BAYERN MUNICH have been urged to take revenge on Chelsea for snatching Kai Havertz away from them according to reports.
The German international decided to make the switch to Stamford bridge from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, but Bayern can take advantage of Chelsea’s current situation and finally lure him to the Allianz.
Meanwhile, Timo Werner’s exit plans are brewing up with reports suggesting that the Blues will not stand in his way come the transfer window.
On the pitch, Chelsea were stunned by Brentford 4-1 at Stamford Bridge this weekend, with Christian Eriksen scoring his first goal for the Bees in the win.
And keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the takeover.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Martinez hints Lukaku could quit
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has hinted Romelu Lukaku might have to quit Chelsea this summer – for his World Cup good.
The £97m striker has struggled for game-time under Thomas Tuchel since Christmas, after being forced into a public apology for his Italian TV interview in which he signalled his unhappiness at the Bridge.
And while Martinez said he had no inkling that Lukaku wants out of SW6, he agreed he was one of the Belgian stars who may be considering his future in the summer.
Martinez said: “We are talking about players, like Romelu, who have got over 100 caps and are part of this group of players who know the national team inside out.
“I’m not going to judge or assess the condition of any player until after the summer because it is not a normal situation.
“It is still seven months to the World Cup and probably you will go into the details of how a player feels when it gets closer to it than now.
“But there will be a lot of players who change clubs or are going to feel in a different way in the summer.
“Romelu needs to be assessed on how he feels in September, the same way Eden Hazard does and some others.
“But he is one of the players for whom the summer could be a big moment for their careers.”
Chelsea takeover
The owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers have joined forces with the consortium led by the Chicago Cubs-owning Ricketts family and the hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin.
According to Sky News, Rock Entertainment Group have agreed to invest a significant amount of money into a bid.
They are led by businessman Dan Gilbert, who is worth $31billion.
As well as the Cleveland Cavaliers, REG owns the Cleveland Monsters ice hockey team, and the NBA G-League team Cleveland Charge.
Blaming the Weather
Thomas Tuchel blamed lack of maturity, tired legs and the British weather for Chelsea’s slump against Brentford.
The Blues were stunned 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.
After the game, Tuchel said: “We lacked maturity in our defending. We were not aware of the danger in these moments which is also very strange for us.
“We got punished and that’s also not normal. It’s a summary of strange events. It’s on us, it’s our fault.
“We felt leggy, which is normal after the break. We struggled in the beginning. I felt us more mentally tired, not fresh enough. Also, yesterday, we were wearing gloves and it was snowing during training. Today, it was very, very warm.”
Tuchel’s stunned by Bees
Thomas Tuchel has reacted to Chelsea’s shock loss to Brentford at Stamford Bridge by claiming “Nobody saw it coming”.
The German tactician saw his side crash to a 4-1 defeat.
And Tuchel told BBC Sport after the final whistle: “Nobody saw it coming, especially after going 1-0 ahead.
“It was very untypical of us. But we stopped defending. We were not aware of enough of the danger, were sloppy with the defending and got punished.
“They made the most of it in those 10 minutes. Right after their third goal we had 10 minutes where we had big, big chances and we missed them.
“They were lucky and clinical enough to get three goals. We did not defend like it is needed to in the Premier League and got punished.”
Tuchel to blame
Fans have pointed the finger at Thomas Tuchel for his team selection against Brentford.
The Blues were humbled 4-1 at Stamford Bridge with the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Reece James left on the bench.
But Tuchel is adamant that the team he picked wasn’t a reflection on resting players ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid next week.
He revealed it wasn’t even “half-percent” influenced by that upcoming clash.
Real Madrid target Kante
N’golo Kante is rumoured to be on Real Madrid’s transfer target list with the LaLiga giants looking to boost their midfield ranks.
Reports in Spain claim the Chelsea ace, 31 could emerge as an option for the Spanish titans who are also eyeing a swoop for Aurelien Touchameni.
Sports news outlet AS.com suggests Madrid may turn their attention to Kante should their reported pursuit of Touchameni, 22, come to nothing.
It is thought the Monaco ace is a top defensive midfield target for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who play Celta Vigo later, as well as the Blues.
However Madrid are also thought to be monitoring Kante’s situation with the France international approaching the end of his Blues’ deal.
Disaster for Blues
Chelsea fell to a 4-1 defeat at home To Brentford.
Christian Eriksen was the star of the show, scoring his first goal for the Bees.
You can expect an epic reaction from Thomas Tuchel.
Stay tuned.
Goal of the season contender
Antonio Rudiger blasted Chelsea in front against Brentford with a real goal of the season contender.
His epic strike from 35-yards left Bees stopper David Raya with no chance.
Malang Sarr speaks
Chelsea central defender Malang Sarr has revealed that he doesn’t mind filling in as a left-back for the club.
He said: “I know I can help in different positions, I know left-back is not my natural position but I try to bring the energy and play 100 percent.
“For a player it’s good, and as a manager I think it’s good to have a player who you can count on whether he is playing in his position or not. Wherever the manager needs me to play, I will do it.”
Tuchel on five subs rule
Thomas Tuchel has remained focused on matters on the pitch despite Chelsea’s fans protest against the Ricketts family outside Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on the FA’s decision to let Prem teams use five subs next season, Tuchel shared his agreement with the choice.
He said: “I mean, we were the only league that did not do it in Europe so it’s an excellent decision and I dare to say it’s an excellent decision for everybody.
“I was long enough a coach of underdog teams and I would have loved to have had five substitutes to have more players play.
“To maybe increase the intensity or keep the intensity level against stronger teams if you are an underdog team.”
Chelsea fans protest pictured
Chelsea fans have protested the takeover approach from the Ricketts family ahead of their clash with Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
Fans’ group We Are The Shed released a statement on Wednesday night urging supporters to make their feelings clear during the match – as Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and his family continue to negotiate with the club.
Around 100 of them gathered at Stamford Bridge to make their point to club chiefs.
Banners could be seen saying “Buck Off” and “No To Ricketts, No To Racism.”
The fans could also be heard chanting: “F*** off the Ricketts, you’re not wanted here.”
Fans chant for Abramovich
Chelsea fans at the protest against the Ricketts family have made their feelings clear about Roman Abramovich.
The group of fans gathered outside Stamford Bridge chanted the name of the Russian oligarch as they vented their frustration towards the American family.
Lukaku’s future discussed
Romelu Lukaku has no future at Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel should get rid of the Belgian.
That’s the view of ex-England star Carlton Palmer.
He said on talkSPORT: I don’t think he’s got a future under Tuchel, I really don’t.
“When he first came back, he started the season on fire. He is an absolutely fantastic footballer.
“And I just don’t understand why a manager would sign a player for that amount of money and then try and change the way he plays the game.”
The Ricketts family speak
The Ricketts family are hoping to liaise with disgruntled Chelsea fans to share their vision for The Blues.
Chelsea fans have expressed that they do not want the American family to take over the club and plan to have a protest against them today at Stamford Bridge.
But the Ricketts family remain undeterred and hope they can win supporters around by having dialogue with them.
A statement read: “Over the past fortnight, our bid team has met with several supporter groups to explain our vision for Chelsea Football Club.
“In those meetings, and by letter to all groups, we have shared a set of specific commitments we will make to fans, if our bid is successful.
“We believe these are far-reaching and certainly include an absolute commitment on the part of the Ricketts Family and the bid team to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club.
“We look forward to more meetings – including with the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust – over the coming days and to making a public reiteration of our values and commitments.”
Abramovich met with Putin
Roman Abramovich had a private meeting with Vladimir Putin to plead with him end the war in Ukraine, it was reported.
The Chelsea owner reportedly rushed to Moscow from his south of France mansion in the hours after the Russian tyrant ordered his troops to begin their onslaught.
Abramovich, 55, arrived late but after apologising was allowed to make his case that the war should end.
Despite being unable to convince Putin, he was nevertheless given permission to act as a mediator, says the Financial Times.
Looking forward to it
USA ace Christian Pulisic has revealed that Chelsea team-mate and England star Mason Mount was the first person to call him after the World Cup draw.
The two Blues pals will face each other in the group stages after England and USA were drawn in the same group.
And Pulisic is relishing the chance to play against Mount.
He said: “Of course playing against England is exciting. It’s funny you know, the first call I got was from Mason on my team and we’re already talking, excited, looking forward to the game.
“It’s obviously a big team (England) and I know a lot of these guys but I think it’s a really nice match up and something that we’re definitely excited about.”
Chelsea fans against Ricketts family
A survey conducted by Chelsea fans has revealed that the majority of the club’s supporters don’t want the Ricketts family to take over.
The survey compiled by the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust showed that 72% of fans have no faith in the American family to run an ‘inclusive and successful club.’
And a staggering 77% don’t support the US billionaires’ bid.
Chelsea’s agent fees
Chelsea reportedly spent £28.2million on agent fees from February 2, 2021 to January 31, 2022.
The Blues’ £28m was out of a total of £272m spent by Prem clubs during that time frame, according to The Athletic.
But they were third on the list behind Man City and Man United, but ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Government weigh in on Ricketts family
The Government are reportedly concerned with the negativity surrounding the Ricketts family.
And the Guardian claims that the authorities don’t want a group unpopular with the fans to take ownership of Chelsea.
Fans have declared their opposition to the American family becoming the club’s owners and have planned a protest against them outside Stamford Bridge today.
Tuchel’s staying out of it
Thomas Tuchel wants nothing to do with finding Chelsea’s new owners.
He told the media: “It’s better not to be involved because I think strongly what makes Chelsea strong is everybody knows his role and everybody knows his role is to play to the limit and push yourself to the limit.
“Also it is to understand where your limits are and where your responsibilities lie.
“I don’t think that would suit me and would help any ongoing process with the sale. That’s why I think it does not help.”
Good morning, Chelsea fans
Chelsea fans have announced plans to protest against potential new owner Tom Ricketts this weekend, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
Fans’ group We Are The Shed released a statement on Wednesday night urging supporters to make their feelings clear during today’s’ game against Brentford.
They want Chelsea supporters to attend Stamford Bridge with homemade banners showing their dissent against the American and his family, who are reported frontrunners to buy the club from Roman Abramovich.
The Ricketts have come under fire after leaked emails from Tom’s father Joe saw him say Muslims are ‘my natural enemy’.
And other bidders are reportedly in uproar over what they view as ‘preferential treatment’ for the Ricketts family’s offer.
We Are The Shed now hope to send a message this weekend in Saturday’s 3pm game against Brentford.
Although the match won’t be shown live on UK TV, American fans will be able to tune in.
And it is hoped the Ricketts family see a unified display from the Chelsea faithful.
The statement read: “There is a lot of noise around the Ricketts family and about protesting their potential ownership of Chelsea.
“We feel just as strongly as many others about the Ricketts family from what we have heard and read thus far.”
Chelsea next five games
The Blues face Brentford tomorrow in a Premier League clash.
Then they should head into their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid full of confidence if history has anything to do with it.
The Blues are unbeaten in all five competitive games they have played against the Spanish giants.
They have won three and drawn two.
Pulisic faces England at World Cup
Group B sees Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic up against the Three Lions.
The group is as follows:
- England
- Iran
- USA
- Scotland/Ukraine/Wales
Credit: Getty Boss on the international break
Boss Thomas Tuchel also spoke of the Blues break and how the squad will bounce back from the time spent away with their national teams.
Tuchel added: “Everybody was all around the world.
“Some players were successful, some not.
“Some have jetleg and so on.
“It’s always a challenge, you are never 100 per cent sure where you are.
“You regroup, regather and restart tomorrow.”
Injury updates ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Boss Thomas Tuchel spoke in the press-conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Brentford.
The German gaffer seemed in high spirits after the international break as he gave the injury updates.
He said: “Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chillwell will miss the game tomorrow.
“Callum still has some lower-back problems.
“Everyone else was in training.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
