Sports

Maresca Ready For Chelsea’s ‘Huge’ Newcastle Test

Published

2 weeks ago

May 10, 2025

Enzo Maresca has backed Chelsea’s revitalised midfield to make the difference in Sunday’s crucial clash with top five rivals Newcastle.

Maresca named an unchanged starting line-up for successive Premier League games for the first time in six months as champions Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by the Blues last weekend.

The return of Romeo Lavia, who has started consecutive matches for the first time since November after missing virtually all of last season, has been vital to Chelsea’s ability to control the midfield battle.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are playing their best football since arriving at Stamford Bridge, with the latter this week named the club’s player of the season.

With a solid foundation behind him, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer finally looked back to his best as he ended his long goal drought against Liverpool.

Maresca believes the midfield engine room could hold the key to victory at St James’ Park, with Newcastle’s charge to fourth place inspired by the form of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

“Absolutely, yes. Against Liverpool we repeated the first XI after six months. It’s important when you can continue with the same players,” Maresca said.

“We have Romeo back fit, Moises is doing well, Enzo and Cole are doing well. Newcastle also have Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, (Jacob) Murphy, (Joe) Willock. They have different kinds of players. I expect for sure a huge game.”

Fifth-placed Chelsea go into Sunday’s game behind Newcastle only on goals scored, with both sides knowing a win will be a huge boost in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Maresca’s men, who will face Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, have hit form at just the right moment, winning six of their last nine league games.

But whatever the result on Sunday, their destiny will likely still rest on their final two fixtures, at home to Manchester United and away to top five rivals Nottingham Forest.

Asked whether Newcastle’s attacking style could play into Chelsea’s hands, Maresca said: “I hope so. We’ve played games against teams who play a low block, against teams that try to be aggressive, and we made some good games in both situations.”

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Sports

I’m tired, you’ve failed – Petit slams Arsenal

Published

27 minutes ago

May 22, 2025

The Pledge

Former Arsenal star, Emmanuel Petit, has hit out at the Gunners for their performances this season.

Petit insisted that Arsenal have failed under their manager Mikel Arteta this term.

The Frenchman also admitted that he was tired of watching Arsenal go trophyless again after being eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain this season.

“After we lost against Paris Saint-Germain, the fans were mocking Arsenal because of that,” Petit told Casinozonderlimiet (via GOAL).

“It’s the same in England, you know, Arsenal are a good team, a good club, but everyone says that they are not one of the top clubs in Europe in terms of history.

“That is because they have failed and I am tired of it. This team needs to change the situation and win something, they need to compete until the end and not just at the start,” he stated.

Arsenal will have to wait until next season to see if they can win a trophy.

But the Premier League North London club need to strengthen their squad this summer transfer window.

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Sports

FIFA Announces Special Transfer Window For Club World Cup Teams

Published

40 minutes ago

May 22, 2025

The Pledge

FIFA announced Wednesday the creation of a transfer window running from June 1 to 10 for all teams competing in this summer’s revamped Club World Cup.

“All 20 Member Associations whose clubs will participate in FIFA’s groundbreaking competition have confirmed the opening of an exceptional registration window from 1 to 10 June for all their affiliated clubs to allow new players signed to compete in the tournament,” football’s global governing body said in a statement.

FIFA further announced an additional in-competition transfer window, which will be open from June 27 to July 3.

“The objective is to encourage clubs and players whose contracts are expiring to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players’ participation,” added FIFA.

“This will ensure that the best players will be playing, allowing clubs to add new recruits even during the tournament.”

The 2025 Club World Cup will feature 32 teams from across the globe and runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States.

AFP

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Headline

Tottenham Defeat Man United, Lift Europa League Title

Published

10 hours ago

May 21, 2025

The Pledge

By Augustine Akhilomen

Tottenham have won its first European title since 1984 after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in Wednesday’s Europa League final at Bilbao.

The win means Spurs have clinched a spot in next season’s Champions League..