Latest news with #Felix
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea set to take huge financial hit on top star amid plans to axe EIGHT players
Chelsea are facing the familiar problem of trying to sell of their unwanted players in the summer transfer window, with one player set to cause a particular headache Chelsea know they will have to take a massive hit when they sell Joao Felix this summer, with the club paying the price for previous mistakes. Felix was signed for £45million as part of the move which saw Conor Gallagher go in the other direction to Atletico Madrid, but they are now trying to flog him for whatever they can get. The Portuguese forward was never wanted by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and is a prime example of the club's scatter gun approach to recruitment. Felix was only signed as a makeweight in the Gallagher deal, which the Blues needed to go through in order to meet profit and sustainability rules. After all, Felix had only scored four goals in 20 appearances during a loan spell in west London in 2023. Yet they handed him a seven-year contract on deadline day last summer, having failed to sign Atleti striker Samu Omorodion instead. The result was predictably shambolic. Felix failed to make an impression on Maresca and was loaned out to AC Milan for the second half of last season, where he managed just three goals in 21 appearances. He was left out of Chelsea's 28-man squad for the Club World Cup in the USA and then lost his No.14 squad number to new signing Dario Essugo. Now The Sun reports that his move back to Benfica – the club who sold him to Atleti for £113m six years ago – has stalled. While Benfica are keen to re-sign their homegrown talent, they are unwilling to pay the £35m Chelsea are asking for. They have already seen an offer of £17.3m plus a 50 per cent sell-on fee rejected by Chelsea, but are not worried. With reported interest from Saudi Arabia yet to emerge, Benfica believe they are the only option for Chelsea. And they are happy to play the waiting game, in the knowledge that they hold all the cards in this negotiation. Bruno Lage does want a reunion with Felix, who he won the league with back in 2018/19, but the club feels there is no rush. Chelsea, meanwhile, are under increasing pressure to shift their fringe players. Last month we reported that there could be as many as 10 players moved on by the Blues this summer. They have since negotiated the exits of Noni Madueke, in a £52m deal to Arsenal, and Djordje Petrovic, to Bournemouth for £25m, but others, like Felix, will be more difficult. Maresca's own words might not help. Back in February he admitted that Chelsea weren't missing him – although he did at least confirm Felix's professionalism. "Nothing happened,' the Chelsea boss said. 'As I said before, the players train every day and have the ambition to play every game, but unfortunately they can only play 11. 'We decided, all together, that the best option was for him to leave. Did he ever complain about the lack of use? No, he never complained. He was always very professional with us. 'It was just my decision. I've said it several times, we need to have defensive balance and when you have so many attacking players, sometimes you can concede transitions or goals to the opponents and I don't like that." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea files: Blues must admit defeat and take huge hit on Joao Felix as wonderkid, 16, gives Maresca happy dilemma
CHELSEA are facing up to taking a big hit on Joao Felix. Reports in Portugal say Benfica are ready to step up efforts to bring Advertisement 7 Chelsea are likely to take a massive financial hit on Joao Felix Credit: Getty 7 Enzo Maresca may have some more huge decisions on his hands this summer Credit: Getty But the Portuguese side are not in so much of a hurry to get a deal done that they are willing to pay the Although Benfica would love to have Felix in place in time for the Super Cup game against champions Sporting next week, they are prepared to wait. With potential bidders from Saudi Arabia not yet making a move for Felix, Benfica reckon they could be the only game in town if Chelsea want to get him off their books. Benfica will probably have to increase their last offer, which was about £17.3m in cash plus giving the Blues also half the fee from any future transfer. Advertisement READ MORE SPORT STORIES But it will be very hard to persuade anyone to match Felix's current value on the Chelsea books, a year after they agreed to pay Atletico an initial £38.2m. The former wonderkid hardly set the world alight in his initial spell on loan at Stamford Bridge in the 2022-23 season. And Felix only rejoined Chelsea from Atletico last summer as an emergency bit of financial shenanigans. Conor Gallagher's £34m transfer in the other direction - which was crucial to the Blues meeting Premier League financial rules - was in danger of collapse before they agreed to buy Felix from Madrid. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He soon became surplus to requirements again and was shipped out to AC Milan for the second half of the season. Felix did little in Italy to enhance his value and fading reputation. Man Utd eyeing shock Nicolas Jackson swoop Yet Benfica want to reunite him with ex-Wolves boss Bruno Lage, who is back at the club for a second spell in charge and won the league with a teenage Felix as a star player in 2018-19. Advertisement Unless a Saudi side or another club with more money than sense emerges, Chelsea may have to admit defeat and focus on getting top dollar for their other misfits. LOAN RANGERS CHELSEA are also going to have to be cute about how they play the loan system again. The Blues sent TWENTY different pros out on temporary deals during the course of last season. Fifa rules say clubs can only have a maximum of six players out on loan and six players in at any one time - but players aged 21 and under and those who have spent three years in the club's Academy between 15 and 21 are exempt. Advertisement At the end of 2024-25, 16 Chelsea players were out on loan but they all met the terms of the exemption, except Felix, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben Chilwell, and Djordje Petrovic. The Blues have focused on recruiting young talent and use the loan system to test the players' mettle. If they return good enough for the first team, great; if not, but they do well enough for other clubs to pay good money for them, also great. 7 Djordje Petrovic is a success story of Chelsea's cute loan policy Credit: Getty Sending goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to sister club Strasbourg last season worked a treat and the Ligue 1 side will be key to the strategy again. Advertisement Petrovic was impressive as the Ligue 1 side qualified for Europe and the Blues were able to sell him to Bournemouth last week for £25m, which represented a tidy profit. Young Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos also had a good year with Strasbourg and could find himself in Enzo Maresca's first-team plans. For the coming campaign, it seems keeper Mike Penders, defender Mamadou Sarr and attacking midfielder Kendry Paez - all under 21 - will go to Strasbourg. Chelsea would love to get fees for all the players who don't have a future at Stamford Bridge, but at least some of them are likely to end up on loan again. Advertisement 7 ACADEMY BLUES THE average age of a starting XI player for Chelsea in the Premier League last season was 24 years and 36 days - the youngest in the competition's history. But the path from the club's Academy itself to the first team won't be as straightforward as it was last season. The quality of opposition in the Conference League gave Enzo Maresca the ability to run two squads, one for the PL and one for Europe. Advertisement No fewer than eight Academy graduates made their debuts in the competition, including In the coming season, the demands of the Champions League will give less room for youthful experimentation. Most of the 22-strong squad that contested last Saturday's friendly defeat at League Two Bromley will be eligible for the Uefa Youth League, which is for Under-19 players. Chelsea will also compete in the FA Youth Cup and Under-21 Premier League 2 competition. Advertisement But in terms of first-team exposure, all but the very best young players are likely to be seen only in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. It will be a different challenge for them, Maresca and the Academy staff. 7 Reggie Walsh and his fellow youngsters may find their game-time limited in 2025-26 Credit: Alamy LIGHTNING McQUEEN RYAN KAVUMA-McQUEEN caught the eye in the game at Bromley. Advertisement The left winger, 16, scored the opening goal with a Thierry Henry-style first-time finish across home goalkeeper Grant Smith. And after the League Two side scored twice, Kavuma-McQueen would have grabbed a brilliant equaliser but for Smith's fine save. The England Under-16 international really has a bit about him. As well as showing off his pace and skill going forward, he was more than happy to do defensive work and kick some of the grown men playing for Bromley in the air when required. Advertisement Outside of a friendly, Kavuma-McQueen might have been booked. But in his 45 minutes on the field - before U21 boss Filipe Coelho made wholesale changes at the break - he showed why he is among the most exciting prospects at Cobham. Kavuma-McQueen, who joined the club at Under-8s level, was one of 16 players to sign scholar contracts last week. But he is on the fast track, having starred for the U18 team last season and scored for the U21 side against Manchester United and Ipswich. Watch out, too, for Landon Emenalo, son of former Chelsea director of football Michael Emenalo. Advertisement The midfielder, 17, has very good feet and excellent awareness for a player his age. He showed his versatility by playing centre back for the U21s last season and was on the bench for the first team's Conference League quarter final second leg against Legia Warsaw. 7 Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is earmarked as a future Chelsea first-team star Credit: Getty HAMMER BLOW WEST HAM have nabbed another recruitment figure from Stamford Bridge. After former Blues boss Graham Potter was appointed at the London Stadium in January, the Hammers moved quickly to appoint his close ally Kyle Macaulay as head of recruitment. Advertisement Now, senior scout Simon Gillett has made the switch from West to East London. Gillett, a former Southampton and Nottingham Forest player, has been with Chelsea for six years, having joined from Bournemouth in 2019. The ex-midfielder has been working as a positional scout for the Blues but will now join a growing recruitment overhaul at West Ham. Chelsea are doing some of their own hiring when it comes to staff, however. Advertisement The Club World Cup winners have appointed Calum McFarlane from Southampton as the new Under-18s assistant coach. 7 Chelsea fans have a new pub option for game days - a Wetherspoons built in the former entrance hall to Fulham Broadway station Credit: Market hall SPOONS-FED A DOWNSIDE of being a match-going Chelsea fan is the lack of places near Stamford Bridge to get a drink or two without having to take out a second mortgage. So the newly-opened pub in the Grade 2 listed building that was once the entrance hall and ticket office at Fulham Broadway station, will provide a cheaper option. Advertisement The Walham Green Wetherspoons branch is bound to be popular. But not too popular, the club will hope, after revamping its own alcohol offering for the new season. Chelsea 2025/26 Home Kit: Available Now! *If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue. Step into the future with the Available in a range of sizes for adults and children, ensuring fans of all ages can show their support in style . £64.99 Celebrate the Blues and wear your pride for the city –
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea files: Blues must admit defeat and take huge hit on Joao Felix as wonderkid, 16, gives Maresca happy dilemma
Find out why Chelsea's young talents may be in for a rough season YA BLUE IT Chelsea files: Blues must admit defeat and take huge hit on Joao Felix as wonderkid, 16, gives Maresca happy dilemma Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA are facing up to taking a big hit on Joao Felix. Reports in Portugal say Benfica are ready to step up efforts to bring Felix, 25, back to the Estadio da Luz six years after his £113million departure to Atletico Madrid. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Chelsea are likely to take a massive financial hit on Joao Felix Credit: Getty 7 Enzo Maresca may have some more huge decisions on his hands this summer Credit: Getty But the Portuguese side are not in so much of a hurry to get a deal done that they are willing to pay the Blues anything near the £35m they are said to want for two-time Stamford Bridge flop. Although Benfica would love to have Felix in place in time for the Super Cup game against champions Sporting next week, they are prepared to wait. With potential bidders from Saudi Arabia not yet making a move for Felix, Benfica reckon they could be the only game in town if Chelsea want to get him off their books. Benfica will probably have to increase their last offer, which was about £17.3m in cash plus giving the Blues also half the fee from any future transfer. READ MORE SPORT STORIES OUT OF THE BLUE Chelsea flop set for immediate transfer after having his contract ripped up But it will be very hard to persuade anyone to match Felix's current value on the Chelsea books, a year after they agreed to pay Atletico an initial £38.2m. The former wonderkid hardly set the world alight in his initial spell on loan at Stamford Bridge in the 2022-23 season. And Felix only rejoined Chelsea from Atletico last summer as an emergency bit of financial shenanigans. Conor Gallagher's £34m transfer in the other direction - which was crucial to the Blues meeting Premier League financial rules - was in danger of collapse before they agreed to buy Felix from Madrid. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He soon became surplus to requirements again and was shipped out to AC Milan for the second half of the season. Felix did little in Italy to enhance his value and fading reputation. Man Utd eyeing shock Nicolas Jackson swoop Yet Benfica want to reunite him with ex-Wolves boss Bruno Lage, who is back at the club for a second spell in charge and won the league with a teenage Felix as a star player in 2018-19. Unless a Saudi side or another club with more money than sense emerges, Chelsea may have to admit defeat and focus on getting top dollar for their other misfits. LOAN RANGERS CHELSEA are also going to have to be cute about how they play the loan system again. The Blues sent TWENTY different pros out on temporary deals during the course of last season. Fifa rules say clubs can only have a maximum of six players out on loan and six players in at any one time - but players aged 21 and under and those who have spent three years in the club's Academy between 15 and 21 are exempt. At the end of 2024-25, 16 Chelsea players were out on loan but they all met the terms of the exemption, except Felix, Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben Chilwell, and Djordje Petrovic. The Blues have focused on recruiting young talent and use the loan system to test the players' mettle. If they return good enough for the first team, great; if not, but they do well enough for other clubs to pay good money for them, also great. 7 Djordje Petrovic is a success story of Chelsea's cute loan policy Credit: Getty Sending goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to sister club Strasbourg last season worked a treat and the Ligue 1 side will be key to the strategy again. Petrovic was impressive as the Ligue 1 side qualified for Europe and the Blues were able to sell him to Bournemouth last week for £25m, which represented a tidy profit. Young Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos also had a good year with Strasbourg and could find himself in Enzo Maresca's first-team plans. For the coming campaign, it seems keeper Mike Penders, defender Mamadou Sarr and attacking midfielder Kendry Paez - all under 21 - will go to Strasbourg. Chelsea would love to get fees for all the players who don't have a future at Stamford Bridge, but at least some of them are likely to end up on loan again. 7 ACADEMY BLUES THE average age of a starting XI player for Chelsea in the Premier League last season was 24 years and 36 days - the youngest in the competition's history. But the path from the club's Academy itself to the first team won't be as straightforward as it was last season. The quality of opposition in the Conference League gave Enzo Maresca the ability to run two squads, one for the PL and one for Europe. No fewer than eight Academy graduates made their debuts in the competition, including Reggie Walsh, who - at 16 years and 200 days - became the youngest Chelsea player ever to start a European game when he played in the second leg of the semi final against Djurgardens. In the coming season, the demands of the Champions League will give less room for youthful experimentation. Most of the 22-strong squad that contested last Saturday's friendly defeat at League Two Bromley will be eligible for the Uefa Youth League, which is for Under-19 players. Chelsea will also compete in the FA Youth Cup and Under-21 Premier League 2 competition. But in terms of first-team exposure, all but the very best young players are likely to be seen only in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. It will be a different challenge for them, Maresca and the Academy staff. 7 Reggie Walsh and his fellow youngsters may find their game-time limited in 2025-26 Credit: Alamy LIGHTNING McQUEEN RYAN KAVUMA-McQUEEN caught the eye in the game at Bromley. The left winger, 16, scored the opening goal with a Thierry Henry-style first-time finish across home goalkeeper Grant Smith. And after the League Two side scored twice, Kavuma-McQueen would have grabbed a brilliant equaliser but for Smith's fine save. The England Under-16 international really has a bit about him. As well as showing off his pace and skill going forward, he was more than happy to do defensive work and kick some of the grown men playing for Bromley in the air when required. Outside of a friendly, Kavuma-McQueen might have been booked. But in his 45 minutes on the field - before U21 boss Filipe Coelho made wholesale changes at the break - he showed why he is among the most exciting prospects at Cobham. Kavuma-McQueen, who joined the club at Under-8s level, was one of 16 players to sign scholar contracts last week. But he is on the fast track, having starred for the U18 team last season and scored for the U21 side against Manchester United and Ipswich. Watch out, too, for Landon Emenalo, son of former Chelsea director of football Michael Emenalo. The midfielder, 17, has very good feet and excellent awareness for a player his age. He showed his versatility by playing centre back for the U21s last season and was on the bench for the first team's Conference League quarter final second leg against Legia Warsaw. 7 Ryan Kavuma-McQueen is earmarked as a future Chelsea first-team star Credit: Getty HAMMER BLOW WEST HAM have nabbed another recruitment figure from Stamford Bridge. After former Blues boss Graham Potter was appointed at the London Stadium in January, the Hammers moved quickly to appoint his close ally Kyle Macaulay as head of recruitment. Now, senior scout Simon Gillett has made the switch from West to East London. Gillett, a former Southampton and Nottingham Forest player, has been with Chelsea for six years, having joined from Bournemouth in 2019. The ex-midfielder has been working as a positional scout for the Blues but will now join a growing recruitment overhaul at West Ham. Chelsea are doing some of their own hiring when it comes to staff, however. The Club World Cup winners have appointed Calum McFarlane from Southampton as the new Under-18s assistant coach. 7 Chelsea fans have a new pub option for game days - a Wetherspoons built in the former entrance hall to Fulham Broadway station Credit: Market hall SPOONS-FED A DOWNSIDE of being a match-going Chelsea fan is the lack of places near Stamford Bridge to get a drink or two without having to take out a second mortgage. So the newly-opened pub in the Grade 2 listed building that was once the entrance hall and ticket office at Fulham Broadway station, will provide a cheaper option. The Walham Green Wetherspoons branch is bound to be popular. But not too popular, the club will hope, after revamping its own alcohol offering for the new season.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Coroner criticises French probe of cycling crash that killed wine firm boss
Philip Tuck, who was a qualified master of wine, was riding in the Burgundy area when the accident happened on July 20 2023. The 59-year-old, from Old Basing, near Basingstoke, Hampshire, who helped found Hatch Mansfield premium wine merchants, was on the last day of the week-long trip riding with his son Felix and his son's friend Tom Caine. The hearing at Winchester Coroner's Court on Monday was told that the two younger cyclists were riding ahead down the descent into the village of Bouilland when they avoided being hit by the BMW which went on to collide with Mr Tuck, who was riding at a distance behind them. In a statement read to the hearing, Felix said: 'We were just going on a relaxed ride, Dad was happy and enjoying the ride. 'The descent to Bouilland is on a quiet country road, wide enough for two cars, it isn't particularly technical or steep. 'Tom and I had dropped Dad on the descent as he slowed down and was more cautious with his no-risk mindset.' Felix said when they realised Mr Tuck had got behind, they turned around and rode back up the hill to find people attempting to help his father with his 'smashed up' Pinarello bike at the side of the road. Coroner Simon Burge said attempts were made to save Mr Tuck's life by the driver and other members of the public before police and ambulance arrived, but the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner said the driver of the BMW, a French man with his daughter in the rear seat, had stopped at the scene and told police that the first two riders had cut across to the wrong side of the road on the bend. The driver claimed that the collision happened when he was unable to avoid hitting Mr Tuck who had taken the same approach to the bend. Mr Burge added that the police determined that the crash was an accident and that the driver would not be prosecuted. Mr Tuck's widow, Kate, told the hearing that she was concerned that the driver had provided 'inconsistent' statements about the incident, particularly by giving varying estimates of his speed from 50kph (31mph) to 70kph (43mph) in the 80kph (50mph) zone. She added that photographs of the scene suggested the accident happened before the bend, contradicting the driver's account. Mrs Tuck said: 'It was a ghastly accident however we look at it and nothing will bring him back, but it's hugely disappointing if I feel the record states that my husband was riding on the wrong side of the road and there is no independent evidence to corroborate.' Mr Burge said: 'I do not reach any conclusion that Philip, Felix or Tom were riding recklessly. 'I find that all three of you having enjoyed a cycling holiday in France, you were out for a good time, riding at a leisurely pace.' Criticising the French police investigation, the coroner, who recorded a conclusion of accidental death, said: 'Sadly the investigation carried out locally by the gendarmerie was inadequate in my view and leaves many unanswered questions.' In a tribute to Mr Tuck released after his death, Ascot-based Hatch Mansfield said: 'Philip was an immensely kind, loyal and considerate man.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Coroner criticises French probe of cycling crash that killed wine firm boss
Philip Tuck, who was a qualified master of wine, was riding in the Burgundy area when the accident happened on July 20 2023. The 59-year-old, from Old Basing, near Basingstoke, Hampshire, who helped found Hatch Mansfield premium wine merchants, was on the last day of the week-long trip riding with his son Felix and his son's friend Tom Caine. The hearing at Winchester Coroner's Court on Monday was told that the two younger cyclists were riding ahead down the descent into the village of Bouilland when they avoided being hit by the BMW which went on to collide with Mr Tuck, who was riding at a distance behind them. In a statement read to the hearing, Felix said: 'We were just going on a relaxed ride, Dad was happy and enjoying the ride. 'The descent to Bouilland is on a quiet country road, wide enough for two cars, it isn't particularly technical or steep. 'Tom and I had dropped Dad on the descent as he slowed down and was more cautious with his no-risk mindset.' Felix said when they realised Mr Tuck had got behind, they turned around and rode back up the hill to find people attempting to help his father with his 'smashed up' Pinarello bike at the side of the road. Coroner Simon Burge said attempts were made to save Mr Tuck's life by the driver and other members of the public before police and ambulance arrived, but the cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner said the driver of the BMW, a French man with his daughter in the rear seat, had stopped at the scene and told police that the first two riders had cut across to the wrong side of the road on the bend. The driver claimed that the collision happened when he was unable to avoid hitting Mr Tuck who had taken the same approach to the bend. Mr Burge added that the police determined that the crash was an accident and that the driver would not be prosecuted. Mr Tuck's widow, Kate, told the hearing that she was concerned that the driver had provided 'inconsistent' statements about the incident, particularly by giving varying estimates of his speed from 50kph (31mph) to 70kph (43mph) in the 80kph (50mph) zone. She added that photographs of the scene suggested the accident happened before the bend, contradicting the driver's account. Mrs Tuck said: 'It was a ghastly accident however we look at it and nothing will bring him back, but it's hugely disappointing if I feel the record states that my husband was riding on the wrong side of the road and there is no independent evidence to corroborate.' Mr Burge said: 'I do not reach any conclusion that Philip, Felix or Tom were riding recklessly. 'I find that all three of you having enjoyed a cycling holiday in France, you were out for a good time, riding at a leisurely pace.' Criticising the French police investigation, the coroner, who recorded a conclusion of accidental death, said: 'Sadly the investigation carried out locally by the gendarmerie was inadequate in my view and leaves many unanswered questions.' In a tribute to Mr Tuck released after his death, Ascot-based Hatch Mansfield said: 'Philip was an immensely kind, loyal and considerate man.'
