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      Antonio Rudiger targeted with ‘immense’ racist abuse after wrongly being blamed for getting Lampard sacked at Chelsea

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      ANTONIO RUDIGER has revealed the ‘immense’ racism he suffered after wrongly being blamed for Frank Lampard’s sacking.
      Media reports emerged after the former Chelsea manager’s exit claiming that player power was responsible, with the German one agitator.

      Antonio Rudiger has hit back at the abuse he has suffered onlineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Rudiger has described those claims as ‘nonsense’ while opening up on the horrific social media abuse he has suffered.
      He told the club website: “I have been in the club into my fourth season and I have had four different coaches, with Tuchel now.
      “And it was never talked about when Sarri left the club or when Conte left the club that players were involved or something like this.
      “My conscience is clear. I know who I am and I know I did not do all that nonsense that came out and for me in my head, I am very free.

      “I am open for every new coach, as I was open also for Mr Lampard.
      “I cannot control people’s emotions but people should be human beings. Me, I didn’t post anything but the racial abuse was immense.

      Of course it hurts but in this case I just block it out because I know I didn’t do anything.
      Antonio Rudiger

      “This makes me stronger because I know who I am, I can look in the mirror and I can smile. I know I didn’t do anything so for me this is forgotten.
      “For me in life it is very important I can look in the mirror, I see myself, I know who I am.

      “Of course it hurts but in this case I just block it out because I know I didn’t do anything.”
      Rudiger has played every minute of new boss Thomas Tuchel’s opening three games, and is yet to concede a goal in that time.
      The Blues head to Sheffield United on Sunday night against a backdrop of escalating online racism in English football.
      Fellow Chelsea star Reece James has spoken out against abuse in recent weeks.

      A growing number of footballers have suffered abuse including Reece JamesCredit: Reuters

      Axel Tuanzebe was targeted by sick racist taunts in recent weeksCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And a number of Premier League players including Alex Jankewitz, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Axel Tuanzebe have also been targeted.
      Tuanzebe in particular was subjected to disgusting taunts online after his recent appearances against Sheffield United and Everton.
      There have been calls for social media companies to do more to stamp out abuse before it can occur.
      But Rudiger expressed his belief that nothing will change until the abuse financially impacts those with the power.

      He continued: “To be very honest I don’t know about all these social media things but I think the more people who make accounts, they make money off it.
      “So me personally, I think they don’t really care because as you know, this money has power so the rest doesn’t matter, so it is hard to tell if people will make a change on that.
      “I feel sorry for that but I feel more sorry for people who are not strong enough so it really affects them.
      “Of course it affects me in a way too but it is just in a way that makes me think that people are not normal, people I am sorry to say are just stupid.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Antonio Rudiger shows off his football skills in Chelsea training More

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      Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic targets top-four berth after win at Tottenham and strong start under new boss Thomas Tuchel

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      MATEO KOVACIC has backed Chelsea to reignite their top-four push after a strong start under Thomas Tuchel.
      The Blues defeated Tottenham in midweek to make it seven points from nine under the German, without conceding a goal.

      Mateo Kovacic has high hopes following Chelsea’s strong form of lateCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Thomas Tuchel is undefeated as Blues boss having replaced Frank LampardCredit: AFP

      Just four points off the top four, Chelsea are up to sixth and in touching distance of rivals Everton, West Ham and Liverpool.
      And Kovacic, 26, hopes the team can continue to target a Champions League place for next season.
      He told the club website: “We have started well under the new coach.
      “That’s two wins in a row, plus a draw in his first game, and he’s explained to us exactly what he wants from us.

      “We have started well but I think we can do even better.
      “We played well against Tottenham and if we continue like that I think we can certainly get back into the top four.
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      “I think with this team we are good enough and we deserve to be there but you have to work hard for it.

      “So let’s take things game by game and see where it takes us.”
      Tuchel takes his side to bottom-club Sheffield United on Sunday for a 7.15pm kick-off.
      The Blades have experienced their own mini revivial with three wins in five.

      But the new manager is considering rotating his line-up to keep it fresh for the busy schedule ahead.
      Tuchel said: “Maybe we need some changes to be sharp again and to be physical again.
      “So we can compete at the highest level in the next away game against a strong, physical Sheffield United, that won their last game.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea deserved to beat Spurs after a very very good first half More

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      Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi furious with social media giants for refusing to accept monkey emojis as racism

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      CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI has reacted with fury that social media companies refuse to believe a monkey emoji sent to black players is racist.
      And his Chelsea team-mate Toni Rudiger has accused  tech companies of putting profits before people as football again faces up to a fight against the scourge of racism.

      Callum Hudson-Odoi is shocked and angry that social media giants do not understand the monkey emoji can be used to be racistCredit: Reuters

      Twitter do not sanction users who send the shocking taunt to footballers because their guidelines do not believe there is any racial connotation to the character.
      That has left Chelsea star Hudson-Odoi stunned – and he says when any player is on the receiving end of the sick messages it leaves them and others hurt and angry.
      The 20-year-old said: “How can that make sense? Do you know what I mean? If somebody puts for example, a monkey emoji towards a player. Why is that?
      “How is a player a monkey? What does that mean to a player?

      “So for us seeing stuff like that it always makes us angry. Are you saying that because of our skin colour? Because of the colour that we are?
      “Or are you just saying that because you just want to be, you think that you’re funny or you want to get a laugh out of people?
      “No one laughs at that sort of situation. All of us take that personally as a team and as players. We have to do something about it. Because obviously, as I said, racism won’t stop.”
      Speaking in an interview with global broadcaster beIN SPORTS, the winger says the continued racist insults on social media are starting to take their toll.

      As a player who saw his England senior debut in Montenegro two years ago marred by abuse from the terraces, he has felt the pain first hand.

      And Hudson-Odoi admits players are now thinking again about speaking out about the issue.
      He added: “Well, I wouldn’t be surprised. I wouldn’t be surprised at all. I feel like the more and more people talk, it does help at times.
      “When you talk about it people start to realise that it’s not right at the same time, but there are times where people feel like it’s an advantage for them to carry on trying to make you feel more down about yourself, or make you feel a type of way about your skin colour or something like that.
      “It’s totally unacceptable and totally – don’t like to use the word – but ‘stupid’ from their side, and idiotic; because I’m like – ‘Why would you want to do that to a player of the team that you support?’
      “Especially when you want them to do well for your team as well?
      “It’s embarrassing to us that we’re playing our hearts out and trying to play the game as much as possible to try and win games.
      “And if we don’t win or do something wrong, we’re receiving bad things from other people.
      “We trying our best in every game that we play in and our daily lives to talk about it because it’s just the thing where it gets me angry to hear stuff like that.
      “As I said, it’s unacceptable and hopefully things get resolved soon.”

      Rio Ferdinand has called on the government to get involved to combat social media racism
      Defender  Rudiger  is another abused online this season, with the defender targeted in the wake of  Frank Lampard’s sacking.
      And the German accused social media companies of caring more about money than bigotry, saying: “If more people are making accounts, I think they make money off it. I don’t think these people care.
      “As you know, this money has power and the rest doesn’t matter. It’s hard to tell if people will make a change on that. I feel sorry for that.”
      Chelsea are investigating Rudiger’s complaints and intend to forward any evidence of criminal behaviour to the police.
      In Blues owner Roman Abramovich the Chelsea players know there is someone who has vowed to help fund the battle to rid racism from the sport.
      He said: “I think it’s amazing to know the owner is coming out to help us, is reaching out to all of us, to know that he is trying to do something about it and get things sorted.
      “It’s unacceptable to hear any of that [racism]. I feel like all of us players know it’s unacceptable to hear stuff like that [racism] so, when we’re receiving stuff online or social abuse none of us like to receive it.
      “But definitely social media need to step up and hopefully do something about it as well. I think it’s very easy to go on social media and write something hateful to somebody, without anything being sorted.”
      Rio Ferdinand has called on the Government to intervene in the ‘disgusting situation’ of social media racism.
      Manchester United star Marcus Rashford became the latest in a long line of footballers who have been targeted with sick racist abuse online.
      Rashford’s team-mates Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial were abused on social media after their team lost at home to Sheffield United recently.

      Rio Ferdinand calls on government and social media to do more to combat ‘disgusting’ racism aimed at players More

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      Chelsea enter transfer race for Jadon Sancho with Dortmund resigned to losing him to Prem giant as Man Utd circle

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      CHELSEA are set to rival Manchester United in the transfer racefor Jadon Sancho, reports say.
      The forward was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer but United refused to meet Dortmund’s £108million price-tag.

      Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Sancho remained in Germany where he has managed eight goals in 25 appearances.
      It has kept demand for the 20-year-old high, with Chelsea now interested in a move for the winger, according to Sport1.
      They report Dortmund have accepted they will finally lose Sancho in the next window, likely to a Premier League side.
      German outfit Bild recently revealed the Bundesliga club will let him leave if they receive an offer in the region of £88m.

      The coronavirus pandemic is having a brutal financial impact on football and clubs are being forced to lower their prices for their main assets.
      Dortmund are believed to be facing losses of £66m and the sale of Sancho would help cover the debts.
      The England international will also be another year closer to the end of his contract in Germany which expires in the summer of 2023.
      Sancho scored 17 goals in 32 league matches on the way to becoming one of the hottest properties in Europe last season.

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      But he has suffered a dip in form this Bundesliga campaign, scoring just three times.
      As a result, it is believed to have contributed in his price tag being sliced to £88m.
      United remain interested in Sancho despite signing Amad Diallo in a deal set to total £37m.

      Chelsea handed transfer boost as Dortmund star and Manchester United target Jadon Sancho reveals he grew up a Blues fan More

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      Chelsea want to ‘hijack Real Madrid’s move for David Alaba’ as Tuchel seeks to bolster Blues defence with contract rebel

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is reportedly ready to make a counter-offer to hijack Real Madrid’s bid for David Alaba.
      Bayern Munich are set to wave goodbye to the long-serving Austrian defender when his contract expires in the summer.

      David Alaba is preparing to leave Bayern Munich in the summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chelsea are one of several teams said to be interested in the 28-year-old, along with Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
      According to The Guardian, the Blues want to make a last-ditch attempt to gazump the LaLiga giants.
      New boss Tuchel is reportedly looking to improve his defence despite keeping clean sheets in each of his first three games in charge.
      The German has opted for experience so far with Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta returned to the team alongside Thiago Silva.

      A versatile defender who started out as a midfielder, Alaba would fit into a number of positions in Tuchel’s 3-4-1-2.
      But Spanish media believe a free transfer to Real Madrid is done and dusted.
      A four-year deal worth £185,000-a-week has already been agreed, according to Marca.
      Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi has been linked to Chelsea amid the Italian club’s financial crisis.

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      Dayot Upamecano is another reported target with the RB Leipzig star’s £38million release clause activating in the summer.
      The Blues downed London rivals Spurs 1-0 at Tottenham Stadium on Thursday night.
      Tuchel said afterwards: “In general I am very pleased with the result, it is a deserved win.
      “We were very good in the first half, very dominant and strong with the ball, good counter-pressing and we did not allow counter-attacks against one of the most dangerous sides.
      “We lacked a little bit of precision in the box and composure to make it 2-0 and to score more goals and decide the match, so the second half was a bit hard.
      “We had some easy ball loses, and we lost a little bit of ball possession and confidence, but we never lost the structure to defend, we never lost the intensity to push up high, and the courage to defend up high and up front, so I am very pleased.
      “It is normal if you play a dominant game like this and you don’t score the second goal, it can happen that some minutes arrive when you have to suffer.
      “But we were absolutely ready for that both mentally and physical, and I am super happy with the effort. We defended excellently.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Thomas Tuchel is reportedly a big fan of the Austrian defenderCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      David Alaba demonstrates his home workout for Bayern Munich fans More

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      Chelsea flop Alexandre Pato demands ‘huge house with private pool and family protection’ to join Iraq club Al Diwaniya

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      ALEXANDRE PATO has asked for a huge house with a private pool and family protection to join Iraq club Al Diwaniya, reports say.
      The Brazilian is currently a free agent having left Sao Paulo in July 2020.

      Alexandre Pato is in talks to join Iraq club Al DiwaniyaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Alexandre Pato with his wife Rebeca

      Al Diwaniya president Hussein Al-Ankoshei confirmed the club are in talks with Pato.
      But according to Rudaw TV channel, the 31-year-old has tabled lofty demands while negotiating a contract.
      They say Pato wants a huge salary, a big house with a pool equipped and guaranteed safety for himself and wife Rebeca, a TV host.
      Al-Ankoshei eluded to the striker’s demands while confirming talks with the player.

      He said: “Negotiations are ongoing, the conditions he has set are difficult to meet and there is still no final agreement, it is not easy.”
      Al Diwaniya are currently 15th in the table and without a win in five games.
      They are so desperate for a victory, the players are said to have been guaranteed a PS5 the next time they pick up three points.
      And Pato’s arrival could help towards that.

      Alexandre Pato made just two appearances for ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The former AC Milan star made his name in Italy, where he scored 63 goals in 150 appearances.
      But his reputation as a clinical finisher took a knock when he joined Chelsea on loan from Corinthians in 2016.
      He played just TWICE after arriving in January as he struggled for fitness, despite scoring in a 4-0 win against Aston Villa.
      His most prolific form of late has been in China, where Pato spent two years with Tianjin Tianhai after signing in 2017.
      With 36 goals in 60 games it caught the attention of Sao Paulo, who brought the attacker back to Brazil, having spent a season on loan with the club in 2014.
      Pato penned a deal until 2022 but after just four goals and 13 appearances he terminated his contract, leaving him without a team.

      Alexandre Pato shows of his football skills in Sau Paulo training More

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      Thomas Tuchel claims he’s enjoyed ‘easy’ start at Chelsea after being welcomed with open arms

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has admitted he has had ‘an easy start’ to life at Chelsea.
      A 1-0 victory at London rivals Tottenham means that the German boss in still undefeated since taking over from Frank Lampard.

      Thomas Tuchel says he has been welcomed with ‘open arms’ at ChelseaCredit: AFP

      And while he will look to get his side creating more chance going forward, there is renewed optimism around Stamford Bridge.
      Speaking after Jorginho’s penalty was enough to see off Spurs, Tuchel told BT Sport: “We are super happy about the result.
      “It was a tough game against a strong opponent but we did very well and controlled the game well.
      “It was a good first half. In the second half we lost more of the possession and the distances in the passing were too long.

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      “If you play against a quality team you have to accept there are moments you have to suffer. We defended very actively and brave.
      “We were looking for a second goal desperately as that would have killed the game.
      “I’m happy with the spirit and the attitude in defending. A very solid team performance and a deserved win.”
      Much has been made about Tuchel’s coaching methods, and he has admitted he will use various formations and players depending on the opponent.

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      Chelsea have now won seven points from nine available and are undefeated under TuchelCredit: Getty – Pool

      But he is in relaxed mood going forward and is delighted to how things have started.
      He added: “It’s not about my methods. I’m happy with the attitude, the squad, the potential.
      “They are fine guys, it’s a nice group and they are open. It’s a pleasure to be around them.
      “We have a lot of support in the whole club. It was a quick start but an easy one because I feel very welcome.”
      His rival on the touchline Mourinho stoked the pre-match mind games by saying that managing Chelsea ‘is not a difficult job’.
      And Tuchel has started in the role well enough to suggest he could repeat Mourinho’s own haul of trophies won in his time with the West Londoners.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel asks reporter if he’s at the wrong press conference More