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Nesta quinta-feira (7), às 11h, o Palmeiras disputa o título do Brasileirão sub-20 contra o Flamengo, em Volta Redonda-RJ. Cada uma dessas decisões de base traz histórias e mais histórias de jovens que sonham vingar na carreira de jogador de futebol. Uma dessas trajetórias interessantes é de Edney, joia do Verdão, que busca o bicampeonato nacional, mas que há pouco tempo pensava que nada disso daria certo e chegou procurar outras formas de ganhar a vida, inclusive vendendo manga.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras tenta ‘chapéu’ no Santos e busca contratação de Roberto PereyraPalmeiras05/09/2023BrasileirãoCorinthians x Palmeiras: como VAR convenceu Daronco a expulsar Maycon por carrinho em EndrickBrasileirão05/09/2023PalmeirasCinco pontos para ficar de olho no Palmeiras na final do Brasileirão sub-20Palmeiras05/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Aos 19 anos, o polivalente atleta que joga como lateral-direito, mas tem origem no ataque, foi captado pelo Alviverde junto ao São Caetano. Sua chegada, em 2022, se deu por empréstimo, mas em 2023 ele foi comprado em definitivo com multa fixada em 100 milhões de euros para o exterior (R$ 533 milhões). Uma virada e tanto para quem tinha poucas perspectivas de alcançar o seu sonho.

Natural de Dias D’Ávila-BA, munícipio próximo de Camaçari-BA, Edney passou por algumas escolinhas de futebol na região até chegar no Vitória-BA. No entanto, ele não tinha condições financeiras de se manter no clube. Sua mãe ganhava um salário mínimo e tinha dificuldades para sustentar a casa, não havia condições de ajudar o filho nesse sonho. Além disso, a equipe baiana não dava alojamento aos jogadores.

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+ Cinco pontos para ficar de olho no Palmeiras na final do Brasileirão sub-20

Dessa forma, Edney passou a brilhar nos campos do bairro, que não tinham refletores, mas mesmo assim a garotada jogava até meia-noite. Tudo isso, sempre com a sua mãe indo buscá-lo. Depois de ser campeão em diversos torneios amadores, ele conseguiu chegar no Jacuipense-BA, mas novamente sua saga não deu certo, ficando apenas uma semana no clube.

A partir de mais uma decepção, Edney pensou em parar e desistir da carreira de jogador. Foi aí que ele começou a procurar outro emprego e fez alguns bicos para ajudar em casa. Entre esses trabalhos, o jovem chegou a ser feirante, vendedor de manga e ajudante de obra.

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Mas o destino parecia estar escrito e seu empresário conseguiu um teste no São Caetano, onde ficou por duas semanas até ser aprovado. Primeiramente, ele fez parte do time B do sub-20, que disputava a Paulista Cup. Acontece que com apenas uma partida pela competição, Edney chamou a atenção do treinador da equipe principal da categoria e foi convocado a estar com o grupo que participava dos torneios da elite.

+ Palmeiras tenta ‘chapéu’ no Santos e busca contratação de Roberto Pereyra

Com bom desempenho no Paulista sub-20 de 2021, ele despertou o interesse do Palmeiras, que costuma captar inúmeros jogadores durante os campeonatos. Edney entrou para essa lista de observações e confirmou o “olhar clínico” do Alviverde com sua atuação na Copinha de 2022. Foi aí que o Verdão buscou o Azulão para garantir o empréstimo do atacante, que foi firmado em meados do ano passado.

Com apenas seis meses no clube, Edney foi campeão brasileiro, da Copa do Brasil e da Copinha, todos pelo sub-20. No entanto, após a Copa São Paulo, quando seu empréstimo seria renovado por mais alguns meses, um imbróglio judicial do São Caetano acabou impedindo a inscrição do jovem. Depois de mais de três meses sem jogar, o Palmeiras conseguiu resolver a situação e reintegrou o jogador.

Em agosto deste ano, o Verdão comprou Edney em definitivo junto ao São Caetano e agora tem 50% dos direitos do garoto. Com contrato até julho de 2026, ele é uma das apostas da base alviverde para conquistar mais um título nacional, além de ser um potencial reforço para o elenco de Abel Ferreira, principalmente pela sua polivalência do lado direito do campo. Com essa história de superação, qualquer desafio será tranquilo.

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PalmeirasSub-20

The usually free-flowing United batting line-up could manage only 143 for 9 against Zalmi

Danyal Rasool02-May-2025
Peshawar Zalmi put together one of the best bowling performances of PSL 2025 to restrict the usually free-flowing Islamabad United to 143 before cantering to a six-wicket victory. Mohammad Ali’s 3 for 26 was the pick, but each of the four frontline bowlers conceded only between 26 and 29 in their allotted overs and picked up wickets to set up a straightforward chase.Zalmi wobbled at the start of the chase, though, losing three quick wickets, before a 102-run stand between Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam, both of whom scored half-centuries, saw Zalmi canter to a win that kept their playoffs hopes alive and well.Things looked much less certain after the first few overs of the second innings. Mitchell Owen, promoted to open the batting, slapped the first ball for six before falling the next delivery to Kyle Mayers. Ben Dwarshuis, meanwhile, drew the off-colour Saim Ayub into chopping on cheaply and just before the end of the powerplay, Mohammad Haris misread a slower delivery. Zalmi were suddenly 38 for 3 with Babar looking scratchy and the three most established power-hitters back in the pavilion.But the bowlers had left them a relatively straightforward task, and the asking rate was still below eight. Sadaqat broke the shackles with a pair of elegant boundaries, getting off to a quick start that allowed Babar to play at his own, more sedate, pace. In under-par chases, Babar’s reliability makes him a vital asset, and as the gas began to wheeze out of United’s attack, the chase began to look easy.Ben Dwarshuis had a good all-round game, though in a losing cause•PCBBy the end, Babar’s old confidence was back, stepping outside the line and whacking Naseem Shah over mid-off before easing to his second half-century this season. While Naseem did coax Sadaqat into an edge to remove him before the end, Zalmi were on the cusp, getting over the line when Max Bryant eased Dwarshuis towards midwicket.That the chase looked easy, though, was down to a superb showing with ball in hand after Zalmi had lost the toss. Both sides made four changes, but it was Zalmi’s bowlers who appeared the most inspired. While three overs in the middle of the powerplay yielded 39 runs and United did get themselves up to 57 without the loss of a wicket, they couldn’t find the strokeplay that characterises their brand as frequently.It wasn’t until the eighth over that the first wicket fell, but by then, United were already being dragged back. The run rate had dipped below seven, and Ahmed Daniyal drew a false shot from Sahibzada Farhan – the opener scored 36 in 35 balls. That first wicket brought a flurry more, with Mohammad Ali getting his first when Mayers, who had opened the batting, fell in the tenth over after scoring a workman-like 18. Ayub’s carrom ball got the better of Salman Agha, and to make things worse, Shadab Khan would later be forced off the field for the entire game with what looked like a hip injury.Before that, he looked bright in an eight-ball cameo, but when Alzarri Joseph’s short delivery grew big on him, it brought about a wicket which would be the first of three in eight balls. It was a case of every bowler doing their job, including the part-timers Ayub and Hussain Talat, whose combined four overs allowed just 30 runs for two wickets. With no release valve, United’s uninspired innings limped to 143. Even for a side of their quality, it never looked like being enough to prevent a second successive loss.

Big picture: Ravindra out after opening-night injury

New Zealand’s start to what they hope will be a full month in and around Pakistan couldn’t have gone much better. The squad they picked for the tri-series as well as the upcoming Champions Trophy appears to be especially well-suited to these conditions at this early stage. They kicked off the tri-series with a comprehensive dismantling of Pakistan, pacing their innings with the bat perfectly, before choking Pakistan with spin under the renovated Gaddafi Stadium’s lights. Dew, if any existed, was no hindrance to spin, with New Zealand turning to it for 26 of the 47.5 overs they sent down.The bad news comes in the form of potential player unavailability. Rachin Ravindra will not feature after sustaining a nasty blow to the forehead in the first game, where a ball struck him after he lost sight of it while fielding in the deep; there was plenty of blood and it required stitches. More serious damage, as initially feared, appears to have been averted, but he continues to be monitored for potential signs of delayed concussion. It has also emerged that Lockie Ferguson’s injury may need a longer recovery time than initially hoped, placing him in doubt for the Champions Trophy.The SA20, which only finished on Saturday, has meant that South Africa have not had the luxury of sending a full-strength side to this tournament. The side that plays the Champions Trophy will be markedly different, but two or three games here gives Temba Bavuma’s side the opportunity to get an early look at conditions in match scenarios. Bavuma captains a side drawn largely from South Africa’s domestic pool, but it does feature familiar names in Kyle Verreynne, Tabraiz Shamsi and Wiaan Mulder, all of whom played recently against Pakistan on their all-format tour to South Africa. Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen are expected to be in the mix for their next game, against Pakistan.Perhaps limiting the value of the extra game is its starting time. This match is the only day game in this series, and no matches will be played in this time slot for the duration of the Champions Trophy. The morning start, coupled with a game that does not see Pakistan feature, means attendance figures won’t be anywhere near what they were for New Zealand’s contest against Pakistan. It may also make it even more of a batting surface than day-night games in Lahore tend to be, but with dew guaranteed to not be a factor, New Zealand’s spinners will likely be even more potent.Tom Latham needs runs desperately•AFP/Getty Images

Form guide

South Africa LLLLW
New Zealand WLWWL

In the spotlight: Tom Latham and Lungi Ngidi

It’s not a secret that Tom Latham has endured a difficult spell with the bat of late, but the focus will only intensify after he was dismissed for a duck in an otherwise productive New Zealand batting effort against Pakistan. In the other ODIs Latham played this year, he managed one run across two innings, and though these are his first ODIs since 2023, he averaged under 30 across 27 innings that year. Furthermore, the scorecard suggests he didn’t quite convince when he dropped down a level to play the Super Smash, managing 95 runs across four T20 innings at just over a run-a-ball. With the Champions Trophy coming up, it’s a problem New Zealand would rather do without, and a weakened South Africa bowling unit may be the perfect time for Latham to get back in the groove.Lungi Ngidi endured a pretty ordinary SA20, and in normal circumstances, may have faced a battle to be part of this side. But the number of first-choice players rendered unavailable to South Africa because of the SA20 as well as injuries to Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee, saw him tagged on as a late addition to the travelling party. Injuries and fitness concerns haven’t helped him, but this is a bowler who, for several years, was a regular across formats in South Africa’s international squads. With the Champions Trophy around the corner, this would be a particularly useful time to remind coach Rob Walter and the selectors of what he can do when at his best.Senuran Muthusamy is one of many players in the tri-series squad that won’t be part of the Champions Trophy•AFP/Getty Images

Team news

Ravindra will miss out because of the blow he sustained against Pakistan, meaning his side will need to find a new opener. However, New Zealand are unlikely to make big changes to the side that delivered such an all-round performance against Pakistan.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Ben Sears, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeSouth Africa have added Ngidi and Shamsi to the tri-series squad. Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka and Tony de Zorzi are all on their way to Pakistan to join the squad but will not be available for this game.South Africa (probable): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Jason Smith, 3 Matthew Breetzke, 4 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 5 Senuran Muthusamy, 6 Wiaan Mulder, 7 Mihali Mpongwana, 8 Junior Dala, 9 Tabraiz Shamsi, 10 Ethan Bosch, 11 Lungi Ngidi

Pitch and conditions

Dew wasn’t a factor in the day-night game at the Gaddafi Stadium when New Zealand played Pakistan. With this being a day match, it is guaranteed not to be an issue on what should be a warm and sunny spring day.

Stats and trivia

• Ngidi is four wickets away from reaching the three-figure mark in ODIs. He will become the 13th to get there for South Africa in ODIs when he does
• This is South Africa’s first ODI in Pakistan since 2007. Their last game produced one of South Africa’s great ODI wins

Quotes

“For us, it will mainly be about acclimatising to the conditions and being able to share it with the wider group; and for the young guys, it’s about showing what they can do at this level.”

Porto president and Jose Mourinho's former assistant Andre Villas-Boas has spoken about the reception waiting for the Portuguese manager when he arrives at Dragao with his new side Benfica. The Porto supremo has also revealed the messages which were interchanged between him and Mourinho after the latter's decision to return to the Primiera Liga.

• Villas-Boas hails rivalry

  Villas-Boas has publicly stated that Mourinho will receive the same treatment like any other Benfica manager, despite him being considered a monumental figure in Porto's history, and that his contribution to the club will always remain eternal. The main reason behind this is the rivalry shared by the two teams. Villas-Boas has also claimed that he did not wish luck to Mourinho after the 62-year-old informed him of his decision to sign for Benfica.

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• AFP
  

  Mourinho's contribution to Porto

  Mourinho started his managerial career at Benfica, but rose to prominence at Porto. He signed for the Portuguese heavyweights in 2002 and managed them for 127 games. In this tenure, he won two Primiera Liga titles, a Portuguese Super Cup, and a Portuguese Cup. However, his major achievement came in the form of the Champions League triumph in 2004, a year after he guided them to UEFA Cup success. Following their European triumph, Mourinho moved to Chelsea and labelled himself the 'Special One'. 

• Mourinho to get heated reception?

  Villa-Boas has hinted about the hospitality Mourinho might receive at Dragao, saying: "I think José Mourinho has a history with Porto that will always be eternal. He could also be eternal at FC Porto, but he is above all a football professional, so he has to make his decisions as a football professional and follow his path. Right now, he is a rival of FC Porto, he is the coach of Sport Lisboa Benfica. FC Porto's history also became great because he won against its biggest rival, and in that sense, Jose Mourinho will now receive the same reception as any coach of our main rival, that is, the coach of Benfica."

  Asked if he will be applauded due to his success with the club, Villas-Boas said: "Certainly not."

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• AFP
  

  When do Benfica play Porto?

  Benfica will face Porto on October 5 at the Estadio do Dragao. 

تحدث الدولي الإنجليزي جوردان هندرسون، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برينتفورد وقائد ليفربول السابق، عن الفترة التي قضاها في الريدز ومدى افتقاده لجمهور آنفيلد.

وانتقل صاحب الـ35 عامًا إلى برينتفورد بعقد يمتد لمدة عامين، ليبدأ رحلة أخرى على الملاعب الإنجليزية بالموسم الحالي 2025/2026.

وقال هدرسون في تصريحات عبر “ليفربول إيكو”: “لقد كانت فترة صعبة للغاية عندما غادرت ليفربول، 12 عامًا قضيتهم في النادي وهي فترة طويلة”.

وأكمل: “كان ترك ليفربول في حد ذاته أمرًا مرعبًا وصعبًا حقًا وفي أي وقت كان سيصبح الأمر صعبًا لأنها كانت حياتي لفترة طويلة ثم انتهت، لذلك عانيت لفترة بعد ذلك”.

وعن رؤية مباريات ليفربول حينما كان في الاتفاق السعودي: “لا، لم أستطع مشاهدة الكثير من المباريات وبالتأكيد لم أستطع مشاهدة ليفربول، لم أشاهد الكثير من مباريات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز حينها، ربما اخترت المكان المناسب، كنتُ في النصف الآخر من الكرة الأرضية”.

وأضاف: “كان الأمر صعبًا ولكن عندما غادرت ليفربول لأنني كنت هناك لفترة طويلة ولأنني كنت مرتبطًا به كثيرًا وكان جزءًا كبيرًا من حياتي هناك، عندما غادرت وجدت الأمر صعبًا حقًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | فان باستن عن إقامة مباراة برشلونة وفياريال في أمريكا: أي كوميديا ​​هذه؟

وأردف: “لا أعرف كيف كان الشعور، كان الأمر أشبه بالانفصال، كان الأمر صعبًا للغاية وأعتقد أنه إذا سألت الكثير من اللاعبين عن موعد مغادرتهم للنادي ليس فقط ليفربول ولكن عندما تكون في نادي لفترة طويلة ويكون لديك هذا الارتباط بهم سواء كنت ستعتزل أو تنتقل لفيق آخر، أعتقد أن الأمر كان صعبًا لفترة من الزمن ولكن مع مرور الوقت تتغير الأمور، وتستمر الحياة”.

قال هندرسون عن الانتقادات التي تعرض لها في مشواره: “أعتقد أنني استخدمتها كقوة دفع طوال مسيرتي المهنية، كل شخص يختلف عن الآخر، وكل شخص يُفضل التعامل مع الأمور بطريقة مختلفة، بالنسبة لي، أعتقد أنه جزء لا يتجزأ من شخصيتي لطالما كان يجب إثبات شيء ما في مكان ما، لا أعتقد أن هذا سيتغير أبدًا في بعض الأحيان”.

واستطرد: “عندما كنت أصغر سنًا كان الأمر صعبًا لكنه الآن أسهل بكثير، وأعتقد أنه ليس من السيء تجاوز مثل هذه المواقف في النهاية عندما كان بإمكانك الخروج من هذا المأزق والنظر إلى الوراء”.

واسترسل: “بالطبع ستكون هناك لحظات صعبة ولن أخفيكم فقد مررتُ ببعض اللحظات الصعبة خلال العامين الماضيين ولكن عندما تتجاوز هذه المحنة، تنظر إلى الوراء، فتعتقد أنك تعلمت الكثير عن نفسك، وهذا يجعلك أقوى، ويدفعك للتفكير بشكل مختلف، وإذا أحسنت استغلاله، فسيساعدك، وهذا كل ما حاولت فعله”.

وأتم: “بالنظر إلى الماضي، هذا شيء لطالما احتجت إليه، أشعرُ أنني حظيت به، وكان يجب أن أتعلم استخدامه كأداة بالطريقة الصحيحة، وآمل أن أكون قد فعلت ذلك، فأنا ما زلت هنا وأتحدث إليكم الآن، وهذا ليس بالأمر السيئ”.

Manchester United have been told that they have hit the jackpot with the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a whopping £74 million ($100m) deal, as the Slovenia international can become a "complete striker" at Old Trafford. The Red Devils, however, will need to be patient with their new forward, who needs time to realise his full potential.

Man Utd told Sesko will become "complete striker"Backed to shine at Old TraffordJoined Man Utd from RB Leipzig this summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sesko has had an underwhelming start to his journey in England as he is yet to feature in Ruben Amorim's starting line-up in the Premier League. However, the former RB Leipzig forward did star in Slovenia's 2-2 draw against Sweden in a World Cup qualifying game as he contributed with the assist for Zan Vipotnik's late equaliser. 

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While Sesko has not lived upto the expectations at Old Trafford yet after the first three rounds of Premier League games, his national team strike partner and former Middlesbrough star Andraz Sporar has backed the 22-year-old to be a hit at Old Trafford and be a "complete striker". 

WHAT SPORAR SAID

The 31-year-old spoke highly of his compatriot as he told reporters: "What does he bring to United? Everything. He has speed, power, intelligence, good football IQ. I believe he can be a complete striker in the next two or three years. But he’s still young. He will help Manchester United a lot, they just need to be patient. I believe he’ll score the goals and every year he will be better and better."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR SESKO?

The Red Devils striker will be back in action for Slovenia on Monday as they take on Switzerland in their second World Cup qualifying game. Next Sunday, he is expected to be handed his maiden Premier League start in the Manchester derby.

As Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes look to move on from their rejected bid for Alexander Isak, Liverpool have now reportedly agreed personal terms with another superstar.

Following the bombshell news that Isak wants to leave Newcastle and has been training away from the club in an attempt to push through a summer exit, Liverpool’s offer seemed inevitable. As soon as they had encouragement, reports always suggested that Hughes and Edwards would pursue the Swede’s signature.

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That’s not to say the deal was ever going to be routine, however, and the Anfield chiefs found that out the hard way. After seeing an opening offer worth around £110m rejected by Newcastle, Liverpool, for now at least, have ended their pursuit of Isak.

With one month until the transfer window slams shut, it currently looks like Isak will remain a Newcastle player. But plans could change if their reported £70m bid to sign Benjamin Sesko is successful.

Of course, if those at St James’ Park welcome the calibre of player able to replace Isak, which Sesko certainly is, then their stance on selling their star man may loosen slightly – allowing Liverpool to come in with their next offer.

Imagine him & Gakpo: £120k-p/w "wizard" is now "pushing to join" Liverpool

Liverpool are ready to replace Luis Diaz in the summer transfer market.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 1, 2025

That said, given that Manchester United are also lurking in the race to sign the RB Leipzig star, there is still a long way to go before the dominoes can fall into place for Isak to become Liverpool’s biggest signing yet.

Until the saga unravels, meanwhile, the Premier League champions have been left turning towards alternative blockbuster targets and have reportedly agreed personal terms with Luis Diaz’s potential replacement.

Liverpool agree personal terms with Rodrygo

According to ESPN Brasil, as relayed by The Standard, Liverpool have now agreed personal terms with Rodrygo in what is a major step towards signing the Real Madrid winger after they sent super agent Pini Zahavi to get the deal done.

Earning £11m-a-year at Real Madrid, the Brazilian’s contract is unlikely to come cheap, but his talent would more than make up for any hefty costs involved in his arrival.

Mohamed Salah

£21m

Virgil van Dijk

£18m

Rodrygo

£11m

Hugo Ekitike

£10m

Florian Wirtz

£10m

To sign a Galactico, Liverpool will need to add their third-highest earner and someone who will earn more than recent arrivals Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

For that price, however, they would be getting a player who has starred on the biggest stages and earned impressive praise from the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, who told reporters: “He is a special striker, he can play in all positions. He is fast, smart and effective one on one. The learning is over. He is a Real Madrid player for all purposes.”

Chelsea are now just two games away from being crowned champions of the world.

Late on Friday night, the Blues booked their place in the Club World Cup semi-finals, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Cole Palmer broke the deadlock early, only for Chelsea-bound Estêvão Willian to score a stunning equaliser, but Malo Gusto’s late cross was deflected into his own net by Agustín Giay as the Londoners prevailed in Pennsylvania.

Enzo Maresca’s team will now take on Fluminense in Tuesday’s semi-finals at MetLife Stadium, the third different Brazilian club they’ve faced this summer, firm favourites to reach the final, where either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid await.

How to Watch the FIFA Club World Cup for Free

Everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 13, 2025

Meantime, Chelsea remain, as is their want, extremely busy in the transfer market, with João Pedro debuting off the bench on Friday, while Jamie Gittens has since arrived too, it could mean that another of their forward players is to take his leave.

The latest on Noni Madueke's Chelsea future

As reported by Sam Dean and Sam Wallace of the Telegraph, Arsenal are preparing a £50m bid for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.

Meantime, David Ornstein of the Athletic notes that the England international has actually already ‘agreed personal terms’ with the Gunners, and this deal appears as though it could actually happen, with Madueke thereby becoming the tenth player to leave Chelsea for Arsenal in the modern era, six of which have done so since 2019.

Players Arsenal have signed from Chelsea (1992-present)
Players	Year	Fee
William Gallas	2006	£5m
Lassana Diarra	2007	£6m
Yossi Benayoun	2011	Loan
Petr Čech	2015	£10m
David Luiz	2019	£8m
Willian	2020	Free
Jorginho	2023	£12m
Kai Havertz	2023	£65m
Raheem Sterling	2024	Loan
Kepa Arrizabalaga	2025	£5m
Information courtesy of Premier League.com

A real mixed bag there from an Arsenal perspective, with Chelsea supporters very much viewing their North London rivals as a bit of a dumping ground, but could a highly-rated teenager be moving in the opposite direction?

Chelsea targeting Madueke upgrade

According to a report by Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are closely monitoring Ethan Nwaneri’s contractual situation at Arsenal and are ‘ready to attack the situation’.

The 18-year-old, only eligible to sign a professional contract since March, currently has just one year remaining on his deal with the Gunners, and James McNicholas of the Athletic has reported that ‘talks are at a delicate stage’, with the club desperate to tie down ‘such a valuable prospect’.

He adds that, before committing to anything, the £47m-rated youngster wants to seek assurances over his playing time, following a breakout season at Arsenal, seeing 1,378 minutes of action across all competitions, including starting 11 Premier League matches, scoring nine goals.

For context, despite his age and the fact he played 1,246 fewer minutes, he only scored two fewer goals than Madueke across all competitions, underlining the immense potential and talent that he possesses.

Indeed, Nwaneri is only the third player to score nine goals before their 18th birthday for a Premier League club, after Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, who weren’t bad, were they?

Described by Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout as a “magnificent talent”, he could well be the perfect long-term replacement for Madueke, but if it is indeed first-team opportunities that are the teenager’s priority, perhaps Chelsea are not the right club to join, considering all the wide-attacking options currently on their books.

Chelsea’s current wide attackers
Players	Age	Chelsea appearances
Cole Palmer	23	95
Noni Madueke	23	91
Pedro Neto	25	49
Christopher Nkunku	27	60
Raheem Sterling	30	81
João Félix	25	40
Jamie Gittens	20	0
Mykhailo Mudryk*	24	73
Tyrique George	19	26
Kendry Páez	18	0
Estêvão Willian	18	0
Omari Kellyman	19	0
*currently banned for doping.
All information courtesy of Transfermarkt

Fair to say, Maresca has a fair few options from which to choose out-wide, even if Mykhailo Mudryk is currently banned, while a couple of others are likely to depart, including the aforementioned Madueke and João Félix.

Nevertheless, might Nwaneri be the best of the lot?

Well, former Chelsea winger Joe Cole compared the teenager to Lionel Messi, following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City in February, stating “you can’t mark him because he can go both ways… I don’t even want to say it, but it’s like Messi”.

Meantime, Lorihanna Balabanova of Total Football Analysis praises Nwaneri’s ‘versatility’ and phenomenal ‘potential’, adding that his ‘best attribute is his ability to find pockets and exploit spaces’.

Thus, it is clear that Nwaneri is a player who is poised to be a future star, and if there’s one thing Chelsea love, it is hoovering up such young talents, so will they strike again?

More exciting than Estevao: Chelsea chase one of "England's biggest jewels"

Chelsea could be looking to make a move for one of England’s finest talents

By
Ross Kilvington

Jul 5, 2025

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a huge task ahead of him in the 2025/26 campaign, potentially coming under serious pressure should he fail to win a trophy.

The Spaniard has now been in the role at the Emirates for five and a half years, with his only trophy coming in the FA Cup back in his first season at the helm.

In the Premier League, the Gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons, being unable to make that final step and end the two-decade wait for a league triumph.

Investment is needed from the hierarchy during the off-season if they are to finish at the top of the table next time around, handing the manager the tools he needs for success.

With the transfer window now in full swing, countless names have been mentioned as options for Arteta, leading to moves being made on various deals.

The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for new additions this summer

A striker has been firmly on their radar over recent weeks, leading to talks being held with the representatives of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, but no agreement has yet been reached.

Moves have also been made to sign PSG wonderkid Warren Zaire-Emery, looking to take advantage of his situation in France which has seen him losing his starting place in Luis Enrique’s side.

However, they may look past a deal for the teenager, given the progress that has been made to sign Sevilla star Lucien Agoume, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature, with fellow English sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also firmly in the race for his signature.

It also states that the 23-year-old is available for a fee in the region of £20m this summer, potentially forming an excellent partnership with one other talent in North London.

Why Arsenal’s £20m target would be perfect alongside Zubimendi

Over recent months, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been the name on all supporters’ lips after he’s been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal.

It was confirmed back in January that a deal had been agreed to land the 26-year-old this summer, but such a move has been quiet over the last couple of weeks.

That was until Fabrizio Romano confirmed that a deal is imminent with the midfielder still set to make the move to the Emirates despite interest from Real Madrid.

It’s been reported that the hierarchy are set to pay just over his €60m release clause in his contract, securing the deep-lying option Arteta has been crying out for.

However, he could thrive alongside Agoume in North London next season, with the Frenchman having all the tools to star in the middle of the park and giving the Gunners a new dimension.

Agoume, who’s been labelled “one of the most talented defensive midfielders” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has completed 83% of passes and achieved a dribble success rate of 76% – subsequently able to drive forward after Zubimendi regains possession for the side.

He’s also created 1.2 chances per 90, showcasing his ability his progress the play and aiding the attackers in front of him to thrive and bolster their title credentials.

Games played

35

Goals & assists

4

Passes completed

83%

Dribbles success

76%

Chances created

1.2

Tackles won

1.4

Interceptions made

1.7

The 23-year-old’s talents continue without the ball, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and making 1.7 interceptions per 90, handing Arteta an added ball-winning option alongside Zubimendi and taking some of the pressure off his shoulders as a result.

£20m in today’s market would be a superb piece of business by the hierarchy, landing a young player who could improve massively in the years ahead given his tender age.

The prospect of a partnership between Agoume and the Spaniard at the heart of the side is certainly an exciting one, handing Arteta the strength and depth he needs to push for the title in 2025/26.

He's the next Timber: Arsenal submit offer to sign "insane" £43m star

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Jun 21, 2025

The trend of low scores continued in New York as India’s attack defended a total of 119 against Pakistan

Alagappan Muthu09-Jun-20241:18

Kumble: Bumrah creates pressure on any surface

One team had Jasprit Bumrah. The other didn’t. And that was that. That was the difference. His legend is littered with incredible displays. But this will feel sweeter, not merely for the fact that it came in a T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, but for the fact that without his intervention this game would have almost certainly had a different ending. India defended 119. Pakistan lost after being 80 for 3. The finalists of the 2022 tournament are in serious danger of an early exit.Boom in BluePakistan need 40 runs off the last 36 balls with seven wickets in hand. ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster gave them a 93% chance of victory then. Poor thing. It’s been left on the fritz. Bumrah’s discipline, his calmness under pressure, his extraordinary skill, not just in delivering the right ball but in understanding what the right ball is, confounded man and machine alike In New York.Ironically, all this happened because Bumrah refused to go searching for wickets. He just bowled what he thought would be unhittable – which was the back of a length delivery – and by doing it consistently he made Pakistan desperate. He forced them into a corner, which to be fair is their happy place in World Cups, but that wasn’t the case here. Here, there was only panic.Related

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Mohammad Rizwan was made to believe that a full length ball was there to play a cross-bat shot. His stumps paid the price. Soon after knocking it back, Bumrah spread his arms wide and broke into a smile. That’s his usual celebration. But he didn’t stop there. He roared. And over 30,000 people at the ground roared with him. He punched the air. Millions joined him. This was the opening that India could build on. This was the crack that would cause the collapse. Rizwan, the set batter, fell for 31 off 44. Bumrah, who had accounted for Babar Azam earlier, also took out Pakistan’s final hope, Iftikhar Ahmed, in the 19th over. Of his 24 balls, 15 were dots. Somehow, even his full tosses proved game-changing.Bumrah’s mastery carved out a piece of history: 119 is the joint-lowest total ever defended in men’s T20 World Cups.The support actIndia waited until the third over to deploy their super weapon. Then they had to wait until the 15th to bring him back. In between, they relied on others to keep the pressure up and two people in particular did that with aplomb. Hardik Pandya and his short-of-a-length offerings were always going to be a threat on this New York pitch with uneven bounce. He stopped Fakhar Zaman before he could play the kind of cameo that would kill chases like these. And then he took out Shadab Khan. Both times the batters were surprised by how high the ball was when they made contact with it. Hardik wasn’t. He just shrugged, as if to say, yeah, I do that. No big deal.Axar Patel was the other unsung hero, bowling the first of the death overs and somehow keeping it to just two runs even though he was up against a left-hand batter with the short boundary on the leg side. Imad Wasim was never allowed to win the match-up as he was fed a diet of non-spinning deliveries that were angled across him and kept bouncing over his cut shots. Bumrah produced the biggest swing in momentum towards India according to Forecaster, 44% at the end of the 19th over. Axar produced the second-biggest swing, his defensive skills earning a 13% bump.Rishabh Pant used his luck and played some creative shots•Getty Images

Pant doing Pant thingsThis was the best pitch to bat on in New York so far. But even that had its perils. Largely in the form of the ball not coming on, and occasionally with uneven bounce. Rizwan and Arshdeep Singh took blows to the hand.A bit of luck is required in these conditions. Pant got that when he survived three catching opportunities in three balls and later survived an inside edge that could have gone onto the stumps. A bit of bravery helps. Pant showed that when he smashed Haris Rauf over extra cover. A bit of imagination doesn’t go amiss either. Pant epitomised that with a flick shot that he played while falling to the floor because that was the only way he knew how to get under a good length ball and put in the gap at fine leg. Later, to Imad’s highly accurate left-arm spin, he brought out the standing reverse sweep.It was tough to bat out there. Pant’s unorthodox methods made him successful; made him stand out. He made 42 off 31 at a strike rate of 135. The rest of India made 70 off 84 at a strike rate of 83.It’s all blue in New York•Getty Images

The footnotesIn the game against USA, Mohammad Amir was all over the place. In this one, he was spot on. Eight of the first 12 deliveries he bowled produced false shots. Early on with the new ball, he beat the bat three times in a row. Later on, with the old one, he was on a hat-trick. Pakistan demoted him to first-change and by the time he came on, India had already lost their two best batters, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli caught off balls that stuck in the pitch, a theme that would continue for the rest of the innings. Amir had a soft entry but he made the absolute most of it. His best work coincided with the best phase of the game for Pakistan, when they strung four overs together between the 12th and the 15th where only eight runs were scored and four wickets were taken. India went from 89 for 3 to 96 for 7. At the halfway stage, Pakistan were ahead. Twenty overs later, they were facing elimination, in part because they weren’t the team with Jasprit Bumrah.