CHELSEA have been handed a mega boost with Romelu Lukaku returning to training ahead of schedule.
And that means the Belgian could take part in the Blues’ crucial clashes with Juventus and Man Utd next week.
Things are also looking good for the West Londoners on the transfer front, with reports from Spain suggesting Real Madrid are resigned to Erling Haaland joining a Premier League club.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are reportedly set to challenge Arsenal in the race for Juventus playmaker Dejan Kulusevski.
And Antonio Rudiger maintains he is 100% focused on Chelsea, despite the contract rebel being a target for Bayern Munich.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
MISSING QAT
As teams book their place for the 2022 World Cup, here are some of the best names who could miss out on a trip to Qatar…
TERR UP
Diego Costa convinced John Terry that he would help Chelsea win the Premier League during a PRE-SEASON sparring contest with the Blues’ physio.
Terry had fans in stitches after posting the brilliant clip of former striker Costa flooring team masseur Billy ‘Blood’ McCulloch.
Costa always had the reputation of being a bit of a loose cannon, but he had Terry convinced early on that he’d lead Chelsea to Prem glory.
The Stamford Bridge legend captioned the video on Twitter: “@diegocosta Vs Billy (AKA) Rocky Pre season 2014/15. After this I knew we would win the league.
“What a Legend. I’m crying watching this,” followed by laughing emojis.
The pair can be seen throwing punches at each other as the theme song from Rocky blares in the background.
John Terry shares hilarious video of Diego Costa flooring Chelsea masseur which convinced him Blues would win Premier LeagueAZ IF
New Barcelona boss Xavi is looking to weave some more magic by snapping up Cesar Azpilicueta on a free transfer.
Dani Alves has already been recruited for free, with Chelsea man Azpilicueta reportedly his next target.
According to ESPN, Barca are keeping a keen eye on how contract talks progress between the Blues and club captain Azpilicueta.
The 32-year-olds current deal at Stamford Bridge runs out at the end of the season.
If a new deal has not been agreed before January 1 the Spaniard is free to begin talks with foreign clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement.
The Blues though are thought to be keen to tie him down to a new deal and extend his stay at the club with talks currently ongoing between Blues chiefs and Azpilicueta’s representatives.
But he could decide to run down his contract and pursue a new challenge after NINE years at the club.
ERL OF ENGLAND
Manchester United and Chelsea have received a boost in their pursuit of Erling Haaland after it was reported Real Madrid have ‘accepted he is going to the Premier League’.
The Spanish giants were thought to be interested in signing the Norwegian, whose release clause enables him to leave Borussia Dortmund for £64million.
But now it has been reported that Madrid believe Haaland will join an English club when he leaves the German outfit.
As reported by Sport, journalist Josep Pedrerol said: “Real Madrid assumes that Haaland will play in England next year and they have it ruled out.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had previously stated he wanted to sign both Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
He said: “Which one do I choose to build a new project? I take both without a doubt.
“At Real Madrid, there are always the best players in the world. Florentino will bring them both back.”
WHEEL TROUBLE
Louis van Gaal will not be pitch-side for the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Norway on Tuesday evening.
His side can secure a place at Qatar 2022 with a point, but the wheelchair-bound boss will not be in the dugout because it would take TOO LONG to push him across the pitch.
The De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam is the venue for the clash.
But because walking to the dugouts involves crossing the pitch after leaving the dressing room, ex-Manchester United boss Van Gaal will have to watch on from a box.
Dutch outlet AD report that Van Gaal will be with the players before the game and at half time because his box is close to the changing rooms.
But the awkward positioning of the dugouts means there wouldn’t be time to wheel the 70-year-old across the grass at half time and then back again for the start of the second half.
Van Gaal will be in contact with his coaching team from his box via radio.
LAU AND ORDER
Ex-Arsenal star Lauren is working for his old boss Arsene Wenger again after taking up a job at Fifa.
The two-time Premier League winner, 44, has been appointed as a technical expert for talent development in Africa for the world football governing body.
In his new role, the former right-back will be tasked with making African football more competitive on the international stage.
Invincibles star Lauren said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be taking up the role.
“I feel proud to be joining the Fifa family and there’s also a great sense of responsibility.”
CAL HIM UP
Everton could make a January move for Arsenal defender Calum Chambers if they can’t resurrect a loan agreement for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Manager Rafa Benitez is in the market for a right-back to take over from veteran captain Seamus Coleman.
But his hands are tied by a lack of cash and he is now exploring the possibility of signing Chambers for a nominal fee.
The 26-year-old former England international is currently in the final few months of his Arsenal contract and the club have yet to take up the option to extend his deal by a further year.
He has not even made the subs’ bench in the Premier League for the last two months and has been pushed further down the Emirates queue by the arrival of £19.5million summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Manager Mikel Arteta is not looking to make any changes to his squad in January and is reluctant to let anyone leave but accepts that Chambers needs regular football to revive his career after seven years at the Emirates.
And there is a chance that Arsenal could sell him in January for a fee in the region of £5million rather than lose him as a free agent in the summer.
MR. MOTIVATOR
England captain Harry Kane has revealed how he uses his hat-trick balls to motivate his children – after bagging a record sixth against San Marino.
Kane, 28, earned his second England match ball in a row last night as the Three Lions sealed qualification to next year’s World Cup in Qatar with a 10-0 win.
Kane revealed what these records mean to him to talkSPORT, saying: “It’s fantastic. I always say these are the bonuses that come with the games when you are winning and scoring goals.
“To be up there with the names you are up there with, it’s fantastic. Every time I wear an England shirt, I’m proud, and every time I score, it’s one of the greatest feelings of my career.
“I hope I can keep doing it for many more years. We’ve obviously got a big year ahead leading up to Qatar. Any time I can help the team, I will try and do so.
“To get the feeling of putting the ball into the back of the net, every striker wants to be doing that. It’s a good feeling.”
A CITY UNITED
Manchester United and Manchester City discussed plans to merge and form a super club in the 1960s.
City vice-chairman Frank Johnson proposed the idea in 1964 when his club were in the Second Division and the Red Devils had just finished runners-up in the top flight.
The idea came about just two decades after City allowed United to use their Maine Road stadium while Old Trafford was being rebuilt after the Second World War.
But the red side of Manchester gave the plan very little consideration as they opted against merging to form one team.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News in 2013, football historian Gary James said: “The idea was killed by both clubs before it ever became public.
“I spoke to Eric Alexander whose dad Albert was chairman at the time, and he said Frank Johnson, who came up with the idea, often came up with crazy ideas.
“Another of his plans was to make the entire league regionalised into north and south.
“But City were at a real low in their history at the time. In terms of league position, it wasn’t as bad as 1998-99, but in terms of general morale, atmosphere and support it was by far the lowest point in the club’s history.”
BALE HELL
Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Wales’ crunch World Cup qualifier with Belgium.
The Real Madrid superstar played 45 mins against Belarus on Saturday to win his 100th cap following a two-month hamstring layoff.
But Uefa released Wales’ 23-man squad for tonight’s Cardiff showdown on their website on Tuesday morning and Bale – as well as Mark Harris and the suspended Ethan Ampadu – were not included.
Wales boss Robert Page claimed captain Bale was never going to be fit to start both qualifiers.
But the fact he has not even been included in the squad is a blow for the Dragons.
Wales need a point to finish second in Group E and win a home play-off semi-final above Poland.
An away tie could see Bale and co face the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Euro 2020 champions Italy.
CAN’T BELL-IEVE IT
A gutted England fan has missed out on Jude Bellingham’s shirt after lugging an enormous homemade sign to San Marino.
Bellingham instead chose to give the shirt to a fan standing NEXT to the spectator with the sign asking for his shirt, but the Three Lions sensation did have good reason to.
The 18-year-old former Birmingham star spotted a ‘Redditch Blues’ England flag in the crowd.
And he ran over at full time to give his match worn shirt to a lucky Birmingham City fan who had made the journey over to San Marino.
Bellingham is a Birmingham hero and even had his shirt number retired by the club after moving to Borussia Dortmund.
It’s just unfortunate that standing right next to them was another big Bellingham fan holding a handmade sign asking for shirt.
HAMMER TIME
West Ham lead a clutch of clubs looking to sign Manchester United outcast Jesse Lingard.
That’s according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who’ve installed David Moyes’ side at 2/1 to recapture the attacking star.
But Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have also entered the running and could prove stern competition under their new owners.
Lingard enjoyed a phenomenal loan spell at the London Stadium last season.
The 28-year-old scored nine goals and provided five assists in 16 appearances in all competitions and returned to the England setup.
However, he has been unable to replicate that form since returning to Old Trafford.
Lingard has started ONCE under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this campaign and made five top-flight appearances – totalling just 63 minutes of action.
CAL HIM UP
Ashley Cole hopes Callum Hudson-Odoi will rethink his strategy of ducking out of Under-21 duty after seeing the senior promotion of Emile Smith Rowe and Conor Gallagher.
Hudson-Odoi, who has three senior caps, has opted not to turn out for the Young Lions this term and focus instead on breaking into the Chelsea first team.
The Three Lions legend said: “Him not coming here is a big loss for us because he is a top quality player and of course he would add a lot of quality to this group.
“He felt maybe he wanted to stay behind and get his fitness up to try to get into the Chelsea team first. We have to be understanding within that.
“The door is always open for young quality players. I feel maybe him seeing Emile or Conor getting the opportunity hopefully now he will change his mind and come and join us.”
SEEING DOUBLE
Cristiano Ronaldo was consoled by his Serbian replica Nemanja Radonjic after the underdog’s shock victory over Portugal on Sunday.
Ronaldo, 36, held back tears following Serbia’s last-gasp 2-1 win in the World Cup qualifier which saw Portugal crash into the play-offs.
But as the Manchester United star sat in a heap, Serbian winger Radonjic, dubbed ‘SR7’ for his similarities on the pitch to Ronaldo, ran over to give him a helping hand.
The heart-warming moment was captured on camera and posted to Radonjic’s Instagram account with the caption: “Hand to the greatest, ” accompanied by the goat emoji.
Radonjic, 25, earned the ‘SR7’ moniker while playing for Marseille last season where he scored five goals and provided one assist.
Speaking on his comparison to the five-time Ballon d’Or, Radonjic previously said: “I saw that my team-mates compared me to Ronaldo on Instagram.
“It may be because we have a similar game during games and training.”
‘RAPIST’ FOOTIE STAR
Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been charged with two rapes – on top of the four he is already facing.
The £52million France international has been accused of attacking four women – all over 16 – between October 2020 and August 2021.
He is also facing one count of sexual assault.
A second man has also been charged alongside Mendy.
Louis Saha Matturie, 40, was handed two additional counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Both Mendy and Matturie will appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court on November 17.
Last month, Mendy was denied bail by a judge at a 50-minute hearing at Chester Crown Court.
He is being held on remand at HMP Altcourse, Liverpool.
RON-SOLATION
Jonathan Woodgate has revealed Brazilian Ronaldo was the first team-mate to speak to him after his nightmare Real Madrid debut 16 years ago.
Having arrived in the Spanish capital in 2004, the England defender was injured for his entire first season at the Bernabeu.
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Tottenham v Leeds, Woodgate said: “I was 24 when I made my debut at Real Madrid – the main thing people forget about that game is that we won, thankfully. I was over the moon about that, to be honest with you.
“Ronaldo was the first one to come and talk to me after that game. He asked how I was, and obviously I told him I was disappointed with myself.
“He saw the positives, though. I’d obviously missed a whole season through injury, and he told me not to be disappointed with myself, because my leg was fine.
“That was the most important thing; that I’d got through my debut without getting injured. ‘You’re on the up, now’ he told me.
“That was great to hear, especially from a player of that stature. It really helped me get over things, and I quickly realised everyone makes mistakes throughout their career.
“I was just glad we won the game.”
UP FOR SAL
Arsenal are set to hold transfer talks with Marseille who are reportedly desperate to sign loan star William Saliba on a permanent basis.
The 20-year-old Arsenal defender is on a year-long loan at Marseille, but has been such a hit that they’re hoping to extend his stay past the end of this season.
Transfer expert Ekrem Konur has reported that the club are hoping to sign Saliba permanently and will open talks about a move with Arsenal soon.
Saliba joined the Gunners on a five-year deal for £27m from Saint Etienne in July 2019, but has yet to feature for them since making the switch to North London.
DERBY DEDUCTED
Derby county will have another NINE points deducted from their Championship tally.
It follows the 12-point deduction from September after the club entered into administration.
The latest deduction has a further three points suspended and is for breaching the League’s Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) rules.
Those historical financial breaches at Derby came while former owner Mel Morris was at the club.
It all but confirms Wayne Rooney’s side will be relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.
Rooney’s side are marooned to the bottom of the table on -3 points, EIGHTEEN off safety.
NO WAY JOSE
Sevilla president Jose Castro has reiterated that Jules Kounde will only be sold if his valuation is met in full.
The France international has been regularly linked with Chelsea and Manchester United in the past and supposedly remains a target for both clubs.
Chelsea are said to have been reluctant to trigger Kounde’s £68m release clause in the summer transfer window, with Sevilla refusing to negotiate.
Kounde still has two-and-a-half years to run on his deal at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where he has spent three seasons, and the La Liga side are remaining firm on their stance.
Castro said: “We’re not going to change our position.
“If the proposal we receive is out of market, we will sell our players to sign new ones.”
BLUES BROS
Chelsea legend Petr Cech has claimed his side ‘were really lucky’ to win the Blues’ first ever Champions League trophy back in 2012.
Meanwhile the shot-stopper revealed Thomas Tuchel and Co ‘deserved’ to win the title in May, but said the two squads were similar in the close bonds between the players.
Cech told chelseafc.com: “In 2012, there were games when we were really lucky. 2021 is beautiful in the way that the team really deserved in every single game to win.”
But he added: “The similarity I would say was the togetherness of the group and the preparation and the atmosphere in the team, I think that was the same.”
NEVER EVRA
Patrice Evra warned ‘don’t ever go for lunch’ at Cristiano Ronaldo’s house… as it’s like a ‘second training session’.
The duo played together for three years at Manchester United between 2006 and 2009.
He told talkSPORT: “Cristiano, first of all, as a person and human being, is so generous, so nice and people don’t see that face. But he is a winner. He is addicted.
“For example, when we had training at 10am, Cristiano was already there for 8am. When we had finished training, he was still on the pitch practising.
“When he invited me for lunch… don’t ever go for lunch, because you are going to have one of the most boring lunches at Cristiano’s; it is salad, plain chicken and water. There isn’t even fizzy water.
“After that, we went into the garden, trained for a little bit, went swimming, went to the sauna and at one point I looked at him and said: ‘Bro, we have just finished a training session, why do we have to a second training session?'”
A SLICE OF HEAVEN
Fans were left gobsmacked by the stacks of pizza boxes in the England dressing room after last night’s record-breaking 10-0 win in San Marino.
Piles of pizzas can be spotted in the background of a video posted to the official England Instagram last night showing Gareth Southgate addressing his players.
The England boss was awarding debutants Aaron Ramsdale and Conor Gallagher their first caps, but fans couldn’t help but notice the insane amount of pizzas.
One fan commented: “Is it me. Or is that a stack of pizza boxes for the boys?”
While @nv_gv19 also chipped in, saying: “They have got enough pizza to feed the whole of San Marino.”
‘WAKE UP’
The president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA) has called for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to carry out a gender test on Iranian women’s goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei.
Iran beat Jordan 4-2 on penalties in September, with Koudaei saving TWO spot kicks.
The heroics helped Iran to qualify for the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup for the first time in their history.
But the JFA have doubts over the ‘eligibility of a participating player,’ and have demanded a gender test on the shot-stopper.
They believe Koudaei was in fact a man impersonating as a woman.
In response Iran’s team selector Maryam Irandoost strongly denied the allegations.
Irandoost told sports news site Varzesh3: “The medical staff have carefully examined each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard, and so I tell all fans not to worry.
“We will provide any documentation that the Asian Confederation of Football wishes without wasting time.”
GARY & HARRY
Gary Lineker congratulated Harry Kane on joining him in the 48 Club – but knows they will not be there together for long.
Kane, 28, smashed in four goals as England thumped San Marino 10-0 on Monday night.
Those strikes took him from 44 to 48 for the Three Lions – level with one ex-Spurs striker in Jimmy Greaves to another in Lineker.
Lineker, 60, tweeted: “Hello @HKane, welcome to the 48 goal club.
“I suspect your membership will expire within minutes, but it’s been a pleasure to have you alongside.”
BELL HELL
Craig Bellamy was the most difficult Premier League star to referee, according to current whistler Michael Oliver.
The Welshman, 42, represented the likes of Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester City during his top-flight career in England.
And Magpies fan Oliver, 36, has lifted the lid on what refereeing him was like.
He told The Athletic: “Craig Bellamy was incredibly difficult.
“What you find is that some teams are difficult.
“Teams that aren’t winning for a starter — that’s the same at every level — and teams who aren’t used to losing, the frustration level is higher for them.
“But one player, it would be Bellamy.
“I watched him for two or three years — I’m a Newcastle fan and you wanted him in your team because he was a winner.
“But he was a nightmare to referee because he would argue about everything. If you told him it was black, he’d tell you it was white.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
