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Chelsea have now opened talks over a summer move for an “incredible” forward, and they are willing to make an offer of £83m to get a deal over the line, according to a report.

Maresca keen on new forwards

Nicolas Jackson’s form has been on a downward spiral since December, while fellow forward Christopher Nkunku has scored just three goals in the Premier League this season, meaning Enzo Maresca is now keen to bring in new attacking options in the summer.

Maresca is thought to rate Athletic Club winger Nico Williams extremely highly, and the Blues are said to have offered the Spaniard a £319k-per-week contract to move to Stamford Bridge.

Another wide option the west Londoners have in mind is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, and they have now made their first move to sign the winger, tabling a blockbuster £66m bid in an attempt to get a deal done this summer.

Chelsea join huge race to sign £15,000-p/w youngster after sending scouts

He’s one to watch…

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By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 2, 2025

Earlier this week, it was revealed Chelsea are also in a strong position to sign AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, with the Italian club now more open to a departure, and there has since been a new update on their pursuit of the Portugal international.

According to a report from Spain, talks have now been opened with Leao’s representatives ahead of what could be a big-money move this summer.

The Blues are willing to make an offer of €100m (£83m) for the winger, with the board expressing a serious interest in getting a deal done, having identified him as one of their key targets.

Chelsea are said to be the frontrunners for the forward, who Milan would prefer to keep hold of, but there is a feeling the Italian side could be tempted to sanction a sale, should they receive a big offer.

"Incredible" Leao could be a fantastic signing

Maresca recently sent scouts to watch Bologna defender Sam Beukema in action against AC Milan, but their attention may also have been drawn to Leao, given that the Portuguese forward bagged his sixth goal of the season in the Serie A.

Although Milan lost 2-1, the former Lille man put in another impressive performance, having been a key player for the Serie A side for quite some time, amassing 68 goals and 52 assists in a total of 247 appearances for the club.

Not only that, but the 25-year-old also ranks very highly on some key attacking metrics, when compared to his positional peers over the past year.

Leao has been a brilliant servant to Milan, but he may want a fresh challenge after spending six seasons in Italy, and if he decides to test himself in the Premier League, his attacking numbers indicate he could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea and one to watch by the looks of things.

Luis Diaz has discussed his future after Barcelona saw an approach to sign him rejected by Liverpool.

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• Luis Diaz speaks about transfer speculation
• Barcelona want to sign forward
• Have been told he's not for sale

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The La Liga champions have been linked with a move for the Colombian all summer but it was reported on Thursday that Liverpool have rejected their advances. Speaking on Colombia international duty, Diaz has had his say.

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  WHAT DIAZ SAID

  Diaz said: "I'm very happy at Liverpool. They've treated me well since the first day. We're talking with other clubs. It's the transfer window, it's normal. If Liverpool renews my contract, or if I have to stay the two years I have left, I'll be happy. It's up to them."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite turning down an approach, Liverpool are said to have no intention of extending Diaz's contract at the moment. Unless a huge offer is forthcoming, they are happy for him to move towards the end of his current deal, as reported by The Athletic.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DIAZ?

  Diaz is set to feature in two huge World Cup qualifiers for Colombia this week against Peru and Argentina. He will then resolve his future.

Leeds United travel to face Portsmouth this afternoon, looking to strengthen their grip on top spot in the Championship and extend their unbeaten run to 18 matches.

Daniel Farke’s side come into the meeting on the South Coast after a 1-1 draw against play-off-chasing West Brom at Elland Road last Saturday afternoon.

The Whites will be hoping to right the wrongs of the previous meeting with John Mousinho’s side on the opening day, with the two sides playing out a 3-3 draw in Yorkshire.

If Farke is to claim another three points this afternoon, they will have to produce an improved display from the last outing, which saw them struggle to break down Tony Mowbray’s side.

He could look to brutally drop one player from his starting eleven after he failed to impress within the final third throughout the draw at Elland Road just over a week ago.

Manor Solomon’s stats against West Brom

Winger Manor Solomon has been a key player since his loan move from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, registering seven goals and seven assists in his 28 Championship outings.

However, his showing against West Brom was arguably one of his worst during his temporary stint in Yorkshire, being withdrawn after 79 minutes.

The Israeli lost possession 13 times during the draw, only winning one of the six duels he entered, falling way below the high standards he’s set for himself in recent months.

He also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles and made one successful cross out of the four he produced – failing to offer that final product he’s so often produced this campaign.

As a result, Farke could look to drop the 25-year-old from the side this afternoon, replacing him with one other first-team member who could revive one of his teammates in the process.

The player who could revive Aaronson against Portsmouth

Brendan Aaronson has been a player who has divided opinion over the last few months, failing to replicate his showings from the early weeks of the season.

However, the American has only registered one combined goal and assist in 2025, highlighting the struggles he’s faced over the last couple of months.

A recall for Italian winger Wilfried Gnonto could allow the former RB Salzburg ace to recapture his form, with the youngster needing a recall after Solomon’s disappointing showing last week.

Gnonto, who’s previously been dubbed a “monster” by one analyst, hasn’t started a league game since the 1-0 win over Derby County at the end of December but has the tools to link up with Aaronson to revive the American star.

The Italian has completed 1.9 dribbles per 90 this season, along with 5.4 touches in the opposition box per game, his ability in the final third allowing the attacking midfielder to pick him out with his 83% pass accuracy.

The winger has also created 2.1 chances per 90, having the tools to return the favour to his teammate in attacking areas, potentially offering a huge threat in the final third for Farke’s side.

After such a long period without a start, Gnonto is more than deserving of an opportunity to remind the boss what he’s capable of, looking to return to his previous high levels of performance.

Whilst Pompey are a side who are in the bottom half, it’s a meeting that can’t be taken lightly, with the Italian having the star quality to provide the goods to extend their unbeaten run.

Leeds dud who's been "abysmal" out on loan must never wear the shirt again

Leeds United need to cash in on one player who’s failed to impress away from Elland Road in 2024/25.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Mar 7, 2025

The Miami owner expressed hopes for Messi to play at Miami Freedom Park, the Herons' new stadium set to open in 2026

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• Jorge Mas wants Lionel Messi to retire at Inter Miami
• Club waiting for green light on contract extension
• Also receptive to Luis Suarez extending his stay

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Miami are eager for Messi to play out the remainder of his career in South Beach, their owner reiterated in an interview with . Jorge Mas has repeatedly expressed his desire for Messi to continue his Miami tenure, with the Argentine's deal set to expire at the end of next season – if his club option is exercised.

  Negotiations over a new deal are ongoing, but the club are reportedly optimistic about the eight time Ballon d'Or winner putting pen to paper.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The former Barcelona quartet of Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, all have the option to stay, Mas said. Alba penned a new deal earlier this year, committing his future to Miami through the 2027 season – although he is the youngest of the four.

• WHAT MAS SAID ABOUT MESSI

  The owner outlined his future plans for Messi.

  "I previously said that my wish, my dream would be for the number 10 to inaugurate our new stadium in March," he said. "This is a decision that rests on Messi. We wish for Messi to finish his career here. I said a few months ago that we should have news in the summer about that but hopefully it will be as soon as possible. But I am optimistic because we have done everything possible for Leo to feel at home, to feel comfortable.

  "I always said that he is a competitive animal, he wants to win. I hope we can raise many trophies together here at Inter Miami in the coming years. Here, we're just waiting to be able to give the fans the good news about Lionel Messi."

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• WHAT MAS SAID ABOUT SUAREZ

  He also said that Suarez has the option to stay, long-term.

  "In terms of Suarez and Busquets, it's up to them if they stay," he said. "He has such a heart of a footballer. Luis Suárez is extraordinary. He gives everything in that game. I joke with him about knee pain because I also have it, but I am old. I think his contribution to the club, to the locker room, what he represents, puts aside all the goals he has for Inter Miami, the assists, and what Luis participates in.

  "We'll see what he wants to do, if he wants to do one more year or many more it's up to him if his body permits it. I think that's the question. I think that the issue with Luis Suárez is a physical one, not emotional."

Arsenal have now agreed to pay £62m for a striker who’s been prolific in front of goal this season, according to a report.

Gunners keen on a striker

There are a whole host of big names on the Gunners’ list of striker targets for the summer, but Benjamin Sesko has been named as their first-choice option, and there has now been a positive update on their pursuit of the Slovenian.

Sesko is said to have informed his potential suitors he’d prefer to move to London, which could hand Mikel Arteta’s side a slight advantage in the race for his signature, amid interest from Premier League title rivals Liverpool.

Another striker the north Londoners are well-placed to sign is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with a report revealing they are leading Manchester United in the race for the Nigerian, who has spent the current season on loan at Galatasaray.

Arsenal plan talks for £80m striker who Berta tried to sign for Atletico

The Gunners are targeting a new centre-forward this summer.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 8, 2025

TEAMtalk have now revealed Napoli plan to sell Osimhen permanently this summer, while also relaying a report from Nigeria, which suggests there has been a positive development in Arsenal’s pursuit of the striker.

According to a report from Daily Trust, the Gunners have now informed Napoli they are willing to pay the release clause included in the forward’s contract this summer. TEAMtalk claims this stands at £62m.

Arteta wants to bring in an out-and-out striker, having formulated plans to drop Kai Havertz into a deeper role, given his struggles leading the line, and the Nigeria international is seemingly emerging as a major target.

Chelsea and Man United are also named as potential suitors for the Galatasaray loanee, so there may be competition for his signature, should the fellow Premier League sides also be willing to fork out the required £62m fee.

"Monster" Osimhen could be the final piece of the jigsaw

There are no other reports suggesting a deal has been agreed, so it is probably wise to treat the rumours with caution, but should Arsenal bring in the 26-year-old this summer, there is every indication he could be a success at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta has been lacking an out-and-out striker for quite some time, with Havertz receiving major criticism prior to his season-ending injury, and Osimhen’s goal record suggests he could be a big upgrade on the German.

The Galatasaray star has been prolific this season, netting 23 goals in all competitions, having also previously impressed in Italy, scoring 26 goals in 32 games for Napoli in their 2022/23 Serie A title-winning season.

Lauded as a “monster” by freelance scout Ben Mattinson, Osimhen has a proven track record of scoring goals everywhere he’s been, and he could be the final piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal in their pursuit of the Premier League title next season.

James Milner has signed a new one-year contract at Brighton that will see him play for the club in the Premier League at the age of 40.

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• Milner extends stay with Brighton
• Previously played for Liverpool and Manchester City
• Fabian Hurzeler thrilled with agreement

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Brighton have confirmed that Milner has signed a new deal that will run for another year, and will see him play for the Seagulls at the age of 40. The 39-year-old has made 638 Premier League appearances and is 16 games away from breaking the record set by Gareth Barry for the most outings in the English top-flight.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Milner played in the first three Premier League games of the 2024/25 season for Brighton before a thigh injury saw him sidelined until the final game of the season, where he came off the bench for the final minute of their clash with Tottenham. Now, he will aim to break back into Fabian Hurzeler's starting XI.

• WHAT FABIAN HURZELER SAID

  Hurzeler told Brighton's website: “I’m really pleased we will have James with us again this season. Last season he wasn’t able to help the team on the pitch as much as he would have liked, but around the squad his experience is invaluable, especially for the younger players.

  "He’s a great guy to have in our environment, who is always there for me and the team. I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Brighton kick off their pre-season preparations against Southampton on August 2nd. It is unclear if Milner will be fit to play.

A reporter has now dropped a four-word update from Nottingham Forest on the future of talisman Morgan Gibbs-White, as he continues to be a driving force behind the club’s fantastic season.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

The Reds’ win over Ipswich Town on Saturday moved them a step closer to achieving their dream of securing Champions League football for next season. It has been a terrific campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, with the likes of Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga, Elliot Anderson, and Gibbs-White at the heart of their success.

Club in contact with Nottingham Forest "monster" who has uncertain future

He’s found minutes hard to come by this season.

By
Barney Lane

Mar 17, 2025

But Forest could be the victims of their own success, as Gibbs-White is a player who is very much in demand. The midfielder has got admirers from both Manchester United and Liverpool as he continues to impress in the Premier League and has earned recognition on the international stage as well.

That interest in Gibbs-White has seen Forest join the race to sign Semih Kilicsoy from Turkish giants Besiktas. They are said to value the 19-year-old at £17 million, which has alerted other Premier League teams such as Aston Villa and Newcastle United, as well as Forest.

The Turkey under-21 international has really impressed for Besiktas this season, scoring three goals and recording four assists in 25 Super Lig games.

Reporter drops update from Nottingham Forest on Gibbs-White

But while the Reds show interest in Kilicsoy, they will want him to arrive as an aid for Gibbs-White, not as a replacement. According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Nottingham Forest will “do everything they can” to keep hold of Gibbs-White in the summer.

As stated, the Forest captain has interest from big Premier League clubs, but the Reds are determined to keep hold of their best players after what has been a tremendous 2024/25 campaign. The report states that should Champions League qualification be achieved, the Midlands side would be well-placed to keep their best players for next season.

The 25-year-old has had a very impressive Premier League campaign, scoring five goals and registering seven assists in 25 league games. His form has earned him two caps for England, and while he wasn’t originally called into the squad for the next international games by Thomas Tuchel, he now finds himself in the squad after Cole Palmer pulled out through injury.

Nuno and Gibbs-White have known each other since the midfielder was 17, as he came through at Wolves. The pair find themselves working with one another once again, and Gibbs-White has labelled the relationship between the two of them as “incredible”. Therefore, Nuno will be determined to keep hold of his star midfielder beyond this summer.

A move to Italy may be on the horizon for Jadon Sancho, with Serie A giants Juventus and Napoli prepared to do battle for his signature.

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• Serie A giants Napoli and Juve want Sancho
• Winger returned to Manchester United after Chelsea loan
• Thought still to have no future at Old Trafford

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Juventus have joined the race for Sancho, in their second attempt to bring the Englishman to Turin after a previous failed effort ahead of his underwhelming loan move to Chelsea from Manchester United last summer. But the Old Lady fear that Antonio Conte's Italian champions Napoli may be leading the race for Sancho, with key progress having been made to sign the winger. Sancho is believed to prefer a move to Naples, the report claims.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Still just 25, Sancho has been searching for a permanent home ever since his high-profile falling out with former United manager Erik ten Hag in 2023. Loans with Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea have followed, with the Blues' decision to pay a £5 million penalty to avoid signing Sancho permanently surely coming as a blow to the England international. Managers across Europe know the quality possessed by the former Manchester City youth product, and a move to Serie A may provide the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  United reportedly want a price of £21m ($28m) for Sancho, which may yet prove a stumbling block for the interested parties. This is a far cry from the £73m ($93m) which was spent by the Red Devils to bring him in from Dortmund in 2021, but Sancho registered just nine Premier League goals in 58 appearances for United and faced challenges on return to his home country.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?

  With a move to Italy looking like a possibility, Sancho should brush up on his Italian if he hopes to wow Trent-style at his potential unveiling. All jokes aside, this next move could be an important one for his career if he hopes to retain an outside chance of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad next summer. Particularly if he moves permanently, he must be sure that he is joining the right club to help bring the best out of him once again.

Few Manchester United players in the modern era have been quite so polarising, quite so newsworthy as that of Paul Pogba, with the mercurial Frenchman enduring a turbulent six-year second spell at Old Trafford, to say the least.

Signed on an £89m deal back in the summer of 2016 – four years on from having left under Sir Alex Ferguson on a free transfer – the towering midfielder failed to truly justify that club record fee, despite scoring and assisting 87 goals in 233 games for the Red Devils in total.

Plagued by injuries in his final few seasons in Manchester, the World Cup winner was repeatedly touted for an exit by his then-agent, Mino Raiola, throughout his time at the club, while failing to build on the Carabao Cup and Europa League success from his first year back in English football.

The former Juventus man may not have been surrounded by the greatest United side of recent times, but neither has Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese playmaker epitomising everything that his ex-teammate could have been.

Deployed in a deep-lying role, as a number ten, or even on the flanks, Fernandes has repeatedly delivered the goods over the past five years, having now chalked up 95 goals and 82 assists in 277 games to date. There have been no excuses, no apparent desire to leave – the 30-year-old has relished the role of being United’s talisman.

Pogba, however, never took on that mantle, even despite his hefty price tag, with the Red Devils certainly needing to steer clear of any suggestion regarding a potential reunion.

The latest on Pogba's potential Man Utd return

Having been approaching the end of his contract in the climax of the 2021/22 campaign, Pogba’s United career petered out in a sorry manner as he was notably booed off by the Old Trafford faifthful during the 3-2 win over Norwich City, having then limped off just minutes into the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield.

That had looked like a fitting end to a disappointing chapter for the 91-cap France international, although there had been reports of late that an unwelcome homecoming was on the cards.

The 32-year-old has been out of action across the last 18 months or so due to a suspension for a doping breach, having endured a miserable return to Juve, following his United exit in 2022.

Now currently a free agent, Pogba was linked with a short-term switch back to Manchester in recent months, albeit with those claims subsequently quashed, amid the player’s own desire to join a club competing in the upcoming Club World Cup.

Forking out for the wages of a player who hasn’t played competitively since 2023 would make little sense too, with a final swansong in Saudi Arabia or MLS looking a more likely destination for the ageing star.

For all concerned, Pogba’s United story wisely looks to be resigned to the past, although Ruben Amorim and INEOS may be fearful of having found their next version of the 6 foot 3 hotshot among the current ranks.

Man Utd may have found Pogba 2.0

For all the criticism mentioned above – with club legend Gary Neville among those to admit that Pogba’s move “failed” – there were no doubt flashes of quality from the midfielder at times in a United shirt.

The elegant star notably dazzled in the 2018/19 campaign, amid Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, having scored 16 goals and registered a further 11 assists, after being pushed into a more advanced role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba also impressed down the left flank in the early knockings of 2021/22, having memorably chalked up four assists during the 5-1 thrashing of rivals Leeds United on the opening day.

Ultimately, however, a man signed to play in a midfield two never really looked comfortable in that role, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell noting after his exit that ‘his physical stature suggested a defensive side to Pogba’s game that was not really there’.

Parallels between that signing from Serie A can certainly be made then with the relatively recent capture of Joshua Zirkzee, with the 6 foot 4 Dutchman arriving on a £36.5m deal from Bologna last summer.

Like Pogba – who registered 23 goals and assists in 2015/16 at Juve – Zirkzee had dazzled in Italy’s top-flight, having ended last term as the division’s Young Player of the Year, while even being likened to Ronaldinho by then-boss, Thiago Motta.

Much like the Frenchman, the former Bayern Munich was signed for one role but has largely been at his best elsewhere, having swiftly moved away from operating as a number nine and instead been deployed as one of Amorim’s two number tens.

That switch has proved fruitful, amid notable goals against the likes of Leicester City and Real Sociedad in recent months, although, like Pogba, the 23-year-old’s pace and physicality has been called into question, having been described as almost “admirably slow” by journalist Charlie Parrish.

As Italian football expert Mina Rzouki has also outlined, ‘it doesn’t help that Zirkzee’s physical stature suggests he ought to be a different type of striker’, again mirroring the towering Pogba, who was not, despite his appearance, a particularly dominant midfielder.

A player that seemingly “belongs to a different era”, in the words of Parrish, Zirkzee’s almost casual style also bears a resemblance to Pogba strutting his stuff in the centre of the park, with the pair both possessing that knack for gliding up the pitch with the ball at their feet. The silk is there, but is there the steel?

The Netherlands international, to his credit, has shaken off an early withdrawal against Newcastle United to earn almost cult hero status – something his midfield counterpart was never able to achieve – with there perhaps a sense that he can kick on under the Amorim regime in the coming years.

That nagging stylistic likeness to Pogba does persist, however, with the question remaining as to whether the £105k-per-week maestro can truly carve out a regular role for himself in this system, as well as whether he really is up to the task amid the rigours of the Premier League.

Man Utd can forget Mantato & Dorgu by unleashing "phenomenal" 18-year-old

Bendito Mantato won’t feature in Manchester United’s next game.

By
Joe Nuttall

Apr 1, 2025

The Blues overcame a near two-hour weather delay, scoring three times in extra time to book their spot in the quarter-finals

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are off to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup after defeating Portuguese giants Benfica 4-1 on Saturday in the round of 16 in the competition. The Blues overcame a near two-hour extreme weather delay that halted play for one hour and 57 minutes to secure their spot in the next round, scoring three times in extra time.

A world-class free kick from captain and full-back Reece James in the second half saw them break the deadlock, putting them on track for what looked like a swift and seamless victory. However, in the 86th minute of the contest, FIFA officials halted the match due to weather, and multiple delays later, the teams resumed after spending over an entire regulation period in the locker room.

Upon return, Benfica seized their opportunity, equalising in stoppage time through an Angel Di Maria penalty kick – his fourth goal of the competition. A Malo Gusto handball offense was called with minutes to spare, and the Argentina legend stepped up to draw level, forcing extra time.

Come extra-time, it was all Chelsea, though.

Just two minutes in, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was shown a second yellow card, and the Portuguese club were reduced to 10 men. From there, Maresca deployed a high press, and it resulted in three goals to close out the match.

Christopher Nkunku scored the game-winner, making it 2-1 in the 108th minute, bagging a strike worth $13.1 million due to the enormous prize pool of the competition, earning the London team a hefty payday by advancing to the next round. Then, Pedro Neto found the back of the net, followed by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the closing stages.

The Blues overcame a lengthy delay and a shocking late equaliser to secure their advancement in the tournament, where they will now meet Palmeiras and Brazilian wonderkid Estevao in a head-to-head match before he joins them on a permanent transfer after the completion of the competition. However, they will have to do it without midfielder Moises Caicedo, who earned his second yellow card of Club World Cup, and will be suspended due to accumulation for their next match.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Bank of America Stadium..

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  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Robert Sanchez (6/10):

  Rarely tested, but came up big in the first half with a save and then once again in the closing stages. Nothing he could do about the penalty.

  Reece James (9/10):

  Rock-solid defensively, but his moment arrived in the attack, as he scored the game-winner with a world-class free kick.

  Benoit Badiashile (6/10):

  A bit shaky in the first 45 minutes, but much more composed in the second half. Departed the match due to injury in the 69th minute.

  Levi Colwill (7/10):

  A top performance from the England international, who was reliable on and off the ball.

  Marc Cucurella (7/10):

  Fantastic going forward in the attack and composed defensively. A consistent performance from the Spanish veteran.

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  Midfield

  Moises Ciacedo (9/10):

  A stunning game from the Ecuadorian. He forced the turnover that led to Nkunku's winner, and put forth a brilliant midfield performance, but a costly yellow card now sees him suspended for the quarter-finals. It was a needless foul, and one that could potentially haunt them in the next round.

  Romeo Lavia (6/10):

  Solid in the middle of the park alongside Caicedo in regulation. Helped control the tempo of the match and was defensively sound off the ball while providing a passing outlet for those around him.

  Enzo Fernandez (7/10):

  Deployed in a more attacking role, he pushed the pace of the game all evening long while breaking into the final third alongside Neto, Delap, and Palmer. Put forth an impressive performance on the ball, but his passing left a bit to be desired.

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  Attack

  Pedro Neto (6/10):

  A few really nice runs up and down the right flank of the pitch and across the top of the box, but he rarely threatened until his late goal in extra time.

  Liam Delap (6/10):

  Scored a late attempt in the second half, but the offside flag rose. Otherwise, a few decent chances in the box, but looked a bit off-tempo from those around him – it was increasingly apparent throughout the match he's still learning this Chelsea system.

  Cole Palmer (7/10):

  Deployed at left wing and he looked uncomfortable in the first 90 minutes but had a really positive showing in extra-time and helped propel Chelsea to victory.

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  Subs & Manager

  Kiernan Desbury-Hall (6/10):

  Overall, a bright cameo for a midfielder who has struggled for minutes of late. Was active centrally and going forward and provided energy in extra-time. Took his goal well, too.

  Cristopher Nkunku (8/10):

  The goal-scoring hero in extra-time, the French forward stepped up to bag the winner with 12 minutes left in the overtime period. The perfect performance.

  Malo Gusto (3/10):

  Replaced goalscorer Reece James and then committed the penalty kick offense that Benfica scored to push things into another 30 minutes. Just a poor cameo that proved to be costly.

  Tosin (6/10):

  Replaced the injured Badiashile and didn't put a foot wrong. A classy defensive performance to end the match.

  Trevoh Chalobah (6/10):

  Introduced after the lengthy weather delay, and helped Chelsea's defence lock in throughout extra time.

  Enzo Maresca (6/10):

  Really strange lineup from the Italian, choosing to play Palmer on the left and Fernandez at No. 10. His team struggled to create attacking chances all evening as a result, and neither looked particularly comfortable in the final third when lined up. Upon return from the weather delay, they looked stagnant and unprepared for the attacking pressure Benfica brought. However, it was smart of him to change things up after going up a man, and it resulted in a victory.