Football
Claude Makelele makes Chelsea Champions League prediction after Conference League triumph
Claude Makelele believes Chelsea can be a serious contender in next season’s Champions League, but only if they strengthen a key part of their squad during the upcoming transfer window.
Under Enzo Maresca, the club has experienced a rollercoaster first campaign, yet they’ve managed to finish the season on a high. A narrow 1-0 away win against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League secured a fourth-place finish and a return to Europe’s top competition.
Chelsea then capped off their season by clinching silverware with a 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final.
Despite these accomplishments, Maresca has faced his share of criticism, particularly during a rough patch in the middle of the season when Chelsea fell out of title contention. Nevertheless, Makelele has been impressed by the direction the team has taken.
Speaking ahead of an appearance for bet365’s Big Ticket Giveaway, the former midfielder praised the foundation Maresca has laid, highlighting the manager’s consistency in tactics and team selection.
He noted that while there was skepticism early on, Maresca’s approach has started to deliver tangible results, earning support from the fanbase and delivering both Champions League qualification and a European trophy.
Maresca’s strategy in the Conference League allowed him to rotate the squad and give academy players valuable minutes. However, next season’s Champions League will demand greater depth and experience.
Makelele is optimistic about Chelsea’s chances in Europe but believes that the team’s youthful core must be balanced with seasoned professionals who understand the demands of elite competition.
With Chelsea fielding the youngest starting eleven in Premier League history this year, the need for mature reinforcements is evident.
He emphasized that any summer signings must embody the values and identity of the club, advising against too much change. For Makelele, the key is maintaining stability while adding players who are mentally and tactically equipped to handle the pressure of multiple competitions. He warned that while the current squad has quality, it needs added wisdom and strength to compete seriously in the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups over a long and grueling season.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s Champions League final, Makelele also shared his thoughts on his former club Paris Saint-Germain, who are set to face Inter Milan.
PSG, he said, have matured since their 2020 final loss and now better understand the nuances of building a squad capable of lasting success in Europe. He praised their team-oriented style under Luis Enrique and suggested that their past failures have prepared them for this moment.
However, he acknowledged Inter’s experience as well, predicting a competitive and high-stakes final as both clubs chase European glory.
Football
‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer
Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.
In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.
The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.
Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.
Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Football
Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider
Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.
The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.
With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.
Football
Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.
A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.
Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.
After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.
Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.
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