Chelsea transfer news

CHELSEA have reportedly held talks over buying Brazilian and Portuguese teams as their new owners eye a multi-club ownership model like Manchester City. Todd Boehly and the Clearlake Capital group bought the Blues earlier this year after government sanctions left Roman Abramovich’s position as club owner untenable.
New Chelsea boss Todd Boehly is making his presence felt in English footballCredit: Reuters
Boehly has wasted no time making an impact with his arrival triggering a summer spending spree, a managerial sacking and even suggestions of how to improve English football.
But the 48-year-old has bigger fish to fry and multiple reports are suggesting his ownership group could make moves for other clubs.
The Evening Standard report Chelsea have “sounded out” teams in Brazil and Portugal in an attempt to recruit clubs with traditionally good academies.
They are believed to have already contacted Santos, whose academy graduates include legends like Pele and Neymar.
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But Chelsea’s efforts were reportedly rebuffed and they are now looking at other clubs in the country.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph say Chelsea could buy a club in Portugal – due in part to Boehly’s summer chat with Jorge Mendes.
The super-agent met the new London club chief in June over the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is believe the multi-club ownership model was also discussed with sides in Mendes’ homeland in consideration.
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Portugal is seen as one of the best countries to buy a ‘satellite’ club and Mendes would be the perfect “go-between” if a bid were to be made.
But it is not clear at this stage if Mendes is formally involved.
If achieved, the ownership model could resemble Man City.
The City Football Group own 11 clubs as of July this year, spanning different continents and countries.
Serie B club Palermo were the most recent side to join the group, with other major teams including New York City FC, Girona FC in Spain and Troyes in France.
The reports of Chelsea’s potential plans come after what has already been an action-packed month for the new owners.
At the beginning of September the Blues ended an expensive transfer window by sealing the loan signing of Denis Zakaria and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang permanently on deadline day.
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Then they sacked Thomas Tuchel after the club’s poor start to the season.
And then Boehly was the subject of ridicule after he voiced the idea of an “All-Star” Premier League game. More

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG has opened up on the sacking of his close friend Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea last week after a shock defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, just a few days after the transfer window closed and Chelsea spent a record-breaking amount.
Thomas Tuchel was sacked just days after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined the clubCredit: Getty
New boss Graham Potter got his first taste of action in the Champions League last night, but despite a dominant display they were left frustrated after conceding a late goal to draw 1-1.
Following the game Aubameyang was asked about Tuchel and the result, and told Hayters TV: “Everyone knows the relationship that I had with Thomas.
“It’s always sad when someone leaves the club. Obviously, I just saw him for a few days.
“When you play football you have to adapt very quickly to some moments in the season, this can happen.”
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Aubameyang also revealed he had not yet spoken to Tuchel, but revealed what he thought the German was feeling: “I think he was a bit frustrated and sad, obviously.
“I will try to talk to him as soon as possible. It’s been a crazy week for all of us, that’s part of life, we have to adapt.

“I think it’s a bit of sadness at the moment, hopefully we’ll get back to better days soon.
“Obviously, I think it’s a bit strange for everybody, not only for me, but as I said, this is football, you have to adapt.
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“When you play for Chelsea you need results as soon as possible, that’s why I’m a bit frustrated today.”
The striker also praised new manager Potter for his impact and the clarity in which he has delivered his new ideas to the dressing room. More

AS a Chelsea manager it is not that difficult to leave £100million of talent out of your team.But when it is your opening night and your first big call it is something of a statement.
Graham Potter walks away with a draw in his first game in charge at ChelseaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Graham Potter’s decision to drop Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly triggered a sense of anticipation that something radical was happening.
Both new signings and both centre halves – it was a significant shake-up of the defence for starters.
Especially when Potter’s old Brighton player Marc Cucurella played as a left-sided centre back. 
Reece James was employed as a right wing back with Sterling on the opposite flank. Although there was a lot of ‘wing’ and not much ‘back’ to Sterling’s game.
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So much emphasis is placed on tactics in the over-analysed modern game that a positional shift of five yards for one player creates raptures and rage in equal measure among the hipsters who live for low-blocks and transitions.
Tactics make differences but there is nothing like sacking a manager to get a team to suddenly up its game.
And there was an early sign of an increase in tempo from Chelsea compared to last week’s tripe dished up at Dinamo Zagreb.
New boss Potter did not receive an official unveiling to the crowd.
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He simply stood, in black suit, using positive encouragement with his players – gone were the animated gestures of his recently departed predecessor Thomas Tuchel.
There was no sign of the regular touchline dressing downs aimed at random players either under the old head coach which often made for better viewing than some of the football.
Clearly Potter will take a carrot and not a stick approach to encouraging his players.
Even so, feisty Tuchel’s 19 months in charge did bring in a second Champions League title last year and the Chelsea fans wanted to say thanks and goodbye by chanting his name in the 21st minute.
Chelsea had registered zero shots on target at that time and forced Salzburg keeper Philipp Kohn to make only two saves by half time.
Despite the arrival of a new boss and the subsequent rise in commitment, it was still same old Chelsea until Sterling scored three minutes into the second half.
Yet still the problems and lack of confidence which has been dogging Chelsea for some time now persisted.
That is going to be a slow process for Potter to work on. But it must be his top priority.
Against a team from one of the weakest leagues in Europe they could not press home their advantage and ultimately it cost Potter a big win on debut night.
It has not been easy for the boys, they have responded to us really well over the last few days and it’s a point we will have to take and get better. Graham Potter
And having left two key defenders out it was one he kept on the pitch who played a key role in their undoing.
Thiago Silva’s poorly timed tackle on Salzburg’s Junior Adamu exposed the defence and in-form Noah Okafor, with four goals in four games, added a fifth with a low shot that added to the misery as it cannoned off the inside of skipper Cesar Azpilicueta’s leg on its way into the net.
Potter said:  “We’re disappointed with the result. I thought the boys gave everything.
“We scored a good goal, but lost a bit in the second half but their goalkeeper has made some good saves.
“It is what it is, we have to dust ourselves down. Personality and application was good, we will get better.
“We got Raheem in one-on-one situations quite often and the goal was a good result of that.
“It’s always irritating when you concede a goal. Overall the defensive performance was quite good, it’s just the little details we will have to improve.
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“It has not been easy for the boys, they have responded to us really well over the last few days and it’s a point we will have to take and get better.
“The attitude has been fantastic, no complaints apart from the fact we have not taken three points.”
Noah Okafor equalised for SalzburgCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More