9am Chelsea news LIVE: Mendy ‘IN SQUAD to face Sevilla’, Rudiger REJECTED by Everton, Kepa LATEST – The Sun
CHELSEA have been given a welcome boost ahead of tonight's game with Sevilla as Edouard Mendy trained with the first team and is reportedly in the squad.
Meanwhile it has also been revealed that Everton rejected the chance to sign Antonio Rudiger in the transfer window.
Get all the latest updates from Stamford Bridge here…
- Richard Forrester
DON'T BAINK ON IT
Former Chelsea star Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink has written off his old club's title chances due to their 'leaking defence'.
Frank Lampard's side looked on course for three points in their Premier League clash against Southampton at the weekend.
But Saints defender Jannik Vestergaard pinged home a 92nd-minute equaliser for a 3-3 draw and a point apiece.
He said: “No, Chelsea are not contenders [for the title].
“They are leaking too many goals. It is a breath of fresh air to see them going forward with the likes of Mason Mount and Werner.
“But the defence is a worry, if they cannot improve the centre-backs and goalkeeper it is a concern.
“Alisson wins Liverpool points, but that doesn't happen with Kepa. Chelsea need to improve in that area.”
- sstreet
ON THE MEND
Chelsea fans have received the news they were desperate to hear as Edouard Mendy returned to training yesterday following an injury picked up on international duty.
And according to journalist Simon Johnson, the Senegalese star is in the squad to take on Sevilla tonight.
It had been thought that the Blues would have to rely on calamity keeper Kepa for their games against the Spanish side and Man Utd.
The world's most expensive goalkeeper made a howler on Saturday to allow Che Adams to score for Southampton in a 3-3 draw.
- Gary Stonehouse
MORNING, CHELSEA FANS!
Edouard Mendy could make a shock return for Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League match against Sevilla.
The new keeper missed the 3-3 draw with Southampton due to a thigh issue and Kepa Arrizabalaga started but blundered yet again.
And The Telegraph reports Mendy trained without issue on Sunday and Monday despite boss Frank Lampard appearing to rule him out.
Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta backed compatriot Kepa and said he has the ‘character’ and ‘personality’ to bounce back.
He said: “I have no doubt Kepa will work hard to reverse the situation.”
The Spaniard also blasted the Blues’ leaky defence after conceding nine times in just five Prem games.
The 31-year-old said: “When you're weak defensively sometimes we feel like we have to score three or four each game.”
Lampard has pinned the West Londoners’ defensive woes on a lack of preparation time.
He said: “The main thing particularly for ourselves is that there has been a lack of preparation which if you're working with new players or small changes, that takes time. And hopefully that will keep improving now.”
Everton reportedly rejected the chance to sign Chelsea outcast Antonio Rudiger this summer.
The Athletic reports former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti was offered the German centre-back on loan but the Italian turned them down due to the £5million loan fee plus £150,000 a week wages.
- Josh Graham
HOW RUD
Chelsea wanted a £5million loan fee and Antonio Rudiger's entire £150,000-a-week wages to be paid during the summer window, reports say.
The German centre-back was desperate for a late move away from Stamford Bridge having been frozen out of Frank Lampard's squad this season.
But according to The Athletic, clubs were put off by the cost of taking Rudiger on loan.
With Chelsea not offering to pay any of the 27-year-old's wages combined with the loan fee, it would have cost £12.5m to take the defender for a season.
Rudiger did attract interest from London rivals Tottenham and West Ham as well as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Barcelona.
But he will instead stay a fight for his place, despite so far managing to even make the bench on just one occasion this season.
- Josh Graham
KEEPA FAITH
Blunder-prone keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has the 'character' and 'personality' to bounce back, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has insisted after the stopper's latest mistake.
The Spanish goalie is once again under the microscope after being involved in a comedy of errors which led to Southampton's second goal during a 3-3 draw on Saturday.
Despite Kepa's mistake, Azpilicueta is convinced his countryman will bounce back at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “In football we have difficult times, in my position as captain and also knowing him a long time, I’ll always try to help him.
“Sometimes you feel like everything goes against you. You have to have the character and personality to face it.
“I have no doubt Kepa will work hard to reverse the situation.
“The whole squad are fighting for targets as a collective. When you are a goalkeeper it’s a completely different situation, but he will keep working hard, giving his best.”
- Josh Graham
CALLING DYBS?
Chelsea target Paulo Dybala is set to move from Juventus.
The Argentine was left out of the Old Lady's starting line-up this weekend and he had words with club chief Fabio Paratici.
The disagreements heightens speculation he is on his way out of Turin.
And Chelsea could make a move despite already splashing over £230million in the summer window.
- Josh Graham
ARD WITH NO TIME
Frank Lampard has put the blame on Chelsea's leaky defence on a lack of preparation time with his troops.
The Chelsea boss said: “We're working hard defensively and we're always trying to improve on that.
“This season we've had the second-fewest shots on our goals behind Man City, but we have an issue where we're conceding too many goals from the chances that we do allow.
“The main thing particularly for ourselves is that there has been a lack of preparation which if you're working with new players or small changes, that takes time. And hopefully that will keep improving now.
“Maybe there's an element of that for everybody, without the fans, but we have to worry about ourselves and we have to change it ourselves.”
- Josh Graham
TRAIN HOW YOU PLAY
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from the 3-3 draw with Southampton by getting off to a flyer in the Champions League.
The Blues host Sevilla and Frank Lampard has been putting his players through their paces ahead of tomorrow night's game.
- Josh Graham
BARK AND BITE
Chelsea's on loan midfielder Ross Barkley was lured to Aston Villa by Dean Smith on the condition of one promise.
Barkley bagged a late winner for his new side in the Midlands derby against Leicester on Sunday.
And after signing a season-long loan at Villa Park – where Blues legend John Terry is assistant boss – it was revealed what helped make the move happen.
Villa boss Smith said: “He's a high-calibre player. I'm thankful to Chelsea that they've loaned him to us.
“I sold him the project here and told him I'll get him in the Euros squad and he's going to try and help us win football games. He's certainly done that in his first couple.”
- Josh Graham
ON THE MENDY
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has received a huge boost with the news Edouard Mendy is back in training.
The new Blues keeper, 28, missed the 3-3 draw with Southampton with a thigh injury.
And the world's most expensive keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, deputised but came up with another howler leading to Saints' second goal.
Chelsea play Sevilla tomorrow night in the Champions League group stage.
- Josh Graham
BITTER PILI
Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta has slammed the club's issues at the back ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League game against Sevilla.
The Blues have leaked nine goals in just five Prem games this season.
And Spanish defender Azpi, 31, fumed: “When you're weak defensively sometimes we feel like we have to score three or four each game.
“I see football as a collective. When we don't score, as a defender I think how can we put our attacking players in better situations.
“Through a season you are not going to be winning 3-0 or 4-0 every week. You have to work to get results and at the moment we have to improve that.”
- Josh Graham
ARD TO TAKE
Frank Lampard gave his thoughts on the injury to Liverpool's talismanic centre-back Virgil Van Dijk.
The Dutchman has had an operation after injuring his ACL after a horrific challenge from Everton keeper Jordan Pickford on Sunday.
The Chelsea boss said: “I think Virgil van Dijk is clearly an outstanding player. He’s one of the outstanding defenders in world football and has been for the last two or three seasons.
“The loss of a player of that quality and that size is going to affect any team because individuals and the quality of individual players like that make huge differences.
“But we’re talking about Liverpool, we’re talking about a squad that’s been built, that are so strong, with a great manager so – of course nobody wants to lose a player like that and obviously I wish him my best when I see that sort of injury – but it remains to be seen how much it affects Liverpool.”
- Richard Forrester
QUITE FRANK
Frank Leboeuf has been far from impressed with Kai Havertz’s start to life at Chelsea admitting he is unconvinced by the £72m man.
Speaking on ESPN FC after the 3-3 draw with Southampton, Leboeuf said: “I’m not convinced about Havertz, I’m not that optimistic, I’m very pleased with Werner, he’s a real satisfaction.
“Thiago Silva should have been back because it’s crucial for Chelsea to have a real leader at the back and that’s the main problem.
“They all have to work hard physically to make sure they can play together and be stronger together.”
He continued: “I'm not convinced at all about Chelsea right now, It’s like they don’t know each other, they’re not fit enough, I’m very worried.
“I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt because I don’t know what they’re worth, but, really, if they keep on performing like that, for sure they’re not going to finish in the top four.”
- Richard Forrester
DON'T SHUFFLE THE DEC
Declan Rice has been urged to stick around and become West Ham’s very own ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’.
The Hammers held on to their best all-rounder in the transfer window despite growing interest from other clubs.
And first-team coach Stuart Pearce reckons the lure of short-term glory at one of England’s big-spending elite is not the only factor to consider in your career.
He said: “Put it this way, I’m probably testament to that. I played my football where I enjoyed playing football and turned money down to stay where I was happy.
“My biggest driver was probably playing for the national team. I get the same impression now with Dec — he is intensely proud of representing England.
“He’ll make his own decisions but we are lucky at West Ham to have a current captain called Mark Noble who has been here for a number of years and has shown great loyalty to the club.
“I like to think Dec will be at West Ham for years to come, leading the club on to success.”
- Richard Forrester
TO VICTOR, NO SPOILS
Victor Moses is thought to have dropped his wage demands in order to seal a Spartak Moscow loan switch, according to reports.
The Chelsea outcast, who has fallen down Frank Lampard’s pecking order, took the salary cut in a bid to get his transfer to the former Russian champs over the line.
Spartak boss Shamil Gazizov told Russian Daily Sport Express : “The footballer wants to play for Spartak.
“This is the most important point. And everything else is particular.
“He did not come here to earn money. Yes, [he’s earning less] but only slightly.
“If we are in the Champions League, we can buy him.
“We can buy him if he plays a certain number of matches. If we get into the Champions League with him, I think there will be no questions.”
- Richard Forrester
RUDDY HELL
Everton rejected the chance to sign Antonio Rudiger this summer, according to reports.
The Chelsea central defender has been left out of the side following the arrival of Thiago Silva.
Rudiger was offered to the Toffees on loan but Carlo Ancelotti turned them down.
According to the Athletic, it all came down to finances.
Chelsea wanted £5million to cover the loan fee and his entire £150,000-a-week wages paid in full.
- Richard Forrester
CHAMPS OR CHUMPS
Frank Lampard has warned his players of the 'cut-throat' nature of the Champions League.
The Blues boss watched his side throw away a two goal advantage on two occassions against Southampton at the weekend.
And the boss admitted there is no room for error as they prepare to take on Europa League champions Sevilla.
He said on Chelsea's official site: “The players that were here last year, and talking about the young players particularly in the Bayern Munich games because of the strong opposition, it would have been a learning curve for them.
“That’s the Champions League; it’s the top club competition in world football. They will be better for it; they will want to improve this year in that. We will see how much they have learned.
“Of the players we have brought in, some have more Champions League experience than others.
“We generally have younger players so it’s important we try and make sure we learn any lessons as we go because the Champions League is so cut-throat.
“You have to have absolute focus because of the level of teams you’re playing, and particularly as we start against Sevilla.”
- Richard Forrester
NO N'GO ZONE
N’Golo Kante wants to stay at Chelsea despite being targeted by Real Madrid and Inter Milan, reports claim.
Kante, 29, has no desire to leave Stamford Bridge in the ‘short or medium term’ and is happy to see out his contract, which ends in 2023, according to Le10Sport.
Boss Frank Lampard shares the same sentiment and has insisted that the midfielder still plays an important role at the Bridge.
Speaking on Kante he said: “I think pretty much every club in the world would want N’Golo Kante.
“I have seen those reports as well. He is an incredible player and person and I certainly don’t want to lose him. He’s fundamental in terms of what I’m trying to do.”
Lampard’s admission comes after Chelsea were forced to deny claims that there was a rift between the pair.
- Richard Forrester
BARK-ING MAD
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith promised Ross Barkley he would get him into next summer's Euros squad.
The on-loan Chelsea midfielder scored the winner in Villa's impressive 1-0 win at Leicester on Sunday night.
He has instantly hit the ground running after his career appeared to be going backwards at the Blues.
Smith told Sky Sports: “He's a high-calibre player. I'm thankful to Chelsea that they've loaned him to us.
“I sold him the project here and told him I'll get him in the Euros squad and he's going to try and help us win football games. He's certainly done that in his first couple.
“He couldn't have started better. Being a Blue, getting that win and scoring against the Reds (in a 7-2 win before the international break) and then getting that in the 91st minute couldn't have been a better start for him or us.”
- Richard Forrester
HAK-IN ZIYECH
Chelsea host Sevilla on Tuesday night in their Champions League season opener.
Frank Lampard will likely have one eye on Saturday’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester United.
But the Blues chief will send out his best available XI to take on the reigning Europa League champions at Stamford Bridge.
Worryingly for Lampard though, Edouard Mendy looks set to miss another game having sat out the 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Here's how we think Chelsea will shape up against the Spaniards.
- Richard Forrester
TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard has criticised his Chelsea players for failing to follow his instructions.
The Blues blew a 2-0 and 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with Southampton at the weekend.
It's an all too familiar story for Lampard with individual errors costing his side.
He said after the game:“I certainly didn’t want to play brave football in the last moments of the game.
“That was my message to them, that I wanted them to go longer and break the press. I don’t think the players did that enough.
“We tried to play too much and some of that is ingrained in the players that they want to try and play football.
“That’s certainly something I am not a big advocate of with high pressure, as something you can do is miss out the pressure to get the ball high up the pitch and use the players at the other end of the pitch.
“That was probably my biggest disappointment that the players didn’t put into action.”
- Richard Forrester
KEEPING WITH KEPA
Frank Lampard is unlikely to have keeper Edouard Mendy back between the sticks for Chelsea's next two huge games.
The Blues host Sevilla in their opening Champions League contest tomorrow before travelling to Manchester United at the weekend.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had yet another howler in the 3-3 draw with Southampton and was at fault for the visitor's second.
When asked when the £22million keeper will be fit from his hamstring recovery, Lampard said: “Mendy is at the minute injured and probably will be fit in the next week or two weeks and then that will be the decision for me to make about who plays.”
- Richard Forrester
SCHOOLBOY STUFF
Arsene Wenger said his relationship with Jose Mourinho is 'like Kindergarten' as their fallout continues.
Wenger's autobiography, My Life in Red and White, was released this month, a little over two years since the 70-year-old left Arsenal after 22 years in charge.
But the Gunners legend left out any inclusion of rival Mourinho because he wanted it to be a 'positive book’.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager responded by insisting his omission in Wenger's memoirs was 'because he never beat me'.
But Wenger hit back, as he told Canal+: “It doesn't bother me. It is permanent provocation.
“I feel like I'm in kindergarten with him. But, that's part of his personality.
“It's wrong, we beat him twice. We won, and there were also a lot of draws. And it is not 'you' who wins, you only participate in the victory.
“It is 'us' who win. The manager is there to get the most out of a team.”
- Gary Stonehouse
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS!
N’Golo Kante is happy to stay at Chelsea despite being linked with a move away in the summer transfer window.
The 29-year-olds future was in doubt over the summer, being linked with a move away to make space for West Ham's Declan Rice.
According to Le 10 Sport, the two-time Premier League winner has no intention of leaving the Blues.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has praised Chelsea duo Kai Havertz and Timo Werner saying they will “kill” Premier League teams.
The Saints boss knows Werner from his time at RB Leipzig back in 2016.
He said: “I knew the moment would come that he scored his first goal in the Premier League. I hoped it would not be against us.
“When you give him space, it’s hard to defend against him. The first goal we made it too easy for him.
“It’s tough to defend against him. When you are not tight on Timo and Kai Havertz they will kill you.
“But I am really happy that Timo is in England and playing in the Premier League. He’s fantastic for the fans, but it’s good we took a point as otherwise I wouldn’t be so happy for him.”
Timo Werner blasted Chelsea’s defensive display in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Southampton.
Speaking after the game, Werner said: “In the end, I think it's not the offense that wins titles. In Germany we always say defense wins titles.
“I think that's true. When we concede so many goals in every game then it's hard to win games but in the end also to win titles.
“I think we have to work in it because six goals in three games is too much. I think we have to be better in this.”
- Joshua Mbu
KILLER INSTINCT
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl praised Chelsea duo Kai Havertz and Timo Werner saying they will “kill” Premier League teams.
Hasenhuttl saw his side come from behind TWICEto rescue a point at Stamford Bridge, but it didn't stop him from praising the opposition.
The Saints boss knows Werner from his time at RB Leipzig back in 2016.
He said: “I knew the moment would come that he scored his first goal in the Premier League. I hoped it would not be against us.
“When you give him space, it’s hard to defend against him. The first goal we made it too easy for him.
“It’s tough to defend against him. When you are not tight on Timo and Kai Havertz they will kill you.
“But I am really happy that Timo is in England and playing in the Premier League. He’s fantastic for the fans, but it’s good we took a point as otherwise I wouldn’t be so happy for him.”
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