Tag: Lesley Ugochukwu

Chelsea face transfer conundrum as latest signing sees midfielders rise to ten

Chelsea are not familiar with quiet summer transfer windows and as it stands, there’s no sign of bucking the trend in 2025.

Since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover three years ago, the Blues have welcomed 39 permanent signings through the doors.

10

Maresca is unlikely to have a shortage of midfielders at ChelseaCredit: Getty

10

Fernandez and Caicedo have been impressive for the Blues this seasonCredit: Getty

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been their two biggest arrivals with respective £106.8million and £100million transfers.

The South American duo are Chelsea’s go-to pairing in midfield, but that hasn’t limited their purchases in that position on the pitch.

Romeo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remain options for manager Enzo Maresca, with Mathis Amougou their only winter signing.

Chelsea also have stars out on loan this season, and talkSPORT understands they have agreed to sign Sporting Lisbon wonderkid Dario Essugo as part of a deal which will see teammate Geovany Quenda join the Blues.

They could have as many as ten midfielders on the books once the summer arrives, and talkSPORT.com has looked at the potential plans for each.

Current stars

Fernandez and Caicedo, barring an incredible turn of events, look set to remain as their key assets in the midfield.

Both of their contracts run until at least 2031 and with a combined 52 Premier League starts this season, it’s clear Maresca trusts them.

Ankle and hamstring injuries limited Lavia to just one appearance for Chelsea last season but his fitness has improved since.

Although he has just returned from another hamstring issue, the 21-year-old is a fellow talent hopeful of a long-term future at the club.

Dewsbury-Hall thrived under Maresca at Leicester City and followed him to Chelsea last summer in a £30million transfer.

10

Injuries have affected Lavia’s progress but he’s still shone when playingCredit: Getty

10

Dewsbury-Hall doesn’t appear to be a key midfield option at ChelseaCredit: Getty

10

Amougou has played just once since signing for the BluesCredit: Getty

However, it hasn’t worked out for him as he has made just one start in the Premier League since completing his move to Stamford Bridge.

West Ham were interested in signing him in January and an exit could be a possibility again this summer, whether on loan or permanently.

French youngster Amougou signed from Saint-Etienne last month in a move reportedly worth around £12.6million.

He made his debut in their 4-0 win over Southampton but as per the BBC, a loan move to sister club Strasbourg next season looks likely.

Out on loan

Chelsea have seen the benefit of sending young talent out on loan to Strasbourg, with Andrey Santos having an excellent campaign there.

The 20-year-old has scored eight goals in 24 Ligue 1 appearances and looks set for a first-team squad role at his parent club next season.

10

Santos has been one of the most impressive players in Ligue 1 this seasonCredit: AFP

10

Chukwuemeka could swap Chelsea for Dortmund on a permanent basis this summerCredit: Getty

10

Ugochukwu could be given another loan spell away from the clubCredit: Getty

Carney Chukwuemeka was a bright spark for the Blues last year but has found himself out of favour under Maresca.

He featured only five times before a February loan move to Borussia Dortmund, who have the option to make his switch permanent.

Southampton have Lesley Ugochukwu until the end of the season, a player who has already played 12 times for Chelsea.

The Frenchman has made ten league starts for the Saints and may move on loan elsewhere for more experience in the summer.

Future prospects

Essugo looks set to become the latest starlet to join the Chelsea project with a move from Sporting.

Martin Keown reacts to Cole Palmer’s poor form and believes it is down to key Chelsea star being out injured

The 20-year-old is currently on loan at LaLiga side Las Palmas but is on course for a switch to London ahead of next season.

As reported by The Athletic, Chelsea plan to have Portugal U21 star Essugo as cover for Caicedo.

Kendry Paez will join the Blues this summer from Independiente del Valle after a stunning rise in Ecuadorian football.

He has already made 17 senior appearances for his country at the age of 17, scoring two goals.

Paez will also arrive as a deputy option as per The Athletic, this time deeper in midfield for Fernandez despite being more attacking.

Chelsea have more midfielders in their ranks such as Omari Kellyman, who has only played for the U21s and announced on Tuesday he’s out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury.

10

Essugo looks set to be the next wonderkid arrival at ChelseaCredit: Getty

10

Paez is eyed as one of the most exciting talents in South AmericaCredit: Getty

Cobham academy product Leo Castledine is on loan at Shrewsbury Town, with Alex Matos spending the season at Oxford United.

Joao Felix joined AC Milan but plays more as a forward, whilst Renato Veiga is at Juventus and primarily plays in defence.

The summer could therefore see another window with plenty of outgoings at Chelsea, with incomings surely set for other positions.

Maresca will have many options at his disposal in midfield for pre-season before the number whittles down for the new campaign.

Source link

March 22, 2025
When will Enzo Fernandez return to Chelsea? Midfielder faces awkward reunion

Enzo Fernandez will most likely face a very awkward return to Chelsea for pre-season after he was involved in some racist chanting.

The midfielder sparked fury after posting a video of himself and his Argentina teammates appearing to sing a discriminatory chant.

5

Fernandez has apologised for his actionsCredit: Getty

The footage – which followed Argentina’s Copa America win over Colombia – was quickly slammed by many of Fernandez’s Blues French teammates.

The song references how many French players have African heritage and was described by Wesley Fofana as ‘uninhibited racism.’

The defender unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram, with Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr quickly doing the same.

Fernandez has since apologised for the video and Chelsea reacted with a statement confirming an internal disciplinary procedure.

When will Fernandez return to Chelsea?

The 23-year-old is currently on holiday and a decision is yet to be made on when he will report for pre-season.

The earliest date that Fernandez could be back among his Blues teammates is the evening of Monday, July 29.

FIFPro guidelines suggest players should have three weeks rest after an international tournament although this is not mandatory and stars can choose to return to domestic training after two.

Should Fernandez take the full three weeks off, he will miss four of Chelsea’s five games during the club’s tour of the United States.

Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures

Thursday, July 25 – Chelsea vs Wrexham (in the USA) – WILL MISS

Saturday, July 27 – Chelsea vs Celtic (in the USA) WILL MISS

Thursday, August 1 – Chelsea vs Club America (in the USA) COULD RETURN

Saturday, August 3 – Chelsea vs Man City (in the USA)

Wednesday, August 7 – Chelsea vs Real Madrid (in the USA) LIKELY RETURN

Sunday, August 11 – Chelsea vs Inter Milan (Stamford Bridge)

5

Fofana publicly called out FernandezCredit: Getty

That would leave Enzo Maresca with the decision to make over whether the midfielder heads to America for their final match.

Alternatively, Fernandez could be left to train with those left out of the tour at Cobham, with Marc Cucurella, and England duo Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher the other three Chelsea players that featured in international tournament finals.

In this scenario, his only chance to play a pre-season friendly would come against Inter Milan on August 11 – just seven days before the club’s Premier League opener.

If Fernandez does return after just two weeks off, he’ll be available for three games in the States and that Nerazzurri clash.

5

Fernandez’s Chelsea career could be in jeopardyCredit: Getty

Whenever Fernandez does report back, you would expect Chelsea to have completed their investigation into the incident.

In a statement, the Blues said: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.

“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.

“The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”

5

Fernandez’s live footage saw a derogatory chant sung by Argentine players

On Instagram, he said: “I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.

“The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.

“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.

“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”

5

Fernandez is now a Copa America champion, but the post-match chant has caused all manner of issuesCredit: Getty

It remains to be seen what course of action Chelsea take with Fernandez, but Darren Bent feels he should be more worried about his teammates.

The ex-Tottenham man explained that the Argentine has damaged some relationships beyond repair.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “It’s not a good look for Enzo Fernandez at all, it’s really not.

“Before Wesley Fofana put that post on social media, I hope they [Chelsea teammates] would have contacted him first and asked the question of ‘what are you playing at?’

“But they’ll never look at him the same ever again regardless of whether he puts out the sorrys and says I should never have done this.

“Even if he stands there in front of his Chelsea teammates and says, ‘I’m deeply sorry for what I’ve done’, they’ll never ever look at him the same.

“In the moment, he’s the one hosting the video. It’s quite clear that this is not his first time singing this song and it’s not their [Argentina squad] first time singing this song because they’re all happy, all singing and they’re all joyful because they’ve just won the Copa America.

“But at the same time, in that relaxed environment and it comes out as easy as it did, his teammates will never trust him the same way.”

Source link

July 18, 2024
Klopp’s fear as Sadio Mane seals $66m Saudi switch; Chelsea sign ‘talented’ teen: Done Deals

Saudi side Al Nassr confirmed the signing of Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane where he will team up with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Senegalese international is the latest high profile player to join the cash-rich Saudi league.

Both clubs announced the transfer involving the former Liverpool star which German media estimated at around 30 million euros ($A50m) with an annual salary for Mane of 40 million ($A66m) plus 10 million ($A17m) in results-based bonuses.

Earlier Tuesday Mane, 31, rued his departure with two years of his contract at Bayern remaining.

The Senegalese international is the latest high profile player to join the cash-rich Saudi league and will link up with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP)Source: AFP

“Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending,” he told Sky Germany.

Those sentiments were echoed by Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel when he spoke in Singapore on the eve of his side’s friendly against Liverpool.

“We had a long, big hug and we both agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now, but we think it’s for the best in this situation,” said the Bayern coach.

“Sometimes things don’t work out as everybody wants it to work out. In person I have always had a very good relationship with him and this will stay.

“I can totally understand that he feels hurt and I also wouldn’t feel happy if things like this happened.

“Obviously it’s something that we didn’t bring into the full potential, which is my job and my responsibility, but in this particular situation, it was the best solution to untie the knot.”

The news of Mane’s signing comes as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday urged football authorities to address the late closure of the transfer window in the Saudi Arabia league, fearing it may have a detrimental effect on European clubs.

Speaking in Singapore on the eve of his team’s pre-season friendly against German champions Bayern Munich, Klopp voiced his concern while reacting to the news that Mane is set to leave Bayern to join Saudi side Al Nassr.

Liverpool FC team manager Jurgen Klopp voiced his concerns (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)Source: AFP

“The influence of Saudi Arabia? We will see. I don’t know. At the moment it looks like they have quite an influence, it is massive,” said the German.

“I think that pretty much the worst thing is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open for three weeks longer. If I am right, I heard something like that. Then, at least in Europe, that’s not helpful. So UEFA and FIFA must find solutions for that.

“But in the end, I don’t know at this moment exactly what will happen. It is already influential, for us, for sure. We will have to learn to deal with it, but that’s what we do,” he added.

“That’s pretty much all I can say about it, time will show.”

Mane moves to the club that instigated the first coup of a raft of signings by Saudi clubs with the capture of Ronaldo.

Mane won the Champions League and Premier League in six seasons with Liverpool and was a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s devastating front three with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

When Liverpool won their first English league title for 30 years in the pandemic-disrupted 2019-2020 season, Mane scored 18 goals.

But in the summer of 2022, when he won the African Player of the Year, Mane decided he wanted a new challenge — unconfirmed rumours said he had tired of sharing the limelight with Egypt’s Salah at Anfield.

Bayern made a big play for Mane. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP

Bayern made a big play for Mane, promising to make him the focal point of an attack which had just lost the services of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.

After a strong start to the season at Bayern, it soon become clear that Mane was not clicking in Bavaria.

In a Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen in November, Mane suffered an injury to his fibula and his season was put on hold.

The injury forced him to miss the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year in a crushing blow to Senegal’s chances.

Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen reflected on Mane’s difficult spell in Germany. “It certainly wasn’t an easy year for him, getting injured just before the World Cup and being unable to take part in it with Senegal,” he told Bayern’s website.

Dreesen added: “Because of his long lay-off he also couldn’t have the impact at FC Bayern that we all and he himself had hoped for.

“That’s why we came to the joint decision that he’ll begin a new chapter in his career and make a new start at a different club.”

Post denies Portugal’s 90th minute upset | 00:27

While Mane returned to the Bayern team in 2023, his problems were underlined when he became involved in a physical altercation with teammate Leroy Sane following a Champions League defeat to Manchester City.

Bayern reportedly fined Mane around 350,000 euros ($A581,000) and gave him a one-match suspension for his part in the incident.

He ended the season with an underwhelming 12 goals in 38 games across all competitions.

Aside from Ronaldo, Al Nassr have also signed this summer Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, Brazil full-back Alex Telles and Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana.

CHELSEA SIGN RENNES TEEN

Chelsea have signed teenage midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Rennes on a seven-year contract, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

The France Under-19 international moves to Stamford Bridge for a reported fee of £23.5 million ($A45.4m) as the club continue their rebuild under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Ugochukwu, 19, made his senior debut for Rennes in 2021 and went on to play 60 times for his boyhood club.

He follows Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Angelo Gabriel to west London, with defender Axel Disasi’s move from Monaco expected to be completed in the coming days.

Source link

August 1, 2023