Football
Jamie Carragher makes shock Declan Rice transfer prediction over lack of trophies
Jamie Carragher has raised questions about Declan Rice’s long-term future at Arsenal, suggesting the England midfielder could consider requesting a transfer if the club fails to secure major silverware within the next year.
Since arriving from West Ham United in a high-profile £105 million move in 2023, Rice has quickly become a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side and is widely regarded as one of the top midfielders in world football.
Many viewed his signing as the final piece needed to push Arsenal to consistent trophy success, but two seasons later, that promise has yet to materialize.
So far, Rice’s only piece of silverware at Arsenal is the Community Shield, a one-off match that often doesn’t carry the weight of a full campaign triumph.
The Gunners came close last season, finishing second in the Premier League, and made a strong run in this year’s Champions League before being knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
Despite Arsenal’s clear progress under Arteta, the club has not won a major title since lifting the FA Cup five years ago, and their last league triumph dates back to 2004. For a player of Rice’s calibre, that drought could become a growing concern if it continues.
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, said he doesn’t expect Rice to leave this summer but noted that doubts could creep in if the club ends another season empty-handed.
The former Liverpool defender acknowledged Rice’s impact this season, calling him Arsenal’s standout performer, but warned that thoughts of a move might become more realistic in 12 months if progress stalls.
Rice remains under contract at the Emirates until 2028, with an option for another year, and there’s currently no indication that he is unhappy or looking to depart. He is widely admired by supporters and has taken on a leadership role within the team.
Arsenal, for their part, are unlikely to entertain any offers for Rice given his importance and the significant investment they made to bring him in.
However, the longer the wait for major success continues, the more pressure will mount—both externally and internally. Rice was absent from Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool due to a suspected hip issue, as confirmed by Arteta.
While the manager didn’t elaborate on the injury’s severity, Rice’s presence was clearly missed in such a high-stakes encounter.
Carragher also touched on the future of Arsenal defender William Saliba, hinting that his situation might be different.
Saliba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and, having spent a longer time at Arsenal, could also start to weigh his options if the club doesn’t deliver trophies soon.
Carragher remarked that while the squad feels they are close to achieving success, the final step is always the most difficult.
As Arsenal prepare for another critical season, the pressure to turn potential into tangible success is growing—especially for stars like Rice who arrived to help make that leap.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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