La Liga

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Tuesday that club legend Lionel Messi "wants to stay" at Camp Nou but a new contract hasn't been finalized.

Laporta, who won the Barca presidential election in March after retaining Messi was a major part of his campaign, told reporters:

"Talks are ongoing with Messi's people. As I have said, they're going well. We hope to keep making progress. It's not done, but I am convinced, like [Sergio Aguero] said, that they would like to play together here. I have always said the issue with Leo is not financial for him.

"[Messi] is showing a lot of understanding and wants to stay and have a competitive team that wins trophies. The sooner we have a decision the better, of course, but we're not in a rush."

Laporta previously held the role of Barcelona president from 2003 through 2010, and he used the prior relationship he built with Messi to help secure another term in charge.

"I am sure that if someone else wins the election [other than me], Messi won't stay at the club," Laporta said in March. "I have a good relationship with him; there's a lot of respect."

The future of Messi has predictably become a hot-button topic following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, which saw the club finish third in La Liga and get eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16.

"We lost the league and there will be consequences," Laporta said Tuesday. "That's the level of demand there has to be here. We want to improve the team and there will be more [signings]. We're working on it. We need to balance the squad, and you will see what we're working on soon. Next week there will be more news."

The Blaugrana already added Aguero on a free transfer from Manchester City to start the process of revitalizing the squad.

Being able to keep Messi, who confirmed he sought an exit from Camp Nou last summer before a dispute about a contract clause led him to stay, would prevent a major void from opening up.

The 33-year-old Argentine international has continued to produce at an elite level, scoring 35 goals and tallying 11 assists in 41 appearances between La Liga and the Champions League this past term.

Alex Milne of the Mirror reported Tuesday the superstar forward is prepared to sign a two-year contract extension with the Spanish club.

Messi has yet to publicly declare his intentions with his current contract set to expire at the end of June, though.

For now, he's returned to South America to compete for Argentina in the 2021 Copa America tournament, which kicks off June 13.

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, who resigned from the post last week, wrote in an open letter to Diario AS (h/t Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez of ESPN) that he was leaving Los Blancos "because I feel the club is no longer giving me the trust I need, it isn't offering me the support to build something medium-to-long term."

He added that he felt the club's hierarchy was leaking negative news stories to the media.

"That's why it hurt me a lot when I read in the press, after a defeat, that they were going to sack me if I didn't win the next game," he wrote. "It hurt me and the whole team because these messages, intentionally leaked to the media, created negative interference with the staff. They created doubts and misunderstandings."

While Zidane praised his players at Real Madrid—he called them "fantastic lads who were with me to the end... when things got ugly, they saved me with great victories"—he added that he would have "liked my relationship with the club and the president in recent months to have been a little different from that of other coaches."

While he said he wasn't seeking preferential treatment, he noted that for a partnership to last in modern football between a manager and a club beyond a season or two, "human relationships are essential."

“Coming out angry in (February’s) press conference, and pointing to all he and his team have achieved, is not something he often does," says a source. "But he was tired of listening to what was being said, and maybe the club has different priorities than he does."

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 31, 2021

Zidane, 48, has had two separate spells as Real Madrid's manager since 2016, topping La Liga once and the Champions League an impressive three times in his first stint before leaving in 2018. Upon his return in March 2019, he led Los Blancos to another domestic title in the 2019-20 campaign. 

The 2020-21 season ended in disappointment, however, as Real Madrid finished second in La Liga behind champions Atletico Madrid, lost in the Champions League semifinals to eventual victors Chelsea and was eliminated in the Copa del Rey round of 32 by third-division side Alcoyano.

"Zidane is one of Real Madrid's all-time greats, and his legend goes beyond what he has done as a coach and player for our club," Real Madrid said in a statement after Zidane announced his resignation last week (via Reuters). "He knows that he is always in the heart of the club's supporters and that Real Madrid will always be his home."

Zinedine Zidane resigned as manager of Real Madrid on Thursday, the club announced via its official website.

The statement read:

We must now respect his decision and express our gratitude for his professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid.

Zidane is one of Real Madrid’s great icons and his legacy extends beyond what he has achieved as a coach and player at our club.

He is aware that he has a place in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans and that he will always have a home at Real Madrid.

World football insider Fabrizio Romano first reported the news Wednesday.

Zidane returned for a second spell in charge of Madrid in March 2019. 

This season, the club narrowly lost out on a domestic title, finishing two points behind La Liga winner Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos also reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, where they lost to Chelsea.

Zidane guided Madrid to the La Liga title in 2016-17 and three straight Champions League triumphs during his first spell. He also inspired an impressive turnaround in 2019-20, as the club won 10 straight matches to beat Barcelona to the league title.

Still, ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez reported in December that the 48-year-old was facing pressure when Madrid was in jeopardy of not qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages.

Patience is something Real Madrid managers typically don't get to enjoy.

In perhaps the most famous example, Vicente del Bosque was out of a job almost immediately after the club's La Liga triumph in 2003.

Because of what he has achieved both as a player and manager, Zidane will likely have plenty of clubs inquiring about his availability.

List of managers currently out of work who will be in high demand this summer. Wow.

- Antonio Conte
- Zinedine Zidane
- Max Allegri
- Nuno Espirito Santo
- Eddie Howe
- Joachim Low
- Rafael Benitez
- Christophe Galtier
- Lucien Favre

— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) May 26, 2021

When it comes to his now-former employer, the Frenchman may have gotten out at just the right time.

Eden Hazard has struggled to stay fit, while Karim Benzema (33), Marcelo (33), Sergio Ramos (35) and Luka Modric (35) are all approaching the twilight of their careers. Ramos, the captain, might be out all together, with his contract set to expire in June.

This is an aging squad in need of a refresh, and many of the young stars who were supposed to be the bridge to the next generation haven't fulfilled expectations. Turning over the first-team roster will be difficult for Real Madrid since the ill-fated Super League was supposed to be the mechanism to fund marquee transfers.

Whoever succeeds Zidane is likely coming aboard during a period of transition, which isn't ideal given what club president Florentino Perez typically considers the bar for success.

Barcelona has granted superstar forward Lionel Messi permission to sit out Saturday's La Liga finale against Eibar to rest ahead of the Copa America tournament with Argentina, which kicks off in mid-June.

ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported Friday the decision means Messi, who's once again become the focus of summer transfer rumors, may have already played his last match with the Spanish club.

Duncan Wright of The Sun reported Sunday that Premier League giant Manchester City, which showed interest in the Argentine international last summer, is once again at the forefront of the discussions. Wright reported Messi would be open to a one-year, $35 million contract with an option for a second season.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are among the other clubs linked to a possible Messi pursuit, but staying at Camp Nou remains the "most likely" outcome for the 33-year-old Barca legend, per Wright.

It'll be an unfortunate turn of events if Messi's Barcelona career comes to an end without a proper sendoff, especially since supporters have been barred from attendance for over a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yet, a departure wouldn't come as a surprise since the six-time Ballon d'Or winner told Goal in September 2020 he sought an exit last offseason but a dispute about a contract clause prevented him from leaving.

"I told the club, including the president, that I wanted to go. I've been telling him that all year. I believed it was time to step aside," Messi said in September.

The attacking sensation remained a dominant force for Barcelona throughout the 2020-21 term. He recorded 35 goals and 13 assists in 41 appearances between La Liga and the Champions League.

While Barca captured the Copa del Rey title in April, with Messi scoring twice in the final, the club fell short in its main objectives this season. It sits third in the La Liga table heading into the final match and was eliminated by PSG in the UCL Round of 16.

The departure of Messi would usher in a new era, but club president Joan Laporta is confident of reaching an agreement on a new contract.

"Leo is the best player in the world and has a very strong bond with the club. I'm convinced he wants to stay, and we'll do everything in our hands to make sure he does," Laporta said in April.

The situation should have more clarity between now and mid-July while Messi is back home trying to win the Copa America title with co-host Argentina.

Zinedine Zidane's future at Real Madrid is up in the air. 

According to ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez, "sources say the feeling among the squad is that Zidane is likely to depart."

If he resigns from his managerial post, Los Blancos are reportedly "considering Massimiliano Allegri and club legend Raul" as Zidane replacements. 

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is also reportedly being considered for the post should Zidane depart. 

"There are moments when you have to stay, and others when you have to go," Zidane told reporters Saturday, further fueling rumors that he might be on his way out.

Radio station Onda Cero previously reported that Zidane already told Real Madrid's players he would be moving on after the season, while Kirkland and Faez reported that "it was not left 'very clear' to multiple players that a definitive decision had been made."

But Zidane disputed Sunday that he's told his players anything about his future:

Zinedine Zidane: “How can I tell my players that I'm leaving the club at this stage of the season? I’ve not said anything to my players about my future”. ⚪️ #RealMadrid

Florentino is waiting for Zidane ‘official’ decision too, while Real contacted other managers to be prepared.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 16, 2021

Zidane, 48, has served as Real Madrid's manager in two different stints (2016-18; 2019-present), leading the club to two Premier League titles and three Champions League triumphs. 

His first departure came as a shock move, coming off the heels of the team's third consecutive European conquest. 

“I know it is a bit of a strange moment but I think it is the right moment," he told reporters at that time. "This is a team that should keep on winning and it needs a change for that. After three years, it needs another discourse, another working methodology, and that’s why I took this decision.”

“There are complicated moments in the season when you ask: ‘Am I still the right person?' I don’t forget the hard moments too," he added in 2018. "There are lovely moments and we ended with a spectacular moment but there are hard moments that make you reflect."

It's fair to question if Zidane is currently mulling over those hard moments yet again.

While he decides, there's the matter of finishing out La Liga's season. Real Madrid is in the thick of the title race, trailing Atletico Madrid by two points with just one matchday remaining. 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta reportedly is preparing to offer superstar forward Lionel Messi a three-year contract extension with his current deal set to expire at the end of June.

ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported Friday that Barcelona will attempt to structure the proposal—a two-year contract with a third-year option—in a way to lessen the impact of the fact the club must lower his annual salary from its current level of around €75 million.

Messi explored the potential of leaving Camp Nou after last season, but a dispute with the club about when he had the opportunity to exercise an out clause in the deal combined with a sky-high release clause (€700 million) kept him with the Spanish giants for another year.

"I told the club, including the president, that I wanted to go. I've been telling him that all year. I believed it was time to step aside," Messi told Goal in September. "I believed that the club needed more young players, new players and I thought my time in Barcelona was over. I felt very sorry because I always said that I wanted to finish my career here."

His uncertain future became a key factor in Barcelona's presidential election in March, with Laporta returning to the role he previously held from 2003 through 2010.

"I am sure that if someone else wins the election [other than me], Messi won't stay at the club," Laporta said in early March. "I have a good relationship with him; there's a lot of respect. We'll make him an offer based on the club's situation. Maybe we can't compete financially, but Messi is not ruled by money. He wants to end his career at the highest level possible."

Per Marsden and Llorens, Laporta is "increasingly optimistic" Messi will remain with the club and is working to finance a marquee summer signing, such as Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland or Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, to help convince the Barca legend to stay, per Marsden and Llorens.

The key external question is whether other clubs, even the other top European sides, will have enough financial flexibility to make a strong enough offer to get Messi to leave. It's part of the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and played a role in the failed effort to create the Super League.

Messi has continued to perform at an elite level despite the drama. He's recorded 25 goals and nine assists in 29 La Liga appearances and five goals in six Champions League matches.

Barcelona (68 points) are third in the La Liga table with seven fixtures remaining, but they control their own championship destiny with a game in hand on both first-place Atletico Madrid (73 points) and second-place Real Madrid (70 points) and a head-to-head meeting with Atletico still to come.

Real Madrid topped Barcelona in El Classico Saturday, but it's Barcelona that sits atop the list of the most valuable clubs in the world, per Mike Ozanian of Forbes.

Barcelona take the top spot as the world's most valuable team, per @Forbes 💰 pic.twitter.com/bhi9pc2o1n

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 12, 2021

Barcelona are currently worth $4.76 billion, barely edging out its La Liga rival Real Madrid, which sits at $4.75 billion.

It's the first time Barcelona has topped the list, which has seen either Real Madrid or Manchester United sit at No. 1 in each of the last 16 years.

The presence of Lionel Messi, the highest-paid player in the sport, likely helps Barcelona in its marketability, although the superstar's contract is up at the end of the year and he could leave for another top club this summer.

The club will likely still remain one of the biggest in the world, just as Real Madrid was able to stay high on the list after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Premier League also has a heavy presence on the list of the most valued clubs in the world, with five teams inside the top 10 led by Manchester United at No. 4. 

Liverpool is one of the biggest risers on the list with the valuation growing 88 percent since the last list two years ago. This comes after a Champions League title in 2019 and a Premier League title in 2019-20.

It's been a good investment for John Henry and the Fenway Sports Group, including LeBron James, who has been a part-owner of the club since 2011 and became a partner last month.

French club Paris Saint-Germain has grown 129 percent since the last valuation and now ranks ninth at $2.5 billion thanks to star players like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Players from Valencia walked off the pitch during Sunday's La Liga match against Cadiz after a racist comment was allegedly directed toward Mouctar Diakhaby, according to ESPN.

Per The Guardian's Sid Lowe, Diakhaby and Cadiz defender Juan Cala came together for a challenge and began going their separate directions before Diakhaby started walking back toward Cala.

Lowe wrote how cameras appeared to show Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista admonishing Cala for using the phrase "s--tty Black" in reference to his teammate.

The players eventually returned to finish out the match, with Cadiz earning a 2-1 victory. Diakhaby, however, was subbed off for Hugo Guillamon prior to the fixture restarting.

Mouctar Diakhaby was subject to alleged racial abuse from Cadiz's Juan Cala, and the entire Valencia team walked off the pitch in support of their teammate. #CadizValencia pic.twitter.com/sdK2AuIBNi

— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) April 4, 2021

Valencia defender Jose Gaya explained the situation with Movistar.

"Diakhaby told us he heard a racist insult so we all went off the pitch," Gaya said (via ESPN). "We were told that we had to play because if we didn't they would take the three points off us and maybe we'd be docked more points.

"Diakhaby asked us to play on, we wouldn't have done so if he hadn't done so. He said he wasn't in the right state of mind to keep playing. He is devastated."

Valencia also issued a statement to its Twitter account:

We offer our complete backing to @Diakhaby_5

The player, who had received a racial insult, requested that his teammates return to the pitch.

WE SUPPORT YOU MOUCTAR

𝗡𝗢 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗠 ✊🏽✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/iPtPSpdNYv

— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) April 4, 2021

Cadiz issued its own statement to say it is "against all forms of racism or xenophobia, regardless of who is responsible, and work hard to help eradicate this."

"We have complete confidence in the integrity of our squad members, who are staunch supporters of the fight against racism and have at all times shown an exemplary attitude in every match the team has played," the club said.

Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, dispatching Atalanta by a 4-1 aggregate score.

Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Marco Asensio were the goal-scorers for Madrid in a 3-1 second-leg victory Tuesday night at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.

Anything is possible for Real Madrid when Sergio Ramos and Benzema are healthy 🔑 pic.twitter.com/JhpIYhyIWp

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 16, 2021

Real Madrid held a slim one-goal advantage after the first leg thanks to an 86th-minute strike from Ferland Mendy. Considering Atalanta have scored the second-most goals (63) in Serie A, the Spanish giants couldn't afford to sit back and let their opponents dictate the tempo of the second leg.

Robin Gosens got into a dangerous position in the third minute, but he sent his right-footed effort straight at Thibaut Courtois.

Rather than representing the start of things to come, the threat Atalanta posed going forward slowly fizzled out.

Their proactive style of play then came back to bite them in the 33rd minute. As the Italian club played it out from the back, Marco Sportiello failed to clear the ball past Luka Modric. Modric laid the ball across to Benzema, who had a straightforward finish for the first goal of the match.

One shot. One goal. Karim Benzema scores his 70th #UCL goal. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/jCgusibWpS

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2021

Ramos doubled Madrid's lead from the penalty spot in the 60th minute.

Rafael Toloi was whistled for a foul on Vinicius Junior, and the referee awarded Real Madrid the penalty following a video review. The club captain thundered his shot past a diving Sportiello.

Sergio Ramos. Back with a b̶a̶n̶g̶ goal. 💥 pic.twitter.com/zon4izmXRP

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 16, 2021

Sergio Ramos has now scored more CL goals than Ronaldo 🇧🇷 and Miroslav Klose. Get Real Madrid into the World Cup imo

— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) March 16, 2021

Luis Muriel finally got Atalanta on the board in the 83rd minute with a perfectly placed free kick. But Asensio quickly extinguished whatever slim hope of a comeback remained when he beat Sportiello in the 85th minute.

In general, Real Madrid were firmly in control after Courtois' save early in the first half. They finished with 57 percent of possession and limited Atalanta to five shots on target.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side have received plenty of deserved praise for their work in Italy and on the continent. Over the two legs in the round of 16, that attacking verve was noticeably absent.

Atalanta pretty disappointing over the two legs.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 16, 2021

Real Madrid aren't the favorites to lift the Champions League trophy in May, falling at least behind Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. However, the club has shown a propensity for going above and beyond in Europe under Zinedine Zidane.

The Madrid squads that reeled off four Champions League titles in five years are historically significant but didn't really possess a defining quality that set them apart from the rest of the competition. They didn't redefine the game in the same way Barcelona did, yet the accolades speak for themselves.

Between that recent history and Benzema's current form—six goals in five matches—nobody should write off Real Madrid's odds of collecting a 14th European Cup.

             

What's Next?

Real Madrid are in action Saturday against Celta Vigo in La Liga. A win would help Los Blancos remain within striking distance of leaders Atletico Madrid, who hold a six-point advantage. Atalanta play Hellas Verona away Sunday in Serie A. They'll look to continue fending off Napoli for fourth place in the table.

Games are coming for the United States men's national team. Gregg Berhalter's squad will be taking on Jamaica (March 25) and Northern Ireland (March 28).

Since the matches are in Europe—Austria and Northern Ireland, respectively—the American manager will call players based abroad.

Who might get a shot to show his stuff? Another edition of Stock Watch can help wade through the options.

                 

Josh Sargent: Forward, Werder Bremen

Stock: Up

Games: 86 minutes in 1-1 D against FC Koln (Bundesliga); 64 minutes in 2-0 W against Arminia Bielefeld. (Bundesliga)

We criticized Josh Sargent in this space just last week. And for good reason. (He hadn't been good.)

But three games and three goals later, the 21-year-old forward is en fuego. Did he more or less steal the third one from his teammate Milot Rashica? You bet:

Three goals in three games for Josh Sargent 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/xKTXxAalU4

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 10, 2021

Even so, that's a stock watch reversal. Someone call Jim Cramer.

                            

Antonee Robinson: Defender, Fulham

Stock: Holding

Games: 7 minutes in 1-0 L against Liverpool (Premier League)

It's been an up-and-down season for Antonee Robinson. The good: playing 1,700 minutes and counting in his first Premier League year while showing pace and a bit of creativity as a left-sided defender (and occasional midfielder).

The bad: He seems to have lost his spot in manager Scott Parker's lineup. He started only three of his last six matches after making 17 starts in a row. 

According to FiveThirtyEight, Fulham's big win over Liverpool increased their odds of escaping relegation  from roughly 54 percent to 68 percent, so perhaps Robinson will get another season to make amends.

Mark McKenzie: Defender, Genk

Stock: Down

Games: DNP in 4-1 W against Mechelen (Belgian Cup); DNP in 2-0 against Cercle Brugge (Belgian First Division)

After joining Genk from the Philadelphia Union, Mark McKenzie started five of his new team's first six games and made a substitute appearance in the sixth. But he's played only one minute since a 2-1 loss against Beerschot (wonderful team name!) on Feb. 21, a run of three matches.

McKenzie just turned 22 years old and made a big, $6 million-plus jump to Europe. Let's hope this is a momentary blip rather than a larger stumble. He's another player for whom the March international break will offer a welcome respite.

                   

Duane Holmes: Midfielder, Huddersfield Town

Stock: Up

Games: DNP in 1-1 D against Cardiff (Championship)

Duane Holmes spent a large part of the season locked in Derby County manager Wayne Rooney's doghouse, then moved to Huddersfield Town and found himself:

Incredible American Goal. Duane Holmes of Columbus, Georgia shoots like LeBron from the logo. His second of the game for Huddersfield in English Championship 👀🚀🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/7U0C5k8Z5o

— roger bennett (@rogbennett) February 20, 2021

He's played pretty much every attacking position and will be an important part of the Terriers' push to avoid relegation.

The upcoming international break is key for Holmes' future with the U.S. If he gets a call, he's clearly in Berhalter's plans. If not, the 26-year-old midfielder's days of donning the red, white, and blue are likely over.

                      

Nicholas Gioacchini: Forward, Caen

Stock: Down

Games: No games

Back in November, Nicholas Gioacchini tallied two goals in a 6-2 rout of Panama. That was fun.

Since then, it's been less so.

The forward's recent contributions at French second-division side Caen have come mostly in the form of cards—three yellows and a red in his last nine matches. His lone goal in 2021 came against Guingamp in the eighth round of the Coupe de France.

Per fbref.com, Gioacchini is producing only 0.22 goals plus assists per 90 minutes. You'd like to see more from a player in Ligue 2.

                     

Lightning Round, Champions League Edition

We've covered the players below recently, so they don't deserve a full stock watch update, but we still want to keep you informed. The more you know, right?

Weston McKennie (Juventus)

Games: 20 minutes in 3-1 W against Lazio (Serie A); 45 minutes in 3-2 W against Porto (Champions League)

In a shocking upset, Porto bounced Juventus from the Champions League. McKennie played the final 15 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time. While it's a tough out for the Italian giants, perhaps fewer games on the schedule isn't the worst thing for an oft-injured midfielder playing a lot of football.

                  

Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)

Games: DNP (injury)

Reyna missed Dortmund's clash with Bayern Munich and their Champions League draw against Sevilla because of what appears to be a minor injury. While that isn't good news, a forced week off might benefit a teenager who looked to be hitting a bit of a wall in his first full season as a regular selection.

Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)

Games: 84 minutes in 3-0 W against Freiburg (Bundesliga); 90 minutes in 2-0 L against Liverpool (Champions League)

Adams remains a rock on the right side for a squad that has a chance to win the Bundesliga. Bounced from the Champions League, Leipzig can focus on catching Bayern Munich. A trophy for Tyler?

                      

Sergino Dest (Barcelona)

Games: 90 minutes in 2-0 W against Osasuna (La Liga); 66 minutes in 1-1 D against PSG (Champions League)

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman moved Dest into the midfield, and the 20-year-old has taken to the position well since it utilizes his attacking strengths while minimizing his defensive deficiencies. Is that something for Berhalter to consider?

                            

Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)

Games: 1 minute in 2-0 W against Everton (Premier League)

Pulisic is not happy about his lack of playing time and could leave Chelsea if the situation doesn't change, according to soccer reporter Fabrizio Romano on his Here We Go podcast. But Chelsea's chances to play Champions League soccer next season are up to 72 percent, according to FiveThirtyEight. (Will Pulisic be around for that?)