Endrick has pointed to Vinicius Junior's success as a reason to stay at Real Madrid despite pressure from the club and his Brazil coach to go on loan.
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Alex Carey posted his second Shield century in two games while Nathan McSweeney continues to push his Test credentials with 72 as South Australia build a big lead
AAP22-Oct-2024Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has fired another warning shot to India with an unbeaten century for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.Already in blistering form to start the red-ball summer, Carey was again chief agitator on day three scoring 123 not out from 163 deliveries as SA stormed to a 358-run lead at Allan Border Field. Skipper Nathan McSweeney continued his excellent form making 72 to push his case for a Test call-up.A declaration appears likely overnight, with paceman Jordan Buckingham unbeaten at the crease alongside Carey.As at the close of play, Carey is averaging 122 across four knocks this summer in positive signs for an Australian middle order missing Cameron Green for the five-Test series against India that begins next month.Unfazed by the second new ball, Carey notched his second century of the summer by blasting paceman Mark Steketee for three consecutive boundaries in the final hour of play on Tuesday.The 33-year-old bookended a huge six over deep mid-wicket with a pair of fours past extra cover to race through the nervous nineties and into triple figures. He capped a brilliant day at the crease by slogging his favourite victim Steketee for six over deep mid-wicket in the final over.Earlier, Carey brought up his half-century pulling Tom Whitney’s short ball to the boundary in a rare tough over for the impressive debutant paceman.Carey raised his bat from only 67 deliveries, signalling his intentions to pick up where McSweeney had left off before Usman Khawaja caught the South Australian captain at first slip off Mitchell Swepson.Whitney backed up his five-wicket haul from the first innings with three key scalps early on day three before a minor heel injury prevented him from bowling as Carey kicked on in the afternoon.Whitney trapped opener Conor McInerney lbw early on day three, before cleaning up Nathan McAndrew’s middle stump with his first ball following lunch after the nightwatcher stubbornly stuck around through the first session.Whitney’s figures of 8 for 119 across the two innings were the third-best for a Queensland debutant in Sheffield Shield history.In the spotlight since his omission from the Australia A squad, Test hopeful Matt Renshaw grabbed a headline moment late on day three – but not with the bat.The towering Renshaw dived at midwicket for a brilliant catch to dismiss Jake Lehmann from Marnus Labuschagne’s part-time medium pace.Labuschagne joined would-be Test opener Renshaw on the highlight reel with a catch above his head to send Liam Scott packing and help Queensland tear into the bowlers.
Adi Birrell to take over in 2025 as Hampshire strengthen ties with local Hundred team
ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2025
Stephen Fleming has stepped down as head coach of Southern Brave•ECB/Getty Images
Stephen Fleming has stepped down as Southern Brave’s head coach in the men’s Hundred, citing family reasons. Fleming replaced Mahela Jayawardene in the role ahead of the 2023 season and twice led the Brave to the knockout stages, losing the eliminator in his first year in charge and the final last season.He will be replaced by Adi Birrell, the Hampshire head coach, for the 2025 season, with Hundred franchises growing stronger ties with their host clubs as part of the ongoing privatisation process. Birrell has enjoyed recent success in franchise cricket, leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back SA20 titles.Birrell will become the first county head coach also taking charge of a men’s Hundred team, though several have served as assistant coaches. He will be replaced as Hampshire coach during the Metro Bank Cup, the 50-over competition which runs parallel to the Hundred, but remains in charge for the County Championship and the T20 Blast.Fleming’s resignation avoids a situation in which he would coach a team part-owned by a rival IPL franchise, given his long-running association with Chennai Super Kings. Hampshire were sold to the GMR Group – co-owners of Delhi Capitals – last year and are set to become majority shareholders in the Brave this year.Related
Richard Gould: ECB 'unapologetic' about attracting top talent to Men's Hundred
GMR Group 'keen' on Southern Brave investment after securing Hampshire deal
He has coached Chennai since 2009, and has also taken charge of their affiliated franchises in Major League Cricket (Texas Super Kings) and the SA20 (Joburg Super Kings), where he is currently. Fleming said in a statement that stepping down from his role with the Brave would allow him to spend more time at home.”I absolutely loved my time at Southern Brave, working in the Hundred and working with a great group of people at Utilita Bowl,” Fleming said. “We got close to winning a couple of times so it’s difficult to step down but for family reasons I need to be able to dedicate more time to being at home this season. I wish everyone at Southern Brave the best for 2025.”Giles White, who is director of cricket at the Brave and Hampshire, said: “Stephen created an excellent environment for the players and it has been an enjoyable and successful stint with us… In his place we are delighted to welcome Adi Birrell and look forward to seeing him build on the team’s success in 2025.”White and Birrell have until February 24 to work out the core of their squad for 2025, with each team permitted to retain up to 11 players (including one designated central contract player). These can include one direct overseas signing for 2025, with the ECB hopeful that a new top men’s salary of £200,000 will attract some of the world’s best players to the Hundred.The Brave are the fifth Hundred team to recruit a new coach this winter. Justin Langer has replaced Trevor Bayliss at London Spirit’s men, while Ali Maiden (Birmingham Phoenix), Michael Klinger (Manchester Originals) and Lisa Keightley (Northern Superchargers) have taken over from Ben Sawyer, Stephen Parry and Dani Hazell respectively in the women’s competition.
Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, with emphasis on the word ‘last’.
Ruben Amorim didn’t mince his words when talking about the need to turn things around and use the 2024/25, and all the baggage that came with it, as a springboard for the future, finally ending these endless years of frustration for one of the game’s biggest superpowers.
Fixing the frontline was always going to be among the chief priorities for the Old Trafford side, and INEOS started on a strong footing there, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a £62.5m fee, the Brazil forward rejecting interest from a host of Premier League suitors to join the Red Devils.
Efforts for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are ongoing, but the pointers suggest that the right-sided forward will join up with Amorim’s squad in the coming weeks, having expressed a burning desire to make the switch.
This is all well and good, but Man United still need to sign a central striker.
Why Man Utd need a new striker
By all accounts, Amorim wanted to commence pre-season with Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho all sold. That hasn’t happened, and they have all informed the hierarchy of their wish to depart.
More concerning, perhaps, is Rasmus Hojlund’s continued presence in the Man United senior squad.
The Danish striker, 22, was well out of sorts last term, and has been heavily linked with a summer exit, Inter Milan showing the most interest in his signature.
Hojlund is clearly a talented forward, but after such an abject run across the recent campaign, it might be a good idea for him to leave, not least because Sir Jim Ratcliffe openly admitted that the young talent was inherited from the past regime, and that he would “have to sort that out”.
Well, whether Hojlund goes or not, United’s movements in the market thus far suggest that a central frontman is on the agenda.
And they’ve been locked in talks for one of the best that Europe has to offer.
Man Utd open talks for new striker
According to talkSPORT, Manchester United have made a fresh enquiry for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike, who is one of the hottest commodities in the market this summer.
Ekitike has been coveted by a host of Premier League sides this summer, with United joined in their interest by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
However, with the Gunners closing in on Gyokeres, Jason Wilcox might feel he has a good shot at securing the talented Frenchman’s signature.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Frankfurt value their man at €100m (£85m), a figure they are unwilling to budge on and suitors are as yet unwilling to meet.
What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Man United
Ekitike is only 22 years old, but he’s already established himself as “one of the best strikers out there”, as said by analyst Ben Mattinson.
After leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Frankfurt in January 2024, initially on loan, he’s only gone from strength to strength, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists across 48 matches in all competitions last season.
Ekitike’s natural finishing ability is neat and all, but his high-speed movements and all-round presence in the final third have led journalist Graeme Bailey to dub him “the next Mbappe”, with such a skill set surely perfect for the frontline Amorim is trying to build, namely with Mbeumo circling in on the Theatre of Dreams.
Runners – and confident ones at that – were in short supply at Old Trafford last season. Adding Mbeumo and Ekitike would do wonders, building back up a will to win and work which would pour over to the rest of the squad.
He’s certainly performing at a superior level to Hojlund, and could in that sense prove the perfect centre-forward for Mbeumo to combine with and rekindle the United attack.
Goals scored
0.53
0.18
Assists
0.28
0.00
Shots taken
4.00
1.44
Shot-creating actions
3.55
1.53
Touches (att pen)
6.88
3.32
Progressive passes
1.86
0.82
Progressive carries
3.27
1.26
Successful take-ons
1.83
0.40
Ball recoveries
3.06
1.57
Tackles + interceptions
0.81
0.22
Quite comprehensively, Hojlund was outstripped by his French counterpart, like bark from a sun-weathered tree.
Ekitike’s dynamic movements and innate creative flair suggest he could be perfect for a pair of goal-focused wide forwards such as Cunha and Mbeumo.
Of course, Mbeumo isn’t only about goalscoring. The Cameroonian racked up seven assists in the Premier League last season, creating 17 big chances across the campaign and averaging 1.8 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.
He also finished the campaign ranked among the top 9% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers for crosses completed per 90 (FBref), so he would be well equipped to turn provider for the rangy striker when required.
The fact that the Red Devils have tweaked their strategy and appear to be intent on signing Prem-proven quality alongside the rising phenoms from overseas like Ekitike bespeaks the new era, incipient but inspired by the struggles of recent years, of ensuring that a corner will be turned.
United were at their nadir last season, and no mistake. However, Amorim is a tactician worth his salt, and he might just piece together a squad capable of competing at the top once more, with the likes of Mbeumo playing with the perfect frontman in Ekitike.
Let’s see how this one pans out over the coming weeks.
Cunha 2.0 for Amorim: Man Utd in talks to sign "unstoppable" £35m star
Manchester United are still planning to make some attacking signings this summer.
2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 8, 2025
It’s safe to say the summer window started slowly for Arsenal, but over the last few days, things have roared into life for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta may not have his elusive centre forward quite yet – Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres will have to wait – but Andrea Berta has been busy nonetheless.
The club’s new sporting director has already wrapped up three deals – pending confirmation – that will see backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga arrive in a £5m move from Chelsea, Martin Zubimendi sign for over £50m from Real Sociedad and Brentford captain, Christian Norgaard, join.
Still, there could be a fourth deal wrapped up very shortly, with talks reportedly underway to sign 20-year-old centre-back Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.
As we said, Berta has been a busy beaver but he’s not done yet.
Arsenal in talks to sign Premier League star
Arteta has enjoyed shopping for proven Premier League talent since becoming Arsenal manager.
Some of his most successful deals have seen the Spaniard prise away stars of the English top-flight, most notably Declan Rice.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Rice could have fallen flat under the weight of his £105m price tag but the midfielder has made that price look like a bargain, specifically after those two free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
David Raya – the division’s Golden Glove winner – was also picked up from Brentford, while Leandro Trossard, Arsenal’s second top scorer in 2023/24 with 17 strikes, came in from Brighton.
That’s not forgetting Gabriel Jesus too. While the Brazilian has fallen by the wayside in the last two seasons, primarily due to injury, the forward was electric in the opening months of his Gunners career.
Signed from Manchester City, the club’s number 9 bagged five goals in his first eight league matches.
Now, in the summer of 2025, Arsenal are turning their attention to the Premier League again with Eberechi Eze in their crosshairs.
That’s according to the Sun, who reported this week that Berta has already held talks with one of the representatives of Eze.
It’s alleged that the north Londoners are set to go head to head with fierce rivals, Spurs, in order to get a deal across the line.
The Crystal Palace star has a £68m release clause in his contract, which according to a different source, can be paid in three instalments of £20m, plus £8m in add-ons.
That same source reports that Arsenal have actually already agreed personal terms with Eze and his camp.
Why Eze could be Arsenal's new Saka
Bukayo Saka has been the poster boy for the Arteta project at the Emirates Stadium, and in the words of journalist Charles Watts, he is already the “best right winger in the world.”
Despite missing a large part of last season with a hamstring problem, Saka still finished the campaign on 12 goals and 15 assists, topping the tree at the club for that second metric.
Blessed with magical flair, creativity and the ability to produce something out of nothing, Eze is cut from a very similar cloth, not least because he also came through the Hale End academy.
The Arsenal youth system is highly regarded and we’ve seen, particularly in the last five to six years, a whole wealth of talent come through the ranks.
From Saka to Emile Smith Rowe and Ethan Nwaneri to Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arteta certainly has a lot to thank the academy for.
Eze was also part of that same system once upon a time but was released in 2011 when he was just 13 years of age.
After that setback, the Palace superstar headed to Fulham, Reading, Millwall and then QPR, where he finally found a home for himself. His rise since then has been meteoric. He’s now one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, and he’s a full England international too.
That wouldn’t have been possible without an incredible mentality, one that saw him overcome the adversity of being canned by Arsenal at such a young age.
Speaking in an interview back in 2020, Eze commented on the situation, revealing that it left him highly emotional.
In a further interview, the 26-year-old revealed how his mindset helped him to get over the whole ordeal.
“My dream was to play for them [Arsenal] so hearing them say no at 13 was tough and I remember training after I got released and I couldn’t focus. I was crying but I think that helped me so much in the other rejections because if I can get through Arsenal releasing me I can get through any other club releasing me. My mindset was if it was not going to be Arsenal I have to find somewhere else.”
Having got over that, Eze has taken the long way around to get to where he is now. It may have been a less glamorous route than Saka’s path to stardom but they certainly share the same mental fortitude and, vitally, similar attributes.
Far too often Arsenal’s talismanic number 7 has been left with everything to do in the final third. Players around him don’t chip in as regularly but in Eze, someone capable of rivalling Martin Odegaard, he’d find his match.
According FBref’s similar players tool, Saka is adjudged to be one of the most like-minded players in the Premier League to Saka, alongside the likes of Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Rogers.
Eze might not have the left foot that Arsenal’s number 7 has but his positional versatility could be key. He primarily features through the middle as more of a no.10, however, he can also shine on the left-hand side.
Saka hasn’t played much behind the striker in his career, but like Eze, he loves to find space in central pockets as he attempts to dance his way through the defence.
So, what does the data say?
Goals
0.28
0.31
Assists
0.28
0.52
Shots
3.47
3.44
Expected goals (xG)
0.36
0.35
Key passes
2.01
3.02
Progressive passes
3.37
3.65
Successful take-ons
2.33
2.14
Carries
29.2
32.7
Progressive carries
2.40
5.00
Carries into final 3rd
1.67
1.67
Well, Saka is certainly the more progressive and more aggressive when it comes to carries and overall assists, but let us remember that Palace are hardly a team that has the ball regularly enough for Eze to create at a similar rate as his international colleague.
Last season, Oliver Glasner’s men sat 17th in the league for average possession, enjoying just 42.4% of the ball. In contrast, Arsenal sat third with 57.1% of possession.
On that evidence, Saka is always going to produce higher numbers in the final third but the fact the two England stars are as close as they are for metrics like successful take-ons, key passes and progressive passes suggests that Eze’s numbers could soar to new heights at a team like Arsenal, a ball dominant side.
The Eagles star may not play in the same position as Saka but he could just be the right-footed version.
£68m is a lot to pay when you also need to get a striker over the line this summer but given it could be paid in instalments, this really does feel like a no-brainer for the Gunners.
He’s like Saka, he’s Premier League proven, and he’s always dreamt of playing for the club. What’s not to like?
Better than Williams: Arsenal open talks to sign ex-Spurs player for £50m
The dynamic winger could provide Arsenal with another avenue of attack next season.
1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025
New Zealand hope he will recover in time to play the third Test in Mumbai
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2024
Kane Williamson picked up a groin strain in Sri Lanka•AFP/Getty Images
Kane Williamson is unavailable for the second Test between India and New Zealand starting in Pune on October 24 as he continues to recover from a groin strain.Williamson did not travel to India with the New Zealand squad, after suffering the injury during the tour of Sri Lanka last month, and will remain at home to continue his rehabilitation. Will Young batted at No. 3 in Williamson’s absence and made 33 and 48 not out in the first Test in Bengaluru.”We’re monitoring Kane and he’s tracking in the right direction, but isn’t yet 100% fit,” said New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “We’re hopeful to see further improvement over the coming days and have him available for the third Test. We’ll give him as much time as possible to get himself ready, but certainly continue to take a cautious approach.”New Zealand lead the three-Test series in India 1-0 after winning the first Test by eight wickets. Rachin Ravindra was the Player of the Match, for scoring a century in the first innings and an unbeaten 39* in the chase. Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke took eight and seven wickets respectively. New Zealand travelled to Pune on Monday evening and are set to have their first practice session in the city on Tuesday.
MatériaMais Notícias
da winzada777： O estádio Walter Ribeiro, em Sorocaba, interior de São Paulo, recebeu no último sábado (19), cerca de 10 mil pessoas em suas arquibancadas para o “Jogo dos Famosos”, encabeçado pelos craques Ronaldinho Gaúcho e Falcão.
da 888： A partida contou, também, com importantes nomes como Amaral, Marcos Assunção, Edilson Capetinha, Júnior, Zé Love, entre outros: “Um grande espetáculo foi realizado para o público. Não poderia ser diferente o encontro que reuniu importantes ídolos do esporte que é paixão nacional”, resumiu o empresário Túlio Patto, proprietário do Complexo Vila Don Patto, que mantém apoios às principais realizações em prol da sociedade sorocabana.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho que posou para as lentes dos fotógrafos presentes fez as redes balançarem com um dos dois gols, um com a bola rolando e outro nos pênaltis. Como de costume na carreira, a comemoração foi junto com a torcida, dando aquela sambadinha e no final da partida agradeceu os amigos e mostrou intensa alegria: “Foi ótimo. Que venham os próximos”.
Especialista nas quadras, Falcão já jogou profissionalmente nos gramados em 2005, no São Paulo de Émerson Leão. Falcão deu bicicleta, bateu falta de letra e também deixou seu gol.
O jogo teve ainda Baianinho, craque da sinuca e o cantor MC Biel, quer deixou seu golzinho no evento.
MatériaMais Notícias
da bet nacional： O Coritiba está na zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro, mas a diretoria não mede esforços para reforçar a equipe neste segundo semestre.
da cassino： O centroavante Islam Sliman, ex-Anderlecht-BEL, pode bater o martelo e atuar no time do Couto Pereira.
De acordo com as informações apuradas, o jogador recebeu uma proposta do Coxa, que aguarda a resposta até sexta-feira.
Europa
Apesar da oferta apresentada pelo Coritiba, o Sliman ainda deseja continuar no futebol europeu e espera uma proposta tentadora na janela de verão do velho continente.
Anderlecht
Em seu último clube, o centroavante participou de 16 jogos, marcou nove gols e deu uma assistência.
تحدث دانيال ستوريدج، لاعب ليفربول السابق عن اللاعب الذي يفقتده الريدز في موسمه الجديد 2025/2026 في ظل التخبطات الأخيرة التي يعاني منها الفريق على مستوى النتائج.
وخسر ليفربول آخر 3 مباريات لعبها بعد تقديم أداء سيئ للغاية على عكس المعتاد من فريق آرني سلوت، رغم الميركاتو الصيفي الناري الذي قام به النادي.
وقال ستوريدج لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس”: “رحيل لويس دياز كان خيارًا خاطئًا بالنسبة لي، بالنظر إلى أداء ليفربول العام الماضي وكيفية ضغطهم، أعتقد أنه كان بلا شك من يفرض الضغط على الثلاثي الهجومي، أما سوبوسلاي فكان سيفعل ذلك في خط الوسط بقوة وحيوية”.
ورحل نجم منتخب كولومبيا عن صفوف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول لينضم إلى بايرن ميونيخ في صفقة بلغت قيمتها نحو 60 مليون جنيه إسترليني.
وحقق دياز بداية رائعة في الدوري الألماني، مسجلًا 6 أهداف في 10 مباريات، أحدها جاء بعد 14 ثانية فقط من مباراة بايرن ميونخ وفرانكفورت عصر أمس، السبت.
اقرأ أيضًا | فان دايك: لاعبو ليفربول مطالبون بـ4 أشياء للعودة إلى الانتصارات
وأكمل ستوريدج: “بالنسبة لي، لويس دياز يتميز بمثابرته على الكرة وشغفه باسترجاعها لفريقه، لقد قدم لليفربول شيئًا يفتقده الآن، أعتقد أن إيكيتيكي وإيزاك وفيرتز يبذلون جهدًا كبيرًا، ولا أقول إنهم لا يفعلون ذلك، لا يمكننا التشكيك في مستوى عملهم أو جودتهم”.
وأضاف: “لكن ما أرغب في قوله هو أنهم لاعبون ذو عقلية هجومية، أعتقد أن دياز كان يضحي بنفسه دفاعيًا، هذا ما عليهم فهمه الآن، من في هذا الهجوم سيضحي بنفسه قليلًا، في الثلاثي الهجومي، يجب أن يكون هناك دائمًا لاعب يقول لست متعطشًا للإحصائيات”.
وأردف: “ترى هذا العام أن جاكبو يُسجل أهدافًا أكثر، وصلاح يُسجل أهدافًا أقل، والمهاجمون الجدد يُريدون الانطلاق بقوة، لذلك أعتقد أن جيمي (كاراجر محلل سكاي سبورتس) شكك في توازن خط الوسط، لكنني أعتقد أيضًا أن التوازن في الثلاثي الهجومي هو السبب”.
وأتم: “من المهم أن نفهم أي من الثلاثة سيكون ركيزة أساسية في الفريق، ومن سيفعل ما يشاء، ومن سيجمع بين الاثنين، حاليًا لست متأكدًا من أن المدرب يعرف ما سيفعله”.
da leao： Chelsea’s chances of securing a place in the Champions League were dealt a blow when they lost to rivals Newcastle United 2-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.
da betsson： The Blues remain fifth in the division, in the last Champions League spot, but only one point separates them from Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the table, which tees up a tense final two matchdays.
As shown in the highlights above, Enzo Maresca’s side were not helped by Nicolas Jackson’s decision to charge into Sven Botman whilst the ball was in the air.
The Senegal international had a look at the Dutch defender and moved his defender into the upper chest and lower face of the Newcastle star whilst grappling to win an aerial duel, which led to VAR recommending a red card for the striker.
Jackson will, now, sit out the final two matches of the Premier League season, and the first game of the 2025/26 campaign, after being hit with a three-game ban for violent conduct, which is a big blow for the Blues.
Why losing Nicolas Jackson is a big blow for Chelsea
The former Villarreal star scored three goals in his last three games before the trip to St. James’ Park and looked to be on his way back to his best in front of goal after a barren run.
Prior to his strike against Everton in the Premier League last month, Jackson had gone 13 matches without a goal in all competitions for the Blues, stretching back to the middle of December.
However, a goal against the Toffees and two goals against Djurgarden in the Conference League suggested that he was on track to play a pivotal role in the final few games of the season.
There is little doubt that Jackson is a player who has the ability to make a big impact in the final third for Chelsea, despite his tendency to miss ‘big chances’, because he has had plenty of impressive moments since his move to Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson (Premier League)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
35
30
xG
18.63
12.34
Goals
14
10
Big chances missed
24
19
Big chances created
8
6
Assists
5
5
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the former LaLiga star has been a wasteful finisher, missing 43 ‘big chances’, but he has also been directly involved in 34 goals in 65 Premier League games for the club.
This shows that, despite his flaws, Jackson is a constant threat who can be a difference-maker at the top end of the pitch as either a scorer or a creator of goals, which is why losing him to suspension for the last two games of the campaign is a blow for Maresca.
The 23-year-old centre-forward, who scored a hat-trick against Spurs last season, is Chelsea’s best number nine option and has proven that he can score goals in the Premier League, hence why he would have been useful to have as an option heading into these last two games.
What makes the situation even worse for the Blues is that Christopher Nkunku, their other forward option, is currently out with an injury that could keep him out of the last two matches if he does not recover in time.
That is not the only problem with the France international, though, as he has also failed to deliver quality when called upon this season when fit, which is why the club must ruthlessly cash in on him this summer.
Why Chelsea must cash in on Christopher Nkunku
The Premier League side reportedly paid £52m to bring him to Stamford Bridge from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, as they aimed to bolster the quality of their attacking options, having offloaded Kai Havertz to Arsenal that summer.
Nkunku scored 70 goals and provided 55 assists in 17 matches for Leipzig in all competitions during his time in Germany, which made him an exciting signing, at face value, as he had a history of providing consistent quality in a major European league.
Unfortunately, however, the France international has been unable to translate that form over to English football in his two seasons at Stamford Bridge to date, as he has struggled to make an impact in the final third for the Blues.
After the club’s exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton earlier this year, former Chelsea player Craig Burley criticised the 27-year-old star, who reportedly earns £195k-per-week, and described him as a “waste of money”.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Burley said: “There was no cutting edge to the game. [Cole] Palmer has stopped influencing games like he was. Nkunku up front, I mean what a total waste of money he’s been.”
It is hard to argue with his assessment of Nkunku’s situation because he has not provided much quality back on the pitch to make up for the £52m fee and £195k-per-week wages as a forward player.
Christopher Nkunku (Premier League)
23/24
24/25
Appearances
11
27
xG
2.30
4.83
Goals
3
3
Big chances missed
3
6
Key passes per game
0.3
0.5
Assists
0
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the French flop has only been involved in seven goals in 38 appearances in the Premier League since the start of last season, and has underperformed his xG overall, which shows that he has been even worse than Jackson in the last two campaigns.
The experienced forward has not delivered goals or assists on a regular, or even semi-regular, basis in the top-flight, despite the huge outlay to bring him to London almost two years ago, whilst the Senegal international has, at least, delivered 34 goals and assists.
Arsenal have been linked with an interest in Nkunku ahead of the summer transfer window, and Chelsea must finally cash in on the big-money flop in an attempt to recoup some of the £52m fee that they splashed out on his services.
The French dud has not done enough to suggest that he will be a key player for Maresca moving forward, given his lack of quality in the Premier League, which is why the club should ruthlessly ditch him this summer, whether that is to Arsenal or another club.
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