Chelsea

Christian Pulisic may be back with Chelsea following the FIFA World Cup, but there is buzz that a change in scenery could be on the horizon come the January transfer window.

According to a report from ESPN, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Arsenal "have all been made aware of Pulisic's likely availability when the transfer window opens, and sources told ESPN the player's representatives are keen to find him a new club four years after he signed for Chelsea in a £58 million ($70.4 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund."

This week, Pulisic appeared on Steve Schlanger and Tim Ream's Indirect podcast and didn't exactly put to rest any looming doubts about his future at Stamford Bridge.

"Right now I'm absolutely back at Chelsea, focused and ready to finish the season," he said. "But you know how things work in football...things change quickly and anything can happen. At the moment, I am just pushing myself in training and working at Chelsea, because that's where I am right now."

Pulisic has thrived for the USMNT, scoring a goal and adding two assists in four games at the most recent World Cup. He is undoubtedly the face of men's soccer in the United States and one of the country's most talented and important players.

At Chelsea, however, his role and impact have waxed and waned. That comes down partially to a Chelsea roster loaded with talent in the attacking positions. Pulisic is left fighting for playing time alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech, among others.

At Arsenal, cracking the starting 11 may not be much easier. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are entrenched as the starters on the wing, though Martinelli may see some time as a central striker while Gabriel Jesus is sidelined. Arsenal do lack depth on the wing, however, so Pulisic would be the next man up.

United equally are crowded at the attacking positions, with players like Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Antony and Anthony Elanga all jockeying for time.

So, Newcastle might offer the best avenue for a consistent role, though the soaring Magpies aren't devoid of talent themselves.

Whatever January holds for Pulisic, it wouldn't be shocking to see him depart Chelsea. A change in scenery feels like the right move.

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly made the argument Tuesday that the Premier League should copy a staple of American sporting leagues and add an all-star game to its season while speaking at the SALT Conference in New York.

"Ultimately I hope that the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports and really starts to figure out why wouldn't we do a tournament with the bottom four teams, why isn't there an all-star game?" he said, per ESPN.

"People are talking about more money for the pyramid—MLB did their All-Star Game in L.A. this year—we made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday. You could do a north versus south all-star game for the Premier League to fund whatever the [British soccer] pyramid needed very easily."

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly floats the idea of a PREMIER LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME.

🎥 @SALTConference pic.twitter.com/qeV2wQsWrQ

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) September 13, 2022

The financial component of such an event is an easy enough sell. And introducing an all-star game—assuming it's not interrupting clubs' packed midseason schedules—would be an innocuous addition to the Premier League's calendar, given it's ultimately a meaningless exhibition and a bit of fun.

But the Premier League also has its own traditions and culture, and for football supporters in England already wary of the growing American influence in ownership circles throughout the league, Boehly's suggestion may be seen as yet another unwanted cultural shift pushed by forces across the Atlantic.

Boehly bought Chelsea just to institute Premier League Dunk Contest 🤷‍♂️https://t.co/md8TkJTJnD

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) September 13, 2022

Klopp taken aback by Boehly suggestion of north/south PL game, put to him by @SamWallaceTel. “He [Boehly] doesn’t wait long. Great. When he finds a date for that, he can call me... Does he want to bring the Harlem Globetrotters as well and let them play against a football team?"

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) September 13, 2022

"Everyone likes the idea of more revenue for the league," Boehly said when asked how the other club owners around England felt about the idea. "I think there's a real cultural aspect, I think evolution will come."

He isn't the only figure with a history in English football to suggest such an exhibition, however. In 2018, former Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku—now with Inter Milan on loan from Chelsea—proposed a similar idea.

"Here's an idea for you guys," he tweeted at the time. "The NBA has All-Star Game! Don't you guys think we should organise one in the Premier League. The north vs the south! And the fans vote... what do you guys think?"

Chelsea announced Wednesday manager Thomas Tuchel has been fired in wake of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League loss to Dinamo Zagreb.

"As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition," the club said in a statement.

Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett reported the Blues are expected to speak with Zinedine Zidane, Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter about their managerial vacancy.

Along with Chelsea's mediocre start to the 2022-23 season, which includes a 3-1-2 mark in Premier League play, ESPN's James Olley reported the relationship between Tuchel and Todd Boehly, the club's new owner, became "strained" over the transfer strategy.

Tuchel expressed frustration about how the side played in Tuesday's away loss to Dinamo Zagreb, the first match of the Champions League group stage.

"I don't really know where this performance today comes from," he told reporters. "A lack of determination, a lack of hunger and a lack of intensity to actually do the things that we need at the highest level. We are clearly not where we want to be."

The 49-year-old German was hired by Chelsea in January 2021. He guided the club to three titles in his first year: the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The Blues are coming off a trophy-less campaign, however, losing in the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals last term.

Tuchel finishes his 100-match tenure with a 60-24-16 record.

Chelsea's statement said it will work "swiftly" to find a new manager. Until then, the current coaching staff will handle the club's training and preparations.

Zidane has been linked to several clubs since his second tenure with Real Madrid ended in May 2021, but he's expressed a desire to take over France's national team.

"I want to do it, of course. I will be [France's coach], I hope, one day. When? That's not up to me," the former midfielder said in June. "I want to come full circle with the French national team. I met this French team as a player, and it's the best thing that ever happened to me."

It's a position currently held by Didier Deschamps, but Zidane may want to wait until after the World Cup, which kicks off in November, to see whether the job comes available.

Potter makes a lot of sense on the surface after strong work at Brighton & Hove Albion and Swansea City in recent years. Brighton is fourth in the early Premier League table courtesy of a 4-1-1 record, which includes wins over Manchester United and Leicester City.

Pochettino was fired by Paris Saint-Germain in July. He owns plenty of Premier League experience having led Tottenham Hotspur from May 2014 through November 2019, which included a run to the 2019 Champions League final.

While the club searches for a new manager, the Blues return to action Saturday when they travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.

Manchester United have reportedly asked about acquiring Christian Pulisic on a loan from Chelsea, according to James Olley of ESPN FC.

Andy Mitten of The Athletic also reported the potential move, noting the forward is "frustrated with his lack of starts" and would "prefer" a move to Manchester United.

There could still be competition for the American with Newcastle United, Juventus and Atlético Madrid all also linked with Pulisic.

The 23-year-old has been up-and-down with Chelsea since arriving on a £58million ($70m) transfer from Borussia Dortmund. He scored nine league goals during his first year with the team in 2019-20 before helping the squad win the Champions League title in 2021, but his playing time has been inconsistent over the past two seasons.

In 2021-22, Pulisic started just 13 Premier League matches while making 22 appearances. His 1,286 minutes ranked just 17th on Chelsea despite tying for fourth on the team with six goals.

The winger averaged 0.56 goals and assists per 90 minutes, which ranked third on the team with at least 10 appearances.

This production came despite moving around the lineup to get on the pitch, including some appearances as a wingback in manager Thomas Tuchel's 3-4-2-1 system. Transfermarkt listed six different positions for Pulisic over his 38 appearances in all competitions last season.

With just 30 minutes off the bench through two matches in 2022-23, it seems the forward may need a fresh start.

Manchester United could certainly use attacking help after a dreadful start to the year that puts them bottom of the Premier League table. The squad has just one goal in its two losses, which came from an own goal in their 2-1 defeat Brighton and Hove Albion.

Despite his struggles at times with Chelsea, Pulisic has proved to be an impact player with the United States national team, scoring 21 goals with 10 assists in 50 appearances. The next step is to carry this over to the club level.

A move to Newcastle could also create more playing time for Pulisic, helping a team that failed to find the back of the net against Brighton in its last match.

Atletico Madrid and Juventus could offer Champions League football, with the latter providing a chance to reunite with USMNT teammate Weston McKennie. However, they could also create the same challenges for playing time on a weekly basis.

Chelsea have been offered the opportunity to acquire both Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Alasdair Mackenzie of Eurosport.

David Ornstein of The Athletic reported Chelsea are "considering a move" for Ronaldo, who missed his scheduled return to training Monday. Last month, the leader of the club's new ownership group, Todd Boehly, met with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes.

Football Daily broke down the options for Ronaldo that also include Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain:

🤔 Cristiano Ronaldo's agents have held talks with Chelsea and Bayern Munich over a possible transfer pic.twitter.com/iV90SbWx07

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 4, 2022

PSG are also ready to sell Neymar, who is open to a move to the Premier League for the first time.

Julien Laurens of ESPN previously reported that "contact has been made" between Chelsea and PSG about a potential transfer for the winger.

Both players come with high price tags, while manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly "wary of bringing in a big-name player who could disrupt his team chemistry," per Mackenzie.

Last year's addition of Romelu Lukaku went poorly, and he went back to Inter Milan on loan after just one season.

Chelsea could use more offensive firepower after finishing third in the Premier League, well off the pace by Manchester City and Liverpool. The Blues scored 23 fewer goals than City, while Mason Mount's 11 goals led the club in league play.

Ronaldo scored 18 goals with Manchester United last season on the way to earning PFA Team of the Year honors. It came after scoring 81 goals in Serie A over the previous three years with Juventus.

The 37-year-old has won the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or five times each and could be a huge addition in the attack.

Neymar, 30, has also starred with PSG and Barcelona, winning league titles in six of the last eight years. He finished last season with 13 goals and six assists in 22 Ligue 1 matches.

With Chelsea looking to make a splash under new ownership, either of these players could be a big-time addition in the transfer window.

Chelsea announced Saturday a "final and definitive agreement" was reached on the sale of the Premier League club to a group led by American businessman Todd Boehly, who's also a stakeholder in the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers.

ESPN's James Olley reported the deal is worth up to £4.25 billion ($4.56 million) and brings an end to the Blues' Roman Abramovich era after the Russian oligarch faced pressure to sell following his home country's military invasion of Ukraine.

The sale will ensure Chelsea is granted a license to remain in active competition for the 2022-23 season, per Olley. The club dealt with restrictions for the latter stages of the 2021-22 campaign.

Abramovich, who previously pledged to donate proceeds from the sale to Ukraine war victims, released a statement about the transfer of ownership:

"I am pleased this search has now come to a successful conclusion. As I hand over Chelsea to its new custodians, I would like to wish them the best of success, both on and off the pitch. It has been an honor of a lifetime to be a part of this club—I would like to thank all the club's past and current players, staff and of course fans for these incredible years.

"I am proud that as a result of our joint successes, millions of people will now benefit from the new charitable foundation which is being established. This is the legacy which we have created together."

The Boehly-led group was among more than 200 parties who expressed interest in Chelsea and there were 20 "credible bids" during the final process, per Olley.

The $4.56 million purchase price becomes the highest amount ever paid for a sports franchise.

The new ownership group inherits a team that captured 21 titles during the 19 years of Abramovich's tenure, including the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in the 2021-22 season.

Chelsea also finished third in the Premier League, which clinched a berth in next season's Champions League, and reached the final of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, losing to Liverpool on both occasions.

Now the new ownership group is tasked with keeping that consistent pursuit of trophies alive after completing the lucrative sale.

Liverpool has won the FA Cup after defeating Chelsea in penalties on Saturday from London's Wembley Stadium.

WE ARE THE #EmiratesFACup WINNERS!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/eZMe5IRbB2

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2022

Liverpool and Chelsea were scoreless after 120 minutes before the Reds won 6-5 in a shootout. Konstantinos Tsimikas converted Liverpool's final penalty.

LIVERPOOL WIN THE FA CUP ON PENALTIES!!! pic.twitter.com/QoxX73JYgR

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022

Liverpool now has a domestic double after previously beating Chelsea in the League Cup last February.

The Reds won despite Mo Salah being forced off in the 33rd minute because of injury.

Jack Lusby of This Is Anfield provided more information on the injury, which didn't prevent Salah from walking off on his own power.

Mo Salah comes off for Liverpool with an apparent injury 😳 pic.twitter.com/FbxOGlg0BS

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022

"A fortnight before the Champions League final, the Egyptian pulled up with what appeared to be a groin issue, and though he pushed to stay on the pitch, Liverpool physios called for a substitution," Lusby wrote.

After the match, Carrie Brown of beIN SPORTS caught up with Salah, who is not concerned about how the injury will affect his status for the Champions League Final against Real Madrid on May 28:

OK for the final Mo? Yes I’m fine! Confirmed

— Carrie Brown 💙 (@CarrieBrownTV) May 14, 2022

As for the match, Liverpool controlled 53 percent of the possession and took 17 shots (two on goal) compared to Chelsea's 10 shots (also two on goal). Each team had five corner kicks.

This match may have finished scoreless, but it wasn't without drama.

Early on, Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold found Luis Diaz for a great chance, but Chelsea goaltender Edouard Mendy was up for the task.

Incredible pass from Trent.

Brilliant save from Mendy.

What a start to this game! pic.twitter.com/Qn9Lv4K5BL

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022

James Milner found Andy Robertson at the back post in the 84th minute, but the left back hit the goalpost.

HOW IS THIS STILL 0-0?!?! pic.twitter.com/c0aPJ5tMwN

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022

During the shootout, Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta hit the goalpost early on, later giving Sadio Mane the chance to be the hero. But Mendy came up with another big save.

MENDY SAVES FROM MANE! pic.twitter.com/x88SFdO2t3

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 14, 2022

After the two teams traded goals, Liverpool goaltender Alisson made a big save on Mason Mount, setting up the cup-winner and keeping the Reds' quadruple chances alive.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced he will make a last-minute bid to purchase Chelsea:

£4.25 billion bid for Chelsea by Jim Ratcliffe

Statement from INEOS.

3 bids already being assessed.

Govt has to sign off on the sale.

Ratcliffe wants £2.5bn to go to a trust. Would that be an Abramovich-linked trust? The government doesn't want him to benefit from the sale pic.twitter.com/ULgZMvmtlr

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 29, 2022

The British billionaire would invest $2.19 billion over 10 years into the club with $3.14 billion going to a trust that will support victims of the war in Ukraine.

When Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich first announced the sale of the club, he said the net proceeds from the sale would go to a charitable foundation to support victims of the war. 

The $5.33 billion total bid would exceed the current bids for the Premier League club, reportedly in the region of $3.14 billion, per Alistair Magowan of BBC Sport.

The other reported bids are led by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Todd Boehly, Boston Celtics owner Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton. The first two are led by Americans, while the third bid features financing from Americans Josh Harris and David Blitzer.

Ratcliffe is looking to counter that with his own local bid.

"This is a British bid, for a British club," the statement read.

The 69-year-old is best known as the CEO of INEOS Group, a chemicals company, and currently has a net worth of $15.2 billion, per Forbes.

His bid could change the timeline for the Chelsea sale, which was seemingly nearing a conclusion.

According to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports, Raine Group, which is overseeing the sale, held its final meetings in London with potential bidders this past week and were expecting to make a decision by Monday.     

Chelsea won its second-leg matchup with Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, 3-2, but lost the matchup in aggregate (5-4). 

One of the key moments in the game was Marcos Alonso's disallowed goal after VAR ruled a handball on the play, and after the match Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel told reporters he felt that referee Szymon Marciniak—who chose against reviewing the play pitchside—lacked "courage" in the game.  

MARCOS ALONSO. AGAINST HIS FORMER CLUB. BUT IT'S RULED OUT. 😱 pic.twitter.com/OBYIn1FBTC

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 12, 2022

If you play against Real Madrid, you can maybe not expect that everybody has the courage. I felt little decisions also in the first leg and the second leg today as well [went against us]. I did not see the goal, but I told him I'm super disappointed that he does not come out and check it on his own.

In a match like this where you have a certain line to whistle, you should stay the boss and not give decisions like this to somebody in a chair who is isolated from the atmosphere and from the way. The referee has a certain style, things he allows and doesn't allow, he follows a certain line so I think he should stay in charge and check it on his own, then he could also explain it better.

By the letter of the law VAR got the call right, though it still divided opinion:

I do like the attacking player VAR hand ball rule. No grey area.

— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) April 12, 2022

This handball rule needs to be changed. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see Alonso’s goal should’ve stood. Is what it is I guess.

— Conn (@ConnCFC) April 12, 2022

Granted, Chelsea also benefited from a refereeing gaffe earlier in the game on Toni Rudiger's headed goal. That corner should have never occurred—Real Madrid should have instead been awarded a goal kick:

The reigning champs are back in it. 💥 pic.twitter.com/EqUete5beC

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 12, 2022

The Blues were also in the driver's seat in the game, taking a 3-0 lead with just 15 minutes left that also gave them a 4-3 advantage in aggregate. The Champions League holders were in prime position to advance to the semifinals. 

But Rodrygo's goal in the 80th minute and Karim Benzema's game-winning header in extra time ended Chelsea's UCL campaign:

THE CROSS FROM MORDIC.

THE FINISH FROM RODRYGO.

FOOTBALL. 😍 pic.twitter.com/MCqD129Twp

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 12, 2022

IT HAD TO BE HIM!

KARIM BENEZEMA, ANOTHER HEADER! 💥 pic.twitter.com/mqkhLTjCpi

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 12, 2022

"We were unlucky," Tuchel told reporters. "We got beaten by pure individual quality, of conversion, on our mistakes. Two mistakes. That you can't have against Real Madrid. We were unlucky. We deserved to go through."

The painful nature of the loss likely exasperated Tuchel's feelings toward Marciniak. He was also aggrieved after seeing the referee "laughing loud" with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti after the match. 

"I think this is the very, very wrong time to do this after the final whistle, after 126 minutes with one team giving their heart and fighting to the very last drop," he said. "To go as a coach and see the referee laughing and smiling with the other coach I think is very, very bad timing and I told him this. That was it."