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      Chelsea star Kai Havertz misses Champions League win over Rennes after testing positive for coronavirus

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      KAI HAVERTZ missed Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Rennes after the £70million star tested positive for coronavirus.
      The Blues ran out comfortable winners after two Timo Werner penalties and a third from Tammy Abraham.

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

      Kai Havertz missed the win over Rennes after testing positive for coronavirusCredit: Reuters
      But Havertz missed the match after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
      Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a club statement confirmed: “Frank Lampard has confirmed Kai Havertz has tested positive for Covid-19.
      “As a consequence the player is now undergoing a period of self-isolation and is not involved in tonight’s Champions League game versus Rennes.”

      Chelsea have not confirmed Havertz’s condition or if he is suffering any symptoms of the illness.
      But he will also miss Saturday’s game with Sheffield United and the subsequent Nations League fixtures for Germany unless he can satisfy authorities that he is no longer infectious.

      The attacking midfielder, 21, had only missed one game for his new team since signing for an initial £62million in September.
      Blues boss Lampard had started Havertz in every game of the club’s campaign, bar the Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham.

      Although he had managed just one goal in league and Europe, netting in last month’s draw with Southampton.

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      Timo Werner says fixture pile-up will help Chelsea WIN the Champions League after summer spending spree

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      TIMO WERNER says Chelsea can win the Champions League this season because of Europe’s fixture pile-up.
      Covid-19 is forcing the biggest teams to squeeze in matches — but the Blues  have a large squad thanks to a £220million spending spree.

      Timo Werner is confident in Chelsea’s chances in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And as striker Werner prepared to face Rennes on Wednesday, he said: “Every team playing  in Europe plays every three days.
      “It’s difficult. But we have a big squad of good players.
      “I think with this, we have to have the goal to go very far in this competition.”

      German Werner was one of six major new signings for Chelsea and has five goals already.

      He added: “We’re not here to say, ‘We will get in the next round and we’ll see’ — we are here to win the Champions League in the next few years.
      “And this year is a good chance because everybody in the competition has a lot of games.
      “Every team has to think about how they can manage it, who they can play and how many games they can play consecutively.
      “I came here to win titles. We are in a good way and we have a good chance to come very far in this competition.”

      Winger Christian Pulisic is ruled out with a minor hamstring injury but in-form Chelsea are unbeaten in the Champions League so far and aim to build on last week’s 4-0 rout of Krasnodar.
      Werner, who was in the RB Leipzig side who dumped out Tottenham last season, said: “Some days I’m tired because of the many games I have played, but I did it as well last year so these days it is normal.
      “But it is a lot of fun to play every game.”

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      How Chelsea could line up vs Rennes with Kai Havertz keeping No8 role as Lampard hints he’s found permanent formation

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      CHELSEA host Rennes with Frank Lampard suggesting he has settled with a permanent formation.
      The Blues boss has switched between a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and even a 3-4-3 set up so far.

      But after starting Kai Havertz and Mason Mount as a No8 pair with N’Golo Kante in holding midfield, Chelsea shined against Burnley winning 3-0.
      Lampard praised Havertz’s versatility which could see them stick with a three-man central midfield trio or switch to a different shape if needed.
      He said: “I know he has played as a No8 too, so that was part of the process for me, him and the team to find the best way.
      “It is very normal when you miss pre-season and you are looking for those tweaks in formation at the start of the season.

      “Now, we are playing in a slightly different way and there have been a number of positives. That doesn’t mean that we can’t change back.”
      Chelsea’s European tie gives summer signing Edouard Mendy the chance to play against the side he left in the window.
      Mendy has kept consecutive clean sheets in his opening three games, the first keeper to do so at Stamford Bridge since Petr Cech in 2004.
      At the back Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell can expect to keep their place.

      And Kurt Zouma – who already has three goals this season – has played all but one of Chelsea’s first 11 games this season.
      But with Antonio Rudiger back in the squad as well as Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen competing for game time, Zouma could be afforded some rest.
      At right-back, Reece James has been Lampard’s preferred choice over captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
      But Spaniard Azpilicueta started the last Champions League game and did not feature against Burnley.
      In midfield Chelsea were full of creativity against Burnley as Havertz also showed his defensive capabilities going back.
      Lampard could play the German again with Mount and have Kante just behind them.
      But if the Blues boss is to keep the three-man midfield but make changes, Mateo Kovacic – not even on the bench at Burnley – is an option.
      He could also play in a defensive two if Lampard sets up in a more defensive 4-2-3-1 formation.

      Chelsea’s Premier League squad

      Full squad, in number order…

      Kepa ArrizabalagaAntonio RudigerMarcos AlonsoAndreas Christensen – homegrownJorginhoThiago SilvaN’Golo KanteTammy Abraham – homegrownChristian PulisicTimo WernerWilly CaballeroFikayo Tomori – homegrownKurt ZoumaEdouard MendyMateo KovacicOlivier GiroudMason Mount – under-21Callum Hudson-Odoi – under-21Ben Chilwell – homegrownHakim ZiyechBilly Gilmour – under-21Reece James – under-21Cesar AzpilicuetaKai Havertz – under-21Emerson PalmieriPetr Cech

      It would also pave the way for Jorginho to return and partner either Kovacic or Kante.
      Going forward Chelsea are without Christian Pulisic, after the winger was injured in the warm up last weekend.
      Timo Werner instead shifted out wide, with Tammy Abraham down the middle and Hakim Ziyech on the right.
      The striking trio are well in line to start against Rennes, but Lampard is also provided with several alternatives going forward.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi – unfortunate not to start at Turf Moor after his goal against Krasnodar – could be given the nod on the left.
      It allows Werner to slide back into his favoured role up front, or give the Germany international a well deserved break.
      Abraham is also a contender to keep his role from the start, but faces competition from Olivier Giroud.
      With two goals in as many games, Ziyech is primed to keep his spot on the right wing.
      But if Lampard fancies benching the Moroccan for safety, it could see Hudson-Odoi selected instead.
      Mount is also capable of playing on either side on the front three.

      Frank Lampard on Pulisic injury and expecting a lot from Ziyech More

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      Chelsea target Malmo youngster Ahmedhodzic with £6.9m bid prepared for former Nottingham Forest defender

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      CHELSEA are preparing a £6.9million bid for former Nottingham Forest defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, according to reports.
      The centre-back, 21, left the Championship club for Malmo at the start of last year and has impressed in Sweden.

      Anel Ahmedhodzic has made a name for himself with hometown team MalmoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      According to Swedish newspaper Kvallposten, Chelsea are one of several European teams interested in Ahmedhodzic.
      The Blues are said to be preparing a £6.9million bid for the youngster, who would be offered a five-year deal.
      Ahmedhodzic is under contract in Malmo until 2023.

      Last season saw the player split his campaign split between Malmo and a loan spell at Danish side Hobro.

      Upon his return, he was awarded with starts in February’s Europa League defeats to Wolfsburg.
      And Ahmedhodzic is now a regular in Malmo’s pursuit of the Allsvenskan title, starting 24 times and scoring twice.
      His form earned a call-up to the Swedish national team in January but, despite appearing in a friendly against Moldova, he switched allegiance to Bosnia for last month’s Euro 2020 play-off.
      Ahmedhodzic is in his second stint with Malmo having left for a spell with Nottingham Forest in 2016.

      The majority of his time at the City Ground was spent with the reserves, making just a single appearance off the bench against Newcastle shortly after joining.
      Chelsea have a plethora of defenders already at Frank Lampard’s disposal, with Ahmedhodzic likely to join the club’s loan army if he signs.
      Centre-backs Ethan Ampadu, Jake Clarke-Salter, Marc Guehi, Matt Miazga and Malang Sarr are all currently out on loan from the Premier League club.

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      Chelsea boss Lampard may have finally found his best formation as Mount, Kante and Ziyech shine at Burnley

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      FRANK LAMPARD has used four different formations since arriving at Chelsea last summer – and he has yet to find a regular system that suits his players.
      He has flirted with a 4-4-2, and a 3-4-3, but predominantly he has used either a 4-2-3-1, or a 4-3-3.

      Mason Mount clicked with new signing Hakim Ziyech in the 3-0 win over BurnleyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And while it is normal for a coach to change shape, whether it is in-game if things are going against you, or simply lining up differently to suit your opponents, it can have a good effect.
      With Lampard, however, it is almost as if he is still yet to know his best formation or fully trust any of them – which is why he is so often changing.
      But there appeared to be a moment in the Champions League match against Krasnodar on Wednesday evening that made you feel like he had an epiphany on his starting line-up.
      Chelsea were winning the game 1-0 but started to come under a bit of pressure and failed to really create any further chances to score more goals.

      Things looked very unsteady and Lampard could see it.
      He brought N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount on and they switched from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3.
      Lampard put Kante in the holding midfield role and it worked an absolute treat with Chelsea looking like a totally different team.
      They went on to score three more goals and win that game 4-0.

      Many fans had hoped that Lampard would stick with this formation for the Burnley match on Saturday and he certainly delivered.
      The Blues boss lined up with the exact same line up (bar a late change with Christian Pulisic getting injured in the warm-up) to the team that finished the game in Russia on Wednesday evening.
      Chelsea bossed the game at Turf Moor.
      The formation allowed for an extra player in an attacking position and they made use of that.
      The visitors dominated possession, but not only in deep areas, they had the ball a lot in advanced areas and really looked like scoring every time they came forward.
      Mason Mount started to click with new signings Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and Kai Havertz, and the four of them free-roamed around the pitch to devastating effect.
      Mount has often been criticised be a small section of online Blues fans, but today he proved exactly how important he is for Lampard and the club as he stood tall with Chelsea’s expensive new faces.
      Some of Chelsea’s play today was just majestic and only spoiled by a lack of the final pass or being slightly wasteful in front of goal.

      Chelsea looked excellent and hammered three past Burnley at Turf Moor Credit: AFP or licensors
      But it very much is a sign of things to come for Lampard’s side, the mechanisms of the Chelsea motor are starting to mesh and something special is building here.
      The Blues went on to win the game comfortably 3-0 and made it look very easy in the end against a side that can often be very hard to beat.
      There is no doubt that Lampard needs to go forward with the 4-3-3 formation and possibly use it against the majority of opponents.
      I initially believed that it would be a good formation to use against the lesser sides.
      However, there is no reason why it can’t work against the better sides as well because it gives you so much balance between attack and defence.
      When Kante is in this form, and the full backs are so energetic, you can easily transition between a number of formations depending on how the game is going.
      If Kante needs to drop in and make a three, he can. But if James and Chilwell want to push on and make it five in attack, they can do that as well.
      Chelsea must advance with the 4-3-3 – and hope Kante stays fit.

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      Chelsea player ratings: Kante back to his very best as Ziyech and Thiago Silva also star

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      CHELSEA made easy work of Burnley to hammer home three and complete a hat-trick of clean sheets.
      Summer signing Edouard Mendy is yet to concede in between the posts as his attacking team-mates shined at Turf Moor.

      Chelsea celebrate after a convincing win at Turf Moor Credit: Reuters

      A goal from Hakim Ziyech set the Blues off before Kurt Zouma headed home from a corner – the defender’s THIRD of the season.
      Ziyech’s day improved as he set Timo Werner up as the German – who replaced Christian Pulisic just before kick-off – made it three.
      Here is how SunSport’s Simon Phillips rates Frank Lampard’s performers.
      Edouard Mendy – 7/10
      Didn’t have a lot to do, but Mendy did all he was asked and is already a reassuring presence at the back for the Blues.

      Reece James – 9
      James was a real threat for Chelsea going forward and was his usual strong self in the defensive phase.
      Calm in possession and always a part of Chelsea’s play wherever the ball was.
      Kurt Zouma – 9
      Very strong under constant pressure from Burnley’s tough centre forwards.
      Zouma is growing in confidence day by day for Chelsea and he was solid again today. Scored a great headed goal in the second half.

      Kurt Zouma headed in his third goal of the season Credit: Reuters
      Thiago Silva – 9
      The veteran defender was his usual elegant and calm self, always an option to receive the ball, and always looking for that pass out to turn defence in to attack.
      Silva is still one of the best in the business.
      Ben Chilwell – 9
      Chilwell has been an absolute gem of a signing for Chelsea and he was once again one of the best players on the pitch for them.
      He was full of energy and quite often Chelsea’s biggest attacking threat arriving into the box.
      N’Golo Kante – 10
      Kante answered some questions for Chelsea fans and Frank Lampard tonight, can he play as a lone holding midfielder? Yes, he certainly can.
      He was fantastic for Chelsea today, really bossing the midfield area and doing what he does best, intercepting everything and cancelling out attacks. Man of the Match.

      N’Golo Kante put in a Man of The Match performance Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Kai Havertz – 9
      He always looks much more comfortable in a central position, and he was a bit of a Chelsea orchestrator today.
      Whether it was dropping in deep to collect a pass from the defenders, or looking to create in the attacking third, Havertz barely put a foot wrong apart from being just a bit too casual on the ball at times.
      Mason Mount – 9
      Mount really stood up to be counted for Chelsea today alongside a number of the expensive new signings.
      The midfielder proved his worth and linked up very well with Ziyech, Havertz, and Werner.
      Hakim Ziyech – 9
      Ziyech was a magician, the wide Cesc Fabregas, always looking to make things happen wherever he was.
      The type of player to always look forward and attack, hit that penetrating pass. He is really starting to find his feet at Chelsea.

      Hakim Ziyech scored his first Premier League goal Credit: Reuters
      Timo Werner – 8
      Werner had to play wide after coming in as a late addition when Christian Pulisic was injured in the warm-up.
      He tried hard and often looked threatening with his pace and scored a beautifully finished goal, but Werner’s final pass wasn’t quite good enough at times today.
      Tammy Abraham – 7
      The striker battled hard and put himself about, he was also decent in the air.
      But for me, he quite didn’t bring enough to the table for a player who is trying to win a regular starting place back.

      Timo Werner slots in Chelsea’s third of the day Credit: PA:Press Association

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      Chelsea starlet Henry Lawrence to sign new three-year contract with Lampard to send 19-year-old out on loan transfer

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      CHELSEA are reportedly ready to award teenage star Henry Lawrence a new three-year deal.
      The full-back has impressed Frank Lampard on several occasions and could become the latest youngster to break into the first-team.

      Henry Lawrence is the latest highly-rated product of the Chelsea academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Last season, Lawrence was a regular for the Blues’ Under-23 team and was named on the bench for the Champions League trip to Bayern Munich.
      Chelsea are ready to take the next step and, according to Goal, he will put pen to paper on a new three-year deal in the coming days.
      A loan move was planned for the 19-year-old in the autumn transfer window and may be explored again in January.

      It is thought a Championship stint or move abroad, potentially to Vitesse, would be suitable for Lawrence.

      After appearing for Lampard’s first-team in a pre-season friendly against Reading and a variety of senior training sessions, the England youth international is steadily making a name for himself.
      This season has seen him feature in all-but one of the Blues’ U23 matches, including two appearances in the EFL Trophy.
      Lampard added Lawrence to Chelsea’s Champions League squad earlier in the month.
      Fellow List B player Karlo Ziger, a teenage goalkeeper, earned a spot on the bench versus Krasnodar.

      Lawrence is still yet to make his debut for the senior side but his manager talked up his potential during the summer.
      Lampard stated in June: “I don’t want us to be a development team, where people talk about our academy players coming through.
      “I want us to be a team that’s looking to bridge the gap going upwards.
      “It was always going to be a priority [to establish a pathway] and the relationships were already there.
      “I wanted to know all the players, the names of the ones who were training well and deserved a chance.

      “It’s easy to pluck a Billy Gilmour, but it’s also a case of hearing that, say, Henry Lawrence is training well – then get him over, get him training with us.
      “All those little details are important and it’s brilliant, it’s what it’s all about – it shouldn’t be any other way.
      “I’m certainly excited about the squad we’ve got, with the young players and if we can get a few additions for areas I feel we need.”

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      Meet Chelsea’s next keeper Karlo Ziger who sat next to Willy Caballero on bench for Krasnodar game – and is HALF his age

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      CHELSEA fans may have noticed a new face on the bench as Krasnodar were dispatched in the Champions League – Karlo Ziger.
      The goalkeeper, 19, sat alongside Willy Caballero, 39, as the Blues won 4-0 in his first venture into a senior squad.

      Karlo Ziger is making his way through the Chelsea ranksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The keeper (left) with his team-mates on a stroll in RussiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Little is known about Croatia youth international Ziger’s arrival in England.
      But since making his Under-18s debut in late 2017, he has gently risen up the ranks.
      Described as a hard-working shot-stopper with top reflexes, the keeper was a regular at that level in 2018/19, featuring in Uefa Youth League penalty shootout wins over Dinamo Zagreb and Barcelona.

      Future Blaugrana star Ansu Fati was one of the only players to get the better of Ziger in that run, which ended with a defeat to Porto in the final.

      Midway through that season, he made his senior football debut in a one-game emergency loan spell at Sutton United.
      The FA Trophy clash may have finished 3-0 to Spennymoor but Ziger took home his team’s man of the match award before heading back to Chelsea.
      Last season saw the Zagreb-born player in and out of the Under-23s setup, behind Jamie Cumming, who joined Stevenage on loan in the summer to elevate Ziger yet further.
      Therefore, 2020-21 could be a make or break season for the youngster ahead of his contract expiring in June.

      Chelsea worked hard to bring Ziger over from Croatia and his signing became mired in the Football Leaks scandal surrounding the club last year.
      The leaks alleged that the Premier League club paid £120,000 to the keeper’s family to sign him from NK Zagreb at the age of 12.
      In March 2014, Croatian media reported on the transfer although Chelsea officially state that he joined over three years later.
      It is claimed Karlo’s father, Darko, was registered as a club employee and the family’s accomodation paid for until the starlet turned 16.

      Ziger has enjoyed success in the Uefa Youth League with a pair of penalty shootout triumphsCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The Croat has spent a number of years in the Blues academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Furthermore, newspaper Nacional has claimed that the Blues paid over £800,000 for Ziger when agreeing an initial seven-year deal.
      Fifa handed Chelsea a two-window transfer ban for 150 rule breaches involving 69 academy players in February 2019.
      On appeal, the ban and fine handed out to the club were reduced and the exact players linked to the punishment have not been confirmed.
      Now looking to complete his long journey to the Stamford Bridge first-team, Ziger is one of a handful of keepers available to Frank Lampard.

      Edouard Mendy signed from Rennes for £22million in the autumn with Kepa Arrizabalaga his back-up.
      Experienced shot-stopper Willy Caballero is third choice before Ziger.
      And Lampard even handed a squad space to club legend Petr Cech, 38, as a ‘precautionary’ measure having first hired the keeper to be his technical and performance advisor.

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