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Abatido após a derrota por 3 a 0 do Corinthians contra o Botafogo, o volante Roni foi um dos poucos atletas corintianos a atender a imprensa na zona mista do Nilton Santos e falar com o torcedor corintiano. O volante agradeceu o apoio da torcida na partida e frisou que todos estão tristes com o atual momento do Timão.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansLuxemburgo vê pontos positivos em derrota e valoriza sistema defensivo do Corinthians: ‘Quantas defesas o Cássio fez?’Corinthians11/05/2023CorinthiansRóger Guedes cobra mudança de postura após derrota do Corinthians e dispara: ‘O time tem que jogar mais’Corinthians11/05/2023CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Cássio comete pênalti infantil, Corinthians sofre na criação e é amassado pelo BotafogoCorinthians11/05/2023

+ Cássio comete pênalti infantil, Corinthians sofre na criação e é amassado pelo Botafogo; veja notas

– A primeira coisa é agradecer o torcedor. Agora é continuar trabalhando, dói, ninguém está feliz. Não tem muito o que falar, noite para ser esquecida. Sentir dentro do coração essa dor para levantar a cabeça no clássico – disse Roni ao portal Meu Timão.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

O próximo compromisso do Corinthians é o clássico Majestoso, e a equipe alvinegra defende o tabu de jamais ter sido derrotado pelo São Paulo na Neo Química Arena. Para manter a escrita no clássico diante do Tricolor, Roni destacou a importância da evolução física e mental da equipe nos próximos dias.

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+ Veja tabela e a situação do Timão no Brasileirão

– Temos que nos preparar fisicamente e mentalmente, principalmente por tudo que vem acontecendo, ser forte. Mais um jogo, levantar a cabeça, ir para cima e manter o tabu, que é importante para nós.

Com apenas quatro pontos, a equipe de Vanderlei Luxemburgo está uma posição acima do Z4, e só não está na zona do rebaixamento pois possui menos cartões amarelos em relação ao Cuiabá.

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Mohamed Salah created history as Liverpool's Egyptian King broke a unique record during the Reds' dramatic Champions League win against Atletico Madrid. Liverpool, who have yet to click with a number of new signings in the squad, earned another late victory on a pulsating night at Anfield. Against Atletico, the Reds ripped into gear from the first whistle, silencing doubters with a blistering two-goal blitz inside the opening six minutes.

AFPSalah makes history in six minutes

Andy Robertson, on his return to the starting XI, had the crowd bouncing when he bundled Salah’s teasing free-kick into the net early doors. And just as the celebrations began to simmer, Liverpool struck again. The Egyptian superstar latched onto Ryan Gravenberch’s clever pass, danced through a thicket of Atletico defenders, and dispatched a delicious finish beyond the despairing reach of Jan Oblak.

AdvertisementA stunning record for the Egyptian

It wasn’t just another goal for the scrapbook. With that strike, and the earlier assist for Robertson, Salah carved his name into Champions League folklore. He became the first player in history to register both a goal and an assist inside the first six minutes of a Champions League tie for an English club.

More records! A historic night for Salah

But Salah wasn’t finished there. His appearance against Atletico marked his 74th outing in Europe’s elite competition wearing Liverpool red, lifting him above club legend Steven Gerrard on the all-time list. Only Jamie Carragher, at 80, stands in his way now. With the Reds’ European adventure set to stretch deep into the campaign, it’s only a matter of time before Salah claims that record outright too. And then there’s the matter of another staggering milestone. His strike against Atletico was his 250th goal in English football, a tally that includes his brief Chelsea stint (two goals) before his Anfield reign began.

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Getty Images SportDerby day looms for Liverpool

As Liverpool bask in their Champions League triumph, there’s little time to rest. The Merseyside derby is next, with Everton arriving at Anfield on Saturday. Buoyed by his history-making exploits, Salah will be desperate to torment the Toffees and extend his glittering tally further.

At the very last moment, just when all hope was nearly lost, Arsenal pulled off one of the greatest transfer hijacks in recent memory by usurping Tottenham to a deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

Earlier this week, Spurs appeared to have Eze’s signing all done and dusted when they reached a verbal club-to-club agreement for the 27-year-old, after also agreeing personal terms with the player himself.

However, Kai Havertz’s injury prompted Andrea Berta to make a last-minute dash for Eze after laying plenty of groundwork earlier this summer and holding extensive talks with the England international’s representatives.

Arsenal matched Tottenham’s bid, leaving Eze with the final decision, and he ultimately chose a return to his boyhood club – 14 years after being released by them as a young academy prospect.

The transfer, now estimated to cost Mikel Arteta’s side around £67.5 million, is great news for QPR as well – as the Hoops inserted a 15 per cent sell-on clause on any profit for Eze when they sold him to Palace in 2020.

Eze started undergoing his Arsenal medical on Friday morning, so Arteta will soon have the Londoner at his disposal in what is a seismic boost for their Premier League title challenge.

Now, the question is, how will Arteta utilise the attacking star who bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Palace last season?

Arsenal's plan for Eberechi Eze after hijacking Tottenham

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal plan to use Eze as a number 10, which is “fascinating” because it’s a clear indication that Arteta was planning a similar role for Havertz, before the German’s forced absence.

Chelsea have now held talks to sign a “1v1 specialist” forward, and they are tempted to trigger the €40m (£35m) release clause in his contract.

Maresca keen on new attacker after Simons blow

After missing out on Xavi Simons to Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues have now been forced to move on to alternative options in attacking midfield, and Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez is rapidly emerging as a major target.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that contact has now been made with the La Liga club over a deal, with an opening offer already being submitted.

However, reports from elsewhere have detailed that Lopez is unlikely to be sold unless the Spaniard makes it clear he wants to leave Barcelona this summer, so it could be difficult for the west Londoners to get a deal over the line.

That said, Enzo Marezca clearly remains keen on adding another forward to his ranks before the transfer deadline, with talks now being held over a deal for SC Braga star Roger Fernandes.

That is according to a report from A Bola, which states Chelsea have now initiated contact over a deal, with the Premier League club now weighing up whether to trigger the €40m (£35m) release clause in Fernandes’ Braga contract.

Better than Buonanotte: Chelsea hold talks to sign £86m gem after Garnacho

Chelsea look set to delve back into the transfer market after deals for Facundo Buonanotte and Alejandro Garnacho.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 31, 2025

Braga would not be willing to settle for anything less, with the Blues planning to sign the 19-year-old now, before immediately loaning him out to sister club Strasbourg, where game time would perhaps be more of a guarantee.

"1v1 specialist" Fernandes is one for the future

Scout Ben Mattinson lauded the youngster when he first burst onto the scene, saying: “Roger Fernandes is another player I love at Braga. 1v1 specialist with great whipped cross on him. A creative, unselfish winger. Also his maturity for only 17 is crazy, you can tell why he’s played so much already.”

Despite still being a teenager, the Braga starlet has amassed an impressive number of goals and assists in his opening two full Liga Portugal campaigns.

Season

Liga Portugal appearances

Goal contributions

2023-24

14

9

2024-25

28

7

That said, the right-winger is still very young, and Chelsea are already well-stocked out wide, most recently confirming the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.

As such, while Fernandes could be a fantastic long-term addition to Maresca’s squad, the main focus should be to bring in a new attacking midfielder to provide competition for Cole Palmer, while a new striker may also be needed to replace Nicolas Jackson and the injured Liam Delap.

Chelsea chiefs have done extremely well when it comes to selling players this summer, with BlueCo’s mass car boot sale raising north of £300 million.

Enzo Maresca’s side have a unique pact with UEFA after they were slapped with a conditional fine for breaching FFP last month.

A condition of the settlement is that Chelsea must sell certain players from their ‘A-List’ Conference League squad last season if they want to register new signings for the Champions League this term, meaning the Blues have been under pressure to offload squad members.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja, Lesley Ugochukwu, Renato Veiga and Carney Chukwuemeka have all left Stamford Bridge on permanent deals this window, raising a mountain of cash and allowing the club to produce a positive net spend.

Madueke, Amougou and Dewsbury-Hall’s departures also contribute towards Chelsea’s goal of a ‘positive transfer balance’ by September, so they can insert new players into their Champions League ranks ahead of what will be a testing 25/26.

Lately, their potential deals for one of Xavi Simons or Fermin Lopez, with Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho, have stalled due to their need to sell both Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson – which is a result of their UEFA agreement.

Garnacho has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, while it is believed that Barcelona’s Lopez is coming round to the idea of a potential west London move if Maresca’s side opt for the Spaniard instead of Simons.

Chelsea now face stiff competition from Tottenham for the latter, so if they do really want the Dutchman, BlueCo will need to hurry as Spurs are desperate to sign a playmaker.

According to reports, Simons is jetting to London for transfer talks amid Chelsea and Spurs’ interest, so this race is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Luckily for Chelsea, they have just freed up space in their squad for one of Simons or Lopez by agreeing to sell Nkunku to AC Milan.

Chelsea agree Christopher Nkunku exit with AC Milan deal done

According to Fabrizio Romano, who broke the news first, Chelsea have verbally shaken hands on a deal with Milan over Nkunku, with the £195,000-per-week Frenchman set to pen a five-year deal at the San Siro.

The BBC’s Nizaar Kinsella estimates that, following this transfer, Chelsea have raised around £310 million from outgoings to balance out £277 million spent on transfers – so Maresca’s side certainly won’t have to worry about PSR.

A move to Serie A also comes as the fresh start Nkunku needs to become a mainstay star, having contributed well under Maresca when called upon.

The Frenchman bagged 15 goals in all competitions despite coming mainly off the bench and starting in the Conference League, with João Félix calling him a “top player”.

Levante captain Unai Elgezabal has accused Vinicius Junior of 'disrespect' after a heated exchange with the Real Madrid forward. The centre-back said he reached the point he had had 'enough' following a confrontation with the Brazilian during Madrid's 4-1 win in Tuesday's La Liga clash at the Ciutat de Valencia.

Elgezabal explains on-field spat with Vinicius

The flashpoint came in the 63rd minute, just before Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty to make it 3-1 in Madrid's favour. Elgezabal, who had given away the spot-kick, clashed with Vinícius on the edge of the box after the winger brushed past him, touching him on the chest and face while saying something. Already booked for a hard challenge on the Brazilian earlier, the Levante captain reacted, and a minor scuffle broke out before players calmed the situation down.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Enough is enough' – Levante captain hits back

Speaking after the game, Elgezabal said: "I don't want to add fuel to the fire either. But it's true that when we're disrespected, not just us, but the fans, the team we represent, because we're also people, and I think we have to say enough is enough. I know he's a player with a lot of potential, but there are different situations that I don't handle as a person."

He added: "I think I defend and transmit values that sometimes have to be said enough. It wasn't the time for that; for me, it was out of place. I don't want to give it any more hype; I'd rather leave it there. I defend my people, and that's as far as I can go."

Not the first time Vinicius has been criticised for on-field behaviour

This is not the first time the Brazilian has been called out for his behaviour on the pitch. He has regularly clashed with opponents and opposing fans in La Liga and was booked for dissent on several occasions last season. The Real Madrid winger was also banned for two league matches after being sent off against Valencia, when he shoved goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the back of the neck in January.

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Getty Images SportVinicius shines in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win

Despite the heated exchange, Vinicius had a decisive role against Levante, scoring once and assisting another as Madrid made it six wins from six to stay top of La Liga. Levante, meanwhile, sit 16th with just one win in six games. Xabi Alonso's side now turns their focus to the derby against Atletico set to be played on September 27. 

It’s ending how it began, with a match between defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) and highly-rated but underachieving Mumbai Indians Cape Town (MICT). And this time it’s in the final.There will be either a new winner or the same one crowned in front of a full house at South Africa’s premier cricket venue: the Wanderers, where no rain is forecast. What more could anyone want? A close game, perhaps. If there is one criticism of this edition of the SA20 it’s that result margins have been too big with only six tight matches out of 30 in the group stage – defined as games won by 10 or fewer runs of with six or fewer balls to spare – and one of the three qualifiers. No one quite knows why and SEC captain Aiden Markram put it down to either “coincidence,” or “guys are getting really big scores and then to chase it down is tough or starting badly with the bat,” and hoped for a “close, entertaining,” last match.Whether he really means that is doubtful after SEC had to play two games in two days to come through the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, and will now play a third in four days. Are they exhausted? “There are pros and cons,” Markram said. “We’re starting to do some good things and we’ve got answers to some questions. But the other side of it is rest and being completely fresh physically and mentally for the final.”Related

• Rashid Khan: 'It's going to be massive to get 1000 wickets'

• Stats – Rashid Khan, T20 king in every phase and every league

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• Rashid Khan becomes T20 cricket's highest wicket-taker

• Sunrisers keep three-peat dream alive as Marco Jansen makes the difference again

The break Markram spoke of was the privilege of MICT, who had three days off. Rashid Khan confirmed he used the downtime to “just sit in my room and watch Netflix a lot.” His series of choice? “Prison Break. It gives you an idea of how to get out of difficulties.” How so? “Sometimes you forget as a captain so I have the idea to write things on my arm where you can write what’s going to happen in the next over.”It’s been done, of course. There are incidents of captains having so many team changes that they’ve written them on their palms and Scotland’s Mark Watt famously remembered his tactics with a cheat sheet that he pulled out of his pocket at the 2022 T20 World Cup and though Rashid may joke about it, he is unlikely to need it.MICT have been, by a distance, the most clinical of the six teams in this edition of the SA20. They won seven of their 10 league games – no team has won more in the group stage – qualified directly for the final on their first attempt and have completely turned themselves around from the team that finished last in the previous two editions. With a squad laden with players from the Highveld (Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Connor Esterhuizen and Delano Potgieter have all played at the Lions while Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis and Thomas Kaber all play down the road at the Titans), some would go as far as to say they are favourites, but they’d do that at their peril.Rashid Khan’s MI Cape Town have been the most clinical of the six teams this edition•SA20

After three losses from their opening three games, SEC are one of the last two standing. They’ve dug deep and scrapped, had their reserves tested and relied heavily on their two biggest national names: South Africa’s T20 captain Markram and premier allrounder Marco Jansen but they’re on track for a three-peat. If they do that, they will draw comparisons with South Africa’s national rugby team, the Springboks, who have won the World Cup three times and are seen as the ultimate symbol of national success. Not bad company to keep, but first they’ll need to overcome some challenges. We outline the main match-ups here.The batters: Test openers vs T20 stars The first clear point of difference between the finalists is how their opening pairs have performed. MICT, who have mostly used Rickelton and van der Dussen, had the leading top two of the group phase, with 523 runs and an average of 58.11. SEC had the least successful opening partnership, who averaged just 12.40.Both Rickelton and van der Dussen’s entire domestic careers have been played at the Wanderers, which is an obvious advantage. “To have those players around where they give you the best information and the ideas about the wicket and the conditions, is so great,” Rashid said.While SEC’s Tony de Zorzi grew up on the Highveld, both he and David Bedingham play at the coast (Cape Town, ironically) and neither are what you would call obvious T20 picks. Bedingham acknowledged to ESPNcricinfo that he is still trying to find the sweet spot in his short-format game while de Zorzi showed glimpses of it in his 49-ball 78 in Qualifier 2 against Paarl Royals. Both are in fairly good touch, which bodes well for Markram, especially as he has taken a personal interest in de Zorzi’s development.Tony de Zorzi played a match-winning knock in the Qualifier 2•SA20

“He’s a hell of a player but most importantly, I think he’s a really strong character mentally. He sets high standards and he’s mentally very strong as well,” he said. “Over the last few years he’s been playing some really good cricket and been scoring massive runs. I’m really chuffed for him last night that he did well and could sort of now just settle down and get into the competition just before the final. He’ll feel a bit more comfortable at the crease now.”This idea that the competition only starts at the end is something de Zorzi said Markram had mentioned before the knockouts, as a way to remind the team that everything they’ve done to get here is just preparation. The real test is now.The bowlers: Battle of the seamers (keep an eye on Ottneil Baartman and Corbin Bosch) Although the Wanderers has turned this season, it is known as the pace paradise in South African cricket and SEC, in particular, will hope it plays to reputation. Their seamers were the most successful of the group stage with 41 wickets and Marco Jansen – his height advantage means he often gets extra bounce and the regularity with which he takes wickets in the powerplay has made him the most difficult bowler to face across the tournament.Corbin Bosch has stood out for MICT•SA20

But pressure has not always been his friend and, by his own admission, he gets nervous in big moments and this one could be bigger than he thinks. SEC are sweating on the fitness of Ottneil Baartman, who left the field in his fourth over in Qualifier 2, and was assessed on Friday. His participation is in doubt, which could open the door for 21-year old Andile Simelane to play but would cost SEC experience.On MICT’s side, they have Rabada and Trent Boult but their leading seamer is Corbin Bosch, with 10 wickets. There’s extra motivation for him to show what he can do in the final: South Africa have yet to name a replacement for Anrich Nortje in their Champions Trophy squad and with Gerald Coetzee injured, Bosch is the front-runner. He offers pace, with speeds above 145kph, and a good showing in a crunch match will make him impossible to ignore.The coaches: Adi Birrell and Robbie P The people behind the scenes have no direct impact on what will happen on the field but the work they’ve done has helped put the teams in this position and has to be acknowledged.For SEC, Adi Birrell has masterminded two titles and has them on the brink of a third and his players are never short of praise for the kind of change-room environment he has created. “He’s seen so many things but just remains really calm, almost like a grandfather figure for us,” Markram said, quickly realising his terminology may not be seen as complimentary by his 64-year old coach. “He’s going to hate me but he knows anyone can chat to him, he manages each individual in the team with a lot of care which the players really appreciate and his values are really strong. He’s one of the best for sure.”MICT’s Robin Peterson has endured a tough two seasons but after first tasting success at the MLC with MI New York, where Rashid was also his captain, he has transferred to the SA20. “He is someone who always gives you that positive energy and that’s what you need as a captain,” Rashid said. “With him, I have that very good understanding and I’ve learned so many things from him. He keeps the environment very positive which is something which really helped in MLC and here as well.”

Danish Malewar also scored 73 to go with his 153 in the first innings

Shashank Kishore01-Mar-2025Vidarbha 379 and 249 for 4 (Nair 132*, Malewar 73) lead Kerala 342 (Baby 98, Sarwate 79, Nalkande 3-52, Rekhade 3-65, Dubey 3-88) by 286 runsIf fate had played out differently two seasons ago, Karun Nair would have been playing for Kerala after he first reached out to them when he was dumped unceremoniously by Karnataka. They couldn’t commit at the time and Nair, having sat at home for an entire season, couldn’t wait to grab his next opportunity. That’s when Vidarbha came calling.Two seasons on, Nair is at the forefront of Vidarbha’s charge to a third Ranji Trophy title, having batted all day to construct an unbeaten 132, his 23rd first-class century and fourth of the season. It helped stretch Vidarbha’s lead to 286 at stumps on the fourth day, and they still have six wickets remaining. If Nair does lift the trophy, it’ll be his third – his first two were with Karnataka in his first two seasons, 2013-14 and 2014-15.Nair shouldn’t batted this long, but luck shone on him. On 31, in the very first session on the third day, indecision against young seamer Eden Apple Tom had him playing at one that reared up awkwardly to lob off the glove to first slip where Akshay Chandran put down a dolly. Having already lost two early wickets, Vidarbha would have been 55 for 3. Instead, Kerala saw Nair and Danish Malewar, the 21-year-old batter in his maiden season, torment them again, as if to complete the business they had left unfinished in the first innings when a mix-up between the two led to Nair’s run out for 86.Malewar and Nair put on 182 for the third wicket – Malewar making 73 to go with his 153 in the first innings – to defuse any tension there might have been in the Vidarbha camp after they lost Parth Rekhade and Dhruv Shorey inside the first three overs. Rekhade was bowled through the gate by Jalaj Saxena’s in-drift, and Shorey was out to Mohammed Azharuddeen’s brilliance as he dived full stretch to pluck a healthy edge in front of first slip to give MD Nidheesh an early wicket.Kerala could have had a third very quickly, but Malewar was aided by luck when DRS deemed a not-out lbw decision off Saxena to be umpire’s call. It was the start of a frustrating few hours for Kerala, where they dropped a sitter of a big-match player, two of their frontline seamers – Nidheesh and Nedumankuzhy Basil – received warnings twice for running on to the danger area of the pitch, and then saw two healthy nicks off Saxena, their most prolific and in-form spinner, go through the vacant slip cordon when the need of the hour was to attack, not defend. All these factors combined to give Vidarbha the push they needed.Danish Malewar scored 73 in the second innings after 153 in the first•PTI In the seventh over of the day, Malewar survived again, this time overturning an lbw call on DRS after being given out to Nidheesh, with replays showing the ball swung in late and would have missed leg stump. Things were happening quickly, and Kerala should have remained on the offensive. They didn’t and paid the price.Nair was good enough to pick gaps through the covers as Kerala left the off side open to have him drive against the turn. His ability to mix that up by playing a superb reverse sweep all along the ground made him a tough prospect to bowl to. Malewar’s temperament stood out as he absorbed the pressure from Saxena and played largely within himself until he got to his half-century and then stepped out to play a glorious drive over mid-off.As the partnership grew, Kerala resorted to a leg-stump line briefly to try to unsettle the batters. But given Vidarbha were sitting pretty with a lead, realisation dawned for Kerala that they needed to be a little more on the offensive, by which time the pair had already put on 100 runs.Nair survived on 65 when a leading edge off Saxena didn’t carry to the bowler, and he responded by offsetting any pressure by playing the reverse sweep. En route, he went past the 800-run mark for the season and charged into the 80s by hitting Aditya Sarwate for two back-to-back sixes – one over long-on and one over long-off. As he brought up his century, Nair dropped his bat, removed his gloves and showed nine fingers towards the dressing room to signal his nine hundreds across the season, before taking guard and continuing to blunt the bowling.It needed Chandran’s left-arm, part-time spin to break the mammoth stand when Malewar jabbed at one that flicked the glove and lobbed to Sachin Baby at slip. Then Yash Rathod came out and battled serenely with Nair, and at one point in the final session, overtook Madhya Pradesh batter Shubham Sharma’s tally of 943 to lead the run charts for the season.Then a sharp turner from Sarwate spun back in to trap him lbw, a decision that Kerala got overturned in their favour through the DRS. But moments like those were few and far amid a largely frustrating day for Kerala, whose hopes of a maiden title seem all but gone, with them needing a miracle to make a match of this on the final day.

Jose Mourinho reportedly wanted 'to attend Chelsea games' before his Benfica appointment last week, but the Blues have no plans to offer a homecoming welcome to 'Judas' for their Champions League tie next week. Fresh from his abrupt sacking at Fenerbahce after failing to secure Europe’s top table through qualification, the 61-year-old is once again prowling touchlines where he believes he belongs.

• A Chelsea return no one planned for

  According to if Mourinho wasn't walking out to the away dugout at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday, he might have been sat in the stands. Despite years of animosity since leaving Chelsea, his Belgravia home in west London remains his family’s base, and insiders reveal he had plans to attend games this season as a spectator.

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• AFP
  

  No special plans for the 'Special One'

  But Chelsea have no intention of rolling out any red carpet when his new Benfica side come to town. There will be no grand gestures, no official tributes, and certainly no welcome party for a man who split opinion as fiercely as he won trophies.

• No love lost with Stamford Bridge faithful

  Mourinho has returned to the Bridge before, with Manchester United and Tottenham, and those visits left scars. The infamous 2017 clash as Red Devils boss saw a section of younger Chelsea fans chanting 'Judas' at the man who delivered them three Premier League titles. Never one to back down, Mourinho reminded them with three raised fingers how many league crowns he alone had secured for the club.

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• AFP
  

  Another fiery night under the lights?

  Mourinho and his new Benfica side will head to Chelsea for their Champions League encounter next Tuesday, marking the 'Special One's first return to Stamford Bridge since 2020 when he was manager of Spurs.

Celtic have had a mixed start to the season, and despite sitting top of the Scottish Premiership, failure to qualify for the Champions League and an inability to sign a new striker in the transfer window have dampened the mood at Celtic Park.

In the final few days of the window, Brendan Rodgers’ side were frantically trying to bring in a replacement for the departing Adam Idah. Celtic were in negotiations for Anderlecht’s Kasper Dolberg, but that move fell through with the Danish striker returning to his former club Ajax.

In an even more concerning turn of events, deadline day saw Celtic try to sign Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana, but the 22-year-old opted to attempt a loan move to Championship side Charlton instead.

While they failed to sign their final player in the window, the Bhoys have received the unique opportunity to bring in their much-desired striker.

Celtic's Iheanacho lifeline running out of time

Indeed, Celtic have received a second opportunity to sign their final striker target. On deadline day, the Hoops tried to sign Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho, but this move did not materialise. However, Rodgers has been offered a transfer lifeline as Sevilla and Iheanacho have reached an agreement to terminate his contract. The Nigerian striker had one year left on his deal in Spain.

When revealing Celtic’s deadline day interest in Iheanacho, Anthony Joseph reported that it was the Scottish side’s second attempt to sign the midfielder as they also approached Sevilla about signing him in January, but he decided to go out on loan to Middlesbrough instead.

As a free agent, Celtic have the opportunity to recruit Iheanacho outside of the usual transfer window. However, time is still of the essence for Celtic as they have to submit their UEFA Europa League group stage squad by 11 pm on Tuesday. This means that if they want Iheanacho in Europe, they have to sign and register him as soon as possible.

Iheanacho can revitalise his career at Celtic

Some fans may be concerned that the striker they may end up with was quite a way down their shopping list and that his club would rather terminate his contract than keep him for another season. However, he has shown in the past that he is a more than capable striker who can help Celtic in their multiple cup campaigns.

British football fans will most likely be familiar with Iheanacho from his time in the Premier League with Manchester City and Leicester City. While he never set the world alight in England, he was always playing second fiddle to another striker.

In both Manchester and Leicester, he was rotated with club legends Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy, respectively, and he only reached 30 league appearances in a season on one occasion. This means that despite only averaging just over 8 goal involvements a season, he actually averaged a goal involvement about every 98 minutes of play time.

While the move to Sevilla undoubtedly didn’t work out, given a new opportunity and ample game time, Iheanacho has a good chance of rediscovering his Premier League form and prolificness in front of goal.