Former Glasgow Rangers manager Barry Ferguson has hinted at knowing who the problematic players are for Russell Martin at Ibrox currently, as he battles to save his job.
A must-win game for Russell Martin at Rangers
The Gers trade Scottish Premiership commitments for Scottish League Cup action on Saturday evening, with Hibernian making the trip to Ibrox for a quarter-final clash.
For Martin, it feels like a must-win game, with the 39-year-old under enormous pressure after a disastrous start to his time in charge of Rangers, not yet winning a league game.
Recent reports have suggested that the Englishman is safe as manager for now, but it surely can’t take many more bad results before a big decision is made by the board.
Potential replacements are already being mentioned, including Davide Ancelotti, who was one of the front-runners to come in during the summer, but Martin has spoken positively ahead of the Hibs match.
“We have the chance to be in the semi-final, and a step forward towards silverware. I want to see a team that plays with the togetherness and intensity I see at training.
“Very rarely do you arrive at a club when there is not a problem. At every club we have been at, there are tough moments, but the potential is huge for the group if we work through the difficult moments together.”
Ferguson makes Rangers dressing room claim
Writing for The Daily Record [via The Glasgow Times], Ferguson hinted at knowing who could be the problem players at Rangers for Martin, but didn’t want to go as far as naming names.
There is arguably a feeling that Martin has lost members of the dressing room, and when that happens, the writing can often be on the wall for a manager.
The Nicolas Raskin situation has stood out in that respect, with the midfielder being frozen out by the Gers boss until now, and it could be that he is one of the players Ferguson is referring to. Then again, he was a key man when the Scot was in charge, and is now back in the squad.
Rangers eyeing Ibrox move for ex-La Liga coach to replace Russell Martin
They’re already planning for life without Martin…
ByTom Cunningham Sep 18, 2025
Either way, Rangers simply must win this weekend, with a Scottish League Cup exit potentially the final nail in the coffin for Martin at Ibrox.
Camisa 10 da Seleção Brasileira, Marta não é titular na Copa do Mundo Feminina. Aos 37 anos, esta deve ser a última Copa do Mundo da jogadora. A sua ‘não titularidade’ pode ser explicada por alguns motivos. Recentemente, Marta se recuperou de uma lesão no joelho e ficou cerca de onze meses sem jogar. Voltou a ativa somente em fevereiro deste ano, nos amistosos disputados.
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Mas não para por aí. Para o ataque brasileiro, a treinadora Pia Sundhage selecionou: Andressa Alves (Roma), Geyse (Barcelona), Nycole (Benfica), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Debinha (Kansas City Current), Gabi Nunes (Madrid CFF) e Marta (Orlando Pride). Com exceção de Marta, maior jogadora da história da Amarelinha, as demais atletas apresentam características específicas que agradam a comandante: velocidade e, principalmente, polivalência, ou seja, são capazes de atuar em mais de uma posição.
Torça pela nossa Seleção Feminina com camisas a partir de R$ 29,90
Após a convocação, Pia também falou sobre esta questão envolvendo a titularidade da Marta. De acordo com as palavras da treinadora, já foi posto em dúvida a presença da jogadora no elenco titular.
– Parece música para os meus ouvidos quando uma jogadora fala sobre outras. A Marta é uma rainha. Estar perto dela é maravilhoso. Ela tem muita energia e no passe final é uma das melhores. Estar perto dela e ter a chance de treiná-la, é ótimo. Se ela estará no time titular, não sei. Mas terá o nosso apoio – explicou.
Marta é a maior artilheira das histórias da Copa do Mundo – tanto pelo futebol masculino quanto feminino. Ao todo, são 17 gols, marcados nos torneios de 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 e 2019.
Skipper’s unbeaten 97 followed Derbyshire losing their last six wickets for 80
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-Apr-2025
Luke Procter is closing in on a ninth first-class century•Getty Images
Northamptonshire skipper Luke Procter led from the front as his team fought back on the second day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at Derby.Procter made an unbeaten 97 and shared an opening stand of 143 with Ricardo Vasconcelos who passed 50 for the first time this season, scoring 82 off 117 balls, as the visitors closed on 236 for 3 in reply to Derbyshire’s 307.Procter also finished with figures of 3 for 61 with Justin Broad claiming 4 for 60 as Derbyshire lost their last six wickets for 80 runs, including Brooke Guest who top scored with 91.Northamptonshire’s bowlers had something to prove after a below par performance on the first day and they delivered a much improved display in terms of control and discipline.Guest had played a counter-attacking innings which had disturbed the bowler’s lines and he resumed with a crisp straight drive down the ground against Liam Guthrie to move into the nineties.But Guthrie had the last word when Guest went to drive a widish ball and dragged it into his stumps to give the visitors the early breakthrough they needed.When Broad replaced Guthrie, he found some inswing to trap Anuj Dal in front and then beat Martin Andersson’s loose drive to reduce Derbyshire to 267 for 7.Zak Chappell edged a forcing stroke behind to give Broad his third victim of the morning and Derbyshire were in danger of falling below 300 when Luis Reece was caught down the legside aiming to pull Guthrie.Blair Tickner secured a second bonus point when he pulled Dom Leech to the ropes before Procter took the new ball and had Jack Morley caught behind.It was a good session for the visitors who dominated the afternoon with Vasconcelos and Procter batting through to tea. Vasconcelos was close to being lbw to Tickner early in his innings but after a sketchy start, a glorious on drive off the New Zealand paceman showed his confidence and touch was returning.As well as he and Procter batted, it was not a good session for Derbyshire’s bowlers who failed to maintain the consistent lines to build pressure. An off drive off Andersson brought Vasconcelos his 10th four and took him to 50 before he whipped Reece to the midwicket boundary to bring up the 100 stand which came from 135 balls.Procter completed his half-century after tea and when Wayne Madsen could not cling on to a fierce chance at second slip off Tickner when Vasconcelos was on 76, it threatened to be expensive.It certainly looked that way when the opener pulled the next delivery for four but when Tickner tempted him with a wide-ish ball, he slashed it to gully where Andersson made no mistake.Vasconcelos knew he had thrown away the chance of a hundred and had to drag himself from the crease but he and Procter had given their team a good platform to build on.Procter was building another partnership with George Bartlett until Chappell got enough lift off a length to have the latter caught behind and James Sales never got going, playing across a full ball from Reece.Derbyshire were much better in an extended final session but Procter and Rob Keogh reduced the arrears to 71 before bad light ended play.
اعترف الهولندي ماتياس دي ليخت بأن فريقه مانشستر يونايتد استغلّ ثنائي ليفربول باعتبارهما نقطة ضعف خلال مباراة الفريقين بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وحل مانشستر يونايتد ضيفًا على ليفربول بملعب “آنفيلد” ضمن مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإنجليزي “البريميرليج”.
وتغلب مانشستر يونايتد على ليفربول بهدفين مقابل هدف، وجاء هدف الفوز عن طريق هاري ماجواير في الدقائق الأخيرة للقاء.
وأشار دي ليخت إلى أن مانشستر يونايتد استغل عمدًا ميلوس كيركيز، إلى جانب الظهير الأيمن كونور برادلي، باعتبار مركزَي ظهيري ليفربول “نقطة ضعف”.
اقرأ أيضًا | ميكا ريتشاردز: محمد صلاح ليس أكبر من ليفربول ولم يعد كما كان سابقًا
وقال في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ميرور” البريطانية: “كنا نعلم أن ليفربول لديه نقاط ضعف، وهي ظهيريه، كنا جميعًا متحمسين للغاية، وكان التركيز عاليًا جدًا، كانت مباراة اليوم تتطلب تركيزًا كبيرًا”.
وسجل برايان مبيومو هدفًا مبكرًا لمانشستر يونايتد، في الدقيقة الثانية، ثم نجح ليفربول في إدراك التعادل في الدقيقة 78 بفضل كودي جاكبو، لكن عاد يونايتد وسجل ماجواير رأسية حسمت الفوز لفريقه.
كشف المدير الفني لـ منتخب فلسطين، إيهاب أبو جزر، عن غياب 7 لاعبين عن مواجهة ماليزيا الودية بسبب الإصابات.
ويلتقي منتخب فلسطين، مع منتخب ماليزيا غدًا الإثنين على استاد السلطان إبراهيم في مدينة جوهر بحرو الماليزية.
طالع.. خالد الغندور يرد على سخرية سيد عبد الحفيظ: تعلمت الاحترام في بيت المستشار
وأعلن أبو جزر، غياب المهاجم عدي الدباغ إلى جانب ستة لاعبين آخرين عن المباراة الودية أمام ماليزيا.
وأشار أبو جزر في المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عقد اليوم الأحد أن غياب الدباغ جاء بداعي الإصابة، دون كشف أي تفاصيل، لكنه أوضح أن الإصابات التي تعرض لها هؤلاء اللاعبين تعود في معظمها إلى شد عضلي ناجم عن قصر فترة الإعداد للموسم الجديد أو بسبب مشاكل في فترة الراحة.
ويغيب عن فلسطين 7 لاعبين وهم، عدي الدباغ وعميد محاجنة، وعميد صوافطة، وأسد حملاوي، ومحمد حبوس، ومحمد صالح، وأوغسطين منصور.
وقال مدرب فلسطين: “المباراة ستكون فرصة لتجربة لاعبين جدد والوقوف على مستوياتهم، في إطار التحضير لتصفيات كأس العرب وكأس آسيا 2027”.
وأفاد: “المنتخب يمر بمرحلة إحلال وتجديد، وانضم لنا قرابة 10 لاعبين جدد في الأشهر الماضية، ما ساهم في خفض معدل أعمار الفريق بشكل ملحوظ”.
ويلعب الدباغ في صفوف الزمالك، حيث انضم إلى الأبيض خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.
It wasn’t exactly a well-kept secret this summer that Birmingham City were interested in landing Peterborough United superstar Kwame Poku.
Unfortunately, the Blues’ drawn-out pursuit of the entertaining Ghanaian has seemingly gone cold now, as the likes of Russell Martin’s Rangers accelerate to the front of the queue for his coveted services instead.
Kwame Poku for Peteborough.
This would have been a knock to Chris Davies and Co.’s confidence as they navigate up to the Championship, but it hasn’t stopped them from pressing on with other attacking targets, as the ambitious Blues look to close in on another statement addition up top.
Birmingham close in on statement reunion
As per a recent report from journalist Alan Nixon, the newly promoted outfit look to be edging ever closer to bringing former star Demarai Gray back to their ranks this summer.
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Much like their chase for Poku, it had been well publicised that the Blues wanted to make such a stunning reunion happen.
Now, it might well become a reality, with both Sunderland and Fiorentina, who had also been looking at signing the experienced Jamaica international in an £8m deal, left in Birmingham’s dust to seal the sublime move.
Whilst the Rangers-bound attacker had been viewed as the flavour of the month in the EFL after a sensational season on the books of Posh, landing Gray might well be an even more exciting pick-up than the 23-year-old.
Why Gray would be a more exciting signing than Poku
If Birmingham are deadly serious about going after back-to-back promotions, Gray joining will undoubtedly help them to pull off such an arduous feat, with the former Blues prodigy going on to have a lengthy career at the very top after waving St. Andrew’s goodbye in 2016.
Indeed, Gray is likely more well-known in English football now for being a Premier League regular on the books of Leicester City and Everton, than a one-time academy product emerging up the Blues ranks.
In total, the Birmingham-born forward has amassed over 200 Premier League appearances for the likes of the Foxes and the Toffees, with an impressive 19 goals and 14 assists coming his way from those contests, on top of a Premier League title astoundingly being lifted when situated at the King Power Stadium.
Gray’s G/A numbers by club
Club played for
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Leicester
169
13
14
Birmingham
78
8
4
Everton
75
12
6
Al-Ettifaq
50
4
5
Bayer Leverkusen
12
1
2
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Poku might well have a certain level of freshness on his side – considering he has just tallied up a blistering 12 goals and 11 assists for Darren Ferguson’s men last campaign – but the table above really does speak for itself when judging the 28-year-old’s pedigree alone, with a season even under his belt in the Bundesliga when lining up for Bayer Leverkusen.
Moreover, whilst Poku was a breakout success for Posh last season, he has never actually bagged a goal in the Championship, despite ripping up the third-tier, with just a meagre two goal contributions next to his name at the difficult level from 20 clashes.
An “electric” attacker on his day – in the words of journalist Scott Saunders – his first major steps in the senior game did actually come in the Championship with his hometown club, notably netting a memorable hat-trick above three of the eight strikes he has managed in the division when donning Birmingham blue.
It will now be up to Gray to roll back the years on his expected return, with more Premier League appearances perhaps coming his way down the line.
Whilst Poku is the talk of the town as an up-and-coming ace, Gray has already cemented himself as a Championship-capable talent and beyond across his vast playing days, with another chapter soon to be added to his packed story when hopefully starring for Davies and Co.
Birmingham want to sign "fantastic" £8m ace who scored in St Andrew's win
Thomas Frank is poised to become the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur, and he’s thought to have his eyes on some transfer targets already.
Tottenham closing in on Thomas Frank appointment after talks
Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano says Frank to Tottenham is already a done deal, with the Lilywhites set to trigger his £10 million release clause and secure Ange Postecoglou’s replacement in quick fashion.
Tottenham now offered £42m star who Mourinho held talks to sign for Spurs
The former Spurs boss FaceTimed him constantly.
2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 11, 2025
Following chairman Daniel Levy’s tough decision to axe a manager who ended the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy, whilst securing qualification for next season’s Champions League, Spurs have wasted no time in getting his successor through the door.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
Postecoglou was a popular figurehead among the squad, with James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and Pedro Porro all speaking publicly in defence of the Australian before his dismissal, so Frank has big shoes to fill.
The Dane’s experience of overperforming on a very limited transfer budget, not to mention his work under a data-driven recruitment model similar to Tottenham’s, makes him a solid candidate to replace Postecoglou.
The downsides of this prospective appointment lie with Frank’s inexperience managing an elite-level side or competing in the Champions League, and the 51-year-old has no major honours to boast of heading into the biggest job of his career.
Frank will need plenty of backing this summer from Levy and technical director Johan Lange, who he already knows very well from their time together working in Denmark, and they’ve been familiar with one another for many years.
Tottenham are set for a significant financial boost due to their confirmed place in the Champions League next season, and they’ll no longer have to adopt a sell-to-buy policy this summer as a result (Michael Bridge).
Reports suggest Frank has already identified transfer targets ahead of his arrival at Spurs, with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze firmly in his thinking (GiveMeSport).
Tottenham consider "bold" move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
As per TEAMtalk, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is another player admired by Frank.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
The 22-year-old has been a star mainstay of the Toffees backline since returning to Merseyside from a successful loan spell at PSV Eindhoven during the 2022/2023 season, and England fans were left shocked when Gareth Southgate omitted Branthwaite from his Three Lions squad for Euro 2024.
Branthwaite is attracting interest from across the Premier League, and Tottenham are certainly in the mix for his services, despite Everton slapping a £70 million price tag on his head.
That is according to TT, who also claim that Frank sees Branthwaite as the ideal Spurs signing to prepare for Champions League football, with Tottenham considering a “bold” move to bring him down south.
A move to N17 is also described as “appealing” to Branthwaite, considering their state-of-the-art set-up and place in Europe’s most prestigious competition, but remaining at Everton is also tempting for him given their new stadium and promise shown under David Moyes.
The Toffees will apparently fight tooth and nail to keep hold of him for next season, so a lot will hinder on how high Tottenham are ready to bid.
Celtic have already brought in one left-back as Greg Taylor edges closer to the exit door and could be set to recruit another if recent reports are to be believed.
Celtic star Greg Taylor set to leave after Kieran Tierney arrival
Making a start to the window that has created plenty of headlines, Celtic announced Kieran Tierney’s arrival on a free transfer from Arsenal after finding an agreement to bring the Scotland international home in January.
In light of this, long-serving defender Greg Taylor appears to be on the move to PAOK on a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. Should he depart under freedom of contract, that will leave the Bhoys in need of another left-back this summer.
The question then becomes, who could become a realistic competitor to Tierney? According to reports, Sassuolo star Josh Doig is being tracked by Celtic and may be on the move back to Scotland after starting his career at Hibernian.
There is also the prospect of a youth player such as Matthew Anderson or Mitchel Frame coming in to fill the void. If that scenario arises, B team manager Stephen McManus believes there is no better role model than Kieran Tierney at Parkhead for young stars to look up to.
He explained: “Kieran’s coming back at the age that he’s at, his full career’s ahead of him. For the national team, for us as a club, it’s tremendous.
Rodgers personally plotting Celtic deal to sign 16-goal star after Tierney
The Bhoys mean business.
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“It’s given everybody a real boost and for the younger lads it’s another role model that we’ve got to look up to.”
Supporters are eagerly anticipating movement on incomings and there could now be potential for Celtic to land a Scottish Premiership star if reports are to be believed.
Celtic in James Penrice scouting mission
According to The Daily Record, Celtic have ran scouting checks on Heart of Midlothian left-back James Penrice and could look to strike on the market for the former Partick Thistle man in their hunt for a competitor to lock horns with Tierney.
Although their watchful eye isn’t to be mistaken for something more, it does show that Rodgers and company are doing their due diligence on potential targets to strengthen their backline.
James Penrice in Scottish Premiership action – 2024/25 (FBRef)
Chances created
56
Successful crosses
69
Successful dribbles
21
Tackles won
48
Recoveries
116
Labelled “outstanding” by Neil Critchley, Penrice registered two goals and seven assists in 40 appearances across all competitions last term as Hearts narrowly missed out on a top-six finish.
Nevertheless, with Derek McInnes now at the helm, it remains to be seen whether the ex-Kilmarnock boss would be willing to part ways with one of his prize assets.
Hearts and Celtic don’t share a great deal of rapport on and off the pitch, so it would likely take a significant fee to tempt the Jambos into letting Penrice leave Tynecastle for a divisional rival.
Chelsea have impressed massively throughout the 2024/25 campaign, with Enzo Maresca having a huge impact during his first season as the club’s manager.
The Italian took the reins last summer after Mauricio Pochettino departed, leading the side to a top five finish in the Premier League – subsequently securing Champions League football for 2025/26.
His side also claimed the Europa Conference League trophy after a thumping 4-1 win over Real Betis in the final, topping off what has been a season to remember in West London.
With the transfer window now open, it presents the 45-year-old to make key additions in various areas of the squad to push themselves one step closer to returning to a title battle.
He’s already landed the signing of striker Liam Delap, but numerous other players are already on their shortlist, with potential moves popping up after the window opened on Sunday.
The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for new attackers
Despite the deal for Delap, Maresca has made adding strength to his Chelsea forward line a priority this summer, with further firepower needed for future success in the near future.
The likes of Samu Omorodion, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have all been touted with a switch to the Blues this summer, but as of yet, no deals have been agreed for any of the aforementioned talents.
However, another name has been mentioned over the last couple of days, with West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus emerging as a key option, according to one Spanish report.
They claim that the Blues are preparing a £59m offer for the 24-year-old Ghanaian winger, who managed to register nine combined goals and assists in all competitions throughout 2024/25.
It also states that the hierarchy are determined to win the race for his signature this summer, with city rivals Arsenal also firmly in the race for the attacker’s services during the off-season.
Why Chelsea’s £59m target has shades of Hazard
Belgian winger Eden Hazard arrived at Chelsea back in the summer of 2012 as an unknown quantity to many, but it’s safe to say he managed to quickly announce himself to the fanbase.
The attacker cost the club around £32m from French outfit Lille, a fee that proved to be a bargain given his time as a player in West London – all before banking them a huge profit, after eventually leaving in a £150m deal to join Real Madrid back in 2019.
The now-retired 34-year-old featured over 350 times, scoring 110 times, with Hazard today still in the conversation as one of the best wingers in Premier League history with his mazy runs and unbelievable dribbling ability.
Many players such as Jadon Sancho, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto have all tried to fill the void left by the attacker in recent years, but have failed miserably – leading to the club’s interest in new forwards this summer.
Maresca could be able to find his own version of the Belgian this summer, with Kudus having a similar skill set, offering the side the added threat they need going forward.
He registered 13 take-ons against the Blues back in 2023/24, the most of any player in the division that campaign, highlighting his ability with the ball at his feet. That tally of 13 was also what the great Hazard achieved on two occasions during his Stamford Bridge stay.
Kudus, who’s also been labelled “generational” by journalist Gary Smith, has registered 3.4 progressive carries and 3.2 successful take-ons per 90 this campaign – further highlighting his skillset of getting at the opposition.
Mohammed Kudus’ stats for West Ham in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
32
Goals & assists
8
Pass accuracy
84%
Progressive carries
3.4
Successful take-ons
3.2
Shots taken
2.6
Carries into penalty area
1.5
Stats via FBref
The Ghanaian has also registered 2.6 shots per 90, cutting inside on his favoured left-foot off the right hand, similar to how Hazard did on the opposite side during his spell in West London.
£59m may appear to be another huge investment from the hierarchy this summer, but given the stats produced by the Hammers star, it’s a no-brainier with the winger having the tools to take his game to the next level as a result.
Should he manage to get anywhere near close to the levels produced by Hazard at the Bridge, it would be an absolute bargain, potentially catapulting the Blues towards title glory once again in the near future.
Caicedo revenge: Liverpool can hijack Chelsea move for "England's best LW"
Liverpool winger Luis Diaz faces an uncertain future with firm interest in his signature.
It’s no secret that Chelsea have been targeting a new striker over the last 12 months, with Enzo Maresca still unable to land the talisman to take the club to the next level.
Nicolas Jackson has been the Italian’s main option at the top end of the pitch, scoring 10 goals in his 30 Premier League appearances throughout 2024/25.
However, there have been doubts over his long-term suitability for the role, especially after receiving a straight red card in the clash against Newcastle United for a deliberate elbow on Sven Botman.
Whilst he scored in the Europa Conference League triumph last night, his terrible first touch when bearing down on goal highlighted the need for new attackers this summer.
With the summer window rapidly approaching, the manager and the hierarchy have wasted no time in lining up potential options to lead the line in their title push throughout 2025/26.
The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Given Chelsea’s recent antics in the transfer market, it’s a surprise to no one that they are likely to be busy once again this summer to bolster Maresca’s ranks.
Viktor Gyokeres, Joao Pedro and Emanuel Emegha are just three names that have been mentioned as potential targets, but no deals have yet been completed for any of the aforementioned targets.
Emanuel Emegha
However, they may not need to pursue moves for any of the stars, with the Blues closing in on signing Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
He claimed on Wednesday that the Blues have taken the lead in the race for his signature, with Manchester United’s chances now decreasing after failing to secure any European football next season. Jacobs also confirmed that the Blues have held positive talks to sign the £30m star.
A move has progressed significantly on Thursday with everything now pointing towards the English talent joining. Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday evening that he will sign his Chelsea contract in the next 24 hours.
How Delap could repeat Chelsea's Palmer success story
Cole Palmer may have endured somewhat of an uncharacteristic drought in front of goal over the last few months, but he’s still managed to play a vital role in the success endured by Chelsea.
Chelsea'sColePalmerreacts
The 23-year-old went 18 games without a goal across all competitions, before slotting home a penalty against league champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge – securing a huge win in their hunt for a top five finish.
Whilst he’s still not managed to score since that triumph back on the 4th of May, he has provided key moments for some of his teammates, including two assists against Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday.
His latest contributions have taken him to 69 combined goals and assists in his 91 appearances for the club, after joining the Blues in a £40m deal from Manchester City back in the summer of 2023.
However, Maresca could land his next version of the English star this summer, with a deal to take Delap to West London appearing to be entering its final stages.
The pair both plied their trade together within the Manchester City academy as youngsters, looking to do the same in forward areas once again at the Bridge for the Blues in 2025/26.
Should the 22-year-old reach the levels set by Palmer in West London over recent years, he would be a splendid signing by the board, with his £30m clause potentially being a bargain.
When comparing his stats to those of Palmer this season, Delap has managed to outperfrom him in numerous key areas, offering the manager the focal point he craves in the first-team.
He may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has managed a higher goal per shot on target rate, showcasing his clinical edge within the final third.
How Delap compares to Palmer in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Delap
Palmer
Games played
37
37
Goals & assists
14
23
Shot-on-target accuracy
44%
36%
Goals per shot on target
0.3
0.2
Take-on success
47%
45%
Aerials success rate
43%
22%
Fouls drawn
1.8
1.6
Stats via FBref
He’s also completed more take-ons and drawn more fouls, therefore offering Maresca a more all-round option in the final third – which could take the side to the next level as a result.
Delap has also won more aerial battles than the current Blues star, handing the side the needed focal point in which the manager has desired since his arrival.
With a deal appearing to be edging closer to being completed, the Englishman would be an excellent addition, having the ability to develop further in the years ahead at the Bridge.
£30m in today’s market would be a super price for a striker who’s already proven his talents in England’s top-flight, potentially being the missing piece in Maresca’s Chelsea puzzle and creating a deadly partnership with Palmer once more.
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