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Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I watch the Club World Cup for free on DAZN'
The Mirror's TV writer Jake Hackney joined DAZN to watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free, but the streaming platform's other features left him impressed The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off earlier this month, so the Mirror's TV writer Jake Hackney set up a free DAZN account to see what all the hype is about. Like many Brits, Jake always linked DAZN with boxing, but as that's never been his sport, he was yet to truly delve into the platform. DAZN is now the sole global broadcaster of all 63 matches in the Club World Cup and is showing every game for free. FIFA has really pulled out all the stops with the competition, giving it a makeover with a new format featuring 32 of the world's top clubs. Manchester City and Chelsea are flying the flag for the Premier League, along with the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Boca Juniors. The tournament runs until the final on July 13, and football fans can sign up for a free DAZN account to watch every match. As Jake previously told the Mirror, he found it odd not watching football on the BBC or Sky Sports, but given the quality of content and amount of extras available on DAZN, he believes the streaming platform will become more associated with football in the future. Jake opted for the free account, but there's also the option to upgrade to DAZN's Premium plan from £9.99. This includes every Club World Cup match in HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, plus highlights, replays, fewer adverts and full access to the rest of the DAZN platform. But even with a free account, there's plenty of football content to keep fans entertained in the gap between the Premier League and EFL seasons. What struck Jake was the sheer volume of content available beyond the live matches, with a plethora of features, shows and compilations readily accessible on the Club World Cup homepage. Interviews with big names such as Harry Kane and Pep Guardiola are featured, along with DAZN's 'Icons' series, which offers an in-depth look at each team and the 12 USA host cities. Since signing up to DAZN, Jake has found himself engrossed in the amount of documentaries focusing on football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona and Brazilian Ronaldo. There's a treasure trove of vintage footage showcasing all the goals scored by specific teams at previous FIFA World Cups, featuring legends like Alessandro Del Piero, Raúl and Didier Drogba. In short, there's a feast of content to delve into on DAZN. It's also straightforward to keep up with the latest competition, with every forthcoming fixture displayed on the Club World Cup homepage complete with dates and kick-off times, as well as the option to view the group brackets and tables, making it simple to stay updated with the current standings. One can track their favourite teams in the competition to receive a push notification before their games, with Jake following Chelsea and Man City. DAZN sends him reminders about each of their fixtures, though with some kicking off in the early hours, he'll opt to watch the DAZN highlights instead. For those who aren't keen on adding another subscription to their list, DAZN has sublicensed a selection of matches to Channel 5, meaning 23 games will be shown on both DAZN and Channel 5. This could be a good alternative for football fans who aren't as tech-savvy or don't mind missing out on some games. Of course, there's always the traditional Sky Sports package that costs £35 per month on a 24-month contract, in addition to essential Sky TV. This includes nine dedicated channels, covering the Premier League, Football, Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA, Netball and much more, although the length of the contract might be a drawback for some. DAZN boasts an impressive lineup of pundits for its Club World Cup coverage, including none other than Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Other big names include John Obi Mikel and Sami Khedira, with Conor McNamara, Andros Townsend, Brad Friedel, Rob Green among the commentators, offering a refreshing change from the usual voices on Sky or TNT Sports. Jake has been using DAZN on both his Samsung smart TV and iPhone 13 and it's performed largely well. There have been moments where it's been slightly slow to respond and there's been a bit of lag, but once a live game or documentary has loaded up, he has encountered no major problems.
New York Times
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Club World Cup: What our reporters made of the group stage – and what could happen next
With the group stages of the FIFA Club World Cup over, it's a good time to catch our breath and take stock. From the searing heat and dodgy pitches, to the major shocks and stars of the future (both in the dugout and on the pitch). The Athletic asked our reporters covering the tournament to give their assessment of the group stages in the United States and what they want to see in the knockout rounds… Jack Lang: I was really impressed by Flamengo. They are top of Brazil's Serie A but they only just made it out of their Copa Libertadores group in May, so it was slightly surprising to see them play with conviction and swagger. They just have some lovely players to watch, including Gerson, Gonzalo Plata and Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Advertisement Adam Crafton: I am not sure they are necessarily the best team — so I am not strictly answering the question here — but the team that has impressed me the most have been Flamengo. Their win over Chelsea was one of the most exhilarating games of the tournament. The next round against Bayern Munich may be a test too far but Flamengo should push them hard in the Miami heat. Jeff Rueter: The draw gave Manchester City only one real test in a group without a South American foe. They comfortably dispatched Juventus, with the old guard (Erling Haaland and Rodri, above all) doing their bit and fresh faces making a swift impact in a 5-2 win. The only team to win all three of their group games is a worthy front-runner. Liam Twomey: This depends on your criteria, but UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain came into this tournament as the presumptive best team and promptly produced the most impressive win of the group stage, dismantling Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the sweltering heat of the Rose Bowl. Defeat against Botafogo dented their aura of invincibility but that game had many of the hallmarks of a freak result. It will take a great performance — probably from a great team — to beat them. Mario Cortegana: Despite Manchester City being the only team to take nine points out of nine, I would still rate PSG above them and the rest of the main contenders. Their win against Atletico was impressive. By the end of the tournament, the defeat against Botafogo will be remembered as a brief blip. Jordan Campbell: It was difficult to read too much into games against Wydad and Al Ain, but Manchester City rediscovered their mojo against Juventus. It was the dominance we were used to seeing under Guardiola for years but there were doubts that he would find a recipe to produce similar form at this tournament. With Ruben Dias and Rodri back, City played with reassurance and the forward players clicked as a result. If they play like that again, only PSG can live with them. Advertisement Felipe Cardenas: Difficult to disagree with Jordan. Manchester City are improving and look as if they are out to prove something. I have been very impressed by all four Brazilian clubs because they have shown an ability to adapt to different opponents and tactics. However, PSG are the European champions and Luis Enrique's men are a ticking time bomb of attacking football. They've been coasting here. PSG are the best team in the world. James Horncastle: I don't know if they were the best team, but Botafogo's win against PSG was a big moment. The South American champions beat the European champions. Owner John Textor's spontaneous interview afterwards, in which he shouted, 'VICTOIRE! VICTOIRE!' was fun and pyrrhic. Much was made of his beef with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, so it was quite the comedown when he returned to France and witnessed another of his clubs, Lyon, have their relegation confirmed following a review of their financial situation. Jack Lang: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Igor Jesus (Botafogo) and Jorginho (Flamengo) all deserve a mention but I'm going to go a bit more niche here and pick Nelson Deossa of Monterrey. Full disclosure: I had never heard of him before the start of the tournament, but he caught my eye with a brilliant, all-action midfield display in the draw against Inter in Pasadena, then scored a fantastic goal against Urawa Red Diamonds. He's tall, leggy, unconventional and clearly very talented. Adam Crafton: Is Phil Foden BACK? With the World Cup 12 months away, his improvement in form can only be good news for club and country. He has scored twice but only started once, so maybe we shouldn't really consider him the best player in the group stages. Honourable mentions: Jhon Arias, whose free kick for Fluminense was my favourite goal of the groups, and I am curious to see whether any of the many teams who crave a No 9 take a gamble on Wessam Abou Ali, the 26-year-old Palestinian forward who scored a hat-trick for Al Ahly against Porto in the 4-4 draw. He failed to make an impact in Denmark at the start of his career but for one game on a pretty big stage, he looked a world-beater. Jeff Rueter: Monterrey fans should shudder at the thought of trying to go through their group without Esteban Andrada. The 34-year-old Argentine goalkeeper wasn't overworked, as Rayados' defensive shape only gave him 10 shots on target to deal with across the three contests, but his stops were crucial. His close-range block from Sebastiano Esposito helped secure a point against Inter, he made six important saves in a scoreless draw with River Plate, and there were another couple of stops as Monterrey finally notched a win against Urawa Red Diamonds. Borussia Dortmund's forwards will need to pick their spot with real precision in the next round. Advertisement Liam Twomey: Jorginho. He only completed his move to Flamengo 10 days before their Club World Cup opener but looks as if he has been playing at the heart of their midfield for years. Every team he represents seems to immediately take on his style in possession. It is also fun to see him finally star for a Brazilian club. Mario Cortegana: In the absence of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has confirmed that he can lead a Champions League-winning side, as evidenced by his goal and two assists. PSG are one of the few clubs who can make a €70million (£60m; $82m) signing midway through the season but the Georgian's performances have been spectacular. Jordan Campbell: Tijjani Reijnders has been a Rolls-Royce in midfield for Manchester City, Bayern's Olise has been effortlessly clinical and Fluminense winger Arias was impressive in the opener against Dortmund, but Flamengo captain Giorgian de Arrascaeta is a wonderfully imaginative player. He is technically brilliant and always looks to play forward. The attacking midfielder might be sacrificed as a starter against Bayern but don't bet against him making a decisive contribution at some stage. Felipe Cardenas: Is Arias a midfielder or a second striker? Perhaps he's a winger. The Colombia international is Fluminense's do-everything player and he has excelled at this tournament. He was by far the best player on the pitch against Dortmund and has carried that level of performance through the remaining group matches. Take a look at his free kick against Ulsan. Arias is understated but he can do it all. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GOAL BY ARIAS! 😱@FluminenseFC is up 1-0! Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld — DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 21, 2025 James Horncastle: I enjoyed watching Miguel Merentiel for Boca. At 29, he isn't going to be the next big thing. He isn't even the biggest name Uruguayan on the team; Edinson Cavani is and he has been underwhelming this past year. Merentiel, an underdog player for whom it's hard not to root, has picked up the slack. He scored in Boca's first couple of games and his goal against Benfica was one of the best of the tournament. Jack Lang: From the teams I have seen live, it's the River Plate supporters. They were incredibly loud and animated throughout the 0-0 draw with Monterrey at the Rose Bowl and it was a similar story in Seattle on Wednesday. Botafogo deserve an honourable mention, as do Monterrey, whose club anthem is still playing in my head. Adam Crafton: I absolutely loved my journey to the MetLife Stadium with Palmeiras fans, who, after painting Times Square green and white, then descended onto the trains and buses, singing and dancing their way towards the venue. Some were part of the Brazilian diaspora who live in the New York area, others had saved up and made it a trip of a lifetime. When you spend time with those fans, and see the joy and the passion etched across their faces, it feels faintly ridiculous to see anyone declaring this is a pointless tournament that nobody cares about. Advertisement Jeff Rueter: The opening weekend gave a mixed first impression, with some stale atmospheres and Bayern's 10-0 pasting of poor Auckland City giving little reason for neutrals to buy into the tournament. Once Boca Juniors' support took to their temporary home at the Hard Rock Stadium, the spectacle provided sorely needed enthusiasm and legitimacy for what this Club World Cup could mean to fanbases. How cruel that their team couldn't give a worthy trio of performances to reward their support. Liam Twomey: With a word of praise for the ES Tunis supporters who brought songs and joy to Philadelphia, it has to be the thousands of Flamengo fans who turned the parking lots outside Lincoln Financial Field into a carnival of Brazilian barbecue tailgate parties, and the stadium itself into a cauldron of noise that helped overwhelm Chelsea. Mario Cortegana: I have only been to Real Madrid matches, where the Madridistas have been in the vast majority, with a special mention for the decibel levels they reached in Philadelphia in the 3-0 win against Red Bull Salzburg. From what I've seen on television, I was impressed by the intensity of Boca and River fanbases, and the fans of all the South American teams. Jordan Campbell: Wydad's fans brought a big presence to Philadelphia, especially considering they had travelled from Morocco. They had plenty of fan meet-ups in the squares around the city but for sheer numbers and noise, Flamengo have been the best I've seen. The looks they gave an American employee's patronising attempt to gee up the crowd outside the stadium in Orlando (three hours before a dead rubber kicked off) will live long in the memory. Felipe Cardenas: Due to sheer numbers and commitment, Boca's ultras and travelling band of die-hard fans lit up the tournament. Palmeiras fans were great in Miami, too. They made the match against Inter Miami feel like a proper cup tie. Big shout for Al Ahly supporters, too. James Horncastle: Having written about Boca storming Miami Beach, I'd be a hypocrite to go with anyone else. I liked how River fans paid for a plane to fly over the Boca fan gathering to remind them of losing the Copa Libertadores final in 2018 and the Boca fan who went to a River game just to stir things up. Jack Lang: This may be a slightly dull answer, but I still find it hard to look past PSG. They are just such a good team and have — apart from a listless first half against Botafogo — looked motivated to build upon their Champions League success. I'll also be keeping an eye on Flamengo. Adam Crafton: I am leaning towards a Manchester City final against PSG, a new-money bonanza that will delight FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his merry band of influencer friends. PSG probably have been the best team in the world this year, but it would be an intriguing recovery by Pep Guardiola's team if they can navigate their way through it. City are certainly on the kinder side of the bracket. Advertisement Jeff Rueter: Entering the tournament, I'd predicted a final between Bayern Munich and Flamengo. Unfortunately, fate brings them together in the round of 16, as far from the final stage as possible. Whichever team advances from that clash will be my definitive favourite, but given Vincent Kompany's rotation for their final group game against Benfica, I'll give Bayern the narrowest of edges. Liam Twomey: At the risk of contradicting my earlier pick of PSG as the best team, Manchester City look ominous and have a real chance to build momentum on the weaker side of the bracket before they likely face whoever emerges from PSG, Bayern and Real Madrid. It would be great to see Flamengo make it but their path appears too difficult. Mario Cortegana: I see a final between PSG and Manchester City, with PSG eliminating Real Madrid in the semi-finals. I was tempted to go with a Champions League final re-match, but City's improvement puts them ahead of Inter. Jordan Campbell: Man City to beat PSG or Flamengo in the final. I can't see Al Hilal or Inter/Fluminense containing City if they can continue the form they showed against Juventus, nor can I see anyone living with PSG on the other side of the draw. Felipe Cardenas: PSG-Man City in the final. An all-Brazilian final would be great for South America's claim that they have the best football in the world but expect the top European sides to buckle down in the knockouts. James Horncastle: I like the side of the draw with Botafogo-Palmeiras, Chelsea-Benfica, Inter-Fluminense and Man City-Al Hilal. It feels like the right half of the bracket to be on. From a Serie A angle, I'd like to see Al Hilal's Simone Inzaghi meet Inter in the quarters a few weeks after leaving as their head coach. I suspect it won't happen. More realistically, I agree it will likely be a PSG-City final. Jack Lang: Filipe Luis. His daring, technical Flamengo side have played some of the best football. He is also such an engaging character, willing to share his thoughts on any topic, in any one of three languages. People are already talking about him as one of the next great coaches, and I can see why. Advertisement Adam Crafton: I am still blown away by what Luis Enrique has done at PSG in an environment that appeared almost impossible, but he has successfully rebuilt a team in his image and they just seem to be getting better and better. Yes, there's a lot of money there, but also no little wit and intelligence. Jeff Rueter: Facing PSG in this tournament was never going to be a breeze, especially after their blowout of Atletico. Renato Paiva concocted a bold scheme that saw his Botafogo defend in an aggressively high line and limit PSG's space. He is a great post-game interview subject, too. Liam Twomey: I have to echo Jack's words on Filipe Luis, who is a more charismatic communicator in English than many Premier League coaches I've covered and has built a Flamengo team that always looks to play proactively. Their quality and intensity were far too much for Chelsea in Philadelphia and I expect them to give Bayern all they can handle. Mario Cortegana: I really like the names mentioned above, but in the spirit of being original and picking what I know best, we should highlight Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard took over a team adrift and, despite injuries and doubts after drawing 1-1 against Al Hilal in their opener, his Real Madrid is already showing what he promised: energy, dynamism, high pressing, tactical flexibility. Jordan Campbell: What Filipe Luis has created at Flamengo is a real testament to what having a clear coaching vision can do. But Inzaghi, having only taken over at Al Hilal after Inter's bruising Champions League final defeat, navigated a testing group to emerge undefeated with only one goal conceded. They could have beaten Real Madrid, too, had they been more clinical on the break. Felipe Cardenas: Filipe Luis felt like a wild hire when Flamengo gave him the top job. But in today's world, young coaches with little experience are popular picks for club and country. Look at Lionel Scaloni. The Argentinian changed the game and opened the door for guys like Filipe Luis. The 39-year-old — a former Brazil and Premier League left-back — has not looked overwhelmed on the big stage. James Horncastle: He has not been the best coach of the group stage by any means but Javier Mascherano deserves a little credit for getting Inter Miami into the knockouts. He probably owes this nomination to his goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, who was awarded the man-of-the-match award in the goalless opener against Al Ahly. Advertisement Jack Lang: I went to five successive games at the Rose Bowl and will take home lots of good memories. OK, yes, it's a bit annoying to get to. But the setting — that lovely natural amphitheatre formed by the surrounding hills, the mountains in the distance — is incredible and it was great to be at a stadium with its own distinct architecture and history. Adam Crafton: They can all look a little strange on broadcast compared to European venues but a lot of the stadiums are spectacular in the flesh. The Hard Rock in Miami Gardens is a pain to get in and out of but decked out in Boca blue and yellow, it looked pretty special. However, nothing beats the Rose Bowl and it is a big shame it will not be involved at the World Cup next year. Jeff Rueter: Benefitting from the temperate climate, with many games kicking off in a downright delightful 75F (24C), Lumen Field has held some magnificent matches in Seattle. The Sounders fared admirably playing in front of their own fans in their usual park, and the grass got rave reviews from the venue's primary (soccer) tenant. Liam Twomey: I have only attended games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field, and the state-of-the-art home of Atlanta United never looks anything less than spectacular, even when it is as disappointingly empty as it was for Chelsea's opener against LAFC. Mario Cortegana: I've also been to the Hard Rock (Miami), the Bank of America (Charlotte), but I'll go with the Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia). Reasons? Take your pick: it is the home of the last Super Bowl winners, the temperature was nothing compared to the heat of the two matches I saw further south, the imposing interiors, the atmosphere, at times, had similarities to the Santiago Bernabeu and the thunderstorms thankfully didn't cause any delays to Real Madrid vs Salzburg. Jordan Campbell: I've been to Financial Lincoln Field in Philadelphia, Camping World Stadium in Orlando and Mercedes-Benz in Atlanta. Considering I'm a bit of a traditionalist and much prefer the character of red brick to the glass bowls that have become the norm, I was surprised by how stunning I found the Mercedes-Benz's design. It's an impressive piece of architecture but perhaps the best thing about it is the air conditioning system. Boy, did I need it. Felipe Cardenas: Air conditioning, easy public transportation and a stadium campus that features thousands of hotel rooms and enough pubs and restaurants to keep you busy for days. That's Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The food is cheap for fans and the environment is ideal for a big match. James Horncastle: I did multiple games at the parking lot otherwise known as the Hard Rock Stadium. I call it a parking lot because it has 26,000 spaces and no public transport. That said, you can understand why Super Bowls and Formula One races have been held in Miami Gardens. The only other ground I visited was the romantically named Camping World Stadium in Orlando. It felt more World Cup 1994 than Club World Cup 2025 and could use a birthday as well as a name change. No one dreams of playing at the Camping World. Advertisement Jack Lang: I hope that a club from outside Europe gets to the semi-final stage. It would provide a lot more interest than an ersatz version of the latter stages of the Champions League. A final four of, for instance, Chelsea, Palmeiras, PSG and Monterrey would be so much more intriguing than watching all the usual suspects again. Adam Crafton: I do not want to see tens of thousands of empty seats for the rest of the competition. It is a missed opportunity to engage more fans and is unnecessary — the interest is there in many markets to watch top-level soccer. What people have not always had is either the awareness or deep enough pockets, which means FIFA should reduce prices and fill these stadiums. It is hard to navigate the dynamic pricing, a strategy where the cost of tickets can fluctuate depending on demand. For example, when I looked at standard admission tickets for Flamengo vs Bayern (at Hard Rock) on Thursday morning, the cheapest was $170. By the evening, it was $83.65. Maybe this works out, but how these tickets fluctuate so wildly seems pretty wild. Jeff Rueter: I'll echo Jack's point: if this tournament quickly resolves to be a midsummer recreation of the UEFA Champions League, there will be little intrigue. I also hope security for the final at MetLife is better equipped than what we saw before and during last summer's Copa America final in Miami. Liam Twomey: There has been a lot of understandable cynicism and some less justifiable snootiness about this competition from some quarters, but the fundamental reality of football is that if the players take it seriously, everyone else will. I want to see the competitive juices ramp up the intensity in the knockout rounds, because the Champions League has demonstrated time and again that elite knockout club competition is the highest form of the sport. Mario Cortegana: Selfishly, I would say that Real Madrid should win, something that would do wonders for a squad and a project that has suffered this season and that wants to revive under Alonso. Looking a little beyond that, a team from outside Europe winning would be remembered for a long time and would enhance the value of future editions. Jordan Campbell: Flamengo getting to the final would be great for what has been a far more competitive and engaging spectacle than I expected. It is good that there is some variety in the knockouts, with Porto and Atletico already eliminated, but if City or PSG win the final, they probably need to beat some big European names along the way for it to be seen as a proper best-versus-best showpiece. It's a difficult balance but if Filipe Luis' men can cause another upset or two, the tournament might have the best of both worlds. Felipe Cardenas: We need a Cinderella story. The tournament needs an upset in the knockout rounds. I'm looking at you, Fluminense. James Horncastle: I don't know how I feel about the prospect of Inter Miami and Messi getting pummelled by PSG. It could get brutal. Top photos: Getty Images
New York Times
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Enzo Fernandez, from Benfica to Chelsea: Is he finally justifying the £106m fee?
Benfica are not rooting for Enzo Fernandez to become a world champion this time around. Back in December 2022, the sight of Fernandez lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar was celebrated vicariously in the red corner of Lisbon as it was in his home city of Buenos Aires. He had come into the competition as a substitute and his elevation into Lionel Scaloni's starting XI after scoring a spectacular goal off the bench in a 2-0 win against Mexico had changed the trajectory of Argentina's tournament, rebalancing the midfield supply lines into Lionel Messi. Advertisement Fernandez had been a Benfica player for only six months then, but it was already clear the club would make a huge profit on the €10million (£8.5m; $12m at current rates) fee, plus €8million in add-ons, paid to acquire him from River Plate in the summer of 2022. The only question was when. Roger Schmidt's Benfica side had gone into the World Cup break leading the Primeira Liga by eight points and had topped their Champions League group above Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. Fernandez had quickly established himself as the playmaking hub of a dominant midfield. Despite Benfica's determination to preserve the core of a potentially special team, Fernandez returned to Portugal with Chelsea hot in pursuit. He had to be convinced to play in a 3-0 loss to Braga, then jetted back to Argentina for New Year celebrations. Having been dropped for the following league match against Portimonense, he returned and scored in a cup win against Varzim, celebrating by tapping the club badge on his shirt in a sign widely interpreted as affirming his desire to stay. Three weeks later, he joined Chelsea. 'We lost a great player but I'm not going to cry for a player who doesn't want to represent Benfica,' club president Rui Costa told BTV after reluctantly signing off the January deadline day deal, which valued Fernandez at his €121million release clause. 'He showed no commitment to Benfica. Here I thought he couldn't play for Benfica anymore. As a fan, I didn't want this player anymore, as a manager it wasn't a solution either and he couldn't enter the locker room again. That's when I decided to let him go.' Fernandez fought hard to get to Chelsea, at the cost of any lingering goodwill from Benfica, despite the huge financial windfall his sale delivered. The midfielder has arguably had to fight even harder to begin to justify the energy and expense required to bring him to Stamford Bridge two and a half years ago. Advertisement The version of Fernandez that will take to the field for the Club World Cup last-16 meeting between Chelsea and Benfica on Saturday has evolved considerably. The notion of Fernandez as the positional and spiritual successor to Jorginho at the heart of Chelsea's midfield is in the past. Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea's head coach at the time, privately questioned whether his countryman was defensively impactful enough to be deployed as a deep-lying 'No 6' or creative enough to be a more attack-minded 'No 8' in central midfield. More often, Pochettino cast him as the latter. Pochettino's successor, Enzo Maresca, has come up with a more nuanced solution. 'When we have the ball, he is playing like an attacking midfielder and is dropping next to Moises Caicedo when we don't have the ball to give us defensive balance,' the Italian said of Fernandez in October. It helps that Fernandez is now fit enough to go from box to box at Premier League intensity, which was not the case when he arrived from Benfica in the middle of the 2022-23 season. 'The first six months, the first year with Pochettino, was very difficult for me physically, but then I had to start training extra because what I did in the morning was not enough,' he said in an interview with Argentine journalist Gaston Edul at Chelsea's Cobham HQ last month. 'As time went by, I got the results and (now) I feel very good physically.' The requirements of his role in Maresca's system have significantly re-modelled Fernandez's game. Last season, the 24-year-old recorded by far the fewest number of touches (67.6) and attempted passes (58.1) per 90 minutes of his career. His influence on Chelsea's sequences of possession is almost entirely focused on the left 'pocket' or half-space, operating alongside Cole Palmer as one of two advanced creators in a 'box' midfield. Fernandez's adaptation has been painful at times. In the first half of last season, it was reasonable to wonder if he had a logical position in Chelsea's best XI. Maresca himself appeared to wrestle with that question, benching the Argentinian for four Premier League games in a row in October and admitting he preferred the 'physicality' offered by Romeo Lavia's midfield partnership with Caicedo. Advertisement But in recent months, Fernandez has demonstrated his value to Chelsea's attack, creating chances more efficiently in the final third and offering an auxiliary goal threat. His arrival in the penalty area to convert Liam Delap's cross against Los Angeles FC was not surprising — it mirrored the run he made to score a vital early winner against Liverpool in early May. While the frequency of his shot attempts has actually dipped slightly relative to last season (1.6 per 90 minutes, down from 1.8), the average distance of his shots has shrunk over his Chelsea career (25.7 yards in 2022-23, 21.3 yards in 2023-24, 18.1 yards in 2024-25) and perhaps not coincidentally he is finishing more clinically. Fernandez also credits the time he has spent with a sports psychologist for a mental breakthrough. 'The first year and a half I was here wasn't easy,' he said in his interview with Edul. 'Moving countries — I had been in Lisbon before for six months — everything was new, a new language. Being with my family was also difficult. Here (in England), by 3 pm it was already night, and living day-to-day life was difficult until I got psychological help. 'I started to share what I felt and as time went by, I started feeling better. Then everything became much easier.' Fernandez was directly involved in 13 goals in the Premier League (six goals and seven assists, his best attacking numbers in Europe) and scored and assisted in Chelsea's comeback win over Real Betis in last month's Conference League final, nodding in the equaliser from Palmer's inviting cross. He has carried that form to the United States, building on his goal against LAFC with a clever dinked pass to help Delap score his first goal for the club against ES Tunis. 'He's told me to run when he gets the ball,' Delap told reporters after the match. Fernandez has already made more than double the number of appearances for Chelsea that he made for River and Benfica combined, and a significant number of them while wearing the captain's armband. Maresca has always described him as a 'reference' for his team on the pitch, but such status carries more credibility now that it appears there are no enduring dressing-room issues from the racist Argentina team bus song video that overshadowed last summer. Advertisement That seems to have been consigned to history, along with his all-too-brief stint in Lisbon. Benfica will only delight in this reunion if they win, but recent history suggests Fernandez could play a big part in sending them home. 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Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Benfica vs Chelsea prediction, odds and betting offer
The Blues will be looking to book their place in the quarter-finals when they face Benfica in North Carolina this weekend Chelsea face off against the formidable Benfica in North Carolina, marking the last-16 stage of the Club World Cup. Chelsea kicked off their tournament journey with a solid 2-0 win over LAFC. However, they stumbled in their second match, succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brazilian team Flamengo, despite holding a lead at halftime. This setback left them needing a crucial victory against Esperance Tunis in the early hours of Wednesday. Rising to the occasion, Chelsea delivered with goals from Tosin and Liam Delap during first-half stoppage time, followed by a late strike from Tyrique George, securing a commanding 3-0 win. Benfica's campaign began on shaky ground, as they found themselves trailing 2-0 against Boca Juniors within the first 27 minutes of their opening game. Yet, under Bruno Lage's guidance, they showed resilience by clawing back to earn a 2-2 draw with the Argentine side. They then showcased their firepower by thrashing Auckland City with six unanswered goals in their subsequent match. Needing just a point against Bayern Munich to advance, Benfica exceeded expectations by defeating the Bundesliga champions 1-0, thus clinching the top spot in Group C. Benfica vs Chelsea Odds Benfica - 27/10 Draw - 5/2 Chelsea - 23/20 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Benfica vs Chelsea Betting Tips Chelsea to win and both teams to score - 10/3 Liam Delap to score anytime - 21/10 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Benfica vs Chelsea Betting Offers If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site. Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Saturday's briefing: Brentford name new boss and England Under-21s aim for glory
Chelsea prepared to meet Benfica in the Club World Cup round of 16 as England Under-21s focused on becoming European champions again. Our New Head Coach 🐝 — Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 27, 2025 Brentford have appointed Keith Andrews as their new head coach. The Bees have been without a boss since Thomas Frank took up the vacancy at Tottenham left by Ange Postecoglou. Andrews, the former Wolves and Republic of Ireland midfielder, has been working as the Bees' set-piece coach. The 44-year-old has now now been promoted to the top coaching job, saying he felt 'humbled' and 'honoured' to have been appointed. Andrews said: 'I'm very appreciative of the owner (Matthew Benham), the board and the staff that have supported this decision. It's an opportunity I feel I'm very capable of doing and ready to do.' England are close to European Under-21 Championship glory again with a final date against Germany on Saturday. Lee Carsley's Young Lions' victory beat the Netherlands this week to put them within one match of retaining their crown in Slovakia. Harvey Elliott was the star of the show against the Dutch, and the Liverpool attacking midfielder is sure to be a key threat again. Senior England boss Thomas Tuchel is set to make the journey to Bratislava and cast his gaze over players keen to impress him ahead of next summer's World Cup. 'If he does come it will be extra motivation for the lads to win,' skipper James McAtee said. 'More reason to impress the manager.' Summer signing Liam Delap hopes to shine for Chelsea once more in their Club World Cup tie against Benfica. The competition has reached the knockout stage and Blues boss Enzo Maresca has promised further rotation because of the American heat. But Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson remains suspended after being handed a two-match ban for his straight red card against Flamengo. That could mean another start for Delap, who has impressed in the tournament so far and scored his first Chelsea goal against Esperance Tunis. Leicester City Football Club and Ruud van Nistelrooy have mutually agreed that Ruud's contract with the Club as First Team Manager will terminate with immediate effect. — Leicester City (@LCFC) June 27, 2025 Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Leicester following the club's relegation from the Premier League. Van Nistelrooy was appointed at the King Power Stadium in November, but was unable to steer the club away from danger. Leicester's return to the Sky Bet Championship was sealed with five games of the season to play, and Van Nistelrooy's departure had been expected. The former Manchester United and Netherlands forward called for talks with the Foxes hierarchy as soon as relegation was confirmed, but was left hanging for several weeks. The delay since the end of the season is understood to have hinged around the start of a new accounting period, which begins on Monday. All set for tomorrow night's #U21EURO Final 👊⏳ — England (@England) June 27, 2025 England Under-21s go in search of a second successive continental crown when they play Germany in the European Championship final. The Young Lions won the competition two years ago for the first time since 1984 and have eliminated Spain and Netherlands in the knockout stages. The round of 16 at the Club World Cup gets underway with Chelsea playing Benfica in Charlotte, and Palmeiras and Botafogo meeting in an all-Brazil battle in Philadelphia.
