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A “superb” Newcastle United player is reportedly the subject of strong interest from another Premier League team, with Chelsea now preparing an offer for him.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have been linked with plenty of potential signings in recent days, with Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto one player who has been mentioned as a target for Eddie Howe. The 23-year-old has scored 49 goals in 141 appearances for the Brazilian side.

Meanwhile, Sevilla centre-back Loic Bade has also emerged as a possible option for Newcastle in one of the upcoming transfer windows, with Liverpool also thought to be providing competition for his signature, as they look to strengthen their own defensive depth.

A rumour suggesting another signing from another Brazilian club has also emerged, with Sao Paulo winger William Gomes linked with a switch to the Magpies. Known for his dribbling ability, talks are said to have taken place over the move, with the 18-year-old likely seen as a long-term addition.

Should Alexander Isak move on at any point in the near future, a top-quality replacement will be required, and Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani has been backed to come in and fill the void that the Swede would leave. Current manager Luis Enrique doesn’t see him as an important part of his plans.

Chelsea preparing offer for Newcastle hero

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea are readying an offer for Newcastle hero Isak, as they look to prise him away from St James’ Park.

The Blues are willing to pay £63m for the services of the 25-year-old, who has been one of the Magpies’ most influential figures since arriving from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2022. It isn’t stated if a January or summer move is preferred.

Of all the players that Howe would likely not want to lose moving forward, Isak must be right near the top of the list, considering he is one of the Premier League’s most feared attacking players. The Sweden superstar has scored 38 goals in 76 appearances for Newcastle, with his one-in-two ratio highly impressive, while Alan Shearer has made it clear what he thinks of him.

With Newcastle languishing in 12th place in the table going into the weekend action, and Chelsea looking promising under Enzo Maresca, there could be concern from Magpies supporters about Isak’s head being turned by a move to Stamford Bridge.

"World class" Arsenal ace set to miss Newcastle with Calafiori and Odegaard

Arteta will be minus a few key men.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 1, 2024

He would represent an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson, so it is easy to see why the west Londoners would be keen on snapping him up, but hopefully, the St James’ star still sees his future at his current club for plenty more years to come.

Bayern Munich survived a late fightback from Celtic to secure a 2-1 win in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday.

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Olise and Kane had Bayern in the leadMaeda pulled one back late in the gameCeltic fought hard to find an equaliserFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE

Within 30 seconds of the first whistle, Celtic had the ball in the net. Niclas Kuhn went on an Arjen Robben-esque run down the right, cut in and fired past Manuel Neuer from outside the box, but it was disallowed as Adam Idah was in an offside position and adjudged to have obstructed the goalkeeper's view.

Bayern took control of the game after the early scare but were kept out by Kasper Schmeichel until Michael Olise controlled a long pass on the wing, beat Greg Taylor and blasted into the roof of the net just before half-time.

Vincent Kompany's men needed just three minutes to get going in the second half, with Harry Kane criminally unmarked at the back post to meet Joshua Kimmich's corner and knock it in.

Celtic thought they were going to get a penalty out of the blue when a VAR review showed Dayot Upamecano stood on Arne Engels' foot but the referee refused to give it. The home team had their best chance when Daizen Maeda nipped ahead of Neuer to steal the ball and lift it towards goal, but it missed the target.

Buoyed after that threat, Maeda popped up to give the Scottish champions a chance to get back into the game after Bayern failed to clear a corner and the Japanese winger found the net. Celtic dominated the next few minutes in a desperate search for an equaliser and saw a dangerous shot from Alistair Johnson saved by Neuer as Bayern held out for the win.

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Kane's goal was the 19th the striker has scored against Schmeichel in his career – that's five more than he has scored against any other goalkeeper, according to .

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Olise carved the game open with his goal but was a big threat down the wing with his dangerous dribbles, deliveries and shots. He was vital to Bayern's pressing, too, battling to win the ball up field.

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Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER

Celtic left-back Taylor had the unenviable task of dealing with Olise and found it impossible to keep him quiet. The Frenchman left him scrambling as he skipped past before whacking in the first goal.

The Argentine tactician reflected on his coaching journey and imparted advice during the USMNT’s January training camp

Pochettino celebrates 16 years in coaching during January campUSMNT players and staff honor the milestoneCoach shares insights from his extensive careerGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, celebrated his 16th year as a professional coach during the team’s annual January camp, a behind-the-scenes moment captured by U.S. Soccer in its docuseries.

The show captured the Argentine enjoying the moment with his staff and the national team at a dinner during the team's January camp.

AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID

“Today is a very special day I will always remember with you all. I hope tomorrow we can celebrate a win because it’s always about celebrating a win. I hope that we can find more moments like this. I don’t know if I can translate in a perfect way but when you miss something, it’s because you had an unbelievable time. That is why afterwards, you miss it and I think this moment we are living, we will miss because it’s always impossible to reproduce the same situation again,” Pochettino said.

“That is why we need to enjoy every single moment we spend together because it will never come again. And we never know what will happen tomorrow. That is why we try to be exigent, we need to push you to try to be better. We push ourselves to be better but at the same time to be human, because that is the most important thing is to connect with my teammates, to connect with people, empathize with people,” he added.

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Pochettino wasn’t the only one interviewed in the latest , as American defender Walker Zimmerman praised the changes that Pochettino and his staff have brought on. The Nashville SC center back highlighted the differences that the Argentine has made and also emphasized that for the coaching staff, a player’s club background doesn’t matter too much.

“Mauricio and his staff have come in and wanted to change the things they want to change, on and off the field. It’s been very clear that whether you play in the MLS or whether you play overseas, it doesn’t matter where you play, it matters how you do when you’re here. But they expect all the things they should expect from professionals. The intensity, the demands in training but off the field they’ve been great, very relaxed, very welcoming, able to joke around in the right ways,” Zimmerman said.

“I think Mauricio and the staff have brought some fluidity into our positions. While I’m a defender, there are still opportunities in a game where we’re building with two, building with three, and sometimes stepping up into the midfield a little bit more than normal. There’s a lot of interchange and I think that once everyone gets a full understanding of that, it’ll make for a more dynamic team feel. "

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WHAT’S NEXT

Pochettino took over as the new head coach of the United States Men’s National Team in September 2024 and since then has overseen six games as their head coach. While that does include a 2-0 loss to Mexico, Pochettino and the USMNT have won the other five games. That includes two wins during their January 2025 camp, where they beat Venezuela and Costa Rica.

Hoping to take their place among Europe’s elite both on and off the pitch, Manchester United are now reportedly racing to sign a bargain defensive reinforcement ahead of Barcelona in 2025.

Man Utd transfer news

Given Ruben Amorim’s official arrival, it’s no real surprise that the transfer rumours have been coming thick and fast for Manchester United. The Red Devils are in desperate need of a turnaround and the transfer window should play a large part in that. But Dan Ashworth and Sir Jim Ratcliffe must get things right on that front.

Already, the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and former Manchester City defender Danilo have been linked to Old Trafford in a potential sign of things to come.

There’s no doubt that Gyokeres would be a standout signing, given his reputation as one of Europe’s most clinical goalscorers and one who completed his best work under Amorim. In fact, in the Portuguese manager’s final home game at Sporting CP, Gyokeres netted a rather fitting hat-trick in a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City in the Champions League.

Before those at Old Trafford splash the cash, however, they could land a bargain defensive reinforcement for Amorim and his backline. According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have now made contact over a move to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah ahead of Barcelona next summer. The Bayer Leverkusen ace may represent one of the smartest deals next summer with his contract coming to an end at the German club at the end of the season.

Amorim can axe Casemiro for “talented" teen who’s not played for Man Utd

The Man Utd ace has been on the bench for the first-team this season

1 ByJoe Nuttall Nov 9, 2024

A player who played a vital part in Leverkusen’s historic invincible domestic campaign last time out, Tah could emerge to form quite the partnership with Matthijs de Ligt for the Red Devils next season.

"Strong" Tah could partner De Ligt and Maguire

Whilst De Ligt is yet to transform the Manchester United backline like it seemed he would when swapping Bayern Munich for the Premier League, Tah’s arrival could go a long way towards doing just that. The German is an experienced defender these days as well as a historic winner who could slot into a back three alongside De Ligt and Maguire to hand Amorim the missing piece to play his favoured system.

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Outperforming his potential future teammates, Tah is the defensive leader that United so desperately need, especially in a back three under Amorim.

The German’s rise is one that his former national team manager saw coming, with Joachim Low saying via the official Bundesliga website at the start of Tah’s Germany career: “He’s a young player with a lot of potential. He’s physically strong and very quick. Everything is possible.”

Earning a reported £45,000-a-week, Tah ticks the boxes for experience, leadership and a bargain option who would not disrupt United’s wage bill.

Luke Ronchi says that leaving the ball early on forced the Bangladesh bowlers to bowl to the New Zealand batters’ strengths

Mohammad Isam09-Jan-2022New Zealand are on their way to a mammoth first-innings total against Bangladesh in Christchurch, and they have set it up by doing what they are happiest doing: stick to their basics and forcing the bowlers to bowl at them.According to batting coach Luke Ronchi, the trio of Tom Latham, Will Young and Devon Conway left the ball well early in their respective innings, which frustrated the bowlers. They lost Young for 54, but rode on Latham’s unbeaten 186 and Conway’s 99 not out to end the first day on 349 for 1.Related

Tom Latham lauds New Zealand's 'perfect performance'

Ross Taylor: 'All good things have to come to an end'

Latham, Conway, Young push Bangladesh to a corner

“A massive part of it was to do the basics well and right for a long period of time,” Ronchi said. “We did it quite well at the Mount [Maunganui] but we let ourselves down in periods that brought Bangladesh back into the game. We did it for the whole day today. The guys were amazing.”We also put pressure on to their spin bowling. In the last game, we let them bowl a bit too much. Today, there was a bit of emphasis on putting him [Mehidy Hasan Miraz] under pressure so that they bring on the quick bowlers back a bit more. It worked quite nicely for us today.”The plan to take on Mehidy paid off, as the offspinner had none for 95 from his 25 overs, having conceded nine fours and a six.It was particularly crucial for Latham to get a big score following his failures in Mount Maunganui. This was Latham’s first hundred as a Test captain too, and one that came in a pressure situation, after he had lost the toss.”Leading into the series, his mindset has been amazing. We had some work between Tests. What we saw today was amazing,” Ronchi said. “You will get a bit of luck on green surfaces but also you have make the most of it. Some of his drives, the sound it made off the bat was awesome. It was a fantastic day for both Tom, Devon and Young.

“He is more than happy to be on whatever score, and still be batting. He will have his sleep tonight, and start again tomorrow. He will just be Devon Conway”Luke Ronchi doesn’t expect Devon Conway to lose any sleep worrying about his century

“I have seen some amazing innings from him [Latham] in all formats. He has the temperament and confidence through the work he puts in between Tests. His numbers as a New Zealand opener is fantastic. He is a good leader in the group.”Ronchi didn’t expect Conway to be too perturbed about being on 99 overnight.”Dev is a different individual. He is more than happy to be on whatever score, and still be batting,” Ronchi said. “He will have his sleep tonight, and start again tomorrow. He will just be Devon Conway. He has put out some outrageous numbers from the winter to this summer. It is a pleasure watching him bat.”With 186 against his name, and New Zealand likely to look to bat Bangladesh out of the game, Latham could well have a really big score lined up.”Just let him get as many as he can,” Ronchi said. “You always want to see things like that [the triple-century mark] broken. It is about doing his processes as he has done so well in this innings, and starting again tomorrow. It is the best way we perform. Keep batting and make a really substantial team score.”

Cricket Australia confirms it will now enter into confidential discussions with Langer over his future

Alex Malcolm04-Feb-2022Justin Langer’s future as Australia’s men’s coach remains in the balance after an eight-hour Cricket Australia board meeting on Friday yielded no formal conclusion on his contract status.At the end of the lengthy meeting which covered a number of agenda items, CA CEO Nick Hockley emerged to read a written statement to reporters telling them that CA will now enter confidential discussions with Langer.”Cricket Australia can confirm that the CA board met today and part of that meeting involved significant discussions about men’s head coach Justin Langer’s contract,” Hockley said.”We will now enter into confidential discussions with Justin and the outcome will be announced as soon as possible.”Hockley declined to take any questions on the matter. Langer is currently in Melbourne but is due to fly home to Perth on Saturday and undertake 14 days of home quarantine. He will not coach Australia’s T20I side for the upcoming five-match series against Sri Lanka starting in Sydney on February 11 with the reins being handed to senior assistant Andrew McDonald.Langer has been left to stew on his unresolved contract situation having not been able to fly home since the end of the men’s Ashes. He has had several meetings with Hockley and Australia’s head of national teams Ben Oliver since the Hobart Test.But this was the first board meeting since that date. Speculation has been building after Australia’s two men’s captains, Test skipper Pat Cummins, and limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch baulked at endorsing the coach to continue beyond his current contract.Despite the success of the team, claiming the T20 World Cup and the Ashes in four months, angst remains over Langer’s coaching style with last August’s crisis meetings about Langer’s intensity still fresh in the minds of the players who pleaded for change.Langer has been left perplexed and frustrated by the process, adamant that he has made the necessary adjustments the players had asked for which has led to the recent success.There was also no news who would be CA’s new permanent chairman following the resignation of Earl Eddings last year. A decision on the chairman was one of the other key agenda items at today’s board meeting that appears to have been swamped by Langer’s contract discussions.One agenda item that was ticked off was Australia’s upcoming tour of Pakistan with the dates for the three-format tour locked in. The dates will overlap with the IPL leaving some players and coaches involved in Australia’s tour unavailable for at least the 10 days of the tournament.

Nottingham Forest are keeping a close eye on a young Brazilian talent who has a £41 million release clause, according to a new report. The Reds have been one of the surprise teams of the 2024/25 Premier League season so far, and Nuno Espirito Santo will hope the January transfer window can provide one or two reinforcements to really push them into European contention.

Nottingham Forest move for £80k-p/w ace in January, they've had a response

He would be an excellent addition if they could get a deal done.

1 ByBen Browning Nov 15, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

The January transfer window provides an opportunity for clubs to make small adjustments to their squads, and it appears Forest have the idea of doing just that after such an excellent start. A recent report has claimed that the Reds have approached Bayern Munich over a potential deal to sign Mathys Tel.

The young star has suffered with limited game time so far this season, and it appears that a temporary move away in the New Year looks likely. Forest have made an approach to take Tel on loan, and while Bayern Munich will likely accept the offer, it will be up to Tel whether he would like to join the Premier League side or not.

Forest will be planning to improve their squad, not weaken it, so seeing reports stating that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are tracking defender Murillo will be a concern. Both clubs are keeping an eye on the Brazilian as they eye defensive reinforcements, and Murillo is said to be “preparing to make the leap to a big club”.

And while Forest try to add Tel to their ranks on loan without a transfer fee, they also have their eye on a young star who has a release clause worth £41 million.

Nottingham Forest plotting transfer swoop for Lorran

According to On The Minute, Nottingham Forest are keeping an eye on Flamengo youngster Lorran. The 18-year-old has played for Flamengo’s under-17s, under-20s, and now the first team, where he has one goal to his name in 2024 so far.

Lorran is very highly rated in Brazil, as he is hailed as the future of Brazilian football, and that has put him on the radar of a host of Premier League clubs. The report states that Forest are keeping an eye on Lorran, but they face competition from teams such as West Ham, Brighton, and Aston Villa. Lorran, who operates mainly as a winger but can also play centrally, has a release clause worth €50 million, which is roughly £41 million.

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However, Forest may not have to pay that much, as Flamengo are willing to accept a lower offer. The Brazilian is interested in a move to the Premier League, and he has been linked with a move to Manchester United recently, with United willing to offer Antony as part of the deal. But Forest may look to get ahead of the other Premier League teams by making a move in January.

Wayne Rooney has laughed off Ruben Amorim's claim that Manchester United's aim is to win the Premier League, calling the aspiration 'naive'.

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Legendary striker criticises Red Devils bossUnited dumped out of FA Cup by FulhamAmorim tells Rooney 'being a pundit is easy'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United's terrible season got even worse as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham following defeat in a penalty shootout at Old Trafford. However, after the game Amorim insisted that United still had big ambitions and said their aim was to win the Premier League again. And Rooney, United's all-time top goalscorer, shot down that claim while analysing the game for the .

AdvertisementWHAT ROONEY SAID

Rooney said: "He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that's the next step for them. Managers aren't getting that time over the last 10/15 years. You have to be selfish as a manager and say 'okay, if I don't do it now I might not get that time.' I think it's a little naïve to say they're looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they're a long way off that."

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United's top directors including INEOS' director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford have been working on 'Mission 21', the club's plan to win their 21st English league title by 2028. The club are also plotting to deliver a first Women's Super League title by the same deadline. And Amorim referred to that plan when he told the after the FA Cup exit: "The goal is to win the Premier League. I know that we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don't know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what. it's impossible to know but you start understanding the players are better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future."

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Amorim was informed of Rooney's comments in the post-match press conference and he fired back at the former player, who was sacked by Plymouth Argyle last year and had a miserable spell in charge of Birmingham City in 2023. Amorim said: "That is the goal, to be naïve is to think we are going to do it this season or be the best contender for the next season. I know that in this moment everyone knows everything. Being a pundit is really easy. Maybe it is not with me but our goal is to win the Premier League. I am not naïve that is why I am here at 40 years old coaching Manchester United."

Shemaine Campbelle too contributed a match-defining half-century as West Indies pull off third win

S Sudarshanan17-Mar-2022This is officially the World Cup of thrillers. In the latest instalment, Bangladesh came within touching distance of a famous second win, only for their hearts to be crushed by Afy Fletcher and Hayley Matthews, who ripped through the batting line-up to take seven wickets. Then with five runs needed off four deliveries, Stafanie Taylor hammered the final blow as she dismissed No. 11 Fariha Trisna. At the other end, Nahida Akter, who backed herself to take the game deep and pull off a late heist, could barely hold back her emotions.West Indies had stumbled and stuttered their way to 140 for 9 after being put in. That they got there was mainly due to Shemaine Campbelle’s half-century, which gave their bowlers an opening. And they managed to carve out a thrilling win. At one stage, Bangladesh were comfortably placed at 60 for 2 in 21 overs , with their target just 81 away.But into her sixth over, Fletcher , the legspinner, created a flutter by picking up three quick wickets in the space of seven balls to stun Bangladesh’s middle order. Matthews then more than made up for her sedate returns with the bat, returning her ODI best of 4 for 15 with the ball. That was enough for West Indies to make up for their second batting failure in two games. The win placed West Indies at the third spot in the points table.Needing ten off the final two overs, Deandra Dottin delivered the perfect penultimate over replete with slower balls to give just two runs away. Taylor had seven in the bank to defend. She gave away three before Trisna, who Akter didn’t seem to trust for much of the final few overs, played on attempting a cross-batted swipe. That she was on strike was only because Akter wouldn’t have managed to pick the two runs off the previous delivery as she would’ve planned when she slapped a short ball into the deep cover region.It was Matthews who started Bangladesh’s slide. In the first over, she trapped Shamima Sultana lbw. The other opener, Sharmin Akhter hit three fours before she tamely gave catching practice to the slips as Matthews had her second wicket. The experienced Fargana Hoque and Nigar Sultana, who had stitched a record partnership for Bangladesh in World Cups against Pakistan, got together to keep West Indies at bay for close to 13 overs.They added 30 off 76 balls for the third wicket, in a bid to give the side a strong base for the chase. However, an attempted adventurous slog by Hoque off Fletcher gave West Indies the desired opening. The legspinner, who is one of the eight mothers in the competition, mock-dialled her seven-month old baby to register one of the sweet moments of the game. Fletcher then had Rumana Ahmed fall to her legspin before leaving Ritu Moni clueless with a googly to have Bangladesh reeling at 60 for 5.Bangladesh had West Indies on the floor for most part of the first innings•AFP via Getty ImagesSalma Khatun then walked out with an intent to score, hitting a four off Fletcher off the sixth ball she faced. She added 25 in nine overs with Nigar Sultana, who was happy to see Fletcher off. However, Matthews’ return dented Bangladesh further, as she accounted for Nigar Sultana and Fahima Khatun in the three balls. Salma kept Bangladesh’s hopes with her 23-run knock but Taylor ended her stay with Bangladesh needing 31. Akter then tried to narrow the gap, but it proved to just be a bridge too far. She was unbeaten on 25 in the end.Bangladesh wouldn’t have had a target in excess of hundred, had it not been for Campbelle’s unbeaten 53. Though she struggled to get off strike for a large part of her innings – she faced 72 dots out of the 107 she played – she hung on and added 68 for the last two wickets with Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack.On a dry pitch in sunny conditions, West Indies got their choice of batting first despite not winning the toss. But Bangladesh spinners, led Akter and Salma picked up four big wickets between them to restrict West Indies.Dottin and Matthews were steady before falling as caution seemed to be West Indies’ second line of defence. What then followed against spin was something they wouldn’t have foreseen. Matthews mistimed a half-tracker from Akter to midwicket and Taylor was bowled behind her legs in the left-arm spinner’s next over. Salma then had Williams, who had come in for Kycia Knight, caught at cover to have West Indies at 48 for 4 in the 16th over.Campbelle and Chedean Nation only asserted the West Indies’ mindset when they played out close to 13 overs together for just 12 runs. It concluded with Nation horribly misjudging a run to be short of the direct hit at the striker’s end. It then took Campbelle her second half-century in this World Cup to help West Indies get to a total that was eventually enough.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has doubled down on his surprising rant following the club's Premier League win over Everton on Saturday. Having sat down after the win, the Blues boss stunned the media by claiming 'the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us.' When asked to elaborate, the Italian refused, and he has since adopted the same attitude ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Cardiff on Tuesday.

Maresca lashes out at media

With Chelsea back to winning ways and Cole Palmer among the goals once again for the West London club, Maresca's rant came as a surprise to everyone sitting in the press room at Stamford Bridge. The 45-year-old did not mince his words, but appeared careful of exactly what it was he was saying, particularly when quizzed on whether he was angry at the Chelsea hierarchy.

He said: "The way the players want to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them – because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week. Since I joined the club the last 48 hours has been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn’t support us. So very happy for Malo in that moment that the effort from Malo and the rest showed that they are all there and want to help this club.”

When pressed, he replied: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."

AdvertisementAFPBlues boss refuses to back down

Maresca entered Monday's press conference ahead of the visit to League One side Cardiff with the same stiff attitude that he had a few days ago. Unsurprisingly, he was once again asked to clarify his comments from the weekend, to which he replied: "I already spoke about that. I don't need to add more things. I start to prepare for the Cardiff game the morning after. So I'm just focused on Cardiff. I said also last week, for me it's always no matter if we win or lose or we are in a good moment or bad moment, it's a fantastic opportunity because you can learn always. I love to learn and I'm very happy with that. Italian, Spanish, French, so you all are aware. It's done, it's finished. It was after the game, I said what I said after the game. Now it's focused on Cardiff. I can speak Italian, my language, Spanish very well, French very well, and English more or less. I think when I want to say something, I'm quite clear. I already spoke after the game, I don't need to add more."

Maresca: Expectations always high at Chelsea

Having spent over a billion pounds in the last few years, expectations at Chelsea remain as high as ever. A few weeks ago, they were being touted as Premier League challengers, but a few shaky performances have brought the Blues back down to earth. But that has not stopped Maresca from striving to achieve greatness. 

He added: "When you are Chelsea manager, you understand that the expectations are higher. Especially this season, they are more higher than they were a little bit compared to last season. Probably because of the Club World Cup, Conference League, we finished fourth in the Premier League. And as you said, we are the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League. So probably this season, the expectations are a little bit higher. But I think it's something normal when you are a Chelsea player or Chelsea manager."

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CalciomercatoWhat next for Chelsea?

Chelsea sit eight points off Arsenal at the top of the table, a significant drop from the two they were after drawing with the Gunners at Stamford Bridge. Next up for the London club is the trip to Wales, where Cardiff will be looking to cause a massive upset and book their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.