ANTONIO RUDIGER is set to join Real Madrid this summer, with boss Thomas Tuchel confirming he will leave Chelsea.
But in better news, Tuchel himself has confirmed that he is going nowhere and is already looking forward to pre-season.
Meanwhile Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.
Chelsea are also said to be negotiating with Ajax over a potential deal for Brazilian winger Antony.
And the next owners of the Blues must guarantee that they will stay in charge of the club for a minimum of TEN years.
Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the takeover in our live blog…
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Ex-right-back Johnson on Pogba
Former Chelsea and Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson has said that Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba doesn’t have “the character to suit either Liverpool or Chelsea.”
The Frenchman is out of contract this summer and can leave United for free.
On Pogba, Johnson told GGRecon: “I wouldn’t go for him.
“He’s a sensational individual and he’s won most of the things you can win in football but I don’t believe he has the character to suit either Liverpool or Chelsea.
“There’s no way Jurgen Klopp would sign him. No chance.”
Years of Abramovich spending
Here’s a breakdown of how much Roman Abramovich spent during his time as owner of Chelsea.
Bidders told to up offers
The three prospective owners of Chelsea have been asked to increase their offers by £500million by outgoing billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Martin Kleinman at Sky News reports that the Russian owner is demanding the additional money to help augment a £1billion charitable donation to be made upon the sale of the football club.
The increase in price effectively guarantees ‘a minimum headline price for the club of £2.5billion.’
Those heading each of the consortia still involved in the process are said to have reacted positively to the request.
The preferred bidder selected by Raine Group is expected to be announced by the end of this week.
Gimenez added to wanted list
Another hour, another new centre-back linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
This time it’s Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez that Chelsea scouts are watching as the Londoners plan for life after Rudiger and Christensen.
The Uruguayan defender has clocked up 245 appearances for Atleti since moving to Spain in 230.
An international with 76 caps to his name, Gimenez is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and a fully focused man-marker.
Mount revelling on the road
With their forwards misfiring once again, Chelsea will be looking towards Mason Mount to make the different at Old Trafford this evening.
And the England international rarely disappoints on the road, having played some of his best football this season away from Stamford Bridge.
Mount has been directly involved in ten goals in his 14 away appearances this season, scoring five himself and laying on another five assists for his teammates.
Only Mo Salah (18), Harry Kane (13) and James Ward-Prowse (11) have more combined goals and assists in Premier League away games this term.
Chelsea also chasing Barca’s Kimpembe
Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea’s scouting team have made reinforcements at centre-half a priority for when new owners take over at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues expect to lose Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer – and there’s the possibility that Cesar Azpilicueta also departs the club via the exit door.
Without new signings, those departures would leave the Londoners short in central defence, and having to rely on a 38-year-old Thiago Silva.
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde has already been sounded out by Chelsea officials, and now Goal see Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe as another option.
Kimpembe has spent his entire career at PSG, but would be tempted by the challenge of the Premier League should his former boss come calling.
Thursday night’s alright for rivals
Manchester United and Chelsea once again do battle this evening but will do so for the very first time on a Thursday.
The rescheduling of this clash means that it will become the 13th different Premier League fixture to have been played on all seven days of the week.
It’s a novelty for the Blues with United set to become the first club that they have faced on each day.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, have previously faced Aston Villa, Liverpool and Newcastle on Monday – Sunday.
Chelsea only require ‘cosmetic surgery’
Thomas Tuchel does not expect Chelsea’s new owners to splash the cash this summer, and instead insists that the squad are only in need of some ‘cosmetic surgery’.
The German coach says a testing close-season awaits in rebuilding the club, but insists he is sticking around and is relishing the challenge.
Asked what treatment the Blues require to move forward, Tuchel chuckled and replied: “Cosmetic surgery. I would be less concerned if we had still the same ownership, but as this is also in question, we are aware of the danger of a situation that is maybe a bit more complex.”
He added: ‘It is demanding enough nowadays in football to lose this kind of quality in a back three, and to lose two key players for free.
“It could be a very, very demanding summer.”
Tuchel hopeful of trio return
Chelsea travel to Manchester United this evening, hoping to cement third place in the Premier League – and another shot at the Champions League next year.
The Blues can move eight points clear of Arsenal in fourth with a win, and further add to United’s miserable form in the process.
Thomas Tuchel’s team have put in concerning performances themselves of late, but the German coach hopes he will have three key defenders back in the squad to help improve his struggling backline.
“[Antonio] Rudiger was in training yesterday, and it’s the same for Reece James,” Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference yesterday.
“Hopefully they can do the full training session today and give us a green light. We have hopes that they can be in the squad to play tomorrow.”
“It’s the same for Andreas [Christensen]. We will need another examination because he felt sick, but he will come back to the training ground today.”
Christensen and Rudiger are expected to depart Stamford Bridge while James has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Good morning Chelsea fans
Chelsea are confident they can sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde in the summer.
According to 90min, there is a mutual determination for the transfer to be completed.
The Blues are also keeping tabs on Arminia Bielefeld centre-back Amos Pieper, according to reports.
Pieper, 24, has impressed in the Bundesliga this season despite Arminia heading for relegation.
Finally, Chelsea players believe the sanctions placed on them by the government are costing them and could force Thomas Tuchel to quit, say reports.
Boss Tuchel claimed the club have been left with their “hands tied” as Antonio Rudiger is set to leave.
And the Times report the squad “fear” the complications could “push” Tuchel out the club too.
Rom’s top of the earners list
Summer flop Romelu Lukaku is Chelsea’s biggest earner.
The Belgian forward picks up an eye-watering £325,000-a-week at the Blues.
He could, however, already be heading for the exit door.
New owner yet to be found
A new Chelsea owner is yet to be found.
Here’s a look at Roman Abramovich’s spending numbers.
Chelsea confident on Kounde
Chelsea are confident they can sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde in the summer.
According to 90min, there is a mutual determination for the transfer to be completed.
The Blues actively tried to sign Kounde last summer but were reportedly “blindsided” by a last minute increase in demands by Sevilla.
Jorginho on Drogba
Chelsea midfielder has revealed “it would be nice” if he could have played with the great Didier Drogba.
The retired striker had so many memorable moments while playing for the Blues.
Drogba scored the equaliser and winning penalty in Chelsea’s first Champions League trophy win in 2012.
On Drogba, Jorginho said: “What a player. What a striker.
“It would be nice if I could have played with him. It wouldn’t be bad to have his movements as a striker.”
Mason Mount: Premier League stats so far
Will Chelsea’s Mason Mount reach double figures in goals and assists this season in the league?
‘Antonio Rudiger… who is this?’
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti gave absolutely nothing away after he was quizzed about signing Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger.
The legendary Italian boss was speaking after a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg tie away at Manchester City.
Although Real Madrid lost the game, at 4-3 down heading to the Bernabeu there is still everything to play for.
Rudiger, meanwhile, has told Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel he will leave the Londoners at the end of the season on a free transfer.
Real Madrid have emerged as the frontrunners to snap up the centre-half in what would be a big coup.
But after being asked about Rudiger following the defeat at the Etihad, Ancelotti went all coy.
He answered: “Antonio Rudiger, who is this?
“He is a Chelsea player until… he is still a Chelsea player, and I cannot say anything about this.”
Ball-carrying midfielder
Declan Rice is the leader in progressive yards carried outside of England’s “big six”.
The England midfielder has carried the ball over 6,000 yards.
Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin is behind on 4,663.
If the “Big Six” were included, Rice would be behind Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Joel Matip.
Rice is a summer transfer target for both Chelsea and Man Utd.
Pie Eyed
In case you missed it.
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Arminia Bielefeld centre-back Amos Pieper, according to reports.
Pieper, 24, has impressed in the Bundesliga this season despite Arminia heading for relegation.
The defender is available on a free in the summer and the Blues have asked to be kept in the loop in regard to his availability, report The Mirror.
There are several other clubs interested in Pieper, including Borussia Dortmund – with Pieper previously playing for the club’s academy.
Premier League pair Newcastle and Southampton are also said to be interested in the German and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side are keen to strike a bargain.
Chelsea stars fear Tuchel could be forced to QUIT
Chelsea players believe the sanctions placed on them by the government are costing them and could force Thomas Tuchel to quit, say reports.
Boss Tuchel claimed the club have been left with their “hands tied” as Antonio Rudiger is set to leave.
Rudiger, 29, is due to bank almost £60million with his mega move to Real Madrid.
And the Times report the squad “fear” the complications could “push” Tuchel out the club too.
The Stamford Bridge dressing room are concerned they are “powerless” as they wait for sanctions and this could harm the squad.
How Man Utd could line up against Chelsea
Ralf Rangnick is in the midst of an injury crisis at Manchester United and currently has just 14 senior players fit for action.
The interim boss is down to the bare bones of his squad after confirming skipper Harry Maguire is not available for tomorrow’s clash against Chelsea.
Maguire, who was benched for the trip to Arsenal, is sidelined with a “niggle” in his knee but there are fears he could be out for the season.
Elsewhere Jadon Sancho misses out through illness, while Fred has not recovered from a hip flexor problem in time to feature.
Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw, Edinson Cavani are all also set to miss out, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt with an unspecified issue.
Tuchel to stay at Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that will stay at Chelsea next season.
There has been some speculation recently around the idea of the 48-year-old leaving due to the sanctions placed on the club by the UK Government.
However, when speaking to Adam Newson for Football.London, he said: “From pre-season next season we will give our very best and I will be fully involved with all my heart and my knowledge.”
Tuchel on Ruben Loftus-Cheek
During today’s press conference, Thomas Tuchel was asked about the impact of Loftus-Cheek.
He said: “He needs to push himself to the limit. He had a bit of shy game like everybody else against Arsenal and not such a good half against Crystal Palace but stepped up in the second half in dribbling and ball recoveries and suddenly the crowd was there.
“In general he is a shy and calm person but he needs to discover the monster in him and unleash this on a regular basis. It is necessary.
“It is not enough to just be on the pitch, it might seem a good first step given his last years but we cannot let him think that is enough.
“We try every day and I think we are successful given his development.
“He needs to understand his potential and his physical capacity every day in training, he cannot let loose. He needs to play every match like a final.”
Credit: Getty Tuchel on tomorrow’s trip to Old Trafford
During today’s press conference, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: “I’m personally very happy to play against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
“I arrive with a strong club. I’m happy to have this match and it will always be a big match for me no matter what form they are in.
“That’s why we prepare in the best possible way. We focus on their last matches, we should not get confused by their lack of points, their squad is full of quality.”
‘He loves responsibility’ – Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has reflected on Antonio Rudiger’s upcoming departure from Chelsea, stating that the team are sad to see him go.
He said: “I don’t think anybody likes it. He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room.
“He is a unique character and plays on an outstanding level. He sometimes takes the focus towards him, he loves responsibility.
“I don’t think anybody likes this decision but we have to accept it. Like it or not there will be life at Chelsea after Toni.
“It is also the most important thing for us that it ends like it started, on the highest level.”
Credit: Alamy Chelsea team news vs Man Utd
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Mateo Kovacic, Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ross Barkley will all be absent from the Chelsea squad ahead of tomorrow’s game against Man Utd.
In his pre-match press conference, he said: “Kova will be out, Ben Chilwell will be out and Callum will be out.
“Rudiger was in training yesterday, so was Reece James, we have another training coming and hopefully they will be fine.
“Andreas needs another examination, but hopefully he will train.
“Ross Barkley is sick and will not be in the squad.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
