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    Chelsea ace Antonio Rudiger ‘agrees four-year deal with Juventus’ amid Man Utd, Real Madrid and Bayern transfer interest

    ANTONIO RUDIGER is allegedly set to sign a four-year contract with Juventus.Chelsea’s German defender, 29, becomes a free agent in June when his current deal expires.
    Antonio Rudiger has allegedly signed a contract to join JuventusCredit: Getty
    The Blues have tried – and failed – to convince Rudiger to sign an extension for much of the season.
    And after Roman Abramovich’s assets were frozen and sanctions placed on the club prevented them from negotiating new contracts, hope of keeping him have pretty much evaporated.
    Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were all monitoring the situation.
    However, a fresh report has claimed that Rudiger’s future is now sorted.

    La Gazzetta dello Sport states that the star has said “yes” to a move to the Bianconeri.
    He will sign a four-year deal with the Serie A giants as he prefers a move there over Madrid and Bayern.
    Rudiger will pocket around £5.4 million per season in Italy.
    Rudiger has been one of the world’s best since Thomas Tuchel arrived at Chelsea.
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    He played a key part in their Champions League triumph and also helped them to lift the Club World Cup last month.
    And he will be in action later today as Chelsea look to reach the FA Cup semi-final when they travel to Middlesbrough.
    The Blues have a number of deals expiring this summer, including defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen. More

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    ‘Roman gets the decision’ – Abramovich still has say who buys Chelsea despite not receiving a penny of successful bid

    ROMAN ABRAMOVICH may be sanctioned by the UK government, but he still has the final say in who he sells Chelsea to.The Russian oligarch has received a £2billion-plus offer from property tycoon and lifelong Blues fan Nick Candy.
    Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich won’t receive a penny from selling the clubCredit: Rex
    Nick Candy is desperate to buy the Blues after making a £2billion-plus offerCredit: Rex
    Candy has promised fan involvement in the club should he be successful, while also stating he would redevelop Stamford Bridge.
    But it is out of his hands as to whether Abramovich, who has had his assets frozen, would accept his bid.
    Abramovich, who has been banned as a director by the Premier League, cannot make a single penny from selling the West London outfit.
    However he remains in charge of the key decision in deciding who will become Chelsea’s next owner.
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    Speaking to SunSport, Candy said: “Although it’s a sanctioned club, Roman gets the decision on where it goes.
    “People might not like that, but it’s his club still – it’s sanctioned – but it’s his club.”
    He added: “All I care about is first of all, whoever ends up with the club has got to put the fans front and centre and the fan-led review needs to be adopted in its best principle and that Chelsea has a chance to be the golden standard of that.
    “Number two is I think that football clubs owned just by one person like the Glazers is a bad model, and not just for the fans, but for the club.
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    “If you can have the best investor from Africa, India, America, Asia as your cornerstone partners and they use the fans in that part of the world to make money for the club back at home, fantastic!
    “And why can’t we have offshoots of the club in South Korea or Los Angeles or wherever it is.
    “And also Manchester City have probably done the best job in the planet of the feeder clubs.
    “And we’ve got to do that as well. That’s because they run it properly, they’re amazing.” More

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    Nick Candy had dad’s ashes spread at Stamford Bridge with band singing Chelsea songs after Roman gave special permission

    WHEN your father is, quite literally, part of the fabric of Stamford Bridge, that is a real commitment.And it is the debt he owes to his dad that is firing Nick Candy’s bid to take over Chelsea.
    Nick Candy (right) has revealed his dad’s (centre) ashes were scattered on the Stamford Bridge pitchCredit: Getty
    The Brit businessman and property developer has an emotional attachment to the club, and the memories to back it up.
    He has the vision, too. 
    And if Candy and his consortium do win the fight to win Roman Abramovich’s shares, they have vowed to ensure the WHOLE club is brought into the new world of football.
    But it is that private bond with the club he was first taken to watch by his father at the age of four that makes this bid one with something deeper at its heart than just the desire to own a Prem giant.
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    Candy told SunSport: “I’ve been going since my dad first took me.
    “He said I was four although I can remember going to games when I was seven or eight – and that it was quite scary then with fans standing up around me. 
    “I watched it through the years from Ruud Gullit and Luca Vialli and others. 
    “John Terry and Frank Lampard are friends of mine. I have photos of me and my dad down at the training ground with John and Frank.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “Dad died in 2013 and we had his memorial service at Brompton Oratory with the actual party afterwards in the South Stand at Stamford Bridge. 
    “I asked Roman for permission for us to use the pitch and he let us have a marching band singing Chelsea songs and then we scattered half my dad’s ashes on the Stamford Bridge pitch. 
    “My dad was a massive fan and of course a massive part of my life if before and now and hopefully he is looking down on me. 
    “I just love Chelsea. I don’t go to every single away game but when I am in the country and can go to games I go to as many as possible.
    “In some ways it will be easier not to buy the club for me because I could get on with my day job.
    “But I was super close to dad. These things come up every 20 years if you’re lucky. It could be 50 years. Roman has had it for 20. 
    “If you’d asked me four weeks ago if I was going to bid for Chelsea, I would have said you were mad.
    “But the opportunity has arisen. We have the chance to really set the new benchmark of how things are done, the standards.”

    That includes taking the Bridge apart and rebuilding it from scratch, no matter the cost.
    And while he is dyed in the wool Chelsea, Candy says the club must look to copy Spurs – off the pitch at least.
    He added: “Stamford Bridge is not fit for purpose in the 21st century. It’s just not. 
    “The issue at Chelsea is complicated because it is a very tight footprint to build a 60,000 capacity ground.
    “You have to dig down a long way to get that number in but it needs to be done.
    “That will mean relocating for a period of time, something like five years probably, to Wembley like Tottenham did.
    “Spurs have the best stadium in the world, mind-blowingly brilliant. They have a hotel on the training ground for the players to stay in after a European game as well, so we need to look to do that as well.
    “We are way behind on the facilities of a club like Tottenham – although Spurs are way behind us on the pitch.
    “This is not about high-end real estate but about developing a state-of-the-art stadium which is not just used for football matches that has other utilities, like Tottenham have done with their stadium.
    “If you build a stadium for £1.5billion pounds and only use it once a week that’s not a very good utility.”
    ‘POISION CHALICE’
    Chelsea fans, more than anything, want an owner who can continue to take the club forward.
    Candy, with his personal interest, says he and his team will provide that.
    He said: “It’s like a poison chalice inheriting Chelsea on the pitch because they’ve done so well.
    “But I still think we can continue to do very well because we had an amazing squad.
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    “Everyone needs to do it quickly. 
    “Whether it’s me who buys this or somebody else with their consortium, whoever buys it, all we care about as Chelsea fans is that the club is in safe hands.”
    Candy has made a £2billion-plus offer to buy Chelseaa off of Roman AbramovichCredit: Rex More

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    ‘I don’t think we should end up like Man Utd’ – Nick Candy wants to retain Chelsea transfer model – and keep spending

    NICK CANDY has pledged to keep spending if he wins the race to buy Chelsea.The London property developer made his Blue Football Consortium’s £2bn-plus offer for Roman Abramovich’s club before Friday night’s 9pm deadline.
    Property tycoon Nick Candy has made a £2billion-plus offer to buy ChelseaCredit: PA
    Candy was in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to watch the Blues beat NewcastleCredit: PA
    Candy promised his “global consortium”, backed by cash from the USA, Europe and South Korean, was serious about delivering a “new model” of ownership.
    He also vowed to put his fellow Blues fans “heart and centre” of the club, with a role in the board and decision-making process.
    But for doubtful supporters questioning whether Candy would be willing to replicate the Abramovich approach which has brought 19 major trophies – plus two Charity Shields – in 19 years, he told SunSport: “On the pitch and in the transfer market, it’s simple  – follow the model. 
    “It’s not failed us and it’s done really well.
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    “The last 20 years have been brilliant on the pitch. We’ve played glorious football, won everything, and Roman has done an incredible job with his team. 
    “If I got hold of the club I wouldn’t change Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia.
    “And if they want it to stay I would love them to stay. Why change something that is brilliant?
    “But I don’t think we should end up like Manchester United where we have one rich family that owns Chelsea and there should be a new benchmark of owning football clubs.
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    “Why does there have to be one rich family that the fans end up hating because they don’t invest?
    “It should be a global consortium of the best-in-class in every part of the world.
    “We have 100 million fans in China, over 80 million fans in India and over 70 million in southeast Asia. 
    “We have European and American fans so why doesn’t the consortium come from each continent? And that’s what I’ve tried to do with my bid.”
    So far the only revealed backer of Candy’s bid is Korean financial company Hana, although he promised the identity of the other money man, including one “very wealthy” Brit and investors in US NBA and NFL franchises, would be revealed next week.
    Other bidders include the Swiss-American consortium led by Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehley, a Saudi offer, the Ricketts family who own the Chicago Cubs and a group led by Martin Broughton and Lord Seb Coe.
    Candy, though, said: “We have a chance with Chelsea to put the fans heart and centre of the club. There is no club without the fans.
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    “In 100 years time there will still be fans whoever the owner is. We are just custodians of the club for a period of time – that is all we are.
    “We can actually set the benchmark of how it is done, following the Tracey Crouch recommendations. We want to be the golden standard of how to do it.”
    Candy is keen for the West London outfit to not be run like Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea takeover race comes down to final hours with 9pm deadline to get billion-pounds bids in before new owner decided

    THE BIDDING war for Chelsea has reached the final hours as the 9pm deadline for potential new owners dawns nearer.Merchant bank the Raine Group are advising the Premier League club over the sale.
    The bidding window to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich closes at 9pmCredit: Rex
    And they will end the bidding period at 5pm US time and start whittling down the shortlist of offers – which is believed to have a maximum of four – by next week.
    Chelsea are desperate for a quick sale after owner Roman Abramovich’s sanctioning by the UK government last week left them in crisis.
    Abramovich has had his assets frozen due to his long-standing relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin – who launched an illegal invasion of Ukraine several weeks ago.
    That left the Blues currently unable to buy or sell players, negotiate new contracts for their stars, pocket matchday revenue and also only having a £20,000 budget to travel to away games.
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    But that has not deterred billionaire tycoons from declaring their interest in the West London outfit.
    And with Abramovich pricing the club at £3billion, it is set to be the most expensive football club takeover in history.
    Boyhood Chelsea fan and business tycoon Nick Candy has declared his interest and will bid £2.5billion for his boyhood club, which would include a £1.5billion redevelopment of the ageing Stamford Bridge.
    The 49-year-old Londoner amassed his fortune alongside his older brother Christian as a luxury property developer, and owns several high-profile buildings around the world.
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    CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
    He is putting together a consortium to secure the takeover of the club, and is being supported by former Chelsea manager and player Gianluca Vialli.
    London-based equity firm Aethel Partners then yesterday launched an 11th hour bid to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.
    The firm – led by Portuguese entrepreneur Ricardo Silva and fellow Harvard alum Aba Schubert – are prepared to pay £2billion for the club and also have plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge on its current site.
    Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss
    American billionaire Todd Boehly and his Swiss business partner Hansjorg Wyss reportedly made an offer to buy Chelsea last week.
    Boehly is a part-owner of the LA Dodgers baseball team, while Wyss is a billionaire businessman and donor to politically liberal and environmental causes in the United States.
    They plan to have Chelsea supporters Danny Finkelstein and Barbara Charone join as non-executive directors if their offer is successful.
    Todd Boehly is part owner of the DodgersCredit: AFP
    Woody Johnson
    Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets NFL team and Donald Trump pal, has been tipped as another would-be buyer.
    He will be looking to bring his knowledge of American sports into the Premier League and Stamford Bridge.
    As owner of the New York Jets for 22 years, he believes he can raise Chelsea’s profile in the American market.
    Sir Martin Broughton and Lord Seb Coe
    Sir Martin Broughton is compiling his own bid to buy Chelsea, and has teamed up with former Olympics hero Sebastian Coe.
    Former Liverpoool chairman and lifelong Chelsea fan Broughton, 74, now chairs Sports Investment Partners, having formerly headed up British American Tobacco in a heavyweight business career.
    Lord Coe has thrown his weight behind Sir Martin’s consortium – and would take a seat on the board should they be successful.
    Lord Coe has backed ex-Liverpool chief Martin Broughton and the US consortium’s bid to buy ChelseaCredit: Reuters

    It has also been alleged that Saudi Media Group have made an offer to buy Chelsea.
    Headed by Blues fan Mohamed Alkhereiji, the private consortium have tabled a £2.7bn bid for the West London club.
    The Saudi Media Group have no direct ties to the country’s government – unlike the Public Investment Fund that purchased Newcastle earlier this season.
    Oaktree Capital
    US asset manager Oaktree Capital, run by Howard Marks in Los Angeles, is another billionaire preparing an offer for Chelsea.
    Oaktree manages assets worth £125billion and was involved in the deal that saw Chinese retailer Suning buy a stake in Italian football club Inter Milan.
    Oaktree is planning to bid alone, although it could still become part of a larger consortium.
    Billionaire hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin is keen along with Thomas RickettsCredit: Reuters
    Thomas Ricketts and Ken Griffin
    Chicago Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts is part of a consortium that has thrown its hat into the ring to buy Chelsea.
    The Ricketts family, who own the Illinois-based baseball team, have linked up with billionaire hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin to put together an investment group which will aim to takeover.
    However, Chelsea fans have reacted with fury after leaked emails from prospective buyer Ricketts show the Chicago Cubs owner to have said “Muslims are my enemy” – which he apologised for.
    And the rest…
    Bernard Antwi Boasiako launched arguably the most ambitious of the bids to buy Chelsea – but is hoping he can somehow strike gold.
    The gold mine owner, radio station boss and politician is a big deal in Ghana.
    But with a reported wealth of a mere £100m, that is unlikely to be enough to purchase the European champions.
    Turkish billionaire Mussin Bayrak, who made his money as Chairman of own company AB Group Holding, is another name linked.
    Reports have stated that Abramovich flew to Turkey earlier this month to meet Bayrak.
    And he has said that he is in talks to buy the Blues, with negotiations well underway.
    A number of other names have also been reportedly plotting a Chelsea takeover. More

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    Chelsea transfer targets having HUGE doubts over joining even with £2.7bn-plus takeover planned amid Rice interest

    CHELSEA’S transfer targets are ‘very nervous’ about potential summer moves to Stamford Bridge, according to reports.The Blues were linked with a number of stars including Declan Rice and Jules Kounde, prior to sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich last week.
    Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK governmentCredit: Getty
    Chelsea are currently operating under a special license granted by the government, despite Abramovich’s assets having been frozen.
    But the license, which runs until May 31, prohibits transactions of any kind – including player transfers.
    When a takeover goes through, restrictions on the club should be lifted.
    The club has received plenty of interest, ahead of today’s deadline to submit bids to the Raine Group who are handling the sale.
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    Interested parties include Stamford Bridge season ticket holder Nick Candy, as well as LA Dodgers owner Todd Boehly and equity firm Aethel Partners headed up by Ricardo Silva.
    The Saudi Media Group are also understood to have made a £2.7billion offer.
    Uncertainty surrounding the club’s future, as well as Thomas Tuchel’s, is putting players off, according to the Mail.
    Football agent and sports lawyer Dan Chapman told them: “‘I would have thought it would have a significant impact on recruitment.
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    CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
    Declan Rice is among Chelsea’s top targetsCredit: Rex
    Sevilla ace Jules Kounde is on the Blues’ radarCredit: Rex
    “Players and more likely agents will be very nervous about whether the club will be free of sanctions by [the summer], so investing too much time now on any prospect of a move to Chelsea might be seen as fruitless.”
    He then added: “Realistically, until a sale happens, I would say Chelsea’s recruitment efforts are as frozen as their assets.
    “And agents will start looking elsewhere for their clients and that could impact Chelsea’s ability to land their primary targets.”
    Fellow sports lawyer Stephen Heath adds that Chelsea’s situation will ‘weigh heavily’ on representatives looking to move their players this summer.
    He said: “It is a disruptor for agents and players as they are considering what their options are likely to be in the summer.
    “If their preference was to do a deal with Chelsea they would have to consider whether it is in the best interest of their player to look elsewhere because they may not be able to do that deal.”
    An unnamed agent added: “There is also issue of managerial uncertainty.
    “Will Tuchel stay under new owners or go to Manchester United? Tuchel sets the tone.”
    Thomas Tuchel is extremely popular with Blues fansCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea ticket sales latest, Tuchel distances himself from Boro FA Cup plea, Havertz’ classy gesture – latest updates

    THOMAS TUCHEL has distanced himself from Chelsea’s appeal to the FA to play their Cup tie at Middlesbrough behind closed doors.After the Blues board were condemned, following an attempt to make the case the game should be played in front of no fans, Tuchel has backed a U-turn.
    The German said: “I think the proposal was withdrawn and it was absolutely the right thing to do, because that was from our side and hopefully it was not meant like this.”
    And under the terms and conditions of their latest restriction, it states that Chelsea are unable to sell tickets until a takeover has been complete.
    As a result, the Blues are asking for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors.
    Meanwhile, Kai Havert has revealed that he is willing to fund his own travel for the away fixture.
    Keep reading to find out more on the situation surrounding Chelsea’s ownership problems.

    All you need for Cheltenham Festival 2022

    Follow ALL of the latest updates and transfer gossip from Stamford Bridge right here…
    Aethel joins Blues hunt
    Aethel Partners have become the latest bidders to emerge as groups compete to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
    The London-based equity firm have thrown their hats into the ring ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
    The Times’ Martyn Ziegler reports that they are ready to pay more than £2billion for the crisis club.

    Should their bid be successful, they plan to keep Thomas Tuchel and his current staff in place.
    They have also pledged to immediately invest £50million in order to ‘keep the club solvent’.
    Their executive chairman is Portuguese entrepreneur Ricardo Silva.
    Aethel Partners would like to redevelop Stamford Bridge on its current site.
    A number of candidates to buy Chelsea have already emerged. Blues season ticket holder Nick Candy is eager to buy his boyhood club. The luxury property developer is putting together a consortium and has been backed by former star Gianluca Vialli.
    Tuchel up to third favourite for Utd job
    Thomas Tuchel is in contention to become Manchester United manager at the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign.
    That’s according to bookmakers Betfair, who’ve installed the Chelsea tactician at 7/2 to switch his allegiances from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford.
    The Red Devils will look to accelerate their hunt for a permanent appointment over the next few weeks.
    And the Daily Star claim that United CEO Richard Arnold has pinpointed Tuchel as the club’s preferred option, ahead of Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag.
    Arnold supposedly wants a deal in place BEFORE the end of the current season. And the growing uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s ownership has given United ‘genuine hope’ that Tuchel is now available.
    The Athletic also report that the 48-year-old would be ‘open’ to speaking with United representatives and hearing their proposals. Club legend Paul Scholes believes United should be desperately trying to take advantage of the uncertainty at Chelsea.
    BETFAIR ODDS
    Mauricio Pochettino – 6/4Erik ten Hag – 11/4Thomas Tuchel – 7/2Antonio Conte – 10/1Ralf Rangnick – 16/1Diego Simeone – 20/1Simone Inzaghi – 20/1Zinedine Zidane – 25/1Didier Deschamps – 33/1Julian Nagelsmann – 33/1Luis Enrique – 33/1Carlo Ancelotti – 33/1Roberto Mancini – 33/1Graham Potter – 33/1Julen Lopetegui – 33/1
    Parimatch off for Blues
    A Chelsea sponsor with links to Ukraine is the latest to suspend commercial activity with the club.
    But Parimatch Tech, whose joint chief executives are Ukrainian, will continue to use their LED screens at Stamford Bridge.
    That’s in order to promote relief efforts in the wartorn country.
    Parimatch Tech promotes the online gambling site Parimatch, as well as providing technological and marketing support to the gambling and entertainment industries.
    It signed a three-year deal with Chelsea last autumn.
    But the UK Government’s decision to sanction Blues owner Roman Abramovich because of his close links to Russian president Vladimir Putin has caused particular issues for the Cyprus-based company.
    CEOs Roman Syrotian and Maksym Liashko are both Ukrainian.
    And they studied in the capital Kyiv before embarking on business careers.
    Parimatch Tech said in a statement: “After considering the situation, we have decided to pause all joint marketing and brand campaigns with the Club featuring the Parimatch logo and brand.
    “Together with our licensed partner in Great Britain, we have agreed to use the LED display systems at Stamford Bridge exclusively for the promotion of our volunteering and donation activities to help Ukraine, which Chelsea FC are supportive of.”
    Be scared to Tuch us
    During what has been an incredibly tumultuous time within the game of football and the wider world, Thomas Tuchel has won admirers with the manner in which he has handled himself and answered each question put to him with respect and clarity.
    However, the Chelsea manager may have saved his best response until last night when discussing his side’s place in the last eight of the Champions League.
    When asked which side he would prefer to avoid in the quarter-finals, the German coach smiled warmly and said: “I want us to be the team nobody wants to play.
    “That’s the role we want to see ourselves in for this last eight.”
    Lampard fears for Chelsea friends
    Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has revealed his fears for Stamford Bridge staff facing job losses in the fallout of Roman Abramovich’s sanction.
    The club’s all-time top scorer may be currently concerned with trying to save Everton from relegation, but as the crisis deepens, he declared: “My focus has to be on Everton, but I was a player there for 13 years and manager for a couple of years too.
    “So on a human level I care very much about those at Chelsea who might be losing their jobs. It’s a tough moment for the club and for them and I care also about the supporters.
    “It’s a situation that is possibly difficult for the players and what might be happening to those who are maybe coming to their contract end.”

    Three Lions select Mount and James
    Chelsea duo Reece James and Mason Mount have been selected in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming friendlies with Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
    There’s also a place for Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace’s on-loan Blues midfielder, plus a first senior call-up for former Chelsea youngster, Marc Guehi.
    Guehi isn’t the only Chelsea academy graduate to be included in the 25 either with Roma striker Tammy Abraham picked among the forwards.
    GOALKEEPERS

    Jordan Pickford (Everton)
    Nick Pope (Burnley)
    Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

    DEFENDERS

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
    Conor Coady (Wolves)
    Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
    Reece James (Chelsea)
    Harry Maguire (Man Utd)
    Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)
    Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
    John Stones (Man City)
    Ben White (Arsenal)

    MIDFIELDERS

    Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
    Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace)
    Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
    Mason Mount (Chelsea)
    Declan Rice (West Ham)
    James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

    FORWARDS

    Tammy Abraham (Roma)
    Phil Foden (Man City)
    Jack Grealish (Man City)
    Harry Kane (Tottenham)
    Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
    Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)
    Raheem Sterling (Man City)

    Parimatch pull plug on sponsorship
    Sports betting company Parimatch have become the latest of Chelsea’s partners to distance themselves from the club, according to The Mail’s Sami Mokbel.
    A statement from the firm read: “After considering the situation, we have decided to pause all joint marketing and brand campaigns with the Club featuring the Parimatch logo and brand.”
    Action was taken following sanctions against Chelsea and their owner Roman Abramovich given the oligarch’s close links with Russia president Vladimir Putin.
    Parimatch was founded in Ukraine capital Kyiv in 1994, and yesterday doubled its financial assistance for the people of Ukraine to £1.5 million.
    Fans may yet see quarters
    Chelsea hope that their supporters may yet be allowed to buy tickets for the home leg of their forthcoming Champions League quarter-final.
    It was widely understood that the club would be forced to play the last eight tie behind closed doors following sanctions placed upon them and owner Roman Abromivich.
    However, The Telegraph report that the Government are planning talks with Uefa in the hope of finding a resolution that allows fans to attend.
    Officials are supposedly waiting until after Friday’s draw before approaching the subject.
    Tuchel: We want to be feared
    During what has been an incredibly tumultuous time within the game of football and the wider world, Thomas Tuchel has won admirers with the manner in which he has handled himself and answered each question put to him with respect and clarity.
    However, the Chelsea manager may have saved his best response until last night when discussing his side’s place in the last eight of the Champions League.
    When asked which side he would prefer to avoid in the quarter-finals, the German coach smiled warmly and said: “I want us to be the team nobody wants to play.
    “That’s the role we want to see ourselves in for this last eight.”

    Blues waiting to approach Gavi
    Chelsea’s current sanctions have not stopped the club from planning for the future with the Londoners ready to submit an offer for Barcelona wonderkid Gavi as soon as they’re under new ownership.
    The 17-year-old starlet has enjoyed a wonderful season having broken through at the Nou Camp, and even won four senior caps for his country at the end of last year.
    However, negotiations on a new professional deal have stalled with Barca chiefs, and reports in Spain suggest that the two parties are a considerable distance apart when it comes to reaching an agreement.
    The developments have alerted all of Europe’s major clubs, but The Blues are understood to be particularly keen on the cultured midfielder, who would be available for a cool £42 million this summer.
    Vialli backs Candy consortium bid
    Former Chelsea star Gianluca Vialli has spoken out in support of Nick Candy’s attempt to buy the club, and indicated he is helping the property tycoon in his endeavour.
    The Italian, who both played and managed The Blues in the late 1990s, released a statement announcing that his investment company, Tifosy Capital & Advisory, had also been brought it as part of Candy’s £2.5 billion offer to purchase the club he so ardently supports.
    Vialli’s statement read: “I am proud and feel very privileged to support Mr Candy’s bid to buy Chelsea Football Club. 
    “I have met Nick Candy on a number of occasions over the last few weeks and I am fully behind his visions and commitment to make Chelsea the most globally recognised and supported club in the world, as well as maintaining the ongoing success on the pitch.
    “We share the same view that if the bid is successful, we will try to be the best possible custodians of the club, knowing that it is imperative that supporter concerns are front and centre of any owner’s priorities.”
    New deal off for Rudiger
    Chelsea are preparing for life without Antonio Rudiger – despite having agreed a new contract with the German defender.
    The centre-back had reportedly said yes to personal terms on a new mega-deal at Stamford Bridge before the club was hit by sanctions.
    Major restrictions in place at Stamford Bridge prevent The Blues from signing players or offering current staff new contracts.
    The developments have left other clubs on red alert and ready to raid the Londoners with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus all thought to be interested in talking to Rudiger.
    The 29-year-old’s departure will be particularly frustrating for supporters with negotiations having rumbled on for months prior to the recent sanctions.

    Chelsea to learn CL fate
    So much uncertainty still engulfs Chelsea, but the football club will at least be able to start planning for their Champions League quarter-final tomorrow morning.
    The draw for both the last eight and the semi-finals will be made at 11am on Friday at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
    However, the Premier League outfit are still unsure as to whether they will be able to sell tickets to supporters following sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich in both the UK and the EU. A game behind closed doors – especially at Stamford Bridge – seems the most likely outcome.
    Friday is also D-Day when it comes to perspective owners with any interested parties having until then to submit official bids to buy the Londoners.
    Morning Chelsea fans
    Chelsea cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals – but it’s not known where owner Roman Abramovich is sailing.
    Meanwhile, Seb Coe hopes American bidders for Chelsea will jog on after the Olympic legend joined the race to buy out Abramovich.
    Russian oligarch Abramovich’s two megayachts are said to be heading for safe haven Turkey after he was hit by Government sanctions.
    In contrast, the Blues don’t know who awaits next in what could be a last-eight tie played behind closed doors.
    Christian Pulisic and skipper Cesar Azpilicueta sealed their 2-1 comeback win in Lille and 4-1 success on aggregate.
    Boss Thomas Tuchel said: “It’s so nice that so many fans are here and took the time to travel and support the team. 
    “It feels brilliant. We’re in the quarter-finals. It’s a big step. We showed again resilience and overcame difficulties… We got a deserved win.
    “But the attention around Stamford Bridge remains firmly on the takeover saga. 
    And it’s something of a sprint for middle-distance running legend Coe as the deadline for bidding approaches.
    The London Olympics chief has joined ex-Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton’s consortium team.
    Lord Coe said: “I am certain Sir Martin is the right man to lead Chelsea Football Club into its next chapter. 
    “He has an exceptional track record in British business, as well as unrivalled experience in shepherding Liverpool out of a very difficult situation.”
    Their main rivals could be Chicago Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts, who has linked up with billionaire hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin.
    But the Saudi Media Group are still said to be interested.
    The Blues hope the Government will relax restrictions to allow sanction-hit Abramovich to sell the club this month. 
    Tuchel makes Champions League history
    Thomas Tuchel wrote his name into the Champions League history books and surpassed Zinedine Zidane with the ruthless victory in Lille.
    The Chelsea boss saw his side fight back from behind to win 2-1 on the night in France.

    Goals from Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta either side of the break ensured a safe passage into the quarters for the holders.
    And those goals also confirmed Tuchel’s 32nd win as a manager in the competition.
    That drew the German equal with compatriot Jupp Heynckes as the coach with the most victories inside his first 50 matches in the competition.
    However, Heynckes secured 32 wins from a total of 47 games in charge – winning it in 2013 in his third stint as Bayern Munich boss.
    Tuchel bettered Zidane’s tally of 31 from his opening 50.
    Coe backs Broughton and Co for Chelsea
    Sebastian Coe has taken on the Americans bidding to buy Chelsea.
    Lord Coe threw his weight behind Sir Martin Broughton’s consortium – and would take a seat on the board should they be successful.
    The head of London’s 2012 Olympics bid hailed former Liverpool chairman Broughton as the perfect person to take the helm in the wake of Roman Abramovich’s sale of the Blues.

    Coe said: “I am certain Sir Martin is the right man to lead Chelsea Football Club into its next chapter. He has an exceptional track record in British business, as well as unrivalled experience in shepherding Liverpool out of a very difficult situation.
    “He has the vision, acumen and financial backing to ensure our club’s future success, keeping Chelsea Football Club at the top of European football and challenging for trophies.
    “But most importantly, like me, he is a lifelong Chelsea supporter and Shed End season-ticket holder. This bid is for the millions of Chelsea fans around the world. We love our club and will always put the fans first.”
    Rest of the Chelsea ratings
    Kai Havertz – 8
    Some nice clever touches from him and he was also looking strong on the ball holding it up when needed.
    Looked dangerous and direct when he dropped in and got on the ball.
    Subs
    Trevoh Chalobah (for Christensen, 33) – 6
    Had to come on as an early sub for Christensen.
    Got booked almost instantly for a silly challenge and looked a little uncomfortable after that bar some good drives forward with the ball.
    Mason Mount (for Kovacic, 45) – 8
    Really good impact when he came on and provided a lovely assist for Azpilicueta to score. Full of energy and really direct.
    Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Jorginho, 74) – 7
    Strong on the ball, intensity, and some nice little touches as well.
    Romelu Lukaku (for Pulisic, 74) – 7
    Looked decent when he came on, good physicality and some nice link-ups with Havertz.
    Hakim Ziyech (for Havertz, 83) – N/A
    Was not on long enough to impact the game.
    Chelsea ratings continued
    N’Golo Kante – 6
    Not one of his greatest games really in terms of what he usually brings to the table.
    He wasn’t quite keeping the ball well enough in the first half but improved a lot in the second half when he was playing a little deeper.
    Matteo Kovacic – 8
    Running the show really and never giving it away. Keeping his lovely close control and dribbling ability was amazing again. Did well to help Chelsea keep the ball under pressure.
    He was taken off at half-time which was shocking, must be injured, you’d assume.
    Christian Pulisic – 8
    Took his equalising goal very well and stayed composed when through on goal.
    I prefer to see him out wide so there was moments he looked uncomfortable, but had a very good game really overall and was actually moved out wide.
    More Chelsea ratings
    Antonio Rudiger – 7
    Intense and energetic as usual and his leadership was needed for Chelsea.
    Brings the ball out from the ball well when there isn’t a pass on to ease the pressure.
    Marcos Alonso – 6
    Some neat touches, but also some poor ones. He was there but wasn’t really bringing a lot to the table.
    Not enough pace to be an effective wing-back for me unfortunately.
    Jorginho – 6
    Silly handball to give away a penalty in the first half but he redeemed himself for that error with a lovely assist for Pulisic to score the equaliser.
    Not his best game though really and struggled to adjust in the midfield three Tuchel deployed.
    Chelsea ratings
    Edouard Mendy – 6/10
    Dived the right way for the penalty but could not save it. Had a few other shots to deal with that he managed well, some of his distribution was questionable though at times.
    Cesar Azpilicueta – 9
    His determination and work rate was insane again. Made some good tackles and blocks and contributed in attacks as much as he could.
    His run to get on the end of Mason Mount’s cross to score was amazing and he took the finish well.
    Andreas Christensen – 6
    Had a reasonable first half an hour but unfortunately got an injury and had to come off.
    Thiago Silva – 7
    Sometimes a little too calm and slow to make the pass, but even still, there is nobody better at playing out from the back than Silva and he was needed as Lille were pressing intensely.
    RESULT: Lille 1 Chelsea 2 (1-4)
    Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta clinched Chelsea’s comeback win on the night and comfortable aggregate success overall.
    Now the Blues must see if their Champions League quarter-final tie will be behind closed doors.
    Follow the reaction on our MATCH BLOG.
    GOAL! Lille 1 Chelsea 2
    Cesar Azpilicueta kneed the ball in from Mason Mount’s delightful cross on 71 minutes.
    That surely makes it safe – with Chelsea 4-1 up on aggregate.
    Follow the action and reaction on our MATCH BLOG.
    Lille 1 Chelsea 1: Pulisic leveller puts Blues in control
    Christian Pulisic’s neat finish from Jorginho’s through-ball three minutes into stoppage time put Chelsea 3-1 up on aggregate.
    So with virtually the last kick of the first half the American has left the Blues overwhelming favourites to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
    Follow the action and reaction on our MATCH BLOG.
    H/T: Lille 1 Chelsea 1
    GOAL! Lille 1 Chelsea 1
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    Lukaku is ‘unhappy’ at Chelsea and could switch agent in bid to secure transfer exit after falling down pecking order

    CHELSEA striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly unhappy at Stamford Bridge and could switch agents in his bid to secure a move away.The 28-year-old only returned to West London last year in a club-record £97.5million deal from Inter Milan.
    Romelu Lukaku has failed to hit the heights since joining Chelsea from Inter Milan last yearCredit: Getty
    Though the Blues still owe the Serie A giants up to £71m after securing his services.
    Just a few months after joining, he announced his intentions to return to the San Siro to play for the Nerrazzuri again.
    And Lukaku, who has scored just five Premier League goals in 19 games this term, could get his wish.
    According to Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, the ex-Manchester United ace is looking for solutions regarding his future.
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    This could see him moving on from current agent Federico Pastorello, who has represented him since December 2018.
    Appearing as a guest on Calciomercato’s CMIT TV, he said: “In the near future he could change agents.
    “He is not happy. He is looking for solutions. The problem is that Chelsea have yet to finish paying Inter.
    “It will be very difficult. I don’t see Inter as his likely destination.
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    “If he comes back, more than for football and for the money, it will be for his personal pride.”
    Inter have been linked with a move to bring Lukaku back, with it claimed the player is willing to take a pay cut in order to return.
    And Barcelona has also emerged as a possible destination should the Catalan club fail to sign Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.
    Lukaku has found himself out of favour under boss Thomas Tuchel having not started a top-flight match since February 19.
    Tuchel has preferred to task German compatriot Kai Havertz with leading the line instead. More