Internationals News

Honest Ahanor’s Cried when He Signed for Chelsea

1 week ago

Honest Ahanor’s move to Chelsea was an emotional moment for the highly rated Italian defender, with his agent Beppe Riso revealing that the teenager cried after completing his transfer to the Blues.Chelsea agreed a deal with Atalanta for Ahanor in September 2026, with the 18-year-old officially set to join the London club in 2027. The deal is reportedly worth up to £40 million, while Ahanor will spend the 2026/27 campaign on loan at Crystal Palace.Speaking about the transfer, Riso highlighted the difficult journey that Ahanor has taken to reach the Premier League.“When he signed for Chelsea, he hugged a friend of his and me and cried.”Riso described the move as a “very difficult, long, tough operation” and emphasized Ahanor's humble background.Who Is Honest Ahanor?Born in Aversa, Italy, to Nigerian parents in February 2008, Ahanor developed through Genoa's academy before making his senior debut at just 16. He became the first player born in 2008 to start a Serie A match, starting against Juventus in September 2024. He finished that campaign with six Serie A appearances.Ahanor then joined Atalanta in 2025 and quickly established himself at senior level. During the 2025/26 season, he made 28 Serie A appearances, while also making his Champions League debut. His performances earned him his first Italy senior call-up in 2026.The left-footed defender is capable of operating at left-back, centre-back and further forward as a wing-back, giving Chelsea another versatile defensive option for the future.For now, Ahanor's development continues at Crystal Palace, where he has already made his Premier League debut. Chelsea will be closely monitoring his progress before his eventual arrival at Stamford Bridge.His journey from Genoa academy prospect to Chelsea signing and Italy international has been remarkably quick—and, according to Riso, the significance of the move was not lost on the young defender.

Estevao Loves Chelsea and Is Ready to Fight for His Place

1 week ago

Chelsea youngster Estevao Willian has made it clear that he remains fully committed to the club and is determined to fight for his place in the first team despite limited Premier League minutes this season.The Brazilian forward has faced increased competition following the arrival of manager Xabi Alonso, with Chelsea possessing several attacking options, including Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. Estevao has found regular playing time difficult to secure, but his latest comments suggest he remains focused on proving himself at Stamford Bridge.Speaking during Brazil duty in September, Estevao acknowledged the competition within the Chelsea squad and explained that his approach is to concentrate on the areas he can control.“I try to give my best in training, when I get an opportunity I try to give my best,” Estevao said, according to UOL.The 19-year-old also emphasized his confidence and determination to continue working for more opportunities rather than allowing his current situation to affect his mindset.Estevao's commitment to Chelsea is not new. When he joined the club from Palmeiras, he described the move as a dream and said Chelsea's project and belief in his potential were major reasons behind his decision.His first Chelsea campaign provided plenty of evidence of his ability. The winger scored eight goals in all competitions, including a dramatic late winner against Liverpool, while also becoming Chelsea's youngest Premier League goalscorer.Chelsea's official website also reported in February that Estevao was “very thankful” to the club and felt Chelsea had given him everything he needed to continue developing.With his talent, age and previous performances already established, Estevao now faces another important challenge: earning a consistent role under Alonso. Rather than looking for an easy route out, his public comments indicate that the Brazilian intends to keep working, improve and compete for his opportunity at Chelsea.

Olivier Giroud Set to Retire at End of Season After Remarkable Career

1 week ago

Olivier Giroud has revealed that he is planning to retire from professional football at the end of the 2026/27 season, bringing the curtain down on one of the most decorated careers of his generation. The 40-year-old French striker, currently playing for Lille, made the announcement while reflecting on his future and the physical demands of his 22nd professional season.Giroud has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning France, England, Italy and the United States. His trophy cabinet includes the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, the UEFA Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea, Serie A with AC Milan, Ligue 1 with Montpellier and four FA Cup triumphs.Olivier Giroud's Chelsea CareerFor Chelsea supporters, Giroud's three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge remain particularly memorable. The striker joined Chelsea from Arsenal in January 2018 and went on to make 119 appearances for the Blues, scoring 39 goals.Giroud immediately contributed to Chelsea's 2018 FA Cup triumph before becoming a key figure in the club's Europa League-winning campaign during the 2018/19 season. He scored 11 goals in the competition, finishing as its leading scorer, and found the net in the final against Arsenal in Baku.His finest European moments continued during Chelsea's 2020/21 Champions League campaign. Giroud scored four goals in a memorable 4-0 victory over Sevilla before producing an spectacular bicycle kick against Atletico Madrid in the last 16. Chelsea eventually lifted the Champions League trophy in Porto, giving Giroud his second major European title with the club.A Fitting Final ChapterGiroud also became France's all-time leading scorer during his international career, finishing with 57 goals in 137 appearances. He would later be overtaken by the Kylian Mbappe. He helped France win the 2018 World Cup and retired from international football in 2024.Now, after more than two decades in professional football, Giroud appears ready to bring his playing career to an end. For Chelsea fans, his legacy will be defined by important goals, European success and his contribution to three major trophies at Stamford Bridge.