Andre Onana might not be the only Manchester United star to be headed to Turkiye before the transfer window slams shut.
As per YS TV reporter Reşat Can Özbudak, Eyüpspor have reached an agreement with Manchester United for the loan transfer of Tyrell Malacia.
The only thing pending is the left-back’s green light. Once it arrives, the lone member of the bomb squad will be packing his bags and heading to the Turkish Super Lig.
“Exclusive: Eyüpspor has reached an agreement with Manchester United for the loan transfer of Tyrell Malacia.
Malacia off to Turkiye
“The player’s decision is pending!,” the journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The 26-year-old even won the Eredivisie there, but the league champions chose not to permanently acquire the defender due to his unimpressive displays back at his homeland.
Tyrell Malacia has no future under Amorim, who tried to play him at left wingback on occasions last season, but the former Feyenoord ace struggled big time.
Turkiye’s transfer window remains open till September 12, and INEOS will be hoping to agree all the formalities by then.
The Netherlands international’s deal is up at the end of the season, so the Red Devils can only earn a fee if Eyüpspor agree to sign him permanently in January.
But at least, INEOS will save a reported £3.9 million on wages (via capology) should the Turkish side agree to pay his full salary. Details should be out soon.
When UEFA scrapped the away goals rule in 2021, the headline message was “fairness.” The idea was simple. A goal scored in the 90th minute away from home should not carry more weight than one scored in front of your own fans. Many pundits nodded in agreement. Managers like Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola applauded the change, and fans welcomed the idea that ties would now be decided more “purely” on footballing merit. That’s very fine….
But here’s the irony: while the away goals rule was eliminated in the name of fairness, the system that governs extra time in two-legged ties remains anything but fair. When two teams are level after 180 minutes, the second leg goes to extra time. However, crucially, it’s always played in the stadium of the second-leg host. That means one team gets thirty more minutes with its crowd behind them, on its familiar pitch, in its own city, while the other side is left battling uphill in hostile territory. If fairness were the goal, then this is football’s most glaring blind spot.
Take the unforgettable Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City in 2022. Madrid was trailing late on aggregate, then pulled off one of their trademark comebacks and took the tie into extra time. Once the Bernabéu crowd roared into life, it felt almost inevitable. Karim Benzema’s penalty sealed it. But the real question is, was it fair for City to compete with Madrid at the Bernabeu in those extra minutes when only 90 minutes were played at the Etihad? Was City not at a clear disadvantage in the extra time?
Another example is the 2025 Champions League semi-final second leg at San Siro. Inter and Barcelona were deadlocked on aggregate when Raphinha’s late strike seemed to wrap it up. Only for Francesco Acerbi to equalise at the death and plunge the tie into extra time. As expected, the passionate Inter support in the stadium lifted the home side, and Davide Frattesi scored in extra time, sending Inter through. That extra half-hour of home advantage proved decisive. It raises the same fundamental question as the Real Madrid game: Is it fair for Barcelona to compete in extra time at San Siro when they didn’t have the same environment for the first 90 minutes?
These examples highlight a conversation football rarely has. Fans and pundits argue endlessly about VAR, fixture congestion, and the Super League, but the inherent unfairness of extra time in two-legged ties is a football debate that needs serious attention.
The Challenge With Current Format Justified By Stats
And when you think about it, the explanation is simple. Playing extra time at home means an additional thirty minutes of crowd energy, the comfort of a familiar pitch, the absence of travel fatigue, and even, as some refereeing studies suggest, a subtle subconscious bias in officiating. These are the very factors that UEFA said they wanted to strip away when they abolished away goals. Yet in practice, they have doubled down on them, gifting the home team in the second leg an extra half-hour of precisely those advantages.
My Proposal
If we all agree that fairness is the ultimate goal, then there has to be a better way to settle knockout ties than giving one team thirty bonus minutes at home. My solution is simple: if two legs are level after 180 minutes, the tie should shift to a neutral ground. Call it a third leg if you like, but the principle is balance.
There are two ways this could work. One option is a full match at a neutral venue, giving both teams equal footing with a crowd that isn’t overwhelmingly tilted one way or the other. Another, perhaps more practical, version is a shorter playoff: thirty minutes of extra time and, if needed, penalties, all at a neutral ground. Either format removes the inherent tilt of the current system and reframes the contest as a genuine decider rather than an extension of home advantage.
The beauty of this idea is that it doesn’t just solve a fairness issue. It adds something to the spectacle. Imagine the drama of a decisive one-off event on neutral turf, a mini-final before the final. Fans would travel, broadcasters would market it as an occasion, and UEFA or FIFA would find themselves with a new product that both satisfies fairness and creates commercial buzz. In an era where football is constantly looking for ways to grow its audience, this is one change that could make competitions feel fresher without selling out their traditions.
For me, this is about consistency. If UEFA were serious enough about fairness to scrap the away goals rule, then surely it should also be serious enough to fix this blind spot. A neutral-ground playoff doesn’t erase the magic of two-legged ties. It preserves it, while ensuring that when the dust settles, nobody can claim the scales were tilted by geography.
Counterargument On The Proposal Addressed
Wait before you crucify my proposal. I know it raises questions, and I’m ready to address them. The first argument everyone jumps to is fixture congestion. Clubs already complain about playing three times a week, and the calendar feels suffocating with international breaks, domestic cups, and European commitments stacked on top of each other. But let’s be honest: introducing a neutral “third leg” isn’t the apocalypse. If it’s a full match, it adds one extra night, which is still fewer than what we used to have in the replay era of the FA Cup, where teams could end up playing again and again until someone finally won. And if UEFA went with my shorter version (thirty minutes plus penalties on neutral ground) it’s not adding an entirely new fixture, just shifting where and how those decisive moments happen.
The second concern is logistics and travel. Flying squads, fans, and officials to a neutral city sounds complicated, but is it really? UEFA already manages this every season with the Champions League final, choosing and preparing a neutral stadium years in advance. Why couldn’t the same principle apply to these potential “third legs”? Imagine if UEFA designated a set of rotating cities. Let’s say, Lisbon one year, Amsterdam the next, maybe even smaller football capitals eager to host. Everyone would know in advance where the neutral playoff would be staged. It would be a planned part of the calendar rather than a sudden scramble.
Then there’s the argument that it’s “too radical,” that it would change the DNA of two-legged ties. But football has always changed over time. The away goals rule itself was once a radical experiment, and its scrapping just a couple of years ago was another big shift. Before that, replays in European competitions weren’t uncommon. Even in the World Cup, when knockout matches go to extra time, it’s always on neutral ground because the entire tournament is in one country. If neutrality works at the very highest level of the sport, why shouldn’t it be embraced here?
Others might say this proposal dilutes the drama of those famous second-leg nights at Anfield, the Bernabéu, or the San Siro. But I’d argue the opposite. It adds a new layer. You’d still have the magic of two legs, but you’d also get the thrill of a one-off decider where neither side has a built-in advantage. If anything, that showdown would become an event in itself, marketed and remembered like a mini-final, rather than an awkward extension of one team’s home comforts.
So yes, there are counterarguments that I already imagined. But when you actually think them through, none of them outweigh the core principle: fairness. If football can adapt to VAR, five substitutes, Nations League tournaments, and winter World Cups, it can certainly handle a tweak that levels the playing field in its most prestigious competitions.
Final Thought
At the heart of this whole discussion is a simple contradiction. UEFA scrapped away goals to make ties “fairer,” yet the extra time rule still hands the second-leg host a glaring thirty-minute advantage. My proposal of a neutral ground third leg (whether as a full match or a shorter playoff of thirty minutes plus penalties) is not about destroying tradition, but about restoring balance. It solves the one problem everyone overlooks: one team getting to fight with their crowd behind them, while the other fights against it.
But do you think my idea works? Would a neutral third leg truly make things fairer, or would it just complicate the game we already love? Should it be a full ninety-minute replay, or would a shorter, neutral extra-time playoff do the trick? Could rotating neutral venues add to the spectacle, almost like a mini-final sprinkled into the knockout stages? Or do you believe the drama of those famous second legs is too valuable to risk?
Anyway, let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Feel free to share this article X or other platforms and tag the right bodies so this fairness debate can get its deserved attention.
Manchester United were left scrambling for midfield cover in the closing stages of the summer window, after it emerged that a move for Carlos Baleba was not feasible.
Ruben Amorim had made it clear to the INEOS hierarchy that the Brighton and Hove Albion star was the perfect fit for his tactical style.
Intermediaries opened contact but in the end, the Seagulls’ valuation meant a move never materialised, with the United co-owners opting to splurge big on improving the attack instead.
Surprisingly, the 20-time English league champions had enquired with Chelsea over the availability of Romeo Lavia (UiF via Football Fancast).
The Belgian is currently sidelined, and has terribly unlucky with injuries since his €62 million move from Southampton to Chelsea back in 2023.
He has missed almost 70 games but Enzo Maresca is clearly a fan, as he refused to sanction the 21-year-old’s exit.
“Manchester United did plenty of work on potential midfield options towards the end of the window, as we know. Speaking to sources, away from the likes of Baleba, Hjulmand and Gallagher – another they did ask about was Lavia.
Lavia talks
“Lavia is a very interesting option and not one Chelsea thought about letting go am told, but let’s see what happens with him. Andrey Santos has come in now too, things could be different in January.”
However, once he does come back, it will not be easy for him to reclaim a starting berth given the options at Maresca’s disposal, which is why there is a chance of a January departure, even if on an initial loan.
The Peoples Person has relayed United’s plans of trying again for the former Manchester City academy graduate should he regain his fitness. Whether Chelsea will agree to let him join a direct rival remains to be seen.
INEOS’ main priority will obviously be to try and sign Baleba in a record deal in the winter. Hopefully, quality can be added to the squad then.
Roughly 3,000 visiting supporters take up their place in the bottom corner of the Anfield Road End every other week in the Premier League, but some are noisier (and sounder) than others.
Factoring in general volume, chant creativity and class, here’s our guide to the best and worst away fans the top flight has to offer…
I quite enjoy that they appear to have leaned into their reputation as upper-class train snack enjoyers, but when the whistle goes, they might as well not be there.
18. Burnley
I haven’t got much for this one, sorry! Very football league, very on brand.
Their fans had a go when they gave us a little scare in February, but it’s never been a fixture that feels you with much dread.
17. Chelsea
They’ve got more songs about Steven Gerrard than we have which, given the success they’ve enjoyed since 2005, smacks of insecurity.
Of the traditional ‘big six’ clubs, they’ve definitely got the least about them as far as travelling support is concerned.
16. Bournemouth
The novelty of their almighty climb up the English football pyramid appears to have worn off as they have been pretty tame upon recent jaunts to L4.
There is plenty to like about Bournemouth and their fans have always been gracious towards us, but aside from their Dominic Solanke chant of a few years ago, I’m not sure I could name you a Bournemouth song.
15. Tottenham
They’ve been present at two of the biggest days of our lives and, judging by how long they stayed behind when we won the league, they didn’t seem to mind!
A couple of decent songs and relatively inoffensive, this seems a fair enough place to put them.
14. Wolves
They get very noisy and angry if a VAR decision goes against them because they’re convinced it was designed to ruin their lives.
They do have a few catchy tunes, and then there’s the ones they’ve not copied from us.
13. Arsenal
Speaking of pinching songs!
Real-life Arsenal fans should by no means be tarred with the same brush as those you encounter online, but their sub-par Anfield record across the last decade seems to have left a few scars.
For all his flaws, Mikel Arteta has raised the bar at the Emirates somewhat. Whether that translates on the road with some proper silverware remains to be seen. We might never find out, at this rate!
12. West Ham
Certainly not as good or as important as they seem to think they are, but also one of the capital’s louder sets of fans, in fairness.
Judging by their team over the first couple of weeks of the season, though, we might get a little break from them after this season!
11. Man City
While their home support lends itself to jibes and stadium nicknames like ‘The Emptihad’, the core group of matchgoing Man City supporters appear to have survived the Sheikh Mansour revolution and all its ill-fated cultural trimmings.
They are by no means the nicest bunch, but they do know how to make themselves heard, more than making up the numbers at some of the Premier League‘s greatest-ever clashes.
You won’t catch me doing the Poznan nonsense at Oasis later this month, though.
10. Sunderland
It has been far too long since the Mackems have rocked up to the Anfield Road End and, if I’m honest, I’ve had to dig deep into the memory bank in order to afford them a fair rating.
It will be no picnic when they arrive in December, but for me, they have always been slightly dwarfed by their northeast neighbours.
They won’t like to hear that, don’t grass me up!
9. Aston Villa
On their day, Aston Villa fans are among the best in the division.
For whatever reason, it has been a little more hit and miss in recent years. Still, the evidence has been sufficient to land them a top half place on this occasion.
8. Brentford
Unacquainted observers might reasonably assume singing about your own team comes as a prerequisite, but the Brentford faithful are a breath of fresh air in that regard.
Still basking in the glory of jumping two divisions in less than a decade and locking down a stable top-flight slot, the Bees are among the most likeable supporters in the league.
7. Everton
It is difficult to compare those turning up for a derby to those attending on more ‘normal’ occasions, though the pre-determined misery often inflicted upon them at Anfield isn’t particularly conducive to showing defiance across the park.
That grown adults still turn their backs towards YNWA is in fact really funny, but the 3,000 that made the short trip prior to the Bramley Moore move certainly haven’t left quite the same footprint on proceedings that tended to hamper us at the Old Lady.
6. Nottingham Forest
One of the loudest sets of away fans in the league, sometimes let down by chants that ought to be beneath them.
The banner condemning tragedy chanting presented at our home meeting in 2023 was certainly a welcome step in the right direction.
5. Man United
It pains me to do this, but it is hard to deny that our Mancunian neighbours travel better than most.
While the fun continues to be drained by Jim Ratcliffe (and long may that continue, by the way), Man United supporters continue to show up and make themselves known – certainly more than the players, anyway!
They remained in the ground during that famous 7-0 whooping a lot longer than I would have done in their shoes.
It might be a while before we see them this high up an actual table, so I suppose we should give them something!
4. Newcastle
They have become a bit annoying and picked up ideas above their station since coming into wealth, but this is unquestionably one of the most passionate fanbases in the entire country.
It would appear being topless or sporting an official club jersey are the only two acceptable methods of meeting the dress code, but the noise certainly offsets some of the weirdness.
3. Brighton
It is difficult to find much to dislike about Brighton.
Their fans are great. They have built a top-flight team about as organically as the 21st century will permit and, I’ll say it again, they sing about their own team. Plus points for that, always.
2. Leeds
Not especially pleasant, but Leeds fans will always bring the noise and their showing during the 6-0 thrashing in 2022 has always stuck with me.
Like them or loathe them, Leeds are a club that belong in the Premier League and it will be an occasion, one way or another, when we welcome them back to Anfield over Christmas.
1. Crystal Palace
If Liverpool ceased to exist and I had to pick another Premier League team to care about, I think I’d go with Crystal Palace.
A really good bunch. No club deserved the day they had at Wembley in May more than they did and they bring the pugnacious, vibrant energy from Selhurst Park every time they come.
I’ll say it one more time, they sing about their own team and that goes a long way in this day and age. You won’t hear any of the usual nonsense from them, proper football club.
The summer mess surrounding Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa has sparked a familiar outrage. These players were labelled “unprofessional,” “disgraceful,” even “disgusting,” as Alan Shearer put it regarding their refusal to play to force moves. Yet strangely, when clubs banish players and treat them as surplus by forcing them to train alone or sit out indefinitely, most of the footballing world shrugs it off as simply “business.” Or they simply go mute and never discuss it. Why this glaring double standard?
When a star player is frozen out, training in isolation or with the youth, the tone is rarely judgmental. It’s rationalised as assertive management or justified discipline. Take Dedryck Boyata, ex-Celtic, who at Club Brugge reportedly told him he might as well be “a hyper-contagious disease.” He was made to change in a cleaning cupboard and train with kids. Yet, few condemned the club outright.
Consider Manchester United’s 2025 “bomb squad” saga. Players like Jadon Sancho and Antony hinted at wanting out, and as a result, were excluded from the preseason and forced to train away from the squad. Yet when manager Ruben Amorim addressed it, he framed it as professionalism, offering them a pathway back if the price was right.
Indeed, Planet Football and GiveMeSport have roundups of players sent to train alone (including Aubameyang, Sancho, Virgil van Dijk, Mkhitaryan) framing each incident as a disciplinary or performance issue, rarely as career sabotage.
In stark contrast, when players like Isak or Wissa refuse to train in pursuit of a better situation, they are branded “unprofessional” or even “disgusting,” their act of agency vilified.
A Case For Players
The fundamental imbalance in football is that clubs hold institutional power (contracts, payments, and control over game time) while players have little leverage. When clubs bench players, it’s seen as maintaining standards. When players refuse to play, it’s seen as rebellion. But in a system built around contractual servitude, isn’t withholding service one of the few tools still available to a player?
Let’s look again: Isak and Wissa wanted to play at the highest level and made headlines for their refusal to swallow a status as perpetual second fiddle. Meanwhile, Boyata’s treatment felt punitive beyond professionalism, a player physically isolated.
There’s also fan backlash to consider. On message boards like Reddit, many argue that players have little power, and going on strike is often a last resort to protect health, reputation, or future prospects. One user said players needed “agency” more than anything, because “they are the ones making it happen every week.”
My Final Thought On The Matter
That doesn’t mean players are always in the right. Contractually, they owe the clubs effort, but the playing field isn’t even. Clubs freeze players in isolation while still paying their wages, as punishment. When players push back, especially those at peak career stages, they’re punished socially, blamed publicly, and even villainised. We forgive professional power for its authority, but condemn individuals for using their own.
I am not saying players should always win disputes by force. But we do need a reality check. The current system makes strikes feel like the only language players can speak. Collective bargaining agreements don’t exist, and unions hold negligible sway. Until football balances power better, the narrative must shift. When a player fights, maybe worry less about broken etiquette and more about why he felt forced to.
It’s time we question this embedded double standard. A club discarding a player is rarely seen as problematic. But a player pushing for leverage? That’s villainy. Yet both actions are about power. One is institutional and normalised, but the other is individual and seen as evil.
If football is to remain human, it must recognise that players are not commodities. They are people with finite careers and ambitions. We should listen before we judge. Until that empathy becomes standard, the next time a player “goes on strike,” perhaps we should ask not “how dare they,” but “why did it come to this?”
Manchester United’s academy pipeline keeps talents ready to step up for the first team, something Ruben Amorim has taken advantage of last season.
The Portuguese handed debuts to Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, and Chido Obi. And more such wonderkids are waiting in line to impress.
All the recent headlines have been rightfully won by 14-year-old JJ Gabriel, who has been in red-hot form for the U18s, with the first team head coach calling him up for first team training this season.
A few seasons ago, the same level of hype was created by Shea Lacey, who was tipped to be the next superstar talent off the Carrington production line.
However, injuries have not been kind to the England U17 international, with Shea Lacey suffering a multitude of injuries which have robbed him off the chance to impress on a consistent basis.
He returned from injury in the recent U21 Manchester derby and made an instant impact, setting up Amir Ibragimov’s winner after good work down the right.
U21s boss Travis Binnion tried to downplay expectations, asking for patience from fans and media. He also explained that the main thing holding back the Carrington graduate at the moment is his own fitness record.
U21 boss calls for patience
“Everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey,” Binnion was quoted as saying by The BBC.
“He needs to be patient with himself and everyone else needs to be patient with him because there is still loads to come tactically, physically and mentally.
“We are still managing him physically. If he can stay on the pitch and stay training, everyone thinks he could be a top player.”
He has seven goals and as many assists for the U18s from only 17 starts, which shows what a talent the club have on their hands.
A recent UEFA regulation update could prevent Arsenal from playing Inter Milan at the San Siro in next season’s Champions League league phase.
Just last week, Arsenal discovered their opponents for the current campaign’s expanded league format, which includes eight fixtures against top European sides: Bayern Munich (home), Inter Milan (away), Atletico Madrid (home), Club Brugge (away), Olympiakos (home), Slavia Prague (away), Kairat Almaty (home), and Athletic Bilbao (away). ..Continue Reading
Among those matchups, Mikel Arteta’s squad is set to travel to Italy to face Inter Milan on January 26, 2026 — a repeat of their 2024/25 encounter at the same venue, where Arsenal fell 1-0 on matchday four.
Inter Milan, who placed fourth in last season’s league phase, advanced past Barcelona in the semi-finals before suffering a record-breaking defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the final — the heaviest loss in Champions League final history.
Arsenal, still smarting from their previous loss at the San Siro, will be eager to settle the score. However, UEFA’s newly introduced rule may block a third consecutive meeting at the same stadium.
According to UEFA’s Club Competitions Committee, starting from the 2026/27 season, no fixture between the same two clubs can be hosted by the same team three years in a row in the same competition. This means that although Arsenal will visit the San Siro again in January 2026, a repeat in the following season would violate the new regulation.
This adjustment aims to ensure greater fairness and variety in match scheduling, especially as the Champions League continues to evolve under its new 36-team league format.
The website adds: “This means that if any teams that already played against each other in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in the 2024/25 season are again drawn against each other, with the same home team, in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in this 2025/26 season, those teams will not be able to be drawn against each other with the same home team in the 2026/27 season (although, for the sake of clarity, those teams could still be drawn against each other at the venue of the other team)”.
In short, if they were pitted against each other next campaign, then the game would take place at the Emirates.
This rule change would also stop Real Madrid from playing Liverpool at Anfield in the 2026/27 Champions League league phase.
Arsenal, who are yet to announce their squad list for the competition’s league phase, have until 24:00 CET on Tuesday, September 2 to do the needful.
“Every club must submit two lists of players, including details such as shirt number, date of birth and nationality,” the UEFA website reads.
“In addition, the lists must include confirmation by the club’s doctor that all players have undergone the requested medical examination. List A needs to be submitted to the relevant association to be verified, validated and forwarded to UEFA by 24:00 CET on Tuesday 2 September. The same process applies to List B (more details below), which must be submitted no later than 24:00 CET the day before each match.”
Everton are reportedly in advanced talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign Wales international goalkeeper Tom King this summer, according to The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland.
David Moyes has already spoken of his desire to add players with “character” to his squad – and in the 6ft 4in King, the Toffees look to be securing exactly that.
A Career Full of Experience – and a World Record
King has enjoyed a journeyman career, representing more than half a dozen clubs. His most notable spell came at Salford City, where he made 64 appearances between 2021 and 2023, keeping an impressive 26 clean sheets.
Beyond his shot-stopping ability, King famously holds the Guinness World Record for the longest goal ever scored – a stunning 105-yard strike for Newport County against Cheltenham Town back in January 2021.
Last season, he featured three times for Wolves, and now looks set to bring both experience and reliability to Merseyside.
Backup to Pickford and Travers
According to Boyland, the 30-year-old will be signed as a backup option to England No.1 Jordan Pickford and new recruit Mark Travers, who arrived from Bournemouth earlier in the window.
With Asmir Begovic and João Virgínia departing at the end of their contracts, Moyes was in need of fresh reinforcements in goal. King’s arrival would complete a new-look trio of keepers ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Everton’s Busy Summer
If finalised, King would become Everton’s seventh signing of the summer. The Toffees have already spent close to £100m, with Jack Grealish’s loan the standout deal, alongside permanent moves for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Adam Aznou, Mark Travers, Charly Alcaraz, and Thierno Barry.
The Merseyside club are not expected to stop there, with further additions in right-back, midfield, and the right wing under consideration before the September 1 deadline.
Everton’s recruitment drive shows no signs of slowing – and King’s arrival would add valuable depth as the club prepares for life at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Speaking ahead of the new campaign, Slot expressed strong confidence that..Continue Reading
the Blues will be serious contenders for the title, potentially going toe-to-toe with his own Liverpool side.
Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, finished fourth last season and lifted both the UEFA Conference League and the revamped FIFA Club World Cup.
Their summer has been equally impressive, with a £250 million investment bringing in talents like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, and Liam Delap
Slot believes this spending spree, combined with Maresca’s tactical acumen, has positioned Chelsea as one of the teams to watch.
“I expected them to win last season already,” Slot told talkSPORT, highlighting Chelsea’s strong start and their presence in the title race through the first half of the campaign.
‘The amount of quality they have and they were there at the start of the season. They were in [the title race] after ten games. They were still there [in December].
‘Squad depth, quality, they have a very good manager as well, and I think they’ve shown this by winning the trophies they won last season.
‘It was good for us that they also had a period last season where they struggled and that’s why they couldn’t compete till the end for the league title
‘But now they’re strengthening the team again, so a team that’s, in my opinion, one of the ones that are going to challenge for a league title.’
He praised their squad depth, quality, and managerial leadership, noting that their mid-season dip was the only reason they didn’t push Liverpool all the way.
Slot’s remarks are not just flattery—they reflect a growing sentiment among pundits that Chelsea are emerging from a period of transition with renewed strength.
Their ability to compete across multiple competitions last season, coupled with strategic reinforcements, suggests they’re ready to climb higher in the league standings.
While Liverpool remain favorites to defend their crown, Slot’s recognition of Chelsea as a genuine threat adds intrigue to the title race. It’s a clear message: the Blues are no longer rebuilding—they’re ready to contend.
As Chelsea prepare to kick off their season against Crystal Palace, fans will be eager to see if Slot’s prediction holds true. One thing’s certain: the battle at the top is about to get even more intense.
Manchester United have significantly improved the team’s attack, and now, Ruben Amorim seems to be eyeing midfield reinforcements.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko have all arrived, but there are concerns regarding the balance in the middle of the park.
Manuel Ugarte has struggled in pre-season, while Casemiro does not have the legs to start week-in and week-out in the Premier League. Which explains the links with Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba.
The Red Devils have been in touch via intermediaries, but they are aware that a deal will be difficult to crack given the window closes in 20 days, and that they need to raise money through player sales before that.
Carlos Baleba deadline
The Peoples Person has already relayed that the head coach feels the 21-year-old would be the perfect addition for his style of play.
Brighton will likely demand a British transfer record to let their midfield dynamo leave, and many have suggested that a move is more likely next summer.
One thing is clear from INEOS’ dealings this summer — news of a transfer does not leak until and unless they are confident of sealing the deal.
🚨🇨🇲 It’s my understanding @ManUtd are ready to push hard to sign Carlos Baleba THIS summer…
As previously reported, #MUFC see Baleba as the perfect midfield signing and now, have set an internal date to find a conclusion either way.
And Talksport journalist Anil Kandola has revealed that the co-owners have set a internal deadline to get the deal done and they feel a deal is possible in this window itself.
“It’s my understanding @ManUtd are ready to push hard to sign Carlos Baleba THIS summer…
“As previously reported, #MUFC see Baleba as the perfect midfield signing and now, have set an internal date to find a conclusion either way.
INEOS seem confident
United understand it won’t be easy as #BHAFC will stick very firm to their valuation, but there is belief on United’s side a deal can be completed before the window closes.
“Not a lot time left to get a deal of this magnitude over the line, but Amorim wants Baleba and wants him ASAP!,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
With Rasmus Hojlund looking like he will be on his way to AC Milan and Chelsea eyeing Alejandro Garnacho, a move for Carlos Baleba cannot be ruled out.
A frantic end to the window awaits all United fans.
