8am Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Haaland wanted to play with Lampard, Caicedo latest, Marcos Alonso to Atletico loan
CHELSEA are reportedly looking to hijack Man Utd's signing of Ecuador star Moises Caicedo.
Meanwhile the Blues are said to be keen to sign Erling Haaland – a player who dreamed of playing with Frank Lampard.
Follow all the latest from the Bridge below…
- Alex Terrell
LONDON RIVALS
Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0 at Highbury 64 years ago tomorrow.
This picture is taken from a snowy North London on Boxing Day in 1956, when Jack Crayston enjoyed the end of the second month of his tenure with a victory.
The Gunners would go on to finish fifth that season behind First Division winners Manchester United, with Chelsea ending up 13th.
Credit: Getty Images – Getty - Alex Terrell
‘LON RANGER
Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso is a target for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
The left-back has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the Blues’ £50million signing of England international Ben Chilwell.
Alonso has made a paltry three appearances in all competitions this campaign, all of which have come in the Premier League.
The Spaniard – who joined the west Londoners from Fiorentina in the summer of 2016 – has been absent from Chelsea’s last 11 league matchday squads.
And according to reports, Atletico are willing to hand the former Bolton man a lifeline.
Spanish TV show El Chiringuito claims the La Liga leaders are set to table a loan bid for the 29-year-old.
- Alex Terrell
BIG SPENDERS
Here is what the biggest Premier League clubs drpped on transfers in the summer of 2020.
And remember that is despite the fact that there was a global pandemic, hitting the pockets of so many top flight clubs.
- Alex Terrell
BOXING DAY BONANZA
The Premier League's biggest clubs get back into action tomorrow as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all play on Boxing Day.
Liverpool and Tottenham are in action on Sunday.
- Alex Terrell
DECK THE HAALS
Chelsea have reportedly made signing Erling Haaland their ‘top priority’ next summer.
Despite not turning 21 until July, the hotshot is rapidly closing in on a century of career goals already.
The Borussia Dortmund star has been in excellent form this joining the Bundesliga outfit last January, and already has 17 this term.
And Sky Sport Italia now claims that has led to Frank Lampard informing the Blues board that the Norwegian is his No1 target.
That is despite him spending £123million on bringing Timo Werner and Kai Havertz in to bolster his attack in the summer.
However, Chelsea will face stiff competition for the hotshot.
Manchester United remain linked with the Leeds-born ace – while neighbours Man City are also keen.
- Joe Miles
FEELING BLUE
Will Chelsea be spending the big bucks during the January transfer window? We'll have to wait and see.
- Joe Miles
HAA LA LAND
Erling Braut Haaland has dropped a huge hint that could he snub Manchester United in favour of Chelsea.
The striker has been linked to both of the Premier League clubs following his impressive spell for Borussia Dortmund.
During a Q&A, Haaland was asked which player he'd want to have to played with that is now retired.
And he simply replied: "Frank Lampard."
Credit: AFP or licensors - Joe Miles
MAR-GO
Marcos Alonso could be lined up for a move back to his homeland in January, according to reports.
Alonso has struggled for game time this campaign as sits behind Ben Chilwell and Emerson in the pecking order.
The Spaniard is being linked with a loan move to La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Spanish TV show Ed Chiringuito say Diego Simeone are proposing a move for the left back.
- William Pugh
LOOKING ALSEWHERE!
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prioritising a centre-back in January, according to reports.
But Manchester United are reportedly unlikely to move for Bayern Munich defender and Chelsea target David Alaba. Solskjaer’s focus is mainly on the summer transfer window.
But United will move for a centre-back next month if an appropriate target becomes available, according to the Telegraph.
Alaba has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League – with Blues favourites to sign him – after Bayern accepted he will leave on a free at the end of this season.
The 28-year-old’s contract expires in the summer at which time he will have spent more than a decade with the Bavarians.
Alaba can sign a pre-contract agreement with non-German clubs in January but despite his availability the Red Devils are expected to look elsewhere.
- William Pugh
UNCLE MAS!
Mason Mount shared a cute family picture to celebrate Christmas.
The Blues playmaker uploaded a photo of him and his niece Summer in matching shirts in front of a tree surrounded by presents.
Mount wrote: "Uncle duties for Summer’s first Christmas."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by MM (@masonmount10)
- William Pugh
THI-S THE SEASON!
Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva got in on the festive post action with a cute family snap.
The Brazilian was pictured with his wife and kids in front of a festive looking tree.
And Silva wrote: "The Silva Family wishes you a Merry Christmas!
"We wish you a good family time, health, faith, love and peace for you all."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Thiago Silva (@thiagosilva)
- William Pugh
HAPPY CHRISTMAS BLUES!
Chelsea have taken to Twitter to wish their millions of fans across the world a very merry Christmas.
- William Pugh
MERRY CHRISTMAS CHELSEA FANS!
Reece James and Ben Chilwell will spend Christmas sweating over their fitness rather than a festive log fire – ahead of the Boxing Day cracker with Arsenal.
Chelsea's England full-backs are Frank Lampard's main injury doubts, with Kai Havertz already ruled out.
Boss Lampard even rates James and Chilwell uncertain to make Tuesday's Premier League trip to Brighton.
But Lamps' main focus is on ensuring his fifth-placed Blues show no complacency against the lowly Gunners.
He said: "When you play a derby, form does go out the window.
"Sometimes the idea of playing a derby is the spur the team needs to try and get a result.
"We have to expect the best Arsenal which is a really good footballing team with really good players, well-coached with rotations in their team and threats in attacking areas."
Meanwhile, Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso has been linked to both Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
And the Blues are reportedly duelling Manchester United for Independiente del Valle's Ecuadorian winger Moises Caicedo, 19, rated at £4.5million.
- Ian Tuckey
LAMPARD WARNS BLUES FOR DERBY
Frank Lampard has warned Chelsea that Arsenal will be as tricky derby opponents ad ever at the Emirates on Boxing Day.
The fifth-placed Blues aim to inflict the lowly Gunners' ninth defeat in 15 Premier League games.
But Lampard said: "When you play a derby, form does go out the window.
"‘Sometimes the idea of playing a derby is the spur the team needs to try and get a result.
"We have to expect the best Arsenal which is a really good footballing team with really good players, well-coached with rotations in their team and threats in attacking areas."
- Ian Tuckey
WE CAN HOLD OFF THE BLUES
Rob Holding is hoping to keep Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea going when the two sides meet on Saturday.
Holding has been given the captain’s armband in Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s absence.
He expects a tough game against an ‘exciting strike force’.
He told TalkSPORT: “The past recent history of playing Chelsea have been very good games – a few draws and a few wins so hopefully we can keep that run going.
“We know how exciting they are with the strike force and the players they’ve brought in.
“What Frank Lampard has done for them over this season and last season, he’s got a real project to what he’s building to what I think they’re aiming to be and it’ll be an exciting game and we have to respect them and play our game.”
- Ian Tuckey
NEW SILVA IS OLD GOLD
Ex-Spurs boss Tim Sherwood insists 36-year-old free transfer Thiago Silva is Chelsea manager Frank Lampard's finest ever signing.
The Brazil centre-back has easily kept Antonio Rudiger out of the Blues' side, while fellow summer arrivals Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have struggled with injuries.
Sherwood told The Kelly and Wrighty Show: "One thing’s for sure. They’ve signed someone in Thiago Silva who is his best signing, without doubt.
"Not only is he a great player with experience and strolls through games he also makes Kurt Zouma next to him better.
"I think [Ben] Chilwell and [Reece] James in the full-back areas are fantastic, [N’Golo] Kante’s playing in his correct position now."
- Ian Tuckey
WINTER CHIL OUT?
In-form left-back Ben Chilwell is a huge doubt for Chelsea's Boxing Day derby at struggling Arsenal.
The England star was replaced by Emerson Palmieri just nine minutes intoMonday's 3-0 home win over West Ham after twisting his ankle.
Italy ace Palmieri would be favourite to come on in for Chilwell, althoughMarcos Alonso will be hoping for a surprise recall.
- Ian Tuckey
- Ian Tuckey
- Ian Tuckey
ATLETICO 'EYE ALONSO'
Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso is being linked with LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid.
The Spain left-back left-back, 29, has suffered from Ben Chillwell's £50million arrival from leicester.
Alonso has made a paltry three appearances in all competitions this campaign, all of which have come in the Premier League.
The Spaniard – who joined the west Londoners from Fiorentina in the summer of 2016 – has been absent from Chelsea's last 11 league matchday squads.
And Spanish TV show El Chiringuito claims the La Liga leaders are set to table a loan bid for the 29-year-old.
They also state the Madrid club is willing to pay 50 per cent of Alonso's £100,000-a-week wages.
Atletico will reportedly have to battle Inter Milan for Alonso's services as former Blues boss Antonio Conte is said to be keen on re-signing the full-back.
- Ian Tuckey
THE RIGHT MOISES?
CHELSEA have reportedly joined Manchester United in the hunt to prise Ecuadorian teenager Moises Caicedo away from Independiente del Valle.
The Red Devils were believed to be in pole position to secure the 19-year-old midfielder’s services following his dazzling displays this season.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have entered the race to bring Caicedo to England.
And they have also claimed that while United are interested in the player, talks aren’t yet at an advanced stage.
- Craig Mahood
ARSENAL NEXT!
Just need to get tomorrow out the way, then it's all eyes on Chelsea v Arsenal!
- Craig Mahood
WHICH ONE?
- Craig Mahood
ITALIAN JOB
Inter Milan are the latest club linked with a move for Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso.
Earlier today, reports emerged linking the left-back with a return to his homeland with Atletico Madrid.
Now Inter Milan are eyeing a move for Alonso in the January window, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The outlet say Alonso’s previous relationship with current Inter boss Antonio Conte is a key feature in the move.
- Craig Mahood
EXCITING STRIKE FORCE
Rob Holding is hoping to keep Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea going when the two sides meet on Saturday.
Holding has been given the captain’s armband in Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s absence.
He expects a tough game against an ‘exciting strike force’.
He told TalkSPORT: “The past recent history of playing Chelsea have been very good games – a few draws and a few wins so hopefully we can keep that run going.
“We know how exciting they are with the strike force and the players they’ve brought in.
“What Frank Lampard has done for them over this season and last season, he’s got a real project to what he’s building to what I think they’re aiming to be and it’ll be an exciting game and we have to respect them and play our game.”
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