More stories

  • in

    Paul Merson explains real reason Chelsea are struggling as fans call for Graham Potter to be axed after just two months

    PAUL MERSON has blamed Chelsea’s summer signings for their recent run of poor form – not under-fire boss Graham Potter.Potter’s side have not won any of their last five Premier League fixtures, meaning they have dropped to eighth in the table.
    Chelsea have struggled to find their best form in recent games.Credit: Getty
    The poor run continued on Saturday as Newcastle beat the Blues 1-0 at St James’ Park in their last game before the break for the World Cup in Qatar.
    While some Chelsea fans have been quick to call for Potter to be sacked, ex-Gunner Merson believes that the lack of impact from the players brought in during the summer should be blamed.
    Discussing how well they have settled in, he told Sky Sports: “Not at the moment they haven’t, [Raheem] is not going to make it at wing-back. I am not a manager, you have to play to people’s strengths.
    “[Kalidou] Koulibaly doesn’t play, he [Graham Potter] picks [Trevor] Chabolah, but I like him, he has done very well.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    ‘[Marc] Cucurella is a prime example, it is different clubs, you play at Brighton, you get beat at Brighton you probably get a little line in the paper that Brighton get beat 1-0.
    “At Chelsea, he is getting absolutely slaughtered with people saying he is not good enough and picking him out when goals are going in, that didn’t happen at Brighton.
    “It is a different game and it is a different game for the manager, I think he will get used to it. I think he is a good manager, I think he will get it right.
    “There is players in there that I don’t think he would have at the club if it was his choice.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “I think we should give him till next season or the season afterwards. Chelsea are not a team where you want to come fourth one season and third the next, it is win or nothing.
    “You look at Graham Potter and ‘think right we want Graham Potter’, but it means we come with or sixth this year and win it next year.
    “Chelsea don’t work on third, fourth, third, they want to win.”
    Chelsea spent £255.3million during the summer transfer window on Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
    None of the five have set the world alight during the first part of the season, and Potter will be hoping for more from them after the World Cup. More

  • in

    Chelsea consider move to Earl’s Court as Todd Boehly looks at swapping Stamford Bridge for stunning 60,000 stadium

    CHELSEA are re-considering a shock move to a 60,000-seater stadium in Earl’s Court.Blues owner Todd Boehly continues to try and put his own stamp on the West London club.
    Chelsea are reportedly considering a move to a new stadium in Earls CourtCredit: Reuters
    Stamford Bridge has a 40k capacity and was last renovated in 1998Credit: Rex
    The Daily Mail report that the American has created a team dedicated to building the new ground, although no venue has been decided.
    Plans include the possibility of swanky 60,000 stadium on a 40-acre site in Earl’s Court.
    Ideas about the new development are said to still be in the “early stages” and no official planning applications have been submitted.
    Boehly would require permission from Chelsea Pitch Owners – the 180-year lease shareholder group who owns the freehold – to leave Stamford Bridge.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    A move to Earls Court, where the Exhibition Centre once stood, was explored under Roman Abromovich.
    But plans were abandoned in 2010 when the Hammersmith and Fulham Council squashed them.
    Another option is to REBUILD Stamford Bridge one stand at a time.
    That would see a staged rebuild of the current ground, with the stands replaced and upgraded one by one.
    Most read in Football
    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    The hotel behind the Shed End would also be bulldozed.
    Boehly has supposedly appointed architect Janet Marie Smith, who has worked on a host of stadium renovations in the US.
    A number of Smith’s projects include Baltimore’s Oriole Park, Atlanta’s Olympic Stadium, the Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park and Boehly’s Dodger Stadium in LA.
    Chelsea want to build a new 60,000-capacity ground to satisfy supporter demand and keep up with domestic rivals.
    Title-chasing Arsenal and Manchester City both have plush, modern stadiums, while Spurs new ground is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. More

  • in

    Brighton star Leandro Trossard opens on Chelsea transfer links with Belgian star’s Amex contract up in the summer

    BRIGHTON star Leandro Trossard has denied claims that he’s been approached by Chelsea.The Blues have reportedly been sniffing around since Graham Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in the Stamford Bridge dugout last month.
    Leandro Trossard has been linked with a move to ChelseaCredit: Reuters
    The Belgium international is out of contract at the end of the season, although Brighton do have the option to extend his deal by a year.
    Trossard has caught the eye with a string of outstanding recent displays.
    He’s already scored seven Prem goals this term, just one fewer than his tally from the whole of 2021-2022.
    Only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ivan Toney and Miguel Almiron have found the net more.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    One of those came in Brighton’s mauling of Chelsea earlier this month.
    He said: “Chelsea have in any case not yet reported.
    “I want to finish strong at Brighton and leave for Qatar with that good feeling.”
    “Not with Brighton and not with me. I have to wait and see.
    Most read in Football
    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    Despite denying an approach from the Blues, Trossard didn’t rule out a reunion with Potter at Stamford Bridge.
    He added: “It’s very difficult to answer that. That will have to wait until [after the World Cup].
    “I’m not on it at all right now. Brighton and the World Cup are the next goals. Afterwards, we’ll see where it ends.” More

  • in

    Chelsea host Brazil wonderkid Endrick at training ground as Thiago Silva tries to help lure 16-year-old Brazilian

    CHELSEA have invited Brazilian wonderkid Endrick to their training ground and tasked Thiago Silva with help to seal a deal.The 16-year-old Palmeiras striker is receiving interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
    Endrick is being monitored by several top European clubsCredit: Reuters
    Silva is Brazil’s fifth-highest ever appearance makerCredit: AFP
    Scouts from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Ajax and Benfica have also been monitoring him.
    But Chelsea have made the first serious play to try and sign the youngster – who will not officially join any side before his 18th birthday in July 2024.
    However, a deal can be put in place in early 2023 ahead of his transfer the following year.
    And according to The Times, the Blues have flown Endrick and his family over for a look around their Cobham training ground.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    They have also introduced the teenager to Brazil legend Silva – who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2020.
    He is believed to have spent some time with the 38-year-old centre-back – who has accumulated 109 caps for his country.
    Endrick’s father, Douglas, who is in discussions with a number of European clubs, has also visited Stamford Bridge.
    In October, Endrick made history by becoming the youngest player to feature for Palmeiras at 16 years, two months and 16 days.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And he has already registered three goals for the Brazilian outfit.
    Before breaking through into the first team, he bagged 165 goals in 169 games for the academy side.
    Chelsea are currently formulating a new team of recruiters, with Joe Shield’s already appointed and Christopher Vivell and Paul Winstanley reportedly on the way. More

  • in

    Chelsea ‘reach deal with RB Leipzig to sign Christopher Nkunku and star is happy to make transfer’

    CHELSEA and RB Leipzig have an agreement in principle for Christopher Nkunku, according to reports.The 24-year-old France star has a release clause of around £53million in his contract.
    Christopher Nkunku is happy to join ChelseaCredit: Getty
    But Chelsea will not trigger that clause, according to Fabrizio Romano.
    Nevertheless, the two clubs do have a verbal agreement in place for Nkunku to head to Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign.
    Romano reports the Blues “have an agreement with RB Leipzig for a different kind of payment”, rather than triggering his release clause.
    All that’s left on the club side of things is to get the deal officially over the line.
    Read More On Chelsea
    There is no hold up on the player side, with Nkunku thought to be happy to join the Blues.
    Chelsea and RB Leipzig agreed a deal for the talented attacker back in September.
    He even underwent a medical ahead of a proposed move next summer.
    Meanwhile, German outlet SportBild Oliver Mintzlaff’s departure as Leipzig CEO won’t affect the deal.
    Most read in Football
    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    Mintzlaff resigned from his role last week, but the agreement with Chelsea for Nkunku remains in place.
    He is said to have promised Nkunku that he could leave if the right offer came in for him.
    Nkunku has attracted interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain.
    That’s after he scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Leipzig last season.
    He’s carried that form into this campaign too, with 17 goals in 22 games so far in all competitions.
    SunSport exclusively revealed last month that Liverpool had sent scouts to watch Nkunku in case his move to Chelsea broke down.
    But Blues owner Todd Boehly is desperate to sign the Frenchman, having regularly met Mintzlaff for coffee in London.
    The Blues are also after Nkunku’s Leipzig team-mate, centre-back Josko Gvardiol.
    Chelsea want to sign Josko Gvardiol, as well as NkunkuCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Fans all say the same thing as Aston Villa unveil new-look club crest that looks strikingly like Premier League rival’s

    FANS are all saying the same thing after Aston Villa unveiled their new club crest which will be used from next season.The moment the Villans released their new-look circular badge supporters started highlighting the similarities to that of Chelsea’s.
    Aston Villa revealed the badge that the club will wear from the start of the 2023/24 season.
    However many football fans have pointed out similarities to Chelsea’s current badge.
    The new version of the badge is round and feature’s the club’s lion in the blue centre with the words “Aston Villa” and the year the club was founded, 1874, in the claret rim.
    The Lion is now facing “forwards” as the club looks to the future and is next to a star that symbolises the one European Cup that the club has won.
    However, that does not hide the fact that it is strikingly similar to the current Chelsea badge, which lots of fans have been keen to point out.
    One tweeted: “Makes sense to be fair. Similar to Chelsea. One chant. Villa villa villa. Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea.”
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Another said: “I honestly thought it was a troll. Have you guys had your Twitter account hacked by a Chelsea fan or something?”
    A third added: “Like where they intentionally trying to make it look like Chelsea’s badge?”
    A fourth said: “Nothing wrong with the badge itself, but this trend of clubs changing their crest to a circle is getting old now.
    “Also, it looks like a rip off of Chelsea’s crest.”
    Most read in Football
    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    Former Chelsea defender John Terry also liked the new crest, although it could simply be down to his ties to the Villans after coaching at the club rather than liking the Chelsea similarities.
    Not all fans were upset though with some defending the new design as they claim it is modelled after previous crests that the Premier League club has had.
    One said: “We had the round badge with the standing lion before Chelsea.”
    Another added: “They’ve used a variety of crests adopted by the club throughout mid-’70s, ’80s, and early ’90s as a template for the new design.
    “I think it looks great! Nice to see a club embracing their history when considering and designing new crests!”
    A third tweeted: “A modern take on the 82 home shirt would be lovely, similar to what United have done with this season’s kit.” More

  • in

    Chelsea close in on new head of recruitment as Brighton place Paul Winstanley on gardening leave

    CHELSEA appear to be closing in on another raid on Brighton – this time for head of recruitment Paul Winstanley.The Blues appointed Seagulls boss Graham Potter earlier this season after deciding to sack Thomas Tuchel.
    Graham Potter could be about to be joined by his old Brighton mate Paul WinstanleyCredit: Getty
    And now, according to The Athletic, Todd Boehly and co are poised for another South Coast snare.
    It is reported that Winstanley has been “placed on gardening leave” as talks progress with Chelsea.
    The 43-year-old is believed to have formally resigned from his role at the Seagulls.
    And he is expected to follow Potter to Stamford Bridge.
    Read More Football
    As well as their manager and now seemingly head of recruitment, Brighton also lost their technical director when Dan Ashworth left for Newcastle.
    Potter, meanwhile, is going through somewhat of a blip for the first time since he took over at Chelsea.
    The won five of his first six games in his new job – but hasn’t triumphed in the Premier League since beating Aston Villa 2-0 on October 16.
    The latest Prem defeat was a 1-0 loss to top-of-the-table Arsenal.
    Most read in Football
    PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW FOR FREE WITH £100k IN PRIZE MONEY
    Potter is now whisking his Chelsea squad away for a warm weather boot camp just up the road from the World Cup.
    Those players not involved in the tournament are heading to Abu Dhabi for a ten day training trip so that new boss Potter can iron out tactical problems and get to know some of his players better.
    The plan is to leave early next month for around ten days and be back in England to coincide with the end of the World Cup on December 18.
    Todd Boehly could be set to complete ANOTHER raid on BrightonCredit: Alamy More

  • in

    Chelsea ‘have held several transfer meetings with Endrick’ as they battle two European giants for his signature

    CHELSEA have held several transfer meetings with Endrick as they aim to beat a pair of European heavyweights to his signature, according to reports.The Blues are among a host of elite clubs aiming to entice the Brazilian wonderkid from Palmeiras.
    Endrick is already high in-demand with Chelsea joining the queueCredit: Getty
    Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are set to compete with Chelsea to sign the 16-year-old forward.
    But according to the Standard, the Blues are aiming to steal a march on their rivals by meeting with Endrick in an attempt to woo him.
    The West Londoners are hoping that their exorbitant wealth can tempt Endrick to Stamford Bridge.
    This could prove to be a tricky task, however, with the wonderkid and his father Douglas working with representatives that are also on Vinicius Jr’s team.
    READ MORE ON CHELSEA
    Vini, 22, made a similar move from Brazil as a teenager in 2018.
    Endrick is expected to make a decision on his future early next year – but won’t move to his new destination until he turns 18 in 2024.
    The future superstar’s representatives are said to be prioritising a move that will help his development in the long-term.
    But having Chelsea, Madrid and PSG all in for him will secure a lucrative deal.
    Most read in Football
    PLAY OUR DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME TO WIN A SHARE OF £50k
    After a prolific spell in Palmeiras’ academy, Endrick made his senior professional debut during a 4-0 victory over Coritiba last month.
    The goals have quickly followed, Endrick netting twice from the bench against Athletico-PR – before marking his first start with a goal in a clash with Fortaleza.
    Prior to his senior bow, Endrick bagged a sensational 165 goals in 169 matches for Palmeiras’ academy sides.
    Endrick, 16, has already bagged three senior goalsCredit: Getty More