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      Chelsea 0 Real Madrid 2: Lampard’s strugglers show fight but lack quality as Blues dumped out by Rodrygo double

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      THERE was something about the way Rodrygo literally walked his second goal into the net, which seemed to sum up Todd Boehly’s first season as Chelsea supremo. It felt like a message of pure contempt, from the greatest club in European football to a ragtag bunch of overpriced players chucked together by an American gob artist. 
      Chelsea have been dumped out of the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Rodrygo put Real Madrid ahead at Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
      The Brazilian’s goal killed off the tieCredit: Getty
      Boehly and his co-owner Behdad Eghbali has water-cannoned £600million in transfer fees, yet left four different managers without an authentic centre-forward.
      And having headed into the Chelsea dressing-room and accusing players of being ‘embarrassing’ after the weekend defeat by Brighton, the shame should lie with Chelsea’s American moneymen. 
      Frank Lampard’s four matches as interim manager have produced the club’s first four-game losing streak in 30 years. 
      And Chelsea’s season is now over six weeks prematurely. They are in the bottom half of the Premier League table, they are out of every Cup and have eight dead rubbers ahead of them. 
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      Whoever inherits Lampard’s mantle will not be competing in Europe next season – which will cause more financial headaches for owners who have spent like drunken sailors in a knocking shop. 
      Chelsea actually had a decent go at Real for 45 minutes.
      But the 14-time European champions prevailed through a smart second-half double from Rodrygo to double their first-leg lead and set up, in all probability, a second straight Champions League semi-final against Manchester City.
      In keeping with the utter chaos surrounding this club, Lampard’s team selection had something of the bingo caller about it: “On his own, lucky seven, N’Golo Kante”.
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      On paper It looked like a 3-6-1 formation designed to keep it tight until the arrival of cavalry – a bench which cost more than a quarter of a billion. 
      In practice, it was anything but cautious. Chelsea were in a manic, high-pressing, cage-rattling mode.
      The faithful were doing their best to produce an authentic old-school atmosphere, there were herberts throwing celery at police horses out on the Fulham Road and former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was being loudly accused of one-in-a-bed romps. 
      It was loud and boisterous and it seemed to spur on the randomly-assembled team of celebrities who make up Boehly’s Big Brother house.
      Marc Cucurella missed a big chance in the first halfCredit: Getty
      Rodrygo punished the blues wastefulnessCredit: AFP
      Chelsea moved it quickly, not allowing the European champions to settle and they ought to have been ahead early on. 
      A Reece James centre bounced off Kai Havertz and fell invitingly for Kante – who had been pushed up into something like an inside-left position – but the Frenchman scuffed his shot wide.
      Real had their moments – Rodrygo crashing a shot against the outside of the post, then Luka Modric darting through and forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga into a smart save. 
      But at least the Blues were showing the workrate, intent and belief to give it a decent go – and those qualities had been sadly lacking in Lampard’s first three matches in charge and for the vast majority of Graham Potter’s reign too. 
      The best way to unsettle a team who want to strut and swagger, is a simple refusal to let them settle. It was basic, old-fashioned English passion play and it wasn’t going badly.
      Just before the break, a low centre from James skimmed across goal the face of goal and found Marc Cucurella, six yards out and unmarked, but Courtois denied the left-back with a brilliant stop, the Belgian clearly unperturbed by his fearful ear-bashing from the Matthew Harding Stand. 
      Cucurella, in for the banned Ben Chilwell, has not settled in well here, the £62m transfer fee trousered by Brighton filed under ‘we saw you coming mile off’ – but had he buried that, it might have helped.
      At half-time, Ancelotti responded by sending on former Chelsea general Toni Rudiger in place of David Alaba in order to beef up Real’s defence. 
      It was a doff of the cap to Lampard, one of his 2010 Double-winners, a suggestion that Real knew they were in a game.  
      James soon launched a horrible challenge on Eduardo Camavinga – an ‘orange’ which received a yellow. 
      Kante squandered another decent chance, when a more natural forward player might have scored. 
      But then Eder Militao, who had already been booked, made a cynical foul on Trevoh Chalobah and somehow escaped a second caution.
      The Brazilian netted a braceCredit: Reuters
      Frank Lampard threw on his attackers in the second half to no availCredit: Getty
      Suddenly it was all going off. A heavy challenge from Toni Kroos on Mateo Kovacic had Ashley Cole lunging towards the fourth official, his fellow coach Joe Edwards grabbing the former England full-back by the throat. 
      And, then, amid the rage and the mayhem, Real decided it was time to get serious. 
      Militao pinged a pass forward to release Rodrygo, who skinned Chalobah, sprinted to the byeline and crossed low, past a couple of scrambling defenders, to pick out Vinicius Junior. 
      Vinicius squared it back to Rodrygo who tucked it away with a bedtime kiss. 
      Momentarily, Ancelotti punched the air and stuck out his chest, as animated as you’re ever likely to see the old dude in public. Courtois turned to The Shed and smirked. The Bridge fell into stunned silence.  
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      Courtois soon saved a powerful Enzo Fernandez effort and Lampard sent on Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix – pretty much a £150m substitution, which undermines the Chelsea as plucky underdogs narrative.  
      Then that second goal, Federico Valverde strutting through and finding Rodrygo, who scored in mocking slow motion. 
      Frank Lampard has now lost all four games since returning to the clubCredit: EPA More

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      Chelsea fans blast ‘worst team in their entire lives’ as they predict extremely negative tactic vs Real Madrid

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      CHELSEA fans have been stunned by Frank Lampard’s team selection ahead of the Champions League clash with Real Madrid.The interim manager named what fans are saying is a very ‘negative’ side with four defensive midfielders in the line-up ahead of the quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

      Frank Lampard has named what fans are saying is a very negative side to take on Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Chelsea need to overturn a two-goal deficit if they are to progress past the semi-finals.
      The team’s midfield includes Conor Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic.
      They will play ahead of a back five of Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and wing-backs Marc Cucurella and Reece James.
      Kai Havertz is expected to lead the line by himself.
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      This means that Lampard has benched attackers Joao Felix, Hakim Ziyech, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Mykhailo Mudryk, despite needing goals.
      In the build-up to the match, pundit Steve McManaman was asked if he thought Real Madrid would be worried after seeing Chelsea’s line-up.

      He had a hilariously blunt reply, simply saying: “No.”
      And fans have jumped on to social media to slam the defensive nature of the team.
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      One Blues supporter tweeted: “This is the worst Chelsea team I’ve seen in my entire life.”
      A second wrote: “Wow Chelsea are trying to draw this game 0-0. Most negative team I’ve ever seen.”
      A third commented: “Considering the circumstance (2-0 down) and the players at his disposal this is genuinely shocking.”
      A fourth said: “5 defenders 4 midfielders 1 false 9 on the pitch. As a Chelsea fan you always believe when it comes to must win European match. I genuinely have no faith at all today.”
      While a fifth added: “This lineup doesn’t make sense to me in any way.”
      Another declared: “This lineup is actually horrendous. I’ve only been watching football for 6 months, yet I can tell you this lineup is very very confusing.”
      Explaining his squad selection before the game, Lampard told BT Sport: “When I look at us at the moment – firstly, you have to respect the opponent and the level of the game.
      “I have to pick players that I feel are in good shape and nick. It’s up to us how that looks and how we use that offensively and defensively and how we can join in with pace.
      “With the wing backs in the team, shaping up how we were last week was a part of the game we didn’t use enough.
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      “When you use this system you must have possession of the ball, you must get your wing backs up the pitch and you must have players from midfield who will get in the box.
      “We have the legs and energy and the capacity defensively to deal with the most important parts of the pitch with the level of player they have in there.” More

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      Chelsea fans demand Frank Lampard plays HIMSELF against Real Madrid after they spot training video

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      CHELSEA fans have been demanding that Frank Lampard picks himself to play against Real Madrid.The calls came after footage of the club icon juggling a ball during training emerged, showing that he has not lost his touch.

      Chelsea boss Lampard impressed with his juggling skillsCredit: AFP
      And fans asked that he picks himself to play against Real Madrid tonightCredit: AFP
      Now the interim coach of the Blues, Lampard is aiming to help his side overturn a two-goal deficit when they face the LaLiga giants at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League tonight.
      Lampard has been leading training since the firing of Graham Potter, but the club has lost each of the three games that he has been in charge.
      However as he entered training today, Lampard showed off his ability to control the ball as he juggled and balanced it on his foot – all while holding a clipboard.
      This has led to fans calling for the former midfielder to play himself against Real Madrid.
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      One fan tweeted: “He should just put on the jersey and play for us today, maybe we can have some hope.”
      A second wrote: “I think they need him out there !… On the pitch! lol.”
      A third commented: “Let him play as their striker tonight.”
      A fourth said: “Get him in line up player-coach Terry back too and Drogba!!!!”
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      While a fifth declared: “Chelsea’s player of the season.”
      A sixth added: “He’d do a better job than 95% of Chelsea’s current midfield.”
      Another joked: “Probs worth getting the kit on can’t be worse than Havertz up top.”
      Chelsea face Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final in a bid to salvage something from this season.
      They are languishing in eleventh place in the league, ten points off seventh-placed Brighton, who beat them at the weekend. More

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      Real Madrid ‘want Chelsea quartet and willing to splash out more than £90m on Reece James alone’

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      REAL MADRID are reportedly keen on signing four players from Chelsea.And they are ready to spend £90million alone on star man Reece James.
      Real Madrid are ready to spend £90m on Chelsea star Reece JamesCredit: Rex
      Real are also big fans of contract rebel Mason MountCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea and Real face each other tonight in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.
      The Spaniards lead the tie 2-0 following last week’s win at the Bernabeu.
      But Real are also looking to beat Chelsea off the pitch as well as on it.
      According to Fijaches, Los Blancos are hoping to sign no less than four players from Stamford Bridge.
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      Top of their list is right-back James, 23, who is regarded as one of the best players in his position.
      The defender only signed a new five-year deal in September.
      Real are in “no hurry” to sign James, but they would like to have him in as a replacement for the ageing Dani Carvajal.
      Next on their list is Mateo Kovacic, who is out of contract in 2024.
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      Real want to re-sign Mateo Kovacic when his contract expires in 2024Credit: Alamy
      Real rate Ruben Loftus-Cheek for his versatilityCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old spent three years at Real before joining Chelsea in 2018.
      But Los Blancos chiefs are keen on a free transfer return when his deal expires, with the club expecting to lose either Luka Modric or Toni Kroos next year.
      The third player Real want is Mason Mount, also out of contract in 2024.
      Carlo Ancelotti would prefer to make a move this summer as the England man, 24, stalls on signing a new Chelsea deal.
      But Real are also willing to bide their time and land Mount for nothing next year should the Blues play hardball over a fee.
      Finally, the Spaniards are also exploring a move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 27.
      They are big fans of the ace’s versatility as a central midfielder and right-sider.
      Like Mount, he is being targeted this summer but could also end up going on a free transfer in 2024. More

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      Chelsea and Spurs in battle to land top new boss but which London giant would be the better club to manage?

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      CHELSEA and Tottenham are both on the hunt for new managers.Frank Lampard has taken over as interim boss at Stamford Bridge following Graham Potter’s dismissal.
      Luis Enrique has been linked with both Chelsea and TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Julian Nagelsmann is also on both clubs’ list of potential candidatesCredit: Getty
      And Antonio Conte’s exit from Spurs has seen his assistant Cristian Stellini assume control.
      But both temporary head coaches are expected to step aside once the 2022/23 campaign has been dealt with – although Spurs could move earlier than that.
      And the two London rivals are being linked with the same names as they search for the right manager to lift their respective dressing rooms.
      Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann are two high-profile candidates that are attracting interest from Chelsea and Tottenham.
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      Vincent Kompany is another possible option for both Premier League sidesCredit: PA
      Burnley boss Vincent Kompany is another coach being mooted for both roles following his Championship promotion with the Clarets.
      But which is the more appealing role?
      Well, Jamie Carragher seems to think all of those in the frame would choose Chelsea over Spurs.
      Speaking on The Overlap, he said: “If a manager has an option between Chelsea and Spurs, I think they will choose Chelsea in terms of giving them more chance of window, and maybe a bigger transfer kitty.
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      “The fact that they put Frank Lampard in tells me they may already have someone lined up, but that person will come in the summer.
      “I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes out in the next few weeks that Julian Naglesmann has agreed to join Chelsea, but he wanted some time out and to get ready for the summer and have a pre-season.
      “I might be totally wrong, and they might not have anyone and are still working on it, but to sign Frank straight away and not give it another week to get someone in for a couple of months, makes me feel they have something already lined up to the summer.”
      But is Carragher right? SunSport have taken a look at the pros and cons of taking over at both clubs.
      Chelsea
      Todd Boehly has already sacked managers Thomas Tuchel and Graham PotterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Owner Todd Boehly’s arrival at Chelsea less than 12 months ago has sparked a chaotic period at Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues have axed Thomas Tuchel and Potter since the American assumed control of the Blues.
      And after one game with assistant Bruno Saltor in charge, Lampard has now taken interim charge until the end of the campaign.
      The managerial merry-go-round has coincided with a £600million spending spree.
      But the swarm of new players has only seen Chelsea drop further and further down the Premier League table – where they now sit 11th.
      It is evident Boehly has great ambition for the club given he has already sacked two coaches in his first season.
      And that may well be a daunting prospect for any coach coming to West London.
      Under Roman Abramovich, managers were expected to win trophies quickly or face the chop.
      And Boehly has shown little sign of changing that outlook in his first year – averaging a new appointment less than every four months.
      The transfer budget may also concern incoming managers as Chelsea have spent so much money in recent windows and are required to stay within Financial Fair Play regulations.
      Players are also set to depart in the summer in order to comply with these rules.
      And Chelsea have plans to build a new £1.5billion stadium which will need to be budgeted for over the coming years.
      But it is a squad brimming with talent – with more than 30 players at the new head coach’s disposal.
      The Blues also have a history of winning trophies.
      Many of the squad still at the Bridge were there when Tuchel helped them win the Champions League in 2021.
      And that winning mentality is something that Boehly has over his rivals across London.
      Managers are also handed generous compensation packages when they depart Chelsea – with Potter receiving more than £20m – another plus for interested candidates.
      Tottenham
      Daniel Levy is searching for a 12th managerial appointment since becoming chairmanCredit: Alamy
      Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was given little choice but to sack Conte following his outburst in the wake of their 3-3 draw with Southampton last month.
      The Tottenham chief, who had to fork out over £15m to Conte, assumed control of the Lilywhites in 2001 and is now searching for a 12th permanent manager in 22 years.
      It is a relatively high number of coaches, but Levy has shown he can give managers time with the likes of Martin Jol, Harry Redknapp and Mauricio Pochettino.
      Spurs’ downfall under Levy has been their lack of trophies – with the club still waiting for their first piece of silverware since 2008.
      And they have also shown a reluctance to spend like some of their rivals.
      Eight of Chelsea’s current squad were brought in for more money than Spurs’ club record transfer fee of £53.8m.
      So it is evident any incoming manager will be working with a smaller budget than Chelsea.
      And they may also lose their most important player in Harry Kane.
      The Spurs talisman’s future remains up in the air as he enters the final 12 months of his contract – with Manchester United heavily linked with the England captain.
      However, Tottenham fans’ expectations are – at least at the beginning – likely to be lower than that of the Chelsea faithful – who have seen their club win five Premier Leagues, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and three League Cups over the past two decades.
      Spurs supporters wish for a return to the attacking style Pochettino provided – after defensively-minded coaches in Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte.
      So while success may be tougher to achieve than at Chelsea, the fans will almost certainly be more patient.
      Verdict
      Ultimately there are major concerns for any manager taking both jobs.
      Chelsea have big goals and demand success immediately, but are unable to guarantee the finances or time in order to achieve it.
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      Tottenham hold a more attainable level of perceived success – even if getting there may be a challenge – but funds, past failures and Kane’s potential departure could make it an almost impossible task.
      When it comes to the likes of Enrique and Nagelsmann, it might just be easier to hold out until the Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain job comes up. More

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      Lukaku set to return to Chelsea ‘against his will’ with Inter Milan ‘unable and unwilling to finance another transfer’

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      ROMELU LUKAKU will reportedly have to reluctantly return to Chelsea at the end of his Inter Milan loan despite wanting to stay in Italy.The 29-year-old striker helped the Serie A giants to title glory in 2021 before heading back to the Blues in a £98.5m move.
      Romelu Lukaku is set for heartbreak this summer according to a new report in ItalyCredit: Rex
      But his second stint at Chelsea failed to turn into the dream he envisioned and he returned to Inter on loan last summer.
      However, the Belgian striker has endured a frustrating campaign on the injury front and has scored just seven goals in 24 games.
      Even though he has endured those difficulties, he wants to remain with Inter, but he appears to be set for disappointment, according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.
      They claim that Lukaku will return to West London “against his will” as his loan club is not able to afford the potential cost of another move.
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      They recently announced losses of £694m over the past decade along with an annual operating loss of around £133m.
      That means that chiefs will be forced into trying to make savings this summer along with the prospect that they may miss out on qualification for the Champions League and the financial rewards that would bring.
      This update states that they feel they have not received enough in return from Lukaku this term to justify the £6.9m loan fee plus the cost of covering a significant part of his £325,000-a-week wages.
      And now Inter are planning ahead for a future without the ex-Everton and Manchester United man in attack.
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      The report also stresses that Lukaku wants to stay so that he is prepared to take a wage cut.
      He has also scored some vital goals in recent weeks, especially in the Champions League, as he netted the winner against Porto in the last-16 as well as getting one in last week’s 2-0 first-leg quarter final win over Benfica.
      But now it seems that he will have to go on a red-hot streak until the end of the season in order to try and change Inter’s minds.
      It also leaves Chelsea with a potential dilemma as they will need to balance the books after Todd Boehly’s huge outlay on new signings.
      And the striker will no doubt have been viewed as one of the players that the club could sell in order to recoup funds. More

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      How Tottenham could line up under Luis Enrique with ex-Spain manager using contacts to hijack Chelsea transfer

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      LUIS ENRIQUE is being linked with the vacant role at Tottenham as Spurs look to steal him away from Chelsea.The former Spain head coach, 52, has been mooted as one of two leading candidates to take over at Stamford Bridge alongside Julian Nagelsmann.
      Luis Enrique is on Tottenham’s radar as they search for a new head coachCredit: EPA
      But reports on Monday revealed Tottenham are also eyeing up the ex-Barcelona boss.
      And his arrival could make for some interesting transfer business for the Lilywhites.
      Enrique only left his role with the Spain national team four months ago following their last-16 exit at the World Cup.
      As a result, he will still have a close relationship with many of the players he worked with.
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      How Spurs could line up under Luis Enrique
      One of those is Barcelona midfielder Gavi – whose future remains uncertain.
      The Spanish giants have been forced to remove him from their registration of first team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
      And while Chelsea have been linked with a move for him, Enrique joining Tottenham could make them the frontrunners to sign the 18-year-old star.
      Centre-back Pau Torres is another potential addition to Spurs’ squad if Enrique was to arrive.
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      The Villarreal defender, 26, is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer and could be offloaded by the LaLiga club.
      Torres started one of Spain’s four games at the World Cup.
      Marco Asensio is another member of Spain’s squad from Qatar who could be available in the coming months.
      The Real Madrid man, 27, will become a free agent at the end of the season if he does not sign a contract extension with Los Blancos.
      And then there is Brentford keeper David Raya.
      The shot-stopper, 27, has been touted as a transfer target for both Spurs and Manchester United.
      He was selected by Enrique for the World Cup, although he did not play any minutes as Unai Simon started all four games. More

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      Chelsea have £17.5m transfer of teen wonderkid Kendry Paez approved – but must wait years before he joins

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      CHELSEA have had their £17.5million capture of teen wonderkid Kendy Paez approved.But fans will have to wait years before seeing him in action at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea’s deal for Kendy Paez has been approved… but he can’t join for yearsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CgXfFUjOxDZ/
      Paez, 15, is regarded as one of the best youngsters in world football after bursting onto the scene in Ecuador.
      He currently plays for Independiente del Valle as an attacking midfielder.
      And Chelsea made their move after already securing a deal for Brazil Under 20s captain Andrey Santos.
      Fabrizio Romano now says the FA and Premier League have approved Chelsea’s transfer for Paez.
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      And once officially confirmed, the Blues will cough up £17.5m — with a bulk of that determined by add-ons.
      However, Chelsea won’t be seeing Paez for some time to come.
      That’s because players from South America must wait until they are 18 before coming to Europe.
      And Chelsea won’t be able to play Paez until 2025 at the earliest.
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      It’s reckoned the Blues have seen off competition from several other big sides.
      Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund were also big fans of Paez.
      But Todd Boehly has swooped first after making it his mission statement to bring the world’s top kids to Stamford Bridge. More