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PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 28: Fawaaz Basadien of Stellenbosch FC during the Betway Premiership match between SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images)

Source: https://www.snl24.com/soccerladuma/local/siyagobhoza/fawaaz-basadien-how-orlando-pirates-plan-to-overtake-kaizer-chiefs-mamelodi-sundowns-in-basadien-race-20250103

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said France centre-back Wesley Fofana could miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn hamstring.

The 24-year-old has not featured since Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Dec. 1. It was initially hoped he would only miss a few weeks, but subsequent tests have revealed a worse prognosis.

The news on Fofana is also compounded by confirmation fellow defender, Benoît Badiashile, has been ruled out until next month with an unspecified problem.

Ollie] Watkins [on] the whole pitch.

“We did exactly the same when Wes was injured with Benoit, one v one with [Tottenham striker Dominic] Solanke the while pitch and they can deal with that. And it is very difficult to find that kind of defender. Now unfortunately both are injured and we are trying to find different solutions but for sure, for us, Wes is a huge loss.”

Maresca suggested Fofana does not require surgery at this time but it nevertheless represents another blow for a player who Chelsea signed from Leicester City for £75million ($93m) in August 2022.

Premier League games having suffered knee injuries in his first season before missing the whole of the last campaign following a cruciate ligament tear.

Asked why Fofana’s absence was suddenly expected to be much longer, Maresca said: “It was the first update and the first information we had but having a test, we realised it was worse than what we thought at the beginning. It is hamstring and unfortunately, we are going to lose him for a while.

“I don’t think this kind of injury can be compared to the rest because this one is muscular. Previously, he id not have ay muscular problem so it is a completely different kind of injury, It is a bit unlucky but he will be back and good in the way he was before he was injured.”

Maresca had better news on Romeo Lavia, who is back in full training following a hamstring problem and is “very close” to being available to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43271725/enzo-maresca-chelsea-wesley-fofana-miss-rest-season

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Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is on Manchester City’s list, while Real Madrid look at AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.

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Fabrizio Romano. There is still an open race to sign the 20-year-old, with various other top clubs interested in the Uzbekistan international, as he is considered among the best talents in his position.

– AFC Bournemouth are aware of Real Madrid’s interest in Dean Huijsen, reports The Sun, who add that any departure for the centre-back would be more likely in the summer than January. This comes with Los Blancos scouts having tracked the 19-year-old for some time and been left impressed by his swift adaptation to the Premier League.

Napoli want to sign Juventus defender Danilo and Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa, reports Tuttosport. Danilo is increasingly likely to leave Juventus while Chiesa has also struggled for game time, having made his own departure from I Bianconeri in the summer, although Napoli will face competition from Atalanta for the latter.

– Having taken over at AC Milan, new manager Sérgio Conceição could look to his Portuguese roots according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. They are linking I Rossoneri with Sporting CP’s Francisco Trincão, Porto winger Pepê and Mallorca’s Samú Costa. Genoa’s Morten Frendrup, Hellas Verona’s Reda Belahyane and Monza’s Warren Bondo are also being considered for the midfield position.

– AC Milan are continuing to monitor Samuele Ricci despite the midfielder signing a contract that could keep him at Torino until 2028, Calciomercato reports. They add that the signing was an act of recognition for Torino and there is a verbal agreement that the 23-year-old can leave if there is an offer of €25 million or more. There is also interest from the Premier League.

– Juventus’ negotiations with AC Milan regarding Fikayo Tomori are on standby after Conceição took over, Calciomercato reports, although they state that a transfer could still be completed with I Rossoneri continuing to want €25m for the centre-back. If they don’t get the 27-year-old, Juventus could focus on the alternative options of Benfica’s António Silva and Feyenoord’s Dávid Hancko.

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43263723/transfer-rumors-news-manchester-city-eyeing-lens-khusanov

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Christian Pulisic appears to be healthy again following injuries to his calf and ankle and could return for AC Milan against Juventus in the Italian Super Cup semifinals on Friday.

The United States international has been out since tearing a muscle in his right calf nearly a month ago. Then he had a minor ankle issue.

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Pulisic has been one of Milan’s top players this season with five goals and four assists in Serie A. He has also scored three goals in the Champions League.

There is hope that Pulisic’s U.S. teammate Yunus Musah will be fit to play for Milan. With Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie both expected to play for Juventus, that would make for four U.S. players who could possibly be on the field at once for the annual Super Cup.

The Super Cup match will also mark the debut of new Milan coach Sérgio Conceição, who replaced the fired Paulo Fonseca on Monday. Conceição’s son, Francisco, is a winger for Juventus.

Despite the family connection, the 50-year-old coach said it would be business as usual.

“I just have a cold and I’ve had a fever these days, if you see my eyes are a little shiny it’s because of that. At home I’m his father, tomorrow my son will be my opponent: he will think the same way,” the older Conceição said.

“I want to beat him as he wants to beat me. I hope I don’t make him happy.”

Inter Milan beat Atalanta on Thursday in the other semifinal to advance to Monday’s final.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this story.

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43261822/christian-pulisic-return-milan-super-cup

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Denver has been awarded the 16th franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League for a record $110 million fee, Sportico reported Thursday.

Not only is that expansion fee more than double the previous NWSL record, it would also be the largest ever paid for a U.S. women’s professional sports team.

one of three finalists confirmed by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in November, along with Ohio bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Denver and fellow expansion franchise Boston, confirmed in 2023, will debut in the league in 2026. The expansion fee paid by Boston was $53 million, the same amount paid by 2025 NWSL newcomer Bay FC.

Information from ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43262082/denver-awarded-nwsl-16th-team-record-110m-report

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Former Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvethe when he was assistant coach of AmaZulu in 2022. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

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Source: https://www.news24.com/sport/soccer/psl/do-they-want-to-beat-me-nomvethe-sets-psl-goals-record-challenge-for-shalulile-grobler-20250102

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