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What a turbulent week it has been for Chelsea Football Club. Their poor form in December resulted in the sacking, perhaps surprisingly, of manager Enzo Maresca.

The Blues only won twice in the final month of 2025, and one of those wins came against League One Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.

The club, as is the done thing when a manager is sacked, released a statement on the official website.

It made for an interesting read, with one line explaining the club “believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track.”

There are already links regarding the new manager at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea turning to Premier League manager

There is one option Chelsea have when it comes to their new manager, who might be seen as an easy pick. Liam Rosenior, head coach of RC Strasbourg, is certainly attainable given the French side are sister clubs with Chelsea under the BlueCo ownership.

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However, the West London club might look within the Premier League for their new boss.

According to a recent report from Football Insider, the Blues have ‘sounded out’ Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, who is said to be ‘firmly on Chelsea‘s radar’ as they hunt for a new boss.

At this stage, it is not clear whether this deal would get over the line or not.

The report confirms that ‘it remains to be seen if he would leave Newcastle mid-season’ to switch to the Bridge, when they are so trigger-happy with sacking their manager.

Why Howe would be a good appointment for Chelsea

There is no doubt that Howe has built up a great reputation within top-flight football across England. Even though this season has been tough for Newcastle, he has guided them to top finishes and silverware.

It is not for nothing that Pep Guardiola once called Howe a “top-class” manager.

He has now taken charge of an impressive 201 matches at St James’ Park, which in itself is a huge milestone. In that time, he’s won 104 games with a win rate of 51.74%.

Howe record at Newcastle

Stat

Number

Matches

201

Wins

104

Win rate

51.74%

Draws

39

Losses

58

Goals for/against

359/250

PL average points per game

1.66

Stats from Transfermarkt

The best season under his tutelage for the Magpies came last term. Not only did they finish in a Champions League qualification spot, but they lifted the Carabao Cup to end the club’s trophy drought of almost six decades.

It was an achievement of monumentous proportions for the Englishman.

Indeed, Howe will be going up against countryman Rosenior for the Chelsea post, it seems. The ex-Hull City boss has also performed well in his role with Strasbourg, helping them reach the Conference League last term.

In total, he’s tasted victory 32 times in 62 games as the manager of the Ligue 1 outfit.

With that being said, there is certainly a case to be made that Howe has the edge over Rosenior when it comes to who should be appointed as Chelsea manager.

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During his time in France, the London-born manager has shown he is a good motivator and tactician, but he is arguably lacking in comparison to the Magpies boss.

There are two main factors that might make Howe more appealing. One of those is the fact that he’s won silverware as recently as last season.

The former Bournemouth manager will be expected to challenge for trophies at Stamford Bridge, and the fact that he has experience doing so may stand him in better stead.

Of course, English top-flight experience is the other factor. Rosenior has managed in France’s premier division and the Championship over in England, but Howe is something of a seasoned veteran when it comes to managing in the Premier League.

With that in mind, it is easy to see why Chelsea might lean towards appointing Howe. Although it would be a less easy deal to do than that of Rosenior, his experience in the Premier League and of winning trophies might be more appealing.

Related Dream Rosenior alternative: Chelsea considering the "best coach in the PL"

This manager could be Chelsea’s perfect Maresca replacement

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	Bevan Griggs was the preferred wicketkeeper in the Emerging Players squad © Getty Images

Greg Hay is one of 14 first-class players who will represent New Zealand at the Emerging Players Tournament in Queensland in July. The side will be coached by Andy Moles, the former Warwickshire batsman who has coached Kenya, Scotland and England Under-19s.Hay, the Central Districts batsman, missed out on the England tour despite averaging 49.33 in 15 first-class matches and 49.91 in one-day matches so far but this announcement will prove some consolation, as will his winter contract awarded on Monday. Neil Broom, Michael Guptill and BJ Watling have also been selected for the tournament and for a deal.The wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs, 30, has been included ahead of Peter McGlashan, who played two Twenty20 internationals in 2006, and the rising star Derek de Boorder. New Zealand Under-19 players Corey Anderson and Trent Boult got the nod as well.Nathan McCullum and Bradley Scott were left out, despite appearing in the tournament last year and receiving winter contracts. McCullum is playing club cricket in Europe, while Elliott is currently on tour with New Zealand in England.The Emerging Players team will play against sides from South Africa and India alongside the Australia Institute of Sport. They will then have one three-day match, a 50-over match and a Twenty20 against a Queensland state XI.”This is the fourth year of the tournament and it has become a key part of NZC’s winter training programme,” selector Glenn Turner said. “We have seen a number of players progress through to the Blackcaps after showing potential on such tours. The event also gives players competition experience and our teams have always performed well there.”Emerging Players squad Corey Anderson, Brent Arnel, Hamish Bennett, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Leighton Burtt, Brendon Diamanti, Bevan Griggs (wk), Martin Guptill, Greg Hay, Brandon Hiini, Peter Ingram, Robbie Schaw, BJ Watling.

Division One

Paul Wiseman and Graham Onions made useful inroads into Hampshire’s strong batting lineup who struggled against Durham on the first day at The Rose Bowl. Choosing to bat, Hampshire lost Michael Brown and John Crawley, both for ducks, before Michael Carberry and Michael Lumb put on 82 for the third wicket. After hitting 10 fours in his 70, Lumb was trapped lbw by Wiseman as Hampshire went to stumps on 160 for 5.Lancashire moved to 164 for 1 on the opening day against Kent at Old Trafford. Only 50 overs were possible due to the heavy rain affecting large parts of the north of England, but there was enough time for Iain Sutcliffe and Mal Loye to each notch half-centuries. Loye was typically aggressive, crunching nine fours and a six in his 62 while Sutcliffe played the anchor role.Kabir Ali took three quick wickets for Worcestershire who reduced Warwickshire to 86 for 4 on a damp day at Edgbaston. Rain delayed the start of play by 75 minutes before Ali’s new-ball partner, Doug Bollinger bowled Darren Maddy – shouldering arms – for 5. And then Ali struck, removing Ian Westwood, Kumar Sangakkara and Jonathan Trott in quick succession. He ought to have had Jim Troughton caught, too, when he edged him to first slip but the wicketkeeper, Steven Davies, dived in front and spilled it. Half-an-hour after lunch, rain and bad light forced the players off for the day.There was no play between Yorkshire and Sussex at Headingley due to heavy rain.

Division Two

Andy Bichel cracked a brilliant 102 from 138 balls to give Essex the upper hand on the opening day against Middlesex at a gloomy Lord’s. In ideal bowling conditions, Chris Silverwood and Chaminda Vaas reduced Essex to 55 for 5, before Ryan ten Doeschate and James Middlebrook rescued a sinking ship with a sixth wicket stand of 42. But it was Bichel who transformed the whole feel of the day with his destructive hundred coming from 137 balls and containing three sixes and nine fours. Owing to the slow, damp outfield, his team-mates had earlier struggled to gain full value from their strokes, but Bichel had no such problem and brought up his hundred with a huge six over square-leg. He perished in the following over to Murali Kartik, attempting an equally ambitious shot, but his knock has put Essex in command when all seemed lost.Andy Caddick rolled back the years with three wickets in 17 balls to help Somerset reduce Gloucestershire to 69 for 4 at Bristol. Caddick, returning to the team after a side strain, began the day with four successive maidens before the rain came down after 7.5 overs. The match resumed at 5.15pm and, with his seventh ball after the break, Caddick had Kadeer Ali caught by Marcus Trescothick low at first slip. Hamish Marshall and Chris Taylor both fell in the same fashion, caught by Trescothick, as Somerset made the most of a shortened day.Only 18 overs were possible on the opening day at Northampton, but Leicestershire’s bowlers made the most of the shortened day to reduce Northamptonshire to 53 for 3 at stumps. That they reached the heady heights of 53 owed much to Riki Wessels who, coming to the crease at 9 for 3, cracked 37 from 46 balls to restore some respectability. David Masters picked up 2 for 24, and Stuart Broad 1 for 24.There was no play on the opening day at Nottingham between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire due to rain.

Sachin Tendulkar finally returns to the international fold after a four-month layoff © Getty Images

Sachin Tendulkar has been declared fit to play in the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said today.Tendulkar has made good progress after testing his right shoulder over the last five days under the supervision of John Gloster, the India team physio. Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, also confirmed that that Tendulkar will not be required to undergo a fitness test, originally scheduled for Wednesday.”Tendulkar has been undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of team physiotherapist John Gloster and in the last five days has made progress satisfactory enough to make him available for the Sri Lanka series,” he told reporters. “The report we have got is that Sachin is fit to play. He is available for selection again.”Tendulkar also consulted his surgeon in London, Dr. Andrew Wallace, who was very satisfied with his recovery from shoulder surgery. Tendulkar showed little discomfort during his short tour of England, where he represented club side Lashings and participated in a Twenty20 charity match.If he is indeed selected, which is a certainty, the tri-series will mark his international comeback after a four-month layoff. After a successful surgery, Tendulkar was hopeful of being fit for the Tests in India’s tour of West Indies recently. However, he had to cancel a scheduled fitness test in May to determine his selection, as his shoulder required more time to heal.The selectors meet on Thursday to pick the squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.

England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher was certain he would havea full squad available for the first Test against Australia next month,despite injury concerns surrounding several tourists.England’s tour party flies out to Australia tomorrow for the five Testtour with clouds hanging over pacemen Darren Gough, Simon Jones and AndyFlintoff and batsmen Mark Butcher and Michael Vaughan.Gough, Jones and Flintoff will arrive in Australia still a long way fromfull fitness but Fletcher was confident the three first class matchesbefore the opening Test in Brisbane on November 7 would give them enoughtime to recover.Spearhead Gough, who has 228 Test wickets to his name, is vital toEngland’s bid to win back the Ashes for the first time since 1987.And Fletcher played down fears that knee surgery in the summer wouldkeep the 32-year-old out of at least the first two Tests.”We expect Gough to be fit for the first Test. He’s ahead of schedule,”Fletcher said.”He’s been bowling off a short run for the last week and a half.”Flintoff has not fully recovered from a hernia operation and said todayhe was still unable to run.Jones, however, was making good progress with his side strain, as wereButcher and Vaughan with their niggling knee injuries”Everybody is as we hoped. The only person that is slightly behindschedule is Andy but we do have time on our side,” Fletcher said.”We can get him along in the next 10 days or two weeks in Australia.”Simon Jones has been bowling in Glamorgan and is bowling at 85 to 90per cent.”Butcher and Vaughan, from what I’ve heard, they will be available fromthe start.”Fletcher today announced he had signed a one-year extension to hiscontract to keep him at the helm of the England side until 2004.”We have already laid the foundations of a successful side and thecontract extension will give me the opportunity to help the England teamprogress even further,” he said.

Frank Chamberlain, the chairman of the Test & County Cricket Board between 1990 and 1994, has died at the age of 78.Chamberlain, who made six first-class appearances as an amateur for Northamptonshire in 1946, succeeded Raman Subba Row at the helm of English cricket’s governing body – the forerunner of the ECB. He served a four-year term before being succeeded by Dennis Silk.Chamberlain was also chairman of Northamptonshire from 1985 to 1990, and later served as their president. He was educated at Uppingham School, but his playing career was cut short by the demands of business.

The ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003 today marked the launch of one the event’s most important projects – the Learners’ Homework Diary 2003. The mass-produced publication forms part of a commitment to use the world’s premier cricket tournament to spread ownership and knowledge among South Africans of all walks of life.A total of 700 000 of these will be distributed free nationwide to 7000 secondary schools (essentially Grade 12s) as the new school year begins.This is believed to be the biggest print order for a book yet produced in South Africa.At a media function in Johannesburg it was announced that the Homework Diary had come about through a partnership involving the SA Post Office Ltd, Penguin Books and the Department of National Education.The diary is packed with cricket facts and figures, diagrams, photos of top SA players, information on SA’s national symbols and geography graphics of the competing nations.Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of ICC CWC 2003, thanked all those involved. “This could well be the most significant of a number of wonderful projects that are being launched at this very important time for our country, and for international cricket. It is our commitment to spread the game of cricket through all our communities and there is no better way than to embrace the youth of our country than by providing them with a book that will be both educational, motivational and inspirational.”Dr Bacher said he was delighted to announce that the printing contract for this mass publication was awarded to a black empowerment company Shumani Printers who are linked to CTP Printers in Cape Town.”Black empowerment is a cornerstone of all our endeavours at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. It is indelibly inscribed in our mission that we will spread ownership and transfer skills at every opportunity. This, I am proud to say, is one of them.”The Minister of Education, Prof Kader Asmal, said the Homework Diary “will go a long way in bolstering our efforts as the Ministry of Education in developing a new generation of learns who embrace the values that are the foundation of our new democracy: tolerance, friendship and fair play for all.”Dr Bacher praised the involvement of the SA Post Office Ltd who have contributed R4 million to the project. “The Post Office has become an important ally, not only through this but through the postage stamps and related products that they are putting out to mark the ICC CWC 2003.”Mr Maanda Manyatshe, CEO of the SA Post Office, said the backing for the Homework Diary was part of a series of projects that the SAPO had initiated to deliver opportunities to young South Africans countrywide.Alison Lowry, chief executive of Penguin (South Africa), a member of the CWC 2003 Publications Consortium, said: “Penguin are proud to have been in a position to make a contribution to the CWC 2003 organising committee’s vision of leaving something of value in the hands of SA’s youngsters once the tournament is over. The learners’ diary is intended to be both inspirational and aspirational, giving them role models in the cricketers who are showcased in it, as well as providing an educational spin in the information its pages contain, which is presented in an interesting and user-friendly way.”

Mark Ramprakash, in magnificent form, took Surrey to their first CricInfo Championship victory of the season as he led the way during the second session on the final day, chasing a target of 209.During those two most entertaining hours play, while he was at the crease, the London side thrashed Somerset’s bowling, hitting 143 runs with Mark Ramprakash at his best. He came in at the start of the session and was out in the penultimate over before tea, which was taken on 184 for four with Surrey only 25 runs away from victory.Ramprakash fell just ten short of what would have been his second century of the match. Had he achieved it, it would have been the fifth time in his career, having completed the feat on four occasions for his previous county Middlesex.It had been a wonderfully aggressive knock, he hit fourteen boundaries and a six from the 99 balls that he had faced. After putting on 65 with Mark Butcher for the second wicket, he added 60 for the next with Nadeem Shahid.He brought up the 50 in confident fashion, with a straight six off left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell and later got to his own 50 with a stylish cover drive for four. With dark clouds threatening at that stage, he scored quickly, at the rate of a-run-a-ball. It was a marvellous exhibition of batting, featuring perfectly timed cuts and beautiful drives, particularly in the cover area.After tea, it was just a formality, with Gary Butcher hitting the winning boundary in the fifth over to bring about a six-wicket victory.Earlier, it had taken Surrey an hour and ten minutes this morning to claim the remaining two wickets after Somerset had added 44 runs in 18.2 overs to their overnight score of 190 for 8.Martin Bicknell had Richard Johnson caught behind for 21 in the sixth over and finally Ian Salisbury took a return catch from Matthew Bulbeck – who had come out to bat with a runner, still suffering from a back injury – after the last pair had put on 27 to take their side to 234. It left Steffan Jones not out with 29.Salisbury, who seems to enjoy bowling against Somerset, finished with his first five wicket haul of the season for 95 runs from a long spell of 35.2 overs. His best bowling figures last season were also against Somerset.Afterwards Surrey skipper, Adam Hollioake, showered Ramprakash with praise.”His innings made the tough target really easy,” he said. “He played positively and took out all the close catches. If a guy can average 50 in all his cricket he can play; you don’t do that without being a class player. He can score runs anywhere.Commenting on the fact that this win was achieved without several key players, either injured or on England duty, Hollioake said: “If you look over the years we have performed as well or better without our international players. I don’t know if it’s because when they are here it is early season but it has been a long time since we have been beaten without our internationals.”

Celtic have not been shy when it comes to signing players from their fellow Scottish clubs, either on loan or on permanent deals.

One player that the Hoops signed from a fellow Premiership side in recent memory who has turned out to be a great bit of business is David Turnbull.

In August 2020, Celtic struck a deal with Motherwell for the signing of the midfielder, 14 months after a previous deal for him between the two clubs collapsed.

Since arriving at Parkead, the 22-year-old – who is currently picking up £14k-per-week according to Salary Sport – has already racked up 70 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and providing 15 assists in the process, highlighting how important he is to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

With five goals and four assists to his name in 19 league appearances this season, the midfielder has also shown in his overall performances how important he is for the team. WhoScored list him as the highest-rated player in Postecoglou’s current squad with a rating of 7.66/10, which also makes him the second-highest rated player in the entire Scottish top flight.

In January 2021, just a few months after becoming a Celtic player, Transfermarkt had Turnbull’s market value listed as £1.62m. It now stands at £5.85m, making him the second-most valuable player at the club and also showing a massive increase of 261% based on what he’s delivered for the Hoops on the pitch in terms of his goal contributions and overall performances.

Labelled a “phenomenal” player by Alan Hutton, Turnbull has certainly shown why the club were right to reignite their interest in him and finally secure a deal with Motherwell for the midfield maestro.

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If the 22-year-old can keep delivering solid displays and add further goal contributions to his record for the campaign – especially in their next league game against Rangers once the current international break concludes – then he will definitely be seen as a big reason as to why the Hoops could be getting their hands on the league trophy by the end of the season.

In other news: Celtic now handed huge boost ahead of Old Firm clash, Postecoglou surely buzzing

	Mohammad Kaif: Ready to seize the future © Cricinfo Ltd

Having earned a Test recall after nearly two years, Mohammad Kaif said he was expecting to be picked based on his domestic performance. He was named as replacement in the squad for the second Test against South Africa after Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out with a groin injury.”I had scored some 1000 to 1200 runs,” Kaif told the tabloid . “A bulk of them were scored on tough wickets so the call was kind of expected.” He scored 687 runs at 59.73 from eight Ranji Trophy games for Uttar Pradesh and 266 at 52.46 from two Duleep Trophy matches for Central Zone this season.Kaif was dropped from the Test side after India’s tour of West Indies in June 2006 despite scoring an unbeaten 148 in the second Test in St Lucia. “I had learned a lot during this period. I think whatever happens, happens for some good only. So I think there must have been some good reason of my being away from the Indian side.”I must thank my supporters and those who stood by me in my bad period. I hope that the bad phase has ended and this selection will bring more good news for me in the future.”Though excited about being included in the squad, Kaif said India would no doubt miss Tendulkar. “Captain Anil Kumble will never have wanted him [Tendulkar] to be out of the side,” Kaif said. But now I have got a chance and if I play, I will try and make the best out of it.”