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Transfer Talk: Experienced heads Chelsea could target this summer

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Chelsea’s Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool highlighted a need for more experienced heads in their squad.

Though the Reds finished extra-time with several youngsters on the pitch, they were propelled to victory by the maturity of Virgil van Dijk.

In contrast, Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues — with Thiago Silva expected to leave in the summer — are visibly lacking players with years of top-level football under their belt.

Ahead of the West Londoners’ FA Cup clash with Leeds, we consider some of the seasoned pros they could target in the summer transfer window.

Karim Benzema

The absence of a reliable No9 was on show for all to see at Wembley.

Chelsea racked up an xG of 3.47 over 120 minutes — but they were denied by a combination of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and some wasteful finishing.

Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson all squandered good chances, indicating how a striker with real pedigree and dependability in front of goal could be an important addition.

And Chelsea could do significantly worse than Karim Benzema, who was linked with a move to the Premier League last month.

He has scored nine goals in 17 Saudi Pro League games for Al-Ittihad this season — but reportedly wants to return to Europe.

At 36, the Frenchman is in the twilight years of his career, although he seems to share the same impressive longevity as his former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Karim Benzema has been linked with a move back to Europe from Saudi Arabia
Karim Benzema has been linked with a move back to Europe from Saudi Arabia

Frenkie de Jong

With speculation surrounding the future of Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea could require midfield reinforcements.

The Blues are especially youthful in that area of the pitch, with Fernandez, Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Lesley Ugochukwu and Romeo Lavia all 24 or under.

Links to Barcelona playmaker Frenkie de Jong are perhaps unsurprising, then, as Chelsea look to add experience in the middle of the park.

Frenkie de Jong remains one of Barcelona's most influential players
Frenkie de Jong remains one of Barcelona’s most influential players

The Dutchman will be 27 in May — hardly a veteran but a player with plenty of title-winning pedigree during his time at both Ajax and Barcelona.

With his contract up in 2026 and Barca in a precarious financial situation, rumours of a possible exit have been rife.

De Jong is still pulling the strings for Xavi’s team in LaLiga, ranking second in the division for completed passes per 90 minutes (86.09) and with an impressive passing accuracy of 93.04%.

His composure and coolheadedness in midfield would certainly aid Chelsea’s progress.

Alex Grimaldo

A new left-back could be on the radar for the Blues this summer.

Marc Cucurella has failed to convince and may depart at the end of the season, while Ben Chilwell has been hindered by injuries.

Bayer Leverkusen left-back Alex Grimaldo could therefore be the perfect addition for a Chelsea side in need of proven quality.

Alex Grimaldo has been one of the Bundesliga's most creative players this season
Alex Grimaldo has been one of the Bundesliga’s most creative players this season

The Spaniard has enjoyed a spectacular season in the Bundesliga, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists for Xabi Alonso’s league leaders.

Only three players in the division have attempted more crosses than Grimaldo (135), who constantly looks to advance down the left flank and create chances.

The former Benfica defender turns 29 in September and has the experience and tactical intelligence to improve Chelsea next season.

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Barcelona optimistic of signing Nico Williams in the summer

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FC Barcelona is hopeful about their prospects of acquiring the skilled winger Nico Williams during the upcoming summer transfer period.

Footballghana has previously reported that the La Liga team is eyeing the Spanish forward with Ghanaian roots to bolster their lineup for the forthcoming season.

Recent updates from Spain suggest that Barcelona’s management is actively pursuing the transfer.

The club is confident in finalizing an agreement with Athletic Club to secure Nico Williams prior to the commencement of the next season.

At present, Nico Williams’ contract includes a release clause valued at €55 million, which FC Barcelona is positioned to activate.

The forward’s exceptional performance over the last year has established him as one of the standout forwards in European football.

During the 2023/24 Spanish La Liga campaign, Nico Williams has contributed four goals and 10 assists across 29 matches.

In addition to Barcelona, numerous leading clubs, including Liverpool, have shown interest in him.

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Tariq Lamptey featured in Brighton’s defeat to Chelsea.

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has reassured the public that the missing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits cannot be utilised to access its system or data.

According to Dr Eric Bossman Asare, the BVRs, which include a laptop, are ineffective on their own and can only be activated by the EC.

Thus, they pose no threat to the integrity of elections, he stated.

Additionally, they cannot be used to register anyone during the ongoing limited voter registration exercise nor do they contain any sensitive data from the EC’s system, he said in an interview with JoyNews’ Evans Mensah.

Dr Bossman Asare stated, “The laptops on their own are insignificant. They are just like the laptops you use at your workplace. We’ve accounted for every single device that we’re going to be using.

“In 2020, when we did the registration, we bought 8,500 of the registration devices. We are not using all of them in this registration.”

“So that means the ones we are using now, we still have some there. So are you saying the EC will come and tell the Ghanaian people that five laptops are missing and we want to use those laptops to register people? Who in the EC is going to do that?” he quizzed.

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Wollacott keeps clean sheet for Hibernian in 3-0 mauling of Motherwell

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Ghana international Jojo Wollacott delivered a fine performance for Hibernian on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, when the team secured a 3-0 victory over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

The Black Stars goalkeeper was in the starting lineup for his team in their Week 37 fixture.

Guarding the goal for the hosts, Jojo Wollacott made several good saves and maintained a clean sheet at the end of the 90 minutes, helping his team clinch all three points.

Hibernian was ahead by two goals at halftime, thanks to strikes from Myziane Maolida and Martin Boyle.

After the break, Martin Boyle found the net again to complete his brace, sealing a significant win for Hibernian against Motherwell.

Wollacott’s performance in today’s game is particularly important ahead of the June international break.

He needed the playing time to secure a spot in the Ghana squad for the upcoming matches against Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

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