Alejandro Garnacho has described his £40 million ($53m) transfer to Chelsea as a "step forward" while insisting he has no regrets about the acrimonious end to his Manchester United career. The 21-year-old, who was once regarded as one of the brightest prospects at Old Trafford, was allowed to leave in August after falling out of favour under head coach Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd's negotiations with Chelsea

Chelsea initially attempted to structure the transfer as a player-plus-cash deal, offering Romeo Lavia as part of the package. While the Blues were willing to reduce the overall fee if United accepted the 21-year-old midfielder in return, the proposal was rejected. United, aware of Lavia’s persistent fitness problems since joining Chelsea from Southampton, felt he could not be relied upon to strengthen a midfield already low on durability. They instead pushed for a straight cash agreement and eventually bid farewell to Garnacho, as revealed by

AdvertisementAFPGarnacho speaks ahead of Champions League clash

Garnacho addressed reporters in Bergamo ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League meeting with Atalanta. Calm, composed and unapologetic, the Argentine winger made it clear that the decision to move was deliberate and necessary.

Asked if he regretted how his United story ended, with public criticism of Amorim leading to his exile from the first team squad, he responded with a blunt "No". When pressed on whether he felt sadness, he again replied: "No."

Expanding on his switch to Chelsea, he said: "I came here to play my football, to show people the player I am. Sometimes in life, you have to change things to maybe take a step forward or to improve as a player. It was the right moment, and also the right club, so it was an easy decision.

"The most important thing is confidence. He (Enzo Maresca) speaks with me every week. We are going to get better, me as a player and the team together, with time. We started the season three months ago, so it’s building confidence."

Chelsea boss Maresca went on to offer his assessment of Garnacho's first few months at Stamford Bridge: "He can give much more, but not only Alejandro. I think all the players, we try to work every day with them, just to try to improve them. It's been quite easy to work with him, in terms of he wants to learn, he's open-minded, he's working good on the ball and off the ball. And then again, some games he's better, some games he tries a little bit more. But overall he's doing well with us."

Maresca wary of Atalanta's rigorous man-marking

Maresca also delivered a stern warning to his players about Atalanta's intense defensive system. 

He said: "You can see most of the teams play five at the back, most of the teams try to play man-to-man everywhere. If you go to the toilet, they follow you everywhere."

Cole Palmer did not travel with the squad, with the club mindful of his delicate fitness situation. The England international has managed just six appearances this season after battling multiple setbacks. Chelsea are determined not to rush him into a congested schedule he is currently ill-equipped to handle.

"We need to protect Cole for sure, 100%. Not only Cole in my personal view because as I said now because of the Club World Cup or because we never stop, we need to manage and protect different players," Maresca added. "He's not available. He can’t play two games in a row in three days so we've planned this and it's a way to protect him. [He] played half an hour the other day, played one hour today. So now it's important that he can build the physical condition."

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AFPChelsea face demanding fixture run after Atalanta test

Chelsea’s schedule only gets busier after their trip to Italy. They host Everton in the Premier League on Saturday and then take on League One side Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals three days later. However, Maresca has been boosted with the availability of Wesley Fofana and captain Reece James. 

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz was announced Tuesday as the fifth participant in this year's Home Run Derby, bringing one of the game's biggest sluggers to the forefront of MLB's ultimate test of power.

Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes, who will be making his second All-Star appearance this year, offered some words of excitement after news of Cruz's addition to the player pool was announced.

Skenes has watched his teammate take batting practice many times over the past year, and he described it as being "the most impressive batting practice I've ever seen in my life."

"My pick is Oneil to win (the Home Run Derby). The BP he takes everyday is the most impressive batting practice I've ever seen in my life. Just some of the balls he hits––he mishits balls and they go into the fifth row and the second deck at some of these stadiums. I think he hit a ball over the Chop House when were in at Atlanta last year, so he's gonna be doing that a lot," Skenes said via MLB Network Radio.

"I think I'm as excited about that as I am about the actual All-Star Game. It's going to be pretty dang cool."

Cruz is frequently listed atop or near the top of Statcast's tracked data for hardest hit baseballs. On May 25, he mashed the hardest hit home run in Statcast history, cranking a 122.9 mph blast into the seats against the Milwaukee Brewers. That type of power is rare to find, and Cruz will be looking to showcase all of it at the derby.

Skenes seems to already know what's coming next Monday, and he's eager for the rest of the baseball world to get a glimpse of what he's seen regularly from his slugger of a teammate.

تحدث آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول، حول ما إذا كان يشعر بدعم النادي له في ظل المعاناة التي يعيشها الفريق هذا الموسم خاصة مع نتائجه بالدوري الانجليزي الممتاز.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات نشرتها “سكاي سبورت” البريطانية: “أولاً، عائلتي داعمة جداً، سواء فزنا أو خسرنا وربما أكثر عندما نخسر، الأمر نفسه ينطبق على الجميع في النادي وحوله من المالك إلى مايكل إدواردز إلى ريتشارد هيوز إلى مسؤولي الصحافة أو أي شخص آخر”.

وأضاف: “أعضاء الجهاز الفني متعاونون جداً، كما كانوا دائماً إيجابيين جداً، ويحاولون بذل المزيد من الجهد لتحقيق النتائج المرجوة”.

وواصل: “لذا لا أشعر بالوحدة إطلاقاً، بالطبع هناك لحظات صعبة قد تشعر فيها بالوحدة أحياناً ولكن بشكل عام، أشعر بالدعم الكبير”.

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وأكمل سلوت: “النقطة الأخيرة لا أنساها بالتأكيد، لأنك كنت تتحدث للتدقيق والضغط وما إلى ذلك، لكنني أعتقد أن المباريات الثلاث الأخيرة شهدت، ربما أكثر، شعوراً بدعم الجماهير في كل مباراة ولم أشعر به فحسب، بل أستطيع سماعه أيضاً، لذا في الملعب ضد وست هام وسندرلاند ، أستطيع سماع دعم الجماهير وأشعر بذلك”.

وسئل سلوت عن إيزاك: “أعتقد أنه يقترب أكثر فأكثر من المشاركة بانتظام، مما يعني أنه قد يلعب المباراة القادمة أو الثلاثاء، أعتقد أنه بدنياً، بعد ثلاث او أربعة أشهر من الآن يقترب أكثر فأكثر من الحالة التي تسمح له باللعب أكثر وهذا ما رأيناه بالفعل لأنه لعب مباراتين متتاليتين”.

وقال سلوت أيضاً عن المهاجم السويدي: “أفضل طريقة لتقييم ذلك، هي تسجيل خمس أو ست أهداف في ثلاث أو أربع مباريات، لكني لا أعتقد أنه يمكن مقارنته مع هالاند من حيث الحضور والطول والحجم، لكن إيزاك والذي سجل عدة أهداف مع نيوكاسل وكان قد لعب ضدنا في نهائي كأس الرابطة وكنت أتمنى لو كان في فريقي ويتمتع بحضور قوي، والذي يأتي مع الثقة والثقة تأتي مع التسجيل والانتصارات، وأعتقد أن لاعبي فريقي شعروا بذلك أيضاً عندما لعبنا ضده الموسم الماضي”.

وختم عنه: “نحن وقعنا معه لسنوات وليس ثلاث أشهر، الفرق الرئيسي بالنسبة لإيزاك أننا نواجه مباريات كثيرة تلعب فيها فرق بدفاع منخفض، وهذا لم يحدث في نيوكاسل أو ليس بالقدر نفسه، الدوري أعتقد أنه تغير هذا الموسم ونشهد هذه الفرق بشكل أكثر بكثير، لكنني لا أرى أن هذا ضدنا فقط وأراه في العديد من المباريات، هذا يصعب الأمور عليه مقارنة بفترته مع نيوكاسل ولكن أعتقد أنه يتأقلم مع زملائه في الفريق وهما يتأقلمون معه”.

If your favorite baseball team's manager is producing foodstuffs from his pocket in the middle of the game, it is likely that things are going well for your squad.

Milwaukee Brewers fans learned that firsthand Friday during their team's game against the Washington Nationals.

During the game, Brewers manager Pat Murphy stopped for an in-game interview with Apple TV's Tricia Whitaker. Murphy told Whitaker he liked to eat during games, and proved it.

"I like a lot of different things during the game," Murphy said. "There's a pancake—actually, I got a little pocket pancake right here that I munch on."

He then bit into said pancake to Whitaker's delight—even offering her a bite, which she accepted.

"What else do you keep in your pocket?" Whitaker asked.

"Whatever fits," Murphy replied.

It must be working, as Milwaukee opened up a 9–2 lead on the Nationals through five innings. The Brewers lead the National League Central with a 64-44 record this season.

David Moyes’ first spell in charge of Everton lasted 12 years, ending in 2013. He certainly left his mark on the football club, helping them to qualify for Europe numerous times during his first stint on Merseyside.

Some iconic players donned that famous Blue shirt in Moyes’ first spell in charge of the Toffees. Wayne Rooney is probably the most famous. Everton’s Scottish boss can take the credit for bringing the former England international into their first team in the first place.

One of the most notable Premier League full-back pairings of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, were also given their first chance under Moyes.

Another player who will live long in the memory of Toffees fans is Tim Cahill.

Cahill’s most iconic moments under Moyes

There is a strong case to be made that former Toffees attacking midfielder Cahill is the greatest Australian footballer of all time. He left a huge stamp on Everton during his 278-game career at Goodison Park.

Every single one of those appearances came under the tutelage of Moyes. The Scot first brought him to Merseyside in the 2004/05 season, and platformed him so well, to the point Cahill left the club with 68 goals and 29 assists, more often than not from the number 10 role.

The Blue Kangaroo, as he was lovingly dubbed during his time on Merseyside, had some iconic moments under Moyes. His first campaign saw him bag 11 Premier League goals, the most he managed during his time at the club.

Who can forget that iconic boxing celebration when he scored, where Cahill would punch the corner flag.

They tended to go hand in hand with his headed efforts, a real trademark of the Australian’s attacking play.

Moyes would surely love to have Cahill in his side today, a player who ‘conjured moments of brilliance when they were needed most’, as Russell Jackson once said in The Guardian.

Well, perhaps there is a player who can replicate his impact.

Moyes’ new Tim Cahill

In their current squad under Moyes, Everton have a few players who can make a real difference. Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye have been the two real standouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this season.

Yet, it could be the case that Carlos Alcaraz could be seen as Moyes’ new Cahill, a link that football analyst Ben Mattinson made. The attacking midfielder turned his January loan move permanent this summer and has made a good impact in his short time at the club so far.

The 22-year-old, who earns £20k per week on Merseyside, has featured 23 times for the club so far. In that time, he’s found the back of the net three times and assisted the same number of goals.

He averages a goal or assist every 178 minutes in Blue.

In his first start for Everton, away to Crystal Palace last season, the Argentine “sensation,” as football scout Antonio Mango described him, assisted the first and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory.

There was certainly a little bit of Cahill about that goal, too. Alcaraz followed up a loose ball in the penalty box and smashed home the winner from 12 yards out.

It was a clinical goal, and certainly a brilliant contribution when his side most needed him, just like Cahill used to produce.

The stats from last season further highlight how he can create big moments in the same vein as Cahill.

For example, he averaged 0.7 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 7% of Premier League attacking midfielders.

That goal-creating actions stat, and others, show how well the 22-year-old is always involved in the attacking play for Everton, even if he’s not directly scoring or assisting himself.

The determination with which he plays is certainly similar to Cahill.

Moyes would love a player of Cahill’s profile in his current side. In Alcaraz, he might have that player, who can produce magic moments from nowhere, during this exciting new era at Bramley Moore Dock.

Moyes has unearthed Everton's brand new Fellaini with "enormous potential"

This Everton star could recreate Fellaini’s role under Moyes

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 9, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly considering an offer to sign a Premier League striker to replace the struggling Dominic Solanke for Thomas Frank in 2026.

Frank ready to replace Solanke

It’s been an excellent start for Frank in North London. After becoming the first Premier League side to win away at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, Spurs now sit as high as third in the Premier League. Any thoughts about a repeat of last season are long gone and the Lilywhites are on course to earn their place back in the top four.

Not everyone is thriving under the Dane, however. In fact, the likes of Solanke have failed to win over the new manager entirely and now reports are suggesting that the former Brentford boss simply does not rate him.

The same reports also claimed that Spurs could replace the former Liverpool striker as soon as January, which could open the door to an early exit just over a year on from his £65m move from Bournemouth.

What hasn’t helped the forward’s case is his injury history. Since the start of last season, Solanke has missed 26 games through injury. For a £65m signing, that was always likely to give those in North London something to think about.

Tottenham now keen on "world-class" £35m star who Frank's already approved

Spurs are in the race to sign a new forward.

ByDominic Lund Oct 28, 2025

The early season form of Richarlison as well as the introduction of loan signing Randal Kolo Muani is also unlikely to help Tottenham’s record signing, who is facing an uphill battle to get in to Frank’s side for the first time.

Now, further reports have claimed that the Lilywhites are considering a 2026 offer to sign the 28-year-old’s replacement in a brutal decision from all involved.

Tottenham considering Igor Thiago offer

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are now considering a 2026 offer to sign Igor Thiago from Brentford. Frank initially welcomed the forward to West London for a record deal in 2024 before the Bees broke that record to sign Dango Ouattara in the summer just gone. Now, the Dane could reunite with his towering striker in North London.

The Brentford star has recovered from a long-term injury issue and is now thriving under Keith Andrews – scoring seven goals in 10 games in all competitions so far this season. It’s, therefore, no surprise that Spurs are reportedly eyeing a €35m+ (£31m+) loan to buy offer for Thiago in the January transfer window.

Described as “selfless” by Andrews, Thiago could yet hand Frank an ideal replacement for the struggling Solanke, who takes up £140,000-a-week on Spurs’ wage bill.

أكد حامد حمدان، لاعب منتخب فلسطين، فخره واعتزازه بتمثيل بلاده في بطولة كأس العرب 2025، مُشددًا على أن لاعبي الفريق اجتهدوا وعانوا كثيرًا للوصول إلى الدور ربع النهائي.

ويستعد منتخب فلسطين لمواجهة نظيره السعودي غدًا الخميس في تمام الساعة السابعة والنصف مساءً على ملعب لوسيل، ضمن منافسات الدور ربع النهائي من البطولة المقامة في قطر.

وقال حامد حمدان خلال المؤتمر الصحفي قبل مواجهة السعودية: “أعتقد أن ما حققه المنتخب الفلسطيني لم يكن صدفة ولا وليد اللحظة، بل كان نتاج عمل وجهد كبيرين، وتعب وصعوبات كثيرة”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير يُفجر مفاجأة من العيار الثقيل بشأن موقف حلمي طولان من جهازه المعاون قبل كأس العرب

وتابع: “نحن، كمنتخب وكجهاز فني وكفلسطين عامة، عانينا واجتهدنا وواجهنا لحظات صعبة حتى نصل إلى هذه المرحلة، لتكون فلسطين حاضرة في ربع نهائي كأس العرب، وهو أمر لم يتوقعه الكثيرون”.

وأضاف: “دائمًا الفلسطيني قاهر المستحيل، وأنا فخور بتواجدي في هذه اللحظة بين مجموعة من اللاعبين والجهاز الفني وكل الكوادر، فخري بهم لا حدود له”.

واختتم: “هذا بالإضافة إلى فخري بكوني فلسطيني، نعد جماهيرنا دائمًا بأن نقدم أفضل ما لدينا، وأن القادم سيكون أفضل بإذن الله”.

The Padres are reportedly keeping their managerial job within the organizational family.

San Diego is hiring front-office assistant Craig Stammen as its next manager, according to a Thursday morning report from Jon Heyman of the . Stammen, 41, pitched for the Padres from 2017 to '22.

In 2024, Stammen assumed a baseball operations role with San Diego focused on player development.

Born in rural Ohio, Stammen pitched collegiately for Dayton before the Nationals drafted him in 2005. After several up-and-down years shuttling between the rotation and bullpen, he broke through as a reliever for the Nationals' first playoff team in 2012.

He spent seven years with Washington and six with the Padres in all, and now will be tasked with injecting life into a San Diego team that disappointed in 2025. The Padres went 90–72 but failed to advance out of the wild-card round; since their ballyhooed postseason return in 2020, San Diego hasn't gone farther than the NLCS in Stammen's last season.

The Padres will open Stammen's first season on March 26 against the Tigers.

Wednesday was an incredible sports night for the city of Toronto. The Maple Leafs, who enter this year with high hopes of finally breaking through for a Stanley Cup, skated past the Canadiens in the NHL season-opener. Then, more crucially, the Blue Jays completed a four-game series win over the rival Yankees to secure a spot in the American League Championship Series.

Fans who stuck around Scotiabank Arena after the Leafs' win were able to experience both moments as the team did a very smart thing and put the final innings of Blue Jays-Yankees on the scoreboard.

That led to a great payoff as those in the building were treated to an electric air-horn punctuation to the Blue Jays recording the final out of the night.

That's how it's done right there.

There's a chance there will be further opportunity for cross-promotion as the Maple Leafs host the Red Wings on Monday afternoon in advance of ALCS Game 2 in town. There's a decent chance the Blue Jays will be hosting the Tigers, setting up a pretty unique doubleheader.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nas enquetes do canal do Palmeiras no WhatsApp do Lance!, os torcedores elegeram Raphael Veiga o protagonista e Weverton o pior em campo na vitória por 3 a 1 sobre o Liverpool-URU. O Verdão conquistou sua primeira vitória na Copa Libertadores no Allianz Parque.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

Veiga esteve diretamente envolvido nos três gols anotados pelo Palmeiras contra o Liverpool. O camisa 23 deu assistência para os gols de Aníbal Moreno, Flaco López e Estevão. Foi a primeira vez que Veiga deu três passes para gols em uma partida pelo Verdão.

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

Ao contrário de Veiga, Weverton, na opinião dos torcedores do Palmeiras, falhou no gol sofrido pela equipe. Aos dois minutos do primeiro tempo, Rodríguez cobrou direto para o gol, o goleiro do Verdão espalmou para o meio da área e Rosso aproveitou o rebote e estufou as redes. O bandeirinha havia flagrado impedimento na jogada e, após seis minutos de revisão, o VAR não viu irregularidades e validou o gol.

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O próximo compromisso do Palmeiras será no domingo (13), contra o Vitória, pela primeira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, no Barradão. Tanto Veiga quanto Weverton devem ser titulares na partida.

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