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Chelsea have wasted no time signaling their ambitions following the dramatic departure of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.

The west London giants moved decisively to appoint Liam Rosenior on a six-and-a-half-year contract that runs until 2032, handing the 41-year-old former Strasbourg boss one of the longest managerial deals in recent Premier League history.

The appointment represents a significant statement of intent from Chelsea’s ownership.

Rather than opting for an established name with extensive top-flight know-how, Chelsea’s hierarchy have backed a relatively unproven coach with just three years’ managerial experience across Hull City and Strasbourg.

The lengthy contract perhaps demonstrates their commitment to building a long-term project after years of managerial instability that saw five permanent appointments since 2022.

However, while Rosenior has been praised for his ‘exceptional’ coaching and ability to get the very best out of his players, it is still a huge gamble.

Related Imagine him & Caicedo: Chelsea plot move for "one of the best CMs in Europe"

This PL ace could perfectly balance Chelsea’s midfield

Posts ByJoe Nuttall

Rosenior faces an enormous challenge revitalizing a squad that sits fifth in the Premier League table, yet 17 points behind leaders Arsenal with just two wins from their last 10 in all competitions.

The Blues have shown flashes of quality, reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals and maintaining a strong chance of automatic Champions League qualification, but inconsistency has plagued their campaign.

However, according to a report this week, Chelsea are prepared to give their full backing to Rosenior.

Indeed, Chelsea’s sporting directors are apparently preparing a substantial £130 million January transfer spend to provide Rosenior with the tools necessary to compete immediately, rather than waiting until this summer.

Chelsea make 'serious bid' for Barcelona star Fermin Lopez

That is going by information from one Spanish media source, which also claims Chelsea are making a ‘serious bid’ for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez as part of their plans.

Lopez has emerged as a priority midfield target for Rosenior, with the Spain international offering precisely what he craves: energy, box-to-box dynamism, and a remarkable goal threat from central areas.

Chelsea are believed to be discussing a £65 million offer to test Barca’s resolve, and the Catalan giants now face a difficult decision over his future as a result.

Lopez has established himself as an important squad member under Hansi Flick, contributing goals and assists regularly while demonstrating maturity beyond his years.

Subscribe for deeper Chelsea transfer and strategy insight Curious about Chelsea’s long-term plan? Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper analysis of Rosenior’s appointment, transfer targets like Fermin Lopez and what a potential £130m spend signals — the context serious fans need.

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However, Barça’s ongoing financial difficulties mean they must consider substantial offers seriously, particularly for players not considered absolutely indispensable to their long-term plans.

The 21-year-old has played 19 times for Barça this season, bagging 13 goal contributions, which includes a brace of assists during their 2-0 derby win over Espanyol last weekend.

Lopez also made 46 appearances as a mainstay under Flick last term, helping Barça to the La Liga title with eight strikes and 10 assists from midfield in all competitions.

The Camp Nou starlet was actually a target for Chelsea last summer as well, with news outlet Sport reporting that Maresca personally phoned Lopez and the west Londoners were ready to triple his current salary.

Related Liam Rosenior asks Chelsea to sign £278k-a-week former Liverpool star on loan

The tactician has already demanded his first signing.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini

Manchester City have now taken a key step towards signing Antoine Semenyo with one reporter now sharing the latest timeline that they can expect to welcome the impressive winger.

Man City take key step in Semenyo bid

It was this time last year that Man City were getting their season back on track and on course for a top four finish following a disastrous start. Now, one year on, they’re preparing to welcome another key January reinforcement, except this time they’re back on a title charge up against Arsenal.

The Citizens are piling the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men and showed no signs of losing any resilience in their recent 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, in which Rayan Cherki starred once more.

Pep Guardiola is well aware that his side are on the hunt for even more silverware and looks set to act in the winter window to welcome Semenyo.

Almost every one of the Premier League’s top six have been in pursuit of the Bournemouth winger since his £65m release clause emerged, but it’s City who have become the favourites for his signature.

According to recent reports, Man City have already agreed personal terms with Semenyo, taking a key step towards securing his arrival, and are working on triggering his £65m release clause.

Related Man City submit £70m offer for "spectacular" star with Pep personally keen

City have tabled a huge bid for a new forward

Posts ByDominic Lund

With eight goals and three assists in 16 Premier League appearances this season, the 25-year-old is the goalscoring winger that City have lacked for some time now.

Although Phil Foden and Cherki have chipped in with goals as of late, having such a threat out wide could make all the difference for Guardiola and he may yet welcome that threat sooner rather than later.

Reporter drops fresh Semenyo timeline

According to TeamTalk’s Graeme Bailey, Man City are expected to complete a deal to sign Semenyo in the next 48 hours. There remains an issue over the winger’s selection in Bournemouth’s game against Chelsea this evening, but once that potential farewell is taken care of, he could be a Man City player in time for the weekend.

It’s then that he could face Chelsea for the second time in a week for two different sides, as the Blues deal with the prospect of stopping such an impressive player.

The prospect of facing an attack which includes Erling Haaland, Foden, Cherki, Jeremie Doku and the likes of Savinho from the bench is a frightening thought for any Premier League side. It’s a frontline worthy of the Premier League title and that’s exactly why Man City have made their move.

Subscribe to our newsletter for transfer insight Want clearer transfer context? Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and expert analysis of Premier League bids, player fit, and squad impact — ideal for readers tracking Semenyo’s potential move and other transfer stories.

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It’s a matter of when and not if Semenyo joins Guardiola’s side if reports are anything to go by and he could make all the difference in the title race.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo – Ahmed Shehzad made 42 off 31 balls, with five fours and a six•AFP

To have any chance to end in the last four of the BPL, Sylhet Super Stars needed to win the game against Comilla Victorians in 10.4 overs or less, to finish equal with Dhaka Dynamites on eight points and trump them on net run rate. Let alone trying to win the game quickly, Sylhet imploded badly to be bowled out for 79 runs in 13.5 overs.Their 71-run loss meant Dhaka made it to the last four even before they played their last game, against Barisal Bulls.Sylhet were comfortable at 33 for one in the fifth over when they collapsed, losing their next seven wickets for 24 runs in the space of 5.3 overs. Junaid Siddique had already been dismissed for 10 in the fourth over. The rot started with Abu Hider taking a good running catch to send back Josh Cobb for 21. Andre Russell then danced and took his sweet time to break the stumps at the bowler’s end, as Mushfiqur Rahim and Ravi Bopara almost ended up next to each other, with the latter getting run out.Shuvagata Hom had Mushfiqur caught at deep square-leg before Liton Das brilliantly stumped Sohail Tanvir in the same over. Shahid Afridi played all around an Ashar Zaidi delivery in the ninth over to leave Sylhet 48 for 6 which soon became 50 for 7 in the ninth over when Nurul Hasan was trapped leg-before by Zaidi. When they reached the cut-off point of 10.4 overs, Sylhet were all but gone at 58 for 8. Imrul Kayes and Shuvagata collided while the latter took Mohammad Shahid’s catch at long-on, which made it nine down before Russell finished the game with a yorker to Rubel Hossain.When Comilla batted first, Liton was caught behind off Mohammad Shahid in the second over before Kayes and Ahmed Shehzad added 68 runs for the second wicket. Shehzad was severe on anything on his legs, at times served by compatriot Sohail Tanvir who was struck for two fours early on. Kayes struck Rubel for a six over midwicket before Shehzad picked up his first six, off Abdur Razzak and back over his head. Kayes struck Afridi for two fours in the ninth over but Shehzad fell in the following over, for 42 off 31 balls. Kayes followed next over, giving Afridi a simple return catch after making 27.Alok Kapali, surprisingly sent to bat ahead of Andre Russell, struck Rubel for a six over cover and Shahid for a four through midwicket but struggled to connect regularly in the slog overs. He struck a six in the last over, ending on an unbeaten 32 off 26 balls. Zaidi added 31 off 29 balls with two fours and a six over midwicket but Comilla missed a trick by not sending Mashrafe or Russell much ahead. It ultimately didn’t matter as Sylhet collapsed in a heap.

Andrew Flintoff will be a star attraction on Twenty20 Finals Day © Getty Images

There will be a new name on the Twenty20 Cup come Saturday night at Edgbaston after none of the previous winners made it to this year’s Final Day. Partly that has been down to the weather playing havoc with many campaigns – notably that of defending champions Leicestershire – but it also shows how more and more teams are adapting to the shortest form of the game.Twenty20 has come a long way in five years and in a little over a month’s time the first World Championship will take place in South Africa. However, the game at international level is still struggling for allround acclaim, with captains concerned about workload and debating its value, and this English season has also proved to be the toughest for the domestic tournament that had, until this year, enjoyed a virtually faultless run.The qualifying stage was savaged by the weather and a number of counties will be reporting losses but the four semi-finalists – Lancashire, Gloucestershire, Kent and Sussex – are at least in a position to boost the coffers. The rain, though, has been out of anyone’s control and the more concerning issue has been a rise in poor behaviour at grounds. Middlesex players had belongings stolen from the Uxbridge dressing room, Hampshire’s team coach was pelted with gravel and there have been reports of a general increase in unruly scenes.Now’s the time for Finals Day to arrest any slide in the image of Twenty20. And Edgbaston’s second chance of staging the event has all the ingredients to be a classic day. Andrew Flintoff’s availability has added an extra touch of spice and strengthens a formidable-looking Lancashire side. They have been to this stage twice before, losing in the semi-final against Surrey in 2004 and the final against Somerset in 2005.As is often the case with Lancashire, on paper they seem to have everything. Never mind Flintoff, there’s also Muttiah Muralitharan, Brad Hodge, Stuart Law and Mal Loye. But they keep failing to win trophies. Their Championship campaign took a major hit with the 108-run defeat against Sussex, who they could meet again in the final on Saturday evening, and it is shaping as a make-or-break weekend for Mark Chilton’s team.Sussex are one of the new success stories in Twenty20 this season. Not that they are new to success. Last year there was the Championship and C&G double and with them back on top in the four-day competition another double is still on the cards. Luke Wright has been the catalyst for their strong campaign and he leads the run-scoring table with 343 at a strike-rate of 184. In terms of his scoring rate he is second only behind Andrew Symonds among batsmen worldwide. One more strong outing could propel him from England’s preliminary 30-man squad to the final 15 for South Africa. But even in Twenty20 you can’t beat seasoned match-winning quality and Mushtaq Ahmed remains a trump card.

Luke Wright is the leading run-scorer this season and is eyeing an England place © Getty Images

Of the nine representatives from England’s squad who could play a part on Finals Day, Sussex and Lancashire have four apiece, which would suggest they are the favourites to contest the final. However, in Twenty20 appearances can be deceptive.Kent have also rejuvenated their one-day cricket this season after an admission from Robert Key that it sometimes took a back-seat to Championship ambitions. Their strength is a long batting order and occasionally James Tredwell has been going in at No.11. Now, though, that spot is reserved for new signing Lasith Malinga, who has joined to replace Andrew Hall, and is a player capable – as he showed at the World Cup – of changing a match in one over. With Key and Joe Denly also firing in the top order they can certainly take on Sussex’s big-hitters head-to-head.Gloucestershire, who play the first semi against Lancashire, are beginning to rekindle memories of their one-day glory years under Mark Alleyne and John Bracewell. Alex Gidman is maturing into an impressive allrounder – he was unlucky not to make the England 30 – while in Hamish Marshall they have a destructive batsman. The return of Jon Lewis from injury provides the bowling attack with a steady influence and they are always sharp in the field.Off the field, too, there will be the usual entertainment including the mascot race (where Chris Lewis and Jason Gallian will don the sponsors’ costumes) and the musical star is former Sugerbabe, Mutya. However, increasingly Twenty20 is moving away from the sideshow attractions and standing alone through the quality of play. On cricket’s longest day, there should be more than enough on offer.

ScorecardNottinghamshire swept to a comprehensive 24-run win over Middlesex at Lord’s despite a fine 56 from Eoin Morgan, to leave the home side in danger of relegation. Nottinghamshire’s 228 for 7 was led by Will Smith whose 53 contained six fours. David Hussey played with characteristic bullishness, smashing 44 from 36 balls. Middlesex started well with Paul Weekes and Ed Smith putting on 49 for the first wicket but they collapsed to 98 for 5. Morgan and Ben Smith, the wicketkeeper, kept Middlesex in the hunt. Morgan crunched six fours and cleared the boundary twice in his fifty before needlessly running himself out. Despite an enterprising 29 from Johann Louw, the tail folded in predictable fashion and they were bowled out in the final over for 204.

Vaughan: rested to ensure he is fit for the first Test at Lord’s © Getty Images

Michael Vaughan will miss Yorkshire’s C&G Trophy quarter-final, against Northamptonshire on Saturday, to ensure the groin injury he suffered during the NatWest Series does not occur again.The ECB’s chief medical officer, Dr Peter Gregory, said: “We need to ensure that there is no further deterioration to the groin strain that kept Michael out of two matches. We are confident, however, that with rest Michael will be fully fit for the first Ashes Test at Lord’s next week.”The remaining centrally contracted players are available for the counties who are involved in the quarter-finals. This means that Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles and Geraint Jones will be making rare county appearances while Matthew Hoggard is available for Yorkshire.Graham Thorpe is also available for Surrey, although his Test position will be known by the time they play Hampshire as the squad is named on Thursday.

The BCCI has clarified its pay structure for domestic cricket, and expressed surprise at the high figures stated by the media. reported that Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI’s joint secretary, said that Rs 4000 would be paid on a per-day basis, and applied to all Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup and domestic one-day games.”There has been a change in the system of payments to players for their benevolent fund,” Shetty said. “Last season we paid the players Rs 3000 per day on match days with a lump sum of Rs 4000 going towards the benevolent fund. This season the per-day sum on match days has gone up to Rs 4000. So if he earns Rs 16,000 for a four-day game, a similar amount will go to the fund. For a five-day game it could be Rs 20,000 for the match and another Rs 20,000 into the fund. Thus, the total sum would be Rs 40,000.” Shetty also dismissed reports of the reported dramatic pay hike. “I don’t know where this figure of Rs 56,000 came from.”Interestingly, Jagmohan Dalmiya had recently been quoted about specific player payments. “Those playing all the matches at the domestic level will get Rs 52,000 as per the revised formula and players playing upto the qualifying rounds will get Rs 35,000 per match.”Dalmiya said that domestic-level cricketers would get the enhanced payments when the graded system of payment comes into effect – most likely by the end of this month.Besides the top tier of domestic cricketers, junior players and umpires will be at the receiving end of the BCCI’s pay hike. Under-19 and U-22 level players will receive Rs 1000 per day – double their previous salary. Umpires will receive Rs 1500 per day and a sum of Rs 3000 for their benevolent fund per match, while umpires in junior matches will receive Rs 1000 per day, with Rs 750 for the fund.

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya will urge his players to be on guardagainst complacency before their fourth Pool B match against Kenya inNairobi on Monday, warning that one false step could shatter their World Cupdreams.Despite easy wins against Bangladesh and Canada, Jayasuriya will make itclear that it is essential to claim maximum points in their final low-keygame.

© Reuters

Moreover, the skipper will stress the need to further enhance an alreadyimpressive net run rate (NRR), a potential buffer against failure in theirfinal group matches.”One wrong move and the World Cup could be over for us,” Jayasuriya told AFPnews agency before the team’s flight to Nairobi.”The situation in our group is such that we need to win well and improveour net run rate,” added Jayasuriya.”With four teams in the fray, it could boil down to who has a betterrun-rate. We were aware of that when we went into the game against Canada.”In fact, barring a shock loss against the Kenyans, who will now be eyinga place in the Super Sixes having claimed four points against New Zealand,Sri Lanka’s progression to the second round appears assured.

© CricInfo

Their massive 3.17 net run rate is the best in the tournament and fargreater than the other Pool B contenders, providing a safe cushion shouldany banana skins lie ahead.Two months ago Jayasuriya might have jumped at a second or third place spotin Pool B but expectations have risen so much that he’s now eyeing a cleansweep.”We want the top the group and take forward as many points into the SuperSix,” he said. “Which means it is important to beat both the West Indies andSouth Africa.”We should not be concerned at what is happening to other teams. The aim isto win all our games.”Jayasuriya – one of the key reasons behind Sri Lanka’s unexpected New Yearresurgence having smashing three hundreds and two fifties in his last seveninnings – maintains that his side are now comfortable playing in previouslyalien conditions.

© Reuters

“Playing in these conditions for three months, both here and in Australia,we have got used to them and know what to expect.”Everyone in the side knows the conditions. That’s a big help and that’s whywe are playing such good cricket.”The entire team is focused on the job at hand. We help each other out bothon and off the field. The batsmen and bowlers have stuck to the task, that’swhy we have been able to make a winning start.”

Richard Montgomerie’s first hundred in the one-day league set up a comfortable 27-run win for Sussex over Essex in the Norwich Union League at Hove.Montgomerie made 108 in a first wicket stand of 176 with Murray Goodwin as Sussex made 241-3 from their 45 overs in the day-night second division contest.Half-centuries from Paul Grayson and James Foster helped Essex recover from a poor start, but they finished well short on 214-7.Montgomerie and Goodwin had earlier compiled a record first wicket stand in the one-day league’s various guises for Sussex, beating the 162 by David Smith and Franklyn Stephenson against Surrey eight years ago.Goodwin converted his third half-century of the season into a competition best 87 before he was caught at short mid-wicket, but Montgomerie went on to a century off 121 balls with eight fours before he was run out in the penultimate over after adding 55 with Chris Adams (25) for the second wicket.Essex struggled to make much impression early on. Stephen Peters was run out by Will House’s direct hit in the third over, Graham Napier edged Jason Lewry to the wicketkeeper and then Ronnie Irani and Darren Robinson fell off successive balls to leave Essex 44-4 after 14 overs.They were revived by a fifth wicket stand of 85 in 18 overs between Grayson and Foster which was ended when James Kirtley returned to the attack to bowl Grayson for 52.Foster went on to finish unbeaten on 56, but with the asking rate climbing to above ten an over his composed innings was never going to be enough.Essex remain rooted to the bottom of the table while a third win keeps Sussex in seventh place.

Division One

Michael Lumb and Sean Ervine hit rapid half-centuries as Hampshire gained a thrilling two-run win against Essex in a match reduced to 25 overs per side at The Rose Bowl. Lumb ensured Hampshire gained a flyer to their innings, taking 40 balls over his 62, and Ervine built on his work with a 38-ball 57. The hard hitting continued all the way down the order and when Essex lost three early wickets against James Bruce and Daren Powell the task became enough tougher. But James Foster (61) and Grant Flower (54) managed to keep up with an escalating run rate and strong striking from Ryan ten Doeschate and Andy Bichel kept the game alive. However, Powell came back to grab two vital wickets and Shaun Udal kept Essex down in the final over.Worcestershire gave their suffering supporters something to smile about with a seven-wicket win against Sussex in their relocated match at Edgbaston. Vikram Solanki hit a 51-ball 55 then Ben Smith and Graeme Hick calmly completed the chase with a stand of 110 and four overs to spare. Sussex had wasted a strong platform after Richard Montgomerie (65) and Murray Goodwin (52) added 106 for the second wicket as Ray Price and Gareth Batty shared six wickets. Sussex’s spin pair of Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq couldn’t produce a repeat.Gloucestershire held their nerve to secure a three-run win against Warwickshire in a tight encounter at Bristol. Darren Maddy (71) and Kumar Sangakkara (55), only recently back from Sri Lanka, gave Warwickshire a chance and Tim Ambrose kept them in touch. But Ben Edmondson pulled out a fine last over and removed Tim Groenewald with six still needed. Gloucestershire had Alex Gidman’s 88 off 74 balls to thank for their total of 212, after a delayed started reduced the match to 35 overs per side.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Lancashire	3	1	0	0	2	4	+0.187	189/31.4	185/32.0
Gloucestershire	3	1	0	0	2	4	+0.086	212/35.0	209/35.0
Worcestershire	2	1	0	0	1	3	+0.667	204/36.0	200/40.0
Hampshire	2	1	0	0	1	3	+0.080	224/25.0	222/25.0
Nottinghamshire	1	1	0	0	0	2	+1.351	194/31.4	191/40.0
Essex	2	0	1	0	1	1	-0.080	222/25.0	224/25.0
Northamptonshire	2	0	1	0	1	1	-0.187	185/32.0	189/31.4
Sussex	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.667	200/40.0	204/36.0
Warwickshire	2	0	2	0	0	0	-0.757	400/75.0	406/66.4

Division Two

Jacques Rudolph’s powerful 127 was key to Yorkshire’s nine-run win against Somerset at Scarborough, under the Duckworth-Lewis calculations, but it was nearly snatched away by Ian Blackwell’s brilliant 97. Rudolph faced 114 balls against an attack missing the rested Andy Caddick and Charl Willoughby. He added 72 with Craig White for the first wicket and a key 111 with Andrew Gale for the fifth. Gale and Tim Bresnan finished with a flurry of boundaries and when Somerset floundered to 98 for 6 the game appeared over. However, Blackwell cut loose and launched seven sixes while adding 115 with Craig Kieswetter. Richard Pyrah eventually had Blackwell stumped after 73 balls and Yorkshire held on at the death. Read John Ward’s full report here.Robert Key led from the front with 104 as Kent continued their impressive one-day form with a 10-run win against Derbyshire at Derby. Key took 96 balls to reach his hundred, adding 111 with Joe Denly who made 52 off 44 balls. Martin van Jaarsveld added 62 as the second wicket added 110. Derbyshire chased hard with Greg Smith hitting 88 off 68 deliveries, but Kent collected wickets at regular intervals and had breathing space at the end.Shivnarine Chanderpaul began his Durham stint in match-winning style as he stroked an unbeaten 80 in their seven-wicket win against Surrey at Guildford. Chanderpaul added 120 with Kyle Coetzer (76) and Chanderpaul remained to see the job home alongside captain Dale Benkenstein. Phil Mustard provided another view of his tremendous hitting power with a 42-ball 63 to make major inroads into the target. Chris Schofield was taken to the cleaners, his three overs costing 40. Surrey’s 247, under par on a small ground, was based around 84 from Scott Newman and well-paced 59 from Ali Brown.Middlesex’s seamers brushed aside Glamorgan in a 21-over game at Ebbw Vale. Chaminda Vaas and Chad Keegan took the first five wickets for 18 runs and Glamorgan were out of the game before Murali Kartik chipped in with three. Middlesex’s 183 was based around stylish half-centuries from Owais Shah and Ed Joyce. Shah took 34 balls over 59 and Joyce’s 55 needed just 33 deliveries as he hammered four sixes. Ed Smith provided early momentum, adding 101 for the second wicket with Shah.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Kent	2	2	0	0	0	4	+0.685	461/73.3	447/80.0
Durham	2	2	0	0	0	4	+0.587	395/54.3	393/59.0
Middlesex	2	1	1	0	0	2	+2.124	328/40.0	240/39.3
Derbyshire	2	1	1	0	0	2	+0.413	381/56.5	390/62.0
Yorkshire	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.237	251/38.0	242/38.0
Somerset	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.237	242/38.0	251/38.0
Surrey	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.717	248/40.0	249/36.0
Leicestershire	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.968	175/40.0	179/33.3
Glamorgan	2	0	2	0	0	0	-3.020	202/43.0	292/37.5