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      Chelsea line up transfer bid for Ousmane Dembele with Barcelona star set to go after refusing to enter contract talks

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      CHELSEA are interested in Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, reports say.
      The Frenchman’s deal expires next summer, and he is believed to be considering his future.

      Ousmane Dembele is reportedly considering his Barcelona future Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      According to Sport, Barca are considering selling Dembele, with neither the club or player interested in contract talks.
      Chelsea are named as one of the clubs monitoring the winger’s future, it was claimed.
      But, they will only be convinced to make a move if a ‘reasonable price’ was set for Dembele.
      The 23-year-old has also been wanted by the Blues’ Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United in the past.

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      He remained in Spain, though, with Dutchman Ronald Koeman taking over at the Nou Camp last summer.
      Dembele has since made 19 appearances, scoring six goals but his future remains in doubt.
      He joined the LaLiga giants in 2017 in a £110million deal, acting as a replacement for Neymar, who signed for PSG.

      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      But Dembele has failed to live up to expectations and has also been questioned over his conduct.
      He is said to have upset the Nou Camp hierarchy in the past due to his diet, sleeping pattern and turning up late for training.
      Dembele is also competing for a place in the team alongside Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati and Philippe Coutinho.

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      Frank Lampard blames tired legs for Chelsea’s loss of form as stats show alarming dip in in-game running

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      FRANK LAMPARD says Chelsea’s alarming loss of form is down to a lack of energy.
      The Blues boss is worried about a significant drop in the amount of running from his players in matches.

      Frank Lampard has opened up over Chelsea’s surprise drop in formCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chelsea’s plight was highlighted by Leicester star James Maddison after the Foxes’ 2-0 midweek triumph at the King Power Stadium.
      Midfielder Maddison emphasised that hard running was at the heart of his side’s success.
      And ahead of hosting Luton in the FA Cup on Sunday, Lamps said: “It was a really key thing when I heard Maddison speaking about Brendan Rodgers — a coach I have a lot of admiration for.
      “It was the message that, ‘If you don’t run, you don’t play’.

      “If I want to start my identity that’s how I start it.
      “From the minute I came into this club last year and started pre-season, with trips to Dublin and Japan, it was: ‘Can we run and be really good and effective off the ball and on the ball? Can we have energy in the team?’
      “That’s the first thing I want to see and it’s something we’ve definitely dropped off on, no doubt about that.”
      In three of their first six Premier League games this season, Chelsea’s players covered 70-plus miles, but they have not hit that mark in ANY of their last 13 league games.

      But if there is one Blues star whose performances and work-rate have not dropped off, it is Mason Mount.
      The England midfielder has started all but two of Chelsea’s domestic games.
      But there is little to no chance of him being rested for their fourth-round tie against Nathan Jones’ Championship side — despite two Premier League games in the following seven days.
      It is a lot of responsibility for a player who turned 22 this month. But Lampard said: “At the moment Mason is playing well, so he’s a player that stays in the team for that.
      “People talk to me about changing the team and why. But when players are playing well, I have no problem in keeping them playing.
      “Of course, at some stage you will look for moments to rest because of the amount of games that we play.
      “On the flip side, Mason is as fit as they come.
      “He trains, he rests, he does everything professionally right. So if anyone can handle it, it’s Mason.
      “There’s always a fine balance in this job as to when you can find rest for players that are crucial to the team.
      “At the moment he’s playing with confidence and work ethic — the stuff that Mason churns out pretty much all the time for Chelsea.

      Chelsea need a confidence boost after the loss at LeicesterCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Mason Mount has escaped the recent run with healthy praise from the fans and his managerCredit: EPA
      “Now he is getting real recognition for it and I think he’s growing.
      “Tough times are sometimes good for young players as they see things around them and see how other players react, see the right way to react.
      “Mason does see the right way. We’ll see it in terms of rest, we’ll see how that goes, but at the minute he’s crucial to the team.”
      Mount was at the heart of Lampard’s impressive first season as Chelsea boss when he and other products of the club’s academy repaid their manager’s faith in youth.
      Everything looked rosy just a few weeks ago when the Blues were on a 17-game unbeaten run.
      But after five defeats from their last eight Premier League games, serious questions are being asked of Lampard’s future.

      Lamps said: “I think it’s interesting because when you’re playing well and winning, your identity is really clear and it’s something you want to shout from the rooftops.
      “When you’re not playing well people question your identity, especially when you’re a relatively new manager.
      “So it’s important I am the one who says: ‘Hey, lads, the things we were doing well, the identity we had that was winning games for us, it has not changed — but we have lost some of the basics’.”
      Lampard’s tactical acumen and ability to blend nearly £230million of summer signings into a coherent team have also been questioned.
      He believes the problem and its solution are more straightforward.
      Lampard explained: “In terms of the formations I don’t want to get hung up, as we’re not going to win these next few games depending on our formation.

      “We’re going to win them depending on how much we want to run, how much desire we have and how quickly we move the ball.
      “When I walked off the pitch against Leeds, who are a really good side — that was the team I want to see.
      “When I watched us at Sevilla, with ten changes, that was the team I want to see.
      “That was only six weeks ago so it’s just remembering the basics and then the identity follows.”
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      Chelsea reject West Ham loan transfer offer for Emerson Palmieri with heavy fixture pile-up ahead

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      CHELSEA have rejected a loan offer from West Ham for Emerson Palmieri as they face a fixture pile-up, reports say.
      The Hammers are searching for a left-back to provide competition and cover for Aaron Cresswell with Arthur Masuaku out injured.

      Emerson is a reported transfer target for West HamCredit: Getty Images

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      And Emerson, 26, who has been at Chelsea since moving from Roma in 2018, is understood to be a target.
      But according to The Mirror, their approach to sign the defender was rejected by the Blues.
      It comes with Chelsea approaching a busy run of EIGHT games before February ends.

      That includes FA Cup and Champions League fixtures.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
      As a result, manager Frank Lampard values Emerson’s position in the squad as cover for Ben Chilwell.
      Chilwell, 24, has been the first choice left-back ever since making his £50million switch from Leicester.

      Initially, Marcos Alonso was No2, but after a dreadful performance in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw at West Brom in September, the Spaniard has not been seen since.
      It has afforded Emerson nine appearances this season.

      And while the 26-year-old appears staying put, Fikayo Tomori has sealed a loan move away.
      Struggling to keep five centre-backs happy, Lampard allowed Tomori to move to Italy.
      He signed on a temporary six month deal with the option to make the move permanent for £25m.

      Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori arrives in Italy for medical as AC Milan complete loan deal with £27million option to buy More

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      Chelsea manager candidate Thomas Tuchel is fashion model, former barman, has business degree and refused Bayern Munich

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is a man of many monikers, but you would never have imagined the former PSG boss would fancy himself as Germany’s next top model.
      The Chelsea target, who is waiting in the wings for the Blues job should Roman Abramovich relieve Frank Lampard of his duties, once posed for a fashion shoot in New York for Die Zeit’s men’s magazine.

      Thomas Tuchel is a football manager and a fashionistaCredit: Markus Jans

      In 2017, Tuchel appeared in ZEITmagazin MANN in a trendy fashion shootCredit: Markus Jans

      Tuchel, 47, had a stint as a barman, when he was forced to retire from the game aged just 24 – that he admits helped him become a more confident person.
      The German tactician is also one of a rare breed of football managers who hold a degree – he juggled his job at Radio Bar in Stuttgart alongside studying Business Administration at university.
      The differing facades of Tuchel paint not just an interesting personality, but one that’s bound to light up the Premier League if he comes to our shores.
      HE’S IN FASHION
      In 2017, few could believe what they were seeing – certainly not German football fans anyway.

      Skinny Tuchel, who stands at 6ft 2in, was seen in trendy snaps for ZEITmagazin MANN pulling off his best David Gandy impression.
      And in fairness to Tuchel, he looked the part wearing stylish clobber while gazing into the distance – and still managing to look his usual pensive self.
      At the time, he was in between jobs after he was fired by Borussia Dortmund – just days after they won the German cup.
      However, the stylish shoot was clearly the perfect audition for the PSG job he got in 2018, with Paris being the home of fashion.

      Tuchel had come a long way from his beginnings as a football manager wannabe.

      In each stylish photo Tuchel looks like he could be Germnay’s next top modelCredit: Markus Jans

      Standing at 6ft 2in, Tuchel pulls off a range of catwalk looksCredit: Markus Jans
      EARLY RETIREMENT
      In his early years, Tuchel rose through the ranks at Augsburg as a defender.
      But at 19 he was released, and he moved to second division Stuttgarter Kickers, playing eight times for the club.
      Then, with his career in football stalling, he joined third tier SSV Ulm – where he was forced to hang up his boots aged 24, after suffering a serious knee injury.
      Instead of dwelling on his failed ambitions, Tuchel enrolled himself onto a Business Administration course.
      He supplemented his income working at a trendy bar in the city called Radio Bar. There, he learned life skills – even if his cocktails weren’t up to scratch.
      “I don’t want to have drunk the cocktails that I mixed at the beginning,” he laughed in his chat with ZEITmagazin MANN.
      “I slowly developed a new self-confidence in the bar, shift by shift, evening after evening.
      “I had overcome the inhibition threshold of asking strangers if they needed me. And suddenly I made the experience: ‘Your colleagues just like you for who you are, they have no idea that you were once a professional footballer'”

      Tuchel began his football career at Augsburg, but was released at 19Credit: PA:Press Association

      A defender by trade, Tuchel moved to Stuttgarter KickersCredit: PA:Press Association

      However, at the age of 24 he was forced to retire while playing for SSV UlmCredit: PA:Press Association
      BACK TO THE DREAM
      Despite Tuchel’s best efforts of launching himself into academia and being a customer-pleaser in a bar, he still felt he had unfinished business with football.
      He contacted then-Stuttgart boss Ralf Rangnick, who was most recently head of sport and development at Red Bull GmbH, for a trial with the club’s reserves – believing he was fit to play after nine months without kicking a ball.
      However, chronic cartilage damage saw Tuchel unable to show his true potential.
      Seeing a man with a football brain, Rangnick pushed Tuchel towards coaching – he shadowed coaches in the club academy until he took over the U14 team in 2000.
      Tuchel now felt he had found his calling.

      Tuchel isn’t your average manager and boasts a business degreeCredit: PA:Press Association

      As a youth team coach Tuchel enjoyed much success, including winning the U19 Bundesliga title with Mainz in 2009Credit: PA:Press Association
      FROM BARMAN TO MAINZ HEAD COACH IN NINE YEARS
      The steep trajectory that took Tuchel from barman to a Bundesliga head coach in just nine years is testament to his drive to succeed.
      At Stuttgart, under mentor Hermann Badstuber, he eventually became assistant coach for the U19s – helping the side win the U19 Bundesliga title in 2005.
      In 2006, he returned to Augsburg as head coach, where he completed his coaching badges and became reserve team manager.
      Ambitious Tuchel was on the move again – this time to Mainz in 2008, who he led to the U19 Bundesliga title the following year with a team that included World Cup winner Andre Schurrle.
      The German national team were desperate to appoint Tuchel as their U21 boss, but a better offer came along.
      When Mainz boss Jorn Andersen was fired, Tuchel grabbed his first job as a Bundesliga head coach.

      When the opportunity came, Tuchel became head coach of Mainz in 2009Credit: Rex Features

      Tuchel rose from barman to a Bundesliga head coach in just nine yearsCredit: PA:Press Association
      SUCCESS STORY
      With Mainz playing in their first season in the Bundesliga after promotion the previous year, Tuchel guided the club to a ninth-placed finish.
      The following season, after an incredible seven-game winning run, that included a 2-1 away victory at Bayern Munich, they finished fifth to qualify for the Europa League for the first time in their history.
      Tuchel was being talked about as a master tactician by the German press, with his attacking style lauded by football experts.
      “There’s definitely a style that’s been attributed to me, that we brought to the table at Mainz: pace going forward and attack-minded football,” he told German newspaper die Zeit.
      “I prefer certain qualities, an active playing style, bold defending and pacy play in attack.”
      While Tuchel was also willing to think outside the box when it came to rallying his players and preparing them for games.
      Once, instead of making his players watch video analysis after a crushing defeat, he motivated them with a powerful speech borrowed from Michael Jordan.

      Tuchel’s brand of football at Mainz was lauded by the pressCredit: PA:Press Association

      Inspiring team talks, including using quotes from Michael Jordan, were all part of his successCredit: AFP – DDP
      “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” he echoed to his team.
      Tuchel also hired Rene Maric, a young football fan who posted his musings on games on a blog, to scout opposition teams and players.
      WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUE
      After a 12-month sabbatical, Tuchel was named Borussia Dortmund coach – following in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp.
      Young stars like Christian Pulisic and Ousmane Dembele were nurtured, thriving under the new boss as the club finished runners-up in the Bundesliga in 2016 in his second season.
      However, winning his first trophy as a manager in 2017 was soured just thre days later when he was sacked. A strained relationship with the club’s hierarchy, notably CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, was deemed to be the reason.
      That didn’t deter PSG from making a move for Tuchel, who reportedly turned down Bayern Munich’s advances beforehand, in the summer of 2018 and he won Ligue 1 in his first season.
      But again, tensions arose when he clashed with senior figures, including sporting director Leonardo.

      Days after winning the German Cup, Tuchel was fired by Borussia DortmundCredit: Reuters

      As boss of PSG between 2018-20, Tuchel managed superstars like NeymarCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Could Tuchel’s next destination be Stamford Bridge?Credit: Alamy

      Tuchel didn’t help his cause when he said he felt “[more like] a politician in sport” than a coach. Leonardo bit back that Tuchel “[must] respect the people above [him]” and said the comments were damaging for the club.
      Despite recording a domestic treble in his final season in Paris, as well as being a Champions League runner-up, he was fired again.
      One to speak his mind, it begs the question if Stamford Bridge is the right setting for Thomas Tuchel under the watchful gaze of Chelsea owner Abramovich.

      Frank Lampard reacts to questions about his future after Chelsea lose 2-0 at Leicester More

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      Frank Lampard has three games to save his job as pressure mounts on Chelsea boss after abject form

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      FRANK LAMPARD faces a crucial fortnight for his future as Chelsea boss.
      The club legend is safe in the job for now but Tuesday’s abject defeat at Leicester has fuelled growing concerns that the axe is looming.

      Time is running out with Frank Lampard handed just three games to save his jobCredit: PA:Press Association

      Chelsea are outside of the European places following the Leicester defeatCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Upcoming games against out-of-form Wolves and struggling Burnley have now become pivotal matches instead of routine rollovers for the head coach.
      Then comes a daunting trip to Tottenham on February 4, which could also have a huge bearing on Lampard’s reign.
      Despite spending £217.3million on new players, Chelsea have slipped to eighth in the Premier League, losing five of their last eight games.
      Lampard, 42, is running out of time to turn things around and facing an increasingly uphill battle to convince owner Roman Abramovich he can lead the team, for whom he scored a record 211 goals as a player.

      Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, out-of-work German Thomas Tuchel and RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann are already being considered as possible replacements this summer.
      Club insiders fear the huge, rapid investment in new talent has given Lampard too much choice in his squad and that has led to problems.
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      There are also claims workaholic Lamps’ training can be too intense.

      Chelsea watched on as Leicester celebrated temporarily going top on Tuesday following the 2-0 win.
      Wilfred Ndidi placed home an early opener via the post after slack marking from a corner.
      And James Maddison took advantage of more poor defending from a lofted ball over the top to round off the scoring by the break.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Chelsea want German-speaking manager like Tuchel to get best out of Havertz and Werner if Lampard is sacked

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      CHELSEA are reportedly compiling a shortlist of German-speaking managers should Frank Lampard leave Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues boss saw pressure ramped up last night after a 2-0 defeat at Leicester.

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      Frank Lampard is coming under increasing pressure as Chelsea bossCredit: Reuters
      It was their fifth defeat in eight games and leaves them down in eight spot, nine points off table-toppers Leicester.
      And while Chelsea aren’t believed to be looking to sack Lampard, they appear to have planned for a worst-case scenario.
      According to The Athletic, the Blues hierarchy believe a German-speaking boss could be the future.

      Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel, RB Leipzig chief Julien Nagelsmann and legendary German coach Ralf Rangnick could all come into consideration.
      And the execs’ thinking could be surrounding the dismal form of German summer signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
      Werner’s confidence looks shot and he has been dropped to the bench in recent games.
      He joined from RB Leipzig for £47.5m and was one of the Bundesliga’s most-exciting forwards.

      Havertz, signed for £70m from Bayer Leverkusen, started well but has seen his form similarly slide.

      RB Leipzig boss Julien Nagelsmann, who got the best out of Timo Werner, is believed to be on the minds of Chelsea execsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Werner continues to struggle since his near-£50m move to ChelseaCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

      And he is usually spotted watching on from the dugout too.
      The Athletic adds that Chelsea have seen the stunning success that Jurgen Klopp has had at Liverpool and want to adopt a similar structure.
      That would mean ‘the coach’s job is merely to work with what he is given’ and they could ‘avoid power struggles behind the scenes’ as they are not ‘political animals’.
      There is also a growing clamour to adopt the style of play and tactics developed from the Bundesliga.
      Chelsea would be looking at ‘experienced options’ if they chose to replace Lampard.
      The 42-year-old is now heavy favourite to be the next Premier League manager to be sacked.

      Kai Havertz has failed to light up the Premier League like he did the BundesligaCredit: PA:Press Association
      A dismal defeat at Leicester leaves the club legend under serious pressure, and just 8/11 to go.
      Lampard will know all too well how notoriously ruthless Roman Abramovich is as an owner.
      The Russian has shown no hesitation in swinging the axe to numerous managers during Lampard’s playing days.
      And the bookies believe Lampard’s fate could be inevitable if he doesn’t turn around their form quickly.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori’s AC Milan loan transfer ‘very close’, confirms sporting director Paolo Maldini

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      FIKAYO TOMORI’S loan move to AC Milan is ‘very close’ to being agreed, sporting director Paolo Maldini confirmed.
      The Serie A giants are closing in on a temporary deal to sign Tomori till the end of the season, with an option to make the transfer permanent for £27million.

      Fikayo Tomori’s loan move to AC Milan is ‘very close’ to being agreedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      AC Milan sporting director Paolo MaldiniCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Milan club legend Maldini revealed a deal is near completion but warned one miss step could scupper plans entirely.
      He said: “It’s very close, we’re in between confirming his signing and not signing him at all, it could all break down with just one detail.
      “We saw in him the quality to throw him into the mix with our current defenders, so that’s why we want him.”

      Initially Milan, who are current league leaders in Italy, targeted Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
      But with Simakan sidelined for around two months as he requires surgery, Tomori emerged as a priority alternative.
      The 23-year-old centre-back is a product of Chelsea’s famous academy and has made 27 appearances in total since his debut in 2016.

      He made a name for himself on loan at Derby in Frank Lampard’s first season as manager, winning their player of the year in 2019.
      But when the boss and player moved back to Chelsea, it has been a more inconsistent period for Tomori.

      He played 22 times last season, but since the arrival of Brazilian Thiago Silva, 36, last summer, the youngster has just four games under his belt this term.
      Kurt Zouma, 26, Antonio Rudiger, 27, and Andreas Christensen, 24, have all been preferred to Tomori this season.
      And Lampard admitted having five centre-backs has proved too much to handle.
      He said: Fikayo is a developing player. In the squad we had four centre-backs last year.
      “I can’t play four in one game and you try and find consistency at different times. At one point Fikayo was in that and later on not so much.
      “This year we have five centre-backs. So the predicament is difficult for the ones not playing regularly and that is why he might go out on loan, for his development.
      “He is a young player. His development has been a huge rise in the last two or so seasons since I have been working with him.
      “That will continue and we will find the best path for that.”

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      Chelsea star Timo Werner struggling to find form because Frank Lampard is not playing to his strengths, says Hasenhuttl

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      RALPH HASENHUTTL believes Timo Werner is struggling at Chelsea because they are not playing to his strengths.
      Werner signed for Chelsea in the summer for £53million – which gave the signal that boss Frank Lampard was turning the club back into title contenders.

      Ralph Hasenhuttl worked with Timo Werner back at RB LeipzigCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Frank Lampard is going through a testing spell in charge of ChelseaCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

      But the German striker has struggled since arriving in England – and has failed to find the net in his last 10 Premier League games.
      He is in danger of joining the list of expensive and talented flops that have tried and failed to make the grade at Stamford Bridge, such as Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko.
      Southampton boss Hasenhuttl – who appeared to get the best out of Werner after signing him for RB Leipzig in 2016 – has advised Lampard how to get him firing again.
      The Austrian coach said: “I know Timo very well and I have seen him in situations where he was not good.

      “Most of the time when I have seen this is because of the reason that the game doesn’t fit to him. The team didn’t play a way he can bring his best on the pitch, I think.
      “He is definitely a player where you have to adapt your game to him. If you do this, he will give you everything you need from a striker.
      “But, therefore, he has some qualities you really have to focus on.
      “The good thing for him, I think at Leipzig when I was there, is we concentrated completely on his qualities. Our quick transitions after winning the ball, it was perfect for our game.

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      Werner looked hugely off-form in a recent showing versus FulhamCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail

      Hasenhuttl’s Southampton are fighting Chelsea for a European spot this seasonCredit: AFP

      “Also, when he was with Julian [Nagelsmann], he was also scoring a lot of goals.”
      Werner has been rotated in and out of the side along with fellow Blues strikers Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham, with Lampard seemingly yet to know his best and most consistent combinations up top.
      Werner has played down the middle and out wide so far at Chelsea, but at Leipzig under Hasenhuttl, the 24-year-old was strictly a centre forward.
      Hasenhuttl added: “You really need to bring him into his best position so he can bring his strength on the pitch. For me, he is one of the best strikers in Europe.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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