Sports
Fàbregas Targets Europa League Minutes, Trophy
As Maurizio Sarri learns to effectively and usefully rotate his squad and deal with the hectic schedule that’s the norm at Chelsea — trying to strike that ever-elusive correct balance between winning, fitness, and happiness — one player who is eager to get more minutes and impress the manager is midfielder Cesc Fàbregas.
He was one of several players given a chance to impress last Wednesday in the League Cup third round match against Liverpool at Anfield, and like most on that day, he did just that in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory.
“It was a statement from all of us to the manager. We are showing him that he can count on all of us. It was my first start of the season and a real test at Anfield as half of the team hadn’t played much. I hadn’t nor Emerson, Gary [Cahill], [Victor] Moses, [Willy] Caballero and Andreas Christensen. It was a big challenge because we didn’t have any rhythm. We have only been playing together in training.”
Fàbregas had been slowed by a knee injury as well that he picked up towards the end of preseason, but now he obviously wants more minutes and more chances.
Fortunately for him, he should be getting regular opportunities to spell Jorginho and any other midfielder in Sarri’s 4-3-3 as Chelsea continue to deal with the standard twice-weekly match schedule. Not counting international weeks, Chelsea have a match every 3-4 days from now until well into the winter and the new year.
Everyone will need to be ready and up to the task.
“Up till last week, it has been difficult because the club has not been playing a lot — we were playing once a week so it’s easy for the manager to pick the same team, especially when it is doing well. But now we are in the Europa League, the EFL Cup and the League so there are a lot of games coming up and we will need everyone to be ready.”
And while the Europa League is not the competition we dream of, it’s got a fantastic potential reward (Champions League qualification), so we might as well try to win it. Not to mention, silverware is silverware, and is often the main motivator for players.
“I wish [playing in the Europa League] never had to happen. I always said I never wanted to play in the tournament in a way because that would mean I was in the Champions League. But listen, you always have a first time for everything. Now that we are here, I hope that we can win it.”
Coventry City have made a first signing for their Premier League campaign next season.
Coventry saw their promotion confirmed with Friday’s draw at Blackburn Rovers.
And with that achievement, a permanant option in Brentford loanee Frank Onyeka’s loan deal was triggered.
The Nigeria international joined Coventry in January on-loan to the end of the season with a permanent option included should the Sky Blues be promoted.
Onyeka has made 12 appearances for Coventry – starting on 11 occasions – with his one goal coming in the 3-2 win over Derby earlier this month.
Morocco on Saturday released three Senegalese fans from jail after they completed a three-month prison sentence for participating in the violence that broke out during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, an AFP journalist saw.
The trio left Al Arjat 2 prison, northeast of Rabat, in a police vehicle to go to a police station before being released.
Upon leaving the police station, the three smiling Senegalese fans were greeted by members of the Senegalese embassy.
One said to AFP, “dima Maroc, dima Maghrib” (“long live Morocco”).
Senegalese defence lawyer Patrick Kabou thanked “diplomatic and consular representation for their efforts” in a post on X.
On the eve of the trio’s release, he asked that the public “support them and, above all, help them come to terms with the initial shock of leaving prison”.
In connection with the same case, 15 other Senegalese fans remain incarcerated after receiving sentences ranging from six months to one year, and which were upheld on appeal on Monday.
Detained since the January 18 final, won by Senegal but later awarded on appeal to hosts Morocco, they were charged with “hooliganism,” an offence including acts of violence, notably against law enforcement, as well as damage to sports facilities, invading the pitch and throwing projectiles.
A Frenchman of Algerian origin was also released on Saturday after serving three months in prison for throwing a water bottle during the final.
AFP
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick admits it’s important keeping Casemiro close to the opposition area.
Ahead of today’s trip to Chelsea, Carrick admits he’s appreciated the Brazilian’s influence since taking charge in January.
“He’s certainly got the knack and the feeling, and that sense in and around the box,” he told MUTV.
“He’s got that sixth sense, in some ways that you can’t necessarily coach or you can’t necessarily always give the perfect moment or the action or the run to fit the cross.
“You’ve got to put yourself in positions and sense the space and then, obviously, on top of that, to finish it and show the composure.
“I think he’s certainly done that this season.”
Carrick added: “He’s always scored important goals. He’s always found himself there at certain times.
“He’s scored good goals for us, important goals and not just this season.”
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