We are now 12 games into the Premier League season, and the league table is slowly taking shape. The relegation contenders are already scrapping for vital points towards the bottom of the table, whereas the fight for the top four is becoming increasingly more congested.
Enzo Fernández has been one of Chelsea’s marquees signings under the Clearlake Capital era, signing for a reported fee of approximately £106million in January 2023. Fernández had been a key part of the Argentina World Cup winning squad and was poised to be installed into the Chelsea midfield for the long term, adding deep lying creativity and a box-to-box presence to the middle of the pitch.
Chelsea spent the majority of the recent summer transfer window being persistently linked with a new number 9. The likes of Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen were heavily touted to be close to making a move to Stamford Bridge, however a move failed to materialise for both. Chelsea were thought to be heading into the new season quite light upfront, with only Spanish youngster Marc Guiu, arriving from Barcelona, to boost the striking department whilst Romelu Lukaku finally ended his Chelsea nightmare by moving to Napoli.
This meant Chelsea went into the 2024-25 season with only Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku as recognised number 9s in Enzo Maresca’s squad, and fans and pundits alike were quick to point out that this might be the difference between a successful or wasted season for the Blues.
Jackson endured a mixed first season in London during the 2023-24 campaign, he contributed a respectable 14 goals across 35 Premier League games under Mauricio Pochettino, alongside five assists. On paper, this is a more than reasonable return for the young striker’s first season in England, after making the move from Villarreal.
However, the initial returns only tell half of the story of Jackson’s debut campaign. Whilst there were highlights, such as the hattrick against Spurs, there were also some very frustrating moments for the Senegalese international.
Jackson’s unreliability upfront was becoming more and more apparent, especially in the first half of the season, where he was guilty of missing several guilt-edge chances, and appeared to be lacking the holdup play typically required by a striker in the Premier League. Alongside this, his touch was also often rash, and he accumulated a high number of yellow cards due to ill-discipline, leading to many suggestions he lacked the character and maturity to lead a top four chasing team. As the season ended, Chelsea fans were left with mixed opinions of the 23-year-old.
Despite all his first season worries, Jackson was also quickly developed something of a cult following at Stamford Bridge, with his passion and determination to succeed ever apparent. Coming into the new season, Jackson enjoyed a productive pre-season and was quickly confirmed as Maresca’s chosen man to lead the line.
This has proved to be a very fruitful decision so far, with Jackson racing to six goals in nine games so far, alongside three assists. He’s developing a very promising relationship with Cole Palmer, and Jackson’s all-round game is improving week after week, with delicate touches and intricate link up play becoming a common characteristic of his game.
All of a sudden, the cries for a reliable and high-profile number nine have begun to die down, and Jackson is starting to look like a bargain at only £32million. Surprisingly, he recently became the 5th fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals for Chelsea, and whilst we’re still in the early stages of the season, Jackson’s game is developing very quickly and he could be the striker to lead the line at Stamford Bridge for years to come.
When João Félix made a somewhat surprising return to Chelsea in the recent summer transfer window, it was met with mixed reactions at Stamford Bridge. So far this season, the Portuguese international has shown glimpses of brilliance, but has failed to cement a regular starting spot in Enzo Maresca’s Premier League team.
After a stuttering career so far, which has been remarkably reflected in his brief and inconsistent return to Chelsea so far, it remains to be seen how far Félix can go in Chelsea blue, and what this season holds for him.
The circumstances which eventually brought Félix to Chelsea were bizarre to say the least. After a summer of speculation between Chelsea and Atlético Madrid, Connor Gallagher had seemingly made the move to the Spanish capital, with Samu Omorodion set to make the move to London as part of the deal – a move seemingly swept in the need to satisfy various profit and sustainability rules for both teams.
However, the move for Omorodion fell through, with the striker eventually ending up at Porto. With Atlético still pushing hard for a move for Gallagher, Chelsea instead turned their attentions to Félix, who’d spent the previous season on loan at Barcelona. With the weeks of the window rapidly closing, Chelsea eventually struck a deal to sign the still-only 24-year-old for a nominal fee of approximately £42million – a move largely seen as a bargain, when considering the obvious talent the Portuguese international does possess.
Félix was no stranger to Stamford Bridge, having spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea. This was during one of Chelsea’s most tumultuous spells in recent years, following the sacking of Graham Potter, club legend Frank Lampard was overseeing a dismal spell of results, with all Chelsea fans just wanting the season to be over.
Félix endured a mixed spell during this time, getting sent off on his debut against Fulham after showing some remarkable touches, before inconsistently seeing out the remainder of the season. As Félix has done throughout his whole career, he showed moments of brilliance and a delicate touch, alongside disappearing from matches completely. It was hardly the showing of a man who was once touted as the next Lionel Messi and has accumulated over £150million in transfer fees in his fledgling career so far.
Returning to Chelsea for the 2023-2024 season, one of the main issues with Félix is that it still seems no one knows exactly where his best position is. Incapable of leading the line completely as a number 9 but not quite possessing the speed to be a pacy winger capable of outpacing the Premier League’s best fullbacks, where Félix’s best position remains up in the air.
So far this season, Félix has been deployed in the number 10 role predominantly, linking midfield to attack and bringing the wingers into play through intricate linkup play.
This is where Félix can be most impactful, with his trickery, vision and creativity at the forefront and where any defensive responsibilities are minimal. Whilst he could flourish in this position at Chelsea, and perhaps in another era would be able to, there is currently one big problem in Félix’s way at Chelsea, that being the astounding talent of Cole Palmer. Palmer is currently the first player on Maresca’s team sheet, and only an injury or suspension will see him not starting a game.
So far this season, Palmer has continued to flourish in the number 10 role, having been mostly used out wide under Mauricio Pochettino. That leaves Félix a very daunting task, either dislodge Palmer from the starting eleven, or settle for a role in Chelsea’s ‘B-team’ and continue to impress in the cup competitions and grasp his chance in the Premier League he can, whenever that time may come.
Football’s massive global appeal extends beyond the pitch and into the world of online gaming, where themed slot games are a popular genre. Major football tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship significantly impact the development and release of football-themed slots, attracting sports enthusiasts and casino players. These events create opportunities for gaming developers to tap into the heightened excitement around football, offering fans a way to engage with the sport in a new context.
Football-themed slots like Football Frenzy and Football Star Deluxe immerse players in a dynamic, match-like atmosphere. During major tournaments, fan engagement with these slots surges as players look to extend their football excitement. This has got to be one of the best football-themed online slot games, which carries sports-themed gameplay and blends football’s competitive nature with the thrill of casino gaming. The engaging visuals, special features, and bonus rounds further enhance the appeal, offering players an experience that mirrors the excitement of live football.
Major tournaments act as a catalyst for new football-themed slot games. As these events approach, game developers gear up to release new titles or features tailored to the fanfare surrounding the tournaments. These games often feature branded content, team logos, and even famous players, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the experience.
Interactive features in these slots might include penalty shootouts, progression through tournament rounds, or special symbols tied to key moments in football history. Such elements keep players engaged by blending their love for the sport with the potential to win prizes. Moreover, developers incorporate real-time tournament data, making the slots feel even more relevant and exciting during live football events.
Football-themed slots do more than just provide entertainment—they resonate deeply with fans by tapping into the cultural significance of the sport. Football brings people together globally, and these slot games echo that unifying effect by offering an experience that is accessible to anyone who enjoys the sport. The cultural impact of football ensures that these games remain popular year-round, but their appeal peaks during major tournaments.
Slot games reflect not just football’s visual aspects but also the emotions and excitement associated with it. Every well-known online casino site capitalises on this, especially during tournaments, offering players a chance to engage with their favourite sport while enjoying the thrill of the game.
Football-themed slot games thrive on the global enthusiasm for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. These events drive the development of new games, engaging fans by blending the excitement of football with the mechanics of slot gaming. With special features, real-world football connections, and interactive elements, these games offer fans a fresh way to experience their favourite sport. As long as football remains a dominant cultural force, themed slot games will continue to evolve, driven by the passion and excitement of major tournaments.
When Chelsea signed Cole Palmer from Manchester City for a ‘nominal’ fee of around £40million, it was seen as something of a coup. Relatively unknown, but heralded as a prodigal talent, one who may better the talents of the likes of Phil Foden, Palmer arrived at Stamford Bridge somewhat under the radar.
After another transfer window of lavish spending on young talents from across Europe, the Wythenshawe raised attacking midfielder was signed late on in the 2023 summer transfer window and wasn’t expected to become an immediate starter for the Blues.
Palmer was reportedly pushing for a starting role at Manchester City before his transfer to London. With only a handful of appearances under his belt, the majority of which coming in the cup competitions, patience was wearing out for the young star. Then, prior to Palmer joining Chelsea, Man City made the decision to sign Jérémy Doku for around £60million – further pushing Palmer down the pecking order.
Reportedly, Palmer was told to either stay and fight for his place and accept only being a squad player by the legendary Pep Guardiola or leave permanently. Palmer didn’t want to consider a loan move, to then find himself in a similar situation. From here, Chelsea came calling and Palmer hasn’t looked back since.
Since making the move to London, Palmer’s success and importance to Chelsea cannot be understated and he’s now the first name on the team sheet and has seen a rise from talented potential at Man City, to Ballon d’Or nominee in the space of a little over 12 months. In 41 league appearances so far for Chelsea, the 22-year-old has notched up 28 goals and 16 assists alongside countless man-of-the-match awards and, unsurprisingly, was Chelsea’s player of the year for the 2023-24 season.
Palmer has also scored in a European final for England, albeit on the losing side, and is likely to be one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel’s team sheet for the new England manager’s reign. With such high levels of success so early in his career, and the potential to go even further, Chelsea fans have began making natural comparisons to former Blues hero, Eden Hazard.
Hazard enjoyed a stellar Chelsea career and is rightly considered as one of Stamford Bridge’s best ever players. Lighting up the Premier League with countless performances and winning matches on his own at times, Hazard had was largely seen to be irreplaceable at Stamford Bridge, and various attempts since have failed (see Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech).
But despite all the ridicule of Chelsea’s recent transfer activity, it does look like they’ve unearthed a gem who could go on to be a Chelsea legend for the next decade. Still only 22, Palmer does seem to have the world at his feet and can go on to eclipse Hazard’s legacy at Stamford Bridge. Blues fans will be praying that Palmer can help return top trophies to Stamford Bridge, starting in Maresca’s first season.
The only question is whether Palmer has the longevity and consistency to match Hazard’s illustrious seven-year spell in London, but the early signs are more than promising.
Following on from an injury-hit debut season, many expected the 2024-25 season to be the campaign where Christopher Nkunku becomes the number nine Chelsea have been calling out for since Diego Costa’s departure. The Frenchman enjoyed a productive pre-season campaign, and the Stamford Bridge faithful were fully expecting him to be a key part of Enzo Maresca’s debut season. However, things haven’t quite worked out for the 26-year-old just yet, and the rumours are beginning to swirl about a potential departure.
Thus far this season, Maresca has seemingly decided on two completely different starting 11s – one for the Premier League, and one for the European Conference League and domestic cups. So far, Nkunku has only started one Premier League fixture – the opening day defeat to defending Champions Manchester City. Since then, Nkunku has been demoted to the cup team alongside the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Cesare Casadei.
Understandably, the man who cost Chelsea a reported £52million, doesn’t want to be in the second-string team and should be leading the Blues in the Premier League’s biggest games. Maresca has made it clear that his two teams are not separate, and that chances will be given throughout the season to those who deserve it. The question is whether Nkunku has the patience to wait for more consistent opportunities.
The primary cause of Nkunku’s bit-part contributions so far this season, is down to the fine form of Nicholas Jackson. Heavily scrutinised in his debut season, parts of which were justifiable, Jackson has enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign – netting five goals alongside three assists so far for the Blues.
Maresca’s early faith in Jackson has been scrutinised by the Stamford Bridge faithful, with many crying out for Nkunku to be given the starting role leading his attacking line. However, the perseverance with the Senegalese international has been richly rewarded so far, with Jackson developing into a much more complete centre forward and being pivotal to Maresca’s rapid front line. If Nkunku is waiting to displace Jackson, he’ll be hoping for a down-turn in form from the 23-year-old.
Despite Nkunku’s stop-start season so far, his return when on the pitch has been very productive. He netted a key winner away at Bournemouth when coming off the bench, securing a vital three points for the Blues. In the cups, he fired home an impressive hattrick on home turf versus Barrow, and whilst that won’t be the calibre of opponent Nkunku is looking to impress against, you can only score against who you are playing.
In Europe, Nkunku scored – what ended up being – two pivotal goals in the qualifying rounds against Swiss side Servette. He then followed this up with a goal in the 4-2 victory over Gent, helping to start Chelsea’s European campaign with a win. If Nkunku can continue this fine form in the cups, his knocks on Maresca’s door will become harder and harder to ignore.
Rumours have been circulating about Nkunku looking for an exit from London, with a potential return to PSG being mentioned. However, with the games starting to come thick and fast over the winter period, the Frenchman will get his opportunities to shine under the lights at Stamford Bridge and show the world just how lethal a finisher he can be.
All around the world there are people who adore a wide range of cars. In fact, even the idea of purchasing a fairly common vehicle for a loved one gets them going. Likewise, the opportunity to see classic cars at a show is another appealing scenario. Essentially, cars are an important part of their lives.
Some people take their passion for vehicles further than others, though. As a result of this, they’re referred to as petrolheads, given their devotion to cars. In the same way that millions of people are obsessed with Premier League football teams like Chelsea and avid casino gamers immerse themselves in Chinese-themed games like 88 Fortunes slots and other titles, car fanatics indulge in all things car-related. No matter where you are on this wonderful planet of ours, a proud petrolhead is likely to be nearby.
Not everyone necessarily knows what exactly makes a petrolhead, though. So, in order to help you determine if you’re a proud member of the gang, below are some clear things every petrolhead has in common.
If you’re even feeling drained or a tad under the weather, does seeing a lovely classic car or your freshly cleaned motor bring a smile to your face? For many petrolheads, seeing their favourite vehicles in the flesh can change their mood for the better and really make their day. Cars essentially bring joy to their lives and give them that little boost they might require at certain times.
Whether it’s while having dinner with family and friends or while queuing up in a local shop, car fanatics are always talking about cars. Sure, politics matters, and discussing work life is common, but shifting the conversation towards powerful engines and the latest accessories you’ve just managed to snap up is a strong sign that you’re a passionate petrolhead. After all, nothing else really matters, does it?
Dedicated petrolheads also tend to surround themselves with people who share the same passion. While hearing about the latest food trends and discussing climate change is interesting, it can become a bit tiresome. As such, the need to surround yourself with fellow car fans is a necessity. Essentially, hanging out with people who talk cars is your medicine.
Another sure-fire sign of a petrol head is if they’re always looking at websites dedicated to cars and sharing views on forums about the latest new models. If you’re regularly browsing car-related websites and posting on car forums, then you’re probably a petrolhead. After all, this isn’t something people with a small interest in a particular area tend to do.
If you’re knowledgable about certain cars and have facts ready to reel off at any moment, then you can probably class yourself as a petrol head. People who like cars don’t always have these golden nuggets of information in their minds, but petrol heads can share an abundance of information with ease. If you’re capable of informing people about facts surrounding their recent purchase, then you’re a petrol head.
In the same way many people turn to a family member for financial advice or a friend for some holiday recommendations, people might also see you as a trusted voice when it comes to any car-related questions. If you’re regularly answering peoples’ queries about cars, then you’re probably seen as a petrol head.
Cole Palmer is undoubtedly one of the most in-form players in the Premier League right now and potentially world football. After a breakout season in 2023/24, he’s already proving it was no fluke. As Chelsea’s main man, it’s vital they have him available more often than not, which means they must manage his minutes.
Palmer, 22, has been a revelation since swapping Manchester City for Chelsea just over a year ago. The attacking midfielder has quickly established himself as a serious talent, scoring goals and providing assists. But after so much football since arriving at Stamford Bridge, it’s key that his fitness load is monitored, which will allow him to play consistently at the top of his game for the West Londoners and England.
In all competitions in 2023/24, Palmer made forty-eight appearances, scoring a stunning twenty-seven goals from his attacking midfield berth while also weighing in with fifteen assists. He made forty-eight appearances in total, but crucially, he only started forty-three of those games, with his combined minutes registering at 3,734, which works out at 41.5 full games completed.
It appears as though Chelsea and manager Enzo Maresca are keen to manage how much football their talisman is playing in 2024/25, as he was left out of the club’s squad for the UEFA Conference League group stage, although he is expected to be registered if Chelsea advance as expected. Palmer was also absent from the matchday squad for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Barrow.
Chelsea have played seven Premier League games at the time of writing, with Palmer starting all seven. However, he has been withdrawn before full-time on two occasions. The first time came against Wolves, where Palmer had scored once and supplied three assists. Maresca also withdrew him against West Ham, another game in which he scored.
There’s arguably no player more in form than Palmer right now. From the seven games he’s started domestically, he’s scored six and made five assists. That’s eleven direct goal involvements in just seven outings. Palmer starts games and is expected to score, which is why he’s often searched for in the various Premier League betting markets that exist.
Every time Chelsea play and Palmer is on the pitch, there’s a big chance that both will be successful. Chelsea lost to Palmer’s former club, Manchester City, in their first fixture of the season, but since then, they’ve won four and drawn two, and it’s in these games that Palmer has scored six and made five assists. He scored four first-half goals against Brighton in stunning fashion, too.
If Chelsea and their fitness and medical staff are clever in tandem with Maresca, they could keep the England international at the top of his game consistently throughout the campaign. This will involve being subbed off in some games, usually when he’s already wreaked havoc on the opposition. He may also have to start a few matches on the bench. It will probably infuriate Palmer, but it will be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
Following a strong finish to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, Chelsea have begun the current season in impressive form, to the delight of the Stamford Bridge faithful and punters supporting the Blues at the best betting websites.
Several factors have contributed to this solid start – notably the deadly counterattacking play and Nicolas Jackson’s improvement in front of goal. Another noteworthy element has been the influential introduction of a man who found himself in the shadows at Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho’s arrival at Chelsea has brought an immediate spark, putting pressure on his teammates, particularly Mykhaylo Mudryk, whose struggles have been further highlighted by Sancho’s impressive start. Although Sancho hasn’t even completed a full 90 minutes on the pitch for Chelsea, his influence is already undeniable, with two assists in just two appearances.
In his debut start against West Ham, the 24-year-old delivered a sublime assist to set up Nicolas Jackson for the opening goal, just days after coming off the bench to help Christopher Nkunku net the winning goal against Bournemouth. With these two assists, Sancho has already matched Mudryk’s assist tally from last season — a concerning comparison for the Ukrainian winger.
Mudryk, 23, who was signed for an eye-watering potential fee of £88 million, has struggled to make his mark at Stamford Bridge since arriving in January 2023. Despite making 18 Premier League starts last season and scoring five goals, his overall creativity has been lacking, with only two assists to his name throughout the campaign. On the other hand, Sancho, who joined on a season-long loan from Manchester United, has made an immediate impact and seems ready to cement his place in the starting lineup under Enzo Maresca.
Sancho’s loan deal includes an obligation to buy for around £25 million — a fraction of the price Chelsea paid for Mudryk. The contrast in value makes Sancho’s rapid adaptation even more impressive and a further indictment of Mudryk’s underwhelming 20-month spell in London.
The ripple effect of Sancho’s impressive performances also extends to the lingering questions surrounding his departure from Manchester United. After being exiled by Erik ten Hag, Sancho revived his form during a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, helping the team reach the Champions League final. Although a permanent return to Germany never materialized, Chelsea quickly capitalized on the situation, benefiting from Sancho’s fresh determination and quality.
Sancho’s impact isn’t just in attack. His willingness to track back and contribute defensively has also impressed Maresca, who praised the winger’s work ethic on and off the pitch. This contrasts with Mudryk, who has struggled to adapt to the tactical demands of the Premier League, particularly defensively.
With Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, and Pedro Neto competing for attacking roles, Mudryk could soon find himself sidelined if he fails to step up. Despite this, Mudryk will likely have opportunities to prove himself in upcoming fixtures, such as Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Barrow and their UEFA Conference League campaign. These matches could provide the 23-year-old with crucial minutes to rebuild his confidence and fight for his place in the team.
While Mudryk’s future at Chelsea is not under immediate threat, the January transfer window could bring renewed speculation about his role in Maresca’s squad. For now, it’s essential that he finds consistency and follows Sancho’s lead in taking advantage of his opportunities on the pitch.
Ultimately, Sancho’s brilliant start has raised the bar at Chelsea, leaving Mudryk with a clear challenge — to fight for his place and prove his worth. Whether he can do so remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that Sancho has reinvigorated Chelsea’s attack, and his presence could play a pivotal role in the club’s pursuit of success this season.
As one of the most decorated clubs in English football history, Chelsea have tasted success in every domestic and European competition at least once and are always a popular choice for punters taking advantage of the best free bets available online.
On the back of a solid start to the Premier League season, Chelsea kicks off their 2024/25 Carabao Cup campaign with a home clash against League Two outfit Barrow A.F.C. on Tuesday, 24th of September. Will this be the beginning of a journey towards Wembley and a place alongside the following five League Cup-winning sides?
Chelsea’s first significant achievement in the League Cup came in 1965, under manager Tommy Docherty. The final was played over two legs against Leicester City. Chelsea won the first leg at Stamford Bridge 3–2 and then secured a 0-0 draw in the second leg at Filbert Street to win their first-ever major trophy.
Led by stars like Bobby Tambling and Peter Bonetti, Chelsea showed resilience throughout the tournament. This victory was particularly historic as it marked the club’s emergence as a competitive force in English football. Though the League Cup wasn’t yet regarded as highly as other domestic competitions, this win laid the foundation for future successes.
The late 1990s marked the rise of Chelsea as a true domestic and European power. Under player-manager Gianluca Vialli, Chelsea beat Blackburn Rovers, Southampton, Ipswich Town and London rivals Arsenal en route to a clash with a Bryan Robson-led Middlesbrough in the final.
With the North East club putting up stern resistance, the Blues needed extra time to get their hands on the trophy, thanks to strikes from Frank Sinclair and Roberto Di Matteo.
Perhaps one of the most memorable League Cup finals for Chelsea fans came in 2005 when José Mourinho led the club to victory over Liverpool. The match was a thrilling encounter that required extra time. Liverpool took the lead after one minute through John Arne Riise, but Chelsea equalized in the 79th minute, courtesy of an own goal from Steven Gerrard.
In extra time, Chelsea took control with goals from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kežman to secure a 3–2 victory. This triumph was significant because it marked José Mourinho’s first trophy in English football, setting the stage for Chelsea’s domestic dominance in the years to come. The victory also solidified the reputation of Mourinho as a master tactician and Chelsea as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League and cup competitions.
Two years after Mourinho’s first League Cup triumph, Chelsea once again reached the final in 2007 – this time facing a young Arsenal side brimming with talent. Arsenal took the lead early in the game through Theo Walcott, but Didier Drogba, who had developed a reputation for stepping up in big moments, equalized soon after with a smart finish from inside the area.
The match looked destined for extra time, but Drogba struck again late in the second half, scoring the winner with a trademark header. This 2–1 victory gave Chelsea their fourth League Cup trophy and reinforced the club’s winning mentality under Mourinho.
In 2015, José Mourinho was back at Chelsea for his second stint, and he once again guided the club to League Cup success. In the final, Chelsea faced their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, a team that had beaten them 5-3 in the Premier League earlier in the season.
However, the final was a completely different affair, with Chelsea delivering a controlled and clinical performance. John Terry scored the opener just before halftime, and a Kyle Walker own goal in the second half secured a 2–0 victory for Chelsea. This win was significant as it was Mourinho’s first trophy during his second tenure at the club and set the tone for Chelsea’s Premier League title win later that season.
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is one of the most entertaining and aggressive forms of martial arts and is very popular among sports betting enthusiasts. Muay Thai handicap betting can provide notable advantages for knowledgeable bettors who know how to properly analyze fights and assess the conditions of the competition. Let’s take a look at the key principles that will help you maximize your chances of success.
Muay Thai handicap betting is a specialized type of bet used for the level of play between two unequal opponents. In traditional sports betting, when one fighter has a significant advantage over the other, handicap betting attracts less interest due to the low odds. Handicaps are introduced to balance the odds by adding a virtual advantage or disadvantage to one of the fighters.
Muay Thai handicap odds reflect the required score difference that a fighter must overcome in order for a bet to be considered a winner. On the betwinner muay thai betting are set by bookmakers based on their analysis of fighters’ previous performances, their fighting styles, physical condition and other important factors such as the conditions of the fight. This allows bettors to make more informed and informed bets, taking into account all possible variables in the upcoming event.
Learning Muay Thai fight evaluation techniques for handicap betting can significantly improve your chances of success in betting. These techniques provide an in-depth analysis of every aspect of an upcoming fight, helping bettors make informed and accurate predictions.
Before betting on handicap in Muay Thai, it is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of each participant’s previous fights. This analysis should include several key aspects:
Each Muay Thai style has its own characteristics that can greatly affect the outcome of a fight:
The physical fitness of fighters is crucial in Muay Thai, especially in handicap fights:
Live betting or live betting provides unique opportunities for Muay Thai bettors, allowing them to adapt to the dynamics of the fight as it unfolds. Here are a few key aspects to pay attention to:
Statistics play a key role in advanced Muay Thai betting strategies. Effective use of statistics can greatly improve your chances of success:
Advanced bettors can combine real-time observation of odds changes with in-depth statistical analysis to form sound and informed handicap bets. This combination of approaches allows for the most accurate reaction to the dynamics of the battle and betting based on the full range of available data, improving the odds of winning.
Top 10 Benefits of Using Your Mobile Phone for Sports Betting that will convince you of the convenience and effectiveness of mobile betting platforms:
For the first time in several seasons, it is finally beginning to look like Chelsea have a set starting XI, a preferred unit for Enzo Maresca to work with in the league. The Blues are five games into the Premier League season and certain players are beginning to look like regulars for the new-look Chelsea team this season, whilst others are having to settle for places on the bench, and for minutes in the cup competitions.
Robert Sánchez put in a man-of-the-match performance in the recent win away at Bournemouth and looks set to continue being Chelse’s main man between the sticks, despite the summer arrival of Filip Jörgensen.
Ahead of the Spaniard, Reece James is expected to start at right back after his most recent injury nightmare ends, with Malo Gusto a more than able deputy. The preferred centre back pairing is shaping out to be Wesley Fofana alongside Cobham’s own, Levi Colwill. Despite the likes of Axel Disasi, Benoît Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo waiting in the wings, Fofana and Colwill started every Premier League game so far, and are beginning to form a formidable partnership, with back to back away clean sheets.
Finally, Euros winner Marc Cucurella has made the left back spot his own following a fantastic summer and a good start to the 24-25 season. Despite Ben Chilwell failing to get a move away in the summer, he looks set to be second, or even possibly third fiddle for the left-hand side of the defence – with Renato Veiga substituting in during the cup competitions so far.
In the heart of the midfield, the duo of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández look set to be deployed in the pivot providing the Blues with enough steal and craft in the heart of the pitch. Summer arrival Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, alongside fit-again Roméo Lavia will substitute in when Maresca needs to freshen things up.
Ahead of the more defensive-minded duo, Chelsea have an embarrassment of riches in the attacking department. Cole Palmer will spearhead the three behind the striker following his amazing debut season, as he continues to look like a steal at just £42.5million. On the wings, hattrick hero Noni Madueke is currently favoured on the right-hand side, with his Arjen Robben-like habit of cutting in onto his left and a great eye for goal, Maresca certainly seems to be favouring the 22-year-old.
The left-hand side, however, appears to be a little more up for grabs. Summer signings Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho have both started there in recent weeks, whilst the frustrating figure of Mykhailo Mudryk is still determined to breakthrough, despite recent suggestions that he’s looking for a move out of the club in January.
Maresca hinted that Sancho will be his preferred starter there, with Neto set to be Madueke’s rival on the right. However, it is likely that all four players will chop and change quite often throughout the season, whilst João Félix has the unenviable task of trying to dislodge Palmer from the midfield.
Regardless of some harsh criticism during his time at Stamford Bridge, Nicholas Jackson has enjoyed a very productive start to the season, continuing his fine form by netting twice and registering one assist in the victory over West Ham. Many Chelsea fans have been pleading for Christopher Nkunku to be given a regular starting birth upfront, but if Jackson continues to deliver, it’ll be the Frenchman who must settle for the number two spot.
As the season progresses, it’ll be interesting to see how Maresca chops and changes his starting XI to handle the Premier League alongside all cup competitions, with every player likely to be given enough opportunity to prove their spot in the starting lineup. Perhaps even the likes of Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei could even force their way into the starting eleven when injuries and suspensions begin to mount up.
With Maresca enjoying a good start to life in the Premier League, it’s refreshing to see a starting lineup that is looking somewhat settled, after the vast amount of rotation and injuries in recent seasons, and hopefully this can be the start of Chelsea’s charge back into the top four.
For the past 5 years, Chelsea have been looking for a superstar to replace the Eden Hazard shaped hole in their first eleven. Hazard enjoyed seven hugely successful years at Stamford Bridge, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world during his time in London. Lighting up the Premier League in a way that few Chelsea players have since the time of Gianfranco Zola, the eloquent Belgian finally moved to Real Madrid in 2019, leaving a huge hole in their attack that has yet to be replaced.
Surprisingly, Hazard was not part of either Chelsea team to win the Champions League – joining in the summer after the Blues’ heroic 2012 win in Munich and departing two years before Kai Havertz scored the winner in Porto.
However, it is in this 2021 squad where Chelsea were deep into their efforts to replace Hazard. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic were all deployed on the left-wing at times and all contributed strongly to that night in Porto, but none of them could make the spot their own. Inconsistent performance along with a lack of individual match winning performances that Hazard so often provided, lead to Chelsea continuing their search over the more recent seasons.
Since the change of ownership when to Todd Boehly and Behdad Egbhali took over at Stamford Bridge, they have spent lavishly on trying to improve the squad, and once again attempting to replace the illustrious Belgian.
Infamously, Mykhailo Mudryk was signed for close to €100million along with a whole host of attacking talent. However, none are yet to become the world class talents that Chelsea so needs to compete for the top tier of trophies once more. Even Raheem Sterling, a four times Premier League winner, failed to fill the void and was quickly ousted from the squad in 2024.
In the most recent summer, Chelsea were once again embarking on a lavish spending spree in a bid to replace the Belgian, and provide that much needed spark on the left hand side of the pitch. Enter Pedro Neto.
Signed from Wolves for a reported fee of £51.3million, Chelsea’s signing of Neto came very much out of the blue, announced from nowhere. Largely seen as a rare hit for the Chelsea transfer department, Neto has a wealth of Premier League experience already thanks to his five seasons in the midlands. His talent can’t be questioned, and he’s shown glimpses of breathtaking play during his time in the Premier League so far, however questions remain over his fitness.
Much like Reece James, Neto has endured repeated spells on the sidelines over the past half a decade, and it does raise the question as to why Chelsea invested such a large fee in a risky player. Neto’s first few weeks at Stamford Bridge have already been stop-start, with his minutes being carefully managed by Enzo Maresca. If Neto can enjoy an injury free season and make the left wing his own, his partnership with Cole Palmer in the number 10 role and Noni Madueke on the right wing, could be an emphatic attacking force for Chelsea.
Neto has the speed, trickery, confidence and eye for the spectacular that could see him finally replace Hazard to become a Stamford Bridge legend in his own right. But whether he can stay fit and make the step up to next level in his career, remains to be seen.
Ever since signing for Chelsea for a reported initial fee of €70million in January 2023, potentially rising to €100million, Mykhailo Mudryk has endured a frustrating and disappointing start to life in London. Chelsea famously pipped Arsenal to the signature of the Ukrainian, and he was initially seen as a very exciting signing – one who may finally be able to fill Eden Hazard’s illustrious boots.
As another summer of transfer chaos at Stamford Bridge comes to an end, you’d be forgiven for forgetting one or two of the new faces through the door in west London.
Since winning the Champions League back in 2021, a lot has changed for Chelsea. Todd Boehly is the new chairman, three managers have been fired, and the club has ultimately struggled to stay inside the top 4, having finished 12th and 6th in recent seasons. Not to mention, only Ben Chilwell and Reece James remain from the 2021 Champions League winning XI, symbolizing how much has changed in just over three years.
Now, it’s a new era for Chelsea. With Enzo Meraesca at the helm, the aim for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign is to make a huge push for the top 4 and finally return to Champions League football. Is this possible? Yes — especially now that Chelsea’s bloated £1bn squad finally looks like it’s starting to click, which was apparent towards the backend of last season when the club went on a great run of form under Mauricio Pochettino.
According to the sportsbook insider site, Gamble USA, most sportsbooks have Chelsea listed with 9/4 odds to make the top 4. Unlike Manchester City and Arsenal, Chelsea aren’t an outright favorite to land a Champions League position, but the odds still reflect that most sportsbooks believe there’s a strong possibility they will. However, Chelsea are in the race against Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Tottenham, who are also tipped by bookies to push for a top 4 place during the 2024/25 season.
If Chelsea are to finish inside the top 4, several things need to happen.
Firstly, Chelsea are in urgent need of an out-and-out striker, which the club has desperately missed over recent years. If Chelsea can get their hands on a top number 9 before the transfer window closes or even later on in January, then it’ll swing the top 4 odds in their favor.
Without signing a striker, though, they’ll be left to rely on Nicolas Jackson, who many believe isn’t the level that Chelsea need to reestablish themselves as a top 4 team. There’s also Christopher Nkunku and returning signing João Félix, who (despite being excellent players) are not out-and-out strikers. This is why Chelsea are currently pushing to sign Victor Osimhen, as the Napoli striker could be the missing part of the puzzle and turn them into a legitimate Premier League threat once again.
Another major plus for Chelsea will be if Cole Palmer can maintain his red-hot form from the 2023-24 season, where he truly put his name on the map. Palmer is also coming off an impressive Euro 2024, after making some exciting cameo appearances off the bench and even grabbing a goal in the final against Spain. Undoubtedly, if Palmer manages to improve on his form from last season and progress even further, Chelsea will be right up there during the business end of the campaign.
Just like in previous seasons, though, there are some factors that might hold Chelsea back during the 2024-25 season. As mentioned earlier, Chelsea’s squad is still extremely bloated and consists largely of young and unproven players. On top of this, new manager Enzo Maresca is lacking in “big club” experience, which could leave him vulnerable if Chelsea don’t get off to a good start. Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, and Thomas Tuchel have all been sacked before him, so Maresca will have to start picking up results fast if he wants to avoid being added to Todd Boehly’s long list of sackings.
Todd Boehly has faced intense criticism since taking over at Chelsea, but nobody can deny that he isn’t afraid to spend big. Already, the squad he’s amassed is worth over £1bn, with many of the star players being signed to huge bumper contracts. And even though Chelsea’s spending has slowed down over recent months so that they can avoid FFP charges, the club has made (and is still making) some exciting moves in the transfer market. For the 2024/25 campaign alone, the Blues have signed:
There’s also an extremely strong chance that Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney, and Jadon Sancho, will be added to Chelsea’s list of summer signings, making the current squad one of the most valuable in European football history. However, signing players is the easy part — it’s getting the most out of them on the pitch that matters. Naturally, because Chelsea have so many players, Enzo Maresca will have to become a master at squad rotation and man management in a short space of time if he wants this season to be a success.
What’s clear is that Chelsea are sticking with their new transfer policy of signing players on extended deals in order to spread transfer fee costs while also maintaining player market value. For example, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are currently signed to nine-year deals, while the returning João Félix has just penned a 7-year contract. It’s certainly a controversial way of doing transfers, but time will tell whether it’s a business masterstroke by club owner Todd Boehly.
Despite finishing 6th place under Pochettino, Chelsea will be playing Europa League football this season. Specifically, they’re playing in the Europa Conference League, which is only possible thanks to Chelsea’s excellent run of form towards the backend of last season. It will provide the Blues with an excellent opportunity to grab a trophy this season while earning automatic qualification for next season’s Europa League, too. This would also be Enzo Maresca’s first major trophy as a manager, so he’ll be desperate to go far in the competition.
All signs point to Chelsea being in and around the top 4 come the end of the 2024/25 season. Enzo Maresca is looking to get off to a flying start, a large bulk of the squad now appears to be settled, and some big summer signings have just come through the door, including fan-favorite João Félix. So, if everything can click into place and the likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle have poor seasons, there’s nothing to stop Chelsea from landing third or fourth position in the Premier League table.
As Chelsea head into the new season without an established goalkeeper, we take a look back at the last serious number one the Blues had between the sticks, Thibaut Courtois, and his unceremonious exit to Real Madrid in 2018.
With Chelsea’s bloated squad continuing to be a strong topic of discussion across the football world, and the transfer window closing in a matter of days, many are expecting the Blues to have a fire sale to help balance their books, and also trim down the number of players in the changing room. One player who’s looking likely to leave is Carney Chukwuemeka. Signed from Aston Villa in the summer of 2022, the attacking midfielder has never quite lived up to his ‘wonder kid’ status after a spluttering two years at Stamford Bridge.
Unfortunately, Chukwuemeka’s time at Stamford Bridge has been plagued by several injuries which have severely harmed his progress. In the 2023-24 season, he seemed primed to be a key player under Mauricio Pochettino. He started the first few games of the season, even grabbing his first Chelsea goal with a very well taken finish against West Ham.
However, in that very same game, Chukwuemeka suffered a serious knee injury which would keep him out for the majority of the season. Even when he did return to action, his minutes were limited as he built himself back up to full fitness, suffering minor injury setbacks along the way.
Previously to this, he’d been kept out of large portions of the 2022-23 season with a recurring hamstring injury, restricting progress in his debut season. After a very frustrating two years, Chukwuemeka would have been looking to kick on after an injury free pre-season, however the influx of new Chelsea recruits coupled with high levels of competition may mean it’s best for both parties to find pastures new.
If Chelsea do decide to cash in, they won’t be short of potential suitors for the 20-year-old. A host of Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace, have been linked to the attacking midfielder. However, Chelsea are thought to be more open to selling abroad, with the likes of Barcelona and Napoli strongly linked.
However, as always, the stumbling block remains on price. Chelsea invested around £20m to sign Chukwuemeka back in 2022 and would be looking to make at least a profit on the Austrian. There are reports that Chelsea’s initial asking price was close to £40m, but the expectation is that they’ll consider a fee closer to £30m as the end of the window approaches. Should Barcelona, or other European heavyweights agree a fee with the Blues, Chukwuemeka will have a tough decision to make about his future.
A loan move is also not out of the question yet, but with Chelsea only having 3 more foreign loan spots available, and the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku favourites for these so they can be shifted off the wage bill, Chukwuemeka will likely be loaned to a Premier League rival.
With the transfer window closing on August 31st, time is running out for Chelsea to agree a suitable next move for Chukwuemeka and if they can make a decent profit on their initial investment, it’ll be the best move for both parties.
Quite remarkably, Kepa Arrizabalaga is still a Chelsea player as we kick off the 2024-25 season. He currently finds himself in transfer limbo, alongside the likes of Conor Gallagher, Trevor Chalobah and Armando Broja.
Whilst Chelsea continue to look for a potential suitor for the 29-year-old Spaniard, we assess what his potential options are, and how is it that the £72 million man now finds himself unwanted at Stamford Bridge but still collecting his reported £170,000 per week wages.
Kepa spent the 2023-24 season on loan at the Bernabéu, making 19 appearances across all competitions, following a severe injury to Thibaut Courtois, and helped Real win La Liga and the Champions League.
However, Kepa was only ever signed as injury cover, and alongside the rise of Andrey Lunin, Madrid are rumoured to have no desire to re-sign Kepa, either on another loan or a permanent transfer.
Fiorentina were a team heavily linked to rescue Kepa from his Chelsea nightmare. The Viola can offer him consistent European football, following their qualification for this year’s Europa Conference League, where they could very well meet Chelsea in the latter stages.
Disappointingly though, at least for Chelsea’s weekly wage bill totals, Fiorentina recently reached an agreement to sign free agent David de Gea who is poised to be their number one heading into the new season, making a move for Kepa very unlikely.
Currently, Chelsea are in the quite ridiculous position of having six first team goalkeepers listed for their first team going into the new season, and no true established number one.
Robert Sánchez appears to be Enzo Maresca’s first choice despite an underwhelming debut season whilst new signing Filip Jorgensen will be looking to make a name for himself following his £20.7 million move from Valencia in the summer. Djordje Petrovic is looking likely to be granted a loan move to continue his development, whilst Marcus Bettinelli is merely there to make up numbers.
With all these keepers on the book, and none having excelled during the previous season, there may be a chance, albeit a very small one, for Kepa to be reintegrated into the Chelsea first team should none of the current cohort make the spot their own.
Kepa’s relationship with the Chelsea fans has been a strayed one, ever since the infamous incident where he refused to be subbed at Wembley when Maurizio Sarri was in charge. However, he has had some stand out moments for the Blues, especially in penalty shootouts, and was a noble deputy to Édouard Mendy during the Blues’ Champions League win in 2021.
The likelihood however, is that Chelsea will still be looking to cash in on the Spaniard, but they may be forced to be reliant on bids from the Middle East, or a club desperate following an injury crisis, to be able to get any return on their sizable investment from 2018.
Header image: Vyacheslav Evdokimov, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons.
The summer transfer window is always exciting for us Blues fans, right? It’s like the football version of Christmas, with all the anticipation and surprises. And this year, Chelsea has been right in the thick of it. Let’s dive into all the latest comings and goings at Stamford Bridge.
How do transfers work?
Transfers involve negotiations between buying and selling clubs over a player’s transfer fee, personal terms with the player, and passing a medical examination. Once all parties agree, the transfer is completed, and the player is registered with the new club.
Can players refuse to transfer?
Yes, players can refuse to transfer if they do not agree to the personal terms offered by the buying club or if they simply wish to stay with their current club.
How do Chelsea Summer transfers affect your betting decisions?
Chelsea’s summer transfers can significantly impact betting decisions. New signings can strengthen the team, potentially improving their odds of winning matches and titles. Conversely, losing key players might weaken the squad. Bettors should assess the overall impact of the transfers on the team’s performance before placing bets. Interested fans can bet on Chelsea matches here.
So, there you have it – all the ins, outs, and contract updates at Chelsea so far this summer. The mix of established stars, promising youngsters, and savvy signings has got us buzzing – how about you?
Well, for starters, it means that Chelsea has finally decided to raid a club that doesn’t have the words “Brighton & Hove Albion” in its name, which we suppose is a plus. However, the Dewsbury-Hall deal could have positive implications for the Chelsea squad in the upcoming season. This Championship player could be setting the Premier League alight, and he barely hammered into the FFP rules that Chelsea are pushed to abide by nowadays (even if Manchester City aren’t).
We know that many Chelsea fans don’t pay attention to the Championship. Sometimes, it is difficult enough to keep tabs on our team when we’re constantly failing. However, if you did glance at the Championship news, chances are that you would have seen everybody and their dog chatting about how well Dewsbury-Hall was performing for Leicester, who clinched the title on the last day of the season.
The 25-year-old midfielder (yes, midfielder), smashed in 12 goals and 14 assists. He was part of Leicester’s transition to a more attacking style of play. He did play more defensively the previous season, but it was the bringing in of more attack-minded players that helped to unlock Dewsbury-Hall’s potential. Well, some of his potential. Chelsea will unlock that full potential.
Chelsea wasn’t exactly the hardest hit with injuries last season, but there were a couple of scares. Thankfully, we’ve now got Dewsbury-Hall.
Dewsbury-Hall is a player who has shown he can handle anywhere in midfield. So, if we have a midfielder out for the count, Dewsbury-Hall can be slotted right in there and perform reasonably well. However, we do hope that he will be used in the position he is best known for performing well at – as the number 8. It is here that we reckon we’ll benefit from one of the most popular sports betting features – in-play betting. We know that if he is playing number 8, he’ll smash in a few assists if the play lines up well.
Owing to his talents – and what we’ve seen of him from the games he has played for Leicester – Dewsbury-Hall is going to play best in position 8. He is a box-to-box midfielder at heart, and he’ll be playing both on the defence and attack, which is absolutely what this team needs right now. We need more versatile players. However, he is also capable of playing as a number 10. There’s a good chance that he’ll be pushed more toward the attacking side of things than the defending side, since Caicedo, Gallagher and Fernández can handle that.
We reckon that there’ll be times when he will be called into action as a number 10, possibly if the squad is scrambling to get a goal in the dying minutes of the game (although, we hope he will be called into action before that).
In our opinion, he is more likely to perform a role as a double-pivot. He’ll transition into a second number 10 when Chelsea is on the attack. Well, sort of. The tactics will need to be played about with a bit, but we reckon that you’ll see Dewsbury-Hall doing a lot of attacking. He’ll be trying to push himself into the box quite a bit, particularly from the CM position.
The Championship is a completely different kettle of fish from the Premier League, so we aren’t quite sure how Dewsbury-Hall will fare here. However, based on what we’ve seen him do in the Championship, we reckon that he’s going to do a bang-up job providing a ton of service to the strikers.
Dewsbury-Hall has proved that he loves to get the ball toward the strikers as quickly as possible, often down the side of the pitch. We wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of the year, Dewsbury-Hall ends up becoming one of our top assist players.
The new managerial style is probably going to become more possession-based. Sort of like what Graham Potter tried, but it’ll work (we hope). However, there’ll still be a lot of room for speed in the new Chelsea squad, and Dewsbury-Hall will probably be the one showing that speed.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Dewsbury-Hall not only creates a lot of assists but bangs in fewer power hits too. When playing for Leicester, he was a huge fan of managing to carve out space in the centre of the pitch. He probably will struggle against the fastest midfielders and defenders in the league, but we reckon that Dewsbury-Hall will end up creating way more space than you think, and he’ll have some banging solo goals.
Chelsea is seriously lacking players who can score with their left foot, so finally, it is nice to say we’ve got a player who can do that. Many of his goals last season came from the left foot.
After spending the last couple of years lining Brighton’s pockets with loads of cash, which ended up costing us nearly £50m per win, and some of it not benefiting Chelsea as a whole, there have been mutterings that Chelsea needs to do something to not fall foul of Financial Fair Play rules, so it is nice to know that we managed to pick up Dewsbury-Hall on the cheap. A snip at just £30 million, although on a six-year contract.
If we can shift a bit of the dead weight in the Chelsea squad during the next couple of months, there’s a good chance that we won’t have any issues with FFP, and that could help the squad going forward. Although, we do still have the problem of having a ton of players on contracts that are far lengthier than many of them deserve. But that’s a story for another day. All you need to know right now is that you’ve got the lowdown on how Dewsbury-Hall will impact our squad in the 24/25 season.
England go into Euro 2024 with an excellent chance of winning their first major trophy since 1966. There are two Chelsea players involved in Gareth Southgate’s squad this summer in Germany.
It is not just with England that Chelsea are well represented at the European Championships. Here are two Blues who will be in action for other nations and will have eyes on the trophy themselves.
Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella has been a regular in Spain’s starting XI in 2024. He will be hoping his performances for club and country this year have been enough to be in Luis de la Fuente’s team for Euro 2024.
Spain begin their campaign with a tough test against Croatia, and they are 20/23 in the Paddy Power football odds for that match. Should Cucurella be named in the starting XI, his job will be to stop the likes of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Andrej Kramaric from finding the scoresheet.
In the bet on Euro 2024 outright market, Spain are fifth best in the betting at 8/1. They reached the semi-finals at the last edition of the European Championship, losing on penalties to the eventual winners, Italy. They were also victorious in the UEFA Nations League in 2023, defeating Croatia in the final.
Firts day at the office 💙 pic.twitter.com/TUxMZSvunx
— Marc Cucurella (@cucurella3) August 5, 2022
Cucurella was a key member of Mauricio Pochettino’s side, which finished the 2023/24 Premier League season strongly. He made a slow start to his career at Stamford Bridge, but he is now showing why the club paid £55 million to secure his services from Brighton.
Striker Romelu Lukaku was at AS Roma on loan last season, where he played most of the campaign for former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. The Blues player scored 21 goals in all competitions.
Romelu Lukaku has FOUR goals in 37 minutes 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mbcl11CcIl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 19, 2023
Lukaku remains a key member of the Belgium team. He has now played 115 times for his country, scoring 85 goals. The 31-year-old has been part of the golden Belgian generation who have underperformed in big tournaments.
There is less pressure on Belgium heading into Euro 2024 as they are not being discussed as one of the favourites. The Red Devils are now managed by Domenico Tedesco, after Roberto Martinez left his role in charge of the nation in 2023.
Lukaku’s future beyond this summer at Chelsea is likely to be discussed with new head coach Enzo Maresca after the European Championship. The Italian is sure to be keeping a close eye on the striker’s performances in Germany, as will several major clubs across Europe, including his former clubs Roma and Inter Milan.
With the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Leandro Trossard, Youri Tielemans, and Orel Mangala all supporting him in the Belgium team, Lukaku should be one of the leading scorers in the tournament. However, they will need to prove themselves in the knockout stages when they face one of the bigger nations in the competition.
The final of Euro 2024 takes place on Sunday, 14th of July in Berlin. It will conclude the 17th edition of the international tournament.
Chelsea had the second-lowest average age in the 2023/24 Premier League season. Only relegated Burnley had a younger average squad (24 years and 257 days) compared to the Blues (24 years and 280 days.
The value of youth appeared somewhat lost on Chelsea at times this season though. Chelsea were eventually outfought in the EFL Cup final by a battle-hardened Liverpool after extra time. In addition, several missed chances in their FA Cup semi-final against Man City were eventually punished, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side lost 1-0.
At times, it appeared as though the Blues’ £400 million transfer spend in the summer of 2023 might backfire in the Premier League too. Chelsea won just four of their opening 13 matches, dropping points against West Ham, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford.
Pochettino’s young outfit has shown more resilience and cutting-edge late in the season, however. Chelsea are unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 league matches and have won their previous four in a row.
Several young players have stepped up in a largely challenging campaign too, including Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer.
However, Pochettino might want to see the following players contribute further to the first team in the 2024/25 campaign to improve Chelsea’s scores and odds in the Premier League.
Noni Madueke was one of the young players to arrive on a seven-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge in January 2023. There were high hopes for the winger, who made 34 goal contributions in 80 games for PSV Eindhoven.
Initially, Madueke struggled for form in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, scoring just one goal in 16 appearances.
However, the £28.5 million arrival showed greater consistency this season. Madueke made seven goal contributions in the Premier League. In his last eight league matches, Madueke has scored three goals and made two assists.
Overall, Madueke has shown Pochettino why he should be starting next season. Moreover, the 22-year-old had injury struggles midway through the season. As a result, a full pre-season and greater confidence following decent late-season form will give Madueke momentum to break into the Blues first-team.
Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu was another big-money signing last summer. The 20-year-old arrived in West London, also on a seven-year contract, for nearly £25 million from Rennes.
Despite his young age, Ugochukwu joined Chelsea with plenty of top-level experience. During the 2022/23 campaign, the midfielder played 26 Ligue 1 games for Rennes. Moreover, the French player came with European experience, having featured in seven Europa League games.
Pochettino started to ease Ugochukwu into the defensive midfield role from the bench and in the EFL Cup. Here, the midfielder showed his quality by winning tackles and headers and distributing the ball sensibly. In particular, Ugochukwu produced a solid display in Chelsea’s 2-0 EFL Cup win over Blackburn.
However, just as the French player was building form and looking like a solid addition, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed five months of the season.
Ugochukwu returned off the bench for the Blues 2-1 win at Brighton on Wednesday and there will be intrigue as to how he progresses after his first taste of English football this season.
Carney Chukwuemeka has endured two difficult seasons since joining Chelsea on a six-year contract from Aston Villa. Since arriving in summer 2022, Chukwuemeka has played just 23 matches for the Blues.
Throughout the 2022/23 season, Chukwuemeka was in and out of the Chelsea first-team and suffered a hamstring injury mid-way through the season.
After Pochettino’s arrival last summer, it appeared as though Chukwuemeka would be a valuable squad player. He came off the bench in Chelsea’s 2023/24 opener against Liverpool before starting and scoring against Chelsea in the following match at West Ham.
But the midfielder suffered a serious knee injury at the London Stadium. As a result, he missed most of the season.
Chukwuemeka has the potential to challenge Gallagher for the further forward midfield role in Pochettino’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. As a result, Pochettino will hope to integrate the England youth player properly throughout pre-season in the hope he gets an injury-free 2024/25.
22-year-old defender Ian Maatsen was a fringe player at Chelsea in the first half of the season. In January, the Dutch player joined Borussia Dortmund on a six-month loan.
Since his loan move, Maatsen has impressed in the left-back role, making two assists and two goals. The defender has also played in 20 of the 22 matches which he has been available for – highlighting his consistency.
Maatsen is scheduled to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, although his contract expires at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Following several strong performances in Dortmund, and helping BVB to reach the Champions League final, Pochettino may be tempted to offer Maatsen a long-term contract.
Online gambling has changed the way that people engage with casino games and betting. The benefits of online gambling are many too, from the convenience it has to offer increased safety measures and more. In just a few clicks, a football fan can access their favourite casino games, regardless of where in the world they are. This helps to eliminate the need to travel to a physical casino.
The fact that casino platforms are so accessible makes them ideal for those who have busy schedules or even limited access to land-based casinos. Safety is another huge advantage of online gambling. Reliable gambling platforms work to prioritise the safety of their players by employing advanced encryption technology along with secure payment gateways. As a result of the gaming boom, more and more providers are now investing in a hybrid structure, so with the benefits listed above, it’s not hard to see why this is becoming the popular option.
Source: Pexels
Hybrid casinos are on the rise now more than ever. At a hybrid casino like Habibibet.org, you can play online games for Arabs while being able to bet on football. So why is this so convenient? One reason is that you can use your winnings from a casino game to bet on the latest football matches. You can also rest assured knowing that any money you win from a match, can then be used to play slots. It’s really convenient and a great way to ensure that you can always access the entertainment you want with the money you have.
Online casinos and sportsbooks often have to follow the same rules regarding data protection too, so it makes sense for companies to invest in both alternatives. A lot of companies are also creating apps so that people can log in and deposit through their phones rather than having to load up a desktop website. For football fans, this is a game-changer, as people often find themselves frantically trying to log on to a betting site before a match is about to begin. Apps offer a new level of convenience and they make it easier than ever to pursue and play a range of games while providing access to the latest football odds.
Source: Pexels
When you play games at a hybrid casino, you will notice that you can access the latest football odds with just a few clicks. Hybrid casinos also offer people the chance to access free spins, no deposit bonuses, as well as cashback on bets.
It may be that when you deposit a certain amount, you get a set amount of money as a free bet. Even though games can be played and sports can be bet on, the bonuses differ. A free bet cannot be used on a casino game and vice-versa. To combat confusion, sites often offer promotions such as free bets, or free spins, so clear distinctions can be made even if the site offers multiple gaming options.
