O zagueiro paraguaio Fabián Balbuena não quer retornar à Rússia. Ele pertence ao Dínamo de Moscou, mas tentará usar um dispositivo da Fifa referente aos países que estão em guerra no leste europeu para suspender o seu vínculo com a equipe russa que vai até junho de 2025. O defensor tem contrato de empréstimo com o Corinthians até o fim deste mês, mas desde o dia 12 de maio treina separadamente ao elenco principal, já que o clube alvinegro não vai realizar a compra em definitivo.
RelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians estende empréstimo com Ruan Oliveira, novo xodó de LuxemburgoCorinthians15/06/2023CorinthiansCorinthians entrará com recurso no STJD para tentar reverter perda de mando de campo no BrasileirãoCorinthians15/06/2023FluminenseQueridinho dos torcedores do Fluminense, Edinho é opção contra o Atlético-MG; André, com a Seleção, é dúvidaFluminense16/06/2023
+ Lance! apresenta nova marca e se reposiciona no mercado de mídia esportiva
O estafe do atleta tem procurado encaixá-lo em clubes da primeira divisão do Campeonato Brasileiro, já que o desejo do jogador é permanecer no país. Ele foi oferecido para Fluminense e Vasco, mas até aqui não houve abertura de conversas com essas equipes.
O principal motivo para Balbuena não querer voltar para a Rússia e deseje permanecer no Brasil é familiar. A esposa do jogador está decidida a não voltar mais para Moscou e a família dele sempre gostou bastante de residir em território brasileiro.
+ Confira as 20 contratações mais caras já acertadas para temporada 2023-24
Quando conseguiu um contrato provisório com o Balbuena, se usando de um mecanismo da Fifa, que autorizou que jogadores que atuassem na zona da guerra entre Rússia e Ucrânia suspendesse os seus contratos e aceitassem por um ano com outros times, o Timão cogitava a manutenção em definitivo do zagueiro, campeão brasileiro pelo clube alvinegro em 2017, na primeira passagem do clube alvinegra. Porém, as más atuações do paraguaio fizeram com que a direção corintiana recuasse. De toda forma, os representantes do atleta ainda acreditam que ele tenha mercado na primeira prateleira do futebol brasileiro.
Rangers’ centre-forward options at Ibrox are set to undergo a mass overhaul during the final few days of this transfer window.
On Friday, Hamza Igamane’s departure was made official, joining Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille for £10.4m, leaving under a bit of a black cloud, having refused to come off the bench during last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren, at least according to under-fire manager Russell Martin.
Meantime, Cyriel Dessers has been heavily linked with a move away all throughout the summer, with AEK Athens the club who’ve shown the strongest interest.
For now, the Nigerian remains a Rangers player, but he is a doubt ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox, so Danilo is expected to lead the line against Celtic.
However, ahead of that game, could the Light Blues sign not one but two new centre-forwards?
Rangers' search for new strikers
As has been widely reported, Rangers are set to sign striker Bojan Miovski from Girona for around £2.6m, potentially rising to £4.2m.
The North Macedonian international underwent a medical in France on Friday, with the Gers attempting to get the paperwork finalised in time so that he would be eligible to feature in Sunday’s Glasgow derby.
Miovski will be a familiar face to all Scottish football fans, having scored 44 goals across two seasons at Aberdeen, four of which came against Rangers, only on target against Livingston more frequently, but he is now tasked with scoring goals in light blue.
However, Miovski is not the only centre-forward on his way to Glasgow’s south side.
That’s because, as reported by Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Rangers are in the “final stages of completing a deal” to sign Everton striker Youssef Chermiti, adding that a deal is now virtually agreed.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Portuguese under-21 international will move to Ibrox on a season-long loan, seemingly set to swap Merseyside for Glasgow imminently.
What Youssef Chermiti will bring to Rangers
After coming through Sporting CP’s academy, Chermiti made just 22 appearances for the Lions’ first team, scoring three goals, but this was enough to convince Everton to pay £15m to secure his signature.
However, this move has not paid off so far, with the striker making just 24 appearances for the Toffees, of which only two have been starts, these coming against Brentford in the Premier League in April 2024, and at Doncaster in the EFL Cup soon after his arrival, hooked at half time in Yorkshire with the side 1-0 down.
This might explain why Chermiti is yet to score a single goal for the Blues, having seen just 295 minutes on the field since moving to Merseyside over two years ago.
Thus, he is certainly looking to relaunch his career north of the border.
Analyst Kai Watson labels Chermiti a “proper big man” centre-forward, adding that, despite being 192 cms (6 ft 4 in), he is a “good dribbler”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout asserts that he is a “superb prospect”
Given his lack of game time at Goodison, this signing is certainly a risk, mitigated by the fact it’s only a loan move, but could the Portuguese youngster replicate the success of Rangers’ best loan signing of recent times?
Ryan Kent also arrived at Ibrox on loan from Merseyside, joining from Liverpool in 2018, so successful during that season that they made him the club’s most-expensive signing of modern times, paying £7.5m to make the move permanent.
Before this however, as the table below documents, Kent had shown little sign that he was going to become a high-level performer.
Liverpool
1
Zero & zero
Coventry
17
1 & 1
Barnsley
47
3 & 3
Freiburg
6
Zero & zero
Bristol City
11
Zero & 2
As the table documents, before arriving at Rangers, in 82 senior appearances, Kent had scored just four goals and registered only six assists, ultimately accumulating 33 goals and 56 assists during his time at Ibrox.
Thus, there is certainly a recent precedent for a player arriving in Glasgow on loan and exploding in front of goal, something Chermiti will be hoping to replicate.
He could revive Raskin: Rangers in the race to sign "versatile" £1m talent
After both Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomandé were left on the bench in Brugge, are Rangers about to sign a “versatile” midfielder valued at £1m?
Following their dominant start to the Scottish Premiership season, one Celtic target now reportedly wants to complete a move to the Bhoys this summer with negotiations already taking place.
Celtic ease to victory in Scottish League Cup
Of course, it’s not just the Scottish Premiership that Celtic are looking to retain this season. Brendan Rodgers’ side also won the Scottish League Cup last time out and have already taken their first positive step towards winning the trophy once again – defeating Falkirk 4-1 on Friday evening.
Goals from Daizen Maeda, Dane Murray, Alistair Johnston and an own goal from Keelan Adams saw Celtic ease past Falkirk and stretch their unbeaten start to the season in all competitions to three games.
Rogers was left pleased with the way in which his Celtic side secured their place in the next round, telling reporters: “I thought the performance was very, very good from the first whistle,” he said. “You’ve seen the hunger in the team and the intensity in the team.
“The first half we were good with the ball but not so good without it. It gave Falkirk a couple of wee opportunities to break through. We weren’t aggressive enough and tight enough. When we corrected that at half-time, we really dominated the second half.
Lionel Messi names the top fans between Celtic and Rangers, calls them "the best"
The Argentine icon has played at both Parkhead and Ibrox.
ByCharlie Smith Aug 15, 2025
“The goals were excellent and I thought we played really, really well. Overall really pleased. A lot of the players who hadn’t played came in and gave great value to the team. We had good variety in attack tonight. We were precise around the box when we needed to be.”
It’s the type of dominance that is likely to attract several targets, and that includes one long-term candidate who now reportedly wants to complete a move to the Scottish champions this summer.
Balikwisha now wants Celtic move
According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Michel-Ange Balikwisha now wants to complete a move to Celtic this summer after Parkhead chiefs commenced “negotiations” to sign the talented winger earlier on in the window.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha in action for Royal Antwerp.
A long-term target, the Belgian would likely be a Celtic player already if it wasn’t for his untimely injury last summer. It was undoubtedly a cruel twist that took place 12 months ago, but whether the Bhoys make up for it and finally get their man remains to be seen.
Dubbed “direct” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Celtic have just a couple of weeks left to get their deal to sign Balikwisha sealed and delivered at long last.
Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that how former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich viewed Jose Mourinho played a key role in his Chelsea sacking. The Italian coach, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season, said the Russian billionaire measured his success against Mourinho, and their Champions League clash with Inter Milan proved decisive in his eventual departure from Stamford Bridge.
Ancelotti's Chelsea stint and sacking
Ancelotti was Chelsea boss for two seasons, from 2009 until 2011, delivering a domestic double in his debut year. However, Abramovich dismissed him in the summer of 2011 after another European setback. A critical moment came when Mourinho's Inter knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League in 2010, a result the owner viewed as unacceptable, having already sacked the Portuguese coach.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
Ancelotti reveals the Mourinho factor behind his Chelsea exit
"Abramovich made clear he wanted me to win the Champions League with Chelsea and for Chelsea to carve out its identity on the pitch," Ancelotti revealed in his new book , an extract from which was published by the Daily Mail. "But now I was working for a Russian oligarch who I suddenly understood expected everything to go well all the time. And if it didn't, he wanted to know why. It was my job to supply the answers.
"The next day Abramovich didn't talk just to me but to the whole squad. My problem was that Mourinho's triumph was not great for my relationship with Abramovich. I was supposed to be the antidote to Mourinho – calm, measured and able to revive the squad after the drama. According to Abramovich, Mourinho was supposed to be a spent force.
"Allowing him to disrupt the script, I had embarrassed the owner. Success or failure in Europe is how I would be measured by Abramovich – and the Champions League cost me my job. Torres was his personal decision and substituting him was a direct rebuke to the owner. Momentarily, I had forgotten that, ultimately, you can’t beat the owner."
Getty
Abramovich got Champions League dream one year later
Ancelotti's story highlights Abramovich's demanding expectations during his Chelsea reign. Despite domestic triumphs, the Russian oligarch measured success almost exclusively by Champions League performance. Chelsea would eventually claim Europe's biggest prize in 2012 under Roberto Di Matteo, albeit as massive underdogs in a famous final against a high-powered Bayern Munich sid eon home turf, a year after Ancelotti's dismissal.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Ancelotti has the last laugh with five Champions League trophies
Already a legend for his feats at AC Milan, Ancelotti has since rebuilt his reputation with spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and now Brazil. He won Real Madrid's previously elusive title in the Champions League in 2013-14, adding two more in his second spell at the Bernabeu, on top of two European triumphs with Mialn. Meanwhile, Abramovich has since lost his ownership of Chelsea to Todd Boehly and BlueCo. after the oligarch was forced to sell the club due to the sanctions by the UK government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
It would be fair to say that Daniel Levy made some questionable and unpopular decisions during his mixed tenure as Tottenham Hotspur chairman.
Across the 25 years Levy was at the helm, Tottenham won just two major trophies, in part due to some strange appointments from Levy, who worked with 14 permanent managers during his time as chairman.
Of course, the 63-year-old does deserve credit for overseeing the move to an impressive new stadium, but football is ultimately a results business, and the former chairman was unable to achieve the expected level of success.
Here at Football FanCast, we have now ranked the five worst appointments Levy made during his time at the helm.
5 Andre Villas-Boas
TottenhammanagerAndreVillasBoaslooks dejected
Villas-Boas made his name as an exciting young manager during a very impressive spell with FC Porto, leading the Portuguese side to the title in an undefeated season, but he was unable to make his mark at Chelsea, lasting just over eight months.
As such, it was always going to be a gamble to appoint the at-the-time young coach, and some blunders in the transfer market meant he didn’t last particularly long at the helm.
Following the sale of Gareth Bale, the likes of Roberto Soldado, Paulinho and Vlad Chiriches failed to make the desired impact, and the trio did not last long in north London.
Andre Villas-Boas’ Tottenham record
Games
80
Wins
45
Draws
18
Losses
17
Players used
43
While the Villas-Boas era wasn’t all bad on the whole, having only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in his first season, the humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool and 6-0 loss against Manchester City in his second campaign means he enters this list in fifth.
4 Jacques Santini
Tottenham ManagerJacquesSantini
In fairness, the appointment of Santini made perfect sense at the time. The Frenchman arrived at White Hart Lane off the back of a very impressive spell with Lyon, during which time he was awarded the “best French coach” award in 2002.
The former Lyon boss got off to a promising start at Spurs too, making an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign. However, Santini had to make this list simply because of the length of his tenure.
Santini lasted just 13 games before handing in his resignation, citing personal problems as the reason for his exit, although it has since emerged that broken promises behind-the-scenes may have played a part, with the ex-Tottenham boss saying: “They promised me a big apartment on the beach and I found myself 200m from the sea with a view of my neighbours.”
Jacques Santini’s Tottenham record
Games
13
Wins
5
Draws
4
Losses
4
Players used
24
3 Juande Ramos
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk managerJuandeRamosbefore the game
It may seem strange to name one of only two Spurs managers to win a trophy during the Levy era on this list, but the terrible start Ramos made to the 2008-09 season meant there was no way he couldn’t be included.
After winning the League Cup in 2008, the Spanish manager failed to kick on in the following campaign, picking up just two points from the opening eight games, which left Tottenham rock bottom of the Premier League table.
Consequently, Ramos’ reign is probably remembered more for that disastrous start than the success in the previous campaign, and his managerial career slowly went downhill following his departure from N17.
The Spaniard returned to his native country after leaving Tottenham, landing the Real Madrid job, but his stint at the Bernabeu was short-lived, being sacked after around seven months in charge, before going on to have another unsuccessful spell with CSKA Moscow.
Juande Ramos’ Tottenham record
Games
54
Wins
19
Draws
16
Losses
19
Players used
34
2 Jose Mourinho
Fenerbahce coach JoseMourinhoreacts
Jose Mourinho is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time for good reason, having been extremely successful during his time at Chelsea, Inter Milan, FC Porto and Real Madrid.
However, the iconic manager was clearly on the decline before Levy appointed him, having been dismissed by Manchester United after winning just seven of the first 17 games in the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Having won 26 trophies throughout his career as a manager, it is clear Levy viewed Mourinho as a born-winner, who could end Tottenham’s trophy drought, but the timing of the decision to sack him is the main reason he is included on the list.
Jose Mourinho names 3 greatest players in history, picks between Messi and Ronaldo
The ‘Special One’ has had his say.
ByCharlie Smith Sep 6, 2025
With the former FC Porto boss, there is almost an expectation that the football won’t be great to watch, but he will win silverware. However, Levy made the bizarre call to pull the trigger just days before Spurs were set to play Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.
Tottenham were left to rue the decision, going on to lose the game 1-0 under the helm of Ryan Mason, with Levy later going on to admit it was an error to appoint Mourinho in the first place, saying: “The strategy was to bring in a trophy manager and we did it twice. You have to learn from the mistakes.”
Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham record
Games
86
Wins
45
Draws
17
Losses
24
Players used
44
1 Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest managerNunoEspirito Santo
Like the majority of the names on this list, Nuno is by no means a bad manager, having gone on to prove himself at Nottingham Forest, leading the Tricky Trees to the Europa League after finishing 7th in the Premier League last season.
However, the 51-year-old felt doomed from the start, with Spurs well-known to have made approaches for a number of other managers before having to ‘settle’ for the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss.
The Portuguese manager actually went on to start the season very well, winning his first three matches, but results soon went downhill, and he didn’t last long, with Levy ultimately dismissing the now Forest boss at the beginning of November.
Jamie Carragher went on to suggest that Nuno’s style of play meant the appointment was simply never going to work out, saying:
“I can never justify a manager losing his job after 10 Premier League games, it doesn’t feel right, but I don’t think Nuno at Spurs ever felt right either.
“I don’t feel this is a bad sacking, I think it was a bad appointment initially. Nuno’s style of football was at odds not only with the ‘Tottenham way’ but also the ‘top-club way”.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Tottenham record
Games
17
Wins
9
Draws
1
Losses
7
Players used
30
With Levy now gone, Tottenham fans will be hoping that this is the beginning of an exciting new era for the club.
Clube mais rico do país atualmente, o Flamengo é um dos times da América do Sul que mais atraem interesse entre as grandes estrelas do futebol mundial. Uma delas é Neymar, que mesmo tendo contrato com o PSG até 2027, continua como sonho da torcida. Além disso, o camisa 10 já se declarou ao Rubro-Negro em diversas oportunidades.
RelacionadasFlamengoGabigol e Léo Pereira desfalcam o Flamengo contra o PalmeirasFlamengo06/07/2023FinançasReceitas, despesas e dívida: compare as finanças milionárias de Palmeiras e FlamengoFinanças06/07/2023FlamengoDirigentes do Flamengo negam proposta por Pedro e atualizam busca por reforçosFlamengo06/07/2023
CALDEIRÃO DO HUCK
Em 2017, durante o programa ‘Caldeirão do Huck’, da TV Globo, Neymar revelou o desejo de vestir a camisa do Flamengo.
+ Vitor Roque é do Barcelona: veja as 36 maiores vendas do futebol brasileiro
TORCEDOR FANÁTICO
Neymar admitiu que torceu para a equipe carioca na decisão da Libertadores diante do River Plate (2019) e comemorou o título. O atleta revelou enorme felicidade por Gabriel Barbosa, com quem atuou no Santos em 2013 e conquistou a inédita medalha de ouro nas olimpíadas do Rio 2016.
– A maioria que está no Flamengo é meu amigo ou conhecido de Seleção. A gente torce pelos nossos amigos, e ver a felicidade de vocês foi incrível. Foi como se eu tivesse participado do título, tanto que eu liguei para o Gabriel. Fizeram história, e eu e meu pai pulamos abraçados aqui – disse o atleta à época.
FOTOS COM O MANTO
O ex-jogador do Santos e Barcelona já publicou algumas fotos com a camisa rubro-negra. Inclusive, respondeu no Instagram sobre a possibilidade de jogar no Flamengo com um enigmático: “Talvez”.
AMIGO DAS CRIANÇAS
Recentemente, Neymar foi filmado autografando a camisa do Mais Querido de uma criança e brincou dizendo “Eu sou Mengão também, tá?”.
TARDEZINHA COM REVELAÇÃO
No último domingo (2), o jogador do PSG compareceu ao show Tardezinha, do cantor Thiaguinho, e foi filmando gritando “eu sou Mengão”. Na sequência, o atleta cantou a música “Vamos, Flamengo”.
Neymar para uma pequena torcedora do Flamengo: "Eu sou Mengão também, tá?"
Torcedor do Vasco: "Ele vem para o Vasco quando sair da Europa."
???? Reprodução pic.twitter.com/QJm035SxXy
— Planeta do Futebol ???? (@futebol_info) July 3, 2023
The Gunners had to endure some nervy moments as they beat Olympiacos and made it two wins from two to start their Champions League campaign
Martin Odegaard showed Arsenal what they had been missing as he returned to the starting XI and inspired them to a second successive Champions League victory, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka seeing them to a 2-0 win against Olympiacos.
The Gunners skipper was at his sparkling best at times, especially in the first half, and it was his pass to Victor Gyokeres that led to Martinelli opening the scoring when he tapped in from close range after the Swedish striker's effort had come back off the post.
Arsenal then wasted several chances to extend their lead and had to endure a few nervy moments late on before Saka came off the bench to finish the game off, drilling a finish between Olympiacos keeper Kostas Tzolakis' legs after being picked out by Odegaard.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…
AFP
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (8/10):
Wasn't called into action much, but produced one outstanding save in the first half to keep the score at 1-0. Commanded his box well in the second half.
Ben White (6/10):
Ran out of steam a bit quite early in the second half, but good to see him back in the starting XI. Got forward well before the break.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Put under some pressure in the second half but absorbed it well. Few nervy moments, mainly due to the full-backs around him who looked understandably rusty. Went off after receiving some treatment for what could have been a shoulder injury.
William Saliba (7/10):
Similar to his centre-back partner. Put under more pressure than he would probably would have expected. But dealt it with it well.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
Took a few risks when in possession, but they paid off more often than not. Important minutes from the start for a player who has not had many this season.
Advertisement
AFP
Midfield
Martin Zubimendi (6/10):
Used the ball well and got things going when receiving possession from deep.
Mikel Merino (6/10):
Nothing spectacular, but solid. Won his duels and got forward when he could. Replaced by Rice before the hour.
Martin Odegaard (8/10):
Class above, especially in the first half. Back in the starting XI and Arsenal looked much better for it. Was at the heart of everything good the home side produced, playing a big part in the first goal and setting up the second.
Getty Images Sport
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):
Should have scored early on when he put a header one. Did follow up Gyokeres' effort to score soon after, however, and always looked a threat.
Victor Gyokeres (7/10):
He'll be disappointed he didn't score because he had the chances. But he and Arsenal will take a lot from this performance. His runs were excellent and he was being found regularly. You can see the chemistry building between him and the team.
Leandro Trossard (6/10):
Put a decent chance over in the first half and missed another good one after the break. Bright and lively on the left, showed good strength at times as well, but his finishing was wayward.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
Subs & Manager
Declan Rice (7/10):
Produced one outstanding line splitting pass to open Olympiacos up. It deserved to lead to a goal, but Trossard couldn't finish.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Replaced the tiring White and slotted in well.
Bukayo Saka (8/10):
Made a big difference after coming on. Set up a great chance for Odegaard and then killed the game off himself when he made it 2-0.
Eberechi Eze (6/10):
Played one fabulous cross field pass for Saka.
Cristhian Mosquera (6/10):
On for the injured Gabriel.
Mikel Arteta (7/10):
He'll be scratching his head at how his side had to wait so long before killing the game. Made some changes and got some important minutes in some players legs, but will be disappointed by the finishing. Another of his substitute's came off the bench to score though.
شهد الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك استقالة أحد أعضاء الطاقم المعاون للمدير الفني البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا خلال الساعات الماضية، في خطوة مفاجئة جاءت بالتزامن مع استعداد الفريق للمرحلة المقبلة من الموسم.
وقدّم حازم إمام، مدرب الفريق، استقالته رسميًا إلى الكابتن عبد الناصر محمد مدير الكرة بالنادي، قبل أن يتم مناقشة الأمر بين المدير الرياضي جون إدوارد والمدير الفني يانيك فيريرا، حيث تم قبول الاستقالة بشكل رسمي.
ووجّهت إدارة الكرة في نادي الزمالك الشكر للمدرب على جهوده خلال الفترة الماضية ودوره مع الجهاز الفني، مؤكدة تقديرها لما قدّمه للفريق.
طالع أيضًا | وكيل بنتايج: أهدرت وقتي مع الزمالك.. وسأتقدم بشكوى جديدة لـ فيفا وكاس
ومن المنتظر أن يعقد رئيس النادي الكابتن حسين لبيب جلسة مع جون إدوارد خلال الأيام القليلة المقبلة لحسم هوية المدرب الجديد الذي سينضم للجهاز المعاون لفيريرا بعد التشاور مع المدير الفني البلجيكي.
يذكر، أن الزمالك سيواجه نظيره فريق ديكاداها في إياب دور الـ32 من بطولة الكونفدرالية، يوم الجمعة الموافق 24 من شهر أكتوبر الجاري، بعد أن حسم لقاء الذهاب بسداسية نظيفة.
Liverpool have now lost three matches in a row for the first time under Arne Slot after they succumbed to a 2-1 loss at Chelsea on Saturday evening, ensuring they will go into the October international break only second in the Premier League table. The reigning champions of England can't have many complaints about the result either, with the Club World Cup winners outlasting them and striking at the death to settle the contest.
What proved to be a manic contest began with a contender for goal of the season. Moises Caicedo, famously of Liverpool interest before his £115m move to Chelsea in 2023, was given the freedom of Stamford Bridge by a retreating Reds backline and essentially non-existent midfield as he approached the penalty area. He didn't need a second invitation to pick out the top corner of Giorgi Mamardashvili's net.
Arne Slot had the luxury of throwing on £117m man Florian Wirtz at half-time, and that seemed to kick Liverpool into gear. They found an equaliser when Dominik Szoboszlai's cross looped up into the path of Alexander Isak, the most expensive man on the pitch at a measly £125m, and his touch fell for Cody Gakpo to fire home. From there, both sides committed to finding a winner, but there could only be one and it turned out to be Chelsea.
Having forced Mamardashvili into a few saves leading into stoppage time, the Blues regrouped and launched one final attack, with Marc Cucurella getting to the last line and cutting the ball right through the six-yard box for Estevao Willian to convert. Just like that, the three points belonged to Chelsea and Liverpool were heading home empty-handed from a game that was in their control.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from one of the games of the Premier League campaign so far…
Getty Images SportWINNER: Estevao Willian
We'll start with the man who settled the contest. Well, in many ways at the age of 18, he's still an adolescent, but you would barely be able to tell that by watching him.
There was much excitement around west London when Chelsea beat the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich to Estevao's signature in 2024. Widely tipped as one of Brazil's famed generational attackers, he's already made a compelling case to be a regular starter at Stamford Bridge and this performance will only strengthen that.
Estevao replaced the hard-working but quiet Pedro Neto on 75 minutes with the game finely poised at 1-1. To that point, Chelsea had been adventurous but ultimately blunt, as best showcased by their opener coming through a screamer from distance. With each touch of the ball Estevao had, you could hear the clank of the plastic seats around the stadium. Home fans got to their feet, knowing he was going to do something special. Before scoring, he dug out a fantastic cross for Enzo Fernandez to head off the post and forced Mamardashvili into a stretching stop. He set his own stage for a grandstand finale.
The teenager soaked in the Stamford Bridge atmosphere and milked every last drop of adulation. At full-time, he embraced with the injured Cole Palmer, the current poster-boy of this Chelsea project, perhaps wondering if there was room for another co-star once they can take to the pitch together. It's difficult for anyone to come off the bench at 18 to swing a game the way Estevao did, let alone against the reigning Premier League champions.
AdvertisementAFPLOSER: Arne Slot
The main reason Chelsea were able to claw their way back into the game was because of Liverpool's negligence, both on and off the pitch. Their lavish summer transfer spend surpassing the £400m-mark now looks greedy for the sake of greedy as the team have lost their sense of shape and sensibility.
Slot has had the task of trying to assemble a new-look team ready to compete straight away, which of course takes time, but they have seldom looked as settled and streetwise as the outfit from his debut season at Anfield. He arrived on Merseyside in the summer of 2024 hailed as a smart manager who tinkered and adapted to the needs of different situations and squad at his disposal, and he needs to figure out how to maximise this one as soon as possible. For much of the second half, Liverpool's back four consisted of Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. You didn't get the sense that this was a team serious about keeping Chelsea out.
Not only have his Liverpool team lost for a third successive game for the first time on his watch, but twice now they have been beaten at their own game. To begin the season, the Reds came up with a series of late goals to snatch victories, though have now fallen to defeat for a second week running owing to a stoppage-time slip-up.
"We were the dominant team, but in the last ten to fifteen minutes it was end to end, both teams could have scored. Both teams arrived a lot of times at the 18-yard line. These are the margins that don't fall for us at the moment. We have to work harder to not rely on these margins. Chelsea, Palace away, these are also teams that ask you a lot of questions," Slot assessed post-match. Again, this is not a team in control of its own fortune with how loose and free they've been playing.
AFPWINNER: Enzo Maresca
In the blue corner, Maresca will recognise this was a massive win in not only this season, but his tenure as a whole. Amid a recent slump in results, reports have emerged of the club hierarchy's willingness to assess his position at the end of the campaign. That's not to say his job is in danger or under threat, but that this line needed to be pedalled out to the public is clearly a sign that some things are going awry.
Chelsea pulled up to Stamford Bridge missing several key players, not least Palmer, sidelined due to injury, with many pointing to the impact of the summer's Club World Cup as a reason behind the crisis. His makeshift centre-back pairing of Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile, who both performed well here, had to go off after pulling up. It would have been understandable if this young side crumbled under the pressure of an expensive and accomplished Liverpool attack.
Instead, Chelsea came roaring back. They rallied again and again until they broke the Liverpool resistance. As Estevao's winner rippled the net, Maresca sprinted down the touchline a la Jose Mourinho in celebration and perhaps relief. It's easy to question the mentality of a team whose average age is below 25, whose manager has fewer than three full seasons in the profession. Yet here they were together, taking the game to the champions of England.
Maresca's sending off meant he was unable to speak to the media after the game, but you can bet for sure that he would have been grinning from ear to ear at the sweet vindication of such a seismic win. It was a rare show of emotion for a man who's kept his cards close to his chest since taking this job, and this is the kind of moment that ought to buy him more endearment and good will with supporters.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportLOSER: Mohamed Salah
Boy, where do you even start with this one? Mohamed Salah has gone six Premier League matches without a goal from open play, which by his standards is the drought of the century. What's more alarming is what he is, or isn't, doing in these games.
That same spark isn't there anymore. That unpredictability is gone. In contrast to the youthful Estevao, Salah was the embodiment of the Steve Buscemi 'how do you do, fellow kids?' meme.
A quiet first half came and went without Salah getting involved pretty much at all. The second would have made Liverpool fans wish they were watching the first again instead, with the Egyptian King going from merely a passenger to someone who was of detriment to their chances of winning. Wirtz set Salah in on goal within a minute of the restart with a clever flick, and on a normal day it would have ended the German's long wait for a goal involvement in Liverpool colours. Alas, Salah somehow fired wide. From there on, whenever the winger actually had space to gallop into or room to shoot, he fired into bodies of defenders or right into the Shed End.
It's not unusual for Salah to begin seasons at a slower pace, but at the age of 33 and with thousands of minutes already on his body, it's going to prove an even harder challenge to get back into the rhythm everyone expects of him.
Wolverhampton Wanderers need new recruits between now and Monday’s deadline if they’re going to stay in the Premier League.
So far, Vítor Pereira’s team have played two and lost two this season, demolished 4-0 by Manchester City on opening weekend, before another defeat on Saturday, this time at the hands of Bournemouth.
Tuesday’s comeback win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup may spark reason for optimism, however, not least with man of the moment, Jørgen Strand Larsen, netting twice off the bench to power the Old Gold to victory.
That brace was just the latest headline-grabbing occasion for the Scandinavian sensation, with Pereira’s side perhaps now seeking to replicate that success with another exciting acquisition.
Wolves set for another La Liga recruit
With Matheus Cunha having departed for Manchester United, Larsen will be Wolves’ main man in attack.
He scored 14 Premier League goals last season, a very impressive return, before making the move from Celta Vigo permanent for around £23m earlier this summer.
His importance is why the club rejected a £50m bid for the Norwegian striker from Newcastle United earlier this week, although the Magpies are still hopeful of getting a deal done.
Meantime, it is being widely reported that Ladislav Krejčí is close to joining Wolves from Girona for £26m, set to undergo a medical in the coming days.
However, he is not the only La Liga player seemingly Molineux-bound.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
That’s because, according to a report by the Telegraph, Wolves have ‘agreed personal terms’ with Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche.
The Nigerian international is expected to cost around £17m, with reports in Spain suggesting Getafe are under pressure to sell in order to comply with LaLiga’s squad cost limit regulations, so will Uche soon swap Madrid for the Midlands?
What Wolves fans should expect from Christantus Uche
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an “insane” rise in the last 12 months or so, as per one content creator, given that he was playing for Ceuta in the Primera Federación, Spain’s third-tier, as recently as the 2023/24 season.
His form there earned him a move to Getafe last summer, his top-flight debut coming almost exactly a year ago, making 33 appearances in LaLiga last season, uniquely deployed all over the attacking area of the pitch by manager José Bordalás, utilised as a striker, a winger and an attacking midfielder.
His tally of four goals may not leap off the page, but it’s worth considering the fact that Azulones scored only 34 times as a team, the second-fewest in the division, outscoring only rock-bottom Real Valladolid.
Uche also commenced the new campaign by netting during Getafe’s 2-0 victory over Celta Vigo at Balaídos on the opening weekend, assisting Adrián Liso to score the other goal too, so let’s further examine his importance to Getafe.
Minutes
2,486
8th
Goals
4
3rd
Assists
6
1st
Big chances created
7
1st
Shots
50
2nd
Key passes
29
3rd
Shot-creating actions
78
2nd
Goal-creating actions
10
1st
Progressive-carries
43
2nd
Average Sofascore rating
6.89
6th
As the table documents, Uche ranked in the top three at Getafe last season for all attacking metrics included, top of the pile in terms of assists, big chances created and goal-creating actions, underlining his importance.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout is certainly a fan, describing him as a “superb… box-to-box midfielder”, while elsewhere noting that “passing, physicality and work rate” are his biggest strengths.
So, why would he be such an excellent signing for Wolves?
Well, Uche is accustomed to playing for a struggling side, given that Getafe ranked second-bottom for average possession in LaLiga last season (41.2%), above only Espanyol.
During his own penultimate season in LaLiga, Strand Larsen also scored just four goals for Celta Vigo, before increasing that total to 13 prior to joining Wolves, and all available evidence suggests that Uche is capable of producing a similar increase.
Having seen the success that Tuesday’s Carabao Cup hero has enjoyed at Molineux to date, Wolves should well aim to repeat the trick with another exciting LaLiga import.
Romano: £26m star now set for medical with deal sealed ahead of Wolves move