CHELSEA have splashed the cash on wonderkids over the last few transfer windows – but their biggest star could already be at the club.
Meet 15-year-old Ibrahim Rabbaj, whose diminutive dribbles and wand of a left foot have him compared to Lionel Messi.
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Ibrahim Rabbaj is England and Chelsea’s future starCredit: Instagram @ibz_cfc
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The youngster has been tearing up youth-team football with his unstoppable dribbling and clinical left footCredit: Getty
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Rabbaj with ex-Chelsea star and fellow Moroccan Hakim ZiyechCredit: @ibz_cfc
The youngster has scored a sensational 52 goals in 40 games.
Add a whopping 60 assists to those stats and it is clear to see why he has been called up to the England Under-16s squad, with him also eligible for Morroco.
PLAYING STYLE
Already there have been numerous comparisons to Messi. Not just the hair either which is cut into that distinctive bob-style like Leo.
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Being mentioned in the same breath as arguably the greatest player of all time piles on the pressure of expectation and prompts opponents to kick lumps out of you.
He is diminutive and operates in the middle or outside on the right.
Rabbaj loves creating, passing, making things happen and scoring.
He is excellent at one on ones and his preferred job is to cut in from the right side, onto his left foot and find the opposite bottom corner of the net.
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Dare we say it, but a bit like Cole Palmer and former Chelsea great Arjen Robben.
Despite being on the small side, Ibrahim uses his body strength well playing for Chelsea and England Under-16s. He has been in every international camp for the past year.
RISE TO THE TOP
One of six kids in his family and raised in Ashford, Kent, he was picked up by Charlton aged seven and went to pre-academy.
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Their South London neighbours, Crystal Palace then swooped for him and he was there until aged around 12.
A look at Chelsea’s forgotten wonderkids
He came to the attention of Chelsea during Covid but was still signed by The Blues because they felt a duty to give the young lad a sense of belonging, even though with the pandemic in full swing, there was not even any training to be done.
His dad is Moroccan and he could play for them but so far has represented England. Ironically, even scoring one of his best goals to date against his ancestral homeland.
Rabbaj is at Chelsea full-time now, including for his schooling and lives with eight other boys with a host family. GCSEs beckon next summer.
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EXPERTS’ VIEW
He has played for Chelsea U17s in pre-season during mixed age group games. A ‘classic no.10’, it will be interesting to see as he gets older how he handles the age gap.
Those closest to the player want to see him let loose through the middle of the pitch in order to drive at opponents and recreate the days of old when players of smaller stature could use their mobility and technical ability to great advantage against bigger opponents.
The people around Ibrahim want to see him operate like Romania legend Gheorghe Hagi, or Yossi Benayoun, who may be more familiar to Premier League fans.
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He has been compared to Lionel MessiCredit: Instagram @ibz_cfc
WHAT’S NEXT?
Crunch time approaches when he should be offered at least a scholarship by Chelsea but in football who knows?
The club lost winger Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool recently, who slipped through the net, so Chelsea’s youth coaches need to stay on their toes.
Retained youth players get two years with a scholarship. The best are offered a year ‘pro’ on top of that. Which would mean Rabbaj would effectively become a professional footballer at 17.
Sometimes clubs even offer just one year scholarship and two years of a pro contract.
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Rabbaj is exciting to watch and considered by those who watch him regularly as a hugely exciting talent.
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He is eligible for England and MorroccoCredit: Instagram @ibz_cfc
Formula 1 drivers are set to review the United States Grand Prix battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Mexico’s driver briefing amid questions over how the FIA’s racing rules are applied.
Verstappen and Norris fought a hard battle for third position in Austin until they both went off at Austin’s Turn 12 with four laps to go. Norris passed his title rival off the track, which netted him a five-second penalty, while Verstappen went unpunished for pushing his colleague off.
According to the racing standards guidelines as they are written, Verstappen was in the right as the defending car and did not have to leave Norris racing room. McLaren launched a right of review petition on Thursday to revisit the case, with Norris arguing that because he was already ahead of Verstappen he was the defending party rather than the Dutchman.
While the stewards appeared to apply the rules as they stand correctly, several leading drivers have taken issue with the practice of drivers being able to launch up the inside with no regard of whether or not they are able to make the corner, as long as they are ahead of their rival at the apex.
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“It’s always been a grey area,” said Lewis Hamilton. “They probably need to make some adjustments for sure. Also we do have inconsistencies through rulings depending on which stewards are there. And as a sport, we do need to level up on all areas.
“I experienced it many times with Max. You shouldn’t be able to just launch the car up the inside and then go off and still hold the position.”
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell says he’s interested in learning how the FIA looks at the incident now, and whether their interpretation means Verstappen was totally in the right or was exploiting an unintended loophole in the current guidelines – or “taking the piss” as Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas described it.
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“I don’t think you can write a set of regulations that covers every single possible scenario, it is a very fine line,” drivers’ association director Russell said.
“I’m really interested to see if the FIA believe, having reviewed everything again, if Max should have been penalised for what he did or not. In my view, he should have been penalised. Therefore, there isn’t really a loophole. If they say: ‘Based on our regulations, he should not have been penalised’, then he is exploring a loophole.”
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz said he also had questions over how aggressive a defending car can be.
“That is a very good question that I need to ask the stewards, because obviously it changes the way we go racing,” he said. “It means the guy defending on the inside can brake as late as they want and they can fake the fact that you are trying to hit the apex when you are maybe not.
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“It needs to be clarified because in that case they were both to blame; Max for running wide and Lando for gaining a position off the track. That is why that specific scenario is a very complicated one on how to rule on it.”
Russell and Sainz both agreed that a gravel strip on the outside of Turn 12 would largely fix the underlying issue, and few drivers are expecting similar issues this weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City.
“The root cause of the problem is having a circuit that allows you to run wide,” Russell said. “And if we take Austria last year as an example, you had, I don’t know, 300 track limit problems. They put gravel in, and there’s no problems.
“If you put gravel on that corner, Lando doesn’t go off and overtake, and Max doesn’t brake that late and go off as well.”
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Sainz added making circuit changes would be much more straightforward than endless discussions about racing rules.
“If you think about it, the solution might be solved by itself by circuit standards or modifications. We keep going around in circles with guidelines that might be easier to solve with certain, slight changes to the track, which some tracks have already performed.”
Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, which also hosts MotoGP that has different run-off requirements, is understood to be in discussions with the FIA over potential changes for 2025.
Additional reporting by Alex Kalinauckas and Erwin Jaeggi
In his press conference before the match against Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters manager Mikael Stahre termed the fixture a “tough home match”. On the face of it, this seems odd. After all, Bengaluru would have to contend with the home team’s fanatical fans. But, going by the performances of the two teams, it is evident that Stahre was right to highlight how difficult the game would. The league leaders have been that good.
After five matches, Bengaluru have a near-perfect record—four wins, including an impressive 3-0 win against ISL Shield Winners Mohan Bagan Super Giant, and one draw, which was against ISL Cup winners Mumbai City, away from home. Incredibly, the team is yet to concede a single goal in the competition this season.
Captain Sunil Chhetri has three goals and one assist already and even at 40, the retired national team legend is still arguably India’s best player, thanks primarily to his football intelligence—unmatched within the country’s national talent pool. Having an Indian player as a goal threat is a major advantage for the team because every other ISL team depends heavily on foreign players for goals. Therefore, having Chhetri in the squad frees up an extra slot for the team to field a foreign player elsewhere on the pitch.
Centre-back Chinglensana Singh will miss the match against the Blasters after being shown a red card in the 1-0 win against Punjab. For most teams in the ISL, this would be a major blow. But, in the case of Bengaluru, it could be argued that it would make their defence stronger with the towering Australian Aleksandar Jovanovic expected to start.
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The only problem for Bengaluru is that new signing Jorge Pereyra Diaz is yet to get going in the league. However, even this is bad news for the other teams—that Bengaluru are playing well without one of the league’s most talented attackers firing on all cylinders. The Blasters’ fans have seen up close how devastating the 34-year-old Argentine can be during his one season in Kerala, and they have to hope that he does not find his form against their team. In fact, it was Diaz’s goal in the added time that knocked the Blasters out of Durand Cup earlier this year, in Bengaluru’s 1-0 win in the quarterfinal.
The Blasters have shown great improvement since their disappointing opening match loss to Punjab. Noah Sadaoui has been electric and has formed a great understanding with Jesus Jimenez. Captain Adrian Luna is making progress in terms of improving his match fitness, but it may be too early to expect a massive impact from him. What is important for the team is that he plays enough minutes to enable him to get back to his best later in the season. Kwame Peprah can consider himself unlucky if he does not get a start after impressing from the bench. But, Jimenez is the right choice as he helps the team recycle the ball by dropping deep; Peprah is more of a threat on the counter-attack and in later stages of matches against tired defences.
The team has scored in every game so far, and with Sadaoui, Jimenez and Luna, and the threat of Peprah from the bench, the Blasters are a good bet to be the first team to breach the Bengaluru defence this season. The problem for the home team will be at the other end of the pitch.
The Blasters are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have conceded first in four of five matches so far. The attack is foreign-player heavy, which means that the Indian players will have to be trusted in crucial roles in defence and midfield. If the coach is unwilling to make the tough call of dropping Luna for this match, he will once again restrict himself to being able to pick only one out of Milos Drincic and Alexandre Coeff. Ideally, for this match, the Blasters need Coeff as the defensive midfielder and Drincic in defence. But, the indications are that Luna will start. So, we may see a midfield of Vibin Mohanan and Mohammed Azhar again. There were many, fans included, who celebrated the “record sale” of Jeakson Singh. Bengaluru may well be the match that exposes the lack of defensive nous in the Blasters midfield.
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It is often said that attack is the best defence. But in this case, defence will be the only defence.
Buffalo is 5-2 and in first place in the AFC East. Seattle is 4-3 and in first place in the NFC West. Last week, the Bills beat the Titans, 34-10, while the Seahawks beat the Falcons, 34-14.
What happened the last time they faced off?
The Bills beat the Seahawks, 44-34, in November of 2020.
IAN HOLLOWAY has been appointed manager of EFL side Swindon Town.
The League Two strugglers parted company with Mark Kennedy following their underwhelming start to the season.
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Ian Holloway has been appointed Swindon managerCredit: PA
They have wasted little time in appointing his successor with Holloway confirmed just hours after his sacking.
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Holloway, 61, has signed a deal until the end of the season.
He said on joining The Robins: “I’m delighted to be back working in football after a period out of the game as I wanted to get back into it if the right opportunity arose which, with this opportunity, I feel is the perfect fit for me.
“Conversations happened very quickly and both sides were very keen to get the deal done and of course, I was delighted to engage with a club like Swindon Town, a club of whom I know a lot about due to my location and knowledge of the local area.
“I want to be able to bring everyone together to deliver success and positivity on and off the pitch and I’m delighted to be at The Nigel Eady County Ground tomorrow to meet you all for the first time as Swindon Town Manager and I look forward to a successful time working together.”
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Holloway has not managed since he was sacked by Grimsby four years ago after winning just 11 out of 38 games in charge.
He is just 11 games away from 1000 matches managed in a managerial career that has seen him win promotion three times.
Holloway’s first taste of success came at QPR when he won promotion to the Championship in 2004.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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Lancia has officially launched its Ypsilon Rally4 car that will guide the World Rally Championship’s most successful manufacturer back to competitive motorsport.
The Italian car maker, a winner of a record 10 WRC constructors’ titles (1974-1976, 1983, 1987-1992), has created an all-new Rally4 car that is set to compete in the European Rally Championship and a newly created one-make Lancia Rally Trophy competition in Italy next year.
Lancia’s return to rallying arrives 50 years after it won its first WRC title with the legendary Stratos in 1974. The brand added its fourth title in 1983 with its Group B, 037, before dominating Group A with the Delta.
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The Ypsilon Rally4 is based on the high performance all-electric Ypsilon HF, although the Rally4 version will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder internal combustion engine that will develop 212 horsepower. It will include a five-speed mechanical transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Lancia, owned by the Stellantis Group, already has two representatives in Rally4: the Peugeot 208 Rally4 and the Opel Corsa Rally4. Both cars are based on the same platform and use the most important common elements – engine, gearbox and suspension concept.
“2025 will mark the return of Lancia to motorsport as we aim to reestablish our presence in contemporary motorsport competitions,” said Lancia CEO Luca Napolitano.
“With a mix of tradition and innovation, Lancia looks to the future with passion and ambition. With 2026 set to be the year of the Gamma flagship, which will be produced in Stellantis’ Melfi factory, 2025 is dedicated to the return of the haloed HF name, which will first make an appearance on the Ypsilon and later show up on the Gamma and the new Delta with the “HF Integrale” label.
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“Whenever the HF gets mentioned, one can’t help but recall the legendary Stratos, 037, and Delta, which dominated rally racing for 20 years, winning a total 15 World Championships in Drivers’ and Constructors’ competitions – a record which has yet to be broken.
“We have always been leaders in motorsport and rally, but now, with the trademark elegance and simplicity which sets us apart, we are making a comeback to Rally 4, the developmental category for tomorrow’s professional drivers, as we look to improve upon our past with passion and pride.”
Lancia Ypsilon Rally4
Photo by: Lancia
Lancia’s new rally car is aimed at young drivers, costing €74,500 with the first models set to reach customers at the end of January.
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The car maker turned to its most successful WRC driver and two-time world champion Miki Biasion (1988-1989) to fine tune its latest rally car.
“If you dreamt of track as a child, you dreamt of the red of a Ferrari. However, if you dreamt of becoming a rally driver, then you dreamt of Lancia,” said Biasion.
“I am honoured to have worked together with the Lancia and Stellantis Motorsport teams in fine-tuning the Ypsilon HF and Ypsilon Rally 4.
“I hope to inspire all the young drivers who hit the road with our Lancia Ypsilon Rally 4 HF to become professionals and future champions. The Lancia legacy of victories and racing is back and I am happy to be a part of it.”
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The car is set to make its debut in the new Lancia Rally Trophy that will be part of the Italian Rally Championship, featuring a prize pool of €300,000. The winner will then have a chance to drive the Lancia Corse HF team’s official Ypsilon Rally4 HF in the 2026 European Rally Championship.
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