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    Chelsea fought off competition from Brentford for Charlton talent Mason Burstow, who has been likened to Jermain Defoe

    ON transfer deadline day, Chelsea managed to squeeze in a deal for EFL’s hottest talent, Mason Burstow.The Charlton rookie, 18, has had a meteoric rise after coming through the youth ranks at non-league Welling United and Maidstone United.
    Wonderkid Mason Burstow is one of the EFL’s hottest talentsCredit: Rex
    Burstow signed for Chelsea on transfer deadline day
    He joined the Addicks in 2000, and sensationally introduced himself by scoring for the club with his FIRST TOUCH in professional football in a Papa Johns Trophy clash against Crawley.
    Since then, he has continued to provide a threat in attack – finding the net six times in his first 16 games for the South London side.
    It’s that kind of form that encouraged Chelsea to pounce on the youngster – paying around £2million to secure his services, beating Premier League rivals Brentford to the punch, before loaning him back to the League One team.
    They’ve had their eye on him
    Burstow was spotted early doors by Chelsea’s scouts when he played for Maidstone at 16.
    After starring in a game, ironically against Charlton, he was invited to Cobham to train.
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    Although they passed on the opportunity to sign him, Burstow stayed on the club’s radar.
    In 2020, the Plumstead-born poacher joined local club Charlton on a two-year scholarship deal.
    He would soon get Charlton development lead coach Anthony Hayes purring about his ability.
    Ambitious and full of potential
    Back in December, Hayes spoke of Burstow’s ambition and his game.
    “He’s someone who we consider a high-potential player,” Hayes told the South London Press.
    “I wouldn’t want to put any pressure on him because I know he sets his own targets.
    “I know there is a lot of goal-setting in terms of creating and scoring goals, as well as making first-team appearances.
    “What I do think he is, is a centre-forward who can do everything. He can run away from the ball and he can drop in and link play.”
    While, News Shopper journalist Henry Tomlinson compared Burstow to ex-West Ham and Tottenham hotshot Jermain Defoe.
    “He’s got that rare talent of just wanting to prove himself, he doesn’t stop running, he doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder, he’s just wanting to do the best he can each time he goes out,” Tomlinson told the Chelsea Chronicle.
    Teenager Burstow flies through the air to head home against HartlepoolCredit: PA
    Burstow leaps for joy at The ValleyCredit: PA
    “I’ve seen him live a couple of times now and he sort of reminds me a little bit of a young Defoe.
    “His movement between the lines, he’s got a bit of that poacher finishing ability and he’s got a bit more height. His goal against Fleetwood was with his head.
    “So, maybe, he could have potential more skill set or be a bit more rounded than Defoe was, which would be a fantastic career if he was able to emulate Defoe because obviously, he’s one of the best Premier League goal scorers of all time.”
    Goals galore
    Like Defoe, Burstow has the same ruthlessness in front of goal which is translated well to the Charlton first team.
    Since ex-manager Nigel Adkins handed him his debut back in August – in the 6-1 demolition of Crawley – Mason is yet to look back.
    Back in November, he found the net in the FA Cup in a 4-0 win over Havant & Waterlooville.
    Last month, he scored a consolation in a 2-1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra in the league followed.
    Then he followed that up with a strike in a 2-0 win against Fleetwood.
    Burstow has been in and amongst the goals at CharltonCredit: Rex
    Chelsea is Burstow’s next stop in his quest for success
    Sensibly, Chelsea have decided to let Burstow play out the remainder of this season with the Addicks as he continues his development.
    Then comes the hard work where he will transition into Neil Bath’s Blues academy.
    You wouldn’t put it past Burstow, the eager overachiever, to flourish there too. More

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    Declan Rice puts Man Utd and Chelsea on transfer red alert by revealing his career goals in chat with Gary Neville

    DECLAN RICE put Premier League giants on red alert by reiterating his desire to ‘win everything’.The West Ham and England ace, 23, has been heavily linked with a move back to Chelsea as well as both Manchester clubs.
    Rice has stated his desire to win trophiesCredit: Getty
    Despite the Irons being fourth in the Prem, still in the Europa League and FA cup, the midfielder’s comments may worry the Hammers faithful.
    Asked about his future ambitions on Gary Neville’s Overlap, Rice said: “The main one for me is that I don’t want to have a career where I’ve not won anything.
    “I’ve grown up seeing all these top players win all the big trophies, like yourself, winning the Premier League so many times and the Champions League.
    “Me as a football fan, and also as a player, I want to win the best stuff.
    “I want to win the Premier League, I want to lift that trophy.
    “I want to win the Champions League, the FA Cups, the League Cups, even stuff with England, I want to win it all.
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    “As a footballer, if you’ve not got that ambition, why are you playing?
    “They’re the best moments of your life when you win those types of trophies, they’re special days.
    “I’ve not won anything yet. I was close with England [at the Euros], but I’ve thought about it before…
    “What would that day be like lifting the trophy, the night out after, the memories you’re going to have.
    “So I definitely want to have those experiences of winning trophies and being the best I can be.”
    West Ham value Rice well north of £100million.
    His contract expires in 2024 but the Hammers have an option to extend by a further year.
    And despite his desire to win the biggest trophies, the 27-cap international said reports linking him with a London Stadium departure are ‘just noise’.
    Rice added: “You’re constantly reading stuff about myself, [Jarrod] Bowen, [Manuel] Lanzini, you’re constantly reading stuff about players.
    “Of course if you’re performing well and there’s top clubs around there’s always going to be people circling.
    “But I never actually read too much into it or believe anything until something actually happens.
    “To me, it’s just all noise.
    “I’ve got to stay focussed on what I’ve got to do at West Ham which is perform week in week out and try and be the best player because that’s what I want to be.” More

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    ‘Big Phil’ Scolari reveals he had to quit Chelsea after ‘a few problems with one or two players off the field’

    FORMER Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has lifted the lid on why he was given the boot by the West London club.Big Phil became Blues boss in the summer of 2008 – but he was ousted after just seven months at Stamford Bridge.
    Luiz Felipe Scolari was given the boot by Chelsea after just seven monthsCredit: AFP – Getty
    And he’s now revealed that off-filed bust-ups with Drogba and Anelka were the cause of his dismissalCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
    And now the Brazilian – who masterminded Brazil’s World Cup triumph in 2002 – has revealed that clashes with Blues icon Didier Drogba and French striker Nicolas Anelka were the reasons for his Chelsea exit.
    Scolari, 73, told the Daily Mail: “I had a few problems with one or two players.
    “Didier Drogba was injured and when he returned, I had a bit of difficulty organising the team with him and Nicolas Anelka.
    “I tried to speak with the players to make them understand their positioning, but I wasn’t able to make myself understood to make them do what I needed.
    “So we had a few problems off the field, not on the field.”
    But despite all the drama off the pitch, Scolari was happy with the achievements he made on the field with the Blues.
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    He added: “Some results happened, which nobody wanted, but I left the club in good conditions in all competitions: fourth in the Premier League, qualified to the Champions League and in the FA Cup.”
    However, Scolari revealed that he is on good terms with both Drogba and Anelka after clear the air talks years later.
    Scolari continued: “Unfortunately, there was this communication problem with the players.
    “But we talked about it a few years later and it is all in order. I don’t think it deserves a lot of attention now. It’s all in the past.”
    One Premier League star that Scolari had no issues with is Cristiano Ronaldo.
    While Scolari was managing Portugal, Ronaldo’s father died – and the tragic event proved to be a catalyst in strengthening the pair’s relationship. More

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    Man Utd ‘watching developments closely’ as Ralf Rangnick ponders free transfer swoop for Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger

    MANCHESTER UNITED are pondering a free transfer swoop for Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger, according to reports. The German defender is out of contract in the summer and isn’t looking any closer to agreeing to new terms with the west London club.
    Rudiger reportedly turned down a £200k-a-week contract offer from ChelseaCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    In fact, it is believed that Rudiger rejected a contract offer worth an eye watering £200,000-a-week.
    And Rudiger’s contract situation has rivals Manchester United – managed by Ralf Rangnick – ‘watching developments closely’, according to the Daily Mail.
    Rangnick will move into an advisory role at the end of the season to help pave way for a younger, long-term manager.
    Nonetheless, Rangnick is a big fan of Rudiger and he is someone who he’d like to see play for United.
    Clubs outside of England hold the edge over United though, as they’re able to negotiate pre-contracts from January 1.
    Both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are believed to have already tabled offers for the 28-year-old Champions League winner.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS FOR THE AFCON
    But Chelsea are still confident they can get Rudiger to agree to new terms, despite the riches that come with a free transfer.
    Fellow defender Andreas Christensen is also out of contract come the summer, as is club captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
    Cash-strapped Barcelona are keen to sign Azpilicueta, 32, for free.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Chelsea star N’Golo Kante could have joined Middlesbrough after fan spotted him playing while on holiday in 2013

    N’GOLO KANTE could have signed for Middlesbrough in 2013 had the Teesside outfit listened to the advice of one eagle-eyed fan.Boro supporter Dennis Abbott called on the club to make a move for the Frenchman while he was on holiday in Normandy.
    A Boro fan called on the club to sign N’Golo Kante nine years agoCredit: AFP

    Abbott watched Kante play for Caen in 2013 – two years before Leicester poached him from Ligue 1 in a £5.6million deal.
    And, having recognised his enormous talent, he immediately brought the midfielder to Boro’s attention.
    The fan labelled the Frenchman ‘an outstanding creative player’ in a tweet sent to the Teesside club.
    Abbott wrote: “Boro scouts, tell Tony Mowbray to check out Caen midfielder N’Golo Kante before Wenger gets him. Top top player.”
    The club acknowledged Abbott’s comment, saying it had been ‘passed on to scouts’.
    The fan continued: “That’s great. He’s an outstanding creative player, winning plaudits from media & players alike.”
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    Rather dismissively, Boro replied: “Thanks Dennis – they’re going to look.”
    Fast forward to the present and Kante has won the 2018 World Cup and is a two-time Premier League winner – while also winning the Champions League last season at Chelsea.
    He played the key role in Leicester’s miraculous Premier League triumph in 2016 – before moving to Chelsea for £30m later that summer to secure back-to-back league titles.
    The Frenchman has also won the FA Cup and the Europa League title with the Blues before continental success under Thomas Tuchel – cementing his reputation as one of the world’s best midfielders.
    And Boro fans fumed they missed out on such a gem, with one joking: “Dodged a bullet here lads, I’m glad we ended up with Lee Tomlin instead.”
    Another tweeted: “Hey Boro, have ya fired the scouts yet?”
    A third wrote: “Can we get Tony Mowbray’s evaluation at the time?”
    Meanwhile one simply said: “This is mental to be honest.” More

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    Romelu Lukaku models Chelsea’s new pre-match kit as fans joke Inter Milan-inspired shirt will make him feel at home

    ROMELU LUKAKU was mercilessly trolled after modelling Chelsea’s new pre-match kit which looks strikingly similar to his former club Inter Milan’s colours. The Belgian landed himself in hot water last December after claiming he would ‘100 per cent still be at Inter’ if they’d offered him a new contract.
    Lukaku modelled Chelsea’s new pre-match kit which looks strikingly similar to Inter’s coloursCredit: CHELSEA FC
    Lukaku also expressed his desire to play at Inter again riling Blues fans.
    But in a sit down chat with the club’s media channel in the aftermath of his bombshell Sky Italia interview, the 28-year-old star said sorry unreservedly and has since helped Chelsea reach a Carabao Cup final.
    But with the release of Chelsea’s new pre-match kit, fans are hoping the Inter Milan-inspired kit helps Lukaku feel at home and get him back among the goals again.
    A Twitter user joked: “Chelsea have actually released an Inter Milan themed kit to keep Lukaku happy.”
    Another quipped: “Chelsea’s new pre-match kit looks very INTEResting.
    “Look at the smile on Lukaku’s face.”
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    One Blues fan added: “Chelsea really released a new kit that looked like Inter Milan’s kit just so Lukaku would start performing.”
    Chelsea have a busy February schedule with Thomas Tuchel’s men set to contest two trophies.
    The European champions play in the Club World Cup semi-final on February 9 in Abu Dhabi.
    Tuchel’s men also have a date with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 27. More

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    Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia treats Thomas Tuchel to dinner and a magic show ahead of FA Cup clash

    CHELSEA chief Marina Granovskaia treated Thomas Tuchel and staff to a nice dinner and magic show ahead of their FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle.The European champions have a busy month ahead of them with two trophies up for grabs.
    Redfearn posed for a photo alongside Granovskaia and TuchelCredit: INSTAGRAM: DAVIDREDFEARN
    Tuchel’s Chelsea will contest the Club World Cup and the Carabao Cup final this monthCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    Chelsea will compete in the Club World Cup next week and towards the end of the month they will play Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
    And to reward Tuchel, as well as his staff for their success at Chelsea, chief Granovskaia treated them to dinner and a magic show with David Redfearn.
    Granovskaia and Tuchel were all smiles as they posed alongside Chelsea’s resident magician Redfearn.
    In the picture, Tuchel can be seen holding a card as if he had taken part in one of Redfearn’s mesmerising tricks.
    Redfearn posted the picture on Instagram, writing: “What an honour!
    “Performed magic last night to the total gentleman Thomas Tuchel, Marina Granovskaia and the Chelsea backroom staff. #magician”
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    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
    The Wednesday night outing proved Tuchel is a popular figure at the west London club despite the recent poor run of form.
    The Blues have won just three of their last 10 Premier League games – a record that was fatal for his predecessor Frank Lampard.
    Defeats to title rivals Manchester City and top four hopefuls West Ham were in that ten-game period, as well as draws to Everton, Wolves, Brighton and Liverpool. More

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    Meet Chelsea star Kepa’s stunning Wag Andrea, who won Miss Universe Spain in 2020 and was an ex-basketball star

    MEET Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s stunning new Wag Andrea Martinez.The Spanish beauty, 29, has been quietly dating the shotstopper for some time, but recently revealed they were an item on Instagram with a loved-up photo together.
    Meet Andrea Martinez, a former Miss Universe Spain winnerCredit: Instagram
    Chelsea goalie Kepa recently revealed he is dating MartinezCredit: Instagram
    Leggy model Martinez stands at 5ft 9inCredit: Instagram
    Fellow Spain shot-stopper David De Gea commented on the post by sharing a heart emoji.
    And several Chelsea players were also delighted with the news and showed warmth towards their team-mate.
    Kai Havertz commented: “Oh Kepinho” alongside a heart-eyes emoji.
    Jorginho wrote: “Kepinhaaa papi.”
    In 2020, Martinez won the crown of Miss Universe Spain in her homeland.
    The brunette is also a former basketball star who represented her country at U15 level.
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    Miss Universe
    Martinez’s crowning glory came at Los Olivos Beach in Tenerife two years ago.
    She beat rivals Andrea de las Heras from Madrid and Ainhoa Portillo from Malaga to win Miss Universe Spain, which allowed her to later travel to Las Vegas to compete in Miss Universe.
    Miss Universe Spain 2017 Sofia del Prado handed her the award as she beamed on the podium.
    Martinez later took to social media to express her surprise and delight with her win.
    “I still don’t believe that this has happened. I am Miss Universe Spain,” she wrote.
    Martinez was crowned Miss Universe Spain in 2020Credit: Instagram
    After winning the beauty pageant, Martinez expressed her surpriseCredit: Instagram
    Martinez is already accustomed to the high-lifeCredit: Instagram
    She’s a baller too
    Alongside her studies (she would eventually receive a diploma in Business Administration and Management), Martinez was an aspiring basketball player.
    She was a standout star at high school in Leon, northwest Spain where she grew up.
    Eventually she would represent the Castilla y Leon district team, travelling around the country participating in youth championships across Spain.
    Martinez was also selected for the Spanish U15 basketball team in 2006.
    Advocate for anti-bullying
    When she was a youngster, Martinez was bullied at school.
    She has said in the past it was an inner strength that got her through her formative years.
    Brunette beauty Martinez beams in a selfieCredit: Instagram
    Martinez has revealed in the past she was bulliedCredit: Instagram
    Before she won Miss Universe Martinez aspired to be a basketball star
    Now a Wag, Martinez will be enjoying living the high life with her footballer beau
    After winning Miss Universe Spain, she put her new found fame to advocate against bullying – joining several campaigns on the matter.
    She believes beauty is on the inside and not on the outside, something she learned competing in beauty pageants.
    Now, as a fully fledged Wag she will have a bigger voice to share her thoughts to the wider world. More