EXCLUSIVE JOAO PEDRO reveals how his mother sacrificed meals to give him the best chance in football - and why chat with Enzo Maresca played a key role in £60m Chelsea move
When Chelsea 's new £60m man instantly repaid a large chunk of his transfer fee with that double against Fluminense to send the Blues into Sunday's Club World Cup final against , he held up his hands and stopped. He had just adhered to the 'Lei do Ex' (law of the ex) – a Brazilian maxim that players always seem to score against their former clubs.
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The Guardian
44 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Premier League 2025-26 preview No 7: Chelsea
Guardian writers' predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Michael Butler's prediction but the average of our writers' tips) Last season's position: 4th Securing Champions League qualification on the last day of the Premier League season and an unlikely Club World Cup triumph have transformed the club, their finances and ambitions for 2025-26. Chelsea stayed relatively under the radar for much of the Club World Cup – in part because of their relatively kind route to the later stages – but their commanding 3-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the final means they are again regarded as a potentially dominant European force and perhaps even as contenders for the Premier League title. That is if Chelsea are ready – mentally, physically and tactically – for the new season. By the time Chelsea played the Club World Cup final on 13 July, nearly every other Premier League side had started their pre-season. Since then, while Liverpool, Arsenal and co have been hard at work, the players have had three weeks off and returned on Monday, with two friendly matches, two days apart, scheduled before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on 17 August. To say Chelsea are playing catch-up is a severe understatement. That said, this is probably the most exciting period for Chelsea since the Champions League triumph in 2021. With the exception of goalkeeper and possibly centre-back, Enzo Maresca has a claim to having two elite players in every position and he could yet add further depth with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho heavily linked. Departures will be needed to trim the fat and balance the books – Chelsea were given a €31m (£27m) fine last month by Uefa for breaking financial rules – but few would argue against them having the deepest squad in the league and one of Maresca's biggest challenges will be maintaining harmony and continuity, on and off the pitch. Last season, the Conference League was a useful chance to rest and rotate players. The Champions League will not be so accommodating. As recently as April, Maresca was at odds with the Chelsea fans and appeared to blame a negative environment at Stamford Bridge for a 2-2 home draw with Ipswich that left top-five hopes fading fast. But five wins from the final six league games secured fourth place, saving Chelsea's season and possibly Maresca's job. 'They were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough,' he said. 'Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong. So in English, how do you say? Eff-off to all of them.' Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph – and the tactical masterclass by Maresca in the final to neutralise PSG's front three and create pockets of space for Cole Palmer – means he will get a very different reception at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's league opener. Chelsea's much-maligned financial gymnastics of recent years – the eight-year contract amortisation (a loophole closed by Uefa), the sale of their hugely successful women's team (to their own parent company) and their rampant use of multiclub ownership and the loan system – have infuriated rivals and allowed them to assemble one of the deepest, youngest, most talented squads around. In the Todd Boehly era, Chelsea have spent more than £1.5bn and the club face an additional €60m fine from Uefa if they fail to comply with regulations over the next four years. A bigger stadium would help, but what Chelsea do with Stamford Bridge remains unclear; the 40,044-capacity ground is not easily developed given challenges ranging from the freehold to a nearby railway line. A move to Earl's Court has been mooted. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Estêvão was courted by PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and is widely regarded as the biggest talent to come out of Brazil since Vinícius Júnior. The 18-year-old's performances at the Club World Cup – including a brilliant strike for Palmeiras against Chelsea in the quarter-final – suggests that the summer arrival is already world class. Players swooned over the teenager at the final whistle in Philadelphia – 'I told Estêvão: 'We are excited for you to join' but he didn't understand a single word I said,' Palmer said after swapping shirts with the £52m signing. Capable off both wings or as a No 10, the slender Estêvão will want to impress the former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, now of Brazil, before the World Cup next summer. 'He potentially can be a top defender for this club,' Maresca said of Josh Acheampong after the defender's performances at the Club World Cup prompted whispers that several clubs in England and Europe were tracking the teenager. How the 19-year-old fits into Maresca's plans remains to be seen, but his versatility, 6ft 3in stature and composure enabled him to enjoy a breakthrough year with 13 first-team appearances. Naturally a right-back or a centre-back but capable of playing anywhere across the backline, Acheampong joined Chelsea as an under-eight and signed a new five-year contract in 2024. 'The clubs that were mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh,' Maresca said. 'The best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Roméo Lavia. The 21-year-old's quality is not in question. Chelsea are a better side with Lavia, more fluid and press-resistant, and he was sensational in a 3-1 win against Liverpool in May when he completed 100% of his passes. Maresca even moved Moisés Caicedo to right-back to accommodate Lavia alongside Enzo Fernández at the back end of last season, but concerns remain over the Belgian's fitness. After a first year when he managed 32 minutes in 2023-24, another injury-hit campaign followed, starting 11 league games. Another year on the sidelines could spell trouble, particularly as Chelsea have Caicedo, Fernández, Dário Essugo, the impressive Andrey Santos and perhaps Reece James competing for two spots in defensive midfield in Maresca's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Burnley sign midfielder Ugochukwu from Chelsea
Burnley have completed the signing of French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea for a fee of more than £ 21-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Turf Sport understands the fee is similar to the £23.2m Chelsea paid to sign Ugochukwu from Rennes in 2023."It's a great feeling to sign for Burnley," said Ugochukwu."As soon as I was made aware of the club's interest in signing me, I was keen to hear more about the project. I spoke to the manager and Maxime [Esteve] – they were both so passionate about the club and the direction it's heading in. "It feels like this is the perfect move for me at this stage of my career with the ambition the club is showing."Ugochukwu was considered surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to sell multiple players in their so-called 'bomb squad' - a group of players including England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell - training separately from Enzo Maresca's first spent two years at Chelsea, making 15 appearances in all competitions during his first season before joining Southampton on a season-long loan for are also in talks to sign Chelsea's 23-year-old forward Armando say the move could be worth up to £20m but the exact price has not been confirmed.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow
Lampard worked as a TV pundit last season but prefers the trials and tribulations of managing Coventry frank admission 'Had to be a big boy' – Frank Lampard says he has no intention of swapping Coventry for TV studio despite play-off blow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FRANK LAMPARD accepts he is a glutton for punishment. One of the Premier League's greatest ever stars has had to deal with more than his fair share of 'hurt' as a boss having been brutally sacked by both Chelsea and Everton. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Frank Lampard was left devastated after a last minute Sunderland goal prevented his Coventry side making it to Wembley Credit: Getty 2 Lampard featured regularly as a pundit before joining Coventry Credit: Getty That followed his experience of suffering Wembley play-off final heartache when he was cutting his managerial teeth in charge of Derby. And if that wasn't enough to put him off the managerial lark, he watched on helplessly as Coventry were cruelly defeated in the play-off semi at Sunderland last May. But, no matter, the Coventry boss says he has no intention of swapping cold, wet Tuesday nights in Stoke for the comfort of the TV studio like fellow Prem icons. And nor does Lamps have any plans to work on his handicap on the golf course rather than patrolling the training ground like other ex-pros. READ MORE ON FRANK LAMPARD ROLEX Win an incredible Rolex Starbucks Submariner or £12k cash alternative from just 89p But, instead, he's relishing the challenge of leading the Sky Blues from the depths of despair to another tilt at Prem promotion. Lampard had to fight back the tears when Cov were dramatically denied a place in the Championship play-off final by Dan Ballard's dramatic last-gasp winner on Wearside in May. The cruel finale meant there was no fairytale ending for the Sky Blues who were 17th when Lampard took charge following Mark Robins' sacking. But, in an exclusive SunSport interview, Lampard, 47, has admitted he can't wait to give it another go. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'Ex-players have their choices in terms of what they want to do with their lives,' Lampard told SunSport. 'They can play golf, they can go into punditry or they can just go into a different line of work. Emotional Frank Lampard struggles through Sky Sports interview after Coventry's gut-wrenching play-off defeat 'I was 38, 39 I was when I finished and there's still a long way to go in your life and management is my line of work. 'And I have to admit I love doing what I do. I love working with the players. I love being on the training pitch. I love working with people. 'Everyone has their choices and I've made my choice and this is a challenging career but there's also a lot of pluses to it. 'I've pitted my wits against elite managers in the Champions League, managed at Chelsea, at Everton and at Derby and every single experience is valuable.' And, win or lose, there seems little chance that Chelsea legend Lampard, who won 11 major trophies in 13 years at Stamford Bridge, will not see things in perspective. But surely he found it difficult to pick himself up after what happened at the Stadium of Light? 'Yes and no,' says Lampard with a smile. 'If you ask my wife, she'll say yes, but if you ask me, I've been there before. 'I've had what I think you can describe as a really good playing career and managerial career. 'But within that, there's ups and downs all the time and that comes with the football territory. 'There are some things you can't quite control – like the Sunderland game in the end. 'But I've got a bit more balance about things like that at the moment even though they really hurt at the time. 'I had to be a big boy and make sure it didn't ruin my summer and it helps that I've developed a good work-life balance. 'I've got children who are all happy and healthy, so you just keep plugging away, sticking at it, giving it your best shot.' And that will mean turning pain into gain at the CBS Arena after the agonising near-miss. 'It was turning into a special story - we were one step away from Wembley and playing really well, particularly in those playoff games,' he added. 'It ultimately came down to small details - chances you don't convert and a header that comes off a shoulder and goes in. 'There was deep disappointment but you get over that because it's football and you have no choice but to start again. 'I spoke to lot of people over the summer. I met Coventry fans and neutrals and they all told me how well we'd done. 'That made me feel proud but my job is to understand that the hard work starts again.' Lampard added: 'We'd made all these strides and then when you miss out, you feel as manager of a club that you have a big responsibility in it. 'I still had a relatively good summer because I was with my family and had a break. 'But there were things, I was thinking all the time. I'm just thinking how can we do better and how can we try and start the season better. 'I can't wait to get back to the competitive games. I'm raring to go.'
