CHELSEA are lining up a summer move for Real Madrid sensation Casemiro according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel is hoping to bolster his midfield for next season and the Brazilian is being considered as one of many options.
Meanwhile, Ivan Perisic reportedly prefers a move to Juventus despite claims that the Croatian has agreed terms with the Blues.
However, rumours suggest that Chelsea have set their sights on Robert Lewandowski instead who has made it clear to Bayern Munich that he wants out as soon as possible.
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Tuchel wants Mount investigation
Thomas Tuchel called for an investigation into abuse aimed at Mason Mount after having his FA Cup final penalty saved.
The 23-year-old Chelsea midfielder was subjected to four-letter rants and branded a ‘bottle job’ by online trolls on social media.
Mount’s spot-kick was stopped by Alisson moments before Kostas Tsimikas stepped up to clinch a first FA Cup in 16 years for Liverpool in a 6-5 shootout win.
Chelsea boss Tuchel said: “Nothing I can say will stop these guys doing it. I don’t understand social media anyway. It has a huge impact and I don’t get it.
“I’m not on social media and it keeps me healthy, more healthy than I would be on it. It’s a very thin ice for everybody who is in such a spotlight to be out there. Abuse is not acceptable, be it here or on social media.
“If someone thinks he has the right to write it, we will not be able to stop him — but maybe we can investigate.”
Christensen shock
Andreas Christensen pulled out of Chelsea’s FA Cup final squad just hours before kick off – leaving team-mates stunned.
The defender told boss Thomas Tuchel that he was not ready to play.
Christensen had played the whole 90 minutes of the previous match at Leeds.
Surprised Tuchel was forced into an emergency reshuffle of his Wembley plans and started rookie Trevoh Chalobah in the Denmark centre back’s absence.
Chelsea went on to lose the final 6-5 on penalties to Liverpool after extra time.
An hour after the final whistle Tuchel confirmed that Christensen is leaving Chelsea when the season finishes next Sunday.
Perisic prefers Juve move
Transfer target Ivan Perisic would reportedly prefer a move to Juventus, despite claims the Blues have agreed a deal with the Croatian.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and has yet to agree to a deal with his club, Inter Milan.
According to Sports Mediaset, Chelsea have agreed a deal with the midfielder on a free transfer as his contract draws to a close.
But now Get Football News Italy report that Perisic is said to favour staying in Serie A.
And it has been claimed that Turin would be his preferred destination, instead of West London.
Guess who
This Chelsea legend and serial trophy winner looks unrecognisable with a new hairstyle and trendy goatee beard.
But can you guess who it is?
This former Stamford Bridge favourite used to run the show from midfield each week.
Making an instant impact in London, he spent five-and-a-half years with Chelsea.
And he also won an impressive 52 caps for his country.
Guessed who it is yet?
It is Blues icon and former Brazilian midfield ace Ramires.
Rudiger’s exit
Antonio Rudiger wanted his Chelsea career to end on a high, following a disappointing campaign.
The giant defender has agreed a contract with Real Madrid after the Blues failed to agree a new deal with the German international.
Rudiger told The Athletic: “There was a chance but sanctions are not the problem. I don’t want to go too deep in things. At the end of the day it’s not only about one side (helping the other), it’s both sides — Chelsea have been great to me, I have been great to Chelsea.
“As always, I am very, very thankful me, my family. I became a man here. My kids were born here and everything. London and especially Chelsea will always be special to me.
“It’s been five years as normal with ups and downs, but with a lot of positive things. That’s why I’m even more frustrated because I wanted to have a different ending.”
Chelsea in Lewandowski hunt
Chelsea are reportedly in the chase for Poland legend Robert Lewandowski.
According to Jan Age Fjortoft, the Blues could add the Bayern Munich striker to their ranks next season.
However, the ex-Norway striker revealed that Barcelona are still the favourites for his signature, if he is to leave the Bavarians.
Chelsea Women win Cup
Chelsea Women did what the men couldn’t by winning the FA Cup.
Emma Hayes’ side recorded a 3-2 win over Man City after extra time – thanks to a Sam Kerr strike.
Credit: Reuters The Aussie striker had given the Blues the lead in the first half, only for Lauren Hemp to equalise.
Erin Cuthbert put Chelsea ahead again, before Hayley Raso scored a dramatic 89th minute equaliser.
However, it was Kerr who would decide things in the 99th minute and break City’s fans’ hearts.
Shearer’s Werner claim
Alan Shearer believes Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel went wrong by not playing Timo Werner against Liverpool in the FA Cup fina.
“With Chelsea, Havertz is injured. But I’m surprised Werner’s not playing, because of his pace, because of the high line we know Liverpool play,” Shearer said.
“I know he gets offside a lot but it would have been a huge threat for him to be running behind.”
Tuchel explains Loftus-Cheek decision
Thomas Tuchel has revealed why he subbed Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of the ill-fated penalty shoot-out against Liverpool.
Loftus-Cheek had barely got involved in the action having being brought on shortly before getting subbed for Ross Barkely as penalties loomed.
And explaining his decision to do so, Tuchel said: “No, that was purely for penalties.
“Ruben has not got a good history, statistically, and Ross has so it was purely because of the penalties.”
Rudiger’s Real choice
Antonio Rudiger was so intent on a move to Real Madrid he reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from a number of European heavyweights.
Both PSG and Bayern Munich tried to snatch Rudiger from Real’s clutches by offering him more money, according to Diario AS.
And Bayern were the most keen on Rudiger after getting dumped out the Champions League by Villarreal, the report also states.
However, the chance to play for Real was too good to turn down and the defender ultimately opted for a move to the Bernabeu.
Perisic wants Juve transfer
Chelsea transfer target Ivan Perisic is reportedly eyeing a move to Juventus.
Reports have claimed that the Inter Milan star has worked out a deal with Chelsea.
But according to GetfootballnewsItaly, Perisic would prefer a move to Juve.
Salah will make final
Mo Salah will be available to play in the Champions League final despite picking up an injury on Saturday.
The winger, 29, was forced off with a groin injury 33 minutes into the FA Cup final against Chelsea.
While it looked very concerning for the Reds at the time, Salah has since confirmed that it is nothing serious.
When asked if he was okay after the game, he replied: “All good” and reassured fans that he would be available for the Champions League final against Real Madrid later this month.
Vidic names toughest opponents
Man United legend Nemanja Vidic has named the four toughest opponents he faced in the Premier League.
Peter Crouch was the first Liverpool striker Vidic bemoaned facing.
Vidic also mentioned Chelsea great Didier Drogba and his lethal combination of strength and intelligence.
Vidic’s watchlist finished with Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero and former Reds star Luis Suarez.
Vidic made the admissions to The Athletic.
Ten Hag wants Kante
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been linked with a sensational swoop for N’Golo Kante this summer in a bid to bolster his midfield options next season.
According to The Mirror, chiefs at Manchester United, including Ten Hag, believe a swoop for Kante is a realistic proposition.
The news comes after SunSport exclusively revealed that the Blues were fearing Kante would be one of a number of players on their way out of the club.
Wright’s sympathy for Mason Mount
Ian Wright has admitted that he feels sorry for Mason Mount after the player missed a penalty in Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Liverpool.
Wright said: “I’m disappointed for Mason Mount because when a player misses a penalty at this level with so much on the line.
“You’ve got to feel gutted for him.”
Tuchel on Chelsea’s season
Thomas Tuchel reckons Chelsea have had a good season despite losing to cup finals to Liverpool thus far.
And he pointed to Chelsea’s success in the World Club Cup and European Super Cup as proof that the Blues are capable of challenging for trophies.
He said: “I think we have what it takes to win trophies and we proved it.
“Somebody wanted to convince me that we had a trophy-less season but we have the World Club Cup and the European Super Cup.
“We did everything to win these two matches but we have to accept that our opponents deserve also to win these matches and they did it.”
Keane’s disdain for Fabregas
Roy Keane once threatened to ‘smash Cesc Fabregas in’ when the midfielder clattered into him.
Fabregas risked Keane’s wrath after tackling the Irishman really hard when Arsenal played Man United in the FA Cup final.
Keane let Gerard Pique know just how close Fabregas was to a beating a few years later.
Fabregas recalled to The Times: “I tackled Roy Keane really hard and I felt really good about it because he was always giving me a tough time.
“A few years later, Gerard Pique [his friend from Barcelona’s La Masia academy] said to me that at half-time Keane said, ‘That Spanish friend of yours, I will smash him, he killed me.’”
Suarez praises Liverpool
Luis Suarez took the time to congratulate former club Liverpool for their FA Cup final win over Chelsea.
The Reds edged a thrilling penalty shoot-out to lift the cup.
And Suarez was full of praise for his old club.
He wrote on social media: “Congratulations to @LiverpoolFC for winning the FA Cup! YNWA.”
Alisson’s plan to stop Mendy
Alisson devised a secret plot to stop Edouard Mendy from playing mind games on Liverpool’s FA Cup Final penalty takers – by hand delivering the ball to his teammates.
The Chelsea ‘keeper has a history of interfering during penalties when helping Senegal to beat Egypt via spot-kicks in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February.
Alisson was adamant that would not happen again, and he scooped up the ball after each Chelsea kick and walked straight to his pal to give them it.
Only Sadio Mane, Mendy’s international teammate, missed a penalty for Liverpool.
Rudiger speaks on frustration
Antonio Rudiger is frustrated that he hasn’t left Chelsea with a FA Cup winner medal after yesterday’s loss to Liverpool.
Rudiger said after the game: “It’s been five years as normal with ups and downs, but with a lot of positive things,” the Germany international said.
“That’s why I’m even more frustrated because I wanted to have a different ending.”
Terry reveals FA Cup pain
John Terry revealed he was devastated after witnessing Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss.
But the Blues legend still found the time to praise Liverpool’s Luis Diaz who was the game’s Man Of The Match.
Terry said on Instagram in a message that Diaz shared: “Absolutely devastated, but you are a fantastic player my friend.”
Rudiger explains quitting reasons
Antonio Rudiger has dismissed the theory that Government sanctions are behind his decision to quit Chelsea.
The German defender is leaving for Real Madrid on a free transfer once the Premier League season finishes on Sunday week.
Strict rules imposed due to owner Roman Abramovich’s links to Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin have banned Chelsea from negotiating new contracts with existing players but Rudiger insists it was other issues which stopped him staying.
But Rudiger, who suffered FA Cup Final defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, said: “There was a chance but sanctions are not the problem. I don’t want to go too deep in things.
“At the end of the day it’s not only about one side (helping the other), it’s both sides – Chelsea have been great to me, I have been great to Chelsea.
“As always, I am very, very thankful me, my family. I became a man here. My kids were born here and everything. London and especially Chelsea will always be special to me.”
Mo Salah’s classy gesture
Mohamed Salah invited former Egypt team-mate Moamen Zakaria into the Liverpool dressing room to celebrate their FA Cup win over Chelsea.
Salah was forced to watch a large part of Saturday’s final from the sidelines after being forced off through injury.
Liverpool’s epic dressing room celebrations where shared with former Egypt star Zakaria, who has motor neurone disease, after he was invited in by Salah.
Hav some of that
Kai Havertz, was also another absentee from the squad due to a hamstring injury.
Discussing the problems afterwards, he said: “Kai did not train because of hamstring problems and we thought he would injure himself.
“We did a test on Saturday morning but it was not better.”
Tuch and go for Werner
Thomas Tuchel has revealed Timo Werner told him he did not want to play in the FA Cup Final after suffering a problem in the warm-up.
Chelsea fans were shocked as the German forward was left as an unused substitute during the penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool at Wembley.
He said: “Timo felt uncomfortable in the warm-up and said he could not play.
“A hamstring as well. We had no options.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
