Transfer banned Chelsea eye Ligue 1 defender

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Sep 14, 2019

Fotboll, Franska Ligan, Nice - Strasbourg — © Bildbyrån

Chelsea are reportedly considering a move for Nice defender Youcef Atal if their transfer ban gets lifted in January.

Although Chelsea are still in the midst of their two-window transfer ban, that has not stopped the rumor mill from throwing up some interesting links for when they are once again able to bring in new recruits.

The Blues have conceded nine goals in just four Premier League games this season and manager Frank Lampard, who has admitted defensive concerns, is now believed to be prioritizing the addition of a new central defender to provide competition for Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma.

And to that end, The Sun and Calciomercato claim Chelsea is ready to move for Nice’s 23-year-old defender Youcef Atal, although whether that will be in January or next summer remains to be seen.

Chelsea are currently banned from buying player, but the club have contested the punishment and remain hopeful that the ban will be overturned, leaving them free to sign players in January.

The Algeria international is a the Stamford Bridge outfit are keeping their eyes on this weekend as Les Aiglons face Montpellier in Ligue 1. Atal has emerged as a key player for Nice, who are managed by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, having joined the club from Algerian side Paradou AC last year.

The 23-year-old is one of the most offensive, and versatile, defenders in France. He made 29 appearances for the club in season 2018/2019, while he has also represented Algeria 13 times.

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Sky Sports pundit backs Wolves to defeat Chelsea

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Atharva Gosavi

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Sep 14, 2019

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Fotboll, Premier League, Chelsea, Presskonferens — Image: BildByran

Sky Sports football expert Charlie Nicholas has backed Wolverhampton Wanderers to beat Chelsea at Molineux this weekend.

The Blues will travel to the Midlands with a view to secure their second victory. Frank Lampard’s men are currently eleventh in the table having notched 5 points from 4 games.

“Wolves do well against the big teams,” the former Arsenal man wrote in his Sky Sports column. “Tammy Abraham has been in form and Mason Mount has been spectacularly good,” Nicholas said.

“Chelsea are still vulnerable at the back and will be threatened by Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez upfront.”

“I see Wolves beating Chelsea this weekend, and Wolves are the team, as many people that are talking about Leicester, that could definitely override the top-six trend.”

Wolves had a particularly impressive season against the Premier League top six last season and have started on the same note this time as well. They clawed back from a one-goal deficit to secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester United earlier.

It remains to be seen if Lampard and co-manage to pass the tough test that Wolves will bring to the table.

Chelsea Boss Backs Cesar Azpilicueta Despite Poor Form

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Bishwaraj Bhattacharyya

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Sep 14, 2019

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Chelsea Boss Backs Cesar Azpilicueta Despite Poor Form

Frank Lampard has full faith on his captain, Cesar Azpilicueta despite the Spaniard’s poor run of form, recently.

Chelsea currently have the second-worst defence in the Premier League with just Norwich City below them after conceding 9 goals in the first 4 games.

Azpilicueta, who took on the captain’s armband after Tim Cahill’s departure over the summer, has come under heavy criticism for his performances. It seems like the 30-year-old is dealing with a bit of mental fatigue but he has the backing of his manager to succeed.

“Firstly, I played with Azpilicueta and I know him very well and he is the first player to stand up,” Lampard told reporters. “The reason he is captain is because of that professionalism and attitude.

“He has been an incredible player for a club that has won a lot and he has been central to winning a lot. He is not just a bystander. He has been right in the middle of it all and he will be more critical than anyone of his form and what it means.

“He will be the first one who wants to address it every minute of the day in training. I think he is a big player for us and a big personality. I see no problem. I remember in my career countless times playing with better players than I was that had little moments in their career that, for whatever reason, people want to talk about.

“The top ones come through it. Azpilicueta is a top player and I don’t think there are any major issues. In the modern-day, all eyes are on and if there is a bit of a mistake or a moment, people want to do that, and players have to put up with that. I have got no problem. Azpi will comfortably put up with that.”

Top-Six Finish Cannot Be Guaranteed For Chelsea: Frank Lampard

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Bishwaraj Bhattacharyya

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Sep 14, 2019

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Top-Six Finish Cannot Be Guaranteed For Chelsea: Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has admitted that a top-six finish will be very hard to achieve this season.

The transfer ban has really started to take a toll on the Blues who remain in the 11th spot of the Premier League after 4 games.

Lampard has taken it upon himself to promote youth talent when the option to buy players is simply not there. So far, the fans have seen a fair bit of positives but reality might soon rear its ugly head by the end of the campaign.

“We always want to be competitive but we’re all very honest about the situation,” Chelsea’s manager said. “Eden moved on and two No 9s moved on who were the No 9s generally last season. Younger players are coming in, but we still want to be in there.

“But that’s not just the story because you look at teams that have invested heavily – Everton, West Ham, Leicester. There are teams that quite rightly will be competing and have ambitions to get in there, so that’s challenging for all of us.”

When asked about Saturday’s opponents, Wolves, Lampard continued, “They should do. Because from a day when, almost the top four, you could probably write it down at the start of the season, certainly now you can’t. A top six you can’t write down. Teams are investing heavily.

“They are well managed, they have good players, they are competitive.”

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James set to play for Chelsea U23’s game against Brighton

By

Samahith Bhat

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Sep 13, 2019

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Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James set to play for Chelsea U23's game against Brighton — Photo by Bildbyrån

Chelsea confirm that Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James are both set for match action at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, as Chelsea’s U23 take on Brighton & Hove Albion in PL2.

You won't want to miss tomorrow's #CFCDev game, live on the Chelsea app and website! @Calteck10 and @reecejames_24 are set to play! 👊https://t.co/mZWIHqLn4P

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 12, 2019

Callum Hudson-Odoi (Achilles injury) and Reece James (ankle injury) are all available for Chelsea’s U23 side. The Blues academy graduates are both yet to appear this season but are close to offering Frank Lampard a timely fitness boost.

The pair are very much in Frank Lampard’s first-team plans this season, and they are set to boost Lampard’s squad ahead of a busy month. Hudson-Odoi has been out with a ruptured Achilles tendon since late April and James suffered an ankle ligament injury while representing England in the Toulon Tournament.

CHO will sign a new £180,000-a-week contract in the coming days after the Blues to ward off interest from Bayern Munich in the summer. Chelsea rejected a £20 million offer from Crystal Palace for James because Lampard wants to promote the talented full-back.

Another good news for the Stamford Bridge faithful is that Rudiger and N’Golo Kante are back and available for Chelsea’s away trip to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.

Di Matteo backs Terry to become Chelsea manager

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Atharva Gosavi

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Sep 13, 2019

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Fotboll, Premier League, Crystal Palace - Aston Villa — Image: BildByran

Former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has backed John Terry to become a Chelsea manager in the future. The former Blues defender is currently acting as an assistant manager at Aston Villa and Di Matteo believes he has what it takes to be in the hot seat at the Stamford Bridge.

Di Matteo managed Chelsea for a brief period of time between 2012 and 2013 following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas. The Italian manager guided the Blues to their first-ever Champions League trophy in 2012.

“If you can sign JT, you get him,” Di Matteo told the Athletic. “He’s a guy who makes things easier for the manager.

“He, too, will be there (Chelsea) as a manager in the future. As a player, he was writing down some of the sessions and he’s now gained so much experience from the managers he’s worked under.”

“Frank will become a great manager,” Di Matteo added. “He is a very balanced guy – sensible, smart and incredibly hard-working. I think it’s the right appointment for Chelsea because it brings everybody together.”

Willian believes Chelsea can win trophies this season

By

Diptanil Roy

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Sep 13, 2019

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Willian believes Chelsea can win trophies this season — Bildbyran

Chelsea forward Willian has expressed his confidence that Chelsea can win titles this season despite their transfer ban for two windows.

“I think Chelsea can win some titles this season,” Willian said. “I know it will be hard this season to win titles, as usual, it is always hard.

“It is difficult when you lose players like David Luiz, Eden Hazard, but we have some quality young players here who can improve a lot and in the future become one of the best players in the league. I think we have a great team.

“But Chelsea is a big club and this shirt is heavy. When Chelsea go into a competition we go to win.

“It does not matter the players, it does not matter the coach, every year we want to win something, and I think this year we can do it again.”

“It has been good to work with him,” Willian added. “He is a great man. The quality of training has been good.

“Of course we have to give some time to adapt, it is a new profile, a new philosophy, but I think we will adapt.”

SEE MORE: Top 5 Most famous Chelsea players: most popular Chelsea players ever!

Azpi discusses captaincy and Lampard role

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Diptanil Roy

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Sep 13, 2019

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Azpi discusses captaincy and Lampard role — Bildbyran

Cesar Azpilicueta has revealed the Frank Lampard inspiration and his role as Chelsea captain at Stamford Bridge.

“I could see when we were sharing the dressing room, now I can see it as a manager,” he told the official club website about Frank Lampard’s mentality. “His passion, his desire to win. He is a winner. I reflect that in myself, the way I come here to Cobham.

“I know the club quite well, a lot of people who are around and I really feel involved in the day-to-day club life.

“I have passion when I go to the training ground. I always like to win every single possession game or whatever in training. I want to get that into the games where I am very proud to lead the team.”

“Gary was the captain last year even if he was not very involved in the team,” he added. “He was always there supporting me and helping me with the duties we had to share. Since we were named the captain and vice-captain, we always tried to work together to find the solutions,” he added.

“Last season, nearly the whole season I was the captain on the pitch and it is something where I am used to it but always you try to improve. Being nearly the third season but now as club captain, I just try to give my best because I am very proud to be the club captain and I will give everything to do it right.”

SEE MORE: Top 5 Most famous Chelsea players: most popular Chelsea players ever!

Chelsea midfielder signs new long term contract

By

Samahith Bhat

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Sep 13, 2019

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Chelsea midfielder signs new long term contract — Photo by Bildbyrån

Chelsea youth player, Billy Gilmour, has signed a new long term contract with Chelsea which will keep him at the club until 2023. Billy recently made his Premier League debut after he came on for Tammy Abraham in the 84th minute against Sheffield United last month.

Scotland Under-21 international Billy Gilmour’s new deal is the latest commitment to young players made by new head coach Frank Lampard.

Here’s what he had to say on his new contract:

“It’s really exciting for me and my family to sign this four-year deal with the club,” Gilmour told the official Chelsea website.

“Frank has come in and everyone is buzzing, training is really good and there’s a high standard to everything we do. There are exciting times ahead and hopefully I can work hard to get more opportunities as well.”

On his debut against Sheffield United:

“It was amazing to make my debut and for the gaffer to show his trust in me in a tight game,’ he continued. ‘A draw wasn’t the result we wanted but he showed his faith in me and I thank him for that. Now I need to make sure it wasn’t just a one-off and keep showing him I’ve got a lot more to give.”

“When I first signed, I was having a meeting with Jody Morris [then Under-18s manager] in the Academy and Frank actually interrupted to speak to Jody,’ Gilmour explained. ‘I think he was agreeing to meet him later that day for dinner.

“It was surreal when Jody asked him to come in and speak to me – I was a bit starstruck just sitting there and seeing Frank Lampard walk in the room and start talking to me!’

“I was one of the younger players in the team last season but this year I want to make sure I’m one of the senior figures in the dressing room, make sure my standards are high and I’m pushing the team in the right way,’ he added on his involvement with our development squad.

“We’ve got a good enough team and we’ve started really well so I don’t see why we can’t push on and challenge for the league. Individually, I want to make sure I’m involved with the senior team as much as I can be and try to push for more appearances.”

Real Madrid have an agreement with Chelsea top player

By

Martina Alcheva

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Sep 12, 2019

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Fotboll, Premier League, Chelsea - Burnley — © Bildbyrån

N’Golo Kante could be re-uniting with former teammate Eden Hazard at Real Madrid.

Chelsea and Real Madrid have reportedly held discussions regarding the future of midfielder N’Golo Kante.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a successful three-year period at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues to the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League during his time at the club.

However, the France international has continually been linked with a move elsewhere, including to Real who now have compatriot Zinedine Zidane back as head coach.

While no transfer materialized during the most recent transfer window, The Athletic report serious interest from the Spanish giants for summer 2020, while Spanish outlet Defensa Central claims that a gentleman’s agreement has been agreed. The report says that Chelsea agreed to notify Real if they receive any big-money bids for Kante, while also indicating that they would make the La Liga outfit aware if the player ever expressed a desire to take on a new challenge.

Kante still has just under four years left on his contract at the West Londoners, and it is thought that he will remains loyal to Chelsea, and that Real Madrid will respect the Premier League club’s position until the season is over.

According to The Athletic‘s story, however, a Bernabeu source is alleged to have told the outlet that “there is already concern about how the campaign will go”.

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