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      Ashley Cole reveals ‘quiet’ Romelu Lukaku shadowed Didier Drogba in Chelsea training before becoming ‘ruthless’ striker

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      ROMELU LUKAKU was ‘quiet’ when he arrived at Chelsea to play with his idol Didier Drogba, but returns a decade later as a ‘ruthless’ finisher. That is insight from legendary left-back Ashley Cole, who remembers boyhood Blues fan Lukaku signing as a 17-year-old from Anderlecht in 2011. 
      Romelu Lukaku training with Didier Drogba in 2011Credit: Getty
      Ashley Cole speaking at the launch of Three’s new store in Kings RoadCredit: Karolina Krasuska
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      The Belgian striker looked up to Drogba on and off the pitch and would receive regular mentoring from the Stamford Bridge icon. Speaking at the launch of Three’s new store in Kings Road, Cole, 40, told SunSport: “He was quiet.
      “He came as a 17-year-old boy, with a huge amount of talent, raw talent at that, but someone always willing to listen, to the likes of Didier Drogba.
      “He was his idol, he looked up to Didier so I think it was very important for him to have the opportunity day to day to see how Didier works.
      “Didier worked with him a lot in terms of the individual movements, different shooting practices and gave him that little bit of mentality that was needed.” 
      Lukaku, now 28, spent four years at Chelsea but made only 15 appearances without scoring a goal and had loans with West Brom and Everton. 

      It left Blues fans still in the dark about the powerhouse’s ability, but behind the scenes Cole recognised the talent which Lukaku has later gone on to prove away from West London. 
      He said: “He was a boy, 17 years of age. Very difficult to nail down a position or place in Chelsea’s first team.
      “He had a lot of work to do but you could always see he was willing to do it and wanted to do it.
      “So already you see that mentality and you always knew if he got that opportunity he would take it, as I said, he was willing to graft on the training pitch.
      “And now he’s improved in certain aspects of his game and he’s developed into a ruthless striker, one of the top strikers in the world now.”
      “Didier worked with him a lot in terms of the individual movements, different shooting practices and gave him that little bit of mentality that was needed.” Ashley Cole on Romelu Lukaku and Didier Drogba
      In the years since leaving Chelsea permanently in 2014, Lukaku has shined at Everton, got himself a big money move to Manchester United before then joining Inter Milan in 2019. 
      And Lukaku appeared happy in Milan this summer, having last season helped them to a first Serie A title in 11 years. 
      But the opportunity to re-write history with the club he grew up supporting proved too hard to turn down for the Belgium international, who moved back to Chelsea for £97.5million. 
      ‘UNFINISHED BUSINESS’
      Cole said: “It’s always difficult, you talk about this was his boyhood club, I bet he would feel – even though he was a kid – that it didn’t go well. That’s why he’s come back with the unfinished business.
      “He would’ve been disappointed to leave the club at the start, but to come back with a name, a big personality, and knowing what he’s done in major tournaments, he’s contributed and scored goals, he’s worked and developed and he’s been playing with top, top players.
      “He comes back now and maybe with unfinished business, but no one can take away what he’s done already and hopefully he can come back and help Chelsea continue to win trophies.” 
      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who won the Champions League only six months after replacing Cole’s former team-mate Frank Lampard, has been crying out for a lethal No9. 
      And Cole believes Lukaku has all the same qualities as Chelsea’s most prolific forward, Drogba, and offers the versatility that comes with it. 
      He explained: “When I was of course at Chelsea, you looked at the way Didier Drogba played, every movement in front of goal, he was deadly.
      “So we could play all types of football with him, we could go long he could hold it up, we could get crosses in.
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      “Talk about getting into wide areas and putting balls into the box, someone willing to attack the ball, in terms of that, I think Lukaku has every one of those traits.
      “With a very good manager, who has a very good style of play, and gets the team in good areas, hopefully he can free Lukaku to do what he’s been doing in the last ten years, and that’s scoring goals.
      “Chelsea’s all round game now, and ability to adapt and play a little bit longer, I think with Lukaku in the team I think that’s definitely helps.”
      Romelu Lukaku has re-joined Chelsea for £97.5m
      Ashely Cole at Three’s new store in Kings RoadCredit: Karolina Krasuska More

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      Watch Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah as Chelsea ballboys for win over Barcelona in 2012 as amazing footage emerges

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      INCREDIBLE footage has emerged of Chelsea team-mates Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah ballboying during the 2012 win over Barcelona.The first-team duo, both 22, played alongside each other in Chalobah’s senior debut for the Blues against Villarreal on Wednesday.
      Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah were on ballboy duties when Barcelona came to Stamford Bridge in 2012
      The pair, middle, were part of the team that won the Super Cup this weekCredit: Getty
      But nine years before lifting the Uefa Super Cup, they were sat beside one another at Stamford Bridge helping collect the balls.
      And a video shared by BT Sport showed Chelsea academy team-mates Mount and Chalobah, who joined ages six and eight respectively, sat in the corner as Lionel Messi trotted over to take the set piece.
      Didier Drogba scored the only goal of the game on that night in April 2012 with a sweet left-footed finish.
      That ensured a first-leg advantage in the Champions League semi-finals before Ramires and Fernando Torres sent Roberto Di Matteo’s ten-man Blues into the final, where they beat Bayern Munich on penalties.
      After getting a front-row view of that successful European run, Mount played a key role on the field last season as Thomas Tuchel led Chelsea to their second Champions League crown.
      He scored crucial goals against Porto and Real Madrid before Kai Havertz grabbed the winner to see off Manchester City in the final.

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      Chalobah, meanwhile, has been introduced into the first-team fold in this pre-season.
      He has spent the last three seasons out on loan with Ipswich, Huddersfield and Lorient.
      But after impressing at Cobham over the summer, he played the full Super Cup in a back three with Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger.
      Chelsea drew 1-1 with the Europa League winners before Kepa Arrizabalaga came off the bench to be the hero in the shootout.

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      Chalobah, younger brother of Watford ace Nathaniel, will be hoping he has done enough to earn his Premier League debut this weekend.
      The Blues take on Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge with a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.
      But £97.5million record signing Romelu Lukaku is likely to have to wait another week to make his debut after only arriving in London on Wednesday to secure his transfer.

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      Mount joined the Chelsea academy aged six and worked his way through the youth ranksCredit: Instagram @chelseafc
      He played a key role as the Blues won the Champions League last seasonCredit: Getty
      Chalobah made his senior Blues debut against Villarreal in BelfastCredit: Getty
      Chelsea youngster Trevoh Chalobah shows his skills in training

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      Romelu Lukaku’s inspiring story from tough childhood growing up in social housing to record Chelsea transfer

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      REBORN Romelu Lukaku has finally made the move back to Chelsea from Inter Milan.The Belgium star, 28, was desperate for a move to Stamford Bridge this summer and made the switch on Thursday for a club record fee of £97.5m on a reported contract of £325,000-per-week.
      Romelu Lukaku has completed his £97.5m move to Chelsea
      The Belgium forward has returned to Stamford Bridge and has unfinished business with the clubCredit: Instagram @romelulukaku
      Lukaku is said to have inked a contract worth around £325,000-per-week
      Lukaku believes he has unfinished business in the Premier League, after failing to establish himself in West London first time round.
      The powerful centre forward has rejuvenated his career in Serie A – scoring 64 goals in two seasons to become one of the world’s most feared strikers.
      He’s come a long way since his tough childhood growing up in Antwerp, Belgium.
      When his father was sentenced to 15 months in jail for assaulting a woman and keeping her in the boot of his car, a claim he strenuously denied, the family were forced to live in social housing.
      It was left to mum Adolphine to support the family, who took on cleaning jobs to make ends meet.
      LUKAKU’S TORMENT
      Lukaku is believed have a fortune of around £40million today.
      However in 2013, his life was very different. His dad Roger was alleged to have assaulted a former lover and kept her in the boot of his car, although he accused her of lying.
      He was sentenced to 15-months inside for failing to attend his trial, but claimed he missed his summons because he had moved to a different area of Brussels and wasn’t registered at his new address.
      Roger was forced to retire as a professional footballer and the family were left broke with their bread-winner locked up for 15 months.
      The Lukakus were moved from their home to social housing in Antwerp, where they were stuck without electricity and slept on the floor.
      Romelu’s dad Roger Lukaku was sentenced to jail after allegedly assaulting a womanCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Lukaku endured a tough childhood and was raised by his motherCredit: Twitter @RomeluLukaku9
      Adolphine Lukaku, right, took on various jobs to support her family when her husband was sent to prisonCredit: Rex
      Today, Lukaku leads a very different life thanks to a glittering football career
      “When my father stopped playing we landed in a hole financially. People left us to fend for ourselves, and I have always kept that in my mind,” Lukaku said.
      “Everything changed for us inside two months. I remember everything – I was five or six, had just begun playing football, and then my dad retired.
      “We didn’t have a TV or even electricity at home. We were then evicted from our flat, and we moved to Antwerp.
      “In the beginning we didn’t even have curtains on the windows. We slept on the floor, with my mum, brother Jordan and me upstairs and my dad on the ground floor.
      “I had to stop playing football, as my father wasn’t able to drop me off for training.
      “My mother became diabetic, and her health was not good. I went to live with my aunt for a while until my mum returned home.
      “My mother is the boss. I make decisions about my football career without asking her, but she is my source of inspiration for everything else.
      “She worked her fingers to the bone for us. Despite her illness she would work as a cleaner in homes and cafes.
      “Jordan and I used to get the bus to training with Rupel Boom, and then go on to where she was working in Antwerp. We’d mostly help her move tables in the cafes she cleaned.
      “On my sixth birthday I told her I would play for Anderlecht, so I could help her with money.”
      A BOY’S PROMISE
      Lukaku was adamant he would do anything he could to support his family.
      He played for local team Rupel Boom, before moving to Lierse and then Anderlecht in 2006.
      Lukaku towers over a referee and opposition player before a youth gameCredit: Social media
      Many people watching Lukaku at youth level didn’t believe his age because of his sizeCredit: Social media
      Lukaku poses with brother Jordan, who is also a professional footballer at LazioCredit: Twitter @RomeluLukaku9
      Although he moved around as a youngster, one thing that was a constant was he was always the biggest player on the pitch.
      His agent Mino Raiola revealed how people watching him at youth level didn’t believe he was his age and his mum used to bring his birth certificate to youth games.
      “I was talking to his mother. Eventually she went to youth matches with birth certificate,” Raiola said in an interview back in 2017 to Swedish newspaper Expressen.
      “She always ended up with other parents who did not think he was 12 or 14 years old. It was always a fuss that he scored three or four goals.
      “He was bigger and physically strong, yes. But they screamed that it was not in the right age.
      “So she took the birth certificate. He was born in Belgium, but they spread false reports he been born in Africa. ‘Here it is’, she said.”
      A STAR IS BORN
      A talent beyond his years, Lukaku became a regular for Anderlecht at just 16 – scoring 41 goals in 98 games for the club.
      Chelsea splashed £17million on the teenager and signed him up on a five-year contract.
      But with Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge all vying for a starting place in the side, Lukaku found first team opportunities hard to come by.
      Despite the Blues winning the Champions League in his debut campaign, he was left disheartened by his own personal involvement.
      As a youth star at Anderlecht, Lukaku was primed for the first teamCredit: Instagram @rlukaku9
      Lukaku exploded onto the scene at 16 at AnderlechtCredit: Reuters
      In 2011, Lukaku signed for Chelsea in £17millionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      As a bit-part player Lukaku became frustrated at Stamford BridgeCredit: A
      “It wasn’t me, but my team that won,” he said refusing to hold the trophy on the Allianz Arena turf after the famous penalty shootout win over Bayern Munich.
      It would be elsewhere in England he would find success.
      A LOAN TO PROVE HIMSELF
      Chelsea were, at first, reluctant to lose Lukaku and insisted he went on loan to gain valuable first team experience. And he thrived away from SW6.
      He ended the 2012-13 campaign with West Brom with a respectable 17 league goals.
      Then at Everton, he followed that with a decent 15 strikes – helping the Toffees finish fifth and record their highest ever Premier League points total, 72.
      It was no surprise that manager Roberto Martinez paid Chelsea £28million to make the deal permanent.
      In his next three seasons, Lukaku would go on to score 20, 25 and 26 goals to cement his reputation as one of the Premier League’s top marksman.
      Of course, a move to the Premier League’s most successful club was round the corner.
      At West Brom on loan Lukaku showed his qualitiesCredit: AFP
      The goals continued to flow at Goodison Park in an Everton shirt after he signed for the Toffees on a permanent dealCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      RED MISSED
      It took £75million plus add-ons to take Lukaku from Goodison Park to Old Trafford in 2017, as he looked to fill the departing Wayne Rooney’s shoes.
      But, from the offset, many pundits seemed unconvinced Lukaku was the right fit for Manchester United.
      This was even after he scored twice on his debut against West Ham in a 4-0 win, and netted 10 goals in his first nine appearances for the Red Devils – breaking Bobby Charlton’s record of nine in his first nine games.
      His first touch was often questioned by fans, who just didn’t take to him.
      Effectively, not feeling loved might’ve been the nail in the coffin for his United career.
      Despite scoring 42 times in 96 games, Lukaku was told to pack his bags after the club accepted an offer of around £74million.
      On his way out of the club, Manchester United legend Gary Neville questioned his professionalism and said he was overweight.
      Although, he has always listened to the advice of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba when it has come to managing his career.
      Lukaku began his Man Utd career in explosive fashion – scoring 10 times in his first nine gamesCredit: Reuters
      Towards the end of his stay at Old Trafford, Lukaku was slammed for being overweightCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has always been a soundboard for Lukaku
      REINVENTION
      Determined to prove the doubters wrong, Lukaku arrived at the San Siro on a mission.
      He accepted that he was top-heavy and listened to the club’s medical staff who devised a strict diet regime for him to follow.
      Incredibly, he dropped a stone, began to look sharper and more importantly scored more goals than ever.
       “Since I joined Inter I have changed my diet and I can say that I have never felt so strong,” he revealed.
      “My diet consists of salads for lunch, a lot of chicken breast, Shirataki pasta.
      “I don’t change my way of eating much, for how we play we must have a very strong physique, we run a lot: since I have followed this lifestyle I feel better on the pitch, I feel more reactive and faster.
      “I love carbohydrates and I love potatoes, sweet potatoes and black rice, but I don’t eat a lot of pasta.
      At Inter Lukaku has rediscovered his formCredit: EPA
      Leaner Lukaku shed a stone and is now sharper than everCredit: AP
      Shredded Lukaku has continued to train hard all summer to maintain his new physique

      “I’ve always been an explosive player with muscles but Italy took me to another level. I have never felt so strong. I have reached another level, physically and mentally.”
      Chelsea might not have got the finished product when they bought a teen Lukaku back in 2011.
      But now he appears ready to end the club’s dreaded No9 curse.
      Romelu Lukaku releases statement to say that he is happy to be returning to Chelsea More

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      Chelsea outcast Batshuayi ‘in transfer talks to join Besiktas and offered contract until 2025’ as he looks to end exile

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      CHELSEA outcast Michy Batshuayi is in talks to join Besiktas and end his Stamford Bridge exile, according to reports.The striker, 27, has been shipped out on loan four times in the last three years after struggling to earn his break with the Blues.
      Michy Batshuayi looks set to leave Chelsea for Turkish outfit Besiktas this summerCredit: GettyDREAM TEAM 2021/22PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON

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      It is widely accepted Batshuayi will be allowed to leave the club for good this summer.
      A move to Trabzonspor fell through but now reporter Nicolo Schira states negotiations are underway regarding a transfer to fellow Turkish side Besiktas.
      A four-year contract is on the table, taking him up until 2025.
      Further reports add the forward will earn £38,000 per week, including bonuses.
      Batshuayi joined Chelsea from Marseille for £33million in 2016.
      He racked up 25 goals in 77 appearances but struggled to make his mark as the No1 choice centre-forward.
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      Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata, Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham were all preferred during his time in SW6.
      That saw the 25-cap Belgium international heading on temporary deals to Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace twice.
      Across those loans he scored 20 goals in 70 appearances.
      Batshuayi’s imminent exit means it is one Belgian striker out and one Belgian striker in at Chelsea this summer.
      The Blues confirmed the club-record signing of Romelu Lukaku for £97.5m on Thursday – seven years after selling him to Everton.
      He said: “I’m happy and blessed to be back at this wonderful club.
      “It’s been a long journey for me. I came here as a kid who had a lot to learn, now I’m coming back with a lot of experience and more mature.
      “The relationship I have with this club means so much to me, as you know.

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      “I have supported Chelsea as a kid and now to be back and try to help them win more titles is an amazing feeling.
      “The way the club is going fits my ambitions perfectly at 28 and just coming off winning Serie A.
      “I think this opportunity comes at the right time and hopefully we can have a lot of success together.”

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      Romelu Lukaku declares ‘I’m back’ in Instagram throwback video as Chelsea star completes £97.5m homecoming transfer More

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      Edouard Mendy proves Chelsea’s togetherness as he leads celebrations after Kepa’s heroics despite being subbed off

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      EDOUARD MENDY was one of the first players to run up and jump on Chelsea’s penalty shootout hero, Kepa Arrizabalaga. That was despite the goalkeeper, who started the game, being replaced by Spaniard Kepa just before penalties in the Super Cup against Villarreal.
      Edouard Mendy came off for KepaCredit: Getty
      It was perhaps no surprise at all for Chelsea fans to see Mendy – after being taken off purely for Kepa to come on – be the first to congratulate and celebrate with Kepa.
      It is a real testament to mentality and team spirit that this squad have; they are in this together and they are all playing their part.
      Kepa saved two penalties in the shootout to see Chelsea win the cup final, their second European trophy in a row, and this saw him become an unexpected hero on the night.
      Chelsea weren’t amazing tonight by any stretch of the word, they were quite lucky to actually see it though to penalties.
      They looked rusty and at times not at the races. However, they never lost their character, they never lost that spirit.
      Thomas Tuchel was treating the team talk before the penalties began just like it was the Champions League final once again.
      The players were motivating each other during the shootout just like it was an FA Cup final.
      THIS is team spirit and squad morale, and THIS is what Chelsea showed once again that they have under Tuchel.
      “Kepa with the save! Kepa the Chelsea hero!”Thomas Tuchel’s goalkeeping substitution pays off as his second-choice comes up huge in the penalty shootout 🧤#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/cM2hgzYtKd— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 11, 2021

      If nothing else tonight, they proved motivated enough to win the game and help build motivation ahead of another Premier League season.
      Winning matches and winning trophies goes a long way to keep morale high in the squad, and as does using as many players as you can, like Tuchel has done.
      It was genius bringing Kepa on.
      Not just because he is an expert at saving penalties, but bringing him on, telling him that you need him to go out there and win you the match, will do wonders for Kepa’s confidence.
      And, he would have gone out there with the belief that he can win this for Chelsea because the coach told him he can.
      It will do wonders for him going into the season, a season where Chelsea are going to really need him in the absence of Mendy when he goes off to the African Cup of Nations for a few weeks.
      As I said, Chelsea were not great tonight, but they did the job and they did what was needed, they won the trophy.
      This will go a long way come Saturday having that winning momentum and confidence.
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      Tuchel is building something special here at Chelsea and you can just feel it in the air at Stamford Bridge.
      Victories like this, despite it still being pre-season with many rusty players, go along way over the course of the season.
      It proves they can battle and fight and squeeze out a victory, but most importantly, it proves that this squad of players have a real togetherness about them and a hunger for success and trophies.
      Chelsea players celebrate with shootout hero KepaCredit: AFP
      Chelsea lift the Super Cup after beating Villarreal on penalties More

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      Chelsea player ratings: Trevoh Chalobah impresses again as Blues win Super Cup but Hudson-Odoi fails to grab chance

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      GOALKEEPER Kepa Arrizabalaga turned shootout hero after winning the Super Cup on penalties. The Spaniard was brought on for Edouard Mendy just before spot-kicks – two years after infamously refusing to come off himself.
      Kepa Arrizabalaga won Chelsea the Super Cup on penaltiesCredit: Getty
      But it proved an inspired sub as he saved two kicks on the way to winning the trophy after a tense shootout.
      Here is how Simon Phillips rated Chelsea’s performers.
      Edouard Mendy – 7
      He was called upon on a few occasions despite playing against a low-block team, and he made some good saves to keep Chelsea in the game when he was needed.
      Despite his save, his distribution was dodgy in the second half and he was VERY lucky not to concede from one of them and did well to save the shot.
      Trevoh Chalobah – 9
      He certainly doesn’t look out of place at all out there and was very comfortable on the ball and good defensively.
      Used his body very well and made some great last-ditch tackles and blocks in the second half. Great performance from the youngster. 
      Trevoh Chalobah shined at centre-backCredit: Pacemaker
      Kurt Zouma – 7
      Used his experience well in the centre of a middle three and was calm and solid when called upon.
      He was much busier in the second half when Villarreal came at Chelsea more. 
      Antonio Rudiger – 7
      Very harshly booked in the first half for a superb tackle, and had a solid game at the back as the team got busier defensively, and his bursts forward with the ball are very effective.
      Scored a penalty in the shootout.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
      There were a few occasions where you wanted to see him try and do more to beat his man or get to the by-line.
      Other than that his pace and work rate was a constant threat for Villarreal and he got a lot of the ball down the right.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi started at wingbackCredit: Reuters
      N’Golo Kante – 9
      The selected captain of the night took his role seriously and he bossed the midfield for Chelsea once again.
      Given a well-deserved rest midway through the second half.
      Mateo Kovacic – 6
      He was pinging some beautiful long range passes around and as always, he was excellent on the ball most of the time.
      He did provide a couple of frustrating moments though when he missed a through ball or gave the ball away in a dangerous area. Also guilty of not tracking the runners on occasions. 
      Marcos Alonso – 8
      It was another good comfortable showing from the Spaniard, and he also could have and maybe should have got on the scoresheet.
      Always looks much better in a more advanced role. He was really Chelsea’s best attacker on the night and also scored his penalty in the shootout! 

      Goal scorer Hakim Ziyech came off injuredCredit: AFP
      Hakim Ziyech – 8
      He took his finish well inside the box and cannot stop scoring in pre-season right now.
      Gutted to see him get taken off with a shoulder injury at the end of the first half.
      Timo Werner – 6
      He is always much more effective against teams who press and push high so he can exploit them on the counter-attack, not against low-blocks.
      Having said that it certainly wasn’t a poor display from Werner and he was actually unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
      Kai Havertz – 7
      Another majestic performance from him without really getting out of third gear.
      Nice on the ball and used it well. Great pass to setup Ziyech for the opening goal. Missed his penalty in the shootout, poor pen.
      SUBS
      Christian Pulisic replaced Hakim ZiyechCredit: Getty
      Christian Pulisic for Ziyech (42 mins) – 5
      Wasn’t overly lively when he came on, grew into the game a bit, but nowhere near enough for Chelsea’s liking. Scored his pen in the shootout though!
      Mason Mount for Werner (64 mins) – 7
      Took a while to get involved but he soon started to get involved a bit more as it went on. Scored a very composed penalty in the shootout.
      Jorginho for Kante (64 mins) – 6
      Looked rusty when he came on and gave the ball away poorly which led to the Villarreal equaliser. Scored his penalty in the shootout. 
      Jorginho looked rusty when he came onCredit: AP
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      Andreas Christensen for Zouma (64 mins) – 6
      Also looked a bit rusty and could have done more for their equaliser. 
      Cesar Azpilicueta for Hudson-Odoi (81 mins) – 6
      Tried hard as always but made little difference really. Scored his penalty in the shootout.
      Kepa Arrizabalaga for Mendy (119 mins) – 10
      Bought on for penalties and saved two to see Chelsea win the Super Cup!
      Kepa was the Super Cup shootout heroCredit: Getty
      Chelsea lift the Super Cup after beating Villarreal on penalties More

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      Chelsea are landing ‘a beast’ of a striker in Lukaku, says Rudiger as Tuchel hopes £97.5m man can power Blues to title

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER believes Chelsea are landing “a beast” of a striker in Romelu Lukaku.And Blues boss Thomas Tuchel hopes  Lukaku’s “presence”  can power his side to Premier League glory.
      Antonio Rudiger believes Chelsea are landing ‘a beast’ of a striker in Romelu LukakuCredit: Rex
      Romelu Lukaku is set to complete a £97.5million move from Inter MilanCredit: Getty
      Belgium star Lukaku, 28, will complete a £97.5million move from Inter Milan this week but not in time for him to play in tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash against Villarreal in Belfast.
      Chelsea defender Rudiger, 28, said: “He is a goalscorer and a top striker.
      “You can obviously see the body type — he’s a beast, someone who is very strong — and he showed that in Italy in the past two years.”
      The ex-Manchester United star fired 24 Serie A goals to lead Inter to their first title in 11 years last season.
      Rudiger added: “He’s done very well there and also for his national team.”
      Last night, Tuchel refused to confirm  Lukaku’s transfer to Stamford Bridge — which would see him return to the club he left seven years ago.
      “You can obviously see the body type — he’s a beast, someone who is very strong — and he showed that in Italy in the past two years.Antonio Rudiger on Romelu Lukaku
      But Chelsea’s German manager insisted: “He is the kind of profile we’re looking for and if it is possible to convince agents and clubs, we will do our best.
      “Romelu is one of the guys like Erling Haaland at Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich, Harry Kane at Tottenham, who is a real No 9, who loves to score and who has a presence in the box.
      “That is not a secret. The sentence is easy to repeat for any coach in the world. We lost Olivier Giroud, who played a crucial role in the club.
      “He was the kind of profile who likes to play with his back to goal, who likes to hold up balls, who creates space for Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, who is ready to fight physically with defenders.
      “It’s still not the moment to talk about names, because we have nobody signed yet and we will show all the respect to other clubs.”
      Chelsea, who beat Manchester City 1-0 in last season’s all-English Champions League final, face Unai Emery’s Europa League winners
      Villarreal in the European season’s curtain-raiser tonight.
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      Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic won three Champions League titles at Real Madrid and hopes Chelsea can repeat this level of consistency going forward.
      The Chelsea star, 27, declared: “This club is about winning, about winning titles, and we are here to  do that.
      “This  is the first opportunity to lift a trophy and we will do everything to be at our highest level to compete against a great opponent and win our first game of the season.”
      Chelsea vs Villarreal – Super Cup FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick off time More

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      Chelsea ace Timo Werner excited for ‘top three striker’ Romelu Lukaku’s transfer and says Belgian can make him better

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      TIMO WERNER reckons Chelsea are signing one of the best three strikers in the world.And it is fair to assume the German, who scored six Premier League goals following a £48million move from RB Leipzig, is not including himself in this elite bunch.
      Timo Werner reckons Chelsea are signing one of the top three strikers in the worldCredit: Pacemaker
      Romelu Lukaku is close to rejoining Chelsea for £97.5m from InterCredit: Getty
      If there is one player who knows all about suffering a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, it is Romelu Lukaku, who is set to return for £97.5million.
      Werner, 25, is definitely being handed far more of a chance than Lukaku had in his first stint in West London.
      And far from being intimidated by the imminent arrival of another forward, Werner is rolling out the red carpet.
      Werner, who hopes to lead Chelsea to another European trophy here at Windsor Park tonight in the Uefa Super Cup against Villarreal, seems genuine when stressing he could benefit from having Belgian Lukaku, 28, at the club.
      The German said: “He’s probably one of the best three strikers in the world.
      “I don’t think we need to say too much about him. He’s a world-class striker who would benefit any team.
      “At Leipzig, it always helped me having a big striker alongside me.
      He’s probably one of the best three strikers in the world.Timo Werner on Romelu Lukaku
      “I’m not the biggest and, when you play on your own up front, you always have the attention of one or two brawny defenders.
      “It’s a good new weapon to have in our game that if you play a long ball, he’ll hold it up and then the fast players around him can set off.
      “I think that’s good for any team.”
      Whether Werner will be played in a front two remains to be seen, but boss Thomas Tuchel will have various options available.
      With Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech all set to jostle for a place, along with Werner and Lukaku, here is an attacking line-up every bit as good as Manchester City’s.
      Tuchel certainly believes bringing in an experienced striker, having lost Olivier Giroud, will be good for everyone.
      Even though it could upset some of the players over the coming months . . .

      German Tuchel said: “It is good for any squad if players with a certain quality or attitude arrive.
      “But you need to be aware that not everybody is happy if I am a defender and a big player arrives in my position.
      “They might not be fully convinced about this arrival, or even be happy about it.
      “This is pretty human and we have to take care about this. It is not just about collecting players with talent.
      “It is about what can someone bring in terms of character and profile to the group, without disturbing them, but at the same time keeping people on their toes — so they aren’t in the comfort zone.
      “It’s about keeping everybody on the front foot and in a state of insecurity where everybody really has to fight for their place.”
      For Tuchel, like other top managers, it has been a disjointed pre-season so tonight’s Chelsea team will be a bit mix and match.
      It doesn’t feel like pressure because this is what we demand of ourselves, me at the very first point.Thomas Tuchel on being European champions
      This will be the Blues’ first game since their triumph over Manchester City in the Champions League final.
      And starting with Villarreal, Manchester United’s Europa League final conquerors, there will be pressure to carry on where they left off in Porto.
      As you would expect, Tuchel claims his team will enjoy the pressure.
      But this is coming from a man yet to feel any heat from one of the world’s most trigger-happy owners.
      Chelsea have a genuine chance of getting close to City this season.
      But if Tuchel does struggle over the next few months, Roman Abramovich would have no qualms about pressing the eject button on the manager’s hotseat.
      Tuchel said: “It doesn’t feel like pressure because this is what we demand of ourselves, me at the very first point.
      ‘TAMMY WAS CLEARLY NOT HAPPY’
      “I want to lead by example, to come into Cobham with a good mood and energy, ready to continue the journey.
      “It is not over, it has just started, and hopefully it will be a long journey.
      “Does anybody have a recipe how to do better after a Champions League victory?
      “I don’t know, it was my first win so I think the courage is to face the challenges, step up and keep on demanding.”
      One player whose Chelsea career looks over is striker Tammy Abraham, 23.
      The club have accepted a £33m offer from Roma but the player — hoping for Arsenal to make a move — has yet to decide and could feature tonight.
      Tuchel said: “Tammy was clearly not happy with the last half a year and he has maybe reason not to be happy.
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      “Maybe it was my fault not to push him and trust him at the same level as other players. What are Tammy’s plans?
      “Does he fight his way back into the team from the position he ended last season?
      “Or does he want to change clubs to one where he has a better chance of being a starter? This is the situation.”
      Chelsea are landing ‘a beast’ of a striker in Lukaku, says Rudiger as Tuchel hopes £97.5m man can power Blues to title More