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It wasn’t a vintage performance, but Chelsea managed to get the job done and pick up all three points against Benfica on Tuesday night.

José Mourinho was denied a fairytale return to Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca’s side ran out 1-0 winners and picked up their first points in the Champions League this season.

There were some impressive showings from the likes of Pedro Neto, who was a constant threat out wide, and even Robert Sanchez, who made several saves to keep his side in the game early on.

However, there were also some underwhelming ones, especially from one recent signing who is starting to show shades of Mykhailo Mudryk.

Mudryk's Chelsea nightmare

Back in January 2023, the Chelsea fan base was ecstatic at the £89m signing of Mudryk from Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk.

After all, here was a player London rivals Arsenal were seemingly desperate to sign, and they’d just managed to nab him from right under their noses.

Moreover, in the winger’s first game for the club, when he came off the bench at Anfield, he looked electric, constantly beating his opposite number for pace and with brilliant close control.

In fact, it was such an impressive debut from the young dynamo that Gary Neville claimed that he “wouldn’t like to play against him!”

However, that short cameo against the Reds was as good as it got for the 24-year-old that season, as he ended the campaign with just two assists to his name in 17 appearances for the Blues, and with fans and pundits alike questioning his ability.

Things didn’t get much better for the international ace the following season, as in 41 appearances, he scored seven goals and provided four assists, which isn’t anywhere near good enough for someone who cost as much as he did.

Then, in October of last season, as if he wasn’t getting enough stick, Maresca told the press that he was a “slow” learner, which only lends credence to Jason Cundy’s claim that he “doesn’t have football IQ.”

Mudryk’s Chelsea career

Appearances

73

Minutes

3612′

Goals

10

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

172′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Unfortunately, things somehow got even worse for the player and the club as he was provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test in December, and was then charged by the FA in June, which could see him handed a four-year ban.

In all, Mudryk has to go down as one of Chelsea’s worst-ever signings, and while there isn’t anybody else in the squad facing quite the same magnitude of issue he is, there is someone who is looking as ineffective on the pitch.

The Chelsea player who could be another Mudryk

So, while there are a few players who are flattering to deceive at Chelsea this season, only one can be compared to Mudryk.

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Unfortunately for him, that player is Jamie Gittens, who arrived at the club from Borussia Dortmund for around £48m this summer.

Now, it should be said that, as he is still young and showed glimpses of real brilliance here and there last season, there is every chance he could come good and flourish in West London.

However, as things stand, and most Blues fans will attest, he has looked miles off the pace this season.

For example, the Englishman has made six appearances so far, three of which have been starts, and he’s yet to score or assist a goal.

Gittens’ Chelsea career

Appearances

6

Starts

3

Minutes

244

Goals

0

Assists

0

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, it’s not as if he’s been up against world-class opposition every game, as he started against Lincoln City last week and was so bad that he failed to have even one shot on target against the League One side.

It was more of the same when he came on against Benfica on Tuesday, as even though he had over 30 minutes to make some sort of impact against the Portuguese side, he looked as lost as he has in every other game.

It’s the way in which he loses the ball, makes the wrong decisions and generally brings attacks to an end that makes it impossible to ignore the Mudryk comparisons.

On top of that, the displays have been so subpar that the fans already seem to be losing patience, with one content creator describing him as “shockingly bad.”

Gittens’ game vs Benfica

Minutes

29′

Expected Assists

0.01

Shots on Target

0

Dribbles (Successful)

3 (1)

Touches

16

Lost Possession

8

Accurate Passes

3/5

Key Passes

0

Duels (Won)

8 (4)

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (0)

All Stats via Sofascore

While it sounds harsh, that’s not really an overreaction to his display against Jose’s side, as he failed in two of three dribbles, misplaced 100% of his crosses, lost 50% of his duels, lost the ball with every other touch and completed just three passes in total.

Ultimately, Gittens might still come good for Chelsea, but at the moment, he looks more likely to be another Mudryk-esque winger.

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Bangladesh completed their highest successful chase in ODIs and surged to the top of the women’s World Cup Qualifier points table with a two-wicket victory over Ireland. Chasing 236, Ritu Moni’s career-best unbeaten 67 off 61 balls helped Bangladesh recover from 94 for 5 and then 186 for 8 to win the match with eight balls to spare.Moni and No.10 batter Nahida Akter shared an unbroken 54-run stand off just 34 balls, the highest for Bangladesh for the ninth wicket in ODIs and left Ireland all but out of contention for the qualifiers. Bangladesh are now on four points along with Pakistan and Scotland, and ahead on net run-rate while Ireland are fifth and winless. They have lost all three of the matches they’ve played so far.Ireland will be gutted after they gave their best account of themselves with the bat, crossed 200 for the first time in the tournament and had Bangladesh on the ropes early on. Orla Prendergast’s double strike in her first spell dismissed Farghana Hoque for a duck and Ishma Tanjim stunningly caught at first slip for 2. Bangladesh were 2 for 2 in the fifth over and stumbling.Sharmin Akhter and the ever-reliable Nigar Sultana, fresh off a first century in the format against Thailand, steadied things with a 52-run third wicket stand but they were separated when Laura Delany hit Sharmin on the front pad and had her lbw. Sobhana Mostary only scored 7 but Bangladesh looked down and out in the 26th over when Sultana was caught behind off Jane Macquire after completing her sixth ODI half-century. Moni, new to the crease, was on just 4 at the time and had already been dropped once, on 0.Ireland, who put down six catches against West Indies, would be left to regret their fielding blunders as Moni went on to punish them. She put on 45 with Fahima Khatun, who was bowled by Ava Canning for 28. When Jannatul Ferdus and Rabeya Khan were dismissed in the space of 16 deliveries, Bangladesh’s fate appeared sealed but Moni never gave up.She was strong on either side square of the wicket and down the ground and kept her composure, even with a required run-rate of more than seven an over in the dying phases. Moni reached fifty in the 48th over, off the 56th ball she faced, and she should have been out. She swiped Arlene Kelly to Macquire at square leg but hit the ball hard and flat and Macguire parried the ball over her head.Nigar Sultana scored 51 to guide her team in the 236-chase•BCB

The drama was not over as Moni received treatment for what seemed to be a cramp of the calf muscle, with Bangladesh 14 runs away from victory from 14 balls. She resumed batting with renewed focus, hit the next ball for four and got the equation down to nine runs needed off the last 12 balls. Moni sealed the win with a six to leave Ireland wondering what more they could do to get a win in this tournament.They recovered from the early run-out of Sarah Forbes as Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter put on 50 for the second wicket. Ferdus, who took five wickets in her third ODI against Thailand, was at it again and caught Lewis off a leading edge off her own bowling. Hunter was run out when she tried to push for two after hitting the ball into the leg side but Mostary ran from deep mid-wicket to gather the ball and fired in a strong throw to Sultana. Hunter was short of her ground.Prendergast and Delany put on 72 runs for the fourth wicket and the latter went on to a fourth ODI half-century but then Ireland fell away. They lost 4 for 41 and legspinner Rabeya picked up 3 for 39. Still, Bangladesh needed to score more runs than they’ve ever done before to win an ODI. Their previous highest successful chase was 211 at the same ground six years ago. Nahida was batting at the end on that occasion too.Sarah Bryce top-scored for Scotland•ICC/Getty Images

Scotland defeat Thailand in low-scoring match

In the earlier match, Scotland notched up a second win in the campaign by defending 206 against Thailand in a low-scoring match at the LCCA.Scotland were once again held together by captain Kathryn Bryce, who scored her second successive half-century, and the sixth of her ODI career. She is now the competition’s top run-scorer. Bryce was supported by Ailsa Lister’s run-a-ball 38, and the pair shared in a 67-run fourth-wicket stand which was the most profitable of the innings. Despite a lower order collapse that saw Scotland go from 141 for 4 to 206 all out, Megan McColl combined with the lower order for her first ODI fifty.Thailand’s spinners were responsible for Scotland losing six for 65 as left-arm spinner Thipatcha Putthawong and offspinner Onnicha Kamchomphu claimed six wickets between them. The delivery of the innings belonged to legspinner Suleeporn Laomi who bowled Katherine Fraser with a ball that pitched on middle and leg and straightened to take out middle stump.Thailand had a decent start to the chase with a first-wicket stand of 41 but lost both openers in the same over. Rachel Slater had Nattaya Boochatham trapped lbw and then bowled Chanida Sutthiruang with a ball that tailed in from legstump and beat her flick. In her next over, Slater’s full length was too good for Nannapat Koncharoenkai and beat her expansive drive to hit middle and leg stump and leave Thailand reeling on 46 for 36.From there, it was all spin and Natthakan Chantham, who held up her end while Abtaha Maqsood and Fraser plucked wickets at the other end. None of the Thai batters from No. 5 down got into double figures but Chantham, playing in her 11th ODI, brought up 500 runs in the format and reached a sixth half-century.She was strong on the sweep and excellent with her feet but in the dying stages of the innings advanced on Maqsood and was bowled. Maqsood finished with figures of 3 for 26 from six overs and Fraser, who ended the game when Kamchomphu was caught at extra cover, picked up 3 for 28.Scotland are level with Pakistan and Bangladesh on points but have played one more game and have a negative run rate. Their next match is against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

Chelsea have now received a response after submitting a £43m offer for a defender who’s “as good as Van Dijk and Saliba”, according to a report.

Blues looking to strengthen at centre-back

Although his side were unable to pick up all three points against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Enzo Maresca will be pleased that his side managed to keep a clean sheet, with the centre-back partnership of Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah holding firm.

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The duo made a combined 17 defensive actions to keep Palace at bay, with both players also showcasing their ability in possession of the ball, averaging pass-completion rates of over 90%.

However, there may be some doubts over whether the Blues’ defence is good enough to mount a serious Premier League title challenge, with Acheampong still only 19-years-old, while Chalobah remains relatively inexperienced at the top level.

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With Levi Colwill also sidelined for the foreseeable future due to an ACL injury, it would make sense to get another centre-back through the door, and an offer has been made for a Serie A defender.

That is according to a report from Gazzetta, which states Chelsea have tabled a €50m (£43m) bid for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, which was ‘politely declined’ by the Italian.

The Blues are not the only Premier League club to have expressed an interest in Bastoni, with Newcastle United also coming forward over a potential deal, but the defender remains focused on Inter’s upcoming campaign.

That said, another approach from one of the interested English clubs isn’t ruled out, suggesting that a deal could still be possible later in the window.

Bastoni could be on Van Dijk and Saliba's level

The 26-year-old is held in very high regard by presenter and analyst Nieve Petruzziello, who claimed he was “as good as Van Dijk and Saliba” last season.

The Italy international is also extremely comfortable in possession of the ball, as showcased by his passing and dribbling ability, which has regularly been on display over the course of the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Passes attempted

80.63 (94th percentile)

Progressive passes

5.49 (92nd percentile)

Progressive carries

1.99 (98th percentile)

The Inter star’s passing ability, coupled with the fact he is used to playing in a back three, could make him an ideal addition to Maresca’s squad, given that the Chelsea boss often implements a three-at-the-back system.

As such, it is disappointing the Blues’ opening offer was rejected, but a move later in the window has not been ruled out, and it could be worth submitting an improved bid for the centre-back.

عاد مارك بيرنال، لاعب نادي برشلونة، للحديث عن تفاصيل إصابته بالرباط الصليبي والتي حدثت له خلال العام الماضي أثناء مباراة رايو فاليكانو بالدوري الإسباني.

بيرنال تم تصعيده إلى الفريق الأول لنادي برشلونة الموسم الماضي وحصل على الثقة من قبل المدير الفني هانز فليك، لكن اللاعب أصيب بقطع في الرباط الصليبي خلال مواجهة البلوجرانا ضد رايو فاليكانو، والتي انتصر فيها برشلونة 2-1.

وعاد بيرنال من جديد إلى صفوف برشلونة هذا الموسم، حيث يعمل اللاعب بجد للعودة إلى مستواه.

اقرأ أيضًا .. روي كين منتقدًا راشفورد: كان جزءًا من مشاكل مانشستر يونايتد

وقال بيرنال في تصريحات إلى شبكة ”ARA” عن تفاصيل العملية في ركبته: “أقول الليلة الأولى هي الأصعب في إصابتي، حيث كانت طويلة جدًا. وكذلك بعد العملية لا يمكنك المشي ولا يمكنك فعل أي شيء”.

وأضاف: “لم أستطع حتى تغيير وضعية جلوسي، لقد مر شهر ونصف صعبين للغاية، لقد حذرني جافي بالفعل من حدوث هذا، في البداية كان الأمر صعبًا للغاية لكن لاحقًا في الملعب، والجري، وممارسة التمارين بالكرة. سأشعر بأنني شخص قادر على اللعب من جديد”.

وأوضح: “نعم، لقد كانت فترة صعبة والآن أحتاج إلى استعادة إيقاع لعبي الطبيعي وهذا ما أعمل عليه حاليًا”.

وأردف بيرنال عن يوم الإصابة ضد رايو فاليكانو: ”هناك من يعاني ويبكي بعد هذه الإصابة ويستطيع مواصلة المشي، مع ذلك شعرت فورًا أن شيئًا ما قد حدث هنا. في الأيام التالية تأكد الأمر”.

وتابع: “أول ما خطر ببالي هو أنني سأغيب عن الملاعب لمدة عام كامل دون أن أفعل ما أحبه أكثر، وهو لعب كرة القدم”.

واستطرد: ”كنت قد لعبت ثلاث مباريات كأساسي في الدوري الإسباني، تعيش تجربة لا تصدق ثم يأتي يوم مباراة رايو التي كانت على وشك الانتهاء، ويحدث لي هذا”.

وقال: “ينتقل المرء من أفضل حالاته إلى شعور رهيب، لا أحد يدرك مدى صعوبة هذه الإصابة إلا بعد اجتيازها. كل ما مررت به كان صعبًا للغاية”.

وأضاف: “عندما خضعت للعملية، مكثت في المستشفى يومًا واحدًا وبالطبع، لم أستطع النهوض من السرير أو المشي، لم أستطع الحركة”.

وأوضح: “في ذلك الوقت كنت أعيش في لا ماسيا، وقررنا أنه من الأفضل الذهاب إلى الفندق المقابل لها، كانت والدتي معي طوال هذه الفترة، التي كانت صعبة للغاية، وكانت تدعمني الكامل، لم أستطع حتى الاستحمام ولم أستطع فعل أي شيء”.

وأكد بيرنال ، أن هذه الإصابة لم تعد تؤثر عليه الآن حيث أردف: “نعم لقد أصبحت من الماضي. عندما ألعب لا أفكر في الأمر. كان أمرًا يقلقني سواء كنت سأشعر بأي انزعاج أم لا، لكن في الوقت الحالي لا شيء”.

وأشار بيرنال، إلى أن فليك دعمه كثيرًا حيث تابع: “كان الأمر يتعلق بالصحة النفسية، كان ذلك بعد العملية الجراحية عندما جاء بعض زملائي لرؤيتي، فليك أيضًا والذي لطالما كان قريبًا جدًا مني، لقد سألني عن سير تعافيي من الإصابة وكان مهتمًا بي كثيرًا. لم أتوقع ذلك”.

واستمر بيرنال في الحديث عن فليك، حيث استكمل: ”لديه عقلية مختلفة عن عقليتنا وقد غير الكثير من الأشياء، لكنني أعتقد أنه جيد في الالتزام بالمواعيد، ويقدم احترامًا للجميع في غرفة الملابس”.

وعن مستوى برشلونة السيء مؤخرًا والهزيمة أمام إشبيلية وباريس سان جيرمان، قال بيرنال: “أعتقد أننا جميعًا قد نمر بأيام صعبة. صحيح أننا يجب أن نتحسن حتى لو حققنا الفوز، لكن في النهاية أعتقد أن فترة التوقف الدولي هذه كانت مفيدة لنا للاسترخاء قليلًا”.

وأضاف: “أنا متأكد من أننا سنتجاوز الأمر. بدءًا من مباراة نهاية هذا الأسبوع، نحن متحدون للغاية، وهذا يتجلى بوضوح في الملعب، كما أن جودة اللاعبين رائعة”.

وعن مركزه المفضل اختتم بيرنال: ”ربما ينظر إلى الأمر من الخارج أنني أحب اللعب كلاعب ارتكاز رقم 6، وهذه هي الحقيقة، اللعب في هذا المركز أسهل بالنسبة لي من اللعب في الجناح على سبيل المثال وأشعر بالراحة في اللعب في هذا المركز”.