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Claude Makelele believes Chelsea can emulate Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League triumph even with a young squad.

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Chelsea have qualified for UCL after a brief hiatusThey have one of the youngest squads in the PLMakelele wants further reinforcements at Stamford BridgeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea wrapped up their 2024–25 campaign with a flurry of positive results, including Champions League qualification secured with a dramatic victory over Nottingham Forest on the final day. Just days later, the Blues capped their season by lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy following an emphatic 4-1 triumph over Real Betis.

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Remarkably, Chelsea achieved these feats while fielding the youngest average starting XI in Premier League history – a clear indicator of their long-term vision under the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital regime. With a roster full of emerging stars and a revamped backroom structure, the club has embarked on a new chapter of strategic rebuilding, with Maresaca masterminding their progress.

WHAT MAKELELE SAID

Reflecting on Chelsea’s recent progress, Makelele expressed that the managerial turnover and sweeping changes at the club initially raised concerns, but he now sees signs of growing stability under new head coach Maresca.

"I think Chelsea are doing well. They are starting at the beginning [of their project], very slowly," he said to .

"In the beginning, they changed a lot of players and managers. The new manager [Enzo Maresca] made sure Chelsea finished the season in a good way. They qualified for the Champions League and won a trophy. I think this new Chelsea can be successful now."

DID YOU KNOW?

Makelele emphasised the importance of allowing Maresca the time to implement his ideas. Drawing parallels with PSG’s decision to back Luis Enrique, the Frenchman suggested Chelsea should follow suit by giving Maresca the room to grow and lead.

"We need to wait for Chelsea to win the Premier League again, and they are starting to build a strategy and some stability," he said. "But, for me, the most important thing is they need to leave Maresca working in a good way, like Paris St-Germain did with Luis Enrique.

"They need stability if they are to fight for a title. I am a Chelsea fan, and I was worried when I saw Chelsea struggling in the beginning [under new owners Clearlake-Boehly], but now they are on a positive path and can return to the Chelsea of the past, which was at a high level."

With his Anderson-esque load-up, and an insatiable appetite for learning, he is trying to master the art in one of the toughest settings

Mohammad Isam14-Mar-2019Abu Jayed doesn’t quite think that he belongs to international cricket. He’s been in the senior set up for over a year, but has featured in just eight internationals.It has taken him a decade of first-class cricket to finally get noticed.Since his debut in July 2018, Jayed has played only one out of four Tests at home, and even though he has been picked for their last four overseas Tests, that’s hardly a sign of continuity in Bangladesh cricket.Yet, Bangladesh have an impressive swing bowler who invests a lot of thought in his bowling and has become, almost quietly, the highest wicket-taker in the country’s first-class competitions since his debut in 2010.These are early days for Jayed the international cricketer, but in this brief period, he has shown he can be a potent swing bowler in Bangladesh’s attack. It is, however, spin that overrides swing in the Bangladesh attack’s mindset.Spin wins them a lot of home Tests these days, which has also meant far less focus on trying to find ways to win abroad. In the lead-up to the ongoing New Zealand tour, there hadn’t been any tour-specific preparations (unlike their last two tours to this region), so newcomers like Jayed had to simply rely on their existing skillset.Yet Jayed has, for the major part, been accurate, been willing to bowl long spells, upped his pace over the past nine months and looked to have every weapon available in a swing bowler’s arsenal that Bangladesh have missed in the past six years.”While I was reviewing videos from West Indies,” Jayed said, “I saw that my pace on that tour was between 122 and 125kph. Now I am bowling between 129 to 134kph on this tour. I have got some belief in myself that I can swing the ball. I can see that batsmen have to work hard to face my bowling. If I can keep improving, I can become an international level pace bowler.”During commentary in the Hamilton Test, former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull compared Jayed’s bowling action to James Anderson. For most of his teenage years, Jayed spent time trying to emulate Anderson’s action. A chance encounter with Mizanur Rahman, a senior coach in the BCB, put Jayed on the path from transitioning from a dreamy kid to a serious swing bowler. It helped that Rahman took an interest in Jayed’s progress.”I started off as a fast bowler, but my brother told me that pace bowling won’t work in Bangladesh,” Jayed said. “After his suggestion, I started to bowl off-spin. I played U-13s as an offspinner, but I would bowl them quite quickly. I switched back to pace bowling soon. In the U-16s, someone told me that I was quite a quick bowler for my age, so I kept going.”Abu Jayed jumps into his James Anderson-esque load-up position•Getty Images”In one of the age-group games, Babul sir [Mizanur Rahman] noticed me. My bowling action was totally like Anderson’s in those days. But I was falling over on the left side, so he corrected my action. From that point, I started to get the outswing going.”As he evolved through Under-19 and first-class cricket, Jayed got a boost from one of the foremost names in fast-bowling coaching in Bangladesh. “[Sarwar] Imran sir inspired me by saying that I can play for Bangladesh,” Jayed said. “He said that Bangladesh doesn’t have many swing bowlers, so I can keep trying.”Jayed quietly made himself indispensable in Sylhet division’s NCL campaigns from 2010, taking 135 wickets at an average of 25.62 with eight five-wicket hauls. He was an easy pick for the East Zone side in the Bangladesh Cricket League, the higher-level first-class competition, in which he has so far been the standout pace bowler with 76 wickets in 24 matches.Predominantly, Jayed bowls long spells, and preys on the batsmen’s patience. “For example, when I play under [Mominul Haque] in the BCL, I stick to his plan. I am usually able to bowl 10-12 overs, so I work on the batsmen’s patience,” Jayed said.Jayed developed the inswing and has honed his ability to reverse the ball, too. He is known to be an energetic bowler, who doesn’t just trundle through a mid-innings spell. He gives it his all. Among his team-mates, he is also known as someone who has great knowledge of the ball.Some also feel that Jayed, one of the few Sylhet-born cricketers from his generation, has also inspired others to take up fast bowling. Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed, who are also in the Bangladesh Test squad for the tour of New Zealand, are also from Sylhet.

“There was a time [when I felt bad], but I started to focus more on first-class cricket… I wanted to be the highest wicket-taker every year…”

However, given he was overlooked for so many years, despite being the top pace bowler on the wickets-chart, the exclusion had been becoming demanding for Jayed. But like a true professional, he respected the domestic game, which earned him his keep, and he set his new goals to move up the ladder.”There was a time [when I felt bad], but I started to focus more on first-class cricket,” Jayed said. “I wanted to be the highest wicket-taker every year, and slowly eclipse bowlers like Tapash Baisya, Hasibul Hossain, Tarek Aziz and Talha Jubair. I stopped thinking about the national team at one point.”I told Talha [Jubair] recently that I am close to catching up with his tally of first-class wickets. One day, I want to catch up with Mohammad Sharif, or at least get close to it.”But Jayed wouldn’t want to emulate the fate of Sharif, Tapash, Hasibul, Tarek or Talha, neither of whom had a long career despite the promise they exuded. Among them only Tapash was more of a regular but only when Mashrafe Mortaza was injured in the early to mid-2000s. But injuries, a drop in the pacers’ form and, most pertinently, the impatience of selection committees over the last two decades, have made pace bowling in Bangladesh cricket a sideshow.Jayed doesn’t obviously plan to change any of that. He simply wants to learn better the complex art of swing bowling. He wants to meet his hero Anderson one day, but for now he is keen to play more Tests, and keep picking up vital life lessons along the way.By the end of the tour, he hopes to have a chat with Tim Southee, from whom he wants to learn a new kind of delivery: one that is delivered cross-seamed and while appears to be an outswinger originally, comes back into the right-hander.Nobody in Bangladesh cricket, mad about ODIs and the upcoming World Cup in particular, can be bothered. Jayed is, and wants to get better. Swing bowling is a tough art, and Jayed perhaps is learning it in the toughest setting in world cricket.

Manchester City are splashing the cash again, with Rayan Ait-Nouri completing a £31 million transfer from Wolves.

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Summer refresh at the Etihad StadiumAlgeria international completes transferPremier League pedigree from WolvesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Pep Guardiola spent big in January as City saw the Premier League title start to slip from their grasp. The Cityzens, after a record-breaking run of four successive top-flight triumphs, ultimately surrendered that crown to Liverpool, but are now splashing the cash again. Wolves defender Ait-Nouri has become the club's latest addition and has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

AdvertisementWHAT AIT-NOURI SAID

He told the club's official website: "I am incredibly happy and honoured to have joined Manchester City. City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true. I am also excited about working with and learning from Pep and his coaching team and getting to train and play alongside such a world class group of players. Joining City is also a very proud moment for my family too. Now I can’t wait to get started and to play in front of our supporters.”

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Ait-Nouri will bring useful Premier League experience with him to Manchester, having spent the last five seasons with Wolves – taking in 157 appearances and scoring 12 goals for the men from Molineux.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RAYAN AIT-NOURI?

He will now be charged with the task of becoming a buccaneering presence for City on their left flank. Ait-Nouri is capable of operating as a full-back or wing-back, giving Guardiola more selection options.

Fulham have now approached the agents of an “incredible” player over a potential move to Craven Cottage, but it may take an offer of £34m to get a deal done, journalist Orazio Accomando has revealed.

Cottagers set sights on new midfielder

The Cottagers are yet to make any additions to their squad this summer, but the recent news that Kenny Tete is set to sign a new deal is a bonus, given that the Dutchman had been linked with a move to Everton.

In terms of potential new arrivals, Marco Silva appears to be particularly keen on strengthening his midfield options this summer, having identified a number of targets over the past month.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Nadiem Amiri

Mainz

£15m

Kalvin Phillips

Manchester City

£21m

Joao Palhinha

Bayern Munich

£25m

Rocco Reitz

Borussia Monchengladbach

£17m

Having solidified themselves as a Premier League club, the west Londoners may now be in a position to be a tad more ambitious with their targets, and they have now made an approach for a 2025 Champions League finalist.

That is according to an update from Accomando on X, with the reporter stating that Fulham have now submitted an enquiry over a deal for Inter Milan star Hakan Çalhanoğlu, making contact with the midfielder’s agents.

Inter aren’t willing to let the maestro leave on the cheap, however, with the Italian club set to hold out for a fee of €40m (£34m), which may be prohibitive for fellow potential suitors Galatasaray, who are only willing to offer €15m (£13m).

Leeds leading Fulham in race to sign £8.5m defender alongside Bornauw

Leeds United are now in a race to sign a defender who has been impressing in Germany.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 1, 2025

The 31-year-old “wants” to join Galatasaray, but the Turkish champions may find it difficult to win the race for his signature if a bidding war breaks out, with Manchester United also expressing an interest.

Çalhanoğlu could be "incredible" coup for Fulham

It would be a real statement of intent if Fulham were able to sign a 2025 Champions League finalist, particularly one who played a major role in the Italian side reaching that stage of the competition.

The Inter star was a key player throughout the campaign, regularly providing goals and assists in all competitions, despite often featuring in a deep-lying role.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Serie A

29

5

6

Champions League

12

4

2

Italian Cup

4

2

0

The Turk is also vastly experienced at international level, scoring 21 goals in 97 outings for his country, including a remarkable effort at Euro 2024.

Turkey assistant manager Daniele Russo was subsequently left impressed by the Germany-born midfielder, saying: “It goes without saying that he is an incredible player. He is also very good at protecting his young teammates.”

As such, Çalhanoğlu could be a statement signing for Fulham this summer, but Galatasaray and Manchester United’s interest could pose a problem.

Chelsea’s ambitious plans for a new 60,000-seater stadium have reportedly hit another major snag, with 'spiralling' construction costs putting the project on hold. The Blues are yet to submit formal proposals for the redevelopment or relocation, with costs now estimated to run into the billions. The delay is a blow to Todd Boehly’s hopes of boosting matchday revenue and keeping pace with the club's rivals.

Chelsea stadium project stalled amid soaring construction costs concernsDecision pending on Stamford Bridge redevelopment or new siteCurrent capacity limits matchday revenue compared to league rivalsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Sun has reported that Chelsea Pitch Owners chair Chris Isitt has confirmed in an email to fans that the club has yet to present any concrete stadium plans. Inflation and rising construction costs have emerged as a key stumbling block, with estimates far exceeding the £1.75 billion ($2.3b) originally set aside. The West London side are said to remain in talks with local authorities but have yet to decide between rebuilding Stamford Bridge or moving to a new site.

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A stadium with a larger seating capacity is seen as essential for Chelsea to compete financially with domestic and European heavyweights. Stamford Bridge’s current capacity of just over 40,000 lags far behind rivals like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham. With gate receipts falling well short of competitors, the club risks losing ground in the revenue race.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea had previously secured planning permission under their former majority owner, Roman Abramovich, in 2017, but the project was shelved due to the Russian billionaire's visa-related issues in the United Kingdom. The current ownership has bigger ambitions for the Blues, including an entertainment complex alongside the stadium.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Boehly and Blue Co. must first finalise their decision on redevelopment versus relocation before submitting formal plans. Cost control and funding will be critical, with industry-wide inflation showing no signs of easing. Until then, Stamford Bridge’s limitations will remain a competitive disadvantage for the Club World Cup champions.

There’s nothing really on line in this series, but given it’s a World Cup year, maybe everything is

Firdose Moonda15-Mar-2023After a Test series played against the backdrop of an increasing awareness and discomfort with the next FTP, South Africa and West Indies enter another series which raises scheduling concerns: the context-less ODI rubber. Get used to it – they’re back and, at the conclusion of this World Cup Super League, (WCSL) they’re here to stay.For reasons unknown, the league will be scrapped after the 2023 World Cup and qualification for the next 50-over tournament reverts to rankings. In theory, that should place some importance on every bilateral contest; in practice, we’ve seen it all before. As T20 leagues grow and Tests continue to form part of a championship, the middle child of ODIs is likely to suffer and this series is an example of what that could look like.South Africa and West Indies have nothing to play for except new starts, which, at least gives some narrative to the next six days.Related

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Mulder out of West Indies ODIs, Parnell named replacement

Maharaj in danger of missing ODI World Cup with Achilles injury

If ODIs feel irrelevant now, just wait till the next FTP cycle

For South Africa, it’s their first outing under new white-ball coach Rob Walter, who communicated with them from afar during their WCSL series against England while he wrapped up work with Hamilton’s Central Districts team. Walter is coming home, to a country where he started his cricket career as a fitness trainer and left as a successful franchise coach, to take up a new challenge in New Zealand. It proved exactly that, and he came up with no trophies, but plenty of experience that he will have to use to rebuild South Africa in their worst format. Under Mark Boucher, the 50-over side underperformed to the point where they are at risk of not securing automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup. That’s Walter’s mess to clean up.He will have his best players at his disposal when they go into two must-win matches against Netherlands from March 31. For now, he has some important selection decisions to make, after Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram were rested, David Miller was allowed to finish his stint at the IPL, and injuries have wormed their way into the camp.They lost Keshav Maharaj, whose year has been thrown into disarray after he ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon when celebrating a wicket in the second Test, leaving his chances of making the 2023 World Cup slim, and Wiaan Mulder, to a side strain before traveling to East London.Once there, replacement allrounder Wayne Parnell fell ill but managed to train on the eve of the first match and will be needed because Andile Phehlukwayo has back spasms and Sisanda Magala has split the webbing on his right hand. That leaves Lungi Ngidi to lead the attack, and gives Tabraiz Shamsi the opportunity to reclaim his spot as the premier spinner. Meanwhile, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs are all in line for ODI debuts.The revolving door of white-ball players may suggest a haphazard strategy in a World Cup year but given the difficulties South Africa’s ODI squad has been through, they need to trial selections, before they have to make them count.”We’ll be using this opportunity against West Indies to refine our way of playing,” Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain said. “Our priority will always be to win the series but also our efforts to widen the pool and give guys opportunities. This is a big year from a 50-over point of view. That format is probably the main priority.”West Indies enter this series with a new captain in Shai Hope•Associated PressWest Indies are in a similar, and perhaps slightly worse position. They enter this series with a new captain Shai Hope, and an interim coach Andre Coley, whose position will soon be split in two. Like South Africa, they will appoint a red-ball coach who will oversee their scant Test schedule and develop first-class players, and a white-ball manager to head up the ODI and T20 squad. The latter’s job could begin in time for the World Cup Qualifiers, which West Indies are all-but-certain to participate in.West Indies are currently eighth on the WCSL points’ table and have played all their matches which means they will be leapfrogged by one or both of South Africa and Sri Lanka and will have to play in Zimbabwe in June to make it to the World Cup. That thought won’t scare them as much as it does the other two teams because West Indies have been there, done that and qualified before. So for them, this series does have the value of offering them preparatory time, a dry-run of sorts, under Hope and a different style of playing.”It’s a new journey,” he said. “And we need to improve in all areas. We all need to come together and find the right formula because we definitely need to qualify for that World Cup. Everything we do now is geared towards that.”After losing 15 of their 24 WCSL games, including series to Bangladesh and Irelands, and losing two of their last 10 series dating back to January 2021, it’s fair to say things have not exactly clicked and Hope’s wish that they can discover a winning brand is the first step to approaching the qualifiers. They’ll rely heavily on former captain Jason Holder, who was their best player in the Tests and continues to carry an inordinate amount of burden in the side. Far from seeing it as too much to bear, Holder has spoken of his love for playing with this particular group, and his desire that they grow together. The onus will be on Shannon Gabriel, Akeal Hosein, and Kyle Mayers – all experienced in years but not in matches – to step up, because even though there are no points on the line, there is something perhaps a little more important.”We are playing for international pride and all those people back in the Caribbean, and even all around the world, who support West Indies,” Hope said. “Whenever you cross that line, your aim is to win games so everything must be geared to that, everything must go into the middle.”With nothing really on the line, maybe everything is.

Coad claims three of six wickets to fall, handing hosts two of maximum 10 points needed to secure second place

ECB Reporters Network27-Sep-2024Yorkshire will be promoted to Division One of the Vitality County Championship if they draw their final round clash with Northamptonshire at Headingley after Ben Coad claimed three of six wickets to fall when play finally got underway after tea on day two.Coad’s 3 for 29 from 12 overs, including his 300th first-class wicket, left Northamptonshire in trouble at 117 for 6 from 40 overs, handing Yorkshire two of the maximum 10 points they require to secure second place behind Sussex.The start of play was delayed until 3.30pm following first day rain and a wet outfield on day two.Northamptonshire, with nothing to play for but holding onto fourth place in Division Two, were inserted. George Hill also struck twice with his seamers and Jordan Thompson once.Visiting debutant Krish Patel, aged 18, impressed with 26 and George Bartlett top-scored with an unbeaten 41.Yorkshire are aiming to hold off the challenge of third-placed Middlesex, who have seen the opening two days of their clash with leaders Sussex abandoned at Hove.Northamptonshire have handed first-class debuts to both Patel and on-loan Nottinghamshire spinner Fateh Singh, the latter signed only for this game.Patel was the first to make an impact, and impressively too during an eye-catching 41-ball innings with five fours.He came through the Surrey age-groups, played one Metro Bank One-Day Cup game for his home county last season and then signed a two-year rookie professional contract at Wantage Road at the end of last month.Patel came to the crease late in the third over after Coad had removed opener Gus Miller, caught at first slip by Hill.The diminutive right-hander was strong through the covers off both front foot and back. One square drive off England fringe Test fast bowler Matthew Fisher was particularly memorable.He shared 42 with the more doughty Luke Procter before edging Thompson’s seam to second slip as the visitors fell to 44 for 2 in the 15th over.Only 20 more runs had been added when Hill bowled Procter, for 25, with his fifth ball, securing Yorkshire’s first point of the fixture.Hill had been capped by Yorkshire as the rain fell on day one and was again presented with his cap before play started to give Yorkshire’s supporters a chance to acclaim their 23-year-old allrounder.He added a second wicket when James Sales was bowled for 17 shouldering arms as Northamptonshire fell to 79 for 4 in the 30th over.Conditions were ever-changing through a competitive evening; sun, cloud and even a bit of rain.When Coad struck again – for wicket number 300 – the floodlights were on, with Saif Zaib edging to Hill at first slip. Northamptonshire were 106 for 5 in the 37th over.He also had nightwatcher Singh caught at short mid-off in his next over, securing Yorkshire’s second bowling bonus point. That, added to eight points for the draw, would be enough for a Division One return for the first time since 2022.Coad, aged 30, is playing his 76th first-class match and his 301 wickets have come at a mighty impressive 19.42 apiece.Northamptonshire’s Bartlett hit nine fours in his 52 balls.For Yorkshire, while promotion was not decided in this short burst of a session, they moved themselves to within touching distance.

Not sure which midfielders to pick in fantasy football? GOAL takes a look at the best options.

Midfielders are arguably the most important players in fantasy football and if you can pack your team with goalscoring wingers or playmakers, then you're in with a good chance.

Fantasy Premier League tips, best players & guideRead more

Generally speaking, it is best to select attacking midfielders, but traditionally defensive players have been popping up with high scores in recent years too.

Here, GOAL takes a look at the best midfielders to choose in FPL, including the top picks, mid-price options and bargain players.

Getty Images SportMohamed Salah | Liverpool | £14.5m

Mohamed Salah is the most expensive midfielder on FPL at £14.5 million and with good reason – he scores and sets up lots of goals. The Egypt international has surpassed the 200-point mark in each of the last eight seasons, with his highest ever tally coming last term, with 344 points accumulated despite his advancing years. Salah penned a new deal with Liverpool last year, underlining his commitment to delivering more success at Anfield.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCole Palmer | Chelsea | £10.5m

Fresh from propelling Chelsea to Club World Cup glory, Cole Palmer returns to the Premier League with something of a point to prove. The England international faltered somewhat in his second season at Stamford Bridge, but it says a lot about his quality that he still managed 214 FPL points (making him the third-highest scoring midfielder) in an underwhelming campaign.

Palmer is capable of scoring goals from anywhere and he has an eye for a pass, which he demonstrated with double figures in assists last term. He also hits exceptional penalties and takes free kicks. The kid has it all. Plus, he is £4 million cheaper than Salah and if it is a toss-up between the pair, Palmer is a superb alternative.

Getty Images SportBukayo Saka | Arsenal | £10m

Unfortunately for Arsenal and Bukayo Saka, the 2024-25 season was a disappointment, with injury disrupting the star winger's campaign and restricting him to just 127 FPL points. Now that he is fit and firing again, Saka will still be a key component to Mikel Arteta's designs on glory. When Saka is motoring, he will almost guarantee you 200-plus points and for £10m, that's not a bad deal.

Getty Images SportBruno Fernandes | Man Utd | £9m

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is relatively cheap when compared to the likes of Salah, Palmer and Saka, especially when you take into account his importance to the Red Devils.

Not only is Fernandes a guaranteed starter most weeks, but he is the chief creator in the team as well as the man who takes free kicks and penalties. He's not quite what you would call a bargain choice, but he is practically guaranteed to get you around 150 to 200 points a season – his average points haul is 170. However, you will have to pay close attention to how he is used, now that Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have arrived to take the creative pressure off him.

Roma have turned their attention to Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, opening talks as they face competition from Turkey and clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Roma ready offer for BaileyBesiktas interested in Jamaica starAston Villa talks already underwayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Roma are in talks with Villa over a deal to sign Jamaican winger Bailey, with negotiations focusing on a loan with an option to buy, according to . The 28-year-old is not central to Unai Emery’s plans, and Villa are open to offers. Turkish club Besiktas and multiple Saudi Pro League sides have also shown interest, but Roma have emerged as the most serious contenders.

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Bailey joined Aston Villa in 2021 from Bayer Leverkusen for around €32 million (£27m/$37m), signing a contract that runs until 2027. While he has made 144 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 24 assists, his game time under Emery has dwindled, just 14 league starts last season. Roma see Bailey as a key attacking reinforcement after also reportedly pursuing Jadon Sancho and Abde Ezzalzouli, but budget constraints mean they prefer a loan deal over a permanent transfer this summer.

Bailey’s career has taken him across several footballing landscapes as the Jamaican winger honed his skills through youth stints in Austria and Slovakia before making his professional breakthrough at Belgian side Genk. His rapid rise in Belgium earned him a big move to Leverkusen in 2017, where his flair and pace quickly caught the eye across Europe.

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His time at Villa has been a mix of dazzling moments and frustrating setbacks. While Bailey has produced flashes of brilliance in the Premier League, injuries and inconsistent form have often prevented him from cementing a regular starting role under successive managers.

Roma’s interest in Bailey comes as part of an ambitious summer rebuild. Should the deal go through, he would become their seventh signing of the window and their second arrival from the Premier League, following the loan capture of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

The race for his signature, however, is far from straightforward. Besiktas and several Saudi clubs are also in the hunt, offering lucrative packages, but Roma’s sporting project and the opportunity to shine in Serie A remain highly appealing to the player.

Another key factor could be the influence of manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who has made no secret of his desire to add more attacking firepower to bolster Roma’s domestic and European ambitions. With Bailey’s blend of pace, creativity, and experience, he could well be the kind of player to give Roma that extra edge in the final third.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Roma have yet to submit an official bid, but talks are expected to intensify in the coming days. If an agreement is reached, Bailey could join the Giallorossi squad before the end of the transfer window, adding pace and directness to their wide play.

After a record-breaking League One title-winning campaign last time out, Birmingham City will be looking to carry that momentum into the 2025/26 Championship season under Chris Davies.

Co-owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have big plans at St Andrew’s, and the Blues will be looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011 as soon as possible.

Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town

August 8

Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City

August 16

Birmingham City vs Oxford United

August 23

Leicester City vs Birmingham City

August 30

Stoke City vs Birmingham City

September 13

To do that, new signings to help them in the second tier could be key, and the club have already made a start on their summer transfer business.

But who will start against Ipswich Town on August 8? Well, Grok, the AI tool on X, has forecasted Birmingham’s 25/26 line-up, with five new faces in the XI.

AI predicts Birmingham’s 2025/26 line-up 1 GK: James Beadle

After helping England to U21 European Championship glory this summer, goalkeeper James Beadle will be playing for Birmingham this season.

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3 ByKelan Sarson Jul 2, 2025

Signed on a season-long loan from Brighton, Beadle already has second tier experience after his time with Sheffield Wednesday in 24/25.

2 RB: Ethan Laird

A key member of the League One title-winning side, Ethan Laird has been predicted to keep his place in the Birmingham side.

His ‘pace and attacking contributions make him a mainstay’ under Davies, and Grok adds that Laird’s ‘enthusiasm and Championship experience will be vital’.

3 CB: Krystian Bielik

Club captain Krystian Bielik is also backed to retain his place in the XI, being described as a ‘cornerstone of the defence’.

Games

125

Goals

2

Yellow cards

32

Red cards§

2

The Poland international is still under contract until 2027 and Bielik’s ‘leadership and ability to play in midfield or defence ensure his place’.

4 CB: Phil Neumann

Alongside Bielik is new arrival Phil Neumann, who signed on a free transfer from Hannover 96 earlier this summer.

The German actually penned a pre-contract agreement at the beginning of 2025 and has been backed to go straight into Davies’ XI.

5 LB: Lee Buchanan

With Laird keeping his place at right-back, Lee Buchanan has been predicted to make his return from a serious knee to start at left-back.

Buchanan ‘is expected to hold down the left side with his defensive solidity and attacking overlaps’.

6 CM: Hayden Hackney

Backed to cost £10m from Middlesbrough this summer is Hayden Hackney, with AI-driven predictions suggesting Birmingham could target the 22-year-old versatile midfielder.

Grok says Hackney’s ‘ability to play multiple midfield roles would add dynamism’ to the Blues side.

7 CM: Paik Seung-ho

Partnering Hackney is Paik Seung-ho, who was a regular in 24/25, making 50 appearances in all competitions.

The South Korea international is likely to play a key role once more, and Grok says his ‘composure and work rate make him a certain starter in the Championship’.

8 CAM: Kanya Fujimoto

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Japanese attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto this summer, with his contract at Gil Vicente set to expire.

Still just 26 years of age, Fujimoto’s ‘creativity and flair would suit Davies’ attacking philosophy’.

9 RW: Demarai Gray

Returning to St Andrew’s this summer is academy graduate Demarai Gray, nine years on after leaving Birmingham for Leicester City.

Gray’s ‘Premier League experience and pace would be a major coup’ for the Blues, according to Grok.

10 ST: Jay Stansfield

Birmingham’s record signing Jay Stansfield was always going to keep his place in the XI after a successful first season as a permanent Blues player.

The striker already has ‘proven Championship quality which makes him the focal point of the attack’.