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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has denied his tactics are to blame for Cole Palmer’s dry spell in front of goal.

The Blues’ top scorer, who has 14 goals all competitions this season, has not found the back of the net in his last 16 games – a run dating back to January 14 and one which represents an enormous drop-off compared to last season’s return of 27 goals.

Amid the growing frustration towards Maresca, many fans have accused the boss of stifling Palmer with a tactical setup which has failed to bring the best out of any of his forward players, but Maresca insists something else is behind Palmer’s drought.

“For sure, it’s mental,” Maresca said. “I don’t think it’s tactical, I don’t think it’s technical, because Cole is still the same player that scored, this season with us, 14 goals in the Premier League in [the first] 20 games.

“Cole is the same one. The style of football we play is the same one. The manager is the same one. The club is the same one. So nothing changes around Cole and Cole doesn’t change. It’s just mentally in this moment.

“For sure, you can see that he is a little worried because he wants to help the team.”

Maresca went on to argue that those criticising his setup are forgetting the success it brought during the first half of the season, when Chelsea were seen as outside contenders for the Premier League title before their festive collapse.

“We try always to set up our game to put our best player in condition to be dangerous,” Maresca continued. “We have done since we started. We are doing that every game. It’s the same for Cole.

“If you go back game by game, he had at least, every game, one or two chances. So, it’s not about how the team is playing.

“If you want to see it as the team playing a different way, you’ve seen it that way, but the reality is not that. The reality is that Cole is the same, the style of play is the same, the manager is the same, the club is the same.

“It’s just football that, in this moment, he is missing the goal. No more than that.”

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Real Madrid have rejected suggestions they considered boycotting the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona due to concerns about the refereeing team.

The build-up to Saturday’s final has been dominated by more refereeing controversy after Madrid’s official TV network published a video criticising referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who broke down in tears during a press conference responding to the video.

VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes then took the stage to insist there would soon be “consequences” for Madrid’s actions, warning Los Blancos that referees will take action against the criticism.

“There is no doubt that we are going to begin to take measures, more serious than those currently being taken,” he said. “We are not going to continue to allow what is happening; in a few days, you will hear about what is to come. This is going to make history; we are not going to continue to put up with what we are putting up with.”

Madrid then released a statement condemning the comments and calling for a change in refereeing team, which was rejected. In response, Madrid cancelled their public training session, refused to attend a pre-match press conference and failed to turn up for a photoshoot.

There were then significant reports that Madrid were considering boycotting the final altogether, but a new statement has put those fears to bed.

“In light of the rumours that have emerged in recent hours, Real Madrid CF announces that our team has never considered withdrawing from today’s final,” the club wrote.

“Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements made by the referees designated for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot taint a sporting event of global significance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people, and out of respect for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.

“Real Madrid believes that the values ​​of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been manifested once again today against our club by the referees appointed for the final.”

With all this going on in the background, Saturday’s final may be the final match for manager Carlo Ancelotti, with reports suggesting he will be relieved of his duties after the final whistle.

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An unusual line-up of protagonists graces this year’s FA Cup semi-finals.

Both ties will be staged at Wembley Stadium this weekend and several surprise challengers have made it to the last four. Manchester City, who have reached the last two finals, are the only traditional ‘big six’ club that remain as the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea suffered early exits.

Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace make up the rest of the cast, with the latter aiming to win the competition for the first time in their history. All four semi-finalists will be desperate to book a return trip to Wembley for the showpiece event in mid-May.

Here are 90min’s predictions for the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Crystal Palace and Aston Villa both reached the FA Cup final in the mid-2010s but neither were victorious in battles with the country’s big dogs. They will be aiming to go a step further this year.

As mentioned, the Eagles have never triumphed in the world’s oldest cup competition despite two runs to the final, and will be perceived as the underdogs this weekend. Their recent form has been shaky but a morale-boosting draw at Arsenal in the Premier League midweek will do them no harm ahead of their Wembley excursion. They can also take confidence from beating Villa 4-1 at the end of February.

Unai Emery’s side suffered late heartbreak midweek as they seek Champions League qualification but can make amends on Saturday. The seven-time FA Cup winners haven’t tasted glory in the competition since 1957 and have lost two finals in the 21st century, but their current crop are capable of beating anybody on their day.

Man City are the favourites for this year’s crown and their recent resurgence only strengthens their appeal. The Cityzens will not have it easy, however, and must overcome the dogged Nottingham Forest this Sunday.

City, who have won the competition twice under Pep Guardiola, have hit form at the right time as they seek FA Cup salvation at the end of a tumultuous term, but were beaten by Forest in the Premier League back in early March. Their defensive frailties and extensive injury list continue to set them back.

Forest have proven immensely difficult to beat under Nuno Espirito Santo and will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds and reaching a fourth final in the competition – and a first in 34 years. Their resilience has propelled them up the Premier League table this term and they could finish the campaign having earned Champions League qualification and won the FA Cup.

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Real Betis are preparing a bid to extend Antony’s loan from Manchester United by a further 12 months, a report has revealed.

A January loan to Betis has proven the perfect medicine to rejuvenate Antony’s stalling career. With five goals and four assists in 18 games, the winger has left United convinced they can pocket as much as £40m with a permanent sale this summer – which still represents a loss of £42m compared to their initial outlay.

Betis’ loan deal does not include the option for a permanent transfer but the club have already gone public with their desire to retain Antony beyond this season.

The Telegraph state Betis are planning to try and extend Antony’s loan by a further 12 months rather than pursue a permanent deal. Reports elsewhere have claimed this was always Betis’ plan and they only agreed to the initial six-month deal in January because it was far simpler than setting out terms for a year-and-a-half.

Whether United would be open to such an offer is a different question entirely. The Red Devils want to cut ties with Antony permanently this summer as they look to fund their own shopping spree.

There have been claims that the only way United would settle on another loan would be if Betis agreed to include the obligation to make the move permanent next summer, but there are no suggestions the Spanish side are prepared to make that commitment thus far.

It is thought Betis will only pursue a permanent move if they qualify for the Champions League. They currently sit fifth in the La Liga standings, which – just as in the Premier League – guarantees a spot in Europe’s premier club competition.

The uncertainty has even led to two of Antony’s teammates discussing the idea of launching a crowdfunding bid to sign the United loanee permanently. He is a popular figure at Betis and has not shied away from stressing his happiness at the club, but much will depend on United’s financial demands.

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Despite an early Champions League exit, Real Madrid’s season is far from over.

A 1-0 win over Getafe means they remain four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race, and their rivals’ tough run-in suggests the Clasico rivals will fight until the last for domestic glory.

Before the pair face off in an all-important La Liga meeting on 11 May, there’s the small matter of deciding who will win this year’s Copa del Rey. Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the final for just the third time this century despite the pair claiming 51 triumphs in this competition between them.

After grinding out three points on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti does have a fresh injury concern to consider. However, a pair of Frenchmen could return to the fold in Seville. Here’s how Madrid could line up in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.

GK: Thibaut Courtois – While Andriy Lunin is fit again and has featured in this competition, Ancelotti is expected to pick his number one for the final.

RB: Federico Valverde – Lauded as one of the world’s best right-backs by the Italian earlier this year despite his recent switch to defence, Valverde’s athleticism will be needed to tame the relentless running of Raphinha.

CB: Raul Asencio – Asencio’s stock has risen significantly this season, and he’s featured heavily for Los Blancos in 2025. The young Spaniard will get the nod on the big occasion.

CB: Antonio Rudiger – There’s no doubt that Rudiger will be in the XI after he was offered respite on Wednesday.

LB: Ferland Mendy – Mendy is back in team training after longer than a month out, and Ancelotti may be keen to return the left-back to his starting lineup right away. David Alaba is an injury doubt, while Eduardo Camavinga is out. Fran Garcia is the only alternative.

CM: Luka Modric – Modric has featured in almost all of Madrid’s games this season, showing few signs of slowing down. Barcelona’s midfield is stellar, but perhaps the veteran’s experience will be wanted by the manager in Saturday’s final.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – The Frenchman’s going to have to produce his finest performance of 2024/25 this weekend against a majestic Barcelona engine room.

RW: Rodrygo – There had been murmurs of Rodrygo dropping to the bench for the final, but the fact he was out of the XI on Wednesday suggests Ancelotti may be preserving him for the weekend.

AM: Jude Bellingham – Bellingham joined Rodrygo on the bench against Getafe, and there are no doubts about his inclusion in the Italian’s XI against Barca. He has a knack of delivering on the big occasion.

LW: Vinicius Junior – Barca have previously focused their defensive efforts on shunning the Brazilian, who has tormented them once or twice. However, they’ve had more success in recent outings. Jules Kounde has been a tough out for almost every winger he’s faced this term.

ST: Kylian Mbappe – Mbappe will be back in the Madrid starting lineup having recovered from a minor ankle injury. They didn’t sign him to deliver Copas del Rey, but a couple of goals in the final wouldn’t hurt.

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