Vesper

we paid £38.5m for that piece of dogshit (£40m with inflation of the last 2 years) and now we are going to get only around £25m for the turd 🤬 fuck off BlueCo (for the original buy)

Romano: Galatasaray will approach Napoli again for Victor Osimehn with new proposal after €60m turned down. The agreement with Osimhen is done until June 2028 but Napoli want more than €60m and also with better payment terms. €60m is around £51.5m so they would very likely take £60m (€70m) with decent terms pretty crazy that for only £5m more that Elanga cost you can buy Osimhen

Arse would be quoting us at least £60 to £65m if the roles were reversed especially as Noni is both HG AND an English Sr National team member

Elanga valued at £36m goes for £55m Noni valued at £34.5m only £1.5m less and they are almost the exact same age and Noni has almost double the goals in 127 less minutes what will we get for him?

FUCK AC Milan those cheap fucking game-playing Italian fucks coming in with a lowball bid like that

Jamie Gittens to Chelsea: Transfers TLDR https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6461153/2025/07/07/jamie-gittens-to-Chelsea-transfers-tldr/ Chelsea confirmed the signing of Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £48.5million with a potential £3.5m in add-ons over the weekend. The 20-year-old has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge. As part of this summer’s transfer coverage on The Athletic, in addition to breaking news, tactical analysis and in-depth reads, our Transfers TLDR series (you can read them all here) will bring you a quick guide to each of the key deals. Give me their backstory in 100 words… A former member of Manchester City’s academy, Gittens moved to Dortmund in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. He made his debut the next season, but a succession of untimely injuries stymied his progress, meaning he was unable to establish himself until the 2023-24 season. Initially, that was as a difference-making substitute under Edin Terzic, who used him to break games open and target isolated full-backs, but Gittens became much more of a focal point in the first half of Dortmund’s campaign last season, providing nearly all the thrust down the left side before fatigue and Nuri Sahin’s departure as coach slowed his progress. Seb Stafford-Bloor Gittens with Sahin in August 2024 (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) What should and shouldn’t I expect to see? Perhaps a slow start? Gittens’ game is built on speed and skill, but also confidence, and he was short of that towards the end of his time at Dortmund. Niko Kovac changed the team’s formation, moving away from using wingers, meaning Gittens’ minutes on the pitch tended to occur in unfamiliar roles. It showed, too, in tentative displays and a lack of rhythm. But, when fully confident, he is a counter-attacking threat, but also capable of disrupting a low-block through the speed of his footwork and capacity to get shots off under pressure. He’s good in space, but he doesn’t necessarily need it to be effective. Defending? A work in progress. He does not contribute a lot without the ball and that’s an area that will have to improve. It will come with more experience, though. Seb Stafford-Bloor What You Should Read Next Jamie Gittens will fill a left-wing gap for Chelsea and is one of Europe’s most direct dribblers Analysis of what the England Under-21 international will bring to Stamford Bridge How will they fit tactically? Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto are currently Chelsea’s only reliable wingers. Jadon Sancho has departed, Mykhailo Mudryk is still suspended, and Geovany Quenda is only 17. In that context, Gittens is a necessary addition. The 20-year-old is a front-footed winger who enjoys one-on-one duels. His 9.3 take-ons per 90 was the highest among wide players in the Bundesliga last season. A success rate of 45 per cent at such a high volume is testament to his dribbling ability. Gittens’ acceleration and trickery, along with his comfort with the ball at either foot, make him a difficult assignment. He is a threat in transition, but fitting into Enzo Maresca’s more measured style and Chelsea’s pressing scheme will take time. Gittens’ eight Bundesliga goals last season hinted that his final product is improving, too. Anantaajith Raghuraman What’s their injury record? In his teenage years, injuries were a significant issue for Gittens. Torn ankle ligaments kept him sidelined for around four months in the late summer and autumn of 2021 before persistent shoulder issues kept him out for four different spells, two of which were lengthy, in 2022 and 2023. Since then, he has not missed any football due to injuries, sitting out just a few days of training last season due to a minor knock. Steve Madeley Someone who knows him says… “His development is great,” Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s chief executive for sport, told The Athletic in October 2024. “When we signed him, it was really a cooperation between our scouting, professional and youth departments. He perhaps wasn’t on the level of someone like Jadon Sancho, but we said, ‘OK, we can develop him into a great player’. “I think he made his debut under Marco Rose (in April 2022), but since then it’s been great development.” Steve Madeley What do we know about the finances of the deal? Gittens has joined Chelsea on a seven-year deal, signing up for life at Stamford Bridge until June 2032. Chelsea have paid Borussia Dortmund an initial £48.5m for Gittens, who leaves Germany five years after joining Dortmund from Manchester City’s youth setup. A further £3.5m could be due in future add-ons. Chris Weatherspoon What impact will this have on both clubs’ PSR calculation? Assuming agent fees of 10 per cent on the transfer plus associated levies, Gittens’ signing will add £11.1m in amortisation costs to Chelsea’s annual expenses, at least in terms of profit and sustainability calculations, up to the end of the 2029-30 season. While Gittens has signed a seven-year deal with his new side, both Premier League and UEFA regulations dictate clubs can only amortise transfer fees over a maximum of five years. There’ll therefore be a disconnect between Gittens’ annual cost in Chelsea’s PSR calculation against their publicly disclosed accounts. In the latter, Gittens’ fee will be amortised at a rate of £7.9m annually over seven years – £3.2m less than the annual PSR cost. Gittens’ wage is unknown, but with a seven-year contract inked, it’s clear the total cost to Chelsea of buying and keeping him will stretch some way beyond the estimated £55.3m in initial fees spent. For Dortmund, acquiring Gittens at a young age from City’s academy means they’re able to bank just about all of the £48.5m fee as profit in 2025-26. Owing to his age when he departed City, no sell-on clause was possible in respect of Gittens either, so Dortmund retain all of the fee, with one small exception. Gittens completing an international transfer means five per cent of the fee paid by Chelsea, or £2.4m, is distributed as a solidarity payment to those clubs with a hand in his development up to the age of 23. The catch here is Gittens is still only 20, so Dortmund also retain a majority of that sum. The Athletic estimates Gittens’ youth spells at Reading and Manchester City entitle the pair to around £0.4m each. Dortmund, by extension, will bank just shy of £48m profit on the sale. Chris Weatherspoon

The improvements in Noni Madueke’s game that have attracted Arsenal https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6470817/2025/07/06/arsenal-noni-madueke-tactical-profile/ One thing Arsenal might have learnt from 2024-25 is the value of having options to choose from. Last season the club’s Premier League and Champions League chances were impacted by unfortunate injuries, which left them short of replacements at key moments. More game time for a selected group of players increased their physical load, and by the end of the season there were moments when Mikel Arteta’s side looked fatigued. Load management is another area where having a stronger squad has its benefits. It allows you to rest your star players without dropping the overall level of the team. Currently, Arsenal are looking at different profiles for a more versatile attacking player, with Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke all in the mix. Rogers’ and Eze’s profiles have common characteristics, but Madueke is more of a winger who operates better near the touchline. It is with Madueke that the club have agreed personal terms, as reported by The Athletic, and here is what may make him appealing to Arsenal. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Let’s start with Madueke’s obvious strengths. The 23-year-old is a direct dribbler who thrives in one-versus-one situations and is able to play on either flank, with the majority of his minutes coming down the right wing. Arsenal’s focus on attacking those areas plays to Madueke’s profile, and his ability out wide would offer Arteta an additional option, and the chance to rest Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli more often. Madueke’s dribbling is the most eye-catching part of his game, with his speed and ability to go both ways being vital. Last season, 33 per cent of his total carries in the Premier League were progressive, defined as carries greater than five metres and move the ball at least five metres towards the opposition goal — only Jeremy Doku (38 per cent) had a higher share among players who played at least 900 minutes. Madueke is able to drive at defenders while controlling the ball close to him and pushing it forward at the right moment, as in this example from Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. His other dribbling option in the wide areas is taking the defender on the outside, as illustrated in his carries map below. Down the right flank, Madueke’s dribbling on the outside theoretically puts him on his weaker foot, but his ability to use his right foot to strike at goal or pick one of his team-mates is actually one of his strengths. Here, against Nottingham Forest in October, Murillo decides to force Madueke to dribble outside, something the right winger is more than happy to do. Madueke drives past the Forest centre-back, before playing the cutback with his right foot to Cole Palmer. Another feature of Madueke’s game is his ability to create shooting situations for himself. The fact that he is able to shoot with either foot from different angles makes him unpredictable, and that is complemented by his talent in opening up shooting angles by taking small touches of the ball. In this example, from the 3-2 victory against Luton Town in December 2023, Madueke is in a one-versus-two situation with Malo Gusto’s late run providing support. Alfie Doughty’s position prevents Madueke from setting up a left-footed shot, but Gusto’s run grabs the attention of Amari’i Bell, and the right winger capitalises. Madueke brings the ball onto his right foot… … and strikes it from a narrow angle, with Bell trying to close the space between himself and Doughty. The fact that Madueke can dribble in both directions and shoot with either foot affects the defender’s body shape, giving the winger a fraction-of-a-second advantage if he takes the correct touch. Here, in the same match against Forest, Alex Moreno is in a neutral body shape to be able to defend both directions… … but Madueke realises the space is inside and dribbles towards that area as Forest’s left-back adjusts his shape. The weight of Madueke’s second touch creates enough separation from Moreno, and opens up the shooting angle, allowing Chelsea’s right winger to score the equaliser. Last season, Madueke got into better shooting situations compared with his first full season in the Premier League, scoring seven goals to help Chelsea finish in fourth place. The winger’s 0.42 non-penalty expected goals (xG) per 90 was more than double his rate in 2023-24, while the average quality of his shots also improved. The defensive aspect of the game is something Madueke has been working on in recent seasons. “I feel like a lot of my improvement is coming and needs to come on the defensive side,” he told Chelsea’s official channels last year. “I feel like I am strong on the offensive side of the game. I just (need to) keep chipping away at those weaknesses and try and make them strengths.” Throughout 2024-25, Madueke’s hard work helped Chelsea when they didn’t have the ball, especially in the pressing phase. The right winger has a strong understanding of how to curve his runs to block passing lanes and knows the right moment to pounce on the defender. In this example, from the 1-0 victory against Everton in April, Madueke is defending the left side as Nicolas Jackson presses Jake O’Brien. Initially, Madueke’s closed body shape indicates that he is anticipating a pass towards Everton’s right-back, Nathan Patterson… … but when he feels that O’Brien may play the ball through the lines, he slightly opens his body to be ready for that pass. Everton’s right centre-back plays the ball to Patterson and Madueke moves in his direction… … but once the right-back takes a heavy touch that forces him inside the pitch, Chelsea’s left winger arcs his run to block the in-field passing lane because that is the only available option. Under pressure, Patterson dribbles backwards and Madueke harries him, eventually winning possession. Arsenal’s interest in Madueke makes sense considering how Arteta’s team likes to attack and the importance of their out-of-possession phases. Madueke’s directness and ability to create shooting situations are skills that suit Arsenal, while his finishing and improved crossing are areas that can be developed. Out of possession, his explosiveness and understanding of pressing roles fit Arsenal’s strengths and may explain part of his appeal. Having Madueke alongside Saka, Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri would bolster Arsenal’s options in the wide areas, and prevent the forward line from being stretched, either because of injuries or sheer physical load.

Jamal Musiala set for at least four months out with fractured fibula https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6475892/2025/07/06/jamal-musiala-injury-bayern-munich/ Bayern Munich playmaker Jamal Musiala is set to be sidelined for at least four months with a fractured fibula suffered at the Club World Cup. The Germany international sustained the injury in Bayern’s quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday just before half time, following a collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma. Musiala rolled off the pitch and received treatment before the half ended, and was then replaced by Serge Gnabry for the second half. The 22-year-old is returning to Munich on Sunday to undergo surgery and it is anticipated he will be unavailable for Vincent Kompany’s side until November at the earliest. What You Should Read Next Jamal Musiala’s horrific ankle injury: The impact, Bayern Munich’s reaction and what happens now Some in Bayern Munich ranks harshly pointed the finger at Gianluigi Donnarumma for the challenge that left the youngster seriously injured The fibula (calf bone) is located on the outer side of the lower leg, extending from below the knee down to the ankle. It is the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg, with the the tibia (shinbone) the weight-carrying bone in the lower leg. Donnarumma was criticised by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for his role in the incident, who said his opposite number was “taking a risk” by the manner in which he went into the challenge. Italy international Donnarumma later posted his well wishes to Musiala on social media. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLvNToJotW4/ Bayern coach Kompany said in his post-match news conference he has “rarely been so angry” as he was at half-time, but he did not suggest this anger was directed at Donnarumma. He had earlier said the collision was an “accident”. Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl described Musiala’s injury and absence as “a real shock for Jamal and all of us.” “Everyone knows how immensely important Jamal is for our game and what a central role he has for our team,” said Eberl. “In addition, the human significance is enormously difficult, we all feel for him: Jamal has just recovered from an injury and will now be missing for a long time again. “He will get everything he needs from us. We will accompany him and be at his side and are already looking forward to him back on the field.” Musiala missed the final two months of the 2024-25 season with a hamstring injury, which caused him to miss his side’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Inter. The former Chelsea youth player, who signed a new contract at Bayern in February, had returned for Bayern’s Club World Cup opener against Auckland City FC, in which he scored a hat-trick after being brought on as a substitute.

Real Madrid are using Valverde to protect Alexander-Arnold – how will that go against PSG? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6476803/2025/07/07/alexander-arnold-valverde-real-madrid-psg/ As Xabi Alonso imposes his tactical ideas on Real Madrid, there have been compelling, subtle tweaks across the tournament. That continued as Madrid defeated Dortmund 3-2 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with a fluid, adaptable shape that shifted when Alonso’s side were in and out of possession. Given their difficulties with ball progression against Juventus, Alonso returned to a back-four system in possession, with Aurelien Tchouameni starting in his familiar midfield position rather than the central defender in a back three. This meant that Madrid were able to shift the ball laterally and vertically to threaten Dortmund’s shape. While Arda Guler would occasionally drop between Madrid’s centre-backs or into a left-back position to allow Fran Garcia to stay high and wide, the below example was a typical structure from which they built. How Madrid looked out of possession is where things looked interesting. New signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen have assimilated well into the back line, and Alonso has expressed his satisfaction of the team’s chemistry within the early weeks. Madrid are the only side not to have fallen behind in a game across all Club World Cup teams. With Alexander-Arnold not particularly known for his one-v-one defending, Alonso has put structural tweaks in place to mitigate against any vulnerabilities, via Federico Valverde. The Uruguay international has deputised at right-back on many occasions for Madrid, but his discipline to protect Alexander-Arnold on Madrid’s right was a notable theme of the game against Dortmund. As ever, Valverde was everywhere — bringing safety on the ball, pushing forward, and catalysing Madrid’s attack when needed. Off the ball, he was often playing as a wing-back. With Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi drifting towards the touchline, Alonso was acutely aware of the threat that the pacy 23-year-old could offer — particularly when supported by wing-back Daniel Svensson. Valverde was tasked with dropping in and forming a back five out of possession. Sometimes this would mean Alexander-Arnold taking a narrow position — almost as the right centre-back — across Madrid’s back line… …but on other occasions, the England international returned to his wider position to track Adeyemi, with Valverde tucking in to close any gaps Dortmund could exploit and stay goalside of any runners in behind. Such was the tactical intelligence from Alonso’s players, that the back five would be retained even if the configuration of players themselves were different. After 23 minutes, when Antonio Rudiger was pulled into a wide position, Alexander-Arnold tucked in, Huijsen shuffled across, and Tchouameni was the one to drop into the defensive line to ensure that those gaps remained filled. There were countless other examples, but another benefit of this situational back five is that it allows centre-backs Huijsen and Rudiger — both of whom are front-footed in their defensive style — to jump out and snuff attacks at source, knowing they have the protection of their team-mates to shuffle across. When he is not deputising as a right-back, Valverde has been known for supporting Dani Carvajal defensively under Carlo Ancelotti — but the extent to which Valverde was dropping into the back line has been notable under Alonso. A perfect example of Alexander-Arnold and Valverde dovetailing is shown in the second half. As Alexander-Arnold steps forward to engage with left wing-back Svensson, Valverde steps back to cover the space and shut out Felix Nmecha’s underlapping run. A pulley system that will please Alonso as much as their finishing and shot-stopping. “It has been a tactical tweak that we wanted,” Alonso told The Athletic after the Dortmund game. “He had to decide when he was dropping and when he was pressing a little bit higher, but we know with Fede that he is such a complete player that he gives you whatever you need, and we use him in different tasks. So when Trent was tired, we used him as a right-back. I’m really happy to train him, and he is a top player for us.” So, why is this so relevant? Well, Alexander-Arnold and Valverde have the unenviable task of shutting down Europe’s most threatening left-sided attacks on Wednesday against Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final. The skills of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are one thing, but the underlapping runs from supporting team-mates means that Madrid will have to be particularly switched on in wide areas. It might be the direct running of left-back Nuno Mendes, any one of PSG’s forward line, or a supporting midfielder — typically Fabian Ruiz — but Luis Enrique’s side have a knack for pulling players out of position. In their quarter-final with Bayern Munich, it was Desire Doue’s run that Kvaratskhelia found in the disorganised back line of Vincent Kompany’s team. Doue’s subsequent cutback to the edge of the area found Ruiz in space, and a better finish would have seen PSG punish Bayern midway through the first half. Even when that run is not found, it is still threatening as a decoy. The best example of this comes from PSG’s last-16 match against Inter Miami with another penetrative underlapping run from Doue. This time, Kvaratskhelia cuts inside and drives straight towards the goal with no Miami player able to get near to him without making a foul. While you might point to poor defending above, the speed, conviction and fluidity with which PSG drag opposition defenders away to create space is attacking play of the highest level. For Madrid fans, the good news is that flexibility and fluidity is starting to show under Alonso, in and out of possession. Wednesday’s match will be the biggest test of that under their new head coach. If Madrid are going to shut down PSG’s threat on the left, they will need to combine Alexander-Arnold and Valverde to great effect again.

FUCK Qatar!

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen

IF Fluminense go 3 CBs at the back we may be facing 4 players in the back (3 CBs and the GKer) who have a combined age of around 157 years (when the months alive after their last birthdays are added in) That is an averge age of just over 39yo. 🤪

Stone Island https://www.luisaviaroma.com/en-se/shop/men/stone-island/clothing?lvrid=_gm_ddwe_i1

Arsenal https://thedailybriefing.io/i/167678851/arsenal - OFFICIAL: Martin Zubimendi joins Arsenal on €65m deal from Real Sociedad, as agreed since May. Zubi will take shirt number 36. Martin Zubimendi on why he joined Arsenal. “It’s a young, highly motivated and ambitious team. They have shown their potential recently, and I believe the best is yet to come. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are. Andrea [Berta] and Mikel [Arteta] took excellent care of me, leaving me with no doubts whatsoever. This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for; one I wanted to make. Of course, it's a big change, but I'm ready to get started.” Sporting's 27-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres is prepared to give up about £2m in wages to help push through his £70m move to Arsenal. (Record) Talks between Arsenal and Sporting for Viktor Gyokeres are at the final stages. All parties now optimistic. (Ben Jacobs) Negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea for Noni Madueke are planned for next week after the player has given the green light for the move. (Florian Plettenberg) How much Arsenal may need to pay to sign Chelsea's Noni Madueke this summer. More details!

Chelsea are expecting offers of more than £50m for 23-year-old England forward Noni Madueke, who has agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a move. (Telegraph)

RB Leipzig are demanding €100m for Benjamin Šeško. (Sky Sport Germany) 🤪

absolutely! and buy a goddamn GKer and lock-down CB!! sell ALL the deadwood clean the books get rid of the stench

they would have to be insane if they could do (for sure) EITHER Rodrygo or Noni but not both and they chose Noni madness same for us with Rodrygo versus most any other winger remotely available, including Kudus and probably even Morgan Rogers

Eze is not a true LWer he is is more of an AMF/No 10 Rodrygo can play either wing, but as a right footer I have always rated him more on the left BUT Real have Vini Jr and Mbappe for LW (Mbappe forced to play CF, Rodrygo RW)

Ângelo Gabriel