his authority over his new side last season, reducing the share of sequences played at a fast tempo compared with the previous two campaigns at Stamford Bridge. Notably, it brought that possession style closer to Guardiola’s once more. With the Premier League seeing a renaissance of direct, vertical play, Guardiola’s principles have been questioned more than ever in recent months. City have embraced the chaos a little more this season, crafting new structures that focus more on verticality than ever before. With that in mind, does Maresca have the same willingness and tactical nous to adapt? The Italian has certainly experimented with his players in his 18 months at Chelsea, regularly playing James as a midfielder and frequently asking right-back Gusto to occupy No 10 roles during attacking phases, but there have been system tweaks alongside this. During the summer’s victorious Club World Cup campaign, a shift from 4-2-3-1 to a 4-2-2-2 against Flamengo ended in defeat, but Maresca was open in highlighting his experimentation. A move to 4-3-3 against Fluminense was also effective in and out of possession to set up the final against Paris Saint-Germain, where Maresca also won the tactical battle against Luis Enrique. “Pep is not a manager that is always doing the same; he is always changing, and with us it will be exactly the same,” Maresca said shortly after joining Chelsea. Having more players in the central channel of the pitch has allowed Guardiola to slowly arrest a key vulnerability that plagued City in defensive transition last season. Having more bodies close to the ball in possession gives you less ground to cover when you are out of possession, but Maresca’s defensive approach has rarely had compactness at its core. As shown in their recent Champions League clash with Atalanta, Chelsea will often press high in a man-to-man fashion, with the central striker split between the goalkeeper and the centre-back. Note centre-back Benoit Badiashile’s high positioning to vacate his spot from Chelsea’s defensive line. The same approach can also be seen against Arsenal, but note how this can fall back into more hybrid pressing — where certain players stay man-for-man while others stay in a zonal structure. In the example below, Marc Cucurella jumps inside to track Bukayo Saka, while Pedro Neto follows Jurrien Timber to cover the left flank. This was a blueprint laid out in Chelsea’s Club World Cup victory over PSG, with a fluidity to their defensive structure that was the perfect antidote to their rotational attack. When it works, it works well, but it is an approach that can leave Maresca’s side open defensively if the timing is off. Instilling a similar out-of-possession structure at City will be a challenge worth looking out for. What You Should Read Next Chelsea’s positional fluidity stifled PSG, providing Maresca with a blueprint for next season The head coach's masterful game plan left the European champions floundering — something that does not happen very often Guardiola’s potential departure from City draws parallels with Jurgen Klopp’s exit from Liverpool. The club’s recruitment team were required to find a head coach whose principles would build on the existing rather than rip up the playbook and start from scratch. In finding Arne Slot, the transition was seamless enough to lead Liverpool to the title in his maiden season. For City, there are few head coaches with a stylistic fit that is more closely analogous to that of their current manager. Vincent Kompany, Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso have all worked under or alongside Guardiola, with little surprise that they are now leading three of Europe’s most elite sides. While he is still learning on the job, Maresca falls into that same category of coaches. By Mark Carey Football Writer

I wager it's a loan with us paying half his salary and no obligation to buy 🤪

🔴Roma chief Ricky Massara has made an approach to Chelsea in the last 48 hours for Axel Disasi. (@Tuttojuve)

Aleksey Batrakov 20yo Russian AMF/Winger who is ttracking to around 30 goals, 12 assists PSG looking to buy him for around £20m to £25m

and GKer

‘There’s 2 candidates’ – Debate over whether to sign Tottenham or Chelsea player next month https://sportwitness.co.uk/theres-2-candidates-debate-over-whether-to-sign-tottenham-or-Chelsea-player-next-month/ Beşiktaş are debating over Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen and Tottenham Hotspur’s Antonin Kinsky as they look for a new goalkeeper. That’s according to Sporx. They report that ‘there’s two candidates’ for the goalkeeper position and it’s the Chelsea and Tottenham men. They explain that the focus is currently on the Chelsea number two. They want to loan Jörgensen for a year and a half with an option to buy. That doesn’t tally with the Blues’ plans for him. They instead plan to keep Jörgensen until the end of the season and then sell him for over €20m. If they were to sanction a loan deal, it would only be a short one. And it would need to include a mandatory purchase option as well. Thus, Beşiktaş are looking at alternatives. And that’s led them to Tottenham and Kinsky. They’ve asked for clarification on the 22-year-old’s situation. Reports have suggested that the Czech goalkeeper, who hasn’t had much gametime at Tottenham this season, could be loaned to another club to continue his development. Beşiktaş would seemingly be keen if that is the case and have contacted Spurs about the youngster.

They have better players across key positions CB and ST.

Real Madrid battle Chelsea and Man City for Nigeria’s most valuable youngster https://soccernet.ng/2025/12/madrid-Chelsea-man-city-nigeria-atalanta.html Real Madrid have emerged as the latest European heavyweights monitoring Nigeria’s highly rated teenage defender Honest Ahanor, intensifying an already crowded transfer race led by Chelsea and Manchester City, Soccernet.ng reports. The 17-year-old Atalanta starlet has quickly become one of the most closely watched young defenders in Europe after an outstanding breakthrough season in Bergamo. His brilliant performances in Italy and Europe have prompted sustained interest from several Premier League clubs and some of the continent’s biggest names, according to a report by TeamTalk. Chelsea are understood to be leading the chase, having tracked Ahanor since his formative years at Genoa, but Madrid’s growing interest is expected to reshape the strategic thinking around the youngster’s future. Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle are also actively monitoring his progress, while Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have sent scouts to Italy this season. Brighton and Nottingham Forest were the two Premier League clubs earlier linked with a move for Ahanor. Ahanor only joined Atalanta in the summer in a deal worth around €20m, yet his rapid adaptation to senior football has made a prolonged stay far from guaranteed. Nigeria's Ahanor: Europe’s elite circle as Atalanta weigh a major decision Left-sided and tactically versatile, Ahanor is comfortable operating at centre-back, full-back and in midfield. He has already made half a dozen starts for Atalanta, displaying a maturity well beyond his years and earning praise from opposition analysts and recruitment staff alike. Chelsea and Manchester City have reportedly been ‘virtually ever-present' at Atalanta matches in recent weeks, reflecting the seriousness of their interest. Atalanta remain in a strong negotiating position. Ahanor is contracted until 2028, and the Serie A side could look to more than triple their initial investment should bids approach the €60m mark, a figure that would test even the most disciplined recruitment departments. Ahanor, Nigeria’s most valuable teenager, is believed to be settled and happy in Bergamo. However, the Super Eagles-eligible defender will be eligible to move to England at the end of the season when he turns 18 in February, opening the door for Premier League clubs to act decisively. Chelsea and Manchester City both boast strong records of investing early in elite-level prospects, while Real Madrid’s interest signals that Ahanor is now viewed as a potential long-term cornerstone rather than merely a developmental gamble. Ahanor: Why City and Madrid see a tactical fit Manchester City’s interest is thought to be linked to long-term defensive planning. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of John Stones and Nathan Aké, and the club already assessing options for the coming seasons, Ahanor’s ability to operate across multiple roles aligns closely with Pep Guardiola’s tactical demands. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have increasingly targeted young, adaptable defenders capable of developing within their system, a strategy that has reshaped their squad in recent years. For now, Atalanta hold the cards. But with Europe’s biggest clubs circling and scouts flocking to Bergamo, Honest Ahanor’s rise looks set to become one of the defining transfer stories to watch over the coming months.

Chelsea in advanced negotiations to sign 16 year old Marseille player Saïd Remadnia – Blues meet agent https://sportwitness.co.uk/Chelsea-in-advanced-negotiations-to-sign-marseille-player-blues-meet-agent/ Chelsea are working on a deal for Marseille youngster Saïd Remadnia, according to Africa Foot. The 16-year-old initially made his way into Marseille’s U17 squad in 2024 before getting promoted to U19s in July. He made 11 appearances for the latter, scoring three goals and contributing an assist. Africa Foot says his quick rise shows the Ligue 1 side’s confidence in his potential and this is said to be mainly because of form and maturity. They even label the winger ‘Marseille’s rising star’, and Chelsea are keen on securing his services. The attacker’s profile and age fits into the Premier League side’s recruitment strategy. Blues officials recently met Remadnia’s agent to explain Chelsea’s medium and long-term plan project. Afirca Foot state Enzo Maresca’s side have ‘significantly accelerated’ their interest in the young attacker. It’s further claimed that advanced negotiations are ongoing between the Blues and the Algeria U17 international’s representatives. The outcome of these negotiations is unclear. Remadnia will turn 18 years of age in March 2027. This means he won’t be able to move to the UK until that summer, should Chelsea complete his signing. There’s obviously yhe possibility of signing the youngster and placing him elsewhere. His international future also has to be clarified. Remadnia was born in France to Algerian and Tunisian parents, making him eligible to represent three countries.

Early goal to shut up the crowd Our neighbours gave thema fright the other night

Newcastle team news ahead of tomorrow Out- Livramento, Botman, Trippier, Burn, Krafth, Lacelles, Osula Doubts- Pope and Lewis Hall Expected team Ramsdale, Miley, Schar, Hall, Thiaw, Tonali, Bruno, Ramsey, Murphy, Wissa, Gordon

David Ornstein is now hearing something he’s never heard before amid Enzo Maresca’s Man City links https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/david-ornstein-is-now-hearing-something-hes-never-heard-before-amid-enzo-marescas-man-city-links/ As the speculation around Enzo Maresca’s future at Chelsea continues, David Ornstein has made an interesting claim about what’s coming out of Man City. The media circus is in full swing at Chelsea following the bombshell exclusive from Ornstein claiming Maresca is being looked at to replace Pep Guardiola at City. It comes after a turbulent week that called into question the relationship between the head coach and the decision-makers in Chelsea’s boardroom. Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Newcastle, Maresca shut down the City rumours and reaffirmed his commitment to a future at Stamford Bridge. But with no possibility of developments until the summer, anyway, any other response would have been a shock. And now, another Ornstein reveal adds further doubt to the Italian’s future. David Ornstein very confident about one thing happening at Man City Naturally, the links between Maresca and City only came about because of the situation with one of the Premier League’s great managers. Guardiola has been at the Etihad for nine seasons, dominating the division over that span and cementing City as a perennial contender for titles. Uncertainty around his future has been a recurring theme in recent seasons, but Ornstein hasn’t quite seen it get this serious. As he told The Athletic: ““I’ve been aware of Manchester City having some interest in Maresca for some time, so it’s not fresh, but you check with as many people as you can, trusted sources on the veracity of that and of course the Guardiola element to this story as well, because if he is continuing until 2027, then it’s largely a moot point. “And despite us having been in this position before with Guardiola and people thinking he was going to go last time — by the way, let’s be clear on that, this is not entirely new as a notion — but I personally have never had it so resounding from so many people that it’s going to be the end of this season. And they are well placed.” Ornstein is as reliable a source as you’ll find, though everyone can be wrong. If his ‘well-placed’ information is correct, Maresca’s personal ties to the Etihad could become a problem for Chelsea. Plenty of time for change in Maresca’s thoughts The Chelsea boss is a straight talker, but even the most honest of managers won’t be completely upfront when it comes to discussions behind the scenes. Chelsea have yet to comment on the Maresca links, either. You would hope he really does intend on staying at Stamford Bridge, but there’s a long way to go until summer. If more clashes with the ownership occur, or if Chelsea’s form takes a dive in the second half of the season, his opinion might well change. It’s a story to monitor as we approach the summer, and one that Chelsea will need to keep a close eye on themselves. One thing this story has done is shift the power dynamic of the relationship more in Maresca’s favour.

Enzo Maresca delivers Chelsea team news ahead of Newcastle https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/enzo-maresca-delivers-Chelsea-team-news-ahead-of-newcastle Enzo Maresca has confirmed we have no fresh injury concerns to contend with ahead of tomorrow's clash with Newcastle United, and also provided a positive update on Liam Delap and Estevao Willian. We head to Tyneside for a Saturday lunchtime meeting with Eddie Howe’s Magpies, looking for three more points in the Premier League following our victory over Everton last time out in the league. We also progressed to the last-four of the Carabao Cup in midweek, following success against Cardiff City. Our head coach rotated his squad for that League Cup encounter and the Italian confirmed at his pre-match press conference that those players that were left out against the Bluebirds – including Cole Palmer – are all fine to feature this weekend. Maresca also provided an update on Delap and Estevao, with the pair closing in on a return to action – although that won’t be at St James’ Park tomorrow. ‘We are good,’ Maresca said of his squad’s fitness levels ahead of the trip to the North-East. We probably have Liam Delap and Estevao Willian back for the game against Aston Villa [on 27 December), which is good news. But Romeo (Lavia) is still out, Dario Essugo is still out and Levi (Colwill) is still out. ‘‘With Liam, we said since he suffered the injury (shoulder) that we didn’t know exactly for how long he would be out, but he is progressing very well.’ After a long trip to Wales in midweek, the Blues face another sizeable away venture when we head to the north east of the country to face Newcastle. The Magpies currently sit in 12th position in the Premier League table, although just six points behind the Blues in fourth, and Maresca is under no illusions that a side containing players such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton will offer a stern test this weekend. ‘For me, playing at Newcastle is always difficult. Night or day, they are a very good team,’ Maresca stated of our opponents. ‘Their manager is fantastic and has done a superb job for many years. They have a very strong side, especially in midfield. ‘Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, [Lewis] Miley also, they are all fantastic players, all international players and they complete each other. ‘They are physically strong and very good on the ball. It's difficult for any team to face them.’

Liverpool transfer target Antoine Semenyo is ready to join Man United next year https://www.caughtoffside.com/2025/12/18/blow-for-liverpool-target-keen-man-united/ Antoine Semenyo is emerging as one of the most sought-after names ahead of the January transfer window, with the Bournemouth forward reportedly keen on a move to Manchester United. According to journalist Miguel Delaney, the 25-year-old Ghana international has made Man United his preferred destination amid mounting interest from several Premier League clubs. Semenyo’s rise at Bournemouth has been one of the stories of the season. Since establishing himself as a key figure at the Vitality Stadium, he has impressed with his goal scoring quality and his pace in the wide attacking positions. The attacker scored his most recent goal in the Premier League against Man United at Old Trafford in a match which ended as a 4-4 draw. With seven goals in the league this season, Semenyo has become a player who has impressed the top clubs in the Premier League, including Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. Antoine Semenyo is keen on Man United move However, the player is keen on a move to Old Trafford to become a part of the attack that boasts players like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, all the players signed last summer by United. Comfortable operating on either wing or through the middle, Semenyo has become a central component of Bournemouth’s attacking threat, attracting sustained attention from clubs at the top end of the table. United are believed to be particularly confident about their chances, especially given the player’s reported desire to make the move to Old Trafford. A key factor in the saga is Semenyo’s contract situation. The forward has a £65 million release clause that becomes active from 1 January, allowing interested clubs to bypass lengthy negotiations with Bournemouth. While that figure represents a significant outlay, it is viewed within the market as a fair valuation for a proven Premier League attacker entering his prime years. Bournemouth, for their part, are aware that once the clause is triggered, they will have little control over the outcome. Semenyo would be the ideal signing for Red Devils From United’s perspective, Semenyo fits several of the club’s current recruitment priorities. Under Ruben Amorim, United are looking to inject more athleticism, intensity, and directness into their attack. His ability to press aggressively, carry the ball at speed, and contribute defensively makes him an attractive option for a system that demands high energy from wide players. Man United would be prepared to move quickly if rival clubs formalise their interest in January. While no official bid has yet been submitted, there is growing belief within the club that they can position themselves strongly should a bidding war emerge. Semenyo’s willingness to join United could prove decisive in a crowded race.

Transfer Rumour of the Day: Alessandro Bastoni to Chelsea? A wild one https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/transfer-rumour-of-the-day-alessandro Chelsea are being linked with a move for Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni, in what has made our transfer rumour of the day article. Granted, I don’t do these every day, and sometimes I don’t even do them every week. But even still, we’ll call them what we call them! I imagine that any Chelsea move for Bastoni would be a popular one, but what is being reported here? Chelsea are apparently keen on a 2026 deal for Alessandro Bastoni, and so is Tottenham Hotspur co-sporting director Fabio Paratici, according to an Italian report. Bastoni is one of the best defenders in the world and is a key player for Inter Milan and the Italy national team. The 26-year-old has won Serie A twice with Inter and was named the best defender in Serie A for the 2024/25 campaign, just as he was bestowed with the accolade in the 2023/24 season. FC Inter News has reported that Bastoni is the centre-back that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would love to bring to Stamford Bridge. The Inter Milan-centric news outlet has claimed that Maresca is ‘crazy about him’, and so is Paratici, who would love Tottenham to sign the Italian star. The report, though, has noted that Bastoni has already ‘rejected the advances of Chelsea and Tottenham’, with the defender having turned down the chance to join Al Hilal or Al Qadsiah in the summer of 2025 as well. Not only is Bastoni not willing to join Chelsea (or Tottenham), but the defender is also planning to hold talks with Inter in the coming months. FC Inter News has noted that ‘initial discussions regarding an extension of his current contract, which expires in June 2028, are likely to begin in the coming months with his agent, Tullio Tinti’. Bastoni is ‘deeply attached’ to Inter, having been on the books of the Nerazzurri since 2017 and ‘wants’ to stay at the club for the long run. So, that’s that then I guess! Just a distant dream! Interesting though, that Chelsea have tried for him, IF this story is true of course. I have no idea on what this source is like. But anyway, it was fun whilst it lasted! 😂

Delap and Essugo are expected to be ready for Villa on the 27th

MAGA = Miriam Adelson Gets America

He has ten brothers and sisters in Ecuador We'll do well to get to the league Cup final without him