10.15am Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Kai Havertz BOOST, Chilwell latest, Pulisic and Thiago Silva to miss Newcastle – The Sun
CHELSEA are back in Premier League action this week as they travel to Newcastle.
But they appear to have a mounting injury list as we give you the latest on Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell.
The latter looks to be fit again after Frank Lampard gave a team news update yesterday and the game kicks off at 12.30pm.
Follow ALL the latest Chelsea transfer news below…
- William Pugh
FREE SCORING BLUES
Blues fans will be hoping for another high scorer again today in the lunch time kick-off at Newcastle today.
Chelsea are the highest scorers in the Premier League so far this season with 20 goals.
- William Pugh
STERN STEVE
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has heaped praise on Chelsea ahead of the lunch time kick-off at St James' Park today.
He said: “Chelsea have got it right at the minute, scoring at one end and keeping clean sheets at the other. They have their balance right but they have great players to do it.”
“They are a really good side. They have made big improvements from last year and they were a good side then.
“It is a really difficult game, no question about that. But we have to use it (knowledge of last year) we were in the game until the end and won it last season and in the game for long periods last year at Stamford Bridge (lost 2-1).
“It was one of the highlights last year that winning goal but more so the ability to nick it at the end and stay in it until the death. We have to be at our best again, against a team that will be there or thereabouts.
“They are that good they will be there or thereabouts when the title is thrown out.”
- William Pugh
BRUCEY BLUES
Steve Bruce is not planning to attack Chelsea at St James' Park in today's lunch time kick-off.
Speaking ahead of the game, the Magpies gaffer said: “Look I will make no excuse – if we say today that we are going to line up exactly like Chelsea and make the pitch as big as we can, and make it 11 vs 11 in wide open spaces, then we will get beat.
“At the end of the day they have better players than us. We have to – and this is why the Premier League is so great – find a way.
“We have to find a way to stay in the game and frustrate Chelsea. We must defend well and at the other end of the pitch cause them a problem.
“We have to be right and ready to take on the challenge.
“I won't shy away from that.”
- William Pugh
BLUE ARE JOKING!
Since the arrival of Roman Abramovich in 2003, Chelsea have hardly struggled to attract big name stars.
The Russian has poured millions into his beloved Blues, particularly in his earlier years with the club.
He quickly set his stall out in his first few seasons at the helm by bringing the likes of Arjen Robben, Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba to West London, not to mention highly-rated young Porto coach Jose Mourinho.
And while Chelsea have hardly struggled for trophies in the following years, scooping five league titles, five FA Cups and a crowning Champions League triumph, it is astonishing to think that they could have had even more.
Yes, the Blues were within touching distance of signing a whole host of other superstars, and here is an XI of those that could have brought yet more silverware to the already overflowing Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.
- William Pugh
STARK WARN-ING
Neil Warnock has revealed he nearly appeared on 'I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!'.
The veteran gaffer guided Middlesbrough to safety last season. But he may not have taken up his 17th job in management, had he made a different decision a few years ago.
Warnock, 71, revealed: “I was nearly in it! It might have been two or three years ago – but I was approached.
“Imagine if I’d said yes – everybody would have been voting for me wouldn’t they, to do every bloody thing?
“I know my kids would have been. My kids – Amy and William – were straight on to me saying they would be phoning every night.
“They were saying, 'We’ll make sure you get those maggots, Dad'. Will it happen in the future? Let’s play it by ear.”
- Etienne Fermie
MORNING, CHELSEA FANS!
Chelsea take on Newcastle at 12.30pm without Christian Pulisic and Thiago Silva.
But boss Frank Lampard has been buoyed by Kai Havertz’s recovery from coronavirus.
Pulisic is back in training after a hamstring issue and could be fit to face Spurs next week.
The Blues will kick-off against the Toon today and both sides will get first use of Nike’s latest winter yellow ball.
Mason Mount has been warned he could miss out on Euro 2020 with England IF he loses his starting spot at Stamford Bridge.
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson said: “Southgate obviously loves Mount as well. But he’s not certain to go to the Euros either. If you lose your place at Chelsea, you’re not guaranteed to get it back.”
Forward Olivier Giroud is being linked with a January move after featuring for just 33 minutes in the Prem and his agent suggested it would be abroad.
Michael Manuello told Foot Mercato: The ideal [situation] would be for him to discover another culture, to have new horizons.
“He has a spirit of openness to go and live something else abroad.”
Young Scot Billy Gilmour is back playing but will be with the Under-23s as he continues his return to match fitness after a knee injury.
- Josh Graham
MOUR TO COME
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard revealed he is 'really excited' about Scottish youngster Billy Gilmour's return to fitness.
He said: “Billy is fit again. He played in the Papa John’s game and got good minutes and played well.
“He will play again at the weekend for the U23s. He is fit, but not match fit. That will be a short period because he is generally a fit boy.
“He made great strides in a short time last year. I put Billy in for a big part of the season because of the way he trained, I possibly held him back a bit at times. He put in some really good performances before his injury.
“We must put some context on it that he is still a young player. We have a lot of competition in the squad in that area, but I have absolute faith in Billy that he is going to be a big player for us for a long time to come.
“I am really excited to have him back fit.”
- Josh Graham
STORM BRU-ING
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has had his say on Chelsea's title chances ahead of their Saturday lunchtime clash.
Toon boss Bruce told Chronicle Live: “They have bought exceptionally good players, and that makes life a little bit easier if you are Chelsea I suppose.
“Of course, you have to find the right balance and they certainly seem to have got that.
“They look a very good side.
“I believe personally they will be there or thereabout with the changes they have made.”
- Josh Graham
ROUD AWAKENING
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud's agent has hinted the French striker will move abroad if he leaves Stamford Bridge.
France coach Didier Deschamps suggested Giroud might need to move to get more game time after making just six appearances this season and appearing for just 33 minutes in the Premier League.
Agent Michael Manuello told Foot Mercato: “The ideal [situation] would be for him to discover another culture, to have new horizons.
“Now, another English club with targets could also make him think because the big difference with the Premier League is that it is still an extraordinary league, which offers different pleasures.
“So, if a really good Premier League club came along, yes, that could make him think.
“But he has a spirit of openness to go and live something else abroad.”
- Josh Graham
JOR DROPPING
Arsenal tried to sign Chelsea midfielder Jorginho in the summer, it has been revealed.
The Athletic reports the Gunners attempted to use instalment-based payment structures to land two of their top three targets.
The Italy international was on the shortlist along with Lyon's Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey.
Partey was the only star to arrive at the Emirates after Arsenal activated his £45million Atletico Madrid release clause on deadline day.
- Josh Graham
MOUNT-AIN TO CLIMB
Chelsea star Mason Mount could miss out on England's Euro 2020 squad, according to Paul Merson.
Merse believes the 21-year-old midfielder would be in danger of not making Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad – IF he lost his spot in Frank Lampard's starting XI.
He told the Daily Star: “If you’re not playing regularly for your club, you shouldn’t be in the England squad. That’s how it always used to be and that’s how it should be now too.
“You have to play three at the back because we’re not good enough defensively otherwise, and that takes away one of your attacking players.
“Southgate obviously loves Mount as well. But he’s not certain to go to the Euros either. If you lose your place at Chelsea, you’re not guaranteed to get it back.
“And that could easily happen with the amount of talent they have this season. So both of them still have it all to do.”
- Josh Graham
GET WILL SOON
Former Chelsea star Willian 'looks lost' at Arsenal and nowhere near his Blues form, according to Paul Merson.
The Brazilian winger, 32, arrived at the Emirates ahead of this season on a three-year deal that Chelsea brass refused to offer him.
Merse told Sky Sports: “Willian was unbelievable at Chelsea last year.
“For me, he was probably one of the best players. He was phenomenal – an outstanding talent.
'He has gone to Arsenal and he looks lost. They have got to get him performing.”
- Josh Graham
RICE IS RIGHT?
Chelsea target Declan Rice impressed for England in the international break, bagging his first Three Lions goal against Iceland on Wednesday.
And West Ham boss David Moyes has expressed his delight at his star's achievement.
Writing in the Evening Standard, Moyes said: “It was great to see Declan Rice score his first goal for England against Iceland on Wednesday.
“You could see from his reaction how much it meant to him and it was another memorable milestone in his career so far, since progressing from the academy here at West Ham.
“Adding goals to his game is something that Declan is certainly capable of, with his aerial strength and shooting ability, and it is fantastic to see him developing so well.”
- Josh Graham
PRO RATA
Former Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata could extend his Juventus loan next season.
The Old Lady may choose to keep him on a temp basis for another 12 months rather than fork out Atletico Madrid's £40million asking price.
The Spain striker already has six goals from eight games this season but Juve's finances have been rocked by the coronavirus pandemic.
Now Goal.com suggest the Italian champions will try to eke out more value by exercising their right to borrow the 28-year-old another year – before attempting to buy him for a reduced fee.
- Josh Graham
POP THE CORK
Former Chelsea star Jack Cork could be on the move this summer when his Burnley contract runs out.
Newcastle, Bright and Sheffield United are locked in a three-way battle for the English midfielder, The Mirror reports.
The 31-year-old came through the Blues' youth system and appeared for the Under-23s.
But he failed to make the grade and was sold to Southampton in 2011 before joining Swansea in 2015 and then arriving at Turf Moor three years ago.
- Josh Graham
NEW BALLS PLEASE!
Chelsea and Newcastle will be the first to try out Nike's winter football tomorrow lunchtime.
The Blues head to St James' Park and will have first use of this year's yellow number.
- William Pugh
WEMBLEY WAY TO GO
It was part of the fabric of Wembley.
Before the Arch, everybody knew the Twin Towers.
But just as much a part of the experience was the walk along Wembley Way from the Tube station, surrounded by fans and colours.
And, in the distance, rising up, the walkway, officially ‘the Olympic Steps’. Built in 1974, to avoid fans having to plot their way through a long-disused coach park.
Now, just like those towers, the walkway is part of history too, being demolished to create a new approach to the new home of the English game.
But if concrete could talk, what tales it would tell.
- William Pugh
LAMPS LOOKS BACK
Frank Lampard used the international back to take stock of Chelsea's season so far.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Newcastle, the Blues boss said: “‘I have taken stock.
“There were some points we lost earlier in the season that we were frustrated with but looking back I think maybe that was par for the course in terms of where we were as a team, with new players coming in and some injuries.
“The international break came at a time when we were playing well so I’m pretty happy with our current form but the important thing is we don’t get carried away.
“I’ve used the time for reflection and to review where we’re at.
“There are lots of improvements we can make so that’s our next focus.”
- William Pugh
THANK CHRIST FOR THAT
Christian Pulisic is back in training as he attempts to recover from injury.
The American will miss Saturday's trip to St James' Park but fans will hope to see him back for next weekend's visit of bitter rivals Tottenham.
- William Pugh
…
“And I would like him to say which are the coaches that he calls and speaks on the phone with them. He has the right, the power to call the players he wants.
“He wants to win matches, especially after a defeat the next match, even being a dead rubber, is an important match. I sympathise totally with that.
“But of course we all know that Sterling is going to play for City against us. When Eric Dier left the national team injured in the past month, he didn’t play two matches for Tottenham.
“He didn’t play the Premier League match and the Europa League match. He needed a couple of weeks to recover. And Raheem is going to play.
“These are the little details that I think Gareth should explain to us all.”
- William Pugh
MOAN-RINHO
Jose Mourinho has called on Gareth Southgate to name and shame the Prem managers who try to stop their stars from playing for England.
The Spurs boss is unhappy Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling will face the North Londoners tonight after withdrawing from Southgate’s Three Lions squad through 'injury'.
Mourinho said: “Gareth Southgate, I read, supposedly told that some club managers put pressure on the players not to play for the national team.
“And because of that he feels sometimes the need to call club managers to cool down the emotions and control a difficult situation for him.
“I would like him to say who. I would like him to say which are the coaches who put pressure on the players not to play…
- William Pugh
'MOVE ON'
Former Chelsea ace Willian has been ‘dealt with internally’ by Arsenal after his break in Dubai during the international fortnight – with Mikel Arteta insisting the issue is ‘resolved’.
The Brazilian forward, 32, was spotted in Dubai after posing for a photo with Salt Bae despite coronavirus guidelines banning all but essential travel.
Willian had not been called up for Brazil’s matches with Venezuela and Uruguay – with rules suggesting he should have stayed in London.
But Arsenal boss Arteta has revealed the issue with Willian has been ‘resolved’ and he now just wants to move on ahead of this weekend’s trip to Newcastle.
Asked if Willian would play this weekend, Arteta briskly replied: “You keep asking me for more and more issues.
“Whatever happens with any issues or things that we don’t expect, as always we will try to resolve them internally. That’s been dealt with and explained, and we move on.”
- William Pugh
TOP OF THE FLOPS
Kepa has endured another campaign to forget at Chelsea.
The Spaniard, 26-year-old has lost his place in the side under Frank Lampard to new boy Edouard Mendy.
With the Spaniard’s future up in the air, we take a look at Chelsea’s all-time flop XI, with Kepa between the sticks…
GOALKEEPER – Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spain international joined Chelsea in a club-record £71.6m in the summer of 2018 – also a world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
But the Spaniard has never fully settled at the Blues and has looked well out of his depth, making howler after howler.
His refusal to be taken off for penalty-specialist Willy Caballero in the 2019 Carabao Cup final was another black mark on his Chelsea record. The Blues went on to lose the shootout 4-3 at the expense of Manchester City.
- William Pugh
LEAD THE WAY LIAM – BREAKING
Former Fulham and Brighton defender Liam Rosenior will help choose the next FA chairman.
Rosenior has been appointed to the six-person panel to find the successor to disgraced Greg Clarke. But Wembley chief executive Mark Bullingham has revealed he believes it is unlikely that the next head of the FA will be a former player.
Paul Elliott, Les Ferdinand and even Gary Lineker have been suggested as potential candidates to become the public face of the FA.But Bullingham said: “There are two main areas of the role.
“One is to be an absolutely brilliant ambassador and represent us on both the international and domestic stage. I think players can absolutely do that. But there’s a second requirement to run the board of the FA.
“We have a complex stakeholder board and it’s hard to see that someone who has never run a board would be able to step in and run a complex stakeholder board of a £450million organisation with 760 employees.
“We are doing a board review and I would love to have player representation on the board. But if you are asking me if that has to be the chair role, my personal answer would be no.”
- William Pugh
HE'S ZI MAN
Chelsea have posted a Hakim Ziyech appreciation post ahead of their trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
The midfielder was man-of-the match against Sheffield United last time out and Blues fans will be hoping for more of the same.
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