Newcastle United extended their unbeaten run to three games after a 2-1 victory over Premier League strugglers Burnley at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s side were able to bounce back from their disappointing draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the week to pick up all three points on this occasion.

It took Eddie Howe’s side until just past the half-hour mark before they managed to open the scoring. Their goal was scored in magnificent fashion, too. Captain Bruno Guimaraes pulled off the lesser-spotted stunt of an Olympico, scoring directly from a corner.

Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, the Magpies had their second goal. Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu gave away a penalty for handball, and Anthony Gordon obliged, stepping up from 12 yards to double Newcastle’s lead.

It was not all plain sailing, though. Burnley, who had ten men after Lucas Pires was sent off in the first half, managed to pull a goal back.

They were also awarded a penalty for handball, this time from Jacob Ramsey, with Zion Flemming firing home. It was too little, too late, though, for the Clarets, and Newcastle held on to win the game.

The two goal scorers were Newcastle’s standout players on the day.

Guimaraes and Gordon’s key stats compared

It has been quite the week in front of goal for Guimaraes and Gordon. Not only did they score on Saturday afternoon, but they also bagged both of the Magpies’ goals against Spurs in the week.

Guimaraes’ strike against the Clarets was surely better. Scoring directly from a corner is no mean feat, and it took a superb curling effort to nestle into the back of the net.

Aside from the goal, the Magpies skipper won six from eight duels and made six recoveries, as per Sofascore.

As for Gordon, he shone in key moments. Of course, the England winger bagged his second goal from the spot in a matter of days, but he also played Anthony Elanga through on goal, which led to the Burnley red card.

One person he impressed was Lee Ryder, the chief Newcastle writer at Chronicle Live. He gave the former Everton winger a rating of 8/10, praising him for remaining a ‘threat throughout’ against a depleted Burnley defence.

It has been a good week individually for two of Newcastle’s biggest stars, but another of their marquee players struggled against Scott Parker’s side.

Newcastle’s worst player vs. Burnley

It was an afternoon to forget for Newcastle’s big summer signing, Nick Woltemade. The German striker was not very involved against the Lancastrian outfit and was described as “sloppy” by journalist Craig Hope.

His stats from the clash at St James’ Park reflect what was an underwhelming evening. He only managed 17 touches, fewer even than Magpies goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The Newcastle number 27 could only manage one shot and win a single duel, too.

Touches

17

Passes completed

11/12

Shots

1

Duels won

1

Key passes

0

His poor performance was reflected in the post-match rating Ryder gave. The journalist said Woltemade a 6/10 and prefaced that by saying ‘he did not get a great deal of service’ against the Clarets.

That display was also significant for Newcastle because Yoane Wissa made his long-awaited debut for the club. He replaced Woltemade with 15 minutes to go, and received a warm welcome from his new home fans.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With the striker’s return to full fitness, it will be fascinating to see whether or not Howe keeps the German in the side or brings Wissa into the fold instead.

After a performance like that from the former Stuttgart attacker, where he was so isolated, it would not be hard to blame the Magpies boss for rotating him out.

It is also worth considering the number of games the North East side have coming up. They have Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup games before the year is up, plus the FA Cup at the start of January.

Howe will surely want to manage the minutes of his squad, so they can be at their very best in a testing few weeks. It would be no surprise if Woltemade drops out of the side next time out.

Eddie Howe has already found a bigger talent than Anderson at Newcastle

Howe’s Newcastle side are showing green shoots after a difficult start to the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 5, 2025

A formal complaint has been submitted to FIFA regarding issues related to political neutrality during last week’s World Cup draw. FairSquare, a non-profit advocacy organization, sent an eight-page letter to FIFA’s Ethics Committee outlining four alleged infringements by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the event, including the presentation of the FIFA Peace Prize.

Getty ImagesCalls for FIFA to investigate

A non-profit organization has submitted a formal complaint to FIFA following the World Cup draw. The two-hour ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, included multiple references to U.S. President Donald Trump, among them the presentation of the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. During the event, FIFA said the award recognized Trump’s commitment to “promote peace and unity around the world.”

FairSquare, which filed the complaint, stated that the presentation of the prize, along with other actions during the ceremony, may breach FIFA’s political-neutrality policy. In its letter, the group asked the ethics committee to “investigate the circumstances surrounding the decision to introduce and award a FIFA Peace Prize and their conformity with FIFA’s procedural rules.”

AdvertisementAFPInfantino and Trump

The two leaders have met on several occasions in recent years, and it is common for FIFA presidents to meet with political leaders in different countries. During the draw, Infantino made several remarks about Trump from the stage.

“I’m a bit surprised sometimes when I read some negative comments [about President Trump]. I am not American, but as far as I understand, President Trump was elected in the United States of America and was quite clearly elected. When you are in such a great democracy as the United States of America, you should first of all respect the results of the election,” he said.

FairSquare’s complaint to FIFA said these remarks represented a political position and that they violated FIFA’s neutrality code.

What the FIFA ethics code says

The FIFA ethics code states that football’s governing body should remain politically neutral. It says: “FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion,” and “requires that all persons bound by the code remain politically neutral … in dealings with government institutions.”

Infantino has met with Trump on several occasions. He was invited to the presidential inauguration and has made visits to the Oval Office during Trump’s term.

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Getty Images SportActing unilaterally

The Peace Prize, presented to Trump during the draw, has come under consistent scrutiny, as it appeared to have been awarded unilaterally, without consultation of senior FIFA officials. According to reporting in , numerous high ranking FIFA officials had no idea that the award existed, and has no role in its distribution before it was announced on Nov. 4. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States. 

كشف الإعلامي هاني حتحوت عن كواليس حديثه مع حسام عبد المجيد، مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، بشأن مستقبله داخل القلعة البيضاء.

وترددت بعض الأنباء حول إمكانية رحيل حسام عبد المجيد عن صفوف نادي الزمالك خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة.

وقال هاني حتحوت في تصريحات عبر برنامجه “الكلام المظبوط” على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “التقيتُ حسام عبد المجيد برفقة أسامة فيصل ومحمود صابر، فهم من الجيل ذاته وفي المنتخب معًا، وجاءت المقابلة بالصدفة”.

طالع أيضًا | رمزي صالح: حزنت من شقيق حامد حمدان.. وهذه نصيحتي له بشأن وجهته القادمة

وتابع: “سألته عن آخر المستجدات وما يُقال في الفترة الأخيرة، فأجابني: عقدي ينتهي في الموسم المقبل وليس الحالي، وأنا مستمر في الزمالك بشكل طبيعي، ولن أغادر إلا عبر بوابة النادي”.

وأضاف: “سألته: هل أنت قريب من الرحيل؟ فأجابني: نعم، أنا قريب من الرحيل في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية، التي تبدأ خلال أيام قليلة في شهر يناير”.

واختتم: “ما علمته أن هناك عروضًا متاحة له من البرتغال وفرنسا، وأن هناك اتفاقًا مبدئيًا يقضي بأنه في حال وصول عرض مناسب، فسيتم بيعه في يناير، خاصة أن ملف تجديد عقده معقد، والزمالك لا يرغب في تكرار سيناريو زيزو مجددًا”.

The Dodgers are looking to repeat as World Series champs in 2025, and if successful, Shohei Ohtani will have a chance to join a select group of players in MLB history.

Throughout MLB history, only five players have ever won their league's respective MVP award and gone on to win the World Series MVP in the same year. Ohtani is the runaway favorite to win the National League MVP this season for the second year in a row. If he can perform at his usual prolific level, he could very well be named World Series MVP.

Last year, Ohtani missed out on the award after a lackluster showing in the Fall Classic against the Yankees. Plagued by a shoulder injury, he had just two hits in the five-game series and didn't record a home run or RBI. Freddie Freeman was named World Series MVP in '24 after he launched four home runs and had 12 RBIs.

Should Ohtani claim the award as his own in '25, he'd be just the sixth player ever to win both the regular-season MVP and World Series MVP in the same year. Even more impressive, he would become just the second player to win all three of regular-season MVP, LCS MVP and World Series MVP.

Let's take a look at the esteemed company he'd be joining:

Sandy Koufax won the Cy Young, NL MVP and World Series MVP in 1963, when he had a 1.88 ERA with 306 strikeouts during the regular season. He then pitched two complete games in the World Series, which lasted just four games in total.

In 1966, Frank Robinson was named MVP of the American League after launching 49 home runs and 122 RBIs. He was prolific in the Orioles' World Series win, too, logging a 1.232 OPS in a sweep of the Dodgers.

Reggie Jackson won the lone MVP award of his career in 1973, when he led MLB with 32 home runs and 117 RBIs. He won the first of his two World Series MVPs that same year, when he had nine hits and 6 RBIs in a seven-game series against the Mets.

The only player in MLB history to win the trifecta of the regular-season MVP, League Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP is Willie Stargell, who did so for the Pirates in 1979. That season, at the age of 39, Stargell hit 32 home runs in the regular season and had three home runs and 7 RBIs in a seven-game series against the Orioles. Pittsburgh, carried by Stargell's outstanding play, was able to erase a 3–1 deficit in the series.

Mike Schmidt was named NL MVP and World Series MVP for the Phillies in 1980. That year, he had 48 home runs and 121 RBIs with an OPS of 1.004 in the regular season, and followed it up with eight hits including two home runs in a six-game series against the Royals.

Ohtani won the NLCS MVP after the Dodgers swept the Brewers in four games. He capped off the series with a sensational Game 4 performance in which he hit three home runs and pitched six innings with 10 strikeouts. The historic performance saw him earn the series MVP award and now he'll be looking to complete the Triple Crown of MVPs.

The Red Sox will rue losing Game 2 of their wild card series Wednesday against the Yankees, 4–3, because for one night they failed the test of fundamentals. Here are the two crucial seventh-inning plays when the Red Sox let pass their opportunity to advance to the ALDS.

1. Ceddanne Rafaela fails to execute a sacrifice bunt

In a 3–3 tie, Boston had runners at first and second thanks to wildness from Yankees starter Carlos Rodon (who from the first pitch of the inning could not command the ball and kept looking at his hand as if compromised). Red Sox manager Alex Cora called for the right play: a sacrifice bunt. Boston could take the lead with two outs: a bunt and a fly ball.

Rafaela did have three bunts during the regular season. Each time he squared early and properly. This time he stabbed so poorly at the first pitch from Fernando Cruz, it made you think to take the bunt off, especially with the crashing corner infielders opening holes.

Cora kept the bunt on. Rafaela stabbed again. He popped it up to Cruz. Two attempts to bunt. Both poorly executed. Worse, both attempts were on pitches out of the zone. Chasing on bunts? Not good.

2. Nate Eaton hesitates at third base

Eaton stood on second base and Jarren Duran at first with two outs as Masataka Yoshida batted. The count went to 3-and-2.

The runner at second should remind himself not only that he is running on the pitch but also that he should be prepared to continue running on any ball hit in play—not just get to third base. The third base coach also has the responsibility to remind the runner to think two bases, not just one, with the head start. 

On Tuesday we saw Angel Martinez of Cleveland score from second base on an infield hit with two outs—running on contact and never stopping.
Yoshida hit a ground ball that second baseman Jazz Chisholm stopped with a dive. Chisholm bounced his throw to first. The play was close enough that first baseman Ben Rice tried to catch it on a short hop. It bounced off his glove and trickled away.

Eaton should have been well on his way to home. He wasn’t. He stopped around third to read the play. By the time he located the ball, he thought about restarting but it was too late. The moment was gone. The Red Sox would have no more chances. They failed Bunting 101 and Baserunning 101.

Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign a centre-back who’s having a “monstrous” season, amid a new update on Marc Guehi’s future.

Guehi underlines his importance to Palace once again

Palace are under no illusions as to just how important Guehi is, having cancelled their captain’s move to Liverpool on deadline day, and he once again put in a top performance against Fulham last time out.

The Eagles bounced back from the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United by securing a late 2-1 win at Craven Cottage, with the centre-back scoring a late winner and receiving a 7.9 SofaScore match rating, the highest of any player.

The 25-year-old has been a real threat going forward in the Premier League this season, having found the back of the net twice and chipped in with three assists, with his latest goal sending Oliver Glasner’s side up to fourth in the table.

However, according to a new update from TEAMtalk, Guehi is set to either leave for a cut-price fee in the January transfer window or on a free transfer in the summer, and Crystal Palace have now identified Lens’ Samson Baidoo as a potential replacement.

Baidoo’s stand-out performances in Ligue 1 this season is one of the reasons Lens have defied expectations and currently sit top of the table, meaning he has now attracted the attention of a number of clubs, with West Ham United also keen.

Lens have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, and the 21-year-old has also impressed on an individual basis, exhibiting plenty of signs that he could be a shrewd addition for the Eagles…

Baidoo enjoying "monstrous" season in Ligue 1

Journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos has been extremely impressed by the youngster’s showings since moving to Ligue 1 in the summer, lauding him as a “beast”, while also stating the starlet is having a “monstrous” season and may not be at Lens for long.

Crystal Palace keen on £11m "absolute star" wanted by two Champions League clubs

The Eagles have joined the race for a new forward.

ByDominic Lund Dec 4, 2025

The Austrian has proven himself from a defensive point of view over the past year, while also, much like Guehi, catching the eye going forward, which suggests he could be a like-for-like replacement for the England international.

Samson Baidoo’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (94th percentile)

Assists

0.06 (85th percentile)

Blocks

1.88 (97th percentile)

Tackles

1.94 (84th percentile)

The Graz-born defender is enjoying a fantastic debut campaign in Ligue 1, which suggests he may soon be ready to test himself in the Premier League, but Lens should be in a strong negotiating position, as the starlet is under contract until 2030.

Of course, Crystal Palace will be very reluctant to see Guehi leave, and with Glasner’s side making a push for Europe, they shouldn’t sanction a January departure, but Baidoo could be a fantastic replacement next summer.

It is not controversial to say that Tottenham Hotspur have struggled in the Premier League this season, though, adopting a glass-half-full mentality, it could also be suggested that Thomas Frank’s project, in its infancy, has the potential to be a success.

However, we need to see a more synergised frontline and a sharper overall build-up strategy. Spurs have struggled for stable home form and fluency in their creativity this season, and that has formed the crux of their struggles.

Many players have flattered to deceive, but Johnson’s poor performances have perhaps gone somewhat under the radar as Frank continues to hand the Wales international a second-string role.

Brennan Johnson's struggles at Spurs

In keeping with the wider narrative at Tottenham, Johnson has ebbed and flowed since joining the club from Nottingham Forest for around £47.5m in 2023. However, he will be desperate for an uptick in form after a tough start to the Frank era, peripheral after scoring 17 goals across all competitions last year.

Johnson may have an eye for goal, but Frank clearly doesn’t fancy him as a regular starting option for the Lilywhites at the moment, with the Welshman only starting three of the past 11 fixtures in the Premier League.

Despite scoring in both of Tottenham’s opening league outings, he has offered very little in regard to ball-carrying and creative metrics, clinical when afforded space in the danger area but offering very little else for an outfit desperate for more dynamism.

See below for how Johnson’s data from the top-flight terms matches up against the form of Mohamed Kudus, and you’ll get a sense of why Frank is loath to give him a starting berth.

Matches (starts)

13 (13)

13 (6)

Goals

2

2

Assists

5

0

Touches*

52.4

17.8

Shots (on target)*

1.5 (0.5)

0.4 (0.2)

Accurate passes*

20.9 (87%)

6.7 (70%)

Chances created*

1.6

0.4

Succ. dribbles*

3.1

0.2

Ball recoveries*

5.1

0.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.9

1.1

Duels won*

6.5

1.8

This isn’t good enough. Johnson has the physicality and electric nature to provide much more. After all, he has been hailed by content creator HLTCO in the past for his “frightening” pace and directness down the flank, right or left.

But time is surely running out for him to nail down a regular starting berth. He’s unlikely to displace Kudus, and while most Lilywhites have left something to be desired this season, there’s a lot of quality there.

And there’s more still to come, with an out-on-loan star sure to be eyeing a place above Johnson in the north London pecking order next season.

The Spurs star who could replace Johnson

Analyst Ben Mattinson has described Mikey Moore as a prospect with “superstar potential”, having taken his first steps in Tottenham’s first team last season, scoring his first senior goal in the Europa League and racking up two assists besides across 19 matches in all competitions.

Moore is currently sidelined with a muscular injury, approaching one month since last playing in the Scottish Premiership, and though he struggled to impose himself throughout the early weeks of the campaign, Rangers’ abject form made it difficult for the youngster to hit the ground running.

His natural potency in the final third and underlying athleticism suggest that he might be the perfect Johnson heir, especially since he is comfortable playing across both flanks.

Spurs writer James Harris has even said that he could “bring back the old Aaron Lennon” to north London, so dangerous and dynamic when running with the ball.

Lennon racked up 364 appearances as a right winger for Tottenham, and pace and potency were staples of his game. Like Moore, he was an incredibly direct winger; though he offered far more from a creative standpoint than, say, Johnson, there’s a sense that Moore might share the retired England star’s protean threat.

Though it hasn’t been plain sailing for Moore in the highlands this season, it’s probably fair to say that the experience has toughened him up some, and that could prove instrumental in nailing down a starting spot down the line at Tottenham.

Already, he is showing that he has more in his locker than Johnson, a wider and more threatening array of skills.

Expect big things from this kid in the future, even if that comes at Johnson’s expense, it will help elevate Frank’s project.

The new Son: Spurs prepared to pay £65m to sign "world-class" talent

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to fork out a hefty sum to land a new attacker for Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

Manchester United have identified their top target to reinforce their midfield in 2026, and INEOS are confident they can complete a deal in the new year.

The Red Devils continued their rollercoaster form under Ruben Amorim on Sunday, following defeat against Everton with an extremely professional display to come from behind against a Crystal Palace side who had not tasted defeat in the Premier League since October.

After an abysmal display against the Toffees, the second half performance at Selhurst Park was a real show of what United are capable of, as they nullified Palace’s attacking threat and tested Dean Henderson on several occasions.

Not just Zirkzee: Man Utd star who was a "waste of time" is now undroppable

This Man Utd player starred in their 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 30, 2025

Amorim revealed he had told his players the Eagles would struggle to maintain their first half intensity after their trip to France to face Strasbourg in Conference League on Thursday.

“I said to the players we need to be more alive and you could feel that. If you are more alive, you are in more places, near the ball more often and everyone did that, but we also need to understand that the opponent is tired,” the Portuguese said as United moved up into the top seven.

“If you see the last plays of the game, they were struggling so much to take the ball out of the box and you could feel it in the way they move that they were getting tired for the second half and we talked about that.

“And again, our pace and intensity in the first half, we cannot play like that in Premier League, so we increased that. I had the feeling and we had the feeling that if we scored one goal, this would change completely.”

Perhaps the only standout performance for the hosts was that of Adam Wharton, and reports after the game revealed United are confident of securing a deal for the Crystal Palace midfielder in the new year.

Gary Lineker heaps praise on Man Utd target Adam Wharton

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on Monday morning, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards discussed the England international’s performance against United, as he set up the chance that led to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty with a stunning pass.

“I’ll tell you, Adam Wharton, oh my, boy, he can play,” said the former Match of the Day Host.

Richards added: “I was doing all my analysis on Adam Wharton and then United go and score and you got to give United a little bit of credit.”

Wharton struggled with injuries last season, and was praised for putting in “world class” displays while awaiting surgery on a groin problem, but has proven his durability this season, starting 11 times in the league and twice in Europe.

Amorim believes the 21-year-old fits what he is looking for at Old Trafford, and despite links to fellow Premier League riser Elliot Anderson, INEOS are confident they can win the race for Wharton if they achieve their goal of European football.

Fast bowler heads for Bristol for first six fixtures of County Championship season

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Dec-2025
Gabe Bell, the Tasmanian fast bowler, has signed for Gloucestershire for the first six matches of the 2026 Rothesay County Championship.Bell, 30, has taken 192 wickets across 51 Sheffield Shield appearances, 41 of which came in the 2023-24 season. He is currently ninth on this season’s wicket-taking list with 16 wickets in five matches.Standing at 195cm, Bell bowls with pace and steep bounce, and though he has yet to be capped by Australia, he represented their Under-19s in 2013, taking five wickets in three Youth ODIs at an average of 20.60.His stint with Gloucestershire will include away fixtures against Middlesex at Lord’s and Derbyshire, plus home games against Durham, Lancashire, Kent and Northants, and is set to get underway at the start of their campaign on April 10.”Obviously thrilled to get the opportunity to come over and play some county cricket with Gloucestershire,” Bell said. “I can’t wait to get over to Bristol to meet everyone, and get started in the new year.”Jon Lewis, Gloucestershire’s director of cricket, said: “We are really excited about Gabe joining our championship squad at Gloucestershire. We looked hard at what it takes to win in our own conditions in April and May, and Gabe comes highly recommended from our network of contacts across Australia.”He’s been very successful over recent Sheffield Shield seasons and is exactly the type of bowler we feel will thrive in the early part of the season in England. Gabe has played and performed consistently and has an excellent record in Australia. He’s a hardworking individual, which is exactly what we need at the start of the season.”We’re really excited to welcome Gabe and his family to Bristol in early April.”

This time last week, Chelsea looked like they would be the ones to rival Arsenal for the Premier League title.

Unfortunately, a humbling loss away to Leeds United, quickly followed by a drab one-all draw away to Bournemouth, has put such ideas to bed, for now anyway.

While Enzo Maresca’s squad is undeniably talented, some areas could be improved upon, such as the number nine position.

Fortunately, Chelsea are now being linked with someone who could do just that, someone who could be an upgrade on Liam Delap.

Chelsea target Delap upgrade

The transfer window is now less than a month away from reopening, and in a surprise to absolutely nobody, Chelsea are already being linked with a host of players.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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For example, the Blues have been one of a number of sides linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo.

Likewise, RB Leipzig’s incredibly exciting Castello Lukeba has been touted for a £53m move to Stamford Bridge.

However, while the two defenders would certainly bolster Maresca’s squad, neither one could or would displace Delap or Joao Pedro up top, unlike Joaquín Panichelli.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are one of a few Premier League clubs interested in the RC Strasbourg striker.

Alongside the West Londoners, the report has revealed that West Ham United and Aston Villa have set their sights on the Argentine striker.

The report does not reveal how much the £28k-per-week star might cost, but considering his contract runs until the summer of 2030, he’s unlikely to be cheap.

Even so, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Panichelli, as he could be the striker to really take them forward, even if that’s bad news for Delap.

How Panichelli compares to Delap

Now it might sound simplistic, and that’s because it is, but the first and most important metric to compare when looking at two strikers is output.

Unfortunately for Delap, this is an area that Panichelli has him beat, and comfortably at that.

For example, so far this season, the Argentine, whom U23 scout Antonio Mango has dubbed “one of the most in-form Strikers in Europe,” has scored ten goals in 19 appearances, totalling 1367 minutes.

In other words, the Córdoba-born gem is averaging a goal involvement every 1.9 games, or every 136.7 minutes.

In stark contrast, the Blues’ summer signing has scored just a single goal in 11 appearances, totalling 453 minutes.

Panichelli vs Delap in 25/26

Player

Panichelli

Delap

Appearances

19

11

Minutes

1367′

453′

Goals

10

1

Assists

0

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

0.09

Minutes per Goal Involvement

136.7′

453

All Stats via Transfermarkt

The next advantage that the former Deportivo Alavés star has over the Englishman is the fact that he seems to be less injury-prone.

For example, while he did suffer a significant ACL injury in the 23/24 season, which kept him out for 24 games, he only missed one game in the entirety of last season, and so far this year, he’s missed just one.

On the other hand, the former Ipswich Town star suffered a knee injury that kept him out for 18 games in 23/24

Furthermore, so far this year, he has already missed 12 matches due to a hamstring problem, and now his current shoulder injury.

Finally, the Winchester-born ace doesn’t even have the advantage of being significantly younger and therefore possessing a higher ceiling, as he’s currently 22 years old and the Strasbourg star only turned 23 two months ago.

Ultimately, Panichelli is clearly a more dangerous forward and, on top of that, seems to be injured less often. Therefore, Chelsea should do what they can to sign him in 2026, even if that spells the end of Delap’s time at Stamford Bridge.

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