Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao news

Marcus Rashford Nico Williams

Ex-Barca president claims Rashford is better than Williams

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has boldly claimed that Marcus Rashford is a better player than Nico Williams, in response to criticism of the club from the Athletic Club winger's brother Inaki. Williams snubbed a move to Barca in favour of signing a new long-term deal with Athletic Club, which paved the way for Rashford to join the Catalan side on loan from Manchester United.

PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8

Why Chiesa has been left out of Liverpool's 29-man squad for Asia tour

Federico Chiesa has not been included in Liverpool’s 29-man squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, raising fresh questions about his future at Anfield. The Italy international, who struggled to break into Arne Slot’s plans last season, was a surprise omission despite scoring in a 5-0 friendly win over Stoke City just hours before the squad departed.

Athletic Club v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga EA Sports

Revealed: Barca's brutal demand that saw Williams move collapse

Nico Williams snubbed an offer from Barcelona earlier this summer as he decided to sign a fresh long-term contract with Athletic Club. The Spanish winger stunned the world when he announced that he had penned a 10-year deal with his boyhood club. The news came as a major blow to the Catalans, who were desperate to sign the 23-year-old.

Athletic Club v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga EA Sports

Williams explains why he snubbed Barcelona transfer

Nico Williams has finally opened up on why he chose to reject a transfer to Barcelona in favour of signing a new contract with Athletic Club. The Catalan giants were very close to signing the winger this summer, however, the 23-year-old eventually decided to stay in Bilbao as he committed to a new ten-year deal that will keep him at San Mames until 2035.

Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg

Why Barca ran out of patience with Williams before transfer snub - explained

Barcelona were running out of patience with Nico Williams and his agent before the Spain international commited his future to Athletic Club by signing a new long-term contract. Williams was once again closely linked with a move to the Blaugrana this summer after transfer talks broke down last year, however, the winger eventually penned a new Atheltic Club contract which runs until 2035.

Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg

Athletic Club accused of 'bullying' Williams into new contract

Athletic Club pulled a fast one on Barcelona for the second year running as the Basque club announced that they had tied down Nico Williams to a 10-year contract. The Spain international had been linked with a move to the Catalan side this summer with personal term reportedly having been agreed. However, the club had been waiting to achieve 1:1 with La Liga's financial rules before making the move.

Nico Williams Athletic Club 2025

Williams' U-turn! Barca target signs 10-year contract with Athletic

Barcelona have been rejected for the second year running by Athletic Club's Nico Williams as the Spain international has signed a new deal with the Basque club. The 22-year-old seemed certain to move to the Catalan side this summer after weeks of rather talks between Barcelona and the player's camp. The Spanish winger has now signed a 10-year deal with Los Leones.

Nico williams

Barca to miss out? Catalans 'pessimistic' about Williams transfer

Barcelona have been aggressively pushing to bring Athletic Club winger Nico Williams to Camp Nou, but the operation has hit multiple snags, mainly surrounding financial regulations and registration guarantees that the player has demanded. Although there remains hope of reaching an agreement, Marca suggests that the challenges involved are greater than initially anticipated.

Frequently asked questions

Chelsea were founded on March 10, 1905, following Gus Mears' acquisition of the Stamford Bridge in 1904. Several names were put up for consideration: Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC, and London FC. However, all these names were rejected and the name Chelsea F.C. was finally selected.

Chelsea are co-owned by an American consortium consisting of Todd Boehly, Mark Walter. Hansjorg Wyss, and Behdad Eghbali-led Clearlake Capital. Boehly, Walter, and Wyss each own a 12.8% stake in the club, while Clearlake Capital are the majority shareholder with a 61.5% stake.

Chelsea's stadium is known as the Stamford Bridge and has been the club's home venue ever since their inception in 1905. Interestingly, the Stamford Bridge was owned by a separate company after businessman Ken Bates bought the club in the 1980s, when they were on the verge of bankruptcy and stuck in the second division. In 1992, however, after a long-fought legal battle and a 'Save The Bridge' campaign from the fans, Chelsea regained ownership of the stadium.

The Stamford Bridge has a capacity of around 40,000.

Chelsea have won an impressive 32 trophies throughout their history, including two Champions League titles and six English top-flight titles.

Chelsea have won the English top flight on six occasions, with their most recent title coming at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Legendary defender Ron Harris holds the record for making the most appearances for Chelsea, featuring for the club in 795 games, ahead of Peter Bonetti and John Terry. The latter two are the only other players along with Harris to make over 700 appearances for the club.

Frank Lampard, arguably the greatest Chelsea player ever, is the club's leading goalscorer of all-time, netting the ball into the net 211 times in 648 games. The fact that he was a midfielder makes the feat all the more impressive.

Didier Drogba, John Terry, Eden Hazard, Claude Makelele, Arjen Robben, Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, and David Luiz are some of the most famous players to have represented Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Maurizio Sarri are among the biggest managerial names to have been a part of Chelsea's eminent history.

Chelsea are called The Blues, which is a reference to the colour of their kit since the early 20th century.