Premier League clubs have recently voted to open the summer transfer window early later this year – and it’s all because of Manchester City and Chelsea.

Due to the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which features the winners of the 2023 and 2021 Champions Leagues, the game’s world governing body had given leagues involved the option to open their summer transfer window for 10 days.

This will allow clubs participating in the tournament to do some business before the tournament starts on 14th June.

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ByRoss Kilvington Oct 30, 2024 Why the transfer window will close for six days in the summer

At a meeting in central London, Premier League clubs have voted for an early start to the window on Sunday 1st June, before closing again on Tuesday 10th June.

It will then reopen on Monday 16th June ahead of the summer transfer deadline on Monday 1st September. But why does the window have to close?

FIFA transfer windows can only be open for a maximum of 89 days, meaning the window must close briefly so that the deadline can remain in line with the rest of Europe.

If the Premier League’s window was to close earlier, it could leave clubs at a disadvantage as they would be able to sell players without the prospect of replacing them.

Manchester City and Chelsea are taking part in the first 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which takes place in the United States between 14th June and 13th July.

UEFA has 12 slots available, and are made up of the last four Champions League winners, as well as the best-ranked teams over the last four years as per UEFA’s team ranking.

South America’s CONMEBOL has six teams, while all the other confederations have four teams each, except for Oceania’s OFC, who are represented by New Zealand’s Auckland City. Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami were invited as ‘hosts’.

The format is similar to a World Cup, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stages.

Every English club to play at the Club World Cup

Chelsea and Man City are preparing to head to the United States in the summer.

1 ByBrett Worthington Dec 6, 2024

Chelsea’s struggles continue.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal was the Blues’ fourth successive Premier League defeat away from home, failing to score once again, rarely threatening David Raya’s goal all afternoon.

Enzo Mareca’s side remain fifth, which would be enough to see them sneak into the Champions League, but, considering their May fixtures are Liverpool (H), Newcastle (A), Manchester United (H) and Nottingham Forest (A), a huge April awaits.

One Chelsea player in particular certainly isn’t pulling their weight, evoking memories of a flop from the past.

Fernando Torres' Chelsea career

In one of the most controversial and era-defining transfers of a generation, Fernando Torres moved from Liverpool to Chelsea for £50m on deadline day in January 2011, at the time the sixth-most expensive transfer in history and a Premier League record deal.

Fair to say, this move did not pay off, considering the Spaniard scored just 45 goals in 172 appearances for the Blues, with Ryan Bailey of Bleacher Report outlining that he is widely considered a ‘flop’.

Well, given that fee, and considering how good Torres had previously been at Liverpool, it’s easy to understand why.

Torres for Liverpool & Chelsea
Statistics	Liverpool	Chelsea
Appearances	142	172
Minutes	10,944	10,938
Goals	81	45
Minutes per goal	135	243
Assists	19	29
Stats via Transfermarkt

In a remarkably similar number of minutes at both clubs, Torres scored almost twice as many goals for Liverpool, with then teammate Jamie Carragher claiming that the Spaniard was “the best striker in the world” during his time at Anfield.

Fast-forward to the present day, are Chelsea faced with a similar conundrum, having signed one of the world’s best forwards, who simply isn’t living up to expectations at Stamford Bridge?

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

Chelsea have found their new Fernando Torres

Christopher Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig for a reported fee of £52m in June 2023 and did so with sky-high expectations.

The Frenchman netted 70 goals and provided 47 assists during 172 appearances in Leipzig, named Bundesliga player of the season in 2021/22, winning the Torjägerkanone award as the division’s top-scorer the following campaign.

As a result, Christian Schmidt of Opta’s the Analyst labeled Nkunku one of football’s most-exciting talents, adding that he has ‘no weaknesses’, while Raphael Honigstein of the Athletic noted that his ‘positional versatility’ is one of his biggest strengths.

Well, the fact he’s been unable to cement any position since moving to Chelsea has become one of his biggest problems, with pundit Craig Burley describing him as a “total waste of money” on ESPN.

The Frenchman got off to a miserable start, suffering a long-term knee injury during a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Chicago, delaying his Premier League debut until Christmas Eve 2023.

Thus, Nkunku was never really able to establish any rhythm last season although, right now, with Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu all sidelined, he is a regular in the team, but Malik Ouzia of the Evening Standard states that he once again ‘offered nothing’ during Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.

So, let’s assess Nkunku’s statistics on a season-by-season basis.

Nkunku season-by-season stats
Seasons	Goals	League goals	Mins-per-goal	Assists
2021/22	35	20	122	16
2022/23	23	16	119	8
2023/24	3	3	172	0
2024/25	14	3	129	5
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

Simply looking at the table above, Nkunku’s statistics aren’t too bad, considering he’s scored 14 goals in all competitions, thereby averaging a goal every 129 minutes.

However, these are certainly skewed by his performances in the UEFA Conference League, with seven of his 14 goals coming in this competition, on target against Servette twice, FC Noah twice, Gent, Panathinaikos and Heidenheim, as well as a hat-trick in the EFL Cup against Barrow which, without wanting to disrespect any of those teams, is certainly skewing the data.

Coincidentally, Torres’ numbers at Stamford Bridge were also skewed by his efforts in cup action; only 20 of his 45 Blues goals came in the Premier League.

So, let’s analyse only Nkunku’s Premier League statistics.

Nkunku (24/25) Premier League statistics
Statistics	Nkunku	PL rank
Goals	3	=76th
Goals-per-90	0.31	41st
Assists	2	=91st
Assists per 90	0.21	=42nd
Shots-per-90	2.48	37th
Shots on target %	45.8%	31st
Goals – xG	-1.7	=529th
Shot-creating actions per 90	3.4	49th
Goal-creating actions per 90	0.41	=52nd
Take-on success %	36%	166th
All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As the table outlines, Nkunku’s statistics this season are very middling, not standing out for any attacking metric, his negative goals – xG figure certainly a concern.

Despite reported interest from Bayern Munich, Chelsea chose to keep hold of Nkunku in January, but surely, if they receive any sort of offer for him come the summer, the Blues will be best off cutting their losses.

Like Torres, he’s been nothing but an expensive flop, one who has had a far more enjoyable time of it in the cups, than in the league.

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Mar 17, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur and Daniel Levy are advancing to sign a new international forward at the peak of his powers.

Tottenham transfer rumours as Ange prepares for Chelsea

Spurs and Ange Postecoglou have had a season to forget in the Premier League this year, sitting in the bottom half of the table for large parts of the campaign.

As a result, Postecoglou is being repeatedly linked with the Tottenham sack, with the likes of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Mauricio Pochettino being linked as potential replacements for the Australian.

However, behind the scenes, early groundwork work is also being laid in north London regarding summer signings while Postecoglou prepares his side to take on Chelsea.

Tottenham’s next five fixtures

Date

Chelsea (away)

April 3rd

Southampton (home)

April 6th

Frankfurt (home)

April 10th

Wolves (away)

April 13th

Frankfurt (away)

April 17th

Talks have been held over a move to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, whereas offers have reportedly been submitted for Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri and Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.

In attack, Spurs have been linked with Chelsea attacker Noni Madueke and Southampton gem Tyler Dibling.

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It’s not Iraola or Pochettino.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Mar 27, 2025

Now, it looks as if a move for an international winger is on the cards.

Tottenham advancing to sign Gustav Isaksen with Spurs readying £33m bid

According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Spurs are advancing in a deal to sign Lazio attacker Gustav Isaksen.

The Denmark international, who was linked with a move to Celtic earlier this year, has come on to the radar in north London and Tottenham are now willing to bid €40m (£33.3m) to sign Isaksen.

Lazio have been on the search for a winger of their own for next season in Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa, and by the looks of things, a move to England for Isaksen is a possibility.

The 23-year-old began his career with FC Midtjylland before moving to Lazio in 2023 in a deal worth more than €13m. He’s gone from strength to strength in Italy, seeing his Transfermarkt valuation increase from €5m to a career-high €20m in just over two years.

Isaksen, who can play anywhere across the front three but is primarily a right-winger, has made 39 appearances in all competitions this season and has contributed to 10 goals. He was also once called a “flamboyant winger” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, who compared Isaksen to Leroy Sane.

Now, by the looks of things, a move to Spurs for Isaksen is one to keep an eye on ahead of the 2025/26 season, with Tottenham willing to splash the cash on a winger who is yet to ply his trade in England.

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England's Lionesses have been dealt another huge blow to their Euro 2025 hopes as Millie Bright has withdrawn from selection for the tournament.

Article continues below

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• Bright will not be part of England's Euro 2025 squad
• Chelsea captain has been taking extended period of recovery
• Now withdraws from Lionesses selection this summer

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bright was initially included in Sarina Wiegman's squad for the penultimate round of Nations League fixtures this past week but withdrew to take "an extended period of recovery" after admitting that she was "mentally and physically" at her "limits". Now, the Chelsea captain has extended that period even longer, by choosing to make herself unavailable for selection for England at this summer's Euros.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It continues what has been a shocking week of news for the Lionesses, kicked off by Mary Earps' stunning retirement at the end of May. reported that Wiegman wanted the goalkeeper to be part of her England squad this summer as the back-up to Hannah Hampton, but Earps chose to instead step away from international duty with immediate effect. Then, on Tuesday night came the news that Fran Kirby would also be hanging up her boots on an England front, having not made the cut for the Euros. To also lose Bright is a huge blow, especially considering the cumulative experience the dressing room will be without.

• WHAT BRIGHT SAID

  In a statement on social media, Bright wrote: "This is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but after careful thought and discussions with my team, I have decided to withdraw from selection for the England squad ahead of Euro 2025. Football has given me so much and representing my country has always been my greatest honour. My pride and ego tells me to go but I think the team and the fans deserve more.

  "Right now, I'm not able to give 100 per cent mentally or physically. As much as I want to be out there running through brick walls for England and fighting alongside my team-mates, stepping back is the right thing for my health, my future in the game and, most importantly, the team. It wouldn't be fair for me to take the place and opportunity away from another player who is ready and able to give everything for the badge and country.

  "I'll be supporting the team with everything I've got and hoping this incredible group of players will do the nation proud. Thank you to my team-mates, coaches and, most importantly, the fans for your unwavering supporting, it means the world to me."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  The good news, at least, is that England do have a lot of depth at the centre-back position. Bright's absence likely paves the wave for Alex Greenwood to start alongside Leah Williamson in defence, though Esme Morgan got the nod there in Friday's win over Portugal. Jess Carter will also compete in that spot, while Bright's withdrawal could open the door for Lotte Wubben-Moy to be included in Wiegman's final squad.

Sheffield United now find themselves in pole position to land an instant promotion back to the promised lands of Premier League with the Blades two points clear of a faltering Leeds United at the summit of the Championship.

Of course, nothing is set in stone until the 46-game marathon is over and done with, but Chris Wilder’s men will be quietly confident of their chances after a recent 3-1 victory over playoff-chasing Coventry City.

On top of that, Wilder also has the know-how as a manager to guide his team over the line, having clinched two promotions already in the Bramall Lane hot seat over two distinguished spells.

But, not everything is potentially rosy on the horizon with the step back up to the Premier League meaning alterations will have to be made.

Unfortunately, top-flight football might not be on the menu for everyone next season with an £88k-per-week quartet potentially not looking at much game time. Here are four players who could be given the boot if promotion is sealed.

1 Jack Robinson

Whilst Jack Robinson has been a mainstay of Wilder’s XI so far this season – with 28 Championship appearances under his belt – the Blades boss could opt for a fresher body in the centre-back department if top-flight football returns to South Yorkshire.

After all, it was heavily reported during the January transfer window that United were chasing Queens Park Rangers enforcer Jimmy Dunne, among other targets, meaning these options could be explored again very soon.

Moreover, the 31-year-old might still hold visible scars from the last time his side fell from the tricky division, resulting in the ex-Liverpool centre-back tallying up just one clean sheet from a miserable 35 outings.

2 Sydie Peck

Whilst Robinson is undoubtedly an experienced head in Wilder’s camp, homegrown product Sydie Peck is very much on the opposite end of the spectrum, with the rising midfielder only 20 years of age.

Therefore, it would be unreasonable to expect Peck to be able to acclimatise to the bright lights of the Premier League instantly, with his 35 league clashes and counting this season bumped up by injury troubles centrally.

The academy prodigy won’t be axed completely next season, but it would be fair to assume Peck might take more of a background role as tougher and more physical opponents wait in the wings.

3 Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster is another face who might have to become used to taking a back seat more often, with the former Anfield wonderkid looking out of his depth previously in the Premier League.

Indeed, the hot-and-cold attacker has actually never bagged a top-flight strike from 40 appearances, which will worry Wilder and Co tremendously.

He is deep in a purple patch of form at the moment, with four strikes and three assists accumulated in second-tier action.

However, it would be an almighty risk on the end of the newly-promoted side to solely put their trust in Brewster to come up trumps, especially if his inconsistencies rear their ugly head again.

4 Kieffer Moore

Lastly, another attacker that might find his minutes are limited in the top-flight is Kieffer Moore, with the Welshman a regular in the Bramall Lane treatment room.

Snapping up the ex-Cardiff City marksman on a free transfer last summer would have been deemed smart business, considering the seasoned attacker has a hefty 59 strikes next to his name in the Championship.

Games played

22

Goals scored

5

Games missed through injury

17

Days missed through injury

82

Five of those have come in his new surroundings, but his recurring injury problems will have irked Wilder, leading to figures such as Tyrese Campbell and Tom Cannon presumably gaining more starts in the top-flight away from the often injury-hit striker.

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ByKelan Sarson Mar 30, 2025

تلقى منتخب مصر للشباب لكرة اليد، الخسارة أمامه نظيره ألمانيا، اليوم الأحدـ ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للشباب لكرة اليد.

والتقى منتخب مصر ضد نظيره ألمانيا، في إطار مباراة تحديد المركزين الخامس والسادس في البطولة، حيث خسر الفراعنة بنتيجة 27-26 ليحصل على المركز السادس.

طالع | أشرف صبحي: تعاقدنا مع باسكوال لبلوغ منصات التتويج وكرة اليد قوى كبرى عالميًا

كان منتخب مصر سقط في فخ الهزيمة أمام منافسه البرتغالي، في المباراة التي جمعتهما في دور ربع النهائي، وفشل في التأهل إلى نصف النهائي.

وبعدها لعب منتخب مصر للشباب لكرة اليد أمام سلوفينيا، ضمن مباريات تحديد المراكز من الخامس للثامن، لبطولة كأس العالم المقامة في بولندا.

وفاز شباب مصر على سلوفينيا بنتيجة 33-30، ليضرب موعدًا مع ألمانيا على المركز الخامس في كأس العالم لكرة اليد للشباب.

والتقى منتخب مصر نظيره الألماني في الدور الرئيسي لذات البطولة، وفازت الماكينات الألمانية 29-25.

Aston Villa chiefs Unai Emery and Monchi made moves to bolster the squad in the recent January transfer window ahead of the second half of the season.

The Villans brought in Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia on permanent deals from Borussia Dortmund and Levante respectively, to improve their options up front and at full-back.

They also swooped to sign Marcus Rashford, Axel Disasi, and Marco Asensio on loan from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.

How Aston Villa's January signings have performed

Malen, who was not included in the club’s squad list for the Champions League, has failed to register a goal or an assist in seven appearances in all competitions for Villa so far, starting just one of his six league matches.

Disasi, however, has started all four of his appearances in the Premier League since his temporary switch from Chelsea, and Garcia has started four of his five outings in the league.

Rashford, who joined on loan from United, has registered four assists, including the one in the clip above, in his last six matches for the Villans in all competitions.

Market Movers

The standout performer for Villa, out of all of the January recruits, has been PSG loanee Asensio, who has hit the ground running to make a big impact on the pitch.

Aston Villa's £59m-rated star in the making

Aston Villa have already hit the jackpot with the loan star because the Spain international has racked up seven goals in eight games for the club to date, including three goals in two Champions League clashes with Club Brugge.

The 29-year-old wizard’s performances for Villa and PSG over the past year have also earned him a comparison to Manchester City’s £59m signing Omar Marmoush.

As you can see in the chart above, both players excel at scoring goals, creating chances, and progressing the play for their respective teams from a wide or central attacking position.

Asensio, who scored two goals and provided four assists in eight Ligue 1 starts in the first half of the season for PSG, moved to the Premier League at the same time as Marmoush in January, and has enjoyed a similar impact at the top end of the pitch.

Appearances (starts)

4 (2)

6 (5)

xG

1.43

1.05

Goals

2

3

Assists

0

0

Pass accuracy

86%

83%

Dribble success rate

75%

20%

As you can see in the table above, they have both offered a decent goal threat to their respective clubs in the top-flight since January, whilst being reliable with their use of the ball.

This shows that Villa have already hit the jackpot by signing the Spanish star, who has been described as a “mentality monster” by Matty Cash, because he has made an instant impact on the pitch, playing a pivotal role in their win over Club Brugge to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

TEAMtalk recently reported that Villa are in talks over an £18m deal to sign the 29-year-old ace permanently, which could also represent them hitting gold as his statistics for the club – and for PSG over the past year – suggest that he can be as effective as a £59m-rated star.

Therefore, Monchi and Emery could secure a £59m-rated star in the making by landing the PSG outcast for a fee of just £18m, which seems like a bargain based on his form since his temporary switch.

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He’s one to watch…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 14, 2025

“Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue,” Kumble tweets after images of the wrestlers being “manhandled” by police personnel emerge

ESPNcricinfo staff31-May-2023Anil Kumble and Robin Uthappa are among just a handful of cricketers who have expressed their anguish at prominent Indian wrestlers being “manhandled” by the police in Delhi, India’s national capital.Tweeting on Tuesday, two days after disturbing images of Vinesh Phogat, among other wrestlers, being dragged away from the site of their protest in central Delhi emerged, Kumble said, “Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest.”A day later, on Wednesday, Uthappa said he was “saddened” by the developments, and that he was “certain there is a better way to have this addressed in a peaceful manner”.Delhi Police acted against the wrestlers when they breached the security barriers and started to march towards the new parliament building, which was being inaugurated by Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, at the time. The protesters were pushed into buses and taken away, and police personnel cleared the protest site – not far from the parliament building not long after.Apart from Kumble and Uthappa, there was a message from Irfan Pathan, who tweeted “I’m so sad to see the visuals of our Athletes” on Sunday night itself. And from Manoj Tiwary, now a Member of the Legislative Assembly in West Bengal, who offered his support to the wrestlers.

Dismayed to hear about what transpired on the 28th of May with our wrestlers being manhandled. Anything can be resolved through proper dialogue. Hoping for a resolution at the earliest.

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) May 30, 2023