Chelsea: Jamie Gittens deal 'imminent' as talks continue in United States
Gittens is thought to be keen on the move. It is understood that he has agreed a seven-year deal, with the contract ready to be signed upon the completion of club-to-club negotiations, which have continued at the Club World Cup.
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BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
Mastantuono - the future Real star aiming to leave River on a high
He may be only 17 years old and heading to one of the world's grandest clubs in Real Madrid, but River Plate star Franco Mastantuono's path could have easily taken him on a different route to incoming youngster once dreamed of becoming a YouTube star, while he was also a young maestro on the tennis court, travelling Argentina to play matches. What diverted him? He was just too good with the ball at his will receive 45m euros (£38.5m) for the attacking midfielder. However, the Argentine giants say Real's expenditure on Mastantuono – including taxes and payments elsewhere – totals 63.2m euros (£54m) in a record sale for the South American country's first officially makes the switch to La Liga after turning 18 in August. That comes after the Club World Cup, where Mastantuono aims to leave River on a a bright start, and having won the player of the match award in his last outing against Monterrey, his next challenge is helping the Group E leaders seal qualification for the last 16 against Inter Milan on Thursday (02:00 BST)."Any player in the world dreams of playing for River Plate and Real Madrid," he told DAZN this week."I want to leave River Plate on a high note because it's given me everything and I'm very grateful. My focus is on River Plate and trying to win the tournament." Waiting to demonstrate his qualities in Spain, the teenager, with one senior cap for Argentina, has already made an impression in his native land."Franco's passage through our club left an indelible mark." Roberto Binzuna, the president of Cemento Armado, where Mastantuono earned his stripes before joining River, tells BBC Sport. "Only time will decide how long it lives on in our memory."He's a sensational young man, with outstanding human and sporting characteristics, distinctive in whatever sport he played – an exceptional tennis player and an even better footballer."His presence always stands out over the other players, even the older ones, and he has an incredible shot on him."Indeed, Mastantuono's ability to strike the ball from range has caught the eye. Most notable was his free-kick against Superclasico rivals Boca Juniors in April, swept into the top corner from about 30 aside, the left-footer is agile, quickly shifting the ball one way and the other when dribbling. Such has been evident from the start."I remember he was restless behind the ball. But what I saw set him apart," says Marcelo Olariaga, the vice president of Club Atletico River Plate Azuleno, Mastantuono's first home. "Compared to the rest, he ran very lightly with the ball. But he always had it tied to his feet."Although the teenager often starts on the right wing, much of his impact comes in central River's first Club World Cup outing this summer, a 3-1 win against Urawa Red Diamonds, Mastantuono roamed inside and bent a pass to the left, eventually leading to Facundo Colidio's opening for the statistics, Mastantuono has featured 63 times for River, scoring 10 goals and assisting seven. At 16, he was the youngest to score for the Argentine giants with the famous red he is the youngest to feature competitively for Argentina's senior team, reaching that landmark against Chile earlier this month. Mastantuono was born in Azul, a small city south of the bustling capital, Buenos Aires. He grew up in a normal area, with low houses and a square, where he enjoyed kickarounds."I remember Franquito as a young boy. His coach was his father, Cristian, and he went along with him," Olariaga says."He developed in the system with the luck of having his dad as a coach. A good cohort of players came through."Still, had football not taken over, he might have prioritised tennis – with those close to him aware of his skills while holding a racquet. The sport has helped shape Mastantuono's overall game."Through tennis, I've met a lot of people. Travelling around the country and competing in a sport where the mental aspect is so important has helped me grow as a footballer," Mastantuono said during an interview with Argentine outlet Olé in mental fortitude helped him deal with the pressure of River's 85,000-plus seater Estadio Monumental, where the fans will miss his is, of course, not the only talent to roll off the River Plate conveyor belt. Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, Manchester City's Claudio Echeverri, and Manuel Lanzini, formerly of West Ham, matured at the Buenos Aires believes that Mastantuono is at least on a par with those individuals, with much owed to his mentality – a cornerstone for every Real player – alongside his technique."Franco wasn't always a leader," says Olariaga. "He was a great team-mate. All the boys who played with him tell you he impacted them through his personality because he encouraged them. He always took the team on his shoulders in the difficult moments."How he's noticeably grown, dazzling you day by day, if his father were to say: 'The kid's destiny is to play for Real Madrid - what do you think?' Then I think, yes - because of his personality." Madrid awaits - 'there's a risk with everything' If there's a barrier, it's that Real coach Xabi Alonso - not afraid to blood youth players - has a wealth of options in attack, and instead needs deeper-lying midfielders to replace Luka Modric and Toni was, however, Alonso who helped convince Mastantuono to choose Real over other top European clubs."The way he spoke to me was incredible," said the teenager. "I'm incredibly grateful for that. The conversation was very influential because having the manager want you is a significant vote of confidence for a player."Leaving a club like River Plate isn't easy. His words really motivated me to make that leap. What's happening to me is unique and I'm very grateful for football and for life."Mastantuono, will need to dislodge the likes of Rodrygo, Arda Guler and Brahim Díaz for minutes. But given he's still to turn 18, he has time to improve."His areas for improvement will probably be physical - to gain weight and strength - and his understanding of pressing without the ball, as the top-tier European teams do," argues Tom Nash, co-host of the River Pod the deal, Eduardo Ferreira, a football agent with experience in the European and South American markets, says: "There's a risk with everything."The player possesses a talent level, already demonstrated on the pitch, that is above average for players his age, so they will prepare and keep developing him in a much better environment."Real Madrid has a methodology for developing talent to minimise risks and has a proven record, done over and over again."From the player's perspective, it's a fantastic opportunity because, even if he doesn't deliver what Real Madrid expects, he will have opportunities at other good European clubs."(Martin) Odegaard was not ready for Real Madrid. But he became a great player for another good club (Arsenal). Time will tell if he becomes a player of that level."
BBC News
44 minutes ago
- BBC News
Delap: I came to Chelsea to score goals
Chelsea striker Liam Delap is pleased to have scored his first goal for the club and hopes it helps him build confidence after his summer 22-year-old's impressive touch and placed finish came in Chelsea's 3-0 win over ES Tunis at the Club World Cup in asked how it felt to score his first goal, the £30m summer signing from Ipswich said: "It's an incredible feeling. I came here to get goals so to get the first one over and done with is a great feeling. "It was a great pass from Enzo but luckily it went in. Yes, I think it it is a little bit of relief, not relief but an extra bit of confidence, when coming to a place like this you need confidence and belief. "It's right up there [with my favourite goals] and it means a lot to me. Obviously, this tournament has helped me settle in because back at the training ground everyone disappears at 3pm but here - we are together all the time and it has helped me settle in. "I know the manager really well so hopefully I can continue growing."Delap explained that he was aware that an additional yellow card would have led to a one-game suspension - with alternative striker Nicolas Jackson also banned for the upcoming round of 16 game against Benfica in Charlotte on Saturday. "I tried not to get a yellow card because I would be suspended for the next game," he added. "We've got to focus on Benfica and go there fighting to get to the next round. I came to this club to play on big stages like this."The forward also added that he will ask his "more creative" younger brother Finn - a central defender for Burton Albion - about trying to match his team-mate Cole Palmer in coming up with an iconic celebration after simply running to celebrate with his team-mates.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Liam Delap says Club World Cup justifies decision to snub Man Utd for Chelsea
Chelsea's new No.9 opened his account for the club in their 3-0 win over ES Tunis as the Blues reached the last-16 of the Club World Cup in the United States Liam Delap insists his decision to join Chelsea has been fully justified after they reached the Club World Cup knock-out stages. Delap scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 3-0 win over ES Tunis to seal a last 16 tie against Benfica in Charlotte on Sunday. England under-21 star Delap had a host of offers - including Manchester United - when he decided to leave Ipswich but he opted to join Chelsea in a £30m switch. Delap said: 'That's why I came to this club, that's why I started playing football to play on big stages like this and I'm really excited. It was an incredible feeling to score. I came in to score goals and to get the first one over and done with is a great feeling. 'We just have to focus on the next game, focus on Benfica and everyone go out fighting and put up a performance to get into the next round.' Delap says jetting straight out to the Club World Cup with his new club has really helped him settle in quickly and adapt to life at Chelsea. Former Manchester City striker Delap, who worked with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca at City's academy, also admitted there was a sense of relief around scoring his first goal while he said he will cherish the memory. Delap said: 'It's definitely right up there. Coming to a club of this size, getting my first goal means everything to me. Every goal is special and this one is definitely as well. 'Obviously I said before that the boys have helped me settle in. The manager I know really well. I'm familiar with his style of play and hopefully we can continue and keep growing. 'I think there's always a little bit of relief and then you feel more confidence and coming to a club like this, you have to have confidence and belief. 'Obviously this tournament has really helped me settle in because if we were back at the training ground everyone would be disappearing at 3 o'clock and here we're all together all the time and it's a great way to settle in and everyone's been really helpful.'
