Abel Ferreira praises Chelsea: 'They were better than Palmeiras'
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6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Matildas coach drops huge Mary Fowler news as Aussies cop brutal Asian Cup draw
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has revealed that Mary Fowler is tracking well ahead of schedule in her recovery from a long-term injury and is primed to feature for Australia at their home Asian Cup. The Matildas were dealt a brutal hand at the official draw in Sydney on Tuesday night after being pitted against top-ranked teams in pots three and four, as well as the second-highest ranked team in pot two. But the Aussies were given a major boost by the news that Fowler is on track to make her return, despite suffering a ruptured ACL in her right knee only three months ago. The injury - which typically requires a 12-month recovery time - looked set to rule the superstar out of the Asian Cup after she went down while playing for Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals in April. However, the Matildas coach revealed the 22-year-old was already back up and running and looks set to feature in the early part of the new WSL season in England. It could give Fowler up to four months of football to regain her form and fitness ahead of the Asian Cup, which kicks off for the Matildas at Perth's Optus Stadium on March 1. 'I spoke to her the other day, and she's on track,' Montemurro said after Tuesday night's draw. 'She's in Sydney at the moment doing some running. So she'll join City, I think, in early October ... she's looking good and she should be hopefully back playing before November. "She's been really, really, really, really positive and done well. She's a special player - not just for Australia, but worldwide. She's [got] that X factor. And you need those X-factors in these tournaments. You need that player to unlock something at times. To have Mary involved will be really good.' The Matildas look set to be given a double boost, with star skipper Sam Kerr also working her way back to full fitness in pre-season training with Chelsea after a much more complicated ACL injury of her own. Kerr hasn't played a competitive game since late 2023, but was hoping to feature for Chelsea towards the back end of last season. 'It was important that she didn't jump straight into pre-season,' Montemurro said about Kerr. 'Hopefully by the end of pre-season, she'll be at the level with everyone else - and then she's up for game time.' Matildas cop brutal draw for home Asian Cup Montemurro said he was pleased with Australia's draw, despite it being close to the most difficult group they could have landed at Tuesday night's ceremony at Sydney Town Hall. The Matildas face the Philippines in Perth, before taking on Iran on the Gold Coast on March 5. They then face a tricky final group game against powerhouse South Korea in on March 8, in a rematch against the side that knocked them out of the last Asian Cup campaign. The Matildas at least avoided a group stage meeting with defending champions China, who were drawn in Group B. While the highest-ranked team in the tournament - World No.7 Japan - were drawn in Group C with Vietnam, India and Taiwan. "In any tournament, the expectations were what they were," Montemurro said. "I couldn't predict that I wanted this team or that team. Now it's a little bit clearer, the style of teams we're playing, and it's a little bit clearer on how we approach the build-up into it." The World No.15 Matildas have just two international windows to find their feet under the new coach before the tournament starts. Australia netted two wins, a draw and a loss against Slovenia and Panama in their first batch of friendlies under former Lyon coach, Montemurro. Australia are one of 12 teams split across three groups to have qualified for next year's tournament, which will run until the final at Sydney's Accor Stadium on March 21. The top two teams in each of the groups will be joined by the two best third-placed sides in the knockout phase of the tournament. Draw for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Group A - Australia, South Korea, Iran, Philippines Group B - North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan Group C - Japan, Vietnam, India, Taiwan with AAP
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea close to 2026 agreement with Strasbourg's Emanuel Emegha
Chelsea are closing in on an agreement on personal terms with Strasbourg centre-forward Emanuel Emegha (22) for a move to the Blues next summer, according to French media . The 22-year-old had a remarkable breakthrough season with Liam Rosenior's Alsatians last season. The Sparta Rotterdam youth product logged 14 goals and three assists in 27 Ligue 1 games. With Habib Diarra and Andrey Santos both departed, respectively to Sunderland and parent club Chelsea, Emegha has been appointed Strasbourg captain, despite being only 22. But next season could very well be Emegha's final campaign at La Meinau. An agreement is reportedly in the works for Emegha to join Chelsea from the 2026-2027 season onwards. Sports Zone adds that RB Leipzig have been made aware of the situation. The Bundesliga side considers Emegha a top priority if Benjamin Šeško (22) leaves the Red Bull Arena. The Slovenia international centre-forward is reportedly of interest to Newcastle United. Leipzig have reportedly been in contact with Chelsea regarding Emegha's future. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
How Enzo Maresca played key role in helping Chelsea land one of their main transfer targets
One of Chelsea's highest priorities going into the current transfer window was to sign a centre-back and a left-back. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that one of the Blues' top priorities in this transfer window was the signing of Ajax wonderkid, Jorrel Hato. The young Dutchman has made a name for himself as one of the most promising defenders in world football, and he is equally comfortable playing as a centre-back or as a left-back. With just over a month left of the transfer window, Chelsea are on the verge of signing Hato, and it has been revealed that manager Enzo Maresca played a key role in convincing the player to sign for the club. Maresca has reportedly earned the trust and confidence of the Chelsea management after a successful first season in charge of the club, where they secured Champions League football and also clinched the Conference League and the Club World Cup. Maresca then went a step further and convinced the player that Stamford Bridge was the right destination for him. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Enzo Maresca's role in convincing Hato to sign for Chelsea getty images According to transfer expert Greame Bailey, Maresca played an integral role in helping Chelsea land their target in Hato. He said: 'Chelsea are really confident now and I am told Hato is done, he has been won over by Enzo Maresca and whole project, even if Arsenal or Liverpool came for him – he is Chelsea bound.' 'I think this is great business, this could be one of the very best deals Chelsea have done in many years – I rate Hato that highly.' Chelsea news and related links How Pedro Neto could alter Chelsea's transfer plans this summer Premier League rivals join race to sign Chelsea star Chelsea's 'desperate' transfer demand shocks suitors as one big name heads for the exit
