DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Spurs vs. Chelsea: Nine-man Tottenham misses out on chance to go top of the Premier League in thriller
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Manav Tanneeru | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Five goals, as many overturned or disallowed, two red cards, and 21 minutes of stoppage time: those are just some of the numbers behind what was a wild and chaotic English Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Spurs battled hard and deployed a seven-man high line in defense, which appeared to perplex Chelsea until Raheem Sterling got in behind and teed up Jackson to make it 2-1. We were very close to getting that equalizer a couple of times.”Ultimately, Spurs paid for their poor discipline. Jackson puts Chelsea ahead against Tottenham. Tony Obrien/Reuters“It was an amazing game,” Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, facing his former club for the first time since leaving Tottenham four years ago, told Sky Sports.

Persons: Gary Neville, ”, Jamie Carragher, ” Nicolas Jackson’s, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, perplex Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Jackson, Nicolas Jackson, John Walton, Eric Dier, Bentancur, Son Heung, Min, Conor Gallagher, Guglielmo Vicario, “, Ange Postecoglou, “ You’re, “ I’m, Dejan Kulusevski’s, Chelsea, Moisés Caicedo, Romero, Enzo Fernández, Caicedo’s, Cole Palmer, Udogie, Gallagher, Tony Obrien, ” Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino Organizations: CNN, English Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Sports, Spurs, ” Spurs, Sky Sports, Sterling, Postecoglou, Tottenham, Reuters, Premier League, Manchester City Locations: Senegal

☆ Nine-man Spurs miss out on top spot in chaotic 4-1 loss to Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Destiny Udogie was shown a second yellow card 10 minutes after the break leaving the home side hanging on for a point. Australian Postecoglou said his first Premier League defeat was hard to analyse. BEST STARTTottenham have enjoyed their best start to a top-flight season since 1960 with Postecoglou the first manager to go unbeaten in his first 10 Premier League games. Chelsea were chasing shadows initially and were relieved when Son's effort was ruled out for offside. Minutes later Chelsea's Moises Caicedo drove a low shot home through a crowd but that was ruled offside and confirmed by VAR.

Persons: Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, Reece James, Moises Caicedo REUTERS, Tony Obrien, Tottenham Hotspur's, Nicolas Jackson, Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, Dejan Kulusevski's, Son Heung, Chelsea scuppered, Cristian Romero, Cole Palmer, Micky van de, James Maddison, Udogie, Jackson, Eric Dier, Son, Robert Sanchez, Ange Postecoglou's, Postecoglou, we're, I'm, Kulusevski's, Levi Colwill, wrongfoot Sanchez, Raheem Sterling, Romero, Colwill, Moises Caicedo, Michael Oliver, Enzo Fernandez, Maddison, Van de, Pochettino, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Tottenham, Spurs, Manchester City, BEST, Argentina, Sterling, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Chelsea's, Sterling's, Senegal

☆ Mudryk and Broja end Chelsea goal drought in 2-0 win at Fulham
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It was Mudryk's first goal since signing for Chelsea nine months ago while Broja - replacing the suspended Nicolas Jackson - was making his first start since sustaining a knee injury at the end of 2022. It's been a long time coming," Broja told talkSPORT about his goal. The result pushed Chelsea up to 11th spot with eight points, leapfrogging Fulham, who are 13th, on goal difference. Fulham coach Marco Silva lamented what he said were soft goals his side had offered up to the visitors. "Of course we have to keep working," Silva added.

Persons: Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Mauricio Pochettino's, Levi Colwill, Bernd Leno, Broja, Nicolas Jackson, It's, talkSPORT, Ian Maatsen, Mudryk, leapfrogging Fulham, Pochettino, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Marco Silva, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Silva, William Schomberg, Ken Ferris Organizations: Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League, Blues, West, Mudryk, Saudi, Al, Thomson Locations: Craven, West London, Ukraine, Portuguese, Serbia, Hilal

☆ Messi-less Argentina cruise to 3-0 win over Bolivia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LA PAZ, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Argentina rested captain Lionel Messi but they still made light work of Bolivia as they won 3-0 to claim their second victory of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday. Angel Di Maria took over as captain in Messi's absence and shone, providing two assists before halftime. "It's two games in, we knew it was important to get six points for what's to come," the 35-year-old Di Maria told Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports. Nicolas Tagliafico doubled the lead and scored his first goal for World Cup holders Argentina with a header from a Di Maria free kick in the 42nd minute, before Nicolas Gonzalez's powerful strike sealed the win in the 83rd. Elsewhere in the second round of CONMEBOL qualifiers, Uruguay play Ecuador, Venezuela host Paraguay, Colombia face Chile, and Brazil visit Peru later on Tuesday.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Di Maria, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, Di Maria's, Fernandez, Roberto Fernandez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Maria, Nicolas Gonzalez's, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis Organizations: LA, TyC, World, Argentina, CONMEBOL, Thomson Locations: LA PAZ, Argentina, Bolivia, Argentine, La Paz, Uruguay, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico

☆ Premier League clubs spend record 2.36 billion pounds in transfer window
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The transfer window, which was open from June 14 to Sept. 1, exceeded last year's record 1.92 billion pounds, with the top-flight clubs spending 255 million pounds on deadline day alone, it said. Premier League clubs were responsible for 48% of the spending across Europe's top five leagues including Spain's LaLiga, Italy's Serie A, Germany's Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1. "Nearly three-quarters of Premier League clubs (14) spent more this summer than the last, reflecting the increased intensity of competition. Champions Manchester City signed midfielder Matheus Nunes for 53 million pounds this week, having brought Jeremy Doku for 55 million pounds, defender Josko Gvardiol for 77 million and midfielder Mateo Kovacic for 25 million earlier. According to the report, almost half of the transfer fees received by Premier League clubs from overseas came from the Saudi Pro League club (SPL), which has the fourth-highest transfer spend of any league globally.

Persons: Chris Radburn, Spain's LaLiga, Tim, Todd Boehly, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Rasmus Hojlund, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Calum Ross, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Martyn Herman, Gerry Doyle, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, American Express, Premier League, Deloitte, Serie, Bundesliga, Ligue, Deloitte's Sports Business, Chelsea, Clearlake Capital, Champions Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Saudi Pro League, Thomson Locations: Brighton, Britain, London, Bengaluru

☆ Messi to lead Argentina in opening World Cup qualifiers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Panama - Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - March 23, 2023 Argentina's Lionel Messi during the match REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi will lead world champions Argentina in their opening World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Bolivia, the captain's first internationals since joining Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. Coach Lionel Scaloni's 32-man squad also features stalwarts including Angel Di Maria, who returned to Benfica this year, and defender Nicolas Otamendi. Argentina host Ecuador in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7 and travel to play Bolivia five days later. SquadGoalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Walter Benitez (PSV Eindhoven), Franco Armani (River Plate). Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (AS Roma), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton & Hove Albion), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Exequiel Palacios (Bayern Leverkusen) and Bruno Zapelli (Athletico Paranaense).

Persons: Lionel Messi, Agustin Marcarian, Lionel Scaloni's, Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Otamendi, Alan Velasco, Bruno Zapelli, Lucas Esquivel, Lucas Beltran, Paulo Dybala, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Atalanta, Emiliano Martinez, Aston, Walter Benitez, Franco Armani, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Juan Foyth, Marcos Senesi, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Athletico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Facundo Buonanotte, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Angel Correa, Julian Alvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, Thiago Almada, Ramiro Sandolo, Janina Nuno Rios, Ed Omsond Organizations: Soccer Football, Estadio Monumental, REUTERS, Argentina, Ecuador, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Benfica, FC Dallas, Athletico Paranaense, Italy's Fiorentina, AS Roma, Ajax Amsterdam, Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, Nottingham Forest, Villarreal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Olympique Lyonnais, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Bayern Leverkusen, Fiorentina, Inter, Manchester City, Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Panama, Buenos Aires, BUENOS AIRES, Bolivia, Ecuador, Real, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Olympique, Benfica, Brighton, Liverpool, Athletico, Inter Milan, Manchester

☆ Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino urges patience after a poor start to Premier League campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Chelsea suffered a 3-1 loss to West Ham on Sunday as its new-look team continues to adapt to the start of the Premier League season. Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino has supervised an overhaul of the squad since taking charge this year, but after two games, he is still searching for the first league win of his tenure. However, despite splashing the cash, creating an identity in soccer takes time and Pochettino urged fans to stick with the team. West Ham then found itself a man down after Aguerd was sent off for a second bookable offense after 67 minutes. Pochettino will hope it’s the perfect fixture to jump-start his tenure at the club, which is in desperate need of some stability.

Persons: CNN — Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, Reuters –, Todd Boehly, Pochettino, “, ”, West Ham, Nayef Aguerd’s, Carney Chukwuemeka, Michail Antonio, Aguerd, Chelsea couldn’t, Enzo Fernández, Alphonse Areola, Moisés Caicedo, John Walton, Lucas Paquetá, ” Pochettino, ” Chelsea Organizations: CNN, Premier League, Reuters, Sky Sports, West, London, Chelsea, Hammers, Luton Town, Stamford Locations: West Ham, West

☆ Moisés Caicedo: The £4.5m bargain who became the most expensive player in British soccer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Moisés Caicedo has been sought after by some of the world’s biggest soccer clubs and it is Premier League side Chelsea who has pried the Ecuadorian away from Brighton. Multiple outlets including Sky Sports and the BBC report that it’s a British record fee of £115 million ($146 million) that Chelsea and Brighton have agreed upon. Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesAs the transfer fee may suggest, the record-breaking move didn’t come without its fair share of complications. Premier League giant Liverpool believed that it would be the team securing the signing of Caicedo after having a £111 million ($141 million) bid for the midfielder accepted just days ago. Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty ImagesThe 21-year-old will star in Chelsea’s midfield alongside former record British transfer, Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernández.

Persons: Moisés Caicedo, Mike Hewitt, Caicedo, coy, Jürgen Klopp, Klopp, “, Tony Bloom, Bloom, Manan Vatsyayana, Enzo Fernández, Fernández, Chelsea Organizations: CNN, English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, Ecuadorian, Independiente del Valle, Premier League, Chelsea, Sky Sports, BBC, Brighton, Liverpool, coy Liverpool, ”, Blues, Arsenal, Gunners, Getty, West Ham United Locations: Brighton, Chelsea, London, Instagram, Santa Domingo, Ecuador, “, Qatar, AFP

☆ Chelsea sign Ecuador's Caicedo from Brighton for British record fee
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Chelsea have broken the British transfer record for the second time in a year by signing Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion on an eight-year contract on Monday. Financial details were not disclosed but British media said Chelsea will pay 115 million pounds ($145.96 million), eclipsing the 106 million pounds record fee the London club paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January. Caicedo still had four years to run on his Brighton contract but had told the south-coast club he wished to leave. 'TOP MIDFIELDER'Caicedo signed for Brighton in February 2021 for a reported 4.5 million pounds and was loaned to Belgian club Beerschot in August that year. He made his Premier League debut in April last year and scored his first Brighton goal against Manchester United in May.

Persons: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo, Juergen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Todd Boehly, Moises, Tony Bloom, Roberto De Zerbi, Alexis Mac Allister, David Weir, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Angelo, Chelsea, Rohith Nair, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, London, Benfica, Premier League, Brighton, Arsenal, Liverpool, Liverpool swooped, Clearlake Capital, Belgian, Beerschot, Manchester United, Argentina, West Ham United, Thomson Locations: Brighton, Argentina, Merseyside, London, Belgium

☆ Moisés Caicedo could be on the brink of record-breaking $141 million transfer – but to which club?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Liverpool has made a £111 million ($141 million) bid for the midfielder, but whether the Ecuadorian international signs for the 2019 Premier League champion remains to be seen. Matthew Childs/Action Images/ReutersLiverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp confirmed in a press conference on Friday that the club had agreed a transfer fee with Brighton for Caicedo. The BBC reported the fee for the Brighton star is $141 million, which would break the British and Premier League transfer record. Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesAfter arriving at Brighton from Independiente del Valle for £4.5 million ($5.7 million), Ecuadorian midfielder Caicedo has impressed during his time in the Premier League. During the January transfer window Caicedo took to Instagram to plead for a move away.

Persons: Moisés Caicedo, Caicedo, Matthew Childs, Jürgen Klopp, Enzo Fernandez, Klopp, “, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, ”, Liverpool’s, Andrew Powell, Instagram, Moises, De Zerbi, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, The Premier League, Chelsea, Liverpool, Brighton, Hove Albion, Ecuadorian, League, Caicedo, BBC, Premier League, London, Benfica, Argentine, Sky Sports, Liverpool FC, Getty, Independiente del Valle, Arsenal, Manchester City, Burnley Locations: Ecuadorian, Caicedo, Brighton, Saudi Arabia, ” Brighton, Liverpool

BEIJING, June 15 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi delighted Argentina fans in Beijing when he scored the fastest goal of his international career, netting after 79 seconds as the world champions beat Australia 2-0 in a friendly at a raucous Workers' Stadium on Thursday. "We always enjoy being with the national team," Messi said. Messi has been the focus of attention ever since he landed in Beijing last week. The areas around the stadium and the hotel where Messi and his team mates have been staying have been awash with people wearing replica Argentina jerseys in recent days. Hundreds queued outside the hotel each day in the hope of catching a glimpse of Messi leaving for training.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez, Messi, Graham Arnold, I've, Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martinez, Martin Pollard, Josh Arslan, Qiaoyi Li, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: Argentina, Australia, Workers, Inter Miami, Messi, Argentine, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, American, Argentina, China, Australia, Argentine, Bengaluru

☆ Chelsea: How American billionaire owner blew over $600 million but ended up with nothing this season
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —“We’re all in – 100%,” US billionaire businessman Todd Boehly told Chelsea fans upon his arrival at the club in May 2022. Chelsea crashed out of the Champions League after losing to Real Madrid 4-0 on aggregate. Following the loss against Real Madrid, Chelsea captain Thiago Silva spoke candidly to reporters on the issues that come with this kind of spending. Besides Kai Havertz and Marc Cucurella, no Chelsea outfield player has started more than 20 games in the Premier League this season. The Blues are on course to have their lowest scoring season in Premier League history with their current total of 30 goals.

☆ Chelsea's new signings starting to settle despite poor results - Havertz
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 16 (Reuters) - Chelsea forward Kai Havertz said he was encouraged by the way the club's new signings are gelling with the team despite the side recording only one win in 2023. Since manager Graham Potter took over in September Chelsea have scored only 25 goals in 24 games and managed only three in their last eight. Last month's 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace remains their only victory in nine games this year. "I don't think we should be too unhappy with our performance because we created the opportunities, but it's just frustrating that we couldn't take any of them," Havertz said. Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Leaders Arsenal held at home by Brentford, sorry Spurs thrashed at Leicester
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Peter Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Brighton, who have not lost this year, were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace. An eight-point advantage in the table beckoned for Mikel Arteta's side but they never looked comfortable against an enterprising Brentford who should have been ahead by halftime. The visitors got their deserved point through Ivan Toney, who pounced in the 72nd minute to head in Christian Norgaard's cross. Only Harry Kane has netted more away goals in the Premier League this season than the Brentford striker. SORRY SPURSWith manager Antonio Conte back in the dugout after missing their win against Manchester City last Sunday following gallbladder surgery, Spurs made a good start at Leicester.

☆ Navas steals limelight on mixed weekend for January signings
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

January signings can be hit and miss and it was a mixed weekend for new recruits. "But I loved his composure and game management and decision making, I really enjoyed that part of his performance. He came close to a debut goal too, but ultimately it was a frustrating debut as Chelsea's attack misfired yet again. Leicester's Souttar, signed from Stoke City, enjoyed a winning debut as his side overcame Aston Villa 4-2, although scoring an own goal was hardly ideal. But Souttar, along with fellow new signing Victor Kristiansen, impressed, although not as much as another new recruit Tete, who marked his debut with a goal.

☆ Premier League clubs spend $1 bln for first time in January transfer window
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 1 (Reuters) - Premier League soccer clubs spent a record 815 million pounds ($1.00 billion) in the January transfer window, an analysis from Deloitte's Sports Business Group said on Wednesday. The London club, lying 10th in the league, paid a British record 106.8 million pounds for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Tuesday's transfer deadline day. Over the whole of the 2022-23 season they have spent 2.8 billion pounds on player transfers, beating the previous record of 1.9 billion pounds set in 2017-18. Relegation-threatened Bournemouth were the second largest spenders within the Premier League. "Premier League clubs have outspent those within the rest of Europe's 'big five' leagues by almost four to one in this transfer window...," said Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

☆ Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea sign midfielder in £106.8m British-record transfer deal from Benfica
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chelsea had been in talks to sign the World Cup winner throughout January, but Benfica had refused to do business unless the Blues paid his €120m release clause. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesChelsea have signed midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for a British-record £106.8m. The deal for the Argentine surpasses the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa 18 months ago. But Chelsea agreed a deal of €121m at 9.15pm on Deadline Day after 12 hours of talks led by Chelsea's co-owner Behdad Eghbali from London. Fernandez will help to replace Jorginho, who joined Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal on Deadline Day in a £12m deal.

☆ Chelsea shrugs off cost-of-living crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The cost-of-living crisis has yet to reach soccer players. Chelsea Football Club, owned by a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly, spent a record 330 million euros in the January player transfer window, according to Transfermarkt. It brings total spending on footballers since the Los Angeles Dodgers owner acquired the club last May to over 600 million euros. It also brings total spending by Premier League clubs this season to a record 2.8 billion pounds, beating the 1.86 billion pounds spent in the 2017/18 season. The Boehly-led consortium bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich for 2.5 billion pounds, equivalent to a toppy 5.7 times trailing sales.

☆ Rule-bending Chelsea take transfer gamble to give Potter ultimate selection headache
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Peter Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Premier League soccer clubs spent a record 815 million pounds ($1.00 billion) in the January transfer window, an analysis from Deloitte's Sports Business Group said on Wednesday. It has, however, angered those who claim the Premier League is becoming a de facto European Super League due to its spending power. "What I'm worried about is the Premier League, and I've been worried for many years now," Spain's La Liga president Javier Tebas told a new conference this month. There is no sustainability in the Premier League. The Premier League is not a financially sustainable model."

☆ Chelsea smash British transfer record to sign Benfica's Fernandez
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Chelsea announced the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica on Wednesday after days of complex negotiations between the clubs to secure the Argentina midfielder for a British transfer record 106.8 million pounds ($131.46 million). Premier League club Chelsea announced the signing on Wednesday 1000 GMT via a video on Twitter, which showed a clip of a clock ticking down, making a reference to race against time to sign the World Cup winner. It takes Chelsea's transfer spending in January alone to close to 300 million pounds and to more than 500 million pounds since last May's takeover by an investment group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. His fee eclipses the 100 million pounds Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish in 2021. On Tuesday, Chelsea sold experienced midfielder Jorginho to Premier League leaders Arsenal for 12 million pounds.

☆ We had to suffer to win the World Cup say Argentina players
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

But then Kylian Mbappe completed his hat-trick to level 3-3 in the 118th minute with France's second penalty that forced the shootout. "There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this. It was the third world title for Argentina and the first since the late Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986. "Having the chance to win the World Cup with my country is priceless. We had to suffer but we deserved to win" said Argentina defender Rodrigo De Paul.

☆ Stopping the stars won't be enough to win World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Despite the high profile performances of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in Qatar, Argentina and France can create danger all over the pitch, so stopping the superstars is only one battle in Sunday's World Cup final war. England were quick to double-team Mbappe whenever he picked up the ball and Argentina, probably through Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul, will try to do the same. Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have both been excellent in Doha, with the latter expected to return after missing the semi-final through illness. As hundreds of opponents before them can attest, there is no real way to plan to keep him quiet. In general, the two attacks look stronger than the two defences, which, for the neutral at least, is always a good thing in a World Cup final.

☆ Key match-ups in World Cup final between Argentina and France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Semi Final - Argentina v Croatia - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 13, 2022 Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi and Nahuel Molina REUTERS/Carl RecineDOHA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Argentina and France meet in Sunday's World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Here are three of the key match-ups that are likely to have a strong bearing on the result:Kylian Mbappe v Nahuel MolinaMbappe is a candidate for the World Cup's player of the tournament, having led France to their second consecutive final. The jet-heeled 23-year-old forward has scored five times in six games, surpassing his tally from the 2018 tournament, and has now scored nine World Cup goals in 13 appearances across the two editions. Molina arrived at the World Cup having faced criticism after struggling in his first season with Atletico Madrid, but he has been solid during the tournament and started every match. Lionel Messi v Aurelien TchouameniOne of the most anticipated match-ups will be Argentina great Messi against France's rising star holding-midfielder Tchouameni.

☆ Scaloni heads into final as the coach who made Messi and Argentina smile again
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"He can't even direct traffic, how come he will direct the national team. They have since created a bond that has allowed a rejuvenated Messi to enjoy his best years with the national team. It was that which arguably gave them the foundation to regroup after their shock loss to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener. Representing my country is an emotional thing," Scaloni told reporters after Argentina swept past Croatia 3-0 in their World Cup semi-final. Thanks to Scaloni's acumen, Argentina are on the brink of glory - and while Messi will claim the attention, his coach deserves his share of the plaudits.

Dec 16 (Reuters) - Argentina look set to keep Julian Alvarez in attack for Sunday's World Cup final against France after he scored twice in a devastating combination with Lionel Messi in the semi-final. He scored his first goal for the national side in the World Cup quarter-final against the Dutch, which Argentina won on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Leandro ParedesA defensive midfielder with Juventus, 28-year-old Paredes has featured in four of Argentina's World Cup games - infamously booting the ball at the Netherlands' bench in the quarter-final. Rodrigo De PaulThe tough 28-year-old Atletico de Madrid midfielder has been a stalwart in Scaloni's World Cup starting lineup, even playing through injury against the Dutch. The 35-year-old Paris St Germain forward is on a mission to lift his first World Cup at his fifth and final attempt and has been simply magnificent, scoring five goals while creating others with his dribbling and passing wizardry.

Search resuls for: "Enzo Fernández"

25 mentions found