Chelsea transfer news

JOHN OBI MIKEL says Chelsea need a striker who will “get in the f***ing box”.But the former Blues midfielder warned Mauricio Pochettino that he is running out of time to prove to the new Stamford Bridge owners he is the right man for the job.
Mauricio Pochettino has been issued a brutal warning over his Chelsea futureCredit: Rex
Mikel was one of the stalwarts of the Chelsea glory era that started under Jose Mourinho.
The Nigerian won the Champions League, Europa League, two Prem crowns and six domestic cups in his 11-year spell in West London.
But Mikel, who played alongside the likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Diego Costa at the Bridge, is looking in disbelief at Chelsea’s current lack of a potent attacking threat.
Mikel said: “We need a striker, simple as that. We need a good one.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“If you watch Haaland, most of his goals, where are they?
“In the f***ing box. The box.
“So that’s where we need a striker to score goals – to get in the f***ing box.”
Mikel believes there is a simple solution available, in the shape of his fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen – whose relationship with Napoli has become increasingly strained this season.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
John Obi Mikel has not held back with his assessment of the BluesCredit: Getty
He added: “For me, the one we need is Osimhen because he’s someone who would come in and score goals.
“He’s not the most technical guy but what he does is get you goals and that’s what we really need, we need goals.
“When I see him I can tell he is at the Chelsea level and he’ll get better with time.
“But the good thing about him is that he knows what his job is. His job is not to come in and mess around and that whole thing. It’s to score goals.”
Mikel, who played under six Blues managers in his spell at the club, gave a qualified vote of support for Pochettino, although it was a sugar-coated warning.
He said: “Everybody says we’ve spent a lot of money. Yes, we have.
“We’ve bought a lot of good players. They  need time to improve, time to get better, to get up as a team.
“Poch is a really good manager, someone who works really well with the young players and with the team.
Pochettino has been urged to sign a striker by MikelCredit: Getty
“But we’ve given them time now. It’s half a year together and now it’s time to win.
“At Chelsea, there’s no time. You have to win. That’s our motto.
“In my time, if you don’t win, Roman [Abramovich] gets you out of the door and gets someone else in.
“And that should be the new owners’ way of thinking. They are used to winning as well.
“If you don’t win, what’s the point of being at Chelsea? You have to win games.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“The excuse of trying to rebuild is done. So now we have to win games, we have to play better, we have to improve and try to compete.
“That’s the minimum now for this year. Then we can knock it on the head. But next year, we need to be there.” More

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU’S injury does not appear to be as serious as first feared in a fresh boost for Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.The striker has missed the last three games with a hip problem that Pochettino described as ‘worrying’ last week.
Nkunku’s injury is not as serious as first fearedCredit: Rex
The head coach even agreed the situation could cause him to alter his transfer plans for the January window.
But in a welcome twist, Nkunku’s injury seems to have settled down and he is even being pencilled in to resume training with his team-mates later this week.
The entire Chelsea squad and management team are on three days off as part of a mid-winter mini-break in fixtures.
Pochettino is visiting family in Spain and will be buoyed by the news that Nkunku is improving.
READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
Chelsea’s next game is the Carabao Cup semi final second leg next Tuesday.
The players do not report back for training until this Wednesday and Pochettino has given them all permission to enjoy short holidays with their families.
He was particularly anxious about Nkunku, who reported his latest injury after coming off the bench to play 28 minutes of Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Luton on December 30.
The France international had only just returned from six months out with a knee injury and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for the club since his  £52 million move to England from German side RB Leipzig in the summer. He has scored one goal.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
But boss Pochettino is craving Nkunku’s experience as in his absence he has to rely on Armando Broja who is still on the way back from nine months out with a knee injury.
Chelsea are also missing fellow forward Nicolas Jackson who is at the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.
There were also returns from injury on Saturday for left back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
But captain Reece James, full back Marc Cucurella and first choice keeper Robert Sanchez are still sidelined. More

CHELSEA battled to a vital win against local rivals Fulham as Cole Palmer scored the only goal of the game.Palmer, who is the Blues’ top scorer, made no mistake with a late first-half penalty to make it nine for the season and three Premier League wins in a row for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino.
Cole Palmer impressed as he scored the only goal of the game in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over local rivals Fulham
The win made it three in a row for Chelsea in the Premier League – the first time that’s happened under Mauricio Pochettino
It was far from easy for Chelsea, with Fulham battling to the bitter end and Djordje Petrovic making two excellent saves to keep them out.
Chelsea – who were criticised by fans for a bizarre promotion in the crowd while the game was being played – twice hit the post in search of a second goal.
Fulham pushed for a leveller late on but despite a long spell of pressure they were unable to create a clear-cut chance, allowing Chelsea to take three points and west London bragging rights.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Sheen rated the Chelsea players…
READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
Djordje Petrovic – 8/10
Another composed performance in between the sticks for the young keeper. Chelsea may well have stumbled upon their long-term No 1.
Made excellent saves to deny Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez and went about his business with an absolute minimum amount of fuss. Quite the opposite of previous No 1 keeper Robert Sanchez.
Malo Gusto – 6
Got up and down the wing extremely well and did a reasonable job of keeping Willian in check.
However, he was extremely lucky not to see red for a seemingly high tackle on the former Chelsea star when the score was still 0-0.
Most read in Football
Axel Disasi – 6
Defended stoutly when needed but still struggles to look convincing in possession.
A couple of nervy moments in the first half but looked much better after half time.
Thiago Silva – 7
Like Disasi had a couple of moments where his defence looked a bit ragged, but managed his back four impressively after the break.
A couple of late tackles and a clever tactical foul brought huge cheers from the home fans.
Levi Colwill – 6
Better than he was against Middlesbrough but still plainly not a left-back and often appears to be struggling with his positioning and whether or not to engage his man.
Doesn’t offer much going forward and skied a great chance with his weaker foot from just outside the box.
Levi Colwill did not have the best afternoon
Moises Caicedo – 6
A better performance from the midfielder but still not dominating games and opponents as a £100 million player should.
Having said that, he was often left exposed by his midfield mates who were caught up field.
Enzo Fernandes – 7
The Chelsea No 8 was superb in possession and whipped in a couple of really threatening crosses – one that Armando Broja headed over and another that saw Raheem Sterling hit the post (although he was probably offside).
However, his score is held back by his inability to affect the game without the ball. Too often he left Caicedo alone in midfield and allowed runners to burst past him, giving Fulham plenty of opportunity.
Conor Gallagher – 7
Decent enough from the skipper who was neat in possession and offered a couple of driving runs forward.
Not quite as dynamic or energetic as he was earlier in the season, however, but nearly scored with a superb effort that saw him smash the post with a swerving, outside-of-the-boot effort.
Cole Palmer – 8
Chelsea’s top performer on the day with everything good running through the winger.
Provided a lovely disguised ball for Raheem Sterling to win the penalty, then slotted it home coolly.
Some brilliant play in the second-half included a lovely flick over Antonee Robinson, who will be relieved he won’t have to meet Palmer again this season.
Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer provided plenty of threat going forward
Raheem Sterling – 7
A bit of a return to form for Sterling who had endured a couple of rough performances.
Was positive every time he got the ball in going at Kenny Tete, won the penalty and looked somewhere close to his best. Should have scored when he headed against the the post – although it would likely have been ruled out if it had gone in.
Armando Broja – 5
Huffs and puffs and always works his hardest but still just lacks that quality in crucial moments.
Unlucky to see his first half header fly over, but was found wanting in a couple of moments where a quicker decision may have brought dividends for the Blues.
SUBS
Noni Madueke (for Broja, 66) – 7
Exciting introduction from the winger who came on and immediately got the Stamford Bridge faithful out of their seats with a series of direct charges at the Fulham goal.
End product still needs work, but his direct style will always be a nightmare for defenders and he forced Bernd Leno into a smart save late on.
Ben Chilwell (for Sterling, 76) – 6
The defender’s first action since late September and his return to the pitch was met with massive noise from the home fans.
Was brought on to play in the front three – which is where he spent a lot of his time before his injury and received a lot of criticism. Will be interesting to see in coming weeks if Poch sticks with Chilwell as a forward or drops him back into his natural position.
Alfie Gilchrist (for Gusto, 92) – N/A
Late sub and had no time to make much of an impression on the game.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Carney Chukwuemeka (for Palmer, 92) – N/A
The same as Gilchrist in terms of performance, but his return is a massive bonus for Pochettino and Chelsea, with the midfielder playing in his first game since August 20.
Subs not used: Marcus Bettinelli, Lucas Bergstrom, Benoit Badiashile, Alfie Gilchrist, Carney Chukwuemeka, Mykhailo Mudryk, Deivid Washington More

CHELSEA are working on signing ANOTHER Brazilian wonderkid.Estevao Willian is just 16 years old and plays for Brazilian Serie A side Palmeiras.
Chelsea have set their sites on signing MessinhoCredit: Instagram
Willian is so highly rated in Brazil that he has earned the nickname of ‘Messinho’ after Lionel Messi.
He made his Palmeiras debut when he came off the bench against Cruzeiro in December as Palmeiras won the Serie A title on the final day of the season.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are in negotiations with Palmeiras over signing the player.
And he has a whopping release clause of £52million.

Barcelona are also in contact with Palmeiras and could rival Chelsea to his signature.
Chelsea have pursued an aggressive strategy of paying big-money for young players since Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club last year.
The Blues broke their transfer record to sign Enzo Fernandez, 22, for £107m from Benfica then broke it again to snap up Moises Caicedo, 22, for a £115m fee from Brighton.
But neither player can be described as an unqualified success since moving to Stamford Bridge.
Most read in Football
Boehly has spent over £1billion in transfer fees since becoming the club’s owner.
He’s signed several young Brazilians during his tenure such as Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
Only Deivid Washington has made an appearance for Chelsea, playing 14 minutes in the third round of the FA Cup against Preston.
And fans are worried that Boehly could be making the same mistake of signing a player for the future but neglecting the here and now.
One fan wrote: “£52m on him whilst we have Jackson occupying ST and Chilwell at LB.”
Another fan wrote: “We’re never signing another player over 25 it seems.”
A third fan wrote: “Chelsea signs everyone, yet their team remains mid..”
And a fourth tweeted: “Boehly hasn’t learned his lesson.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Watch this week’s brilliant episode of the Tap In – SunSport’s exclusive new football show. More