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      Could Chelsea star Timo Werner be the latest Blues striker flop, after glaring miss for Germany, joining Morata and Co?

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      WHEN you’re inheriting a shirt previously worn by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, you’re going to feel the pressure.Timo Werner joined the Blues from RB Leipzig in a £53million deal, and was expected to propel the West London side to Premier League, as he was handed the No11 jersey.
      Timo Werner has struggled at Chelsea since arriving in a £53million dealCredit: Reuters

      In the Bundesliga, he was one of Europe’s most-feared strikers – netting 34 times in all competitions as he helped his side reach the Champions League semi-finals.
      Yet, in the Premier League it’s a different story for the 25-year-old forward. Just five league goals in 28 games doesn’t look like a good investment by owner Roman Abramovich so far.
      And on Wednesday, a glaring miss in Germany’s shock 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia just summed up his season and his confidence at the moment.
      But Werner isn’t the first high-profile marksman to suffer stage-fright at Stamford Bridge.
      Here’s some others who fell foul to Chelsea’s dreaded striker curse.
      ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO
      AT AC Milan, Shevchenko will always be thought of as one of their greatest strikers of all-time, mentioned alongside greats like Marco van Basten and Gianni Rivera.
      However, it’s a mystery how such a dominant player on the world stage flopped on our shores.
      He joined for £31m in 2006, two years after winning the Ballon d’Or, at his peak at 29.
      In his first season, Shevchenko managed just four Premier League goals in 30 games.
      Andriy Shevchenko was a £31million Stamford Bridge flopCredit: Reuters
      In his second, five goals. Incoming boss Luis Felipe Scolari decided enough was enough, and he was sent on loan back to Milan.
      Then, in 2009 he returned to Dynamo Kiev.
      ALVARO MORATA
      SPANISH centre forward Morata arrived from Real Madrid for £60m – a club record transfer fee.
      But it was the start of things to come after he missed a penalty in a shootout defeat to Arsenal on his debut in the Charity Shield.
      Although he scored 11 Premier League goals, his form on Europe was patchy with just one strike in seven.
      He finished his first season with 15 goals, before scoring 9 in 24 games in all competitions the following campaign.
      Somehow, Chelsea got most of their money back by selling him to Atletico Madrid for £58m.
      Alvaro Morata managed 15 goals in all competitions in his first season and nine the next, but didn’t justify his £60m price tagCredit: PA:Press Association
      FERNANDO TORRES
      SOME Chelsea fans will argue his goal against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League semi-final in 2012 was worth his £50m transfer fee.
      But the reality is Torres was a shadow of the striker that defenders feared coming up against at Anfield when he led Liverpool’s forward line.
      The facts back that up too – with 45 goals in 172 games with the West Londoners.
      Eventually, after loans to AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, the Spaniard moved back to Spain.
      Since retiring, he looks fitter than ever and owns his own gyms in Madrid.
      Torres wasn’t a hit at Stamford Bridge, but fans will say his goal in the Champions League semi-final was worth his £50m transfer feeCredit: Reuters
      Since retiring, Torres has hit the gym and his now buff
      ROMELU LUKAKU
      THE giant Belgium striker is flying for club and country, scoring goals for fun at Inter Milan, who are gunning for the Serie A title.
      Lukaku joined Chelsea in 2011 from Anderlecht in a £17m deal, but struggled to dislodge Torres in the first team.
      In his following season, he joined West Brom on loan and was a big success – scoring 17 Premier League goals.
      He was then loaned out to Everton, where again he showed his class as a target man.
      In 2017, Lukaku joined Manchester United for £75m deal. Amazingly, in his six years as a Chelsea player he played just 15 times and failed to hit the back of the net.
      Romelu Lukaku never scored a goal for ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      RADAMEL FALCAO
      COLOMBIAN hitman Falcao scored goals everywhere he went, from Portugal to Spain to France and most recently in Turkey.
      But in England, nothing went right for the usually prolific striker.
      After a dismal spell at Manchester United, Chelsea gave Falcao another opportunity in our league on a season-long loan costing £4m – with the option of making the transfer permanent for £38m, as well as paying him a mega salary of £170,000-per-week.
      However, he struggled for injuries and played just 12 times – scoring one goal.
      Falcao returned back to Monaco, where he re-found his goalscoring touch.
      Radamel Falcao’s loan move to Chelsea proved to be an expensive disasterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      GONZALO HIGUAIN
      FITNESS problems always seemed to be an issue for the Argentina poacher, who was used to the slower game in Italy.
      He was brought to Stamford Bridge on loan in January, 2019 by his former manager at Napoli, Maurizio Sarri.
      Sarri had got so much out of him in Italy, but in England the goals dried up.
      Five goals in 19 games, with the standout being a brace against Huddersfield, didn’t represent Higuain’s prowess in front of goal.
      Since 2020 he has played in the MLS for David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      Maurizio Sarri couldn’t get the best out of Gonzalo Higuain when he managed him at ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors
      ADRIAN MUTU
      THE Romanian striker’s penchant for getting into bother was his biggest undoing at Stamford Bridge.
      Mutu was a sensation for Parma in Serie A, before he arrived in a £15m deal in London the summer Abramovich arrived as a Premier League owner and changed the football landscape in this country.
      In 2004, he had a fallout with Jose Mourinho over his fitness and later was banned after testing positive for cocaine.
      His off-the-field antics, including allegedly sleeping with a porn star and sucking her blood in a newspaper sting didn’t help his cause either.
      Chelsea sacked him after the cocaine ban and are still seeking damages.
      Adrian Mutu’s off-the pitch antics caught up with the Romanian on the pitchCredit: AFP

      MATEJA KEZMAN
      A FOX in the box at Partizan Belgrade and PSV, Kezman arrived at Stamford Bridge as a reputation as an out-and-out goalscorer.
      Prior to his debut in England, the Serbian scored 38 times in all competitions in Eindhoven.
      At Chelsea, though, something got lost in translation when he was signed by Mourinho for £6m.
      Kezman managed seven goals in 41 games, and was sold for the following season to Atletico Madrid.
      Again, respect to the bean-counters in SW6 for getting their money back in the £6million sale.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Mateja Kezman lasted a season at Stamford Bridge before he was soldCredit: PA:Press Association
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      Five Chelsea defensive transfer targets that Thomas Tuchel should eye in summer including Caglar Soyuncu and Marquinhos

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      CHELSEA look set for another busy summer transfer market, and depending on who they can sell, there could be a number of key positions they will invest in.A new striker appears to be the main priority, as we spoke about last week. This week we will look at where we believe could become another priority position – a new centre back.
      Caglar Soyuncu could become the latest Leicester player to sign for ChelseaCredit: AFP
      The club appear to be targeting a certain type of defender; one who is commanding, with a bit of experience, and one who can slot in and play well right away.
      Here, Chelsea fan and blogger Simon Phillips looks at five potential targets to keep an eye on in the coming market.
      Pau Torres
      The 24-year-old is the perfect option in my opinion. He is a great age and comes with plenty of experience, room to improve even more, and Chelsea will get his peak years signing him now.
      He is also very attainable, with the feeling that he is about to make his big vital career move now, one that will be pinnacle for his future.
      The 6ft 4in monster already has seven Spain caps, and he is the perfect all-round centre-back that Chelsea are seeking.
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      Pau Torres has impressed coming through the ranks at VillarrealCredit: Getty
      Niklas Sule
      Certainly not my first choice and he is also rather injury prone. But we have put him in there because the majority of sources reporting on Chelsea’s centre-back chase are consistently mentioning him.
      Experienced as a regular Germany international and has seen it all at Bayern Munich, he is actually better on the ball than some give him credit for and he is certainly quicker than many think. He ticks the dominant box at least.
      Again, he is at a good age at 25 – not too old and not too young.
      Chelsea have been linked with Germany defender Niklas SuleCredit: Reuters
      Jose Gimenez
      The Uruguay international has been on Chelsea’s target list for a couple of seasons now, and he is a defender that many in the club really admire.
      He ticks all the boxes, but perhaps his price puts a dampener on this rumour, with the Blues needing over £100million to trigger his release clause.
      If they could get a discount from Atletico Madrid, then I don’t think they would hesitate signing this 26-year-old rock.
      Jose Gimenez came face to face with Chelsea in the Champions League last-16Credit: EPA
      Marquinhos
      Here we have another centre-back that sits high on my own personal want-list.
      The 26-year-old would be a very difficult player to sign, being contracted at Paris Saint-Germain until 2024. However, his ties to Thomas Tuchel could help Chelsea and they have been loosely linked with the Brazilian international recently.
      If you have any chance of signing Marquinhos, then you sign Marquinhos.
      Marquinhos would be a very ambitious swoop for the BluesCredit: Getty

      Caglar Soyuncu
      When Leicester scout and sign a relatively unknown player, they soon become known.
      That is certainly the case for 24-year-old Turkey international Soyuncu. I love this player, I think he is going on to be one of the best centre-backs in the world, and again, he ticks every single box that Chelsea need.
      There have been some very faint links with Chelsea, and it won’t be an easy signing. But of course, we also thought the same about N’Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell, who both joined Chelsea from Leicester for a reasonable fee (a bargain in Kante’s case).
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea set to be allowed travelling fans at Champions and Europa League final if they reach it

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      UEFA chiefs are ready to let travelling fans into the Champions League and Europa League finals.And that is potentially great news for supporters of the five English teams left in Europe.
      Istanbul could be set to welcome fans for the 2021 Champions League finalCredit: Getty

      A meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee formally lifted the 30 per cent capacity cap on fans that was put in place in October, allowing local authorities the right to set stadium limits for the rest of this season.
      Away fans remain banned for the remaining games in the last eight and semi-final stages of both competitions, which resume next week.
      But Uefa will review the measures ahead of the two finals, due to be played in Gdansk and Istanbul at the end of May.
      And that opens up the prospect of Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City fans being allowed to travel to Turkey – if the UK Government assents.
      While Arsenal and Manchester United supporters could be heading to Poland if their side makes the Europa League final.
      Next month will see the Gunners face Slavia Prague in the quarter-final while United take on LaLiga outfit Granada.
      In the Champions League, Liverpool have the small matter of Real Madrid to contend with if they hope to repeat their 2005 visit to Istanbul while City face Erling Haaland’s Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea play Porto.
      The decision came as Uefa also voted to allow five substitutes per team at Euro 2020.
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      But the last-minute row between Uefa and the European Club Association over commercial and broadcasting rights for the revamped club competitions from 2024 meant the committee could only “unanimously” agree to hold another meeting on the new-look Champions League on April 19.
      Meanwhile, the four home nations were denied the chance to qualify for next year’s women’s Under-20 World Cup.
      The highest-ranked quartet of Spain, France, Germany and Holland were given automatic passes after the European U19 tournament, due to be played in Georgia, was postponed because of the pandemic.
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      Five Chelsea loan stars set to crash Thomas Tuchel’s first-team including Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher

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      THOMAS TUCHEL will be spoilt for choice this summer.As well as a transfer warchest reportedly tallying into the hundreds of millions, the Chelsea coach will have an array of top talents arriving on his doorstep after loan spells away.
      Thomas Tuchel will have some big decisions to make with Chelsea’s loan armyCredit: Getty
      Inevitably, the Premier League side will send the majority of this army of players back out on loan.
      But, a few stars may be called into the first-team and SunSport details five potential breakouts here.
      Marc Guehi
      The stars may be about to align for England Under-21 defender Guehi.
      Since joining Swansea in January 2020, he has made almost 50 appearances and starred for one of the Championship’s meanest defences.
      The Swans deploy a back-three similar to Tuchel’s and a new centre-back is thought to be on their radar this summer. Look no further.
      Marc Guehi has made himself a regular centre-back for England Under-21sCredit: Getty
      Malang Sarr
      In fact, Guehi’s biggest competition may come in the form of fellow loanee Sarr.
      The Porto centre-back is two years older than the Swansea star and is nearing the end of his fifth season in a European top-flight.
      Game time has not been too easy to come by for the Frenchman but, with Fikayo Tomori set to sign for AC Milan, he is another option for Tuchel.
      Malang Sarr has helped Porto reach the Champions League last-eightCredit: Getty
      Ross Barkley
      The coming months could be crucial to Barkley’s Chelsea career as he looks to turn around a slight drop-off in form at Aston Villa.
      Scoring just one goal since October, the 27-year-old will need to return with some momentum as he vies for a place against Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Co.
      But he is arguably the most talented of the entire loan army and certainly has the potential to fit into an attacking support role in Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1.
      Ross Barkley has a great chance to impress at Aston VillaCredit: Reuters
      Kenedy
      A year ago, it would have been incomprehensible to imagine Chelsea giving the Brazilian another chance.
      But LaLiga side Granada are flying high with the Brazilian on seven goals for the season and claiming that he is in the form of his life.
      At 25, he is far from a spent force and can stake a claim for a role next year when he faces Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals.
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      Granada are not thought to have a purchase option on loanee KenedyCredit: Getty

      Conor Gallagher
      As Billy Gilmour has found, Chelsea’s central midfield department is stocked with some major talent that is not exactly easy for young stars to break into.
      But, as reported by Goal, the club do like Gallagher and he has impressed in a struggling West Brom team.
      And he may be the best bet to earn a run in the side when he joins Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu and Tiemoue Bakayoko in returning to West London this summer.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Conor Gallagher could be set for a stint in the Chelsea first-team next seasonCredit: Getty
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      Conor Gallagher to be promoted to Chelsea first team next season by Thomas Tuchel after impressive loan at West Brom

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is reportedly ready to give Conor Gallagher a chance in the Chelsea first team next season.The midfielder, 21, has impressed on loan spells at Charlton, Swansea and most recently fighting relegation with West Brom.
      Conor Gallagher is reportedly in line for a Chelsea first-team shot next seasonCredit: Getty
      According to Goal, he is well liked by the Blues hierarchy and has a good chance of being involved next season.
      Ousting N’Golo Kante or Mateo Kovacic is a lot to ask although a potential move away for Jorginho may open up a space.
      Fellow youngster Billy Gilmour has found it tough to break in under Tuchel, only being named on the bench twice for Premier League games since the German took charge.
      And a host of talent including Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will also return from loan moves at the end of the season.
      Should Chelsea decide to sell Gallagher, reports earlier this month suggested Crystal Palace are keen with a bid of around £9million necessary.
      The player, still yet to debut for the West London club, is currently away with England Under-21s and will feature in the Group D decider versus Croatia on Wednesday.

      Gallagher will be ineligible for West Brom’s first game after the international break, away to parent club Chelsea, as they look to pull off an unlikely escape from the drop.
      But he has spoken highly of his loan stints away, including his time at the Hawthorns.
      The player said: “Everyone throughout their careers has a lot of tough moments.
      “You experience losing and things like that and you improve. We as young players, no matter what, will get experience from it.
      “I was excited to play in the Premier League after a step up from Championship last season. I’ve loved every minute of it. Hopefully I’ll keep developing and improving.
      “It’s been a tough season for West Brom so far, so doing the dirty side of the game, the importance of work off the ball [is important].
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      I’ve learnt a lot already in two years. Hopefully I can continue to learn as a player.Conor Gallagher

      “Premier League quality will punish you if you switch off, so you need to be concentrated and focused.
      “I know people have other views on players going on loan and I’ve been at three different teams, but it’s three different experiences and teams with [different] styles, different managers and players.
      “I’ve learnt a lot already in two years. Hopefully I can continue to learn as a player.”
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      Arsenal and Real Madrid ‘agree to delay Martin Odegaard talks until summer’ despite fears Chelsea will hijack transfer

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      ARSENAL and Real Madrid have agreed to delay talks regarding Martin Odegaard’s future until the summer.Odegaard joined the Gunners on loan from Real during the January transfer window and has hit the ground running with a raft of impressive displays.
      Arsenal appear keen to sign Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis but Real Madrid have yet to decide on their plansCredit: Getty
      Manager Mikel Arteta appears keen on keeping the attacking midfielder on a permanent basis but Los Blancos have yet to decide whether he is part of their plans for next season.
      According to Goal, the two clubs have decided to wait until the end of the season before holding talks over a possible permanent deal involving the 22-year-old.
      Arsenal are reportedly worried that his parent club will demand a staggering fee of £50million once they return to the negotiation table.
      The Gunners also fear stiff competition from London rivals Chelsea, who could hijack their star man in the summer.
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      Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keeping tabs on the Norway international but Real may not be keen on selling him at all.
      Manager Zinedine Zidane included Odegaard in his plans at the start of the season but a knee problem and a lack of match action hindered his form.
      Arsenal legend Paul Merson has advised his former club to axe the Norwegian from the first team until they secure a permanent deal.
      Merson said: “Martin Odegaard looks a really good player and I hope Arsenal have a chance of signing him permanently.

      “Because if they don’t have a chance of making his loan permanent next season, why is he playing?
      “If they know he doesn’t want to stay, he shouldn’t be playing because he’s taking opportunities away from people like Emile Smith Rowe.
      “So I hope Arsenal have done their homework and know what the situation is – I’d be disappointed if they haven’t already made a bid to be honest.”
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      Callum Hudson-Odoi gives Chelsea new international break injury scare as he misses England U21 clash with shoulder issue

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      CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI missed England’s Under-21 group stage match against Portugal with a shoulder injury. The issue was sustained in training, giving Chelsea an injury scare.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi picked up a shoulder injuryCredit: Getty
      But the forward was not sent back to the Blues, and is instead in line to return for England’s final European Championship group stage game against Croatia on Wednesday.
      England look destined to crash out of the tournament, having been beaten 1-0 by Switzerland and 2-0 against Portugal.
      Hudson-Odoi, 20, started the first match but his knock in training left him sidelined for the second.
      England manager Aidy Boothroyd had stressed the importance on Chelsea’s wideman before their loss to Portugal.
      Boothroyd said: “We need Callum. We need all of them. We have 23 outstanding players but only 11 places.
      “Callum is a player who has done brilliantly for his club and us. He’s a key player. It’s important that we share the load in this particular game.”
      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount away with England’s first team.
      James and Chilwell both started in the 5-0 thrashing against San Marino, with Mount also playing, and scoring in the second match against Albania, which ended 2-0.
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      But it was not such great news for Frenchman N’Golo Kante, who returned to London following an injury picked up on international duty.
      The midfielder felt some hamstring discomfort in France’s 1-1 draw against Ukraine.
      Chelsea host Premier League strugglers West Brom in their firs Premier League game back.
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      Chelsea ‘pricing themselves out of Tiemoue Bakayoko transfer sale with Napoli not interested in paying £15m demands’

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      CHELSEA are pricing themselves out of selling Tiemoue Bakayoko with Napoli not interested in paying £15million, reports say. Bakayoko joined the Serie A side last summer having been told he was not part of Frank Lampard’s plans.
      Chelsea reportedly want £15m to sell Tiemoue BakayokoCredit: Sportphoto24/Marco Canoniero

      And after initially impressing at Napoli, and agreement to sign him permanently at the end of the season looked likely.
      But after a dip in performances, the Italians are now not willing to meet Chelsea’s £15m fee, and will negotiate, according to CalcioNapoli24.
      It is understood Bakayoko wants to stay with Napoli and manager Gennaro Gattuso.
      The Frenchman, 26, played at AC Milan under Gattuso, his first loan away from Chelsea.
      The following season, he was shipped out to Monaco – the side he left the Blues for in 2017 – for a year.
      Bakayoko appears ready to leave Chelsea for good and has put all his efforts into helping Napoli qualify for next season’s Champions League.
      His brother and agent Abdoulaye told Si gonfia la rete: “He is focused on finishing the season.
      “The goal is obviously the Champions League, he is recharging the batteries for these remaining matches.
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      “Not an easy moment? I think this drop in form was common to the whole team.
      “He arrived on loan and there were high expectations of him and therefore he ended up more in the crosshairs of critics, he may be an example of the moment.
      “He is very focused on this situation of chasing the Champions League.
      “In the last few weeks, the situation has been this but it has involved the whole team.”

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