ANTONIO RUDIGER has reportedly COMPLETED his move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Chelsea defender is out of contract at the end of the season, and Los Blancos seem to have finally secured his services.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel decided to drag the players into training on their day off.
And Jules Kounde is eager for a move to Stamford Bridge this summer according to reports.
Chelsea hoped to land a deal for the Sevilla defender last summer but the asking fee of £51 million scared the Blues away.
SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY
Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
Tuchel makes Lukaku declaration
Romelu Lukaku has been ordered to stop thinking and start shooting by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
He said: “He has been scoring goals since he was six years old. It is in his body and this is what I tell him all the time – ‘trust your body, trust your brain, trust your instincts. You know how to do it, you will never forget how to score’.
“But he needs a spark and hopefully this was it and he can continue. Many strikers once they start thinking it is not a good thing because they should trust their instincts.
“When they do not get enough minutes on the pitch they start thinking about their situation and it starts a cycle and it is hard to climb out.
“He is very committed in training, he is committed as a team player. That is what we love about him. No ego at all.”
Kounde wants Chelsea move
Chelsea are still the top choice for Sevilla ace Jules Kounde, according to reports.
The Blues were on the brink of signing the defender last summer but the move collapsed at the final hurdle.
But he’s still keen on a move to Stamford Bridge despite interest from a slew of other clubs, Football Talk reported.
The report states that Chelsea are the ‘main suitors’ for Kounde.
However, he won’t come cheap as Sevilla are demanding £51.4m for the centre-back.
Chelsea’s FA Cup final boost
Liverpool star Fabinho is a huge doubt for this weekend’s FA Cup final after being forced off injured at Vila Park.
The Brazilian midfielder limped off just 28 minutes into the Reds’ trip to Aston Villa on Tuesday evening.
While the nature of the injury is not yet clear, hobbling off the field just four days before the FA Cup final against Chelsea is a worrying sight for Liverpool fans.
Conor Gallagher wins award
Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has won the player of the season award at Crystal Palace.
The Blues midfielder has shone at Selhurst Park whilst on loan.
And the Eagles have awarded his contribution with the accolade.
Chelsea offered Rudiger more
Chelsea were willing to pay Rudiger MORE in wages than Real Madrid, according to reports.
But Real managed to woo Rudiger by offering him a larger signing-on fee than the Blues did, Nizaar Kinsella reported.
Real’s enticing proposal has resulted in Rudiger agreeing terms with the Spanish giants.
Tuchel hasn’t met new owners
Thomas Tuchel has revealed he’s yet to meet new proposed Blues owner Todd Boehly.
Tuchel said: “Absolutely not. Maybe if I had, I would not tell you! But I do not have so I don’t need to lie.
“Nothing has changed for us at Cobham, we are still waiting for the confirmation, for things to progress, to hopefully have news for you and for us, for the team, to inject some positive energy.”
Tuchel’s not a happy spectator
Thomas Tuchel has admitted it’s hard for Chelsea to be spectators in the transfer market whilst the club’s rivals are actively recruiting players.
Tuchel said, via talkSPORT: “You can always end up in a situation where players at the end of the season can have talks with other clubs, have different ideas and maybe get distracted because they sign for other teams. It happens.
“It’s a bit easier if you are also free to act and be more involved in the talks.
“Now it feels like we are spectators of the development, we don’t like. It’s a passive role and a bit strange. You can feel it.”
Tuchel refuses to help Haaland
Thomas Tuchel has refused to give Erling Haaland any tips on how to succeed in the Premier League.
Haaland is on the verge of completing his move to Man City.
But Tuchel won’t be on hand to assist the Norwegian during his transition from Germany to England.
Tuchel said when asked to give Haaland some tips: “Me? Giving advice to Haaland?
He added whilst chuckling: “No advice. If he does not play for us I will not offer any advice.”
Rudiger to Real Madrid COMPLETED
Rudiger has completed his free transfer to Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Chelsea defender will join the La Liga Champions when his deal expires with the Blues upon the season’s conclusion, according to The Athletic.
The departing Blues ace penned a four-year contract with Los Blancos worth between £7-8m per year AFTER TAX, the report added.
And the German international’s deal will also include a £342m release clause, it was also claimed in the report.
Chelsea and Man United comparison
Man United have not got an identity like Chelsea or several other Prem clubs.
That’s according to retired footballer Jonathan Woodgate who was assessing the Red Devils’ problems of late.
He told Britishgambler.co.uk: “Recruitment has gone out the window at United.
“Look at City – you know how they play, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea. You don’t know how United play, they don’t have an identity.”
Real Madrid CONFIRM Rudiger transfer
Real Madrid have COMPLETED a deal to sign Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger, according to reports.
Spanish giants Real Madrid have now finally secured his services after snapping up the free transfer on a four-year deal.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Everything is now done between Real Madrid and Toni Rüdiger. The deal has been completed, club sources confirm: he will play for Real.
“Contract until 2026, there’s no option for further season.
“Official announcement: end of the season. Here we go confirmed.”
Chelsea bidder supports Spurs
Chelsea bidder Jonathan Goldstein will not take up a place on the club’s board because he is a Tottenham fan, according to reports.
The businessman, who has a close relationship with Chelsea’s incoming owner Todd Boehly, was being talked about as a potential successor to Blues chairman Bruce Buck.
But it has since been revealed that Buck is set to remain in his role when Boehly buys the club from Roman Abramovich.
It was then thought that Goldstein could assume a position on the board at Stamford Bridge.
But according to The Times, he will not take up the role because he is a Spurs supporter.
The report states that he is a Tottenham season ticket holder.
Blues’ Clarke-Salter wanted
Chelsea’s Jake Clarke-Salter is wanted by top clubs across Europe including Leeds and PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer, writes PHIL CADDEN.
The 24-year-old centre-back has had an impressive season on loan at Championship outfit Coventry.
Clarke-Salter is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer but Thomas Tuchel‘s side do have the option to extend his deal for another 12 months.
Chelsea‘s ownership issues means the Blues cannot currently activate new deals under the sanctions imposed by the UK government.
But American billionaire Todd Boehly still needs his deal to be rubber-stamped with Government approval with the completion of the sale expected in late May.
That means Clarke-Salter can speak to other clubs with Leeds and Sheffield United already enquiring for his services.
If the former England Under-21 captain is on a free, Coventry boss Mark Robins has also stated the Sky Blues will be in the market.
Clarke-Salter made 31 appearances last season, 29 of those in the Championship
More on Hudson-Odoi Ghana switch
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah are set to switch from England to Ghana ahead of the 2022 World Cup, reports suggest.
That is according to Football London, who claim that both players have been convinced to link up with the African nation, for which they are eligible to play.
Arsenal ace Nketiah, 22, leads the Three Lions’ Under-21 all-time scoring list with 16 goals in 17 appearances but has never played for the senior team.
Chelsea star Hudson-Odoi, 21, on the other hand, has only amassed three caps as a teenager.
A FIFA rule change in 2020 allows players with no more than three international appearances to change their allegiance if those caps came before their 21st birthday.
Therefore, both players can complete the switch, which would boost their hopes of playing in the winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
The Ghanaians have advanced for the tournament and will face off against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
Palace set to agree new deal with Olise
Crystal Palace are set to agree a new deal with Chelsea target Michael Olise to ramp his price up above £50million, writes Jack Rosser.
The winger, 20, has been a sensation since his £8m move from Championship side Reading last summer.
London-born Olise, a France Under-21 international, has hit four goals and laid on eight assists this term — and his form is attracting attention from Prem rivals.
Michael Olise has been impressive under boss Patrick Vieira this campaign and has earned a new contract
The Eagles have already rebuffed several approaches and are now planning to agree a one-year extension to his initial five-year deal.That would keep him at Selhurst Park until June 2027.
Olise’s new Crystal Palace contract will see his release clause rocket from £35m to £50m-plus.
The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Lille and Bayern Munich were all said to be interested in Olise earlier in the campaign.
Mour memories?
Jose Mourinho has vowed to keep his home next door to Stamford Bridge and says his old club will return to the top, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
Few managers know Chelsea better than the Special One, who has just led Roma to the Conference League Final, after his two spells in charge there.
He loved life in London so much that he has kept his family home just a stone’s throw from Chelsea’s stadium.
And when quizzed by Sky Sports about his old team’s future after several traumatic months, he insisted that they will return to the top.
Mourinho said: “It’s a difficult moment and you can even feel it at the football level because they have lost that level of excellence and stability. But this is at the moment, you know.
“If you ask me do I have someone I would like to take over my Chelsea? Then yes I have, but I close my mouth.
“I just know the club has reached such a level that it doesn’t matter who it’s with, Chelsea will always be Chelsea. Chelsea will always be.
“And my house will always be 200 metres from the stadium and I want to keep listening to the sound of happiness and success and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be like that.”
Boehly’s priorities on the pitch
The Blues failed to mount a title challenge this term, and with ‘serious concerns’ they are playing “catch-up” due to the ban on signing players, his desire to strengthen “has only increased”, the report says.
One of Boehly’s top priorities is to tie-down starlets Mason Mount and Reece James to new long-term deals.
But with defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen due to depart as free agents, Chelsea desperately need to strengthen their backline.
And a new striker also appears to be on the agenda after Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5m return at the start of the campaign failed to prove a success.
The Belgian did score twice against Wolves, but frustrated boss Tuchel said afterwards: “Yeah but guys, OK, good performance but this is not the moment to talk about individual performances and praise individual players.
“We do this as a team and we lost points, crucial points. This is not the moment to praise individuals.”
Boehly is expected to be in attendance at Wembley on Saturday for the FA Cup Final against Liverpool.
Boehly transfer boost
Todd Boehly is reportedly set to give Thomas Tuchel a summer transfer warchest to rebuild Chelsea once his takeover goes through.
The billionaire American was in attendance at Stamford Bridge to watch the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Wolves on Saturday after being confirmed as Roman Abramovich’s successor.
The LA Dodgers baseball team owner is now set to inject “heavy investment” to bolster Chelsea’s squad, according to the Evening Standard.
It comes amid fears that last season’s Champions League winners “have been left behind after months of crippling sanctions” against them.
Nkunku to stay in Germany
Boehly’s first bit of business won’t involve bringing RB Leipzig Christopher Nkunku to Stamford Bridge.
That’s because Leipzig’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has no intention of selling the £62million rated forward this summer.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano tweeted a quote from Mintzlaff which says: “We have clearly discussed it internally: we won’t let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent.”
Big week for the Blues
Chelsea need all three points from relegation-threatened Leeds tomorrow night.
The Gunners are only a point behind them now but the Blues still sit five points clear of Spurs in fifth.
Minds will be on Saturday’s FA Cup final with barnstorming Liverpool.
It is a chance for Chelsea to get their first piece of silverware in the pots-Abramovich era.
Chelsea women also compete in the Wembley showcase, on Sunday against Manchester City.
Good morning Chelsea fans
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is planning ‘heavy investment’ in their squad to turn them into a Prem title force again, according to the Evening Standard.
The American billionaire was confirmed as the successor to Roman Abramovich on Saturday and will kickstart their summer transfer plans once the takeover deal is rubberstamped.
Boehly is set to be cleared to complete his Chelsea takeover before the end of the season.
It needs Prem and government sign-off, and with all parties keen to draw the saga to a close it looks like the deal will be ratified before the Blues host Watford in their final game of the season on May 22.
But Boehly’s first bit of business won’t involve bringing RB Leipzig Christopher Nkunku to Stamford Bridge.
That’s because Leipzig’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has no intention of selling the £62million rated forward this summer.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano tweeted a quote from Mintzlaff which says: “We have clearly discussed it internally: we won’t let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s Jake Clarke-Salter is wanted by top clubs across Europe including Leeds and PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer.
Clarke-Salter is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer but Thomas Tuchel‘s side do have the option to extend his deal for another 12 months.
And finally, Chelsea have been urged to make a double swoop for Harry Maguire and Declan Rice this summer.
Both England stars will be welcome additions to the Blues’ squad, insists pundit Richard Keys.
Keys explained: “They need a centre-back. Harry Maguire? What would he cost? £40/50 million? I’m pretty sure he’d jump at the chance of a new start. The obvious one in midfield would be Rice. Kante has all but run himself to a stand still.
“Rice would be a perfect replacement. Would West Ham sell? Of course they will if the money is right. I’d give you £150m for him all day long. If Rice pushes hard it might not take that much.”
Chelsea rift revealed
Chelsea are battling dressing-room turmoil just as new American owners close in on a £4.25billion takeover.
It follows claims the head coach had an exchange of words with left-back Marcos Alonso, who was substituted at half-time in the game.
Chelsea deny any bust-up between the pair but sources claim Alonso felt he was made a scapegoat for a poor team display.
Tuchel is angry that his players are unable to get themselves out of a rut which has cost ten points in the last five matches — putting a third-place finish in the league at risk.
Sources at Stamford Bridge say the players were unhappy at being called in as they have played 59 games in a gruelling campaign.
But Tuchel is determined to turn things around, even if it means getting heavy-handed with his squad in a forthright address at the Blues’ Surrey HQ.
Rice tipped for key role
Declan Rice is the man who will change the dynamics for Man United next season.
That’s the opinion of football reporter Dean Jones.
The journalist told Give Me Sport: “They’ve got to be careful about the budget because they don’t have hundreds of millions to just go and spend.
“Declan Rice, for me, is the one that would change everything. I think that he wants to move, he’s ambitious, he’s young, and he would be a leader.”
‘No club needs Declan Rice’
No Premier League club will have a use for Declan Rice next season.
That’s the opinion of Stephen Warnock who reckons none of the Prem’s clubs have a need for Rice in their squads.
Warnock said: “Chelsea was the team that we all thought would be in for him. Now the situation is at Chelsea that we don’t know what the new owners are going to put into the club, do we? There’s talk that they’re going to go in heavily but until we know and we see that first move from them.
“You look at every other club and you think, would he go to Manchester United at the moment? Would that be an option for him? He’d benefit them, but would it benefit him at this moment, because again you don’t know what Ten Hag’s going to be like and you don’t know the influence he’s going to have.
“United need to shift a load of players out in order to probably get him in as well, and it’s like where else? Does he go abroad? I don’t see anyone else in the Premier League needing him. I don’t see Manchester City needing him, I don’t see Liverpool needing him.”
Tuchel speaks on Wolves draw
Thomas Tuchel has spoken on Chelsea’s draw against Wolves.
He said: “I thought we started both halves well with an offensive 5-3-2.
“We knew about the risks and we needed to be disciplined. We showed discipline over most moments of the first half but in some situations we touch too much risk.
“I was very happy with the way we started the second half, we created chances and enough situations to be in front but we were 2-0 up and then we took too much risk.
“We invited the counter-attacks and big chances. Once you do this you lose confidence and invite the opponent to smell that something is possible when it is unnecessary.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
