ANTONIO RUDIGER is set to join Real Madrid this summer.
The German international is out of contract and Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that he will leave the club.
And Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of a replacement, with the Blues scouting looking at Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Chelsea are also said to be negotiating with Ajax over a potential deal for Brazilian winger Antony.
And the next owners of the Blues must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the club for a minimum of TEN years.
Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
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Rom’s top of the earners list
Summer flop Romelu Lukaku is Chelsea’s biggest earner.
The Belgian forward picks up an eye-watering £325,000-a-week at the Blues.
He could, however, already be heading for the exit door.
New owner yet to be found
A new Chelsea owner is yet to be found.
Here’s a look at Roman Abramovich’s spending numbers.
Chelsea confident on Kounde
Chelsea are confident they can sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde in the summer.
According to 90min, there is a mutual determination for the transfer to be completed.
The Blues actively tried to sign Kounde last summer but were reportedly “blindsided” by a last minute increase in demands by Sevilla.
Jorginho on Drogba
Chelsea midfielder has revealed “it would be nice” if he could have played with the great Didier Drogba.
The retired striker had so many memorable moments while playing for the Blues.
Drogba scored the equaliser and winning penalty in Chelsea’s first Champions League trophy win in 2012.
On Drogba, Jorginho said: “What a player. What a striker.
“It would be nice if I could have played with him. It wouldn’t be bad to have his movements as a striker.”
Mason Mount: Premier League stats so far
Will Chelsea’s Mason Mount reach double figures in goals and assists this season in the league?
‘Antonio Rudiger… who is this?’
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti gave absolutely nothing away after he was quizzed about signing Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger.
The legendary Italian boss was speaking after a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg tie away at Manchester City.
Although Real Madrid lost the game, at 4-3 down heading to the Bernabeu there is still everything to play for.
Rudiger, meanwhile, has told Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel he will leave the Londoners at the end of the season on a free transfer.
Real Madrid have emerged as the frontrunners to snap up the centre-half in what would be a big coup.
But after being asked about Rudiger following the defeat at the Etihad, Ancelotti went all coy.
He answered: “Antonio Rudiger, who is this?
“He is a Chelsea player until… he is still a Chelsea player, and I cannot say anything about this.”
Ball-carrying midfielder
Declan Rice is the leader in progressive yards carried outside of England’s “big six”.
The England midfielder has carried the ball over 6,000 yards.
Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin is behind on 4,663.
If the “Big Six” were included, Rice would be behind Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Joel Matip.
Rice is a summer transfer target for both Chelsea and Man Utd.
Pie Eyed
In case you missed it.
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Arminia Bielefeld centre-back Amos Pieper, according to reports.
Pieper, 24, has impressed in the Bundesliga this season despite Arminia heading for relegation.
The defender is available on a free in the summer and the Blues have asked to be kept in the loop in regard to his availability, report The Mirror.
There are several other clubs interested in Pieper, including Borussia Dortmund – with Pieper previously playing for the club’s academy.
Premier League pair Newcastle and Southampton are also said to be interested in the German and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are keen to strike a bargain.
Chelsea stars fear Tuchel could be forced to QUIT
Chelsea players believe the sanctions placed on them by the government are costing them and could force Thomas Tuchel to quit, say reports.
Boss Tuchel claimed the club have been left with their “hands tied” as Antonio Rudiger is set to leave.
Rudiger, 29, is due to bank almost £60million with his mega move to Real Madrid.
And the Times report the squad “fear” the complications could “push” Tuchel out the club too.
The Stamford Bridge dressing room are concerned they are “powerless” as they wait for sanctions and this could harm the squad.
How Man Utd could line up against Chelsea
Ralf Rangnick is in the midst of an injury crisis at Manchester United and currently has just 14 senior players fit for action.
The interim boss is down to the bare bones of his squad after confirming skipper Harry Maguire is not available for tomorrow’s clash against Chelsea.
Maguire, who was benched for the trip to Arsenal, is sidelined with a “niggle” in his knee but there are fears he could be out for the season.
Elsewhere Jadon Sancho misses out through illness, while Fred has not recovered from a hip flexor problem in time to feature.
Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, Edinson Cavani are all also set to miss out, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt with an unspecified issue.
Tuchel to stay at Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that will stay at Chelsea next season.
There has been some speculation recently around the idea of the 48-year-old leaving due to the sanctions placed on the club by the UK Government.
However, when speaking to Adam Newson for Football.London, he said: “From pre-season next season we will give our very best and I will be fully involved with all my heart and my knowledge.”
Tuchel on Ruben Loftus-Cheek
During today’s press conference, Thomas Tuchel was asked about the impact of Loftus-Cheek.
He said: “He needs to push himself to the limit. He had a bit of shy game like everybody else against Arsenal and not such a good half against Crystal Palace but stepped up in the second half in dribbling and ball recoveries and suddenly the crowd was there.
“In general he is a shy and calm person but he needs to discover the monster in him and unleash this on a regular basis. It is necessary.
“It is not enough to just be on the pitch, it might seem a good first step given his last years but we cannot let him think that is enough.
“We try every day and I think we are successful given his development.
“He needs to understand his potential and his physical capacity every day in training, he cannot let loose. He needs to play every match like a final.”
Credit: Getty Tuchel on tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford
During today’s press conference, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: “I’m personally very happy to play against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
“I arrive with a strong club. I’m happy to have this match and it will always be a big match for me no matter what form they are in.
“That’s why we prepare in the best possible way. We focus on their last matches, we should not get confused by their lack of points, their squad is full of quality.”
‘He loves responsibility’ – Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has reflected on Antonio Rudiger’s upcoming departure from Chelsea, stating that the team are sad to see him go.
He said: “I don’t think anybody likes it. He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room.
“He is a unique character and plays on an outstanding level. He sometimes takes the focus towards him, he loves responsibility.
“I don’t think anybody likes this decision but we have to accept it. Like it or not there will be life at Chelsea after Toni.
“It is also the most important thing for us that it ends like it started, on the highest level.”
Credit: Alamy Chelsea team news vs Man Utd
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic, Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley will all be absent from the Chelsea squad ahead of tomorrow’s game against Man Utd.
In his pre-match press conference, he said: “Kova will be out, Ben Chilwell will be out and Callum will be out.
“Rudiger was in training yesterday, so was Reece James, we have another training coming and hopefully they will be fine.
“Andreas needs another examination, but hopefully he will train.
“Ross Barkley is sick and will not be in the squad.”
Thomas Tuchel on the importance on a win vs Man Utd
During today’s press conference, Tuchel said:
“It’s always a good time for a win no matter if you won the last match or not. It just shows it is not easy and you can get these streaks.
“With all the respect that we have for the history and the occasion and the quality in general of Man U, we will prepare to win this match and then we will see what questions are asked.
“It is not so much now or never because they are struggling with results recently. We try to prepare in the best way possible and to win the match tomorrow.
“For me as football fan and fan of the Premier League, it is a big match.”
Credit: Getty Jor dropping
Chelsea star Jorginho reckons VAR is to blame for his horrendous penalty miss against West Ham.
The midfielder, 29, fluffed his lines from the spot in the 86th minute after Craig Dawson was sent off for a foul on Romelu Lukaku.
Jorginho fired off a weak effort after his trademark skip, giving Lukasz Fabianski an easy save.
He has now apologised to Chelsea fans and teammates for his poor penalty.
But the Italian believes ref Michael Oliver’s lengthy VAR check saw him lose focus.
Jorginho said: “This sort of pressure, especially in games like this when you need to win and it’s last minute, and you try to isolate your mind from all that pressure even though it’s hard.
“And then you have the VAR so it takes longer, it’s harder to keep focus.
“What you need to do and what I try to do is I try to isolate my mind of all this pressure, and unfortunately this time it didn’t work.
“When you have that little moment of doubt that’s usually when you make the mistake. Maybe I had too much time to think about it, I don’t know.
“This time it went like that and I’m sorry. I feel bad because it’s not a nice feeling.”
Rud move
Chelsea legend John Terry has been left baffled by the club’s decision to let defender Antonio Rudiger to leave.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed after his side’s win over West Ham on Sunday that the German will be departing Stamford Bridge when his contract expires at the end of the season.
And Terry does not understand why Chelsea failed to tie Rudiger down.
Responding to the news, the former Blues captain said: “How have we let this man go,” along with three covering faces emojis.
Time for Torres
Pau Torres has received interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea as the Premier League sides prepare to activate his £50million release clause in the summer.
The Villarreal centre-back has been heavily linked with a move to England for some time.
But the end of this season appears the most likely time for him to secure a move away from the LaLiga side given his release clause can be triggered.
And journalist Fabrizio Romano said: “Pau Torres is attracting interest from top clubs again as his release clause will be valid this summer: €55/60m, available until the end of the market.
“Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested – Chelsea have also sent their scouts to follow him.”
Credit: Getty Rudiger’s replacement?
Chelsea have reportedly told Dujon Sterling that he will be needed in the first team this summer when Antonio Rudiger leaves the club.
According to Goal.com, Sterling will be a key player during the pre-season period.
The 22-year-old recently returned to Cobham after his season ended prematurely.
He sustained an ankle injury against Nottingham Forest while on loan at Blackpool.
Thomas Tuchel is said to be an admirer of Sterling.
Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images Don’t be Rud
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti gave absolutely nothing away after he was quizzed about signing Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger.
The legendary Italian boss was speaking after a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg tie away at Manchester City.
Real Madrid have emerged as the frontrunners to snap up the centre-half in what would be a big coup.
But after being asked about Rudiger following the defeat at the Etihad, Ancelotti went all coy.
He answered: “Antonio Rudiger, who is this?
“He is a Chelsea player until… he is still a Chelsea player, and I cannot say anything about this.”
Pie Eyed
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Arminia Bielefeld centre-back Amos Pieper, according to reports.
Pieper, 24, has impressed in the Bundesliga this season despite Arminia heading for relegation.
The defender is available on a free in the summer and the Blues have asked to be kept in the loop in regard to his availability, report The Mirror.
There are several other clubs interested in Pieper, including Borussia Dortmund – with Pieper previously playing for the club’s academy.
Premier League pair Newcastle and Southampton are also said to be interested in the German and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are keen to strike a bargain.
Credit: EPA Good morning Chelsea fans
Parties bidding for Chelsea have been invited to Stamford Bridge for a final round of talks.
The Telegraph claims representatives from the remaining three bids will be in London this week for one last roll of the dice.
Chelsea and Raine, in charge of the sale, will listen to each of the final £2.5billion proposals as they hone in on a winner.
LA Dodgers owner Todd Boehly, Boston Celtics chief Stephen Pagliuca and British businessman Sir Martin Broughton head the three groups left in the running to replace Roman Abramovich.
Chelsea legend John Terry has been left baffled by the club’s decision to let defender Antonio Rudiger to leave.
Responding to the news, the former Blues captain said: “How have we let this man go,” along with three covering faces emojis.
Chelsea star Jorginho reckons VAR is to blame for his horrendous penalty miss against West Ham.
The midfielder, 29, fluffed his lines from the spot in the 86th minute after Craig Dawson was sent off for a foul on Romelu Lukaku.
Jorginho said: “This sort of pressure, especially in games like this when you need to win and it’s last minute, and you try to isolate your mind from all that pressure even though it’s hard.
“And then you have the VAR so it takes longer, it’s harder to keep focus.
“What you need to do and what I try to do is I try to isolate my mind of all this pressure, and unfortunately this time it didn’t work.
“When you have that little moment of doubt that’s usually when you make the mistake. Maybe I had too much time to think about it, I don’t know.
“This time it went like that and I’m sorry. I feel bad because it’s not a nice feeling.”
Liverpool ‘make contact’ over Tchouameni
In case you missed it.
Liverpool have initiated contact with Monaco star and Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni ahead of the summer transfer window, reports suggest.
That is according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, who claims that the Reds have approached Tchouameni as manager Jurgen Klopp is looking to strengthen in midfield.
Klopp is reportedly a big fan of the midfielder, who has attracted immense interest following a series of impressive performances in Ligue 1.
The France international is also open to the prospect of playing in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old is keen to leave Monaco in the summer and the club could be willing to strike a deal, even though his contract expires in 2024.
Chelsea’s top earners this season
Romelu Lukaku is being linked with a move away from Chelsea just one year after his return.
Lukaku was re-signed by the Blues from Inter for a record £97.5million fee.
And he is also Chelsea’s top earner on £325,000-a-week wages.
Money well spent, Blues fans?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
