LEWIS HAMILTON has confirmed that he is part of Sir Martin Broughton’s consortium who are bidding to buy Chelsea.
But the Stevenage-born F1 icon also admitted that he is an ARSENAL fan, thanks to the influence of his sister.
Hamilton commented: “When I was young, I used to play football as a kid around the corner and I really wanted to fit in. I was the only kid of colour there.
“All the kids supported someone different and I remember switching between these teams and when I’d get home my sister would basically beat me, saying you have to support Arsenal!
“At five, six years old I supported Arsenal but my uncle Terry is a big Blues fan, so I’ve been to so many games with him to watch Chelsea and Arsenal play.”
Meanwhile Real Madrid are said to be confident of signing out of contract Antonio Rudiger after the Blues centre-back reportedly dropped his wage demands.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the takeover in our live blog…
Declan Rice rejects contract offer
Declan Rice has reportedly rejected a third contract offer from West Ham.
And the England midfielder is open to a transfer away from the London Stadium, according to The Guardian.
The news will be welcomed by Prem giants Chelsea and Man United who are both keen on Rice.
Tuchel’s lost for words
Thomas Tuchel can’t get his head round Chelsea’s poor home form recently.
Tuchel said: “It’s unusual and I don’t know what it is.
“If it was just the one thing, we would switch dressing rooms or take another hotel.
“But that would maybe be more superstition than anything else.
“I have no solution but it’s also not the level that we want to produce in home games. It’s a bit fragile at the moment.”
Lukaku was given warning
Romelu Lukaku was warned not to leave Inter Milan for Chelsea because he was seen as a king at the San Siro.
The warning was issued by former Inter Milan star Radja Nainggolan.
Nainggolan told BeIN Sport: “I told him he was wrong to leave Inter, he was the king there.
“He was perhaps the best striker in the world. But he couldn’t say no to the club of his heart.”
Tuchel on Hamilton’s Chelsea bid
Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he is a big fan of both Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams after the pair joined Sir Martin Broughton’s Chelsea bid.
Tuchel said: “I just heard it, I just got a briefing and heard that they are part of it (Broughton’s bid).
“I can tell you not more but I am a big admirer of both of them.”
Juventus line up three Blues
Juventus are reportedly hunting summer deals for THREE Chelsea stars.
Gazzetta claims Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho and Marcos Alonso are all wanted by Max Allegri.
Rudiger looks set to leave on a free transfer in July, while ageing Alonso and Jorginho are out of contract in 2023.
Rudiger and Kovacic still missing
Antonio Rudiger and Mateo Kovacic are both out of Chelsea’s tough clash with West Ham.
Rudiger is suffering with a groin problem, while Kovacic has ligament damage.
Thomas Tuchel confirmed: “For Sunday’s match, not back. Both of them not back. Also, no other injuries.”
Gallas questions record Lukaku signing
William Gallas admits he’s at a loss to explain why Chelsea paid a record £97.5million fee to re-sign Romelu Lukaku.
He told Genting Casino: “I don’t understand how a player like him has lost his confidence. He doesn’t score goals.
“When he plays, he doesn’t play well. I’m not talking about the transfer and the money, I’m talking about the player and his performance.
“He should do better and he doesn’t perform. For me he doesn’t need time to adapt to Premier League football. I don’t understand why Chelsea bought him.”
Tuchel shouldn’t be blaming pitch
William Gallas has laughed off Thomas Tuchel’s claims that Chelsea’s PITCH was to blame for the 4-2 defeat to Arsenal.
Gallas told Genting Casino: “If the pitch wasn’t good, it wasn’t good for both teams. Come on, don’t make that excuse. You just have to say, ‘okay, we lost 4-2, we didn’t play well’.
“Arsenal were better than Chelsea, so don’t try to find any excuses because that excuse, as I said, about the pitch, it was for both teams.
“Maybe Tuchel needs to try to be a little bit more realistic and maybe the system with three at the back wasn’t good against Arsenal.”
Gilmour set for Rangers return
Billy Gilmour could be heading back to Rangers this summer.
90min claim the Scots are keen on re-signing the young midfielder as a replacement for Steven Davis.
Gilmour came up through the Gers’ ranks before his move to Chelsea.
But he is unlikely to feature for the Blues next term after a poor spell at Norwich.
Nainggolan’s Chelsea warning to Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku’s national teammate Radja Nainggolan has told the striker: You’ve made a huge mistake going back to Chelsea.
Nainggolan said: “I told Romelu that he has made a bad decision in leaving Inter. There he was the king, and perhaps the best striker in the world.
“But he was unable to say no to the club he loved. This is the third time that he has gone to Chelsea – and the third time that it hasn’t worked for him.
“He says that the team was built around him, but that the system hasn’t worked. So the coach [Tuchel] has opted for other, smaller players who run around a lot.
“And the results have come as a consequence. Had he stayed at Inter, with a team built around him, he would have remained among the world’s best strikers for another four or five years.”
Rudiger set for Real switch
Real Madrid are confident they will land Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger after he lowered his wage demands.
Marca claims Real are set to win the race for the German defender following negotiations over his finances.
Rudiger is now prepared to accept a wage in line with Real’s budget.
It’s reckoned Rudiger’s arrival would see David Alaba move to left-back, making Real’s defence even more watertight.
Hamilton excited about Chelsea takeover
Lewis Hamilton has spoken about his involvement with tennis legend Serena Williams in Sir Martin Broughton’s £2.5billion Chelsea takeover.
The self-confessed Arsenal fan said: “Ultimately, I’m a sporting fan – it’s the biggest sport in the world and Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world and most successful.
“When I heard about this I thought, ‘Wow’. This is one of the greatest opportunities to be a part of, so great.
“She (Williams) is a phenomenal athlete and woman. We spoke about it and she asked me my thoughts and I told her I’d be a part of it, and she was excited to join.
“We were contacted and Sir Martin took time to speak to me on the phone and explain his and his team’s goals if they were to win the bid, which was incredibly exciting and it very much aligned with my values.”
Juventus targeting Emerson Palmieri transfer
Chelsea misfit Emerson Palmieri is a reported top target for Juventus this summer.
Di Marzio claims the Italian left-back has no future at Stamford Bridge.
He is currently on loan at Lyon, who have the option to buy him for £12.5million.
But Emerson would jump at the chance to sign for Juve should a suitable offer be made.
Tuchel comment by Mark Irwin
It’s taken him 15 months to get here but Thomas Tuchel is finally reaching the end of his tether at Chelsea.
Wednesday’s 4-2 home defeat by Arsenal was too much for even the genial German to take.
And his tetchy post-match interview illustrated just how much trying to maintain order in this West London madhouse is taking its toll.
READ THE REST HERE
Willian set for Corinthians exit
Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Willian and his family are reportedly “scared to leave their house” following threats made on social media.
The 33-year-old winger is back playing in his Brazilian homeland with Corinthians.
But cops were called in to investigate after several players were threatened following their shock loss to Always Ready
Willian’s young twin daughters are afraid to go to school, while his wife is refusing to leave home unless it is absolutely necessary.
And the veteran could now leave South America for fears over safety.
Premier League top manager salaries
Thomas Tuchel is just the seventh top-paid manager in the Premier League.
The Blues boss picks up £8million a year at Stamford Bridge.
That’s £11m less than Man City’s Pep Guardiola.
Incoming Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag will also be on more money after signing a £9m-a-year deal.
Lukaku lined up by AC
Chelsea flop Romelu Lukaku is wanted by Serie A giants AC Milan in a shock transfer, according to reports.
Goal claim Milan could offer Lukaku an easy escape out of Chelsea this summer.
However, the fee Chelsea could command, as well as Lukaku’s mega £325,000-a-week wages, could prove to be a problem.
Any possible deal would need Chelsea to cut their losses on the forward and lower the asking price.
And Milan may ask Chelsea to pay a portion of Lukaku’s wages.
King Cesar Azpilicueta’s trophy cabinet
Cesar Azpilicueta was involved in a heated confrontation with a fan after the defeat to Arsenal.
Was it right to criticise the Chelsea captain, considering he’s won EVERY trophy for the Blues?
Good morning Chelsea fans
Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams have added their names to the hat for a shocking Chelsea takeover.
Sky Sports report that the bid for the Blues spearheaded by Sir Martin Broughton, includes investments from two sporting superstars.
They have an estimated £10m each in the offer.
Sir Lewis and Williams have been in talks with Broughton’s group for several weeks.
Arsenal supporters have produced a mixed reaction following the news F1 legend Sir Lewis Hamilton is investing in Chelsea.
Following the shock news, supporters of the Gunners quickly took to Twitter to react to the news.
And there were some hilarious comments as they digested the information.
One fan wrote: “Agent Hamilton, destroying Chelsea from within.”
Elsewhere, Gunners fans continued to aim digs at Chelsea by labelling ‘Emile Smith-Rowe as the king of Stamford Bridge.
Smith-Rowe was one of the Gunners’ scorers in their 4-2 win over the Blues, and Gooners took to Twitter to hail the England ace as the king of the West Londoners stadium.
One fan wrote to Smith-Rowe: “Stamford Bridge is your playground.
While another concurred: “Stamford Bridge is Smith Rowe’s playground.”
Meanwhile, Spurs boss Antonio Conte insists Chelsea’s spot in third place is secure despite their loss to Arsenal and claims the Blues’ superiority will keep them out of the battle for the top four.
He said: “I don’t think Chelsea is in this race. They are in this moment on a different level.
“They are there because they missed some games but they don’t stay in this race.”
And finally, Gary Lineker has praised Didier Drogba after he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Drogba shared his pride after receiving the honour.
And Lineker was on hand to congratulate the ex-Blues striker on Twitter.
Lineker wrote: “Another great. Thoroughly deserved. Well played.”
Ten Hag and Tuchel comparison
Erik Ten Hag needs to follow Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s blueprint when he takes over at Man United.
That’s according to United’s ex-assistant Rene Meulensteen.
He said: “Any top-four team in the Premier League that goes to a bottom-four team in the Premier League still has to fight very hard for points. He has to hit the ground running.”
Meulensteen added: “You can compare that with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. He has never worked over here in the Premier League, but he came over here and did his homework.
“You could see that straight away and his impact was immediate with Chelsea. Erik needs to do that.”
Cech praises Drogba
Petr Cech has praised Didier Drogba after the ex-Chelsea striker was inducted into the Premier League Hall Of Fame.
“He started slower than some people expected.
“I think it was the difference between the leagues, because the Premier League was far more physical, and the referees had a different approach to it.
“You had to find a way to beat your opponents. Some teams at that time were really physical, with bigger, taller players than him.
“He also injured his groin at the beginning and that held him back a little bit, but the moment he got going, nobody could stop him.
“The machine started, and it didn’t stop until he retired. We all know how he became a legend in this club, this league, and in world football.”
Lineker praises Drogba
Gary Lineker has praised Didier Drogba after he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
Drogba shared his pride after receiving the honour.
And Lineker was on hand to congratulate the ex-Blues striker on Twitter.
Lineker wrote: “Another great. Thoroughly deserved. Well played.”
Ian Wright slammed Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta has been slammed by Ian Wright for conceding a penalty for Chelsea against Arsenal.
Wright said: “Look at Azpilicueta there, experienced player, one player in the box and he’s given away a penalty like that.
“It deserved to be a penalty. He’s saying he’s holding him but he should be defending that.
“He should be the defensive side but he’s not even looking at the ball. What does he expect the referee to do?”
Verstappen slams Hamilton’s Chelsea interest
Max Verstappen has ripped into Lewis Hamilton over his shock role in Chelsea’s takeover bid.
Speaking to PA, the Dutchman remarked: “I am a PSV fan and I would never buy Ajax.
“And if I was going to buy a football club I would want to be the full owner and to take the decisions myself, not own just a tiny percentage.
“I thought he was an Arsenal fan?
“And if you are an Arsenal fan going for Chelsea, that it is quite interesting.
“But everyone does what they want with their money so let’s see what comes out of it.”
Arsenal’s Morata issue
Arsenal have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Alvaro Morata.
The Atletico Madrid striker had a rough spell with Chelsea.
And according to Mundo Deportivo, his nightmare at Stamford Bridge is making him reluctant towards a Premier League return – albeit with Arsenal.
But the Gunners are still in with a shout of signing the striker as Atleti would prefer selling him to the North Londoners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
