Sports News
Chelsea close to £50m deal for Manchester City target Marc Cucurella
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Marc Cucurella after telling Brighton they are willing to pay £50m for the left-back.
Manchester City’s reluctance to meet Brighton’s asking price for Cucurella, who handed in a transfer request last week, has given Thomas Tuchel’s side hope. Tuchel is a big fan of the Spaniard and Chelsea scouted the 24-year-old extensively while he was at Getafe.
Cucurella, who joined Brighton last summer, is keen to develop his game and challenge for the highest honours. Chelsea have sounded him out and there is hope the transfer will be agreed. Brighton could ask for the 19-year-old Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill to be included in a deal.
Tuchel is looking to rebuild his defence. Along with bolstering his options at centre-back, Chelsea’s head coach is keen to provide Ben Chilwell with quality competition on the left. Cucurella, who can play as a left-back and left wing-back, is strong defensively, dynamic in possession and keen to get forward. He could also slot in as a left centre-back, allowing Tuchel the space to fit Cucurella and Chilwell into the same side.
It remains to be seen whether City step up their attempts to sign Cucurella. The Premier League champions want a left-back but their first two bids for the Barcelona youth product were turned down.
If Chelsea sign Cucurella that could pave the way for Marcos Alonso to complete a move to Barcelona. The 31-year-old left wing-back wants to return to Spain. There are also doubts over the future of César Azpilicueta, another Barça target.
Azpilicueta’s situation is likely to depend on whether Chelsea can bring in more centre-backs after the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rüdiger. They have signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, but missed out on Jules Koundé, Nathan Aké and Matthijs de Ligt.
Chelsea are interested in signing Wesley Fofana but Leicester are reluctant to sell the centre-back. It could take a bid of about £85m to land Fofana. RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol remains a target.
Chelsea, who also want the right wing-back Denzel Dumfries from Internazionale, could also need a No 2 goalkeeper if they send Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan to Napoli. The Germany forward Timo Werner is a loan target for Newcastle, Juventus and RB Leipzig.
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Sports News
MNU VS CHE: 4-2-3-1 Pochettino strongest possible IX that could help Chelsea defeat Man Utd
Today’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford is sure to be exciting. There isn’t a distinct favorite for this forthcoming matchup because both teams have shown inconsistent play this season.
Manchester United hopes to win against Chelsea after suffering an awful defeat to Newcastle United. Chelsea, on the other hand, is hoping to keep up their current winning streak in the Premier League by thrashing Manchester United in their next game.
4-2-3-1 Pochettino predicted starting IX
Goalkeeper: The Spanish international Robert Sanchez is expected to start in goal
Defenders: Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, and Reece James make up Chelsea’s defense. Reece James is anticipated to start the next game, Despite his red card suspension that kept him out of the match against Brighton.
Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandes are midfielders. As Conor Gallagher is out due to suspension, Cole Palmer will fill in at offensive midfield, with Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo handling additional roles in central and defensive midfield.
Forward: Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, and Mykhailo Mudryk are the forwards. Nicolas Jackson, who has been struggling, is replaced by Armando Broja, with Raheem Sterling on the right wing and Mykhailo Mudryk in his standard left wing position.
Sports News
Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle: Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Moises Caicedo as Palmer start with Gallagher in Midfield #NEWCHE
Mauricio Pochettino makes two changes to his Chelsea team for today’s game at Newcastle.
Benoit Badiashile comes in for his compatriot Axel Disasi in the heart of defence, while Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Moises Caicedo.
Otherwise, it is the same starting XI that began the 4-4 draw against Manchester City prior to the international break
That means Reece James, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella join Badiashile at the back, ahead of Robert Sanchez. Enzo Fernandezand Conor Gallagher continue in midfield, with Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer supplying the width in attack, either side of Nicolas Jackson.
Caicedo and Levi Colwill, who was injured during the recent break, are among those named on the bench.
Alexander Isak returns for Newcastle after injury, but there is no Sean Longstaff.
Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c), Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Enzo, Ugochukwu, Gallagher, Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
Subs: Petrovic, Colwill, Disasi, Maatsen, Caicedo, Matos, Madueke, Mudryk, Broja
Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Lascelles (c), Schar, Trippier, Guimaraes, Miley, Almiron, Joelinton, Isak, Gordon
Subs: Dubravka, Gillespie, Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, Diallo, Murphy, Ndiweni, Parkinson
Referee Simon Hooper
Reece James just returned to action for Chelsea this season after recovering from an injury that kept him on the sidelines for weeks but the synergy between the Chelsea Skipper and Cole Palmer has emerged as a pivotal factor in Chelsea’s recent impressive performance.
Their relationship on the pitch showcases a dynamic partnership that has been significantly impacting the team’s overall performance.
One key element of this collaboration is the strategic placement of Cole Palmer in the middle, operating behind the striker.
This positioning capitalizes on Palmer’s unique skill set, acknowledging that he may not possess the blistering pace or sheer physicality to excel in isolated one-on-one situations with defenders.
Instead, Palmer’s strength lies in his ability to receive the ball on the half-turn, exhibiting clever passes that ignite the team’s attacking prowess.
Palmer’s fluid style, characterized by his adept use of pockets and floating movements, creates a symbiotic relationship with Reece James.
James, a versatile right-back, benefits from Palmer’s strategic play by having the freedom to occupy the wing.
This tactical understanding not only maximizes Palmer’s strengths but also amplifies James’s impact on the game.
What becomes evident in this partnership is Palmer essentially playing as a number 10, operating in a role that aligns with his capabilities and enhances the team’s attacking dynamics.
By strategically placing Palmer in a central position, Chelsea leverages his playmaking abilities, allowing him to orchestrate the flow of the game and provide crucial link-up play between the midfield and the strikers.
The tactical harmony between Palmer and James is not just about individual brilliance but also about how their styles complement each other seamlessly.
Palmer’s intelligent movements and distribution empower James to venture forward with confidence, creating a fluid and dynamic attacking unit for Chelsea
MNU VS CHE: 4-2-3-1 Pochettino strongest possible IX that could help Chelsea defeat Man Utd
Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle: Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Moises Caicedo as Palmer start with Gallagher in Midfield #NEWCHE
How Palmer and Reece James Have Complemented Each Other in Chelsea’s Lineup This Season
Chelsea eye double £156m transfer swoop as Todd Boehly faces Saudi Arabia questioning
