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    Crystal Palace readying £20m January transfer bid for Conor Gallagher if England star’s Chelsea dream is shattered

    CRYSTAL PALACE will make a serious bid for Conor Gallagher in the next window – if his Chelsea dream is shattered.Palace wanted England midfielder Gallagher, 22, to return after his successful loan spell but were given no encouragement.
    Crystal Palace are keen to re-sign Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    The midfielder has had a rough start to his bid to become a Chelsea first-team player with a red card thrown in.
    However Gallagher was not willing to give up that quickly either despite the Palace overtures behind the scenes.
    Palace have money to bid for the England international on a permanent basis if the price is around £20million and extras and they will try hard in January.
    The Eagles are also waiting for Antoine Semenyo to get fully fit at Bristol City before making an offer for him.
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    Transfer chief Dougie Freedman watched Semenyo in action yesterday after refusing to bid until he has been watched.
    Semenyo has been in scoring form off the bench but lacks game time after recovering fitness.
    Gallagher joined Chelsea’s academy in 2008 at the tender age of eight years old.
    The midfielder rose through the ranks in 2019 as he was promoted to the senior squad.
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    The 22-year-old was then loaned out to Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and of course Palace.
    Gallagher stood out at Selhurst Park last season.
    He amassed a total of eight goals and five assists in 39 appearances. More

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    Liverpool’s transfer swoop for Spanish starlet Stefan Bajcetic was smart business and left Man Utd and Chelsea red-faced

    LIVERPOOL’S new Spanish starlet Stefan Bajcetic is looking like a smart capture – and leaving Manchester United and Chelsea with red faces.The Kop babe has been on Jurgen Klopp’s bench already.
    Manchester United and Chelsea were both admirers of Stefan Bajcetic, who was snapped up by LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
    But the reason he joined the club a year ago is down to their willingness to take a chance on landing him as a kid.
    Bajcetic joined Liverpool just before the new post Brexit rules came in and it could be one of the most well-timed transfers ever.
    Both United and Chelsea had been tracking the top talent for months.
    Although both sides decided against pursuing a move because of fears he would not be allowed into the country.
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    Bajcetic was given a 21 minute runout by Klopp in Liverpool’s 9-0 rout against Bournemouth.
    The 17-year-old has also played twice for the U21s this season.
    Meanwhile, Liverpool left back James Norris is wanted by Huddersfield Town – after they failed in a deadline deal.
    The Kop kid has impressed in the U21s.
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    He even trained with the first team last week.
    That led to the Terriers were told to wait.
    The 19-year-old has played six times for the U21s this season. More

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    Fans all say same thing as Chelsea sub keeper Kepa spotted talking to Havertz minutes before striker scored matchwinner

    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

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    Chelsea verdict: Subs Chilwell and Havertz showcase Blues’ strength in depth as Tuchel reaps rewards of transfer window

    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

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    Chelsea signing Wesley Fofana STARTS against West Ham as ex-Leicester defender prepares to make debut at Stamford Bridge

    WESLEY FOFANA will make his Chelsea debut this afternoon after being named in their starting line-up for the clash with West Ham.The Blues defender, who penned a £70million transfer to Stamford Bridge earlier this week, will be looking to help Thomas Tuchel’s side recover from their defeat to Southampton on Tuesday.
    Fofana will start for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this afternoonCredit: Getty
    Chelsea XI to face West Ham: Mendy; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher, Cucurella; Sterling, Pulisic.
    West Ham XI to face Chelsea: Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Kehrer, Emerson; Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Fornals; Antonio.
    Fofana is one of FIVE changes from the side which lost at St Mary’s.
    Reece James, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and Christian Pulisic have all come back into the fold.

    Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz all drop to the bench.
    Meanwhile, West Ham also have one of their new signings making his first start for the club.
    Attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta came on as a second half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham in midweek.
    And he now lines up from the off for the first time in a Hammers shirt.
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    West Ham are looking to hand Chelsea their third defeat of the season after just six league matches.
    Tuchel’s men ended up spending nearly £300m in the summer transfer window – a Premier League record.
    He brought in former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on deadline day to add to marquee acquisitions Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella.
    However, Aubameyang is not available for today’s game against West Ham as he recently suffered a broken jaw in an attack at his home. More

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    Reece James closing in on bumper new Chelsea deal as Blues tie striker Armando Broja down with six-year contract

    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

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    ‘We expected more’ – Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel reveals why he sold wonderkid Billy Gilmour to Brighton for £9m

    THOMAS TUCHEL has revealed Chelsea “expected more” from the departed Billy Gilmour. The Blues sold the Scottish midfielder to Brighton for £9million on transfer deadline day.
    Tuchel revealed that Gilmour wouldn’t ‘fulfil his potential’ at Chelsea this season and didn’t want to go out on loan againCredit: EPA
    Gilmour, 21, agreed a four-year deal at the Amex.
    And boss Tuchel has explained the decision behind the youngster’s move to Sussex.
    Tuchel said: “We had high hopes and he played for us in the first half a year when I was at Chelsea.
    “He played some important matches for us and looked for a new challenge that did not go so well for him with Norwich.
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    “We expected more, he expected more so it was like, without pointing a finger, but it is difficult also for him and for us to not succeed.
    “To not play at Norwich, to be relegated and then suddenly be a central midfielder for Chelsea and competing for top four and for every title.
    “There’s a huge step in between so we were looking, the ideal solution would have been maybe that he goes again on loan as the concurrence is huge for us in central midfield and we felt like he is not the age where he can live again with five or six or seven matches during a whole season to fulfil his own potential so ideally, it would have been another loan.
    “Billy did not want to go on loan, it was a no-go for him so in the end, we agreed to a sale.”
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    Gilmour made a stunning start to his Chelsea career under Frank Lampard but fell out of favour under Tuchel.
    After enduring a difficult loan spell with Norwich City last season, the German boss claims Gilmour did not fancy another temporary deal.
    The ace only made 11 Prem appearances for the West London club but continues to be a regular for his country.
    He was included in the Blues’ party for their pre-season tour to the USA but was then snubbed of a squad number at the start of the season.
    He subsequently joined the Seagulls and should be given more of a chance in Graham Potter’s line up.
    Head coach Potter said: “Billy arrives with a fantastic pedigree, having played in the Premier League and Champions League as well as for Scotland at last year’s Euros.
    “He will complement our existing midfield options.
    “That experience at quite a young age shows the strength of character he has and we’re really excited by his potential.
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    “Now it’s about allowing him the time to get used to a new environment and settling in to our club.
    “We can’t wait to work with him.” More

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    Marcos Alonso officially announced as Barcelona player on free transfer after Chelsea RIPPED UP contract after six years

    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