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      ‘Bid now’ – Chelsea should target transfer for World Cup winner Martinez after Mendy snubs contract offer, says Cole

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      CHELSEA legend Joe Cole has urged his former club to make a move for World Cup-winning keeper Emiliano Martinez after Edouard Mendy snubbed a new contract. SunSport exclusively revealed that Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup winner Mendy turned down fresh terms because Chelsea are not showing him enough “respect” over wages.
      Mendy rejected a Chelsea contract offerCredit: The Times
      Chelsea legend Cole says his former club should sign MartinezCredit: Rex
      The Villa ace is coming off the back of a World Cup winCredit: Getty
      The Senegalese keeper, 30, earns around £100,000-a-week and wants parity with his Blues rival Kepa Arrizabalaga who picks up almost twice that.
      Sources claim Chelsea bosses have even withdrawn their initial offer of a long-term deal as they play hardball with the negotiations — and now there is a stand-off.
      And so Chelsea legend Cole has recommended Aston Villa goalkeeper, Martinez, who has just come off the back of a World Cup win with Argentina, should Mendy leave.
      Martinez, 30, played a pivotal role in Argentina’s third-ever world title win, saving penalties in shootouts against Holland and finalists France.
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      He also picked up the Golden Glove.
      The former England international told the All to Play For podcast: “Martinez for me.
      “I watched him, he didn’t have that many shots to face because they were so good in front of him, but you know what he is good at?
      “Crossing, commanding, and you know he’s connected to his back four.
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      “In the big moments, he delivered.
      “If I’m Chelsea I am tabling a bid for him now. I think he was outstanding.”
      Blues star Mendy still has two and a half years left on his contract but Italian champions AC Milan are closely monitoring the situation — as are French sides Nice and Monaco.
      Martinez, meanwhile, is tied down at Villa Park until the summer of 2027. More

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      Ex-Chelsea manager Avram Grant confirmed as shock new Zambia national team boss after four-year break

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      AVRAM GRANT has accepted the “challenge” of becoming Zambia boss.The former Chelsea and West Ham manager has signed a two-year deal with the African nation, who are ranked 88th in Fifa’s rankings.
      Avram Grant has one of the most diverse CVs in football managementCredit: Getty
      He replaces caretaker Moses Sichone who took charge in September following the departure of former Croatia international Aljosa Asanovic.
      Grant said: “I was looking for the right challenge and that’s why I chose Zambia. 
      “I came here because of the challenge and I hope when I leave here I will look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future.
      “Zambia has the potential, we have set the targets of what we want to achieve.”
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      Grant led Ghana to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final before resigning after finishing fourth two years later.
      The Israeli boss was once a regular face in English football after being named as the shock successor to Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese boss was sacked at Chelsea in 2007.
      He would have been a Champions League winner had John Terry not slipped during a crucial penalty in the shootout against Manchester United in 2008.
      Grant would also take crisis club Portsmouth to an FA Cup Final in 2010, before taking charge of West Ham and leading them to relegation a year later.
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      The 67-year-old’s first senior job in management was all the way back in 1986, while his last job was in 2018 as interim boss of Indian football club NorthEast United FC, who were only founded in 2014.
      Elsewhere, Poland boss Czeslaw Michniewicz will leave at the end of the month following their last-16 World Cup exit.
      The Polish FA have decided not to extend the 52-year-old’s contract after 11 months in charge. 
      Poland drew 0-0 with Mexico, beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 and lost 2-0 to Argentina in their group games before being dumped out by France.
      Polish FA president Cezary Kulesza added: “Michniewicz took over the team at a difficult moment.
      “Despite these circumstances, he managed to earn qualification to the World Cup and also kept the team’s place in the Nations League elite.
      “He also led the national team to the first World Cup knockout stage in 36 years. For this, Michniewicz deserves thanks.”
      Poland appointed the ex-Legia Warsaw boss after parting ways in January with Portuguese Paulo Sousa, who asked to be relieved of his duties in December 2021. More

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      Chelsea reach ‘full verbal agreement’ for Andrey Santos with £17.5m Vasco star set to be Blues second January transfer

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      CHELSEA have agreed to sign Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos in a £17.5million transfer from Vasco da Gama, according to reports.Santos, 18, has been scouted by the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle and Barcelona this year, making him one of the most sought-after teenagers in world football.
      Chelsea are on the verge of signing SantosCredit: Alamy
      He is widely regarded as one of Brazil’s most promising young stars with eight goals in 37 club appearances already to his name.
      And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, he is now destined for Stamford Bridge.
      Romano claims that Chelsea and Vasco have come to a verbal agreement, with Santos set to swap Rio de Janeiro for west London in a £17.5m transfer next month.
      Personal terms have also been agreed.
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      Santos is set to become Chelsea’s second winter signing, with a deal for David Datro Fofana already in place.
      The 20-year-old forward has reportedly agreed to join the Blues in a £10.5m transfer from Norwegian side Molde.
      Santos and Fofana will become the latest young stars to don the Blue shirt when they link up with the Chelsea squad next month.
      The Blues have signed a host of young stars including Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Gabriel Slonina and Omari Hutchinson since Todd Boehly took the helm in May.
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      Manager Graham Potter is also eager to reunite with Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
      However, the Seagulls have “no intention” of selling the midfielder and don’t feel any pressure to cash in. More

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      Chelsea star Armando Broja confirms successful surgery following season-ending cruciate ligament injury

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      CHELSEA striker Armando Broja has confirmed that he has undergone surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament injury.Broja, 21, suffered a season-ending ACL injury during Chelsea’s 1-0 Al Wahda Challenge Cup defeat to Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
      Broja suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this monthCredit: Getty
      He gave fans a positive update after surgery on WednesdayCredit: @armando.broja
      But on Wednesday he took to social media to give fans a positive update after undergoing surgery.
      He wrote: “Pleased to say I underwent a successful operation this morning.
      “Time to rest up before starting my road to recovery. Thank you once again to everyone who has sent messages of support.”
      Broja has struggled to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge since returning from his season-long loan at Southampton.
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      He has started just two league games so far this season, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz preferred in attack.
      But, his absence could force Blues boss Graham Potter into signing a new striker.
      Chelsea have already signed Molde forward David Datro Fofana for around £10.5million, according to reports.
      The 20-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of the January transfer.
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      Potter also has his sights set on Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko.
      The teenager is about to enter the final six months of his contract and it has been claimed that Chelsea have submitted an £8.6m offer in a bid to tempt him to Stamford Bridge. More

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      Chelsea boost with Wesley Fofana set to return in ‘three or four weeks’ from knee injury amid fears he would miss season

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      CHELSEA defender Wesley Fofana is expected to return to action next month after suffering a minor injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford on Tuesday.Fofana, 22, has not featured in a competitive match for the Blues since he damaged his knee in October.
      Fofana sustained a serious knee injury in OctoberCredit: Alamy
      The defender recently returned to first-team training, but he picked up another minor injury in a friendly this weekCredit: Getty
      He was re-introduced to the squad earlier this week and briefly featured in a friendly clash with Brentford before being prematurely forced off with what appeared to be another major injury.
      However, the Frenchman has since confirmed that the issue is not serious.
      In response to a fan’s Instagram post about his injury, Fofana wrote: “Nothing bad champions in not even 1 month we’re back to break everything.”
      Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has also claimed that the Chelsea star will return in just a matter of weeks.
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      He tweeted: “Wesley Fofana, expected to return in three or four weeks after new injury in the last friendly game. It’s not serious injury.”
      Fofana joined Chelsea in a huge £70million transfer from Leicester during the summer transfer window.
      But, he has made just four appearances for the Blues due to a knee injury.
      Although the Frenchman will not be deemed fit enough to appear in Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash with Bournemouth, Reece James could make a return to the squad.
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      Like Fofana, the England star sustained a knee injury in October.
      The setback meant that he was left out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
      James returned action on Tuesday, playing 60 minutes in the behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford.
      Chelsea won the match 5-1 with Kai Havertz scoring a hat-trick.
      James could return to start against BournemouthCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea make first January transfer signing as David Datro Fofana joins for £10.5m from Molde as he undergoes medical

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      CHELSEA have reportedly kicked off their January transfer business with the £10.5million signing of Molde forward David Datro Fofana.The 20-year-old, who made his international debut for the Ivory Coast in 2019, is set to undergo a medical in London on Thursday.
      David Datro Fofana has impressed while playing for Norwegian side MoldeCredit: Getty
      He enjoyed a sensational 2022 with the Norwegian outfit, scoring 22 goals in 39 appearances.
      Fofana was one of Molde’s key players as they completed a league-cup double and has now been snatched by Graham Potter before the official start of the window.
      Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed a deal has been reached between Chelsea and the player.
      He tweeted: “David Datro Fofana to Chelsea, done deal and here we go!
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      “There’s full agreement between all parties, deal sealed.
      “Been told medical tests will take place today in London, on his birthday.
      “Born in 2002, Ivorian striker will join Chelsea from Molde for €12m fee.”
      Chelsea spent more than £250m in the summer as the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Carney Chukwuemeka arrived at Stamford Bridge.
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      Yet despite a blockbuster window, Thomas Tuchel was sacked just weeks later following a poor run of results.
      Potter succeeded the German and began with a nine-match unbeaten run.
      But four defeats in a row before the World Cup break piled pressure on the ex-Brighton head coach.

      Chelsea resume their domestic campaign when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League on December 27.
      That’s followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest and a home game against champions Manchester City. More

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      Nketiah can’t replace Jesus at Arsenal warns Emmanuel Petit who also reveals how Nkunku can shine at Chelsea

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      ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit claims Eddie Nketiah isn’t ready to replace injured star Gabriel Jesus because he is “still young”.Jesus picked up a knee injury while playing with Brazil at the 2022 World Cup and went under the knife with the Gunners fearing he could be out for three months.
      Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit doesn’t think Eddie Nketiah can replace Gabriel JesusCredit: PA
      Emmanuel Petit suggested Arsenal should turn to the January transfer windowCredit: Rex
      Manager Mikel Arteta needs a replacement for the striker, who was vital in the North Londoners topping the Premier League table with five goals and six assists in 14 matches.
      Nketiah is Arteta’s most obvious choice to play as a centre-forward but Petit claims this responsibility comes “too soon” for the 23-year-old.
      The France great suggested Arsenal will have to turn to the January transfer window as they are “short of options”.
      Speaking to Mega Casino, Petit said: “I think Arsenal have a very good squad with a very good mentality. Arteta and his staff are doing a very good job.
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      “Even Edu. I was not convinced by Edu initially, but the job he has done over the last two transfer windows has convinced me. He has taken the right decisions and he has a vision. It seems like everyone at the club is pulling in the same direction.
      “What happened with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang shows you how fragile a dressing room can be – even your own captain can be a danger! To get rid of him was a strong decision and Arteta and Edu obviously have a clear idea of what they want to do at the football club. On the pitch, you can see that the players are really buying into Arteta.
      “The first eleven is of exceptional quality but the depth on the bench isn’t as good as it needs to be and if you want to compete with Manchester City, Liverpool, you need more and you need to be clever in the transfer market, especially when you’re without a player like Jesus.
      “Ben White is fit, but mentally, we have no idea. We also don’t know about the other players coming back from the World Cup. Arsenal definitely, and even Arteta has said it, are short of options. They need more players.
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      “Nketiah is a good player but he is still young. He is gaining experience all the time, but you can’t replace Jesus with Nketiah and expect the same results. It is too soon for him. If you put him in and expect that, that is not fair on the player, but his time will come.”
      Petit also claims Chelsea are dealing with issues up front, but the ex-Blues ace believes RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku can solve them.
      Nkunku is expected to link up with Graham Potter’s squad in July after a reported deal with Leipzig that cost £53million.
      The striker will be facing the famous No9 curse at Stamford Bridge but Petit believes he could still emulate Didier Drogba’s success, even though they are not the same.
      The ex-Barcelona star claims the France international, who missed the World Cup due to a leg injury, can shine because he will be well up for the challenge.
      Petit added: “He is a very good player. Will he be a hit? You know, just like I know, there is a striker’s curse at Stamford Bridge! I hope he will break the curse.
      “I hope he can follow in the same footsteps as Drogba. He is not the same type of player as Drogba, but he has so much quality. He exploits spaces with his speed. He has great technical quality too and he is clinical when he is in front of the goal.
      “He was the best player in the Bundesliga, which is a big achievement, especially when you don’t play for Bayern [Munich] or [Borussia] Dortmund, the last player to do that was Kevin de Bruyne!
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      “It was so sad that he couldn’t go to the World Cup, but he has a big career in front of him. He has the hunger to succeed. He hasn’t been at the biggest club in the Bundesliga, so when he goes to Chelsea, that will be a step up for him.
      “He will want to prove that he deserves to be there. I think he is ready to take the next steps in his career and he is ready to handle the pressure and expectation that comes when you’re playing as a striker for Chelsea.”
      Emmanuel Petit believes Christopher Nkunku can be a success at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Edouard Mendy snubs ‘disrespectful’ six-year Chelsea contract as AC Milan, Nice and Monaco plot transfer swoop

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      EDOUARD MENDY snubbed a six-year contract offer  — because Chelsea are not showing him enough “respect” over wages.The Senegalese keeper has been back training with his club since last week after reaching the World Cup last 16 —  but there is still no sign of an agreement.
      Edouard Mendy has snubbed a new contract at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The Chelsea stopper has interest from AC Milan, Monaco and NiceCredit: Getty
      Mendy wants to be paid the same as team-mate Kepa ArrizabalagaCredit: Reuters
      Mendy, 30, earns around £100,000 a week and wants parity with his Blues rival Kepa Arrizabalaga who picks up almost twice that.
      Sources claim Chelsea bosses have even withdrawn their initial offer of a long-term deal as they play hardball with the negotiations — and now there is a stand-off.
      And an insider told SunSport: “Edouard is back at Chelsea and he is ready to play.
      “But there is a feeling that the contract situation is just going nowhere.
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      “Edouard has won some huge trophies for Chelsea — but there is a sense that he is not being shown enough respect by the club over a new deal.”
      The Blues star still has two and a half years left on his contract but Italian champions AC Milan are closely monitoring the situation — as are French sides Nice and Monaco.
      Mendy was voted Fifa’s best goalkeeper of 2021, having helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2020.
      He also played a key role in the Blues lifting the Club World Cup —  the last big trophy to elude them.
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      Mendy won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal in 2021 and played for his homeland in Qatar, going out to England in the first knockout round.
      Now he is back at Chelsea’s Surrey HQ and hopes to play when they return to Premier League action at home to Bournemouth on December 27.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea have confirmed Christopher Vivell’s arrival as their new technical director.
      Vivell, 36, previously worked at RB Leipzig in his native Germany, where he was responsible for recruitment and scouting all age groups.
      Stamford Bridge chairman Todd Boehly says Vivell will provide support for manager Graham Potter as they continue revamping a  squad that is currently down in eighth spot — eight points off the Champions League places.
      American Boehly said: “We are delighted Christopher is taking up this important leadership role.
      “His work in Germany and Austria speaks for itself. We are confident that he will continue on his impressive trajectory here at Chelsea.
      “He will provide important support to Graham and the ownership group and play a vital part in advancing our overall vision for the club.”
      Vivell, who succeeds club legend Petr Cech, said: “Chelsea are building the most exciting project in global football. I’m proud to be joining them.
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      “There just is so much potential to continue to  develop and grow.”
      Vivell previously spent five years with Leipzig’s sister club RB Salzburg.
      Chelsea have appointed Christopher Vivell as the club¿s new technical directorCredit: PA
      He will provide support to manager Graham PotterCredit: PA More