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Petr Cech's legacy at Chelsea and the void he leaves behind

 Petr Cech is universally regarded as a Chelsea legend, yet his sudden departure from the club this week was confirmed with just a brief 167-word statement. In announcing Cech had walked away from his role as technical and performance adviser, new Blues chairman Todd Boehly described Cech as "an important member of the Chelsea family" but there was no detailing of his achievements in the position or reference to a glittering 11-year playing career at Stamford Bridge. The last time he left, to join Arsenal in 2015, Chelsea labelled Cech as an "icon" who had made an "immense contribution" to the club's success -- but by that stage he had passed the peak of his powers, replaced by Thibaut Courtois as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. EDITOR'S PICKS Silva: PSG's Neymar should join Chelsea 5dAdriana Garcia Chelsea must learn from Man United mistakes when replacing Marina Granovskaia 11dMark Ogden 2022-23 preseason schedules: Europe's top c

Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record transfer, but now he's superstar no club seems to want

 There should be a long line of clubs queuing up to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but despite being one of the world's most recognisable footballers -- and one with an incredible goal-scoring record to justify that billing -- the Brazil forward has become the superstar that nobody seems to want. Financial realities and changing football philosophies have conspired to make signing the 30-year-old something which makes little or no sense to every club that could afford him. Due to the terms of the three-year contract Neymar signed at Parc des Princes 12 months ago, an automatic 12-month extension to his deal will be triggered on July 1, so it would appear that he is committed to the French champions until his mid-30s. - O'Hanlon: Trades work in U.S. sports, so why not in soccer? (E+) - Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only) - Don't have ESPN? Get instant access But it has become an open secret within the game that Neymar -- still the world's most ex

Salah stays! Liverpool's surprise contract news sent social media wild

 Mohamed Salah has signed a long-term contract extension at Liverpool to bring a conclusive end to months of speculation and conjecture over his immediate future. The Reds announced on Friday afternoon that the club have reached an agreement with Salah over an extension to his deal that will see the Egyptian forward remain at Anfield until the summer of 2025. EDITOR'S PICKS England's 2017 Euro Under-19 champions: Which players became Premier League stars? 3dChris Wright Transfer window preview: Our guide to the biggest deals 12dESPN Who are the big names and bargains available for free in 2023? 3dTor-Kristian Karlsen "It's a happy day for everyone," said Salah in a statement published on the official Liverpool website. "It takes a little bit of time, I think, to renew, but now everything is done so we just need to focus on what's next." In five years on Merseyside, Salah has played a pivotal part in multiple successes under Jurgen Klopp, scoring 156

Transfer window 2022: Grading every big signing from Europe's top clubs

 The 2021 summer transfer window will take some beating, with Lionel Messi moving from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and Cristiano Ronaldo heading back to Manchester United from Juventus. Now the window is open, there have already been a host of top players in Europe who have agreed a move on July 1. EDITOR'S PICKS Is big spending back? What we can expect from the transfer window 18dTor-Kristian Karlsen Who are the big names and bargains available for free in 2023? 3dTor-Kristian Karlsen Transfer window preview: Our guide to the biggest deals 12dESPN Clubs across the English Premier League spent a colossal €1.6 billion last year, according to Transfermarkt, while even the January window saw €338 million splashed. For comparison, the Spanish LaLiga saw €300m spent in the summer, and just €78m in January. For most leagues the transfer window didn't open until July 1, and yet Premier League clubs have already overspent their rivals. Star striker Kylian Mbappe may have snubbed R

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong in limbo: Which players could move if he joins Man United?

 Frenkie de Jong's future at Barcelona has been the subject of great interest this summer. Sources have told ESPN that Manchester United have agreed an €85 million (€65m up front and €20m in add-ons) deal to sign the midfielder, but negotiations have stalled over personal terms and the player's desire to move. As a result, and due to Barca's precarious financial situation, a host of other deals are awaiting a resolution before progress can be made. EDITOR'S PICKS Transfer grades: Arsenal a B+ for Gabriel Jesus 34mJon Molyneux-Carter Transfer window preview: Our guide to the biggest deals 12dESPN Is big spending back? What we can expect from the transfer window 18dTor-Kristian Karlsen Premier League giants like Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have started their transfer business very early, while Arsenal have more deals planned after landing Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira among others, but United and Chelsea have been a little slower out of the blocks. S

The evolution of Gabriel Jesus: Arsenal's new striker went from pure goal poacher to all-round attacker at Man City

 After 5½ years at Manchester City, Gabriel Jesus will begin a new chapter in his Premier League career after completing his £45 million transfer to Arsenal this summer. Jesus signed for City from Palmeiras in the summer of 2016 for around £30m but didn't join up with his new team until January 2017, when the 19-year-old was finally freed up to make the switch to the Premier League. He first arrived at the Etihad as an energetic, versatile, all-action forward who had scored 26 goals in 67 senior appearances for his boyhood club prior to joining City. He leaves having scored 95 goals in 236 games in all competitions (and also registering 46 assists) while playing his part in four Premier League title wins, one FA Cup, three EFL Cups and a run to the 2021 Champions League final. EDITOR'S PICKS Euro 2022's toughest players: Meet the women's stars ready for battle 2dChloe Petts Salah signs new Liverpool contract: How social media reacted 3dChris Wright England's 2017 Eu

LIVE Transfer Talk: Bernardo Silva wants to join Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona project

 The summer transfer window is here, and there's plenty of gossip swirling about who's moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals! TOP STORY: Bernardo Silva pushing for Barcelona move Bernardo Silva has informed his agent that he would like to join Barcelona this summer, reveals Sport. After joining Manchester City in 2017, the 27-year-old midfielder is reported to be looking for a new challenge and he is keen to make the switch to Camp Nou after Barcelona revealed their interest in him this summer. EDITOR'S PICKS Transfer grades: Arsenal a B+ for Gabriel Jesus 33mJon Molyneux-Carter Transfer window preview: Our guide to the biggest deals 12dESPN Women's Euros big questions: England or Spain to win it all? Or will Netherlands, Germany go on a run? 4dBill Connelly Negotiations are set to take place in the coming weeks as the Blaugrana look to strike a deal with the Premier League champions, though