Latest news with #EmmanuelPetit
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brighton's shrewd recruitment has set up Chelsea's success — but they risk making the same mistake
One of the more famous headlines after Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit combined for the third goal in Brazil's defeat at the Stade de France in 1998 was 'Arsenal win the World Cup'. Perhaps some in Sussex will be tempted to script a sequel on Sunday. 'Brighton win the Club World Cup'? It would have sounded especially unlikely in the 1990s, when they were battling relegation from the Football League or exiled to play their home games in Gillingham. It wouldn't be strictly true now but Chelsea's two goals in the semi-final came from Joao Pedro, who started July as a Brighton and Hove Albion player. He has made an increasingly familiar journey. The joke, if not a particularly new one, is that it would have been cheaper for Chelsea simply to buy Brighton than to carry on paying them for personnel. At £115m, Moises Caicedo cost a British record fee. At £62.5m, Marc Cucurella is another of Albion's three biggest ever sales: all were to Chelsea. Advertisement Neither Caicedo nor Cucurella started anything like as well as Joao Pedro has at Chelsea. Each appeared overpriced. Now the Spaniard is a talisman, the Ecuadorian arguably their most important player, along with Cole Palmer. Assuming Caicedo overcomes an ankle injury, there should be a fourth Albion alumnus starting Sunday's final: the £25m goalkeeper Robert Sanchez looks proof of Brighton's ability to negotiate high fees when selling, given a suspicion he would not get in many a Premier League team now, including his old employers. Joao Pedro has fired Chelsea into the Club World Cup final (Getty Images) So the broader picture shows the different kinds of acumen Brighton have demonstrated. Owner Tony Bloom has specialised in reading markets and has turned smaller investments into bigger returns; particularly in the case of Caicedo, a £4m buy. Brighton look football's premier finishing school. The clubs who won the Premier and Europa Leagues, Serie A and the Carabao Cup last season all did so with a buy from Brighton in their ranks. It can prompt the question of who will be next: Carlos Baleba, quite possibly, the Caicedo replacement who could follow a similar path; the much-admired Kaoru Mitoma seems in no rush to leave the American Express Stadium; perhaps the ultra-versatile Jack Hinshelwood will gravitate to the top as a latter-day James Milner. Advertisement And yet there are other aspects to the Albion story. They can seem accepting of their place in football's food chain, even if Fabian Hurzeler's willingness to sell Joao Pedro may have stemmed in part from a training-ground clash with Jan Paul van Hecke that led his manager to omit him. But is there a ceiling to their ambitions? They are entitled to say that eighth place represented the second highest finish in their history; in that context, it is dramatic overachievement. In another, perhaps slight underachievement. Brighton had the biggest net spend in Europe last summer, even if much of an outlay amounting to almost £200m was funded by Chelsea's largesse. Marc Cucurella (right) and Moises Caicedo (left) both signed for Chelsea from Brighton (Action Images via Reuters) They have carried on buying this year, aided by their Joao Pedro windfall, with Charalampos Kostoulos, Maxim de Cuyper, Diego Coppola, Tommy Watson, Yoon Do-young and the free transfer Olivier Boscagli arriving. Advertisement Include last summer's influx and 23 players have joined in 13 months; some cheaper, some destined for the youth ranks, the current batch of newcomers too recent to be judged. Yet a host have come for £25m or so, rising to the club record £40m paid for Georginio Rutter. Fabian Hurzeler has a bloated squad of young talent to manage (PA Wire) And how many are successes? Rutter did well at times, as did Yankuba Minteh. Thus far, there are fewer reasons to suspect that Matt O'Riley, Mats Wieffer, Brajan Gruda or Ferdi Kadioglu will become their next hugely profitable departure. But maybe that is missing the long-termism in Brighton's thinking. Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister were eased into life at Brighton. A second or third season could be a breakout year, proof of their succession planning. For now, Brighton's record means that there is an assumption they know what they are doing: if Brighton have signed someone, they must be good - even if you have barely heard of them. If Brighton are not picking a player, they will, just at the right time. Advertisement Meanwhile, the relative anonymity some lower-profile imports get mean they are under less pressure from the wider world. It is worth noting, too, that no one has a perfect strike rate, that not every talented player will generate a huge sum. For now, Brighton may regret not selling Evan Ferguson when the hype and price seemed greatest. Perhaps, though, he will come good. Yet there seem some new dynamics. One is that, by paying more, Brighton risk losing more. If some of the £25m men don't work out, some of the transfer-market profits could be offset by losses. Another is that, when this year's arrivals are factored in, some of last summer's bigger buys could be on the margins. Brighton will hope Evan Ferguson can come good again next season (Mike Egerton/PA Wire) And a third is that Brighton now have huge numbers of footballers. Some are very young, some will presumably be loaned out but their club website has 41 players listed on the squad page. For their business model to carry on succeeding, or the team to remain in European contention, they don't need all to succeed. From a financial perspective, one spectacular success in trading can more than outweigh several smaller losses. They may be taking punts on potential, but recent years suggest few have been better at identifying or cultivating it. And yet the irony may be that Brighton, accused of becoming Chelsea's feeder club, are starting to resemble them in their approach to acquiring and stockpiling young talent.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'The biggest problem' – Emmanuel Petit explains why £30m man won't solve Chelsea's issues
Former Blue Emmanuel Petit doesn't believe the signing of Liam Delap will be the solution for Chelsea and that their wingers are the biggest problem. Chelsea are once again set for a busy summer and could fund their business by selling as many as seven or eight players. Advertisement The Blues could look to add another striker despite the signing of Delap, whilst they are also looking for a centre back and right footed attacker to bolster Enzo Mareca's squad. Petit doesn't believe Delap is the solution for Chelsea Chelsea paid the price for failing to sign an alternative to Nicolas Jackson both last summer and in January, but they've moved quickly this time round to rectify that. The Blues have completed the signing of Delap from Ipswich for £30m, and the 22-year-old will give a much needed extra dimension to the attack. Maresca has praised Delap on several occasions this season and he impressed in his debut Premier League campaign with 12 league goals. Delap will give Chelsea a much needed alternative option in attack. (Photo by) Chelsea are expected to ask Delap to choose the Club World Cup over representing England at the European Under-21 Championships. Advertisement Delap will offer Chelsea a different profile in attack and some much needed physicality and box presence, although Petit isn't convinced he's the solution to the Blues problems. 'I don't think Liam Delap will be the solution,' he told talkSPORT as cited on 'Most people are focusing on the number nine at Chelsea but for me the biggest problem is the wingers. 'The way Chelsea play, if you don't have those wingers carrying danger all the time with the ball and putting defenders under pressure, then forget it. 'You will always be focusing on the striker but the striker depends on the wingers as well.' Jamie Gittens move getting closer Chelsea are in the market for a winger and might need to sign two after it was confirmed on Tuesday that Jadon Sancho would be leaving the club. Advertisement More Stories / Latest News 'The biggest problem' – Emmanuel Petit explains why £30m man won't solve Chelsea's issues 4th Jun 2025, 09:45am Report: Chelsea make £55m offer for 17 G/A ace as club move closer to second summer signing 4th Jun 2025, 09:15am Chelsea enquire about goalkeeper who kept an incredible 29 clean sheets last season 4th Jun 2025, 08:45am The Blues are said to be in talks over a move for Dortmund's Jamie Gittens and want a deal wrapped up before the Club World Cup. Fabrizio Romano has reported negotiations are going well and the Blues are hopeful of striking a deal for around £30m.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Ex-FC Barcelona Star Accused Of Being ‘Catalanophobic'
A former FC Barcelona star has been accused of being anti-Catalan, or rather 'Catalanophobic' by ... More local newspaper El Nacional. A former FC Barcelona star has been accused of being anti-Catalan, or rather 'Catalanophobic' by local newspaper El Nacional. Emmanuel Petit spent three successful seasons at Arsenal which saw him win a 1997/1998 Premier League and FA Cup double in north London ahead of the World Cup and Euros with France. In the year of that latter conquest, 2000, he headed south to Barca with Gunners colleague Marc Overmars as the pair joined the Catalans. Petit cost £7 million to land, which was far cheaper than Overmars' £25 million tag. Yet while the Dutchman's time at Camp Nou was plagued with injuries, Petit also had struggles to settle. Moved into defence, he suffered his own bout of niggling injuries and was moved on to Chelsea after just one term with only a single goal to his name. In a 2008 autobiography, Petit attacked Lorenzo Serra Ferrer for not knowing his position when he joined the Blaugrana, but there were further criticisms of the club's culture on the whole. In a chapter entitled 'Barcelona, to my misfortune' Petit wrote how he was ignored when he first joined the club with many not even greeting him. The Barca locker room was split into three clans of Catalans, Dutch, and the rest he said, which was 'Goodbye to unity'. 'As soon as I arrived at Barcelona people told me 'don't try to learn Spanish, you have to learn Catalan'. And I said to them: 'I'm in Spain, right?' And they would reply: 'No. You're in Catalonia.',' Petit explained. 'I understand that they identified with that, but that is very close to racism. We are talking about football, not politics or religion. I didn't like the situation in the dressing room at all and then this constant way of forcing me to speak in Catalan … although I know that for sure it will make the Catalans jump, Barcelona is still in Spain and I didn't really understand it,' Petit added. Though the book was released in 2008, El Nacional has published the extract and called Petit 'a Barça midfielder vomits against Catalonia in his autobiography and accuses the Catalans of being racists for speaking Catalan'. Its report has been picked up by many outlets across Spain, with the sensitive topic of Catalan culture, language and identity is always likely to attract interest. FC Barcelona is proud of its Catalan identity Known for being 'more than a club', FC Barcelona is proud of its Catalan identity. This can be seen by its use of Catalan in Camp Nou or its temporary home Montjuic, the use of the Senyera flag on its shirts, and the celebration of typical Catalan holidays such as Saint Jordi, or Saint Jorge's Day.
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It would be unfair' – Premier League legend says Man Utd and Tottenham ‘don't deserve' to play in Champions League
Advertisement MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham "absolutely" do not deserve to play in the Champions League next season. Advertisement That is according to an Advertisement 3 Man Utd don't deserve to play in the Champions League next season, according to a Prem legend Advertisement 3 The Arsenal legend makes the same claim about Tottenham 3 Emmanuel Petit believes none of the Premier League clubs deserve to win the Europa League The Red Devils destroyed Bilbao 3-0 in Spain on Thursday and dealt Ernesto Valverde's side a devastating blow in heir hopes of playing in the final that takes place in their own stadium later this month. Advertisement And Tottenham defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in London and now need to survive the Norwegian outfit's artificial pitch that has claimed so many other big names this season. The Manchester giants are set for their worst ever Prem finish as they are currently 15th in the table with Spurs below them. But one of them will still advance to next season's Champions League if they win the Europa League. Advertisement And Petit, 54, is adamant none of them deserve to be among Europe's elite next season after their disastrous campaigns. Advertisement Nevertheless, the ex- Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Latest CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Advertisement Petit told Advertisement "Absolutely not. Both teams don't deserve to be among the Champions League teams for the next season. Ange Postecoglou says he will be around 'for a little bit longer' after Tottenham victory over Eintracht Frankfurt Advertisement "I wish the best of luck for Manchester United against Bilbao, but looking at the game against Lyon [in Leg 2 of the quarter-finals], Lyon should've finished United off. Advertisement " "To be honest with you, if one of those clubs wins the Europa League, I think that would be unfair." Advertisement
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘It would be unfair' – Premier League legend says Man Utd and Tottenham ‘don't deserve' to play in Champions League
PET PEEVE 'It would be unfair' – Premier League legend says Man Utd and Tottenham 'don't deserve' to play in Champions League MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham "absolutely" do not deserve to play in the Champions League next season. That is according to an Arsenal legend who insists it would be "unfair" if either United or Spurs win the Europa League this month. Advertisement 3 Man Utd don't deserve to play in the Champions League next season, according to a Prem legend 3 The Arsenal legend makes the same claim about Tottenham 3 Emmanuel Petit believes none of the Premier League clubs deserve to win the Europa League Man Utd and the North Londoners are the absolute favourites to compete in the final on May 21 at San Mames after dominating Athletic Bilbao and Bodo/Glimt respectively in the first leg of the semi-finals. The Red Devils destroyed Bilbao 3-0 in Spain on Thursday and dealt Ernesto Valverde's side a devastating blow in heir hopes of playing in the final that takes place in their own stadium later this month. And Tottenham defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in London and now need to survive the Norwegian outfit's artificial pitch that has claimed so many other big names this season. Emmanuel Petit admits the Premier League duo have a massive chance to save their "terrible" season. Advertisement The Manchester giants are set for their worst ever Prem finish as they are currently 15th in the table with Spurs below them. But one of them will still advance to next season's Champions League if they win the Europa League. And Petit, 54, is adamant none of them deserve to be among Europe's elite next season after their disastrous campaigns. Nevertheless, the ex-Chelsea star wishes both teams luck ahead of their crunch second leg. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Petit told FastSlots: "Tottenham and Manchester United both have the chance to save terrible seasons in the Europa League, but does either side deserve to play in the Champions League next season? "Absolutely not. Both teams don't deserve to be among the Champions League teams for the next season. Ange Postecoglou says he will be around 'for a little bit longer' after Tottenham victory over Eintracht Frankfurt "I wish the best of luck for Manchester United against Bilbao, but looking at the game against Lyon [in Leg 2 of the quarter-finals], Lyon should've finished United off. Advertisement "Spurs could spring a surprise, but I don't expect anything from Spurs or Manchester United this season. "To be honest with you, if one of those clubs wins the Europa League, I think that would be unfair."
