And breathe. That was all rather nerve-wracking, wasn’t it? You will have to go a long way to find a better final than that this season but Celtic are once again the jubilant winners, taking home the League Cup.

It was a frantic affair at Hampden that saw the game to and fro with both sides trailing and both sides holding the lead at some point or another.

It started disastrously for Celtic against their Old Firm rivals with Nadim Bajrami finding the back of the net but Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda gave Brendan Rodgers’ side hope in the second half.

But, but…cueutter carnage in the final quarter of the game. Mohamed Diomande equalised with 15 minutes to go for Rangers before Hoops winger Nicolas Kuhn looked to have won it with three games. Just minutes later Danilo popped up to send the game to extra-time.

Nothing could separate the two teams at the end of 90 minutes and nothing could separate them at the end of extra time. What did separate them, however, was Ridvan Yilmaz missing from the spot.

A jubilant Celtic side won an epic final 5-4 on penalties and it certainly wasn’t all plain sailing, as left-back Taylor will certainly testify.

Greg Taylor's performance in numbers

What a roller-coaster of an afternoon this was for the left-back in a true villain-to-hero performance at Hampden.

With the emergence of Alex Valle this season, the Scot’s game time in a Hoops jersey has diminished somewhat and on his first-half display in the cup final, it was clear to see why he hasn’t played every single 90 minutes.

In the words of Martin Dowden on BBC Sport, it was a “mindless moment” from the defender that led to Rangers opening the scoring.

Taylor attempted a simple ball towards Cameron Carter-Vickers but Bajrami intercepted it and then raced towards goal before playing it towards Hamza Igamane. His effort was initially denied by Kasper Schmeichel but Bajrami was there on the follow-up to fire home an easy finish.

Fortunately for the Bhoys, the Scotland international atoned for his disastrous error in the second half by finding a goal himself.

Kuhn’s corner came out to the full-back on the edge of the area before he struck it home via quite a hefty deflection from Nicolas Raskin’s outstretched leg.

So, with that moment of fortune, it was certainly hard to argue that Taylor was the worst player in green and white on Sunday. Instead, that honour should probably go to midfielder Reo Hatate.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Reo Hatate's performance against Rangers

The Japanese star on his day can be a truly wonderful player to watch, notably scoring nine goals and assisting 11 during the 2022/23 campaign.

Injury-plagued the 2023/24 season and in the current term, it feels like he’s still struggling to get up to speed when you consider his performance against Rangers on Sunday.

After Daizen Maeda put the Celts 2-1 in front in the second half, Neil Lennon exclaimed on commentary that big moments call for big players and while one Japanese sensation found some form at a pivotal moment, his fellow countryman in Hatate really failed to do a job in the centre of the park.

He was particularly guilty of ceding possession on an all too regular basis and was subsequently handed a 6/10 player rating by the Daily Record who noted that he ‘struggled to exert himself’ on the contest.

Auston Trusty was withdrawn at half-time, but in truth, Hatate should not have been coming back out for the second half either.

The 27-year-old set the tone for a shoddy performance with what he did after just five minutes on the clock. Cup final nerves? Perhaps. Either way, it wasn’t the class and quality we expect from the midfielder who was handed the ball by the aforementioned Taylor but he let it slip under his foot and straight out of play.

That typified his performance and indeed Celtic’s first half, really. They were a great deal better in the second 45 minutes but Hatate didn’t do much to really spur his team on and will find himself fortunate to start the next game with Arne Engels – who supplied Kuhn’s goal – waiting in the wings.

He did, at least, find the net from the penalty spot but the Hoops will count their lucky stars that Hatate’s overall performance didn’t come back to bite them this evening. They will leave as trophy winners, yet again.

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The Glasgow rivals have shared a few cup final classics over the years.

ByRoss Kilvington Dec 8, 2024

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak's journey as a footballer began at a 'Cold War nuclear bunker' in Sweden.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Isak's journey at AIK's youth setup revealed'Made in a Cold War nuclear bunker'Striker could win Carabao Cup with NewcastleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Isak, who joined the Magpies in 2022 from Real Sociedad, is among the finest strikers in the Premier League at the moment. His consistent performances over the last three seasons have seen him attract interest from several top European clubs, including the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT HAS BEEN SAID

The forward's journey as a footballer began at AIK's youth setup at Rasunda Idrottsplats, a district in Solna, Sweden. The academy's home was once a 'Cold War nuclear bunker'. Speaking to the, technical director of AIK’s academy Peter Wennberg told the story of a young Isak in the youth teams: "He had a look in his eye. Alex had noticed their goalkeeper too far from his line. Boom! It showed his belief, intelligence, ability. His courage. We all turned to each other, 'Oh my God!'"

Alexander Snacke, who was a team-mate of Isak in AIK's youth setup and is now a Under-14s coach said: "He was not our best player. Then, at 16, something happened. It was like his body hit the right dimensions and all of the extra training he had done came out. It just clicked, like a switch, an explosion. I have never seen that happen to anyone, as a player or coach. It is usually gradual. He went through the roof. At 15, I remember Peter and the other coaches speaking to him. He needed to step it up. He listened and kept going. Then, we realised. I was a centre-back, so I knew before most."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Snacke added: "Horrible! Terrible! For 30 minutes he could do very little. Then, for two minutes, he was like, 'OK, now it’s fun to toy with you'. We played an U17 national semi-final, the biggest game of our lives. We won 3-0 and he assisted all the goals. We were a year younger, but he was by far the best player on the pitch. That was when we knew, 'OK, he’s too good for us now'. He played a few games for the U19s and then into the first team, aged 16."

Isak left AIK for Borussia Dortmund in 2016 before then heading to Sociedad three years later.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ALEXANDER ISAK?

For now, the striker remains focused on Newcastle and will aim to win his first trophy with the club on Sunday as they take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

MatériaMais Notícias

O torcedor do Ceará iniciou a semana de maneira animada, já que viu o seu time manifestar o interesse em repatriar Thiago Galhardo.

– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE A DO BRASILEIRÃO

Amado pela torcida, o meia-atacante foi um dos principais nomes na campanha da permanência na temporada 2019.

Porém, se o sonho estava em alta nos bastidores do Vozão, o presidente Robinson de Castro fez questão de esfriar os ânimos.

‘O Galhardo é um jogador que tem muita relação com a gente. Até pessoal, ficou um pouco próximo da gente. Gostou de trabalhar conosco. Sempre está em contato com a gente. Ele não perde a oportunidade de deixar no ar a possibilidade de retorno. Neste momento, é difícil. Ele ainda tem contrato até junho. É jogador do Internacional. Temos que aguardar um pouco… Quem sabe lá na frente… Ele é um jogador de muita qualidade’, garantiu na Rádio Verdes Mares

No momento, Thiago Galhardo tem contrato com o Celta de Vigo-ESP até o meio do ano, quando retorna ao Internacional, dono dos seus direitos federativos.

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“If Chennai were to think back, they wouldn’t have let go of Faf du Plessis”

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-20227:52

Runorder: Will Super Kings make the playoffs?

If MS Dhoni had been thinking of giving up the Chennai Super Kings captaincy, the franchise should not have released Faf du Plessis and, instead, should have passed on the reins to him, according to Ravi Shastri. That, according to the former India head coach, would have let Ravindra Jadeja – Dhoni’s replacement – play freely, and “things could have been different for Chennai” this IPL season.”I feel that someone like Jadeja, he should focus on his own game. If Chennai were to think back, they wouldn’t have let go of Faf du Plessis,” Shastri said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out Hindi after Super Kings lost their fourth match on the bounce, this one by eight wickets to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday afternoon. “He [du Plessis] is a match-winner, he has won the IPL with Chennai, he has a lot of experience.”Super Kings are being led by Jadeja after Dhoni, who had captained them since the start of the IPL in 2008, bar the two seasons when the team was suspended, stepped away from the role two days before the start of the 2022 edition. Jadeja was given the job even though he came into it with little leadership experience – his only past gig as captain at a representative level was with the India Under-19 team, for a while, in 2007. One of the premier all-format allrounders in the world, Jadeja has since had four results go against him, leaving the four-time – and defending – IPL champions in an uphill battle to make the playoffs.At the time the news about Dhoni’s resignation became public, Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan had told ESPNcricinfo that Dhoni had been thinking about giving up the top job, and that “he felt it is the right time to hand over captaincy to Jaddu [Jadeja]”.Shastri argued, “If Dhoni was thinking of giving up the captaincy, then Faf should have been given the job, and Jadeja should have continued as [just] a player. He would have played freely, without the pressure of captaincy. Things could have been different for Chennai then.”As it is, du Plessis was released by Super Kings before the 2022 auction, and was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore and appointed their captain; Virat Kohli too had given up the job after the 2021 season. Royal Challengers have started the season with two wins in three games.du Plessis had also played a key role with the bat for Super Kings in their run to the title in 2021, hitting 633 runs at the top of the order at 45.21, with a strike rate of 138.20 and six fifties in 16 innings.

WA captain ‘shed a few tears’ after winning the Sheffield Shield for the first time in his 21-year career

Alex Malcolm04-Apr-2022

Father and son – Shaun Marsh and Geoff Marsh pose with the Sheffield Shield title•Getty Images

The tears said it all. Shaun Marsh has had countless triumphs over a 21-year professional career. He’s made 13 international centuries for Australia, won Ashes series, Border-Gavaskar trophies, been the leading runscorer in an IPL, won multiple BBL and Australia domestic 50-over titles.But raising the Sheffield Shield aloft as Western Australia captain, something his father Geoff Marsh had done, something no WA captain had done in 23 years, could be his greatest achievement as a cricketer.”It’s pretty emotional to be honest,” Marsh said. “I’ve shed a few tears.”It’s definitely up there. Dad always spoke about his Shield wins as being the highlight of his career and this feeling that I’ve got inside my body now it’s definitely up there and I’m just so happy for the playing group.”Related

Paris and Hardie trigger Victoria collapse to put WA on top

Twin centuries from Whiteman and Hardie edge WA closer to glory

Western Australia break 23-year Sheffield Shield drought as final ends in a draw

It might be the perfect way to finish for Marsh. He began his Shield career as a 17-year-old with Western Australia in 2001, three years before his current team-mate Teague Wyllie was even born. But the 38-year-old, who has a year to run on his state contract with WA and has signed a two-year contract extension with Melbourne Renegades in the BBL, has not decided on his future just yet.”I’m not too sure,” Marsh said. “I’m not going to worry about it for a few days. I’m really going to enjoy this moment and enjoy it with the boys. We’ve really earned this moment. It’s been a few years in the making this and I’ll sit down with [coach Adam Voges] at some stage and we’ll see what next year looks like but at the moment I’m not even going to think about it. I’m going to celebrate with the boys and really cherish this moment.”WA were made to earn the title by an unrelenting Victoria outfit. They narrowly claimed the bonus point lead in the first innings thanks a superb 141 from Cameron Bancroft. Victoria coach Chris Rogers said it was the best he had ever seen Bancroft bat.Shaun Marsh lifts the Sheffield Shield•Getty Images

Then Aaron Hardie and Joel Paris orchestrated a Victoria collapse taking three wickets each after the visitors looked poised to snatch the bonus point lead and give themselves the opportunity to take the title with a drawn game. It gave WA a first-innings lead of 80.But there was one more twist in the tail on day four. Two quick wickets saw WA slump to 5 for 110, with a lead of just 190, and over five sessions left in the match. However, Sam Whiteman and Hardie both made centuries to put the game to bed and ease Marsh’s nerves.”I battled through day four,” Marsh said. “It was probably the best and worst day of my life to be honest. The emotions were going through my body and I couldn’t be more proud of Sammy and Hards in that partnership.”The game was in the balance and the way those two came out and batted it was just incredible and really put us into a commanding position. That partnership [is] up there with the best I’ve seen in 21 years.”Hardie finished with 174 not out, his highest first-class score, while Whiteman made 123 to go with his 85 in the first innings and faced over 500 balls in the match to be named player of the final.It was a special result for Whiteman, who played alongside Marsh, Bancroft and Voges in WA’s only other Shield finals during their 23-year title drought. Both were losing draws against New South Wales in 2013-14 and Victoria in 2014-15.Sam Whiteman and Aaron Hardie both made centuries•Getty Images

“It’s very special,” Whiteman said. “It means a lot to everyone in the group, and it varies from person to person. But you think of Shaun who’s played for 20-odd years. A lot of the group has played for 10 years now and we probably messed up a few chances along the way. You start doubting whether it’s going to come but it feels amazing.”Whiteman’s performance is made all the more extraordinary given he has reinvented himself as an opening batter, after playing as a specialist wicketkeeper in WA’s previous two finals before a finger injury forced him to give away the gloves.”Before the game my wife said to me, who would have thought you know, seven or eight years after your last Shield final that you’d be playing as an opening batter,” Whiteman said. “And yeah, I wouldn’t have guessed it, going from the keeper to opening. It’s special to be part of the team, play my small role, and, yeah, just pumped for WA cricket.”Victoria captain Peter Handscomb was left to ponder several decisions he and his side made throughout the five days including sending WA in after winning the toss and failing to chase the bonus point lead harder in the first innings.”I’m still okay with the toss,” Handscomb said. “I think hindsight is an interesting one. Looking back, we probably could have gone harder at the bonus point and then we get to try and control the game and try and get the draw that way. But at the time, we thought the wicket would deteriorate a little bit more than it did. We thought we’d be able to force a result somehow whether it be a win or a loss.”We didn’t really expect the pitch to kind of play like that. To see no cracks on a WACA wicket day four or five is a little bit interesting.”Handscomb had no qualms with WA batting Victoria out of the game noting his side would have done the same had they been in the same position. As disappointed as he was with the result, he was delighted for Marsh, who he played alongside for several years with Australia.”Bloody happy for Sos,” Handscomb said. “He’s a good mate of mine. It’s good that he’s been able to do that.”

Arsenal signing a “dream” transfer target for Mikel Arteta is set to hinge on sporting director Edu Gaspar’s replacement, with the search for his heir underway in the background.

Arsenal seal first Premier League win since October against Nottingham Forest

Arteta guided the Gunners to their first win in the Premier League since early October last weekend, thumping Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium to keep their title hopes alive.

Arsenal are now looking to trigger £200k-per-week forward's release clause

The Gunners are very keen on him.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Nov 23, 2024

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and youngster Ethan Nwaneri rounded off a convincing victory against a Forest side who’ve been surprising everybody with their excellent early-season form, with Arteta expressing his sheer delight after securing a much-needed three points.

“Really happy, I sensed great energy the last 48 hours, the way everybody came back,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Forest.

“I sensed a great togetherness and decided to change the situation and go through what has been a different period for us with all the situations that we have come across and the team. Straight away, from the beginning it was dominant, there was an enthusiasm about it. This is what I demand when we score a goal, it should have been another two or three in the first half.

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

“Then the fact it was a total effort of the team because other players have to come in. I had to take Jorgi out because of the yellow card, Thomas [Partey] comes in, impacts the team, scores a goal. Raheem comes in, he makes an assist, Ethan comes in, he scores a goal. That gives us a different kind of dominance, Jakub comes in to get some minutes in the legs. You don’t play Thomas, you don’t play Declan, you don’t play Martinelli, you don’t play Kai Havertz, and there’s always that question mark, is it right or wrong? I felt it because I think the team needed it, that they all feel important and all have a real chance. Some of the players, the way they trained while we were here, was unbelievable and I have to praise that.”

Next, Arsenal prepare for a clash against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League this evening, but in the background, high-ranking officials are searching for Edu’s successor and doing their homework on potential transfer targets.

Arsenal signing Alexander Isak hinges on Edu replacement

Arsenal are reportedly planning to sign a striker next year, and there is a real belief among the press that Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is a top target.

The Swede had a slow start to the season but has scored three goals in his last four games and is beginning to rediscover his best form at St. James’ Park.

Arsenal are targeting Isak amid their search for a new centre-forward, with Emirates Stadium chiefs also on the lookout for director Edu’s successor, who will play a major role in facilitating such a deal.

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal signing Isak will hinge on who replaces Edu, and it’s worth noting that some reports claim the 25-year-old, who’s been called a “dream” target for the club (Ben Jacobs), could cost as much as £150 million.

Isak bagged an impressive 25 goals in all competitions last season, with 21 of them coming in the top flight.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has personally requested INEOS to sign a striker who has been described as a “superstar”, according to a report.

Amorim makes big Rashford call

Leaving Marcus Rashford out of the squad for the Manchester derby was one of Amorim’s first big calls as United boss, and with the forward now of the belief that his time at his boyhood club is coming to an end, a replacement may be needed in January.

One potential option is RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, having sent scouts to watch the striker during his side’s disappointing 5-1 defeat at Bayern Munich, although the 21-year-old did score just two minutes into the game.

The Red Devils have also reportedly made a bid for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams, who could be a more like-for-like replacement for Rashford, and they are currently believed to be leading the race for his signature despite interest from elsewhere.

Man Utd’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

AFC Bournemouth (h)

December 22nd

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

December 26th

Newcastle United (h)

December 30th

Liverpool (a)

January 5th

Southampton (h)

January 16th

Amorim is clearly looking to put his own stamp on the squad he has inherited, with Spanish sources confirming the new manager wants to rebuild the squad, while also getting rid of a number of under performing players.

The same report states that Amorim has now personally requested INEOS to sign Victor Osimhen, who could arrive as early as January due to a special clause included in his loan agreement with reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray.

United are dissatisfied with the contributions of the forwards they currently have at the club, meaning Osimhen is very much on the radar, however the report makes it clear they are also looking to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.

Amorim has also requested the signing of Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo in defence, and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling out wide, with the manager clearly determined to reshape his squad this winter.

Manchester United now want to sign £9k-p/w "technical maestro" for Amorim

He would be a signing for the long term at Old Trafford.

1 ByBen Browning Nov 30, 2024

Reports since from Spain have gone on to add that Man Utd are willing to pay Osimhen’s €75m (£62m) release clause alongside both Chelsea and PSG.

New striker needed at Old Trafford

It is evident that Amorim needs to strengthen in attacking areas, with Joshua Zirkzee struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League, scoring just four goals in all competitions in his debut season.

As such, Osimhen could be the perfect signing for the Red Devils, given that he is a proven goalscorer from his time with Napoli, and he has been impressive in the Turkish league this season, scoring seven goals in 10 games.

Such is the Nigerian’s ability, he has been lauded as a “superstar” by the media, so it is exciting news that Amorim is interested in bringing him to Old Trafford, and that a deal is possible in January.

It has been a terrible first half of the season for United, and Osimhen could be a real statement signing to help them kick on and move up the table.

Newcastle United are set to make a massive move to sign a new forward in 2025, according to a former Premier League scout.

Newcastle keen for additions

It was a tough summer for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United, and that has translated into a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign too.

A 3-3 draw against Liverpool in their most recent outing was one of their best performances of a season that has otherwise been inconsistent, with the Magpies having managed just a point more than Manchester United at this point, though the congested nature of the league means that they remain just three points outside the top five.

With a favourable run of fixtures ahead, they will be hoping that they can finally string together a run of form to push back towards the top of the Premier League, but there is concern that they will struggle to strengthen in January amid financial fair play concerns and hefty prices.

Brentford (Away)

Leicester City (Home)

Ipswich Town (Away)

Aston Villa (Home)

Manchester United (Away)

Howe’s demands have been clear since the summer, with the Newcastle boss wanting at least another centre-back and a right-winger added to his side. So far this season, Anthony Gordon has been asked to play on the right flank this season, while Dan Burn has been repurposed in central defence, but neither are long-term solutions at St James’ Park.

There is a hope that the club can move Miguel Almiron on to raise some funds, and now they have been tipped to secure a massive deal in the summer.

Newcastle want to make statement signing

That is according to former Manchester United scout Mick Brown, who has claimed that the Magpies are looking to complete a summer deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

The Bees attacker enjoyed an excellent start to the season under Thomas Frank, with eight goals to his name, leading to the Brentford boss labelling him a “top” player.

“For me, he’s a top player. I’m convinced one day he will play for a bigger club; I will definitely buy him if I was at a bigger club”, Frank explained.

Now, it is Newcastle that want to secure the Cameroon international, who they believe could be the perfect upgrade on the right-side of attack in the wake of a potential Almiron departure.

According to Brown, Mbeumo is “definitely their top target for the position”, but that it would “take a huge fee” to get him out of the G-Tech Stadium.

Newcastle join Man Utd and Chelsea in race for "sensational" rising star

The 24-year-old is attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League…

ByBarney Lane Dec 5, 2024

“It won’t happen in January, I’m fairly certain of that, because Newcastle are restricted in what they’ll be able to spend”, he added, pointing to a summer deal being far more likely.

Brentford are not prepared to let Mbeumo leave in January unless a massive offer is tabled for him, something that Newcastle may struggle with midseason. However, the forward has just 18 months left to run on his £45,000 a week deal in London as things stand, and the summer could be the last time for the Bees to land a serious fee for the talent.

His potential summer arrival could finally provide Howe with balance in attack, and allow Gordon to return to his favoured left-wing position while providing a massive upgrade on Almiron for the Magpies.

Chelsea failed to make it nine consecutive wins in all competitions, drawing 0-0 against Everton at Goodison Park in a wet and windy game.

The Blues still sit second in the Premier League but failed to take their chance to restore a four point lead ahead of third-place Arsenal.

Enzo Maresca’s side held 75% possession, created three big chances, took 12 shots and only generated 0.77 xG in the game. This was the first time since the opening game of the season that Chelsea have failed to score, losing 2-0 to Manchester City.

Despite their 0-0 draw, there were some positives for Maresca and his side to take away from the game, keeping their fourth Premier League clean sheet of the campaign, with Robert Sanchez making some big saves and a certain defender putting in an excellent display.

Chelsea's best player vs Everton

Tosin Adarabioyo put in a man of the match display at the back for Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, winning five of his six ground duels, winning three of his five aerial duels, completing three tackles, and dealing with Everton’s long ball effectively.

Being in the middle of the back three, Tosin was also required to direct play, making eight out of 12 long balls attempted, taking 124 touches and making 102/111 accurate passes (92%).

But a poor performance from a certain individual stood out, which has proven what many already thought, that Maresca needs another option in that position in order to maximise the squad in all game states against all different types of opposition.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Expand Collapse Chelsea's biggest underperformer vs Everton

Nicolas Jackson was awarded a 5/10 match rating by The Express, missing two clear-cut chances which could have changed the direction of the entire game.

The 23-year-old forward has been in red-hot form so far for the Blues this season, scoring nine goals in 16 Premier League appearances, also providing three assists in his 1,269 Premier League minutes this campaign. However, he was unable to convert his chances against Everton, heading one onto the post from close range, and failing to put a 1v1 past Pickford in the 1st half.

Nicolas Jackson vs Everton performance

Stat

Jackson

Minutes

75

Touches

30

Shots

3

Big chances missed

2

Successful Dribbles

2/5

Accurate Passes

13/15

Key Passes

1

Ground Duels Won

5/10

Aerial Duels Won

0/1

Stats taken from Sofascore

Not only was Jackson wasteful with his few chances in front of goal, but he also failed to have the usual impact in other areas, losing five of his ten ground duels (50%), losing his only aerial duel of the game, and only completing two of his five dribble attempts in the game.

Chelsea could have done with a box threat in order to force Everton back in their own penalty area and attack crosses coming into the box from the likes of Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto. But the Blues are currently lacking a different profile in the striker position, often having to bring Christopher Nkunku on from the bench as a striker, which isn’t his best position.

Whether Maresca asks for this in the January window, in order to equip him with more options to change games from the bench, or if Todd Boehly and Co decide to wait until summer to address this, it is definitely an area of the squad which will be addressed at one point or another.

Related Earns more than Madueke: Chelsea must sell Maresca’s “dangerous” flop

The Chelsea star has not featured much this season since his move in the summer.

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Dec 21, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo deu o primeiro passo para ter Victor Cuesta, mas ainda não mexeu a segunda perna. O zagueiro deu sinal verde pela possível mudança ao Rio de Janeiro, mas o Alvinegro ainda não chegou a um acordo com o Internacional, clube do zagueiro.

RelacionadasBotafogoJogadores do Botafogo têm novos contratos registrados na CBF; entendaBotafogo06/04/2022BotafogoContrato de Carlinhos com o Botafogo é renovadoBotafogo06/04/2022BotafogoFlavio Tenius se despede do Botafogo: ‘Clube se transformou na minha segunda casa’Botafogo05/04/2022

+ Forte no ataque e bom jogo contra a França: quem é Niko Hämäläinen, o finlandês que está vindo ao Botafogo

O Glorioso tem interesse em Cuesta e enviou uma proposta ao Colorado na última segunda-feira. A intenção dos cariocas é um empréstimo sem custos até o fim de 2022 arcando todos os salários. O argentino já aceitou atuar no Botafogo, mas ainda há indefinição com o clube gaúcho.

+ Veja a tabela do Brasileirão

O Internacional, contudo, quer um retorno financeiro para a liberação do zagueiro. O Alvinegro não esconde que não quer dar dinheiro pelo empréstimo de um jogador que já tem 33 anos e perdeu status de titular.

Há o impasse e os clubes tentam resolver os detalhes. O fato é que a janela fecha em seis dias e o Botafogo está no mercado em busca de um zagueiro canhoto, característica que nenhum dos defensores do elenco possui. O ponteiro está passando e o Alvinegro corre contra o tempo.

Victor Cuesta perdeu espaço no Colorado e sequer foi relacionado para a estreia da equipe na Copa Sul-Americana contra o 9 de Octubre-EQU nesta quarta-feira.