Coupe de France · Attacker · #18 · France · 19 yrs
Sunderland winger Malick Fofana and left-back Dayann Methalie could make their starting debuts against Hull City in Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie. Deadline-day signing Fofana came off the bench in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Brentford and played a role in Enzo le Fee's equaliser. "It's a good opportunity to give minutes in a competitive game, which is very positive," said manager Regis le Bris.
Lyon sporting director Matthieu Louis-Jean has revealed that the club got involved in helping Malick Fofana choose Sunderland. The post ‘We Got Directly Involved’ – Sporting Director Makes Sunderland Deal Admission appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Xabi Alonso watched his side new-look Chelsea side lose 2-1 against Arsenal (Picture: Getty) Frank Leboeuf fears it won’t be long until one of Chelsea’s new signings isreduced to screaming at his teammates having been handed an ‘impossible’ task by Xabi Alonso. The new-look Blues were handed a reality check by champions Arsenal on Sunday, who ran out worthy 2-1 winners in this season’s first heavyweight clash. Alonso’s side were unable to build on the early lead handed to them by Morgan Rogers’ early strike and were unable to contain and Arsenal forward line which benefited from Martin Odegaard’s virtuoso display. Only an excellent display from Chelsea’s new No.1 goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, prevented the Gunners from adding to the goals provided by Kai Havertz and Odegaard. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. While the Argentina international was partially at fault for Havertz’s equaliser, when he was beaten at his near post, he had no chance with Odegaard’s matchwinning strike after he was left completely exposed by a defence that remains a work in progress. The Blues have already conceded seven goals in three Premier League games this season and Leboeuf, a former Chelsea defender himself, has warned Alonso the recent recruit from Aston Villa can only do so much to bail his teammates out. Emiliano Martinez was left totally exposed for Arsenal’s winning goal (Credits: EPA) ‘He has to make the people click, that was kind of awful the people don’t know what to do,’Leboeuf told ESPNFC when asked about Chelsea’s defensive fragility. ‘I think Emiliano Martinez is going to be upset soon. He doesn’t say anything now because he just signed, he doesn’t want to be unpolite maybe, but he’s going to start screaming very soon because that’s impossible. ‘Especially again, Fofana he doesn’t know what to do, he has the help of Hato on the left side, which is not the case for Acheampong who couldn’t count on Neto, it was more Lavia trying to help. Wesley Fofana had a difficult afternoon up against Kai Havertz (Source: AP) ‘They have to try working better and talk to each other. For me Lacroix has to be with Colwill and do something for the others. ‘The others are kind of lost maybe because of inexperience, maybe not good enough, maybe too young. ‘But they have to click, if you want to do something you know this. ‘Chelsea have proven that when you used to win titles you have to be good defensively and when you have that then you can approach something. {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Alonso: Chelsea made to 'hurt' by Arsenal during 2-1 defeat","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/07\/4710295427016078709\/480x270_MP4_4710295427016078709.mp4","description":"1-0 up. 2-1 loss.","duration":"T6M45S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/09\/07\/07\/111091357-0-image-a-105_1788761969650.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-09-07T07:19:25+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘They are very good offensively, but when they lose the ball they become very fragile. ‘That’s the aspect of the game they have to improve. ‘They can threaten any team, any club, any time. But it’ so open at times it’s unbearable to see, you cannot lo
While interested on an emotional return to Olympique Lyon, Karim Benzema's status as Saudi Pro League ambassador reportedly ended up blocking the move. Karim Benzema emerged as one of the most intriguing free agents of the 2026 summer transfer window, and while drawing interest from multiple European clubs, he was open to a homecoming at Olympique Lyon. However, according to reports, his contractual status as a Saudi Pro League ambassador ultimately blocked an emotional return to the French side. Following Ollie Watkins’ arrival at Al Hilal, Karim Benzema and the Saudi club reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, which had one year remaining. The move sent the French striker into free agency, leaving him cleared to negotiate terms with potential suitors. Concurrently, Olympique Lyon have navigated severe financial constraints in recent seasons, raising funds by selling young talents like Malick Fofana to Sunderland for $34 million (€29.3 million EUR) and Afonso Moreira to Bayer Leverkusen for $34 million (€29.3 million EUR). Despite Lyon’s tight budget, L’Equipe reported that Benzema was willing to return to his boyhood club without taking a salary. While both parties favored the reunion, contractual entanglements halted progress. Beyond finalizing his exit details with Al Hilal, a broader contractual barrier stood in the way: Benzema’s agreement as a Saudi Pro League ambassador through 2030 prohibits him from competing professionally in another country, rendering a move to Lyon virtually impossible. Karim Benzema of Olympique Lyon. (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) As part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision leading up to the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) secured several global marquee figures as brand ambassadors to drive international media visibility. Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and formerly Neymar, Benzema was signed to a long-term promotional agreement. With the PIF holding his global image rights under the deal, Benzema is obligated to represent the kingdom at major sporting showcases, such as Ronaldo’s recent appearance at the Esports World Cup, while agreeing not to play for clubs outside the Saudi Pro League. With the forward intending to honor those commitments, a return to European football is off the table despite his free agent status. Retirement becomes an increasingly likely path for Benzema While negotiating his exit terms with Al Hilal, Al Shabab emerged as a potential destination, initially exploring a loan arrangement before offering a permanent contract once Benzema hit free agency. However, Benzema declined the offer from the Saudi club, leaving retirement as an increasingly probable next step. At 38 years old, Benzema would be 43 by the time his ambassador contract expires in 2030, effectively closing the door on playing again in Europe or another foreign league unless the agreement is restructured. Although the primary Saudi transfer deadline has passed, domestic clubs retain the ability to sign free agents, leaving his active playing career at a crossroads.
Manager was frustrated not to land defensive targets and lost last-day tug of war but can draw on positives as he seeks his first pointsAt least Pierre Sage did his research before joining Crystal Palace in June. Having stepped into Oliver Glasner’s shoes after the most successful era in the club’s history, it has not been the easiest transition for the engaging Frenchman following defeats against Everton and Manchester City to start the new campaign, and amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of some of the Conference League winners’ key players.Ismaïla Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta ended up staying at Selhurst Park despite interest from Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively, while Palace brought in four new players after missing out to Sunderland for Malick Fofana in one of deadline day’s most dramatic storylines. But Sage is sanguine about experiencing a typically chaotic first transfer window in south London, and relieved to be able to concentrate on events on the pitch before Saturday’s trip to Fulham. Continue reading...
The day, for Malick Fofana, started with Arsenal, on the hunt for a left winger, registering their interest. It ended with him signing for Sunderland, and had plenty in between.
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