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    Chelsea AGREE record £115m transfer deal for Enzo Fernandez as Benfica star ‘undergoes medical in Lisbon’

    CHELSEA have finally agreed a payment schedule with Benfica to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez.The Blues are set to sign the 22-year-old in time ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.
    Chelsea have agreed a fee with Benfica to sign Enzo FernandezCredit: EPA
    SunSport reported yesterday that the Blues were planning a final £115millon push for Fernandez after having a number of bids rejected.
    The move is set to be a British record, surpassing the £100m Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish in 2021.
    Sky Sports claim, via Portuguese broadcaster SIC, that Fernandez is undergoing a medical in Lisbon before the move is made official.
    Teams in England have until 11pm on Tuesday evening to make any deadline day additions.
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    Fernandez only joined Benfica in July from Argentinian club River Plate.
    He has made 17 appearances for the club, and also starred for Argentina as they won the World Cup in Qatar last month.

    The midfielder has been a target for Chelsea this window, although Benfica president Rui Costa and manager Roger Schmidt have criticised the Blues’ approach for Fernandez.
    He has a £105m release clause in his contract, which expires in 2027.
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    Chelsea have already signed SEVEN players in January, coming to a total spend of around £220m.
    Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto have been recruited, with the latter returning on loan to Lyon until the end of the season.
    More to follow… More

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    Watch Chelsea star Marc Cucurella’s brilliant reaction after being told Jorginho had completed £12m transfer to Arsenal

    MARC CUCURELLA was shocked to learn Jorginho had completed his transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal.The defender found out during an interview and could barely believe the news.

    Marc Cucurella was shocked to learn of Jorginho’s transferCredit: Goal
    A leaked image of Jorginho in an Arsenal shirt emerged on social mediaCredit: Twitter
    Jorginho’s transfer to Arsenal is set to be announcedCredit: Getty
    Cucurella was asked by Goal who he thought the most intelligent player in the Chelsea squad, and answered Jorginho.
    But as he was about to explain his reasoning he was interrupted and was shocked to discover there were photos of the Italian in a Gunners shirt.

    Cucurella said he was aware of the rumours after reading about a potential deal yesterday, and he began laughing in response when he realised Jorginho would no longer be his team-mate.
    The transfer is set to be officially announced with Jorginho completing a £12million move to The Emirates and signing an 18-month deal with the option of an extra year.
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    Jorginho was snapped grinning from ear-to-ear in an Arsenal shirt alongside his agent, Joao Santos.
    And his new squad number also appears to have been revealed.
    He was wearing Arsenal tracksuit bottoms in the picture sporting the No20, which is currently unoccupied.
    The Gunners moved for Jorginho as an alternative to number one target Moises Caicedo.
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    Arsenal had multiple offers for the midfielder rejected by Brighton, the latest worth around £75m.
    Mikel Arteta’s side could move back in for the Ecuadorian in the summer. More

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    Ex-Chelsea midfielder catches nine-stone catfish as he enjoys day off… but can you guess who it is?

    A FORGOTTEN Chelsea player is going viral, but not for his football.Instead, the Blues’ flop made headlines because of his latest catch while out fishing on his day off.
    A forgotten Chelsea player has gone viral after a shocking fishing tripCredit: Instagram @nathan10
    That is none other than Nathan, who caught a nine-stone catfishCredit: Instagram @nathan10
    Nathan spent five years at Chelsea without ever making a single appearanceCredit: Getty
    That is none other than Nathan, 26, who spent five years at Stamford Bridge without ever making a single appearance.
    The midfielder, who currently plays for Atletico Mineiro, went out on a fishing trip and caught a nine-stone catfish.
    The Brazilian shared pics of his catch on Instagram for all of his 418,000 followers.
    Nathan joined Chelsea in 2015 from Atletico Paranaense but never managed to play for the senior team.
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    Instead, the Blues sent him out on loan to Vitesse, Amiens, Belenenses and Atletico Mineiro.
    Atletico ultimately signed him on a permanent deal in 2020 before shipping him out on loan two years later to Fluminense.
    Nathan has amassed a total of 13 goals and seven assists in 107 appearances for the Brazilian outfit.
    The versatile midfielder is enjoying much more success in his homeland than he did in Europe.
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    Nathan said back in 2019 when asked why his European stint was unsuccessful: “Certainly, the climate. Football itself is not something that gets in your way.
    “[Going on loan in Europe] Brings opportunities to learn about different cultures, and different schools of the game.
    “It is language, climate and being away from family that end up [being bigger obstacles].
    “But as a professional athlete, I never let myself down by these circumstances, since they are part of our footballing career.
    “And on the pitch I noticed differences in competitiveness, playing styles, tactical discipline.” More

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    Football fan sets up petition for Chelsea to be investigated by Uefa if they complete £115m Enzo Fernandez transfer

    FOOTBALL fans have set up a petition for Chelsea to be investigated if they seal a sensational £115m deadline day deal Enzo Fernandez transfer.The Blues are hoping to complete a British-record deal for the Benfica midfielder, which would take their January spending beyond £300m.
    Chelsea are hoping sign Enzo Fernandez on deadline dayCredit: Getty
    To put that into context, Newcastle are next on the list with £50m following the arrivals of Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby.
    Securing Fernandez’s services would take their spending during his reign to more than HALF A BILLION in the space of two windows.
    And many supporters want something done about the situation, which has led to them setting up a petition.
    More than 1,000 people have already signed the written request with another 500 making it more likely to get picked up.
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    Despite their incredible activity in the market, Chelsea are still struggling this season.
    Graham Potter’s side are TEN points behind the top four and are already out of both domestic cups.
    They have last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, but there’s every chance they won’t be in Europe’s elite competition next season, unless they go all the way.
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    If Chelsea do make Fernandez their eighth signing this month, he could make his debut as soon as Friday.
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    That’s because the Stamford Bridge return to action with a West London derby with Fulham on 3 February. More

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    Jorginho denied Chelsea farewell after four-and-a-half years at club as he leaves for fierce rivals Arsenal

    JORGINHO has been denied giving his Chelsea team-mates a farewell as he closes in on a shock move to Arsenal. The Italian, 31, is set to join the Gunners as the Premier League leaders complete their search for a midfielder.
    Jorginho has been denied a giving his Chelsea team-mates a farewellCredit: Reuters
    It will bring an end to Jorginho’s four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, having signed from Napoli in the summer of 2018.
    But Chelsea have a day off today, meaning the 2021 Champions League winner will not get to say his goodbyes.
    Jorginho is braced to leave West London having made 213 appearances, with a Europa League winners medal also to his name.
    Now he is preparing to move across the city after Chelsea and Arsenal agreed a surprise £12million deadline day deal.
    Jorginho, who was out of contract at the end of the season, has been offered an 18-month deal with the option to extend it.
    The Gunners turned to Chelsea’s vice-captain after having two bids of £60m and £70m turned down by Brighton for Moises Caicedo.
    Jorginho will come in following the news of Mohamed Elneny’s knee injury, which may rule the Egyptian out for the remainder of the season.
    Meanwhile, Chelsea have re-launched an effort to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
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    Their pursuit of the World Cup-winning Argentine, 22, stalled after Benfica demanded a better deal – despite his £105m release clause being met.
    And after several rejected bids, Chelsea look set to finally get a deal over the line just hours before the January transfer deadline.

    Following meetings between the two clubs on Monday, the plan is to pay the sum in six instalments in order to stay within Financial Fair Play regulations.
    Should it go through – surpassing the £100m paid by Manchester City for Jack Grealish – American owner Todd Boehly will have splashed over half a BILLION on new players.
    Enzo Fernandez is still wanted by ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea stadium expansion held up by Henry VIII with Tudor King’s ‘protected view’ in way of new Stamford Bridge stand

    KING HENRY VIII has become an issue holding up Chelsea’s redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.The Tudor king has a mound in Richmond Park which has a “protected view”.
    Stamford Bridge’s redevelopment could be blocked because of a ‘protected view’ from King Henry’s Mound
    Stamford Bridge would block the view of St Paul’s Cathedral if it was any higherCredit: Getty
    Despite the mound being 6.1 miles away from the Blues Stadium it can block work being done to the ground.
    This is because a protected view is the legal requirement within urban planning that is designed to preserve a view of a specific place or building.
    The view from King Henry’s Mound is of St Paul’s Cathedral and it cannot be obscured.
    This would therefore limit the heights of new stands at Stamford Bridge, as they could then be in the way of the 313-year-old building.
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    One way of avoiding this would be to dig down and lower the stadium, something that has been discussed according to The Times.
    However, it is suggested that this could cause issues with neighbours of the football ground.
    Chelsea’s new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital want to build a stadium or redevelop Stamford Bridge into a 60,000-seater ground.
    This is to be able to match the capacities at London rivals Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham.
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    Chelsea fans want the ground to have an increased capacity with some struggling to be able to afford a season ticket.
    The fans that are missing out are the ones that can be credited with creating the ground’s atmosphere, according to the report.
    The Blues have played in Stamford Bridge since 1905 and there was a sports side on the site for the previous 28 years before that. More

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    Man Utd in talks with Bayern Munich over Marcel Sabitzer transfer as Ten Hag moves quickly to replace injured Eriksen

    MANCHESTER UNITED are in talks with Bayern Munich over Marcel Sabitzer.Injury to Christian Eriksen has left Erik ten Hag looking for alternatives right at the end of the transfer window.
    Sabitzer has been with Bayern since 2021
    Sabitzer played for RB Leipzig before moving to BayernCredit: Getty
    Sabitzer has been at the German giants for two years but is now facing Premier League interest.
    Talksport report that United have made a move to land the midfielder.
    But Sky Sports Germany report that Chelsea are also interested and have enquired about the star.
    Sabitzer, 28, has made 15 appearances in the league this season but is not always a starter for the Bavarian club.
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    He moved to Bayern in 2021 after a seven-year stint at RB Leipzig.
    His opening season at the club saw him win the Bundesliga title and make 25 appearances.
    The late interest from Man United comes after the club looked set for a calm deadline day.
    Injury to Eriksen in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Reading has left the Red Devils’ midfield looking light.
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    He could be out for three months as they battle for a Champions League spot as well Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League glory.
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    Scott McTominay is also on the sidelines at the moment, leaving Casemiro and Fred as the only recognised senior central midfielders.
    Meanwhile Chelsea have spent heavily throughout the window and look far from done on deadline day.
    They are still trying to push through a move for Enzo Fernandez and need to bolster their midfield with the shock exit of Jorginho to Arsenal looming. More

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    Jody Morris named Swindon manager as Frank Lampard’s former Chelsea assistant lands first boss job

    JODY MORRIS has been named Swindon’s new manager.The League Two club had been in search of a replacement for Scott Lindsey, who jumped ship to take charge of Crawley.
    Jody Morris has been named Swindon’s new manager
    And they turned to ex-Chelsea assistant boss Morris, who undertakes his first managerial role.
    Morris said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Swindon Town as First-Team Head Coach.
    “This is a great opportunity at a wonderful football club that is steeped in history, and I can’t wait to get started.
    “My footballing philosophy is completely aligned with that of the club, and upon meeting Sandro, I was presented with a strategy and vision that I’m really keen to be a part of.
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    “I’m extremely proud to be leading such a forward-thinking club, with an owner and technical director that are passionate and committed to bringing success here.
    “We now turn our attentions to an important 19 league games, with promotion at the forefront of our ambitions, and we want to take this incredible fanbase on a long and successful journey.”
    Despite having no managerial experience, Morris has been involved with much high-level coaching in previous years.
    He was Lampard’s No2 both at Derby and Chelsea, helping the Rams reach the play-offs and the Blues get into the top four despite a transfer ban.
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    Morris left Stamford Bridge after Lampard’s sacking and has not worked in football since.
    The 44-year-old has also spent four years as Chelsea’s academy coach, having come through their youth system and making over 100 appearances for the senior team.
    It could be a baptism of fire for Morris with Swindon in the middle of a congested scrap for promotion from League Two.
    They are 6th but only five points separate fifth and 15th.
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    Interim boss Gavin Gunning was in charge as the Robins enjoyed a bonkers game with Gillingham.
    The Wiltshire-based club went 1-0 up within the opening minute but then found themselves 3-1 down before the 15 minute mark.
    A brace by Charlie Austin, who returned to his childhood club last month, rescued a point.
    Frank Lampard and Jody Morris worked at Chelsea togetherCredit: Getty More