‘We expect to be here’ – Hayes says semi-finals are the standard for Chelsea

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Cuthbert: Chelsea ‘lucky to have’ Ramirez after CL debut goal

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Chelsea v Ajax – Women’s Champions League quarter-final LIVE

Follow the Women’s Champions League live Football match between Chelsea and Ajax with Eurosport. The match starts at 8:00 PM on March 27th, 2024.

Catch the latest Chelsea and Ajax news and find up to date Women’s Champions League standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

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Chelsea progress into semi-finals after second-leg draw against Ajax

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Ajax in their Women’s Champions League quarter-final, but their work was already done from the first leg as they advance into the semi-finals.

Mayra Ramirez’s 34th-minute goal gave the Blues an unassailable aggregate advantage at Stamford Bridge, while Chasity Grant gave the Dutch side a glimmer of hope after 65 minutes.

However, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea were able to cruise into the last four in second gear, with a shade of complacency about them, as they were given a good test by Suzanne Bakker’s side.

This was a game of chances for both sides, as Romee Leuchter went closest for the visitors, while Zecira Musovic had her heart in her mouth after her clearance clattered off the pressing Tiny Hoekstra and kissed the foot of the post in an even first 45 minutes.

But Chelsea’s experience told, as Ramirez worked a yard of space to slot home beyond Regina van Eijk after being found by Guro Reiten.

The visitors responded with a second-half suckerpunch as Grant tucked the ball underneath Musovic following Rosa van Gool’s through pass to set up an interesting last 25 minutes in west London, and the Dutch side had their tails up as they sought the unlikeliest of comebacks.

But Chelsea were wily in their play, seeing out the tie to sail into the semis.

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Chasity Grant Chelsea Ajax

Image credit: Getty Images

Talking point – A tricky test ahead of cup final number one

It wasn’t all plain-sailing for Hayes’ side, as Ajax posed their problems on the counter-attack, and the home side were sloppy in possession, particularly at the back.

Hayes had made changes – as she had the right to do considering the 3-0 advantage coming into this match – but certain deputies might not have played themselves into her plans for this weekend’s League Cup final against Arsenal.

Musovic made some decent saves towards the end, but was nervy with her feet, while Jess Carter and Kadeisha Buchanan also gave the ball away in silly positions when looking to play out from the back.

They may be through, and that’s all they’ll care about, but this was not a vintage Emma Hayes Chelsea performance by any means.

Player of the match – Erin Cuthbert, Chelsea

Composed, calm, classy.

The Scotswoman was the heartbeat of the side, making everything tick in the middle of the park.

She showed great technique and footwork in tight areas, and excellent defensive awareness for second and third player runs off her shoulder.

She is crucial to this side.

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Chelsea-Ajax celebration

Image credit: Getty Images

Player ratings

Chelsea: Musovic 5, Perisset 6, Carter 5, Buchanan 5, Lawrence 6, Cuthbert 8, Ingle 6, Kirby 6, B-Jones 6, Ramirez 7, Reiten 6. Subs: Nusken 6, Macario 6. Cankovic 6, R-Kaneryd 6.

Ajax: van Eijk 6, Kardinaal 6, Spitse 7, de Sanders 6, de Klonia 6, Noordam 6, van Goo 6l, van de Velde 6, Grant 6, Leuchter 6, Hoekstra 6. Subs: Keijzer 6, Keukelaar 6, Noordman 6, Verhoeve 6, Tolhoek 6.

Match highlights

17’: CLOSE! That’s the closest that Ajax have come to getting on the scoresheet as the ball bounces into her path, and she spins Buchanan well before getting a snapshot off. However, she miscues it and it drifts wide of the far corner!

18’: OH MY GOODNESS! Tiny Hoekstra is so close to giving Ajax the lead as she charges down Musovic’s clearance, and the ball hits the onrushing winger and heads goalbound, but it clips the edge of the post and is away to safety. Not the best moment for Chelsea’s goalkeeper there!

34’: GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 AJAX (RAMIREZ) On her debut in this competition for the Blues, Mayra Ramirez shows just why they signed her in January. Acres of space opened up on the right side of the Ajax defence, which the Colombian took full advantage of, gathering Reiten’s pass to stroke home beyond the helpless van Eijk. 1-0 Chelsea on the night, 4-0 on aggregate.

65’: GOAL! CHELSEA 1-1 AJAX (GRANT) A great goal to equalise on the night, as van Gool slides through a pass to Chasity Grant, who curves her run well to stay onside. She slots a tame effort underneath Musovic, who perhaps could have done better.

81’: GOOD SAVE! Leuchter still can’t score as she steps inside of Jess Carter, shaping it onto her right, but she didn’t put it wide enough of the keeper, who makes the save from close range.

Key stat

Hayes insists Chelsea legacy will not be defined by Champions League success

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Chelsea prepare summer transfer window clearout – Paper Round

Chelsea plan clearout

There are seven first-team squad players that Chelsea want to get rid of this summer, The Sun reports.

There are also aims to see out-on-loan pair Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelo Lukaku move on permanently, while Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja and Thiago Silva could depart.

The paper explains: “Chelsea are ready to embark on another epic transfer quest this summer.

“And seven current stars may have just two months to save their Stamford Bridge futures.

“It’s now reckoned Boehly will make another big push in the market to cover specialist areas.

“He wants to land a free-scoring striker, with SunSport exclusively revealing Chelsea’s interest in Brentford star Ivan Toney.

“Boehly hopes to offload wantaway flops Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku to Saudi Arabian sides once their respective loans at Real Madrid and Roma end.”

United draw up manager shortlist

The Daily Mail reports that Manchester United have nine candidates in mind to replace Erik ten Hag.

Gareth Southgate is not ready to discuss any deal, but there are many other names in the frame.

The paper explains: “Ten Hag’s future is uncertain, with United currently in sixth place in the Premier League.

“England boss Gareth Southgate had emerged as new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s preferred choice as United manager, but the 53-year-old said he will not talk to any clubs while he is in charge of the Three Lions.

“Potential options include former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter.

“Current Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is also on the shortlist along with Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

“Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is being considered by United, as is ex-Wolves coach Julen Lopetegui.

“Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, Sporting manager Ruben Amorim and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann complete the shortlist.

“An ambitious move for Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou also hasn’t been ruled out.”

Barcelona hopes to keep duo

Joao Cancelo of Manchester City and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix are both on loan at Barcelona until the end of the season, and president Joan Laporta wants to keep them.

Laporto said that a loan deal could be arranged for both players if necessary.

The Athletic writes: “Barcelona president Joan Laporta says that he believes Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix will stay at the club next season.

“Defender Cancelo, 29, is on loan from Manchester City, while forward Joao Felix, 24, is on loan from Atletico Madrid.

“Laporta thinks that the Portuguese duo will remain at Barca after their loan deals expire this summer.

“‘We have an agent there who is working on the issue, Jorge Mendes, and he knows our intention to continue with the players. What I can’t tell you now, because it will depend a lot on the amounts, is whether we’re going to sign them or extend the loan.’”

Bayern confident over Alonso

Xabi Alonso is wanted to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but the Mirror reports that the Spaniard might instead move to Bayern Munich.

The current Bundesliga champions are looking for a replacement for Thomas Tuchel as he prepares to leave.

The paper states: “Xabi Alonso is more ‘likely’ to chose Bayern Munich over Liverpool if he decides to depart Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

“The Spaniard is wanted by the Reds to replace Jurgen Klopp while Bayern are also eying him up with Thomas Tuchel set to leave at the end of the season. Alonso’s Leverkusen sit top of the Bundesliga table, 10 points clear of second-place Bayern and are unbeaten in 38 matches this season.

“Alonso played for both Liverpool and Bayern during his storied playing career and the temptation to return is obvious, though he could stay at Leverkusen and lead them into the Champions League. However, if he does choose to leave BayArena, then Bayern have a better chance of securing his services for next term.

“Bayern are ‘optimistic’ about luring Alonso over to the Allianz Arena, despite being yet to enter negotiations.”

Ten Hag offered Bundesliga escape route if he departs from Man Utd – Paper Round

Ten Hag has Bundesliga options

The Daily Star believes that several Bundesliga clubs could make a move for Erik ten Hag if he leaves Manchester United at the end of the season.

With the Dutchman under pressure, Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Bayern Munich are all interested.

The paper reports: “Erik ten Hag will be offered an escape route to the Bundesliga if Manchester United sack him this summer.

“Ten Hag is battling to keep his job at Old Trafford following a disappointing season with United. United have failed to challenge for the Premier League title and crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages.

“The Dutchman has to secure Champions League qualification to stand a chance of surviving, with new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe targeting England boss Gareth Southgate as his replacement should he decide to make a change.

“Bayern Munich have been keeping close tabs on the Ten Hag situation and are admirers of the 54-year-old, although Xabi Alonso remains their No.1 choice to replace the outgoing Thomas Tuchel.

“But German rivals Bayer Leverkusen and VFB Stuttgart also like Ten Hag – and could be willing to hand him a swift return to management. Leverkusen will need to replace Alonso, who is weighing up offers from Bayern and Liverpool, who want him to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.”

Chelsea and Arsenal face higher fee for Gyokeres

Sporting Lisbon want to insert a £102 million release clause into a new contract for striker Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sun reports that with Arsenal and Chelsea two of the clubs keen on the Swede, his current side want to warn off any clubs from thinking they will land him on the cheap.

The paper states: “Sporting Lisbon are opening talks on a new transfer release clause for Viktor Gyokeres to “protect” them from the Premier League clubs circling.

“The Swedish striker cost a club-record £17m last summer from Coventry City but he has already repaid that faith with his scintillating form.

“The 25-year-old has scored 27 goals in 33 appearances, as well as recording double figures in assists, to catch the eye of Europe’s big guns.

“Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with the hotshot – with the latter allegedly having a £74m approach rejected in January.

“Previous reports had claimed that Sporting Lisbon were holding out for the £87m release clause fee that was part of his package.

“Sporting Lisbon are hoping that the reward of a pay rise would see Gyokeres pen his new contract and agree to a release clause of a whopping £102m.”

Man Utd target Wolves’ Gomes

The Mirror believes that Manchester United have added Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes to their list of transfer targets for the summer.

The player, valued at around £40 million, could be in line to replace Casemiro, who is regularly linked with an Old Trafford exit.

The paper explains: “Manchester United are weighing up a move for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes – who could make his Brazil debut against England.

“United are looking to sign a holding midfielder this summer – with Casemiro likely to leave – and have identified £40million-rated Gomes as a potential replacement for his fellow Brazilian. Gomes has been watched by United on several occasions this season, most recently earlier this month, when Wolves beat Fulham 2-1 at Molineux in the Premier League.

“The 23-year-old, signed by Wolves for £12m from Flamengo in January 2023, is expected to be handed his first cap for Brazil against Gareth Southgate’s side at Wembley on Saturday.

“Gomes, a combative central midfielder nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’ in his homeland, has also attracted interest from United’s Premier League rivals Tottenham and Newcastle.”

Lunin set for Real stay

Real Madrid’s Ukrainian goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, looks set to stay with the Spanish club as the two parties discuss fresh terms.

The Athletic reports that the club want to keep hold of the 25-year-old and he wants to stay.

The website writes: “Real Madrid and Jorge Mendes, Andriy Lunin’s agent, have begun talks for the 25-year-old goalkeeper’s renewal.

“Lunin’s current contract runs out in 2025, as by The Athletic reported in December. Until then it was understood to end in 2024, as the club had not announced a renewal since the Ukrainian’s signing in 2018, when he signed for six seasons.

“Negotiations are still at an early stage, but Real Madrid wanted to make it clear to Lunin that they count on him and that their intention is for him to renew. The goalkeeper will have to analyse what to do when he has the definitive proposal, but he has always been in favour of staying according to sources with knowledge of his thinking.”

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Exclusive: Rooney reveals toughest defensive opponents ‘like Rolls Royces’

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‘Might give her a game in goal’ – Hayes lauds versatile Nusken after two-goal display

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Ajax v Chelsea – Women’s Champions League LIVE

Follow the Women’s Champions League live Football match between Ajax and Chelsea with Eurosport. The match starts at 5:45 PM on March 19th, 2024.

Catch the latest Ajax and Chelsea news and find up to date Women’s Champions League standings, results, top scorers and previous winners.

Football fans can read breaking Football news headlines, interviews, expert commentary and watch replays. Keep up with what’s happening in the Premier League, Champions League and other competitions.

Make Eurosport your go-to source for sports online from football to tennis, cycling, snooker and more. Enjoy the best of this season’s top sports competitions.