NICK CANDY has “significantly increased” his Chelsea bid from £2bn to over £2.5bn, according to reports.
Meanwhile the Blues’ home shirt for the 2022/23 season has been leaked (with the Three logo still on it).
And Eden Hazard is said to be unhappy at Real Madrid and is being linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.
There also looks set to be some good news for Chelsea fans looking to attend their FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley.
The Blues have been drawn against Patrick Vieira’s side in the last four and are set to face them on the weekend of the 16th and 17th of April.
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Bukayo Saka misses England training
Bukayo Saka missed England training on Wednesday through illness with the Arsenal star staying in his St George’s Park hotel room.
The 20-year-old tested negative for Covid upon arrival at England’s base camp on Tuesday.
FA doctors will be keeping an eye on Saka and he’s expected to be tested again in the next 24 hours.
England will be hopeful the winger can recover in time for their friendly against Switzerland on Saturday.
Klopp in line for England job
Jurgen Klopp is more likely to take charge of England rather than Germany when his contract expires in 2024.
According to German outlet Bild, he is more likely to become England manager rather than Germany boss due to the connections he has made over the years with English players.
He has struck up a close bond with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold during his time at Liverpool.
Fans across the country have also grown to love him.
Tyrick Mitchell’s a wanted man
Man City are monitoring the progress of England newbie Tyrick Mitchell.
The left-back, 22, has had a stellar season at Crystal Palace and was rewarded by a late call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior side on Monday as a replacement for the injured Reece James.
He has missed just EIGHT minutes of Premier League action since May 1, 2021 and is second only to Brentford’s Christian Norgaard for most top-flight tackles this term.
City are in the market for a new left-back and are keeping track of the youngster’s progress, as are Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Not fair on Conor Gallagher
Ian Wright says it’s unfair Conor Gallagher will not be allowed to play for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and admitted he’d have been ‘devastated’ if it had ever happened to him during his playing days.
The pundit said on his Wrighty’s House podcast: “If you’ve let a player go from the start of the season then yes he’s your player.
“For Conor Gallagher to go to Palace and take them to the levels. He’s one of the main reasons they’re doing what they’re doing.
“He’s helped get them to a semi-final at Wembley which is what we all dream of as professionals and he can’t play because his parent club is there. There’s something not fair about that. I’d be devastated if I was in his position.”
Xavi in contact with Azpilicueta
Barcelona manager Xavi is reportedly in discussions with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
According to Sport, Xavi has been having regular conversations with the 32-year-old Blues defender.
With Azpilicueta’s contract at Stamford Bridge expiring at the end of the season, he’s free to negotiate a new deal with a foreign club. In addition, there is the complication that Chelsea are currently banned from discussing contract extensions with current players due to government sanctions.
Barcelona have reportedly already lined up a summer move for Azpilicueta by offering him a three-year deal at Camp Nou. Chelsea have a clause in the Spaniard’s current contract to extend it, but it’s unclear on if they can activate that during ongoing restrictions.
Jorginho was touted to Milan
Joao Santos, the agent of Jorginho, has confirmed that talks had previously been held with Milan surrounding his client, as well as other sides throughout Europe.
He said: “In the past I spoke with PSG, Barcelona and also with Massara of Milan. I don’t know if they want it [a deal for Jorginho] now.”
Reaffirming the realities of the current situation at Chelsea, however, Santos confirmed that nothing can be done involving Jorginho, be it renewing his contract, selling him or buying someone else.
Jorginho is contracted to Chelsea until 2023 and cannot move under the current circumstances, but returning to Serie A should he leave the west London side in future feels a realistic prospect.
The Ron for Thomas Tuchel
Chelsea are reportedly keen on acquiring the services of Barcelona’s Ronaldo Araujo in the summer window, according to Xavi Campos at Catalunya Radio.
With the centre-back’s contract expiring in 2023 Araujo is also attracting the attention of Liverpool.
The Blues are at risk of losing Antonio Ruidger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, so Thomas Tuchel is on the look out for centre-backs.
Ricketts family to meet fans
The Ricketts family has agreed to meet Chelsea fans amid a social media backlash to their bid to buy the Premier League club due to comments made by Joe Ricketts in a leaked email exchange several years ago that “Muslims are naturally our enemy.”
#NotoRicketts has been trneding on Twitter as Chelsea fans voice their opposition to the family’s offer while Paul Canoville, the first Black footballer to play for the club and an anti-racism campaigner, stated on Twitter that he is saying “a big fat anti racism NO to the Rickets bid.”
Head of the Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club, Brian Wolff, who is also a Cubs fan, claimed the Ricketts family bid was met with “universal disdain” by supporters and urged Raine Group to reject their offer.
According to ESPN sources, Joe Ricketts is not part of the bid, which is being conducted by the family investment group, led by his three children: Tom, Todd and Laura.
The source added that fan engagement has been a consistent and prominent part of the Ricketts’ family’s ownership of the Cubs.
Armando Broja catching the eye
AC Milan may make a second attempt to sign Chelsea youngster Armando Broja in the summer, having already shown an interest in him in the past, according to journalist Carlo Pelegatti.
He said: “The hypothesis was that of a loan. In Albania, they are very passionate about Italian football. For Broja, the Milan hypothesis would have been important.
“I’m told the player is valued at £58million. I don’t exclude that Milan could have taken him on loan. As of today, however, Milan is very cautious on the subject: the situation has become complicated.
“The Rossoneri management cannot wait for Chelsea’s corporate evolution: if a new ownership and new managers arrive, Milan could return for Broja.”
Rice prefers Chelsea over United
Declan Rice would still prefer a move to Chelsea over Manchester United, despite the uncertainty over what life after Roman Abramovich will be like at Stamford Bridge.
West Ham remain adamant the England midfielder is not for sale and have slapped a £150million valuation on him to fend off interest.
Rice remains committed to West Ham and has never agitated for a move, but top clubs have long tracked his progress and United are among the leading suitors for the 23-year-old.
Chelsea have also had interest in Rice but are unable to buy players after the Government sanctioned Russian owner Abramovich. Even once a sale of Chelsea is completed, it is unclear what their transfer plans will be or the level the new owner will be willing to spend on new players.
Silva still has years left
Thiago Silva has revealed that he hopes to emulate Paolo Maldini and play beyond the age of 40.
The Brazilian defender, 37, recently extended his Chelsea contract by a further season until the summer of 2023.
Silva told Chelsea’s media team: “I hope I can do the same thing that [Paolo] Maldini did at Milan, playing until he was 40 or 41 years old.
“That’s my plan for the immediate future and I have prepared myself for that.
“When you’re young, you think you’re a superhero. I’d play one game a day so in terms of recovery it was a lot quicker, whereas now 24 hours seems like no time at all in which to recover.
“You’ve always got to be active and up to speed with the new recovery methods out there. I’ve got lots of things I do at home like physio work, and nowadays I’ve got a better diet than before. You need to fuel yourself well, not with the bad stuff.”
Man Utd eye Tammy Abraham
Manchester United have ‘set their sights’ on signing Tammy Abraham this summer according to Il Messaggero.
The Red Devils are interested in bringing Abraham back to England in the summer, despite Chelsea having a buy-back clause in his contract.
The newspaper adds United are ‘monitoring’ Abraham as a potential ‘replacement’ for Cristiano Ronaldo, especially now the latter is 37.
Prospective Chelsea buyer denies claims
Catalina Kim has almost overnight become the centre of attention for many Chelsea supporters.
On Monday, it was announced that Nick Candy had improved his bid to buy the Blues thanks to backing from Kim’s company, C&P Sports.
Kim recently set up a Twitter account and has used her newly found platform to dismiss rumours about her.
She shared her love for Thomas Tuchel and denied accusations she is a Tottenham season ticket holder, saying she lives in Chelsea.
Roman building a new empire
Roman Abramovich is in negotiations to take over Turkish club Goztepe, report Fanatik.
Current owner Mehmet Sepil announced that he left the presidency in Göztepe , but that he would fulfill his obligations to the team until the end of the season.
Abramovich and his representives will meet with Sepil in the next few days, according to the report.
Nick Candy receives bid boost
The American hedge fund which owns AC Milan is among the minority backers of the property developer Nick Candy’s takeover bid for Chelsea Football Club.
According to Sky News an affiliate of Elliott Management, the New York-based investor, has agreed to inject a multimillion-pound sum into the London side as part of Mr Candy’s offer.
The disclosure comes as bidders for Chelsea anticipate being notified on Wednesday or Thursday whether they have been shortlisted to replace Roman Abramovich as the club’s owner.
Elliott is one of the most prominent names in global finance, having earned a fearsome reputation as an activist investor which lobbies for change in the boards of some of the world’s biggest companies.
The fund has controlled AC Milan since 2018, although recent reports in Italy have suggested that it may seek to sell the club in the next couple of years, having seen it re-emerge as a powerhouse of European football.
Rudiger demanding huge signing fee
Antonio Rudiger will demand a massive signing-on fee to join Manchester United from Chelsea as a free agent this summer, according to transfer guru Duncan Castles.
He said: “The price that his representatives are asking for is £25million signing-on fee and a basic wage of at least £5m after tax each year.”
United are one of the clubs hoping to snatch Rudiger from Chelsea’s grasp. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also in the mix.
Rudiger tops Prem speed charts
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has been named the fastest player in the Premier League this season.
According to speeds recorded by stats service Opta, Rudiger clocked the fastest speed of any player in the top tier of English football in a match against Brighton earlier this season.
Rudiger reached a speed of 36.7 kmph (22.8 mph), putting him top of the pile in the Premier League – narrowly ahead of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and former Wolves winger Adama Traore.
Wright wants Abraham at Arsenal
Ian Wright regrets Arsenal not signing Tammy Abraham from Chelsea last summer.
The England striker instead made the switch to Roma and has since scored 23 goals in all competitions.
Wright said: “Tammy Abraham. The king of Rome.
“The way Tammy has gone over there, he’s lit it up. I couldn’t see Mourinho taking Tammy there and it working like it’s worked.
“We tried to get him Arsenal and when you look at how Arsenal play now, how Tammy is playing, you say to yourself, ‘Mikel, you see the vision!’
“When it was happening you think, ‘Yeah, I could see it happening,’ because he ripped us to shreds (when he played for Chelsea).”
Man Utd lose Tuchel interest
Manchester United have now given up on their efforts to persuade Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to join them in the summer, according to The Mail.
There is ‘a growing acceptance at United that too many stars would have to align for Thomas Tuchel to leave Chelsea while the crisis-hit club are still looking for new owners’.
The report adds: ‘It may take some time for Tuchel’s future to become clear and United want to have the new man in place as soon after the end of this season as possible.’
Chelsea battle for Brazilian star
Former Chelsea star Deco, who is the agent of Leeds United ace Raphinha, is reportedly dealing with offers for his client from Chelsea and Liverpool.
That’s according to SPort, who add the representative has informed Barca that his client will not sign a new deal at Leeds and would look to leave Elland Road after this season.
Chelsea have made an approach for Raphinha, but their first focus will be on to sort out the situation at the club
The Ricketts family publish statement
The Ricketts family hoping to buy Chelsea have been forced to release a statement denying they are racist.
Chelsea fans reacted furiously when leaked emails from 2019 appeared to reveal prospective new owner Joe Ricketts saying “Muslims are my enemy”.
They said: “Our family rejects any form of hate in the strongest possible terms. Racism and Islamophobia have no place whatsoever in our society.
“We have developed deep and abiding partnerships with the Muslim community in Chicago, as well as with all communities of colour.
“Respect for diversity and inclusion are central to our family’s values.
“If we prevail in our bid for Chelsea, we commit to the Club and to the fans that we will actively promote these values.”
Hazard to make Chelsea move?
Real Madrid are reportedly keen to offload flop Eden Hazard at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old is linked with an emotional return to Chelsea after spending the last five games in a row as an unused substitute.
Hazard is “confused and frustrated” by his continued omission from the team, including Sunday’s 4-0 El Clasico defeat, according to Goal.
The report adds sources close to Hazard vented: “He really wanted to play the game. He’s sad. He has never been as fit as he is today in his entire career.”
But despite being available for selection, the £103million signing isn’t in boss Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
New Chelsea home shirt leaked
Chelsea’s new home shirt for the 2022/23 season appears to have been leaked online and it certainly appears like one that could be divisive.
@semihkececioglu seems to have uploaded the first pictures of Chelsea’s 2022/23 home kit to Twitter, which will be predominantly one tone of blue, with a henley colour that is just a bit different.
The neckline will be white and turquoise, with the latter colour displaying a pattern across the collar.
The leak is just the latest information to emerge about Chelsea’s apparel for next term. The Blues’ pre-match shirt has also made its way to the internet. The pattern that covers the shirt appears not too dissimilar to what is hinted at on the home shirt’s collar.
Hammers set huge asking price
West Ham are allegedly demanding £150million for star Declan Rice.
The England international midfielder is yet to agree a new contract.
Now the Daily Mail states that “privately” they do “accept they will have to cash in” this summer.
But the Hammers are determined not to sell the 23-year-old for anything less than a mega £150m – which is £50m more than Manchester City’s British record signing Jack Grealish.
With Paul Pogba looking certain to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires in June, Manchester United are leading the chase for Rice.
Chelsea have also held a long-term interest, but they are currently unable to buy players due to the Government sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich.
Arsenal could sign Chelsea icon
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are confident of beating Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United to the signing of Real Madrid attacking midfielder Eden Hazard in the summer transfer window, according to Defensa Central.
The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that both Arsenal and Newcastle want to sign the former Chelsea star, who can also operate as a winger.
Arsenal reportedly believe that Martin Odegaard’s strong relationship with Hazard will convince the 31-year-old Belgium international to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Hazard also enjoyed his time in London when he was playing for Chelsea, and that, according to the report, could sway him towards Arsenal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
