6pm Chelsea news LIVE: Werner transfer back on, Willian denies Mourinho meeting, Lautaro Martinez LATEST – The Sun
IT'S all go at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea prepare for a busy summer of transfers.
We've got the very latest as the Blues look set to go back in for Timo Werner and the scramble for Willian hots up.
Follow all the latest updates and gossip from West London below…
GREAT LEIP FORWARD
Chelsea remain very much in the hunt for Timo Werner, but are waiting to see what Liverpool decide to do.
The Reds had been expected to trigger the RB Leipzig star's release clause but are reportedly having second thoughts due to the coronavirus crisis.
And if Liverpool choose not to bid then Chelsea believe they are well placed to get their man, according to 90min.
DZEKBACK
Chelsea’s reported bid for Edin Dzeko failed after the player decided to stay in Rome.
The Bosnian was said to be a major target for the Blues, as well as Inter Milan, in 2018 before they signed Olivier Giroud.
But Dzeko’s wife Amra Silajdzic has stated that playing for Roma in Italy was the striker’s priority.
She told Il Tempo: “When it comes to football we evaluate everything together, however, it was Edin who made this decision.
“I am happy to have stayed. Rome is our second home.”
NO KHAN DO
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan believes that it is still too early to see Premier League football return to the capital.
Top-flight chiefs are hoping to get the league back up and running as soon as possible, with the potential for games to be played behind closed doors at neutral venues.
A number of clubs are unhappy with the idea of surrendering home matches, however – including London trio Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
And a spokesperson of Khan told the Standard: “Sadiq is extremely keen for the Premier League and professional sport in general to resume.
“However, with the country still in the grips of this crisis, and hundreds of people dying every day, he believes that it is too early to be discussing the resumption of the Premier League and top-flight sport in the capital.
“As a Liverpool fan, Sadiq of course wants the Premier League to return, but it can only happen when it is safe to do so, and it cannot place any extra burden on the NHS and emergency services.”
STAMFORD OVATION
Antonio Conte has revealed that John Terry was behind his own standing ovation in his final match for Chelsea.
In the May 2017 win over Sunderland, the defender was substituted in the 26th minute to a massive ovation as he waved goodbye to Stamford Bridge.
And Conte has revealed that Terry himself was behind the plan.
He told Sky Sports: “He decided he wanted this because 26 was his squad number and for me it was a pleasure to give him this opportunity.
“I will never be able to thank him enough. He was very important for me and our team.”
UN-WILL-ING
An alleged meeting between Jose Mourinho and Willian did NOT happen, according to the Chelsea winger.
In conversation with Brazilian journalist Gustavo Hofman, the Brazilian denied any offer from Tottenham ahead of his contract expiring in West London.
He said, via HITC: “It is really speculation and sometimes it ends up disturbing the facts a little.
“In this case the rumours are totally lying, I had no offer from Tottenham.
“No conversation either and there is nothing in this news.”
BLUES LEGEND
John Terry was a “privilege” to work with, former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has said.
In charge as the centre-back finished his Stamford Bridge career, the Italian spoke incredibly highly of his ex-player.
Conte told Sky Sports: “It was a great privilege for me to be the coach of a Chelsea legend like John Terry.
“We are talking about a top man, a really good man and then a top player. He helped me a lot in my first season in and out of the pitch.
“He was very important in the training ground, during the sessions to keep the concentration standards high.”
TALK TO FRANCO
Ruben Loftus-Cheek could become one of the stars of next season if he can return from his Achilles injury, says Gianfranco Zola.
In listing his favourite players from the Premier League, the Italian named Loftus-Cheek alongside James Maddison and Kevin De Bruyne.
He told Sky Sports: “Last year I liked Ruben Loftus-Cheek very much.
“He's a player that, if he can recover his physical potential, he can be an amazing player.”
WEB STAYS
Chelsea are confident of keeping hold of young sensation Charlie Webster despite interest from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.
The 16-year-old has been dubbed the next Jadon Sancho and the Blues plan to tie him down to a professional contract when he turns 17 next year.
Webster is one of the rising stars of the superb Stamford Bridge academy set-up, and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga giants.
But sources at Chelsea are confident they can hold on to the youngster and watch him break into the first team in years to come, according to the Telegraph.
Dortmund had been alerted that he could be available and hope to swoop — just as they did in taking Sancho from Manchester City in 2017.
But the West Londoners will do their best to make sure he stays put.
BLUE IS THE COLOUR
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WHATSAPPENING?
Premier League players are using a WhatsApp group to express fears over Project Restart.
The Government have given the go ahead for the Premier League to resume behind closed doors from June 1 but some of the top flight's biggest stars are worried about returning to work.
The welfare of players is still one of the biggest issues facing the prospective return of matches on June 12 – even though no fans will be in attendance.
And a WhatsApp group containing some of the League's biggest stars is full of concerned messages over the return while coronavirus continues to kill hundreds of people every day in the UK.
Some players reportedly feel their worries are being overlooked so the Government can make political gains by “boosting the nation's morale”, according to the Mail.
Prem clubs will consult their players on the latest plans over the next 48 hours and the stars' concerns will be relayed back to team chiefs during those calls.
ROD ONES OUT
James Rodriguez is in advanced talks with Atletico Madrid over a summer transfer, according to reports.
The news will come as a blow to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United who have both been linked with the Colombian playmaker.
Real are willing to sell Rodriguez, as his contract expires in the summer of 2021, meaning he is free to negotiate with other clubs in January.
But he is likely to be shipped out before then to ensure Los Blancos can recover some cash for the midfielder.
And Atletico are leading the way, according to prominent Colombian journalist Javier Hernandez Bonnet.
Speaking on Blu Radio, he said: “If Real want to get some money back, they have to close a transfer.
“James has several cards to play, but we have been told he is convinced by Atletico in all aspects – in the sport and in the staff – and it is 80 per cent sure he will be a new player for Atlético Madrid.”
WELL I NEV-ER
Gary Neville has called for Project Restart to be delayed until July as “25 per cent” of players are concerned about playing.
The Government have given the go ahead for the Premier League to resume behind closed doors from June 1.
But the former Manchester United defender has urged the English top-flight to consider pushing back the restart date.
Speaking on Sky Sports' The Football Show, he said: “I don't think anybody is clear, in football or in the country.
“You've all seen the fallout of the rambling mess we had to witness on Sunday night.
“It became a little bit clearer yesterday with the further info that was released, but I think the Premier League were hanging their hat on further guidance that they didn't get.
“Maybe at this moment in time they need to be thinking on a July start rather than a June start. We're getting closer and closer to a deadline.”
ANGEL DELIGHT
Angel Gomes is reportedly close to QUITTING Manchester United amid stalemate over a new £30k-a-week contract offer.
Chelsea could get one over their rivals by prising the 19-year-old away from Old Trafford for free when his deal runs out this summer.
The United starlet's contract expires on July 1 but he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal with the clock running out.
Old Trafford are desperate to keep the academy graduate in their clutches and have tried to tempt the youngster with hefty new terms.
But as reported by Goal, the negotiations between the youngster and Old Trafford remain in a deadlock.
He was originally offered a £20,000-a-week deal at the start of the season but the hotshot's entourage have been concerned over the ace's lack of first-team game time.
Chelsea have suggested they are willing to match United's contract offer to Gomes with Frank Lampard keen to add the star to his exciting crop of youngsters.
CECH MATE
Chelsea legend Petr Cech has named Wayne Rooney as his toughest opponent.
He told Chelsea’s official website: “Every time we played against United I had to make sure I was aware every time he had the ball, because he was very unpredictable and very clever.
“He is a guy who can chase, who can fight, who can run, who is clever with his shot.
“He could score from the halfway line, he could try and chip you if you were too high. That was a challenge I enjoyed.”
PJAN OF ACTION
Chelsea target Miralem Pjanic has reportedly “refused” to join Manchester United to pursue a move to Barcelona.
Cash-strapped Barca are ready to offer Juventus a number of players in return for the Bosnian international.
The Red Devils had hoped to secure the midfielder's services as part of a swap deal for wantaway midfielder Paul Pogba.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to inject even more creativity into his midfield, following the signing of Portuguese maestro Bruno Fernandes.
But according to Sport, the 30-year-old has snubbed a move to Old Trafford and PSG after receiving an offer for a dream move to the Nou Camp.
The report claims that the Catalan giants have reached a verbal agreement with Pjanic and have offered up a number of players to secure the Juve star's signature.
ON THIS WAY
EDDED BACK
Chelsea legend Eden Hazard returned to Real Madrid training yesterday after stunning Zinedine Zidane with his lockdown body transformation.
The Belgian was pictured back on the grass after impressing his boss with his physique last week.
Hazard was joined by several high profile Real Madrid teammates including Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos.
Having travelled to the training ground for a coronavirus test last Wednesday, Hazard – who was wearing a mask and gloves – was greeted by an impressed Zidane at the entrance to the multi-million-pound complex.
The 29-year-old has yet to live up to expectations in the Spanish capital since his £88million switch from Stamford Bridge almost a year ago.
DEAL OR NO DEAL
KING HENRY
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been voted the Premier League’s greatest-ever striker – with Didier Drogba coming in fifth place.
The Frenchman beat the Prem’s all-time top goalscorer Alan Shearer and Manchester United’s club record scorer Wayne Rooney in Sun Sport’s exclusive poll.
Over 33,000 readers cast their vote amongst the star-studded list of names available.
But it was the Gunners hero who prevailed with a huge 38 per cent of the votes, followed by Shearer and Rooney.
Rooney just edged out Man City icon Sergio Aguero, with Chelsea legend Drogba completing the top five.
BLUE BEAUTY
Chelsea could line up VERY differently next season if Frank Lampard’s summer spending goes to plan.
The Blues boss is ready to finally splash some cash after last year’s transfer ban forced him to instead hand chances to academy graduates including Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Reece James.
There are a number of veterans set to depart on free transfers when their contracts expire, such as Willian, Pedro and Olivier Giroud.
Meanwhile, N’Golo Kante is a reported big-money target for Real Madrid while vice-captain Jorginho is being lined up for another reunion with former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri at Juventus.
There are also doubts over the long-term futures of stars including Marcos Alonso, Emerson and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Here, SunSport looks at how Chelsea could look at the start of the 20/21 Premier League campaign…
PREM WORRY
EXCLUSIVE – Premier League clubs should brace themselves for a raft of possible injuries post-lockdown according to the leading compiler of player fitness data.
According to data supplied by Premier Injuries Limited, 38 of the 46 Premier League footballers whose nations reached the quarter-finals or beyond ended up getting injured or ill during the 2018-19 season.
This equates to 83% being sidelined after being rushed back so soon into competition.
Ben Dinnery of Premier Injuries Limited said: “Even with the best intentions in the world, you won’t get a player to maintain the fitness required to perform at the highest level working in self-isolation.
“They will have a base line of fitness but ideally in any pre-season programme for the first 7-10 days, you are testing and building fitness.
“Then you introduce competitive play into that – i.e. friendlies. We don’t have time to prepare that for the players. So there is an increased risk of injuries. Introducing five subs from Fifa is one solution.
“But there is no escaping our competitive play is different to any other in the world no matter how much planning or preparation you do.”
GOOD MORNING BLUES FANS
Christian Pulisic insists he’s raring to go after being sidelined by a tendon injury for three months.
“I didn't take it as seriously as I think I should have,” he told Sky Sports News.
“It was one of those you felt you could do a lot of things but you try to push it that one extra step and realise it's not ready yet.”
“It was a frustrating process but I'm feeling good and ready to go again.”
Lyon striker Moussa Dembele is wanted by Chelsea – but prefers a move to United.
According to the Daily Star, the ex-Celtic hitman has told the Red Devils he is keen on joining them.
United are growing increasingly confident of landing the 23-year-old in a £60m deal.
Premier League chiefs got the Government’s green light for a return to action next month.
But the good news came with red flags as the 20 clubs were faced with a number of issues including scrapping neutral venues, a £760m broadcasting bill and doubts from players over returning.
CASH FEARS UNITE PREM CLUBS
Two months of nitpicking and name-calling has weakened the bonds holding together the Premier League’s 20 clubs.
But if there is one thing that unites them, it is cold, hard cash.
And while some of the strained relationships will perhaps never be the same again, the thought of watching millions of pounds disappear down the drain proved the catalyst for a new resolution.
Even the biggest of the Prem giants will be hit by losing their share of more than £300million being demanded back by broadcasters for a disrupted, delayed and virus-distorted season.
Waving goodbye to all £760m they have already banked between them for the final quarter of the season would be a hammer blow to every one of them.
League chief executive Richard Masters, who has recognised the scale of his job in recent weeks, denied vitriol had been an issue but agreed that the bitterness had to end.
He said: “When we’re dealing with some of the challenges and complications, it’s understandable there are differences of opinions between clubs.
“We were able to paint a picture about what would happen in various scenarios, playing out the season and not playing out the season.
“The way the clubs came together, I feel people can see some of the issues are now starting to be addressed and I can see momentum building.
“What there was, was a view that we were better together and talking through one voice and better off acting at all times like a collective. That was the unanimous view.”
BLUES FIGHT TO KEEP 'NEW SANCHO'
Chelsea are determined to keep hold of 16-year-old wonderkid Charlie Webster – especially since he has been likenened to Jadon Sancho.
The Blues are considering offering him his first professional contract.
The England under-17 international turns 17 in January and that is when Chelsea expect him to sign a deal then.
PREM RETURN GETS GOV GREEN LIGHT
Premier League chiefs were given the Government green light for a return to action next month.
But the news came as the 20 clubs:- Were told they face a £375m repayment bill from broadcasters even if the season is played out, with demands for the full outstanding £760m if it is scrapped
- Forced Prem bosses to go back with a plea to let the season be completed in home stadiums rather than neutral venues
- Received a grilling as FA chairman Greg Clarkewarned Wembley would not sanction the season being voided or relegation scrapped
- And were still seeking to agree medical protocols that the players will accept as a condition to return to training.The apparent U-turn on neutral grounds came amid a groundswell of opinion from clubs that league chiefs had kowtowed too swiftly to pressure from police.
- Clubs asked why there had been no real pushback to police concerns over fans congregating outside grounds where matches were being played behind closed doors.
Brighton, Aston Villa and Watford had led the rebellion but Prem chief exec Richard Masters admitted: “All clubs would prefer to play at home and they accept it’s an issue to be addressed. It’s fair to say that it is not an issue which is unique to any part of the League.”
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