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      Chelsea fans hail ‘huge’ deal as club secretly trigger clause in youngster’s contract to fight off Barcelona interest

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      CHELSEA have triggered a secret clause in Ian Maatsen’s contract, according to reports.The club have taken the decision to extend the 21-year-old’s deal by one year, tying him down to 2025.
      Ian Maatsen has extended his contract at Chelsea after the club triggered a secret clauseCredit: Getty
      Reports from the Evening Standard claim Maatsen has rejected two contract offers in recent weeks and Chelsea have therefore activated the extension clause.
      This comes after supposed interest from Barcelona with the Catalan giants considering making a bid for him in January.
      Maatsen’s longer contract could force Xavi’s side to pay more for the Dutch left-back.
      He spent last season on loan at Burnley and the newly-promoted side saw a loan offer with an obligation to buy worth £31.5million accepted over the summer.
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      However, Maatsen rejected the transfer as he hoped to force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
      But he has played just 83 minutes in the Premier League this season amid competition from Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella.
      Consequently, Maatsen is reportedly considering his future at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea fans are delighted the club has taken up the option to add a year to his contract.
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      One said: “Huge, hopefully we can tie him down on a long-term deal soon.”
      Another added: “Smart move.”
      More wondered: “Does this mean he will get game time or are they trying to protect his value and sell?” More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva hints at summer transfer exit and emotional return to former club

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      THIAGO SILVA has hinted at a return to Fluminense next year.The Chelsea star was part of the Brazilian club’s academy as a teenager, before representing them as a pro between 2006 and 2009.
      Thiago Silva has less than a year remaining on his Chelsea contractCredit: Getty
      Silva, 39, will be out of contract at Stamford Bridge in June.
      Having been in West London since 2020, the defender has hinted at one final transfer and an emotional reunion.
      Asked about a possible return to Fluminense, Silva told TNT Sports: “This is a long-standing relationship, right? But I’d rather keep quiet now.
      “I have a family, I have children. So we have to think about that too.
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      “It’s about seeing where to finish off this beautiful career.”
      Silva has been a key man since joining Chelsea on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
      He helped the Blues win the Champions League in his first season, and has also won the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
      With Fluminense he won the Copa do Brasil in 2007.
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      Despite his advancing years, Silva remains a regular at Chelsea.
      He has played every minute of their Premier League campaign thus far under Mauricio Pochettino.
      Silva clearly still backs his ability to shine at the highest level.
      After learning that his EA Sports FC 24 rating had gone down from 86 to 84, the former AC Milan ace slammed the game’s creators.
      He told the official Premier League YouTube channel: “They’re not watching football, they’re watching the games like this [with their eyes closed].”
      Silva, 39, played for Fluminense earlier in his careerCredit: AFP More

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      Chelsea could LEAVE Stamford Bridge despite £70m boost, as renovated ground would be smaller than ALL London rivals

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      AS with most things involving Chelsea, even the plan to develop their Stamford Bridge stadium has been a soap opera.Former chairman Ken Bates first mooted the idea back in the 1980s, when he famously dubbed his club ‘The Manchester United of the South’ to much derision.
      Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly faces a dilemma over whether to splash out on a huge revamp of Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
      The Bridge capacity has plunged from its original 100,000 to 40kCredit: Rex
      Back then Stamford Bridge was infamous for its vast open terracing, concrete bench seats and the Shed End – a much-loved but dilapidated slab of sloping concrete almost in a different postcode to the pitch as it was so far away.
      There has been a slow and steady makeover of the club’s ancestral home in West London in tune with their rise in status.
      But politics and in-fighting have got the better of a succession of owners wanting to turn it into a truly global stadium.
      Deposed Russian Roman Abramovich even got as far as releasing drawings of his vision to transform Chelsea’s home ground before his reign was hit by the wrecking ball of the Ukraine war last year.
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      In its original form Stamford Bridge had a capacity of 100,000. Today’s ground is barely 40,000. It is smaller than Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham’s grounds in the capital alone.
      And that is why securing the rights to a sliver of land behind the West Stand is a key moment in a saga that has been running almost as long as EastEnders.
      Even so, Chelsea’s new ownership led by American chairman Todd Boehly and his pals from Clearlake Capital cannot make up their minds what to do.
      The 1.2 acres of land due to come into their possession early next year was advertised for sale so the board of directors decided to snap it up because somebody else would.
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      But that doesn’t mean the bulldozers will be moving in next week to demolish the outdated Stoll Building and pave the way for Chelsea to eventually live in a state-of-the-art 65,000-plus seater arena worthy of world class football.
      An option to move away completely to nearby Earls Court remains on the table as much as expanding ‘The Bridge’. Both plans are being studied with equal consideration.
      Any plan to build on site requires permission from the Chelsea Pitch Owners. A group of 13,000 fans plus a few connected celebrities who own the freehold to the ground.
      Chelsea are engaged in consultation with them and are mindful of the constraints of building on their existing home.
      Even with full renovation, experts estimate that Stamford Bridge could only accommodate 60,000 when full to the brim.
      There is much more room just 1.5 miles up the road at Earl’s Court where a much bigger stadium could be built while Chelsea see out their time at Stamford Bridge – their home since 1905.
      The current ownership is mindful that their rivals’ grounds are getting bigger and bigger.
      It’s no coincidence that Spurs’ stunning new 61,000 ground has been picked for games at Euro 2028.
      Arsenal’s Emirates hosts concerts, even West Ham’s vacuous London Stadium puts on baseball in the summer.
      Liverpool are expanding capacity to 61,000, Aston Villa’s atmospheric Villa Park is to undergo expansion. The Etihad – home to Treble winners Manchester City – is being redone.
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      Chelsea’s imminent acquisition of the piece of land between them and Fulham Broadway Tube station is just the first stage of what will still be a lengthy process.
      Boehly has tried to build a new team at his club in just over a year but building a stadium is a much slower process.
      Boehly’s Bridge revolution has struggled on the pitch but arguably faces even bigger problems off itCredit: Getty More

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      We live in the shadow of Stamford Bridge… we’re being made homeless in £80m Chelsea FC deal – we’re disgusted

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      VETERANS have slammed the sale of their homes to Chelsea FC’s home Stamford Bridge.Those living in Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions in Fulham, London, have said they’ll refuse to leave when given their marching orders.

      Veterans live in the shadow of Stamford BridgeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Those living in Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions in Fulham, London, previously said they’d refuse to leave if given their marching ordersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      One of the youngest veterans, former army man Matthew Bignell, 36, told Sun Online he would refuse to leaveCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Now, the sale of their homes to the football club has been confirmed.
      The Premier League giants have purchased the majority of a 1.2 acre site next to Stamford Bridge from the Stoll Foundation.
      One of the youngest veterans, former army man Matthew Bignell, 36, told Sun Online he was “deeply disappointed” by the move.
      He added: “It’s a huge shame. There’s too much emphasis on the money they’ll gain and not enough on the homes they’re losing.
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      “They’ve made dozens of veterans homeless. It’s not good enough.”
      He previously told how veterans would refuse to leave their homes after the sale.
      He added: “We have to look into what we can do to fight back against this decision. We’re not sure making that many veterans homeless in the short term will really help in the long-term.”
      The military pensioners are furious over a deal that has seen Chelsea purchase the 1.2-acre area of land for £80m.
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      It comes amid its £2billion planned expansion.
      But it means the 100 veterans and war widows living inside the 1915 block will have to be rehoused – something many are fighting.
      Veteran Sean Kennedy, 51, has lived in his flat since 2013.
      He added: “It’s disappointing but not unexpected this has happened. The charity’s quality of care has never been very strong.
      “Now I have to find somewhere else to live and I’m overwhelmed. I’m too stressed to fight back, there’s nothing I can do.
      “It’s not surprising, we live next to Chelsea FC. They have the power and the money to do this.”
      Most of the tenants are over the age of 60, with some claiming they won’t be able to physically manage moving out.
      Alan Parmenter, 67, who served in the army between 1971 and 2004, is “absolutely disgusted” by the plans.
      He previously said: “We’ve done nothing wrong. There’s a lady across the way who is 94. It’ll kill them.
      “I can’t physically move out. The lift doesn’t work. I’m not going to be able to move anything.”
      He added that he just wants “a peaceful life” and is too old to move.
      Colin Tiso, 57, suffers such severe PTSD from his time fighting in the first Gulf War he can’t leave his one-bed flat.
      He added: ” Because of my PTSD I struggle to leave my flat and I’m getting treatment for that. My anxiety is overwhelming. Whenever I get the newsletters with information about the plans I completely shut down. For me as an army veteran I’m scared. 
      “Leaving the flat terrifies me. If I can’t leave the flat then moving is going to be traumatic.”
      Another tenant, Neil Ingram, 62, said it felt “like a tsunami coming our way”.
      He added that the £7,800 the tenants will get in statutory home loss payment is “not a lot of money”.
      He added: “I’m concerned. It feels like a tsunami coming our way. It’s not a lot of money but some people are happy with that.”
      Mark McFadden, who spent 17 years in the army, said residents “don’t know when we’re leaving” and “don’t know where to go”.
      The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, set up to support veterans returning from the First World War, provides ex-service men and women, and their spouses, with a home.
      The Fulham mansions is the original site Sir Oswald, a successful theatre magnate, donated to house veterans in 1916.
      Since then the charity has expanded to sites in Acton, Hounslow, Chiswick and Aldershot, Surrey.
      The charity, which listed its “comprehensive income” at £597,000 in 2022, now claims it doesn’t have enough funds to refurbish the Fulham site “to necessary Government housing standards”.
      It would cost “a minimum of £10million, funds the charity simply does not currently have”, according to consultation documentation.
      It added: “The overall thermal efficiency and insulation of properties in Fulham is often very poor, many tenants complain of their homes being cold and say they are unable to afford their heating bills.”
      Meanwhile, Will Campbell-Wroe, the charity’s CEO, is paid between £80,000 and £90,000, according to its latest accounts.
      Three other members of staff at the charity earn between £60,000 and £70,000.
      The club has promised not to take possession of it until 2025 at the earliest.
      Stoll Chief Executive, Will Campbell-Wroe, says: “The veterans are the heart of this organisation and we continue, as we have always done, to act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. The Chelsea FC ownership group’s offer enables us to limit uncertainty for residents and offer support over a longer period of time.
      “The site at Fulham is just not fit for purpose for the long term and while this is a difficult time for our residents, it is something we must do, to enable us to support veterans now and in the future.
      “We are enhancing our robust support programme for our residents during this process and our commitment to them will continue to be at the forefront of all we do at Stoll.” 
      Residents will not have to leave their homes straight away; the offer includes a leaseback period, meaning that the land would be temporarily given back to Stoll after completion of the sale, according to the charity.
      This will allow the charity to support residents to move to alternative, suitable accommodation, it said.
      Stoll’s Board of Trustees expects completion to take place in early 2024. 
      The Sun revealed previously that the Blues have committed to a massive redevelopment of their current home that ended fears they would relocate to a new stadium.
      American owner Boehly, who bought the Premier League outfit last year for £4.25billion, made promises to the stadium freeholder to expand the ground rather than move the club to a new location.
      Now Chelsea want to build a new 60,000-capacity ground to keep up with their rivals commercially with the new owners hoping for a staged rebuild of the Bridge, with the stands replaced and upgraded one by one.
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      Chelsea FC refused to comment when approached by Sun Online.
      Sean Kennedy, 51, moved into the block of flats in 2013. He’s a Royal Air Force veteran after three years of service in the 1990sCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Will Campbell-Wroe, the charity’s CEO, is paid between £80,000 and £90,000, according to its latest accountsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Arsenal star Kai Havertz lands lucrative new contract despite early-season struggles after summer transfer from Chelsea

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      KAI HAVERTZ has put pen to paper on a mammoth new contract, but it’s not what Arsenal fans think…Havertz joined the Gunners from London rivals Chelsea in the summer following a £65million deal.
      Arsenal ace Kai Havertz has signed a lucrative contract with PUMACredit: Getty
      Havertz has struggled at Arsenal after his summer move from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Havertz will be the face of the FUTURE boot for the coming years
      The versatile playmaker has since struggled at the Emirates with only one goal and one assist in 12 appearances across all competitions.
      However, that hasn’t stopped the Germany international from boosting his earnings.
      The 24-year-old has just signed a lucrative contract with PUMA, who confirmed a long-term partnership with the player.
      Havertz will be the face of the company following three successful years at Chelsea, whom he helped win the Champions League in 2021 thanks to his winner in the final against Manchester City.
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      The German will be wearing the brand’s FUTURE boot every time he steps inside the pitch for Arsenal and Germany.
      Havertz said: “Growing up in Germany PUMA has always been an iconic brand with some of the greatest players ever wearing their products.
      “PUMA has always been an innovative brand when it comes to football boots and the way they work with athletes.
      “When I met with the team and discussed plans for the future, I knew this was the right fit for me.
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      “They understand athletes and really want to be collaborate with their players; it really is a family atmosphere.
      “Wearing the FUTURE boot is the perfect fit for my game and is a boot I was eager to move into, there is no other boot like it.
      “PUMA are not only excelling as a brand on the pitch but are making huge waves in other areas of sport and fashion.
      “We are working on some exciting projects, and I am looking forward to what the future holds.” More

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      Man City ready to treble wages of wonderkid who they rate so highly they were happy to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea

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      MANCHESTER CITY are set to treble promising academy graduate Oscar Bobb’s salary.According to The Mirror, Bobb will put pen to paper on a new long-term deal that will tie him up to the Etihad until 2029.
      Manchester City academy graduate Oscar Bobb is set to treble his wagesCredit: Getty
      Bobb was one of the reasons why Man City agreed to sell Cole Palmer to ChelseaCredit: Rex
      The 20-year-old has three years left on his £12,000-a-week contract with City.
      But his salary will rise to £36,000 per week following his promotion into Pep Guardiola’s first team.
      Guardiola rates the winger very highly and is confident he can follow in the footsteps of other academy successes, such as Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.
      In fact, the Norway international’s development convinced the Spanish tactician he can afford to offload Cole Palmer to Chelsea in the summer.
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      Bobb has already made five appearances for the Treble winners this season.
      One of them saw the Norwegian starting against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.
      And despite City’s early exit, Guardiola sang Bobb’s praises after his first ever start for the team.
      He said: “Oscar was more than brilliant in all parts, offence and defence.
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      “He’s played as a number 10, as a striker, as a winger. We know in the pockets in the middle he moves really well.
      “His intensity is good, he works without the ball.”
      Bobb also made his senior international debut with Norway this month as he played in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain. More

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      Chelsea fans divided as academy product ‘too good to stay on the bench’ set for January transfer exit

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      CHELSEA fans are divided over the decision to offload Trevoh Chalobah in the January window.The centre-back has supposedly been deemed surplus to requirements after failing to secure a transfer away over the summer.
      Trevoh Chalobah faces an uncertain future at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Chalobah is currently out injured with a hamstring issue and is unlikely to feature much when he returns to fitness.
      Chelsea already have Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill as other centre-back options.
      He would become the fifth Chelsea youth team product to leave the club, with Mason Mount, Lewis Hall, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all departing.
      Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports the Blues are set to renew the collapsed discussions with Bayern Munich.
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      The German giants could reportedly go back in with another loan offer in January.
      And Chelsea fans are split on the news.
      One fan said: “He’s too good to stay on the bench.”
      A second wrote: “He’s a good player, sad to watch him leave but who wants to be plan B anyways.”
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      But another wrote: ” I feel bad for him to be honest. Terrible decision.”
      One more added: “This is sad to see. Chalobah is promising youngster.”
      Bayern were initially put off by the £50m price tag in the summer window, but are open to re-enter negotiations.
      Ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is in charge of the Bundesliga champions and is a huge fan of Chalobah, having handed him his debut at his boyhood club. More

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      Forgotten Chelsea flop who was compared to Makelele started just once… then ended up in German FOURTH tier

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      A FORGOTTEN Chelsea star who was compared to Claude Makelele ended up in the fourth tier of German football… after playing just once for the Blues.Carlos Luciano da Silva, better known simply as Mineiro, was seen as one of the world’s hottest talents when he was snapped up by Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2008.
      Mineiro started just one game for ChelseaCredit: Getty
      He was compared to the likes of Claude Makelele, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel when unveiled by Luiz Felipe ScolariCredit: Getty
      Luiz Felipe Scolari had very high hopes for Mineiro when he signedCredit: AFP
      The midfielder had played for Guarani, Ponte Preta, Sao Caetano and Sao Paulo and earned his place in the Brazil Serie A team of the year before making the move to Europe.
      It was Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin who first took the risk on Mineiro, and it’s fair to say he shone in his 38 appearances for the club.
      By the time he joined Chelsea, his tough tackling and cool distribution was drawing comparisons with legendary Stamford Bridge midfielder Claude Makelele.
      He had even earned 24 caps for Brazil, such was the hope around his prodigious talent.
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      Scolari said after signing him: “[Mineiro is] good positionally, a very good marker.
      “He is a man that works for the other players and he is also a good man outside of the pitch.”
      He is a player that I need because I lost Michael Essien for six months. I have one midfielder like him, Mikel [Jon Obi].”
      But Mineiro’s time in West London turned into a total nightmare.
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      He played just twice for Chelsea in total, one League Cup start and a late sub appearance in the Premier League, as he failed to adapt to life in West London.
      After just one season with the Blues, he would go back to the Bundesliga to join Schalke.
      But he NEVER regained his old form.
      In the end Mineiro dropped three tiers to join fourth division German side TuS Koblenz.
      He scored a single goal for Koblenz in his 30 appearances before calling time on his career in 2012.
      Since then, Mineiro has been coaching young players in Melbourne, Australia alongside former Manchester United winger Jesper Olsen. More