The FC crew praise Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper Adrian for his starring role in the Red’s penalty shootout victory over Chelsea.
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Chelsea fans had to do double-take when their side ran out to face Liverpool in Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul.
Wasn’t there a transfer ban in place? How had Frank Lampard managed to smuggle a new player into their starting line-up?
– Ogden: Super Cup first of many hurdles for Liverpool
– Liverpool ratings: Mane decisive in…

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Gab Marcotti explains what is happening in Juventus’ search for a new manager after Maurizio Sarri reportedly told Chelsea he might want to leave.

Chelsea prove too strong for Arsenal in the second half, running away with a 4-1 victory to claim the Europa League trophy.

ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti answers the burning question at Chelsea after their Europa League triumph: Will Eden Hazard and Maurizio Sarri say goodbye?
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has said it would be “disappointing” if Maurizio Sarri joined Juventus and Napoli fans would see it as a “betrayal.”
Sources have told ESPN FC that Chelsea are ready to accept a request from Sarri to move to Juventus as a replacement for Massimiliano Allegri despite having come close to leading Napoli to the Serie A title just 12 months ago.
– When are the Premier League fixtures published?
– When does the new Premier League season start?
– Who qualifies for Europe from…

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Ruben Loftus-Cheek speaks exclusively to ESPN about how Eden Hazard’s relaxed nature in training translates to matches.

Shaka Hislop and Alejandro Moreno wonder if the best team made it through to the Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Chelsea. LONDON — Ruben Loftus-Cheek has told ESPN FC that it is only a matter of time before Chelsea master “Sarriball” and insisted that Jorginho is a better player than many supporters give him credit for.
Maurizio Sarri has encountered hostility from a significant number of Chelsea fans this season, but his team has secured a top-four finish in the Premier League and could yet add Europa League glory to a Carabao Cup final appearance in February after beating Eintracht Frankfurt in a dramatic penalty…

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Chelsea had a chance to climb to third in the Premier League against Burnley, but the Blues squandered the lead in a 2-2 draw with the Clarets.

LONDON — Chelsea missed a huge opportunity to capitalise on the mistakes of their top-four rivals, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a stubborn Burnley side at Stamford Bridge, despite another impressive display by Eden Hazard.
Positives
There were times this season when Chelsea might have lost a game like this. As things were, they were a little unlucky not to win it, stifled both by Burnley’s deep defending and commitment to time-wasting. Hazard also enjoyed a good game and Gonzalo Higuain…

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Chelsea had a chance to climb to third in the Premier League against Burnley, but the Blues squandered the lead in a 2-2 draw with the Clarets.

LONDON — Not only did Chelsea miss a huge opportunity to capitalise on the mistakes of their top-four rivals by being held to a 2-2 draw by a stubborn Burnley side at Stamford Bridge despite another impressive display by Eden Hazard, Callum Hudson-Odoi was lost for the season to an Achilles injury. N’Golo Kante also exited with an injury, but he’s expected to be fit to face Manchester United in midweek.
Positives
There were times this season when Chelsea might have lost a game like this. As things…

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With only six fixtures in the Premier League this weekend, Mark Donaldson presents his top picks for his fantasy team.

ESPN FC’s Paul Mariner delves into the latest transfer rumours surrounding David De Gea, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Adrien Rabiot and more in Transfer Rater.
LONDON — Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said he does not want to sign a midfield alternative to Jorginho but would like to make Mateo Kovacic’s loan from Real Madrid permanent.
Since the January sale of Cesc Fabregas, the coach said Kovacic is the only other player in his squad capable of filling in at the base of midfield.
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ESPN FC 100: The top players and managers in men’s soccer

Captain Marvel: Soccer’s greatest captains from Messi to Marta

– Viewers’ guide: Watch ESPN+ in U.S.
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– Fantasy: Set lineups, check scores!

“You know very well that, in that position, we have some problems because we have only Jorginho,” Sarri, whose side face West Ham at home on Monday, told a news conference.
“In…

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After sending a message to his No.1 goalkeeper, ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti and the FC crew explain why Maurizio Sarri should start Kepa against Fulham.

The Exploding Heads are back to review February where David Silva complicates emoji’s, Solskjaer’s Man United win again and Kepa was benched after his Carabao Cup final antics.

Despite Maurizio Sarri benching Kepa Arrizabalaga after his Carabao Cup antics, Chelsea added to Tottenham’s woes with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: Blues rebound, Spurs stumble
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho told ESPN Brasil that his club’s supporters have “the right to complain” about his performances this season but he is determined to change their minds.
Manager Maurizio Sarri has utilised Jorginho as the heartbeat of the Chelsea midfield since the pair arrived from Napoli last summer, and has kept faith with the Italy international even as a disappointing start to 2019 has seen both men become targets for supporter criticism.
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Watch on ESPN networks in the U.S.
ESPN+ is America’s home for a host of professional soccer leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy’s Serie A, Major League Soccer, UEFA Nations League and English FA Cup. |
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Welcome to the 2018 FC 100
ESPN FC’s experts ranked the best men’s players and managers in world football. Check out the list.

Your guide to football’s dark arts
Sergio Ramos is a master, Wilfried Zaha knows how to win a free kick and chicanery from corners can be crucial.

The greatest game never played
When Boca Juniors and River Plate were set to meet in Argentina’s most important match, Buenos Aires lost its mind, writes Wright Thompson.

– Follow Transfer Talk LIVE
– Fantasy: Set lineups, check scores!

Jorginho’s name was booed by sections…

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Steve Nicol doesn’t appreciate Maurizio Sarri’s self-praise after Chelsea’s rout of downtrodden Huddersfield Town.

Two goals apiece from Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a straighforward 5-0 win over a feeble Huddersfield.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard recaps his side’s comfortable 5-0 win over Huddersfield which included two goals from the mesmerising Belgian.

Two goals apiece from Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a straightforward 5-0 win over a feeble Huddersfield.

English Premier League: David Luiz (86′) Chelsea 5-0 Huddersfield

English Premier League: Gonzalo Higuain (69′) Chelsea 4-0 Huddersfield

English Premier League: Eden Hazard (66′) Chelsea 3-0 Huddersfield

English Premier League: Eden Hazard (45’+1) Chelsea 2-0 Huddersfield

English Premier League: Gonzalo Higuain (16′) Chelsea 1-0 Huddersfield
LONDON — Maurizio Sarri insisted that Chelsea will only see the best of Jorginho when the rest of his players execute his system properly on the pitch.

Jorginho has found his performances criticised at times this season by those sceptical of Sarri’s broader style of play, but made a positive contribution as Chelsea routed Huddersfield Town 5-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to ease the pressure on their Italian coach.

Sarri was pleased with Jorginho’s role in Chelsea’s greater fluidity going…

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Bournemouth netted four second-half goals, including two from Joshua King, to dominate Chelsea 4-0.
Gonzalo Higuain endured a Premier League debut to forget as Chelsea were humiliated 4-0 by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Josh King struck twice and David Brooks punished one horrendous David Luiz error before Charlie Daniels’ late header added another layer of humiliation.

Positives
Believe it or not, Chelsea actually started this match quite well, moving the ball with speed and purpose and stretching Bournemouth at times. That will be forgotten though and, given what transpired in the…

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