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THOMAS TUCHEL has admitted that Romelu Lukaku’s match fitness remains some way off the standard required to match Chelsea’s intensity levels.The £97.5 million man was left out of the starting line-up yet once again for the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final triumph over Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Inter have reportedly re-opened the door for Lukaku to make a shocking return in the summer having initially ruled out the swoop.
And Antonio Rudiger’s exit plans are ramping up with rumours suggesting that the German international could end up at either Manchester United or Real Madrid.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the takeover in our live blog…
Mason Mount gets slammed
Mason Mount has been told he talks too much by ex-Liverpool star Jose Enrique after the Chelsea star claimed the Blues will beat the Reds in the Fa Cup final.
Enrique said of Mount: “This guy talks a lot. He did it to Toni Kroos as well [prior to Chelsea’s exit in the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid].
“Let’s see what happens in the final. At the moment you already lost one against us this season. Come on Reds!!!”
Arsenal star’s Chelsea regret
Arsenal star Eddie Nkietah is surprised Chelsea let him leave the club as a youngster.
He told the Beautiful Game podcast: “It wasn’t really my choice to be fair. I was at Chelsea from Under-10s to 14s and I got released at the end of under-14s so, it was kind of my first big set back in football,” admitted the Arsenal forward.
“It came as a bit of a surprise, to be honest. I was in the same age (group) as Declan, Mason, all these guys.
“So, when you’re young, it’s all you know. Going to Chelsea, in school you’re known as the kid who goes to Chelsea.
“It’s part of your identity, it’s hard to let go.
“It was tough to take to be fair, especially as I was doing so well at the time.”
Crystal Palace chase Chelsea duo
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has revealed he wants to sign Chelsea duo Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Gallagher’s loan deal with the Eagles expires this summer and Parish wants him to stay put.
And Parish would also like Gallagher’s Blues team-mate to join him at the club.
Parish said: “Conor will work out what he thinks the best thing for him is and that will that will be the catalyst for it. If there’s an opportunity to get him or even Ruben Loftus-Cheek then of course.
“These are top players and it’s been brilliant having him here this year, not just because of what he does on the pitch. Also because of the way he is around the place, the way he is with the media and supporters and because of how special a lad he is.”
Tuchel on reduced home crowd
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits it is unfortunate they will have a reduced crowd at Stamford Bridge tomorrow for the visit of Arsenal.
Sanctions place on the club mean the number of fans will be limited to about 25,000 season ticket holders in the 40,000-capactiy ground.
Tuchel told a pre-match press conference: “It’s not an advantage. We want to play home matches in front of a full stadium.
“The game is for the spectators and supporters so that’s bad news actually.”
Tuchel’s injury updates for Arsenal
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has given injury updates on three of his players ahead of tomorrow’s London derby with Arsenal.
The German told a pre-match press conference: “Kova (Mateo Kovacic) is out for the game with a ligament injury. Hopefully, he will not be longer than two weeks out.
“This is a long time for us in terms of games. Hopefully, as short as possible.
“Callum Hudson-Odoi is out for this game, and Ben Chilwell is out for the game.
“There are some players in doubt which we need to examine, but hopefully the rest are OK.”
Lacazette update ahead of Chelsea
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Alexandre Lacazette might be available for tomorrow’s crunch clash with Chelsea.
A positive Covid test saw the Gunners skipper miss Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Southampton.
When asked about him at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, Arteta said: “With Lacazette, we have to see him today to see whether he will be available with the team.”
Ferdinand backs Chelsea over Arsenal
Rio Ferdinand says he does not see Arsenal winning at Chelsea tomorrow night.
The Prem rivals will be looking to strengthen their top-four bids in a 7.45pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
Retired England defender and now pundit Ferdinand told the Vibe with Five YouTube channel: “It’s a massive game.
“Can Arsenal turn it around? I don’t know, it’s been a bad couple of games for them.
“Chelsea look to be back in form, got themselves in the final. Wow, I don’t see Arsenal getting a result there.”
It is finally Timo time?
After three brilliant displays on the spin – are Chelsea finally seeing the best of Timo Werner?
The Germany star has been routinely criticised for sub-par displays and a poor goal return for the Blues since his £54million arrival from RB Leipzig two years ago.
But the greasy-quick 26-year-old striker has looked like a player reborn this month.
He has bagged three goals in matches against Southampton and Real Madrid, and produced a man-of-the-match display in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final victory against Crystal Palace.
Lukaku to Inter link reemerges
Inter Milan have re-opened the door for a possible return for Romelu Lukaku, according to Gazetta.
The Blues’ £97.5million striker has had a difficult season back at Stamford Bridge and is struggling for regular starts.
And after previously ruling out a swoop for Lukaku, San Siro chiefs are now reportedly plotting a loan bid for their former talisman amid the chaos of protracted Chelsea’s takeover.
Rangnick unhappy with Chelsea reschedulement
Manchester United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick says the decision to bring Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford forward by nearly three weeks is far from ideal.
The Prem clash was scheduled for May 15 but will now be played on April 28 after Chelsea booked an FA Cup final meeting with Liverpool on May 14.
It has left Champions League-chasing United with a congested run-in at a time when they have key players out injured.
Rangnick told Manchester United’s website: “For us it’s not good because we have a number of injured players so it would have been better for the Chelsea game to be played two weeks later when it was originally planned.
“But anyway we have to deal with it and hopefully by then we have two or three of those injured players available again.”
Real or United for Rudiger?
If Antonio Rudiger does leave Chelsea this summer it seems he is likely to walk into another vital role at a top European club.
The Daily Mirror report likely incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is considering stripping Harry Maguire of their captaincy and replacing him at centre-back with Rudiger.
ESPN say “multiple sources” have told them Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti wants the 29-year-old Germany star, who will be a free agent in the summer.
Of course there is option No 3 – he stays at Chelsea, and Rudiger told The Athletic: “I feel great here, I have always said it.
“I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here. But there are also other people who have to make decisions.”
Rescheduled Chelsea fixture ‘angers’ United
The decision to bring Chelsea’s visit to Manchester United forward by nearly three weeks has left the Red Devils “fuming”, according to the Express.
The Prem clash was scheduled for May 15 but will now be played on April 28 after Chelsea booked an FA Cup final meeting with Liverpool on May 14.
It has left Champions League-chasing United with a congested run-in at a time when they have key players out injured.
Good morning Chelsea fans
LaLiga leaders Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea’s Reece James, according to reports.
The Mirror are reporting that James, 22, played against Real in the Champions League quarter-finals this month and Carlo Ancelotti is said to have been impressed.
Two Chelsea bidders are “closely monitoring” Paul Mitchell as they prepare to hire a new sporting director, according to reports.
The post at Stamford Bridge has been vacant since Michael Emenalo left the club in 2017.
And Mancunian Mitchell, 40, is being chased by at least two of the three parties left in the running to buy the Blues, say The Athletic.
German Thomas Tuchel has looked ahead to next month’s FA Cup final clash with Liverpool.
He said: “We lost of course a final against them when we gave everything and it went until the very last penalty. We were unlucky and we want to turn things around.
“We were here last season in the FA Cup final and we will be here again.
“That means an unbelievable lot to us because it’s the FA Cup, it’s prestigious, the most traditional cup in the world and played at Wembley, so there are not a lot of bigger games to be part of.
“We will be well prepared because we play against one of the strongest teams in the world that have outstanding form. So it will be a tough one and we will try to make life hard for them.”
Money Mase steps up again
Mason Mount has been in unbelievable form for Chelsea this season.
England boss Gareth Southgate will be pleased.

Romelu Lukaku highest earner
Romelu Lukaku is Chelsea’s top earner.

Tuchel criticises Romelu Lukaku fitness
Thomas Tuchel revealed before yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final that Romelu Lukaku’s match fitness remains some way off the standard required to match Chelsea’s tactical intensity.
The German noted: “He is not fit enough for the intensity of our game in an FA Cup semi-final.
“It’s not easy to come into a game such as this with so much riding on it after a spell out with injury.
“It’s just a case of him not having as much minutes recently as the other players, his match fitness is not quite there otherwise there’s a big chance that he would have started today.”
Loftus-Cheek fires Chelsea into FA Cup final
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored in the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The England international helped secure the Blues’ place in the final for the third season in a row.

Chelsea ‘closely monitoring’ Monaco sporting director
Two Chelsea bidders are “closely monitoring” Paul Mitchell as they prepare to hire a new sporting director, according to reports.
The post at Stamford Bridge has been vacant since Michael Emenalo left the club in 2017.
And Mancunian Mitchell, 40, is being chased by at least two of the three parties left in the running to buy the Blues, say The Athletic.
The shortlist to take over from Roman Abramovich at Chelsea had been cut to four parties.
But after the group led by the Ricketts family withdrew their proposal, the race is now between groups led by Todd Boehly, Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton.
All parties are keen on keeping transfer supremo Marina Granovskaia.
Chelsea owner search continues
Chelsea are yet to be bought from Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

Loftus-Cheek keen to stay
Chelsea academy product Ruben Loftus-Cheek is keen to stay at the club.
The midfielder helped fire Chelsea into a third consecutive FA Cup final in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Goal scorer Loftus-Cheek said: “Everyone wants to play and I feel like I’ve done well in the last couple of games and I wanted to keep the momentum, but the strength in depth in the squad is fantastic.
“The reason why I’m still here is because of my mentality through all the injuries.
“I keep going and I still believe in myself. My time will come and I will keep knuckling down and working for it.”
Real Madrid eye Chelsea’s James
LaLiga leaders Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea’s Reece James, according to reports.
The Mirror are reporting that James, 22, played against Real in the Champions League quarter-finals this month and Carlo Ancelotti is said to have been impressed.
Chelsea lost the tie 5-4 on aggregate after the game went to extra-time at the Bernabeu.
James could be a good upgrade on current right-back Dani Carvajal.
Main man Mason Mount
Mason Mount has been Chelsea’s main man this season.

Watch Tuchel go ballistic at Jorginho 
Thomas Tuchel went ballistic on the touchline after Jorginho was caught dawdling on the ball against Crystal Palace – and fans were quick to notice.
At times, in-form Palace looked as though they could spring a surprise, too.
And, midway through the first half, it all got a bit too much for Tuchel.
Jorginho was caught dawdling on the ball in the middle of the park.
While the Italian did win a free-kick, Tuchel was left fuming.

Ex-Chelsea doctor owns English football club
Seven years ago, Eva Carneiro got in a row with Jose Mourinho while she was Chelsea physio.
She subsequently lost her job with the Blues, but was paid damages for her dismissal in court.
Now, she is thriving in football once again – as an investor in non-league Lewes FC.
The Gibraltan, 48, is also working with the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar ahead of this year’s World Cup.
It completes a remarkable turn-around in fortunes for the doctor.
In 2015, then Chelsea boss Mourinho was left incensed when she ran onto the pitch with chief physio Jon Fearn to treat an injured Eden Hazard during a Premier League match with Swansea.
The Special One was livid that the match was interrupted in injury time, as Chelsea pushed for a winner.
Credit: PA:Press Association
Blues in another final
Chelsea will contest the FA Cup final next month for the THIRD year in a row.
They lost the last two to Leicester and Arsenal.
They will face Liverpool, who they lost to in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year.
Third time lucky?

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THOMAS TUCHEL has admitted that Romelu Lukaku’s match fitness remains some way off the standard required to match Chelsea’s intensity levels.The £95 million man was left out of the starting line-up yet once again for the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final triumph over Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, two of the four Chelsea bidders are reportedly monitoring Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell’s situation.
And on the transfer front, rumour suggest that Real Madrid are lining up a big money move for Reece James in the summer.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the takeover in our live blog…
Money Mase steps up again
Mason Mount has been in unbelievable form for Chelsea this season.
England boss Gareth Southgate will be pleased.

Romelu Lukaku highest earner
Romelu Lukaku is Chelsea’s top earner.

Tuchel criticises Romelu Lukaku fitness
Thomas Tuchel revealed before yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final that Romelu Lukaku’s match fitness remains some way off the standard required to match Chelsea’s tactical intensity.
The German noted: “He is not fit enough for the intensity of our game in an FA Cup semi-final.
“It’s not easy to come into a game such as this with so much riding on it after a spell out with injury.
“It’s just a case of him not having as much minutes recently as the other players, his match fitness is not quite there otherwise there’s a big chance that he would have started today.”
Loftus-Cheek fires Chelsea into FA Cup final
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored in the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The England international helped secure the Blues’ place in the final for the third season in a row.

Chelsea ‘closely monitoring’ Monaco sporting director
Two Chelsea bidders are “closely monitoring” Paul Mitchell as they prepare to hire a new sporting director, according to reports.
The post at Stamford Bridge has been vacant since Michael Emenalo left the club in 2017.
And Mancunian Mitchell, 40, is being chased by at least two of the three parties left in the running to buy the Blues, say The Athletic.
The shortlist to take over from Roman Abramovich at Chelsea had been cut to four parties.
But after the group led by the Ricketts family withdrew their proposal, the race is now between groups led by Todd Boehly, Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton.
All parties are keen on keeping transfer supremo Marina Granovskaia.
Chelsea owner search continues
Chelsea are yet to be bought from Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

Loftus-Cheek keen to stay
Chelsea academy product Ruben Loftus-Cheek is keen to stay at the club.
The midfielder helped fire Chelsea into a third consecutive FA Cup final in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Goal scorer Loftus-Cheek said: “Everyone wants to play and I feel like I’ve done well in the last couple of games and I wanted to keep the momentum, but the strength in depth in the squad is fantastic.
“The reason why I’m still here is because of my mentality through all the injuries.
“I keep going and I still believe in myself. My time will come and I will keep knuckling down and working for it.”
Real Madrid eye Chelsea’s James
LaLiga leaders Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea’s Reece James, according to reports.
The Mirror are reporting that James, 22, played against Real in the Champions League quarter-finals this month and Carlo Ancelotti is said to have been impressed.
Chelsea lost the tie 5-4 on aggregate after the game went to extra-time at the Bernabeu.
James could be a good upgrade on current right-back Dani Carvajal.
Main man Mason Mount
Mason Mount has been Chelsea’s main man this season.

Watch Tuchel go ballistic at Jorginho 
Thomas Tuchel went ballistic on the touchline after Jorginho was caught dawdling on the ball against Crystal Palace – and fans were quick to notice.
At times, in-form Palace looked as though they could spring a surprise, too.
And, midway through the first half, it all got a bit too much for Tuchel.
Jorginho was caught dawdling on the ball in the middle of the park.
While the Italian did win a free-kick, Tuchel was left fuming.

Ex-Chelsea doctor owns English football club
Seven years ago, Eva Carneiro got in a row with Jose Mourinho while she was Chelsea physio.
She subsequently lost her job with the Blues, but was paid damages for her dismissal in court.
Now, she is thriving in football once again – as an investor in non-league Lewes FC.
The Gibraltan, 48, is also working with the Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar ahead of this year’s World Cup.
It completes a remarkable turn-around in fortunes for the doctor.
In 2015, then Chelsea boss Mourinho was left incensed when she ran onto the pitch with chief physio Jon Fearn to treat an injured Eden Hazard during a Premier League match with Swansea.
The Special One was livid that the match was interrupted in injury time, as Chelsea pushed for a winner.
Credit: PA:Press Association
Blues in another final
Chelsea will contest the FA Cup final next month for the THIRD year in a row.
They lost the last two to Leicester and Arsenal.
They will face Liverpool, who they lost to in the Carabao Cup final earlier this year.
Third time lucky?

Ex-Tottenham chief in Chelsea frame
Two Chelsea bidders are “closely monitoring” Paul Mitchell as they prepare to hire a new sporting director, according to reports.
The post at Stamford Bridge has been vacant since Michael Emenalo left the club in 2017.
And Mancunian Mitchell, 40, is being chased by at least two of the three parties left in the running to buy the Blues, say The Athletic.
The shortlist to take over from Roman Abramovich at Chelsea had been cut to four parties.
But after the group led by the Ricketts family withdrew their proposal, the race is now between groups led by Todd Boehly, Stephen Pagliuca and Sir Martin Broughton.
Frank Leboeuf hammers Chelsea midfielder
Ex-Blue Frank Leboeuf has slammed Blues ace Jorginho.
Speaking to ESPN after yesterday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, Leboeuf pointed to the Italian’s main flaw.
He said: “With all due respect to Jorginho, yes, he’s there, he doesn’t lose the ball, but sometimes he slows down the game, and that’s not a very good thing for Chelsea.”
Chelsea match club goal record
Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s strike yesterday saw the Blues match an unusual club record.
The midfielder became the 20th Chelsea player to score this season – the joint highest number of scorers in the club’s history.
The tally matches the club’s from the 2015-16 season, during which they came tenth in the Premier League.
Tuchel looks ahead to final
German Thomas Tuchel has looked ahead to next month’s FA Cup final clash with Liverpool.
He said: “We lost of course a final against them when we gave everything and it went until the very last penalty. We were unlucky and we want to turn things around.
“We were here last season in the FA Cup final and we will be here again.
“That means an unbelievable lot to us because it’s the FA Cup, it’s prestigious, the most traditional cup in the world and played at Wembley, so there are not a lot of bigger games to be part of.
“We will be well prepared because we play against one of the strongest teams in the world that have outstanding form. So it will be a tough one and we will try to make life hard for them.”
Mount desperate for Wembley success
Chelsea ace Mason Mount is desperate to taste Wembley final success next month.
The midfielder has lost showpiece occasions under the arch while playing for Derby, England and the Blues.
After yesterday’s cup semi-final win, he said: “I haven’t had the best memories in finals at Wembley so to get to another one is an opportunity to make it right and to finally win one.
“I’ve always said that I want to win the big trophies and the FA Cup is one of the biggest.
“We know it’s going to be a very hard game against Liverpool. We watched the game yesterday and we know what they bring but every time we play them there are fireworks so it’s a fairytale game.
“Of course we remember the last final we played and we have an opportunity to put that right now.
“It’s definitely time for us to win a final at Wembley. For myself, it’s been five finals I’ve lost so now we have to put the pressure on ourselves to step up.”
Tuchel hopes star pushes on
Thomas Tuchel is optimistic that yesterday’s goal against Crystal Palace could be huge for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The German said: “Hopefully it’s a big moment for him.
“He’s normally a very calm, very quiet guy but we saw him jumping and celebrating the goal and that is good because he’s the opposite of over-confident.
“You need to instil this confidence into his body and into his game and these are the next steps for him, that he can absolutely feel how much influence he can have, and that he shows everybody in the stadium his potential, and not only to us on the training ground.”
Chelsea ace on goalscoring prowess
Mason Mount has admitted that scoring more goals has been a focus of his this season.
After his latest strike against Crystal Palace, he said: “It’s obviously been quite a productive season for me.
“At the start, it was something I really looked at because as a midfielder you want to be someone who gets goals and assists.
“I’ve always wanted to be that threat and I’ve tried to do it as best I can.
“It’s started to come off a bit more this season but you always have those periods where you don’t score as well and I’ve had those this season too.
“It’s been a good little period the last couple of games. I’ve just been trying to focus on getting in the box and trying to take my opportunities.
“I had a couple of shots today and they went miles over but then I had the one right at the end where it’s the best chance out of all of them. I’ve got to take it and I found the corner which is something I’ve been working on in training.”
Mount delighted for Loftus-Cheek.
Chelsea star Mason Mount is “buzzing” for Ruben Loftus-Cheek after his fellow academy graduate opened the scoring against Crystal Palace yesterday.
He said: “I’m absolutely buzzing for Rubes.
“He’s worked so hard to get back into the shape he is now and he’s a top player. He came on in a difficult game but stepped up and did well.
“He’s a big, dominant player for us and the way he drives the ball forward really helps us move up the pitch. He was brilliant today when he came on.”
Mount praises much-maligned star
Mason Mount has been full of praise for often-criticised German ace Timo Werner.
Following yesterday’s win, the England international said: “He’s been brilliant since he came in at Southampton and then in Madrid.
“You can see he’s full of energy. In the second half there was a moment where he missed a chance but then me and Jorginho were laughing on the bench because he sprinted all the way back to the halfway line and made a tackle.
“That’s what we’re all about. He gives everything so I’m very pleased for him.
“He got me a little assist, could have had another one and he could have had a couple of goals as well. He’s done so well the past couple of games.”
James is on Real radar
Real Madrid are plotting a sensational swoop for Chelsea star Reece James this summer, according to reports.
The Blues right-back, 22, has been in superb form this season – excelling in attack as well as defensively.
James is quickly establishing himself as England’s No1 man in that position despite Gareth Southgate’s plethora of options.
And Real Madrid are hoping to lure him away from Old Trafford in the summer, according to The Mirror.
Los Blancos recently got a close look at James during their Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea.
James was in scintillating form as the Blues came within touching distance of a stunning second-leg comeback at the Bernabeu.
Mount talks Palace cup win
Chelsea ace Mason Mount has offered his reaction to yesterday’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final victory over Crystal Palace.
The midfielder said: “It’s a game that we needed to bounce back. Any time you play at Wembley, it’s a special occasion. I can’t remember the last time I scored here but I think it was quite a while ago.
“If you look at the game overall, it was very tight. I was speaking to Marc Guehi afterwards and saying how well they played and how good they are as a team with top players.
“They made it very difficult for us with the way they set up. They have a very good manager and we found it difficult. It took quite a long time for us to break them down.
“We didn’t have many chances until we scored, which opened the game up. They had to go forward a bit more, which left more gaps and then we got the second which was the game killed off.”
Tuchel criticises Romelu Lukaku fitness
Thomas Tuchel revealed before yesterday’s FA Cup semi-final that Romelu Lukaku’s match fitness remains some way off the standard required to match Chelsea’s tactical intensity.
The German noted: “He is not fit enough for the intensity of our game in an FA Cup semi-final.
“It’s not easy to come into a game such as this with so much riding on it after a spell out with injury.
“It’s just a case of him not having as much minutes recently as the other players, his match fitness is not quite there otherwise there’s a big chance that he would have started today.”
Joe Cole’s Lukaku warning revealed
Joe Cole has warned Romelu Lukaku he has just SIX WEEKS to save his Chelsea career.
Former Blue Cole told ITV: “Lukaku has six weeks to save his Chelsea career.
“You look at Werner and he doesn’t give up. Lukaku wants to be that focal point but he missed a chance.
“When it’s not going for you, it’s not going for you.
“People saw Lukaku as the missing piece of the jigsaw, it didn’t happen.
“But it can come back as quickly as it goes. Football can change in one game.”
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