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Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea told new signing 'makes the grade' and could transform the club's hopes
Chelsea have broken the bank once again this summer, but it's one of their cheaper acquisitions that one former Blues captain believes could take the club onto the next level Amid a fresh wave of signings at Stamford Bridge this summer, Liam Delap is the one former Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill is most excited to see in blue. And the player's performances at the FIFA Club World Cup have only raised his expectations. Chelsea have spent around £210million improving their squad this summer, though Delap has been one of their savvier signings. The west Londoners triggered the £30m release clause (only £20m of which was paid up front) in Delap's contract to take him off Ipswich Town's hands in June. The 22-year-old has taken on the Blues' 'cursed' No. 9 jersey and hopes to succeed where the likes of Fernandes Torres, Gonzalo Higuain, Radamel Falcao and Alvaro Morata struggled to do so. And there are promising signs the former Manchester City prospect could be just the man to break the spell. When asked which new signing he's most excited by, Cahill told Mirror Sport (via BetMGM):"Obviously, the big one is Liam Delap. I think there was obviously a need to add a striker. Like everyone in the Premier League, you're looking for goals, aren't you? "I think Cole Palmer 's been the top goalscorer in the last couple of seasons as a No. 10 midfielder. So, they needed some firepower up there, and I really like him." Palmer led Chelsea with 16 goals across all competitions last season, while Christopher Nkunku was just behind on 15, though only three of those came in the Premier League. Nicolas Jackson was Enzo Maresca's go-to option up front and finished with 13 goals from 37 appearances, while Noni Madueke sometimes filled in as a makeshift striker and added another 11 goals from 46 games. Jackson, 24, missed portions of the 2024/25 season through injury and received his second red card of the campaign at the Club World Cup. That unavailability may only enhance Delap's case for selection, especially after impressing with his first goal and assist while helping Chelsea reach the final of the competition. "I've seen him a few times for Ipswich last season," Cahill, who made 290 appearances for Chelsea, continued. "He is an out-and-out No. 9, which I think is a good thing for Chelsea. He works hard, strong, physical, runs in behind, technically decent. So I'm very excited to see how he gets on there. "I think talent-wise, he certainly makes the grade. It'll be interesting to see how he manages that step up into a huge club. No disrespect to Ipswich, I'm talking about an environment, so it'll be interesting to see how he gets on there. But from the clips I've seen of him in the Club World Cup, he looks very exciting. I think that's great business." It's difficult to argue with the logic given Delap was once in contention to make a first-team impact at the Etihad. Manchester United also threw their hat in the ring to sign the player, but the familiar faces of Palmer and Maresca, both of whom he knew from his time at City, helped turn things in Chelsea's favour. As a two-time Premier League winner and Champions League medal-holder, Cahill has played with and against a long list of top-tier talent. And the signs are positive that Delap is the man whom Chelsea have longed for to make the difference in attack. Fellow new arrival Joao Pedro impressed with a magnificent brace during Chelsea's 2-0 Club World Cup win over Fluminense, which Delap missed due to suspension. However, the Englishman will be back in contention to start against Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday's final. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd's Mbeumo chase hampered by two transfers as Brentford consider U-turn
Manchester United continue to push for Bryan Mbeumo after seeing two bids rejected but other recent transfer activity has made Brentford consider ramping up their valuation Brentford believe they may have undervalued Bryan Mbeumo at £63million after seeing several other offers and valuations around the Premier League with Manchester United still circling for their star man. The Bees have already rejected two offers for their leading light, who scored 20 times in the top flight last term. The west Londoners have shown themselves willing to sell their top talent, but only once they received the appropriate fee and they've held firm so far. They want just over £60m before they consider letting Mbeumo leave. United are yet to hit that figure and the Bees could still ask for more after seeing other clubs conducted their transfer activity. Newcastle have seen a £55m offer for Anthony Elanga accepted by Nottingham Forest. There is also continued talk of a possible switch for Noni Madueke, who could leave Chelsea for Arsenal, but only for more than £50m. The Evening Standard reports that Brentford have been encouraged by the fees touted for Madueke and Elanga, who both were less productive in the final third last term, which underlines their view that their valuation is not only fair but may even be lower than market value. READ MORE: Man Utd's 7 striker options as Premier League rivals eye Ollie Watkins transfer READ MORE: Marcus Rashford makes surprise Man Utd decision despite brutal Ruben Amorim axe Last summer it was Ivan Toney who left Brentford, heading for Saudi Arabia, and Mbeumo stepped up impressively with him gone. The Cameroon international has scored against the Manchester outfit but is now keen to join them in the coming weeks. Mbeumo has made clear he wants to move to Old Trafford and he would massively benefit financially with his wages skyrocketing if he did make the switch. Brentford have stood firm though and are open to other clubs making offers for their forward as they look to maximise profits. So far Matheus Cunha is the only new face in arrive on the red side of Manchester and Brentford chief Phil Giles has confessed he can still see a scenario where Mbeumo remains in the capital. The sporting director said: "He had a fantastic season. We expected big interest in him, we have had big interest in him. He has his ideas about where he wants to take his career. He is well within his rights to do that. It is not impossible he is still a Brentford player next season if we agree he is going to stay." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘I've seen it all' – Michael Buffer introduces Chelsea and Fluminense players and teams like boxers in Club World Cup
Fans in attendance at the MetLife Stadium went crazy MIC DROP 'I've seen it all' – Michael Buffer introduces Chelsea and Fluminense players and teams like boxers in Club World Cup FOOTBALL fans were left stunned by boxing icon Michael Buffer's Club World Cup semi-final appearance. The iconic announcer was a guest of honour for Chelsea's clash with Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this evening. Advertisement 4 Boxing icon Michael Buffer was guest of honour at the Club World Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Fluminense Credit: REUTERS 4 The 80-year-old gave both sets of players boxing style introductions Credit: DAZN 4 He signed off with his classic 'Let's get ready to rumble' commencement call Credit: DAZN And tournament organisers had the 80-year-old read out the names of both sets players before he sent the crowd wild with his trademark commencement call. To the delight of the capacity crowd, he said: "Ladies and gentlemen, let's get ready to rumble!" Footage of Buffer's pre-match introductions went viral on social media. One stunned footie fan said of his appearance: "Wowwwwww." Advertisement READ MORE ON CHELSEA final lap Chelsea's Delap 'splits from model girlfriend' as she posts cryptic message Another said: "No way is this real." And another said with a fire emoji: "Let's go." One remarked: "Michael Buffer introducing a football match, I have seen it all now." Chelsea fans are no strangers to having Buffer announce their starting XI. Advertisement WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN 4 BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Buffer introduced the west Londoners ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in May 2018. Advertisement But his pitchside announcing didn't go fully to plan as he ended up being soaked by the sprinklers. Buffer smiled and laughed off the incident. After brushing off his accidental soaking, he roared: "Ladies and gentlemen, let's get ready for football." Chelsea took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute through a stunner from newboy Joao Pedro.
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd's Bryan Mbeumo timeline emerges amid Jadon Sancho swap proposal
Manchester United are continuing to pursue Bryan Mbeumo despite having several offers rejected whilst Jadon Sancho could have landed himself a way out of the club Manchester United's summer activity has only seen them land one major name - that being Matheus Cunha - but Bryan Mbeumo remains front and centre on their radar. Brentford have so far rejected their advances. Ruben Amorim knows he needs a big and productive window if he is to be a success at Old Trafford. He has gone after players who will suit his unique system, which he will have a pre-season to work on. Much of the coming weeks may also centre on who will leave the club. Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho are among those who have all returned from loan spells away. They were all on hefty wages and two of the three were signed for big money. It makes them hard to shift and the club may have to take major financial hits to get rid of them. No European football may prove to be a factor but it hasn't stopped the club spending in the market and Mbeumo's signing could see their spending exceed £100m. Here's the latest from Old Trafford. Mbeumo timeline The Red Devils continue to negotiate with Brentford over the transfer of Mbeumo but are confident they can reach an agreement by the end of the week after seeing two bids rejected. They have made the Bees forward their top target at present as they eye their second summer arrival. The west Londoners have played hardball as they look to maximise their profit on Mbeumo, who has just enjoyed his best season yet, scoring 20 times, and Ruben Amorim believes he can perfectly suit the system he's trying to implement. United will go back in with a third bid after their latest in the region of £60m was rejected. The Daily Mail now reports that the Red Devils will table an offer of £65m which they believe will hit Brentford's valuation of the player and complete the deal. Those in the capital have already begun making plans for Mbeumo's departure. Juve eye three-man swap deal Juventus have stepped up their attempts to sign Jadon Sancho and are even said to have offered the Manchester outfit three different players in a bid to strike an audacious swap deal. Dusan Vlahovic is the first name mentioned. United have previously been interested in the Serbian striker, who was heavily linked with Arsenal before moving to Turin having previously impressed with Fiorentina. Douglas Luiz, the former Aston Villa midfielder, is another player who United could have in exchange for Sancho and Timothy Weah is the third player United have been made aware is available to leave the Old Lady. The winger was recently the subject of transfer interest from Nottingham Forest, however, Weah rejected a move to the City Ground. New signing makes plan clear Diego Leon, the club's newest signing, is eager to make a name for himself in pre-season - and has no interest in going out on loan as he underlined his confidence that he can cement a spot in Amorim's squad for the upcoming season. The teenage left-back signed for United in the January transfer window but due to his age, was unable to join his new club until the summer. The MEN state that there's still no concrete plan regarding Leon's role in the first team for this season however. "I'm really happy, I think every player dreams of this," the young defender said to Paraguayan press. "When you're a professional, you have to adapt quickly, it is a massive opportunity. Everyone thinks I'll go out on loan, but I don't have that mindset. I'm going to kill it in pre-season and within one or two games, I'll already be playing with them."
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd set deadline to agree £65m Bryan Mbeumo transfer after two bids rejected
Manchester United are readying a third bid for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and are confident they can finally wrap up a deal by the end of the week following the lengthy saga Manchester United continue to negotiate with Brentford over the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo but are confident they can reach an agreement by the end of the week after seeing two bids rejected. The Red Devils have made the Bees forward their top target at present as they eye their second summer arrival. The west Londoners have played hardball as they look to maximise their profit on Mbeumo, who joined the club back when they were in the Championship. Mbeumo has just enjoyed his best season yet, scoring 20 times, and Ruben Amorim believes he can perfectly suit the system he's trying to implement. United will go back in with a third bid after their latest in the region of £60m was rejected. The Daily Mail now reports that the Red Devils will table an offer of £65m which they believe will hit Brentford's valuation of the player and complete the deal. Those in the capital have already begun making plans for Mbeumo's departure. Feyenoord attacking midfielder Antoni Milambo heading to the club. The Holland U21 international is set to arrive for an initial £17m plus £4.25m in add-ons, signing a long-term contract at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford are awaiting the final results from Milambo's medical tests but providing all is well, a formal announcement is set to follow soon. Milambo has also spoken at length to new boss Keith Andrews, who has just been appointed as the new manager. The Bees have often shown that they will move on their top players for the right price. Last year it was Ivan Toney who left for a hefty fee but in the past other major names have been allowed to move on, often banking the club considerable profit at the same time. United are ready to take their spending beyond £120m have already signed Matheus Cunha for £62.5m. The capture of the Brazilian was made far easier by a release clause in his Wolves contract which meant the deal was smooth. Amorim is set to continue his summer recruitment after any possible deal for Mbeumo with a striker also on the club's wish list. They've missed out on Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea, and Viktor Gyokeres looks like he'll opt for another suitor as United scour the market.
