Football
Chelsea fans convinced Liam Delap will break curse after picking squad number
Chelsea supporters have found new hope following Liam Delap’s confident arrival, with the young striker choosing to wear the iconic yet often maligned No.9 shirt after completing a move from Ipswich Town.
Delap, who impressed during his single season with the Tractor Boys, secured a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge that runs until 2031, after Chelsea activated his £30 million release clause.
His signing marks Chelsea’s first addition of the summer, and thanks to FIFA’s special 10-day June transfer window, he’s eligible to link up with the team right away. This could see him feature in the Club World Cup set to take place in the United States.
However, participating in the tournament means he would have to miss the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia.
The 22-year-old forward, speaking to the club’s official media, emphasized his ambition and belief in the Chelsea project.
He acknowledged the club’s stature and the exciting direction under head coach Enzo Maresca, expressing his desire to help bring more trophies to west London.
Delap’s commitment and vision have already begun to resonate with fans, who see him as a symbol of confidence and progression.
Despite interest from Manchester United, Chelsea won the race for Delap’s signature, with United’s lack of European football believed to have influenced his decision.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2022, following a fourth-place finish under Maresca’s leadership in his debut season.
Delap’s history with Maresca dates back to their time at Manchester City’s under-23 setup during the 2020–21 campaign, and later when the Italian served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant with the senior team.
Although Delap made only a handful of senior appearances for City, he gained valuable experience on loan at Stoke, Preston, and Hull before making his mark in the Premier League with Ipswich, scoring 12 goals in his debut top-flight season.
Chelsea have struggled with depth up front throughout the season, with injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu leaving them short-handed. Of the two, only Jackson has found the net in league play, and the need for more reliable options has been apparent for some time.
Delap’s arrival addresses that concern, and despite the history of high-profile strikers failing under the weight of the No.9 shirt—names like Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, and Gonzalo Higuain—many fans believe Delap’s mental strength sets him apart.
The sentiment among the fanbase is overwhelmingly positive. Social media has been abuzz with praise for Delap’s bold decision to wear the number that has haunted so many before him.
One supporter noted that choosing the No.9 shows elite mentality, while another pointed out that Tammy Abraham once wore the same shirt and proved himself. The consensus is that talent and determination matter more than superstition, and many are confident Delap has what it takes to thrive at Chelsea.
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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