Chelsea’s struggles under Enzo Maresca continued this weekend as the Blues fell to a shock 2-1 home defeat against Sunderland, with the Black Cats netting a dramatic stoppage-time winner at Stamford Bridge.

The loss marked Chelsea’s third defeat in their last five Premier League games, intensifying pressure on Enzo Maresca amid growing concerns within the club’s hierarchy about the team’s inconsistent form and lack of progress.

Enzo Maresca under pressure as Chelsea chiefs make plans behind the scenes

According to reliable sources close to the club, tensions are rising behind the scenes at Chelsea, with several senior officials reportedly not aligned with Maresca’s vision or approach.

A reputable transfer insider has now revealed that Chelsea are laying the groundwork for a potential managerial change, with plans already being made to bring in a new head coach should results fail to improve.

As per his latest information, Chelsea are making plans to bring in Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as replacement for Maresca who is ‘on thin ice’ with certain officials at the club.

It’s understood that key decision-makers at Chelsea view Iraola as the next big thing in world football, believing he has the tactical acumen and leadership qualities to take the club to the next level.

Exclusive ?

We understand @ChelseaFC are making plans to bring Andoni Iraola to the club in the near future

They believe Andoni Iraola will become one of the leading managers in world football

Enzo Maresca is on thin ice ? with certain #cfc officials according to sources ? pic.twitter.com/ZbOjpBVONL

— indykaila News (@indykaila) October 29, 2025

Andoni Iraola is a man in demand with Man United also keen on him

Iraola is one of the most sought after names in football at the moment due to the excellent work he has done at Bournemouth.

He currently has the Cherries sitting second in the Premier League table, just four points behind league leaders Arsenal, having won five, and drawn three out of the first nine games.

Iraola has transformed Bournemouth into one of the most exciting, intense and tactically sound sides in the Premier League, all while working with limited finances.

Top clubs are after him including Manchester United who have been linked with Iraola amid uncertainty around Ruben Amorim’s long term future at the club.

Juventus are another club interested in securing the Spanish manager’s services, with reports suggesting that they have intensified their pursuit of 43-year-old.

While Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given public support to Amorim, vowing to give him significant time to prove himself, Todd Boehly’s history of hastily replacing managers puts Maresca’s job at risk and increases the chances of the club moving in for the Spaniard.

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Saudi Arabian clubs are reportedly preparing another offer for Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah at the end of the current season.

The Egyptian King, a global icon and the most famous Arab footballer in the world, has long been a top target for the rapidly growing Saudi Pro League, with interest intensifying as the summer transfer window approaches.

Saudi Pro League wants to sign Mohamed Salah

Despite Salah signing a new contract extension with Liverpool until 2027, the interest from the Middle East remains incredibly strong.

According to transfer insider Indy Kaila, Saudis want to sign Salah in the summer.

Saudi Arabia ?? want @MoSalah in the summer.

— indykaila News (@indykaila) October 28, 2025

An initial, massive offer worth around £200m was rejected by Liverpool previously, but the interest very much remains.

Mohamed Salah’s incredible Liverpool legacy

Salah is currently going through his worst form in a Liverpool shirt, and he still has 7 goal contributions in 13 appearances across all competitions. That stat is enough to showcase Salah’s brilliance.

Since arriving, the Egyptian has been a revelation, consistently performing season in season out.

Salah’s consistent brilliance makes him an irresistible target. His 2024/2025 season was statistically one of his best, where he was a clear contender for top individual honours.

The attacker registered an astonishing 47 goal contributions (29 goals and 18 assists) in the Premier League alone, a stunning haul that cemented his status as one of the world’s elite forwards.

Across his eight seasons at Anfield, he has amassed over 240 goals and 100 assists, an unparalleled record that proves he remains operating at the very peak of the game.

Mohamed Salah’s stats for Liverpool season wise via Transfermarkt

How Mo Salah would become the face of Saudi Pro League

Should Salah leave for Saudi Pro League, his arrival would be a massive event for the SPL.

While the league already boasts major names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Salah holds a unique position.

As a superstar Arab and Muslim athlete, he transcends football, carrying immense cultural weight across the region.

His image could become the ultimate marketing tool, driving unparalleled viewer interest, shirt sales, and global media attention, effectively crowning him the undisputed face of the Saudi Pro League and accelerating the kingdom’s ambitious sports project.

Salah might also be tempted to move this time after the recent dip in form this season under Arne Slot where he has looked out of place.

Is this going to be his final season at Anfield?

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Barcelona have reportedly made an opening offer for Crystal Palace’s Colombian international right-back, Daniel Munoz.

That is according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, which claims that the Spanish giants have made a £26m offer for the 29-year-old.

Barcelona make move to sign Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz

The bid signifies an aggressive move by the Catalan giants to secure a natural, proven presence on the right flank, a position that new coach Hansi Flick has reportedly made a priority for reinforcement.

There are others interested in the player as well with La Liga heavyweights Atletico Madrid also keen on Munoz but Deco is said to be speeding up his pursuit in order to land the player before competition arrives.

Crystal Palace, however, are not willing to sell the player unless they receive a ‘concrete offer. The Colombian is contracted to the Eagles until 2028, giving the Premier League side control over his future.

Crystal Palace also set to lose Marc Guehi in the summer

Marc Guehi’s dream move to Liverpool was blocked by Crystal Palace on deadline day, with the club insisting he see out the remainder of his contract.

Despite the transfer setback, the England international has maintained his high standards, continuing to play a vital role at the heart of Palace’s defence.

Manager Oliver Glasner has since confirmed that Guehi will leave the club at the end of the season, with no plans to extend his current deal.

Interest in the defender remains strong. Liverpool are expected to reignite their pursuit, but they face fierce competition from European giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, both of whom have been closely monitoring his situation.

Palace could face a defensive rebuild this summer

Crystal Palace are bracing for a potentially transformative summer, with the prospect of losing two of their key defenders in Guehi and Munoz.

Both players have been instrumental in Glasner’s setup, and their departures could leave significant gaps in both leadership and tactical structure.

The combined exit of the two players would strip the Eagles of much of their established backline leadership and quality, forcing the club into an extensive and expensive rebuild of its defence.

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Tottenham’s high-profile summer signing Xavi Simons has come under criticism from Dutch football journalist Johan Derksen, who believes the young playmaker is finding it difficult to cope with the physical demands and pace of the Premier League.

The Netherlands international joined Tottenham in a surprise transfer after the North London club hijacked Chelsea’s move for him.

They moved quickly to finalise a £65m deal with RB Leipzig, with former Spurs forward Timo Werner reportedly playing a role in convincing Simons to make the switch to London.

However, since arriving in England, the 22-year-old has endured a slow start to life at Tottenham under Thomas Frank.

Xavi Simons’ performances have now drawn mixed reviews, with several pundits questioning whether he can handle the intensity of English football.

Johan Derksen says Xavi Simons not physically ready for Premier League football

Speaking on the Groeten uit Grolloo podcast, Derksen delivered a blunt assessment of why the Netherlands international is currently underperforming at Spurs, suggesting the step up from the Bundesliga has been too steep.

His remarks, as quoted by Voetbal Zone, centered on the difference between Simons’ technical ability and his physical stature in the English top flight.

He said: “He’s a great player who often used his tricks in the Netherlands. He also performed well in Germany, but in England, they are much stronger physically. If you look at the English league and switch to a different league, it’s completely different.”

The veteran journalist argued that Simons’ struggles are a direct consequence of this shift in intensity. He continued: “You can see that he can’t keep up with the speed of action and is physically weaker.

“While Tijjani Reijnders doesn’t have that problem; he’s already one of the leading players at Manchester City.”

“In the past, a lightweight with good technique could easily hold his own. Technique is no longer the only thing you need to contribute; you also need physical strength at the top level.”

Why Xavi Simons is finding the Premier League a tougher challenge than expected

While Simons was a creative force in both the Eredivisie and the Bundesliga, the step up in intensity and physicality in England has clearly tested him.

The Premier League’s relentless tempo demands both explosive fitness and physical resilience, two areas the Dutchman may still be developing.

Despite his early struggles, Tottenham remain confident that the former PSV and Leipzig star will adapt with time.

His close control, vision, and versatility makes him a potentially key figure in Spurs’ long-term project once he adjusts to the demands of English football.

Seen as a natural successor to Heung-Min Son, Simons offers tactical flexibility and can operate effectively across the front three or in a central attacking midfield role.

Here’s the table version of those stats:

His impressive numbers in each of these positions further underline the quality he brings and hint at the significant impact he could have for Tottenham once he fully settles in.

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