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Alejandro Garnacho has spoken for the first time after completing his move from Manchester United and explained why Chelsea are a natural fit for him.

Garnacho joins Chelsea from Man UtdCalls the Blues 'the best team in the world'Reveals compatriot Fernandez's role in the moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea have captured the signing of another bright young talent in Garnacho, who completed his move from United on Saturday, and the Argentine has given his first interview as a Blue. During the interview, Garnacho labelled Chelsea as "the best in the world" and explained why he feels the move makes sense from a sporting standpoint, while also acknowledging national team-mate Enzo Fernandez's influence behind the transfer.

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A graduate of United's youth academy, Garnacho broke into the Red Devils' first team in 2022 and went on to make 144 appearances, scoring 26 goals. However, ahead of the 2025-26 season, Garnacho was told by United head coach Ruben Amorim that he wasn't a part of his plans. Chelsea smelled an opportunity and completed the move earlier this week. The winger arrives at Stamford Bridge on a seven-year contract in a deal worth £40 million (€46m/$54m) – a figure that could prove to be a bargain if Garnacho reaches his potential.

WHAT GARNACHO SAID

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Garnacho explained the reasons behind his switch to Chelsea. He said: "These types of moments give you the taste, and you want to keep winning. When you get to a final, you want to score goals and win the trophy. This is my mentality.

"I have a winning mentality. I have passion and a big personality. It’s a natural fit with a club like Chelsea, which have just won the Club World Cup.

"Chelsea are at the top now, and it’s important to fight for the club like the fans deserve. I watched the Club World Cup, and to join the world champions is special – it means we’re the best team in the world!

"It’s not common to have played a lot of games at this age, but it has helped me a lot. I’m only 21 and I have a lot of experience from these different types of games, stadiums and moments."

FERNANDEZ'S ROLE IN GARNACHO MOVE

The 21-year-old also went on to speak about his Argentine team-mate Fernandez, who captains Chelsea. Garnacho spoke about the link-up and revealed the role Fernandez played in the move. 

He added: "I spoke to Enzo during the summer because he had been asking a lot of times, ‘When are you coming, when are you coming?’

"I kept saying that he had to be patient, and we would play together. He texted me when I joined to say congratulations, and I can’t wait to see him and play together. I had to be patient too, but now I can’t wait to get started."

Health could be one of the reasons for his decision; new chairman to be elected in May

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Dec-2019ICC chairman Shashank Manohar has indicated that he will not seek to continue in the seat when his current term ends in May 2020. Despite having the option of serving for another two years, Manohar was quoted as saying by , “I am not interested in continuing for another two-year term.”ICC’s rules allow a chairman to serve a maximum of three terms if he or she is re-elected every two years. Manohar became the global body’s first independent chairman in 2016, and then was re-elected in 2018. On both occasions he was, as the sole nominee, elected unanimously by the ICC directors.He remains popular with a majority of the ICC board’s 15 directors, which includes an independent woman director, the former Pepsico chairperson, Indra Nooyi. Imran Khawaja, the ICC deputy chairman, is believed to have met Manohar recently, asking him to continue for another term.”Majority of directors have requested me to continue but I have told them that I do not wish to,” Manohar said. “I have been the chairman for nearly five years. I am very clear, I do not want to continue from June 2020. My successor will be known next May. He has to be elected in May to take charge after me at the annual conference.”Manohar’s tenure has been, in some ways, transformative. When he was BCCI president between 2015-16, Manohar became the first heavyweight administrator to call out the constitutional revamp of the ICC, devised by the Big Three, for “bullying”.Once he took charge as the independent chairman, Manohar rolled back the Big Three’s revamp, brought in a new financial distribution model, changed the governance structure of the ICC Board and brought in an independent woman director for the first time. In the last two years, he has overseen the ICC management’s plan to introduce the the World Test Championship and the ODI League, to be launched from May 2020.His decision to not seek another term is thought to have caught the ICC management by surprise, and it is not immediately clear why he is choosing not to continue. One reason could be that Manohar is simply not inclined to chair the ICC anymore, that he is less motivated now because the ICC faces lesser challenges compared to when he took charge in 2016.Another potential reason could be health. The October round of ICC meetings were moved from Sydney to Dubai because Manohar couldn’t get on a long-haul flight to Australia: he had been advised not to do so by doctors.An ICC director who met Manohar recently told him that they needed his strong leadership now that an elected BCCI administration was back in power. The director feared that the BCCI, using its clout, could possibly once again endanger the various reforms the ICC had adopted, or is in the process of adopting.Although enjoys a strong support at the ICC, Manohar has polarised opinion within the BCCI where several members – among the state associations – have been critical of him for hurting India’s interests when he rolled back the Big Three revamp.As per the election rules, only a current or former ICC director can contest for the chairman’s position. Each director can nominate one candidate. Nominees with the support of at least two directors are eligible to contest the election.

It's been a long and eventful Premier League season for Crystal Palace fans this year. However, the appointment of Austrian manager Oliver Glasner in February signaled the start of a new era at the club.

The 49-year-old has five points from his first four games in charge and started winter signing Adam Wharton in each one.

The youngster looks like he could have an incredibly bright future at Selhurst Park, although he's still worth significantly less than one of his teammates.

What Crystal Palace paid for Adam Wharton

After a month of back-and-forth negotiations, the Eagles finally completed the £18m signing of Wharton from Blackburn Rovers on February 1st, agreeing to a five-and-a-half-year deal with the highly-rated youngster.

Despite being 19 at the time, the Blackburn-born gem had already made 51 appearances for Rovers' first team and was described as "one of the most exciting English U-19 talents around" and the "The English Cambiasso" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The now 20-year-old has already made six appearances for the south Londoners in his short time at the club, five of those starts, and looks relatively comfortable in the Premier League.

His rapid rise from academy gem at Ewood Park to first-team regular at Palace has been mirrored by the rise in his valuation, with Football Transfers' Expected Value model pricing the young Englishman at just around €1m – £860k a year ago. The £18m man still has a way to replicate the rise of homegrown talent, Tyrick Mitchell, however.

Tyrick Mitchell's valuation at Crystal Palace

Mitchell joined Palace as a youngster after Brentford dissolved their youth setup in 2016. After spending a few years working his way up through the various youth sides, he made his full debut for the first team in a 2-0 Premier League defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2020.

In the three and a half years since that game, the Brent-born full-back has made 134 appearances for the south Londoners. In September 2023, he became the youngest player in the club's history to make 100 Premier League appearances.

The 24-year-old's importance to the team has been undeniable in recent seasons, and with new boss Glasner continuing to start him since taking over, it looks as if the "technically super-gifted" left-back, as ex-youth coach Gabriel Flores described him, will keep his place in the team for some time to come.

Appearances

134

Goals

2

Assists

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.06

His consistent performances in arguably the toughest league in world football have also impacted his valuation. In January 2021, Football Transfers' Expected Value model priced him at just €3 – £2.5m, whereas he's now valued at around €25m, which is about £21m, or more than Wharton's £18m transfer fee.

Crystal Palace were rinsed by £170k-p/w signing who earned more than Eze

The highly-rated star cost the clubs millions and offered nothing in return.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 22, 2024

Ultimately, Palace have a young star on their hands in the former Blackburn gem, but they have arguably done even better in nurturing Mitchell from the academy up to a £21m Premier League-level left-back.

CBS Sports, rights-holders for Champions League and Serie A, add U.S Open Cup to their roster of soccer content

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U.S. Open Cup to be broadcast on CBS SportsWill come with accompanying studio programmingStarts with third round, running through entire 2026 competition Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. Soccer and CBS Sports reached an agreement on a two-year deal to broadcast the U.S. Open Cup on Paramount+, they announced Wednesday.

The network will make every game available for streaming starting with the third round, which commences on April 15. Select matches with also be broadcast on CBS Sports. CBS Golazo Network will offer supplementary content with studio personalities and analysts.

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The Open Cup has come under scrutiny in recent years after MLS reduced its participation in the tournament, with just 16 teams sending their first-team sides – although MLS Next Pro clubs for those that aren't involved are in the mix.

Still, it has remained a strong competition, and an important point of reference for USL and amateur clubs.

WHAT U.S. SOCCER AND CBS SAID

U.S. Soccer chief commercial officer David Wright expressed his excitement on the deal in statement:

"This is an incredible step forward in our service to soccer strategy and to further growing the game which highlights the longest-running and most inclusive soccer tournament in the United States. CBS Sports has shown a tremendous commitment to offer accessibility for all soccer fans and to grow the sport domestically and globally, and we’re excited to have the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup featured among the world’s most exciting soccer competitions."

CBS executive vice president, programming Dan Weinberg echoed the sentiment:

"The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a marquee addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio with its reach across all levels of the domestic game. We’re expanding our coverage by making the tournament’s exciting competition more accessible to fans than ever before and further solidifying Paramount+ as the premier destination for soccer in this country."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE U.S. OPEN CUP?

The second round of the competition is slated for next week, with fixtures kicking off on April 1. MLS teams will enter in the third round in mid April.

Nottingham Forest are plotting a move in January to sign an in-demand new midfielder worth just shy of £30m. The Reds will be hoping their impressive form in this campaign can continue right until the end, as they could make a surprise challenge for a European spot.

Marinakis planning Nottingham Forest January swoop for £60m striker

Forest are looking to beat a host of Premier League teams to the signing of a young star.

ByBrett Worthington Dec 4, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

Nuno Espirito Santo has so far defied all odds and got Forest away from any threat of relegation and instead competing near the top end of the Premier League table. They have Chris Wood to thank for a lot of this season, but Nuno will not want to keep relying on one player.

Indeed, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on Forest’s radar ahead of January, as the striker is still yet to sign a new deal at Goodison Park, which means he will enter the New Year with only six months on his deal remaining, and this could force the Toffees into selling their forward.

Brighton’s Evan Ferguson has also emerged on the Reds’ radar, as they are looking to make a permanent move for the Irish striker in January. There are several Premier League teams looking into a possible loan deal, but Forest are ready to test Brighton’s resolve by offering a permanent deal. Their January business may not stop there, as Forest are also among the teams keeping a watchful eye on an Italian midfielder.

Nottingham Forest plotting move for Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli

According to TBR Football, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Nicolo Fagioli from Juventus in January. The Italian international looks set to leave the Serie A giants in the New Year, as he’s fallen out of favour under manager Thiago Motta.

The 23-year-old has featured in 15 games in all competitions this season, with only six coming as starts, as he’s found himself behind Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram in the pecking order.

The report states Fagioli, who is a similar player to Bernardo Silva according to FBref’s comparison metrics, is available for a loan or a permanent switch in January. Teams such as Forest, Man City, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Crystal Palace are interested in signing the midfielder.

Fagioli

Silva

Apps

11

13

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

3

Progressive carries

17

50

Progressive passes

37

59

Shots per 90

1.87

1.77

Tackles (Won)

11 (7)

13 (9)

However, these teams face competition from European sides such as Atalanta, Napoli, Marseille and RB Leipzig. Juventus are open to selling Fagioli as long as they receive a fee of €35 million (£29 million), but a loan with a buy option looks more likely to happen.

They have not played a one-dayer on home soil since November 2020

AAP24-Aug-2022Australia’s immediate sights may be on back-to-back ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand but wicketkeeper Alex Carey says this is where their preparation begins for the 2023 World Cup.Australia face Zimbabwe in three ODIs in Townsville from Sunday, before they meet world No.1 New Zealand for three matches in Cairns from September 6.Sunday’s match marks the first time in almost two years Australia has played a home ODI and will be Zimbabwe’s first bilateral series here since the 2003-2004 summer.Carey says with the World Cup just 12 months away and the squad at almost full strength, it’s time to begin preparations.Related

A brief history of Zimbabwe in Australia: beating England, Streak's day at the SCG and Marillier's near-miss

Labuschagne wants to 'continue to get better' at No. 5 after disappointing tour of Sri Lanka

Muzarabani back in Zimbabwe squad for Australia ODIs; Ervine remains injured

“We see it as a great opportunity to continue to evolve our one-day cricket to get some form leading into the next 12 months. So it is a good way to start,” he told reporters in Townsville. “Most players will know their roles coming into the series.”Players have been playing the last couple of weeks as well over in the Hundred in England, so for us it’s preparing the best way we can.”One-day cricket you know how you try to set up, but we’ll obviously sum up the conditions as well and play accordingly.”Zimbabwe named their 15-man squad for the tour on Tuesday after falling 3-0 to India in a series at home. With Craig Ervine still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Regis Chakabva will captain the side again.Their recent series against India and Bangladesh will provide important footage Carey said, with little known of some of their squad.”In this format, I haven’t played them,” he said. “They’ve had some recent form so they’ll be keen to come over here and play some good cricket. They knocked off Bangladesh recently. So we will do our research if guys haven’t already started.”We’ve got some vision of bowlers, batters and we are up here five days early. So, we’re keen to get around, meet and greet and it get stuck into it.”

Ellyse Perry made another half-century before the England spinner showed her value

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2022Sydney Sixers made it two from two early in their WBBL campaign after an all-round display led by Suzie Bates’ sizeable contribution with the bat, another half century for Ellyse Perry and a superb performance from Sophie Ecclestone.After Alyssa Healy fell in the fourth over, charging a slower ball from Darcie Brown having not found her rhythm, Bates and Perry added 131 for the second wicket in a stand that lasted until the penultimate ball of the innings.The pair never quite fully cut loose, but after Sixers ended the powerplay on 1 for 24 there was a steady build throughout the innings with the ninth over going for 15 and the 13th 16 runs. Bates had been 23 off 30 balls before latching onto Amanda-Jade Wellington’s second over.Perry’s 58 off 44 followed her 55 off 48 in the opening match against Brisbane Heat while Bates, against her former club, made her first major contribution with Sixers. Darcie Brown’s bowling stood with 1 for 20 from four overs including 14 dots. Ash Gardner faced just one ball and launched it for six.Deandra Dottin gave Adelaide Strikers a rapid start to the chase with 25 off 16 balls with three sixes before being well caught at mid-off against Ecclestone.Ecclestone then produced a direct hit from mid-on to run out the well-set Laura Wolvaardt and in her next over with the ball was rewarded for some nice flight when Tahlia McGrath drove to cover to swing the match decisively Sixers’ way.The asking rate continued to rise and the loss of Bridget Patterson and Mack in the space of three balls left far too much to do for the lower order.

Glasgow Rangers delivered one of their finest away performances in Europe on Thursday evening, thrashing OGC Nice 4-1 in France.

It may not be on the seismic level of Borussia Dortmund in 2022 or Lyon in 2007, but Philippe Clement finely got a wonderful performance from his starting XI, and it came at exactly the right time.

The Light Blues scored three goals in a stunning first half, adding a fourth just after the restart. A consolation by Nice couldn’t take the shine of a truly incredible European display.

Hamza Igamane scored two goals. Could this be the catalyst he needs to cement a place in the starting XI?

Hamza Igamane game in numbers against Nice

The striker had scored just one goal for the Gers before this tricky European tie, netting against FCSB in October.

Perhaps bowing to pressure given Cyriel Dessers’ poor form, the Moroccan centre-forward was unleashed from the start, and it proved to be a wise choice.

Not content with scoring twice, Igamane also provided an assist during the game while making three key passes, attempting six dribbles and winning 80% of his aerial duels.

This was a solid display from the youngster, one that may have Dessers rather worried heading into the next couple of games.

Igamane wasn’t the only player who performed superbly against the French side, as numerous first-team stars could lay claim to being the most impressive in the side.

Goals

2

Key passes

3

Aerial duels won

80%

Touches

43

Dribble attempts (successful)

6 (2)

Possession lost

14

The defence has come in for some stick as of late, but John Souttar was a commanding presence at the heart of the backline during the 4-1 victory.

John Souttar’s game in numbers vs Nice

The Scot has been Clement’s first-choice centre-back this season, but recent performances have been below the level required at Ibrox.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Against Nice, Souttar made seven clearances, made one tackle and won 100% of his contested duels throughout the game, a remarkable stat.

In terms of distribution, Souttar succeeded with 87% of his passes, while delivering six accurate long balls from ten attempts against the Ligue 1 outfit, regularly starting attacks from defence.

His performance even warranted a match rating of 8/10 by Scotsman journalist Mark Atkinson, who said of the defender: ‘This man is a blocking machine. The in-form Scotland defender was sound throughout and marshalled the Rangers back line very well. The centre-half has all the hallmarks of a captain one day’

With James Tavernier dropping to the bench for the second game in a row, could his time be up at the club? Especially after a solid performance by Dujon Sterling.

This would leave a vacancy for the captaincy. On his day, Souttar has everything in his locker to be one of the finest defenders in the country. The key for him now is to build on this display against Nice and use it as a platform ahead of the busy festive season.

If so, might he be a candidate for the captaincy? Only time will tell.

Rangers preparing new offer to sign "phenomenal" Dessers upgrade

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Premier League attacker.

ByDan Emery Nov 28, 2024

Frank Lampard is being backed to come into contention for a third spell as Chelsea manager, with Andy Townsend admitting you can “never say never”.

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Lampard returned to management with CoventryLooking to guide Championship side into top flightTipped to return for third Chelsea spellFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Ex-England international Lampard spent 13 memorable years with the Blues as a player, registering 211 goals while landing three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. He returned to Stamford Bridge as manager in 2019 after cutting his coaching teeth at Derby.

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That reign lasted 18 months, through to January 2021. Lampard answered an SOS call in April 2023 – a matter of weeks after leaving Everton – as he stepped in as caretaker and oversaw 11 games at the helm through to the end of that season, picking up just one win in the process.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Lampard has had to start again, having taken over at Coventry, and has helped to guide them into the Championship play-off places. He is considered to have shown fellow “great” Wayne Rooney how a reputation can be salvaged, with another stint in west London not being ruled out.

WHAT ANDY TOWNSEND SAID

Former Chelsea midfielder Townsend has told : “The way Coventry have been playing lately, Frank Lampard could be in the Premier League next year. Coventry have had some great times in the Premier League.

“I've said it on many occasions, I like to see great ex-players moving on and succeeding in management. I don't like to see what happened to Wayne Rooney down at Plymouth and coming out of Birmingham after such a short period of time.

“He was an unbelievable player. I like to see good players go into management and have an effect. I remember when Frank went into Chelsea when they were under that embargo, he had to turn to some of the younger players, and certainly they developed under his leadership.

“It hasn't always worked for him where he's been, but right now his team look good and they're exciting to watch. I've got some friends locally that go there every week and they're really enjoying what they're seeing. It's not only about the win, and they're winning matches, but people are enjoying what they're witnessing, which is nice. I hope Frank can go and make a success of it.”

Johann Layne, 22, is an uncapped pace-bowling allrounder who was among the wickets in West Indies’ domestic red-ball competition last season

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Sep-2025West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the two-Test series against India next month because of an injury. He will be replaced by the uncapped pace-bowling allrounder Johann Layne.A CWI tweet confirmed that Joseph had been ruled out and that he would be re-evaluated before the white-ball tour of Bangladesh, but did not mention the nature of the injury. After the Tests in India finish on October 14, West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs in Bangladesh from October 18, followed by three T20Is from October 27 to November 1.It’s a busy touring season for West Indies across formats as they will then fly to New Zealand for an all-format tour of five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests. They are currently in the UAE for three T20Is against Nepal starting September 27.Related

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The weight of the maroon cap: West Indies face test of identity in India

Sammy confident pace attack will help WI pull a NZ on India

WI drop Brathwaite for India Tests; Chanderpaul, Athanaze recalled

Joseph has played 11 Tests so far for 51 wickets at an average of 21.66, having started his Test career with a five-for on debut against Australia in January 2024.Layne, 22, has played 19 first-class matches for 66 wickets while averaging 22.28 and has scored 495 runs at 19.03. He has four five-wicket hauls and three four-fors in 34 innings in the red-ball format. Layne recently played two four-day matches for West Indies A against the touring South Africa A side in June, where he scored 62 runs in four innings with a best of 34 and took one wicket in each of the three innings he bowled in.But he had a lot more success for West Indies Academy in the last domestic first-class competition, which he ended with a six-for against Windward Islands. Overall, Layne bagged 27 wickets in six matches in that tournament to average an impressive 15.88, with two five-fors and two four-fors.Layne will join Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip in the pace attack, which also has allrounder Justin Greaves, with Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre and captain Roston Chase as the spin options.Updated West Indies Test squad for India seriesRoston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.