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      Kai Havertz’s ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss Peter Bosz blames Chelsea struggles on Hakim Ziyech ‘pushing him away’

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      KAI HAVERTZ has struggled at Chelsea due to his new club squeezing in Hakim Ziyech, according to his old boss.
      Bayer Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said that the £62million German has been playing too deep at Stamford Bridge, limiting his threat.

      Kai Havertz has endured a slow first few months since signing for ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hakim Ziyech has been named as one player obstructing the young German’s opportunitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the 57-year-old insisted that accommodating fellow new boy Ziyech down the right wing is responsible for his lack of goals.
      He told Voetbal International: “Havertz’s greatest quality lies in the opponent’s box. He has to be there to score goals.
      “At Chelsea, he now also plays further back, because Hakim Ziyech pushes him away.
      “Then Havertz does not get into the penalty area.”

      Havertz has just five goals under his belt for Chelsea, three of which came in a Carabao Cup cruise past Barnsley.
      Frank Lampard’s inability to get the 21-year-old firing comes alongside Timo Werner and Ziyech’s quiet starts in West London.
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      Bosz explained how he got the best out of the attacking midfielder, who netted 29 goals in 74 games under the Dutchman.

      Allowing Havertz to stay high up the pitch during opponent’s attacks kettled full-backs into either sitting deeper – or providing him with space in behind on the counter.
      He continued: “We played an attacking 3-4-3 with two No10s and a diamond in midfield.
      “Without the ball, I let Havertz swerve to the right. Without the ball is not his greatest quality, but opponents did not dare let him stand there.

      Peter Bosz has given is verdict on Havertz’s start at ChelseaCredit: EPA

      “If his opponent pushes up, their central defender will be in a one-on-one with Havertz if he loses the ball.
      “They are often not the fastest players. So that high-pressing full-back is automatically called back.”
      Havertz has been named on the bench for Chelsea’s last five league matches and will hope for an outing away to Leicester on Tuesday.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Frank Lampard admits he has been playing Chelsea new boys Havertz and Werner out of position due to injuries in squad More

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      Fernando Torres appointed Atletico Madrid B manager as ex-Chelsea and Liverpool star takes step up in coaching career

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      EX-CHELSEA striker Fernando Torres has been appointed Atletico Madrid B manager.
      The 36-year-old, who also played for Liverpool and AC Milan, has begun his managerial career at the club where he spent most of his playing days.

      Fernando Torres retired from playing in 2019

      Torres had returned to Atletico in September to take on a coaching role with the B team but has now got the main job.
      According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the club’s youngsters are said to be amazed by his training sessions.
      Torres started his career at Atletico, becoming captain at 19 before moving to Liverpool in 2007.
      He enjoyed lots of success at Anfield, scoring 65 Premier League goals and earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Year in 2007/08 and 2008/09.

      The striker’s form persuaded Chelsea to spend £50million on him in January 2011, but he never lived up to his billing.
      He scored just 20 Premier League goals in three-and-a-half seasons with the Blues before being offloaded to Milan.
      The Spanish international lasted just half a season at the San Siro as he returned to Atletico in January 2015.
      He scored 38 times during his second spell at Madrid before moving to Japanese side Sagan Tosu in July 2018, retiring 13 months later.

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

      Torres won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup during his spell with Chelsea but never lived up to his £50m transfer feeCredit: PA:Press Association

      Torres won plenty of trophies during his playing career, including the World Cup, Champions League and Euros twice.
      Several high-profile players have emerged from Atletico’s academy, including Torres, current captain Koke and David de Gea.
      And Torres may be on his way to landing Diego Simeone’s job in the future after claiming their relationship ‘blew up’ last year.

      Atletico Madrid terminate Diego Costa’s contract after striker demands to be let go More

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      Chelsea’s forgotten man Marco van Ginkel plays first game in 983 DAYS as he comes on as sub for PSV Eindhoven

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      CHELSEA’S forgotten man Marco van Ginkel finally returned to action after 983 DAYS out following a horror injury.
      The Blues midfielder, 28, came off the bench in the 86th minute for loan side PSV Eindhoven against AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday – to end two and a half years of knee-injury hell.

      Chelsea’s Marco van Ginkel finally returned to action for the first time since 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Dutch midfielder was subbed on for PSV against AZ AlkmaarCredit: Rex Features

      The Dutch international was last seen on a football pitch in May 2018.
      Van Ginkel has been plagued with knee issues for the best part of a decade since tearing his meniscus at Chelsea feeder side Vitesse Arnhem in 2011.
      He tore his ACL in only his second start for the Blues – a 2-0 League Cup win over Swindon Town in September 2013 – two months after he arrived at Stamford Bridge for £8million.
      After loan spells at AC Milan and Stoke, in July 2018 – having skippered PSV to the Eredivisie title – Van Ginkel went under the knife again.

      He required another operation to repair the cruciate ligament and treat chondral damagae in his knee.
      The midfielder was expected to be out for eight months but it took over a year for him to return to the training field back at Cobham.
      The coronavirus pandemic interrupted Van Ginkel’s comeback attempts but he was seen training on the pitch in April 2020 at the Bridge – fuelling hopes he would be back in competitive action soon.
      The Blues stayed loyal to their player handing him a new one-year deal in June after just four appearances in seven years.

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      Van Ginkel has made four appearances for Chelsea since 2013Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      He returned to PSV on loan for the 2020-21 season in October but further complications in his recovery have delayed his return to action.
      Chelsea congratulated their ace on his return with his career looking like it could have been over at one stage of his rehab.
      The club tweeted: “Marco van Ginkel played for PSV tonight, his first match for 32 months following a lengthy injury lay-off.
      “Congratulations and welcome back, Marco!”

      Marco van Ginkel played for PSV tonight, his first match for 32 months following a lengthy injury lay-off.Congratulations and welcome back, Marco! 💪 pic.twitter.com/IY8jrzZ6pP
      — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2021

      After his comeback game, which PSV lost 3-1, Van Ginkel told ESPN: “Personally, this is a highlight. I worked hard for it and it took a long time. 
      “Being back now feels like a reward. Against Ajax I was there again, then I already tasted the atmosphere and I got a bit of everything in the stadium. 
      “Today I noticed that something had to be done when we were behind. I got a few minutes, that’s great.”
      Van Ginkel conceded that he stopped counting the days and that the chances of his emotional return were getting smaller.

      The fire has never stopped burning. That was necessary, otherwise I would not have made it.”
      Marco van Ginkel

      He added: “At home I’m going to put things into perspective for a moment, that’s a lot. In the end I worked hard for it and I am proud to be back.
      “Almost a thousand days? I just heard, yes. In the end I stopped counting the days. They are not the most important either. 
      “I was only working on my recovery, hoping to be able to play football again. There was also a period when that chance was a lot smaller.
      “I’ve been through a lot of emotional things. In the end I’m standing here, then a congratulation is appropriate, yes.
      “The fire has never stopped burning. That was necessary, otherwise I would not have made it.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Chelsea’s forgotten man Marco van Ginkel goes out on loan to PSV More

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      Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori eyed by AC Milan in loan transfer as Frank Lampard hints defender could head out

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      CHELSEA defender Fikayo Tomori is reportedly being eyed by Italian giants AC Milan.
      The 23-year-old is well down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, with boss Frank Lampard prepared to let him leave on loan.

      Fikayo Tomori looks set to leave Chelsea on loan this monthCredit: Rex Features

      And according to Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, Milan have ‘contacted Chelsea’ and the player ‘would accept’ the move.
      But Tomori is seemingly second-choice for the Rossoneri with Strasbourg’s Mohamed Simakan top of their list.
      Lampard is keen for Tomori to head out to get some first-team action.
      The 15-cap England U21 international has made just four appearances this season – the latest being a 10-minute cameo in the FA Cup win over Morecambe.

      A string of Premier League clubs, including Leeds and Newcastle, are reportedly interested.
      Lampard said: “The situation with Fikayo is open at the moment.
      “There is a possibility he could be going on loan to get games somewhere else. So that would have to be the solution for him and the club. That was part of my thinking of not starting him today.
      “I gave him some minutes at the end but while we were looking at that I wanted to make sure it was the right thing for the club and for him and individually. So that’s why he didn’t start.

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      Frank Lampard is ready to loan out Tomori this monthCredit: AP:Associated Press

      “But his attitude, even though he hasn’t played much recently, has been fantastic in training and in how he is.”
      Tomori was a key part of Lampard’s Derby team in the 2018/19 Championship campaign.
      He snubbed a move to West Ham on summer transfer deadline day to fight for a spot at Stamford Bridge.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Frank Lampard admits Fikayo Tomori didn’t start FA Cup win against Morecambe as he could be going on loan More

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      Chelsea refusing to let Ross Barkley leave on permanent transfer to Aston Villa on cheap after successful loan spell

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      CHELSEA are poised to play hardball with Aston Villa over any potential transfer for midfielder Ross Barkley.
      The 27-year-old hit some fine form following a loan switch before he was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

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      Chelsea are not prepared to let Ross Barkley leave on the cheapCredit: Reuters
      And according to Birmingham Live, Chelsea aren’t willing to let Barkley leave on the cheap’.
      Barkley still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his £100,000-plus weekly wage.
      Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard is understood to have been impressed with the midfielder’s form on loan at Villa Park this season.

      And the Blues manager, 42, is reported to have been in touch with the player to congratulate him on the quality of his performances. 
      Barkley had opted for a September move from West London in a bid to boost his England selection chances ahead of the Euros next year. 
      And with the summer arrivals of Kai Havertz and Hakim Zayech, first team starts for the midfield star looked like they could potentially be limited. 
      But many of Chelsea’s acquisitions from their £200million summer splurge have struggled for form leading to increasing pressure on Lampard.

      And that could mean Barkley is handed a Stamford Bridge lifeline.

      Barkley joined Villa in the hope to earn an England spot for the EurosCredit: Reuters

      Chelsea are still being linked with a move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
      And the Blues might have been give a boost in their transfer pursuit.
      He has reportedly told his friends he does not want to leave London for Manchester – ruling out a move to United.
      A source told the Daily Mirror: “Dec has been flattered by interest in him but he doesn’t see himself moving to Manchester.
      “It’s obvious where he’d like his next move to be.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Football stars Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley break strict Coronavirus rules to party More

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      Chelsea forced to shut famous academy due to Covid outbreak with U23 clashes postponed as youngsters and staff isolate

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      CHELSEA have been forced to shut their famous academy because of a coronavirus outbreak.
      The training centre which produced players like Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Reece James in recent years will be closed all week for a deep clean.

      Chelsea have been forced to shut their famous academy because of a coronavirus outbreakCredit: Alamy

      The training centre will be closed all week for a deep cleanCredit: Alamy

      The outbreak does not affect the Men’s Senior or Ladies’ teamsCredit: Alamy

      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
      There have been a number of positive test results and some players and staff must now isolate for ten days.
      The outbreak does not affect the Men’s Senior or Ladies’ teams as they operate in separate Covid ‘bubbles’ despite also being based at Chelsea’s training complex in Cobham, Surrey.
      The youth team centre will be closed for the rest of the week and development squad and under-23 games against West Ham and Brighton this week have been postponed.

      Players and staff at the academy will also have to undergo another round of testing.
      The news comes as the Premier League’s ordered clubs to enforce a new Covid clampdown – or face the consequences.
      League bosses wrote to all 20 clubs with the new rules, making clear sanctions will follow for breaches.
      Under the revised instructions, clubs were warned they will face action for Covidiocy by their players.

      That came after the outrageous breaches by players at Spurs, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Manchester City in recent weeks.

      And players were also informed they must not shake hands, hug each other in celebrations or swap shirts after games.
      In the email to clubs, League bosses laid down the law for the first time since the summer when the protocols were agreed with the Government and scientific experts.
      Those regulations demand players wear masks at ALL times on match-day other than when they are playing, engaged in warm-up sessions and giving socially-distanced post-match interviews.
      Clubs must now ensure they follow instructions to transport first-team players and staff to matches in three separate coaches.
      In addition, all external staff working for travel services or in hotels used for stays must have returned negative Covid tests, while each club must submit a risk-assessed travel plan to the League for every game.
      Amid suggestions that too many hangers-on have been accessing grounds on match days, clubs have again been ordered to ensure they each have a maximum of 10 representatives in directors’ boxes.
      At training ground, indoor meetings will be banned unless they are fully socially-distanced, with canteens banned other than on matchdays the previous day.
      And clinical passports will be required by players and staff at training ground, with Prem-appointed compliance officers having the right to ask for spot-checks of credentials.

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      Chelsea ratings: Hudson-Odoi and Gilmour shine as Blues make light work of Morecambe in FA Cup

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      CHELSEA breezed past Morecambe in the FA Cup on Sunday with a 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi and Billy Gilmour were among the players rotated into the side by Frank Lampard – and the pair certainly impressed.

      Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi combined for Chelsea’s first on SundayCredit: AFP or licensors

      But it was Mason Mount who got the scoring underway before a Timo Werner goal on the verge of half-time.
      Hudson-Odoi got his name on the scoresheet for 3-0 before Kai Havertz wrapped up the scoring late on.
      Here, SunSport’s Simon Phillips delivers his verdict on the individual performances from the third round.
      Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
      Almost embarrassed with a cross/shot in the first-half and actually did very well to keep it out of the goal. He didn’t have anything else to do though but was tidy on the ball.

      Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
      Unfortunately, he is not looking like the player he once was anymore and he could surely have used a rest today. But he did a job and luckily wasn’t really tested at the back.
      Kurt Zouma – 6
      Did his job well but he was never under any defensive threat. Calm and tidy on the ball.

      Kurt Zouma helped the Blues see out a first clean sheet in four gamesCredit: Reuters
      Antonio Rudiger – 6
      Couple of misplaced passes and wasted chances from crosses. But he also hit a few good long passes and almost setup Ziyech for a goal with a lovely chip pass over the back line.
      Emerson Palmieri – 6
      Was oddly playing very centrally and didn’t overlap enough, but it is unclear whether that was tactical instructions or just bad movement from the left-back. He did look a threat in attack on a few occasions.

      Billy Gilmour – 8
      Tidy play from Gilmour who quietly went about his job very well. Tough on the ball and barely gave away possession, if at all.

      Billy Gilmour put in another solid display from the centre of the parkCredit: AFP or licensors
      Mason Mount – 7
      Scored a brilliant goal to put Chelsea in front in the first half. Missed a few opportunities to make key passes in the game, but he was behind a lot of the good moves that Chelsea did as well.
      Kai Havertz – 8
      Quiet start to the game but he grew into it and got a nice assist for Timo Werner to put Chelsea 2-0 up. Grew in confidence in the second-half and looked to make things happen. Scored a very good header late on.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi – 9
      Chelsea’s liveliest attacker and set up Mount for his goal in the first-half. Same story for him in the second-half as he stepped up his threat even more and got on the scoresheet himself. Man of the Match.

      Hakim Ziyech – 8
      Some very good touches and passes out wide from him, and he did well to send the cross over for Chelsea’s second goal. He looked hungry and could have got on the scoresheet himself, but he was wisely removed for Pulisic on 66 minutes.
      Timo Werner – 6
      Not a great start from him but he got the goal that he badly needed to end a 12-game drought. He didn’t play well really, but it was important for confidence to get his goal. Came off for Giroud on 66 minutes.

      Timo Werner received a confidence boost with a much-needed goal in the first-halfCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Subs:
      Olivier Giroud (for Werner, 66′) – 7
      Nice link up from him and a good physical threat in the box.
      Christian Pulisic (for Ziyech, 66′) – 7
      Instantly made a nuisance of himself and almost scored if not for a good save from the keeper.

      Tammy Abraham (for Mount, 74′) – 6
      Played close to Giroud and it looked like a nice new options for Chelsea with two up top.
      Fikayo Tomori (for Zouma, 79′) – N/A
      Tino Anjorin (for Hudson-Odoi, 79′) – N/A
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Tony Cascarino claims that Frank Lampard can get best out of Chelsea striker Timo Werner by signing Emile Heskey type of player More

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      Chelsea and Man Utd transfer blow as Real Madrid ‘win race’ to sign Alaba with Bayern star available for free in summer

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      REAL MADRID have beaten off their competition to sign David Alaba because Barcelona cannot afford him, reports say.
      The Bayern Munich defender is available on a free transfer this summer, sparking interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Barca.

      Real Madrid have beaten off their competition to sign David Alaba, reports sayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      LaLiga champions Madrid have won the race to sign him, according to Marca,
      It is understood the Austrian’s agent offered his services to several top clubs.
      Barcelona were keen on the 28-year-old but have reportedly pulled out the race because they cannot afford his wages.
      Alaba is after a four-year deal worth around £9million-per-year and the Catalans realised they cannot afford that as a result of the financial implications of coronavirus.

      Barca’s income is said to have dropped by £231m in 2020 which will see them pursue Manchester City’s Eric Garcia instead.
      Alaba will leave Bayern Munich in the summer after he refused to extend his contract.
      He has made 19 appearances so far this season, but mostly at centre-back.
      It comes as he lost his traditional left-back role to rising star Alphonso Davies, 20.

      But Alaba is equally capable playing centrally, in midfield or defence.
      The defender has scored 32 goals and provided 49 assists for Bayern since being promoted to the first-team in 2010.
      Chairman and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted the club tried their best to extend Alaba’s stay.
      Speaking in December, he said: “Bayern did everything we could to try and reach an agreement.
      “We had a lot of conversations, but we wanted answers from him by the end of October.
      “This didn’t happen and I don’t know if we’ll return to the negotiations.
      “What I want to be clear about is that our offer showed exactly how much we value him.
      “But he didn’t accept it. He’s free to speak to whoever he wants from January 1.”

      David Alaba demonstrates his home workout for Bayern Munich fans More