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      Harry Redknapp says he ‘knows for a fact’ Frenkie de Jong wants Chelsea transfer as Barcelona star rejects Man Utd offer

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      FORMER Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has claimed that Frenkie de Jong would rather join Chelsea over Manchester United this summer.The Red Devils have been pursuing a deal for De Jong, 25, since the transfer window opened in June.
      Chelsea are pushing to sign De JongCredit: Getty
      Redknapp claims the Dutchman would be open to a move to Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      However, despite already reaching a £72million agreement with Barcelona, United officials have not been able to tempt him to Old Trafford.
      The Dutchman has made it clear that he wants to stay at the Nou Camp next season, but Redknapp believes he could be persuaded to join Chelsea if The Blues submit a suitable offer.
      When speaking to The Byline, the former manager said: “Now it looks like De Jong wants to go to Chelsea, I know that for a fact, he wants to go to Chelsea.
      “Man United are not going to get him. I’ve had that from somebody right at the very, very, very top at Man United, he’s made up [his mind], he really wants to go to Chelsea.
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      “So if he goes to Chelsea, and Man United don’t get him, I don’t know where they’re going and if Chelsea get him obviously he’ll be a fantastic signing for them.”
      The Blues have reportedly offered Barcelona a swap deal including £59m and Marcos Alonso for De Jong.
      The LaLiga giants have been pushing to sign Alonso for months, so club chiefs could be tempted to accept the bid.
      Chelsea have already strengthened their squad in several areas this summer, including the full-back position.
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      Marc Cucurella was announced as the club’s most recent addition on Friday.
      He signed a six-year contract to complete a £62m transfer from Brighton.
      Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly are now looking to sign Wesley Fofana from Leicester City.
      Fofana is said to be open to the prospect of a move, but The Foxes are not willing to let him go unless an offer of at least £85m is submitted. More

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      Chelsea ‘offer £59m plus Marcos Alonso’ for Frenkie de Jong in swap transfer with Barcelona keen to sell star

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      CHELSEA have reportedly offered Barcelona £59million plus Marcos Alonso in a bid to sign Frenkie de Jong.The Blues are currently battling Manchester United for De Jong’s signature.
      Chelsea are pushing to sign De JongCredit: Getty
      The Blues have offered Alonso as part of a swap dealCredit: Getty
      United have already reached a £72m agreement with Barcelona for him, but the Dutchman does not want to make the switch.
      And now, Chelsea are looking to hijack the deal.
      According to Spanish outlet Sport, The Blues have proposed a swap deal including Alonso and £59m in an attempt to reach an agreement with the LaLiga giants.
      If Barcelona choose to accept the offer, De Jong will have to make a decision on his future by next week.
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      He has already expressed his desire to remain at the Nou Camp, but former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp claims that he could be convinced to join Chelsea.
      Meanwhile, Barcelona have been pushing to sign Alonso for weeks, so the swap could prove to be ideal for both clubs.
      The full-back reportedly bid farewell to his Chelsea teammates earlier this week in the hope that he will seal a move to Spain over the weekend.
      This came just hours after The Blues announced the signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
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      Thomas Tuchel and Todd Boehly now have their sights set on other defensive targets as they look to complete a deal for Wesley Fofana.
      The defender is said to be keen on the prospect of a move to Stamford Bridge, but Leicester are not willing to let him go.
      The Foxes want at least £85m for his services – a sum of which Chelsea are reportedly willing to match. More

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      Chelsea stars ‘say goodbye to Marcos Alonso’ with defender to seal Barcelona transfer as Blues sign Cucurella for £62m

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      CHELSEA players have reportedly said their goodbyes to Marcos Alonso ahead of his move to Barcelona.The 31-year-old left-back has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge all summer.
      Chelsea defender Alonso looks set to complete a move to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      But that speculation increased further following the signing of Brighton star Marc Cucurella.
      Thomas Tuchel now has both Cucurella and Ben Chilwell to choose from at left-back – leaving Alonso out in the cold.
      And according to The Mail, the Spaniard has carried out his farewells to staff at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground as he bids to seal a transfer this weekend.
      Alonso has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League during a successful six-year stint with the Blues.
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      But now his days as a Chelsea player are numbered as Barcelona close in on his signature.
      90min have reported that the Catalan giants are “confident” of reaching an agreement for the defender.
      That is despite news on Friday that LaLiga have denied them registering five new players until they raise more funds.
      In order to do so, Barca will need to sell players such as Frenkie de Jong – who has been heavily linked with Manchester United.
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      Meanwhile, Alonso was thought to be heading to Barcelona along with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
      But the Blues skipper completed a U-turn earlier this week when he signed a new two-year deal to remain at Stamford Bridge.
      Azpilicueta’s commitment eases the Blues’ need to recruit further defensive reinforcements.
      Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left for free in the summer following the expiration of their contracts.
      Only Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli has been brought in as a replacement after the club missed out on Jules Kounde. More

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      Chelsea players convinced vacant No 9 shirt is CURSED as Thomas Tuchel reveals NOBODY wants it after Romelu Lukaku exit

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has made the extraordinary claim that the Chelsea No 9 is ‘cursed’ and that none of his players want to touch it.The Blues kick off their season at Everton tonight without any squad member assigned the traditional centre-forward’s number and with no plans to bring in a new striker to fill the vacancy.
      Raheem Sterling chose to wear No17… despite the nine being availableCredit: Getty
      Thomas Tuchel admitted Chelsea players are convinced the shirt is cursed after Romelu Lukaku’s strugglesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Chelsea’s cursed No 9 shirt in numbers
      Romelu Lukaku, last year’s £97.5million record buy, has been loaned back to Inter Milan after becoming the latest big name to flop in the No 9 shirt, with the Belgian scoring just eight Premier League goals last term.
      During Roman Abramovich’s 19-year reign at Stamford Bridge, the Blues signed SEVEN big-name strikers who wore nine on their backs — and all of them bombed.
      Lukaku, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Radamel Falcao, Hernan Crespo and Mateja Kezman all arrived in West London with glowing reputations, yet all fell foul of the curse which the superstitious German admits he believes in.
      Boss Tuchel said: “It’s cursed, it’s cursed — people tell me it’s cursed.
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      “It’s not the case we are leaving it open for tactical reasons, for players to come in and take it.
      “There was not a big demand for No 9, like when players sometimes want to change numbers. Surprisingly, nobody wants to touch it.
      “Everybody who has been at the club longer than me tells me, ‘Ah, you know, he had the nine and he did not score… and he had the nine and also did not score’.
      “So we now have a moment where nobody wants to touch the number nine. I’m superstitious, I can understand why players maybe don’t touch it and have other preferences.
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      “It’s like this but I think Raheem Sterling will help us a lot and in general it’s our responsibility to create more offensive positions to have maybe more players in the box.”
      While Manchester City and Liverpool have both recruited traditional centre-forwards in Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, Chelsea have gone in the opposite direction — farming out Lukaku and not bringing in a like-for-like replacement.
      Kai Havertz and £47.5m new recruit Sterling are likely to play as ‘false nines’ in a more fluid system.
      Although 20-year-old Albanian forward Armando Broja has returned from a loan at Southampton and may force his way into the starting line-up. Tuchel said: “Raheem is one of our offensive players. If we play in the same structure, it will be very fluid.
      “(At centre-forward) it can be him, Kai, Timo Werner, also Broja who is now in the squad.
      “Different profiles, different types of playing. Liverpool and City showed it is possible to be very successful with a fluid type of offensive player in the nine position.”
      “It’s cursed, it’s cursed — people tell me it’s cursed.”Thomas Tuchel on Chelsea’s No 9 shirt
      Tuchel is concentrating on bolstering his defence, with £55m Marc Cucurella joining from Brighton and Leicester’s £85m-rated Wesley Fofana the subject of serious Chelsea interest.
      But the manager admits his preferred wing-back system can prove cautious.
      He said: “I’m generally confident we are able to win games. We managed to score a lot of goals in this system we play, the 3-4-3.
      “The core and strength of the formation is a bit deep with three defenders and two central midfielders.
      “So, from this, it’s maybe the responsibility for the three attackers to be a bit higher than in other systems.
      “So we are relying heavily on our wing-backs and still we think it’s a good structure for the characteristics of our players.
      Lukaku managed just eight goals in the Premier League last season despite his £97.5m pricetag
      “We will adapt and we’ve got new quality with Raheem, which helps.”
      Tuchel says he has suffered a “turbulent” pre-season, with a more hands-on approach in transfer dealings as new owner Todd Boehly stands in as sporting director.
      And the German claims his squad is still in “transition” and that while Boehly is “ambitious”, he is also “patient”.
      Tuchel says his side have benefitted from the “wake-up call” of a 4-0 pre-season mauling by Arsenal in the United States.
      And as he prepares for this evening’s trip to face Everton and Frank Lampard — the Chelsea legend he replaced as boss — Tuchel admits he does not want to pile pressure on his players by talking them up as title contenders.
      He said: “My feeling is first of all, a race for top four, and second of all, the title race.
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      “It’s super-challenging this league and if you are in the title race in March or April, then you go for the title. But you make sure you are in the top four — this is the priority.
      “We are challenging for that and there is no shame in it.”
       CHELSEA (likely): Mendy, Azpilicueta, Thiago, Koulibaly, James, Kante, Jorginho, Cucurella, Mount, Sterling, Havertz. More

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      Horror story of Chelsea’s ‘cursed’ No 9 shirt from Lukaku to Morata and Torres as Tuchel admits NO Blues stars want it

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      NOBODY wants to be Chelsea’s No 9 after Romelu Lukaku became the latest striker to fall foul of its ‘curse’.Boss Thomas Tuchel revealed on Friday that he has had NO takers what should be a coveted jersey followed Lukaku’s exit on loan.

      £97.5million singing Romelu Lukaku was given the No9 shirt and took it with glee
      However, Lukaku ended up falling foul of No9 curse and flopped at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      In the Premier League Lukaku managed just eight goals
      It was taken with glee by the Belgian last summer after his record £97.5million move from Inter.
      However, just like his predecessors – the giant Belgium forward flopped.
      In all competitions, he managed a very disappointing 15 goals in 44 games.
      Lukaku was put out of his Stamford Bridge misery and sent to back to Milan on loan in a £7million deal, although there is no obligation to buy.
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      Ironically, previous incumbent Tammy Abraham is now flying in Serie A – setting a scoring record in last campaign for most goals by an Englishman in a season – 17.
      Below we run through the flops who have fallen foul of Stamford Bridge’s doomed jersey…
      CHRIS SUTTON, 1999-2000
      In 1999, Sutton moved to West London from Blackburn for a then mega £10million.
      He had made a name for himself at Norwich, then won the title with Blackburn so he had pedigree.
      However, he struggled with the burden of the price tag and style of play – scoring just one goal in 39 games.
      Sutton was sold the following summer to Celtic for £6m, where he found his form again.
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      Chris Sutton was an expensive mistake by ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      MATEJA KEZMAN, 2004-2005
      It was the year Chelsea won their first Premier League title, but it wasn’t because of this Serbian forward.
      In truth, Kezman had some big boots to fill in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when he arrived from PSV in a £6m deal.
      But after he tore shreds out of defences in the Dutch league, he couldn’t repeat that feat on our shores.
      Four goals in 25 games later he was sold to Atletico Madrid.
      Mateja Kezman couldn’t replicate the form he showed at PSV for ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      KHALID BOULAHROUZ, 2006-07
      Perhaps Chelsea were trying to break the curse at this point, or take the pressure off their strikers.
      But in 2006 they gave Dutch defender Boulahrouz the No9 shirt, following his £9m move from Hamburg.
      Nicknamed ‘The Cannibal’, he failed to dislodge John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.
      Injuries didn’t help his cause, and he made just 20 appearances before he was loaned out to Sevilla.
      Khalid Boulahrouz, left, made just 20 appearances for the BluesCredit: Reuters
      STEVE SIDWELL, 2007-08
      The ex-Arsenal trainee was a strange signing by the Blues.
      After four years impressing at Reading, he was snapped up by Jose Mourinho on a free transfer.
      Michael Essien and Frank Lampard were the midfield pair the Special One would turn to, which meant Sidwell made just 25 appearances before he was sold to Aston Villa.
      The No9 shirt was free again for a new incumbent.
      Steve Sidwell failed to establish himself at Stamford Bridge after Jose Mourinho signed himCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      FRANCO DI SANTO, 2008-09
      It was Argentine youth prospect Di Santo who had the shirt (and dreams) pinned on him when Sidwell departed.
      A £4m signing from Chilean side Audax Italiano, the centre forward just couldn’t find his striking boots.
      He made 16 appearances, mostly as a sub in fairness, but never looked like scoring.
      Di Santo was sold to Wigan, a season after a poor campaign with Blackburn on loan.
      Argie Franco Di Santo failed to score in 16 games for ChelseaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      FERNANDO TORRES, 2011-15
      Chelsea fans will argue his goal against Barcelona in the Nou Camp to seal a spot in the final of the 2012 Champions League was worth his £50m transfer fee alone.
      But for some reason, the Spain legend could never really get going in a Chelsea shirt.
      And it wasn’t English football that was a struggle – because over four years at Liverpool he scored 81 goals in 142 games.
      However, 45 strikes in 172 games for the Blues was a poor return for ‘El Nino’.
      Fernando Torres couldn’t replicate the form he showed at Liverpool at Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
      RADAMEL FALCAO, 2015-16
      After a disastrous spell at Manchester United, Chelsea knew they were taking a gamble on Falcao.
      The Colombian striker arrived on loan with the idea of making the move permanent from Monaco in 2015.
      Struggles with his fitness and the pace of the game saw him restricted to just 12 games.
      Worse still, he only managed one goal.
      Radamel Falcao was a disaster during his loan at Chelsea – scoring just once in 12 gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ALVARO MORATA, 2017-18
      Another huge fee was shelled out for Spain striker Morata, who arrived in 2017 for £60m.
      A lot was expected of the ex-Real Madrid star, who managed 15 goals in his first season.
      Morata even tried to change his shirt number to 29, but things got even worse in his second campaign with the club when he scored just five Premier League goals.
      The striker returned to LaLiga with Atletico Madrid with his tail between his legs in 2019.
      The expectation on Alvaro Morata’s shoulders was too much for the Spaniard who floppedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      GONZALO HIGUAIN, 2019
      It was Maurizio Sarri’s dream signing – and a striker he knew how to get the best out of after managing the Argie at Napoli to great success.
      But the Higuain who scored 91 goals in 146 games in Naples three years prior was a shadow of his former self in England.
      Fears over his fitness and pace ended up to be true.
      And despite scoring a brace in his third game against Huddersfield, he couldn’t replicate his goalscoring form from his Serie A days.
      Six months, 19 games and five goals later, he returned to Juventus. Ironically, his boss was Sarri again.
      Gonzalo Higuain struggled for fitness during his time in West LondonCredit: Reuters More

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      Body Coach Joe Wicks inundated with messages as fans spot uncanny resemblance to £62m Chelsea transfer Marc Cucurella

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      JOE WICKS is more used to transforming fitness than transferring football clubs – but he’s landed a sensational clone move!The celebrity body coach has been inundated with teasing messages after lookalike Brighton defender Marc Cucurella joined Chelsea.
      Joe Wicks seems delighted with comparisons to Chelsea new boy Marc CucurellaCredit: Getty
      Marc Cucurella has yet to give his verdict on claims he’s a dead ringer for body coach and TV presenter Joe WicksCredit: Getty
      Fans believe Wicks’ resemblance to the Spaniard is as amazing as the £62million fee Brighton received.
      And the TV presenter showed attack can be the best form of defence as he quickly posted: “Loads of people congratulating me on signing for @ChelseaFC” – followed by crying with laughter emojis.
      And with Chelsea visiting Everton on Saturday evening for their Premier League opener, one follower tweeted: “Congratulations Joe mate, good luck tomorrow.”
      Social media star Wicks and left-back Cucurella would be uncannily similar even if they didn’t have the same curly long brown hair and beard.
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      And fans also speculated over “Who is the fittest though lol”.
      But above all it’s their twinsome appearance that staggered social media.
      One said: “Tell me Joe Wicks and Cucurella are not related.
      Others made comments such as “that’s an incredible lookalike” and “Congrats on your new venture Joe!”
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      One fan joked: “You are a man of many talents.”
      Some even suggested Wicks, 36, could stand in for the 24-year-old at Stamford Bridge.
      “Long lost twin possible?” was one suggestion, with the poster adding: “You look like Cucurella more than Cucurella himself.” More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea target Frenkie de Jong ‘at WAR with agent over transfer decision after blocking Old Trafford switch’

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      BARCELONA star Frenkie de Jong disagrees with his agent about his future amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, reports suggest.De Jong, 25, has been linked with a move away from cash-strapped Barca this summer and the Premier League could be his next destination.
      Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong has been linked with Manchester United and ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong disagrees with his representatives about his futureCredit: Getty
      According to Sport, however, the midfielder is keen to stay at the Nou Camp even on a reduced salary because he believes in the club’s sporting project.
      However, the Netherlands international’s agent disagrees as he thinks his client should leave due to his deferred wages.
      De Jong agreed to a temporary salary deduction to help the Blaugrana’s financial situation during the coronavirus pandemic two years ago.
      Barcelona now owe the Dutchman between £14million and £17m in unpaid wages.
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      His former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag is determined for a reunion at Old Trafford and United have reached a £72m agreement with the Catalan giants.
      Ten Hag needs reinforcement in the middle of the park after losing Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic as free agents.
      However, De Jong doesn’t appear keen on a move to Manchester this month.
      But Chelsea are ready to match the Red Devils’ bid as manager Thomas Tuchel is looking to upgrade his midfield.
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      Barcelona have previously stated De Jong is not for sale this summer despite their financial woes.
      The Catalans have still been very active during the summer transfer window as they reached mega-cash deals for Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde.
      Barcelona also signed Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, who were free agents. More

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      Chelsea legend John Terry HUNG UP on Kalidou Koulibaly the first time he called as he thought he was being PRANKED

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      KALIDOU KOULIBALY revealed John Terry thought he was a pranker and put the phone down when he called the Chelsea legend out of the Blue.But JT did some checks, returned Koulibaly’s call and let him take his iconic Blues’ No26 shirt.
      ‘Nervous’ Kalidou Koulibaly shocked John Terry by calling the Stamford Bridge icon while he was completing his move to Chelsea
      All-time great Chelsea legend John Terry didn’t believe he was being called by the Blues’ new centre-back Kalidou KoulibalyCredit: Instagram / @johnterry.26
      Koulibaly was “nervous” about making direct contract with Terry as the ex-England centre-back is the most famous skipper in the club’s history.
      And the former Napoli hero was extra anxious as he knew the No26 top had not been worn since Terry’s departure in 2017.
      Koulibaly asked manager Thomas Tuchel about the shirt before getting JT’s number from fellow Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola.
      The Senegal defender, who is tipped for an instant Blues’ debut in Saturday’s Premier League opener at Everton, said: “I talked to him, he told me the story of Chelsea.
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      “I have to know everything when I come somewhere, so I asked tough questions to him about the club, about the structure, about the supporters.
      “I asked him for the phone number of John because I wanted to ask for the jersey and he gave me directly the number. 
      “And I called him – but at the beginning he did not believe that it was me! He thought that it was a joke!
      “So he put down the phone at first and called the team manager to ask if it was really me. 
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      “After that I asked him respectfully that I wanted to take his jersey, his number. 
      “I know that it’s a very important number for him, and for me also because I took it directly when I went to Napoli and I wanted to keep it for here in Chelsea.
      “When he told me yes I was really happy because I know what he did for the club, the supporters, the city here and I know that it’s very important to ask him first before wearing it. 
      “I wanted to tell everybody that I asked him because I want to be respectful with a legend in the club.”
      Koulibaly has already posted a clip of the phone call – the successful one, that is.
      Terry can be heard saying: “The 26 was very special to me, I really appreciate you calling.
      “It’s no problem for me for you to take it, absolute pleasure.
      “I wish you well because I know how important the number was for me and I’ve seen you wear 26 as well.
      “My pleasure mate, I give you the 26. No pressure. You go and keeping winning trophies for us.”
      New Chelsea centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly revealed his phone call exchange with John Terry during a press conference on FridayCredit: Getty More