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    Chelsea make £56m Joao Felix bid as Atletico Madrid ace says ‘yes’ to transfer that could save Conor Gallagher deal

    CHELSEA have made a £56million bid for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, according to reports.And the transfer could save Conor Gallagher’s transfer to Atletico as the English midfielder’s future remains in the balance.Joao Felix could be set for a return to ChelseaCredit: GettyConor Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid remains in the balanceCredit: GettyFelix, 24, spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Stamford Bridge, scoring four goals in 20 games.He returned to Diego Simeone’s side and then spent the last campaign on loan at Barcelona where he registered 10 goals and six assists in 44 appearances.Now, after four seasons, 131 appearances and 24 goals for Atletico, he could finally be set for a permanent switch.According to Ojogo, Chelsea have submitted an offer of £54m for the Portuguese international.READ MORE ON CHELSEAAn initial sum of £30m would be paid up front, with the remainder of the fee to be transferred at a later date.Fabrizio Romano understands Felix has said “yes” to a second stint at Chelsea as negotiations continue between the two clubs.It is also said to be a “crucial” factor in the completion of Gallagher’s move to Atletico.Chelsea looked set to offload academy product Gallagher in a £34m deal to ease the club’s concerns regarding Profit and Sustainability rules.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGallagher featured in all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League games last seasonBut then a deal for Atletico striker Samu Omorodion to move the other way collapsed, putting the Gallagher deal in jeopardy.Now a bid for Felix has reignited hopes of the England international being offloaded.Chelsea have raked in staggering £1.6BILLION from transfers as top selling clubs of 21st Century are revealedGallagher, 24, has been at Chelsea for 16 years and broke through into the first team in 2019.He has played 95 games for the club, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists. More

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    Chelsea’s Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones and Manchester City’s Khiara Keating shortlisted for PFA award

    CHELSEA’S Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones are among six WSL stars nominated for the PFA’s women’s young player of the year award.Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating has also been shortlisted for the gong after winning last season’s WSL Golden Glove.Lauren James is one of the six nominees for this year’s PFA women’s young player awardCredit: GettyThe Blues forward finished as the second-highest scorer in the WSL last season helping Chelsea win a seventh league titleCredit: GettyAggie Beever-Jones is also on the shortlist for this year’s prize after impressing in front of goal for Chelsea last seasonCredit: ReutersThis year’s award winner is due to be announced next Tuesday at a ceremony in Manchester. Keating, 20, who emerged as a first team regular for her club last term, kept nine clean sheets in the women’s top-flight with City finishing runners-up in the title race.And her England team-mate James, 22, ended the 2023-24 season as the WSL’s second-highest scorer behind Man City’s Khadija Shaw.The Blues forward, who won the PFA’s young player award last year, registered 13 goals and two assists in 16 league games helping Chelsea win a fifth successive WSL title.Read More Football StoriesJames’ fellow Blue Beever-Jones, 21, has also been shortlisted for the first time in her career, after impressing in her senior breakout season for her club.The London-born striker, who made her senior England debut in a 2-1 Euros qualifier defeat of the Republic of Ireland last month, scored 11 times in 17 WSL appearances last term.Man City forward Jess Park, 23, is one of the three remaining players in the running for the PFA’s award.The versatile winger played an influential role in City’s attack during the second half of last term, after her attacking midfielder team-mate Jill Roord sustained a knee ligament injury in January.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHer four goals and five assists in 18 games helped Gareth Taylor’s side bag a Champions League place a season after they finished fourth and missed out on a spot in last term’s contest.  Manchester United duo Grace Clinton and Maya Le Tissier are the other two nominees for the women’s young player award.Arsenal release 2024-25 third kit with bold new colour as fans say ‘I speak for us all when I say we’re in love with it’ Clinton flourished during her season-long loan at Tottenham helping the team reach a Women’s FA Cup final for the first time ever this year.Her commanding displays in midfield at club level, which include four goals and four assists in 20 WSL games, also led to her receiving her first senior England call-up last October.Khiara Keating is one of two Manchester City players nominated by the PFA for their women’s young player gongCredit: GettyThe Liverpool-born midfielder went net on her senior Lionesses debut four months later in a 7-2 friendly win against Austria in February.Meanwhile Clinton’s Man United team-mate Maya Le Tissier started in all 22 of the team’s league games last season.The England defender, 22, helped the Red Devils win the Women’s FA Cup for the first time in their history when they beat Spurs 4-0 at Wembley in May. More

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    Fans slam Chelsea TV over ‘awful’ broadcast blunder after struggling to watch Inter Milan clash

    FANS slammed Chelsea TV for their “awful” coverage of the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan. The Blues’ channel charged £5 to watch the match but viewers were distracted by the commentary. Lesley Ugochukwu levelled against Inter MilanCredit: GettyThat is because separate commentators from another channel could be heard over those of Chelsea TV.One said: “Chelsea TV (or whatever they identify now as) is awful. “You can always hear the other commentators in the background commentating for their channel.”Another asked: “Why can I hear a muffled Jason Cundy on the Chelsea stream?”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSomeone replied: “You can always hear him and the other Chelsea tv commentator..don’t remember his name, can hear both their voices right now.”Another said: “Can’t hear it on any other broadcast, ever. Either too close or the equipment ain’t great. “Either way, bad for the club’s own media channel.”A late Lesley Ugochukwu leveller cancelled out Marcus Thuram’s opener as the sides could not be separated. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChelsea fans were introduced to Pedro Neto for the first time since joining in a £54million move from Wolves. He stepped out in blue for the first time waved to fans at Stamford Bridge. Stamford Bridge locals reveal what life’s like More

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    Ivan Toney could be set for shock transfer abroad having been linked with moves to Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea

    ENGLAND star Ivan Toney is a top target for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, according to shock reports.The Brentford striker has been heavily linked with an exit as he has just one year left on his contract.Ivan Toney is wanted by Saudi Pro League chiefsCredit: ReutersSunSport exclusively revealed that the Bees were initially ready to slash their asking price to just £30million for Toney.But after new striker Igor Thiago picked up a knee injury that is set to rule him out until December, the club were having a re-think about selling their main man.A host of Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for Toney – including Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham.But reporter Fabrizio Romano claims there is interest from the Saudi Pro League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe reports that Toney is one of the “main strikers being considered” by chiefs in the Middle East.Al-Ahli have supposedly had an interest since January.The report also claims that the player is “assessing his options” and is yet to make a decision on his future.But his choices could now be limited as United have signed Joshua Zirkzee, Spurs have completed a deal for Dominic Solanke and Niclas Fullkrug has joined West Ham.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSToney scored four goals in 17 games last season after serving an eight-month betting ban.He was also a member of the England squad that fell just short in the final to Spain.A move to Al-Ahli would see him team-up with ex-Prem stars Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino.Man Utd transfer target Ivan Toney talks about his experience playing for England More

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    Chelsea ban ANOTHER star from first-team facilities ahead of likely transfer exit despite him being at club since 8

    TREVOH CHALOBAH has been BARRED from using Chelsea’s first-team facilities as he nears an emotional exit. The boyhood Blue has been deemed surplus to requirements this summer amid an influx of centre-backs at Stamford Bridge. Trevoh Chalobah is edging towards a Chelsea transfer exitCredit: GettyChelsea are looking to offload Chalobah and have taken extreme measurements to accelerate his move. According to The Telegraph, the defender has been banned from using Chelsea’s first-team facilities.Along with Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku, they are all being made to train with the development squad.That means Chalobah – who has been with Chelsea since he was eight – must spend his time away from the club’s first team.READ MORE IN football He has not been in the first-team dressing room or at lunch since Chelsea returned from their pre-season tour of America. Chalobah was controversially told to stay at home as his Blues team-mates jetted off Stateside. Midfielder Conor Gallagher faced a similar fate, as revealed by SunSport. Gallagher was told that he will not be allowed in the first-team building nor train with Enzo Maresca’s squad. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the former academy graduate has since agreed a £34million move to Atletico Madrid.Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are among the clubs linked with Chalobah, who made 17 appearances for Chelsea last season under Mauricio Pochettino.Enzo Maresca’s tactical overhaul at ChelseaHe had turned down a move to Nottingham Forest last summer and fought his way back into the squad. But Chelsea have since welcomed back Wesley Fofana and signed Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham on a free transfer. They join Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile and Levi Colwill in Chelsea’s crowded backline.Chelsea are believed to value Chalobah at £20m with the centre-half said to have acted professional despite the ruthless approach to negotiate his exit.Lukaku is still a target for Napoli and Italian manager Antonio Conte but the Blues want his £37.8 million buy-out clause met.Broja meanwhile has attracted attention from the Premier League and overseas as his time with Chelsea also looks to be nearing an end.READ MORE SUN STORIESMaresca is close to adding winger Pedro Neto in a £54m deal from Wolves. It will be his NINTH signing of the summer with striker Samu Omorodion also close to joining from Atletico for £34.5m.Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. More

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    How Chelsea could line up after £54m Pedro Neto transfer including new goalkeeper and formation

    CHELSEA are set to continue yet another lavish transfer window of spending by forking out £54million on Wolves winger Pedro Neto.The Blues swooped quickly to agree a shock deal with the Midlands club earlier today.Pedro Neto is set to join ChelseaCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side have spent lavishly on several new signings already this summer, including £30m Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, £19m Omari Kellyman and £20.7m Filip Jorgensen.Chelsea have a bloated squad, with forgotten men including the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga still on the books.But new boss Maresca will be looking to zone in on a settled new starting XI including Neto, with the Premier League campaign fast approaching.Jorgensen, 22, is set to displace Robert Sanchez and Djorde Petrovic to be Chelsea’s No1 between the sticks.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMaresca will hope for a healthy season for skipper Reece James, who will slot back in at right-back if he can stay fit.Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella appears to have usurped Ben Chilwell at left-back, while Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill could start at centre-half.Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo may also get the nod at the back from Maresca, although Trevoh Chalobah appears to be surplus to requirements.New signing Dewsbury-Hall could look to forge relationships with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in midfield, although Romeo Lavia will look to stake a claim.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEnzo Maresca fielded a 4-3-3 formation at LeicesterConor Gallagher, who skippered the Blues for much of last season, is leaving for Atletico Madrid.Cole Palmer will be the key man off the right flank, while Neto could play on the left. Conor Gallagher lands in Madrid with frozen-out Chelsea star on verge of sealing Atletico transferRaheem Sterling, who is hoping to return to the England fold, will be desperate to show what he can do this season.Noni Madueke will also hope to take a big leap.Christopher Nkunku is another that the Blues will be desperate to keep fit – although Nicolas Jackson and potential new signing Samu Omorodion could compete for a starting berth.Maresca would have strong options if he moved to a back three More

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    Former Chelsea star ‘speechless’ at ‘huge problem’ Enzo Maresca has inherited days before new Premier League season

    WILLIAM GALLAS has highlighted the “huge problem” Enzo Maresca has inherited ahead of the new Premier League season. Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino when the Argentine left the club after just a single season. Enzo Maresca during Chelsea’s pre-season tourCredit: GettyWilliam Gallas is shocked by Chelsea’s transfer businessCredit: GettyThe West Londoners have added seven signings to their squad this summer for just under £100million. But of those, only defender Tosin Adarabioyo and midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are above 22. Chelsea are also closing in on adding 20-year-old striker Samu Omorodion in a £34.5million deal from Atletico Madrid. Boyhood Blue Conor Gallagher is set to go the other way in a separate £34m move – leaving ex-Chelsea star Gallas stunned. READ MORE ON CHELSEAHe told Lord Ping: “The players are too young and it’s a huge problem, but the problem isn’t down to the players, the problem is whoever is bringing them in.”It’s the owner who is putting his hand into his pocket but others are giving him the information, they’ve spent too much on the wrong players and now they are looking at goalkeepers.”It’s a huge mess at Chelsea, a huge mess.” Chelsea have also agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Mike Penders, 19, from Genk after bringing in Filip Jorgensen, 22, earlier in the window.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThat adds to Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga in the goalkeeping department – again to Gallas’ bemusement. The centre-back, who won two Premier League titles with Chelsea, said: “I’m speechless.”What can I say about Chelsea signing another goalkeeper, why are they doing it? What for? Why do they think they need another goalkeeper?”Enzo Maresca’s tactical overhaul at Chelsea More

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    Jamie Carragher fears Chelsea’s £40m star signing could backfire this season as he backs Enzo Maresca for axe

    CHELSEA may not have the same Cole Palmer from last season under new manager Enzo Maresca, according to Jamie Carragher.Palmer, 22, dragged the Blues to sixth place and a European spot almost single-handedly last term following his £42.5million switch from Manchester City in 2023.Jamie Carragher warned Chelsea they may struggle this coming seasonCredit: RexCarragher worries Chelsea star Cole Palmer won’t perform the same way he did last seasonCredit: PACarragher worries Palmer will struggle under new Chelsea boss Enzo MarescaCredit: GettyThe playmaker amassed a staggering total of 25 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances during his maiden campaign at Stamford Bridge under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.However, Carragher fears Pochettino’s shock dismissal may have a negative effect on the England international’s performances this coming season.The Liverpool legend criticised the Chelsea hierarchy for the handling of the club ever since their arrival two years ago as they turned the team from Premier League challengers to serious strugglers.The Sky Sports pundit isn’t convinced Maresca is the right man for the dugout after witnessing a turbulent pre-season campaign and believes he will struggle to get the best out of Palmer.Read More on ChelseaIn fact, the ex-England international doesn’t expect the Italian tactician to last a full season at Chelsea.Carragher told The Overlap: “What people forget in this era of Pep [Guardiola] and [Jurgen] Klopp is that Chelsea were so close to breaking in. “They beat Man City in a Champions League final and then lost to finals on penalties to Liverpool.”Thomas Tuchel could take on Klopp and Pep in one-off games. Then this new ownership comes in and it’s just been a disaster in terms of where they find themselves now.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”They’ve brought in all these new players but it’s only Cole Palmer who looks a tasty player. “My worry for Chelsea is that Pochettino deserves a lot of credit for how Palmer performed last season.Cole Palmer hits gym less than 48 hours after Euro 2024 final heartache as Chelsea star gets straight back to work”No one expected that, not even Pep, otherwise he wouldn’t have sold him. “So they might not have that Cole Palmer this season. I’m sure they will because I think he’s fantastic but a new manager has come in so it’s different.”The way Chelsea’s pre-season has gone… They’ve got Man City first game of the season… I’ll be surprised if Maresca is still the manager come the end of the season, very surprised.”Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. More