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Surrey 365 (Foakes 92*, Burns 73, Harmer 4-83) and 219 for 6 (Sibley 66, Foakes 60) drew with Essex 582 for 6 dec (Critchley 145*, Cox 117, Pepper 109, Walter 95)Dom Sibley remained immovable for 77 overs to underpin Surrey’s successful fight to salvage a draw in their opening match in the defence of the Rothesay County Championship title.Surrey had started the final day with a target of 217 to avoid an innings defeat and Sibley appeared determined to make sure the reigning champions batted throughout to save both the game and their faces after a chastening four days at Chelmsford.The former England opener put on 101 in 41 overs in a decisive fourth-wicket stand with Ben Foakes before he departed for 66 after a four-and-a-half hour, 221-ball vigil. Foakes reprised his first-innings stubbornness with a second half-century of the match before Ryan Patel and Jordan Clark saw them sneak over the line at 219 for 6 and handshakes on the draw at 5.36pm.Two wickets in seven balls early on day four gave Essex a brief scent of a victory that had looked highly probable when they asked Surrey to follow-on, but apart from three late wickets the match meandered towards the inevitable draw. They used eight bowlers in the innings in an effort to change the narrative, but to no avail.Surrey might have lost Sibley to the first ball of the day but his edge to Jamie Porter fell short of slip. Sibley was in stereotypical obdurate mode and took 26 balls to get off the mark, an angled shot down to third man off Porter.The openers set the tone for the day in the first 49 minutes, trundling along at a rate of around two an over. By then Harmer had arrived in the attack. He required just 13 balls of niggling and probing before Rory Burns went back to a fuller ball and was trapped lbw on his stumps.Then in the next over, Ollie Pope slashed wildly at a widish delivery from Shane Snater and, for once on a slow pitch, the ball carried through to the wicketkeeper. The England man’s cameo lasted four balls for a solitary run.The strike-rate increased significantly for a spell when Paul Walter was introduced. Jamie Smith went after him, taking 23 runs off eight balls faced, including a pulled six and four fours. Not surprisingly the left-arm seamer was immediately retired with figures of 2-0-25-0.However, Smith’s stay proved brief as he was involved in a run-out of ridiculous proportions with Sibley. Sibley decided there was a second run, Smith didn’t, both men finding themselves at the same end. Despite an initial miss-take by Michael Pepper from Snater’s throw to the wicketkeeper, the ball was eventually transferred to the non-striker’s end where Critchley was able to effect the dismissal.With spin at both ends, Essex wheeled through the overs at a rate of knots – indeed the official over-rate was showing at plus 13 – with Sibley and Foakes content to thrust their legs down the wicket to negate any turn.So it was something of a jolt to the system when Sibley punished a wayward delivery from Critchley through midwicket for only his fourth four and then immediately drove straight for his fifth. He also executed a well-timed cover drive off Harmer for another boundary.Despite those occasional flurries it still took Sibley 181 balls to reach his fifty, achieved midway through the afternoon session having started his innings the previous evening. To emphasise the pace of his innings, he added 21 runs in 94 balls pre-lunch and 38 from 103 between lunch and tea.However, the seemingly immovable force lasted just nine balls into the final session when he had a rush of blood produced a wild top-edge swing at Noah Thain and he was walking before the square-leg boundary fielder took the catch.Foakes had hung around for 134 balls and 50 runs before he was cleaned out by Jamie Porter’s third delivery with the new-ball, his middle-stump left at 45 degrees.With overs running out and two runs shy of their target, Dan Lawrence fell to a slip catch by Jordan Cox for the second time in the match.

Everton still just have enough time to complete some deadline day transfer business, and they are closing in on a deal for a “difference-maker” to reinforce their midfield.

Moyes keen on defensive signing for Everton

The Blues have made an impressive start to the season in the Premier League, recovering from their defeat to Leeds United by sealing back-to-back wins at home to Brighton and away to Wolves.

Despite this, Everton manager David Moyes would still like to see new faces added on deadline day, pinpointing a new defender as a priority because of injuries in that area.

“It already has changed a lot of my plans because, obviously, we’re without Jarrad and we have been without Myko for, certainly, the first couple of games. We had this at the end of last season as well, we’ve had it all through the summer.

“It’s not as if we’ve necessarily got it better. We’ve got people back, but others are injured. We’ve just got to make sure that we’re not short again if we can help it – and certainly we were short for the first two games in the Premier League.”

That said, a fresh update suggests that Everton are now looking to snap up a midfielder who can add more quality in the middle of the park this season and beyond.

Everton on verge of "difference-maker" Merlin Rohl signing

The Athletic‘s Patrick Boyland reported on Monday morning: “Everton exploring deadline-day move for Freiburg’s Merlin Rohl. Long-time target but still lot to do to get it over line before 7pm deadline. CM a priority area.”

And Boyland has now revealed the deal is close to completion, with the player already having a medical as a loan with obligation to buy move draws closer. The obligation will be around €20m (£17m).

Rohl is the type of player who could add so much quality to Everton’s midfield, with the 23-year-old statistically similar to former Blues midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, possessing box-to-box energy.

The Freiburg ace has won 25 caps for Germany across four different youth age groups, while his former manager, Christian Streich, has lauded him.

If Everton do land a deal for Rohl, and potentially also sign a new right-sided defender, it would complete an impressive summer transfer window that has improved as it has gone on.

Related Everton can forget Soucek by signing future "£100m-plus footballer"

Everton are ready to be active in the summer transfer market, should the need arise.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 1, 2025

The likes of Jack Grealish, Tyler Dibling and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have added quality and creativity to Everton’s team, and Rohl could do exactly the same.

Seam bowler desperate to resume rivalry with Australia as veteran of 2013-14 series win

Valkerie Baynes10-Jan-2025Kate Cross says she is doing all she can to be fit for Sunday’s opening Ashes fixture in Sydney as she continues her return from a back injury.Cross, England’s hugely experienced and reliable seamer, broke down with back spasms during the third ODI in South Africa last month and missed the subsequent Test. Further scans upon returning home revealed a slightly bulging disc and she sat out of the sole Ashes warm-up, against a Governor General’s XI, which was washed out in the 29th over on Thursday, to continue building up to a return to play.”It’s been a bit of a frustrating one and I’m the kind of person that’s not used to having injuries,” Cross told ESPNcricinfo when asked how her recovery was progressing, and whether she was on track to play the first ODI at North Sydney Oval.”!t’s been a bit of a tough period but it’s just one of them. I’ve just got to take it day by day, taking each day as it comes really, and seeing what I can and can’t do. But obviously the Ashes is such a huge series, I’m desperate to play a part in it, so just working really hard.”Cross is one a handful of players remaining from the England squad which last won the Ashes on Australian soil in 2014 alongside Danni Wyatt-Hodge, captain Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones.As such, she can provide a wealth of advice to England’s younger players but she would obviously rather help out on the field. Making her Test debut at Perth during the 2013-14 series, she played a key role by taking three wickets in each innings, including three for none in seven balls in Australia’s fourth innings, as they ultimately fell 61 runs short of their 185-run target.Related

Kate Cross questions future after losing England contract

Two teams with points to prove provides ingredients for Ashes epic

Jon Lewis: T20 World Cup exit was 'line in the sand' for England Women

Rain cuts into Healy's prep as Filer slips and slides

Calls for Women's Ashes to include three Tests

Cross who is part of the ODI and Test squads for this series, bowled in the nets at Cricket Central in Sydney on Thursday and Jon Lewis, England Women’s head coach, expected some clarity on her fitness to play in the coming days.”I had another scan when I got back to the UK and there was a tiny, tiny, tiny little disc bulge in my back and a little bit of fluid in there,” Cross said. “I had an epidural over the Christmas period to try and settle it all down. Back injuries can be a little bit unpredictable so I’m just working through it all each day.”It’s always frustrating to have an injury and especially an injury that that stops me doing my job. When it’s something that physically keeps you from bowling, then that’s what I’ve found a little bit more difficult.”I’m still really lucky that we’ve got the best science and medicine team available and I’m out in Australia working really hard to try and get as fit as possible as quickly as possible. If I get to play some cricket, brilliant. If I don’t, then I’m hopefully still able to contribute off the pitch as well and help what is quite a youngish bowling attack.”A key part of that young attack is quick Lauren Filer, who endured a difficult outing during the warm-up game at a soggy North Sydney Oval, losing her footing multiple times in delivery. But Cross was confident the problem was more about the conditions than Filer’s rhythm or action.”I’ve not spoken to her but it was just so wet,” Cross said. “I think it probably goes to show that we shouldn’t have started in those conditions, especially so close to an Ashes series, starting on Sunday on the same ground.Cross played a vital role in the 2013-14 Ashes Test win•Getty Images”We were really aware that, every time it rained, the pitch for Sunday was getting wet. So I think it was the literal footing underneath her. I don’t think it’s anything to do with rhythm or her run-up or anything like that. I think it was just the conditions on the day. She’s a bit like Mark Wood anyway, isn’t she? She sometimes finds herself on the deck, so I’m sure she’ll be absolutely fine.”Filer’s raw pace surprised Australia at times on her international debut in the 2023 Ashes Test but, in the prevailing conditions, it was England’s spinners who did all the damage this week.Left-armer Sophie Ecclestone, the leader of England’s spin attack, claimed three wickets, crucially breaking a 91-run opening stand between Australia captain Alyssa Healy and newcomer Georgia Voll, the latter impressing with a half-century to further press her case for selection in a packed top order.Voll was outstanding on debut against India in December while Healy was nursing a knee problem. Healy was expected to test her ability to keep wicket during the Governor General’s game but Australia didn’t get a chance to field. Instead, she was put through her paces in a practice session after the match was called off, navigating that exercise unscathed.

Before 2024, New Zealand visited India 12 times across 69 years from 1955 to play Test cricket, but they had never managed to win a series. On Saturday, in his first stint as full-time New Zealand captain, Tom Latham did an Edmund Hillary, leading New Zealand to their first-ever Test series win in India.Latham was part of the New Zealand team that won the inaugural World Test Championship after beating India in the final in Southampton in 2021. But beating India is a different challenge altogether and arguably the toughest challenge in world cricket right now. Latham was overwhelmed with emotion when he was asked to explain what the triumph in India meant to him, his team, and the New Zealand public.Related

• Changing of the guard: Pune 2024 a window into New Zealand's future

• Santner takes 13 to hand India their first home Test series defeat since 2012

• 'I don't want to do too much of a post-mortem' – Rohit after loss in Pune

• Side soreness no barrier for 13-wicket Santner

“I’m sort of lost for words,” Latham said. “It’s obviously an immensely proud moment for this group. I think coming off the back of a Sri Lankan series where we didn’t get the results that we wanted to come here and play the style of cricket that we played. We’re obviously immensely proud to be in the position of winning two Test matches here. A lot of New Zealand teams have come here over the past… I guess to be the first team to win a series over here is immensely special and, yeah, very proud of this group.”So what did Latham’s New Zealand do better than the other New Zealand teams of the past and this current India team?”I think we’ve been on the right side of a couple of tosses,” Latham said. “That obviously played a big part I think, especially in Bangalore. Just as I said, I think we’ve come here, and we’ve wanted to fire a shot. We’ve wanted to be the one that puts India under pressure, what that may look like from a batting point of view or a bowling point of view. I certainly think we’ve done that. I think the way we played in this game with the bat was really important. I think it was a wicket where time wasn’t necessarily an issue, it was runs.”Mitchell Santner was the hero with the ball•AFP/Getty Images

It’s incredibly rare for any overseas team to out-bat and out-bowl India in a Test match. This New Zealand team has managed to do that twice in contrasting conditions in Bengaluru and Pune.New Zealand’s bowlers had thrown the first punch in Benglauru in seaming conditions, where they skittled India for 46. New Zealand’s batters then threw the first punch in Pune on a turner, where they countered R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar with a variety of sweeps, including the reverse. Latham was pleased with his players buying into the attack-first approach.”We’ve come here, and we’ve wanted to compete, and we’ve wanted to fire a shot first up,” Latham said. “I certainly think we’ve done that in both games. Obviously with the ball in the first game but also with the bat here. Being able to put first innings runs on the board has been really important. Obviously the bowlers went to work over the last couple of days which has been very pleasing to see.” Latham hailed Mitchell Santner for wheeling away for 29 overs on the trot in the final innings despite a sore side. The left-arm fingerspinner came away with six wickets during that marathon spell and almost single-handedly spun New Zealand to victory. He finished with match figures of 13 for 157 – the third-best by any visiting bowler in India.”He did a fantastic job,” Latham said of Santner. “I think obviously the wickets that he got… But I think what will go unnoticed is the amount of overs he bowled back-to-back. I think Will [O’Rourke] bowled one over with the new ball from that end and Mitch bowled the rest. Someone like that to come and bowl that amount of overs, to keep in a threat for that amount of time.”I keep trying to take him off, but he keeps taking a wicket. So, I said ‘you can keep going’. Look, I can’t praise him enough in terms of what he’s done this game. He was simply fantastic.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional foi até a Arena Castelão, na noite deste sábado, e arrancou um empate em 1 a 1 com o Fortaleza, que foi comemorado pelo elenco.Diante da dificuldade apresentada no duelo, o Colorado mostrou resistência e espera embalar de vez na temporada.

Autor do primeiro gol do Inter, Wanderson valorizou o placar e já pensa no duelo válido pela Libertadores, diante do Metropolitanos-VEN.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBrasileirãoEm jogo movimentado, Fortaleza e Internacional ficam no empate pelo BrasileirãoBrasileirão15/04/2023São PauloATUAÇÕES: Ceni mexe, São Paulo até cria, mas defesa deixa a desejar em derrota na estreiaSão Paulo15/04/2023PalmeirasAbel não entende expulsão na vitória do Palmeiras e desabafa: ‘Isso me tira a vontade de continuar aqui’Palmeiras15/04/2023

– Sabemos que jogar aqui é difícil. Encontramos dificuldades aqui (Arena Castelão) nos últimos anos. Hoje, viemos com a mentalidade de vencer. Temos que sair de cabeça erguida e pensar na Libertadores – disse ao Premiere.

Na próxima rodada do Brasileirão, o Internacional encara o Flamengo, no Beira-Rio.

Incredulity at The Oval as cloud cover causes umpires to intervene mid-over

Andrew Miller07-Sep-2024

After an opening day dominated by a lengthy delay for bad light, the third Test between England and Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval plumbed farcical new depths on the second afternoon, when Chris Woakes was forced to bowl spin midway through an over, due to the on-field umpires’ concerns about the deteriorating conditions.The incident occurred two balls into the seventh over of Sri Lanka’s innings, moments after they lost their first wicket when Dimuth Karunaratne was run out for 9 by Olly Stone’s direct hit from the covers.Kusal Mendis came in at No. 3 to face his first ball, but with an increase in cloud cover between deliveries, Joel Wilson and Chris Gaffaney decreed it was now too dark for quick bowling, albeit Woakes’ average speed in this Test match has been in the region of 80mph.The decision was met with a chorus of boos from a capacity Oval crowd, as well as bemusement in the commentary box. Michael Atherton declared on Sky Sports that “the game’s gone mad” as Woakes served up a first-ball long-hop that Mendis pulled to deep midwicket for a single, then added “oh, that’s filth” as Woakes’ next delivery pitched three feet outside off stump.Joe Root reacted with an amused raise of the eyebrows, while Ben Stokes – on the England balcony – gesticulated his disbelief before turning to walk into the dressing room.A third-ball long-hop was then dragged for four by Pathum Nissanka, meaning that the interlude cost England six runs from four balls. The farce was then compounded moments later, when the cloud cover rolled away, and Gus Atkinson, England’s fastest bowler on show, was permitted to continue after a subsequent light-meter reading.It was the third time in as many Tests that Ollie Pope, England’s stand-in captain, had been required to make a decision about how England responded to the umpires’ concerns.At Old Trafford, he had chosen to stay on in gloomy conditions, bowling 12 consecutive overs of spin that arguably helped Sri Lanka to recover from a nadir of 113 for 7 to reach 236. At Lord’s, on the other hand, he chose to take his players off early rather than risk wasting the new ball, a decision that brought strong condemnation from England’s former white-ball captain Eoin Morgan.Pope then chose to stay on the field while the light faded once more after tea on the second afternoon at The Oval, with Bashir, Dan Lawrence and Joe Root bowling 17 consecutive overs of spin in the final session, as Sri Lanka again capitalised through Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis, who added 118 unbeaten runs for the sixth wicket before the umpires took the players off for good.According to Law 2.7.1, which pertains to bad light and other weather-related issues, “it is solely for the umpires together to decide whether either conditions of ground, weather or light or exceptional circumstances mean that it would be dangerous or unreasonable for play to take place”.However, the law subsequently adds: “Conditions shall not be regarded as either dangerous or unreasonable merely because they are not ideal.”The Woakes incident followed on from a frustrating opening day of the contest, which featured a near three-hour delay from 12.18pm to 3.10pm, in which barely a drop of rain fell but a dense layer of cloud cover prevented a resumption. Play was then suspended again at 5.54pm, and abandoned shortly before 6.30pm, with just 44.1 of the day’s scheduled 90 overs possible.Speaking at the close of the opening day, however, Ben Duckett defended the decision, and argued that England’s batting – led by his 86 from 79 balls and a first home-ground century for Pope – had given the fans their money’s worth.”I think they saw quite a good day’s cricket in the short amount of time there was,” Duckett said. “That’s living in England and playing cricket in England, they’re the conditions. It’s very easy to sit there as a supporter and want to see more cricket but if it does get really dark and more dangerous, we’re the ones out there playing.”

After winning the Premier League title in the 2024/25 campaign, Liverpool have demonstrated no signs of slowing down their ambitions of being a powerhouse once again next season.

The Reds claimed the title by 10 points, losing just four games out of their 38, with two of which coming after they had already secured top spot in Arne Slot’s first season.

It was a year to remember for the club, reaching the next level under the Dutchman, subsequently doing so with only one senior addition during last summer’s window.

However, this time around, it appears the board have massively backed the manager with funds in his quest to retain the title during the 2025/26 campaign.

Jeremie Frimpong has already been announced as a Reds player, with Milos Kerkez appearing next on their list, but their business doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

The latest on Liverpool’s for new additions this summer

Over recent weeks, a striker has emerged as a key target for Slot, as he looks to land a new talisman to hand him that added clinical edge within the front three at Anfield.

The likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitiké and Viktor Gyokeres have all been mentioned as potential targets, but up until now, none of which appear to be edging closer to a move to Merseyside.

However, other areas of the pitch are in need of investment, with midfielder Adam Wharton emerging on their radar in recent days, according to journalist Francois Plateau.

He claims that the Reds have made contact with the representatives of the Crystal Palace star, and are set to explore a deal for the 21-year-old.

Plateau also confirmed that Slot’s men aren’t prepared to meet the current £60m price tag on his shoulders, which could lead to negotiations over a move for the England international.

Why Wharton would be a better signing than Wirtz for Liverpool

Liverpool fans have been handed another reason to be excited in recent days, after the club agreed a staggering £116.5m deal with Bayer Leverkusen for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.

The 22-year-old registered 22 combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, with Slot’s side appearing to win the race for his signature after rejecting Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Whilst such a deal looks set to cost the board a pretty penny, it’s one that would add a different dimension to the squad and has the potential to set them up for success in the immediate and long-term.

His record throughout 2024/25 would hand other attackers to bolster their own tallies, making the Reds an even bigger force to be reckoned with during Slot’s second campaign at the helm.

However, Wharton could prove to be a better signing than the German. While Wirtz will have to rival Mo Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai for a place in the side, the Reds have long missed a holding midfield player, notably trying to sign the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia since Fabinho’s departure.

At long, long last, Wharton could be the man to transform the Liverpool XI even more than Wirtz could. Indeed, when comparing his stats to those of current midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, he’s managed to outperform them in key areas, further showcasing why he’d be a massive addition for the club.

The 21-year-old, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, has managed to complete more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes – having the ability in possession to aid the attackers ahead of him.

Wharton has also managed to thrive defensively, making more interceptions than the aforementioned duo, whilst making more recoveries – subsequently offering Slot an added presence at both ends of the pitch.

At just 21, to be outperforming the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch is no mean feat, highlighting how impressive he’s been in England’s top flight and having the time to improve further given his tender age.

Should he continue on his current trajectory, he has the potential to be one of the best deep-lying options in world football, with his rumoured price tag at present still an excellent price.

No doubt all the focus and hype is on Wirtz given his English record transfer, but Slot could trump such a move by plotting a move for Wharton – allowing the pair to lead the club to many titles in the years ahead.

A dream Huijsen alternative: Liverpool enter race to sign £68m defender

Liverpool may need to sign a centre-back this summer.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 15, 2025

Russell Martin is the 20th permanent manager in Rangers’ 153-year history, but he’s got plenty of work to do if he’s going to be a success at Ibrox.

Last season, the Gers finished second in the Premiership, a whopping 17 points adrift of the champions, and ended the campaign trophyless, most notably dumped out of the Scottish Cup having suffered their first-ever home defeat against lower-league opposition in the competition.

So, if the Light Blues are going to be ready for the start of Champions League qualifying next month, Martin is going to want to be very busy in the transfer market, so could he be reunited with a player for the third time?

Rangers targeting a new centre-back

According to a report by EFL Analysis, Rangers remain interested in signing centre-back Harry Darling, labelling this potential move to Glasgow a ‘very intriguing prospect’, with Norwich City also pursuing the defender.

The 25-year-old is a free agent, having left Swansea City, and has twice played for Martin before, first at Milton Keynes, before the new Rangers manager signed Darling three years ago when he was in charge of the Swans.

Recently-appointed Norwich boss Liam Manning, who replaced Martin at MK, described Darling as “outstanding”, adding that he is more than “capable” of playing at a high level, so could he turn down the Canaries and reunite with Martin once more?

How Harry Darling compares to Robin Pröpper

According to reports in the Netherlands, Robin Pröpper is set to re-join FC Twente this summer, with the Eredivisie side willing to pay around half of the £2.5m they received for the centre-back a mere 12 months ago.

The Dutchman made 43 appearances during his first, and potentially only, season at Rangers, scoring during victories over both Celtic and Dundee United, but more notably getting sent off just 13 minutes into the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club.

Pröpper himself admitted that “maybe I underestimated” the level of competition one faces in the Scottish Premiership, with his performances often widely criticised, including by Aaron Nijjar of Football Insider, who noted that his ‘struggles continued’ following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in December.

Meantime, Ewan Paton of the Rangers Review believes that Scottish football is ‘too quick and physical for his capabilities’, suggesting that supporters would be pleased to see the back of him.

But, would Darling be an upgrade? Let’s assess the pair’s respective statistics to answer that question.

Appearances

39

43

Minutes

3,337

3,210

% of dribblers tackled

56.5%

55.6%

Tackles per 90

0.8

1.2

Interceptions per 90

0.6

0.9

Clearances per 90

5

3.8

Ball recoveries

152

36

% of aerial duels won

64.2%

54%

% of ground duels won

66%

53.25%

Average Sofascore Rating

7.23

6.69

As the table outlines, pretty much across the board, Darling comes out on top for the vast majority of defensive metrics included.

Worth considering that also, according to Global Football Rankings, the EFL Championship is the 11th strongest division in the world, with the Scottish Premiership down in 43rd, albeit 11 of Pröpper’s outings did come in either Champions League qualifying or the Europa League.

Writer Kai Watson believes that Darling would be ‘perfect’ for Martin’s system, labelling him ‘very comfortable on the ball and a brilliant passer’, underlining that this deal is a no-brainer for Rangers, especially considering he’s a free agent.

Martin's own Kamara: Rangers exploring move to sign "ridiculous" £10m star

Rangers have explored a deal for a £10m-rated star who could be Russell Martin’s own Glen Kamara.

ByDan Emery Jun 12, 2025

Looking to splash the cash once again this summer, Chelsea could reportedly kill two birds with one stone by including one of their young loanees in a swap deal to sign an instant upgrade.

Chelsea take one step into Conference League final

Whilst their Premier League form has sparked plenty of concern in recent months, Chelsea are continuing to thrive in the Europa Conference League in which they are expected to stroll to victory. Putting on another show in their semi-final first leg, Enzo Maresa’s side eased past Swedish outfit Djurgarden 4-1 thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and a brace from Nicolas Jackson.

After watching on as his side took one step into the Europa Conference League final, manager Maresca told reporters: “It was the perfect night, an important semi-final and it is a good result. We need to be focused on the second leg.

“The first 70 minutes was good but then in the last 20 minutes we dropped a little bit, but we cannot drop, we cannot relax, because otherwise, it is complicated. We have done a good job but now we need to finish the job at home.”

Chelsea prioritising move for Barcelona star after news of £55m exit clause

The west Londoners are very keen.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 1, 2025

It’s in the final on 28 May that the Blues could square off against Real Betis in Poland. The La Liga side also won the first leg of their tie – defeating Fiorentina 2-1 – and will be looking to step into the final before causing a potential upset.

Occasions made for match-winners, those at Stamford Bridge have already reportedly set their sights on a summer swap deal to welcome another player who would be just that.

Chelsea considering Gittens swap deal

According to Christian Falk and Caught Offside, Chelsea are now considering a swap deal to sign Jamie Gittens, which would see Carney Chukwuemeka complete a permanent move to Borussia Dortmund. The 21-year-old has spent the season on loan at the German club and could now reportedly be used in the Blues’ attempt to sign Gittens.

Chelsea are certainly serious about Gittens too, with contact already reportedly made with the talented winger from Cobham as they prepare to make their move for a player valued at a hefty €50m-€60m (£43m-51m). Whether that contact is enough to convince Gittens into a return to England for the first time since leaving Manchester City as an academy graduate remains to be seen, however.

Praised for his “amazing” form by football talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, Gittens has since scored 12 goals and created another five in all competitions in the current campaign.

By contrast, despite being dubbed “talented” by Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, Chukwuemeka has scored just once in all competitions whilst on loan in Germany.

Strikers have been iconic over the years at Liverpool football club, with different generations of attackers giving the supporters memories to last a lifetime.

Luis Suárez is just one talent who’s captured the heart of most during his spell at Anfield, registering 82 goals in his 133 appearances for the club.

The Uruguayan spent three years on Merseyside before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, leaving a huge hole at the top end of the pitch as a result.

Talents such as Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Diogo Jota have all operated at the top end of the pitch in recent years, with only one of them remaining during Arne Slot’s reign at the club.

However, the Dutchman could be about to land a player who could be his new talisman ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, looking to make it back-to-back Premier League triumphs.

An update on Liverpool’s striker situation this summer

Darwin Núñez is a player who looks set to depart Liverpool this summer after failing to deliver following his £85m transfer from Benfica back in the summer of 2022.

The Uruguayan has scored just 40 times in his 139 appearances, an average of one goal every three and a half games, leading to murmurs around his long-term future.

Atlético Madrid has been mooted as a possible destination for the 25-year-old, with the Reds demanding just £35m to sell him – resulting in a £50m loss on their investment.

However, such funds could be used to sign another star, with Benjamin Sesko the latest player touted with a summer switch to Merseyside, according to GIVEMESPORT.

The report claims that the RB Leipzig ace has a £55m release clause in his current contract, with the Reds impressed by his goalscoring tally of 20 goals in his 42 appearances throughout 2024/25.

It also states that he’s high on their shortlist, seen as an affordable alternative to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, allowing Slot to have the goalscoring striker he’s been craving.

Why Liverpool’s £55m target would be an upgrade on Nunez

It’s safe to say it’s unimaginable where Liverpool would’ve finished in 2024/25 if it wasn’t without Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian producing countless moments of magic at key points of the season.

The 32-year-old has registered a combined 56 goals and assists in his 48 appearances across all competitions, by far and away the most of any player in the first-team squad.

Luis Diaz sits as the club’s second-highest scorer in the league on 12 goals, a staggering 16 behind Salah, highlighting his importance to the side over the last few months.

Despite his new contract, he’s undoubtedly coming to the back end of his professional career, needing to land other targets in forward areas to spread the load rather than be reliant upon one player.

Sesko would provide exactly, with his goalscoring record in the Bundesliga, one that could the side to have that focal point they have often lacked despite the success they’ve endured.

When comparing his stats to those of current forward Nunez, the 21-year-old has massively outperformed him, highlighting how much he would improve the attacking department.

The Slovenian, who’s been labelled “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered more combined goals and assists than the Uruguayan, along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature.

Games played

30

26

Goals & assists

17

7

Shot-on-target accuracy

43%

37%

Take-ons completed

1.5

0.7

Take-on success

52%

38%

Aerials won

2.6

1.4

Aerial success rate

58%

35%

He’s also managed to complete more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s entered – offering the side an all-round threat in the final third.

Whilst £55m may seem a risk for a player who’s never played in England before, it’s a deal worth completing, especially when taking his dominance over Nunez into account.

Given his tender age, he has the opportunity to improve further under Slot’s guidance, potentially becoming the club’s next star attacker to lead them to consistent Premier League glory in the years ahead.

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