Match story
- Portugal created the clearer chances on xG (1.84 vs 1.14, Δ 0.70).
- France fired more attempts (20 vs 15 shots).
- Portugal held more of the ball (60% possession).
Portugal and France drew 0-0 in Euro Championship. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. M. Oliver officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Portugal vs France meeting in Euro Championship with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Portugal and France. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Euro ChampionshipRecorded meetings: 4 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Portugal and France drew 0-0 in Euro Championship. The fixture is part of the Quarter-finals stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. M. Oliver officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Portugal vs France meeting in Euro Championship with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Portugal and France. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Euro ChampionshipRecorded meetings: 4 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
After a strong start without its captain, the club now heads into Friday’s Riyadh derby with a major question hanging over the team, and the answer could shape the way Ange Postecoglou approaches the contest. Cristiano Ronaldo will once again have to wait for his first competitive appearance of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season, with Al-Nassr facing Al-Riyadh in a Riyadh derby on Matchday 2. The Portugal captain had been expected to make his long-awaited return, but the latest team news has provided a different answer. The decision is especially significant because Ronaldo has already missed Al-Nassr’s opening league match and the club’s King’s Cup victory. His continued absence has therefore become one of the biggest talking points surrounding Al-Nassr at the beginning of the new campaign, particularly after the club enjoyed an impressive start without its captain. Al-Nassr have still given supporters plenty of reasons for optimism. The club opened the Saudi Pro League season with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh before following it with a 4-1 win over Al-Diriyah in the King’s Cup, giving Ange Postecoglou a perfect competitive start. The biggest development ahead of the Riyadh derby is that Ronaldo has been named among the substitutes rather than in Al-Nassr’s starting XI. That means the 41-year-old remains available to Postecoglou, but the manager has opted against throwing him straight into the starting lineup. The work is done. Tomorrow, we play 💛 pic.twitter.com/Gn2fb4HtDV— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 The decision will inevitably raise questions about when the Portugal international will finally make his first competitive start of the season. For now, though, Al-Nassr appear to be taking a cautious approach rather than rushing their biggest attacking star back into action. The reason behind Ronaldo’s absence The explanation for Ronaldo’s continued absence goes back to the unusual circumstances surrounding his preseason preparation. The veteran forward returned from his post-World Cup break later than many of his teammates, while his wedding celebrations also contributed to the limited amount of preparation time available to him. More recently, reports indicated that Ronaldo had been dealing with discomfort involving a pelvic muscle issue. That problem reportedly resulted in the striker training separately from his teammates while Al-Nassr’s medical staff monitored his condition. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy That context helps explain why Postecoglou has resisted immediately putting Ronaldo into the starting lineup. With a long season ahead, Al-Nassr have little reason to take unnecessary risks with a player they will need for the biggest domestic and continental matches. Ronaldo had already missed the 3-0 league victory against Al-Fateh, while he was also absent from the 4-1 King’s Cup win over Al-Diriyah. His return to the matchday squad against Al-Riyadh therefore represents progress, even if he has not yet been trusted from the opening whistle. Al-Nassr have coped impressively without its captain Ronaldo’s absence would normally represent a major attacking setback for any team, but Al-Nassr have managed to produce convincing results without him. The club has scored seven goals across its first two competitive matches, conceding only one in the process. Postecoglou has also benefited from the attacking quality around Ronaldo. Joao Felix, Angelo and Sadio Mane provide the team with different ways of creating chances, while the summer additions have helped ensure that the attack does not depend entirely on the Portuguese striker. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr celebrates with teammates Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman after scoring. That could make Ronaldo’s eventual return even more interesting. Rather than having to immediately carry the attack, he should be joining a team that has already developed some rhythm and confidence under its new manager. Al-Riyadh vs Al-Nassr: Confir
After Jose Mourinho, Bernardo Silva, and Ibrahima Konate, today Real Madrid held the official presentation for summer signing Denzel Dumfries.The 30-year-old right-back has been presented as a new Rea...
Guimaraes came off at half-time against City (Picture: Sportimage) Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could be sidelined ‘for a few weeks’ as a result of an injury picked up in the Community Shield against Manchester City. The midfielder completed his £75million move from Newcastle United this summer, featuring against Como in a pre-season friendly before starting in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday. He helped his new employers take early control of the game before coming off at half-time at the Principality Stadium and was later spotted holding an icepack on his thigh. Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday there was an injury concern heading into Friday night’s game against Coventry City. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. ‘Let’s see,’ Arteta told a press conference when asked about the former Newcastle star. ‘It’s evolving well, but let’s see.’ Luke Edwards of the Daily Telegraph now claims the injury could rule the Brazil international out ‘for a few weeks’. Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry before heading to Aston Villa in 10 days’ time, a Monday night fixture falling on 31 August. The Gunners then host Chelsea on 6 September. Arsenal will also be out the defensive duo of William Saliba and Jurrien Timber for their opening match of the season. The Arsenal midfielder started last weekend (Picture:Alamy Live News) Saliba is recovering from a back problem that is expected to rule him out for the opening months of the season with the club deciding against surgery in the summer months. Timber meanwhile has not started a game since March when he picked up a groin injury that derailed his season. The right-back is still to return to first-team training. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. Al-Nassr has made a strong start to the new Saudi Pro League campaign, but the road ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo has suddenly become more complicated. Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. The developments come as the Saudi Pro League continues to tighten its financial controls while clubs attempt to complete their summer recruitment. For Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, the timing is particularly significant with Al-Riyadh waiting on Friday and Al-Ettifaq scheduled to face the defending champions next week. The first major development concerns Al-Riyadh, which has received approval to register Ivorian midfielder Kader Keita. The defensive midfielder is set to take the place of Senegalese striker Mamadou Sylla in the club’s registered squad after the necessary financial approval was granted. According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, the league has given the green light for Keita’s registration, allowing the midfielder to become available for selection. Keita, who was born in November 2000 and has a French-Ivorian background, arrives after a spell with Romanian club Rapid București. His arrival gives Al-Riyadh another physical and defensive option in midfield ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨عاااااااااااااااااااااااااااجل — الرياضية:تلقت إدارة نادي #الرياض موافقة الرابطة على تسجيل لاعب الوسط "قادر كيتا" بدلًا من المهاجم السنغالي "مامادو سيلا"!!✅🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/FlRpuFBNew— الرياض نيوز | Riyadh NEWS (@RFC_NEWS1) August 21, 2026 The timing could hardly be more interesting. Al-Riyadh suffered a 4-2 defeat to Al-Ettifaq in its opening league match, but it responded by beating Al-Zulfi 2-0 in the King’s Cup, meaning the club will enter Friday’s clash with renewed confidence. Al-Ettifaq also gets green light for Larsson The second boost involves Al-Ettifaq and Swedish forward Jordan Larsson, whose move to the club had been held up by financial restrictions. The club has now received approval from the Financial Control Committee to proceed with the signing from Copenhagen. Larsson had reportedly agreed to join Al-Ettifaq in a deal worth around $1.5 million, with the proposed contract running until June 2029. The 28-year-old had already completed his medical and arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, leaving the registration process as the major obstacle. The approval means Al-Ettifaq can now move closer to having another attacking option available. That could prove especially important ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr on August 25, just four days after Ronaldo’s side faces Al-Riyadh. Why the registrations were delayed The two developments are linked to the Saudi Pro League’s increasingly strict financial regulations. The Financial Control Committee has introduced spending controls that limit first-team expenditure to 75% of a club’s revenue, with the remaining funds directed toward areas such as youth development and infrastructure. Those restrictions have already created complications for several clubs attempting to complete their transfer business. Al-Ettifaq’s inability to finalize Larsson’s registration is one example, while Al-Riyadh also needed approval before officially adding Keïta to its squad. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr faces tougher challenges For Al-Nassr, the news represents a double headache at the beginning of a campaign in which the club is expected to challenge for every major domestic trophy. Ange Postecoglou’s side began the league season impressively with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh and subsequently defeated Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo of team Al-Nassr FC competes for the ball with Ahmed Al-Julaydan of team Al-Ittihad FC Ron
Centre-back to join from Chelsea after Acheampong snubWharton has three years left on current deal at PalaceCrystal Palace have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Axel Disasi on loan and are expecting further interest in some of their key players in the final week of the transfer window, having informed Manchester City that Adam Wharton is not for sale.Palace have been searching for a replacement for Maxence Lacroix after selling the France defender to Chelsea and are also understood to have approached Xabi Alonso’s side over a potential move for Josh Acheampong. But with Chelsea not willing to allow the England Under-21s international to leave Stamford Bridge, Palace have opted to bring in Disasi instead. The 28-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, is set to complete his medical on Friday. Continue reading...
Tottenham are considering a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as Roberto De Zerbi looks to strengthen his attacking options before the transfer window closes. The France international has enjoyed an impressive spell at Selhurst Park and has developed into one of the Premier League’s more reliable centre-forwards. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us […] The post Tottenham target move for Frenchman as De Zerbi eyes attacking additions appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Chelsea has managed to offload one unwanted player – but not for the fee they hoped for (Photo: Getty) Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to loan out Axel Disasi to Crystal Palace, after once again failing to sell the defender permanently. Much was expected of Disasi when he moved from Monaco to Stamford Bridge in 2023 in a transfer worth over £38million. He was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino but upon Enzo Maresca’s arrival he was dumped into the ‘bomb squad’ and has not played for Chelsea in over 18 months. During that time he has made temporary switches to Aston Villa and West Ham, and is now set for a third loan spell, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Chelsea and Palace have reached a verbal agreement after weeks of speculation. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. It is said the France international will undergo his medical on Friday, the day before Palace kick-off their season with a trip to Everton. Moreover, the Eagles will cover the 28-year-old’s salary and pay a small-ish loan fee to the Blues, rumoured to be around £5m, though there will be no obligation or option to buy clause. While Chelsea have managed to offload a player not wanted by Xabi Alonso, the deal is a far cry from what the club were hoping for, with rumours earlier this summer suggesting they wished to sell Disasi for £25m. Axel Disasi spent the second-half of last season on loan at West Ham (Photo: Getty) Negotiations for Disasi began almost immediately after Chelsea secured the signing of Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix for £52m. New Eagles manager Pierre Sage admitted on Thursday that the club were working to recruit a suitable replacement but, understandably, would not address the Disasi rumours directly. ‘Yes, we need a player in this department,’ the Frenchmen said in his pre-Everton press conference. Disasi last played for Chelsea in January 2025 (Photo: Getty) ‘We need a player with a lot of games, if possible in Premier League because we need players but we need a leader. That’s why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one. ‘He [Disasi] is a player from Chelsea, it’s difficult for me to speak about a player of another club, but I hear the same noise as you. ‘Maybe one or two [more signings] and we have time. We don’t want to [just] take a player, we want to take a good player for us. That’s why it’s not just one or two guys, because we have to work with these guys during the season, sometimes it’s better to wait.’ Chelsea have signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace (Photo: Getty) Lacroix is the only major sale Palace have made this summer and Sage has boldly stated that no other key player will depart Selhurst Park before deadline day. That includes England midfielder Adam Wharton, who is valued at £100m and has been the subject of an enquiry by Manchester City: ‘Now it’s not the moment to do that [sell him]. ‘He is able to play at a big club here or everywhere in Europe but one year with us, one year with a new dynamic will be good for him. We need him, that’s why I think he will stay with us.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Gareth Roberts, from The Late Challenge podcast, says Liverpool's attempts to sign Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh doesn't "signal intent" after the Reds had a £50m bid rejected. "It's a strange one, it's out of nowhere," Roberts told BBC Radio Merseyside. It's Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye that we've been consistently linked with and the expectation was something will happen with that.
Jose Mourinho is not putting a perfect starting XI together before his first competitive game in charge of Real Madrid. He is putting together the best team available.That was the message from the Por...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
After a strong start without its captain, the club now heads into Friday’s Riyadh derby with a major question hanging over the team, and the answer could shape the way Ange Postecoglou approaches the contest. Cristiano Ronaldo will once again have to wait for his first competitive appearance of the 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season, with Al-Nassr facing Al-Riyadh in a Riyadh derby on Matchday 2. The Portugal captain had been expected to make his long-awaited return, but the latest team news has provided a different answer. The decision is especially significant because Ronaldo has already missed Al-Nassr’s opening league match and the club’s King’s Cup victory. His continued absence has therefore become one of the biggest talking points surrounding Al-Nassr at the beginning of the new campaign, particularly after the club enjoyed an impressive start without its captain. Al-Nassr have still given supporters plenty of reasons for optimism. The club opened the Saudi Pro League season with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh before following it with a 4-1 win over Al-Diriyah in the King’s Cup, giving Ange Postecoglou a perfect competitive start. The biggest development ahead of the Riyadh derby is that Ronaldo has been named among the substitutes rather than in Al-Nassr’s starting XI. That means the 41-year-old remains available to Postecoglou, but the manager has opted against throwing him straight into the starting lineup. The work is done. Tomorrow, we play 💛 pic.twitter.com/Gn2fb4HtDV— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 20, 2026 The decision will inevitably raise questions about when the Portugal international will finally make his first competitive start of the season. For now, though, Al-Nassr appear to be taking a cautious approach rather than rushing their biggest attacking star back into action. The reason behind Ronaldo’s absence The explanation for Ronaldo’s continued absence goes back to the unusual circumstances surrounding his preseason preparation. The veteran forward returned from his post-World Cup break later than many of his teammates, while his wedding celebrations also contributed to the limited amount of preparation time available to him. More recently, reports indicated that Ronaldo had been dealing with discomfort involving a pelvic muscle issue. That problem reportedly resulted in the striker training separately from his teammates while Al-Nassr’s medical staff monitored his condition. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr lifts the Saudi Pro League Trophy That context helps explain why Postecoglou has resisted immediately putting Ronaldo into the starting lineup. With a long season ahead, Al-Nassr have little reason to take unnecessary risks with a player they will need for the biggest domestic and continental matches. Ronaldo had already missed the 3-0 league victory against Al-Fateh, while he was also absent from the 4-1 King’s Cup win over Al-Diriyah. His return to the matchday squad against Al-Riyadh therefore represents progress, even if he has not yet been trusted from the opening whistle. Al-Nassr have coped impressively without its captain Ronaldo’s absence would normally represent a major attacking setback for any team, but Al-Nassr have managed to produce convincing results without him. The club has scored seven goals across its first two competitive matches, conceding only one in the process. Postecoglou has also benefited from the attacking quality around Ronaldo. Joao Felix, Angelo and Sadio Mane provide the team with different ways of creating chances, while the summer additions have helped ensure that the attack does not depend entirely on the Portuguese striker. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr celebrates with teammates Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman after scoring. That could make Ronaldo’s eventual return even more interesting. Rather than having to immediately carry the attack, he should be joining a team that has already developed some rhythm and confidence under its new manager. Al-Riyadh vs Al-Nassr: Confir
After Jose Mourinho, Bernardo Silva, and Ibrahima Konate, today Real Madrid held the official presentation for summer signing Denzel Dumfries.The 30-year-old right-back has been presented as a new Rea...
Guimaraes came off at half-time against City (Picture: Sportimage) Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could be sidelined ‘for a few weeks’ as a result of an injury picked up in the Community Shield against Manchester City. The midfielder completed his £75million move from Newcastle United this summer, featuring against Como in a pre-season friendly before starting in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday. He helped his new employers take early control of the game before coming off at half-time at the Principality Stadium and was later spotted holding an icepack on his thigh. Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday there was an injury concern heading into Friday night’s game against Coventry City. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. ‘Let’s see,’ Arteta told a press conference when asked about the former Newcastle star. ‘It’s evolving well, but let’s see.’ Luke Edwards of the Daily Telegraph now claims the injury could rule the Brazil international out ‘for a few weeks’. Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry before heading to Aston Villa in 10 days’ time, a Monday night fixture falling on 31 August. The Gunners then host Chelsea on 6 September. Arsenal will also be out the defensive duo of William Saliba and Jurrien Timber for their opening match of the season. The Arsenal midfielder started last weekend (Picture:Alamy Live News) Saliba is recovering from a back problem that is expected to rule him out for the opening months of the season with the club deciding against surgery in the summer months. Timber meanwhile has not started a game since March when he picked up a groin injury that derailed his season. The right-back is still to return to first-team training. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. Al-Nassr has made a strong start to the new Saudi Pro League campaign, but the road ahead for Cristiano Ronaldo has suddenly become more complicated. Two upcoming opponents have received important news that could strengthen their squads at exactly the wrong time for the Riyadh giants, adding another layer of intrigue to the early weeks of the title race. The developments come as the Saudi Pro League continues to tighten its financial controls while clubs attempt to complete their summer recruitment. For Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, the timing is particularly significant with Al-Riyadh waiting on Friday and Al-Ettifaq scheduled to face the defending champions next week. The first major development concerns Al-Riyadh, which has received approval to register Ivorian midfielder Kader Keita. The defensive midfielder is set to take the place of Senegalese striker Mamadou Sylla in the club’s registered squad after the necessary financial approval was granted. According to Al-Riyadh newspaper, the league has given the green light for Keita’s registration, allowing the midfielder to become available for selection. Keita, who was born in November 2000 and has a French-Ivorian background, arrives after a spell with Romanian club Rapid București. His arrival gives Al-Riyadh another physical and defensive option in midfield ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr. 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨عاااااااااااااااااااااااااااجل — الرياضية:تلقت إدارة نادي #الرياض موافقة الرابطة على تسجيل لاعب الوسط "قادر كيتا" بدلًا من المهاجم السنغالي "مامادو سيلا"!!✅🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/FlRpuFBNew— الرياض نيوز | Riyadh NEWS (@RFC_NEWS1) August 21, 2026 The timing could hardly be more interesting. Al-Riyadh suffered a 4-2 defeat to Al-Ettifaq in its opening league match, but it responded by beating Al-Zulfi 2-0 in the King’s Cup, meaning the club will enter Friday’s clash with renewed confidence. Al-Ettifaq also gets green light for Larsson The second boost involves Al-Ettifaq and Swedish forward Jordan Larsson, whose move to the club had been held up by financial restrictions. The club has now received approval from the Financial Control Committee to proceed with the signing from Copenhagen. Larsson had reportedly agreed to join Al-Ettifaq in a deal worth around $1.5 million, with the proposed contract running until June 2029. The 28-year-old had already completed his medical and arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, leaving the registration process as the major obstacle. The approval means Al-Ettifaq can now move closer to having another attacking option available. That could prove especially important ahead of its meeting with Al-Nassr on August 25, just four days after Ronaldo’s side faces Al-Riyadh. Why the registrations were delayed The two developments are linked to the Saudi Pro League’s increasingly strict financial regulations. The Financial Control Committee has introduced spending controls that limit first-team expenditure to 75% of a club’s revenue, with the remaining funds directed toward areas such as youth development and infrastructure. Those restrictions have already created complications for several clubs attempting to complete their transfer business. Al-Ettifaq’s inability to finalize Larsson’s registration is one example, while Al-Riyadh also needed approval before officially adding Keïta to its squad. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr faces tougher challenges For Al-Nassr, the news represents a double headache at the beginning of a campaign in which the club is expected to challenge for every major domestic trophy. Ange Postecoglou’s side began the league season impressively with a 3-0 victory over Al-Fateh and subsequently defeated Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo of team Al-Nassr FC competes for the ball with Ahmed Al-Julaydan of team Al-Ittihad FC Ron
Centre-back to join from Chelsea after Acheampong snubWharton has three years left on current deal at PalaceCrystal Palace have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Axel Disasi on loan and are expecting further interest in some of their key players in the final week of the transfer window, having informed Manchester City that Adam Wharton is not for sale.Palace have been searching for a replacement for Maxence Lacroix after selling the France defender to Chelsea and are also understood to have approached Xabi Alonso’s side over a potential move for Josh Acheampong. But with Chelsea not willing to allow the England Under-21s international to leave Stamford Bridge, Palace have opted to bring in Disasi instead. The 28-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, is set to complete his medical on Friday. Continue reading...
Tottenham are considering a move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as Roberto De Zerbi looks to strengthen his attacking options before the transfer window closes. The France international has enjoyed an impressive spell at Selhurst Park and has developed into one of the Premier League’s more reliable centre-forwards. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us […] The post Tottenham target move for Frenchman as De Zerbi eyes attacking additions appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Chelsea has managed to offload one unwanted player – but not for the fee they hoped for (Photo: Getty) Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to loan out Axel Disasi to Crystal Palace, after once again failing to sell the defender permanently. Much was expected of Disasi when he moved from Monaco to Stamford Bridge in 2023 in a transfer worth over £38million. He was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino but upon Enzo Maresca’s arrival he was dumped into the ‘bomb squad’ and has not played for Chelsea in over 18 months. During that time he has made temporary switches to Aston Villa and West Ham, and is now set for a third loan spell, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Chelsea and Palace have reached a verbal agreement after weeks of speculation. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. It is said the France international will undergo his medical on Friday, the day before Palace kick-off their season with a trip to Everton. Moreover, the Eagles will cover the 28-year-old’s salary and pay a small-ish loan fee to the Blues, rumoured to be around £5m, though there will be no obligation or option to buy clause. While Chelsea have managed to offload a player not wanted by Xabi Alonso, the deal is a far cry from what the club were hoping for, with rumours earlier this summer suggesting they wished to sell Disasi for £25m. Axel Disasi spent the second-half of last season on loan at West Ham (Photo: Getty) Negotiations for Disasi began almost immediately after Chelsea secured the signing of Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix for £52m. New Eagles manager Pierre Sage admitted on Thursday that the club were working to recruit a suitable replacement but, understandably, would not address the Disasi rumours directly. ‘Yes, we need a player in this department,’ the Frenchmen said in his pre-Everton press conference. Disasi last played for Chelsea in January 2025 (Photo: Getty) ‘We need a player with a lot of games, if possible in Premier League because we need players but we need a leader. That’s why we need to wait a little bit to find a good one. ‘He [Disasi] is a player from Chelsea, it’s difficult for me to speak about a player of another club, but I hear the same noise as you. ‘Maybe one or two [more signings] and we have time. We don’t want to [just] take a player, we want to take a good player for us. That’s why it’s not just one or two guys, because we have to work with these guys during the season, sometimes it’s better to wait.’ Chelsea have signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace (Photo: Getty) Lacroix is the only major sale Palace have made this summer and Sage has boldly stated that no other key player will depart Selhurst Park before deadline day. That includes England midfielder Adam Wharton, who is valued at £100m and has been the subject of an enquiry by Manchester City: ‘Now it’s not the moment to do that [sell him]. ‘He is able to play at a big club here or everywhere in Europe but one year with us, one year with a new dynamic will be good for him. We need him, that’s why I think he will stay with us.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Gareth Roberts, from The Late Challenge podcast, says Liverpool's attempts to sign Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh doesn't "signal intent" after the Reds had a £50m bid rejected. "It's a strange one, it's out of nowhere," Roberts told BBC Radio Merseyside. It's Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye that we've been consistently linked with and the expectation was something will happen with that.
Jose Mourinho is not putting a perfect starting XI together before his first competitive game in charge of Real Madrid. He is putting together the best team available.That was the message from the Por...
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
