Chelsea transfer news

FANS have been left in hysterics after a BT Sport stat underlined just how dreadful Chelsea’s season has been. The Blues lost again last night to west London rivals Brentford as their appalling season continued to head south.
Chelsea have scored one goals in their last seven games in all competitionsCredit: PA

It is now five defeats for Chelsea with Frank Lampard also losing all five games of his reign.
But a simple stat from the night before seemed to emphasise just how bad things have become – and fans could barely believe their eyes.
A day before the Chelsea game, Leeds were taking on Leicester in a huge relegation at Elland Road.
With the Foxes leading in the second-half, broadcasters BT Sport produced a graphic showing that both sides had the potential for goals.
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Despite their struggles this season, Leicester and Leeds sat top of the charts for most amount of goals by bottom-half Prem sides.
And it did not take long for fans on Twitter to spot the most interesting element of that stat.
Chelsea were only sixth on the list of most goals by bottom-half sides, underlining their severe scoring issues.
And is if that wasn’t enough, their entire team has fewer goals than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland alone.
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Kai Havertz is Chelsea’s top scorer in the league with seven goals
Blues fans were left to despair but rival supporters could not hide their glee.
One tweeted: “What’s even funnier, is Chelsea being at the bottom of this graphic, after spending £600m on players and £100m replacing managers.”
Another added: “It’s even funnier that they only just scraped enough goals to be in it.”
And another joked: “Frank Lampard guiding Chelsea back to the top six!”
Nottingham Forest’s three goals last night mean they now trail Chelsea by just a single strike.
This is particularly incredible given they have just seven goals away from home all season.
Chelsea only have six goals more than the league’s lowest scorers Everton. More

FRANK LAMPARD launched a passionate defence of his Chelsea players after they were booed off at half and full time.An own goal from Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta and a 78th minute strike by Brentford sub Bryan Mbeumo condemned Chelsea to a fifth straight defeat since Lampard took over as caretaker boss.
Frank Lampard launched a passionate defence of his players after defeat to BrentfordCredit: Getty
Lampard has now lost all five games a caretaker bossCredit: Rex
Their eight game winless run is also the worst for 30 years but Lampard claims his players did their best and that he does not care what people think.
He said: “I won’t sit here and bemoan the players. I feel the opposite for the players tonight.
“We controlled the game and created more chances. With 20 per cent more confidence we win the game, probably.
“No disrespect to Brentford. Normally we win the game, we don’t because of the moment we’re in.
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“I’m not concerned about what people on the outside are thinking. They don’t understand the conditions you are working in.
“Two of those games have been against Real Madrid. Brentford won at Man City earlier this season. 
“If you’re a Chelsea fan you’re used to 20 years of success and you want more. I’ve no problem with fans booing.
“I will defend the players because I know they are young players who want to do well. Is there an issue with confidence and the balance of the squad? Yeah. 
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“They performed like they wanted to win. Are we dynamic enough in the final third no?
“Is there an issue with confidence in the squad? Yes. Those things won’t change overnight. I’m just supporting them.
“I understand the fans booing, they want us to win. when we win they cheer. When we lose I understand they’re disappointed.”
“We had a foothold in the game but Brentford  always turn you round with corners and throw-ins and the goal came from that.
“In the second half we were more dynamic and created more chances on the counter attack. It wasn’t an application thing.
“We have to keep working and fighting to create opps to score goals. Two things, maybe aren’t goals in the team and when you’re low on confidence.
“Maybe a fresh Auba scores those goals… but it’s a clear issue with the squad that’s why we haven’t scored enough goals for a team like Chelsea.
“The only way out of it is work. There is clearly a confidence problem and you can see that in the players’ faces.
If you’re a Chelsea fan you’re used to 20 years of success and you want more.  I’ve no problem with fans booing. Frank Lampard
“The players aren’t bemoaning each other at the moment. I came here for a reason because the results are not what they want. 
“I took it on knowing the jeopardy and I’m proud to be here.” 
Chelsea have scored only 30 goals in 32 Premier League games this season. They are 11th and sit eight points behind Brentford.
This was boss Thomas Frank’s 100th win as Bees’ boss and he will celebrate with a small glass of red wine to toast the fact his team has now surpassed last season’s points tally of 46.
This is also Brentford’s second successive win at Stamford Bridge. Last season’s was their first since 1939.
Frank said: “It is so nice to win. After a spell of pressure in the second half we controlled much of the game.
“I was surprised by their line up. I have so much respect for them but it is no secret that Chelsea is in a bad place.
“But this is still Stamford Bridge, it is still Chelsea and they still have unbelievable players.
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“I’m pleased with the win but I wanted more points. That would put us in a very interesting position.
“We face Nottingham Forest who have beaten a flying Brighton and they are fighting to avoid relegation, it will be difficult.”
Chelsea fans left Stamford Bridge earlyCredit: Alamy More

CHELSEA lost for the fifth game running as they were beaten by their streetwise West London rivals Brentford. The Blues lacked a threat going forward and crumbled at the back in their latest awful showing.
It was a frustrating night for Raheem Sterling in front of goalCredit: Getty
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled for game time despite Chelsea’s issues in front of goalCredit: Getty
Caretaker manager Frank Lampard tried to change things at half-time as he went to a back four but could not revive his side’s fortunes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a rare appearance off the bench and had the two best chances for the home side, raising more questions of the team selection.
SunSport’s Kiro Evans explored which players continued to struggle and who was up for the fight at Stamford Bridge.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Some typically awkward distribution for the first 20 minutes did nothing to settle the nerves of an already anxious crowd.
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Otherwise he could do nothing about the own goal and did not really have a proper shot to save.
Wesley Fofana – 5
The Frenchman did his job in the three-man defence and kept the Blues fairly secure at the back.
But he looked exposed for the second goal against Bryan Mbuemo and got needlessly involved in a shoving match with Rico Henry which earned him a yellow card.
Thiago Silva – 7
Silva twice had decent headed chances to hit the back of the net but failed to convert on both occasions.
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And despite the ominous threat of Ivan Toney looming throughout, the 38-year-old looked entirely comfortable.
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Trevoh Chalobah – 6
The defender did an impressive job at keeping Toney quiet in the first-half.
In the second period he was shifted to right-back but struggled to make an impact.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
The Chelsea captain was unfortunate more than anything as the ball flicked off his shoulder and went into the home net.
He was deputising for the injured Reece James but failed to emulate the England international’s attacking thrust and was hauled off at half-time.
Azpilicueta was left cursing his luck as Chelsea’s issues mounted with his own goalCredit: Getty
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Fernandez almost caught the Brentford defence out with a brilliant quick free-kick attempt in the first-half which Raheem Sterling could not quite latch on to.
Otherwise he went about his business in his usual diligent manner and grew into the game.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
In a clogged Chelsea midfield, Mateo Kovacic initially struggled to stand out and influence the game.
But the tactical half-time switch gave the Croatian far more space, and he and Fernandez began to dictate proceedings with far more verve.
Ben Chilwell – 6
Chilwell was left entirely responsible for Chelsea’s attacking movement down the left in the first-half.
He was joined by Mykhailo Mudryk in the second-half and the pair combined well but ultimately to no effect.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Frank Lampard is persisting with playing Kante further forward, and tonight the whole thing made a bit more sense.
The energetic Frenchman was picking up interesting positions undetected by Brentford’s defence, but struggled with his final ball consistently.
He did almost score with a left-footed volley early in the second-half.
N’Golo Kante is playing slightly further forward than most fans are used toCredit: EPA
Conor Gallagher – 6
No one can question Conor Gallagher’s industry and endeavour and he spent much of the first-half buzzing around trying to make things happen.
But many will wonder if that alone should justify regular starts over the likes of Joao Felix and the consistently ignored Noni Madueke. He was sacrificed at half-time as Lampard switched to a back four.
Raheem Sterling – 5
It just wasn’t coming off for Raheem Sterling in the first half. Runs went unanswered, balls into the box avoided him as if by magic and he carried little threat.
Playing him as a solo striker did not work so it was little surprise to see Lampard shift him to the right-wing in a half-time switch. But still the former Manchester City star failed to show his true quality.
Subs
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (on for Conor Gallagher at half-time) – 7
It’s incredible what having a striker can do for a team. The 33-year-old came on at half-time and the Brentford defence finally looked unsettled.
Aubameyang came close with a looping header early in the second-half before dribbling into the Brentford box and having only a limp attempt on David Raya’s goal. But this dangerous cameo should at least justify a start in the Blues’ next dead rubber against former club Arsenal.
Mykhailo Mudryk (on for Azpilicueta at half-time) – 7
For a long-time it was difficult for the unconverted to work out exactly why Chelsea had paid so much for the Ukrainian.
But Mudryk showed more glimpses tonight on what he’s capable of. His pace, directness and crossing caused consistent problems for the Bees.
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Noni Madueke (on for Sterling, 78) – 6
The 21-year-old showed some pace and energy in his cameo but ultimately did not have enough to settle into the game.
Joao Felix (on for Fernandez, 78) – 6
The loanee did not have enough time to impact events. More

NO WONDER Mauricio Pochettino is holding out on taking Todd Boehly’s dirty dollars.The harder Chelsea fall this season, the easiest it will be to pick them up from June. A burnt out wreck of a club abandoned in a lay-by.
Brentford beat Chelsea 2-0 as the Blues’ downward slide continuedCredit: Getty
Chelsea fans left the ground with a quarter of an hour leftCredit: Rex
Talks are way down the line between the former Tottenham boss and American chairman Boehly. 
But you can see why he is not exactly champing at the bit to stroll in and pick up the broken pieces of a team from beleaguered caretaker boss Frank Lampard.
Chelsea are in freefall. This, a fifth defeat on the spin and they do not look like pulling out of the tailspin any time soon. They were booed off at half time and full time.
Pochettino could well come in and finish tenth next season and it will look a job well done.
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If Lampard loses again next Tuesday at Arsenal, highly likely that is too with the Gunners fighting for their lives in the title race, it will be a clean half dozen losses in a row. 
A desperate run not witnessed here since Glenn Hoddle was manager in 1993.
It’s a miserable but honest reflection of a club into its fourth manager of the season. Rudderless and hopeless. 
A goal in each half clinched a second successive win at Stamford Bridge for Brentford who took every opportunity to rub Chelsea’s noses in it too.
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Each took a deflection off a Chelsea player – Cesar Azpilicueta for the first and Thiago Silva the second. But teams make their own luck.
After a spirited resurgence when Lampard ripped up his early tactics with a double substitution and change of formation, they were undone by a classic sucker punch.
With 12 minutes left sub Bryan Mbeumo broke free just inside the Chelsea half, raced into the box, then cut inside to drill home a shot off the outstretched leg of Silva to seal victory.
It doesn;t take a genius to see what’s wrong with Chelsea yet the combined brain power of several former England legends in the dugout and a room full of billionaires cannot find the answer.
Lampard zeroed in on last week’s gallant defeat against Real Madrid by using his programme notes to point towards the zip his otherwise flatlining players managed to summon up from the off against the Spanish giants.
Chelsea’s squad are clearly not reading the script. The gung-ho feeling from the get-go was missing last night despite warnings from Lampard that there is no hiding place at Chelsea, even within the confines of mid-table obscurity. 
The first effort on target from either side did not arrive until the 23rd minute and even then it was a tepid header straight at keeper David Raya from Chelsea defender Thiago Silva at the end of a set-piece.

Cesar Azpilicueta scored a calamitous own goal to hand Brentford the leadCredit: AFP
Brentford celebrate after being gifted the advantageCredit: Reuters
It was hardly free flowing and certainly not the kind of response Lampard expected after having a full week on the training ground to try to inject some kind of life into a bunch of players with visibly draining morale.
Brentford’s goal was appropriately scruffy and unkempt in keeping with the tempo of the match. 
A corner fired into the box by Mathias Jensen was headed on by Danish defender Zanka. 
As it was slipping harmlessly wide of goal it struck the arm of Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta and bobbled over the line with the rest of the Chelsea defence wrong-footed.
Stalwart Azpilicueta was back in the side for the first time since February 18 and what an impact. 
There was little he could do to avoid it but the ungainly, embarrassing nature of his own goal – the fourth of his 11 years at the club – just sums up Chelsea’s deteriorating and humiliating season. 

Bryan Mbeumo made it 2-0 in the second half to leave Frank Lampard winlessCredit: Rex
Brentford celebrate going two up with jubilant fans in the West London derbyCredit: AP
There is a clear feeling that Chelsea’s players just want this bizarre season over and done with, so they can high-tail it into summer even though there are still half a dozen games to go.
Azpilicueta was the fall-guy at half time being hauled off for Michailo Mudryk while Conor Gallagher made way for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Lampard broke with tradition and decided to play a striker up front and went for more pace up top.
The response wasn’t quite immediate but it was noticeable. Sterling out on the right flank, Aubameyang comfortable through the middle, Mudryk tricky on the left.
Which is why there were at least three good chances within the first ten minutes of the second half. N’Golo Kante shooting just wide, Aubameyang recovering from a trip to fire straight at Raya and then heading just over the bar.
He almost scored again in the 58th minute when Mateo Kovacic sliced Brentford down the middle with a pinpoint pass that allowed Aubameyang to run on and blast another effort at Brentford’s busy keeper.
Were he not so rusty, who knows how many would have got through?
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But just as they looked like getting level on a rush of blood, Mbeumo nailed it with the killer strike.
Chelsea will not go down but there is a possibility they could finish the season as London’s bottom team.
Thiago Silva looks dejected as Chelsea slump to defeatCredit: Reuters
Chelsea fell to their 13th defeat of the seasonCredit: EPA
Frank Lampard fell to his fifth defeat since returningCredit: Rex More

CHELSEA fans begged Mauricio Pochettino to end their “inhumane torture” after an own goal put them behind against Brentford. The Blues went down on 37 minutes after a Brentford corner resulted in the ball being deflected by Cesar Azpilicueta into the net.
Chelsea fans begged Mauricio Pochettino to end their ‘inhumane torture’Credit: Getty
It put Chelsea on track for their FIFTH straight loss since club legend Frank Lampard took temporary charge.
And fans took to Twitter to vent their frustrations, with some even joking about relegation unless Pochettino arrives.
One said: “Dear @todd_boehly, Get Pochettino in NOW, not later.
“We’re suffering badly, this isn’t even funny anymore, it’s straight inhumane torture.
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“We can’t take this anymore, it’s getting ridiculous. Kind Regards. The Entire Chelsea Fanbase.”
One agreed: “Six attackers on the bench, one on the field.
“Honestly, just get Poch in now FFS. Absolute disgrace of a lineup and subs bench, even if we get something out of this.
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“Bench still full of players we are going to sell. Absolute joke.”
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Another added: “Erm .. can we actually get relegated?”
One joked: “We’re actually getting relegated.”
Things worsened for Chelsea as a Bryan Mbeumo doubled their lead on 78 minutes, condemning Lampard’s side to another loss.
Cesar Azpilicueta’s own goal put Chelsea behindCredit: AFP More

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become the next Chelsea manager.The former Tottenham boss has been locked in talks with Todd Boehly and Co after emerging as frontrunner for the job.
Mauricio Pochettino has verbally agreed to become Chelsea managerCredit: PA
And TalkSport claims a verbal agreement has now been struck, with Chelsea hoping to confirm a deal for Pochettino by the end of the week.
It’s believed the Argentine tactician held fresh talks with Chelsea in Spain on Monday.
A plan outlining details for the club’s long-term vision was discussed.
Both parties left satisfied after a “very positive” meeting.
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And Pochettino has now given his verbal consent to replacing caretaker boss Frank Lampard at the end of the season.
Chelsea hope to conclude a deal “imminently”, having held previous talks with the likes of Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann.
Poch would not take charge at Stamford Bridge until the summer.
But his Wikipedia page has already been changed, saying he’s been “appointed as the head coach of Chelsea on a two-year deal.”
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Boehly is now hopeful of confirming his new man by the end of the week.
Pochettino is believed to have impressed the American with his commitment to working with youngsters.
Chelsea have splashed out over £600million since Boehly’s Clearlake Capital group took over from Roman Abramovich last year.

And Poch has reportedly identified the likes of £88m winger Mykhailo Mudryk and academy defender Levi Colwill as integral to his vision.
The ex-Spurs man is also set to oversee a huge clear-out, with Chelsea currently boasting well over 30 first-team stars.
And there could even be fresh chances for flops like Romelu Lukaku, who could be the answer to the Blues’ problems up front.
Mauricio Pochettino has managed four clubs More