All posts by hc12369.com

Chelsea are now believed to have taken a serious interest in one marquee Newcastle star amid a real worry for incoming new manager Liam Rosenior.

After Enzo Maresca’s shock exit on New Year’s Day, credible reports suggest that the west Londoners are about to turn to their sister club for the Italian’s immediate replacement.

Talks are underway with the former Hull City boss and believed to be progressing, with Rosenior the overwhelming favourite to take over from Maresca just two days after the 45-year-old parted company.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are currently waiting on the Ligue 1 side to find a replacement before they green-light their manager’s departure.

Rosenior is very highly-rated for his work developing young players, and he’s already transformed the likes of Diego Moreira at Strasbourg after he was previously let go by Chelsea.

Despite links with the likes of José Mourinho, it is clear that BlueCo see Rosenior as the man to take them forward after Chelsea’s sour relationship with Maresca came to a very abrupt end.

Amid their chase for the tactician, Stamford Bridge chiefs are also making transfer plans, and their ‘major concern’ about injury-ridden midfielder Roméo Lavia has prompted them to look at proven alternatives.

Related Big-name manager prepared to join Chelsea instead of Rosenior after Maresca exit

It would be a statement move.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini

That is according to journalist Wayne Veysey, who told Football Insider that Chelsea are now eyeing a move for Newcastle star Sandro Tonali.

Chelsea set sights on Sandro Tonali amid 'major' Rosenior concern

In what is likely to be a big worry for Rosenior once he does come in, Chelsea have few midfield options bar Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo, who’ve been run into the ground this season.

The club also want an upgrade on Andrey Santos, prompting them to look at the Italian as an option for the summer, rather than January.

In any case, Veysey writes that Chelsea have set their sights on Tonali after taking a ‘firm interest’ in the 25-year-old.

Tonali is a key figure in Eddie Howe’s midfield, starting 16 of their 19 Premier League games so far, and the Magpies are set to demand a marquee fee to let him leave.

Subscribe to the newsletter for Chelsea transfer insight For wider context on Chelsea’s Rosenior link, Tonali interest and how transfers shape the squad, subscribe to the newsletter for in-depth coverage, analysis and informed perspectives on these moves and what they mean.

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Lee Ryder reported late last year that Newcastle want similar figures to Alexander Isak, with fees north of £130 million expected to be the benchmark for any negotiations about Tonali.

The big question is whether Chelsea would be willing to pay anywhere near that sum considering they’ve already splashed north of £100m on both Caicedo and Fernandez since BlueCo’s ownership began.

Tonali isn’t the traditional signing in terms of age that Chelsea usually go for, despite still being pretty young, so it would be a pretty out of the ordinary move by Behdad Eghbali and co.

Another worry for Chelsea is Howe’s recent admission that Tonali hasn’t quite hit the same heights as his comeback campaign last season.

Related £325,000-a-week Chelsea star now wants permanent exit amid interest from West Ham

He has not played for the Blues since 2024.

Posts ByJames O'Reilly

Todd Murphy is firming to play his first home Test, after the SCG’s head curator declared the pitch’s green covering would be near-irrelevant come day one.With administrators still on edge after last week’s two-day debacle in Melbourne, an extremely green SCG surface raised eyebrows in Sydney on Thursday.Related

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But chief curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that should not be a concern, and he was hopeful Sydney would extend into a fifth day.”You want to see green tinge three days out,” Lewis said.  “If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out, then that’s when [it’s a worry] … I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.”We had a little bit of sun this morning. They’re saying a bit more sun tomorrow. That will take the greenness out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitches at the moment. We’re looking good.”Lewis admitted he felt for MCG counterpart Matt Page last week, but said he felt no external pressure to ensure the fifth Test in Sydney went the distance.It’s estimated that Cricket Australia (CA) has lost in the vicinity of AUD15 million in profits this summer, with the opening Test in Perth also finishing inside two days.Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked at a function with teams on Thursday night that they had to ensure the game went to day three, in order to support the McGrath Foundation fundraiser.The pitch at the SCG has been the centre of much attention•AFP/Getty Images

One of the hardest grounds in the world to bowl on between 2014 and 2023, last year’s SCG Test was over in just two-and-a-half days.Lewis said that his ground staff would go with 6mm of grass this year compared to 7mm last season, while also reducing its density. That in itself generally acts to flatten out the wicket and produce less movement, while also inviting the chance of spin late in the match.”We just thought … we could thin our density out a little bit,” Lewis said. “That’s what we’ve done this year. We’ve practised that in the Shield matches and we’ve received very good marks.”CA CEO Todd Greenberg said he too was confident the SCG Test would last the distance.”I’ve had more phone calls and conversations about wickets and millimetres of grass than I thought I’d ever have,” Greenberg said. “But I’m hopeful and confident we will have a long and productive Test match here.”Cameron Green’s form is under scrutiny heading into the final Test•Getty Images

All of which should spell good news for Murphy. Australia’s coaching staff had a prolonged conversation around the pitch on Friday morning, after leaving Murphy out and going with four quicks at the MCG.Murphy then spent most of Friday’s training session bowling to Australia’s top order, while Alex Carey also had an extended run keeping to him.With seven Tests to his name overseas, Murphy would be expected to come in for Jhye Richardson if he does play in Sydney.England have promised to take the attack to Murphy, who played two Tests during the 2023 Ashes were he conceded 4.72 an over.”Whoever plays, I think that’s the mantra of our team, is to try and put pressure on people,” opener Zak Crawley said. “Todd’s a very good bowler, but I can envisage us trying to put some pressure on him, like we would all their bowlers.That’s going to come with some risks, and if it’s turning it’s definitely going to be a threat. But I think we’ll try and put pressure on all their bowlers.”The other question for Australia will be whether Cameron Green remains in the side, after Beau Webster was spotted fielding in the gully during slips training on Friday. Green has averaged 18.66 with the bat in this series. The SCG was the scene of Webster’s debut a year ago against India.