كسر خوان لابورتا، رئيس نادي برشلونة، صمته وتحدث عن مصير بطولة السوبر ليج، والتي يصر البلوجرانا على إقامتها إلى جانب ريال مدريد وبعض الأندية الأخرى خلال السنوات الأخيرة.
برشلونة يشارك مشروع السوبر ليج مع ريال مدريد وعدد كبير من الأندية الأوروبية كيوفنتوس ومانشستر سيتي، قبل أن تنسحب أندية عديدة من هذا المشروع بعد تهديدات الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم ”يويفا” بفرض عقوبات على الأندية المشاركة.
ويقود مشروع السوبر ليج ، رئيس نادي ريال مدريد، فلورنتينو بيريز، والذي يريد استبدال السوبر ليج ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
اقرأ أيضًا.. لابورتا: أمريكا أهم سوق لـ برشلونة.. وسنعوّض جماهيرنا
وكشف لابورتا في تصريحات نقلتها ”Barca universal”، أنه تحدث مع بيريز بشأن آخر تطورات مشروع السوبر ليج.
وقال لابورتا: “لقد تحدثت مع بيريز آنذاك ومع الرؤساء الآخرين، شارحًا موقف برشلونة ولا أريد أن أخوض في تفاصيل أكثر”.
وعن رئيس باريس سان جيرمان، ناصر الخليفي، أضاف لابورتا في حديثه: ”نريد التوصل إلى اتفاق والعودة إلى الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، تربطنا علاقة جيدة جدًا مع ناصر الخليفي”.
وأوضح: ”نحن على وشك التوصل إلى اتفاق مع الاتحاد الأوروبي بشأن السوبر ليج، كل من تشيفرين والخليفي في وضع يسمح لهما باستقبالنا في الاتحاد الأوروبي بشكل جيد والتحدث معنا”.
الجدير بالذكر أن برشلونة سوف يلعب ضد فياريال في الدوري الإسباني هذا العام في ولاية ميامي الأمريكية، وذلك في حدث استثنائي لكرة القدم الإسبانية وسط جدل كبير.
England U19s 251 for 8 (Sawant 83*, Fonseka 52, Roussouw 5-62) lead South Africa U19s 224 (James 84, Hansen 63, Jack 3-42) by 27 runsAaryan Sawant guided England Men U19s into a first-innings lead with a patient unbeaten 83 on day two of the second Youth Test against South Africa Men U19s in Cape Town.The Middlesex right-hander batted for over five hours, with the support of a Kesh Fonseka half-century, as the Young Lions reached 251 for eight at stumps.Left-arm finger spinner Nathan Rossouw impressed with five for 62 on a spin-friendly surface, but Sawant remained to usher his side into a 27-run lead.Sawant joined Foneska at 52 for two after Rossouw, who sent down 36 overs today after opening the bowling last night, removed openers Archie Vaughan (24) and Ben Dawkins (22). The pair added 70 for the third wicket with Fonseka crunching leg-spinner Chad Mason for six over cover before bringing up his fifty with a straight four from the spin of Jason Rowles.Fonseka was run out by a Bandile Mbatha direct hit as he went back for a second – the only wicket of the day not to fall to spin. The Young Lions then lost four for 16 as Rossouw reached his five-wicket haul which threatened to give the hosts a first-innings lead.Sawant steadied matters and reached the close having hit five fours and a six in his 228-ball stay, while Yorkshire debutant Alexander Wade was also unbeaten on seven from 58 balls.
Antes da oposição e agora consultor especial da presidência do São Paulo, Vinícius Pinotti retornou ao Tricolor. Nas redes sociais, o presidente Julio Casares realizou o anúncio explicando a aproximação do ex-diretor executivo de futebol ao clube do Morumbi.
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Pinotti fez parte da gestão do ex-dirigente Carlos Miguel Aidar no clube. Deixou o cargo em 2017, mas chegou a seguir como conselheiro do São Paulo. Porém, ainda como conselheiro, fazia parte da oposição a Julio Casares – algo que foi citado no anúncio feito nas redes sociais pelo presidente do clube.
Casares afirmou que Pinotti fará parte da ‘reconstrução do clube’ e destacou que conhece bem o ex-diretor, mesmo que já tenham estado em ‘trincheiras opostas’. Inclusive, relembrou o fato dele ter sido o mais votado da oposição na última eleição que aconteceu no clube. O atual presidente destacou que o ‘ideal dos dois é o mesmo’.
ATUAÇÕES: “Crias de Cotia”, Beraldo e Juan garantem vitória do São Paulo diante do Vasco pelo Brasileirão
– Já estivemos do mesmo lado e em trincheiras opostas, mas nunca ele deixou de ser leal e de amar o São Paulo. Poderia escrever um texto gigantesco com as qualidades dele. Mas para resumir o textão, vou destacar essa paixão pelo Tricolor, o sucesso profissional e a postura reta, características essenciais para essa nossa dura jornada no Tricolor. Não por acaso, ele foi o mais votado da oposição na última eleição – escreveu Casares.
+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão + Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!
Pinotti foi muito relembrado por conta do empréstimo milionário que fez ao São Paulo em 2015, que beirou os R$ 15 milhões. Este empréstimo foi realizado, na época, para bancar a vinda de Centurión, que atuava no Racing.O clube já pagou uma parte da dívida, mas ainda deve cerca de R$ 3,9 milhões – segundo o último balanço financeiro divulgado.
Vale relembrar que, muito por ter sido o membro da oposição mais votado, a aproximação do clube desta forma justamente enfraquece esta oposição. É importante destacar que Pinotti não foi, de fato, contratado. Atuará como consultor especial apenas.
Tottenham got off to a perfect start in the Premier League last weekend with a thumping 3-0 win over newcomers Burnley in north London, with Thomas Frank sealing his first competitive win as Spurs boss early doors.
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Richarlison’s brace (including a very early goal of the season contender) and a goal from Brennan Johnson rounded off what was an excellent opening day win for the Lillywhites – but there will be many tougher days ahead.
Frank’s side are back in the Champions League and face a hectic fixture calendar across 2025/2026, with a rejuvenated Man City side, who’ve seriously reinforced their squad throughout the summer window, awaiting them next.
To give Frank the best possible chance of a successful first full campaign in charge, chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Vinkatesham have been working tirelessly on recruitment behind-the-scenes.
So far, Tottenham have signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55 million, and the Ghanaian got off to a fantastic start in their Burnley victory with an impressive display on the right – setting up Richarlison’s stunning overhead kick with a deft cross after a neat bit of skill to beat his man.
Kota Takai also joined Spurs for what was a J-League record £5 million fee for a Japanese player, with Levy also triggering Kevin Danso’s obligation to buy and signing Mathys Tel permanently in a cut-price £30m deal from Bayern Munich.
Now, the north Londoners are actively trying to seal a deal for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze as their next major incoming.
Levy and Eagles chairman Steve Parish held direct talks over the £100,000-per-week forward on Monday, with Spurs prepared to pay up to £60 million (including add-ons) for his signature.
Tottenham want both Eze and Man City winger Savinho in separate deals to bolster Frank’s attack, and it looks increasingly the former will be coming through the door first.
Eberechi Eze agrees personal terms to join Tottenham
According to GiveMeSport, the former QPR star is ever closer to N17 and could even play against Man City on Saturday – considering he may be a “member of the Spurs squad by the end of the week”.
Eze has already agreed personal terms with Tottenham, and an agreement in principle with Palace is described as on the verge of being done too.
It’s added that Levy is prepared to ‘spend big’ in the final days of this transfer window, starting with Eze, and Spurs are boosted by the fact Palace are currently trying to find the 27-year-old’s replacement.
As per GMS, they’ve made an approach to sign Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss, whose contract includes a £22.5m release clause, so a move for the Moroccan could well progress quickly.
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Leeds United made the perfect start to life back in the Premier League on Monday night with a 1-0 win over Everton under the lights at Elland Road.
Lukas Nmecha, who signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg this summer, came off the bench to score the winning goal from the penalty spot on his debut for the Whites.
Daniel Farke went with Joel Piroe, who scored 19 goals in the Championship last season, as the main number nine from the start against the Toffees, but the Dutchman did not enjoy much success.
The former Swansea player showed some nice touches at times when he dropped deep to get involved, but his lack of mobility and physicality were issues against James Tarkowski and Michael Keane.
Piroe lost all three of his ground duels and lost four of his five aerial battles in the match, per Sofascore, which speaks to his lack of quality in physical tussles.
It will now be interesting to see what happens with the number nine position in the weeks to come, especially after Nmecha made a fast start to life in West Yorkshire.
What Lukas Nmecha's role could be this season for Leeds
The former Germany international was an interesting signing when he arrived from Wolfsburg earlier this summer, because he has struggled for form and fitness in recent seasons.
Nmecha has not scored more than four goals in a single season since the 2021/22 campaign, per Sofascore, and only managed three goals in 20 appearances last season for Wolfsburg.
Injury issues played a significant role in that, as the 26-year-old striker has missed 64 games due to injury over the last three years, according to Transfermarkt, which impacted his ability to deliver consistently on the pitch.
The former Manchester City academy graduate’s performances in the Bundesliga when he was fit and available in the 2024/25 campaign also left plenty to be desired.
Nmecha struggled in front of goal, as a finisher and a creator, and did not produce performances that made a move to the Premier League seem very likely for this summer.
24/25 Bundesliga
Lukas Nmecha
Appearances
19
Starts
3
xG
4.54
Goals
3
Big chances missed
5
Big chances created
0
Assists
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the German forward underperformed against his xG, missed five ‘big chances’, and did not create any ‘big chances’ for his teammates in his 19 appearances in the division.
Despite his underwhelming goalscoring form and persistent injury issues, Farke opted to take a gamble on him this summer, and it is one that is already starting to pay off after his debut goal.
However, Nmecha’s time with Wolfsburg in recent seasons suggests that the role he played against Everton is most likely to be his main one at Elland Road – coming off the bench to make an impact when needed.
Leeds in the mix to sign new striker
The Championship champions are reportedly interested in adding another striker to their squad, despite having Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and Piroe.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to El Chiringuito TV, Leeds United are one of the sides that are competing to sign Villarreal centre-forward Karl Etta Eyong before the end of the summer transfer window.
Supporters may recognise his name because the 21-year-old marksman scored against the Whites in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road earlier this month, nodding in from a couple of yards out in the 62nd minute.
This latest report claims that Leeds, Rangers, and Levante are all in the race to sign the Cameroonian forward, who currently wants to stay at Villarreal.
It adds that the Spanish side have already rejected a loan offer from Championship outfit Swansea, but it is unclear as to whether Farke’s team are keen on a loan or permanent deal for the striker.
Why Leeds should sign Etta Eyong
Leeds should push to convince Etta Eyong to want to move on from Villarreal this summer because he could arrive at Elland Road as a very interesting addition to the squad.
As aforementioned, Piroe may not have the physicality, as backed up by his performance against Everton, to be very effective in the Premier League, and there are still a lot of question marks over Nmecha.
Etta Eyong could come in as a striker who is an even better option than Nmecha to start games in the top-flight for Leeds, to provide serious competition for Calvert-Lewin as the main number nine for Farke.
The 21-year-old attacker, who was described as a “powerful” star by analyst Kai Watson, does not have heaps of senior experience under his belt, but he has shown plenty of promise in his short career to date.
Etta Eyong earned his place in the first-team at Villarreal towards the end of last season and scored three goals in seven games in pre-season, including goals against Arsenal and Leeds, per Sofascore.
Frank Etta Eyong
LaLiga
Appearances
5
Starts
1
Minutes
136
xG
0.74
Goals
2
Duels won
5
Pass accuracy
80%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old talent has shown plenty of promise in the very limited minutes he has been given in LaLiga, scoring two goals from 0.74 xG in just 136 minutes of football.
Prior to his emergence in the first-team with Villarreal, Etta Eyong also scored 18 goals in 30 matches for the B team in the third tier of Spanish football, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Unlike Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, the promising talent also has a clean injury record, with no notable injuries in his career, per Transfermarkt, which suggests that he is more likely to be available week-in-week-out.
This could make him a more valuable centre-forward option than Nmecha for Farke, purely because of his potential to be available for more matches in the Premier League.
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Putting all of this together, Etta Eyong could be even better than Nmecha for Leeds because of his fitness record and his potential as a goalscorer, having caught the eye in a major European league after delivering prolific performances for Villarreal’s B team.
تحدث إبراهيم حسن، مدير منتخب مصر، عن تأهل الفراعنة إلي نهائيات بطولة كاس العالم القادم 2026، المقرر إقامته في أمريكا وكندا والمكسيك.
منتخب مصر استطاع أن يحسم تأهله إلى كأس العالم للمرة الرابعة في تاريخه، بعد تصدر المجموعة الأولى في تصفيات كأس العالم برصيد 26 نقطة.
وقال حسن خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “كرم كبير جدًا من عند ربنا إنه كتب لي أنا وحسام إننا نلعب كأس عالم ونوصل بمصر لكأس العالم، نريد أن نصل بمصر لأعلى مستوى، لأن الجمهور المصري والشعب المصري يستحقوا كثير جدًا”.
وأضاف: “أقول للشعب المصري وجمهور مصر، أنتم تستحقوا الأفضل في كل المجالات، وإن شاء الله مصر ستكون في مكان آخر”.
وتابع: “كل المباريات صعبة، والمنتخبات الإفريقية أصبحت قوية، ولدينا مبدأ إن كل لقاء بثلاث نقاط، لا بد أن نحقق الفوز فيه”.
طالع.. وزير الرياضة: التأهل لـ كأس العالم يعكس تطور الكرة المصرية.. وسنتواجد في كل البطولات
وأكمل: “منتخب غينيا بيساو، إذا نظرنا على التفاصيل ستجد أكثر من 27 لاعب منهم محترف، أريد أن أقول للناس، أن المنتخبات الصغيرة هي التي كانت تعطل المنتخبات الكبيرة من قبل”.
وأردف: “عندما وصلنا إلي كأس العالم في 2018، خسرنا أول مباراة في الدور التمهيدي من تشاد، وفي المجموعات خسرنا من أوغندا 1-0، ما أقصده أن المنتخبات لم تكن ضعيفة مثل سابقًا”.
وأستمر: “أي بطولة سنشارك فيها سنقاتل للتتويج بها ولا يوجد شيء بالنسبة لنا يسمى بالتمثيل المشرف في كأس العالم، وطموحنا في أمم إفريقيا يفوق طموح الناس”.
وأتم: “”لماذا لا نحقق نفس نتائج المغرب في كأس العالم؟ لقد فزنا عليهم في نسخة 2021 ونحن مصر”.
وحقق منتخب مصر الفوز على غينيا بيساو 1-0، في مباراة الجولة الأخيرة التي أقيمت مساء الأحد، ضمن منافسات المجموعة الأولي لـ تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
Midfielder Michael Carrick will go down as one of the best signings in Manchester United history, racking up over 450 appearances for the club over a 12-year period at Old Trafford.
The Englishman joined the Red Devils back in 2006, costing £13m from Tottenham Hotspur – a fee that would prove to be a bargain given his time in the North West.
During his time as a player, he won five Premier League titles, one Europa League and one Champions League, along with 11 other trophies, being a consistent presence during the success endured under Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, the club are currently lacking a player of the Englishman’s quality at the heart of the side, with Ruben Amorim undoubtedly wanting to rectify such a situation before the end of the summer window.
It’s not through a lack of trying, with numerous players appearing on their radar, but no deals have yet been completed despite continued work on another target in recent days.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimbefore the match
Man Utd preparing move for the new Michael Carrick
In a quest to land a new midfielder this summer, United and Amorim have been hunting far and wide to land a new sensation at the heart of the side, but so far, to no avail.
The likes of Carlos Baleba, Angelo Stiller and Morten Hjulmand have all been touted as options, with the latter seemingly wanting a move to rejoin Amorim after playing under him at Sporting CP.
Carlos Baleba alternatives
However, the hierarchy have seemingly moved on to another talent, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton the latest player to be linked, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that the Red Devils have been closely monitoring the 21-year-old, who made 20 Premier League appearances, whilst also helping the Eagles win the FA Cup for the first time ever.
It also states that Amorim’s side are preparing a €100m (£86m) offer to land the England international, as part of the big overhaul of the current first-team squad.
Why United’s £86m target would be their next Carrick
As previously mentioned, Carrick will go down as a club legend at United, showcasing that bargain transfers can still have a huge impact on various levels of success in the modern game.
However, that hasn’t yet been the case in the Red Devils’ activity within the transfer market to date, splashing over £200m on just three senior additions this summer.
Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been added to the side, with all three of the talents making their debut in the opening-day defeat against Arsenal.
Despite the mammoth money already forked out by the hierarchy, their heavy spending looks set to continue, especially if they are to land Wharton over the next couple of weeks.
A deal for the youngster would cost nearly eight times more than that of Carrick, but it would be one with glaring similarities to the one they made 19 years ago.
Adam Wharton in action against Chelsea.
The club would be taking a risk on a player who has just two years of experience in England’s top-flight, but it’s one that has huge potential to be a success, as seen with their deal to land the 23-year-old.
His stats from the recent season at Selhurst Park highlight the talent he possesses despite his tender age, able to finally end the club’s hunt for a new midfielder in the process.
Adam Wharton’s stats for Palace in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
20
Goals & assists
2
Progressive passes
7.3
Passes into final third
5.3
Key passes made
1.8
Tackles won
2.3
Interceptions made
1.4
Clearances made
1.8
Recoveries made
6.9
Stats via FBref
Wharton, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by HLTCO, ranked in the 93rd percentile for progressive passes (7.3) and 86th percentile for passes into the final third (5.3) – highlighting the talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.
Carrick was also known for his ball-playing ability, as seen by his tally of 21 assists during his Premier League career at United, with Wharton evidently able to provide such levels of quality.
However, out of possession, the youngster was just as impressive last campaign, winning 2.3 tackles per 90, whilst ranking in the 93rd percentile for ball recoveries made per 90 (6.9).
A ball-winner is evidently what the club have been hunting for to help bolster their midfield, with the 21-year-old able to fill such a void with his big-money transfer.
It may seem to be a hefty investment on such a young and inexperienced talent, but he’s already demonstrated his star qualities despite his tender age.
If he can make the move and match or surpass the levels achieved by Carrick, it would be a sensational addition and one that could catapult the side to glory in the near future.
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Wayne Madsen scored more than 1000 runs in 2024•Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Wayne Madsen has been reappointed as Derbyshire’s club captain and will lead the team in County Championship cricket this summer.Madsen, 41, agreed to take on the role less than a month before the start of the season, following the decision of David Lloyd to stand down. Madsen was previously Derbyshire’s captain between 2012 and 2016, overseeing promotion from Division Two of the Championship in his first season.”Wayne has always shown great leadership qualities and he’s a popular member of our dressing room, so I’m delighted he will be leading our team in 2025,” Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, said.Related
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“His experience is invaluable; he has won promotion once as a captain already and I’m looking forward to seeing how his ideas play out on the field.”Wayne is a player who always leads by example, he is the one that sets the standards in training and with his professionalism, and I know he will approach the role with real pride and enthusiasm.”In a disappointing 2024 campaign, which saw Derbyshire claim the wooden spoon after finishing bottom of Division Two, Madsen was the club’s leading Championship run-scorer, with 1005 at 50.25 – the seventh time in 12 seasons that he has crossed the 1000-run mark.Overall, he has scored 14,601 first-class runs for Derbyshire, putting him ninth on the list for the club.Madsen said: “It’s a real privilege to captain Derbyshire again. I know what it means to represent this great county and its members, and I take immense pride in leading the team on the field.”David [Lloyd] has done a fantastic job in laying the foundations for me to build on. While results didn’t always go our way last season, he and Mickey, with his vast experience and knowledge, have fostered a real sense of togetherness and resilience within the squad – qualities I want to carry forward this year.”I’m proud to lead this team and excited about what we can achieve under Mickey’s guidance. With the talent and character in this squad, we’re determined to win games and bring success to our supporters.”
Chelsea’s transfer business for 2025 has officially concluded with the end of this year’s summer window, and some intriguing stories are coming to light on who else BlueCo were looking at but couldn’t quite get over the line.
Enzo Maresca’s side surpassed the £280 million mark with their summer spending, but BlueCo’s hustle when it came to selling players meant that the club registered a positive net spend of around £3 million — raising £288m in outgoing transfers by the final count (BBC).
Chelsea chairman ToddBoehlyand co-sporting director Paul Winstanley in the stands before the match
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja, Lesley Ugochukwu, Renato Veiga, Alfie Gilchrist, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Ben Chilwell all departed the west London club permanently, with a host of top players joining in their stead.
Joao Pedro
Noni Madueke
Jamie Gittens
João Félix
Jorrel Hato
Djordje Petrovic
Liam Delap
Lesley Ugochukwu
Dario Essugo
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Mamadou Sarr
Renato Veiga
Estevao
Armando Broja
Kendry Paez
Carney Chukwuemeka
Alejandro Garnacho
Mathis Amougou
Basir Humphreys
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Marcus Bettinelli
Christopher Nkunku
Nicolas Jackson
Alfie Gilchrist
Lucas Bergstrom
Chelsea’s record loan deal for Jackson, who eventually joined Bayern Munich on deadline day after a whirlwind few days for the Senegalese, now includes an obligation to buy for around £70.5 million in 2026 — which is poised to bring in even more cash to the Stamford Bridge coffers next year.
The window was a solid one for Chelsea, who injected some crucial new attacking options, but it wasn’t perfect, as Maresca asked for a centre-back behind-the-scenes only to see his wish unfulfilled.
Chelsea also saw their deal for Xavi Simons hijacked by Tottenham, whilst their bid for Barcelona star Fermin Lopez as an alternative to the Dutchman ultimately fell through after the 22-year-old made his intentions clear.
Before the deadline, Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton was also on their radar as a midfield target.
Chelsea held talks over signing Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton
That is according to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, who reports that Chelsea and Real Madrid had conversations about signing Wharton in August.
However, both sides were met with a brick wall, with the England defensive midfielder, valued at a staggering £100 million, deciding to stay at Palace and battle for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad.
The 21-year-old made 20 Premier League appearances for Palace last season, and it would’ve been more if not for the lengthy spell out after surgery on his groin and ankle problems.
Wharton’s fantastic 2024 performances earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s setup for Euro 2024, with the former Blackburn Rovers starlet marking himself out as one of England’s most exciting up-and-coming talents.
He’s even earned comparisons to Declan Rice already, so a future swoop from Chelsea for the player could be one to keep an eye on.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has cheekily admitted he is “happy” Cole Palmer will be absent when he makes an emotional return to his former club Chelsea next week. The Special One heads back to his old stomping ground when he takes the Portuguese giants to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Palmer to miss Benfica clash as groin struggles continue
Palmer will miss Chelsea’s next three games in all competitions against Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool in an attempt to recover from the groin injury which has plagued his 2025-26 season. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed earlier in the week that the Blues have decided to rest their star man after his groin complaint – which previously saw him miss Premier League games against West Ham and Fulham – flared up in his side’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester United last weekend.
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Maresca plans to carefully manage Palmer's fitness
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Brighton on Saturday, Maresca said: "Yes, we decided to protect a little bit Cole, in terms of not letting his injury get worse. We decided to rest him for two to three weeks until the international break to see if with that rest he can recover 100 per cent and to be fit after the international break. I don't think he needs surgery but it is just to manage the pain in his groin. We have decided to be a little bit conservative with him.”
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Mourinho cheekily admits he is 'happy' Palmer will miss out
One man who is relieved Palmer will spend a short period on the sidelines is Mourinho, who is due to return to Chelsea with his new side Benfica. The 62-year-old, who was appointed by the Estadio da Luz club on September 18 following the dismissal of compatriot Bruno Lage, managed Chelsea between 2004 and 2007 and again between 2013 and 2015, winning eight major honours including three Premier League titles.
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What Mourinho said about Palmer's spell on the sidelines
In quotes carried by Portuguese publication A Bola, Mourinho said of Palmer’s absence: “I'm happy. My Chelsea team was a winning machine, with a big investment, but a lot of ambition. Then they seemed to lose some direction, and it was tough for those who love the club. Enzo Maresca [Chelsea manager] arrived, and the puzzle is being completed piece by piece, and they won the Conference League. Now I think they have a good, good team, and if Cole Palmer isn't a problem for Chelsea [through injury], that's a big problem for me. If [Heorhiy] Sudakov or [Vangelis] Pavlidis don't play, that's a big problem for me.”