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    Real Madrid ready to sign Kepa in huge swap transfer just three months into loan with Chelsea set to make massive loss

    REAL MADRID are ready to do business with Chelsea over a permanent deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga less than three months into his loan.But the Spanish giants will not pay more than £17.5million for the keeper who cost the Blues a world-record £71.6m five years ago.
    Kepa Arrizabalaga is on course to join Real Madrid permanentlyCredit: Getty
    Kepa, 29, is back home in Spain as season-long cover for another ex-Chelsea stopper – injured Thibaut Courtois.
    The player makes no secret of his desire to leave for good.
    And he is also prepared to take a cut on his £176,000-a-week wages to make it happen.
    Kepa has 20 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
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    Real Madrid top LaLiga and have lost just one game with Kepa in goal for them this season.
    Chelsea have brought in Robert Sanchez as Kepa’s replacement.
    And Madrid will also offer their current No2 – Ukrainian Andriy Lunin – in a part-exchange to help smooth a deal.
    Chelsea took midfielder Mateo Kovacic as part of the transfer which saw Courtois move to Madrid in 2018.
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    Courtois is expected to miss the rest of the season with his serious knee injury.
    But Kepa is ready to compete with the hugely-regarded 6ft 7ins Belgian next season when he is fit again.
    Chelsea have Sanchez in goal but are looking at bringing in extra cover and also are interested in Aaron Ramsdale.
    The England international has seen his position as Arsenal’s first-choice keeper undermined by the arrival of David Raya from Brentford.
    Carlo Ancelotti has been impressed with the Spanish stopperCredit: Rex
    Thibaut Courtois is likely to miss the rest of the season through injuryCredit: Getty
    Kepa endured a tough time at Stamford BridgeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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    Chelsea could face points deduction as Premier League launch investigation over two big name transfers

    CHELSEA could face a points deduction after the Premier League launched an investigation into the transfers of Willian and Samuel Eto’o.Both players were signed during Roman Abramovich’s reign from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.
    The Premier League are investigating Chelsea’s signing of WillianCredit: Getty
    Samuel Eto’o and Willian were signed from Anzhi Makhachkala in summer 2013Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    It is alleged that payments were made to “Russian entities” that were separate to any transfer fee, according to The Times.
    And it is claimed a payment to a player’s family is also being looked into.
    The Premier League launched an investigation into financial affairs during the Abramovich era in August, including transfers.
    And the deals to sign Willian and Eto’o in 2013 are believed to have been flagged by Chelsea’s current owners.
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    The separate payments were discovered during the due diligence process Todd Boehly went through to buy the club in May 2022.
    It is understood Chelsea then alerted the FA, Premier League and Uefa to the irregularities.
    Chelsea said in a statement: “These allegations pre-date the club’s current ownership. They concern entities that were allegedly controlled by the club’s former owner and do not relate to any individual who is presently at the club.
    “Chelsea FC’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on May 30, 2022. During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions during the club’s previous ownership.
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    “Immediately following the completion of the purchase, the club proactively self-reported these matters to all applicable football regulators.
    “In accordance with the club’s ownership group’s core principles of full compliance and transparency the club has proactively assisted the applicable regulators with their investigations and will continue to do so.”
    If found guilty of a rule breach the Premier League could impose sanctions on the club.
    That could include a fine or a points deduction, with Chelsea already agreeing to a £8.5m settlement payment with Uefa for “instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership”. More

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    Thiago Silva drops major retirement hint with Chelsea star weighing up transfer to ‘final club’

    THIAGO SILVA has admitted his football retirement could be right around the corner. The Chelsea defender, 39, has led a distinguished 21-year career.
    Thiago Silva has admitted his career could soon be coming to an endCredit: Getty
    However, the Brazilian has revealed he is more than aware that the curtain will soon come down on his career.
    His confession also came with a suggestion that this season could be his last with Chelsea.
    According to Sky Italy, via Fabrizio Romano, he said: “The end of my career is getting closer… it’s not easy.
    “You’ve to think about when you want to retire, where do you go as final club, the family, my kids play at Chelsea.
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    “I’m just focused on enjoying my final year of contract at Chelsea.
    “I don’t know what’s gonna happen next year but I’m very happy with my career.”
    Silva joined the Blues in 2020 and helped them to win the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2021.
    Silva has won numerous honours with the likes of AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
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    He won the Serie A with Milan in 2011 and won the Ligue 1 in every season bar one while in France.
    With the Brazil national team, Silva has won Bronze and Silver medals at the Olympics and won the Copa America in 2019.
    His club career has spanned almost 800 appearances, and when counting his national caps as well he has appeared in more than 900 games.
    Chelsea have seen 127 of these appearances, including ten so far this season. More

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    Chelsea ‘could make transfer move’ for £39million striker as Premier League legend gives brutal Nicolas Jackson verdict

    CHELSEA may be able to sign Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez for a bargain price of £39million.The Blues current No9 Nicolas Jackson has come under scrutiny by Peter Crouch who gave a brutal verdict on the forward.
    Chelsea could sign Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez for £39millionCredit: Getty
    Chelsea’s current No9 Nicolas Jackson has faced scrutinyCredit: Rex
    TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch slammed Jackson for his performance this seasonCredit: Getty
    Gimenez, 22, has been on the Blues’ radar for some time as the club are on the hunt to improve their forward line.
    The Eredivise star has scored 13 goals in 10 league appearances this term.
    And the Mexican forward could be a cheaper option for Chelsea, who are also interested in £65 million rated Ivan Toney and Europe’s most sought-after striker Victor Osimhen.
    According to Fabrizio Romano £39million could be enough to seal a deal for Gimenez.
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    Gimenez’s bargain price-tag is appealing for the Blues who are desperate to reinforce their front line in the January transfer window.
    After “speaking to direct sources” the transfer guru claimed the 22-year-old does not have an agent and is letting his father take the lead – which would make the deal easier for Chelsea.
    Following their humiliating 2-0 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, many are doubting the performance of their main striker Nicolas Jackson.
    Premier League legend Crouch was one to have his say on the forward – who he believes does not posses the qualities to lead the Blues attack.
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    The pundit told TNT Sports 2: “Nicolas Jackson, let’s be honest, is not going to be the answer long-term.
    “He does a lot of great work outside the box, but is he going to get you 15-20 goals? I don’t think so.”
    Jackson, 22, lead the line for Mauricio Pochettino’s side against Brentford but he could not deliver anything in the Bees penalty box.
    The Blues now have just one victory in their last 13 league games at home, which is an alarming record for the team.
    Perhaps it is time for Chelsea to splash more cash and sign the Feyemoord sensation for the Premier League. More

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    Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah ‘offered Champions League transfer’ with Blues exit in January ‘100 per cent confirmed’

    TREVOH CHALOBAH has reportedly been offered a move to Borussia Dortmund.The Chelsea ace has not made a single appearance this season as he has been sidelined with a thigh injury.
    Trevoh Chalobah is reportedly wanted by Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
    Chalobah, 24, could now be the latest Englishman to swap the Premier League for the Bundesliga.
    Dortmund have become known for signing young English players such as Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
    The German outfit were keen on signing Southampton defender Armel Bella Kotchap in the summer but took a “risk” not to.
    News outlet BILD, have now reported that the club are interested in making a move for Chalobah.
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    The report suggests that Dortmund have “set its sights” on the Chelsea ace in the winter window.
    Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Chelsea have decided to cash in on the defender and sell him in the window.
    In his CaughtOffside column, he wrote that the decision to move Chalobah on is “100 per cent confirmed”.
    Despite not playing this season, his exit will see the Blues look to sign a replacement.
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    Chalobah has made 63 appearances for the West London side while also turning out for the likes of Huddersfield Town and Ligue 1 club Lorient.
    Earlier this month, fans were split on whether or not Chalobah should be sold.
    The Blues, however, have been tipped with a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.
    The Burkina Faso international is rated as one of the best defenders in Europe following his performances in Germany.
    He would not come cheap, having only recently extended his contract at the BayArena. More

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    Five strikers Chelsea could turn to in January to replace AFCON-bound Jackson including Toney and Ferguson

    CHELSEA finally look to be clicking into gear under Mauricio Pochettino.But they are set to take a hit in January when Nicolas Jackson departs for the Africa Cup of Nations.
    Chelsea will lose Nicolas Jackson in January when he departs for AFCONCredit: Getty
    The Senegal striker, 22, is still finding his feet in England, with three goals in 11 appearances so far for his new club.
    But Chelsea have looked a better team with him on the pitch, benefiting greatly from Jackson’s energy and strength in the final third.
    And Pochettino will be left wondering how to fill the void when 2024 rolls around.
    However, the Blues are known to be in the market for a new No9.
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    And Jackson’s departure could simply speed up the process of signing a bonafide hitman.
    But who could fill the ace’s boots at Stamford Bridge?
    And is there anyone currently at Chelsea capable of stepping up to the plate?
    SunSport looks at five potential options for Pochettino’s Blues…
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    Ivan Toney is ready to bounce back with aplomb once his betting ban is upCredit: Getty
    IVAN TONEY (BRENTFORD)
    Currently suspended for breaching FA betting rules, the 27-year-old is ready to return with a bang in January.
    Toney’s undoubted talent saw him rise from League One to the heights of the Premier League in just two years.
    He hit an incredible 20 top-flight goals for Brentford last season, with Thomas Frank’s side clearly missing his presence this term.
    And as Toney sets his sights on greater glories, a move to Chelsea could be the ideal situation for both parties.
    Should he make the move and hit a rich vein of form, it could also open the door to Toney making a sensational return to England’s squad for Euro 2024.
    Dusan Vlahovic was strongly linked with the Blues over the summerCredit: Getty
    DUSAN VLAHOVIC (JUVENTUS)
    Strongly linked with the Blues last summer, the 23-year-old certainly has time on his side.
    He was the hottest forward in football two years ago after netting 41 goals in just 18 months at Fiorentina.
    Vlahovic has failed to hit those same heights at Juventus, netting 27 times in comparison.
    But the Serb boasts the physical and technical prowess seen in classic Chelsea strikers like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.
    And if the price is right, Vlahovic could have all the makings of a Blues icon.
    Benjamin Sesko fits right in with Todd Boehly’s youth policyCredit: Getty
    BENJAMIN SESKO (RB LEIPZIG)
    The 20-year-old announced himself to the European stage with RB Salzburg last season.
    Sesko netted 18 times, having already secured a £20million move to Leipzig in August 2022.
    He has since bagged five goals in 11 games for his new club.
    But reports suggest Leipzig are happy to sell Sesko for a healthy profit.
    And should Chelsea be keen to continue their new youth policy, they could have the chance to get one of the best rough diamonds around.
    Evan Ferguson is one of the Premier League’s most exciting prodigiesCredit: Getty
    EVAN FERGUSON (BRIGHTON)
    Todd Boehly might be reluctant to do more business with Brighton after paying a king’s ransom for Graham Potter, Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo in the past year.
    But the Seagulls do boast one of the most promising talents in the Premier League.
    Ferguson, who has just turned 19, is already being hailed as the top-flight’s next Harry Kane thanks to his clinical finishing and clear aura.
    He has four goals in 11 games this season under Roberto De Zerbi, and looks set to build on last term’s final haul of 10.
    But Brighton are likely to charge a fortune to sell Ferguson to Stamford Bridge, while there is also interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.
    Chrisopher Nkunku will be determined to prove his worth once he returns from injuryCredit: Getty
    CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU (CHELSEA)
    Spending over £1billion in just three transfer windows does take its toll.
    And Chelsea could simply opt to look closer to home when it comes to Jackson’s replacement.
    Step forward £52m man Nkunku, 25, who is yet to make a single appearance for his new club after suffering a heartbreaking injury in the final game of pre-season.
    Read More on The Sun
    Although he’s usually deployed as a secondary striker, Nkunku netted a mind-boggling 58 goals in his final two seasons at RB Leipzig.
    He’s set to return to training next month after his lengthy setback, and by January could be in peak physical condition to lead Pochettino’s line on his own. More

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    Andriy Shevchenko reveals reason he flopped at Chelsea as former club record transfer apologises to fans

    ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO has revealed the true extent of the injury hell which caused his Chelsea nightmare.The Ukrainian icon arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006 in a £30.8million deal but never lived up to expectations, scoring just 22 goals across two years.
    Andriy Shevchenko revealed the true extent of the injury hell which caused his Chelsea nightmareCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Ex-Chelsea star has opened up in his book
    Injuries plagued his time at Blues and his new book, My Life, My Football, reveals how his body all but broke down.
    Shevchenko, 47, details how he arrived with an issue following the 2006 World Cup in Germany and things never got better with two hernia operations and a back injury.
    He said: “I would like people to understand my difficulties were due to physical issues.
    “The fans were great with me but sadly I never managed to show them my best. I was afraid I was going to have to retire from football.
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    “I felt bad for the people and the club. I’d have given the world to return the affection they were showing me. Instead, I was broken.”
    Shevchenko’s problems began before he even joined Chelsea.
    In Ukraine’s 3-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Italy, Shevchenko suffered a knee injury.
    His hasty recovery left him tired at the start of his Blues career.
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    He said: “I did my best and gave my all: that was just my way. Still, I knew my motor wasn’t running as it ought to.
    “The newspapers criticised me heavily but only I knew the real problem: that accursed fatigue that had never lifted.”
    Things improved in early 2007. Chelsea won the League Cup but Shevchenko discovered a hernia.
    He played through the pain but missed the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool and the FA Cup final against Manchester United before having a summer op.
    He revealed: “During the operation, something didn’t go to plan. I didn’t get back to what I was before.”
    Shevchenko went into the next season still not right and in a 4-4 Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa — during which he scored twice — the failed surgery caused a herniated disc in his back.
    He added: “I lost all my strength. I was in a rich vein of form — the worst possible moment to suffer an injury.”
    Shevchenko worked his way back to fitness but said: “I was barely a shadow of the player I used to be.”
    The season ended in more despair, forced to watch the 2008 Champions League final defeat to Manchester United from the bench and then discovering on a US trip his hernia had returned and required more surgery.
    Read More on The Sun
    The striker limped through pre-season but conceded defeat, requesting a move back to AC Milan to end his Blues time.

    MY LIFE, MY FOOTBALL by Andriy Shevchenko is available from https://backpagepress.co.uk/books/my-life-my-football

    Shevchenko is the current manager of UkraineCredit: EPA More

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    Chelsea player ratings: Brentford end rivals’ unbeaten run as Cole Palmer impresses but Moises Caicedo struggles

    CHELSEA’S four-game unbeaten run came crashing to a halt as local rivals Brentford beat them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

    Ethan Pinnock scored early in the second half before Bryan Mbeumo scored a late breakaway goal to seal the win in a game where Chelsea dominated possession but failed to put the ball in the net.

    Chelsea’s four-game unbeaten run ended as the Blues were beat 2-0 by Brentford

    Ethan Pinnock powered in a header at the far post to score the opening goal of the game

    Bryan Mbeumo scored a late goal to send the Blues crashing to defeat

    Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez were expected to play but were ruled out after picking up minor injuries in training on Friday.

    Chelsea had been unbeaten in four in all competitions, but the pair’s absence showed as Mauricio Pochettino was forced to re-jig his side and lost some balance in the process.

    It meant Cole Palmer moved from the right to the No 10 role, Connor Gallagher dropped deeper into midfield, while Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson returned to the front three.

    However, despite Madueke crashing the crossbar in the early stages and dominating possession throughout – having 70% of the ball – they failed to test Brentford keeper Mark Flekken.

    Marc Cucurella went closest with a really tame effort from an excellent Palmer cross, with the Blues struggling to create any chances after the break.

    Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Sheen rated those in Blue…

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    Robert Sanchez – 5/10

    Didn’t particularly have loads to do but made one smart save early in the second-half, getting down well to palm away a long-range effort, before keeping Chelsea in the game late with an excellent one-on-one save as Brentford piled forward on a counter-attack.

    Continues to fill supporters with dread with his tendency to hold onto the ball a split second too long. Pushed up for a corner late on and was punished as Mbeumo scored the second.

    Axel Disasi – 4

    Played at right-back and looked pretty comfortable in possession and defensively, although he obviously couldn’t produce the dynamism going forward that a fully fit Reece James or Malo Gusto could.

    Made a crucial mistake for Brentford’s goal, where he found himself out of position and unable to attack the ball before Ethan Pinnock powered home a header.

    Thiago Silva – 5

    Didn’t do anything particularly wrong throughout the game as Brentford were mostly content to sit with 11 men behind the ball.

    Powerless to stop Brentford’s goals.

    Levi Colwill – 5

    Same as Silva, this won’t be the hardest day of defensive work the young centre-back has to do in his career.

    Was aggressive in winning the ball bac which helped Chelsea stay on top of the possession battle.

    Marc Cucurella – 5

    Excellent in the first half, Cucurella was aggressive in defending his man and excellent getting forward.

    Pochettino will probably rue the best chance of the match fell to the defender, his weak volley falling straight into the palms of Flekken after an excellent Cole Palmer cross.

    Chelsea’s best chance fell to Marc Cucurella but the defender could only tamely volley at Mark Flekken

    Moises Caicedo – 4

    Struggled without his running mate Enzo next to him, Caicedo did well in winning the ball and shielding his defenders, but his passing was not incisive or threatening.

    One could argue that is not Caicedo’s role in the team but spending £100m-plus on a player should come with certain expectations.

    Conor Gallagher – 5

    Had excelled during Chelsea’s unbeaten run as a high energy No 10 who can initiate the press in the opponent’s defensive third.

    Playing deeper here, it is plain to see he does just not have the level of passing required to break down a side who are content to play in a deep defensive block.

    Cole Palmer – 7

    Started the game extremely well, picking the ball up in dangerous places, drifting into space, dictating everything that Chelsea did well and was clearly the Blues’ best performer.

    Provided a couple of stunning crosses – one that Cucurella should’ve scored and one that well could have led to a penalty – but faded as the game went on, with Brentford making a point to double up after half-time.

    Cole Palmer was Chelsea’s brightest spark in the No 10 role but faded as the game went on

    Raheem Sterling – 4

    Another player who started well but struggled to have an impact after half-time, Sterling wasted a couple of early openings by either picking the wrong pass or failing to put the ball where it needed to be to score.

    Crowded out after half-time as Brentford shut up shop following their goal.

    Noni Madueke – 4

    Had one brilliant moment in the match, collecting the ball in space and driving at left-back Aaron Hickey, before he cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that beat Mark Flekken but rocked the crossbar.

    Otherwise, Chelsea struggled to get Madueke into a position to do damage, with much of the play running through Palmer and Sterling.

    Noni Madueke smashed an early effort against the crossbar

    Nicolas Jackson – 4

    Was electric in the opening quarter of the game, producing a series of eye-catching flicks, runs, and moments to really set Chelsea on their way.

    However, continues to struggle to produce the required quality in the biggest moments – either misplacing his pass, putting it in front or behind a team-mate, or miscontrolling the ball.

    If Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen is available in January, Chelsea must make it a priority to replace one of them.

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    Reece James (for Disasi, 67) – 4

    Clearly still working his way back to match fitness and sharpness. Nothing like the powerful threat he has been in the past.

    Ian Maatsen (for Madueke, 67) – 4

    Couple of moments where he maybe could’ve done better when picking out a pass or cross – but he just doesn’t seem comfortable or natural playing as a right-winger.

    Deivid Washington (for Cucurella, 81) – N/A

    Brought on to try and grab a late equaliser but barely touched the ball, including when he failed to get onto a cross the agonisingly flashed across the goal.

    Lesley Ugochukwu (for Caicedo, 81) – N/A

    An extremely raw physical talent who is not yet of the required level – Chelsea would have probably been better keeping Caicedo on in the late stages.

    Subs not used: Eddie Beach, Djordje Petrovic, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Alex Matos. More