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India A were in trouble against a fired-up SA A attack on a green seamer before Jurel’s lower-order rearguard steadied the innings

Shashank Kishore06-Nov-2025

Dhruv Jurel’s recent form has been hard to ignore. Scores of 124, 44, and 6* against West Indies showcased his consistency and growing maturity as a batter. With Rishabh Pant’s return to the Test fold imminent, Jurel is now making a strong case to be considered purely as a specialist batter.That scenario might soon become reality if India decide to strengthen their middle order with a specialist No. 6 instead of an allrounder. The tussle for that spot could well come down to a battle between Jurel and Nitish Reddy.On Thursday, with India A in deep trouble against a fired-up South Africa A attack on a green seamer at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Jurel’s lower-order rearguard not only steadied the innings but also helped steer them to respectability. En route, he brought up his fourth first-class century – remarkably, three of those have come since June.Only a couple of months ago, he compiled a brilliant hundred against Australia A in Lucknow on a turner. This one in seaming conditions was equally masterful in the way he helped steady a floundering innings. From 124 for 7, he helped add 131 for the last three wickets as India A ended 255 all out at stumps. Jurel was 132 not out, an innings that comprised 12 fours and four sixes.Jurel’s other competitor for a middle order berth in India A’s XI on Thursday, Devdutt Padikkal, managed just 5 – his third-straight single-digit score. Padikkal, like Jurel, had impressed against Australia A and in the Ranji Trophy, but may have slipped behind in the race for a recall after having most recently played for India last November in Perth.Rishabh Pant bowls during tea break•PTI

The morning began with Abhimanyu Easwaran bagging a three-ball duck – missing out yet again for India A, after he played down the wrong line to a nip-backer from Okhule Cele that trapped him plumb in front. KL Rahul, his opening partner, tucked himself to three boundaries in a single over – a cover drive, glide over the slips and neat leg glance – but fell chasing an away-going delivery that he tried to drive on the up off left-arm seamer Tiaan van Vuuren.B Sai Sudharsan looked tentative once again. On nought for 12 deliveries, he was finally off the mark when he laced a half-volley through the covers to pick up a boundary. Troubled by the moving ball, Sai Sudharsan stood well outside the crease and then tried to advance further down to negate the late movement – something that often got him into trouble.He was eventually felled by Subrayen, the offspinner, when he played for the skid, only to see the ball rip away to beat the outside edge and hit his back pad. Sudharsan made a 52-ball 17 to go with scores of 32 and 12 in the first four-day fixture last week.Coming off a 90, Pant seemed intent on taking the attack to the bowlers from the get-go. He charged out of the crease off his very first delivery, and hit Subrayen for a slog-sweep and lofted hit off consecutive balls – the highlights in his 20-ball 24 – before he was out looking to clear the infield.Van Vuuren challenged batters both off the inside and outside edges by getting the ball to move late and then seam off the surface, one such delivery accounting for Harsh Dubey as he was early into the flick only for the ball to bobble off the back part of the bat onto the body, and eventually the stumps.Kuldeep Yadav suffered an early concussion scare on 2 when the wicketkeeper ran into him and had him land awkwardly on the floor with his helmet bouncing up. After a few uncomfortable moments, he regained composure and battled his way against some quality seam bowling. Reprieved on 7 by Zubayr Hamza in the slips just before tea, Kuldeep helped add 79 for the eighth-wicket with Jurel, who was solid, showed patience and didn’t play a rash shot at any stage as he brought up a 62-ball half-century.Jurel was equally adept both off the front and back foot against the moving ball, cutting and driving imperiously. The secret to his knock lay in playing late and getting a big forward stride off the seamers to cover for any late movement. After initially playing with his bat close to the body, and keen on crease occupation, Jurel seamlessly switched gears to put away the bad balls, eventually bringing up his century off 146 deliveries to single-handedly bail India A out on a bowling day.

Newcastle United need some fresh ideas. This much is clear after a turbulent start to the season that has left Eddie Howe searching for answers, his side 14th in the Premier League after 11 matches.

There are internal solutions available to the esteemed English coach, but there’s no question that he views St. James’ Park academy graduate Elliot Anderson as being the missing cog in the machine.

The Magpies reluctantly sold Anderson to Nottingham Forest for around £35m in 2024 to avoid PSR ramifications falling on their head. But now, the 23-year-old is flying, and his boyhood club want him back.

The latest on Newcastle's interest in Elliot Anderson

It is understood that Newcastle and Manchester United are the most likely clubs to do battle for Anderson’s signature next summer. Word on the street, however, is that Forest are set to demand a figure in excess of £100m.

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

11 (11)

Goals

2

1

Assists

6

1

Touches*

54.2

94.4

Accurate passes*

28.7 (82%)

62.1 (87%)

Chances created*

1.0

1.4

Dribbles*

1.0

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.6

8.4

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

3.5

Duels (won)*

6.5 (52%)

7.5 (55%)

That might be an exorbitant asking price, but we can see why the City Ground side would be so reluctant to part with their man. Anderson has grown into a world-beater of a midfielder, and he is emerging as the most likely candidate to partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield at the 2026 World Cup over the pond.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but with the Tricky Trees likely to prove difficult negotiators, don’t hold your breath.

However, it might be pleasing to note that PIF have been busy at the academy level, reinforcing the youth team with top talents capable of finding a way into Howe’s outfit.

And there’s one who might actually prove a bigger talent than Anderson, once given an opportunity to make his mark.

Newcastle have a bigger talent than Anderson

There has been a concerted effort toward raising Newcastle’s youth system over the past few years. And it is working, with prospects such as Vakhtang Salia added to the fold.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all fancied Dinamo Tbilisi’s talented forward this year, but it is a testament to Newcastle’s development that they won the race, enticing the youngster with a clear pathway toward the first team.

A versatile forward, Salia can play on either flank or in a central striking berth. In Ukraine, he scored eight goals and provided four assists across 57 matches for Dinamo’s seniors.

Salia only turned 18 in August, and it was then that his move to Tyneside was green-lit. However, it’s been a rocky start on English shores for the man who has been likened to Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal. He hasn’t played for United yet, injured early in his new start.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has described him as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world”, and with the right care and attention over the coming years, there is every reason that Salia could be fashioned into a superstar, so naturally gifted and with a physicality on the ball that suggests he could adapt to the brutality of the Premier League.

It is frustrating that Salia should have been disrupted in this way so early into his Newcastle career, but this will teach him about adversity, and in this, he could rival Anderson, who has weathered storms of his own before emerging as a superstar at the City Ground.

Woltemade will love him: Newcastle targeting a "top 5 manager in the world"

Newcastle are in dire straits in the Premier League at the moment.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 19, 2025

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O Internacional venceu o Atlético Nacional de Medellín por 5 a 0, nesta quinta-feira (7), em partida válida pela 3ª rodada da fase de grupos da Brasil Ladies Cup, no estádio Bruno José Daniel, em Santo André (SP). Os gols foram marcados por Letícia Monteiro, Paty Llanos, Priscila e Djeni, que balançou as redes três vezes.

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Com o resultado, o Internacional assume a liderança do grupo A, chegando aos sete pontos, podendo se classificar para a final. O Colorado depende apenas que o Cruzeiro não vença o São Paulo por mais de três gols de diferença. O Atlético Nacional continua sem nenhum ponto na competição.

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

⚽COMO FOI A PARTIDA?

Superior ao Atlético Nacional, o Internacional não teve dificuldades em passar pelo time colômbiano. Logo aos oito minutos de jogo, o Colorado abriu o placar com Letícia Monteiro e, no minuto seguinte, Paty Llanos ampliou para 2 a 0. Aos 35 do primeiro tempo, Djeni fez seu primeiro gol na partida.

No segundo tempo, mantendo a superioridade e com vantagem no placar, o Internacional fez o quarto gol com Priscila e contou com a estrela de Djeni, que fez o quinto e o sexto gol do Colorado, fechando o placar em 6 a 0.

✅ O QUE VEM POR AÍ?

Com a vitória, o Internacional está virtualmente classificado para a final da Brasil Ladies Cup. O Colorado depende apenas de que o Cruzeiro não vença o São Paulo por mais de sete gols de diferença, já que caso a Raposa ganhe, o clube mineiro irá empatar em pontos.

Not for the first time in recent weeks, Wilfried Zaha has found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons, having received a red card for Charlotte FC in the MLS.

Zaha hits back at Jean-Philippe Mateta

One of life’s guarantees is that Zaha will have his say in an argument and Jean-Philippe Mateta recently found that out the hard way. The Crystal Palace striker initially name-dropped his former teammate when revealing that he used to mock him for his France ambitions at a time when he couldn’t even get a start at Selhurst Park.

As it turns out, it’s Mateta who’s had the last laugh. The forward is now one of the best in the Premier League and recently scored his first goal for France to silence any remaining doubters, but clearly hasn’t forgotten Zaha’s mockery.

The Charlotte winger sees things slightly differently, however. Hitting back at Mateta, Zaha said: “I’m sorry but my head’s on fire. I’ve got to clear up this Mateta situation because he doesn’t want to and this just shows me that…see the times when I was playing at Crystal Palace and all these people were watching me and it’s clear they weren’t happy for me because I never made anyone feel like s***.”

Since the public row, in which the winger reaffirmed he never meant to offend and merely thought he was joking amongst friends, Mateta has scored a hat-trick for Palace and Zaha has seemingly taken his fury to the pitch.

Zaha hits out at Jesus Bueno

If talent was the conversation, then Zaha would be one of the leading topics. He has been one of the best players in the MLS all season – scoring 10 goals and assisting another six as Charlotte reached the playoffs in style – but he remains ill-tempered.

It’s temper which has flared all throughout his career and something that was on show for all to see against Philadelphia in the MLS in his most recent outing as he hit out against Jesus Bueno in shocking fashion.

Philadelphia Union reporter Jose Roberto Nunez took aim at Zaha after the incident, slamming his “unnecessary red card” in a game which was effectively over, which will now see him miss Charlotte’s first of their best of three series against New York City in the MLS Cup.

From Mateta’s accusation to seeing red in the MLS, to say it’s been a couple of weeks to forget for Zaha would be an understatement.

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O Palmeiras conta com a ótima fase do lateral-direito Mayke para tentar bater o Goiás no Allianz Parque nesta noite de sexta-feira (15), no Allianz Parque, em jogo válido pela 23ª rodada do Brasileirão 2023.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Atuando como um ponta direito em alguns jogos, Mayke vem tendo um papel importantíssimo no esquema de Abel Ferreira desde a temporada passada e hoje já escuta até alguns palestrinos pedindo a sua convocação para a Seleção Brasileira.

Com apenas sete gols com a camisa do Verdão, Mayke reencontra nesta sexta-feira um adversário mais do que conhecido e que o traz ótimas lembranças. 

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A Lance! Betting já aqueceu os mercados para o jogo. Você acredita que o Verdão mantém a superioridade? Antes 8.00, a odd turbinada para o Palmeiras bater o Goiás por 3×0 está em 8.75! Apostando R$10, seu retorno é de quase R$90!

Pelo Brasileirão do ano passado, quando a equipe de Abel Ferreira ficou com o título, o camisa 12 fez um golaço diante do Goiás no Allianz Parque, no gol que abriu o placar da vitória por 3 a 0 sobre o Esmeraldino.

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De lateral ou de ponta, Mayke já fez 42 jogos em 2023 ecom sete participações em gols nesta temporada, Mayke já igualou 2022 e a meses de terminar a Libertadores e o Brasileirão, já faz o seu melhor ano desde que chegou ao Palmeiras, em 2017.

+ Palmeiras promete pagar em breve a última parcela da compra de Piquerez junto ao Peñarol

De acordo com o ‘Sofascore’, são dois gols, cinco assistências, oito grandes chances criadas, 80% de acerto no drible e 58 desarmes em 2023.

Lancashire Police are investigating an allegation of spitting made against Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri during Saturday's Premier League clash against Leeds United at Turf Moor. The former Manchester United man was a late substitute in the 2-0 victory which saw the Clarets rise out of the relegation zone thanks to goals from Lesley Ugochukwu and Loum Tchaouna.

• Allegation made against Mejbri

  An investigation has been opened into Mejbri after a supporter in the Leeds United end made a complaint after Saturday's match, as reported by BBC Sport's Adam Pope. The 22-year-old appeared as a substitute in the 83rd minute of the match, and both Leeds and Burnley are aware of the allegation made against Mejbri, according to The Athletic. The authorities are now investigating the incident, while the Football Association are also reviewing the matter.

  Mejbri celebrated the win after the game with a post on Instagram that read: "Let’s go Clarets! Three points at Turf Moor, we keep pushing @burnleyofficial."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Lancashire Police issue statement

  A statement read: "Lancashire Police are aware of an alleged incident involving a Burnley player during the second half of the Premier League game between Burnley and Leeds United at Turf Moor yesterday (October 18). We are currently working with Burnley Football Club to establish the facts.”

• Mejbri clashed with Leeds fans in 2024

  Mejbri has been involved in controversy against Leeds previously. He was seen making gestures and appearing to taunt Leeds fans in September 2024 as he walked around the pitch after being taken off in a 1-0 win for Burnley. Mejbri came through the ranks at Manchester United and joined Burnley on a five-year deal in the summer of 2024 after loan spells with Birmingham City and Sevilla.

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• What sanction could Mejbri face?

  Mejbri has been warned he could face a three-match ban if he is found guilty. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg told Leeds United News: “The Football Association will interview players, fans and study available video before making any charges. If charged, Hannibal could receive a suspension which the Football Association will determine, and I think will be at least three matches.”

Glasgow Rangers were no strangers to signing players from Barcelona in the early 2000s, paying big money for Mikel Arteta and Ronald de Boer.

However, those at Ibrox nearly brought in Lionel Messi from the Catalan giants before he broke into the first-team picture at the Nou Camp.

The Argentina icon is rightly recognised as one of the best footballers to ever play the game and hasn’t looked back since making his senior Barcelona debut at the age of 17 in 2004. He spent 17 years with Barcelona before signing for Paris Saint-Germain and then Inter Miami.

Messi has won everything there is to win in the game, including eight Ballon d’Or awards, and he finally claimed World Cup glory with his country in 2022.

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By
Charlie Smith

Jul 12, 2025

However, things could have been so different for the magician, if those in Glasgow got their way.

How Rangers nearly signed Messi from Barcelona

As per a report from Goal, Rangers actually made enquiries to sign Messi on loan from Barcelona prior to his senior debut. Unfortunately, those efforts were turned down by those at the Nou Camp, but it was Alex McLeish’s son, Jon, who found Messi.

Talking on Graham Hunter’s The Big Interview podcast in 2017, McLeish went into detail on how his son’s love of Football Manager alerted him to Messi in 2003, with Rangers on the search for a replacement for Barry Ferguson.

Jon’s prediction of Messi becoming the greatest in the world was accurate, showing the powers Football Manager can have in real life.

Sunrisers Hyderabad were dismissed for a below-par total for the second time in three games this season

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Mar-20255:41

Do SRH’s batters lack a plan B?

Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori will have “no conversations” with his team to temper their approach following two successive losses in IPL 2025.After starting the season by hitting 286 against Rajasthan Royals, the second-highest IPL total, SRH have stumbled twice with the bat: first against Lucknow Super Giants, and now against Delhi Capitals.On Sunday in Visakhapatnam, they were revived from 37 for 4 in the fifth over by rookie batter Aniket Verma and Heinrich Klaasen, before they stumbled to 163 all out in 18.4 overs. Vettori emphasised the need to stay true to their philosophy of taking the game on, even if it may backfire occasionally.”There’s no conversations around that [tempering down],” he said. “We definitely want to play an aggressive brand. If you look at our top three, that’s how they play. They normally set the tone for the rest of us.”Abhishek Sharma was run out in the first over, while Ishan Kishan and Travis Head were dismissed trying to hit boundaries. Kishan slashed a short delivery to deep backward point while Head was out nicking while attempting to ramp Mitchell Starc.”Abhishek was unlucky tonight, Ishan and Travis on a different day may have hit those balls for six,” he said. “We understand when we play this way, there may be failure but hopefully we can come to the party and perform more often than not.”Vettori said the position SRH are in this early in the season wasn’t a setback and backed his team to recover.”If you look at the course of the 18 IPL seasons, there’s been very few teams that haven’t lost two games in a row,” he said. “Particularly early in the season when teams are learning their combinations, first year after a big auction.”We don’t want to be in this position, like any team, but we understand every time we play, we come up against a very good team, well-planned teams and highly talented players.”There’s no reason why we can’t just turn up and win, we’ve got to perform, that’s the challenge for us after a very good first performance and continue in the style we like. How we challenge ourselves to do it consistently [is important].”Vettori had high praise for rookie legspinner Zeeshan Ansari, who gave SRH some hope in their defence by picking up three wickets in his first competitive T20 in over six years.Ansari, a former India Under-19 player from the same batch as Rishabh Pant, Kishan and Khaleel Ahmed among others, had earned a trial with SRH after a chart-topping performance at the UP T20 League last year.”He was fantastic,” Vettori said. “Right from the first day he came in we knew that he was a talent, trying to fit him in the team was one of the conversations early on. For him to give us the domestic leg-spin option, to take three big wickets tonight, and to continue to challenge the batsmen is something very promising for us going forward.”

Galatasaray have been handed a huge fitness boost by Victor Osimhen ahead of their Champions League clash with Premier League giants Liverpool. The Reds are due to pay a visit to Turkey next Tuesday. Gala are desperate to have Nigeria international Osimhen available for that fixture, and the prolific striker appears ready to make a timely return to competitive action.

GettyHow many matches has Osimhen missed?

Osimhen has been nursing an unfortunate injury picked up on duty with Nigeria in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Rwanda on September 6. He has sat out four matches for club and country, with no risks being taken on his fitness. Galatasaray saw their European campaign for 2025-26 opened with a crushing 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt. They need to bounce back from that result when welcoming Arne Slot’s Reds to Istanbul.

They will feel a lot better about themselves if Osimhen is able to spearhead their attack. There is growing confidence that the prolific 26-year-old will be ready to line up against the English title holders. He has been put through his paces on the training field, allowing any lost sharpness to be rediscovered.

AdvertisementWill Osimhen be risked in Super Lig action?

Delivering an update on Osimhen’s condition, Gala manager Okan Buruk told reporters: “He took part in part of the training session. He has minor aches and pains. But if he can tolerate them and play, we hope he'll be with the team in our next match.”

Buruk went on to say, with Osimhen prepared to put his body on the line against Premier League opponents: “We'll try him out in training. He played for 10 minutes yesterday. His pain is still there. We expect him to be in the squad for the Alanyaspor match. We expect him to be on the pitch for the Liverpool match.”

According to , no gambles on Osimhen’s fitness are likely to be taken against Alanyaspor, despite Buruk’s claims that he could be involved. Gala cannot afford to suffer any setbacks and need their talismanic frontman to be as ready as he can be for an epic tussle with Liverpool.

Getty ImagesPlay with a broken leg: Osimhen desperate to face Liverpool

Osimhen has struggled for full fitness since rejoining Galatasaray on a permanent transfer over the summer. He has started just two of the club’s opening six games in the Super Lig this season. The Nigerian superstar has been a big miss after hitting 37 goals through 41 appearances last season – during a productive loan spell from Serie A champions Napoli.

He has still managed two goals in three appearances this term, with his finishing ability having never been in doubt. Osimhen will form part of tactical meetings and preparations on Saturday, as Buruk prepares his troops for what Liverpool have to offer.

Former Besiktas midfielder Sinan Engin, who has seen Osimhen at close quarters since he headed to Turkey, is convinced that the African ace will line up against Liverpool even if he is not 100 per cent fit. It is claimed that Osimhen would happily take to the field with a broken leg if needs be.

Engin told : “I think Osimhen will play in the Alanyaspor match. Even if he breaks his leg, Osimhen would want to play in the Liverpool match. He's not the type of player to pick matches. He'll be 100 per cent on the pitch for the Liverpool match.”

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Will a Premier League transfer form part of Osimhen's future?

Osimhen joined Galatasaray in a transfer that could be worth as much as €75 million (£66m/$88m). He has been linked with moves to the Premier League on a regular basis in the past, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United being credited with interest, but no deal has ever been done.

Time is still on his side when it comes to earning opportunities to face Liverpool on a more regular basis, with his stunning strike rate at club level – coupled with 26 goals through 41 international appearances – ensuring that he will forever register on recruitment radars around the world.

The most tantalising fixture on matchday one of the new Champions League season comes from the Allianz Arena, where kings of Germany Bayern Munich play host to Club World Cup winners Chelsea. These two teams have history – this will be the Blues' first trip back to Bavaria since lifting their first European Cup there in 2012 – but there is an extremely contemporary entity now linking them.

At the back end of the summer transfer window just gone, Bayern were desperately scouring Europe for a versatile attacker to strengthen their forward line. They had swung and missed on Nick Woltemade, who was signed by Newcastle after giving in to Stuttgart's hefty demands. 

The search for an alternative led them to Nicolas Jackson, who had been thrust into Chelsea's 'bomb squad' over the summer. This was despite him performing admirably over his two seasons in the first team and emerging as one of their most reliable sources of goals.

At the end of an on-again off-again saga, Jackson signed for Bayern on an initial loan with conditions to make the move permanent later down the line. Though he is still technically an employee of Chelsea, he is eligible to face his parent side on Wednesday due to UEFA rules – a wrinkle that has been to the detriment of the west Londoners before. 

Jackson may not publicly be out for revenge and is said to be grateful that he had the opportunity to represent a club of such stature, but he nevertheless has the chance to stick two fingers up at the regime who sent him packing at the first sign of trouble.

AFPNew striker in a new project

The rise of Jackson as one of the world's best young striking prospects took a couple of twists and turns along the way. After struggling to nail down a place in the Villarreal lineup, he agreed to join Bournemouth in January 2023. However, he was carrying an injury at the time and complications arose in the medical, with the Cherries deciding to pull the plug on a £22.5 million (€26m) deal.

That seemed to light a fire under Jackson, who ended the 2022-23 season on a run of nine goals in his final eight La Liga games to secure Europa League qualification for the Yellow Submarine. This form also attracted more lucrative suitors in Chelsea, who stumped up £32m (€37m) to acquire his services. Notably, the club's statement confirming his arrival did not quote either the player or head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, but instead co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

"We are excited to welcome Nicolas to Chelsea," the statement read. "He is a young player with big potential, as he showcased for Villarreal last season. We believe he is ready for this next step in his career and look forward to him working with our new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, and his Chelsea team-mates."

After the calamity of a 2022-23 campaign which saw Chelsea bring in several ageing stars and an assortment of rough-diamond youngsters, this was one of the first signs of pivoting to a new strategy focused on buying prospects with a bit more experience. The summer 2023 window also saw them bring in the likes of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Robert Sanchez, but Jackson's only direct competitor for the centre-forward spot was Armando Broja. In short, the position was his to lose.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDissent always an issue

What became apparent quite early on in Jackson's Chelsea career was he simply couldn't stay out of trouble. Through his first six Premier League matches, he accumulated the five yellow cards needed to trigger a one-game suspension. To make matters worse, the four of those bookings were for dissent, and the clincher for the ban came when he stood too close to an opposition's quick free-kick. 

Pochettino, whose job at Stamford Bridge seemed doomed from the off due to his allegiances to rivals Tottenham, spoke to Jackson as early as September 2023 to try and improve his discipline.

"For a striker to pick up four yellow cards from talking to the officials, it shouldn't happen. It would be OK for different actions but not for that," the Argentine said at the time. "He is young and he needs to improve, he will be a fantastic player but he needs time. 

"He needs to be calm and relaxed in front of goal and it will arrive. He needs to be clever to not protest to the referees. Maybe it's his normal behavior on the pitch or maybe it's because the rules changed this season. He has come from Spain and here it is more sensitive this season."

Jackson ended his first season in England with 10 yellow cards, though his final caution came after the cut-off point to receive a second suspension. His second campaign saw him pick up seven bookings, but also his first sending-off.

AFPGoals couldn't save reputation

The public perception around Jackson is that he's a striker who needs too many chances in order to score, while he has also been harshly ridiculed for some of the shots he's missed. He was a comparable figure to ex-Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, who similarly found himself in fantastic goal-scoring opportunities but regularly wasted them.

Debates over Jackson's level became something of a culture war among Chelsea supporters. On the one hand, he's ended his last three seasons with double digits of goals without taking penalties. 

However, he's been the victim of 'another striker would have scored twice as many' discourse due to his wastefulness and a drought which spanned 12 games at the end of 2024-25, finding the net nine times through the first half of the campaign though only once thereafter.

It's worth noting, though, that only Palmer (43) has scored more goals for the Blues than Jackson (30) since he made the switch from Villarreal two years ago. He was a crucial part of a young team which could have crumbled under the pressure bestowed upon them by the club's big-spending owners, yet he lived up to expectation and won two trophies.

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Getty Images SportLast straw for Maresca

Jackson was on thin ice at Chelsea heading out of their 2024-25 domestic season. A red card for a reckless challenge early on in their 2-0 defeat to top-five rivals Newcastle almost cost them a place in the Champions League. Fortunately, his team-mates rallied in his absence and won their final two games of the Premier League campaign to finish fourth.

The Blues were in the market for at least one more striker. They signed Liam Delap from Ipswich in time for the Club World Cup, while Joao Pedro joined up with his new side for the knockout rounds. 

To begin the group stage, Jackson retained his spot up top, before being dropped to the bench for their fateful second match, a 3-1 defeat to Flamengo. Only four minutes after being introduced as a substitute, the Senegal international saw red again and was given his marching orders. Save for a 30-minute cameo against Fluminense in the semi-finals, that was the last time he would ever wear a Chelsea shirt.

When Chelsea ramped up preparations for the 2025-26 season, head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed he was planning for life without Jackson. "He is training with us [the first-team squad], but he is not going to be involved. You know the situation already. The window transfer is open. He can leave, and we'll see," the Italian said in August.