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      Chelsea new boy Enzo Fernandez among several players added to Dream Team – starting prices revealed

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      A host of new players have been added to Dream Team in the wake of the January transfer window.Most prominent among the new arrivals is Enzo Fernandez, whose move to Chelsea commanded a British record fee of £107million.
      Dream Team gaffers can recruit the Argentina international for £3m but does the World Cup winner have the makings of a successful asset?
      Worth the money?Credit: getty
      Putting aside the massive transfer fee for a moment, the 22-year-old is clearly a talented player who will probably improve the Blues’ midfield functionality and balance but the Stamford Bridge faithful shouldn’t expect a tide of goal involvements.
      As evidenced by his performances in Qatar, Fernandez is a genuine all-rounder in the middle of the park.
      He’s not an out-and-out defensive anchor and he’s not an advanced playmaker; to describe him as box-to-box midfielder wouldn’t be quite right either.
      That he’s so adaptable is one of his great strengths but the fact he’s rarely a goalscorer limits his Dream Team viability.
      An impressive passer of the ball, he chips in with more than his fair share of assists (six for Benfica in the first half of this season) but in the world of Dream Team the best midfielders are those who maintain a high attacking output, goals and all.
      Old Trafford’s newest (temporary) residentCredit: getty
      Elsewhere, Man United have a new centre-midfielder of their own in the form of Marcel Sabizter, on loan from Bayern Munich.
      Primarily, the Austria international has been brought in to deputise for Christian Eriksen (£3.2m), who is expected to be sidelined until April with an ankle injury.
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      The 28-year-old has a more willing engine than the Dane so he may improve the Red Devils’ midfield industry but he’s not as technical proficient in tight areas or as naturally creative.
      Sabitzer certainly isn’t shot shy though, he’s happy to try his luck from distance and will take up advanced positions.
      He was very much a goalscoring midfielder during his time with RB Leipzig but he’s struggled in that department since his move to the German champions.
      Granted, a vast number of his appearances have come as a substitute but even so, two goals in 54 games represents a serious drop off.
      However, if Erik ten Hag can coax Sabitzer’s Leipzig form out of him then he could be great value at £2.5m – Man United play plenty of games this month.
      Spurs got their man eventuallyCredit: getty
      Is Pedro Porro the answer to Spurs’ nagging right-back problem?
      Those familiar with the 23-year-old believe him to be perfectly suited to Antonio Conte’s preferred system and his return of two goals and six assists in 14 league games for Sporting CP this term suggests he has the necessary attributes to play his part in the final third.
      It goes without saying that defenders who supply regular goal involvements are worth their weight in gold – Porro will start at £2.5m.
      NEW ADDITIONS TO DREAM TEAM

      Enzo Fernandez – Midfielder – Chelsea – £3m
      Marcel Sabitzer – Midfielder – Man United – £2.5m
      Illia Zabarnyi – Defender – Bournemouth – £1.5m 
      Hamed Traore – Midfielder – Bournemouth – £2m
      Naouirou Ahamada – Midfielder – Crystal Palace – £1.5m
      Sasa Lukic – Midfielder – Fulham – £1.5m 
      Harry Souttar – Defender – Leicester – £2m
      Keylor Navas – Goalkeeper – Nottingham Forest – £2m
      Felipe – Defender – Nottingham Forest – £1.5m
      Paul Onuachu – Striker – Southampton – £2m
      Kamaldeen Sulemana – Midfielder – Southampton – £2m
      Pedro Porro – Defender – Spurs – £2.5m
      Weston McKennie – Midfielder – Leeds – £2m

      Please be aware that the names listed above are just those added in the latest batch.
      Read More on The Sun
      If there’s a January signing you think is missing it may be that the player was added previously, check the Stats Centre to confirm.
      As is always the case, it’s probably best for Dream Team bosses to wait for a look at how the new arrivals adapt to a new challenge before making any rash decisions. More

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      Barcelona 18 SECONDS late to submit paperwork for LA Galaxy star and face nervous wait to see if they can sign him

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      BARCELONA reportedly face missing out on a transfer for a Major League Soccer prodigy after submitting the paperwork for the transfer 18 SECONDS late.LA Galaxy defender Julian Araujo, 21, was set to join Barcelona Atletic – the club’s B team – on deadline day in a £3.2million ($4m) transfer.
      Julian Araujo is awaiting a verdict on whether he can join BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Barcelona football director Mateu Alemany revealed the 18 second paperwork discrepancy cost see the deal collapseCredit: Getty
      However, a computer error meant the necessary paperwork to complete the deal was not submitted until 18 seconds after the deadline had passed.
      Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany explained the situation ahead of the team’s clash with Real Betis.
      He said: “It is true that it could not be done due to a system error. It was for 18 seconds, we will see what FIFA says.”
      Mexican journalist Kery Ruiz added context to the situation on Twitter: “Right now, Julian Araujo is a player for the LA Galaxy. They took a long time yesterday to start the paperwork.
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      “They wanted to sell Bellerín first. They entered documents and allege that the system did not let them upload files.
      “That’s why he’s a few seconds late. This is explained to Fifa today.”
      He later added that while the club are hopeful of a deal going through, the club’s board expect to be left disappointed due to exceptions rarely being made.
      Araujo is an American-born Mexican international who plays at right-back for Galaxy.
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      He made 33 MLS appearances last season, registering five assists as their season ended in the quarter-final play-offs against eventual winners LAFC.
      Gareth Bale, who recently retired, scored in the play-off final and the shootout to help the club win the trophy, though he did not feature in the clash against Galaxy due to a leg injury. More

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      Chelsea interested in Sofyan Amrabat transfer and Todd Boehly ‘made shock deadline day swoop for Fiorentina midfielder’

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      CHELSEA tried to sign Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day, reports suggest.The Blues had a very busy January transfer window that saw them spend a whopping £326million on eight signings.
      Chelsea made a deadline day bid for Fiorentina star Sofyan AmrabatCredit: Getty
      In fact, the West Londoners spent as much this month as the entire Premier League did in January 2022.
      According to El Chringuito, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly tried another ambitious bid last Tuesday as he targeted Amrabat.
      The midfielder has put together a number of impressive performances in Serie A.
      The 26-year-old was also instrumental during the 2022 World Cup when Morocco became the first ever African nation to make it to the competition’s semi-finals.
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      The Moroccan star has attracted plenty of interest, with the likes of Barcelona and Liverpool leading the pack.
      However, Fiorentina rejected multiple bids for Amrabat as they insisted he was not for sale.
      That is despite the versatile midfielder strongly suggesting he wanted to leave with a cryptic post on deadline day.
      Chelsea ultimately made a sensational last-gasp swoop for Enzo Fernandez.
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      Graham Potter’s side landed Fernandez for a British record £107m after finally reaching an agreement with Benfica.
      Amrabat stayed at Fiorentina, but could attract interest again in the summer transfer window.
      The ex-Club Brugge star has amassed a total of 84 appearances ever since his arrival at the Artemio Franchi in 2020. More

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      Chelsea hero William Gallas issues Benoit Badiashile warning and urges more time for under-fire boss Graham Potter

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      CHELSEA hero William Gallas is confident about Benoit Badiashile’s arrival at Stamford Bridge but hinted he will have to improve on his physicality.Badiashile was one of eight signings the Blues made during a very busy January transfer window as he arrived from Monaco after a £35million deal.
      William Gallas claims Chelsea signing Benoit Badiashile will have to improve on his physicalityCredit: Getty
      William Gallas added that Chelsea manager Graham Potter needs more timeCredit: PA
      Gallas, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge since his arrival from Marseille in 2001, is very confident about his fellow Frenchman who stood out in Ligue 1.
      The former France international used to play in the same position as the West Londoners’ newest centre-back and is confident he can form a strong duo with in-form Thiago Silva.
      But the 45-year-old claims Badiashile struggled in France when it came to physical challenges and will have to up his game in the Premier League.
      Speaking to Genting Casino, Gallas said: “I think he can form a strong partnership with Thiago Silva.
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      “Technically, he is really good. He has a presence and is very calm with the ball at his feet.
      “He has a good left foot and is very composed. All the ingredients are there.
      “I want to see how he responds to a physical challenge. When he has to go one against one with a good opponent.
      “At Monaco, his weakness was his physicality – he struggled against bigger opponents in France.
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      “We know in England that the Premier League is a lot more physical than Ligue 1, so we will have to see how he responds to this challenge.”
      Badiashile will have to hit the ground running quickly as Chelsea have found themselves in a tight spot after tumbling down to 10th place in the Premier League table.
      The Blues’ manager Graham Potter has come under fire but Gallas claims club chiefs should show faith and give him one more season.
      The ex-Arsenal and Tottenham ace believes Potter deserves more time after his stunning work at Brighton.
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      William Gallas spent five years at Chelsea since his arrival from Marseille in 2001Credit: Getty
      Gallas added: “I think it will depend on the owner [Todd Boehly], it is his choice.
      “I think Chelsea should give Graham Potter one more season because he joined the club when the season started, which is always difficult for any manager, so it is hard to judge him properly and, for me, he has to stay.
      “We know that in football, a manager can be firedat any time, but I do think he deserves the opportunity to show the club what he can do because he did well with Brighton.
      “Maybe Potter can do well at Chelsea. We will know at the end of the 2024 season if he is capable of managing a top club.” More

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      Man Utd outcast Axel Tuanzebe ‘was turned down by Leeds’ for transfer on deadline day as he ends up at Stoke instead

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      LEEDS reportedly rejected the chance to take Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe on a deadline day loan.The forgotten Red Devils defender, 25, was eventually sent out on loan to Stoke City.
      Axel Tuanzebe struggled for minutes at Man Utd before being sent to Stoke on loanCredit: Getty
      Leeds rejected the chance to take Axel Tuanzebe on loan from Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      The deal was confirmed early on Tuesday, just hours after the transfer window in England shut, as he prepares to spend the rest of the campaign in the Championship.
      The Potters were looking for a replacement for Australian World Cup star Harry Souttar after he moved to Leicester yesterday.
      However, Leeds were also looking at bringing in another centre-back to help bolster their Premier League survival hopes.
      They did sign Maximilian Wober from RB Salzburg but also allowed Diego Llorente to join Roma until the season’s end.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Now The Athletic are claiming that United offered Tuanzebe to Leeds – but Jesse Marsch decided against signing him.
      Tuanzebe is now desperate to get some vital minutes under his belt after failing to make a single appearance for United this term.
      He was hoping to be part of Erik ten Hag’s plans after working on his fitness but was then forced to pull out of United’s pre-season tour with a “personal issue.”
      Reports last month then claimed that the Red Devils were ready to call time on his Old Trafford career.
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      The last of Tuanzebe’s 37 senior appearances for United came in the 2020/21 campaign.
      Last season he spent time at Aston Villa and Napoli, where he failed to impress at either, but he will be hoping to slot straight in at Stoke, who are 18th in the Championship under Alex Neil.
      And Tuanzebe may even make his debut in Saturday’s trip to Luton Town.
      The former England U21 international was the only outgoing from United on deadline day.
      But Ten Hag did manage to make one late signing in Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who joined on a five-month loan. More

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      Fans spot HUGE blunder in Chelsea’s transfer plan after splashing out £600m on new players, including £107m on Fernandez

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      CHELSEA supporters have been quick to highlight a HUGE blunder in the club’s transfer recruitment despite owner Todd Boehly splashing out £600m on new players.The Blues spent a stunning £326m in the January transfer window – which is more than a third of the total £815m paid across the whole of the Premier League.
      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has splashed the cash since taking over the BluesCredit: AP
      The Blues made Enzo Fernandez the Premier League’s record signingCredit: Getty
      Enzo Fernandez broke the British transfer record by joining Chelsea for £107m on deadline day.
      The World Cup-winning Argentina midfielder became the EIGHTH arrival in January alone, following the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix to Stamford Bridge.
      However, despite all of the new additions, fans have been quick to point out one glaring omission to Graham Potter’s squad.
      One wrote: “Gotta admire Chelsea’s transfer policy. Struggling for goals so spunk hundreds of millions on every position but a striker.”
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      Another tweeted: “Just buying anyone and still haven’t addressed the fact they have no striker. I’d argue Chelsea’s window was one of the worst ever.”
      A fellow social media user said: “Chelsea still haven’t strengthened in the area they needed to in the shape of a striker. It’s all good throwing money down but there’s no thought process to it.”

      Another commented: “Chelsea did everything but buy a striker. I thought that’s what they needed.”
      Chelsea allowed Romelu Lukaku, who cost £100m from Inter Milan back in 2021, to rejoin the Italian club on a season-long loan last summer.
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      They brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to replace him, but the Gabonese ace is barely getting a kick under Potter and has only scored three times in 17 outings.
      Fellow summer signing Raheem Sterling is joint-top scorer with six along with Kai Havertz, but most of the Stamford Bridge faithful are still bemused that no traditional No.9 was brought in with the Blues languishing tenth in the top-flight and facing a tough Champions League last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund.
      Another tweeted: “Easy to forget that Todd Boehly has splurged all of this money, yet Chelsea’s £100mill striker is still out on loan to the same club they paid that figure… Remarkable.”
      While another added: “Chelsea have spent close to a billion and still have Havertz as main striker?”
      Chelsea are next in action when they face Fulham at home on Friday.
      Chelsea made two of the biggest transfers ever in January 2023 More

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      ‘It STINKS of someone who hasn’t watched him’ – Rio Ferdinand slams Paul Merson over claiming Sabitzer is ‘panic buy’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand lambasted Paul Merson’s heavy criticism of January signing Marcel Sabitzer.Sabitzer joined United on deadline day following a loan deal with Bayern Munich and will replace Christian Eriksen, who has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury.
      Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand slammed Paul Merson’s Marcel Sabitzer criticismCredit: Getty
      Paul Merson described Marcel Sabitzer’s arrival at Manchester United as a “panic buy”Credit: Rex
      Marcel Sabitzer joined Manchester United on loan from Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Merson wasn’t impressed with the Red Devils’ signing as he labelled the midfielder as a “panic buy” and a “fourth-rate player”.
      Merson told Sky Sports: “He doesn’t get in the Bayern Munich team, as the manager just said. He’s way off that. 
      “Their two in midfield is cemented but if he was that good, he’d be pushing. So again it goes back to panic. There was no interest in him on January 1st. Now, it’s a panic buy.
      “Eriksen has just got injured. It’s a panic. You’re buying fourth-choice Bayern Munich players. For me, I’m not sure about that. He doesn’t get into the Bayern Munich team.
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      “If I’m a Manchester United fan or a Chelsea fan, I’d be looking and going, he doesn’t get anywhere near Bayern’s first team.”
      But Ferdinand strongly disagrees with the Arsenal hero’s comments as he said they “stink of someone who hasn’t seen him play”.
      The legendary defender insists Sabitzer is an ideal replacement for Eriksen after a “sensational” seven-year stint at RB Leipzig.
      The ex-England international admits the 28-year-old “hasn’t tore it up” at Bayern since his arrival in 2021 but that is due to the immense competition he faces in the pecking order.
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      Ferdinand told Vibe with FIVE: “If I was trying to get a short-term replacement for Eriksen at the drop of a hat, Sabitzer is the player I would get.
      “I watched a hell of a lot of this player when he was at RB Leipzig and he was sensational.
      “He was integral to everything they did. Yes, he’s gone to Bayern and hasn’t tore it up there or become a regular but the players he’s behind are big, household names.
      “He will be a really good signing for Man United. He’s an experienced player who has played in big games, Champions League games.
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      “For me, those comments [from Merson] stink of someone who hasn’t seen him play. This guys knows how to play football.
      “You don’t get signed by Bayern Munich if you’re a chump. He’s a really, really good footballer.
      “Manchester United couldn’t have done any better, I don’t think.” More

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      Enzo Fernandez seen for first time since £107m Chelsea transfer as he flies to UK on luxury private jet

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ has been seen for the first time since his record £107million move to Chelsea was confirmed.The Argentina ace was prised from Benfica late on transfer deadline day.
      Enzo Fernandez has been seen flying to Chelsea after his £107million transferCredit: Instagram
      And Fernandez has now been seen jetting to the UK from Portugal on a luxury private plane.
      He looked all smiles on board the jet with his agent Uriel Perez.
      And it’s expected the midfielder will be officially revealed to Chelsea fans later today.
      But supporters could not contain their excitement as the hour grew closer to Fernandez’s unveiling.
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      One said: “He will be well taken care of.”
      Another declared: “Enzo’s looking good. Welcome bro we are happy to see you.”
      One sighed: “Much love from all the Chelsea fans.”
      Another added: “The league is not yet ready for the lethal combo of Enzo and Mudryk.”
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      It now remains to be seen if Fernandez is deemed fit enough to make his Chelsea debut on Friday.
      The Blues hosts local rivals Fulham hoping to avenge last month’s 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
      Chelsea fans will also be hoping to see Mykhailo Mudryk make his full debut, with Noni Madueke set to play too.
      But there will be no sign of Jorginho, who has left Stamford Bridge for Premier League leaders Arsenal.
      The Italian departs after four-and-a-half years at Chelsea, costing the Gunners £12m on a one-and-a-half year contract. More