Sports

The Chicago Cubs owners, the Ricketts family, and billionaire hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin have partnered together to launch a bid to buy Chelsea.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom government following Russia s invasion of Ukraine, is attempting to sell the Premier League club.

The deadline for bids is expected to be Friday, with a plethora of investors interested – including British billionaire and boyhood Blues fan Nick Candy.

The Ricketts family, who became major shareholders of Major League Baseball s Cubs in 2009, have reportedly combined with American Griffin to form a consortium capable of taking over at Stamford Bridge.

A widely reported statement from the Ricketts family on Wednesday confirmed their …

It may sound bizarre in practically every way, but the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day following its mid-season World Cup break.

Barely eight days on from the World Cup final in Qatar, England s top flight returns with no one able to afford a sluggish resumption.

Of course, much has changed since Premier League teams were last in action in early November, and in one respect nowhere is that truer than at Arsenal.

Although top of the table, the Gunners are now without the man that many felt was key in transforming their fortunes this season, with Gabriel Jesus facing a significant spell on the sidelines due to injury.

Their season resumes at home to West Ham on Monday, with all eyes on how well they adapt without the Brazilian.

Let’s crack o…

Pedro Neto has declared he wants to make history at Chelsea after completing his move from fellow Premier League side Wolves.

The Portugal international joined Chelsea in a £51.4million deal on Sunday, becoming the Blues ninth senior signing of the transfer window.

Neto was paraded to supporters at Stamford Bridge at half-time of the 1-1 pre-season friendly with Inter later the same day.

And the 24-year-old is raring to make his mark at Chelsea after bringing an end to his five-year stay with Wolves.

It s a big club, with big ambitions, he told the club s official website. I know the history the club has.

I m really looking forward to meeting my teammates, meeting the staff, and meeting everyone else, because I want to make history with the cl…

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker:

Looking to open the 2022/23 campaign with a flurry on Saturday lunchtime, Liverpool will make the trip to Premier League returners Fulham.

Fulham

Starting with the hosts, while Fulham might have cruised their way back to the Premier League last season, many are expecting a tough top-flight return for Marco Silva s men. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Spanish outfit Villarreal, the ex-Everton boss did see his squad show some signs of a struggle when signing off the 2021/22 Championship campaign. Including a final day 4-0 drumming away at Sheffield United, the Cottagers won just a pair of their last seven second-tier outings. However, despite being tipped as a landslide underdog on Saturday lunchtime, t…

Edin Terzic wants his Borussia Dortmund players to capitalise on their position in the Bundesliga title race, saying they are closer than ever .

Since Dortmund claimed two successive league titles between 2010 and 2012, rivals Bayern Munich have dominated, lifting the trophy for 10 straight campaigns.

However, an excellent run of form since the start of 2023 in which they have lost just one Bundesliga game, against Bayern, means Dortmund sit just two points behind the Bavarian side with six matches to play.

With a real chance of finally ending Bayern s string of titles, Terzic hopes his team can take advantage, telling reporters ahead of Saturday s game against Eintracht Frankfurt: We re closer than ever to the championship trophy, and we don t want to miss this …

Mamadou Fall has completed a permanent transfer to Barcelona from Los Angeles FC, the MLS club confirmed on Monday.

Fall initially joined the 27-time La Liga champions on loan last season, making 22 appearances for Barcelona Atletic, who play in the third tier of the Spanish league system.

The 21-year-old spent the previous campaign on loan with Villarreal s B team but made his name with the Black and Gold in the MLS.

Fall arrived from Senegal to join the Montverde Academy as part of Sport4Charity, an organisation run by former Senegal international footballer Salif Diao.

He signed a two-year contract with LAFC in 2021 and would go on to make 42 appearances in all competitions, registering six goals and one assist in that time.

Barcelona s cap…

The World Cup break is a danger for Alejandro Garnacho as the rising star s momentum could be stifled, according to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Garnacho struck a 93rd-minute winner as a second-half substitute to rescue United a 2-1 victory in Sunday s Premier League contest with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Argentina Under-20 international, who is not part of Lionel Scaloni s senior squad for Qatar 2022, now has two goals and two assists in his past four appearances.

While impressed by the youngster s form, Ten Hag is worried five weeks without playing a competitive match could work against Garnacho.

It is still a long way to go. He has to keep his feet on the ground – it’s the whole team now, Ten Hag said.

He has to do much mor…

Erol Bulut explained the reasoning behind his decision to keep Ollie Tanner at Cardiff after the young winger claimed South Wales derby hero status in the Bluebirds’ 2-0 win over Swansea.

Cardiff had lost the previous four derbies against their bitter rivals and were being held at bay before 21-year-old Tanner was sent on as a 70th-minute substitute.

Tanner, who was signed from Isthmian League side Lewes in July 2022 and spent the second half of last season on loan at York, scored his first Cardiff goal within 60 seconds of arriving and then won the penalty which captain Aaron Ramsey converted to seal matters.

Cardiff manager Bulut said: “He came from nothing and last season he was not here.

“When I had the pre-season, I gave everybody the chance to…

Erik ten Hag will gather Manchester United s players on Monday and give them the chance to explain the abject performance that resulted in a 7-0 thumping by Liverpool at Anfield.

After the heaviest defeat of the Dutchman s 481-game coaching career, Ten Hag suggested the immediate dressing-room debrief was all one way as he laid down a few home truths.

He repeatedly described United s display as unprofessional in interviews after the final whistle, and it was a chastening low just seven days after the high of winning the EFL Cup at Wembley.

The Red Devils have conceded 21 goals in five league games against Liverpool, and they have never lost a competitive fixture by a wider margin than seven goals, with Sunday s result sitting alongside 7-0 losses to Wolves, Aston…

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker:

In the midst of what has been a remarkable purple patch, Romania will welcome Bulgaria to Bucharest on Tuesday night.

Romania

Starting with the hosts, making what was an almighty qualifying upset last year as they cruised their way to this summer’s European Championships, Romania are riding what has been an iconic wave of momentum. Storming their way to top spot in Group I last year and remarkably collecting 22 points from their 10 qualifying appearances, Edward Iordanescu’s men have rightfully received plenty of plaudits from across the continent. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, Romania will be looking to make another statement of intent here. Signing off their qualifying romp with a 1-0 victory against Switzerland,…