Boehly Also Eyeing 38 y/o & 52 y/o As Managerial Options

Chelsea have two other potential names on their managerial shortlist alongside Julian Nagelsmann as they look to replace Graham Potter.

Will Chelsea hire an immediate replacement?

The 47-year-old's fate was announced on Sunday evening and already there have been strong links to the likes of Nagelsmann who is said to be top of the pile.

However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has listed three other possible options for the Blues as they begin another managerial search:

(5:10) "About other managers, Luis Enrique has some fans in the Chelsea board. So it's true that some of them appreciate Luis Enrique. And so is a name to follow also, because a few days ago, he said that he would love to work in the Premier League. So let's keep Luis Enrique as one of the options.

"And another option I heard is Ruben Amorim, Portuguese coach of Sporting, doing an incredible job at Sporting with players, great relationship with the fans. Also great relationship with their board. Ruben Amorim is doing an excellent job and so is one to watch too."

When their next coach is appointed, it will be the third manager under Todd Boehly's short tenure at Stamford Bridge having also dismissed Thomas Tuchel earlier in the season.

Who is the best option for Chelsea?

Perhaps the biggest issue surrounding the Blues currently will be the expectations from the owner having spent such significant amounts of money this season.

And with that in mind, it does have to be questioned whether a project manager would be the best option for Chelsea considering how badly it went under Potter.

Ruben Amorin has impressed during his time with Sporting having beaten the likes of Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, however, Sporting is the biggest club he has managed.

Although they are a big club in Portugal, his lack of exposure to the top end of European football may be a concern when the likes of Nagelsmann has already managed Bayern Munich.

Todd Boehly walks outside of Stamford Bridge ahead of a Chelsea game.

On the other hand, Luis Enrique would arrive with bags of experience from his time with Barcelona and that could certainly be a positive next to his name.

During his time at the Camp Nou, the Spaniard was able to get his hands on a number of trophies including the Champions League in 2015.

The Blues remain in the Champions League and there is a reported belief from the top that they can still defy the odds and get their hands on the trophy.

And with that in mind, perhaps a quick appointment for Enrique could appeal to Boehly as he looks to get his hands on a trophy in his first season at the helm.

Liverpool Willing To Submit £71m Offer For "One-Man Army"

Liverpool are willing to make a £71m offer to bring Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Tchouameni to Liverpool?

The Reds have James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out of contract at the end of the season, and having told Arthur Melo that they won’t be signing him permanently, will be in need of several central reinforcements in the summer.

The Frenchman first arrived at the Bernabeu Stadium in July 2022 and has since gone on to make 35 appearances during his debut season where he has hugely impressed, becoming Carlo Ancelotti’s top-performing defensive player in La Liga.

The Merseyside outfit have been long-term admirers of the 23-year-old who confirmed that he held “discussions” regarding a move to Anfield before setting his heart on Madrid. Whilst Jurgen Klopp failed to secure his services last summer, it sounds like he’s now ready to take a second bite of the cherry.

According to Spanish outlet El Nacional (via Liverpool Echo), Liverpool could “renew their interest” in Tchouameni ahead of the 2023/24 term. The Nike-sponsored star has reportedly “not yet yielded results” or “lived up to expectations” which means that Madrid are “considering” sanctioning his sale as they “cannot afford the luxury of having a player who cost so much money on the bench”. Klopp has “not forgotten” about his target and is therefore “convinced” that he would be a fantastic addition to his midfield department with FSG therefore “willing to make an offer” worth £71m.

Real Madrid midfielderAurelien Tchouameni.

Would Tchouameni be a good signing for Liverpool?

Liverpool could find it difficult to negotiate a deal at the right price for Tchouameni considering that his contract isn’t set to expire for another five years, but having been dubbed a “one-man army” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he would be a wonderful acquisition.

The 6 foot 1 colossus currently ranks in the 99th percentile for interceptions, showing that he’s not afraid to get stuck in and win back possession, and the 98th percentile for pass completion, displaying his strong link-up play with his fellow teammates, as per FBRef.

The Rouen native is also capable of contributing to his side’s efforts in the final third having provided three assists this season where he’s operated slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his natural position just in front of the back four so is an all-round central superstar and it would be a huge coup for Liverpool should they be able to secure his services this summer.

Tottenham: Spurs Eye "Phenomenal" Manager Appointment

Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is Tottenham Hotspur's 'favoured choice' for their manager position, according to The Times.

What's the latest on Nagelsmann to Spurs?

Reports of Spurs' real interest in the 35-year-old recently surfaced when he was unceremoniously, and perhaps surprisingly, dismissed by Bayern near the end of last month.

In what was a ruthless call, the Bundesliga giants handed Nagelsmann his P45 despite having led them to a Champions League quarter-final – all while still being in contention for the German title.

Following the former RB Leipzig boss' shock exit from Bayern, Premier League clubs queued up to express their interest in Nagelsmann who was suddenly readily-available.

Spurs were no exception amid their search for Antonio Conte's replacement with Chelsea also registering their fondness for Nagelsmann.

RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann celebrates after the match vs Spurs

The managerial merry-go-round could be in full swing this summer and Nagelsmann may well have his pick of top European clubs, especially with speculation surrounding the futures of PSG boss Christophe Galtier and Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti.

Nonetheless, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the north Londoners are apparently still battling for Nagelsmann, with The Times sharing an update on their pursuit.

The reliable newspaper claims he is Tottenham's 'favoured choice' to succeed Conte, coming after reports that he 'developed an affinity' for the club and even owned a replica Spurs shirt.

However, that doesn't appear to be counting for much as things stand – as Chelsea are still well and truly in the running.

As per The Times' information, Nagelsmann is apparently leading towards west London as things stand.

Should Spurs push the boat out for Nagelsmann?

The coach has plenty of credentials which put him out in front of other Spurs manager candidates.

Boasting a league title on his CV already at the age of 35, the former Hoffenheim boss has been praised as a real innovator by members of the media like BBC Sport writer Raj Chohan – who called him 'phenomenal' in that regard.

Nagelsmann's high-pressing, intense style would also be a joy to watch for Spurs supporters who yearn to see a more expansive and progressive brand of football.

Tottenham actually looked at appointing him back in 2021 in the search for Jose Mourinho's replacement but he ultimately ended up joining Bayern.

Going by this update, it could be a tall order for Spurs to beat Chelsea to Nagelsmann, yet his exciting reputation indicates he could be worth the effort.

Everton In Struggle To Keep £38k-A-Week Star

Everton are going to find it "very difficult" to keep hold of midfielder Amadou Onana this summer, according to an update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Is Onana having a good season?

The 21-year-old made the move to Goodison Park last summer, arriving in a big-money move from Lille and being seen as an exciting signing. Amid the Blues' struggles in the Premier League this season, he has arguably been one of the bright sparks, providing a mixture of quality and tenacity in the middle of the park, scoring and assisting once apiece in the league along the way.

With Everton threatened by relegation to the Championship, it seems highly unlikely that Onana would stay at Goodison Park beyond the summer if that happens, and he may even look for a new challenge regardless of their position in the football ladder. His current Blues deal expires in the summer of 2027, which would at least mean that the Merseysiders could earn good money for his signature.

Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

Will Onana leave Everton this summer?

Speaking to Caught Offside [via Goodison News], Romano admitted that Everton will do well to keep Onana at the club by the time the summer transfer window ends:

"Everton are going to find it very difficult to keep hold of Amadou Onana this summer."

In truth, it would be impossible to begrudge Onana a move away from Everton this summer should the unthinkable happen and the Blues go down to the Championship, having only survived by the skin of their teeth last time around.

The hope is that they retain their Premier League status and Sean Dyche talks the Belgian into staying put, though, promising him that he can be a key man in both the present and the future. The £38,000-a-week midfielder has been hailed as "outstanding" by journalist Connor O'Neill earlier this year and is a player with so much potential.

At 21, he has already won six caps for a star-studded Belgium side featuring the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, and he should only grow into a more dominant figure for club and country as the years pass and he matures as a player.

The brutal truth is that Everton will do very well to keep Onana, however, especially if a club who are playing European football come in for him and offer him a route out of Goodison in the summer.

VAR Misses Shocking Foul As Spurs Thrashed 6-1

It seems as though referee David Coote and his VAR team may have made a notable error in the Tottenham Hotspur thrashing as he failed to send Dejan Kulusevski off for a poor tackle.

What's the latest on VAR and Spurs?

It really feels as though things couldn't have gone worse for Spurs on Sunday afternoon. After all, coming up against fellow Champions League football challengers, Newcastle United, Cristian Stellini's men were blown away.

Indeed, the Magpies took a 5-0 lead within 21 minutes thanks to braces from Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak, as well as an effort from Joelinton – meaning only one other team in the history of the Premier League had conceded that many goals in fewer minutes (which as Watford vs Man City in 2019 as per OptaJoe).

However, it seems as though things could have actually got considerably more complicated for Spurs after then, had Coote reached for a red when Kulusevski made a bad foul.

With the score at 5-0 and 27 minutes played, the Tottenham winger reached for the ball but ended up nowhere near it as he planted his studs into Joe Willock's groin as seen in the image below.

Should Kulusevski have been red-carded?

Seeing as the Newcastle midfielder heads the ball away, it's quite baffling why Kulusevski studs end up where they are if it was a genuine attempt to make a challenge.

With that in mind, with his studs raised so high, it seems extremely fortunate that referee Coote didn't pull out a red card, nor was he instructed by his VAR team to reconsider his initial decision.

After all, as per the official FA Rules, a player can be sent off for serious foul play when making "a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force."

Or when any player "lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent."

It really feels as though Kulusevski is guilty of breaching those rules with this dreadful tackle but in the end, he was only booked.

Of course, it didn't have a huge impact on the game as Spurs were already beaten by that point. But Harry Kane did pull one back and Newcastle only scored once after, through Callum Wilson to make the final result 6-1.

Had Kulusevski been sent off, though, it could have been an even more humiliating scoreline.

Leeds Seriously Impressed By 46 y/o Boss Similar To Bielsa

Leeds United are seriously impressed by Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson – and he could be brought in to replace Javi Gracia in the summer, according to a report from Football Insider.

Who could Leeds appoint as their new manager?

With Gracia only contracted until the end of the season, Leeds could look at replacing the Spaniard in the summer, and they have already been linked with a number of potential managers.

Vincent Kompany's name has been mentioned, however, journalist Pete O'Rourke believes it'd be a "massive coup" if the Whites won the race for the Burnley boss, amid interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

In light of the West Yorkshire club's poor recent form, there have also been reports that a new manager could be brought in before the end of the season, with the likes of Ralph Hasenhuttl and Patrick Vieira linked, although time is now running out.

According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds are considering parting ways with Gracia in the summer, with the 52-year-old failing to inspire since being brought in to replace Jesse Marsch back in February.

Tomasson has seriously impressed club officials, not only because of the results he has overseen as manager of Blackburn, but also due to the style of play he has implemented, which is similar to Marcelo Bielsa's system.

The Dane has introduced a high-tempo 4-2-3-1 system, and he is viewed as "the next Bielsa" by Leeds chiefs, with a summer appointment possible if he does not lead his current club to promotion from the Championship.

Should Leeds appoint Tomasson?

It has been a good season for Blackburn, who are still in a decent position to reach the play-offs, but the thing that will appeal to Leeds most about Tomasson is the system he has implemented, becoming known for his "fast-paced, high-press style".

Graham Potter only finished tenth in the Championship as manager of Swansea City before being appointed by Brighton & Hove Albion, and he went on to be a huge success with the Seagulls, leading the club to their highest-ever finish.

Jon Dahl Tomasson

There would be a clear similarity if the Whites were to appoint Tomasson this summer, especially considering the former Malmo manager also made a name for himself in Scandinavia, winning two league titles in charge of the Swedish club.

We think the 46-year-old would be an excellent appointment for Leeds, but they will first need to focus on retaining their Premier League status in order to ensure they are in a strong position to win the race for his signature.

Allardyce Could Shackle Haaland With "Ridiculous" Leeds Star

Leeds United will surely need to pick up some positive results in their final four games if they are going to maintain their Premier League status this season.

Only goal difference sees the Yorkshire outfit sit ahead of Nottingham Forest in the bottom three as it stands, and with games against high-flying Manchester City and Newcastle United to come, Sam Allardyce must find a way of improving a Leeds defence which has struggled all season long.

No side in the Premier League has conceded more than Leeds and with a trip to the league leaders to come on Saturday, Allardyce will be searching for ways to keep the prolific Erling Haaland quiet at the Etihad.

The Norwegian forward has crashed in a record-breaking 35 goals in his first season in the Premier League and will be looking to add to his tally again on Saturday against a Leeds side that have leaked goals in recent weeks.

However, Allardyce could find a potential solution for the former Borussia Dortmund man in Pascal Struijk, as the Dutchman has been a rare bright spark in a shocking season for the Yorkshire outfit.

Should Leeds start Struijk against Manchester City?

According to WhoScored, the 23-year-old has been the top-performing player at Elland Road with a solid 6.77 rating across his 25 Premier League appearances so far this term.

Defensive concentration will be vital if Leeds are going to keep out Haaland, and Struijk's impressive average of three tackles per game this season (the second-best in Allardyce's squad), suggests that he could be the man to stop the powerful forward when he inevitably gets put through on goal by City's creative outlets.

While Struijk cannot be described as the quickest of defenders, he certainly boasts a decent turn of speed which the other defenders, notably Max Wober and Liam Cooper, arguably lack.

Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester City v Everton – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – December 31, 2022 Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland reacts after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for fur

A deep defensive line will have to be a must for Leeds and Allardyce on Sunday, or they risk it becoming far too easy for the electric Haaland to go in on goal, and at six-foot-three, Struijk certainly possesses the physicality to deal with Haaland in the air, as is evidenced by his return of 2.1 aerials won per game vs the Man City man's average of 1.4 aerials per game.

The £50k-per-week defender certainly still has a lot of potential and has perhaps been underused by Leeds at times this season, given that journalist Conor McGilligan dubbed him a "ridiculous talent" earlier in the season.

If Leeds can force City to play the ball long to Haaland by playing a deep line, then Struijk could be the ideal man for Allardyce to select at the back as he looks to keep him quiet.

Weighell and Jennings highlight Durham's resolve

Durham supporters steeling themselves for the possibility of another Test mismatch after events at Headingley can at least find consolation that this Championship encounter has thankfully been made of sterner stuff

David Hopps at Edgbaston24-May-2016
ScorecardJames Weighell claimed his first five-wicket haul•Getty ImagesDurham supporters steeling themselves for the possibility of another Test mismatch at Chester-le-Street after events at Headingley can at least find consolation that this Championship encounter has been made of sterner stuff. For three days, the leaders Warwickshire have failed to kill off a dogged challenge by Durham, the upshot being that they will begin the final morning 84 runs short with six wickets remaining. There is no doubt where the grittiest cricket has been on show.When it comes to toughness of character, Keaton Jennings loves nothing better than to sandpaper a bowling attack into submission. He began the season against Lancashire with centuries in both innings – only the third Durham batsman to achieve the feat – and his unbeaten 88 showed the same unyielding qualities. His fifth-wicket stand with Paul Collingwood was worth 67 from 23 overs at the close.Viewed through an international prism, as they are about to be, Durham, the hosts for the second Test, are in a mess. Appalling Test advance sales seemingly give them no immediate hope of reducing debts totalling £5m, especially with Ben Stokes hors de combat, but on the field, under the captaincy of Collingwood, their tenacity can be taken for granted.Durham’s tail is a long one: this match remains decidedly in the balance. But if they pull this one off, back-to-back wins (they beat the leaders Lancashire at Emirates Riverside last week) would be a powerful retort to those who imagined they might be relegation fodder. Instead it is Surrey, rich enough to lend them a few bob, whose season is turning sour.Durham’s ability to produce cricketers in the north-east also deserves to command huge respect, and it has been exemplified here at Edgbaston by James Weighell, the latest fast bowler to come off the production line – the result of a strong academy and a willingness to cast their net far and wide. Others can learn from that.A 22-year-old from Middlesbrough, border country where Durham’s raids are these days considerable more successful than Yorkshire’s, Weighell has twice set career-best figures in only his fourth first-class match, following up four wickets in the first innings with 5 for 33 second time around to return 9 for 130 in the match.He took all his wickets in the first innings from around the wicket – utilising it as an unusually persistent ploy against the right-hander – but he adjusted the balance towards a more conventional approach on the third day in conditions that gave plenty of encouragement to pace bowlers maintaining an attacking length.With Chris Woakes on the road north to join England – Warwickshire’s best bowling return for half a century safely gathered in – it was tempting to feel some sympathy for the effect that it would have on their Championship challenge until the thought dawned that Durham’s pace bowling stocks are currently weakened by the absence not just of Stokes and his England colleague Mark Wood, but also Chris Rushworth, whose 83 wickets last season made him the PCA cricketer of the yearFielding a trio of wet-behind-the-ears pace bowlers, Durham bowled themselves right back into the match by dismissing Warwickshire for 114 in their second innings, challenging the perception that their Woakes-inspired deficit of 123 on first innings was as good as terminal.Weighell was the prime reason. Warwickshire, resuming on 15 for 2, soon lost Andrew Umeed, who had made a century on Championship debut in the first innings, but who edged an excellent lifting delivery from Weighell. Ian Bell fell to a yorker and Weighell also added to the misery of Sam Hain whose desperately thin Championship season – a season in which he might have been expected to blossom – continued when he hacked a nondescript ball onto his stumps. Tim Ambrose caught at short leg on the stroke of lunch and a miscue to midwicket by Oliver Hannon-Dalby completed his five-for.Durham could be forgiven for identifying Keith Barker as the bowler they most feared as they set off in pursuit of 238. Barker, Warwickshire’s stocky left-arm swing bowler, has been Durham’s nemesis for years. There was a maiden century in 2011, the bowling figures behind two innings defeats in 2014 and another Championship hundred last season. One look at his sizeable frame sends them all a quiver.As it was, the threat came from a different source. It was the ganglier figure of Chris Wright who spearheaded Warwickshire’s challenge in a post-tea spell of 4 for 10 in 24 balls which disturbed the equanimity that had taken hold during a circumspect opening stand of 87 in 30 overs between Jennings and Mark Stoneman.In Woakes’ absence, and with no signs of turn for Jeetan Patel or Woakes’ stand-in – the legspinner Josh Poysden – Wright’s intervention was necessary. Scott Borthwick got the best delivery of all, which left him sharply to hit off stump, and when Michael Richardson pulled to midwicket few would have reckoned on Durham having a 50-50 chance of victory by the close.

Alasdair Gold Wowed By 15 y/o Spurs Sensation

Tottenham Hotspur teenage sensation Mikey Moore is drawing attention at youth level and has a bright future ahead of him, journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed.

What's going on with Spurs and Mikey Moore?

Despite being just 15, Moore has begun to establish himself as one of the brightest prospects in the Spurs academy, making 10 appearances at under-18 level, scoring three and assisting four times this season.

With the Spurs first team in disarray, interim head coach Ryan Mason may begin to consider using the final few games of the season as a chance for some of the academy to gain experience around the matchday squad.

Given the remarkable talent Moore has displayed so far, it may not be long before he is seen with the senior team.

Speaking on the Gold and Guest Podcast (3.30), Gold stated that Moore has a big future ahead of him, and was mesmerised by his ability given his young age.

"Mikey Moore is so young, he's on the other end of the age scale in that under-18 side. He's going to be such a player," he stated.

Should Mason turn to the academy?

Spurs have given up ground in the hunt for a top-four position, and whilst they are still in the race, it seems unlikely that there would be wholesale changes to the team despite the current run of poor results.

However, if Spurs are out of the running for a Champions League spot by the end of the season, they could turn to some of their promising youngsters to help prepare for next season.

Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Ryan Mason talks to Pedro Porro

Playing the likes of Lucas Moura and Arnaut Danjuma now seems a pointless exercise, given that neither will likely be at the club next season, with Moura leaving and Danjuma's loan ending, and it was Moura coming off the bench who gifted Liverpool their winner at Anfield.

Mason, who previously coached some of the youth teams at the club, could use the final few weeks of his interim role to give big opportunities to the brightest talents in the academy, and players like Moore could gain some invaluable experience by being around the first team.

Spurs have had few top talents come through the academy in recent years since Harry Kane's remarkable rise, but by giving more youngsters a chance now, they could then use pre-season as a means of assessing if any could be of use to the first-team next season.

In the last few weeks, both the U17s and U18s have been crowned champions at their respective level showing just how promising the signs are for the young players in N17.

If Spurs qualify for the Europa League, or the Europa Conference League, then a deep squad topped up with academy prospects could help them rotate in the group stages, and help develop some of their high-potential wonderkids.

PCB extends batting coach Grant Flower's contract

The PCB has decided to extend the contracts of batting coach Grant Flower and fitness trainer Grant Luden, on the advice of head coach Mickey Arthur

Umar Farooq11-Jul-20161:28

Grant Flower and Luden’s contracts extended

The PCB has decided to extend the contracts of batting coach Grant Flower and fitness trainer Grant Luden, on the advice of head coach Mickey Arthur. Both Flower and Luden had signed two-year contracts, starting July 2014, and are on three-month extended contracts already. The PCB told ESPNcricinfo that the contracts will be further extended for one more year.There was a possibility of Arthur suggesting a new coaching staff but he endorsed the duo and also brought in a new fielding coach in Steve Rixon from Australia. The entire coaching staff now has one-year contracts other than Azhar Mehmood who will join the Pakistan team as bowling coach only for the limited-overs leg of the England tour. Arthur’s own contract is for one year with a one-year extension subject to performances.Pakistan’s batting had been one of their major weaknesses earlier and the PCB had turned to former captains Inzamam-ul-Haq, Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas to bring about improvements. With Flower’s appointment, Pakistan witnessed considerable improvements in their batsmen. Pakistan’s average runs per wicket was just 28.89 between January 2012 and February 2014. Since Flower’s appointment in July 2014, it rose to 43.82. Under him, Pakistan batsmen have converted 48.43% of half-centuries into centuries – 31 hundreds out of 64 50-plus scores – which is the most among all teams by a distance. South Africa and Australia are next with under 41% conversions.Pakistan had their highest successful Test chase last year in Pallekele when they scored 382 – the sixth-highest successful chase in Tests. Pakistan’s No. 6 have averaged 61 in Tests since July 2014, which is way higher than any other team’s No. 6. Under Flower, Pakistan’s fourth innings average is also the highest among all teams.With Luden in the staff, Pakistan developed an imposing fitness criteria that helped players raise their fitness levels. However, he has been stripped off from his additional responsibility of being the fielding coach with Rixon coming in. Mushtaq Ahmed is travelling with the team as a makeshift bowling coach only for the Tests in England.

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