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Carabao Cup Semi-Final: Can Chelsea Overcome Arsenal's 3-2 Aggregate Lead?

The Carabao Cup has long been regarded as one of English football’s most unpredictable and entertaining domestic competitions. It often provides dramatic moments, breakout performances from young talents, and intense tactical battles between Premier League giants. This season’s semi-final clash between Chelsea and Arsenal has perfectly captured the essence of the competition, delivering high-stakes drama, attacking brilliance, and tactical intrigue. With Arsenal holding a narrow 3-2 aggregate advantage heading into the decisive second leg, the footballing world is buzzing with anticipation. The big question remains: can Chelsea produce a comeback performance strong enough to overturn Arsenal’s lead and secure a place in the final? The first leg between these London rivals was a spectacle filled with attacking intent, defensive vulnerabilities, and moments of individual brilliance. Arsenal managed to edge Chelsea in a fiercely contested encounter, showcasing their clinical finishing and...
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Manchester United and Chelsea are tracking a Bundesliga defender, according to a report.


Castello Lukeba, an RB Leipzig defender, is said to have piqued the interest of both Manchester United and Chelsea after a good season in the Bundesliga.

Leipzig paid a high price for Lukeba, reportedly €34 million (£29 million), when he transferred from Lyon last summer. However, the German side has frequently functioned as a stepping stone for players who aspire to play at the highest level, and it is not uncommon for young talents to move on fast.

According to FootMercato, Manchester United has been studying the 21-year-old for "several weeks," while Chelsea has recently expressed interest.

Both clubs could say goodbye to at least one senior centre-back this summer, with Manchester United yet to exercise an extension option on Raphael Varane's expiring contract and 39-year-old Thiago Silva expected to depart Chelsea and return to club football in Brazil before retiring.

Leipzig are thought to have no plans to sell Lukeba this summer. However, his contract has a €70 million (£60 million) release clause that will take effect in 2025.

Lukeba has started 20 Bundesliga games in 2023/24, including all of Leipzig's last seven, during an unbeaten streak that has seen the team capture 19 points from a possible 21 to return to the top four and qualify for the Champions League.

The defender also started seven of Leipzig's eight Champions League games this season, including home and away in the group stage against Manchester City, as well as the second leg of the last-16 tie against Real Madrid, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lukeba has already made one senior appearance for France, coming off the bench in the final minutes of a friendly against Scotland last October. A more permanent spot is more likely to arrive after Euro 2024 than before, but he will be on display at the Olympics on home soil this summer, having been part of Thierry Henry's Under-23 squad last month.

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