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In a new interview, Todd Boehly has taken aim at the English media as the Chelsea co-owner fires back at criticism. The American businessman, along with Mark Walter, Hansjorg Wyss and Clearlake Capital, launched a successful bid to buy the Blues in March 2022. Roman Abramovich had put the club up for sale after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

AFPRollercoaster start to Boehly era

Former Chelsea owner Abramovich had been forced to sell the club in 2022 after he was sanctioned by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Abramovich's close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin meant the 59-year-old's assets were frozen in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, a conflict that continues to rumble on.

This paved the way for Boehly to take the reins at Chelsea, having initially seen a $3bn offer to buy the club rejected in 2019. A consortium fronted by the American businessman would ultimately pay £4.25bn to seal the takeover, which was approved by the British government on May 25, 2022, and on May 30, the sale was completed, ending Abramovich's 19-year ownership of the club.

Boehly's time at Chelsea hasn't been plain sailing, with the American coming in for criticism for the way in which he has managed the club. Indeed, he opted to relieve fan favourite Thomas Tuchel shortly after taking charge, while the German's successors Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino also suffered the same fate.

Chelsea, though, are on an upward trajectory with Enzo Maresca in the dugout. The Italian guided the Blues back to the Champions League in his debut season in charge, and also won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup in his first 12 months in west London.

AdvertisementBoehly takes criticism on the chin

Boehly, who also has stakes in the LA Dodgers and the LA Lakers, is used to dealing with unhappy fans. Indeed, when asked by the Australian Financial Review how he deals with criticism, Boehly replied: "Sometimes my wife and my family take it differently than I take it. I just find it’s one more person that doesn’t know what they’re talking about."

Taking aim at the media, Boehly added: "The English papers remind me every day how smart they are and how stupid I am."

Boehly went on to express his excitement about the future of the club, saying: "You’re going to continue to watch our team evolve and grow. We’ve got them together for a long time. I’m pretty excited about what the future looks like."

Chelsea's first season since Boehly took ownership didn't go quite according to plan as the Blues finished 12th in the Premier League. However, there has been a marked improvement in the following seasons, with Chelsea finishing sixth in the 2023-24 campaign before securing a top-four finish under Maresca last season.

After 11 games this season, Chelsea find themselves in third place, six points behind league leaders Arsenal, following their 3-0 win over Wolves last time out.

Getty Images SportChelsea's established global fan base

The Chelsea supremo also mentioned that one of the focuses is to grow the club's global brand across the world. "We’re trying to grow a global fan base. If your fan base is continuing to grow all around the world, that should lead it to naturally believe that your revenue is going to continue to grow," Boehly said.

Chelsea already have a well-established global fan base, which rose considerably after Abramovich initially took charge in June 2003. During his time at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won the Premier League five times, the Champions League twice and the Europa League twice as the Blues became a European force to be reckoned with.

And as of February 2024, Chelsea have an estimated 136.7 million social media followers across numerous platforms, including X, Facebook and Instagram.

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Funds from Chelsea sale still frozen

While Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea in 2022, full proceeds from the £2.5bn sale remain frozen in a UK bank account. Abramovich wanted the funds to benefit "all victims of war" while the UK's position is that the money can only be used for "humanitarian purposes".

"This government is working hard to ensure the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible," a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said on Monday.

"The proceeds are currently frozen in a UK bank account while a new independent foundation is established to manage and distribute the money.

"UK officials continue to hold discussions with Mr Abramovich's representatives, experts and international partners, and we will double down on our efforts to reach a resolution."

The UK government's position, which has not changed despite Labour's UK election win last year, is that the money can only be used for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine.

Arsenal are now expected to sign one club’s highly-rated standout attacker, with talks believed to have been held ahead of January.

Arsenal look to bounce back against Club Brugge

Arsenal arrive in Belgium tonight determined to maintain their flawless Champions League record while rebounding from Saturday’s agonising 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

The loss ended their previous 18-match unbeaten streak, but Mikel Arteta’s side have every reason to be very confident heading into their clash with Club Brugge.

Arsenal remain the only team with a 100 per cent record from five matches in the Champions League, sitting atop the 36-team standings following impressive victories over Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, Slavia Prague, Olympiacos and Athletic Club.

So, victory at the Jan Breydel Stadium would virtually guarantee automatic qualification to the knockout stages.

However, Arsenal’s defensive crisis has deepened significantly ahead of the 20:00 kick-off.

Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) remain sidelined for several weeks, whilst William Saliba continues recovering from a knock.

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Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness also remains uncertain after he was spotted limping off at Villa Park, though his Premier League suspension doesn’t apply in European competition.

Fresh concerns have emerged with Declan Rice missing the trip through illness and Leandro Trossard aggravating his calf problem. Gabriel Jesus provides welcome news, though, having returned to the Champions League squad after exceeding recovery expectations from his lengthy injury absence.

Arteta is expected to rotate heavily, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard, Ethan Nwaneri and Viktor Gyokeres all pushing for starts. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze could be rested ahead of demanding domestic fixtures.

Club Brugge, meawhile, are an opposition in disarray.

Nicky Hayen was sacked following two victories from seven matches, with Ivan Leko appointed as his successor ahead of a baptism of fire.

The Belgian side have collected just one point from their last four Champions League fixtures and currently sit 26th in the league phase. Their defensive vulnerabilities prove very alarming, having conceded 24 goals across 11 Champions League matches in 2025 — only Barcelona have shipped more.

Both first-choice goalkeepers, Simon Mignolet and Nordin Jackers, are also fitness doubts, though the former has returned to training.

Arsenal boast impressive Belgian form, winning three of their last four visits. Brugge’s solitary victory against English opposition this century came against Aston Villa thirteen months ago, offering little encouragement ahead of facing Europe’s most dominant team this season.

All signs point towards a straightforward victory for Arsenal this evening, but off the field, sporting director Andrea Berta is making plans to strengthen the squad.

Toni Fruk 'expected' to join Arsenal soon after talks

According to Sport Klub, the Italian has set his sights on HNK Rijeka star Toni Fruk.

The attacking midfielder, who SK believe is the Croatian National League’s ‘best’ footballer and ‘most valuable’ player, is said to be attracting serious interest from N5.

Arsenal have held talks over a deal for Fruk, and the outlet reports that there is an expectation he will ‘soon sign’ for Arteta with the Gunners in pole position ahead of other sides.

Negotiations are apparently in ‘full swing’, but the financial details of this potential deal are still unclear.

The 24-year-old, who’s won five caps for the Croatia national team, has played as a both a number 10 and as a centre-forward this season — bagging 10 goals in all competitions already.

Fruk, who was once on the books at Fiorentina before returning to his homeland with Rijeka in 2023, could also be a very astute signing when considering his deal currently expires in 2027.

The highly-rated forward has also impressed scouts from both Liverpool and AC Milan this season, so he could be a real one to watch.

Mookie Betts captured his fourth World Series ring on Saturday night thanks to him leading a double play in the 11th inning to have the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays 5-4.

The six-time Gold Glove award winner put his skills to the test in the last few innings of Game 7 on Saturday. Betts admitted he was “nervous” the last few innings, especially knowing how much weight he had on his shoulders to produce a major play. And, the shortstop succeeded by getting an out at second from a ground ball, and then throwing the ball to Freddie Freeman at first to get the second out to win the title.

Betts described the “positive reinforcements” he gave himself during this crucial play.

“That ninth inning, that was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been on a baseball field. Man, I’ve never done it. I never did it in Game 7 of the World Series,” Betts told the MLB Network crew after the game. “I mean, literally, I was talking to myself that whole—as Yoshi [Yoshinobu Yamamoto] was throwing the ball, I was literally talking to myself like ‘Be nasty, Mook. Be nasty right now.’”

Here’s a full video of the Dodgers’ final play to seal the victory.

Betts scored one of the runs on Saturday night in the sixth inning after he was walked. Over the course of Los Angeles’s postseason this year, Betts averaged .229/.333/.314, while producing 16 hits, four runs and eight RBIs.

Longtime relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel is signing with the Astros, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Thursday. He will be signed to their major league team.

Kimbrel started off the 2025 season on the Braves' minor league teams of the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers. He was called up to the majors for one game in June and appeared in one inning before being designated for assignment.

Shortly after in June, he signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. He played for the Triple-A Round Rock and was released on Thursday. He posted a 3.86 ERA in 28 innings there.

Kimbrel is a nine-time All-Star reliever, with his most recent nod coming in 2023 with the Phillies. The Astros will mark the ninth MLB team Kimbrel's played for in his 16-year career.

Kimbrel struggled last season with the Orioles, posting a 5.33 ERA across 57 game appearances. He threw 73 strikeouts across 52.1 innings pitched.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have often been blessed with the likes of Harry Kane providing the goods within the final third – but the current first-team are massively lacking such a presence.

Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have shared the responsibility at the top end of the pitch in recent weeks, but neither have scored since the middle of September.

Their joint top scorer in the Premier League this season is centre-back Micky van de Ven, which further highlights the lack of quality currently available to Thomas Frank at present.

However, with the January transfer window rapidly approaching, the Dane has the opportunity to land a new talisman to help him in his quest for success in North London.

Numerous players have emerged on their shortlist over the last couple of weeks, with returning Sporting Director Fabio Paratici likely to play a key role in any potential pursuits.

Spurs’ move for a new talisman in January

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been strongly linked with a move to land Porto star Samu Aghehowa this winter, but such a deal would be a huge investment.

After scoring 11 times in his first 14 outings of 2025/26, it’s safe to say the Spaniard is a man in demand – but any transfer would cost a pretty penny given his current £87m release clause.

However, he’s not alone on their shortlist at present, with Paratici making the most of his Juventus links to try and strike a deal for the signature of Dušan Vlahović.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta, the Lilywhites are firmly in the race to land a cut-price deal for the Serbian, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2026.

It also confirms that Bayern Munich are in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, but Frank’s men could hold the edge given Paratici’s links to the Old Lady.

Such a move would finally hand the Dane the talisman he’s craved, which could allow the frontman to be his next version of a player who thrived under his guidance at Brentford.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s next Toney

During Frank’s seven years at the helm with Brentford, he was able to rely on striker Ivan Toney for a four-year period, with the striker constantly producing the goods in front of goal.

The Englishman registered 72 goals in his 141 appearances for the Bees, the most of any player during the Dane’s reign across the capital – often being the player to pop up in key moments.

50% of his efforts for Brentford came in England’s top-flight, a tally that was the most in the Bees’ history, but Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have since surpassed such a figure.

Given the lack of options currently at Frank’s disposal in North London, there’s no denying he wishes he could rely on a player of the 29-year-old’s quality.

Such a move could have come to fruition back in the summer of 2024, but the Lilywhites opted for a move for Dominic Solanke, as the former Bees star completed his own move to Saudi Arabia.

A deal for Toney’s signature may prove unlikely, but Frank could land his next version of the Englishman in the coming months, should Paratici complete a deal for Vlahovic.

Both have demonstrated unbelievable goalscoring records over recent seasons, with the Juve star finding the net 62 times in his 152 appearances for the Italian giants.

The 25-year-old’s goalscoring record is one thing, but his current contract issue in Turin could provide the Lilywhites board with a bargain option to solve their centre-forward woes.

His underlying figures from the current campaign also showcase the all-round quality he would add to the side, finally handing the manager the needed presence he’s craved since taking the reins.

Vlahovic, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers” by Luca Toni, has only started three Serie A games in 2025/26, but it hasn’t stopped him from finding the back of the net on two occasions.

Dušan Vlahović – Juventus stats (25/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

14

Goals scored

6

Shots on target

1.1

Shot on target accuracy

38%

Aerials won

2.5

Goals scored per 90

0.65

Touches in opposition box

6.7

Fouls won

1.4

Stats via FotMob

His tally of 1.1 shots on target per 90 also highlight his accuracy in attacking areas, with his total of 2.5 aerials won per 90 handing Frank the focal point he’s searching for.

The Serbian currently ranks in the 88th percentile of all players in Italy for goals scored per 90, potentially making him the missing piece in the Dane’s Lilywhites attacking puzzle.

It’s currently unclear how much a deal for Vlahovic would cost this summer, but it’s evident that he would be a perfect addition to the club’s impressive frontline.

Should he match the levels produced by Toney under the Dane’s guidance at Brentford, it would be a stellar move and offer the chance for the club to reach new heights in the near future.

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It was a miserable Test for Australia’s top order, meanwhile, and a glorious one for Jasprit Bumrah

Sampath Bandarupalli25-Nov-20244-1 Australia suffered defeat for the first time in Test matches at the Perth Stadium, having won the previous four. The team batting first has won all five Tests at the venue.150 India’s first-innings total in Perth. Only twice have India won Test matches with lower first-innings totals – 104 all out against Australia in the 2004 Wankhede Test, and 145 against England in the 2021 Ahmedabad Test.