Football agent Saif Rubie is gearing up for his court case against former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, focusing on the commission Rubie claims he is owed following Kurt Zouma’s transfer to West Ham.
The case, which will be heard in the High Court tomorrow, stems from a dispute over payment for Rubie’s role in facilitating the £29.1 million transfer of Zouma in 2021.
Background of the Dispute and Court Case
Rubie is suing Granovskaia, the former key figure at Chelsea during Roman Abramovich’s ownership, alleging that she withheld the commission owed to him.
In a previous case last year, Rubie was cleared of sending threatening emails to Granovskaia in relation to the deal.
However, Rubie has now taken his claim further, arguing that Granovskaia’s actions were unjust.
Under FIFA rules, agents are entitled to up to 10% of the transfer fee for their services, meaning Rubie could be owed around £3 million.
The upcoming hearing will determine whether the case continues in court or is referred to the Football Association (FA) for arbitration, based on a ruling under Rule K.
The FA’s Role in the Dispute
Rubie had initially sought legal action against Chelsea as well as Granovskaia, but Chelsea argued the matter should be handled by the FA’s arbitration process.
However, Granovskaia left Chelsea in 2022, following the club’s change of ownership, and Rubie’s legal team now argues that since she is no longer part of an FA-affiliated entity, the case should proceed in court.
If Rubie wins the hearing, Granovskaia may be forced to provide documents related to Zouma’s move, and Chelsea might have to disclose additional information relevant to the case.
England Boss Thomas Tuchel Gets Boost with Marc Guehi Injury Update
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has received a timely fitness boost as Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, is expected to make a full recovery from a knee injury sustained in a recent match.
Guehi played the full 90 minutes in Palace’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa but had treatment on his knee after the match, prompting concerns about his fitness.
No Major Concern for Guehi’s Injury
Despite some initial worry, Mail Sport understands that the injury isn’t serious.
Although Guehi might not be risked in Palace’s upcoming FA Cup match against Millwall, medical professionals are confident the issue will not keep him out for an extended period.
This news comes as a relief to Tuchel, who is already dealing with the absence of John Stones due to a thigh injury.
Guehi’s Availability for England’s March Squad Selection
The positive update on Guehi’s injury means he could still be available for selection when Tuchel names his first England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on March 14
With Stones also out for up to 10 weeks, Tuchel is counting on Guehi to play a crucial role in his first camp as England manager.
Arsenal’s Summer Sale Plans Delayed by Injuries to Tomiyasu and Jesus
Arsenal’s plans to sell Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus this summer have been thrown into uncertainty due to their recent injuries.
Tomiyasu, who had already been struggling with knee issues, has now been confirmed to need a second knee operation, which is likely to delay any potential transfer plans for him.
Tomiyasu’s Recovery Could Impact His Future
Arsenal had hoped to assess Tomiyasu’s form after his recovery before deciding his future at the club.
However, with the surgery now confirmed, his future at Arsenal remains unclear, and the Gunners will have to wait until he fully recovers before making any decisions.
This recovery process could extend into December, possibly ruling out a summer transfer for the versatile defender.
Jesus Faces Long Recovery from ACL Injury
Similarly, Gabriel Jesus is recovering from an ACL injury that will keep him sidelined for much of the year, making it unlikely that Arsenal will be able to sell him in the summer.
The Brazilian striker’s rehabilitation is expected to last well into 2025, forcing Arsenal to reconsider any potential moves for him.
West Ham Defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka Yet to Commit to International Future
West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka has yet to decide on his international allegiance, despite interest from both England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
After his strong performances at West Ham, there has been growing speculation that the right-back could be called up for an England senior team spot, but he remains undecided.
Congo Pushing for Wan-Bissaka’s Commitment
The Congolese Football Federation is eager to secure Wan-Bissaka’s commitment, given his eligibility to play for the African nation.
However, Wan-Bissaka’s lack of commitment so far means he remains eligible for England, where he would face stiff competition for a right-back spot from the likes of Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Reece James.
Impressive Performances Could Open England Door
Should Wan-Bissaka continue his impressive form, he could yet become a viable option for England’s right-back position, even with the competition.
Meanwhile, his West Ham teammate Ollie Scarles has been catching the attention of national team scouts, having impressed in his recent senior appearances.
Crystal Palace Head to Marbella for Winter Training Break
Crystal Palace will travel to Marbella for a winter training camp following their match against Ipswich next weekend.
With no games scheduled until April, the Eagles will use the break for both rest and preparation ahead of the season’s final stretch.
Sportsbank’s Investment in Palace Set to Finalize in March
Palace’s ownership situation will also see some changes, as the completion of Sportsbank’s investment deal is now expected in mid-March, after a delay caused by unforeseen health issues.
This move is set to bring fresh investment into the club and could have a significant impact on Palace’s future.
Tottenham Finalizing Pre-Season Tour Plans in Asia
Tottenham Hotspur is finalizing plans for a pre-season tour of Asia, with talks underway for a summer training camp in the Far East.
Spurs are keen to capitalize on the massive popularity of captain Heung-min Son in Asia, with the tour likely to include stops in Korea and potentially Hong Kong.
Possible North London Derby in Asia
There have been discussions about a pre-season match against rivals Arsenal during the tour, though the details of this fixture are still to be confirmed.
Premier League Clubs Eavesdropping on Rival Broadcasts for Insider Information
Premier League clubs are covertly listening in on rival clubs’ live broadcasts on X (formerly Twitter) in search of valuable inside information.
This trend has emerged as teams look to gain an edge over their competitors, with rival clubs keen to listen in on what’s being discussed on these public platforms.
Aston Villa Join Race for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling
Aston Villa has joined a growing list of clubs interested in signing Southampton youngster Tyler Dibling.
The 18-year-old is highly regarded as one of the brightest talents in English football and is expected to leave Southampton at the end of the season.
Dibling is also attracting attention from Tottenham and Red Bull Leipzig.