قلّص فريق أولمبياكوس الفارق أمام نظيره فريق برشلونة، بتسجيله هدف في شباك الفريق الإسباني في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك” مباراة فريقي برشلونة وأولمبياكوس، في خضم لقاءات الجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري موسم 2025/26.
وتمكن أولمبياكوس من تسجيل هدف أول أمام برشلونة، في مباراتهما الجارية في الوقت الحالي، في الدقيقة 50.
جاء الهدف عن طريق اللاعب أيوب الكعبي برأسية مميزة هزت شباك تشيزني، ولكن الحكم لجأ إلى تقنية الفيديو لوجود شك في ضربة جزاء في بداية الهجمة بسبب لمسة يد على إريك جارسيا.
وقد تقرر إلغاء هدف أيوب الكعبي لوجود تسلل، واحتساب ضربة جزاء لصالح أولمبياكوس، ونفذها اللاعب نفسه وحولها إلى هدف أول للضيوف. هدف أولمبياكوس الأول أمام برشلونة في دوري أبطال أوروبا
Na noite da última quinta-feira, o Internacional encaminhou a contratação do goleiro Sergio Rochet, que atua no Nacional-URU.
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A chegada de Rochet pegou a torcida de surpresa, já que o atual titular Jonh apresenta uma boa qualidade de jogo.
Invencibilidade
Um dos pontos positivos de John é a sua invencibilidade na meta do Internacional. Nos 12 jogos que atuou, o Colorado venceu nove e empatou três.
Além disso, John foi decisivo em alguns duelos, principalmente contra o Vasco da Gama, onde operou um milagre no chute de Lucas Piton.
Williamson wasn’t considered for selection after making himself unavailable
Deivarayan Muthu24-Mar-2025
Nick Kelly in action for Wellington Firebirds•Getty Images
The Wellington pair of Muhammad Abbas and Nick Kelly has earned their maiden call-ups to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series at home against Pakistan. Kane Williamson wasn’t considered for selection after making himself unavailable.Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, whose workload is being managed by the selectors, will also miss the ODIs against Pakistan after playing in the Champions Trophy and the T20Is at home against Pakistan earlier this month. Pace-bowling spearhead Matt Henry will continue to remain on the sidelines as he is undergoing rehab for a shoulder and knee issue.Will O’Rourke, who had returned to the T20I squad for the last two games, will continue to lead the seam attack in the ODIs too, in the absence of seniors. Ben Sears, Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith will also be part of the seam attack while Auckland legspinner Adithya Ashok has been recalled to the side after having last played for New Zealand in December 2023.Ashok, 22, has been tipped to become Ish Sodhi’s successor in white-ball cricket. In the 50-overs Ford Trophy, Ashok had picked up ten wickets in seven games at an economy rate of under five in Auckland’s run to the final. With Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra currently at the IPL, Ashok will form a new-look spin attack along with Michael Bracewell.Related
The Muhammad Abbas story: Two generations, two countries, one dream
Latham out of Pakistan ODIs with fractured hand
Allen, Duffy lead rout of Pakistan to seal series win for NZ
Matt Henry out of last two Pakistan T20Is
Bracewell, who had captained New Zealand in the T20I series against Pakistan, will hand over the reins to Tom Latham for the ODI leg. Mitch Hay, who smashed an unbeaten 86 off 76 balls in the Ford Trophy final for Canterbury, has been selected as the second wicketkeeper.Kelly will likely open with Will Young in the absence of Ravindra and Devon Conway, who are both with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. Kelly, 31, has been rewarded for his strong domestic form this season. In the Ford Trophy, he scored 320 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of over 100 and currently tops the four-day Plunket Shield run charts with 749 runs in 14 innings at an average of nearly 58, including four centuries.Kelly also has some white-ball exposure outside of New Zealand, having played for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in CPL 2020.As for Abbas, the 21-year-old is among the most talented all-format batters in domestic cricket in New Zealand. Abbas is the son of former Pakistani seamer Azhar Abbas, who had also played for Wellington and Auckland after moving to New Zealand with his family. Abbas Sr is currently Wellington’s assistant coach.Abbas grew up in Auckland and was in contention to play for New Zealand in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean, but New Zealand eventually withdrew from that tournament owing to “extensive mandatory quarantine restrictions for minors on their return home.”More recently in February, Abbas made his maiden List A century against Central Districts in New Plymouth. Abbas can also bowl left-arm seam and add depth to the attack.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Sam Wells, the New Zealand selection manager, saw the upcoming series against Pakistan as an opportunity to test out the fringe players.”With the next ICC ODI pinnacle event still two and half years away, the series is a perfect opportunity to introduce, or re-introduce in the case of Adi, these players to international cricket now,” Wells said. “Nick has been the standout domestic batsman the last few seasons. He is a dynamic strokemaker with power, and he can bat anywhere in the top six.”Mo is one of our most promising young batters and he also provides a sixth bowling option which is required in the absence of Rachin [Ravindra] and Glenn [Phillips].”New Zealand head coach Gary Stead is looking forward to working with Kelly and Abbas. “He’s been a very, very strong domestic player for the last couple of years and I think fully deserves his spot in the team. He’ll bat at the top of the order. We’re excited to see what he might bring,” Stead said of Kelly. “Overall, we’re looking to build the depth of our players, and this tour augurs well for us in that regard to be able to do so. Mo Abbas, he’s a younger player. Very, very exciting.”Muhammad Abbas bats in the middle over and bowls left-arm pace•Getty Images
“I think a real, real talent, especially in playing spin bowling. I guess his ability to bowl a little bit of left-arm seam as well is really helpful in terms of us trying to build our depth of allrounders. With the ODI World Cup being two and a half years away in South Africa, it’s a nice opportunity for us to blood some new players and see their credentials as well.””They’ve obviously been in great touch. They’ve been selected to get an opportunity in this group. It’s going to be exciting to see them go about their business,” New Zealand batting coach Luke Ronchi said about the new faces. “It’s doing the stuff they have done so well to get to here – just going out there and enjoying the moment of playing with a BlackCaps cap on and the group around them, and enjoying the whole experience. There will be some nerves and things, but hopefully they can play the game the way they have done to get to this stage and really enjoy the experience.”While Stead will lead the New Zealand support staff, alongside batting coach Ronchi, regular bowling coach Jacob Oram will take a break. Graeme Aldridge, the NZC development coach, will fill in for Oram.This will be New Zealand’s first ODI assignment since they made the final of the Champions Trophy. As the Black Caps begin their prep for the 2027 ODI World Cup, players with national and domestic contracts were prioritised for selection. As a result, Jimmy Neesham, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert were not picked though they are all back in the T20I set-up.New Zealand ODI squadTom Latham (capt, wk), Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young
Everton’s transfer activity this summer reflected both ambition and pragmatism.
While big-name arrivals like Jack Grealish from Manchester City and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea made the headlines, there was also a clear strategy to invest in youth.
Manchester City's JackGrealishduring the warm up before the match
Signings such as Thierno Barry from Villarreal and Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich highlighted a long-term vision to blend established stars with emerging prospects.
This shift comes after years of financial strain and inconsistent recruitment.
Now under David Moyes, Everton are trying to lower the average age of their squad and build a pipeline of talent capable of delivering both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
It’s a strategy that echoes the days when one of English football’s brightest ever teenage stars first emerged from the blue half of Merseyside.
Rooney and Everton’s golden standard for youth
Wayne Rooney remains the benchmark for what a teenager can achieve at Everton.
Born in Liverpool and signed by the club at just nine years old, he made his professional debut in 2002 at the age of 16.
His impact was immediate and unforgettable.
Five days before his 17th birthday, Rooney announced himself to the Premier League with a stunning last-minute strike against Arsenal.
The goal ended the Gunners’ 30-match unbeaten run and made him the youngest scorer in Premier League history at the time – a record since overtaken by James Milner and James Vaughan.
By the time he left for Manchester United in 2004, Rooney had already made 77 appearances and scored 17 goals for Everton.
His performances saw him crowned BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2002, and his talent quickly blossomed into one of the most decorated careers in English football.
After 13 years at Old Trafford, where he became United’s all-time leading scorer, Rooney returned to Everton for the 2017/18 season, adding another 11 goals before moving on once again.
His story remains a reminder of what can happen when a club nurtures exceptional young talent. Enter, Tyler Dibling.
Everton's search for the next great prospect
Two decades on, Everton believe they may have found their most exciting teenage talent since Rooney.
This summer, the club finalised a £42m move for Dibling from Southampton – their biggest signing of the window and one that capped off what had initially been a frustrating market in which Moyes had repeatedly called for reinforcements.
Dibling, still only 19, had already caught the attention of Europe’s elite.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich were all credited with interest after his breakthrough season at St Mary’s.
According to journalist Alfie House, he is a “younger but bigger Jack Grealish” and his play-style, slight and low-socked, ankles nearly showing, certainly backs that up.
In 2023/24, he made 33 Premier League appearances, scoring twice and assisting once in 1,874 minutes.
2024/25 Stats – Tyler Dibling
Matches Played
33
Goals
2
Progressive Carries
69
Progressive Passes
64
Source: FBref
Those numbers may look modest, but the underlying data paints a picture of a highly dynamic wide player.
According to FBref, the winger ranked in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn per 90 minutes (2.49) and in the 98th percentile for penalty kicks won (0.10), highlighting his ability to disrupt defences and force mistakes.
His work rate off the ball was just as impressive, sitting in the 88th percentile for tackles in the midfield third (0.86) and the 98th percentile for percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).
Defensively, he also contributed with blocked shots, placing in the 96th percentile (0.24 per 90), while going forward he showcased flair and intent.
Such numbers suggest a player who is not only fearless in possession but also committed to pressing and recovering the ball.
For Everton, the appeal is obvious. With Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom both departing, Moyes wanted a right-sided attacker who could offer both creativity and graft.
Dibling fits the bill perfectly. He has already been handed an England U21 debut, further underlining his potential to grow into a senior international.
Although he has yet to make his Premier League debut in blue, Dibling featured in the EFL Cup against Mansfield and earned a place in the matchday squad against Wolves.
With Everton eager to refresh their squad and supporters craving homegrown heroes, the stage is set for him to become a central Rooney-like figure in the coming seasons.
Forget Barry: Everton are brewing Beto replacement in 19-year-old "nuisance"
Everton have got exciting competition for places in their centre-forward ranks
كشف ييس توروب، المدير الفني للنادي الأهلي، عن اللاعبين البدلاء في مباراة إيجل نوار البوروندي، التي تقام بين الفريقين اليوم السبت.
ويلعب الأهلي ضد إيجل نوار، ضمن مواجهة الذهاب لدور الـ 32 من عمر منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وذلك على ملعب الفريق البوروندي.
طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. توروب يدفع بـ القوة الضاربة
وتعد المباراة الظهور الأول، للمدرب ييس توروب، في القيادة الفنية للنادي الأهلي، بعد تعيينه خلفًا للإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو. بدلاء الأهلي اليوم أمام إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
مصطفى شوبير وعمر كمال عبدالواحد وأحمد عبد القادر وأحمد رمضان بيكهام، وجراديشار ومحمد مجدي أفشة ومصطفى العش وأليو ديانج وطاهر محمد طاهر.
يذكر، أن مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار البوروندي، في إياب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، ستقام في الثامنة مساء يوم السبت المقبل 25 أكتوبر، على ستاد القاهرة الدولي.
Por mais que a situação seja complicada, o Patronato desembarcou no Rio de Janeiro repleto de motivação para encarar o Botafogo. Próximo do jogo de volta do playoff das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, marcado para as 19h, no Nilton Santos, a sensação é de que o clube argentino vive mais um momento histórico em sua trajetória.
Atualmente na Primera B, equivalente à Segundona local, “El Patrón” encara uma desvantagem de dois gols de diferença. Mesmo em meio a este contexto em campo, o mandatário Oscar Lenzi reforça a esperança que move todos.
– Para nós, na verdade, estar aqui é uma imensa alegria! O futebol argentino se nutre também da rivalidade com os brasileiros. E o Patronato é um clube muito humilde que, aos poucos, foi chegando a instâncias inimagináveis. Hoje, podemos encarar um clube tradicional do Brasil, como o Botafogo. É fascinante – afirmou, ao Lance!.
Em seguida, o dirigente reconheceu os obstáculos com os quais o clube encara.
– Somos um clube de interior, mas a Copa Argentina nos credenciou para estas batalhas, essas viagens… Tivemos de fazer muitos sacrifícios e as coisas foram dando resultado. Chegamos a disputar a Libertadores, depois conseguimos, a duras penas, a vaga na Sul-Americana. Agora, sabemos o quanto o Botafogo é forte, mostrou isso na primeira partida, mas acreditamos no imponderável – disse.
TRABALHO EM MEIO A LIMITAÇÕES
O dirigente calcula que a folha salarial do Patronato gira em torno de US$ 200 mil (por volta de R$ 960 mil), em um momento no qual o país padece com a desvalorização de sua moeda. Na campanha da Primera B, a equipe está na décima-primeira colocação do Grupo A, com 31 pontos, a quatro da zona de classificação.
– Temos um elenco muito limitado e estamos passando por lesões nesta sequência na Primera B. Mesmo assim, o grupo viajou bastante otimista para este confronto com o Botafogo – disse Lenzi.
SONHO LATENTE, MAS DESAFIADOR
Mesmo em meio a tantos sacrifícios, o sonho do Patronato continua latente.
– Sabemos do poder do Botafogo mas, com respeito a eles, todos esperam fazer uma boa partida. Tomara que assim seja – afirmou o mandatário Oscar Lenzi.
O mandatário de “El Patrón” não esconde que ainda tem outros sonhos pela frente
– Ao trazer o Patronato para jogar aqui no Brasil contra uma equipe brasileira, vivo um sonho dentro de outro sonho. E quero acordar com um gol do Patronato!
Como o clube argentino perdeu por 2 a 0 na ida, na cidade do Paraná, o Botafogo se classifica até se perder por um gol de diferença no Niltão.
The franchise did not specify a date for the South Africa fast bowler’s return to IPL 2025
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025
Kagiso Rabada missed GT’s previous game against RCB•IPL
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has left the Gujarat Titans (GT) squad and returned home to South Africa for personal seasons.GT, in a statement, said he had left “to deal with an important personal matter”, and did not specify a date for his return.Rabada played GT’s first two matches in IPL 2025, taking 1 for 41 in the defeat to Punjab Kings, and 1 for 42 in the victory against Mumbai Indians.He did not play GT’s third game, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, and his absence was attributed to personal reasons.GT brought in allrounder Arshad Khan, who ended up dismissing Virat Kohli, as a replacement for Rabada, and fielded only three overseas players – Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan and Sherfane Rutherford, who came in as the Impact Player for the chase. GT won the contest by eight wickets and 13 balls to spare.GT’s other overseas options are New Zealand allrounder Glenn Phillips, who hasn’t played a game yet, and South Africa fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who also hasn’t featured yet and may not be fully fit.GT are currently fourth on the points table, with two wins and a defeat in their first three matches. Their next fixture is an away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6, after which they host Rajasthan Royals on April 9.
By the time that the 2026 World Cup arrives, it will be 60 years since England won the World Cup. In that time, the Three Lions have had 18 managers, one or two incredibly impressive golden generations and even a UK number one thanks to John Barnes. But as much as England ‘defend and attack’, the men’s side are yet to bring football home.
The latest tasked with doing so is Thomas Tuchel. The former Chelsea manager’s CV almost speaks for itself. He has taken charge of the Blues as well as Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund – even winning a Champions League along the way. Now, however, his greatest task awaits as England aim to end 60 years of hurt.
The German has already proved that he’s not afraid of making some bold decisions and many will argue that’s exactly what Gareth Southgate was missing throughout his tenure. Whilst the old boss often failed to change his ways and players, Tuchel has already dropped Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first international break of the season and introduced Elliot Anderson to his set-up.
Full of praise for the Nottingham Forest midfielder, Tuchel told reporters: “Elliot Anderson is very physical, a lot of volume, very precise, clean passing, so it’s a good package.”
This time next year, England fans will find out whether Tuchel’s bold nature ends in World Cup victory or whether they really should have called upon a former Premier League manager who believes he’d end the Three Lions’ drought.
Sam Allardyce believes he'd have won World Cup with England
Technically speaking, Sam Allardyce has a better win rate at England than any other England manager. But there is one caveat and that’s the fact that his reign only lasted one game, which featured a late Adam Lallana winner against Slovakia. The FA shocked many when they hired ‘Big Sam’ in 2016 as they looked to move on from a disastrous Roy Hodgson era.
He ticked the box for experience and if anyone knew English football, it was him. As it turns out, we’ll never know whether Allardyce would have created shock history, but he certainly believes that he was denied the chance to end England’s wait for glory.
In the end, the former Premier League manager left his role by mutual consent after just 67 days. His departure followed The Telegraph’s report that he had been seen negotiating a £400,000 fee to represent a firm hoping to profit from transfers involving Premier League transfers as well as making “inappropriate” remarks.
A dream quickly became a nightmare for Allardyce, who never got the chance to prove that his football belonged on the biggest stage.
In just her second ODI, Madara returned four wickets before Samarawickrama and Dilhari stitched a fourth-wicket stand of 128
Firdose Moonda02-May-2025
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari put on a match-winning stand•SLC
Sri Lanka completed their fourth highest run chase in women’s ODIs and subjected South Africa to a second successive defeat in the tri-series in Colombo. A record fourth-wicket stand of 128 between Kavisha Dilhari and Harshitha Samarawickrama, both of whom scored half-centuries, ensured Sri Lanka controlled proceedings against a South African side that struggled with the slowness of the pitch and problems with personnel.Seventeen-year-old wicket-keeper Karabo Meso had to leave the field after 14 overs of the Sri Lankan innings with a heat-related illness and was replaced by Sinalo Jafta while Sune Luus, who bowled eight overs and took 1 for 34, jammed her knee into the turf and suffered bruising, forcing her off the field. Ultimately neither of those things hampered South Africa as much as their inability to take wickets on a surface that Sri Lanka’s attack mastered. Debutant offspinner Dewmi Vihanga became the second Sri Lankan to take three wickets on ODI debut while Malki Madara, playing in just her second game, picked up 4 for 50.South Africa’s total of 235, built largely on Annerie Dercksen’s first ODI half-century, looked competitive at the halfway stage but when Sri Lanka lost Chamari Athapaththu in the third over, it seemed it could be match-winning. Vishmi Gunaratne and Hasini Perera rebuilt steadily for a second-wicket stand of 69 before Dilhari and Samarawickrama kept the required run-rate in control to seal victory with 21 balls to spare.Malki Madara celebrates a wicket with Chamari Athapaththu•SLC
With slower balls proving far more effective than pace on, Gunaratne and Perera were severe on South Africa’s seamers upfront, forcing spin to be introduced in the first powerplay. But both Luus and Nonkululeko Mlaba were unable to maintain pressure in their initial overs as they struggled with their lengths and boundaries came in almost every over. When Mlaba strung three dots together, Gunaratne lost her patience and went for a reverse sweep. She missed and was struck in front of off stump.Three more boundary-less overs followed before Perera tried to flick Luus legside, where Laura Wolvaardt leapt forward and took the catch low down. Replays confirmed she had her fingers under the ball and Sri Lanka were 90 for 3 after 18 overs.Given that the middle-order has not always been reliable, there may have been some nerves, especially when Samarawickrama’s first boundary came off the outside edge. Dilhari was more confident and hit Mlaba back over her head. That proved to be a favourite area for her, and was also where she smashed Chloe Tryon for six. When Ayabonga Khaka was brought back for a second spell, both Dilhari and Samarawickrama got stuck in and in an over that cost 12 brought the required run-rate down to under five an over.Samarawickrama got to fifty off 65 balls with a straight drive and Dilhari followed, off the 61st ball she faced, when she carved Tryon through the covers. By then, Sri Lanka needed 44 runs off 11 overs and the game was all but up. Neither of the two set batters saw it through to the end, with South Africa plucking some late wickets but in the end, they may feel there were around 30 runs short, especially after they staged a decent recovery from 120 for 5.South Africa lost their openers early when Tazmin Brits was bowled in the fourth over, staying back to a Sugandika Kumari ball that turned past the inside edge, while Wolvaardt was deceived by a slower ball from Madara. Wolvaardt was Madara’s first ODI wicket.Annerie Dercksen scored an unbeaten 61 to lift South Africa•SLC
That left Lara Goodall and Meso with the responsibility of stabilising the innings. Goodall was given the length to play two sumptuous cover drives and took it and South Africa ended the powerplay on 40 for 1. Inoka Ranaweera was introduced in the 11th over and created a chance off her fourth ball when Goodall, on 14, mistimed an attempted hit down the ground back to Ranaweera. She got hands to it but could not hold on.Meso struggled to score runs and she faced 21 dot balls in her innings of 27 and the pressure got too much for her. When Ranaweera tossed one up outside off, Meso drove aerially, straight to Athapaththu at short cover. Ranaweera should have had Luus for a duck two balls later, again off her own bowling. That chance cost Sri Lanka.Luus and Goodall put on 54 runs for the third wicket in a stand that included some delightful strokes. Goodall hit Ranaweera back over her head for four and pulled out the paddle sweep off Gunaratne but was put down again on 41 when she gave Athapaththu a regulation chance at mid-on, off Vihanga, but the Sri Lankan captain dropped it. She added five more runs to her score and was on 46 when she tried to hit Vihanga over long-on but was caught on the boundary. Goodall’s effort was her highest since her career-best 93 not out against Ireland in Dublin in June 2022, 14 innings ago.Luus was on 31 at the time, using her feet well and playing aggressively but in the next over, she walked across her stumps and played on to give Vihanga her second. Four balls later, Athapaththu hit Dercksen on the back pad and thought she had her out lbw but the umpire did not agree. The rest of that over cost Sri Lanka nine runs and momentum shifted South Africa’s way. Tryon and Dercksen were energetic in the middle and shared a run-a-ball stand of 62 before a wonder catch from Nilakshika Silva broke their stand. Tryon tried to hit Vihanga over long-on, Nilakshika ran to her left and reached the ball just in time to take the catch one-handed as she hit the ground. South Africa entered the final 10 overs on 182 for 6.Dercksen got to fifty with a stunning six over Kumari but she did not have much lower order support. Nadine de Klerk was bowled by a Madara yorker and Masabata Klaas and Mlaba both top-edged as they tried to hit Madara out of the ground.
Chelsea’s approach to recruitment has long revolved around stacking their squad with some of the brightest young prospects in world football.
In the past few years, they have paid significant sums to secure teenagers such as Estevão, Kendry Páez and Mamadou Sarr.
This summer alone, they have added some of the most exciting youth prospects in Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and Jorrel Hato from Ajax.
The logic is simple: bring in rising stars before their price goes up and commit them to long contracts, typically seven years or more.
By doing so, Chelsea not only protect themselves against paying premiums later – as they did with Enzo Fernández’s £107m transfer in 2023 – but also keep themselves compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by spreading transfer fees across the length of those deals.
The result is the youngest squad in the Premier League, with an average age of just 23 years and five months.
Not all of these gambles work out, however. A number of players have grown frustrated at limited minutes and moved on.
This summer alone saw exits for Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Christopher Nkunku.
And in previous years, Chelsea have made high-profile misjudgements by letting go of talents like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Declan Rice and Romelu Lukaku too early.
Yet there are also success stories that show the model can deliver.
Nowhere is that clearer than with Cole Palmer.
Cole Palmer's stunning Chelsea stint so far
When Chelsea paid Manchester City £40m for Palmer in 2023, the deal was met with scepticism.
Could a player who had mostly been used sparingly by Pep Guardiola truly justify such a fee?
Two years on, the answer is an emphatic yes. Palmer is now the beating heart of Enzo Maresca’s side and widely regarded as the club’s most important player.
Since his arrival, Palmer’s market value has soared from €32m (£28m) to €120m (£110m), as per Transfermarkt.
He was central to Chelsea’s resurgence last season, guiding them to a fourth-place finish, a UEFA Conference League triumph and a Club World Cup title.
His influence was decisive in both finals, scoring twice against PSG in the Club World Cup and picking up man of the match awards in each.
Palmer’s output has been remarkable: 45 goals and 29 assists in his first 100 appearances for the club.
Beyond numbers, his creativity and ability to dictate games in the final third have been transformative.
It is no surprise he won the PFA Young Player of the Season award, or that he broke into the England team in 2023, scoring in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
Statistically, Palmer excels across multiple areas.
Cole Palmer – 2024/25
Matches Played
37
Goals
15
Assists
8
Progressive Carries
120
Progressive Passes
214
Source: FBref
His 2024/25 season included 37 appearances with 23 goal involvements, averaging 6.03 progressive passes per 90 and 5.70 shot-creating actions.
He is not just scoring and assisting, but consistently advancing Chelsea’s play in possession.
For all the criticism of the club’s scattergun transfer policy, Palmer stands as proof that sometimes they get it spectacularly right.
How Jamal Musiala compares to Palmer
For every Palmer success story, there is a cautionary tale.
Jamal Musiala’s departure is one Chelsea fans continue to regret.
Having been part of the Blues’ youth system, he left for Bayern Munich in 2019 for just €200k (£175k).
Today his market value is estimated at €140m (£130m), and he is widely considered among the best attacking midfielders in world football.
At Bayern, Musiala has blossomed into a superstar.
In 207 matches, he has scored 64 goals and provided 39 assists, while also cementing his place in the German national team with 40 caps and eight goals.
Former England youth teammate Jude Bellingham once roomed with him, and Musiala’s decision to represent Germany over England has only heightened the sense of loss.
Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes summed it up simply: Musiala is “one of the best number 10s in the world.” The statistics underline his world-class profile.
In 2024/25, he managed 14 goal involvements in 25 Bundesliga matches, with 1.55 shots on target per 90 and an outstanding 45.6% accuracy, as per FBref.
He edges Palmer in dribbling influence too, recording 39.6 carries per 90 compared to Palmer’s 33.0.
While Palmer is the superior progressive passer (6.03 per 90 to Musiala’s 5.35), Musiala’s ability to destabilise defenders with his direct running offers a complementary, if different, threat.
The irony is stark: Chelsea now pay premiums to secure players like Palmer, while having allowed Musiala to leave for a fraction of his current worth.
Injuries have unfortunately stalled his 2025/26 campaign – a broken leg at the Club World Cup means he will miss large portions of the season – but his trajectory remains upwards.
The Palmer-Musiala contrast highlights the dual nature of Chelsea’s youth model.
They are capable of landing gems that transform the team, but just as easily let diamonds slip through their fingers.
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