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The mood inside Manchester United as bust-up reports denied

It’s been an uncertain summer at Manchester United. The good news is that Erik ten Hag was delighted with the club’s summer business. Mason Mount was a priority target and Rasmus Hojlund has a big future ahead of him.

But a drawn-out sale process – which remains active even though the Glazers are yet to show their hand – and some notable fallouts and injuries have contributed to an indifferent start to the season.

The club deny reports there was a dressing-room bust up after the 3-1 loss to Brighton, but what is clear is things are tense with Manchester United 13th in the Premier League. You would expect this. It would almost be more surprising if it wasn’t this way after three league losses in five games.

There is no doubt Ten Hag has the support of Manchester United’s hierarchy. He won plaudits for how he handled Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit a year ago. And the Manchester United boss believes his ‘firm but fair attitude’ is necessary to change the culture at the club and is instructed from the top.

But Ronaldo, and it’s fair to say Jadon Sancho as well, view the Manchester United boss as too much of a taskmaster at times. Sources say Ronaldo complained he was made to run ‘punishment’ laps and that training felt too much like boot camp.

As for Sancho, he simply feels scapegoated. He made that clear in a now deleted social media post. Yet several Manchester United sources argue he needs to be more disciplined and focused in training. There are clearly two sides to that story.

The fact Al-Ettifaq, when they enquired on September 7, were told a £50m obligation to buy was necessary shows Manchester United were prepared to let Sancho leave. And he could yet be sold in January if the situation doesn’t improve.

The Sancho case is a test of Ten Hag’s man-management, and how adaptable he is. A hard-line approach, not tailored to Sancho’s personality, will probably only make the situation worse.

Then there’s the Antony situation, with his return from international duty delayed so he can address assault allegations. Manchester United have clearly tried to act quickly in what is a complicated situation. It’s only right to let the process play out before taking any definitive judgement, but it’s important Manchester United handle this seriously and transparently and that will likely mean a number of missed games for Antony.

Add to all this the growing injury list, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka the latest player to miss several weeks due to a hamstring injury, and it’s hardly ideal prep heading into Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Bayern Munich.

Manchester United’s next four league games are against Burnley, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Sheffield United. Three wins are required otherwise Ten Hag may start to be under some pressure. His type of management style is clearly respected but when results don’t come that’s when dissenting players can start to make their voices even more heard and cracks appear, especially at a club like Manchester United and with a number of players not afraid to say their piece.

There’s no doubt Ten Hag has the support of the club’s leadership, on and off the field, but that doesn’t mean much in football if you lose the dressing room. That hasn’t happened yet, though, despite all the drama at Old Trafford.

Martin Odegaard to more than double his salary with new deal agreement close

Martin Odegaard is expected to sign a new Arsenal contract. An agreement in principle is not far off. Talks are advanced and the Arsenal captain could extend until 2027.

Arsenal are very optimistic. They know Odegaard wants to stay, and after a flurry of renewals last season the 24-year-old is now next in line.

Much like Bukayo Saka’s extension, which took time but was never really in doubt, Odegaard is seen as ‘untouchable’ right now. But there will still be some finer points to thrash out.

Odegaard is on about £115k-per-week and will be looking to more than double that. And that pay hike is richly deserved after 15 goals last season and two already this campaign, including a key equaliser against Manchester United in a 3-1 win, which came just a minute after the visitors opened the scoring.

I would expect, now the international break is over, for talks to move relatively fast. You may remember with Saka, the agreement in principle in the back half of last season still took a couple of months to then get signed and announced, but that didn’t mean that progress wasn’t made. Regardless of when it’s all official, Arsenal know Odegaard wants to stay and that should make his renewal relatively smooth.

How previous panic buy led to Chelsea deciding against Dusan Vlahovic risk

Chelsea were offered a number of players this summer that they turned down. This is normal for any big club, but especially one that’s spent £1bn over the past three windows. Sellers and agents will always target an active club in the market.

Although Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic was a name Chelsea had tracked over multiple windows they never seriously entertained a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku, who is now at Roma. This was because Mauricio Pochettino wasn’t on board. Chelsea would have had to pay €35-40m in addition to Lukaku, but I understand it wasn’t the money that put off the club.

Chelsea do admire many of Vlahovic’s qualities but had some concerns about his injury record. And, more importantly, they wanted to give priority to Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja.

I also think after signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a bit of a panic last summer from Barcelona, Chelsea didn’t want to rush into adding another big-money forward. If the goals don’t come this year, they’ll move in January instead with Brentford’s Ivan Toney one option. Nothing is advanced on that front yet. It will all depend on how Chelsea fare between now and January.

As Fabrizio Romano revealed, Chelsea were also offered Marcelo Brozovic prior to his Al-Nassr move. In the end the Croatian midfielder was sold on going to Saudi. And he never had a chance to seriously consider Chelsea because they quickly ruled him out. There would almost have been no point in selling Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City if Chelsea simply replaced him with 30-year-old Brozovic.

All manner of names were considered by Chelsea in addition to those players offered. Club Brugge striker Antonio Nusa was one talent Chelsea really liked, but the 18-year-old didn’t want to move until 2024. Marco Verratti and Wilfried Zaha were other names discussed. Neither quite fit the profile Chelsea wanted and this summer and the recruitment team were quite strict in their requirements.

Who could succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager?

Gareth Southgate has come under some criticism of late, although I thought England were excellent in the 3-1 win over Scotland. The 1-1 draw against Ukraine was drab, though.

Southgate won’t be sacked. That’s not an option being considered, and rightly so in my view. It’s just a case of whether he stands down after Euro 2024. His contract expires in 2024 as it stands.

The FA are already considering options. This is normal, since international jobs (and the recruitment for them) work differently than in club football with a bit more forward planning. But obviously things can be entirely influenced by how England perform at Euro 2024, which is why it’s a bit early to be making predictions.

Graham Potter will definitely be a candidate. He was the leading choice for the next England manager prior to joining Chelsea. But the way he handled that (albeit difficult) job may have given The FA a few doubts.

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Eddie Howe is another name on The FA’s radar. I just don’t see Howe wanting to leave Newcastle, though, next year if everything goes according to plan this season.

Lee Carsley is also someone worthy of consideration having won the Under-21 Euros with England this summer. But a vacancy, should one arise, might come too soon for him.

Sarina Wiegman has already said she’s happy managing the Lionesses. There’s no reason for her to leave her role in 2024 as England look to defend their Women’s Euros crown in 2025.

And Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is an interesting one to watch. The FA would love to have him. If Manchester City again dominate, could Pep be tempted by a fresh challenge? Sources do indicate he likes the idea of managing at a World Cup, but he could also miss the day to day of club football at this stage of his career. Pep, a bit like Jose Mourinho has said in the past, may wait until slightly later in his career for an opportunity in international football.

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Club chief personally flies star out of Chelsea and other potential Blues exits

Chelsea will be very busy with outgoings right up until the transfer window shuts.

Bayern want to sign Trevoh Chalobah, who doesn’t look like getting many minutes if stays at Chelsea. The German champions have already had a loan bid rejected and are still in talks.

Chelsea want a permanent sale and expect a £50m fee. Bayern will consider Southampton’s Armel Bella-Kotchap if they can’t strike a deal for Chalobah.

Conor Gallagher also faces an uncertain future but has been playing for Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino and is content to stay and fight for his place.

Bayern, West Ham and Spurs have all looked at Gallagher during different parts of the window. Everton and Newcastle held a historical interest as well, but are not active currently.

Brighton really like Gallagher, but not his wages, and that’s why nothing has materialised to date. Chelsea will listen to offers should they arrive around the £50m mark.

Romelu Lukaku is another Chelsea outgoing that’s basically done. He is off to Rome today to finalise his season-long loan after a lengthy and messy saga involving Inter Milan and Juventus. Believe it or not, Roma owner Dan Friedkin, who is a certified pilot, personally flew him over!

My understanding is the fee is £8m (higher than reported) and Lukaku is more than halving his wage. Chelsea have also inserted a €45m release clause into his contract. This has always been the ballpark required for a permanent sale.

Manchester United looking for Luke Shaw replacement

Manchester United are looking for left-back cover for Luke Shaw, who is out for a number of weeks with a muscle injury.

Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella is one name being explored. Talks took place between Manchester United and Chelsea over the weekend.

At the time of writing, no formal offer has been placed, but obviously things are going to have to move fast if Manchester United wish to move.

The reason why Manchester United have taken a bit more time is because Cucurella is one of four names discussed internally. Barcelona’s Marcos Alonso, Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon and Lyon’s Nicolas Tagliafico are all being considered.

Cucurella and Alonso are well aware of the interest, and the chance to play Champions League football is of appeal. But the challenge is Shaw is out for weeks not months, so both would be keen to understand further their role and likely minutes when he returns.

Chelsea are comfortable with letting Cucurella leave on loan, but that may well change if Ian Maatsen doesn’t stay. But with Ben Chilwell fit, and Levi Colwill can also play left-back, there is enough cover in that position.

Why Gabri Veiga chose Saudi over Europe’s elite

Gabri Veiga’s move from Celta Vigo to Al-Ahli perhaps caught some by surprise, especially because it looked like Napoli were quite close. Veiga had been tracked all summer by several Premier League clubs as well.

The 21-year-old saw appeal in a switch to Al-Ahli because of the other quality the Saudi club has already signed this summer. He’ll be playing alongside Riyad Mahrez, Bobby Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin, Roger Ibanez, Franck Kessie, Merih Demiral and Edouard Mendy.

Manager Matthias Jaissle was another big factor in convincing Veiga, who was assured of regular game time.

And, of course, the package on offer was another significant motivating factor. At 21, Veiga will earn around £10m a year. Celta manager Rafa Benitez called this “life changing”.

A young player like Veiga can always come back to Europe in a few years and still play Champions League football – or stay and be part of the growth of the Saudi Pro League. The league is going to improve extremely fast. The strategy is both ambitious and long-term.

Dealmakers aren’t just targeting older or ‘star’ signings. They want young players for the future. That’s why Al-Ahli signed Veiga and there will be other players with a similar profile to follow over the coming windows.

Joao Felix an alternative to Mohamed Salah for Saudi?

Joao Felix is also a possibility for Saudi dealmakers. His preference is Barcelona, and the Portuguese playmaker is waiting to see if a deal is possible.

If it isn’t, keep an eye on a move to Saudi. Atletico Madrid would love to sell to Saudi and would expect a fee similar to the €90m Al-Hilal paid to PSG for Neymar.

However, the Spanish side may have to loan Felix simply because the player may prefer a season-long deal. Should a negotiation advance, the exact terms will have to be defined.

Felix hasn’t been allocated a final Saudi club yet because things are not that far long. But Al-Hilal had tempted Felix. He might have already moved had Atleti not rejected a £12m loan offer.

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If Al-Ittihad don’t get Mo Salah (and Liverpool’s position is he’s not for sale), they would also be interested in Felix. Even Al-Nassr considered Felix back in May as well.

And even Al-Shabab, who are not a PIF controlled club, discussed Felix internally in July, but board upheaval means all business is stalled for now. They also wouldn’t be able to succeed if a PIF-controlled club comes calling.

Felix has always indicated he wants to stay in Europe, but I wouldn’t rule out Saudi. He’ll wait and see what transpires with Barcelona right until the close of the window. Felix would also be open to a return to Chelsea, but even with Christopher Nkunku currently injured Mauricio Pochettino and his sporting directors haven’t changed their position and are focused on other targets as it stands.

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Chelsea desperate for Lukaku sale and have outside chance with Kudus

Chelsea remain desperate to sell Romelu Lukaku. If a deal isn’t reached with Juventus, or any other European club in August, Chelsea will insist Lukaku accepts an offer from a Saudi in September.

Chelsea want around €45m, but could come down slightly on price should the right opportunity present itself. Al-Hilal were the side pushing for Lukaku but they have just added Aleksandar Mitrovic from Fulham and currently have filled their foreign-player quota.

But with these high-profile Saudi deals, especially the PIF-led ones, the club is often allocated last. The Saudi top-flight window doesn’t close until September 7 and if Lukaku enters into that month without a new club then Saudi could end up being his only viable option.

Chelsea believe the Lukaku issue is as much on the player as them. He hasn’t engaged significantly with Mauricio Pochettino this summer. It’s not just Chelsea who want to sell. Lukaku also doesn’t view the club as an option.

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With Christopher Nkunku sidelined and Armando Broja returning from an ACL injury, Chelsea would ideally like another striker, but it’s about finding the right profile, and whether that’s a traditional No.9 or just a creative-minded attacker. If the former, Broja is going to feel pushed down the pecking order.

Brennan Johnson and Bradley Barcola are two to watch, and there’s still an outside chance of Mohammed Kudus, who West Ham have failed to date to agree a deal for.

Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun is another name who has been discussed, but it’s Monaco who are currently more advanced. Balogun would be open to a move to Chelsea, though. Inter would also love Balogun, but Arsenal would need to drop their £45-50m asking price by about £10m. There is no reason for them to do so in the current market and with plenty of late window interest.

The players Arsenal have considered as Jurrien Timber cover

Arsenal are still deciding whether to bring in a replacement for the injured Jurrien Timber. Although Arsenal have not yet revealed how long the Dutch defender will be out for, sources indicate he’s unlikely to be back before late March.

The advantage of Timber is he can play centre-back or right-back and if Arsenal do move in the market they will want someone equally as versatile.

Despite links with Ivan Fresneda – a player Arsenal pursued in January – I am told there is nothing advanced, whereas Sporting are closing in on a deal.

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Benjamin Pavard has been considered by Edu, but Inter have pretty much completed that transfer. And this is the challenge at this stage of the window, especially when doing unplanned business. A lot of targets just aren’t attainable, and we know Arsenal hate to scramble. They are usually very considered in their approach, even late in windows.

It will be interesting to see if Arsenal ‘revisit’ a player like Timothy Castagne, who wants to leave Leicester. He was discussed internally a few months ago. He may not be allowed to leave, and it’s Fulham who are the most active Premier League club at the moment. But that type of player – one who adds depth and doesn’t break the bank – is the kind of profile Arsenal may look at.

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Gravenberch open to Liverpool move after Caicedo and Lavia drama

Chelsea have signed Moises Caicedo for a £100+15m package from Brighton and in doing so landed their top summer target.

It was an incredible saga. Liverpool tried to hijack the deal, successfully bidding £111m, but Caicedo made it clear he wanted to wait for Chelsea, who reached an agreement over the weekend.

Liverpool did all they could, but when a player has their heart set on one club it’s hard to change their mind. There has been a feeling all summer that Chelsea would eventually pay what it takes having had multiple bids for Caicedo rejected.

There is no doubt Chelsea felt somewhere around £80m was doable at the beginning of the window, but Brighton not only got their price, but around £10m more than they might have accepted earlier in the window. That’s because of the bidding war. It’s a fantastic bit of business for them when you consider they paid around £4m for Caicedo.

Chelsea’s sporting director Paul Winstanley has a long-standing relationship with Caicedo, and that helped, and Behdad Eghbali played a key role. He flew in for final negotiations to ensure the deal got over the line.

Chelsea are also on the brink of signing Romeo Lavia from Southampton, another Liverpool target.

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As a result I expect Liverpool to be busy between now and when the window shuts. Real Madrid don’t want to sell Aurelien Tchouameni, and the player doesn’t want to leave, so I don’t see too much substance in those links.

Andre is another possibility at Fluminense, but the Brazilian club have always hoped to keep hold of him until 2024.

Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern is a long-standing target as well. The player is open to the move. It’s just a case of whether Bayern will sell.

Chelsea have their new no.1 but want a backup ‘keeper

Mauricio Pochettino admitted Kepa just got an opportunity he couldn’t turn down and that’s why Chelsea agreed to his season-long loan to Real Madrid following Thibaut Courtois ACL injury.

The Chelsea boss was happy to have Kepa and new signing Robert Sanchez compete for the top spot. Kepa would have probably started against Liverpool as well had Real not come calling simply because he’d been with the squad for longer than Sanchez.

Sanchez is now No.1. And Chelsea will be looking for a back-up keeper. Clearly if they can find someone to offer strong competition that’s a bonus, but Sanchez has been informed he will be the first choice this season.

Chelsea are not considering Nice’s Kasper Schmeichel despite links. Newcastle have also indicated they want to keep hold of Martin Dubravka, who was on the bench against Aston Villa.

With Kepa just a loan, and Gaga Slonina highly rated, Chelsea need to find the right fit and character since game time for whoever comes in is likely to be limited.

The post Exclusive Ben Jacobs column: Liverpool midfield targets, Kane transfer fee truth, and more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Levi Colwill is in for a career-defining season. He is not only expected to be Chelsea’s first-choice left-sided centre-back but has also been told by Gareth Southgate that regular game time will put him firmly in contention for a Euro 2024 place with England.

That’s why Colwill was so intent on speaking to Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino about his pathway at the club prior to penning a new six-year deal worth £100k-per-week.

Brighton – where Colwill spent last season on loan, helping them qualify for Europe for the first time in their history – were desperate to sign the talented 20-year-old, but Chelsea’s stance was always that he was not for sale.

“I don’t think it [extending at Chelsea] was ever a doubt really,” said Colwill, who won the Under-21 Euros with England this summer without conceding a goal. “Brighton had a great year last year and all respect to Roberto De Zerbi. He’s made me learn so much and improve as a player, but Chelsea was always my first option.

“Chelsea has been my club since my ninth birthday when I signed. Obviously, I love this club a lot. I want to win big things with this club. I just had to speak to the gaffer and see what happened from there.

“Like I said there was never a doubt. We had the conversation – more of a private sort of thing. I don’t want to out everything he said. It was just giving me a bit of confidence to say if you play well, you’ll have a chance with me and that’s all I wanted to hear.

“I always wanted to be at Chelsea, be a Chelsea player and hopefully become a Chelsea legend one day.”

If as expected Colwill starts the opening game against Liverpool – and in doing so makes his competitive Chelsea debut – it will be a special and surreal moment for him. He’ll likely line up next to one of his idols, Thiago Silva – a player he was starstruck by wandering the Cobham corridors just a few years ago.

“He is a joke,” laughed Colwill, speaking from Chelsea’s pre-season tour in Chicago. “Training with him, playing next to him, he’s just so relaxed. He knows everything that is going on. You can’t put into words how good he is.

“It would mean a lot to me [to start alongside him against Liverpool]. I remember when I was younger, I used to watch clips of him the day before a game. When he was at PSG, I just used to watch clips because he’s not the biggest, he’s not the fastest and that’s what I used to be like before I grew a lot. Mentally, he’s steps above everyone. If 10-year-old Levi thought about playing with him, it would be amazing – the best feeling in the world.”

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Colwill will not only be living out his boyhood dream against Liverpool – a club both his parents support – but do so wearing the No.26 shirt, made famous by former Chelsea captain John Terry.

Colwill wore the same number during a successful loan spell with Huddersfield in 2021/22 leading many to brand him the ‘next’ Terry. Yet he actually picked 26 because his birthday falls on February 26.

“It’s not a bad thing to be called the new John Terry,” he told The Athletic in May last year. “I haven’t made the comparison myself so the fans and media can make whatever comparisons they want to make, it isn’t going to affect me.

“[My number is not] because of John. It’s because that’s the date of my birthday. It was my number when I was growing up, even if I was just playing a football game on PlayStation.”

Colwill clocked PlayStation-like stats in the second half of last season after breaking into Brighton’s team over the festive period, earning five straight starts.

In his 17 Premier League appearances last campaign, Colwill made more forward passes per 90 minutes (30.5) than any other player and more passes into the final third (8.59) than any Chelsea centre-back. He also ranked sixth in the Premier League (75.02%) for completed passes, looking calm and incisive on the ball.

“It was an amazing year [at Brighton],” said Colwill, who was also tracked this summer by Liverpool. “I learnt so much as a player and a man. When I went there, Graham Potter was the manager and I [joined] pretty late into the start of the season.

“When De Zerbi came in, I wasn’t playing much. I had to adapt, keep my head and not just throw my toys out of the pram. It was tough for me every single day, but I can’t say anymore. I’m so happy for everything I went through. [During] ups and downs I’ve learnt so much as a person and a player and I’m just grateful for that opportunity.

“Southampton away last year on Boxing Day, that’s when I really got my chance under De Zerbi. I played alright and he liked what he saw. From there, it just went off. When you play that sort of football, you grow more confidence in yourself. Sometimes it might take a little bit longer and when it works you look amazing.

“De Zerbi definitely gives you confidence all the time. He’s always telling you how good a player you are. But when you step on that pitch you’re just like everyone else, no matter how good you are – he’s there to make you work. For that hour or two hours you are on the pitch you’re there to work and learn. He wants the best. He’s a perfectionist and I think that’s why Brighton did so well last season.”

“I remember standing in the tunnel. I was a bit nervous myself and I stood looking mesmerised at Wembley,” revealed Colwill. “I never thought I would play there and then I got to the [2022] Playoff Final with Huddersfield. I remember walking out with my uncles there thinking how times have changed. They are watching me now. It didn’t feel real, and it was a bit emotional to be honest.

“My family is football crazy, so growing up I didn’t have another choice. Football is what you do as a little boy. I think I was five when my dad took me to go and play football and I fell in love with it. Every day that’s what I wanted to do.

“My dad never complained once. He would always take me out. It was a good way for me and him to bond. We loved it. With my uncles, I would always go to their games at any chance. It’s even like that now… [and] them, my dad and my family are at every single one of my games.

 “One of my dad’s biggest things he tells me is never give up and no one can doubt you. I go anywhere I can and try to be confident in myself and think, ‘If you don’t like me, I don’t really care’. I am here to work hard and improve and learn as a player.”

Colwill has had his fair share of challenges, though. He spent six weeks out after picking up a muscle injury in January and had a frustrating knee issue at Huddersfield. Plus, back-to-back seasons on loan is never easy having to get used to a new manager, dressing room and culture. But the likeable defender has taken everything in his stride.

 “[My mentality] always gets tested,” said Colwill. “You just have to dig in and keep going. That’s how you improve. Everywhere I have gone it’s been tested. At Huddersfield when I first went in, I don’t think I was a starter and then the injury happened, and then I got a chance. It got tested there. And then more injuries. And obviously, Brighton, going there and not starting and having to push in [to the side]. It always happens. It’s just football. The best players go through it all the time. It’s just how you come out the other side.

“I played in the Premier League last season, so I trust myself. I know that I can do it. I played against some of the best players and played well sometimes. Sometimes I played rubbish, it happens! You live and you learn. But I came into [pre-season] and thought why can’t I put my stamp on it.

“[The aim now] is to win trophies really. If we can win everything that gets put out in front of us hopefully one day I can become a legend. But not just once, keep doing it in multiple seasons.”

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Colwill is going to be an integral part of a young and new-look Chelsea side. The club’s owners and sporting directors have been intent on reducing the average age and tying down talent on long-term and incentive-driven deals.

It means there’s plenty of hunger and competition for places. Colwill, for example, must battle against Benoît Badiashile for the left-sided centre-back position. The French defender impressed last season but is only just working his way back from a hamstring injury, which is why Colwill’s starting spot for Liverpool is not really in doubt.

Colwill is also content to play as right centre-back and sees no reason why he wouldn’t be utilised there if needed as well.

“Two right footers can play together [in a back four],” he said. “Why can’t two left footers? I think people who say that are a bit clueless. I don’t think it matters what foot you are if you understand the position. If your awareness is good then you can play where you want.”

A productive and unbeaten pre-season in America showed Chelsea are quickly building identity and chemistry. The squad have taken well to Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1 system. And the Chelsea manager has put his players through some gruelling fitness tests, even promising them a free meal as an incentive for running that extra mile. Plus there’s been plenty of team bonding, including a trip to meet the Philadelphia Eagles and a hotly-contested table tennis tournament.

“I don’t even play [table tennis],” chuckled Colwill. “I don’t want to say [who is best]. If I say his name, he’s going to get so big-headed. I’m going to go with Raz [Raheem Sterling]. From what I’ve seen Raz is the best… but Noni [Madueke] thinks he is!”

Colwill has already built a strong rapport with Madueke after the pair won the Under-21 Euros together with England this summer in Georgia. Following the 1-0 victory over Spain in the final – in which the otherwise excellent Colwill gave away an injury-time penalty which Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford dramatically double-saved – Madueke gatecrashed a live social media stream and personally guaranteed he’d bring Colwill back to Chelsea.

Colwill looked a little embarrassed at the time, but he was always going to stay at Stamford Bridge providing he knew he was firmly in Pochettino’s plans. And the insistence on minutes certainly isn’t borne out of arrogance. Colwill is just aware that a strong season for Chelsea could see him not only selected for Euro 2024 but even start. Harry Maguire’s left-sided centre-back spot is by no means guaranteed, even with his potential move to West Ham. Southgate has made that clear to Colwill, who trained with the senior England squad before heading off to the Under-21 Euros.

“Going and joining England to train was a big thing for me. It kind of shows nothing you do goes unnoticed,” said Colwill, who has won 11 caps for England Under-21s. “Going there and being with some of the best players in the world, I have to keep pushing because anything can happen. That’s what it’s like. Hopefully, I am there.

 “In the Under-21 Euros, I was confident, and when you are confident you know what you are doing. Most of my teammates knew what I was going to do anyway because in training I had been doing it. When I had my foot on the ball, I wasn’t in a rush.

“Everyone says we didn’t concede a goal and that the success was built on defence but I think that was rubbish. I think it was the whole team. We built a really good bond between the players and managers. I think Lee Carsley did it himself and the players all felt like family at times. That’s what we took into games.

“When we played Portugal [in the quarter-finals], we went 1-0 up and then in the second half I don’t think we got out of our half. It was tough and that family feeling where we stuck together and didn’t concede was the best feeling. After that, we knew we could win the tournament and felt confident.”

Colwill clearly brings confidence back to Stamford Bridge from both Brighton and the Under-21 Euros. Chelsea will hope it’s infectious.

Pochettino has already called Colwill one of the “greatest centre-backs in England” and if he can help Chelsea keep clean sheets they will quickly get back to the winning ways the club is used to. Perhaps that’s why ambitious Colwill feels Chelsea should head into the new campaign with lofty ambitions even after a 12th-place finish in 2022/23.

“It’s a different season with different players,” he said. “I think there’s a different feeling in the changing room, so I think we can do anything we want. It’s exciting times. We’ve got a young group that can go on and win anything we want if we put our minds to it and work hard, especially under the gaffer. Anything is possible.”

The post Interview: Levi Colwill on living his boyhood dream, idolising Thiago Silva and targeting an England spot at EURO 2024 appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Mauricio Pochettino is acutely aware Chelsea has a ‘win now’ culture. Despite finishing 12th last season – failing to qualify for European football for the first time since 2015/16 under Jose Mourinho – expectations ahead of the new campaign haven’t been tempered.

“We are going to try and win [the Premier League],” Pochettino said after the 1-1 draw against Dortmund in Chicago. “I am not selling smoke. Chelsea has to try and win [the title]. I’ll tell you if it was possible at the end of the season.”

Pochettino looks refreshed, and calm about the challenge in front of him. There’s an acceptance he’s inherited a young squad that may take time to mould. And that’s why Chelsea’s clearly ambitious project is often dubbed ‘long term’. But the 51-year-old Argentine isn’t simply planning seasons ahead – that’s a task reserved for Chelsea’s sporting directors and owners.

“‘I need to win [now],” said Pochettino, speaking from his hotel during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Chicago. “I am a coach… and it’s like a striker. If they score, good. If they don’t, [it’s a] problem. The coach is the same. We need to win and if we don’t, we will struggle.

“Next week we are going to face Liverpool [to start the Premier League season] and the mentality is to win. My idea and message to the players, the fans and everyone is that we are Chelsea, and we need to win. Today, yesterday, not tomorrow.

“At the same time, we need to be working hard and be clever in how we are going to prepare for next month, the next six months and the year.”

When Chelsea host Liverpool on August 13, Pochettino will return to the touchline for a Premier League game for the first time since November 9, 2019, when Tottenham drew 1-1 with Sheffield United. He was sacked 10 days later, leaving Spurs lingering 14th in the Premier League table.

But across his five seasons in charge, Pochettino secured four consecutive top-four finishes and led Spurs to their first-ever Champions League Final in 2019, where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.

After 14 months out of the game following his Spurs exit, Pochettino accepted the Paris Saint-Germain job in January 2021. And in his second season in charge, he won Ligue 1 in 2021/22 with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all part of his star-studded squad.

PSG proved a testing gig, though. It was as much about navigating politics as tactics. And Pochettino was judged almost entirely on whether he won the Champions League. He reached the semi-finals in 2021; but the following season a last-16 loss to Real Madrid from 2-0 up on aggregate with only half an hour of the tie left effectively ended his time at the Parc des Princes.

“We took very positive things from this experience knowing that when you arrive at a club like Paris Saint-Germain it’s about winning the Champions League. If you don’t win the Champions League, you need to move on,” conceded Pochettino, who also captained PSG as a player. “I hope that changes because I think Paris deserves to be more consistent and time to build something.

“When we lost to Madrid after one year in charge, the club started to think about changing everything. I explained that [Manchester] City or Liverpool, they lose semi-finals or finals, but keep going, giving the coaching staff the possibility to work for the [next] pre-season.

“You can’t win if you don’t build nothing [and just] bring in names and players. Liverpool won [the Champions League] after very good years of working hard and being consistent. City [were] the same after seven years with Pep, and also Madrid. That is important to understand. Maybe sometimes you can win and it’s an exception, but in general, the club who is going to win is more consistent, working, making a plan, to try and win.”

Pochettino’s hope is that Chelsea will give him time, with the first aim being to get back into the Champions League; and that recruitment will be strategic, collaborative and not solely star-obsessed.

It’s understood that former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel grew frustrated when co-owner Todd Boehly kept raising the idea of bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to Stamford Bridge last summer. Tuchel felt signing Ronaldo made no football sense and could disrupt his dressing room. Now flash forward to this window and Kylian Mbappe is very publicly on the market, and Neymar could yet be sold as well. PSG are content to fuel links with Chelsea, but signing either player – despite snowballing rumours – is firmly downplayed by those close to the club.

Chelsea now have a fully-built recruitment team and strategy in place compared to 12 months ago making sporadic signings less likely. With this type of ‘transfer committee’ recruitment model disagreement is actually healthy. There needs to be freedom to challenge due to several senior leadership figures, Pochettino included, all heavily involved in pursuing targets. But what’s clear is Boehly and fellow co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano have quickly learned there may be times when they need to back off. That’s also why highly-rated co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have now become the faces and voices of recruitment.

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Before Pochettino accepted the Chelsea job he went to great lengths to fully understand Chelsea’s vision and dynamic. It was basically a two-way interview. During his first Zoom call with co-sporting directors Stewart and Winstanley, Pochettino even half-jokingly asked who was interviewing who.

Pochettino’s thoroughness, and Chelsea’s own exhaustive process to replace Graham Potter, are both understandable given the dramatic and chaotic 12 months since Clearlake-Boehly assumed control of Chelsea in late May last year.

Pochettino watched from afar as Chelsea’s new project endured major teething problems but was actually briefly under consideration when Potter was appointed in September last year.
The then Brighton boss was the clear choice back then, hence why Chelsea’s owners moved so swiftly. Plus, Pochettino was reluctant to move seven games into the Premier League season and with the summer window shut. His time at PSG had made him in no hurry to rush back into the game. Taking that prolonged break, and waiting patiently for the right opportunity, means he returns more mature and introspective. This will be a different Pochettino from the one last seen in England at Spurs.

 “We changed many things [since leaving Spurs],” he said. “We [Pochettino and his coaching staff] are older now and when you’re 50 you need to be careful, because your change is quick! We are more mature, and we learned a lot in different situations.

“We are guys who always judge ourselves and want to improve, and the experience gave us the possibility to improve. In terms of football, we are always moving on, watching and trying to develop different ideas. But in terms of management also, to have the possibility to manage in a different country provides the possibility to have more tools in the moment you create that platform, and the way to manage people also here in England. We’re much better people [now].”

Instant results will always be expected at Chelsea. Even a handful of losses constitutes a crisis at Stamford Bridge. It’s a club with a serial-winner mentality and has been ever since Roman Abramovich took over in June 2003. The Russian billionaire was notoriously cutthroat with managers but won 21 trophies being so, thus justifying his approach.

Contrast that to Spurs, where the departing Antonio Conte boldly claimed in April his players were almost resigned to mediocrity.

“They are used to it here, they are used to it,” he ranted after a 3-3 draw at Southampton, which proved to be his last game. “They don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure. They don’t want to play under stress. It is easy in this way. Tottenham’s story is this. 20 years the owner has been there and they never won something…”

Pochettino’s experience at Spurs was markedly different and far more positive compared to Conte’s tenure and included leading Spurs to their highest league finish since the 1962/63 season when they ended up runner-up to Chelsea in the 2016/17 Premier League title race. He has fond memories from his time in north London and retains a close personal relationship with Daniel Levy leading many to speculate whether he’d return to Spurs for a second managerial spell this summer. In the end, an offer never came.

“I am not going to give my opinion about the comments of [Conte],” said Pochettino. “For me, when I was at Tottenham it was a different period, but I think the mentality to win was there. Maybe we didn’t lift a trophy, but we won in many, many ways. But now Chelsea is a different club [in a] different period [with a] different process [and a] different project.”

Chelsea is indeed different largely because the owners are trying to disrupt and innovate at super-speed en route to success. But the issue last season was all the constant change simply created more instability. So Pochettino is now looking to bring consistency, perhaps slow things down a little, and ultimately take some pressure off his players.

“There’s always pressure when you are involved in this game,” he said. “When I started at Espanyol it was massive pressure because we were fighting relegation. Southampton was similar. Tottenham [had pressure] for different reasons. PSG, yes, and now with Chelsea. You are always under pressure…

“We won the Premier League Summer Series. OK. And? We keep going, moving, because we need to… win the next game. If we lose the Premier League Summer Series, it’s massive pressure. [They’ll say], ‘Oh, Chelsea isn’t winning…’

“We have had [five] games unbeaten [in pre-season] and it’s good. But when you lose one the good feelings disappear. That is our job. It is to keep the stability and provide balance. Sometimes the team has ups and downs. For us, it is [important] to behave in the same way.

“Maybe now I sleep better. Before it was difficult when I started at Espanyol. It was like all or nothing. You feel, ‘If we don’t win tomorrow or tonight my career is going to be a disaster’. Now you manage the pressure better. You always feel the adrenaline but after you disconnect and say, ‘Now I need to rest, I need to sleep’.

“I think that experience has helped me to have better sleep and to enjoy time with my family and my friends. It is easier to enjoy time with the players and the coaching staff. Before it was more bam, bam, bam, bam. We use the experience to learn. The passion is there, the adrenaline is there [and] the discipline. But it is about knowing when to be in this process and when to have time to enjoy yourself – when to liberate the players from all this pressure. How we behave as a coaching staff will transmit itself to the players.”

Pochettino is intent on building a new culture at Chelsea. Whether it’s hosting a barbecue at Cobham on his opening day, promising the squad a free meal for pushing themselves during gruelling pre-season testing, or just ensuring everyone at the club knows he has an open-door policy, the little touches haven’t gone unnoticed so far. Several senior players have been highly impressed by Pochettino and already feel like he cares about them as both footballers and, as importantly, people.

The opening game against Liverpool is now a chance to get a big win. Pochettino is wise enough to know one game won’t change all, but given Chelsea failed to beat any of last season’s eventual top six in 2022/23 – and managed just one win against any of the top-half finishers – kicking off the Pochettino era with victory against Jurgen Klopp’s side would make a real statement and set the tone for the season.

The post Mauricio Pochettino Interview: Mature Pochettino relishing the pressure of winning a Premier League title with Chelsea appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Ben Chilwell admits he wants to be Chelsea captain. Watching him talk from Atlanta – relaxed, engaged and clearly focused ahead of the new season – there’s no doubt the 26-year-old has the right blend of charm and authority to thrive in the role. And whether he’s ultimately handed the captain’s armband or not, Chilwell is clearly the glue holding this young, newly-formed Chelsea squad together.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t yet picked his new skipper following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta to Atletico Madrid. Thiago Silva has worn the armband when he’s started games in pre-season and is a leading candidate. But Chilwell, Reece James, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Trevor Chalobah have all been captain at different points during the Premier League Summer Series in America.

Affable Chilwell believes he has all the qualities to be Chelsea skipper, including the self-confidence to publicly declare he craves the captaincy.

“I would love to be captain,” said Chilwell, who scored wearing the armband in the 5-0 win over Wrexham. “I’m sure you’ve had that answer off a few of the players. It’s Chelsea, so I’d love to be captain.

“I was captain of the youth team at Leicester and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just having that role, I think it brings the best out in me and my game – having a little bit more pressure and trying to help people around me is one of my strengths.

“Whether I get it or not, it’s not going to take away from my role. I don’t think you need an armband to be a leader, so whether I get it or I don’t I’ll continue to do what I’m doing.”

Chilwell has already taken several other teammates under his wing. And his blossoming relationship with fellow left-sided player Mykhailo Mudryk is going to be particularly important this new season.

Mudryk joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in January for a total package potentially worth €100m and by his own admission has only shown about “20 percent” of what he is capable of. The 22-year-old failed to score a Premier League goal in 15 appearances last season but has looked promising in pre-season and was on the scoresheet in the 4-3 victory over Brighton in Philadelphia.

It’s understood Pochettino has challenged Murdyk to come out of his shell in pre-season and be more vocal. And Chilwell is doing his part to make the Ukrainian winger feel at home at Chelsea.

“With ‘Misha’ I have seen how good he can be, and I just want to try and help him fulfil that [potential] because I know how much he wants it,” said Chilwell. “So if I can help him in any way to reach the levels that we all know he can then why wouldn’t I do that?

“I’ve told him he hasn’t fulfilled that yet for one reason or another. I literally had a conversation with him today after training in the changing room because he’s been on fire the last few days and obviously was on fire in the game against Brighton. And I just said he needs to keep that up now for the whole season.

“He needs to decide when to cross, when to shoot, when to dribble, when to pass and hopefully I can help him along the way to try and get that decision-making [right] because he can be such a good player for us. We can all see the potential he has. It’s just trying to guide him and the last few days he’s been on fire in training. His decision-making has been bang on.”

Chilwell has plenty of sympathy for many of Chelsea’s high-profile January signings. The likes of Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez came in mid-season as part of a £300m+ spending-spree. They joined a fractured team in poor form, went straight into a congested fixture calendar and lost the manager who signed them, Graham Potter, within two months. This is the first pre-season, and arguably period of stability, they have had since signing for Chelsea.

“I think the people who have been here a number of years, we don’t know what was going on in January – coming into a new club with everything that was going on, it can’t have been easy for them,” said Chilwell, who played 30 games for Chelsea last season in all competitions, scoring twice. “This pre-season is a clean canvas for everyone, but especially the boys who came in during the whirlwind of everything. I think everyone is really relishing it: new squad, new manager, everyone is excited for the new season. It’s just a fresh start really.

“Everyone is really excited for it. The fact is we have got a manager now that is so passionate about where he thinks we can go, and as you guys know he is working us really hard, which is what we need. We are such a talented group and the fact we have now got a manager who is pushing us this pre-season as hard as he is, physically, that’s going to put us in good stead.”

But it’s not just the new January signings Chilwell is focused on integrating and motivating. He was also the first to talk to Wesley Fofana following his ACL surgery this summer – something Chilwell went through after suffering a partial ACL injury of his own in November 2021 during Chelsea’s 4-0 Champions League win over Juventus.

And Chilwell has also been there to support Armando Broja, who is working his way back to full fitness after rupturing his ACL in a mid-season friendly with Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi last season during the World Cup break.

“I spoke to [Fofana] the day after his surgery,” said Chilwell. “I have had conversations with him and did the same thing when Armando went through it. I was the first person to talk to Armando every morning. Anything he wanted to know about the ups and downs of going through an ACL injury, because I went through it literally the season before he did it.

“I think it’s important I help these players that are going through exactly what I went through. I basically just let them know that anything they want to know about the injury, or any way they are feeling mentally, if they have anything they want to talk about I am always there for them.”

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There is a clear pattern in Chilwell’s behaviour: he is constantly trying to communicate and inspire fellow players and putting the team first. He looks hungry and intent on leading by example to help Chelsea regain their serial-winner mentality and ultimately get back into the Champions League.

Considering his widespread dressing-room influence, that’s why it was so important for Chelsea that Chilwell extended his contract in April keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2027. His new deal perhaps came as a slight surprise given the turmoil at the club at the time. Yet he committed his future to the club without hesitation despite some genuine interest from Manchester City.

“Since I have come to Chelsea I have always felt pretty at home,” said Chilwell, who joined from Leicester in August 2020. “Obviously I won the Champions League in my first season, and after that seeing the reaction that it brought around the club I want to feel that again with Chelsea – not just in football but with Chelsea. I want to help Chelsea get back to winning titles and cups.

“I know we’ll get there in the near future and I want to be one of the reasons that we get back to that, so that was my reasoning behind it. I am not going to run when things are going badly. I want to be one of the reasons that helps us get back to the best Chelsea.”

Chilwell’s perception of what Chelsea represents – which is naturally framed by winning the 2020/21 Champions League – compared to last season’s mid-table mediocrity are poles apart. The vibe at the club is very different right now, as is the make-up of the squad. For better or worse, it’s a new era.

Chilwell’s former Leicester and Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante has joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad on a free transfer. And his close friend Mason Mount has been sold this summer to Manchester United. That puts even more pressure on him to be a driving force behind building a new Chelsea culture. At 26, Chilwell is now the third-oldest outfield player at the club so carries newfound seniority.

“I’ve been told that a lot recently and I don’t like hearing that as a 26-year-old!” laughed Chilwell. “As for Mason, he was one of my closest friends on the team. On a personal level, you are going to miss one of your best mates that you spent a lot of time with at the training ground and away from the training ground.

“I think I said it on my Instagram when he left, he was one of the reasons why I joined the club, so of course it’s sad for me personally to see him leave. But I am not going to comment on his reasoning for leaving. I just wish him the best and I am sure in his head he’s made the right decision. I am happy for him and hopefully he can go there and do well.

“I was talking to Reece [James] about [all the changes at Chelsea]. There’s only a few boys who were here last season so we feel a responsibility to be the leaders of the group, to help these younger players and, more importantly, lead by example on the pitch. We want to be the players who can perform week in week out, help other players out around the training ground and help the younger players on their path and understand the demands of playing for Chelsea which is to win. That’s a must.

“There are a lot of players here who are very talented but we need to also make sure that being at Chelsea means we win trophies. I am excited for the opportunity to be one of the most experienced players. It can only help me to have that pressure.”

It’s hard not to like Chilwell, who is set to play a vital role for Chelsea this season. Pochettino has already given him a new lease of life. Chilwell has impressed so far in pre-season training, topping Pochettino’s go-to and gruelling Gacon Test (intermittent sprinting, similar to the Bleep Test). And he even bagged himself a free dinner (yet to be cashed in) off the Chelsea manager by going the extra mile. Chilwell just looks fitter than ever and is itching to lead Chelsea back to glory with or without the armband.

“We did the Gacon Test one day and we were meant to do 10 runs, but we got to the eighth and the manager, I still don’t know if he was doing a mental trick on us, said we could stop if we wanted,” said Chilwell. “Everyone was on their knees after the eighth one, and he said, ‘If everyone completes the next two, I’ll take you all out for dinner’. Of course we all finished and now we’re waiting for the dinner!

“[With Pochettino] it’s not just a manager-player relationship, it’s more personal where you want to work for each other… after two or three weeks it’s pretty rare to feel like you want to run through a wall for someone.”

The post Ben Chilwell Interview: Wannabe Chelsea captain Chilwell ready to run through a wall for Pochettino appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Hello and welcome to my weekly column for CaughtOffside – click here to subscribe for more from myself, Fabrizio Romano, Christian Falk, Jonathan Johnson and Neil Jones!

Kylian Mbappe’s potential Saudi transfer could set a dangerous precedent

Kylian Mbappe is very much for sale and that won’t change unless he signs a new PSG deal, which is obviously not looking likely.

Al-Hilal have placed a world-record €300m offer. PSG haven’t legally accepted it just yet but are willing to if Mbappe indicates he is prepared to join the Saudi club. For now they have given him permission to speak. And at the time of writing, Mbappe hasn’t yet started any official talks. He is set to be offered a €700m salary.

It’s a one-year proposal, as exclusively revealed, allowing Mbappe to still join Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024. That said, Al-Hilal will offer Mbappe the option to extend just in case he changes his mind.

This is what PSG are playing on. They feel that trust is at an all-time low between Mbappe and Florentino Perez following the French striker’s last PSG extension when he failed to join Real.

Real could just wait a year, but PSG hope they feel compelled to move now. Should they do so the fee wouldn’t be anywhere near €300m.

PSG are willing to listen to any offers, including player-swap deals. They have had enquiries from several clubs including Manchester United, Spurs, Inter Milan and even Barcelona. This shouldn’t be confused with active negotiations or bids, though. Chelsea have also been linked, but any Mbappe pursuit has been downplayed by sources.

PODCAST: Inside the Kylian Mbappe Saga

Everyone knows Mbappe wants Real, even PSG, who fear an agreement for 2024 is already in place. But perhaps the Saudi bid is a compromise to get PSG a fee now, provide exposure to the Saudi Pro League and still allow Real to get their top target on a free next summer. It’s a lot of money to spend, though, knowing Mbappe would only go for a season, and perhaps sets a dangerous precedent if other top stars know they can go to Saudi for short and lucrative stays.

Ultimately everything comes down to Mbappe now. Saudi dealmakers have offered something truly astronomical but they need Mbappe’s buy-in to move forward.

Bayern Munich preparing third Harry Kane bid and PSG are also interested

Tottenham still remain relatively calm about the Harry Kane situation, but that will change if the player directly tells them he wants to leave.

Daniel Levy is still hoping Kane extends. Ange Postecoglou has accepted it’s not an ideal situation but he is still planning for the forthcoming season with Kane. There’s not much else he can do amidst the uncertainty.

Bayern are pushing. They haven’t been given a specific price yet by Levy. However, they are preparing a third bid worth close to €100m. Once this lands, Kane is expected to be more clear with all parties in communicating his wishes and from there clarity should come quite fast.

Spurs have always indicated they will reject any offers for Kane, but Bayern are prepared to test that resolve.

PSG are also interested in Kane, and would gladly send Mbappe the other way if he doesn’t extend. However, it is not though Kane is particularly sold on PSG despite the links. Levy and Nasser Al-Khelaifi do have an excellent relationship, though.

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Manchester United are not actively pursuing Kane any more. They explored the move earlier in the window and had low confidence Levy would sell to a Premier League rival. Their focus for now is on Rasmus Hojlund, who they are expected to formally bid for this week. Manchester United are hoping a deal is possible for €60-65m. Atlanta’s €100m asking price is not realistic. Any deal is expected to be done for much less.

Manchester United would obviously love Kane (he was their top target heading into this window), but they simply aren’t back in the race right now and that won’t change unless given clear and direct encouragement from Spurs they aren’t wasting their time.

The post Exclusive Ben Jacobs column: Mbappe Saudi transfer’s dangerous precedent, Chelsea close to agreement with Arsenal target & more appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi says he is planning for next season with Moises Caicedo in his squad.

Chelsea have seen bids of £60m and £70m rejected this summer as the sides prepare to meet for a pre-season friendly in Philadelphia on Saturday as part of the Premier League’s brand new Summer Series.

Sources have told CaughtOffside that Caicedo is “extremely disappointed” a move hasn’t happened yet but De Zerbi is still hoping to keep the Ecuadorian midfielder at the club.

“At the moment Moises is a Brighton player,” he said. “I spoke with [club owner] Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change then Moises stays with us.

“I don’t know how the situation will end. It’s a clear situation at the moment. He stays with us until my owner changes his mind. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but if Moises leaves we have to find the right player because it’s difficult to replace a player as good as Moises.”

Caicedo only recently signed a new four-year extension in February with Brighton with a further club option of an additional year. But those close to Caicedo reveal in doing so he was verbally promised he could leave should a reasonable offer arrive this summer. However, De Zerbi denies he personally gave such direct assurances.

“It is not true,” he said. “I am the coach, not the owner or sporting director. In my work, I am used to speaking with my players every day, but I didn’t give my word for nothing.

“You have to speak with Tony [Bloom] not with me [to see] if Moises wants to leave. He extended his contract in February and now we are in July, so after five months I don’t know if he can change his idea. In case he wants to leave, and in case Tony sells him, we have to find the best player for us.”

One complicating factor in talks for Caicedo is Brighton want to sign Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill and have already seen a £30m bid rejected.

Chelsea’s stance is that Colwill is not for sale, but Brighton still aren’t ruling out bringing the England U-21 international back to the club.

Colwill has had a one-on-one with new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino to discuss the season ahead and is keen for instant game time to give himself the best possible chance of selection for Euro 2024 since England manager Gareth Southgate has made it clear he’s in his thinking.

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Oct 31 2023, 21:37

“I am proud of Levi because he showed his quality with the national team [at the U-21 Euros this summer] and I am very happy for him,” said De Zerbi. “I love him but he is not our player. And there are two questions. Not only about Caicedo, but also about Colwill, and maybe it can be [a swap].

“It’s not my work, the transfer market. My work is to stay on the pitch and to organise my players. But of course it’s better to work with great players and both are great players.”

Those close to Caicedo hope face-to-face talks in Philadelphia take place between Brighton and Chelsea to resolve his future, but for now Chelsea haven’t placed a third bid and if they do, they wish to stick closer to £80m than £100m.

The post Exclusive: Roberto De Zerbi breaks silence on Moises Caicedo Chelsea transfer saga appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Moises Caicedo is “extremely disappointed” to still be at Brighton, sources close to the player have told CaughtOffside.

Caicedo has joined up with the Seagulls in Philadelphia for a pre-season friendly against Chelsea on Saturday as part of the brand new Premier League Summer Series.

In the build up to the game, Caicedo has directly informed manager Roberto De Zerbi and senior members of the Brighton hierarchy that he wants to join Chelsea, and that he believes a recently rejected £70m offer was more than fair.

Those close to Caicedo point to the £68m (€80m) fee Real Madrid paid to Monaco for Aurelien Tchouameni and argue it is unfair for the Ecuadorian midfielder to be sold for significantly more.

Brighton’s so-called ‘asking price’ of £100m – even though this number has never been explicitly quoted to Chelsea – is branded “ridiculous” by multiple sources close to the player.

Brighton rarely offer prices upfront in this type of difficult negotiation. CEO Paul Barber factors in a range of factors when selling which can make dealing with Brighton a drawn out process.

“One of the most important parts of our model is knowing when to sell, and also making sure we’ve got that plan in place to replace the outgoing player so there is no diminution to the coach’s ability to win football matches. That’s an important part of what we do,” said Barber.

“We can’t get it right every single time. There’s always going to be moments and set situations when it doesn’t quite work to everyone’s advantage.

“As for the fee, the market determines the price just like any other commodity. If you have got a rare talent, who is in high demand or under a long contract, or if there just aren’t many players in that position, the price can be whatever it needs to be.”

It is understood that Caicedo is not planning on handing in a transfer request, or at this stage releasing another public statement – as he did when Arsenal bid £70m for him in January to try and force the move.

When signing a new deal until 2027 (with a club option of an extra year) following the close of the January window, Caicedo was verbally promised he would be allowed to leave this summer if the right offer came in. But Chelsea have failed to make much headway in securing him despite offering Brighton what would be a club-record sale.

Talks so far haven’t only centered on agreeing a fee or structure. Brighton have also been trying to include Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill in any deal. Colwill impressed for Brighton on loan last season as they qualified for Europe for the first time in their history.

Chelsea view Colwill as not for sale, and only the player driving an exit could change things. Chelsea’s intent is to get Colwill to extend his stay at the club and he has also held one-on-one talks about this season with Mauricio Pochettino.

Brighton can to an extent control Caicedo’s potential exit because he chose to extend. And had Caicedo not done so not much would have changed this summer because he still had two years to run on his old contract. This also meant adding a release clause to his new extension was not possible. Alexis Mac Allister was only able to do this, prior to his £35m move to Liverpool, because his four-and-a-half year contract signed in 2019 was winding down.

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The Caicedo camp are now encouraging Brighton and Chelsea to hold face-to-face talks in Philadelphia to try and thrash out a deal. It is understood Caicedo’s agent is also prepared to fly in and exert pressure on behalf of his client.

Although sources indicate there is a fear from Caicedo himself that Chelsea may walk away from the deal, sources close to the club still maintain he is a top summer target.

It remains to be seen whether Caicedo plays against Chelsea at the Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, but he plans to remain professional and do what Brighton ask of him.

Brighton are yet to receive a third offer from Chelsea having rejected bids of £60m and £70m. The last offer also saw £5m in add-ons discussed with Chelsea still prepared to go higher. Insiders close to the deal still believe a total package of around £80m may be possible to finally persuade Brighton to sell, even though the talk of £100m simply won’t go away.

The post Exclusive: Moises Caicedo “extremely disappointed” to still be at Brighton and wants transfer talks with Chelsea appeared first on CaughtOffside.