Raphinha, Moussa Diaby or Wilfried Zaha? Arsenal must sign a Bukayo Saka back-up in the summer transfer window

The Gunners winger has made 78 consecutive Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta's team, and he has looked tired in recent weeks

Arsenal spent a lot of time last summer looking to bring in some cover for Bukayo Saka on the right side of their attack. Raphinha was the player they wanted, and they did make a bid for the Leeds United winger. But when that bid was rejected and Raphinha’s determination to seal a dream move to Barcelona became abundantly clear, Arsenal took a step back.

At that point you thought the Gunners would move on to other targets. Moussa Diaby, the Bayer Leverkusen winger, is a player they are known to have admired for some time, and there was a feeling the north London club could make a move for the 23-year-old. But they never did.

And when the transfer window closed at the end of the summer the only right winger who had arrived at Arsenal was Marquinhos, the 19-year-old Brazilian who had come in from Sao Paulo.

The capture of Marquinhos was seen as one for the future. He was talented, but he wasn’t a player who was expected to immediately challenge for the first-team. In fact, the expectation was that he would head out on loan almost immediately. So that left Mikel Arteta once again relying almost purely on Saka on the right hand side of his front-line. 

GettyA player in need of protection

Saka’s durability is one of his biggest strengths. No matter how many games he plays and how many kicks he takes, he always seems to be available. And for Arsenal, that has been hugely important during the past two seasons, because they haven’t really had anyone around who could fill in for him, should he be absent for a sustained period of time.

Reiss Nelson is one possibility, but Arteta has always seemed to prefer using him on the left on the odd occasion he has been handed any game time during the past couple of campaigns.

The fact Saka hasn’t picked up any sort of serious injury seems more down to good fortune rather than anything else, given the treatment he receives on a weekly basis from defenders. His team-mates and Arteta have long called for the winger to be given more protection from referees, but so far those appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

AdvertisementGetty Images78 consecutive league appearances

Saka has featured in every single Premier League game for Arsenal this season. The only game he didn’t start, against Leeds, he was introduced as a second-half substitute despite the fact he had been ill and hadn’t been able to train the day before.

In fact, Saka has made an appearance in Arsenal’s last 78 Premier League fixtures. The last game he missed was against Newcastle in May 2021, when he was an unused substitute. That’s currently the longest run of consecutive league appearances in the league (David de Gea is second with 75).

Since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, Saka has featured 74 times – again, more than any other player in the league. Of those 74 appearances, 71 have been starts. For a 21-year-old, those are remarkable numbers, especially when you factor in the games he has played for England during the same period of time. 

They are also numbers, however, which show how important it is that Arsenal finally bring in some much-needed cover for Saka this summer.

Getty ImagesOne goal in eight games

Saka may have the capability to consistently be available, but his performances in recent weeks suggest the incredible workload he has had to take on has started to catch up with him. Since scoring twice against Crystal Palace on March 19, the winger has started eight times for Arsenal and has struggled to find the same level of performance that he had produced during the earlier part of the campaign.

In those eight games, Saka has managed just one goal and one assist. Previously, he had been averaging 0.82 direct goal involvements per 90 minutes, but since the win against Palace that has dropped sharply, falling to just 0.29.

Saka is now taking fewer shots per 90 minutes (2.3 compared to 2.6), creating fewer chances (1.6 compared to 2.3) and having fewer touches (53.3 compared to 59.6). He also missed a crucial penalty during that run, firing wide in the 2-2 draw at West Ham.

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GettyArteta's need to rotate

When you consider the amount of football Saka has been asked to play, both for his club and his country over the past two years, it is no surprise that physically he may be beginning to struggle a bit as the season comes to a close.

And that doesn’t just go for him when you are looking at the Arsenal team. Up to this point of the campaign, Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes have all featured in every league game this season for the Gunners. Saka has clocked up 3,041 Premier League minutes this season. For comparison, Bernardo Silva at Manchester City has 2,119, Jack Grealish has 2,063, Riyad Mahrez has 1,669 and Phil Foden has 1,612.

Pep Guardiola’s embarrassment of riches in the attacking areas means he can pick and choose who he wants for games, safe in the knowledge that the drop off in performance will not be vast. His players now look as sharp as they have all season as a result.

Arteta doesn’t really have that luxury. The core group of his team have started almost every game when available, and that has to change if Arsenal are going to take another step forward next season and compete not just for the Premier League, but also in the Champions League.

Man Utd Keen On Signing Santiago Gimenez

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Feyenoord attacker Santiago Gimenez during the summer transfer window.

How is Gimenez playing this season?

The 21-year-old is enjoying an extremely fruitful season for the Dutch giants, producing consistently influential performances in the Eredivisie and the Europa League. He has scored 10 times in just 15 league starts, while in Europe, he has netted five times in seven outings – with only two of those being starts.

Gimenez's performances don't seem to be going unnoticed, with Crystal Palace one of the sides linked with making a move for him this summer. It certainly looks as though a Premier League switch could be on the cards, with United now also getting a mention.

Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez celebrates scoring their first goal

Could youngster seal United move?

According to W Deportes [via Sport Witness], the Red Devils are the "most interested team" when it comes to Gimenez ahead of a possible move to Old Trafford. They have sent scouts to watch him in action several times and are believed to have made the "first contact" with his representatives.

He has a "clause close to €20m", and with doubts over Wout Weghorst and Anthony Martial's long-term futures, he could be seen as a superior option to come in and bolster United's attacking options.

Gimenez could be such an exciting signing for the Red Devils this summer, as despite not necessarily coming in as a guaranteed starter – the hope is that Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen may arrive, too – he may be viewed as a long-term prospect who can be an important squad player from the off.

His goalscoring record this season is testament to his potential, with 18 in all competitions marking a great return for Feyenoord. Meanwhile, he also has two strikes in nine caps for Mexico despite his tender years. We think it is essential that Erik ten Hag buys young players as well as those in their late 20s or even 30s, such as Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, in order to build for the future at Old Trafford.

Gimenez could be an ideal addition in that respect, hopefully coming in and having an even greater impact than his compatriot Javier Hernandez did, with the Mexican bagging 59 goals in 157 outings for United.

At 21, he still has so much improving to do as a player, and he could go through the gears faster by having top-quality players around him.

Brimful of Ashes

Martin Williamson reviews the latest Ashes books offerings

Martin Williamson and Will Luke19-Nov-2006In his foreword to Cricket’s Burning Passion (see below), Michael Atherton writes: “In the aftermath of the wondrous 2005 Ashes series, a raft of cricket books appeared on the bookshelves. There were the usual gruesome mix of ghosted autobiographies, ghosted diaries and rushed, ill-considered reviews …”. Ahead of the 2006-07 series a number of books have been issued, as expected, but the quality is far superior than those Atherton refers to. In 2005, the writers were all up against tight deadlines as publishers sought to cash in. The current offering shows that the authors have had the advantage of having time to prepare, and the result in a much more enjoyable and readable selection

Stiff Upper Lips and Baggy Green Caps Simon Briggs (Quercus, 280pp)

So much has been written about the Ashes, especially since September 2005, that finding a fresh angle on such a well-documented history would seem to present an almost insurmountable challenge. However, Simon Briggs has managed to rise to the occasion, and the end result is a delightful offering which should appeal to both seasoned fan and relative newcomer. The strength of the book is that it eschews the worthy-but-dull statistics which often form the bedrock of such histories and, by concentrating on the colourful characters and events the result is an easy read but a far from unfulfilling one. If you want a potted history of Test cricket’s oldest continuous rivalry – and you want to be entertained into the bargain – then look no further.The Ashes Miscellany Clive Batty (VSP 146pp)

The problem with books of miscellany is that the originals have spawned some dreadful offspring with little merit aimed at nothing more than cashing in on the sales boom. In the last couple of months there have been two such dire offerings, so it was a delight to find that The Ashes Miscellany is a return to the well-researched and entertaining kind of book that made the genre so popular in the first place. The contents will appeal to both those who consider themselves well versed in Ashes history and casual cricket fans who want trivia to impress their friends in the pub. It would have been too easy to pad the book with well-worn anecdotes and page-filling statistics, but Clive Batty has avoided that short cut and produced a genuinely good publication.The Book of Ashes Anecdotes Gideon Haigh (Mainstream 376pp)

The delight of setting out on a review of anything by Gideon Haigh is that you know it will be a quality read, and this collection of quotes and book extracts is no exception. He has produced a similar offering before – his 1997 Australian Cricket Anecdotes is well worth snuffling out – and this follows a similar format. Some of the entries are familiar but many are not, and it is those that shed a new light on many events in Ashes history. What really makes this, however, is that Haigh has not gone down the route of reproducing pithy one-liners but has opted for longer extracts, and this allows the flavour of the writers and characters to come through and make a more lasting effect. I found the Bodyline section the most interesting, especially Douglas Jardine’s reflection on it and Bradman some years later. “You know, we nearly didn’t do it,” he said. “The little man was bloody good.” That last sentiment also applies to Haigh’s book.

Cricket’s Burning Passion Scyld Berry and Rupert Peploe (Methuen 206pp)

In his introduction, Michael Atherton notes that amid all the Ashes brouhaha in 2005, few actually knew much about the urn at the heart of all the fuss. The challenge for Berry and Peploe (the great grandson of Ivo Bligh, the man who regained the Ashes lost in 1882) was to bring alive a tour which took place 124 years ago. That they have done, and the end result is a remarkable story and a compelling read. Bligh is one of the game’s more colourful characters and those who toured with him – and almost all of them died young – are a fascinating rabble. And as for the urn? Well, there remains some uncertainty about its contents. Some say it is a burnt bail, others a burnt piece of leather from a ball. Most likely, however, it is ash from fires at Bligh’s run-down stately home – more than one tale exists of the urn being knocked over and the contents spilled and replaced from the fireplace by clumsy servants. The Ashes are possibly sports’ least intrinsically valuable trophy. This book helps to explain why they are priceless.Match of My Life Sam Pilger and Rob Wightman (Know the Score books, 240pp)

It requires something really unique for a new Ashes book to poke itshead above the masses. And though Sam Pilger and Rob Wightman’s lacks a certain gravitas, the 12 namesfeatured provide enough interesting and amusing anecdotes to hold thereader’s attention span. The premise is simple: 12 famous Ashes namesrecount their stories. The usual and the modern are all there: AshleyGiles, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer – but far too much has alreadybeen said about 2005, the series which apparently beats all that precede it.Fortunately there are others to address the balance and Neil Harveyopens the book’s innings. Written in his own words Harvey recounts hisfirst Ashes Test (he made 112in the first innings scored the winning run in Australia’s chaseof 404). It is written with candour with amusing stories of the tours -meeting King George VI and Keith Miller’s friendship with the currentqueen, Elizabeth – which comes as a relief. Langer’s, on the otherhand, is too misty-eyed; a syrupy tone is best left for the biography.And writing in the third person, which he does once or twice, is aninstant mood-killer too. Talking of killing the mood, Geoffrey Boycott- an inevitable name to appear in such a collection – ischaracteristically candid, although offers a little too much on hisown achievements. It’s Geoffrey, though, and therefore requiredreading. Overall, it is a crisp, brisk and enjoyable view intoplayers’ experiences of playing in the Ashes. It’s a little different,too, and therefore worth a look.

Pakistan-India women series in doubt

The series between India and Pakistan’s women’s teams, which counts towards ICC Women’s Championship points, is in major doubt

Umar Farooq16-Oct-2016The series between India and Pakistan’s women’s teams, which counts towards ICC Women’s Championship points, is in major doubt. The two have till the end of October to play the series, but the BCCI has not responded to the PCB’s queries on the series since May with either a confirmation or rejection. If the series is not played, an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that the matter of how the points will be awarded will be referred to the event’s technical committee. The PCB wants India to forfeit the six points available for the series if they do not agree to play.Pakistan is due to host India for this series, which is supposed to consist of three ODIs, and the PCB is open to holding the series in the UAE. Eight teams are part of the ICC Women’s Championship; the top four at the end of the championship, which runs over two and a half years, gain automatic entry into the 2017 Women’s World Cup in England. The bottom four will have to qualify via a ten-team qualification tournament in early 2017.”The two sides have until the end of this month to play the series, which has to be hosted by Pakistan,” the ICC spokesperson said. “If the series doesn’t go ahead, then the matter will be referred to the Event Technical Committee.”A BCCI official said the board has not made a decision on the matter yet, and that it would be binding on the Indian government’s call. “This is for the government to decide. The BCCI doesn’t have a say in this,” the official said. “We still have time to make a decision.”Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan are currently stalled, given the political tensions between the neighbours. The men’s teams have not played a bilateral series against each other since December-January 2012-13, when Pakistan visited India, but had met in various multi-team tournaments since then, including the World Cup, World T20, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. The latest Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two boards in May 2014 featured six series from 2015 to 2023, but the series which was supposed to be played last December in the UAE was shelved; then, too, the BCCI had said it was up to the government to sanction the series.There have been two major instances of teams refusing to play matches due to non-cricketing reasons in the past, and both times those teams had to forfeit the points. In 1996 Wills World Cup, West Indies and Australia refused to send their teams to Sri Lanka due to security issues arising out of the civil war; points for both the games were awarded to Sri Lanka. In 2003 World Cup, England forfeited their match with Zimbabwe, and New Zealand forfeited their match with Kenya, both due to security concerns due to political unrest.In the ICC Women’s Championship, India currently sit sixth on the table with 13 points five points adrift of the top four. Pakistan are seventh with eight points. If the six points for the series are awarded to Pakistan, neither side will have a chance to directly qualify for the World Cup. Pakistan Women, regardless, are set to tour New Zealand for three ODIs in Nelson from November 13 to 17, counting towards the championship. It is understood the PCB wanted to play the India series ahead of this tour.India and Pakistan’s women’s teams are also scheduled to play the Asia Cup in Thailand between November 25 and December 5.

Mahedi, Tushar centuries set up big win for Khulna Division

A round-up of the NCL matches that concluded on September 25, 2017

Mohammad Isam25-Sep-2017Tier-1Defending champions Khulna Division pummeled Barisal Division by 239 runs at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. The game was set up for the home side by Mahedi Hasan and Tushar Imran who struck centuries before Abdur Razzak’s 25th 5-wicket haul sunk Barisal in the second innings.Batting first, Khulna rode on centuries from Mahedi Hasan and Tushar Imran as they reached 444 in 124.3 overs. Mahedi finished on 177 off 290 balls with 16 fours and two sixes while the veteran Tushar struck 16 fours and a six in his 132 off 196 balls. The pair added 272 runs for the third wicket.Left-arm spinner Monir Hossain took career best figures of 7 for 85 while Tanvir Islam took two wickets.Barisal were bowled out for 258 runs in 80 overs with Al-Amin Hossain and Abdur Razzak taking four wickets each. Nuruzzaman struck his maiden first-class century, remaining unbeaten on 101 off 175 balls with eight hours and three sixes. When he came to bat, Barisal were reeling on 91 for six after which he added 80 runs for the seventh wicket with Rafsan Al Mahmud who made 58.Khulna batted again, reaching 216 for seven in 49 overs to set Barisal a 403-run fourth innings target. Razzak then took five wickets while Moinul Islam picked up three wickets as Barisal were shot out for 163 runs in 61 overs. Fazle Mahmud top scored with 88.Rain allowed only 96.3 overs of play in the Dhaka Division-Rangpur Division match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra. Play was completely abandoned in the first two days before only an hour was possible on the third evening.Resuming on 49 for no loss on the fourth day, Rangpur declared their first innings on 237 for two with fifties for Saymon Ahmed, Jahid Javed, Suhrawadi Shuvo and Nasir Hossain. Saymon and Jahid had retired after reaching their fifties to make way for the other batsmen.The match was called off at 3.32pm after Dhaka had reached 150 for three in 44 overs. Rony Talukdar top scored with 60.Tier-2The match between Dhaka Metropolis and Sylhet was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Rain ruined all four days with play being called off around mid-day every day.On the fourth day, the umpires called off the match at 12.10pm.Rain also had a major hand in Rajshahi where the home side and Chittagong Division were forced to sit out most of their match. But both sides at least got some points out of the contest thanks to clear weather on the final day.Batting first, Chittagong posted 432 runs in 142.5 overs with Yasir Ali Chowdhury top scoring with 94. Irfan Shukkur and Sazzadul Haque also made fifties. Shariful Islam took three wickets.In reply, Rajshahi were bowled out for 415 runs in 118.3 overs that included half-centuries from Jahurul Islam, Junaid Siddique and Farhad Hossain. Mohammad Saifuddin finished on three wickets. There was enough time for Chittagong to bat one over in their second innings before the match ended.

West Ham: Rumoured Duo Would "Do Good Things"

Leicester City's Harvey Barnes and Leeds United's Jack Harrison would "do good things" at West Ham United, believes journalist Paul Brown.

The Hammers, fresh from winning the Europa Conference League, could target the relegated stars this summer.

West Ham transfer news – Jack Harrison and Harvey Barnes

According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, West Ham are in pole position to sign Leicester City winger Barnes this summer.

The London club will have plenty of money to spend with the reportedly incoming sale of Declan Rice, and will use some of that budget on bringing in Barnes, as per Law.

Meanwhile, according to TalkSport, West Ham are also in the race to secure the services of Leeds United's Harrison this summer, with Aston Villa also interested in the winger.

What did Paul Brown say about West Ham, Jack Harrison and Harvey Barnes?

Speaking to Football FanCast when asked about Harrison and Barnes' potential moves to West Ham this summer, Brown said: "I would like to see West Ham buy another winger. Harrison is one of the guys they’ve looked at, Harvey Barnes is another.

"I think either of those two players would do good things at West Ham. They have Jarrod Bowen there, it’s always felt to me like they need one more really playing on the other side, and then they’d have a fully functioning squad.

"So, I like that they’re looking at that kind of player. They clearly struggled to score goals at times this season and be creative enough, and I do think either Harrison or Barnes would be an upgrade on what they have and give them something a little bit different. So, yes, I think they’d do well at West Ham."

Are West Ham signing Jack Harrison and Harvey Barnes

Leicester City's Harvey Barnes

Although reports have seemingly cooled when it comes to Harrison and West Ham, Barnes reportedly remains a firm target for the Hammers.

Given the fact that Bowen is still front and centre as one of the main men at the London Stadium, too, it would be a surprise if David Moyes wanted to welcome two more players in a similar position.

With the Europa League to contend with next season, West Ham will need depth. But, perhaps their budget is better spent across the pitch rather than two players of the same ilk in Harrison and Barnes.

As the summer goes on, the deals will only continue to unfold.

'Never much love when we go OT' – Man City & Lionesses hero Chloe Kelly quotes Drake in savage post mocking Man Utd after derby victory at Old Trafford

Manchester City and England star Chloe Kelly has quoted Drake lyrics in a savage post mocking Manchester United after a derby win at Old Trafford.

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Eagerly-anticipated WSL clash in ManchesterBlues took the spoils in 3-1 winEngland star revels in memorable successWHAT HAPPENED?

The Lionesses forward, who famously netted the winning goal for her country in the Euro 2022 final, helped City to a memorable victory at the home of their fiercest rivals on Sunday. The visitors were comfortable in the end at the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’ as Jill Roord, Lauren Hemp and Bunny Shaw found the target in a 3-1 win.

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Kelly has taken great delight in picking up three points in a derby encounter that saw England team-mate Mary Earps endure an afternoon to forget between the sticks for United – with the experienced goalkeeper making an uncharacteristic error for Shaw’s second-half goal.

DID YOU KNOW?

Unsurprisingly, City were not given the warmest of receptions at Old Trafford – with Kelly posting on social media afterwards: “Never much love when we go OT”. That message, which was accompanied by an image of the 25-year-old shushing the home support, offers a nod to the lyrics from the platinum-selling Drake track ‘One Dance’.

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WHAT NEXT?

City have now risen above United to sit third in the WSL standings – six points adrift of leaders Chelsea – and will be back in action on Wednesday when playing host to Leicester in the Women’s League Cup.

'Could snap at any moment' – Man City star Kevin De Bruyne reveals battered state of hamstring pre-surgery as he admits he's taken no pleasure in watching Pep Guardiola's side from the sofa

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that he knew his hamstring was close to breaking point before he tore it at the start of the season.

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De Bruyne reveals hamstring painBelgian knew he was at risk of big injuryMidfielder made triumphant return to actionWHAT HAPPENED?

De Bruyne made his first appearance in almost five months when he came off the bench in the 5-0 hammering of Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup, after undergoing surgery in August to treat his ruptured hamstring. He took little time to get his first assist of the season, setting up Jeremy Doku. The Belgian spoke of his joy at returning to action after the game and admitted it was only a matter of time before he seriously injured the hamstring, which he also aggravated during the Champions League final.

AdvertisementWHAT DE BRUYNE SAID

"I had three hamstrings [injuries] in a row but they were nowhere near the same place. I had so much scar tissue that it could snap at any moment," De Bruyne told reporters. "People said I returned too quickly but when you train three weeks in a row without any issue it was fine. I played against Arsenal for 40 minutes or so but then after Burnley it just needed to be done."

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City coped well without De Bruyne, winning their first six Premier League games of the season before having a brief slump in form. But they are now clicking into gear again and his return comes just as they are preparing their assault on the Premier League title and looking to repeat their incredible success of last season. De Bruyne revealed how hard it was to watch City's games while he was recovering.

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'I DON'T LIKE IT'

"No. I can watch whatever football and I watched every game but I don't like it," De Bruyne added. "They've obviously been alright. After the year we had last year there will be ups and downs but most of the games except for Villa and maybe Wolves we did fairly well. We are there with the other teams. If you're here with all the teams around you're not going to be far away. We are where we need to be, but we need to try and continue that."

WATCH: Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham's emotional reaction to young fans recreating his iconic celebration during Golden Boy ceremony

Young fans recreated Jude Bellingham's iconic celebration at the Golden Boy ceremony, which brought a smile to the Real Madrid superstar's face.

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Bellingham smiled as fans recreated iconic celebrationWon the Golden Boy 2023 awardEnjoying exceptional form at Real MadridWHAT HAPPENED?

The Real Madrid star gave an emotional reaction as a set of young fans recreated his iconic celebration at the Golden Boy ceremony. The 20-year-old bagged the prestigious award on Monday night as reward for his stellar year for club and country. Bellingham's celebration with his arms open wide, has become a familiar scene at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, with the midfielder scoring 15 goals in 17 appearances after his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

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Even Barcelona forward Joao Felix has emulated the Los Blancos player's celebration, with the Portuguese playmaker opting to copy Bellingham after his goal in a win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga at the weekend. However, Felix later claimed that the celebration was just a spontaneous reaction.

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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Carlo Ancelotti's side, who are currently at the top of the Liga table and in the middle of a five-match winning streak across all competitions, will next take on Real Betis on Saturday in La Liga. Bellingham and Co will be back in action three days later away at Union Berlin as they wrap up their Champions League group stage campaign.

Mauricio Pochettino explains the Cole Palmer tactical tweak he made that inspired Chelsea to win against Sheffield United

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino made a key change to his team at half-time and saw Cole Palmer go on to inspire the Blues to victory.

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Chelsea beat Sheffield UnitedPochettino makes half-time tactical switchPalmer comes up with goal and assistWHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United. Goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson handed the Blues a much-needed three points to move up to 10th place in the table. Palmer now has six goals this season for the Chelsea, with Pochettino revealing after the game how a key tactical tweak he made had helped the summer signing inspire the Blues to victory.

AdvertisementWHAT POCHETTINO SAID

Pochettino told : "In the second half we changed the position of Palmer and Raheem Sterling, we tried to put Palmer and [Mykhailo] Mudryk in a better position in front of goal. I’m confident, even when we lose. I really believe in the players and the club. Now it’s about to use that in the next competition in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup."

The Chelsea boss also went on to speak about what he feels is Palmer's best position: "For me he’s a playmaker, a player who can link the team. He’s also a player with the capacity to score goals and give assists. The contribution of Cole Palmer from day one has been massive."

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Palmer is certainly having a big impact at Chelsea after signing for the club from Manchester City in a deal worth £42.5 million ($53.8m). Chelsea went to great lengths to bring in the youngster and he is already establishing himself as a key player for Pochettino. The move is also paying off for Palmer. He is enjoying regular football at Chelsea and will be hoping he can also force his way into the England squad for Euro 2024.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Palmer has now scored and assisted in three Chelsea games this season against Sheffield United, Burnley and Tottenham.

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