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Lionesses star Lucy Bronze has revealed the 'fate' conversation that led her to Chelsea, a move she believes has pleased England boss Sarina Wiegman.

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• Bronze joined Chelsea from Barcelona this summer
• England star explains conversation that led to move
• And why Lionesses boss Wiegman is 'happy'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bronze joined the Blues this summer after leaving Barcelona, where she won two Champions League titles in two seasons. Reports suggested that both the player and the club wanted to continue together when her contract came up in Catalunya, but Bronze's desire for more game time led her elsewhere.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It was a surprise move in some ways, because Chelsea already have two top-level right-backs in the squad, in Eve Perisset and Ashley Lawrence. However, Bronze has now revealed the conversation she had with the Blues' new head coach, Sonia Bompastor, and her assistant, Camille Abily, when they were in charge of the Lyon side that faced Barcelona in the Champions League final in May, one which persuaded her to move back to England.

• WHAT BRONZE SAID

  "I was ready for a new challenge. I hadn't really thought too much about my future. No matter who I play for I'm 100 per cent focused on it to the end," Bronze told . "It was at the Champions League final I spoke to Cammy and Sonia, people I'm friends with. I'd heard the rumours [about them going to Chelsea] and said, 'Oh, I hear you want to live in London'. I said you'll love it in England and Chelsea's such a great team – and they were like: 'Why don't you come?'

  "I said they didn't need me, but they said they'd love to have me come in. 'It would help us; you've just won the Champions League and we want to bring that to the club.' A couple of days later, I was like: 'Let's go. Get me the plane ticket, get me the shirt, I'm sold.' It was fate."

  Arsenal, in 2007, are the only English club to have been crowned European champions on the women's side. However, Bronze is hopeful that the experience she, Bompastor and Abily have of winning the Champions League – the latter two having done so as both players and coaches with Lyon – can end that wait for another English champion.

  "Bringing the Champions League back to this country would be a huge success and would make women's football even better," she said. "The team's good enough and adding Sonia and Cammy's experience as both coaches and players that have won it is a huge thing. They aren't afraid to talk about it and make the demands it takes to get to a final so hopefully this is the year we break that brick wall down."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  When Bronze had to leave an England camp early to have her medical with Chelsea, she initially teased Lionesses boss Wiegman by not telling her which club she was signing for. "I told her, 'You'll find out like everyone else'," she said. But the defender believes her national team coach is "happy" that she is back in her home country because "the more England players are playing together, the better".

Chelsea bounced back from a disappointing 2-2 draw away to bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United to beat struggling Everton 6-0 in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge emphatically.

It was a ruthless performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s side from start to finish, with the Blues 4-0 up at half-time, thanks to a perfect hat-trick from Cole Palmer, and a very well-taken goal from Nicolas Jackson.

The second half saw Chelsea add a fifth from the penalty spot thanks to Palmer once again before boyhood Chelsea fan Alfie Gilchrist scored his first goal for the club.

From an Everton point of view, their misery continues, with their only win in 2024 coming last weekend against Burnley. They are now just two points clear of the relegation zone, and a huge crunch match against Forest next weekend at Goodison Park.

“10/10” Palmer continues to shine

After Monday night's display, it is easy to see why Chelsea’s number 20 is nicknamed ‘Cold’ Palmer; he was the calmest man in Stamford Bridge, despite a hectic first half an hour when he scored his hat-trick.

All four of his goals were well taken for different reasons. The first was individual brilliance, nutmegging the defender before cutting inside and finishing well into the far corner. His second was a header, and whilst it may seem like an easier goal, he showed good attacking instinct to sniff out the chance and finish a good team move.

To complete his perfect trio of goals, Palmer pounced on a loose pass from Jordan Pickford before audaciously lobbing him from 35 yards. His fourth was a penalty, which was well finished into the bottom right corner, but it was not so simple to stay focused, with Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson both arguing their case to be the taker.

Aside from his four goals, Palmer ran the show, completing three out of four dribbles, and winning five out of eight ground duels, according to Sofascore.

He also completed the most final third passes on the pitch, with 15/19, as per Stats Zone, with the young English talent showcasing his skill and creativity, as well as his instinct in front of goal, to put in one of the best performances by anyone in the Premier League all season.

It was probably the easiest 10/10 rating anyone will give out this season. Goal.com’s Matt O'Connor-Simpson described Palmer’s performances as “such a pleasure to watch” and explained how he showed he “has the finishing touch” to his game.

It was a perfect performance from Palmer, who is making a strong case to win both Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the Premier League.

He now has 20 goals and nine assists in the Premier League this season, and an incredible 15 goal involvements in his last seven Chelsea games in all competitions. Palmer is now level with Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot and does not seem like slowing down any time soon.

Not only was Monday’s game memorable for Palmer, but it is a night that will live long in the memory of Chelsea’s young defender, Gilchrist.

Alfie Gilchrist also deserves the hype

A boyhood Blues fan, Gilchrist has had a few first-team opportunities under Pochettino this season but this was his biggest impact yet, sensationally managing to register his first goal for the club, as well as completing 100% of his passes after appearing from the bench in the dying embers of the game.

It was a well-taken finish, following in a rebound and driving a volley past Pickford and into the back of the net for Chelsea’s sixth. Cue incredible celebrations from the 20-year-old, who ran over to the corner flag to celebrate with the equally ecstatic fans.

It was summed up perfectly by football presenter Dougie Critchley on X when he described the moment as a “mad, unhinged, sweet release of emotion, where you lose control of your body and inhibitions for a few seconds."

It was an incredibly emotional moment for Gilchrist, a chance for him to show all his love and passion for Chelsea Football Club, and what it means to score for his club. That is exactly what football is about. There are many dark moments in a player’s career, but to experience a high like that must be an incredible feeling, and Gilchrist did not hold back with his incredible celebration.

It was a fabulous late showing from the youngster and aged just 20, he could be the next hyped-up youngster to emerge from the Chelsea ranks. That said, a start next time around unfortunately seems unlikely.

Indeed, next up for the Blues is the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, where they will be hoping to reach their second final under Pochettino and right the wrongs of their Carabao Cup final defeat in February. They are certainly going into the game full of confidence, and one of the Premier League’s best players.

Victor Osimhen is linking up with Galatasaray on loan, but the Nigeria international could still join Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool in January.

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• Nigerian striker severing ties with Napoli
• Has agreed switch to Turkish heavyweights
• Break clause can be triggered by 10 clubs

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Nigeria international is taking on a new challenge in Turkey after deciding to bring an end to his Serie A title-winning spell at Napoli. Osimhen has dominated gossip columns across several transfer windows, with a number of potential landing spots being speculated on.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He was linked with teams in England and Saudi Arabia over the summer, but Napoli’s demands saw no deals done. The 25-year-old will now join Galatasaray on an agreement that sees them paying all of his £176,000-a-week wage in return for stumping up no loan fee.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Osimhen has been given a raucous welcome to Turkey, but claims that he could be gone in a matter of months. That is because the Nigerian frontman has requested that a break clause be inserted in his loan contract that can be activated at the start of 2025.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  It is claimed that 10 clubs will be able to trigger that clause – as Napoli drop their asking price demands to £63 million ($83m) – with Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool among those that can step in and lure a proven performer away from Istanbul. Osimhen would also welcome the opportunity to link up with Bayern talisman Harry Kane in Germany if the Bundesliga giants expressed interest.

Rangers legend Ally Mccoist has admitted that he was shocked his former side opted not to move for a true number nine in January following their issues in front of goal this season, likening current front man Cyriel Dessers to Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson.

Rangers striker options split opinion

It is no secret that Philippe Clement is not blessed at the top of the pitch as it stands. Dessers has been hit and miss since his arrival, with 13 goals in 30 Scottish Premiership appearances but a better record across all competitions. It led to Rangers drafting in Fabio Silva on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, but he has also struggled.

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Though his endeavour cannot be questioned, his return of two goals in 13 games certainly can be, and with Rangers struggling to find the back of the net with concerning regularity this season, change seems inevitable this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of talkSPORT BET, Rangers legend Ally McCoist weighed in on the situation, admitting that the fans are split on their current no.9 options.

"I think the fans are kind of split. Silva's work rate is first class and Dessers scored two goals at the weekend [against Hearts]. His goal return has actually been good, but I think a lot of the fans perhaps feel that in many ways, he's maybe a wee bit like Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea whose goal return is acceptable but could be greater."

McCoist picks Shankland alternative

There was plenty of speculation that Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland would be making the switch to Ibrox in January, with McCoist labelling it the "obvious choice" for the Glasgow giants. Shankland leads the goalscoring charts this season, with 28 goals in all competitions for Hearts, and has forced his way into Steve Clarke's Scotland squad ahead of this summer's European Championships.

"I'll be honest, I thought that if they were going to sign another centre forward, they should probably have done it in the [January] window, and I think that Lawrence Shankland would have been the obvious choice", he told FFC.

"Shankland I think this season he's sitting on 28 goals or 29 goals, which is a fantastic return and I was a little bit surprised, I've not been privy to the financial knowledge at the club, maybe they couldn't afford it I don't know, but at that particular time in the window it seemed the sensible move for Rangers to make."

But though McCoist bemoaned Rangers' failure to move for the marksman, he did also identify an alternative this summer in the form of free-scoring Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who he labelled "terrific".

Though less prolific than his Hearts counterpart, Miovski has nonetheless managed to notch up 24 goals this season across all competitions, including four in Europe. Four years younger than Shankland, could he be the man Rangers opt for this summer to ease their goalscoring woes?

Tottenham are thought to have "tempted" a £47 million star ahead of the summer window as an "affordable" transfer presents itself to chairman Daniel Levy.

Spurs tipped to sign new attacker for Ange Postecoglou

The £15 million buy-option in Timo Werner's loan deal is expected to be triggered, but that hasn't stopped Spurs from looking elsewhere to bring in even more attacking options.

Sky journalist – £60m defender ready for transfer and could join Tottenham

Ange wants to bolster his backline even more.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 10, 2024

The German will reportedly be one of multiple new forwards Spurs may look to sign for Ange Postecoglou this summer, as the Lilywhites and technical director Johan Lange seek to bring in more avenues threat.

Fabrizio Romano, speaking to JD Football last month, claimed that a priority for Tottenham is bringing in a player who can make a real contribution to goals and assists in the final third.

“Look, a player they appreciate for a long time is Raphinha from Barcelona. We know the financial situation at Barcelona is not easy, so he could be one of the names. They will look at that kind of player," said Romano on Tottenham's forward targets.

"Another player they appreciate is Pedro Neto, but he has this issue with his injuries, so I’m not sure Liverpool, Tottenham or the other clubs following the player will be prepared to play big money for Pedro Neto this summer. That kind of player is the priority for Tottenham, I see them going for that kind of winger, a quality player to help with goals and assists."

Alongside the aforementioned Neto and Raphinha, who's been regularly mentioned via the press, another player to have entered Spurs' radar lately is Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams.

The 21-year-old, who's bagged three goals and eight assists over his 24 La Liga appearances this season, appears to fit into Tottenham's transfer policy. His young age is another enticing draw, as Williams showcases plenty of potential and serious re-sale value.

Following links to the winger, another update has come out of Spain.

Williams tempted by Tottenham as "affordable" option emerges

According to newspaper AS, via Sport Witness, he is seen as "affordable" for Spurs chairman Levy and other interested sides – with his release clause coming at around £47 million.

Tottenham are said to have "tempted" Williams alongside both Liverpool and Aston Villa, as the race for his signature heats up before this summer window opens.

Pundit John Wenham, speaking to Tottenham News, described the youngster as a player who gets involved in "big games" and possesses "real pace".

Arsenal are moving closer to completing the signing of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad in a deal worth around £30 million ($39m).

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• Arsenal in talks to sign Merino
• Sociedad president travelled to London
• Midfielder expected to make £30m move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners and Sociedad have been in talks over a deal for the Spain international throughout the summer, but the negotiations gained steam over the last week. The Gunners appear to have been handed another significant boost as reports that Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has travelled to London to wrap up the transfer.

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  Sociedad indicated that Merino's departure was imminent last week when they left the Euro 2024 winner out of their matchday squad for their opening La Liga game of the season against Rayo Vallecano – which they lost 2-1.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Sociedad chief Aperribay further indicated that the Basque club would be willing to let the 28-year-old leave for the right price, suggesting that the player has made it clear that he wants to go, saying: "We know what Merino's wishes are, so we decided not to call him up [for Sunday's game]."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MERINO?

  Merino will hope that Arsenal and Sociedad can come to an agreement soon so that he can join up with Mikel Arteta's side and prepare to start the next chapter of his career. The Gunners are in action again on Saturday, facing Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Leeds United are believed to be keen on a deal for Standard Liege midfielder Nicolas Raskin, with the player facing an uncertain future in Belgium.

What’s the word?

As per La Derniere Heure, the 21-year-old is a player that the Elland Road outfit are ‘following’ this summer, with the report suggesting that he ‘could leave in the next few weeks’ due to his current contract situation.

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The young Belgian’s existing deal is set to expire next summer and he is yet to sign an extension to stay at the club, with his current side now keen to cash in to avoid losing him for nothing in 12 months’ time.

Despite interest from fellow Pro League sides Genk and Club Brugge, the report outlines that the chances of the 5 foot 10 playmaker staying in his homeland are ‘slim’, with the player – who is set to cost around €5m (£4.3m) – seemingly favouring a move abroad.

All of that means that the Whites have received a positive green light to make a swoop this summer.

Imagine him and Roca

This news comes amid claims that sporting director Victor Orta is close to finalising a deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca, with the Spaniard set to become the club’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Red Bull Salzburg duo Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson.

It would appear then that manager Jesse Marsch is plotting a midfield revamp this summer, with the Yorkshire side potentially set to be able to form a dynamic Roca-Raskin partnership in the centre of the park.

With Kalvin Phillips potentially on his way to Manchester City, new midfield additions are imperative this summer, particularly with the club’s resources having been stretched thin due to injury last term.

While the aforementioned Roca can act as the playmaking “quarter-back” – as he has been described by former Bayern technical director Michael Reschke – at the base of the midfield, alongside him Raskin can serve as the relentless “pitbull”, as he has been dubbed by journalist Bob Faesen.

The £4.5m-rated gem enjoyed a fine campaign last time out for his current side, netting once and providing four assists from his 29 league outings – 28 of which came as starts – albeit with his most impressive attribute having been his ball-winning ability, averaging 2.6 tackles per game.

While the incoming Roca can act as the deep-lying anchor, the £1.9k-per-week machine can provide a more robust, aggressive presence ahead of him, having been labelled a “box-to-box midfielder” by Faesen.

There may not be Premier League experience in that pairing, but there is no doubt quality, with Leeds seemingly set to benefit from a handful of fresh faces in the engine room.

IN other news: Leeds now plotting swoop for “reliable” £22k-p/w starlet, he’s the new Dani Alves

Leeds United target Tyler Adams is considering a move away from RB Leipzig this summer, according to German outlet Kicker, cited by Derek Rae. 

The lowdown: Whites interested

Recently, reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Leeds are interested in Adams and said that the ‘relationship is great’ between the defensive midfielder and Jesse Marsch.

The American pair were together at the New York Red Bulls in the MLS and German Bundesliga outfit Leipzig, with the 23-year-old making 71 appearances under the now Elland Road head coach.

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Following the initial tentative links last week, now it appears that the USA international could well be open to the idea of a change of scenery…

The latest: ‘Considering a change’

As per Kicker, cited by ESPN’s Bundesliga commentator Rae on Twitter, Leeds could be boosted by Adams’ plans in the coming weeks.

The report claims that the 28-cap USA star is ‘considering a change’ having fallen down the pecking order at Leipzig and Marsch is ‘said to be interested’ in making a move – they do not name any other interested suitors.

Rae’s tweet reads: “Kicker reporting on Leipzig’s central midfield “Baustelle” (building site) & only Kevin Kampl’s future appears clear. USMNT’s Tyler Adams, who has ceased to be a regular under Domenico Tedesco, giving thought to a move. Apparent interest from Jesse Marsch & Leeds Utd.”

The verdict: More the merrier

With former Marsch charges Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen already through the entrance door at Elland Road, it should come as no surprise to see yet more players already associated with the 48-year-old being linked with a Yorkshire arrival.

Predominantly operating as a defensive-minded midfielder, there will be concerns as to whether Adams is being looked upon as a potential Kalvin Phillips successor as the England ace continues to be extensively indexed to Premier League champions Manchester City.

However, a top-class operator in his own right, the combative American was heralded as a ‘remarkable midfielder’ by journalist Jeff Reuter recently, starring in the 2021/22 German Cup campaign with a 7.40 Sofascore rating and a staggering 7.80 duels won per game.

Already an experienced operator at the top level, regardless of Phillips’ future at Leeds, Marsch and Victor Orta should be pushing Andrea Radrizzani to sanction the funds required to make this deal a reality.

In other news: Leeds now eyeing move for ‘lethal and sublime’ gem, read more here

Tullio Tinti has dropped an update on the future of reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Alessandro Bastoni.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with Sportitalia (via Football Italia), the 23-year-old’s agent revealed that, despite his client being more than happy to remain at Inter Milan this summer, Bastoni will adjust his outlook according to the whims of the transfer market. The Serie A club desperately need to raise funds, while Tottenham are willing to pay the centre-back’s £54m asking price.

Concerning the Italy international’s future, Tinti said: “He is certainly a big fan of the team he plays for, so he will happily remain at Inter. However, he is also a professional. This is football and he has to adjust. It’s clear he is very happy to play for Inter and feels this jersey like a tattoo on his skin.”

Conte will be buzzing

With it being widely reported that Antonio Conte had identified Bastoni as his primary target for a new left-sided centre-back in the summer transfer window, the 52-year-old will surely be buzzing with the defender’s agent seemingly opening the door – in the words of the Daily Mail journalist James Cohen – for Fabio Paratici to move for the Inter starlet.

It is not difficult to see why the Spurs boss is keen to secure a deal for the £60m-rated talent this summer, as Bastoni perfectly fits the bill of the left-footed ball-playing defender that Conte is looking to add to his Tottenham side ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

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Indeed, according to FBRef data, the £122k-per-week youngster ranks in the top 14% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for passes attempted per 90, as well as the top 25% for pass completion, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries, the top 22% for dribbles completed, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and the top 15% for pressures over the last 12 months.

As such, Tinti’s hint that the player who LiveScore’s Mitch Fretton dubbed “world-class” may well be forced into leaving the San Siro this summer is undoubtedly fantastic news for Tottenham and Conte, with the 23-year-old’s agent’s comments certainly appearing to indicate that a deal is there to be done for Paratici in the coming weeks.

AND in other news – “For sure..”: Italian journalist drops £100m Spurs transfer claim, supporters will love it

Manchester City have seen some big names make moves away from the Etihad Stadium in the past few years.

Figures such as Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero have waved goodbye to the club in recent memory after becoming such integral and successful club figures.

Another famous name that left the club after making a massive impact on not just City but on the Premier League is David Silva.

Signed from Valencia back in 2010 in a deal worth a reported fee of £24m, the midfielder went on to make a total of 436 appearances across all competitions.

In those appearances, the Spaniard scored 77 goals, delivered 140 assists, won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups.

Now that this current season has come to a close with City once again lifting the Premier League title, the upcoming summer transfer window may give the Citizens the chance to find what could be their next version of Silva.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the Manchester club are keen on signing River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer.

With ten goals scored and nine assists delivered in 45 senior appearances for the Argentina club, the 21-year-old certainly knows how to not only score but create goals for his side in a similar sort of way that Silva did during his decade in Manchester.

This makes it safe to assume that Guardiola would love to have another midfielder in his ranks that can be a useful attacking option as well.

Speaking about the young midfielder, Marcelo Gallardo had this to say about the young Argentinian.

“He is a player who at his young age has matured a lot. He is seen to be very confident, fearsome and a development in his game that is seen to be getting better and better, strengthening himself day by day.”

Having also been described as a player who “always gives solutions to his teammates” from midfield by Robert Pires, this would also make him a potential Silva 2.0, who was once dubbed “the best creative midfielder” the Premier League has ever seen by Thierry Henry.

Having already completed a deal with River Plate over the sale of Julian Alvarez, if City see an opportunity to negotiate with the Argentine club over Fernandez, they should definitely swoop in and sign him.

In other news: Pep can seal dream Sterling heir as MCFC eye “outrageously talented” £102m-rated star…