Sports
Pochettino gets unexpected triple Chelsea boost for Man City amid Nkunku injury message
Pochettino gets unexpected triple Chelsea boost for Man City amid Nkunku injury message
Christopher Nkunku is nearing his long awaited return from injury and once he is back, Chelsea’s squad will look significantly better. Still not complete, but a whole lot better.
The France international is yet to feature in a competitive match for the Blues since making the £52million move from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window. Nkunku limped off in Chelsea’s final pre-season match of their tour of the United States in the summer, suffering a serious knee injury.
Mauricio Pochettino, though, recently gave Chelsea fans a positive update on Nkunku. Pochettino said: “He is doing really, really well; is working really hard.
“He is close and hopefully as soon as possible we can have him involved again. He is a really important player for us. Maybe after the international break [this month] he will be involved, maybe. It’s not sure.”
So Chelsea will have Nkunku back soon, but he will not be available this weekend as they welcome Premier League champions – and current leaders – Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Either way, football.london takes a look at what – in a more ideal world – Chelsea’s lineup would look like this weekend if everyone was fit and available.
Goalkeeper would of course be Robert Sanchez. The Spaniard has enjoyed a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge since his summer move from Brighton but overall it has been positive and he has made himself – for the time being at least – the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper under Pochettino.
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At right-back would be club captain Reece James, who has recently made his return from injury. When he is fit and available, we all know James is one of the best in his position and he showcased that when trying to break down a high back-line against Tottenham on Monday night.
Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill, on paper, look to be Chelsea’s two strongest central defenders. There is of course an argument that Benoit Badiashile should be there but there seems to be more of a balance with Silva and Colwill at the moment.
Ben Chilwell, once he returns from injury, is Pochettino’s first-choice left-back – and rightly so. Marc Cucurella has been in good form recently but Chilwell is the superior player; giving Chelsea more in attack and also does not leave the side as vulnerable in defence.
Conor Gallagher has arguably been Chelsea’s most consistent player in the early stages of the season, so there is no question that he gets in the team. Alongside him will be Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Chelsea’s two most expensive players of all time.
The three, in recent weeks, have started to form a brilliant relationship. Chelsea’s midfield has quickly turned into one of the strongest parts of their team.
In attack is where it gets tricky because Nkunku simply has to be there. He will offer Chelsea a constant goal threat – something they do not possess with him out of the team. So there is a shout that he goes as the No.9.
Despite Raheem Sterling’s strong start to the season, it feels like Mykhailo Mudryk offers more on the left-hand side. And then, of course, the brilliant Cole Palmer would go on the right-hand side.
Pochettino gets unexpected triple Chelsea boost for Man City amid Nkunku injury message
(FOOTBALL LONDON)
Sports
EPL: Aaron Ramsdale to join Arsenal’s rival, agrees deal
EPL: Aaron Ramsdale to join Arsenal’s rival, agrees deal
Barring any last minute changes, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, will leave the club after three years.
Ramsdale, who has fallen down the pecking order at the north London’s club, will be plying his trade with Arsenal’s rival, Newcastle United, next season.
Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal from Sheffield United for £24 million in 2021, is poised to join Newcastle during the summer transfer window.
He established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, making 78 appearances over his first two seasons.
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However, his position came under threat following David Raya’s loan arrival from Brentford.
This season, Ramsdale has had little playing time, featuring in just six Premier League games under Mikel Arteta.
With Raya expected to secure a permanent move to Arsenal, the club is reportedly open to offers for Ramsdale, who still has two years left on his contract.
Newcastle have emerged as the frontrunners to secure Ramsdale’s services.
According to Sky Sports’ James Green, the 25-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to a deal that will see him move to St James’ Park.
EPL: Aaron Ramsdale to join Arsenal’s rival, agrees deal
Sports
La Liga President confirms Mbappe to Real Madrid move
La Liga President confirms Mbappe to Real Madrid move
La Liga president Javier Tebas says Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe will join Real Madrid next season.
“He’s Madrid’s next season, yes,” Tebas told Argentine daily sports newspaper Ole on Monday. “If they’ve signed a five-year deal, he has five seasons of opportunity (to win the Champions League).”
Mbappe is set to join a star-studded Madrid team led by Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and England international Jude Bellingham.
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Los Blancos strolled to the Spanish title and are in the Champions League final at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund on June 1.
”(Mbappe) is one of the best players in the world, but Vinicius and Bellingham are there too, Madrid will have a great squad,” continued Tebas. “But that does not guarantee you will win leagues.”
Mbappe is PSG’s all-time record scorer with 256 goals, having joined the club from Monaco in 2017 for 180 million euros ($194 million).
With PSG he won six French league titles but failed to earn Champions League glory, finishing as runners-up to Bayern Munich in 2020.
By joining record 14-time winners Real Madrid, Mbappe would increase his chances of finally earning club football’s most prestigious trophy.
La Liga President confirms Mbappe to Real Madrid move
Sports
Juventus beat Atalanta to win Coppa Italia
Juventus beat Atalanta to win Coppa Italia
Juventus won their first major trophy in three years as they beat Atalanta 1-0 to lift a record-extending 15th Coppa Italia.
Dusan Vlahovic scored the only goal in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico after just four minutes when he received Andrea Cambiaso’s pass before finishing from 12 yards out.
The Serbia striker later had a goal disallowed for offside.
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Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Juve’s Fabio Miretti hit the woodwork late on.
Under-pressure Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has won a record five Coppas Italia, was sent off towards the end of the game for dissent.
Atalanta’s wait to win a first trophy since the 1963 Coppa Italia goes on – but they have another chance to end that drought next week with the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.
Juventus beat Atalanta to win Coppa Italia
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