chelsea news

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      How Chelsea could line-up against Porto with Thiago Silva getting immediate recall and Havertz and Pulisic in attack

      by

      CHELSEA prepare for their second leg against Porto with one foot in the Champions League semi-final. Despite both ties being played at a neutral ground in Seville, the Blues take in a 2-0 away goals advantage.
      How Chelsea could line-up against Porto
      After firing four past Crystal Palace and keeping a clean sheet against Porto, again Thomas Tuchel has some tough decisions to make.
      Kai Havertz was excellent as a false No9 at Selhurt Park, opening the lead and creating for Christian Pulisic, who scored twice too.
      The pair, alongside playmaker Mason Mount, will expect to keep their place for the European clash.
      That would mean benching Timo Werner again, despite the German being preferred to Pulisic in Spain last week.
      But the American’s double, Havertz’s performance and Mount’s consistency means they are all primed to play.
      Although should Tuchel sense some tired legs, Werner is available to start on either flank, or through the middle.
      Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham have both made the bench in the last two matches and compete for a place up front.
      Winger Hakim Ziyech is also an option on the right, highlighting Tuchel’s strength in depth.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      In midfield, N’Golo Kante was benched at Palace, suggesting he could have been kept out in order to preserve him to play against Porto.
      It would leave Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho – Man of The Match in the first leg – contesting to partner Kante.
      At wingback, Ben Chilwell scored an important second for Chelsea against Porto and also started against the Eagles.
      His form could make him a favourite to keep his place, but Marcos Alonso is ahead of Emerson should there be rotation on the left.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi was influential at Palace, but Reece James is expected to return to the right.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      How Chelsea could alternatively line-up against Porto
      Hudson-Odoi is still in with a shout to remain in the back five, or even move further up the field in the front three.
      At the back, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger were solid against Palace, despite Christian Benteke’s consolation goal in the 4-1 win.
      Thiago Silva was suspended due to his red card against West Brom, but is available for the Champions League.
      His experience on the big stage means, despite his recklessness in the league, he could be favoured over Zouma or Rudiger.
      Andreas Christensen picked up an injury recently and missed the trip to Palace, and it is not confirmed whether he is in the squad for Porto.
      Edouard Mendy can expect to keep his place in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

      Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea were very hungry with the ball after Crystal Palace win More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea transfer target Ousmane Dembele admits Thomas Tuchel is his favourite coach with Barca star’s contract expiring

      by

      CHELSEA have been handed a huge transfer boost after Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele named Thomas Tuchel as his favourite coach.The French winger has failed to light up LaLiga as many expected following a £97million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
      Ousmane Dembele is a big fan of Chelsea boss Thomas TuchelCredit: Rex
      It has led to rumour that the cash-strapped Spaniards may look to flog the 23-year-old, with Chelsea previously linked.
      And it appears Dembele would be keen to link up once again with his former Dortmund boss Tuchel.
      Speaking to BeIn Sports, the 23-cap France international said: “Thomas Tuchel is my favourite coach.
      “Under him I played more on the right side before I was moved to ten or in the middle.
      “If he had stayed, it would have been very difficult to leave Dortmund. I would probably not have done it.”
      CONTRACT TALKS
      Dembele has confirmed he is yet to start discussing a new contract with Barcelona.
      His current deal expires next summer.
      Dembele said: “My future? I still have a year of contract left. There hasn’t been a discussion with the club yet, I’m happy, and I feel good.
      “Then there is the new president who has arrived and whom I do not know too well, but he is very close to the players. We’ll see how it goes.”

      Tuchel could try and put his own stamp on the Chelsea squad this summerCredit: Getty

      Joan Laporta was elected Barcelona president for the second time last month and has been tasked with persuading Dembele to sign a new deal.
      Reports in Spain suggest the France international will stay at the Nou Camp, although it may be some time before an extension is agreed if negotiations are yet to begin.
      Manchester United have also been linked with the jet-heeled Frenchman.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Ousmane Dembele shows off his skills in training with Barcelona More

    • 238 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea transfer boost over Gianluigi Donnarumma as contract talks stall AGAIN and can leave for free in two months

      by

      AC MILAN are reportedly struggling to make progress on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s contract situation – opening the door for Chelsea.The 22-year-old goalkeeper’s deal expires in the summer and negotiations are said to be moving slowly.
      Gianluigi Donnarumma could become a free agent in the summerCredit: Getty
      A pay increase from his net salary of £100,000-a-week to a £133,000-a-week wage is on the table but no deal has been signed.
      And while Milan have spoken calmly about the situation in previous months, technical director Paolo Maldini was described as frustrated when referring to the situation in the week.
      He said: “These are choices everyone has to make.
      “I am not here to judge, I am here to do what is best for the club.
      “I also know that you need two parties to be happy in order to strike a deal.”
      La Gazzetta dello Sport note that little progress has been made over a renewal with the club and player far apart in their ideal terms.

      Potentially key to getting Donnarumma to stay is Milan’s chase of Champions League football.
      After the Rossoneri’s title bid faded, they remain second in Serie A but only four points clear of those outside the top-four.
      Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are both reportedly monitoring the situation.
      Thomas Tuchel’s predecessor, Frank Lampard, was behind the deal to sign Edouard Mendy last September to replace struggling record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

      And the opportunity to snap up one of the globe’s top shot-stopping talents on the cheap could prove a tempting option.
      Meanwhile, Milan are determined to do a deal with the Blues for loan star Fikayo Tomori.
      The centre-back can permanently sign for £25million but SunSport have revealed their intent to lower that fee.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea were very hungry with the ball after Crystal Palace win More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Frank Lampard has received ‘flattering’ offers since Chelsea axe but Blues legend says ‘they were not quite right’

      by

      FRANK LAMPARD revealed he has received some ‘flattering’ offers to return to management – but ‘they were not quite right’ for the Blues legend. Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2019 and in his first season secured the club and top four finish and a place in the FA Cup final.
      Frank Lampard revealed he has received some ‘flattering’ offers to return to management
      Blues legend Frank Lampard was sacked after 18 monthsCredit: Getty
      But 18 months later and he was forced to clear out his locker as Chelsea’s form suffered, leading to his firing.
      Lampard, who was replaced by German Thomas Tuchel, has now spoken out for the first time since being sacked by Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
      Speaking at a Q&A hosted by the London Football Awards in aid of the Willow Foundation, he said: “Football has consumed my life firstly as a player and then as a manager. 
      “Nobody wants to lose their job. But when you go into this career, it can happen, no matter how good you think you are.
      “It’s given me a lot more time to be at home. It’s been great to be around the family.
      “I’ve had some opportunities that have come up in the last six weeks, two months, that have been flattering, but not the right thing.
      “They were not quite right.”
      Lampard, 42, has since been linked with taking over at Crystal Palace, Celtic and Bournemouth.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      And with England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd coming to and end of his contract, an international switch has also been mooted.
      Lampard did not address the speculation surrounding his future, but did confirm plans to return to coaching.
      He said: “It would be something I’m very keen to do in the right time and place. My eyes are always on it.
      “I’m always watching football and trying to get better. I’ll try and find the right time and right opportunity. I’m very keen to get working again.
      “I try to. As I say, how much it consumes you when you’re in it is a big deal. You cannot take away your love of the game. I like to keep involved.”
      Chelsea’s performances have turned around under new boss Tuchel, with the club fifth and leading Porto 2-0 in their Champion League quarter-final first leg.
      Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard and has enjoyed a great startCredit: PA
      Frank Lampard secured the club and top four finish and FA Cup final in his first seasonCredit: Reuters
      But Lampard’s dismissal was hugely unpopular with a section of Blues supporters, who have since shown their support to Tuchel.
      And Lampard thanked the fans who have always pledged their loyalty to him, and hopes they can return to Stamford Bridge soon.
      He said: “I’m absolutely appreciative of the opportunity I had to manage Chelsea. It was an incredible time.
      “Everyone knows how I felt about the club. From the restart onwards, to the time I left, to not have fans… I absolutely missed them. 
      “I knew as a player what it meant to me and I knew the effect it has on games. It all felt like the edge was taken off.
      “When I read the headline about fans being back, it’s so exciting. Yeah, cannot wait for that.”
      Frank Lampard shock candidate to become new England U21s boss with Chelsea hero seen as possible Boothroyd replacement More

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      The four omens that suggest Chelsea will WIN Champions League as season spookily resembles 2012 campaign

      by

      FOUR omens suggest Chelsea could repeat their miraculous Champions League win from 2012 and lift the coveted trophy this year.An injury and suspension-hit Blues somehow went all the way to be crowned European champions nine years ago, beating Bayern Munich on penalties in the final in their own Allianz Arena.
      Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012 against the oddsCredit: Getty
      The Blues are flying in this year’s competition after the 2-0 win over Porto in the quarter-final first legCredit: Rex
      Chelsea made the quarter-finals for the first time since that historic year with victory over LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid in this season’s Last 16.
      And the Blues now have one foot in the last four of the competition after an inspired 2-0 win over Porto in the ‘away’ first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday night.
      SunSport looks at the four spooky similarities between this campaign and 2012 that could indicate Chelsea fans will soon be celebrating again.
      Sacking a young manager
      Former Chelsea star Roberto Di Matteo was the caretaker manager who finally landed the one trophy that had eluded Roman Abramovich’s grasp.
      But the 1997 FA Cup final goalscorer was only in place because the Blues sacked Portuguese boss Andre Villas-Boas on March 4, 2012.
      The then 34-year-old was axed after a poor run of results, including the 3-1 defeat away to Napoli in the last 16 first leg.
      This season, club icon and another young manager Frank Lampard, 42, was dismissed with Chelsea languishing down in ninth in the Premier League.
      Losing to West Brom
      Thomas Tuchel’s side were smashed 5-2 at Stamford Bridge by West Brom last week.
      The Baggies demolished the German’s team to unceremoniously end his 12-game unbeaten run.
      The result caused quite a stir but Tuchel’s men bounced back in style against Porto in midweek.
      Similarly, a 1-0 defeat to West Brom proved to be the final straw for Villas-Boas back in 2012 as he was sacked with the defeat leaving the side three points off fourth spot.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Beating a Portuguese team in the quarter-finals
      Under Di Matteo, Chelsea cruised past Benfica in the quarters in 2012.
      Salamon Kalou scored the crucial away goal at the Estadio Da Luz to take a 1-0 lead back to the Bridge.
      And a Lampard penalty and stoppage-time Raul Meireles goal ensured Chelsea went through 3-1 on aggregate despite Javi Garcia’s 85th minute goal in West London.
      This year, of course, the job is only half done but Tuchel and Co will surely be expecting to get through in the second game against Porto with two away goals in the bag.
      Playing Spanish giants in the semi-final
      Few will forget Fernando Torres’ stunning breakaway goal against Barcelona in the Nou Camp that secured Chelsea’s final berth and got Gary Neville very excited.
      The Blues had won the first leg 1-0 at home thanks to Didier Drogba’s strike before the stunning 2-2 draw against their El Clasico opponents.
      John Terry’s sending off couldn’t stop Di Matteo’s men with Ramires’ wonderful dink and Torres’ late strike cancelling out Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta’s first-half goals that had given the Catalan giants a 2-0 lead on the night.
      History could repeat itself with Tuchel’s side in line to play another Spanish giant in Real Madrid in the last four this year.
      Los Blancos have a 3-1 first-leg lead over reigning Prem champs Liverpool and if both Zinedine Zidane’s men and Chelsea capitalise on their early advantage they will meet in the semi, mirroring the events of 2012.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Mason Mount reacts to grabbing his first Champions League goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 away win against Porto More

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Ranking Chelsea’s five striker transfer targets with Erling Haaland the priority and Sergio Aguero just third

      by

      DESPITE Chelsea investing in Timo Werner last year, it appears the club are focusing efforts on signing another new striker this summer.There have been plenty of names linked with making the move, with themost high profile of course being Erling Haaland.
      Erling Haaland could be available for £150million this summerCredit: AFP
      Chelsea want to bring a natural and ready-made goal scorer to come in anddo the business right away, with it being a position they still think they arelacking in.
      Here, Chelsea fan blogger Simon Phillips ranks five of the Blues’ rumoured targets starting with the one they should be prioritising the most.
      1. Erling Haaland
      There is a reason that every big club in the land are interested in signingErling Haaland sooner rather than later, because he is set to become one ofthe best in the world.
      At only 20 years old, Haaland has already proven to be one of the best all-round goal scorers in world football right now, and the scary thing is he isstill developing and improving.
      Whilst the fee would reportedly be extortionate, I believe that this is anopportunity Chelsea cannot afford to turn down. If Haaland wants to cometo Chelsea, they simply must go for him.
      MASTERS BETTING SPECIAL: GET £120 IN FREE BETS

      2. Romelu Lukaku
      There is a valid argument that Lukaku should be sought before Haalandand I can understand that.
      He would be a slightly cheaper option, and he is less of a risk due to hisexperience and proof of being a regular goal scorer at all levels for manyyears.
      In all honesty I would be more than content with Chelsea signing eitherHaaland or Lukaku, but Haaland must be the priority.
      Romelu Lukaku has excelled since leaving ChelseaCredit: Getty
      3. Sergio Aguero
      Call me greedy, but depending on circumstances I’d be trying to pick upAguero as well as a Haaland, or a Lukaku.
      If Chelsea end up losing both Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud – two out-and-out strikers this summer, then I would most certainly be looking toreplace both.
      I know Thomas Tuchel has been using Kai Havertz as a false 9 and he haslooked good there, but again, if Chelsea have the chance to sign one of thebest and most experienced Premier League strikers in recent history, thenthey cannot turn that down.
      Aguero is not my priority, but if we cannot land Haaland or Lukaku, or wehave to wait until next summer to spend big on our new striker, thenAguero is third-choice option for me.
      Sergio Aguero will become a free agent at the end of the seasonCredit: AFP
      4. Andre Silva
      He didn’t make it at AC Milan, but Silva is a great striker who has reallycome into his own at Eintracht Frankfurt now.
      If it is an experienced and proven goal scorer you want, Silva has regularChampions League and international experience, and he is currently on 23goals in 27 appearances this season in Bundesliga.
      I believe now he has settled at a club and is doing well as the main man, hewould be a great fourth option for Chelsea.
      Andre Silva appears to be finally reaching his potential in GermanyCredit: AP

      5. Andrea Belotti
      The Tornio striker has been linked with Chelsea, and other big clubs, formany years now. But he is yet to make his big move.
      He’s averaged around 15-20 goals a season since 2015 in Serie A, provingthat he can do it consistently. He’s also been a regular goal scorer for Italy.
      But he perhaps represents the biggest risk of all five, with his form oftendropping in and out, despite still scoring goals.
      Tweet @SiPhillipsSport
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Andrea Belotti has been a Serie A star for a number of seasonsCredit: Getty

      Chelsea boss Tuchel compares Timo Werner’s scoring troubles to picking up women More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea legend John Terry ‘never got on with’ Rafa Benitez – and had to ban him from talking about Liverpool

      by

      CHELSEA legend John Terry “never got on with” Rafa Benitez – and had to ban him from talking about Liverpool.The former Newcastle boss didn’t see eye to eye with the Blues skipper during his six-month spell at Stamford Bridge in the 2012-13 season.
      John Terry has opened up on his time playing under Rafael Benitez at Chelsea back in 2012-13
      Terry went on to make 717 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 67 goals during a trophy-laden 19 years in West London.
      At Stamford Bridge he won five Premier League and FA Cup titles, and led the club to victory in the 2011-12 Champions League.
      And he secured the Europa League trophy with the Blues at the end of Benitez’s reign.
      But despite the glittering success, Terry has revealed that he butted heads with the Spaniard from the offset.
      Benitez was appointed as interim manager after Roberto Di Matteo was axed despite a long standing rivalry with the Blues which had been bubbling away since 2005.
      The Chelsea legend told Sky Sports’ Off Script show: “From a tactical point of view I was looking forward to working with him.
      “You could say he was quite successful, we won the Europa League under him, of course, but for me personally you want to develop and learn.
      “I’d seen tactically how he’d set up against us previously and stuff. Like everything, you give everyone a fair chance and it’s down to them to prove to you otherwise.”

      The Spaniard had a long standing feud with ex-Blues boss Jose Mourinho after Liverpool knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League semi-final, thanks to a controversial Luis Garcia goal.
      The former Magpies boss spent six years at Anfield, winning the Champions League and FA Cup along the way, and Terry says he eventually had to ask Benitez to stop bringing up his success with the Reds.
      He added: “We just didn’t get on from day one personally, to be honest.
      “Every meeting we had it was, ‘Oh we used to do this at Liverpool and we done this’.
      “You laugh but that’s what he used to be like, ‘Just move a yard here’,
      “I actually had to have a few conversations and say, ‘Gaffer, you have to forget Liverpool, you can’t keep saying ‘we’, you’re at Chelsea now, it’s not going down well with the lads’”.
      Terry was often benched by Benitez despite being one of the most influential players in the squad at the time.
      Jorginho shows his skills in Chelsea training ground shootout
      He added: “We didn’t get on from day one, he left me out at certain times, I didn’t play much under him.
      “I was injured when he arrived, and then I struggled to be fair. I was out for probably six weeks, but then I was working back towards fitness.
      “I played in a couple of games, away at Fulham, scored two, he dropped me for the next game. It was all those little bits that added up.” More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Scholes believes Man Utd WILL splash out £150m on Erling Haaland transfer and only Chelsea can afford to rival them

      by

      PAUL SCHOLES has backed Manchester United to sign Erling Haaland this summer.Borussia Dortmund have put a £150million price tag on the strike sensation, leading Scholes to believe that only United or Chelsea can afford him.

      Paul Scholes believes only Manchester United or Chelsea can afford Erling HaalandCredit: Rex
      Barcelona and Real Madrid have already held talks with the 20-year-old’s entourage, while Manchester City have also been linked.
      But Scholes, 46, does not believe the LaLiga giants have the finances to pull off the deal.
      And he also doubted Pep Guardiola’s desire to spend big on a striker.
      Asked about a United bid on BT Sport, the former midfielder explained: “I think they probably would, why not?
      “I think it’s about the club who can pay for him. I don’t think there’s too many of them.
      “You think of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all the noises you hear.
      “They probably couldn’t pay that type of money.
      “Man City look like they don’t want to pay that type of money.
      CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

      “To be fair, they very rarely play with a No9 anyway. Even with [Sergio] Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, he’s hardly played them.
      “So is that the type of player that Guardiola wants? I’m not sure it is.
      “It’s a player United will be desperate for, Chelsea will be desperate for.
      “They’re probably the two clubs who I think could probably afford it this summer.”
      However, fellow former Premier League player Jamie O’Hara has told United they will struggle to sign the Norwegian.
      Paul Pogba’s situation was used by the ex-Tottenham star to outline how Haaland may be nervy about joining a team short on trophies.

      He told talkSPORT: “Look at Pogba. They paid £100million for him and he’s gone they’re thinking we’re going to the next level.
      “And it hasn’t worked. He’s been almost trophyless.
      “Haaland’s not going to Manchester United where it will be, ‘We might win something, we might not’.
      “He’s going somewhere where he is winning everything.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Erling Haaland and Phil Foden chat after whistle as Man City eye transfer swoop for Dortmund sensation More