‘Spectating,’ said El Mala’s agent, his mother Sabrina El Mala. chelsea‘ to make a bid for the 19-year-old this summer.

Sport Bild Report That ‘El Mama’ is rejecting offers from other clubs while she waits for Chelsea to enter the picture.

chelsea hope

The newspaper reports that Sabrina El Mala became concerned earlier this year following reports that the Brighton forward had pulled out of talks.

She wanted to know if the Premier League team had indeed withdrawn their offer because it did not match the plan. Brighton confirmed that they have not withdrawn their offer, but everything with FC Cologne is on hold.

The German side had blocked the negotiations. Brighton were not allowed to submit their €35 million offer. Fabian Herzeler’s side do not want to go anywhere near the €50m asking price. The plan was to wait for the price to drop and then move up.

Meanwhile, Brentford have made a move and offered Cologne €50m. It looked like the deal was moving forward, but then a report on Thursday said Sabrina El Mala drops a transfer bomb on Thursday and blocked the move.

chelsea finance problem

Sport Bild report the possibility that he is ‘betting on Chelsea.’ According to their information, Chelsea have hinted in talks with Said El Mala’s representatives that they could pursue a move to Brighton.

They would then send the young star back to Cologne on loan for a year. Such an arrangement would be a ‘dream come true’ for the family. El Mala’s future will be settled, and he can spend another year in his homeland. Cologne will be happy too

The problem is that Chelsea are unlikely to do such a deal. Their financial situation will not allow a €50 million deal this summer, not without a sale first. Reportedly, the Blues are avoiding any expensive deal that does not ‘provide an immediate boost’.

Meanwhile, Brighton have no interest in a loan-back deal. But it seems Sabrina El Mala is holding out hope, perhaps explaining the recent Brentford rejection.

The competition is going on for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid chelseaMark Cucurella this summer.

Last month, Sports Witness broadcast news The left-back is a dream target for the Madrid club, having missed out on him on two occasions in the past.

On Thursday, we Covered claims from Spain Barcelona’s sporting director Deco contacted him in May. The 28-year-old feels his time at Chelsea is over.

As well as the fullback, two Spanish clubs are fighting for Bernardo Silva, who has left Manchester City. Hansi Flick’s side are also keen to sign Atletico star Julian Alvarez.

La Liga giants fighting for Chelsea star

Mark Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez are on Friday’s front page Sports world. The pair are set to face a ‘super duel’ between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and will also try to sign the former striker.

Diego Simeone’s side are desperate to sign the Chelsea player this summer. However, he will face competition from Barcelona, ​​who have emerged as an option for the 27-year-old.

He graduated from the Catalan club’s academy but failed to secure a place in their first team.

The newspaper said: ‘The prospect of returning home as an established player outweighs other offers.’

However, the La Liga winners will first have to sell Alejandro Balde to make room for the Spain international.

Another report from Mundo Deportivo focuses on Los Rojiblancos’ efforts to try to sign Cucurella.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo is also on their list, but the Blues man is the left-back’s main target. Signing the former Brighton player will not be easy with Barcelona and Manchester City also keen.

Spanish media value Cucurella at €50m while UK claims Chelsea want €70m. If this were true, Atlético would not be able to match the asking price.

The Blues are aware that the Spaniard wants to return to his country and they suspect he could ‘move’ this summer. In other words, their hopes of keeping it are diminishing.

Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the new manager, and he will have the final say on his compatriot’s future.

Contract, price and agent information

Mark Cucurella has just over two years left on his contract and is now valued at €50m transfer market.

The Chelsea player is represented by Dupla Pique & Dominguez, an agency owned by Alex Pique and Alvaro Dominguez.

Manchester City Can challenge Barcelona and Atletico Madrid chelseaMark Cucurella this summer.

The Spain international joined Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2022, after missing out on Manchester City.

in may 2022 The left-back said “You can’t say no” to the Nationals but still couldn’t manage to get into the Etihad.

last year, The Chelsea star expressed Disappointment over his unsuccessful move to Manchester City.

At that time he said: “They were on fire and one of the best teams in the world. I definitely wanted to go. When they come like they came, and when Guardiola asks you to, you will be on your knees if necessary.”

Manchester City in the mix for Chelsea star

Pep Guardiola has left the club, but the FA Cup winners are looking to the 27-year-old again this summer.

This is as of Thursday’s edition PawnWho mentioned Manchester City and Atletico Madri in a report focused on Barcelona.

Marc Cucurella graduated from the Catalan club’s academy, but could not cement a place in their first team. He always felt there was no possibility of returning to the Camp Nou until last month.

Then Barça sporting director Deco contacted him to inquire about his desire to return to the club. Both officials and Hansi Flick rate the Chelsea player highly.

For his part, the defender believes his time at Stamford Bridge is ‘over’.

Barcelona, ​​Manchester City and Los Rojiblancos have all expressed interest and are aware of Chelsea’s situation.

The west London club are also aware of the trio’s interest, their approach and the player’s desire to leave. There have been no talks for Cucurella, who is valued at between €40-50m.

Flick’s team will only progress if Alejandro Balde is sold. Manchester City and Diego Simeone’s team seem to be in no position to move forward.

Maresca could give Manchester City an edge

With the departure of Pep Guardiola, the Etihad club had to look for a new manager. The latest claims are backing Enzo Maresca to replace the Spaniard.

Maresca has been without a job since leaving Chelsea in January and Mark Cucurella was a starter under his command.

If the Italian is appointed, he could give Manchester City the lead over the La Liga pair in the race to sign a fullback.

chelsea Star Mark Cucurella is keen to leave the Premier League team in the summer.

Last month, Sports Witness Covered a front page report from Spain Barcelona’s interest in their former player.

The same source said he wants out following turmoil at Chelsea following the departure of Enzo Maresca in January. Atletico Madrid are also in the race to sign the 27-year-old.

On Thursday, we broadcast news Los Rojiblancos have identified the left-back as a top defensive target.

They failed to sign him before he transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021 and turned down the opportunity to sign him on loan a year later.

Interest in Chelsea player increased

Friday edition of sports world Also report that Atletico Madrid are keen to sign Mark Cucurella and have made him their main target.

Chelsea invest £56m [€65m] Plus bonuses to sign the fullback from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.

After overcoming early difficulties, he became a regular at Stamford Bridge and also for the national team.

The Blues are likely to request around €50 million, but the Madrid club are not giving up. There are a number of factors why the Spain international is an ‘absolute priority’ for Diego Simeone’s side.

The first reason is that Atlético has the finances to execute this deal. Secondly, the former Barcelona man wants to return to Spain in the summer.

These ‘two important factors’ could convince the La Liga side to seriously make a move.

Cucurella likes Madrid’s approach, but it will not be easy for him to change club. Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new permanent manager for next season.

Mundo says the incoming Blues boss wants to have confidence in his compatriot. While price and competition may be concerns, Alonso is Atletico’s ‘biggest obstacle’.

Chelsea has already taken action

Although Xabi Alonso wants to retain Mark Cucurella, the Blues have already worked out a possible replacement.

On March 22, Game Witness specifically disclosed Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with moves for Maxi Araujo. He is likely to leave Sporting in the summer for around €45-50 million.

If the Spaniard were to leave, Araújo could be an option to replace him.

dream of signing atlético madrid chelseaMark Cucurella in the summer.

On March 31, Khel Witness Covered claims from Spain Atletico’s strong desire to sign the left-back. The same source said that Chelsea are refusing to sell him after this season.

This seems to have not disappointed the La Liga side, who continue to show interest in the 27-year-old.

Matteo Ruggeri is Diego Simeone’s only recognized left-back. He has used the Italian, centre-back David Hanco and young Julio Diaz on the left side of the defense this season.

Los Rojiblancos are focused on improving that situation in the upcoming window.

chelsea star priority target

Spanish media are covering Atletico Madrid’s interest in Mark Cucurella.

Mark Focus on that and reveal that the Chelsea player is a ‘top target’ for the La Liga side to strengthen the defence.

This will be the Madrid club’s third attempt to sign the 28-year-old in the summer. The first was in 2021, before his transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion. The deal could not go through due to his refusal to pay €18m.

Cucurella had confirmed Atlético’s interest in 2021. At that time, he said: “I’m a good player and they like my profile. I think these teams lacked a little confidence in me or what I was capable of doing.”

Last December, his agent Alex Pique also confirmed Los Rojiblancos’ desire to sign him uncheck Broadcast your comments.

“And it’s true that in the same year that we went to Brighton, there were also options to go to Atletico Madrid, but in different circumstances,” Piqué explained.

The second opportunity came in 2022, when the Spain international was at Chelsea. Atlético was offered a loan to him, but he turned it down.

Marca say their left-back position has been the weakest link since the departures of Lucas Hernandez and Filipe Luis in 2019. Therefore, the Spanish giants are making a third attempt to sign Cucurella to ‘fill the void’.

Contract, price and agent information

The former Barcelona player’s contract at Chelsea will expire in 2028 transfer market He is worth €50 million. If he impresses for Spain in the World Cup, his price could increase.

Dupla Piqué & Dominguez, owned by agents Alex Piqué and Alvaro Dominguez, managed by Mark Cucurella.

Atletico Madrid will have to spend big to convince the Blues to consider selling their defender.

chelsea Now part of the growing European battle for Ousmane Diomande, the market for the sporting defender has been on the rise in recent weeks.

Earlier this spring, Crystal Palace were the Premier League club most linked with the 22-year-old player. Palace explore a move worth around €50m (£43m)But Sporting considered the valuation too low and the deal never proceeded.

Since then, the landscape around Diomande has changed significantly.

According to Portuguese transfer insider Flavio CostaSporting has now received approaches from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

The same report claims Sporting are now only expected to consider a sale for around €60m (£52m), which shows how steeply the defender’s valuation has risen.

Chelsea’s interest is understandable

Chelsea are not being presented as favorites for the defender at this stage. PSG and Bayern Munich are also firmly in the picture.

Nevertheless, Chelsea’s presence in the race is notable given the club’s position. Centre-back issues have repeatedly plagued him this season. Inconsistency, injuries and the lack of a well-organized defensive structure have contributed to difficult moments during the campaign.

As a result, the club is actively looking for high-level defensive additions capable of becoming long-term pillars. Diomande naturally fits that profile.

Standing 190 cm tall, he combines physical strength with mobility and composure. Despite being only 22 years old, he has played over 120 matches for Sporting CP.

Furthermore, he has been on Chelsea’s radar for at least two years now We covered Portuguese reports from 2024 Claiming the centre-back was in his plans. But with a much bigger reputation and European pedigree, Diomande is now a different kind of target.

Preparing for sporting pressure

Sporting renewed Diomande’s contract earlier this year until 2030 and retained his €80m (£69m) release clause.

Nevertheless, the Portuguese club knows that the pressure on the player is increasing rapidly. Diomande is also expected to play for Ivory Coast in the upcoming World Cup, another factor that could increase his value even higher.

A few months ago, crystal Palace It seemed as if the club was pushing most for a defender.

Now the asking price has soared, Europe’s elite are involved, and Chelsea are among the clubs looking to make one of the biggest defensive moves of the summer.

chelsea’s Recruitment strategy in South America has repeatedly focused on young midfielders with tactical flexibility, intensity and scope for rapid development. Gabriel Bontempo ticks all those boxes at Santos.

The 21-year-old has quietly become one of the most important players in manager Kuka’s squad this season. While Santos continues to struggle collectively, Bontempo has established himself as an undisputed starter and a key part of the team’s structure.

With one goal and two assists in 21 games this year, his stats don’t immediately jump off the page. However, the broader picture explains why European clubs are paying attention.

Last season, despite spending most of the campaign outside the starting eleven, he still managed to score five goals and two assists in 42 appearances. In 2024, he had already recorded three goals and seven assists during his rise through the club’s system.

So this is not some young player who suddenly produces numbers out of nowhere. Direct involvement in goals has followed him for some time.

Gabriel Bontempo is also valued for his versatility. He can operate as a deep midfielder, an attacking midfielder or even from wide areas. Santos has often used him on the right side of midfield, where his pace and energy helps link attacks.

Standing approximately 1.81 meters tall and right-footed, he combines mobility with a strong work rate. Brazilian reports regularly describe him as a player who “makes the team work”.

Chelsea’s interest revealed

It appears that profile has now attracted Chelsea. because according to bolavip brazilThe Blues have monitored Bontempo for months and are considering a move in the next transfer window.

The report adds that Chelsea are evaluating whether to formalize an offer for the midfielder this summer. And timing could be of the essence for Santos.

Despite a recent 2-0 win over Red Bull Bragantino, the Brazilian team is under pressure. They are just one point above the relegation zone and bottom of their Copa Sudamericana group with three points from four matches.

Financial concerns also continue to affect the club’s plans.

Bolavip says that Santos values ​​Bontempo very much internally, but also recognizes that it may be difficult to retain him if major European interests solidify. Chelsea’s model of moving quickly for emerging talent could add to that pressure.

Why does Chelsea’s interest matter?

The appeal isn’t just its technical level. Equally important is their strategic intelligence and adaptability. He can fulfill multiple midfield duties and take over regular senior football responsibilities, already at a difficult time for Santos.

This combination often holds significant importance in Premier League recruitment analysis.

For Santos, losing another academy product would obviously be painful. Yet with the club in need of financial relief, Chelsea may see an opportunity to strike before Gabriel Bontempo’s valuation climbs even higher.

Hertha BSC have ‘recently’ contacted Birmingham City striker Marvin Dakhsh about a return to Germany this summer.

BILD reports that the 2. Bundesliga side The 32-year-old man has reportedly been questioned and has spoken to his agents.

The Birmingham City striker’s agents have been contacted

The newspaper points out that RTL/NTV initially reported that the Berlin club had made an inquiry about the Birmingham striker. According to information from BILD, the German club has recently contacted representatives of Dachshund.

Their understanding is that Daksch was already a target of Hertha this season. It remains to be seen whether the transfer can take place this summer.

The striker has ten goals for Birmingham City this season and is under contract until 2028, but according to BILD, he could leave St Andrews this summer for ‘a small transfer fee’. He cost the Blues €2 million last summer, so perhaps this is the fee being considered.

Hertha would like him to help them get back to the Bundesliga. They sit third this season, but are one point behind second-place SV Elversberg, and level on points with fourth-place Paderborn.

promotion scoring campaign

Even if they get promotion, he could still be the goalscorer they need next season. If it’s another promotion race, he has experience in that too.

Dakash achieved the feat with Werder Bremen in the 2021/22 season. The striker scored 20 goals that season. Hertha would be open to a long-term partnership despite the 32-year-old.

He will be the replacement for David Kownacki, who is set to return to Werder Bremen in the summer transfer window. Hertha began pursuing Dachsch as that loan deal expired.

It remains to be seen whether the Birmingham City striker wants the move or not. The move to Birmingham last summer was his first move outside England and he may be reluctant to leave so soon. However, Hertha are in contact with their representatives regardless.

Barcelona has the opportunity to sign chelseaWesley Fofana in the summer.

The La Liga side are looking to sign a new centre-back and the Chelsea player could be an option.

Over the past few weeks, the Spanish media have talked about Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni as Barcelona’s main target.

today’s sports world Bastoni has been left disappointed by reports that the Catalan club have cooled on this option. The newspaper also said that other centre-backs are also on their list.

Earlier this month, Sport Witness Covered claims from Spain Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Romero is an alternative to Bastoni.

Chelsea players in Barcelona’s list

Hansi Flick’s side may also consider signing Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana. Journalist Sascha Tavolieri is reporting this in his column sky sport ch.

He added that the 25-year-old’s agent has offered him to Barcelona, ​​who are studying the possibility of signing him.

Barça are looking for a left-footed centre-back, while also exploring options for a right-footed defender, and the France international fits into the latter category. His representative has already held talks with the Blaugrana.

The Camp Nou side prefer to sign the former Leicester City man on loan with an option to buy, in order to ease the immediate financial burden.

The Premier League side are ‘not opposed’ to the idea of ​​parting ways with him. However, the Blues are considering a permanent transfer and want at least €30m.

Despite Fofana’s agent offering him to Barcelona, ​​the difference in what both clubs want could jeopardize the deal.

Contract, price and agent information

transfer market Wesley Fofana is valued at €28m, with a contract until 2029. His highest value in 2022 was €58m, a month after his transfer to Stamford Bridge.

Agency deal with my agent [DWMA] Representing the French and also representing Belgian players such as Benfica’s Dodi Lueckebakio and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Arthur Theeter.

Fofana has been out of action for 696 days due to injuries since joining the Club World Cup in August 2022. This could be one reason why Chelsea is looking to remove him.

last September, chelsea An agreement has been reached with Strasbourg for Emmanuel Emegha to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Bluco owns both Chelsea and Ligue 1 sides and this connection facilitates easy transfers.

Liam Rosenior was the Strasbourg manager when the Blues agreed terms for the striker’s sale. At the time, this did not please the French club’s supporters, who made their feelings clear.

In September 2025, Rosenior said that the player was angry at reaction From fans of the French club.

Last season, he scored 14 goals and three assists and his form for Strasbourg earned him a call up from the Netherlands in November. That same month, the player said he’s happy to be safe A future move towards the Premier League.

Injury concern for incoming Chelsea player

The Netherlands international’s current fitness status will not please Chelsea.

The Netherlands international returned from a long injury break last month. Now they have suffered the latest blow with RC Strasbourg’s 2-1 defeat to Toulouse FC on Sunday.

In the 82nd minute, Emmanuel Emegha came in place of Sebastian Nnasi and suffered a new blow.

Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neill confirmed this, and ICI Alsace confirmed this. xFormerly known as Twitter, to broadcast his comments. The 23-year-old is unlikely to feature in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League semi-final clash against Rayo Vallecano.

“I have not yet received the report from the medical staff. But if you have hamstring pain on Sunday, it seems complicated that you will be able to play on Thursday. We have managed to win games without Emma this season.” He said.

Team Also release further comments from O’Neill regarding the incoming Chelsea striker.

The manager explained that he wanted to avoid risks with some players for tomorrow’s match, but his decision backfired with Emegha.

“If I fielded my best players, we would beat Toulouse, but the medical staff told us not to do that.” O’Neill explained.

“He [Emegha] He could have played fifteen minutes, I gave him ten minutes thinking he could help us and reduce the risk, but he got injured.

Our Opinion: Big concern for the Blues

Emmanuel Emegha has struggled with muscle injuries this season. Last August, he suffered a hamstring injury which kept him out of action for 29 days.

In December, the frontman suffered a muscle strain, due to which he spent 113 days away from the field and returned to the field only in April.

Now he has suffered another hamstring injury and it is unclear whether he will be able to play again this season. Regular muscle problems so far this season should be a concern for Chelsea.

John Solís left Verona to join Birmingham City on a loan deal in the winter market.

Earlier this year, Sport Witness Covered claims from Spain The Blues will pay €500k as a loan fee. Birmingham City also has an €8m purchase obligation attached to set terms.

Last month, the 21-year-old revealed he turned down several clubs to join Chris Davis’ team. He insisted that it was possible to extend his stay in St. Andrews, while not closing the door on retiring to Verona.

That time, He said: : “Chances are I’ll stay; it’s a loan with an option to buy. So far, I feel pretty good. Likely to stay, but also likely to go back.”

The Colombia international has played 1,083 minutes in 16 appearances for Birmingham City so far, 15 in the league.

His championship statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 15
• Start: 11
• Total minutes: 969
• Minutes per game: 65

Birmingham City want to keep Solis

infobae Colombia will now be given the latest information on the player’s future after this season under the ownership of Aragon.

John Solis has not performed well for the La Liga side, especially this season, having played 531 minutes in 14 matches. His decision to go to England has improved his situation.

Although he made only a few appearances, Birmingham City believe his performances exceeded expectations. This will convince them to use the stream to buy it.

There is no confirmation on the terms yet, but ‘everything indicates’ that these terms have been practically met. In other words, the English club will have to pay La Liga €8m.

The Blues are pleased with his performances while the South American is still far from showing his full potential. His plans are not just for the present but he sees them as part of his medium and long-term projects.

Our take: Enduring the blues benefits all parties

John Solis is unlikely to have a future at Verona if he returns to the Catalan club.

Therefore, Birmingham City’s plan to buy him would require Verona to collect €8m in transfer fee. It would also provide the Colombian with stability for his career while giving the Blues a player who will be able to further improve his game.

In short, the permanent relocation of St Andrews is a win-win for all three parties.

chelsea Moving to protect Moises Caicedo beyond the usual contract cycle, more details are emerging from South America on a situation already widely discussed in England.

The Ecuador international has become central to Chelsea’s structure this season. Despite inconsistent results, he has been a consistent presence in midfield.

His minutes underscore that importance, while his defensive reliability and passing volume keep the team strong.

That role explains why Chelsea are now acting quickly. Instead of waiting for the pressure to build, they are trying to remove it completely.

Contract extension driven by situation, not urgency

journalists cesar louis merlo And jose alberto molestina – Both experts on the South American market – outline the full picture Havoline Deportivo.

Moises Caicedo’s current deal already runs until 2031, which raises an obvious question.

Merlo addressed this directly:

“What Chelsea are doing is giving him a salary commensurate with the value of Caicedo, who is one of the best central midfielders in the world.” he explained.

“There are still some small details missing, but everything is in place for Moises Caicedo to extend his contract with Chelsea until June 2033. His current contract runs until 2031.”

This means it is about linking his salary with his importance and removing any future stress.

“So that he remains calm, so that there is no conflict… and if a club comes with a big offer, Caicedo becomes more relaxed and any possible exit is more harmonious and agreeable.”

The midfielder himself recently He said he wants to ‘stay as long as possible’So all roads ultimately lead to Chelsea.

Outside interest and Chelsea reaction

Molestina gave further details, particularly on how other clubs have affected the situation.

“I think Moyi will become one of the top three highest-paid players in the team, which is very important.”

He then pointed to growing attention from elsewhere:

“There are clubs that have started to ask about Moises, about his situation, especially considering that Chelsea’s sporting moment is not the best.”

That notion has evoked a clear internal reaction:

“They basically said: ‘No, no, no, let’s secure the players we want long-term.'”

In other words, Chelsea have already recognized the risk and decided to take action before it became more serious.

Relationship with the agency and long-term control

At this stage Moises Caicedo and Chelsea are in an alliance. The player is said to be happy at the club, wanna be a legend out thereAnd there is no current intention on the part of either party to proceed with the transfer.

At the same time, the structure around it has also played a role. His new agency, Base, has a strong relationship with Chelsea, which has helped with smooth discussions.

Merlo explained that dynamic:

“Chelsea have a very good relationship with the base… Obviously when each side has to defend their position, they will, but the idea is to avoid any friction or problems.”

This is part of a broader strategy. Chelsea wishes to reduce the possibility of future disputes, whether internal or motivated by external interest.

This is a move to cement Moises Caicedo’s place at the club as well as enhance his position within the team.

At the same time, they are also building security into that commitment. If interest continues to grow, as expected, any negotiations will take place from a position of strength.

For a player who is already viewed internally as one of the best in his role, this move reflects long-term planning rather than a short-term reaction.

chelsea One of the clubs looking to sign Barcelona’s Marc Casado in the summer.

The Club World Cup winners’ interest is not new and they made a concerted effort to sign him last summer. However, he chelsea turned down and others to remain in Barcelona.

The midfielder’s decision to extend his stay at the Camp Nou hasn’t exactly worked out as Hansi Flick has not used him regularly this season.

Last season, he played 2,447 minutes in 36 matches and this season he played 1,321 minutes in 30 matches.

His La Liga statistics this season are as follows:’

• Appearances: 20
• Start: 9
• Total minutes: 910
• Minutes per game: 46

Last week, Sports Witness Covered claims from Spain That the midfielder informed people close to him about his desire to leave Barcelona. Trust his agent. Jorge Mendes will find him a new club after this season.

Chelsea back in the mix

naples area Now cover the latest on Chelsea in a report focused on Napoli’s interest.

The outlet makes it clear that this is their own information regarding Marc Casado, who is ‘seriously considering leaving Barcelona’.

He has been on the radar of Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna for a long time. The official watched the 22-year-old last summer and continues to keep an eye on him for the next window as Napoli show their appreciation for the Spain international.

As well as the Naples club, the Barcelona player is attracting strong interest from Liam Rosenior and Arsenal.

The Premier League pair have already pursued him and could make a return in the coming weeks as the Blues and Mikel Arteta’s side consider him an ideal candidate for the midfield.

photomac Barça support the Blues’ interest in the player, who is valued at €20m. Galatasaray are also chasing him and are ready to offer €20m for Hansi Flick.

The Istanbul club have made initial contact with his agent and have begun negotiations at the end of this season.

Galatasaray faces stiff competition from Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid. Despite this, the Turkish champions are ready to try to overtake other clubs.

To summarise, Chelsea are a serious threat to Napoli and Galatasaray to sign the Spaniard. Jorge Mendes could help the Blues edge out competition to secure his services.

Contract, price and agent information

Marc Casado has a contract at Barcelona until 2030, and includes a €100m release clause.

transfer market The Spaniard, now managed by super-agent Jorge Mendes, is valued at €20m.

VfB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller is on chelsea’s Transfer agenda for the summer.

Chelsea could take advantage of the German club’s situation and try to sign him after this season.

The Blues are the latest team to leave the Premier League following a failed attempt by Manchester United last summer.

At the end of March, witness the game Covered claims from Germany The midfielder spurned the Red Devils.

He has been a regular player since joining the Bundesliga side from TSG Hoffenheim in August 2023.

To put this into context, the defensive midfielder has played 125 matches, scoring six goals and 27 assists, including one goal and 10 assists in 44 appearances this season.

His Bundesliga statistics per game this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 28
• Minutes per game: 80
• Intercept: 0.9
• Tackle: 1.3
• Possession won (final third): 0.5
• Ball recovered: 4.9
• Clearance: 1.4
• Blocked Shots: 0.2
• Duel won: 3.9
• Main pass: 1.8

Chelsea in the picture for Stiller

image Now there’s a report on what could happen with Angelo Stiller’s future after this season.

VfB Stuttgart have set a €50m price tag and the Germany international is ‘free to leave’ in the next window.

When discussing his ‘eligible buyers’, Chelsea get a mention as they are one of the clubs who can pay the fee.

Liam Rosenior’s side are keeping a close eye on the player as the Blues prepare for a potential deal.

He now earns £4.5 million per year and his salary could at least double if he moved to England. In other words, ‘qualified buyer’ Chelsea or another top English club could offer him more than €9m per year.

However, it has not been stated whether the Club World Cup winners want or are willing to pay him this figure. For now, the Stamford Bridge side are simply monitoring the German.

If Chelsea decide to make a move, they could take advantage of Stuttgart’s situation.

Bild report that the German club ‘need a big sale’ and that Stiller is one of their main candidates.

The player, for his part, will not take any decisions until the end of this season. He wants to find out whether Stuttgart, now in fourth place, will qualify for the Champions League and also wants to know which competitions his potential buyer will play in next season.

Our take: CL key for Chelsea

The English club is now sixth in the table, one point behind fifth-placed Liverpool and six behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Chelsea must finish in the top five to qualify for the Champions League. This could be important if the Blues want to sign Angelo Stiller in the summer.

His contract is until 2028, and transfer market He is worth €45 million.

chelsea Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen suffered a groin injury in March and has been on the sidelines since then.

The 23-year-old has been second-choice at Chelsea behind Robert Sanchez.

Before his failure, Liam Rosenior had made his debut in the league win over Aston Villa and the 5–2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in March.

With Celtic star Kasper Schmeichel out for the season, the 23-year-old got his chance to start for Denmark in the March international break. However, this setback also meant that he could not represent the national team.

Denmark manager Brian Reimer had Confirmed After Stomper’s scan he got a shock.

Chelsea close to star Jorgensen

Joao Pedro arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer. He has given an interview to Viaplay and bold Philip Jorgensen has released his comments.

The Blues star has developed a close relationship with the goalkeeper in his debut season and he now talks about his groin injury.

“He is going through a tough time at the moment because he has been injured. So, we are trying to help him. He is a really good guy, and he is very professional both on and off the field. He tries to help everyone,” He said.

“We are very close because our girlfriends also try to hang out together. Off the field, we are always joking with each other. So, we are very close.”

Jorgensen joined Chelsea in August 2024 after spending seven years at Villarreal and has made 34 appearances so far. It covers 10 matches this season and his Premier League statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 3
• Start: 2
• Total minutes: 264
• Clean sheets: 0
• Goals accepted: 4

Chelsea loanee suffers latest blow

Chelsea cut short Aaron Anselmino’s loan stay at Borussia Dortmund and sent him on loan to RC Strasbourg in the winter market. The 20-year-old Argentinian has played 15 minutes in three matches for the French club.

A hamstring injury kept him out of action for more than a month in February. Last weekend, the Blues man returned to the field in Strasbourg’s 3-1 win over OGC Nice.

Team Now reports are that he has suffered a fresh setback, forcing him to spend more time away from the field. Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neill has confirmed the latest injury.

“This time it is the other hamstring, he will have to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury,” He said.

What do these injuries mean for Chelsea?

The Premier League side will be waiting for Filip Jorgensen to return soon and make himself available for selection.

Aaron Anselmino’s latest injury will have no impact on Chelsea this season, but his repeated failures will certainly be a concern for them.

chelsea Barcelona could have an easier route to signing Marc Casado in the summer transfer window.

The Blues were one of the clubs who tried to sign the midfielder last summer.

In July 2025, Sport Witness Covered a big report from Spain That Chelsea put pressure on him to sign him. At the time, Barcelona had set a price of €30m.

However, the 22-year-old did not want to give up on his Camp Nou career.

His decision has paid off and the table below comparing his La Liga statistics from this and last season should make it clear why.

This Season-Last Season.

• Attendance: 19-23
• Total minutes: 865-1623
• Minutes per game: 46-71
• Interceptions per game: 0.4-1.0
• Tackles per game: 0.8-1.9
• Clearance per game: 0.3-0.7
• Duels won per game: 1.8-3.6

Although he has played four fewer matches this season than last season, these statistics represent a nearly 50% drop in his total minutes.

Chelsea transfer failed last summer

Wednesday edition of game There is a report on Mark Casado’s future after this season.

The newspaper relies on reports from Cadena Ser that the Spain international wants to leave the Catalan club after this season.

He has informed those close to him about his desire to listen to interesting offers and then choose the best option.

Barcelona, ​​for their part, are considering selling the defensive midfielder in the summer. Since he is an academy graduate, his sale brought significant benefits to the Blaugrana.

Sport then gives its opinion on the matter and mentions Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Last summer, both clubs made concrete approaches, but the player rejected their offers to stay at the Camp Nou.

However, this did not work and now ‘opens the exit door’ to the next window. His value has declined further after a disappointing season.

The Spaniard has changed agents and is now represented by Jorge Mendes, who also has Chelsea’s Pedro Neto on his client list.

His agent will ‘definitely find him a new club’ and it remains to be seen whether it is Chelsea or another club.

Our View: Why the Blues on Wolves

Wolves are now bottom of the table and look set for relegation. Marc Casado will not want to move to the Championship, leaving an easy way for Chelsea to sign him.

This, coupled with the drop in price and the involvement of Jorge Mendes will make it relatively easy for Liam Rosenior’s side.

Manchester City star Rodri will have to reduce his price if he wants to move to Real Madrid.

Cadena SER’s report on the midfielder today And why, at this point, a move to the Santiago Bernabéu is not planned.

Real Madrid have long admired the midfielder. It was back in the headlines this week when he added fuel to the fire.

Speaking to Onda Cero, he openly stated that “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world” when asked about Real Madrid. However, the deal will be complicated.

age and price are problems

Cadena SER reports that Rodri remains a favorite of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, but praise alone will not seal the deal.

With a contract running until 2027, Manchester City are expected to demand around €80 million. This is a figure Madrid will not pay with only one year remaining on his deal. Anton Mina of El Larguero explained the reasoning.

He said, “Rodri has always been Florentino Pérez’s choice; he fits the profile of a midfielder.”

“But he wouldn’t be the first option right now because his contract expires in 2027 and they are easily going to ask for €80m.” According to him “the financial aspect is fundamental” to Real Madrid’s plans.

Concerns also remain About his knee injury.

rhodri needed effort

According to Mina, if the deal is to go through, Rodri will have to do something behind the scenes.

“If Rodri wants to leave City and manages to negotiate a cheap exit,” he said, for Madrid it would be “more a question of financial fit than football doubt.”

As far as the Spanish side are concerned, Rodri’s comments are positive but “there has to be a gesture along with it” to make a serious effort.

mutual affection

However, for fellow journalist Bruno Alemany, the deal is yet to be done. He believes Real Madrid will try because, even at 80%, Rodri is better than him.

“Real Madrid will really try to make the signing (because) both parties are keen for it to happen,” he said.

“Whether running or playing at 80%, he is still far better than most of the midfielders who have come before him.”

Meanwhile, Antonio Romero believes Rodri would not be speaking out the way he is if he was not leaving Manchester City this summer.

“A footballer who wants to stay at his club doesn’t say things like that,” he said. According to him, the midfielder’s words “open the door to speculation.”

what happens next?

At the moment, everything points to a transfer that now depends more on Rodri than on Real Madrid.

The desire is mutual and the Bernabeu will welcome him tomorrow. But unless he puts pressure on Manchester City to reduce the fee, the deal will be stalled before it even starts.

His words have opened the door. Now Real Madrid want to try to open it wider before the summer.

Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr has insisted he has no regrets about joining the club or leaving Strasbourg in January to do so.

Sarr is speaking to De Sports This week about the switch. He insists he is happy with his move to Stamford Bridge.

starter for bench

turned 20 years old Latest player to swap Strasbourg for Chelsea When he made the move at the end of the January transfer window.

He was on loan at the French club after joining Chelsea in a €14m deal from their sister club in June last year.

He was a key player under Liam Rosenior and Gary O’Neill and was part of Chelsea’s long-term plans. But the decision was soon taken to move him back to Stamford Bridge amid a defensive crisis at the club.

This meant swapping guaranteed minutes in France for a backup role at Chelsea. To date, he has started one Premier League game and spent five on the bench as an unused substitute. However, he is not worried about it.

“I don’t regret leaving Strasbourg, because I have reached a big club where to play you have to earn your place,” He said.

chelsea struggles

The defender’s lack of concern comes despite Chelsea being in the midst of a disappointing run of form under Rosenière.

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Everton was their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, which also included an 8-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain over two legs in the Champions League. They have also failed to score in their last three matches while they have conceded 12 goals in their last four matches.

After a strong start under Rosenior in January, the Blues have struggled recently, and the pressure on the former Strasbourg coach is increasing.

Dissatisfaction is growing among fans, and Sarr feels the international break may have come at the right time.

“I think the break will benefit us, and we will clear our minds when we resume training,he adds.

“Every footballer goes through such moments (against PSG). The important thing is to pick yourself up and carry on.”

Doubt about the future

The question is whether Chelsea can pick themselves out for the remainder of the season. The FA Cup clash with Port Vale after the international break provides some respite, at least on paper.

But with matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool coming up, the race for a Champions League spot is not going to be easy.

🇵🇹 Exclusive: Maxi Araújo

⏩Tottenham and Chelsea are in contact
➡️ Source gave information @UllalIBT
➡️There is also further Premier League interesthttps://t.co/K17lRpjlUG #thfc #cfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 22 March 2026

It certainly wasn’t the result the Washington Capitals (35-28-9) wanted. They fell flat and suffered a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues (29-30-11) on Tuesday night.

It was the Capitals’ first stop on a three-game road trip as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, Tuesday’s shutout loss certainly wasn’t that.

The Capitals looked promising early, but could not locate St. Louis goaltender Joel Hofer. The team’s power-play problems also continued.

The highlight for the Capitals was when they went toe-to-toe with the Blues. Ryan Leonard’s aggressive attitude continued as he dropped the gloves with Otto Steinberg.

Later in the game, Pierre-Luc Dubois received a five-minute match penalty for fouling Robert Thomas. Many people questioned whether the fine was too high.

The Capitals’ regulation loss hurts more when you realize that Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the Islanders all lost on the same night. Washington’s playoff chances are shrinking by the minute.

Next, the Capitals will head to the Rocky Mountains to face Utah on Thursday night.

capitals analysis

From the moment they took the ice, the Capitals just took off on Tuesday. They were unable to score on Hoffer as the St. Louis netminder stopped all 21 shots.

What’s worse is that the Capitals could only muster six shots on goal in the first 40 minutes. An additional 14 in the third period ultimately were not enough.

The ongoing power-play problems continued as the Capitals went 0-2 on the night. The team was unable to create high quality chances.

The Blues went ahead 1–0 in the middle frame as Jimmy Snuggerud fired a one-timer from the left circle.

Shortly after that goal, Leonard took a high hit from Stenberg and a scuffle broke out between the two players. The 21-year-old tried to breathe some life into his team as he now has two matches left in his career.

In the final period, Stenberg doubled St. Louis’ lead when he caught Logan Thompson in front.

Down 2-0, Dubois caught Thomas and threw him hard to the ice. Thomas appeared to be badly hurt, and was given a match penalty for intent to injure Dubois.

Late in the game, Jordan Kirou recorded an empty-netter to complete the Blues’ shutout victory.

capitals report card

Team: D-

Absolutely flat performance from the Capitals, especially on attack. However, things went a little haywire in St. Louis.

Capitals Power Play: F

Once again, the Capitals could not advance on the man advantage. The team failed to create chances and fell 0-2.

Ryan Leonard: B–

Leonard tried to breathe some life into the Capitals by dropping the gloves with Stenberg. It looks like the 21-year-old is learning hard from Tom Wilson.

Logan Thompson: B

Thompson was influential despite being disappointed by his teammates. He stopped 24 of 26 shots against the Blues.

Ivan Miroshnichenko: C+

Miroshnichenko stepped in for the injured Ethan Frank in the fourth row. He hit a shot off the post after a feed from Hendricks Lapierre.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia will not be part of the Belgium U21 squad for the current international break.

The midfielder has repeatedly struggled with injuries since joining Chelsea from Southampton for £53m in August 2023.

Since then, he has been off the field for just over 600 days and missed 98 matches. The 22-year-old has made seven regular appearances since the start of the month.

At the weekend, Liam Rosenior made his debut in the Blues’ 3–0 league defeat to Everton, replacing Andre Santos in the 57th minute.

Physio David Bombayke worked closely with him for a year and in 2025, He asked question Fitness status of the midfielder.

Despite featuring regularly in recent weeks, he will not represent his country during this international break. It appears that Belgium U21 manager Gil Swarts has approached him about a place in the team.

on sunday, chelsea Confirmed Before later removing it, Lavia received a call from Swarts on their official website. This caused confusion in Belgium as to whether the player would represent Jong Duivels.

Blues official website causes confusion

newspaper Cover it and mention that a Chelsea player will be part of Swarts’ squad this month.

However, they emphasize that there has so far been no official communication from the Belgian FA on the subject.

last hour Decided to investigate further and insisted on turning the gun on the west London club, it is surprising that Swarts did not phone Romeo Lavia.

The newspaper learned that Lavia will not represent Belgium U21 in the coming days after he rejected the call up. So, it was confusing when Chelsea initially reported this on their website.

Lavia does not want to leave the Premier League team and wants to use this break to further improve his fitness.

He has played one match each for Belgium U21, against Scotland in June 2022, and for the senior team so far. His only appearance for Belgium was in a friendly against Germany three years earlier.

international break fixtures

belgium

• Friendly vs USA on 28 March
• Friendly vs Mexico on 1 April [UK time]

Belgium U21

• European Qualifier vs Austria U21 on 27 March
• Friendly vs Netherlands U21 on 30 March

maximo perron Como is having an impressive season, which is good news for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side will now benefit from his future sale.

So far this season, the Argentinian has made 27 Serie A appearances totaling over 2000 minutes. He also has two goals and four assists, with Como currently in the Champions League spot. The youngster has impressed with his ability to dictate play from deep.

After a good initial loan spell, Perron joined the lakeside club permanently from Manchester City in the summer.

The 23-year-old’s performances are attracting a lot of attention now and will help the Nationals in the future.

Manchester City has a big sell-on clause

corriere dello sport Today report that Maximo Perron is emerging as a key target for Inter Milan, who are likely to part ways with Hakan Calhanoglu.

There are also doubts about David Fratesi, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan also at his best.

Perón is therefore seen as an effective way to restructure the midfield and reduce its average age.

Problems are likely to arise in Como regarding a deal. A major reason for this is Manchester City’s 30% sell-on clause, with Cesc Fabregas’ side demanding a high fee for the midfielder.

Perron was signed for just €13 million in the summer and his value has now at least doubled.

Only a significant offer would break Como’s resistance and they are no strangers to demanding hefty fees anyway.

Napoli are also keen on a player who could be the subject of widespread interest in the summer.

The deal was a success for Manchester City

Everything shows that Guardiola’s team did an excellent job with Maximo Peron. They loaned him out to clubs that helped his development and felt it was the right opportunity to let him go.

If a club pays €40m for the Argentine, Manchester City could now make around €9m from the deal. That’s pretty good money for a player who doesn’t even play for them. Furthermore, Perron made only two senior appearances for the Nationals.

That – in itself, is a good indication of the work done. Italian teams generally do not pay permanent fees to other clubs in Serie A. It would not be a surprise if Inter or Napoli make an initial loan attempt, but Manchester City hope the suitors will make a permanent offer soon.

What’s even better is that Peron’s value will increase further until 2027, and Manchester City will then get a larger share.

🇪🇸 Claudio Echeverri | Verona boss explains pressure on talent

🔁 Manchester City youngster told to “flow”
➡️ A good look at how he’s performing in Spain, his talent and where things stand right now 👇https://t.co/1RebbSVkGL #mcfc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 17 March 2026

The New Jersey Devils will have to go through the remainder of the 2025–26 season. However, I think it’s time to start thinking about who will be in charge behind the bench.

Given the way the Devils have disappointed so much this season, it is reasonable to think there will be a new head coach after this season. So, who can fit behind the bench. A fellow Devil’s Beat reporter chimed in on some of the ideas below.

Elsewhere, more trade talk in St. Louis, NHL GM meetings, and more.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

NJ.com: The Devils have a decision to make when their season ends in about a month. Will Sheldon Keefe return behind the bench, or will the Devils have a new bench boss? If it’s the latter, here’s who Ryan Nowozinski should be to lead Jack Hughes & Co.

📺 devil’s rink report: In case you missed it, via Devils Rink Report here are Nico Hischier and Jake Allen’s reactions to the high-skill play between Arseniy Gritsyuk and Lenny Haminaho — who connected for an incredible goal over the weekend.

Full episode here 👇🏼 Watch the full Devils Rink report here:

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sign up for new jersey hockey now Newsletter for daily Devils intel straight to your inbox.

NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

athletic ($):NHL GM meetings begin today. The statuses of Radko Gudas and Auston Matthews will be on the agenda, but Pierre LeBrun says action is not expected.

More confirmed ($): Will there be more pressure to trade 26-year-old Robert Thomas this summer? What impact will this have on other young Blue forwards? Jeremy Rutherford dives.

colorado hockey now: NCAA free agent signings have begun, and the Colorado Avalanche have signed Gustav Stjernberg to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Forever Blueshirts: Chris Drury has been a hit or miss GM for the New York Rangers, however, here’s why Vladislav Gavrikov is one of the best.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

What is the reason why the St. Louis Blues goaltenders recently had some of their best games of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes?

The Hurricanes lost 3-1 against the Blues, a game that got off to a hot start…but ended quickly. Carolina led in almost every nightly statistic. They outshot them 32-17, defended them with 12 blocked shots versus nine, and even had a better hold on the puck with 11 giveaways versus 16.

However, the second and third periods lacked the same urgency and effectiveness as the first frame. Mark Jankowski was the only scorer for the Hurricanes, scoring his seventh goal of the season (in highlight reel-worthy fashion) just before half of the first period was played.

The Hurricanes looked great in the first twenty minutes, but struggled to keep the fire burning defensively and offensively for the next forty minutes.

Jimmy Snuggerud scored with a shot between the legs of Jakob Slavin, who also served as a screen for Brandon Bussey, and tied the game.

In the third period, with just under five minutes left to play, Snuggerud scored his second goal of the game after the puck bounced off Jalen Chatfield’s stick.

Moments later, with the net empty, Seth Jarvis’ pass was intercepted by Alexey Toropchenko, who passed it to Jack Finley, who sent it past goal scorer Pavel Buchnevich to seal the game 3–1.

difference maker

Storm’s downfall was not a complete loss of generation. In fact, they created 29 scoring chances and 15 high-danger scoring chances, compared to the Blues’ 16 and three. Instead, the collapse was caused by the efficient play of Jordan Binnington, who sparked his team with big saves and kept those flames burning with consistent stops. This appeared to be the 32-year-old veteran’s best performance of the season, as he posted a save percentage of .969 (his best non-shutout save percentage of the season) and made 31 saves.

silver linings

Brandon Bussey played brilliantly. Both goals scored on him were particularly difficult shots, one of which came from behind his own man’s screen – and through his skates – and the other managed to slip between pad and arm, stopping almost as soon as it was sealed.

However, one important difference was their persistence. In his last game, he struggled with this, which ultimately cost him a goal. In Thursday’s game, he made stretch passes down the ice, found teammates’ tape amid high-pressure situations and cleared the puck brilliantly. Sometimes goalkeepers may have off-days for certain aspects of the game, but this did not linger in their minds for their next start.

As for another look at the game, Logan Stankoven’s line operated as a true second line against the Blues, with Stankoven himself logging 16:30 of ice time. Typically, Jordan Staal’s line is given those heavy minutes, but the Tech third line was buzzing and definitely earned its minutes.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Carolina Hurricanes will welcome the St. Louis Blues to Lenovo Center on Thursday, concluding their season series against them. He last played on January 13, where he was shut out on a three-and-out zilch by Blues goaltender Joel Hofer.

The game is scheduled for 7:00 pm EDT.

Facing Team Carolina will be different from their previous meeting, as the Blues will be without captain Braden Schenn after being dealt to the New York Islanders at the deadline. Additionally, former Hurricanes co-captain Justin Faulk also departed St. Louis at the deadline, as he was sent to the Detroit Red Wings.

Of the four players acquired in trades, only Jonathan Drouin and Justin Hall have experience in the NHL.

On Tuesday, the Hurricanes played a remarkably wild game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the two teams exchanging leads all night until the Penguins overcame a two-goal deficit with six skaters in the final minutes to force overtime. I blame Neil Diamond!

Nonetheless, the Hurricanes managed to defeat them in the shootout and Alexander Nikishin made history as he broke the franchise goal record for a rookie defenseman.

between the pipes

Wednesday was a much-needed holiday for the storm, so there was no practice to base the actual launch on. However, that doesn’t stop me from trying my best to give you an educated guess. I care about you guys, and I know this is a big topic that we all want to know more about.

On Tuesday, Frederik Andersen took the crease against the Penguins and played honestly well. The Hurricanes have used him more since the Olympics, which will likely give him more playing time to build his confidence and prepare his body for the postseason. That being said, Brandon Bussey has been good, but as expected, his play has been a little shaky since returning from the Olympic break. Momentum is a huge force, and the three-week break disrupted that. Now he faces a new point of development in overcoming these struggles at the top level, something that every netminder deals with at the beginning of their NHL career.

If the alternative tandem continues, Bussey should start unless they opt to play him against the high-tempo, high-pressing Tampa Bay Lightning, against whom he performed well in the first game after the Olympic break. This season he has a save percentage of .898 with a goals-against average of 2.38 with a 25-4-1 record.

As for the Blues, they have relied heavily on Joel Hofer recently. However, I don’t think he will be the starter. They have played two games in a row and Thursday’s game will be the start of a back-to-back set that also includes travel. The other team in the set, the Edmonton Oilers, being a Western Conference rival, it is logical to think they would want Hofer to play that game.

Jordan Binnington will likely start against the Hurricanes. This season, with a 9-18-6 record and a goals-against average of 3.55, he has a save percentage of .868.

Expected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

protect

Jacob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Shawn Walker

Mike Reilly – Alexander Nikishin

goaltender

Brandon Bussey/Frederick Anderson

Expected Blues Lines

Dylan Holloway – Robert Thomas – Jimmy Snaggrud

Jake Neighbors – Delibor Dvorsky – Jordan Kirou

Jonathan Drouin – Pavel Buchnevich – Otto Steinberg

Alexey Toropchenko – Jack Finley – Pius Suter

protect

Philip Broberg – Logan Mailloux

Theo Lindstein – Colton Parayko

Cam Fowler – Tyler Tucker

goaltender

Jordan Binnington / Joel Hoffer

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes Power Play: 22.4% (11th)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 79.4% (14th)

St. Louis Blues power play: 17.1% (25th)
St. Louis Blues Penalty Kill: 74.3% (29th)

storm game notes

Ahead of Tuesday’s tilt against the Penguins, Rod Brind’Amour spoke with Hurricanes analyst Trip Tracy about the status of Shayne Gostisbeer, who has missed the last two games due to injury:

“I was hoping it wouldn’t last too long. I’m not sure it would be an extended period, but it certainly doesn’t look like he’ll be there tonight or possibly the next few games… He’s struggled with it all year.”

Additionally, in the last game, Nikolaj Ehlers left the ice in the first period due to a knee injury. However, he returned early in the second period and played the rest of the game. Still, he remains someone to keep an eye on going into the game against St. Louis.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Deslauriers is yet to debut for the Hurricanes. It’s unclear when he might enter the lineup. Nonetheless, he has continued to practice with the team and warm up before Tuesday’s game.

how to see

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

Chelsea are keen to bring 1. FC Koln’s Sedd El Mala to the Premier League in the summer.

is according to express.deWho named Chelsea as one of the clubs chasing the 19-year-old player.

The Bundesliga side signed the winger from Victoria Köln in June 2024 and sent him back on loan.

He arrived at FC Köln last summer and has starred in his first season in the top division so far. El Mala scored eight goals and provided four assists in 25 league appearances.

His performances led him to make his debut for Germany U21 in September and he could be in the running for the senior team. His form this season has also attracted interest from several clubs.

Chelsea joins the race for El Mala

After failing to sign him in the last two windows, Brighton & Hove Albion continued to pursue the young player.

Last month, Sports Witness broadcast news The Seagulls are making a formal offer at the Winter Market. However, FC Köln turned it down.

on tuesday we Covered claims from Germany Chelsea and Newcastle United are joining the race.

Express.de now backs him and covers the latest on the west London club’s efforts to try to sign him in the summer.

Blues move to sign

Several clubs have already expressed interest in the Germany U21 international.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are in the picture, while AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are both monitoring El Mala.

Brighton are keen to secure his services and will be disappointed to say the least if Chelsea beat them to it.

Chelsea have held ‘concrete talks’ to bring the player to Stamford Bridge. However, it is not specified whether the Blues contacted his camp, FC Köln or both. It is possible that they may have started with the player’s representatives.

El Mala parted ways with his agent and is now represented by his parents, Sabrina and Mohammed. This will be the route Chelsea will have to go down.

contract and price of german

El Mala’s contract expires in 2030 transfer market He is worth €40 million. This increased by €3m [June 2025[ to €18m [October 2025] €40m so far.

sports witness Recently Covered Claims That his club is asking for €50m to sanction a move.

The price may increase further with increasing competition. This may not be an issue for Chelsea, but it could be an issue going away disappointingly at Brighton.

Chelsea may consider renewing Estevao’s contract after the World Cup as they consider him an important part of their current and future plans.

This is according to AS, which covers youth aged 18 today. The Spanish newspaper reports that Chelsea consider the winger to be key to everything in their plans.

The Brazilian was named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards this week. This was confirmation of Estevao’s rising status at Stamford Bridge, where he has ‘stole the hearts’ of Chelsea fans.

The club’s hierarchy is similarly charmed. They consider him an important player for the present and future of the club. In fact, he is one of the few ‘untouchables’ on the team.

Key players for Chelsea

The Blues see him as a unique player. He is someone who has talent, quality and magnetism in equal measure. According to AS, this makes him a truly unique player.

She is his ‘biggest sensation’, However fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro Can also claim that status. His first season in England is certainly going to be excellent.

However, his contributions go beyond the pitch. He is also a ‘commercial goldmine’ for Chelsea. There is a belief that he can bring about a revolution that has not been seen since the successful era of Eden Hazard.

Chelsea cherishes her and values ​​her ‘like the great diamond’ that she is. There is also talk that the contract renewal will be sorted out as soon as possible.

This would mean a lot, especially after the World Cup where he will be a key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.

already impressive record

For now, the focus is on finishing the season strong before that. With seven goals and two assists in 31 games in all competitions this season, Estevao is already impressing in numbers.

He is already Chelsea’s youngest player with an assist, their youngest Champions League scorer and the youngest Brazilian to score a Premier League winner.

He is only the third teenager in history to score in his first three Champions League matches. The others are Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

The least we can say is that this is a reputable company and it seems Chelsea are planning to make him a superstar like him before long.

The St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabers are working on a trade that will shock the entire NHL. As TSN’s Darren Dreger reports, trade talks between the Blues and Sabers involving Robert Thomas are “heating up.” St.Louis is serious about trading Thomas after weeks of speculation.

As The Athletic’s Chris Johnston reports, Buffalo has been viewed as a “dark horse team” for the Blues center in the NHL. Other teams have also been linked to Thomas, such as the Utah Mammoth and Boston Bruins. Right now, the Sabers may be close to a deal for one of the best NHL players on the block.

The 26-year-old center will ignite Buffalo’s offense, giving the team a better chance to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. After years of selling off elite players, Buffalo may be on the opposite side of a transaction. After all, Thomas has been an 80-point player in the past two seasons, and he has scored at least 21 goals in this period.

St. Louis will likely get a massive move for Thomas, possibly including multiple first-round picks and prospects. The St. Louis center moving to Buffalo would likely open the door to NHL trades, with Eastern Conference teams struggling to respond. However, there is nothing pending at this time.

Thomas has 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games this season as the Blues look to sell before the NHL trade deadline. The St. Louis center is likely to be traded in the next few days, and the Sabers are heavily in the mix. If Buffalo can get this deal across the finish line, it could be the catalyst to end the 14-year-old playoff draft.

Read more: St. Louis Blues could trade Robert Thomas, 5 best landing spots

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The St. Louis Blues could trade Robert Thomas before Friday’s NHL trade deadline. With St. Louis out of the playoff race, Thomas is in trade talks, and the possibility of him playing in a new city is increasing. The 26-year-old center may be the best NHL player to be traded this week.

Below, we consider the five best landing spots for Thomas if the Blues trade him for a big deal!

colorado avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche will be a surprising destination, but the fit will be fantastic. Colorado could use an upgrade at center behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson, and Thomas would give the team a fearsome third line. It will be a complicated deal in financial matters, but it will be worth it.

detroit red wings

The Detroit Red Wings are one of the few teams that has the assets and need for Thomas. Detroit could use two first-round picks with Nate Danielson or Marco Casper. The St. Louis center would immediately become one of Detroit’s core players, and solidify the organization’s push for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

boston bruins

The Boston Bruins could use some more help at center as their push for the Stanley Cup playoffs continues in March. After trading Brad Marchand last season, acquiring Thomas would be a great way to get rid of trade deadline troubles. St. Louis is demanding a major deal and Boston should be able to meet their wishes.

utah mammoth

Utah mammoths are on the hunt. Utah needs another top-six center long-term and, like Detroit, it has the financial and asset flexibility to make a deal with St. Louis. Thomas would be a perfect fit with Mammoth and a long-term partnership would be desirable for both parties.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not officially out of playoff contention, but their chances are getting worse week by week. By acquiring Thomas, Toronto will find itself poised to make a massive move while improving its positioning for the 2026-27 NHL season. The Maple Leafs are more likely to be sellers, but don’t miss the opportunity for a long-term key player.

READ: 5 trade targets for the Detroit Red Wings at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, including Robert Thomas

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

Casper Ankergren was part of Graham Potter’s coaching team at West Ham. The manager was shown the door from the Hammers in September and Ankergren went with him.

A goalkeeping coach, he now goes to work at Chelsea.

Potter returned to Sweden and took over the national team in March, facing play-offs to qualify for the World Cup. Ankergren did not rejoin them in that role, and has been out of work since his exit from West Ham.

He is now delighted to have agreed a move to Chelsea. The Potter connection has resurfaced, with Ben Roberts, who leads the Blues’ goalkeeping coaching, having worked with both at Brighton.

It was Roberts who was behind the idea of ​​getting Ankergren the Chelsea role, and Anker is pleased that his contacts have worked out.

Why has Chelsea got a job boost?

talking to denmark boldThe 46-year-old made it clear how happy he is to be back in the game.

The months without work since West Ham have clearly created frustration. Returning to a club of Chelsea’s level is a big boost for the coach’s career.

Bold quote from Ankergren saying: “It’s been strange not being able to do what I love for the last five months, so when the opportunity came up at Chelsea, I had no doubt it was something I wanted to try.”

The contract with Chelsea lasts until the end of the season. It is almost certain that the coach will hope to stay for a long time, and now he will have to impress the decision makers at the London club.

Liam Rosenior took over in January and Chelsea are currently pushing to qualify for the Champions League. They are sixth in the table, three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and six behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

In the past few months, Chelsea were in plans to sign Patrick Mercado from Independiente del Valles.

On October 7, Sports Witness Covered Claims Both the Blues and Wolves have interest in South America.

Two months earlier, the same source had reported that wolves were ahead of chelsea In the race to sign the 22-year-old.

Fast forward to February and Wednesday’s edition As Including the latest information on Chelsea when reporting Sevilla’s interest.

Chelsea will miss Mercado

The Andalusian club are also pushing the Ecuadorian international forward and have even made progress in securing his services in the winter market. However, no move was made in the last window as there were no non-EU slots vacant.

This has not stopped them from pursuing the midfielder wanted by Liam Rosenior. The newspaper now states that ‘Sevilla have beaten Chelsea and other rivals to win the race for Mercado’s signature.’

As it has now been reported the La Liga side will pay Independiente del Valles €6m for the Ecuadorian.

abc sevillaSevilla’s local newspaper supports Chelsea’s interest and then covers the latest. It has been claimed that the Spanish club have secured a pre-agreement for the player’s summer arrival.

Why is there still hope for the Blues?

However, the newspaper warns that ‘the pre-agreement comes with significant implications and conditions.’ To register the South American, Sevilla must first make changes within the club.

Since Mercado is from Ecuador, the Spanish club will have to make a non-EU slot available for him. Brazilian Marco and the Chilean pair of Alexis Sanchez and Gabriel Suazo are now in possession of it.

Maracao is in the process of obtaining a Spanish passport while Sanchez is likely to leave after this season.

Furthermore, Sevilla will need to make room in their wage bill to sign Mercado. This can be done by removing some players, which will also help them improve their financial position.

These conditions could give Chelsea time to hijack the operation from the clutches of Sevilla.

River Plate’s loan deal for Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez includes a ‘surprise clause’ in the Argentine side’s favour.

This is according to El Intransigente, Who today relayed information regarding the deal to journalist Renzo Pentich.

Páez joined the Argentine giants on loan from Chelsea at the end of the January transfer window. The club hopes the 18-year-old will stay until next summer.

He was at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg after coming to Europe last summer. The Blues had previously signed him up as a youth player but had to wait to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Strasbourg struggles

However, he struggled in France, with only one assist in 21 games and 718 minutes of action. Chelsea then changed tactics and brought him back before sending him to River Plate. Sport Witness covered the action late in the window.

Now Pantich has come back with a little more information on the deal. He explained that the agreement with Chelsea included a ‘surprise clause’ in favor of River Plate.

According to his knowledge, while the loan does not include an option to buy, it does include a clause preventing Chelsea from being given ‘free rein’ to bring him back whenever they want.

“Kendri Paez’s buy-back option is only activated if he does not play 50% of the matches for River Plate,” he said.

Chelsea will have to wait

El Intransigente says this means Páez will remain at River until December if he plays the minimum required minutes. This is an ‘important’ factor for the club and their plans for the second half of the year.

Manager Marcelo Gallardo has already started using him. Far from stopping him, he is giving him time to play. His intention is clear; Gaining rhythm, adapting and becoming a valuable asset to the youth.

That knowledge further helps the plan, as Chelsea cannot drag him back to Stamford Bridge whenever they want.