Latest news with #U21EuropeanChampionship
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bundesliga star duo ruled out of U21 Euros
Two French Bundesliga players have been ruled out of the upcoming U21 European Championship. The French Football Federation confirmed on Monday that Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké has withdrawn from the squad due to back problems. Advertisement VfB Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot will also miss the tournament, having pulled out for family reasons. Millot may have already played his final game for Stuttgart. The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move and reportedly has a release clause in the region of €18-20 million.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Chelsea to give Liam Delap major dilemma with £30million striker at risk of being in middle of club vs country row
LIAM DELAP'S first major test at Chelsea won't be on the pitch – it'll be navigating a club versus country row. Chelsea are closing in on the £30million striker having already agreed personal terms. 3 3 3 And they want him available for the Fifa Club World Cup this summer. But that tournament clashes with England's plans to include him in their squad for the Uefa Under-21 European Championship, which kicks off on June 12. Delap scored 12 goals and provided two assists for relegated Ipswich last season and his performances look to have secured a move to the capital. But he's about to get mixed up in some of the unwanted politics of the Beautiful Game. Delap reportedly had offers from Manchester United, Everton, and Chelsea. But journalist Ben Jacobs is reporting that that Thomas Tuchel convinced him a Champions League platform would boost his chances of making England's 2026 World Cup squad. Chelsea, fresh off winning the Europa Conference League, have wasted no time splashing the cash on Delap. United were believed to be front-runners to land the England Under-21 star. But a disastrous end to their season – in contrast to Chelsea's strong finish – is understood to have tipped the balance. Delap was also coached by Enzo Maresca during his time at Manchester City's academy, while Joe Shields – now at Chelsea – played a key role in bringing him from Derby to City back in 2019. SunSport understands all these factors played a key role in convincing one of England's brightest young talents to join Chelsea. But, as with every top club, Delap will need to get used to being at the heart of club vs country tug-of-wars whenever international and domestic duties overlap. Chelsea have had Nicolas Jackson leading the line over the last two seasons but he has failed to fully convince fans he is the man to take them forward.
Daily Mirror
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea can exploit FIFA rule change if £30m Liam Delap transfer clause triggered
Chelsea are targeting Ipswich striker Liam Delap and Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, however, both players have been lined up to represent their countries at the U21 European Championship this summer Liam Delap and Dean Huijsen could spark a club-versus-country row this summer - if they agree to sign for Chelsea. Both players are currently in line to feature for England and Spain at the U21 European Championships in Slovakia. However, should Chelsea push ahead with early swoops for the duo at the start of June, both nations would prove powerless if the Blues decided to include Delap and Huijsen in their squad for the Club World Cup. Per FIFA rules, it's not mandatory for clubs participating in the 32-team tournament in the United States to release their players for international duty. And that would also impact Three Lions U21 boss Lee Carsley if he wanted to select Manchester City trio Rico Lewis, James McAtee and Nico O'Reilly amid his quest to defend the trophy. FIFA are actively encouraging Club World Cup participants to name their strongest possible squad given there is a record-breaking £775million in prize money up for grabs. And strict tournament regulations will also prevent Chelsea and City from leaving key stars at home to rest up after a long domestic season. Additionally, FIFA have already approved an extra transfer window between June 1 and June 10 which will allow Club World Cup participants to make new signings ahead of the competition that begins on June 15. Sources indicate Chelsea are planning to make a fast start to their summer business and Ipswich striker Delap, who has a £30million relegation clause, and Bournemouth centre-back Huijsen, who has a £50m buy-out clause, are considered two primary targets. Delap is also wanted by Manchester United, however, and if he was to move to Old Trafford instead of Stamford Bridge, he would be free to play at the U21 Euros with England. The Blues are facing stiff competition in the race for highly-coveted Huijsen's signature with Liverpool and Arsenal also keen but they do have other options on their shortlist, including Ajax's Jorrel Hato, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and former Cobham academy graduate Marc Guehi. Both Chelsea and City are expected to hold talks with the FA and other respective national team federations in due course over the potential availability of their stars. Sources have indicated the availability of each player will be determined on a case-by-club basis. If either club believes a player's development would be better served at the U21 Euros, they can still release them to feature for their countries, however, the FA are fully aware the Club World Cup takes precedence. Another caveat is the Club World Cup is set to form a key part of Chelsea and City's pre-season schedule. Neither side has scheduled any friendlies to date. Enzo Maresca, in particular, is expected to use the tournament to examine a vast range of players with Kendry Paez, Andrey Santos, Djordje Petrovic and Mamadou Sarr among those that could feature for the Blues. Meanwhile, City and England U21 ace McAtee recently declared he would let Pep Guardiola decide his destiny, outlining his desire to feature at both competitions, if possible. Senior international players can still represent their countries between June 2 and June 10 before jetting off to the Club World Cup.
