Chelsea transfer news

KEPA ARRIZABALAGA was hailed by Chelsea fans online after giving matchwinner Kai Havertz advice on the sideline. Havertz came off the bench to score and dramatically give the Blues all three points against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz celebrates Chelsea’s winnerCredit: Rex

But before the German made it on to the pitch, he was seen getting advice from substitute stopper Kepa.
And it had fans all saying the same thing as the Spaniard was praised for his team spirit.
One said: “Kepa coached Havertz into scoring that goal. Love the mans work rate even on the bench.”
Another said: “Kepa is going to a great manager one day.”
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One added: “Kepa giving instructions to Kai before he came on. My f**king manager.”
West Ham opened the lead after Michail Antonio bundled in from close range following a corner.
But Chelsea turned it around thanks to supersubs Ben Chilwell and Havertz.
Although Havertz’s winner threatened to be cancelled out just moments later as Maxwel Cornet hammered home.
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In the build up, Jarrod Bowen collided with Edouard Mendy before Cornet converted from the loose ball.
VAR official Jarred Gillett advised Andy Madley to go over to the monitor and check the goal.
Replays appeared to show little contact between Bowen and Mendy but after the Senegalese stopper stayed down, the play was brought back.
Chelsea and Mendy were deemed fortunate to get away with it as some called for Kepa to be given a chance back in goal.
One argued: “If we don’t drop Mendy next game we are doing injustice to Kepa. End of story!”
Another added: “Kepa should start next match on Tuesday abeg. Mendy can sit this out for a game.”
Jarrod Bowen collides with Chelsea’s Edouard MendyCredit: Getty More

IF Chelsea had lost to West Ham then the heat on manager Thomas Tuchel really would have become uncomfortable.With 14 minutes remaining, the Blues were staring down the barrel of a third Premier League defeat in six games.
Tuchel’s side bounced back from defeat to Southampton with a win over West HamCredit: AP
Chilwell equalised for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on SaturdayCredit: Getty
Havertz bagged the winner to hand Tuchel’s side all three pointsCredit: Reuters
They have just finished a record-breaking summer transfer window in which they spent nearly £300million on new players.
So there are no excuses for Tuchel not to succeed with this squad, yet in early September eyebrows were already being raised when Michail Antonio fired West Ham ahead.
However, Saturday’s fightback was an example of how bolstering a squad in the window can have a major impact.
The Blues lined up with new boys Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling in the team.
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Those additions saw a host of star players drop to the bench – including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Jorginho.
All of those substitutes came on and played their part in the closing stages of the match – namely Chilwell and Havertz who scored the goals to win Tuchel’s side the game.
It is bizarre that two players who were at the club last season can illustrate the quality of Chelsea’s transfer window.
But that is the case.
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Tuchel had a star-studded nine-player bench today and the five subs rule allowed him to further change the tide of the match in the closing stages.
And that’s with energy ball N’Golo Kante out of action.
Todd Boehly would have certainly been beginning to ponder whether Tuchel is the right man for the job had they lost to West Ham.
A defeat had the potential to leave them 11 points adrift of Arsenal by the end of the weekend.
But perhaps his new recruits have come just at the right time.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang watched on from the Stamford Bridge stands after completing his move from Barcelona.
He could well be the answer to Chelsea’s problems in front of goal, helped by the already vibrant Sterling.
It will already be difficult for them to compete with a rampant Manchester City side in full flow.
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But a top four finish, the two domestic cup competitions and European glory should all be realistic targets for Tuchel’s side.
He has the backing, the quality, the depth and the track record. Now he needs to make it count. More

CHELSEA are reportedly close to tying Reece James down to a new contract after fellow academy graduate Armando Broja penned a new six-year deal.Broja, 20, was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, with West Ham leading the chase for the most part.
Broja signed a new six-year contract at ChelseaCredit: Getty
Boehly and Tuchel want to tie down James nextCredit: Getty
However, after the Hammers failed to strike a deal with their London rivals, they instead snapped up Italy international Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo.
And with the summer transfer window now closed, Broja has signed new terms with Chelsea.
Broja has penned a six-year deal and will play understudy to new No9 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
According to The Times, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and manager Thomas Tuchel doesn’t want to stop there with the contract extensions.
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First-team star Reece James, who has been tipped as the Blues’ next captain by club legend John Terry, is next.
The 22-year-old is in advanced negotiations over a new deal, which is expected to be completed within days.
The England international has less than three years remaining on a deal signed in January 2020.
Boehly also backed Tuchel heavily in the transfer market, splashing nearly £260million on players.
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Wesley Fofana from Leicester City was the Blues’ biggest deal of the window at around £70m.
While the likes of strikers Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku were the biggest departures. More

BARCELONA have officially unveiled Marcos Alonso as their latest transfer signing after the defender left Chelsea by mutual consent.The left-back, 31, spent six years at Stamford Bridge and made 212 appearances, scoring 29 goals.
Marcos Alonso has left Chelsea to sign for Barcelona
Some Chelsea fans were a little upset to see the long-serving defender leaveCredit: Getty
He helped the Blues win the Premier League in his first season before success in the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.
But he was deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Tuchel after the arrival of Marc Cucurella this summer and was subsequently left out of Chelsea’s Prem squad.
Alonso was included as part of the swap deal which saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sign for Chelsea on deadline day.
But because Barcelona did not have time to register the Spaniard Chelsea released him instead, allowing Alonso to be registered outside of the transfer window as a free agent.
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But he will NOT feature for his new club against Sevilla on Saturday – presumably the registration has still not gone through.
Chelsea thanked Alonso for his years of service and wished him well for the future upon his departure.
A statement read: “A thoughtful and extremely likeable man off the pitch, Alonso was the epitome of suave around Cobham.
“But it is his impact in the final third that will linger longest in the mind when his six thoroughly successful seasons in SW6 are reflected upon in the years to come.
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“Everyone at Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Marcos for his service to the Blues and wish him all the very best for the rest of his career.”
Barcelona had concerns over whether they would have the finances to register Alonso so tried to ship out fellow left-back Jordi Alba.
A loan move to Inter Milan was on the cards but was arranged without Alba knowing, leaving the Spaniard fuming. More