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      Arsenal fans turn on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after striker sends them taunting message ahead of Chelsea clash

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      ARSENAL fans have been left fuming by former club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead of the Gunners’ meeting with Chelsea.The table-topping Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday hoping to maintain their two-point gap over Manchester City.

      Aubameyang sent former side Arsenal a messageCredit: BT Sport
      He told fans ‘nothing personal’, as the striker will be sporting Blue on SundayCredit: BT Sport
      Aubameyang’s Arsenal career ended on a bitter noteCredit: BT Sport
      However, ex-striker Aubameyang, 33, who moved to Chelsea in the summer, will be hoping to halt Arsenal’s progress.
      Aubameyang’s time at the Emirates ended on a sour note, with the player being stripped of the captaincy by manager Mikel Arteta before being let go in January this year to join Barcelona.
      In a viral video, Aubameyang said on Arteta: “Big characters and big players…he [Arteta] can’t deal with it.
      “He needs some young players who don’t say anything. They listen.”
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      Six months in Catalonia saw Aubameyang hit 13 goals across all competitions but he was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer following Robert Lewandowski’s arrival.
      And so the Gabon forward returned to London to sign for Chelsea, who were managed by his former Borussia Dortmund manager, Thomas Tuchel, at the time.
      Aubameyang has three goals since his return to England and has wasted no time in taunting his side with a message ahead of Arsenal’s travels to Stamford Bridge.
      He said: “Arsenal, nothing personal. I’m back. I’m blue. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
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      One furious fan responded: “We have to win. The disrespect he’s shown the club after so many of us have supported him even after he left is insane.”
      Another said: “Aubameyang ‘it’s not personal’, bro just made it personal in my opinion.”
      A third tweeted: “Seeing his true colours.”
      Chelsea, however, are heading into the Battle at the Bridge off the back of a 4-1 defeat to Brighton.
      Arsenal, meanwhile, thumped rock-bottom Nottingham Forest 5-0. More

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      If Tottenham sign Chelsea outcast Hakim Ziyech, they can WIN the league, says ex-Spurs ace Rafael van der Vaart

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      TOTTENHAM can win the Premier League if they sign Chelsea outcast Hakim Ziyech, according to Rafael van der Vaart. Ziyech, 29, is out of favour at Stamford Bridge amid his struggles for form.
      Hakim Ziyech has been urged to leave Chelsea and link up with TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Rafael van der Vaart believes Tottenham can win the league with Ziyech in the sideCredit: Getty
      But despite this, former Spurs ace Van der Vaart revealed how highly he rates Ziyech with his bold assessment.
      While appearing on Ziggo Sport, he said: “Hakim Ziyech has to join Tottenham.
      “If Tottenham get Hakim Ziyech, they could win the Premier League. I am serious.”
      Antonio Conte’s side are currently sitting in third place in the Premier League with a three point cushion in the top four, although in terms of a title push they remain five points behind league leaders Arsenal.
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      However, after news that Son Heung-Min will undergo surgery, it means Spurs now have four major injuries to their squad – with Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski and Christian Romero already missing.
      Ziyech was previously linked with a transfer to Spurs over the summer.
      And the Moroccan thus far stayed put at Chelsea despite also being linked with Manchester United and even a move to AC Milan.
      Van der Vaart added: “Of course, he never really has a smiley face, but now you can see from everything that he is not having a good time.
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      “I hope he goes to a club where he can just play and not worry about anything else.
      “Ziyech is a boy that always has to play when you get him. When you get players, you buy them not only for their footballing qualities but also for how someone is.” More

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      Chelsea 2 Zagreb 1: Sterling gets first goal since September in big England boost as Potter forgets Brighton nightmare

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      GRAHAM POTTER turned to his ultimate Z-lister to end the Champions League group stage on a high note.Denis Zakaria was finally allowed out on pitch for a memorable debut in which he scored the winner to clinch Chelsea’s comeback.
      Raheem Sterling scored his first goal since SeptemberCredit: Getty
      Denis Zakaria also got himself a goal and impressed on debut in front of his new fansCredit: Reuters
      But Ben Chilwell suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injuryCredit: AFP
      However, Ben Chilwell’s World Cup dream may be over after pulling up with a hamstring injury at the end of the game.
      The England international was clearly in some pain and had to be carried off by medical staff after the game.
      Switzerland midfielder Zakaria was signed on loan from Juventus on deadline day in the summer and has sat on his hands ever since.
      But in last night’s final Champions League group game and with Chelsea already assured of top spot, the forgotten man of Stamford Bridge received a long-awaited call up.
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      It would be stretching a point to claim Zakaria turned in a matchwinning performance. But he popped up when needed to see off stubborn Zagreb with a scuffed goal after half an hour.
      The shot took a slight deflection off a defender on the way over the line but Chelsea boss Graham Potter won’t care.
      And it was the clear the goal meant a lot as he was mobbed by team-mates who ruffled his hair. 
      When he hobbled off with 19 minutes to go, Zakaria was treated to a standing ovation from fans in the Stamford Bridge West Stand, acutely aware of how frustrated the player must have been in recent weeks.
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      With a World Cup around the corner, any game time is precious to players now and Zakaria played his part in his side’s win last night.
      For a game with nothing to play for except pride and restoring confidence Potter went for it with his line up: A strong starting XI with the exception of forgotten man Zakaria.
      Clearly last night’s game was an exercise in running Saturday’s 4-1 pummelling at Brighton out of the system and yet another experiment with the formation from the new Tinkerman.
      A back four and a front two comprising Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, sandwiching a midfield diamond.
      And for a time it looked as if this latest reworking of the tactics was going to backfire like it did at the Amex Stadium at the weekend.
      Dinamo Zagreb took a shock lead in the eighth minute. The third time in the last four games Chelsea have gone behind.
      A right wing cross from right back Sadegh Moharrami dipped at the far post and cannoned back across the box off the back of Cesar Azpilicueta’s head.
      Zagreb striker Bruno Petkovic was in the clear to power home a header from six yards. 
      Returning keeper Edouard Mendy had no hope of keeping it out and the defence which shipped four goals four days previously gifted the opposition another goal.
      Potter has never had such a quantity of quality players at his disposal in his managerial career. 
      Sterling looked far more impressive in his more advanced positionCredit: Getty
      Potter’s magic wand struck again with yet another new tactical look pulling offCredit: Alamy
      Bruno Petkovic headed in the opener for ZagrebCredit: Getty
      Chilwell was clearly in agony following his injuryCredit: Reuters
      He had to be carried off by medical staff at the end of the gameCredit: Reuters
      Maybe it is the embarrassment of riches that he finds confusing? Like a spoilt kid on Christmas Day who doesn’t know which expensive present to play with first.
      At least he is sort of getting the idea of where to put Sterling. 
      The decision to employ a rabbit-like winger who can twist and turn opponents inside out as a wingback proved the most glaring of recent glitches in the formation playbook.
      Partnering Aubameyang, Sterling was instantly more effective. Even before his equaliser on 18 minutes he latched onto a probing cross from Kai Havertz and lashed a shot wide from inside the box.
      Sterling’s form for Chelsea lately has been a big talking point. With England boss Gareth Southgate on a nationwide tour to check up on his stars ahead of this month’s World Cup, the lack of goals for one of our most explosive and dynamic players has been a concern.
      His leveller was his first goal since Potter’s first game as manager on September 14 – ten matches ago now. That’s some lean streak in the build up to his fifth major international tournament.
      Sticking one away last night, even in a pointless game like this, will boost Sterling’s self-confidence as the run-in to Qatar starts. 
      The manner in which he took the goal has added gravy to remind Southgate what a quality player he has on his hands.
      A piercing through ball by Jorginho from the centre circle found Aubameyang on the run into Zagreb’s box. Chelsea’s main frontman cheekily back-heeled the ball with Sterling following in close formation behind.
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      But there was still work to be done in shimmying past two defenders, before slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
      After the break, Aubameyang hit the crossbar and Mason Mount’s free kick was tipped over. Mendy made up for conceding earlier with a save on the line from Josep Misic. More

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      Watch Chelsea transfer target Christopher Nkunku blow up BALLOON in bizarre goal celebration after pulling it from sock

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      CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU blew up a balloon to celebrate bursting Shakhtar Donetsk’s bubble –  in one of the strangest ever goal celebrations.The RB Leipzig attacker showed why Chelsea are ready to spend big on him with the opening goal in a 4-0 Champions League win on Wednesday night.
      Christopher Nkunku celebrated his goal with Leipzig team-mates then lingered in the corner to blow up a balloon for his own special momentCredit: Getty
      In-form attacker Nkunku has put Chelsea on red alert for a summer moveCredit: Getty
      Have you ever seen this?! 😂Christopher Nkunku celebrates his goal tonight by blowing up a balloon on the pitch! 🎈 pic.twitter.com/N9TK0fKIrs— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) November 2, 2022

      And to add to his silky footwork he had another trick in his boots – as he pulled out a red balloon from his sock.
      He inflated it as team-mates mobbed him by the corner flag, then held it in his teeth and put his arms out wide to complete the pose.
      Fans were baffled as well as amused by Nkunku’s antics.
      And surely the best explanation on social media to his behaviour was this: “He loves the movie IT and it being the first game since Halloween he decided to blow up a red balloon which is synonymous with the film.”
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      With Chelsea seemingly sure to sign Nkunku ahead of other admirers like Arsenal, one fan suggested: “When you’ve already passed your medical for your big transfer next summer.”
      And how about this: “In celebration that the mighty Arsenal are top of the league?”
      One politically-minded joker posted: “In Protest against inflation.”  
      The truth, though, was sweeter than fiction.
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      French journalist Fabrice Hawkins revealed Nkunku had promised his two-year-old son he would blow up a balloon to rejoice if he scored.
      Nkunku and Croatia centre-back Josko Gvardiol could both be drifting to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
      Their futures are certainly up in the air as Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly looks to continue spending big.
      But it seems a load of balloony if he thinks he can get England midfielder Jude Bellingham for the £87million the Blues are reportedly willing to pay.
      That’s because Borussia Dortmund are said to want close to £130m for the 19-year-old who is also being chased by Liverpool and Real Madrid. More

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      AC Milan join Barcelona in transfer chase for Chelsea star Jorginho who could leave for FREE in summer

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      THE future for Jorginho is heating up after AC Milan reportedly entered the transfer race to sign him next summer.Chelsea star Jorginho is free to leave the club when if his contract is not renewed by next summer.
      Jorginho celebrates a man of the match award after Chelsea’s win over SalzburgCredit: PA
      Barcelona have been an interested party for some time now.
      However, despite Barcelona’s long-term interest in the Italian who has reportedly already made a transfer commitment to them, they are no longer the only ones with an interest.
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, Serie A champions Milan are best-positioned alongside Barcelona to sign the 30-year-old.
      They report the two clubs have “taken the lead” and made “important moves” to push a deal through.
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      Barcelona want Jorginho as a replacement for legend Sergio Busquets, whose own contract is running out next summer as well.
      The pair play the same position and are both good on the ball, with the “Barcelona DNA” demanding technically proficient players.
      But Sport’s report indicates his next move could come down to the contract offered to him.
      In this sense, the Blaugrana are at an instant disadvantage due to their already soaring wage bill, their precarious finances, and the relatively low tax level in Italy.
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      Previous reports have suggested that Jorginho has already rejected a contract proposal from Chelsea due to wanting a package worth £150,000 per week.
      Jorginho has previous experience in Serie A, spending his entire career in Italy prior to his Chelsea move in 2018.
      Four of those years were spent at Napoli, with ex-boss Maurizio Sarri coaxing him into the Chelsea transfer. More

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      How Chelsea could line up if Graham Potter gets top transfer targets Jude Bellingham and Leandro Trossard in overhaul

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      GRAHAM POTTER is looking to mould Chelsea in his image with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Leandro Trossard among his top transfer targets.The Englishman, 47, took over at Stamford Bridge from Thomas Tuchel following a £253million summer spending spree.
      Trossard’s contract at Brighton expires next summerCredit: Getty
      Bellingham is seen as the long-term midfielder for the BluesCredit: Getty
      Big money signings included Wesley Fofana from Leicester City and Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
      Money was also spent on snapping up serial Premier League winner Raheem Sterling and defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
      Despite working with a squad he inherited, Potter has got off to a good start to life at Chelsea.
      After ten games managed, he has six wins, three draws and one loss.
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      In fact, his first defeat came against former club Brighton, who stuck four past the Blues with Kai Havertz pulling one back for Potter’s men.
      Trossard scored in the demolition of Chelsea, and it may boost his chances of joining Potter at Stamford Bridge.
      The Belgium star, 27, has a contract at the Seagulls until the end of the season.
      He can either walk out for a smaller fee in January, or seal a summer free transfer.
      Trossard could play as a wing-back while Bellingham mans the midfield
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      Potter reportedly wants the £30m man as a wing-back option.
      Chelsea have tried the likes of Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic on the flank of a five-man defence in recent weeks following an injury to Reece James.
      But once James returns, Trossard could play just ahead of him on the right.
      James could then play alongside Thiago Silva and Cucurella in a back three with Ben Chilwell on the left.
      Trossard would also provide good attacking support for Mason Mount, Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      Significant changes in midfield could also be coming in the next transfer window or two.
      The Blues very much remain interested in Borussia Dortmund and England wonderkid Jude Bellingham.
      The 19-year-old has taken another step up in his career by captaining Dortmund on a number of occasions this season.
      He is also a nailed-on starter for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions at the winter World Cup in Qatar.
      Bellingham has also notched a number of important Champions League goals this term.
      Read More on The Sun
      Chelsea ace N’Golo Kante continues to struggle with injury while Jorginho is out of contract in the summer.
      Bellingham could be a long-term partner for Mateo Kovacic.
      Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot has also been linked with a January transfers.
      The Frenchman was in talks with a switch to the Premier League in the summer but Manchester United couldn’t seal a move.
      Rabiot could partner Bellingham.
      Read More on The Sun
      Wolves right-back Nelson Semedo is also being looked at.
      Semedo’s arrival could allow Trossard to play in a more advanced position.
      Alternatively, the signings of Rabiot and Semedo could allow Trossard to play in a more advanced role More

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      Chelsea launch £30m Leandro Trossard transfer move with Graham Potter looking to raid old club Brighton for winger

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      CHELSEA are reportedly interested in signing Brighton winger Leandro Trossard for £30million.The 27-year-old Belgian has made a sensational start to the season for the Seagulls.
      Trossard has made a superb start to the Premier League campaignCredit: Getty
      He has scored seven goals in 12 Premier League matches, with only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ivan Toney hitting the back of the net more.
      According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, his form has caught the attention of Chelsea who are keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
      Manager Graham Potter, who coached Trossard at Brighton before leaving for the Blues in September, is believed to want him as a wingback option.
      Chelsea have tried the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic on the flank of a five-man defence in recent weeks following the injury to Reece James.
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      And Trossard could be the perfect fit to play in that role as he was previously utilised there when Potter was at Brighton.
      His current contract expires in the summer, although the south-coast outfit do have the option of extending his deal for an extra year.

      But he is not expected to be as expensive as Marc Cucurella – who moved from Brighton to Chelsea for £62m in the summer.
      However, the Blues are not the only club thought to be interested in Trossard.
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      Newcastle are also said to be keen on the Belgian star – who joined Brighton from Genk back in 2019.
      He has played a total of 116 games for the Seagulls, contributing 25 goals and 13 assists.
      Trossard has also been capped 21 times for the Belgian national team, netting five times.
      Just three points currently separate Chelsea and Brighton in the Premier League table, with Potter’s men in sixth and Roberto De Zerbi’s side in eighth. More

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      I’m very happy’ – Jorginho delivers Chelsea huge transfer boost and hints he WILL sign new contract

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      JORGINHO insists he is “very happy at the moment” at Chelsea despite reported interest from Barcelona.The Italy midfielder, 30, is out of contract in the summer amid links to Spanish and Italian clubs.
      Midfield general Jorginho believes Chelsea is an ‘enjoyable’ place despite manager Graham Potter regularly tinkering with the sideCredit: Getty
      But the ex-Napoli hero says Stamford Bridge is a great place to be right now, even though boss Graham Potter has been tinkering with the team.
      Jorginho told Chelsea’s The 5th Stand: “I’m very happy at the moment.
      “We’re all very focused on what we need to do. 
      “I’m enjoying life here. I’m enjoying working with everyone and I think everybody says the same thing. It’s enjoyable to be at Chelsea.”

      Jorginho was left on the bench as Potter’s old club Brighton walloped the Blues 4-1 in the Prem at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
      But he’ll hope to play on Wednesday night when Chelsea hope to seal top place in their Champions League group.
      Potter’s men just need to avoid defeat at home to Dinamo Zagreb, having already qualified for the knockout stage.
      Midfield anchorman N’Golo Kante, 31, and 38-year-old centre-back Thiago Silva also see their Chelsea deals expire at the end of the season.
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      Meanwhile, likely summer target Jude Bellingham has reportedly been valued at £130million by Borussia Dortmund.
      And Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is said to be delaying a decision on a new contract, which could increase interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. More