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      Jude Bellingham ‘summoned for showdown talks with Dortmund’ as Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool fight over transfer

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has been reportedly summoned to showdown talks with Dortmund chiefs as Europe’s biggest clubs fight over him. The 19-year-old has become one of the most coveted stars in the world and is now being touted for a big move away.
      Dortmund are attempting to take control of the situation as speculation mounts on Bellingham’s futureCredit: Getty
      Since joining Dortmund in 2020 from Birmingham, Bellingham has only seen his reputation grow.
      AS report the German club have now requested the teen and his representatives – including his dad Mark who is also his agent – join them for crunch talks in the coming days to decide his future.
      Dortmund are believed to want to know what Bellingham intends to do in the summer.
      It follows a similar strategy used with Erling Haaland when the superstar striker was also a Dortmund player and being courted by several clubs.
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      On that occasion, BVB held January talks with the Norwegian hitman before letting him depart for Manchester City.
      The club have very low hopes of retaining Bellingham, according to AS, as major clubs circle around the midfielder.
      Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are among the club who have been linked with the Englishman.
      Real Madrid are also believed to be in the hunt and it is speculated they are willing to go close to £90m for him.
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      But City are determined to hijack any deal and reunite Bellingham with former teammate Haaland.
      Sources at the club are confident that the chance to work with Pep Guardiola could swing the deal in City’s favour.
      Meanwhile, the Chelsea and Liverpool ownerships have shown a willingness to spend big to land their key targets.
      Bellingham’s standing grew even further after his riveting performances at the World Cup.
      The midfield ace frequently ran the show for England with his lung-busting runs and progressive play.
      Meanwhile for Dortmund this season, Bellingham has nine goals in 22 games so far including four strikes in the Champions League. More

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      Chelsea slammed as ‘soft’ and ‘powderpuff’ as under-fire Potter prepares for nightmare double-header against Man City

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      STUTTERING Chelsea face a potentially decisive week with the Blues set to play Manchester City twice.The luck of the draw has left Graham Potter staring at a daunting seven days as he looks to drag the club back on track.
      Only five months into the job and Graham Potter is already coming under some pressureCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s underperforming team did not impress at Nottingham Forest yesterdayCredit: Getty
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of several summer signingsCredit: Reuters
      But things could not be much more difficult – Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness led the criticism after Chelsea’s limp and unconvincing draw at Nottingham Forest.
      “Soft” and “powderpuff” was how they branded yesterday’s showing at the County Ground.
      Sky Sports’ Graeme Souness was dismissive of Potter’s struggling side, saying: “Chelsea couldn’t cope with Forest’s aggression. They were powderpuff.”
      During commentary Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher said: “Watching Chelsea, they haven’t done enough.

      “It feels a little bit soft, a bit weak. They haven’t been able to cope when the intensity of the game has gone up.”
      It’s an extraordinary turnaround from 11 months ago when the West London club were the Champions League holders and had just won the Club World Cup.
      But the year rapidly descended into chaos with turmoil at boardroom level and a managerial sacking amid poor results.
      Most alarmingly, Chelsea have fallen flat on the pitch.
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      Yesterday’s performance was the latest sign that the Blues have yet to find their footing under Potter.
      Goals remain the most pressing issue – Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz are the top scorers with four each so far this season.
      League leaders Arsenal have four players who have hit five or more, while Manchester City have seen lethal Erling Haaland net 21 in record quick time.
      Graham Potter faces arguably the most testing month of his managerial career
      Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the new Chelsea signings facing criticism
      That is one more goal than Chelsea have managed in the league all season.
      This season the Blues have conceded 11.3 shots on their goal on average compared to the 7.6 effort they make on opponents’ goal.
      And they have 11 points fewer points after 16 games than they did at the same stage last season, when Thomas Tuchel’s side topped the league.
      This time Chelsea are 8th, beneath newly-promoted West London rivals Fulham on goal difference, and seven points off the top 4.
      The Blues sat 5th after Tuchel’s final Premier League game against West Ham in September.
      And this is all after the new ownership, led by Todd Boehly, splurged well over £250m on new signings amid questionable business decisions.
      The stats suggest Chelsea are conceding far too many shots on their goal
      New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly sacked Thomas Tuchel in September and quickly recruited Brighton boss Graham PotterCredit: AFP
      Graham Potter is already coming under pressure from fans for the season unravelling.
      But the stats suggest the malaise can be traced back to the beginning of last year.
      The Blues only picked up 57 points across the Premier League in 2022, 22 points fewer than Man City and Liverpool, 15 fewer than Newcastle and 14 fewer than Tottenham.
      The Club World Cup win and a heroic if unsuccessful performance at Real Madrid aside, there was little for fans to shout about.
      Two home defeats to Arsenal across the calendar year plus embarrassing results against the likes of Brentford and Brighton left supporters red-faced.
      Goals have been a persistent issue for Chelsea
      And the off the field issues of Roman Abramovich’s sanctions, Romelu Lukaku’s explosive interview and Tuchel’s dramatic sacking have not helped the mood.
      Consistent injuries to wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell have also left Chelsea looking awkward in attack.
      It all means Potter is facing a huge opening week to the new year.
      Lose to Manchester City in the league on Thursday and in the FA Cup on Sunday and a trophyless, mid-table season looms.
      Only an unlikely assault on the Champions League could provide a glimmer of hope for fans.
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      After this week, games against Fulham, Palace and Liverpool will arrive.
      And if results do not start picking up soon, 2023 could prove to be a depressing one for Chelsea supporters.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a huge disappointment since joining
      Kai Havertz played as a striker but spent most of the Forest game in midfield More

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      Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal transfer target Joao Felix shocks fans after revealing Premier League club he supports

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      ATLETICO MADRID star Joao Felix revealed his favourite Premier League club and it is NOT Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.Felix has been linked with a sensational switch ahead of the upcoming January transfer window following some impressive displays in the 2022 World Cup.
      Joao Felix has been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and ArsenalCredit: Rex
      Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix named Leeds as his favourite Premier League clubCredit: Rex
      The forward has admitted he is a fan of the English top flight but he apparently never rooted for the usual title contenders like the Gunners, the Blues or United.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, the Portugal international admitted he supports Leeds.
      However, the 23-year-old’s soft spot for the Yorkshire giants is highly unlikely to take him to Elland Road in the near future.
      But Felix is still likely to leave Atletico after a reported fallout with manager Diego Simeone.
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      Atleti chief executive Gil Marin also conceded that the Portuguese ace wants to leave.
      Marin told TVE: “[Felix] is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history. I personally think he’s a top talent, a world-class player.
      “For reasons it isn’t worth getting into – the relationship between him and the boss [Simeone], the minutes played, his motivation right now – it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there’s an option that’s good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.
      “I’d love him to stay personally, but I don’t think that’s the player’s idea.”
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      Arsenal, United and Chelsea are looking to take advantage of that opportunity that could see Felix moving on loan due to his hefty asking price.
      The North Londoners are looking for a striker to replace star man Gabriel Jesus, who suffered a knee injury during the World Cup and will be out for three months.
      The West Londoners need someone to spearhead their attack after Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on loan last summer.
      And the Red Devils are still searching for someone to fill in for Cristiano Ronaldo after missing out on Cody Gakpo. More

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      Chelsea legend Hasselbaink slams toothless Blues as he pinpoints most worrying thing about poor draw with Forest

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      JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK has slammed Chelsea for their performance at Nottingham Forest – and was left concerned by their lack of creativity.Raheem Sterling’s first Prem goal since August put the Blues on course for a second victory in six days after they beat Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
      Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was not happy with what he saw from ChelseaCredit: AFP
      The Blues legend was angry with their second half performance at ForestCredit: Getty
      But Graham Potter’s side turned in a lacklustre second half display and were pegged back on 63 minutes.
      Chelsea failed to deal with a corner and ex-Tottenham man Serge Aurier was given time and space to control and poke past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
      Incredibly, they mustered up just ONE attempt on goal throughout the whole second half, compared to nine for Forest, who deservedly walked away with a point.
      It’s now just four wins in 10 league games under Potter’s guidance and Hasselbaink was worried by what he saw.
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      Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It was far from good enough from Chelsea.
      “You know at 1-0 up Forest will do something different, and you need to be able to deal with that. 
      “What really worries me is that they don’t create chances.
      “You have to come here and win. It doesn’t matter how, you need to come here, bottom of the league, and win. 
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      Chelsea managed just two shots on target against struggling Nottingham Forest
      “And if you draw, the best player on the pitch has to be Dean Henderson, and that wasn’t the case.
      “Its bad defending from Chelsea. Everyone’s looking at the ball and forgetting about Aurier.”
      The result leaves Chelsea seven points behind the Champions League places.
      And the gap could be TEN by the time they return to action against reigning champions Manchester City on Thursday.
      Chelsea face back-to-back games against Man City More

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      Souness slams Chelsea transfers under Boehly as he claims it’s ‘MADNESS’ to sell both Werner and Lukaku

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      GRAEME SOUNESS has slammed Chelsea’s transfer business under new owner Todd Boehly.The Blues have struggled in front of goal this season, netting 12 times in 10 Premier League games under Graham Potter.
      Graeme Souness has slammed Chelsea’s transfer business under Todd BoehlyCredit: Alamy
      Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner were both allowed to leave in the summerCredit: Getty
      And Souness, 69, questioned the decision to sell Timo Werner in the summer and let Romelu Lukaku leave on loan.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was brought in but has struggled in front of goal, with Kai Havertz often leading the line.
      Chelsea spent nearly £200million on Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer to strengthen at the back.
      But Souness believes additions are needed up front instead, with Havertz not the right man to lead the line.
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      He said on Sky Sports: “No he’s [Havertz] not going to get enough goals. 
      “It is madness to sell Timo Werner, [Romelu] Lukaku and then spend £170m on three defenders.
      “Surely you must think, football has never changed. The hardest thing to find is goalscorers.”
      Boehly prioritised defensive reinforcements in the last transfer window and is set to continue adding at the back with Benoit Badiashile set to join from Monaco.
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      Souness suggested the “priority” should have been to sign a striker after Werner and Lukaku departed.
      He added: “Spending £170m on defenders, if you can afford it go out and do it, but the priority for me is you have sold two strikers, they weren’t the answer not long term or short term, but were better than what they have got right now.
      “You can’t tell me they are better off with the firepower they have got now.”
      Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling were signed in the summer, but the former has managed just one league goal since his arrival from Barcelona.
      Christoper Nkunku is expected to join at the end of the season, although the RB Leipzig man is not an out and out striker. More

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      Graham Potter tells Chelsea to start ‘running through brick walls’ as he tears into flops after lacklustre Forest draw

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      GRAHAM POTTER told his struggling Chelsea stars to start ‘running through brick walls’ like their opponents.The Blues took the lead through a bizarre Raheem Sterling strike but Serge Aurier’s tidy finish limited them to a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.
      Graham Potter accused Chelsea of being too slow and admitted a point was the most they deserved from the 1-1 draw away to lowly ForestCredit: AFP
      Potter, whose side are seven points adrift of the top four in eighth, said: “Our level wasn’t good enough, we didn’t move fast enough.
      “It would have been unfair if we had taken more than a point.
      “They make teams suffer and we had to suffer.
      “On one hand, you have players asking if they can have the players’ shirts.
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      “On the other, they are thinking, ‘I am going to run through a brick wall here to prove I am good enough to beat, or play for, Chelsea’.
      “We have to be humble enough to know that is the challenge we face and we have to do better.”
      Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana, 20, was at the City Ground to watch his new club after agreeing a £8.7million move to Stamford Bridge from Norwegians Molde.
      Monaco’s France international centre-back Benoit Badiashile, 21, is scheduled for a medical ahead of his £35m move.
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      And Chelsea are also on course to complete the capture of 18-year-old Vasco de Gama midfielder Andrey Santos for £11m.
      But Potter’s biggest signing could be Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who will cost around £100m from Benfica.
      Forest boss Steve Cooper believes his side deserved better as they made it six games without defeat in all competitions.
      He said: “I know we didn’t win but it was a good reference point that we can play against the big teams in the league.
      “We were unlucky with their goal, it hits the bar and drops on to Raheem’s right foot.
      It would have been unfair if we had taken more than a point.Graham Potter
      “They have world-class players all over but we were the better team over the course of the game.
      “On that basis a point is the least we deserve.”
      Big-spending Forest will also make moves in this month’s transfer window after Cooper revealed his side’s latest injury blow.
      Jesse Lingard limped out of Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester United and Cooper confirmed: “Jesse is out for a month. He has a hamstring injury.”
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      Meanwhile, Forest have condemned homophobic chants aimed at Chelsea fans by a section of the City Ground faithful.
      They tweeted: “The club do not condone any discriminatory or offensive behaviour. The matter will be investigated.” More

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      Lukaku reveals chat with Boehly over Tuchel row as he asks Chelsea to ‘find a solution’ for permanent Inter transfer

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      ROMELU LUKAKU revealed he was allowed to leave Chelsea after telling owner Todd Boehly how he felt about Thomas Tuchel.The Blues’ record £97.5million signing also confirmed he has no intention of ever returning to Stamford Bridge and wants to stay at Inter Milan.
      Romelu Lukaku told Todd Boehly ‘the whole truth’ about his relationship with ex-Blues boss Thomas TuchelCredit: Getty
      Boehly had ‘a great chat’ with LukakuCredit: Alamy
      Lukaku, 29, said: “Boehly decided to let me leave after I told him the whole truth about my relationship with Tuchel.
      “It was a great chat – I told him my version of what happened.
      “Then I had the opportunity to return to Inter and Boehly opened the door for me.”
      A hamstring injury has limited Lukaku to just four Inter games – and only one goal and an assist – since returning to the San Siro on loan in the summer.
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      But the 104-cap Belgium ace is determined to stay in Italy before returning to his boyhood club Anderlecht.
      He added: “Everyone knows what I want.
      “I hope to stay at Inter. I love this club and we will speak to Chelsea in order to find a solution.
      “Inter fans are really special, for me they are the best in the world.
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      “Because even if we are in difficulty they are always there to help the team.
      “It was a surprise for me, I thought they were angry with me.
      “But in the end they know I’ve always had Inter in my heart. Even if I left, they know I’ve always had Inter in my heart.
      “I’ve had conversations with my team-mates, with people from the club and they know I’ve told the truth about why I left.
      “Now I’m back and I hope to stay in the future. I mean that for me Inter is worth everything.
      “The idea is to finish my career with Anderlecht. I’m nearly 30, my son started school here and plays in the Inter academy. I want to stay here and do things right.” More

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      Nott’m Forest 1 Chelsea 1: Blues drop more points as Aurier’s leveller makes it one win in eight for Potter’s boys

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      SERGE AURIER scored his first Premier League goal for over two years in another poor result for Chelsea boss Graham Potter.Forest defender Aurier had not found the net since Spurs battered Manchester United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October 2020.
      Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      Sterling now has four Premier League goals this termCredit: AFP
      Serge Aurier equalised volleying home past KepaCredit: PA
      Forest were full value for their point and were unlucky not to winCredit: Getty
      But the Ivorian full-back delivered a striker’s finish in the 63rd minute as Steve Cooper’s team scored for the first time this season after conceding.
      It was no more than Forest deserved.
      Equally, though, Chelsea, so comfortable at half-time as they led through a goal from Raheem Sterling, will once again wonder how they let another three points slip through their fingers.
      It is now just one win in seven League games for Graham Potter, whose side now face Manchester City on Thursday.
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      After taking a step forward in the 2-0 Boxing Day win over Bournemouth, this was two steps backwards.
      Yet despite only leading at the break with that 16th minute Sterling goal, Chelsea were controlling the game.
      Mason Mount wasted the first chance with a shot off target, much to the delight of the home fans who accused him of being a Derby reject.
      Brennan Johnson used his pace to get clear of Marc Cucurella but his initial shot, and also the rebound, were saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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      Morgan Gibbs-White, who created that chance with a ball over the top, hammered a shot against the legs of Cesar Azpilicueta and there was a sense that Forest were gaining some momentum.
      But that all changed when Boly attempted to flick a cross from Mount away to safety.
      Trying to prevent Kai Havertz from being presented with a decent chance, Boly sent the ball looping into the air, onto the bar and then out to a shocked but grateful Sterling.
      The England international actually did well to keep his composure as he had little time to think about the chance but from six yards out, he took a gentle swing at the ball with his right foot and Renan Lodi, standing on the line, did not have a chance.
      Referee Peter Bankes then went on to infuriate the home team by awarding a string of free-kicks to Chelsea 
      Yet regardless of the ref, Forest were still poor in the first half. Worryingly, Cooper’s side have failed to score a first half  goal in 12 of their 17 games.
      Less than 90 seconds after the break, Taiwo Awonyi got into a good position but drove a shot straight at Kepa.
      And  Awonyi was then left furious with team-mate Johnson for failing to square for what could have been a simple tap-in.

      Instead, Johnson went for glory and his shot was too near the Chelsea keeper and also at an easy height to push away.
      When Kepa was beaten by a decent shot, a stunning first-time effort by Gibbs-White on the edge of the area, Chelsea were saved by the woodwork.
      Yet Forest deserved an equaliser and it eventually came when Chelsea failed to clear Gibbs-White’s corner.
      Weirdly, Christian Pulisic jumped too early, Boly won an easy header and Aurier controlled the ball with his chest and then swivelled to squeeze a shot past Kepa at the near post.
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      Potter made a triple substitution with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Conor Gallagher and Hakim Ziyech all introduced but it had no effect.
      Chelsea will have to be a hell of a lot better against City on Thursday or else things could start getting really tricky for Potter.
      Potter has one win in his last eight and the Blues are at risk of falling out of the Champions League huntCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are seven points off fourthCredit: AFP
      Chelsea face Man City on Thursday and cannot afford another lossCredit: Reuters More