Union Amal Tiznit Overview

Xabi Alonso has boldly claimed that Chelsea striker Joao Pedro can be likened to one-time Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ Karim Benzema. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agrees with that assessment, and the former Blues star has explained - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - four qualities that the Brazil international shares with the legendary French goalscorer.

Cole Palmer does not “play games” and will be nursing an injury, Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has told GOAL, with the Blues star facing England withdrawal questions. Having been snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for 2026 World Cup duty, the Stamford Bridge talisman has ruled himself out of action after earning a UEFA Nations League recall.

Reece James and Emi Martinez have been set a leadership challenge at Chelsea, with Frank Lebouef telling GOAL that the Blues have become “too nice” as a collective. He wants to see senior figures, especially those donning the captain’s armband, ask questions of those around them when individual standards are allowed to slip - with clean sheets proving hard to come by at present.

An in-house goal “competition” at Chelsea between Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers is inevitable, Carlton Cole has told GOAL, with there benefits to be found in the “banter” that two close friends are indulging in. Having been reunited at Stamford Bridge, the ex-Manchester City colleagues are determined to outperform one another in 2026-27.