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Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca Calls for More Leadership from Captain Reece James

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has publicly urged captain Reece James to step up his leadership game as he looks to inspire his team following a difficult season start. James, who recently returned from a long injury layoff in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool, is being called upon to show more personality and leadership both on and off the pitch.

Maresca’s comments come ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle, where James is expected to play a pivotal role. The England right-back, known for his reserved nature, missed Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League victory against Panathinaikos but is set to return this Sunday. Maresca highlighted that, as the club captain, James is expected to lead by example, both in performance and in guiding his teammates.

“I spoke with him, and I expect more leadership from him inside the dressing room,” Maresca said. “He’s progressing well, but there’s room for more. Being captain means you need to give more than the rest, not less.”

Since being appointed as captain by former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, James has had limited appearances due to injury, with much of his captaincy being felt off the field. Conor Gallagher, who has since left Chelsea for Atletico Madrid, often filled the leadership void last season. Now, Maresca is looking for James to take on more responsibility, both vocally and through his performances.

Maresca emphasized the need for the 24-year-old to develop his leadership qualities further, especially with the lack of strong, established leaders within the current Chelsea squad. James’ rise through the Chelsea academy makes him a natural candidate for the role, but Maresca believes he needs to show more personality to fully embrace the responsibility.

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“He’s our academy graduate, and that’s why we expect more from him in terms of leadership,” Maresca added. “He’s naturally reserved, but leadership needs to be built, especially when you lack a clear leader. Reece is on the right path, but he’s not there yet. It requires effort to become a leader.”

As Chelsea prepares for their Premier League clash against Newcastle, all eyes will be on Reece James, who is being called upon to lead his team in a crucial match. Fans and pundits alike will be watching to see if the right-back can rise to the challenge and provide the leadership Chelsea needs to turn their season around.

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Chelsea

Mathys Tel Keeps Manchester United and Arsenal in Consideration After Rejecting Tottenham Move

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Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel remains open to potential moves to Manchester United or Arsenal after turning down a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs had successfully negotiated a €60 million (£50.2m) agreement with Bayern, contingent on Tel’s approval. Club chairman Daniel Levy even traveled to Munich on Friday to present Tottenham’s proposal personally. However, the 19-year-old forward opted to decline the offer, informing Bayern that he preferred to stay unless another club stepped forward before Monday’s transfer deadline.

According to reports from RMC Sport, only Manchester United and Arsenal are still in contention for Tel’s signature, as both clubs have the potential to persuade him to leave Bayern before the window closes. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Aston Villa have reportedly withdrawn from the race.

Sky Germany has revealed that United have engaged in preliminary discussions with Bayern regarding Tel but have yet to submit a formal bid. Similarly, Arsenal has maintained interest in the French youngster since his €28.5 million (£24.4m) transfer from Rennes in July 2022 but has not taken any concrete steps to secure his services.

Chelsea previously expressed interest earlier this month, yet Tel is reportedly hesitant about joining due to the high level of competition within Enzo Maresca’s squad at Stamford Bridge.

The primary motivation behind Tel’s willingness to leave Bayern stems from limited playing opportunities, as he has started only three matches under Vincent Kompany this season.

Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Max Eberl, confirmed on Wednesday that Tel had initially decided to stay but has since reconsidered his stance.

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“Mathys originally wanted to stay and prove himself,” Eberl explained. “Now, he has expressed that he is open to a move, and we have to assess our options. His playing time has been limited, which is understandable from his perspective. Given that we are at the end of January, this situation is more complex for everyone involved. We must determine the best course of action for Mathys and Bayern Munich.”

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Chelsea and Manchester United Set to Battle for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel

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Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel as a potential signing, but they may face stiff competition from Manchester United.

Robert Sanchez’s role as Chelsea’s primary shot-stopper has been questioned in recent weeks due to several costly errors. While manager Enzo Maresca has publicly backed the Spanish goalkeeper, he has not provided assurances about Sanchez’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

If Chelsea decide to move on from Sanchez next season, they have internal options such as Filip Jorgensen—who joined from Villarreal last summer—and Djordje Petrovic, who has impressed during his loan stint at Strasbourg. Additionally, Belgian prospect Mike Penders is set to join the squad next season to increase competition in the goalkeeping department.

However, The Independent reports that Chelsea could instead opt to bolster their goalkeeping ranks by pursuing Dortmund’s Kobel. While a January move appears unlikely, the club is expected to push for a summer deal for the Swiss international, despite him being contracted to the Bundesliga side until 2028.

Chelsea will not have a free path to signing Kobel, as Manchester United have maintained long-standing interest in the 27-year-old and could also make a move. United are reportedly assessing their goalkeeping situation and may look to upgrade on Andre Onana, though financial constraints could impact their summer transfer plans.

Dortmund are believed to value Kobel between €70m-80m (£58m-66m), making a potential transfer a significant investment for either Premier League club.

Since joining Dortmund from Stuttgart in 2021, Kobel has made 143 appearances across all competitions and has twice been named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

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Despite speculation about Onana’s future, former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has expressed confidence in the Cameroonian’s abilities. Speaking to Oddspedia, the Dutch legend backed Onana to establish himself at Old Trafford.

“I think it’s quite early to judge, but Andre [Onana] has a fantastic career ahead of him,” Van der Sar said. “He’s gaining more experience, and he possesses all the qualities a goalkeeper needs. I believe he will continue to improve over the next five to six years.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United are closing in on their first signing under new manager Ruben Amorim, as they finalize a deal to bring highly rated wing-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce before the January transfer window closes.

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Chelsea Boosted in Alejandro Garnacho Pursuit as Ruben Amorim Stays Tight-Lipped on United Star’s Future

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Chelsea’s chase for Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho has taken a dramatic turn, with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim declining to clarify the player’s future amid ongoing speculation.

The 20-year-old attacker has become a central figure in transfer rumors as the January window draws to a close. Reports suggest United may consider a lucrative sale of the academy graduate, a move that would provide a significant financial boost under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Chelsea, long linked with Garnacho, are reportedly stepping up their interest, having already shown an appetite for signing United’s young talents, including Kobbie Mainoo. Fresh reports emerged Thursday indicating the Blues are preparing a formal bid for the dynamic winger.

Garnacho delivered an electric performance in United’s dramatic Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday. Back in the starting XI, he was United’s most dangerous player during the first half and nearly scored in the second, hitting the post from close range.

Following United’s nail-biting 2-1 victory—secured by Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time volley—Amorim sidestepped questions about Garnacho’s future. Speaking to reporters after the match, he said, “I don’t know what will happen. Right now, we are focusing on the games. Until the window closes, anything is possible.”

The Portuguese manager highlighted Garnacho’s contributions and growth, adding, “He’s improving in all aspects—positioning, recovery, and his understanding of the game. He showed frustration at times, but that’s because he demands more of himself, which is a good sign. I think he can reach even greater levels.”

With back-to-back away games against Fulham in the Premier League and FCSB in the Europa League coming up, Garnacho might already have played his final match at Old Trafford. Amorim was non-committal when pressed on the possibility, reiterating, “He’s a Manchester United player, and today he was vital for us. Let’s see what happens in the coming days.”

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United’s financial situation has added fuel to the speculation. The club is rumored to be considering sales to fund new signings, including talks with Serie A club Lecce over left-back Patrick Dorgu. Marcus Rashford’s continued absence from the matchday squad has further stoked rumors of his potential departure, while Tyrell Malacia, another name floated for a January exit, came on as a second-half substitute against Rangers after Leny Yoro sustained an injury.

As deadline day approaches, the question of whether Garnacho will remain at United or become Chelsea’s newest recruit hangs in the balance.

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