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Chelsea star ‘devastated’ by Enzo Maresca decision in Conference League final win

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Chelsea captain Reece James has revealed he felt crushed by manager Enzo Maresca’s decision to leave him out of the starting lineup in the UEFA Conference League final.

The Blues pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Real Betis 4-1 in Poland, earning their first major trophy under the Italian coach. Surprisingly, James began the match on the bench as Maresca chose to start Malo Gusto at right-back instead.

Gusto struggled during the opening half and was substituted at halftime, with Chelsea trailing 1-0. James entered the game for the second half and helped drive the team to an emphatic turnaround.

Reflecting on the match after lifting the trophy, James confessed the initial decision was painful. He told TNT Sports that missing out on the starting eleven in such a high-stakes match was difficult to accept.

However, once the manager made his choice, he focused on being ready to contribute when called upon. The England international emphasized his desire to play every match but understood the importance of staying prepared for any role.

Enzo Maresca, when asked about leaving his captain on the bench, explained that his main concern was protecting James. According to the coach, James has played more this season than in his previous two combined, and managing his minutes was crucial.

Maresca noted James’s leadership and quality on the pitch, comparing his influence to that of Cole Palmer. When subbed on, James reportedly told his manager not to worry, confidently stating that they would win.

James admitted Chelsea looked flat in the first half and that Betis seemed to sap their energy early on. He credited the second-half resurgence to a needed reaction, culminating in a dominant performance that saw the team score four goals.

Winning the final, he said, was an incredible moment, especially considering the team’s growth throughout the match. He stressed that claiming the Conference League title was a must for the club and now looks forward to competing in the Champions League next season.

Levi Colwill, who also began the final on the bench before coming on after the hour mark, shared similar thoughts on the game. He highlighted the historic nature of Chelsea’s achievement, becoming the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.

Colwill said the team knew Betis would be dangerous at the start, especially with the support of their fans, but expected the momentum to shift as the match progressed. He credited watching from the sidelines for helping him identify spaces to exploit and praised teammate Badiashile for laying the groundwork defensively.

Colwill expressed pride in what the squad has accomplished over the past week, calling it a dream to win his first European trophy with Chelsea. Securing Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in the Premier League capped off what he described as a near-perfect season.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘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.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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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.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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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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