CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed Andreas Christensen has been dropped from his starting XI because of his ongoing contract stand-off with the club.
The Dane has twice agreed a deal with the Blues only to back out and renegotiate, leaving Chelsea chiefs frustrated.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are reportedly preparing a mega-bid for Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic and Jurgen Klopp is keen on brining Aaron Ramsey to Liverpool.
The German sees Ramsey as the perfect player to bolster his midfield.
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5 DEFENDERS CHELSEA COULD TARGET
Chelsea are still sweating over the future of Antonio Rudiger.
The German, 28, is yet to sign a new deal and has attracted attention from Europe’s elite, most notably Real Madrid.
Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, Thiago Silva, 37, and Andreas Christensen, 25, are also defenders Chelsea face losing for nothing unless contract extensions are agreed.
The Blues are said to be prepared to offer all four new deals, but it will not stop them from scouting out alternatives.
Here, SunSport runs down five centre-back options for Chelsea.
JULES KOUNDE
ATTILA SZALAI
MARQUINHOS
NIKLAS SULE
PAU TORRESHERE’S OUR FULL RUNDOWN ON THE BLUES’ POSSIBLE TARGETS
GUNNERS LINKED TO DEJAN
Arsenal are targeting a move for Juventus forward Dejan Kulusevski in the January window.
And contact has already been made between the club and representatives of the Sweden international.
However, Tottenham are also said to be keen on a deal for the 21-year-old.
Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has told Sky Sports: “Arsenal want him.
“The first contacts with the agents (have been made). Juventus bought him for £30 million plus bonuses. So, it depends on how much Arsenal want to invest on this player.
“But, I know that the first contacts have been made by the parties.”
BELE TOLLS FOR OUSMANE FUTURE
Ousmane Dembele has reportedly been given 15 days by Barcelona to make a decision on his future.
The winger is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been linked with a move to Newcastle.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona chiefs are keen for Dembele to extend his current deal, as is the player himself.
But the Frenchman’s agent is said to have rejected a number of offers, insisting on a ‘Ballon d’Or’ salary for his 20-year-old client.
‘TOXIC’
Ex-Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor believes the atmosphere could turn ‘toxic’ at Goodison Park if the Toffees are beaten by Liverpool tonight.
Rafa Benitez’s side are winless in their last seven games, with pressure beginning to mount on the former Reds boss.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said: “I didn’t think it would work [for Benitez at Everton]. The first five or six games they were getting great results and, yes, the Everton fans were OK with it.
“But I knew, once they had some bad results, the Everton fans would turn because of the success he had at Liverpool.
“They’re going to use that as an excuse to turn against him.
“If they lose, and lose badly, at Goodison Park, it’s going to be toxic.”
CONTE ON LO CELSO
It’s better news for Tottenham fans on Giovanni Lo Celso.
The midfielder has also been out with a knock that he picked up on international duty.
But Conte confirmed: “The situation with Gio [Lo Celso] is much better than Romero.
“My expectation is to see him the day after we play Brentford. He has started to work, Gio is another player we need to exploit, he is a good player.”
FEELING BLUE
Liverpool make the short trip across Stanley Park this evening to take on bitter rivals Liverpool.
The Toffees won 2-0 in their last Prem game against Liverpool, which ended a 20-game winless run against them in the league.
Rafa Benitez’s side have not won back-to-back league Merseyside derbies since beating them in both meetings in the 1984-85 campaign.
And his team go into the clash on a horrid run of form, not winning any of their last SEVEN outings.
Credit: Getty CRIS-IS
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has confirmed Cristian Romero is set to be out of action until the New Year with a hamstring injury.
Conte revealed it would be January or February until the summer signing returns to full fitness.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Brentford, Conte said: “The news is not positive. It’s not good.
“The injury is serious and it will be a long time before we see him again. Surely next year.
“We will check on his injury week by week but it is serious.
“Now he is trying to recover but he needs time to recover. He’s an important player for us.”
Credit: Getty EYES ON ARIBO
Crystal Palace are one of a number of Premier League clubs reportedly interested in a deal for Rangers star Joe Aribo.
The 12-cap Nigeria international is into the final 18 months of his contract with the Gers, with a number of Premier League clubs on red alert.
According to the Mail Online, Watford and Brentford have joined the race for the versatile 25-year-old.
And the Scottish giants may be forced into a cut-price sale to avoid losing the ex-Charlton man on a free transfer.
Credit: Willie Vass ERL OF MANCHESTER
Ralf Rangnick will ‘try to convince’ Erling Haaland to sign for Manchester United.
According to Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk, Rangnick will try to use his existing relationship with the star striker to lure him to Old Trafford.
Rangnick signed Haaland for RB Leipzig while he was director of football at the Austrian club.
And the 63-year-old could try and repeat the feat once again, although this time round he will have to trigger Haaland’s £64million release clause at Borussia Dortmund.
The interim United boss is said to be close to Erling’s father Alf-Inge, who also acts as his agent alongside Mino Raiola.
Credit: Getty
LUK AT THAT
Manchester United are one of a number of Prem teams reportedly plotting a free transfer swoop for Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric.
According to El Nacional, the Red Devils are keen to add the 36-year-old to their midfield ranks.
The Croatian international is out of contract at the Bernabeu at the end of the season and able to begin negotiations with English clubs from January 1.
Newcastle have also been linked with the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, with Spurs also said to be keen on bringing their former player back to North London.
Credit: Getty TCH OF CLASS
Chelsea have been given a boost in their quest to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after Juventus reportedly pulled out of the race.
Thomas Tuchel is understood to be a huge admirer of the ex-Bordeuax man, as he looks to lure him to Stamford Bridge next summer.
Tchouameni, who is tied down at Monaco until 2024, has also been claimed to be on the radar of Juventus and Real Madrid.
But according to Calciomercato, the Old Lady have decided against securing his services to give the Blues an easier run at landing him.
They state that the Serie A side have deemed him as too expensive, with the club only open to signing him on loan, while Monaco will only allow him to move on a permanent deal.
As a result, Juve will now look to bring in other targets – notably Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Credit: Reuters BREAKING
Young Boys have been given special permission to travel and play Manchester United without quarantining.
The Champions League clash faced being moved from Old Trafford because of the Omicron strain.
Restrictions have been placed on arrivals into Switzerland from Britain as a result of the new variant, which means Young Boys feared needing to quarantine when re-entering the country.
But now the Swiss side have confirmed they been given an exemption which will allow them to play in Manchester without quarantining afterwards.
They posted on Twitter: “YB has received a special permit from the Canton of Bern for the away games in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Youth League.
“This means that players and staff do not have to be in ten-day quarantine after their return journey.”
DAVID VS GOLIATH
Arsenal and Liverpool target Jonathan David could be allowed to leave Lille for just £30million in the summer.
According to L’Equipe, the 21-year-old Canadian is eager to secure a move away at the end of the campaign.
And the cash-strapped French club may be forced to sell David for lower than he’s worth in order to secure funds.
David has scored 10 goals in 15 Ligue 1 games this campaign, attracting interest from the Premier League.
His form could lead to a bidding war between the Gunners and Liverpool in the summer, to the delight of Lille bosses.
Credit: AFP ‘PERFECT PLACE’
Manchester United and Liverpool target Jude Bellingham has quietened speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League by referring to Borussia Dortmund as the ‘perfect place’.
He said in the documentary, ‘JB22 – Dortmund’s high flyer’, via Bulinews : “I’ve never been part of a team that suits me so well.
Bellingham added on playing in front of fans: “It feels so good.
“There is no better club in the world when it comes to bringing out young players and developing them for the next level. I want to develop here and give something back by winning titles and games.
“Dortmund is the perfect place to learn your craft and learn about the game.”
FAN CHANT BLAST
Leeds have slammed the “unacceptable” homophobic chants by supporters towards Crystal Palace’s Conor Gallagher on Tuesday.
Gallagher was subjected to taunts of ‘Chelsea rent boy’ by a group of fans during Leeds’ 1-0 win.
Whites skipper Liam Cooper was wearing a Rainbow Laces armband, with other emblems on show across Elland Road.
And the club said: “We are aware of a homophobic chant directed at a Crystal Palace player and we want to be very clear that this is unacceptable.
“We will continue to work closely with Marching Out Together and all of our supporter groups to ensure that we do everything within our power to eradicate homophobia and any other form of discrimination from our football club.”
ZIY’S THE ONE
Barcelona remain in talks with Chelsea over the potential transfers of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner – but allegedly have a preferred choice.
And Spanish publication SPORT have claimed they are keen to add both of the Blues forwards to their ranks.
Each individual is also said to be open to leaving Stamford Bridge for the Nou Camp.
However, Barcelona would prefer to bring in Ziyech next month should they only be able to complete one deal.
The Morocco ace only joined Chelsea from Ajax in the summer of 2020, along with Werner, but he is struggling for regular action under boss Thomas Tuchel.
The 28-year-old has been restricted to just 13 appearances this campaign and has only found the net twice.
HAMMER TIME
The prospect of West Ham making a January move for Jesse Lingard has increased after David Moyes admitted he needs to strengthen his attacking options.
Said Benrahma will miss most of January on Africa Cup of Nations duty to up the pressure on the London club’s limited options going forward.
And Moyes has said: “Maybe we can add to the front line in some way possible which might give us other alternatives as well.
“Said can play a couple of roles, he plays as a ten or off the left and we can decide on the day how we use him.
“I think you have to buy the right players then you might need players who need time to settle in.
“So of course we’d like to strengthen and of course, we want you to keep improving and challenge the teams at the top.”
STANDING HIS GROUND
Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has defended his comments that players would prefer to play for a London club for a lower weekly wage than what would be offered at Newcastle.
Agbonlahor has come under criticism for his words, but speaking on talkSPORT has insisted he sticks by them.
He said: “Let’s be honest, even Brentford, Watford, teams that are around Newcastle [in the league] at the moment, players aren’t going to go to Watford for the same money that they’ll go to Newcastle for.
“They’re going to choose Watford before Newcastle. I’ve had 10, 15 ex-players who have said ‘you’re spot on Gabby’. You say it how it is and it’s the truth and let’s be honest, it’s the truth.
“I’m sure Newcastle is an amazing city to live in and an amazing place but some players are going to want the lifestyle.
“Not every player, some aren’t bothered by that, but some are going to want the lifestyle of London and want to be closer to London. I stand by my words 100-per-cent.”
LEIPZIG RAID
RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku is the latest name to be linked with Manchester United.
Ralf Rangnick could raid his former club in order to bring some familiar faces to Old Trafford.
According to German outlet SportBild, the 24-year-old is Rangnick’s latest target.
Nkunku has been in stellar form this campaign, scoring 13 goals in all competitions so far.
That includes a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.
He’s already proven he can done it against United’s fiercest rivals, and he may get the chance to do it again in a Red Devils shirt.
Credit: Getty TONIGHT’S FIXTURES
And here’s a reminder of those games coming up tonight.
- Everton vs Liverpool (8.15pm)
- Watford vs Chelsea (7.30pm)
- Aston Villa vs Manchester City (8.15pm)
- Southampton vs Leicester (7.30pm)
- West Ham vs Brighton (7.30pm)
- Wolves vs Burnley (7.30pm0
AS IT STANDS
Here’s a look at the live Premier League table ahead of tonight’s six fixtures.
Remember last night Newcastle and Norwich drew 1-1, and Leeds beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
It means Eddie Howe’s side are still yet to win a Premier League game this campaign.
Chelsea meanwhile maintain a slender one point lead at the summit of the table, and will be looking to extend that after tonight’s trip to Watford.
TIMO TO OLD TRAFFORD?
Timo Werner has emerged as a shock transfer target for Manchester United.
According to German outlet SportBild, incoming boss Ralf Rangnick has pencilled in his countryman as a ‘candidate’ to join the club.
Rangnick signed Werner for RB Leipzig in 2016 and banged in the goals under his stewardship – netting 95 times in 159 games to be exact.
The Germany international however has not brought that form with him to Stamford Bridge.
But Rangnick could reportedly make a move for the striker in a bid to get him back firing.
CONTRACT STAND OFF
Ousmane Dembele has reportedly been given 15 days by Barcelona to make a decision on his future.
The winger is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been linked with a move to Newcastle.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona chiefs are keen for Dembele to extend his current deal, as is the player himself.
But the Frenchman’s agent is said to have rejected a number of offers, insisting on a ‘Ballon d’Or’ salary for his 20-year-old client.
Credit: Reuters JUST THE TWENTY GOALS
Ellen White went from centurion to record-breaker as England demolished Latvia in a 20-0 drubbing in Doncaster.
A fifth-minute screamer was among the efforts that saw the forward write her name into the history books as the Lionesses notched up their highest-scoring international win ever.
White’s second strike saw her register her 47th senior England goal, breaking the record of 46 set by Kelly Smith.
And the result – which included EIGHT first-half goals and FOUR hat-tricks – saw Sarina Wiegman’s aces make it six wins from six World Cup qualifiers.
Credit: PA PLENTY OF SUITORS
Fabrice Muamba believes Kalvin Phillips could leave boyhood club Leeds next summer, and will have plenty of clubs chasing after him.
Muamba has praised the England star for his range of passing, but doesn’t believe he scores enough goals.
Speaking on his Twitch channel, Muamba said: “Listen, Phillips will get a lot of offers come the transfer window, maybe not in January, but in summer a lot of teams will be after him because he’s a good footballer and he can pass the ball very well.
“I see him going somewhere like Manchester United or City, I don’t think he’ll go to Chelsea, but maybe he could go to Arsenal or maybe Tottenham.
“It depends which manager wants to take him, he’s a good box to box player, but he doesn’t score enough in his position.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
