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Chelsea could sign a Premier League defender in a possible swap deal which may see Trevoh Chalobah leave Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are yet to make a marquee signing during the January transfer window, with Thursday’s deadline fast approaching. Mauricio Pochettino could be frustrated as a result, with the manager admitting last month that the club need to look at winter window additions.
"After the first half of the season, we need to check. That is the reality. If we are not receiving enough, maybe we need to do some movement.
"That is the thing to analyse with the sporting directors, to see if we can change this dynamic and improve in the second half of the season. We need to be more aggressive. Then it's a massive assessment and when the transfer window opens, we will see what we can do.
"I don't say if I am going to ask for more or less players. It's to see if the perception matches the reality. We are missing something. We need to improve our reality."
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By
Luke Randall
Feb 1, 2024
A number of players have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month, though, including a plethora of forwards as potential short-term solutions.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has reportedly “chosen” to join Chelsea, although a deal may not materialise until the summer. Therefore, an attacking solution could be brought in until the end of the season, with the likes of AZ Alkmaar’s Vangelis Pavlidis, Zenit St Petersburg’s Mateo Cassierra, Cercle Brugge’s Kevin Denkey and Atletico Mineiro’s Paulinho all offered to Chelsea this month.
There could still be time for further outgoings as well, including Chalobah, and by the looks of things, a possible swap deal may be on the cards.
According to CaughtOffside and journalist Rudy Galetti, Fulham manager Marco Silva is keen on Chalobah and Chelsea are open to letting him go on a permanent basis before the end of the month. The report adds that another option could be a potential player swap, given that Chelsea have been in contact for information about left-back Antonee Robinson during the transfer discussions for Chalobah.
Robinson appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation, and at 26 years of age, you could argue that Chelsea may be getting a left-back in his prime.
The left-footed USA international, who has been Fulham's second-best player this season, as per WhoScored, may be just what Chelsea need as well, given Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella’s injury issues this season.
Robinson has gone from strength to strength at Craven Cottage, making more than 100 appearances for the club, and by the looks of things, a move across London could be one to keep an eye on over the coming days.
In addition to pursuing a right-back, with a move for Burnley's Connor Roberts said to be practically done, Leeds United and Daniel Farke are also going after a centre-half on transfer deadline day. The Whites have been pushing for Ben Godfrey, but they saw their first loan offer for the Englishman rejected, and that may have led them to consider some alternatives.
Alongside Sheffield United, Leeds made an approach for Bournemouth's Chris Mepham, but they were told that he's unavailable for transfer during this window. Elsewhere, the two Yorkshire rivals have been showing interest in Nottingham Forest's Joe Worrall, but it's unclear if the Premier League side's £6m valuation will put them off.
And now, both teams are in the frame for a third central defensive target, with one looking to stave off relegation and the other battling for promotion from the Championship.
According to Football Insider, Leeds are interested in signing Harry Souttar in a "last-gasp" move. Farke has been keen to strengthen the heart of his defence throughout the window and views Souttar as an acceptable plan-b after the failed Godfrey bid.
Chris Wilder and Sheffield United have already made contact with Leicester over a possible transfer, but they can now expect to face competition from Leeds as the deadline nears.
It was only a year ago that Leicester were paying an initial £15m, potentially rising to £20m with add-ons, to sign Souttar from Stoke City. He would make 12 Premier League appearances as they unsuccessfully tried to stave off relegation, but it appears that Enzo Maresca, appointed as the manager in the summer, isn't especially keen on the Australian.
He's only started one of the Foxes' 29 second-tier games so far, watching on from the sidelines for 14 full matches. With an 11-point cushion to the play-off places, Leicester don't need to worry too much about strengthening the sides below them.
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When assessing Souttar, who'd previously played more than 60 games in the Championship at Stoke, the attribute that stands out is definitely his aerial ability. As you can see in the table below, he won a higher proportion of his headed battles (a whopping 86.4%) than any other player who contested a meaningful number in last season's Premier League. No wonder pundit Pat Nevin says it's as if he has a "magnet in his head".
|
Rank |
Player |
Success rate |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Harry Souttar |
86.4 |
|
2 |
Kurt Zouma |
80.9 |
|
3 |
Ibrahima Konate |
76.2 |
|
4 |
Virgil van Dijk |
74.2 |
|
5 |
Steve Cook |
73.0 |
Souttar is currently away at the Asian Cup with Australia, and scored in their 4-0 win over Indonesia in Tuesday's round of 16 tie to reach double figures for his country in just 21 caps. The Socceroos play South Korea in the quarterfinals on Friday, but Leeds and Sheffield United appear confident that won't affect his availability.
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly open to a move to AC Milan from Chelsea with Antonio Conte's Napoli also being an option for the Belgian.
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England goalkeeper Mary Earps experiences a high speed lap of Silverstone on British Grand Prix weekend in a McLaren 750s supercar.
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Tottenham are believed to be readying a "firm move" to sign an "underrated" star this summer, a player who technical director Johan Lange interestingly tried to sign during his days at Aston Villa.
All eyes were on the Dane as he geared up for his first transfer window at Spurs last month, especially considering he stepped into the shoes of former transfer chief Fabio Paratici.
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Lange was credited with some astute signings at Villa Park, and his January transfer window at Spurs only further heightened his reputation. Indeed, the official helped to broker a last-minute hijack for teenage sensation Lucas Bergvall, with the north Londoners beating Barcelona to Lange's countryman.
Before Bergvall's signing, Lange also helped to seal deals for defender Radu Dragusin, who joined in a £25 million move from Genoa, and attacking midfielder Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig.
|
All confirmed Tottenham deals for January |
Transfer |
|---|---|
|
Timo Werner |
Arrival |
|
Radu Dragusin |
Arrival |
|
Lucas Bergvall |
Arrival |
|
Djed Spence |
Exit (loan) |
|
Eric Dier |
Exit (loan) |
|
Ivan Perisic |
Exit (loan) |
|
Japhet Tanganga |
Exit (loan) |
|
Sergio Reguilon |
Exit (loan) |
|
Ashley Phillips |
Exit (loan) |
|
Alejo Veliz |
Exit (loan) |
The Lilywhites shifted deadwood aplenty and saved a lot of money by cutting player salaries as well in what is considered a pretty 10/10 transfer window where Lange is concerned.
It will be interesting to see what Spurs' employees have planned for the summer window, and some reports suggest Barcelona star Raphinha is among the potential Lange targets for later this year.
Chelsea star Conor Gallagher is a name who supporters will be more than familiar with, as he was heavily linked throughout January and last summer.
The 23-year-old has played a starring role under Mauricio Pochettino this season, and it is believed Chelsea are eager to tie him down with a new contract as a result. However, little progress is being made yet, which gifts Spurs the chance to sign him if both player and club can't agree fresh terms.
That is according to The Telegraph and journalist Matt Law, who claims Tottenham are "ready to make a firm move" for Gallagher this summer if his future remains unresolved.
Lange actually tried to snap up Gallagher "some years ago" when employed at Villa, so it appears the Scandinavian has another chance at getting his man through the door, but this time at N17 if all goes to plan.
Called "very underrated" by members of the media, Chelsea's midfield ace would also count as homegrown.
Newcastle United are interested in signing an "incredible" player who Eddie Howe admires this summer, according to a fresh transfer update.
The Magpies are now looking at players who could come in at the end of the season, with numerous individuals linked with moves to the club recently. Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been backed to seal a switch to St James' Park, bringing a box-to-box presence to the team, as they look to "snatch" him away from his current club.
Exciting young Leeds United starlet Archie Gray is also considered an option for Newcastle, with the teenager wanted by a host of different top clubs.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana continues to look like a primary target, too, and the most recent update regarding the Magpies' interest in him suggests that they are in pole position to get their man.
According to a new update from The Daily Mail, Newcastle and PIF are also keen on signing Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly in the summer transfer window, snapping him up for free in the process.
"Newcastle United are weighing up a summer deal for Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and is emerging as one of the most sought-after free agents of the summer. Kelly has put in a string of strong performances for Andoni Iraola's side so far this season, and has been courted by clubs both domestically and abroad.
"Newcastle were hampered by financial restrictions in January but will be free to buy again from July and are also assessing the market to see what bargains are available. Kelly fits that profile and is well known by manager Eddie Howe from his time in charge at Bournemouth."
It certainly looks as though Newcastle are genuinely interested in Kelly. This season, he has added 2.3 clearances per game across 13 Premier League appearances. The fact that Howe knows him so well as a player, and clearly rates him, is an immediate bonus, with the Magpies boss blown away with Kelly during his time at Bournemouth.
“Yeah, I think one of the great things about Lloyd when I first met him – I was blown away by how mature he was. How much mental capacity he had to want to improve and learn and to become the very best player that he can be."
Meanwhile, his ability to thrive as both a centre-back and a left-back could add extra depth defensively. At 25, he is still relatively young and can get better, and former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil had this to say about him last year:
"I thought Lloyd was incredible. Didn't have much time in between, and then came back today having not trained much, to play left back against one of the best wingers in the world. I thought he showed everything, the potential he has to be a top defender. I thought it was a very, very impressive performance against a top attacker.”I think he had a 12-week ankle injury followed by a six-week calf injury."
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This could be a fantastic signing for Eddie Howe.
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Kelly arriving on a free transfer also acts as a plus point, meaning if the move didn't work out it wouldn't have been a big financial risk, but there is no reason why he couldn't be a real success in a Magpies shirt.
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It has been quite an eventful start to 2024 for Crystal Palace, to put it mildly.
A run of poor form led to Roy Hodgson's sacking and the hiring of Austrian manager Oliver Glasner, while the January transfer window saw some exciting talent come through the doors.
There was an immediate new manager bounce on Monday night, with the Eagles coming away from Goodison Park with a hard-fought point.
Jordan Ayew scored the south Londoner's only goal, with the assist coming from Jean-Philippe Mateta, and while the Frenchman has been okay for Palace this season, he might have to start looking over his shoulder as the academy could provide Glasner with the perfect replacement next year.
The 6 foot 4 frontman first joined Palace on loan from Bundesliga outfit FSV Mainz in January 2021, and despite returning a rather disappointing one goal in seven appearances for the side, he remained with the club until February 2022, when his loan was made permanent for around £9m, or about £12m when accounting for the loan fee as well.
The 2021/22 season went a little better for the Sevran-born number nine, as he scored seven goals and provided one assist in 28 games for Patrick Vieira's side, although he only started 13 Premier League matches.
Unfortunately, the former Lyon man was unable to improve the following season.
He ended the 2022/23 campaign with just four goals and no assists in 32 first-team games, but he's turned it around somewhat this season, and as things stand, he has a reasonable return of six goals and five assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.
That said, while he has looked better recently, 16 goals and six assists in 93 games for a Premier League side with ambitions to climb the table just isn't enough, and with the emergence of a certain striker in the academy, the Frenchman could be on borrowed time in the Eagles' starting XI.
The player who could be gunning for Mateta's place in the team in the summer is 20-year-old Ademola Ola-Adebomi, who has been a machine for the Eagles' youth sides over the last few years.
The youngster joined the club's academy at just eight years old and, after seriously impressing with the U18s in 2022, signed his first professional contract at just 18.
In his 33 appearances with the U18s, he scored 18 goals and provided four assists, a rate of return he carried over to the U23s, where he netted 16 in 32 and provided two assists to boot.
The "exceptional" academy gem, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was clearly too good to remain in the youth setup.
So, he was sent out on loan for the first time in his career last month, moving to League One outfit Burton Albion, where he has already provided an assist in just 287 minutes of action.
Ultimately, there's still a long way to go in the promising prospect's development.
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Still, his record from his time in youth football is remarkable and the fact that Mateta could only score six goals in 16 games for Lyon's B side when he was the same age bodes well for Ola-Adebomi.