Everton and Liverpool do battle in the Premier League this evening, with David Moyes looking to use his side’s three-match winning run to strike a cutting blow to his counterpart’s title challenge.

Though Bournemouth beat Everton in the FA Cup last weekend, the Blues have rediscovered themselves in the wake of Sean Dyche’s dismissal, dispatching Tottenham Hotspur (the 3-2 scoreline doesn’t reflect the manner of the win) and Leicester City at Goodison Park while narrowly beating Brighton on the South Coast.

Of course, Moyes will meet the sternest test of his second tenure at Everton in Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who will extend the gap at the top of the table to nine points with a win this evening.

This fixture was rescheduled in December after the whipping winds of Storm Darragh caused its cancellation. Everton are comfortably above the relegation zone, but a win here would propel the Toffees into mid-table talk.

It certainly won’t be easy though. Liverpool haven’t lost on the road in the Premier League this season and boast one of the most talented and balanced teams in Europe. Further to that point, Everton are nursing several injuries.

24/04/24

Premier League

2-0 win

03/09/22

Premier League

0-0 draw

01/12/21

Premier League

4-1 loss

17/10/20

Premier League

2-2 draw

21/06/20

Premier League

0-0 draw

Everton team news

Everton are missing a range of first-team stars as they head into the Merseyside derby, with issues in attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, Youssef Chermiti and Dwight McNeil are all ruled out for the foreseeable future.

Moreover, Orel Mangala’s season is over after sustaining a knee injury at Brighton at the end of January. The Belgium international’s loss is offset somewhat by new recruit Charly Alcaraz, who stood out on his debut at the weekend.

There are also issues in defence. Seamus Coleman is still unavailable and Vitalii Mykolenko is a doubt. This could force the 39-year-old Ashley Young into a left-back role, which is a problem unto itself given that Moyes has revealed that Nathan Patterson is sidelined with a hamstring tweak.

Everton will have to endure, soak up pressure and attack on the counter. Luckily, there’s one forward in particular who will be ready to inflict damage on Liverpool, perhaps in a similar way to one Andy Johnson.

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Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Time for Everton's new Andy Johnson to hurt Liverpool

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp described Illiman Ndiaye as “dynamite” earlier in the campaign, with the winger’s pace and potency down the flanks causing all sorts of problems for opponents.

He was a bright spark through the Dyche-led months but has taken his game to another level now that Moyes is at the helm, striking home in all three of Everton’s recent Premier League victories.

Ndiaye, who can play across the frontline, isn’t just a goalscoring component either, with the 24-year-old averaging 2.5 dribbles and 6.3 successful duels per top-flight game this season, as per Sofascore, making a firm comment on his suitability for the looming fixture.

With such a dynamic and electric set of skills, the Senegal star could be the bane of Liverpool’s evening, perhaps proving to be Moyes’ next version of one-time Toffees sensation Andy Johnson.

In August 2006, Moyes signed Johnson from Crystal Palace for a club-record £8.5m fee, providing Everton with some fresh firepower up top.

He scored 17 goals and added eight assists across two Premier League campaigns for Everton, but the brace in a 3-0 victory over Liverpool in 2006/07 is undoubtedly the highlight of his time on Merseyside.

Johnson followed Tim Cahill’s opening goal with a cool finish of his own before half-time, capitalising on Jamie Carragher’s mistake. He would double his tally in injury time, adding insult to injury as he nodded in after Pepe Reina fumbled from Lee Carsley.

Ndiaye is more of a wide player than Johnson was but his explosive pace does offer similarities to the former Three Lions star, ranking among the top 8% of Premier League positional peers for successful take-ons per 90 this season, as per FBref.

Ndiaye’s crackling style could be the perfect way to sink a high-flying Liverpool side, leaping forward on the counter and handing Everton one final Derby Day memory before Goodison Park closes its gates.

Especially since Alcaraz is in the mix and could start his first Premier League game for Everton. The attacking midfielder showed against Bournemouth that he can drop deep and control play when called upon, but his combative energy could be vital in unsettling the Reds backline, also stretching Ryan Gravenberch, and creating openings for Ndiaye to shift through and into space.

Hailed as “one of the biggest talents” to have come from Argentina in recent years by scout Jacek Kulig, Alcaraz certainly brings a fresh dimension to Moyes’ midfield and perhaps could be the difference-maker, unlocking Ndiaye and ensuring that Liverpool do not leave Goodison with all the points.

It’s doable. Liverpool are not infallible, have shown themselves to be susceptible to drilled and resistant opponents this season. Moyes has the tools in his locker to make it a historic evening for his Everton side, and with attacking outlets such as Ndiaye and Alcaraz on the field, the hosts could make it a tough evening indeed for their hostile guests.

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MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo regularizou as contratações de dois jogadores estrangeiros para o time B. O boliviano Sebastian Joffre e o trinitino Darius Lewis chegaram para reforçar a equipe sub-23 e foram registrados no BID da CBF

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.Os dois chegaram em março e abril para reforçarem a equipe, visando o Brasileirão de Aspirantes. A construção do time B faz parte do projeto de futebol da SAF do Botafogo.

+Veja 15 jogadores que estão na reserva e poderiam até trocar de clube

Joffre foi anunciado pelo clube em abril, a princípio, para reforçar o time principal, mas devido a questões burocráticas, foi para a equipe B. O boliviano jogou no Crystal Palace e no Molenbeek, dois clubes dos quais John Textor também é acionista.

Darius Lewis, por sua vez, foi anunciado em março, vindo da academia do FC Florida, clube gerido por John Textor, também passou por Philadelphia Union e FC Tucson, ambos dos Estados Unidos., além do Kí Klaksvik, das Ilhas Faroé

Natthakan Chantham’s attacking 64 off 51 balls went in vain for Thailand in the second semi-final, as a lack of support from the other batters and sharp bowling from Bangladesh proved decisive in a low-scoring game. Chantham hit four fours and three sixes in her knock, but the next-best score in Thailand’s reply to Bangladesh’s 113 for 5 was captain Naruemol Chaiwai’s 12.Sanjida Akter Meghla and Salma Khatun had reduced Thailand to 13 for 3 by the fifth over, before Chantham and Chaiwai briefly steadied the innings with a partnership of 32, which was broken by Nahida Akter. But Chantham continued the fight by adding 50 with Sornnarin Tippoch, but Salma grabbed two late wickets – including Chantham’s – to seal Bangladesh’s win, and a place at the World Cup.Bangladesh had a rough time with the bat, too, losing three wickets for 29 runs in a middle-overs mini-collapse as the Thailand bowlers kept chipping away. Their top three got off to stable starts, but couldn’t get off the blocks, and Bangladesh were restricted to just 81 after 17 overs.However, Rumana Ahmed and Ritu Moni bashed 32 off the remaining three overs to give their side some late impetus, which proved crucial in the end. Rumana hit an unbeaten 28 off 24 deliveries, and Moni cracked 17 from ten balls.”We have been playing together for so many years, this is our time to show the world how good we are, how much we have improved as a side,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said after the win. “There are a lot of experienced and talented players in our side, and we need to show the kind of potential we have.”It was a tight affair in the first semi-final, as Ireland rode on a combined batting effort to put up a competitive 137 for 6, but then Zimbabwe gave the target a spirited chase, before stopping just four runs short.Ireland, asked to bat first, had Orla Prendergast top-scoring with 28 at just better than a run-a-ball, while Rebecca Stokell provided the finishing touches with an aggressive 26 not out from No. 6. Stokell’s 12-ball innings, with a four and two sixes, ensured Ireland piled up 41 runs in the last four overs.They had gotten off to a quiet start as captain Laura Delany managed just 22 from 29 balls, with Nomvelo Sibanda keeping a check on the opposition up top. Sibanda got 2 for 24 from four overs, while Kelis Ndlovu, though expensive, also bagged two wickets.Like Ireland, Zimbabwe took their time to get going with the bat. The first five overs produced only 20 runs, as 19-year-old Jane Maguire struck twice to remove Ndlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano. That is when Sharne Mayers and captain Mary-Anne Musonda got down to add 50, before Arlene Kelly bowled the former after she had scored 39 from 36 deliveries.When Cara Murray had Musonda stumped for 31. Zimbabwe required another 39 off 29 balls with six wickets in hand, but they fell short despite quick cameos from Modester Mupachikwa and Josephine Nkomo.”It is a lot of relief that we won. They ran us till the last ball; it was a very competitive game,” Delany said. “We weren’t successful last time so wanted to do things differently. We had a very good season – some brilliant wins against some tough sides. Qualifying for the World Cup is the next step in the journey. We will get to play against some better sides hopefully on a more regular basis.”

Having already sealed the arrival of Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa have now reportedly agreed a deal to sign a defensive reinforcement from La Liga.

Aston Villa transfer news

As Malen arrived, the man who he replaced headed for the exit door with Jaden Philogene completing his mid-season move to Ipswich Town just a matter of months after rejoining Aston Villa from Hull City. Those in the Midlands will hope that the more experienced Malen will have the desired impact that Philogene failed to make on his return.

Unai Emery recently spoke about what the Dutchman will add to his side, telling reporters: “He’s always close to the attacking third, close to getting into the opponent’s box to score goals and assists… We will need one player like him as well trying to threaten the opponent in-behind.”

Those behind the scenes at Villa Park have wasted no time admiring their new signing, however, with their focus instantly set on welcoming further reinforcements this month.

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Names such as Oscar Mingueza have been mentioned and right-back seems to be the route that the Villans are going down, but it may not be in pursuit of the Celta Vigo man.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have agreed a deal worth €7m (£6m) to sign Andres Garcia from Levante this month. The right-back has reportedly already spoken to Emery and, therefore, accepted Villa’s proposal as Relevo reported and Romano relayed.

The Levante ace looks set to give Matty Cash plenty of competition for that right-back role, that’s for sure, in a battle that could end with the latter watching on from the bench.

Garcia can push Cash all the way

Just 21 years old, Garcia very much seems like the future of Aston Villa’s right-hand side where he could take over from Cash sooner rather than later. The Poland international remains one of few weaknesses in Emery’s side and if they want to set their sights on Champions League football for the second season running then welcoming a replacement at this stage is no bad idea.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)	Andres Garcia	Matty Cash
Assists	3	0
Key Passes P90	1.40	0.42
Tackles Won P90	1.58	1.58
Ball Recoveries P90	4.47	3.33

As the stats show, Garcia has had little trouble adding an attacking impetus to the current Levante side in a show of creativity that will only benefit the likes of Ollie Watkins and new signing Malen.

Compared to Cash on the defensive front, meanwhile, the 21-year-old has also impressed. His ability to recover possession is something that should help Emery’s side maintain their dominance and remain on the front foot in the remainder of the campaign.

Whilst top four is currently a little out of their reach, Villa’s January signings could quickly bridge that gap in the Premier League.

Chido Obi-Martin has admitted that Ruben Amorim told him to "be humble" as the youngster pursues a starting role at Manchester United.

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• Obi-Martin made his United debut in February
• Has since been used sporadically by Amorim
• Advised to keep head down and wait for opportunities

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 17-year-old forward, who made his senior debut in February, has already accumulated five appearances off the bench, the latest coming in the recent loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Obi-Martin’s rapid progress at United has begun turning heads, with the teenage striker continuing to push for a larger role in the senior setup.

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  Despite his growing presence under the spotlight, United boss Amorim has made sure to temper the rising expectations, offering a piece of advice intended to keep the young striker’s feet firmly on the ground. However, the Portuguese manager is keeping a regular eye on the teenager as he has been given the opportunity to train with the senior squad.

• WHAT OBI-MARTIN SAID

  "He’s just told me to be humble and keep working hard every day,” Obi-Martin said to United media. “And hopefully, I get more opportunities soon. My Dad and my Mum always told me to be a good person and listen to my coaches because they want me to get better, so it’s good."

  He added: "I’ve learnt to be smart and to think quicker by training with the first team because the game is quicker compared to Academy football. It helps me a lot, training with them every day.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  With Rasmus Hojlund currently experiencing a rough spell in front of goal, Obi-Martin’s rise comes at a crucial time for the Red Devils. The Danish striker has just three goals in 28 Premier League appearances, which might open the door for Obi-Martin to get more minutes at the business end of the season.

Sheffield United have been unafraid to splash the cash so far this dramatic transfer window with Tom Cannon the main notable addition at a bumper £10m.

There have also been other new recruits in the form of Ben Brereton Diaz, Hamza Choudhury and Harry Clarke, as Chris Wilder goes about strengthening his side ahead of a tense promotion run-in to follow.

The South Yorkshire outfit might not be done there though, with a deal reportedly close for a daring attacker to join the ever-growing Bramall Lane ranks.

Sheffield United close to snapping up new attacker

Transfer deadline day has been a busy one for the Blades with Rob Holding reportedly set to undergo a medical with the second-tier side in the remaining hours of the window.

That said, he’s not the only player having a medical before the market slams shut in a few hours time.

As per journalist Gustavo Peralta Coello via his X account, the promotion chasers are now also finalising a deal to sign a bold new winger in FBC Melgar star Jefferson Caceres.

The journalist in question further elaborates that a medical has been wrapped up for Caceres to wave goodbye to his native Peru to move to Sheffield, meaning a switch will likely happen before the fast approaching the 11pm cut-off.

After all, there is already a South American flavour to the Blades attack with Brereton Diaz in the building, but Caceres could end up forming a fun duo with one of Brereton Diaz’s partners in attack in Cannon as both talents up top love playing with pace and energy.

What Caceres could offer Sheffield United

Looking at the Blades target’s numbers playing in the Liga 1 Apertura across 2024, he could well even end up usurping Callum O’Hare down the left wing with the 22-year-old a frightening prospect down that flank.

Indeed, Caceres boasts a fantastic return of eight goals and six assists playing down the left-hand side from 29 clashes, with an overall tally of 12 goals and nine assists next to his name from 61 first-team appearances.

Whilst he will be diving into the deep end in terms of never playing in the English game, his rawness could catch Championship defences cold, especially if he can link up well with new signing Cannon who is equally as tenacious and brave in his play as a striker.

Cannon has a hefty nine league strikes in the second tier this season from an average of just 22 touches, with Caceres equally putting in bright displays for his current employers from limited opportunities, considering those aforementioned eight goals staggeringly came about from just two starts.

Caceres’ numbers for FBC Melgar by position

Position played

Games

Goals scored

Assists

LW

29

8

6

AM

21

1

1

CF

5

2

0

RW

3

0

0

LM

1

0

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Looking at the table above, the out-there addition of the 22-year-old would also give Wilder some needed depth, with Caceres capable of playing all across the forward positions if needed to fill in and do a job.

Nobody can accuse the Blades of not going all out to try and clinch promotion with signings such as this one from Peru – away from landing established EFL names – perhaps going down a treat if the unknown entity can take the Championship by storm.

There will be a concern that this move just doesn’t work out whatsoever on the contrary as Caceres has to get up to speed with his new location, but with loads of fresh bodies in through the door, the South Yorkshire side will hope they can go the distance in the automatic promotion race.

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Glasgow Rangers did not do any immediate business on the deadline day of the January transfer window on Monday, but they did secure a deal for a future addition.

The Gers confirmed that they had reached an agreement with Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract deal that will see the young midfielder arrive at Ibrox in the summer after his contract at Dundee expires.

Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement only made one first-team signing in January and that was the arrival of Rafael Fernandes on loan from Ligue 1 side Lille.

The Light Blues swept Ross County aside with a 4-0 win in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox last weekend, which was a timely reminder that they were not in desperate need of any reinforcements.

Rangers did, however, decide to move some players on from Glasgow. Rabbi Matondo, Kieran Dowell, and Adam Devine were all sent out on loan, whilst Alex Lowry was sold to Wycombe Wanderers.

Dowell was sent out on loan to Birmingham City in League One and became the third player to trade Glasgow for Birmingham since the end of last season, joining Ben Davies and Scott Wright.

Why Rangers sold Scott Wright

In the summer of 2024, Rangers opted to sell the Scottish winger to the English side on a permanent deal, whilst Davies was only sent there on loan, as was the case with Dowell last month.

Wright joined the Gers in the January transfer window from Aberdeen at the start of 2021 and endured a difficult time throughout his spell with the Premiership giants.

He made 120 appearances in all competitions for the Light Blues, which shows that the forward was handed plenty of opportunities by the various managers he worked under, but the Scotsman failed to do enough in the final third to justify a regular place in the starting XI.

Wright only contributed with 12 goals and seven assists in those 120 matches, a goal every ten matches on average, and this illustrates why the Gers eventually decided to part ways with him.

Unfortunately, the attacker, simply, did not do enough with the ball at the top end of the pitch and Rangers need players who can deliver goals and assists on, at least, a semi-regular basis.

Appearances

11

Starts

2

Goals

1

Big chances created

0

Key passes per game

0.6

Assists

0

As you can see in the table above, Wright has failed to break into the Birmingham starting XI in League One and has offered very little in terms of goals and assists.

These statistics suggest that it was the right, pardon the pun, decision to cash in on him when Clement and Koppen opted to part ways with him last summer.

When Wright was selected over a big-money star in the making

Despite all of the forward’s struggles throughout his time at Ibrox, though, Wright was once selected over current Premier League star Amad Diallo, when the Ivorian ace was on loan at the club.

Rangers signed the left-footed sensation on loan from Manchester United for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst at the helm at the time.

The Ivory Coast international only started four of his ten appearances in the Premiership that season, but did manage to score in two of his last three league outings for the club.

He started the final league clash of the campaign, against Hearts, and caught the eye by completing 93% of his attempted passes and two of his three attempted dribbles.

Diallo was, however, benched for the biggest game of the season, and the biggest in the club’s history in many years, as they faced Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the Europa League in the next match.

Wright started on the right flank and played the opening 73 minutes, failing to register a shot on goal or a ‘big chance’ created, and Rangers went on to lose the match on penalties.

The Scottish winger’s struggles in that game, compared to Diallo’s two goals in three games before that, suggests that it may have been a misstep from van Bronckhorst to bench the United loanee for Wright in the final.

What the Red Devils forward has gone on to achieve since moving on from Ibrox makes it all the more baffling as to why the Gers could not get more out of him, and why he was benched for Wright in a Europa League final.

Amad Diallo's form this season

The 22-year-old star, who is currently valued at £21m by Transfermarkt, is currently flying as a fully-fledged member of the Manchester United first-team this season.

Where Are They Now

Diallo went on to score 13 goals in 37 appearances in the Championship during the 2022/23 campaign with Sunderland, before Erik ten Hag rarely utilised him in the Premier League – with one goal in nine outings – in the 2023/24 season.

The left-footed star, who was described as “unstoppable” by Bruno Fernandes, has stepped up in the current term under Ruben Amorim and made himself a star in the English top-flight.

He has been utilised on the right wing, as a number ten, and as a right wing-back for the Red Devils, and still managed to shine wherever he has been selected.

Appearances

22

xG

4.10

Goals

6

Big chances created

5

Key passes per game

1.8

Assists

6

As you can see in the table above, Diallo has provided a big threat at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals, cutting in on his left foot from the right flank.

The United magician has proven himself to be a terrific Premier League quality forward, who can make a huge impact in the final third, after also shining in the Championship for Sunderland in the past.

His incredible form in England since moving on from Rangers may be frustrating for the Gers supporters, who had to watch Wright start a European final over a player who has gone on to be a star for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

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Hits Australia’s fastest T20I fifty and helps defending champs go over the line in tricky chase

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Oct-20222:13

Kumble: Stoinis had to come in and stamp his authority

A spectacular display of thumping-the-daylights-out-of-a-cricket-ball from Marcus Stoinis took a tense game and made it a cakewalk. Australia needed 69 off 46 balls when he walked in, and there was potential for this to be a low-scoring thriller.But then the man muscled six sixes and four fours in an 18 ball innings, in which he basically bullied every ball he faced. He hit Australia’s fastest T20I half century, off 17 deliveries, and ended up making 59 not out, at a strike rate of 328.Thanks mostly to him, and a little to Glenn Maxwell who hit 23 off 12, Australia not only claimed their first victory of the Super 12, they also reversed some of the damage to their net run rate that New Zealand had inflicted in their first match. They are back up to -1.555 now, with some of the traditionally weaker teams still to play.The Stoinis blitz
It happened so quickly. The man hit three fours off seamers from his first six balls, though two of these were fortunate edges. But then the sixes began to rain down off the spinners, and you knew the man meant business. He monstered Wanindu Hasaranga twice over the general cow corner region. Perhaps even more impressively, he hit Maheesh Theekshana for three sixes, crashing him over long on, over extra cover, then down the ground, to finish.Stoinis made sure that Australia hit 20 off that over, the the 16th of the innings. This is no joke, but Theekshana had completed just three runs off his two previous overs.He’d hit one more six, off the pace of Kumara this time. But this is after he’d set an Australia record for fastest fifty. This was a game-breaking performance, after he’d bowled two half-decent overs for 17 runs.Charith Asalanka gave the Sri Lanka innings some impetus•ICC via GettyHasaranga gets taken apart
Australia clearly had a plan to go after Hasaranga. In an era in which they were more abrasive, they might have called this “cutting off the head of the snake” – i.e. taking down the opposition’s best. Between Mitchell Marsh, Maxwell, and Stoinis, Hasaranga was clattered for five sixes and two fours, and so blasted for 53 runs off three overs.Hasaranga’s game is partly built on not being hittable on slower, lower tracks. But he doesn’t have a lot of experience on the quicker, bouncier ones such as in Perth. You would usually expect him to hit back at an assault. He didn’t have answers today.Sri Lanka didn’t nail their batting either
Sri Lanka’s top order found the extra bounce on this pitch hard to contend with. Pathum Nissanka produced a modest innings – 40 off 45, that featured plenty of plays and misses and balls that hit the high part of his bat.None of the other top order batters really seemed to have a measure of the surface and Australia’s pace, aside from Charith Asalanka, who came back to form with a 38 not out off 25 balls. Chamika Karunaratne’s 14 not out off seven balls helped too.Finch’s terrible outing
While Nissanka is just making his way, Australia captain Finch produced an even worse innings, struggling to 31 off 42, sometimes putting his team’s cause at risk. He was not out at the end alongside Stoinis. But he put real pressure on his fellow batters, and was visibly frustrated during parts of this innings.

Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been advised to invest in League Two side Cheltenham Town.

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Ronaldo told to invest in English lower division side Cheltenham Al-Nassr star could join Reynolds and McElhenney in the EFL as ownerAl-Nassr face Yokohama F Marinos on SaturdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been calling the shots at Wrexham since early in 2021. Considerable success has been overseen in North Wales, with three consecutive promotions being complemented by an award-winning documentary series that has opened up a window to the world.

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Now, football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson has advised former Manchester United star Ronaldo to jump aboard the EFL bandwagon and invest his money in League Two side Cheltenham Town. Last year, Dr Wilson had urged Tesla and X Corp mogul Elon Musk to make a similar investment in the lower division side.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Speaking to , Dr Wilson said: "I'd be amazed if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't invest in an English football team. I would imagine he'll be trying to sniff around getting into a club like Manchester United as a strategic investment or a minority owner somehow. As I said recently about Elon Musk potentially getting involved in football, Cheltenham Town is a massively undervalued asset with great financial fundamentals.

"So if an investor wants to look at a football club, they would do no worse than have a look at Cheltenham Town Football Club because it is really positioned nicely in a list of most attractive footballing assets. The reality for Musk or Ronaldo now is, with the greatest respect, it's pocket change to them because they are that wealthy. Now it can have a transformative impact on the club and bring a huge amount of benefit."

He added: "But I don't really think you get that kind of investment return that you're looking for, because you're not looking for a few million, you're for tens of or hundreds or Champions League trophies that you can boast that you're the club that you've invested in as one."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

The 40-year-old Portuguese forward will be back in action for Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League on Saturday as they take on Yokohama F Marinos.

Chelsea are believed to have reached an agreement over the signing of a “physically imposing” player, according to a big update from journalist Fabrice Hawkins.

Chelsea transfer news

The Blues are constantly being linked with new players during the January transfer window, as Todd Boehly and Enzo Maresca eye further additions at Stamford Bridge. Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande has emerged as a reported target, should the west Londoners feel the need to bring in reinforcements at the heart of their defence.

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has also been backed to come in and give Chelsea even more of a goal threat in the final third, having fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim since he replaced Erik ten Hag earlier this season. They are even said to have made an approach for the Argentine, in what could be a controversial transfer involving two rivals.

Another reported target for the Blues this month is Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez, but Premier League rivals Aston Villa are also reportedly battling to sign him, acting as a threat.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund youngster Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been linked with Chelsea and just about every other top English club, with the 20-year-old bagging seven goals and registering three assists in the Bundesliga so far this season.

Chelsea closing in on defender signing

According to Hawkins on X, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Strasbourg defender Mamadou Sarr over signing him in the current window in a £17m deal, with the 19-year-old staying on loan at his current club until the end of the season.

Sarr would be considered a long-term option for the Blues from this summer onwards, coming in as a player with a huge amount of potential. At just 19 years of age, he has already made 13 appearances for Strasbourg, while analyst/writer Connor Holden has hailed the “physically imposing” edge that he possesses in his game.

Sarr has been capped by France 32 times across four different youth team age groups, highlighting his promise as a young player, and he will be hoping that he can eventually make the leap to the senior setup over time.

Chelsea receive answer in bid to sign "creative" £17m winger this month

They’re not the only club interested…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 20, 2025

For Chelsea, it will increase competition for places in defence under Maresca next season, with the likes of Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana hopefully made to find another level by the threat of losing their place to him.