Chelsea‘s next exit is becoming clearer after their sale of Trevoh Chalobah to Como. The Blues have agreed a €30million deal with Cesc Fabregas’ club to send Chalobah to Italy, with the centre-back slipping down the pecking order following the signing of Maxence Lacroix on a big-money deal from Crystal Palace.

Chalobah has been a reliable operator for Chelsea since being recalled from a Crystal Palace loan spell early last season, but he is not seen as a truly elite centre-back who can be a starter as the Blues look to make that step over the coming months.

Chelsea’s next departure becomes clearer

Following the departure of Chalobah, Chelsea continue working on exits, hoping to balance their spending having already racked up a massive spending total this summer.

A number of players are expected to leave, and the next could be another centre-back in Benoit Badiashile. Fabrizio Romano reported on YouTube: “Keep an eye on Benoit Badiashile, because Napoli also are genuinely interested in Badiashile. Napoli are talking to the agents of the player and they are keen on the move. Then we have to understand if they can close everything on the formula.

“Napoli want an initial loan for Badiashile, so the will be a conversation between the two clubs about that. But Napoli are keen on Badiashile and so Chelsea could make money from Italy in the next days and weeks.”

Badiashile was once seen as an ‘important player’

Badiashile only played eight times in the Premier League for Chelsea last season, and the £31.7million signing does not look as though he has any chance of coming back in to be a starter under Xabi Alonso.

But he has played a big role in the past, making 42 Premier League appearances for the club overall, and during his reign, Enzo Maresca said: “Since I joined the club, every time I have spoken about Benoit I’ve always said he’s an important player and a very good player.”

Mauricio Pochettino said during his time at the club: “He is a player with great quality and a very good character.””He gives us the possibility to build from the back in a very good way.”

Gianni Infantino is currently clinging to his job following his botched plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, with a host of countries withdrawing support for his re-election.

However, it’s been revealed that a number of countries are still backing the under-fire FIFA boss, despite a string of recent controversies.

Infantino received heavy criticism in December after awarding US President Donald Trump with FIFA’s newly-created Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw. The two men have formed a strong relationship in recent years, with Trump even earmarking Infantino for the job of UN (United Nations) secretary-general.

It was Trump’s intervention that prompted FIFA to controversially suspend USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban at the 2026 World Cup.

Infantino and Trump handed the FIFA World Cup trophy to Spain’s players following their victory over Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

Infantino is reportedly ‘begging’ the Trump administration to help save his job after his hugely controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup were scuppered last week.

Multiple Countries Still Backing Infantino For Re-Election

REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Wales and Finland have withdrawn endorsement letters for Infantino, while the English Football Association are set to follow suit, as UEFA threaten legal action against FIFA over Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan.

However, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton has revealed that a host of Asian confederations are backing Infantino’s re-election.

The most significant member associations pledging their support for Infantino are Qatar and the UAE (United Arab Emirates).

Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon and Kuwait are also backing the FIFA boss, who has been in charge of world football’s governing body since 2016.

Crafton says the fact these countries are backing Infantino “will worry UEFA”, adding that Saudi Arabia’s verdict could be key.

Saudi Arabia were named hosts of the 2034 World Cup finals in December 2024, meaning Infantino may have sufficient credit in the bank from the Middle Eastern nation.

Over 200 FIFA Member Associations Backed Infantino in July

REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

It was revealed in July, shortly before the World Cup final, that more than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations backed Infantino for a fourth term – despite the Balogun scandal.

Germany were among the highest-profile football associations who failed to provide official backing for Infantino at the time.

However, every member association has the opportunity to withdraw their support for Infantino and transfer their backing to a different contender up until November 18.

Infantino was the only runner for the role of FIFA president at the time, but the situation could now change, with various member associations now seeking a change in leadership at the top of football.

Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has provided an update on Liverpool potentially signing a new defender following Joe Gomez’s injury in pre-season.

Reports emerged last week that Gomez is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season after suffering an injury against Sunderland during pre-season.

The experienced defender was forced off in the first half due to a muscle problem, and Andoni Iraola refused to put a timescale on his return.

The Liverpool boss did, however, confirm that he won’t be back in time to face Newcastle on the opening day of the season.

“If it goes very good the injury is a little bit less, if [not] it goes a little more. It’s not massive, it’s a normal muscle injury, [but] I think it’s going to be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far [away]. It shouldn’t be a lot more.”

Liverpool defender transfer update

According to Sky Sports journalist McAdam, Liverpool are not expected to enter the market for defensive reinforcements despite Gomez’s recent injury.

“Well, no is the answer we are being told. My understanding is that Liverpool will not go into the market to sign a player for the next 4-6 weeks. They’re just gonna have to ride through the storm and then wait for their players to come back and then they will be at full strength at the back.”

Many Liverpool supporters would have expected Liverpool to enter the market for a defender regardless of Gomez’s injury, with Ibrahima Konate leaving the club earlier this summer.

The Reds are clearly happy with the options they’ve currently got, but they’re certainly going to be short at the back.

Liverpool focusing on forward additions

REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

It’s safe to say Liverpool are focusing on forward additions rather than defensive ones in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.

Fabrizio Romano has recently reported that Liverpool have opened club-to-club talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.

The French club are believed to be demanding around €170 million for the French international, which is undoubtedly out of reach for Liverpool.

Whether they can negotiate that figure down remains to be seen, but he certainly appears to be their top target as they look to strengthen their attack in the coming weeks.