Julian Nagelsmann was unhappy with Chelsea's recruitment process before deciding not to become their new manager, according to reliable journalist Mike Keegan.

How close was Nagelsmann to the job?

The Blues have gone through a tumultuous time of things this season, sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League as the campaign gradually reaches its conclusion. Both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter have been sacked since August, with neither impressing in charge, and Frank Lampard is in the Stamford Bridge hot seat until the end of the campaign.

Since Potter's dismissal, the search has been on to find his long-term successor, and for a long time, it looked as though Nagelsmann was the clear front-runner to become the new Chelsea boss. He has since backed of the race, however, deciding against taking the job and looking elsewhere after his surprise sacking at Bayern Munich.

The news came a shock to many, but now the reasoning behind the 35-year-old declining the job has emerged.

Why didn't German take charge of Blues?

Writing for The Daily Mail, Keegan claimed that Nagelsmann wasn't enamoured by the entire process, growing frustrated when Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali turned their attentions towards Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany:

"Julian Nagelsmann pulled out of the running to become the next Chelsea manager after harbouring serious concerns over the recruitment process, sources have disclosed.

"The German is understood to have been under the impression that the job was his and that talks were a formality. However, unease grew following a succession of meetings, and reports that managers such as Mauricio Pochettino and Vincent Kompany were also being considered."

This update has to lead to question marks over the manner in which Chelsea handled this situation – essentially, they have blown the chance to land one of Europe's brightest manager because of their scattergun approach. Boehly and his right-hand man Egbali clearly have a way of going about things, and while they are within the right to do things exactly the way they want to, it feels like it has backfired in regard to Nagelsmann.

This is such a crucial period in Chelsea's recent history, in terms of getting the right man in and making sure the Blues keep in touch with their Premier League rivals, and having missed out on Nagelsmann, it is essential that the next-best option is hired, whether it be Pochettino, Kompany of somebody else.

At the moment, too many poor decisions are being made at the club, both on and off the pitch, and it is no surprise that the team are struggling because of it.

Sri Lanka Cricket has earmarked Rs 200 million for the construction of two new cricket stadiums in the Northern and North Central Provinces

Sa'adi Thawfeeq06-Sep-2016Sri Lanka Cricket is investing in the development of cricket in parts of the country less exposed to the game by earmarking funds for the construction of two new cricket stadiums in the Northern and North Central Provinces.The executive committee of SLC has given its approval for the two projects to go ahead. The projects, on which work is due to begin in the near future, are expected to cost Sri Lankan Rs 200 million (approximately 1.38 million USD).”We have allocated Rs 100 million each for the construction of a cricket stadium at Polonnaruwa and one at Jaffna,” Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva, said. “The projects are due to begin very soon.”De Silva said plans for the Polonnaruwa stadium have been finalised and that work would commence soon. The stadium would be part of a larger sports complex that is being constructed in the area. In the case of Jaffna, SLC is still searching for a suitable site close to the main road so that people would have easy access to the stadium.”There is tremendous enthusiasm generated by the Tamil diaspora for a cricket stadium in the north,” de Silva said. “The Jaffna District Cricket Association is taking all steps to make it a reality.”We will initially construct the two stadiums as first-class cricket venues and later develop them into hosting international cricket matches. We want to develop cricket in the north and east and enhance the quality of the game in those areas.”Cricket in the north was hit very badly by the 30-year civil war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government. Since the end of the war, seven years ago, there has been large-scale development in the region, with sports being one of the key areas.

Newcastle United have revelled in the jubilance of qualifying for the Champions League under Eddie Howe's tutelage, but must now shift focus on making effective moves in the transfer market to secure their newfound spot among Europe's elite.

Technical director Dan Ashworth is expected to target four 'elite' signings this summer to enrich the Magpies' prospects of replicating their incredible work this season.

Liverpool and Chelsea were both out-of-sorts this term and neither club retained their spot in the top four of the Premier League; Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are also rising forces and will look to further their feats after qualifying for Europe.

Howe will be confident that his current crop can continue the industrious work forged thus far under his wing, but he will look to make the requisite upgrades where applicable, and the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin could fall prey as several departments of the Tyneside team are refashioned.

Should Newcastle sell Allan Saint-Maximin?

Saint-Maximin is one of Tyneside's most beloved stars in recent history, signing from Ligue 1 outfit Nice for £16.5m in 2019 and forging 124 appearances, scoring 13 goals and supplying 24 assists.

He has never been the most prolific of players, but the £70k-per-week winger is a "wizard" with the ball – as proclaimed by Graeme Bailey – and ranks among the top 9% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

However, with just one goal and 14 starts across all competitions this term, he might be seeking new pastures if Howe is unable to offer him greater responsibility next season – and while European football will deepen the side's competition, there are several factors that illustrate why this might not benefit the mercurial ace.

First and foremost, a first-rate winger is likely to be signed this summer as one of the forthcoming 'elite' additions, with free-scoring flanker Harvey Barnes, who has shone this year despite relegation with Leicester City, earmarked.

£63m club-record signing Alexander Isak has also been utilised out wide of late to accommodate Callum Wilson – who scored 18 top-flight goals from just 21 starts – as the central focal point, and while the Swede is less effective on the wing, he undoubtedly takes precedence when fully fit.

There's also the case of Jacob Murphy, who with three goals in the final month of the campaign became one of the more pleasing success stories this season.

The 28-year-old would have been one of the favourites for the axe at the start of the campaign, but his diligence and tenacity have left him with unwavering support from his manager – no other Magpie has played more than his 68 games at the club under Howe.

Finally, Anthony Gordon scored his maiden goal in black and white against Chelsea after signing for £45m from Everton in January, and while Saint-Maximin was also "superb" against the Blues, as hailed by reporter Jordan Cronin, the 5 foot 8 Frenchman's performance could be used to fuel intrigue in his services, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at £30m.

In west London, Saint-Maximin made five key passes, won eight of his 15 duels and succeeded with six of his eight dribble attempts, earning a 7.4 match rating – via Sofascore – in one of his standout performances of the campaign.

Many supporters would likely bemoan the decision to part ways with the enigmatic ace. After all, he entered St. James's Park when it was a ramshackled mess and was integral in offering a glimpse of a brighter future before the PIF takeover, captivating the swathes of Toon support with his fleet-footed runs.

But he is not getting the game-time he will desire at 26-years-old, and Howe must brazenly use the recent stellar showing against Chelsea to tout his name, freeing up room for a superlative new addition to wreak havoc down the left flank.

Steve Magoffin celebrated a 10-wicket haul for the fourth time in his career but he could end up on the losing side with Worcestershire favourites to see off a Sussex run chase in teir bid to finish runners-up in Division Two

ECB Reporters Network13-Sep-2016
ScorecardSteve Magoffin finished with 10 wickets in the match•Getty ImagesSteve Magoffin celebrated a ten-wicket match haul for the fourth time in his Sussex career but Worcestershire are favourites to beat them and improve their chances of claiming runners-up spot in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship.Magoffin followed his first innings 5 for 38 by taking 5 for 32 from 15 overs as Worcestershire were dismissed for 198 in their second innings on another day of rich entertainment in which 17 wickets fell and 390 runs were scored.It has left Sussex with a victory target of 272 on a pitch still offering plenty of assistance to the seam bowlers and they suffered a big blow in the final over of the day when Chris Nash was leg before to Joe Leach. They will resume on 13 for 1, still needing 259 to win.Worcestershire had claimed a crucial first innings lead of 77 but Magoffin had them in trouble immediately when Daryl Mitchell was caught at cover off a leading edge from the first ball of the innings.Magoffin ‘best in division’

Mark Davis, Sussex coach: “Steve Magoffin bowled magnificently again on a pitch where you can score runs quite quickly. In the last few games he has been absolutely fantastic for us and here he got great support from the other seamers, particularly David Wiese. It was great to see Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer batting so intelligently. CJ is a bit of a mentor to Jofra and it showed – their partnership might turn out to be absolutely crucial.”
Matt Mason, Worcestershire assistant coach: “Our batsmen think Steve Magoffin is the best new-ball bowler in the division and he showed it again, I thought he was magnificent for them.

Magoffin struck again in this second over when Chris Nash pulled off a superb diving catch at second slip to remove Brett D’Oliveira. Magoffin has now claimed the wickets of 22 opening batsmen this season – the best record in the country – but Worcestershire rallied thanks to a stand of 68 between Tom Fell and Joe Clarke.Throughout the game, though, wickets have fallen in clusters and it happened again when three fell in the space of 18 balls. Wiese picked up Clarke (35) when he mis-timed a drive to extra cover before George Rhodes (6) was leg before offering no shot in the South African’s next over.Tom Kohler-Cadmore was leg before to Jofra Archer to register his fourth successive duck and leave his side 76 for 5 but once again Fell led a recovery, this time with Ben Cox. Together they added 113 in 24 overs with left-arm spinner Danny Briggs targeted as he had been in the first innings. Cox struck him down the ground for two sixes while Fell pushed on after being dropped by Nash on 57.Magoffin was summoned back into the attack and immediately made the breakthrough when Fell, trying to cut, was surprised by extra bounce and edged behind for 85, made from 126 balls with 12 fours.In his next over a full-length delivery was too good for Cox (56) and Magoffin completed his five-for when he yorked Miguel Cummins.Wiese gave him excellent support, picking up the last two wickets to finish with 4 for 18, his best figures for the county.Worcestershire would have been in an even better position had Chris Jordan not led some spirited resistance by Sussex’s lower order earlier in the day.From a parlous 71 for 7 he helped the last three wickets put on 158 of which his own contribution was an unbeaten 57. An enterprising stand of 97 with Archer ensured Sussex avoided the follow-on but it was their fellow Barbadian Cummins who stole the show.The Worcestershire paceman finished with figures of 7 for 84 after picking up four more wickets in a high-quality display down the slope on a pitch offering him plenty of encouragement.

Liverpool are interested in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and could look to issue a swoop this summer following the Saints' relegation from the Premier League.

What's the latest on Romeo Lavia to Liverpool?

According to an exclusive from Football Transfers' Jacque Talbot, Liverpool are looking to ramp up their interest in Lavia and use midfielder Tyler Morton as a makeweight to complete a deal.

Morton has enjoyed a successful loan spell with Blackburn Rovers this term and has demonstrated his calibre in the Championship, which could be an enticing option for Southampton to consider, especially with Lavia's £40m buyback clause, inserted by Manchester City, enabling next year.

Lavia signed for his south coast club for £14m last summer and was subject to a £50m attempt from Chelsea that very same window, a value that Southampton will demand should he be prised away this year.

Should Liverpool sign Romeo Lavia?

Despite boasting just one year's experience at the top level, Lavia has swiftly asserted himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting prospects, producing an "exquisite" individual season, as remarked by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell, despite Southampton's tepid fall into the second tier.

The "strong" Lavia – as dubbed by Paul Scholes – has made 28 appearances in the top flight this season, scoring one goal during a 2-1 victory over lacklustre Chelsea, and has maintained a respectable average match rating of 6.83/10, as per Sofascore. He has also completed 86% of his passes, averaged 2 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match, and won 70% of his attempted dribbles.

As per FBref, the burgeoning Belgian also ranks among the top 5% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for blocks per 90, and still only a 19-year-old, the precocious "monster" – as heralded by Benjy Nurick – could yet light up the Premier League with an outfit challenging at the forefront of the table.

Liverpool have a past of securing talent from relegated outfits under Klopp's tutelage – Andy Robertson, Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri spring to mind – and Lavia could emulate such success with a move to Merseyside, perhaps serving as the perfect understudy to Fabinho, who has not looked so imperious this season as Liverpool slumped from salience at the front of the domestic and European pack.

The Brazilian holding midfielder signed from Monaco for approximately £44m in 2018, and his 218 appearances have been vital in an illustrious period in Anfield's rich history, with notable triumphs in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup to name a few.

Indeed, Fabinho has averaged 2.5 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 1.6 clearances across the entirety of his career, as per WhoScored, and was once hailed as "the best" in his position by Gary Neville.

Lavia certainly has a long way to go but his stats suggest he is already exhibiting robustness and tenacity in abundance, and at Liverpool, absorbing the fruits of the 29-year-old's labour could see him blossom into one of the very best.

Warwickshire waltzed the Lord’s final by eight wickets with a whopping 19.4 overs to spare, much to the disappointment no doubt of one of the biggest crowds for the 50-over final for years

David Hopps at Lord's17-Sep-2016
ScorecardJonathan Trott was at his calm best during Warwickshire’s chase•Getty Images

Much emphasis had been placed at Lord’s during the week of the gathering crisis that besets English professional cricket on the fact that Alastair Cook is now supposedly less recognisable than the biggest names in WWE wrestling. So for the benefit of any new readers who may have accidentally alighted on this page perhaps it should be observed from the start that the Royal London final was such a mismatch that Big Show versus Mayweather felt close by comparison.In a week when English professional cricket was beset by division over its future, the game sorely needed a Royal London Cup final to reassure it that, however impassioned the debate, it was still capable of providing high-class entertainment. Instead, Warwickshire waltzed the Lord’s final by eight wickets with a whopping 19.4 overs to spare, much to the disappointment no doubt of one of the biggest crowds for the 50-over final for years.Jonathan Trott has rarely regarded himself as one of cricket’s Big Shows. His approach is far too conservative for that, his character far too reserved. But after Warwickshire had dismissed Surrey for 136 – almost ten overs unused as they lost their last eight wickets for 37 in 15.2 overs – Trott compiled an unbeaten 82 in a phlegmatic manner to put batting conditions into perspective. He averaged 72 to get Warwickshire into the final and was their mainstay once more.In the Lord’s committee rooms, with the ECB chairman Colin Graves robust enough to have donned wrestlers’ garb, metaphorically at least, they have been obsessing – as they must – about the future of T20. But out on the field, in the 50-over final, Trott was playing in a composed, old-fashioned manner that suggested that nothing had changed, that the game was the same as it ever was, that a methodical approach and sound selection could still win trophies. There had been only three lower scores in a Lord’s final. He could have blocked his way to victory.Surrey managed only two wickets. Sam Hain, unnecessarily, reverse swept Zafar Ansari to Sam Curran at what was then short fine leg – Trott had played the shot more delicately earlier in the over – and Ian Bell gloved a bouncer from Stuart Meaker to the wicketkeeper. Life is not about to become easy for Bell, not while relegation from the Championship remains a possibility as ther last week of the season looms. But Trott proceeded with equanimity, a cover drive off Sam Curran settling the match. Curran looked morose, although it is best not to feel too sorry for an 18-year-old with two Lord’s runners-up medals to his name. Trott, idiosyncratically, scratched his guard with the match won, maybe an indication that he plans to be back again next year.Surrey were also outdone by Gloucestershire in the final a year ago, but this time they suffered a more overwhelming defeat on a used Lord’s pitch that encouraged Warwickshire’s seam bowlers and also turned progressively for Jeetan Patel. It was not a pristine surface – it is mid-September at Lord’s after all and traffic has been heavy – but Surrey should have managed top-side of 220 to make it a contest.The story of the September one-day final has long been one of grim, grey skies and naggy surfaces. It was surprising for some therefore that Surrey’s captain, Gareth Batty, chose to bat after winning the toss. Batty’s hope was that a used pitch would continue to deteriorate but, with only 136 to defend, Surrey never found the purchase that Warwickshire’s bowlers had earlier in the day. It was Oliver Hannon-Dalby, in particular, who made it seam and Patel again who proclaimed himself the best spin bowler in the county game. Better, on this day certainly than the respectable Surrey duo who are heading with India to Bangladesh.Surrey’s batting disarray was a world away from the early overs, in which Jason Roy and Steven Davies gave Surrey a confident start. Davies, who is on his way to Somerset, must have yearned for a trophy-winning farewell as he drove crisply through the covers. Roy abounded with promise as he worked the leg side gaps. Rikki Clarke, who bowled only three new-ball overs, was left with figures of 3-0-24-0 which were out of sync with what followed.It took a quite wonderful catch by Laurie Evans to silence Roy. When Roy rose to his full height – relatively speaking – to pull Chris Wright through midwicket, he did so with a flourish which proclaimed I’m The Man, only for Evans to intercept with a diving, one-handed catch to his right. Davies’ careless demise against the offbreaks of Ateeq Javid was a quieter affair as Tim Ambrose stole a neat leg-side stumping. At 99 for 2, though, Batty’s decision was sound enough.Kumar Sangakkara is the pivotal figure in a Surrey middle-order that seems more suited to the rhythms of Championship cricket. That Sangakkara was so cagey, as was his fellow left-hander, Rory Burns, soon told that a run spree was out of the question. Hannon-Dalby then indicated that the situation was a whole lot worse than that.Hannon-Dalby is an unprepossessing figure, a spindly, square-on seamer, with a front-arm that has a bit part role, entering his action without acclaim. But he persistently belies his unthreatening appearance in limited-overs cricket. When he had Sangakkara caught at the wicket, it was in an excellent over when he had passed the edge of Burns’ bat more than once. A nip-backer accounted for Ben Foakes for a duck in his next over and when Ansari also fell without scoring, this time against Patel as a suspicious leading edge was well caught by the diving Evans at short extra, Surrey had lost 3 for 3 in 17 balls.Burns buckled down but the wickets kept falling. Sam Curran tried to hit a long hop from Javed from Lord’s to The Oval and was bowled as a consequence, Hannon-Dalby ran out his brother, Tom, from short third man after he sought an unlikely single and was sent back, and Burns, running out of partners, came down the pitch to Patel, missed one that turned and was bowled.Chris Woakes, a bowler of England stature these days, ensured no monkey business from the tail, demolishing the stumps of Batty and Jade Dernbach in successive overs to leave Warwickshire in a strong position at the interval. All that was left was for Trott to strap on the pads and do what he does best.

ScorecardSteve Magoffin finished with 10 wickets in the match•Getty Images

Steve Magoffin celebrated a ten-wicket match haul for the fourth time in his Sussex career but Worcestershire are favourites to beat them and improve their chances of claiming runners-up spot in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship.Magoffin followed his first innings 5 for 38 by taking 5 for 32 from 15 overs as Worcestershire were dismissed for 198 in their second innings on another day of rich entertainment in which 17 wickets fell and 390 runs were scored.It has left Sussex with a victory target of 272 on a pitch still offering plenty of assistance to the seam bowlers and they suffered a big blow in the final over of the day when Chris Nash was leg before to Joe Leach. They will resume on 13 for 1, still needing 259 to win.Worcestershire had claimed a crucial first innings lead of 77 but Magoffin had them in trouble immediately when Daryl Mitchell was caught at cover off a leading edge from the first ball of the innings.

Magoffin ‘best in division’

Mark Davis, Sussex coach: “Steve Magoffin bowled magnificently again on a pitch where you can score runs quite quickly. In the last few games he has been absolutely fantastic for us and here he got great support from the other seamers, particularly David Wiese. It was great to see Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer batting so intelligently. CJ is a bit of a mentor to Jofra and it showed – their partnership might turn out to be absolutely crucial.”
Matt Mason, Worcestershire assistant coach: “Our batsmen think Steve Magoffin is the best new-ball bowler in the division and he showed it again, I thought he was magnificent for them.

Magoffin struck again in this second over when Chris Nash pulled off a superb diving catch at second slip to remove Brett D’Oliveira. Magoffin has now claimed the wickets of 22 opening batsmen this season – the best record in the country – but Worcestershire rallied thanks to a stand of 68 between Tom Fell and Joe Clarke.Throughout the game, though, wickets have fallen in clusters and it happened again when three fell in the space of 18 balls. Wiese picked up Clarke (35) when he mis-timed a drive to extra cover before George Rhodes (6) was leg before offering no shot in the South African’s next over.Tom Kohler-Cadmore was leg before to Jofra Archer to register his fourth successive duck and leave his side 76 for 5 but once again Fell led a recovery, this time with Ben Cox. Together they added 113 in 24 overs with left-arm spinner Danny Briggs targeted as he had been in the first innings. Cox struck him down the ground for two sixes while Fell pushed on after being dropped by Nash on 57.Magoffin was summoned back into the attack and immediately made the breakthrough when Fell, trying to cut, was surprised by extra bounce and edged behind for 85, made from 126 balls with 12 fours.In his next over a full-length delivery was too good for Cox (56) and Magoffin completed his five-for when he yorked Miguel Cummins.Wiese gave him excellent support, picking up the last two wickets to finish with 4 for 18, his best figures for the county.Worcestershire would have been in an even better position had Chris Jordan not led some spirited resistance by Sussex’s lower order earlier in the day.From a parlous 71 for 7 he helped the last three wickets put on 158 of which his own contribution was an unbeaten 57. An enterprising stand of 97 with Archer ensured Sussex avoided the follow-on but it was their fellow Barbadian Cummins who stole the show.The Worcestershire paceman finished with figures of 7 for 84 after picking up four more wickets in a high-quality display down the slope on a pitch offering him plenty of encouragement.

Tottenham Hotspur manager candidate Arne Slot has become slightly more likely to get the Spurs job after rising up their manager list.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

The north Londoners are working to appoint Antonio Conte's successor in the background of their hunt for a top four Premier League finish.

Spurs could be seen as outside contenders to seal Champions League qualification after recent results, and if they fail to do so, chairman Daniel Levy may face a difficult task in trying to persuade world football's most elite coaches.

Julian Nagelsmann, another managerial target for Spurs, apparently sees Europe as a deal-breaker if he is to take the Spurs job so Levy and co may well need to prepare for alternative options if that is the case.

Tottenham have compiled a list of candidates for the job, with Vincent Kompany, Luis Enrique, Ange Postecoglou and Slot featuring in their thinking.

The latter manager has performed brilliantly at Feyenoord this season, prompting Spurs to take note and consider a move for him.

Sharing an update on Tottenham's links to the 44-year-old, a report by Soccer News now claims that Slot 'rises one place' on Spurs' list of candidates as he becomes more likely to get the job.

This is partly due to Chelsea and Todd Boehly effectively ruling out a move for tactician, and while Tottenham still prefer other coaches, Slot's odds have increased.

While he is a step behind for the time being, it's claimed that Spurs do see him as an 'interesting option'.

What could Slot bring to Spurs?

The former AZ Alkmaar boss has shone at Feyenoord this season, guiding them to top of the Eredivisie standings whilst losing just once all season.

Slot has also been heralded by Dutch football experts, like Marcel van der Kraan, who have raved over his attacking philosophy.

Van Der Kraan said this on the manager to talkSPORT recently:

“He is very similar to Pep Guardiola, his ideas are very similar, he is a massive fan of Pep and he plays the same time.“He goes ultra-attacking, he is almost like a maniac. Not on the touchline but it is fantastic to see how he has turned an average side into a wonderful attacking machine.“I don’t think he will leave now with three trophies up for grabs, but in the summer, big chances.”

It's little surprise he is in Levy's thinking based off plaudits like this, and it will be interesting to see if he rises further on Tottenham's list.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to add to their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Anastasios Douvikas to Rangers?

According to Football Insider, the Light Blues have registered an interest in signing centre-forward Anastasios Douvikas from FC Utrecht in the coming weeks.

The report claims that the Gers are on the lookout for a replacement for Alfredo Morelos, who is set to depart on a free transfer this summer, and the Greek international has emerged as one of their targets.

It is stated that the Eredivisie outfit are demanding a fee in the region of £6.9m for the prolific marksman and it remains to be seen how much Michael Beale's side are willing to pay for him.

Who is Anastasios Douvikas?

The 23-year-old striker has caught the eye with his impressive performances in the Dutch top-flight this season and he could form an exciting partnership with Kieran Dowell at Ibrox.

In the Eredivisie this term, Douvikas – who was hailed as "sharp" by journalist Josh Bunting – has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.01 and has plundered 19 goals in 24 starts, which shows that the dynamo has the quality to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

No Rangers player managed more than 16 goals in the Scottish Premiership in 2022/23 and this indicates that the Utrecht forward has the potential to come in as Beale's go-to man for goals next season.

The signing of Dowell on a free transfer from Norwich City could allow the Greek international to thrive even more as the Englishman is a creative midfield maestro that could provide the striker with the chances he needs to be a success in Scotland.

Over the last 365 days, the ex-Everton man ranks in the top 25% of players in his position in the Men's Next Eight Competitions for assists per 90 (0.24) and has racked up 0.20 xAG per 90.

In the 2020/21 Championship campaign, the magician created 0.31 xAG and made 5.12 shot-creating actions per 90 and this placed him in the top 3% of players in his position in that division, which shows that the wizard excels at opening up opposition defences for his teammates.

These statistics show that the 25-year-old has the playmaking quality to be a consistent provider for Douvikas in the final third, which could allow the Greek ace to flourish in front of goal.

The Utrecht star could also return the favour as the 23-year-old has created seven 'big chances' for his teammates in the Eredivisie and Dowell, who scored 12 goals in 72 games for Norwich, could profit from that by getting on the scoresheet for himself.

Therefore, they could form an exciting partnership at the top end of the pitch for Beale next season and the head coach should be hoping that the club are able to secure a deal for Douvikas in the coming weeks.

The Blues' two summer signings have made a flying start to life with the club, but can they be the solution to Mauricio Pochettino's No.9 problem?

Many would argue that pre-season performances should not be used as a barometer for what is to come when competitive action resumes, but Chelsea have very recent evidence to suggest that this preparatory period should not be taken for granted. Their woeful results on tour last summer foreshadowed a disastrous 2022-23 campaign, but now there is renewed optimism.

Two games into their run of fixtures in the United States this time around and things are going swimmingly under Mauricio Pochettino's tutelage – two wins from two, nine goals scored and just three conceded (although, granted, one of those games was against League Two Wrexham).

One aspect of their displays has been particularly pleasing, if unfamiliar: Chelsea's strikers have been on song. New signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have hit the ground running, but is this a sign of things to come long-term?

• Finally, some finishing ability

  A striker's job, first and foremost, is to score goals – something Chelsea dearly lacked last season in particular, although they have had a dearth of prolific output for some time. Given the profligacy Blues followers and coaches alike have become accustomed to from their forward players in recent years, it has been striking just how comfortable Nkunku and Jackson have looked in front of goal.

  Unburdened by the weight of weeks and months of misfiring from goalscoring opportunities in a blue shirt, and indeed the pressure of the season proper, the two new signings have looked free and easy when chances have presented themselves.

  Nkunku has two goals in fewer than 90 minutes on Chelsea's pre-season tour, ruthlessly firing into the roof of the net after rounding the goalkeeper against Wrexham, and producing an instinctive flick to net against Brighton. Jackson has scored once, sweeping a finish into the top corner on the run against the Seagulls, but has been a creative force elsewhere.

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• Getty
  

  A surprise package, a physical presence

  It's Senegal international Jackson who has caught the eye in particular. There was probably some expectation that Nkunku would hit the ground running, but Jackson – who would have been an unknown quantity to anyone who hadn't followed La Liga in any great detail – has been a surprise package.

  The 22-year-old has oozed confidence in his brief time in a Chelsea shirt, seemingly still riding on the wave of his prolific end to the 2022-23 campaign with Villarreal, where he scored nine goals in as many games. He has effortlessly generated an understanding with his colleagues in the attacking third, and the early signs are good as he contributes goals and assists already.

  Granted, one of his the striker's appearances came against Wrexham, but there is no doubt that Jackson's combination of attributes could stand him in very good stead in the Premier League; a rangy 6'2 frame, pace, a fine first touch and devastating finishing ability – he could become a problem.

  Given Chelsea's dearth of options up front, he could well be their starting striker as the new season edges ever closer. That will of course be the real test, but his form so far in pre-season and at the back end of 2022-23 suggests he could well be up to the challenge.

• Impressive link-up

  Indeed, that immediate synergy with his team-mates has been the most impressive thing about Jackson's start to life at Chelsea. He had his first assist for the club two minutes into his debut against Wrexham, completing a winding run by laying the ball off to Ian Maatsen to finish.

  Against Brighton, he helped Mykhailo Mudryk to finally get off the mark for the club, exchanging passes with the winger with a cute one-two before the Ukrainian crashed a fine strike beyond the goalkeeper. He showed close control to provide a scruffy assist for Conor Gallagher later in the game, too.

  Jackson's laid-back personality is clearly strengthening those bonds. Speaking on the club's U.S. tour, he said: "I get on with everyone. I talk to everybody. We chill out together. We’re playing cards, playing games when we are not training."

  Nkunku, too, has shown his ability to drop deep and link play – exemplified by his strike against Wrexham. His deft layoff to Cesare Casadei in the build-up was sublime, before he turned on the afterburners to get on the end of the Italian's pass and round the goalkeeper.

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  Intelligent movement

  Even in isolation, that burst of pace through the lines was refreshing to see. Although there is some responsibility on the player playing the pass, Chelsea followers have grown apathetic having witnessed countless aimless runs or wasted darts into space by the likes of Kai Havertz and Timo Werner in recent years.

  Jackson's movement and assist against Wrexham were impressive, too, and he could well have profited from his interchange with Mudryk as he created space by rolling away from his marker. The Senegal international's run between two Brighton defenders was also immaculately timed in the lead-up to his goal. Pochettino and Chelsea will hope this is all a sign of things to come.