Chelsea
Chelsea reigniting their interest in this 30-year-old Brazilian maestro would boost creativity in the final third
Why reigniting interest in Taison could solve Chelsea’s midfield conundrum
According to an earlier report from the Express, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian star Taison claimed that he had agreed on terms with Premier League outfit Chelsea but a move failed to materialise due to work permit issues.
The same report claimed that the Brazilian wanted to try his luck in the Premier League despite failing to secure a move to Chelsea in his earlier days.
The 30-year-old Brazilian creative ace joined Shakhtar back in 2013 and has been one of the cornerstones of his team’s domestic dominance in recent seasons.
Taison, who was a part of Brazil’s squad that participated at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has 40 goals and 60 assists to his name from 220 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk across all competitions over the course of five seasons.
He boasts of an impressive record in the Champions League as well, scoring 4 goals and providing 7 assists from 33 appearances in the competition. The 30-year-old has been in scintillating form this season and starred in Shakhtar’s latest 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in the Champions League, scoring a couple of goals and also assisting one.
Known for his versatility to play in multiple positions in the midfield and final third, Taison is essentially a left-winger by trade but has also been deployed in a No.10 role. Blessed with a sound technique, Taison is known for his ability to light up the scene with his creative passing and incredible vision.
Standing at 5ft 8in with a relatively lean frame, Taison is not the strongest player on the pitch but he shows a commendable upper body strength and good balance to ride his way past challenges.
A fleet-footed creative midfielder, the Brazilian knows exactly how to create his own space, twisting and turning in tight areas and changing directions to work the channels in the final third.
The 30-year-old is a playmaker with a remarkable vision and has the ability to set his teammates clear through on goal with inch-perfect passes. He uses his tactical intelligence to good effect, drawing the defenders out from their positions to create those half-spaces.
He is not a one-trick pony by any means and has the ability to cut inside from the flanks with pace and can even supply the centre-forward with accurate crosses. Furthermore, he has a deadly right foot which is capable of finding the net from outside the box.
Taison averages 2.5 shots, 2.5 key passes and 2.3 dribbles per game in the Champions League this term to go with his pass accuracy of 86.1%, figures which speak volumes of his all-around ability as a creative midfielder.
To put things into perspective, Chelsea should reignite their interest in the Brazilian creative ace to bolster their midfield in January. Chelsea’s twelve-game unbeaten run in the Premier League under Maurizio Sarri came to an end with a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of Spurs last week, documenting the need for a creative midfielder in their ranks.
Cesc Fabregas has fallen out of favour under Sarri while Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are not really tailor-made to operate in a No.10 role behind the striker. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a promising youngster with a massive potential but he is not quite the finished product that Chelsea need to challenge for the Premier League title.
Ross Barkley is probably the only player in the first-team apart from Hazard who is capable of sparking creativity in the attack but Sarri has preferred Madrid loanee Mateo Kovacic to play on the left of his midfield three more often than not.
That said, Taison’s ability to operate as the link between the midfield and the forward line should make him a perfect January buy for Chelsea and the Blues should definitely make a move for the hugely experienced Brazilian maestro.
Tottenham Women have signed Japan international Maika Hamano on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season, marking their fourth signing of the January transfer window. The 21 year old versatile attacker joins fellow new arrivals Matilda Nildén, Hannah Wijk and Signe Gaupset as Martin Ho strengthens his squad for a top four push.
Hamano joined Chelsea from INAC Kobe Leonessa in 2023 and was a member of Japan’s 2023 World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics squads. However, she has seen limited minutes at Stamford Bridge this season under Sonia Bompastor, prompting the loan move to secure regular playing time.
Versatile Forward Provides Emergency Cover
The attacker can play anywhere across the forward line, operating on both flanks and centrally. She appears to be emergency cover for Jess Naz, who is out for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in December. The loan is believed to be a dry loan with no purchase option included.
The only downside to Hamano’s arrival is that she will miss a couple of games this spring alongside fellow Japan international Toko Koga for the Asian Cup. Claire Hunt will also be absent during that period for international duty.
Spurs Positioning for Top Four Finish
Tottenham’s aggressive January business signals their ambition to finish in the top four or five this season. Reports suggest they are not finished in the transfer market with Julie Blakstad and Larissa Mühlhaus also mentioned as potential targets.
The club has moved swiftly to address squad weaknesses after struggling in the first half of the campaign. Hamano’s versatility gives Ho tactical flexibility as Spurs look to climb the WSL table when they return from the winter break on January 10.
Chelsea
(Photos) Chelsea Star Sam Kerr Marries USWNT’s Kristie Mewis in Australian Wedding of the Year as Matildas Captain Carries Son Jagger Down Aisle
Sam Kerr married longtime partner Kristie Mewis in a stunning New Year’s Eve ceremony at Dionysus Villa in Perth’s Swan Valley. The Chelsea striker and former USWNT midfielder, who welcomed son Jagger earlier in 2025, exchanged vows in front of 120 guests at the luxurious Venetian inspired estate in what Australian media dubbed “Australian sport’s wedding of the year.”
Kerr dazzled in a classic black tuxedo with a white buttonhole rose while Mewis wore a white sparkling gown featuring a corset and long veil. In a touching moment, Kerr carried their seven month old son down the aisle with Mewis later revealing on her podcast that she would “sob when that happens.”
Matildas Stars Among Superstar Guests
The guestlist included several of Kerr’s Matildas teammates including Steph Catley, Mackenzie Arnold and Alanna Kennedy, who all wore black outfits in line with the dress code. Arsenal stars Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe also attended alongside former United States teammate Stephanie McCaffrey.
The couple got engaged in late 2023 after meeting in 2019 and officially announcing their relationship in 2021. They celebrated into the early hours of 2026 before flying back to London with baby Jagger after a brief stay at the Crown Towers hotel.
A full honeymoon is on hold due to Kerr’s upcoming fixture for Chelsea against West Ham on January 11th.
Wedding Caps Remarkable Recovery
The ceremony caps a remarkable two years for Kerr following her ACL injury sustained in January 2024 that kept her out for 20 months. Her recovery was extended due to an undiscovered issue with the surgical graft that caused persistent pain and dark days during rehabilitation.
She made her return in September 2025, scoring her 100th Chelsea goal minutes after coming off the bench against Aston Villa.
Also read: Sjoeke Nüsken Open to Chelsea Exit as Bayern Munich Circle, Expresses Her Preference
Arsenal Dragon
Top Women’s Football Free Agents in 2026 as Lucy Bronze, Bunny Shaw and Georgia Stanway Among Stars With Expiring Contracts
A large number of high profile players in women’s football will become free agents this summer with reigning WSL champions Chelsea facing the potential departure of eight first team stars. Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Millie Bright, Aggie Beever Jones, Sam Kerr, Catarina Macario, Guro Reiten and Rebecca Spencer are all out of contract or require options to be exercised.
All Chelsea players are available to sign pre contracts with clubs outside the WSL from this month. Macario is the player most likely to leave amid interest from NWSL side Bay FC, with the United States international having found game time limited under Sonia Bompastor this season.
Arsenal Face Major Contract Decisions
Arsenal also have several top players requiring action including Emily Fox, Katie McCabe, Kim Little, Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead. Mead could be on the move after being linked with London City Lionesses last summer, though the Gunners will be desperate to retain the Euro 2025 winner.
Manchester City face losing WSL leading goalscorer Bunny Shaw on a free transfer this summer. Leila Ouahabi and Laura Coombs are also both out of contract at the Joie Stadium. Manchester United will be keen to exercise the option on Ella Toone’s deal after the midfielder was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
European Stars Available
England midfielder Georgia Stanway is attracting interest from clubs including Arsenal with her Bayern Munich contract expiring. Barcelona face uncertainty over several stars including Alexia Putellas, Mapi Leon, Salma Paralluelo and Caroline Graham Hansen.
Caroline Weir is on an expiring contract at Real Madrid while former England number one Mary Earps could leave Paris Saint Germain. Trinity Rodman’s Washington Spirit contract expires with WSL champions Chelsea among clubs interested in the United States forward.
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