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    Chelsea fans say ‘hopefully the banner era is over’ as they notice awkward Mason Mount tribute at Stamford Bridge

    ANGRY Chelsea fans have suggested their ‘banner era’ should be over with Mason Mount departing the club.After Mount, 24, agreed personal terms with Manchester United some fans have said that they should no longer make tifos of current players.
    Mount appeared to wave goodbye to fans after Chelsea’s final game of the seasonCredit: Rex
    Fans have been discussing which players go on bannersCredit: Reuters
    The tifo in question read: “Mason Mount – The Boy Who Had A Dream” alongside a picture of Mount with the Champions League.
    An angry fan said on Twitter “The boy who had a dream… To sign for Manchester United.
    “On your bike, Mase 👋”
    Chelsea fans were quick to embrace Mount to their hearts as he was a product of Chelsea’s Cobham academy.
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    He joined the club as a six-year-old and broke into Chelsea’s first team in 2019 aged just 20.
    But with Mount close to joining United, fans have said they should re-think just what kind of players go on their banners and flags.
    A fan on Twitter said: “Hopefully the banner era is over now.
    “Silva has one, Azpilicueta has one, James has one.
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    “Nobody else in the current squad deserves one so we should leave it as that until we win something.”
    Another fan said: “Legends of club have and should have full time banners, but these need knocking on head until they start producing.”
    Not all fans agree, however, with one saying: “We’re not going to stop doing displays.”
    Mason Mount has a year left on his current Chelsea contract and feels he has been undervalued by the club.
    His current deal is worth £100,000-a-week which makes him one of Chelsea’s lowest earners.
    United have reportedly offered him £200k-a-week and the West London club are understood to respect Mount’s desire to leave.
    There remains work to be done on a fee – with Chelsea rejecting a £50million bid from United this week. More

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    Premier League send letter to Chelsea to demand clarity over Saudi links after slew of big-money transfer exits

    THE PREMIER LEAGUE reportedly requested written confirmation from Chelsea that there was no Saudi Arabian links to their ownership. Chelsea have come under fire in recent days after a flurry of their players were linked with big-money moves to the Saudi league.
    Todd Boehly has come under the limelight for his unconventional methods since taking over at Chelsea
    According to The Telegraph the Premier League were looking for assurances that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was not in any way part of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover of Chelsea.
    The Saudi PIF already owns Newcastle United and concerns have grown over their potential involvement in The Blues.
    However it is reported that the Premier League are completely satisfied there is no conflict of interest issues involving Chelsea and and PIF.
    PIF have previously invested in Clearlake, but it has been reported that this investment was extensively investigated during the initial takeover and no issues were discovered.
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    Chelsea have spent a record £585million on 16 new players since Boehly took over and there has been question marks over their ability to rebalance the books to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions.
    It has since been reported that they are close to agreeing a number of major sales of their players to Saudi Arabia.
    N’golo Kante has officially signed for Saudi champions Al-Ittihad, whilst Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Eduoard Mendy are all also reported to be close to making the switch to Saudi Arabia.
    Al-Ittihad have already splashed the cash on attracting Karim Benzema to the league this summer and Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing for Al Nassr since January.
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    Boehly has been owner of Chelsea since May 2022 after Roman Abramovich sold the club.
    Since then Chelsea had their worst Premier League points tally ever after amounting just 44 points and finishing in 12th place last season. More

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    Denis Zakaria lined up for immediate Premier League transfer return after leaving Chelsea

    DENIS ZAKARIA has been lined up for an immediate return to the Premier League after West Ham reportedly entered the race to sign him.Zakaria has returned to Juventus following his loan spell at Chelsea.
    Denis Zakaria is being lined up for an immediate Premier League returnCredit: Getty
    Zakaria impressed at Chelsea when afforded the opportunity to playCredit: Getty
    Despite the Blues enduring their worst season in Premier League history, Zakaria managed to distinguish himself as a more than capable midfield force when he played.
    This being said, he was only afforded 11 appearances under the three different bosses who managed Chelsea across the season.
    Regardless, West Ham are now said to be lining up a move for the 26-year-old.
    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports Zakaria is not in Juventus’ plans next season.
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    The Hammers are said to have asked for conditions to get a deal done.
    However, the London outfit are not alone, being one of “many” clubs in the race.
    West Ham’s pursuit of Zakaria suggests they are lining up their replacement for Declan Rice, who was the subject of a rejected £75million plus £15m adds on offer from Arsenal.
    Arsenal’s interest is expected to be followed up with a bid from Manchester City, while Manchester United are also reported to be considering a move.
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    The Hammers are holding firm on their £100m valuation of the 24-year-old.
    In Chelsea’s case, they appear set to win the race for Moises Caicedo, with the two clubs said to be in “final discussions” over a deal.
    Mauricio Pochettino has been busy gutting his squad of players.
    A number of senior stars are set to head to Saudi Arabia, namely N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy.
    Other stars such as Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount appear set to seal moves to rival Premier League clubs. More

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    Man Utd ‘in huge Mason Mount breakthrough with transfer fee finally close to being agreed with Chelsea’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have moved a step nearer to signing Mason Mount after coming close to agreeing a transfer fee with Chelsea. United have already had two bids for the England international turned down worth up to £45million plus add ons.
    Mason Mount is nearing a move to Man UtdCredit: Getty
    But according to The Mirror, Chelsea are ready to settle at £60m to ensure Mount gets his move.
    The Blues initially wanted £70million for their two-time player of the year and academy graduate.
    But with Mount no closer to agreeing an extension on his contract that expires next summer, Chelsea have been forced to compromise.
    The 24-year-old has 33 goals in his 195 appearances since breaking into the Blues’ first team in 2019.
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    And he would leave Stamford Bridge with a Champions League winners medal to his name.
    But following inconsistent runs in the squad last season and a failure to sign a new deal, the player looks destined to leave.
    United are already believed to have agreed personal terms with Mount with wages of £200,000-a-week.
    Mount could become the third Chelsea midfielder to leave within the summer window.
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    N’Golo Kante has already agreed left on a free to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
    Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic is due to join Manchester City in a deal worth up to £30m before his contract expires in a year.
    Chelsea’s summer sales look to continue with Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also linked with moves to Saudi.
    Mason Mount has agreed personal terms with Man UtdCredit: Getty More

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    Al-Hilal planning sensational triple transfer swoop for ex-Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata and two Premier League stars

    CHELSEA flop Alvaro Morata is the latest player being targeted by the Saudi league.Al-Hilal have opened talks with Atletico Madrid for the forward, 30, for a transfer said to be worth £20million.
    Morata won the Nations League with Spain on SundayCredit: Getty
    Al-Hilal in particular have not been afraid to splash the cash as part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s funding of the league.
    The club look set to pay a whopping £47m for Wolves’ Ruben Neves and around £25m for Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly.
    Morata would be set to earn a massive wage if he was to sign for the Saudi club.
    According to The Daily Mail, the striker would earn £40m-a-year which translates to £923,000-a-week.
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    Morata’s signing would be regarded as a major coup for the Saudi game.
    Aged 30, he is not over the hill, and started for Spain in their Nations League final victory over Croatia on Sunday.
    Having played for Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid he has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world and has won almost all there is to win at club level.
    He experienced a disappointing return this season, scoring just 13 times and contributing two assists during 36 LaLiga games.
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    Morata’s departure to the Saudi league would see him follow in the footsteps of a number of Chelsea stars set to swap West London for the Middle East.
    Chelsea have used the Saudi League as a means to get rid of several cast-offs.
    As well as the £25m fee they will receive for Koulibaly, 32, they have also been able to command an £8m fee for Hakim Ziyech, 30.
    Kante has also left the club for Al-Ittihad on a free transfer which will see him earn £21.5m-a-year.
    The club are also working to find deals for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Romelu Lukaku in the Saudi league. More

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    Chelsea’s huge transfer clearout means just THREE of their 2021 Champions League winners could be left next season

    INCREDIBLY just THREE of Chelsea’s Champions League winners from 2021 could remain at the club next season.The Blues famously beat Manchester City 1-0 in Lisbon to lift the iconic trophy for the second time.
    Chelsea won the Champions League with this starting XI in 2021Credit: AFP
    But little more than a year later, the manager for that memorable night, Thomas Tuchel, was harshly sacked.
    And now barely any of the Kings of Europe heroes are left either in a dramatic two years for Chelsea.
    Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022 and continues to oversee a major overhaul of the playing squad – splashing out more than £600million on transfers last season.
    But with the waves of new players coming in, plenty of others have passed through the Stamford Bridge exit door – or could be about to as part of the clearout of the bloated squad and to avoid FFP breaches.
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    Edouard Mendy started in goal in the final but is on the brink of joining Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
    Of the three centre-backs, Antonio Rudiger was released and joined Real Madrid last year while Cesar Azpilicueta is a transfer target for Tuchel’s Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
    Thiago Silva is staying put for at least 12 more months at Chelsea while wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain key cogs.
    The entire midfield and attack, though, have either been sold or look set to move on.
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    Jorginho signed for Arsenal in January while his midfield partner from that night, N’Golo Kante, secured a free transfer to Al-Ittihad that will see him get paid a whopping £86m.
    Timo Werner returned to RB Leipzig last summer while matchwinner Kai Havertz is strongly linked with following Jorginho to the Emirates for £65m after agreeing personal terms.
    Mason Mount, meanwhile, has rejected all contract extensions and could be about to head to Manchester United.
    Amazingly, 11 of the 12 subs could also be playing their football away from Stamford Bridge in 2023-24.
    Willy Caballero, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Emerson, Billy Gilmour and Olivier Giroud have all already left.
    Mateo Kovacic is close to completing his switch to Manchester City while Hakim Ziyech is another man heading to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.
    Callum Hudson-Odoi was loaned out last year and could be targeted by a Saudi outfit, too, while Christian Pulisic is surplus to requirements and will likely move on.
    That leaves Kepa Arrizabalaga as the only substitute seemingly with a future at Chelsea after winning his place between the sticks back from Mendy – although even he is not guaranteed to stay if Boehly signs another goalkeeper.
    The likes of Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic and matchwinner Kai Havertz could all leave this summerCredit: Reuters More

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    Man Utd legend Silvestre lists the five key attributes Chelsea’s Mason Mount would bring as club launch transfer bid

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Mikael Silvestre has listed the five key attributes Mason Mount would bring to the club.The England international is a target for United, who have launched yet another bid to sign him from Chelsea.
    Mikael Silvestre has listed the attributes Mason Mount would bring with himCredit: Getty
    Manchester United have launched another bid to sign Mason Mount from ChelseaCredit: Getty
    Mount remains a key transfer target for the Red Devils, despite their improved £50million offer being rejected.
    Silvestre is excited by the prospect of Mount joining his former club, even if a deal is yet to be struck.
    The Frenchman believes he will bring a series of attributes with him, including versatility, finishing and mobility.
    Silvestre also feels Mount loves to play in between the lines and can both receive and make precise passes.
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    He told FourFourTwo: “Versatility is his obvious quality.
    “I’ve been following him since his loan to Vitesse Arnhem, and there was laughter when he broke into Chelsea’s first team.
    “He’s a very interesting player, very mobile and loves to play in between the lines, receiving and making precise passes.
    “He’s a good finisher as well and is a player in his prime. I think he would be an immediate reinforcement for United and would fit into Erik’s philosophy as well.”
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    Chelsea are said to be “trying to comply with Mount’s wishes”, with the player keen on a move to Old Trafford.
    However, the Blues also value the 24-year-old at £70million, despite him entering the final year of his deal after contract talks collapsed. More

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    Thomas Tuchel ‘wants surprise transfer for Chelsea stalwart’ as he eyes reunion at Bayern Munich

    THOMAS TUCHEL is eyeing a surprise return for one of his Chelsea stalwarts after missing out on Manchester City’s Kyle Walker.Reports suggested that talks between Bayern and City were at an advanced stage over a deal for Walker, 33.
    Tuchel oversaw a Bundesliga title victory amid a fraught atmosphere at BayernCredit: AFP
    The manager is reportedly keen on Azpilicueta after missing out on a deal for WalkerCredit: Getty
    But Sky Sports report that City are unwilling to let the defender go this summer despite him only having a year remaining on his deal.
    And as a result, Tuchel will look to reunite with Cesar Azpilicueta, 33, according to German outlet Bild.
    The two worked together during Tuchel’s spell in charge of Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022.
    Under Tuchel’s reign Azpilicueta captained Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021 as well as the Club World Cup later that year.
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    The two still have a good relationship according to the German outlet and remain in touch.
    The Spaniard still has a year left on his contract at the Bridge but an offer from Bayern could see the Blues cash-in as they trim their bloated squad.
    Azpilicueta would be following Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech and N’golo Kante out the door if he were to bring his 11 year spell at Chelsea to an end this summer.
    It has been a frustrating window for Bayern so far as Tuchel looks to mould the squad to his needs.
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    The German took over in March when he replaced Julian Nagelsmann but endured a tough start to his tenure in charge.
    The Bavarian side were knocked out of the DFB Pokal in Tuchel’s second game and were beaten convincingly by Manchester City in the quarter-final of the Champions League.
    And while they finished the season as Bundesliga champions it was achieved amid a fraught squad atmosphere.
    The Bavarian club have so far missed out on targets Declan Rice and look set to fail in their pursuit of Walker.
    Tuchel is rumoured to approve of the sale of a number of players including: Benjamin Pavard, Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Sadio Mane as he looks to put his stamp on things. More