Chelsea have made the bold decision to axe Thomas Tuchel just a week after the transfer window brought an end to the Blues' lavish spending spree.
Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were all among the arrivals in a raft of additions for the Blues, with new owner Todd Boehly putting out a statement of intent.
The club's early season form has patchy, though, with Chelsea losing to Leeds United and Southampton in the Premier League as well as a shock defeat in their Champions League group-stage opener to Dinamo Zagreb.
The hunt for Tuchel's successor has begun but whoever takes the job will have a challenge finding stable footing, as Stats Perform identifies the big issues that need resolving.
Integrating new players
New signings do not always immediately settle into new surroundings, which was evident in Tuesday's defeat in Croatia as Fofana and Koulibaly were caught out for the only goal of the game, one that ultimately contributed to Tuchel losing his job.
Aubameyang – donning a protective mask due to a fractured jaw – also looked off the pace on his debut, though he saw a goal chalked off, and will have questions after the dismissal of the German, whom he was excited to work with again following their stint together at Borussia Dortmund.
Sterling, at least, seems to have adjusted quickly to life in west London, scoring three and assisting one in the opening six matches, but it's still early days for the former Manchester City forward.
Bringing the new additions up to speed and singing from the same hymn sheet will be a big priority for Tuchel's successor.
Choosing the best XI
Chelsea's struggles have come alongside an untimely loss in form for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who previously had his position in the side as a near certainty, but a new boss may have different ideas – particularly after some fine saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga in the defeat in Zagreb.
In defence, there's also decisions to be made with Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Cesar Azpilicueta, Reece James and Thiago Silva all vying for a starting berth and looking to secure regular action ahead of their respective World Cup campaigns.
There is remains uncertainty in midfield, with the likes of N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic all having question marks over their long-term futures. Youngsters Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei also need bedding into the side, the latter representing new recruits at Stamford Bridge.
Figuring out a settled XI is of vital importance for the new incumbent.
Solve the striker situation
One of the most problematic positions to fix, though, is the striker position.
The Blues' long-term striker issues have claimed numerous casualties, most recently Romelu Lukaku, while Timo Werner was also sold back to RB Leipzig.
The signing of 33-year-old Aubameyang on deadline day was not a permanent fix and, given the issues Mikel Arteta encountered at Arsenal managing the striker, issues may arise.
Neither Kai Havertz and Sterling are natural centre-forwards, while Armando Broja is only 20 and it would be a bold decision to throw the Albanian into the deep end as the leading striker.
Aubameyang is the obvious solution for the new boss but a long-term plan needs to be established.
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with AC Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to AC Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A, but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Schwarz believes pressure will bring out the best in Red Bulls
New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz says pressure is good for players as they prepare to face rivals New York City FC in the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal.
The Red Bulls beat defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew 1-0 in the first of their best-of-three series before edging them 5-4 on penalties in Game 2.
They are playing in the semifinals for the first time since 2018, though it is the first time they are meeting their city rivals in the postseason in their history.
Schwarz acknowledged there was a lot riding on this game but is sure the pressure can bring out the best in his team.
"To feel the pressure as a player and head coach is good," he told reporters. "We need the pressure to bring our best performance and level.
"Without pressure, it's not possible. Now we have this historic derby on Saturday and we're very excited.
"Our main target is to win this game, but our focus is to get a result like we had against Columbus. The last three weeks have been looking at how we can create our best performance for Saturday."
Meanwhile, NYCFC had to come from behind in round one after losing their first match to FC Cincinnati but won the second at home before going through with a 6-5 penalty shootout win in the decider.
Head coach Nick Cushing is delighted to have home advantage for the semifinal tie but says he is not yet thinking about securing the same fate in the next round.
"I've learned over my tenure here as assistant coach and as head coach that the next game is the most important part," Cushing said.
"The whole focus is hosting a playoff semifinal at home. We're really proud that we've done everything to get to this opportunity, but there are many more challenges ahead, and we cannot look further than the first 10 minutes of the game, because that is our main focus.
"And then, through there, we have a game plan and half-time. We're working through this game, and that is our whole focus."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York City FC – Alonzo Martinez
Twelve of Alonzo Martinez's 17 goals this season (regular season and playoffs) have been scored in home matches, while Santiago Rodriguez has scored 11 of his 13 goals at home.
Both players found the net in NYCFC's home win over Cincinnati in Game 2 of their first-round series.
New York Red Bulls – Emil Forsberg
Emil Forsberg became the 14th different Red Bulls player to record a goal and an assist in a single playoff match in Game 2 of New York's first-round series against Columbus Crew.
No player has more than one such game in the team's postseason history.
MATCH PREDICTION: NEW YORK CITY FC WIN
This will be the first playoff meeting between New York City FC and the Red Bulls, but the fifth in knockout rounds in all competitions.
The Red Bulls eliminated NYCFC in each of the previous four knockout round meetings, doing so in the US Open Cup three times and the Leagues Cup once.
NYCFC has won five of their eight all-time home playoff matches, including the last three in a row. All three teams that defeated NYCFC on the road in the playoffs went on to reach the MLS Cup Final (Toronto FC in 2016 & 2019, Atlanta United in 2018).
The Red Bulls' 1-0 win at Columbus in Game 1 on October 29 ended a six-match road losing streak in postseason play for the club. The Red Bulls have won multiple road playoff games in a single season twice before, doing so in 2008 and 2017.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York City FC – 46.5%
Draw – 26.5%
New York Red Bulls – 27%
Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino
Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.
Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season.
A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season.
"The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.
The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break.
Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September.
Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports.
The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
