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Chelsea and transfer chief Todd Boehly by extension may spend "big money" on replacing defender Marc Cucurella and shoring up the left-back position.

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After a regrettable run of going three straight Premier League games without scoring a single goal, having been without one since late August, Mauricio Pochettino's men got back to winning ways with a much-needed 2-1 west London derby win over Fulham on Monday night. A first Chelsea goal for Myhhalo Mudryk and striker's Armando Broja finish a minute later did enough to seal all three points for the Blues.

"We got what we deserved," Pochettino said afterwards.

"The first half we were much better than Fulham. The second half we were in control. I’m so happy because the players needed this victory and so did the fans. We now have two victories in less than one week. We needed to feel the taste of victory, and another clean sheet also. Now we have won two games we need to keep calm and keep building the belief and the confidence. We have had many negative circumstances with so many players not fit, but the most important thing is belief and the team believe in what we are doing."

Chelsea next take on Vincent Kompany's Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, knowing another three points could steer them further in the right direction just prior to the next international break.

Latest Chelsea transfer news

A lot of Chelsea's problems so far have been in front of goal, and despite the signing of Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, there is a case to be made that they're lacking a world-class, natural centre-forward. As a result, the likes of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney are being linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino and Boehly could also opt to strengthen in the left-back area, as Ben Chilwell is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and Cucurella is the subject of a possible January exit. That is according to journalist Pete O'Rourke, who shared some news on the matter in a column for Football Insider.

"The Blues could explore a deal for a new left-back in January if they can get Marc Cucurella off the books," wrote the reporter.

"Ben Chilwell’s injury problems are the subject of real concern behind the scenes at Chelsea – and the left-back is set for another spell out after picking up a fresh problem against Brighton. The club’s owners are not afraid to spend big money and could do so again to give Pochettino a new left-back option in January."

Cucurella started his first league match of the season against Fulham last night, but he came in at right-back, potentially meaning Pochettino has different plans for the opposite flank. The Spaniard, signed from Brighton in the summer of 2022, has previously been called "very intelligent" by ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.

It will be interesting to see what the future does hold for Cucurella, or if Pochettino will turn to Ian Maatsen as an option more often.

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O compromisso contra o Goiás é essencial para o Botafogo se afastar da zona de rebaixamento. Além disso, será um reencontro marcante para Bruno Lazaroni, treinador do Alvinegro. As duas equipes se enfrentam nesta segunda-feira, às 20h, no Estádio Nilton Santos, pela 17ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O duelo terá transmissão em tempo real no site do LANCE!.

No ano passado, quando Eduardo Barroca havia sido demitido e o Botafogo ainda não tinha contratado Alberto Valentim, foi Bruno Lazaroni quem comandou o Glorioso, de forma interina, diante do próprio Goiás, no Nilton Santos. Na ocasião, o Alvinegro venceu o Esmeraldino por 3 a 1 e dava fim a um jejum de cinco rodadas sem um resultado positivo.

Diego Cavalieri; Fernando, Marcelo Benevenuto, Gabriel, Yuri (Lucas Barros); Cícero (Alan Santos), Gustavo Bochecha, João Paulo; Rodrigo Pimpão, Diego Souza, Luiz Fernando (Léo Valencia). Esta foi a equipe colocada por Bruno Lazaroni naquela partida, válida pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão de 2019. Os gols foram marcados por João Paulo, Gabriel e Valencia.

Em 2020, a estrutura tática da equipe é parecida com o time que entrou em campo com o Goiás há um ano. Com três jogadores no meio-campo, um fica preso junto aos zagueiros – Cícero no ano passado e Rafael Forster atualmente – e os outros dois aparecem com mais liberdade para chegar ao ataque – hoje, esta é a responsabilidade de Keisuke Honda e Caio Alexandre.

Em 2019, o 3 a 1 sobre o Goiás serviu para colocar o Botafogo na 12ª colocação do Brasileirão, se afastando ainda mais da zona de rebaixamento. Na atual edição, a história pode se repetir: o Alvinegro, com 18 pontos, está em 15º – com um triunfo, pode alcançar até a 10ª posição, na parte superior da tabela.

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Pundit Frank McAvennie has lavished praise on one Arsenal player he says you "do not really notice" quietly doing an amazing job.

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Mikel Arteta's men go into their clash with Bournemouth having won four out of their first six league games, and are also in the Last 16 of the EFL Cup after a 1-0 win third round win over Brentford in midweek. Wins over Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Man United and Everton help to keep Arsenal in the mix at the Premier League's summit, but they haven't exactly been at their imperious best.

Three out of four of Arsenal's wins have been by narrow one-goal margins, with Arteta's men also dropping points at home to both Fulham and Tottenham recently. The Spurs game was unfortunate, as Arsenal took the lead twice only to be pegged back by captain Son Heung-min both times.

"We feel like we lost two points," said Arteta after the Spurs match. "It's true there was a lot of change in the dominance of the game, but especially when we had more control and more dominance in the game, and we score the goal, they score straight away. We started quite good, we scored the goal, but straight away we concede.

"So, emotionally, that was a difficult one to take. I thought we struggled for a period of 10 or 15 minutes later, we lacked a lot of composure with the ball and we made it a basketball game. But I think in the end we pushed, pushed and pushed, but couldn't get the win.

"The hardest thing to do is put the ball in the net. We've done it twice but I think we conceded two really poor goals. At this level, they're going to punish you because they've got top players."

Arsenal supporters will now be hoping their side can put in a statement performance by thrashing Bournemouth on the south coast.

Bournemouth vs Arsenal preview

The north Londoners could be missing a host of players, a list including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Fabio Vieira, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard.

Rice and Saka in particular will be sore, sore misses – with McAvennie explaining how the former has seriously impressed him. The former Celtic striker claims he's a player than can often go unnoticed due to the creative players around him, but he quietly goes about his job brilliantly.

“You do not really notice what he is doing at Arsenal because he has got all these wonderful players around him," said McAvennie to Football Insider. "He is doing his job but he is very good at it. I think there will be a few people missing by the time it rolls around.“

The 24-year-old signed from West Ham in the summer window for around £105 million, which is a club-record, and he has even managed his first goal in an Arsenal shirt this season. Rice could go on to become a pivotal player, and supporters will be hopeful he is available as soon as possible.

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As Eliminatórias para a Copa do Mundo do Qatar em 2022 vão começar e, para o desespero do palmeirense, toda vez de data Fifa o clube perde alguns dos principais jogadores nas rodadas do Brasileirão.

Dessa vez não será diferente e Vanderlei Luxemburgo se despede do quarteto selecionável neste sábado (3), diante do Ceará, no Allianz Parque.
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A lista de desfalques começa no gol. Atleta com mais minutos em campo em 2020, o goleiro Weverton vai servir a Seleção Brasileira mais uma vez e vai abrir espaço para Jailson no gol alviverde.

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De contrato renovado, um dos heróis do eneacampeonato brasileiro, o arqueiro fez apenas um jogo nesta temporada, contra o Fluminense. Agora, se prepara para defender a meta alviverde diante de Botafogo, São Paulo e Coritiba. Caso Jailson não possa atuar em algum desses jogos, a cria da Academia de Goleiros, Vinícius Silvestre, é a opção.

Outro desfalque é Gustavo Gómez. Segundo atleta com mais minutos em campo na temporada, o xerife paraguaio é o melhor jogador do ano no Palmeiras e com certeza não tem peça de reposição à altura dentro do elenco.

Para o lugar dele, Luxa deve jogar com Luan ao lado de Felipe Melo. Vitor Hugo e Emerson Santos são as outras opções disponíveis no banco de reservas.

Na lateral esquerda, Matías Viña vai desfalcar o Verdão mais uma vez. Titular absoluto do Uruguai, o camisa 17 deve ver Lucas Esteves ter a primeira chance no ano. A cria da base alviverde se recupera de lesão e deve estar à disposição para o duelo contra o Botafogo, dia 7. Esteves tem um jogo como profissional, diante da Ponte Preta, no Paulistão do ano passado no Allianz Parque.

Caso Esteves não possa atuar, as opções de Luxemburgo são: Gustavo Scarpa improvisado ou o jovem Renan Victor, do sub-20.

Por último, Gabriel Menino abre espaço no meio alviverde após uma longa sequência como titular inquestionável do Verdão. A cria da Academia encheu os olhos de Tite e vai representar a Seleção principal pela primeira vez.

Para o seu lugar, Luxemburgo tem algumas opções dentro do elenco como: Bruno Henrique, Ramires e até Zé Rafael, que pode jogar improvisado como um segundo volante.

O Palmeiras encara o Ceará neste sábado (3), a partir das 19h (horário de Brasília), no Allianz Parque e depois viaja para enfrentar o Botafogo no Nilton Santos. Após encarar o time carioca, o Verdão volta para mais dois jogos em casa, diante de São Paulo e Coritiba, respectivamente.

Luxemburgo já terá todos os selecionáveis de volta contra o Fortaleza, dia 18 de outubro, no Ceará.

تحيط الشكوك بمستقبل الأوروجواياني رونالد أراوخو مدافع فريق برشلونة، وإمكانية استمراره مع النادي الإسباني.

ويرتبط أراوخو بعقد مع برشلونة حتى 30 يونيو 2026 وبشرط جزائي بقيمة مليار يورو، لكن مستقبله في النادي لا يزال غير مؤكد.

وأشارت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، إلى أن رئيس برشلونة خوان لابورتا يريد استمرار أراوخو في النادي، لكن الإدارة الرياضية للنادي يرون المدافع في الوقت الحالي، خارج برشلونة أكثر من استمراره.

وأبدت أندية مثل بايرن ميونخ ومانشستر يونايتد وتشيلسي اهتمامًا بأراوخو وجميعها على استعداد لتلبية المطالب المالية لبرشلونة وللاعب.

وكان برشلونة تواصل مع وكيل أراوخو منذ أشهر لإجراء محادثات تجديد عقده، لكن لم يتم إحراز تقدم في المفاوضات، ولذلك النادي غير متفائل باستمراره.

اقرأ أيضًا | رسميًا | يويفا يُعلن عقوبات برشلونة في مباراة باريس سان جيرمان.. إيقاف تشافي

وأشار التقرير وفقًا لمصادر إلى أن أراوخو عندما جدد عقده في عام 2022، بذل مجهودًا وقدم تضحيات مالية وكان لا بد من تعويضه في العقد المقبل.

ولفتت الصحيفة النظر إلى أن المبلغ الذي يمكن أن يقدمه له برشلونة في الوقت الحالي أقل بكثير مما يمكن أن تقدمه الأندية الأخرى له، خاصة تشيلسي.

من ناحية أخرى، تأثر أراوخو إلى حد ما بالأحداث بعد المباراة ضد باريس سان جيرمان في ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا والجدل الذي أعقبها مع زميله إيلكاي جوندوجان.

وأتم التقرير مشيرًا إلى أن برشلونة بحاجة لرحيل أحد اللاعبين المهمين ذوي الأجور المرتفعة، حتى يتمكن من حسم تعاقدات جديدة.

Worcestershire have been thrown into disarray after a player was accused of rape and the director of cricket put on leave by his county because he did not properly bring it to their attention.Alex Hepburn, the 21-year-old allrounder, was charged with two counts of rape on November 9 while Steve Rhodes, the club’s long-serving director of cricket, has been put on leave by Worcestershire and England after failing to report the player’s arrest in a timely fashion.Rhodes, who had been appointed to coach the England U19 team at the World Cup in the new year, has also been relieved of those duties and replaced by Gloucestershire’s Richard Dawson.It is alleged that, when Hepburn was first arrested on April 1, he approached Rhodes for assistance. Rhodes agreed not to pass on details of the allegation to the club’s board and, while the investigation continued, Hepburn was selected for the first team (in T20 cricket) and signed a one-year contract extension with the club.News that he had subsequently been charged resulted in the matter coming to the attention of the club and the ECB. It is understood they were told on November 9 and 10.Alex Hepburn has been charged with two counts of rape•Getty Images

Hepburn is suspended on full pay. He will appear in court on December 7. Rhodes is currently the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing, run by independent board members, which is expected to conclude within the first week of December. There is every chance is career at the club – extending back to 1985, is over.A West Mercia police statement said: “A man has been charged in connection with a rape investigation in Worcester. Alex Hepburn, aged 21 of Diglis, Worcester, was charged on 9 November with two counts of rape of a woman 16 years or older.”The charge is in connection with an investigation into the rape of a woman on 1 April 2017. Hepburn will appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on 7 December 2017.”Rhodes and the Worcestershire chief executive, Tom Scott, fell out earlier this year over the handling of Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s move to Yorkshire.Partially as a result and partially because the structure of the club prevented him from effectively managing Rhodes, Scott tendered his resignation and leaves the club at the end of the year.”The ECB can confirm Steve Rhodes will not be travelling to South Africa as head coach to the Young Lions on secondment fromWorcestershire,” an ECB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo. “Richard Dawson, the Gloucestershire head coach, will take on the role of head coach to the Young Lions squad in South Africa.”Hepburn moved to England from Australia in 2013. Having played for Western Australia U17, he represented Worcestershire twice in List Acricket in 2015 and made it into their T20 side in 2017.

Chelsea will be hoping their 12th place Premier League finish last term was a one off as Mauricio Pochettino prepares to lead them into the new campaign.

It has been a busy transfer window so far, with 13 players departing and six new arrivals. The squad has been significantly trimmed, not only to free up the wage budget and provide more funds, but to also comply with the financial fair play regulations.

The Argentinian isn’t stopping there however, and a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic could be next.

How much will Dusan Vlahovic cost Chelsea?

When the Stamford Bridge outfit first showed interest in the 23-year-old talisman at the beginning of July, the Serie A side valued him at £70m, which was around the fee they had paid to sign him from Fiorentina in 2022.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

Pochettino may be able to drive this fee down by offering Romelu Lukaku as a part of a potential swap deal according to Fabrizio Romano.

He discussed the potential deal for Vlahovic on his YouTube channel, saying:

"For Dusan Vlahovic, Mauricio Pochettino – Chelsea manager – is thinking about that.

"He will take some days, it will be the weekend probably, to discuss internally, of course, with the board, but basically, for Chelsea, the decision is to wait for something else for Romelu Lukaku or to go next week into negotiations with Juventus and reach an agreement for the swap deal: Lukaku, Vlahovic.

"So it has to be a strategy, but it is also important to understand what Pochettino wants to do with Dusan Vlahovic because more than one month ago, Chelsea said no to the swap deal between Lukaku and Vlahovic. Now Juventus are offering that again, they want €40m (£34m) as part of the deal.”

Will Dusan Vlahovic improve Chelsea?

Considering the Blues scored just 38 Premier League goals last season, luring a player with the quality that Vlahovic possesses could only improve this tally during 2023/24.

The Serbian international didn’t enjoy the most productive of campaigns for Juventus during 2022/23, scoring 14 times across all competitions, which was a drop from his tally of 29 goals the season before.

The Blues have signed Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, and he could certainly get the former Fiorentina hitman firing again, forging a dream duo with him in the process.

The Frenchman ranked in the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.28) across Europe’s big five leagues over the previous 365 days, while also ranking in the top 7% for progressive passes (3.44) and top 8% for successful take-ons (1.68) per 90, indicating just how effective he is at working the ball forward and creating chances for others.

This could only benefit Vlahovic, who averaged 2.5 shots per game for Juventus last term, ranking him first across the whole squad, while he also topped the pile for goals scored and should he be on the receiving end of the excellent service from Nkunku, his goal tally will surely increase.

Former defender Micah Richards lauded the striker back in 2021, saying the Old Lady goal machine was “lightning” while also claiming that the forward had a “wand” of a left foot, and he could be an excellent addition to the Chelsea squad.

Nkunku impressed during pre-season, scoring three goals in four matches and if Pochettino combines his creative talents alongside the attacking qualities of Vlahovic, he could create a scary duo which will terrorise Premier League defenders.

The Tamil Nadu batsman’s 181-ball knock, featuring 12 fours and two sixes, helped India Red recover from 159 for 7 to finish the first day at 291 for 9

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Sep-2017Stumps:
File Photo – B Indrajith waltzed to his fifth first-class hundred, making an unbeaten 120 off 181 balls•PTI

B Indrajith notched up an unbeaten 120 to shepherd India Red to 291 for 9 at stumps on the first day after India Green reduced them to 159 for 7 at Green Park. After captain Dinesh Karthik elected to bat, the India Red openers failed to build on strong starts before fast bowler Ankit Rajpoot broke into the middle order.Indrajith’s 181-ball knock, featuring 12 fours and two sixes, came against the backdrop of India Red capitulating from 70 for no loss to 123 for 5 in under 40 overs, before losing the next four wickets for another 82 runs. Batting at No.4, Indrajith cruised to his fifth first-class hundred, despite finding little support at the other end. Even as his side kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Indrajith added 86 unbroken runs for the last wicket with Vijay Gohil, who struck a 35-ball 22.Opener Priyank Panchal, coming off twin centuries in the previous game, fell for 36 after a 70-run opening stand with Sudip Chatterjee (34). After Rajpoot trapped Panchal in front in the 25th over, Suresh Raina accounted for Chatterjee seven balls later.Of the seven bowlers used by India Blue, Rajpoot was the most effective, picking up three wickets for 44 runs. Barring Pankaj Rao, all of the others picked up at least one wicket, with Jaydev Unadkat bagging 2 for 64.

Luis Reece carried Derbyshire Falcons to the brink of the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals with 66 from 49 balls that sealed a three wicket win over the Durham Jets at Derby.Reece scored his fourth T20 fifty as the Falcons survived a late wobble inspired by Durham skipper Paul Coughlin to chase down 162 with three balls to spare. Derbyshire go second in the North Group with two matches to play.Stuart Poynter had made a competition best unbeaten 61 from 32 balls as the Jets recovered to 161 for 7 but Reece again played a decisive hand to turn the game.Durham’s innings began badly with Keaton Jennings run out by a direct hit from midwicket in the first over and Graham Clarke lbw going back to Wayne Madsen in the third.Michael Richardson went for a duck in the fourth when Hardus Viljoen side-footed the ball into the stumps in his follow through and although Tom Latham twice pulled the South African for four, the Jets hopes of a substantial total were dented when he swung Matt Henry into the hands of deep midwicket in the last over of the powerplay.Jack Burnham and Paul Coughlin added 38 before the Jets skipper was caught behind trying to pull Ben Cotton and the Falcons looked in control when Burnham was caught at third man in the 17th over.Luis Reece has had a fine NatWest Blast tournament•Getty Images

But Poynter had already lofted Imran Tahir for six and he drove and pulled two more from Cotton in the 19th over to reach 50 from 28 balls.A full toss from Henry was dispatched over deep point for his fourth six and when he late cut the last ball for four, 35 had come from the final two overs.The Falcons lost Billy Godleman in the second over despite replays showing James Weighell was perilously close to a no ball and after Matt Critchley pulled Chris Rushworth for six, he miscued to midwicket to reduce the home side to 33 for 2 in the 5th over.As one of the leading batsmen in the competition, Madsen’s wicket was key and he moved smoothly to 24 but then swung Ryan Pringle to wide long on.Reece, badly dropped at deep cover on 21, pulled Jennings for six but the Jets were building pressure which told when Alex Hughes top edged a pull in the 15th over.Reece took two fours from Weighell as 16 came from the 16th over, Henry pulled Usman Arshad for six, and although wickets fell in the closing overs, they had done enough.

Heart of Midlothian will be aiming to finish higher than the fourth they achieved last term, and although they have a chance of securing qualification to the group stages of the Europa Conference League for the second season in a row, much will depend on whether Steven Naismith makes any signings in the coming weeks.

They have lost both Josh Ginnelly, scorer of 13 goals last season and midfielder Orestis Kiomourtzoglou recently and with no new arrivals heading through the Tynecastle doors yet, things will have to change, and fast.

Following a successful loan spell in Edinburgh during 2022/23, defender James Hill stated himself that he could be open to a potential move to Hearts this summer from AFC Bournemouth in what would be a massive boost for Naismith.

He said: “It would definitely be in consideration because everyone at Hearts has been amazing. They’ve made me feel at home. I’m not out of place here. I feel like a massive part of this squad. When you have that belief, the sky is the limit.

“The group at Hearts is incredible and the standard of this league is a surprise when other players step in because there is such quality.”

The centre-back may have to take a pay cut from his sizeable £14k-per-week wages in order to sanction a move North of the border, but he would be getting some regular gametime and a chance to impress on the European stage.

Will James Hill sign for Hearts this summer?

Judging by his comments, he certainly likes the club and regardless if it was a permanent move or another loan deal, Naismith would be more than happy to have him back, and he could form a wonderful duo with Craig Halkett.

The former Livingston defender played just eight times during the whole of last season due to suffering a cruciate ligament injury, however, his statistics from the term before give an indication of just how important he is to the club.

Across 28 matches in 2021/22, the 28-year-old ranked first in the squad for clearances per game (4.5) and first for accurate passes per game (51.1), showcasing his abilities to play out well from the back and alongside Hill, he would have a partner he could rely on.

The Englishman played just 14 league games for the Jambos during the second half of the season, yet he ranked third for tackles per game (1.8), first for interceptions per game (1.8) and sixth for accurate passes per game (30.4), suggesting that he didn’t take long to make an impression in the first team and alongside Halkett, they could be a ball playing partnership which could build attacks regularly from the defence.

He was lauded as “another success story” upon joining the Cherries from Fleetwood Town by journalist Gregg Evans back in January 2022 and despite failing to make an impression on the South coast, the 21-year-old has certainly showcased his talents at Tynecastle during his brief stay.

Signing him would signal a big statement of intent by Hearts and with crucial European ties fast approaching, it would give them a major boost.