English
EspañolChelsea boss Rosenior urges review on set-piece defending
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has urged the Premier League to have a ‘review’ on how set-pieces are defended at the end of the season.
The comments come after Chelsea conceded twice from corners during the club’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.
Set-piece goals are on the increase in the Premier League this season, with 17.6% of all goals scored via corners in 2025-26. According to Opta, that is the highest percentage in a season in Premier League history.
Arsenal have regularly crowded penalty boxes to make advantage of dead balls, but Rosenior believes that goalkeepers need better protection.
Asked about comments from Liverpool boss Arne Slot, which criticised the current trend of set-pieces, the Chelsea coach called for a review on players affecting the goalkeepers to gain an ‘unfair advantage’.
“I think that is the beauty of football, you can do it in so many different ways. There’s no right or wrong way to play football for me,” he said.
“I’m sure when we scored from a corner yesterday, our fans didn’t care what the goal looked like. I’m sure Arsenal’s fans didn’t care what their goals looked like either. The game is about winning.
“What I would say about corners is that there needs to be a review at the end of the season in terms of the way teams are affecting the goalkeepers and are holding on during defensive set plays. I think that’s something that gives an unfair advantage to certain teams.”
Read – Chelsea boss gives update on Cole Palmer fitness ahead of Aston Villa clash
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Chelsea boss gives update on Cole Palmer fitness ahead of Aston Villa clash
Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Cole Palmer hasn’t suffered another groin injury and said the Chelsea midfielder is ‘absolutely fine’ to face Aston Villa.
Palmer was substituted during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, with concerns that he has sustained another issue.
The 23-year-old has endured an injury-interrupted campaign, starting just 15 Premier League games due to toe and groin issues.
Chelsea take on Aston Villa in a clash with huge implications for the top-five race on Wednesday and Rosenior has confirmed Palmer is fit to feature. He also provided an update on Marc Cucurella, who is nearing a return to first-team action.
“It wasn’t that (another groin issue). He took a knock but he is absolutely fine,” Rosenior said on Palmer on Monday.
“He is looking really good and I think you can see the way we’ve managed him over the past six weeks. He played 83 minutes [against Arsenal], that was tactical. He is absolutely fine to start the game on Wednesday.
“Marc [Cucurella] is getting closer and looking really good. Hopefully we can get him back involved soon, if not for Wednesday then Saturday for sure.
“Estevao is back on the pitch and running which is great. Jamie Gittens is doing really well and it has been great to see Romeo Lavia get his first minutes in a long time as well. Reece [James] is also absolutely fine.”
Read – Every Chelsea player sent off this season as total reaches nine
See more – Chelsea ‘serious contenders’ to sign former Liverpool forward
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CBF investment pays off: Under-20s win Copa Sul-Americana title
The conquest of the South American Women's Under-20 Championship reaffirms the strength of Brazilian football beyond the field. The title of the Brazilian Women's Under-20 Football Team is a direct result of continuous investment and the structured training model established by the CBF, which is based on strategic planning, a unified methodology, and the integration between the youth and the main team.
More than just the trophy, the consistent campaign and the style of play displayed throughout the competition highlight the tangible impact of a medium to long-term plan. Organization, identity, intensity, and competitive mentality were the team's trademarks from start to finish, reflecting a development process. For the Women's National Teams coordinator, Cris Gambaré, the title symbolizes the consolidation of a structured project.
Cris Gambaré highlighted the management model to strengthen the structure of the Women's National TeamsCredits: CBF
“This South American Under-20 title is concrete proof that our training project is solid and working. More than winning, we showed organization, a clear methodology, a game identity, and real integration between the youth and the main team. It is not an isolated result; it is a consequence of planning, individual monitoring, and a strong connection with the clubs. We reaffirm Brazil as a reference in training on the continent, with a prepared, competitive, and mentally strong generation. It is an Under-20 achievement, but the impact is systemic: it strengthens the entire structure of the Women's National Teams and consolidates work designed to sustain excellence in the present while aiming for the future,” she stated.
The model adopted by the CBF includes continuous monitoring of athletes, technical alignment between categories, and ongoing dialogue with the training clubs. This ecosystem ensures that players arrive at international competitions with maturity, tactical repertoire, and confidence. Gabriel Mastrodomenico, manager of the Women's Youth National Teams, emphasizes that success in training goes beyond the final result.
Gabriel praises the work done to maintain Brazil's dominance in youth competitionsCredits: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF
“The conquest brings well-deserved recognition for all the dedication and work, both from the staff and the athletes. However, when we talk about youth and training, it is important to emphasize that it is not just the victory and the title that define success. The way of playing, with the Brazilian team's DNA from start to finish, the pursuit of goals, the intensity, putting all this into practice over nine games is of great importance and goes beyond the conquest. Winning and maintaining dominance in the tournament is very important, and we are confident that these athletes finish this cycle more mature, more experienced, and more ready for the next step.”
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
'Enough pampering': PCB to fine Pakistan players PKR 50 lakhs each after T20 World Cup exit?
Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup has led to financial penalties for the players, with the PCB deciding to impose fines after the team failed to reach the semifinals.
Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan were knocked out at the Super 8 stage of the tournament. They could not restrict Sri Lanka below 147 in a chase of 213, which meant they were unable to move ahead of New Zealand on net run rate and missed out on a semifinal spot. It was the fourth straight ICC tournament in which Pakistan did not reach the last four.
Instead of announcing structural or administrative changes, the PCB has fined each player PKR 50 lakhs. According to a report in the Pakistan-based news outlet Express Tribune, the decision followed Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, though the move to impose fines was taken after their loss to India in the group stage match on February 15.
The report, quoting sources, said the board has adopted a strict stance on financial incentives and that future monetary benefits will depend on performance. The team played the entire tournament in Sri Lanka, where conditions were considered suitable for them.
"Officials have clearly told the players that enough pampering has been done — from now on, financial benefits will only come with performance," the report says.
There has been no official statement from the PCB on the matter.
Pakistan reached the Super 8 stage after beating Namibia in the group phase. Their first Super 8 match against New Zealand was washed out. A defeat to England then left their semifinal hopes dependent on other results. England’s win over New Zealand kept Pakistan in contention, but their narrow victory against Sri Lanka did not improve their net run rate enough. New Zealand progressed to the semifinals, ending Pakistan’s campaign.
Former captain Babar Azam, current skipper Salman Ali Agha, and senior players Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz have faced criticism. Agha is expected to step down as captain after returning home.
Commanders agree to new two-year deal with OL Nick Allegretti
The Commanders have struck a new deal with one of their offensive linemen.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Washington has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with center Nick Allegretti.
Allegretti was not a pending free agent, as he had one year left on his contract. He's now signed through 2027.
Allegretti, 29, has been with Washington since 2024. After starting all 17 games for the Commanders in 2024, he played 16 with four starts in 2025. But he started the last two games for the club at center, which is a position the Commanders now need to replace after the release of Tyler Biadasz.
In all, Allegretti has appeared in 107 career games with 34 starts since the Chiefs selected him in the seventh round of the 2019 draft.