CHELSEA are klooking to land Declan Rice this transfer window and have reportedly offered Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to West Ham in exchange.
Meanwhile Ross Barkley has gone on loan to Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.
Sign up to play Dream Team 20/21 now
- It's completely free to play
- Play the tradtional Season game as well as Draft
- There's a hefty jackpot up for grabs across 2020/21
- SIGN UP TO PLAY HERE
Get all the latest transfer gossip and updates below…
- Kiro Evans
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW LESS THAN 3 HOURS AWAY
A reminder that the Champions League draw is getting ever closer with Chelsea in pot two.
The Blues will be eyeing up several old European friends who they have faced in years gone by.
They could draw PSG from pot one, with the two clubs meeting each other on a few occasions over the last decade. The most memorable meeting saw a late Demba Ba goal send Chelsea through to the semi-finals in 2014.
They could also meet holders Bayern Munich who sent Frank Lampard's side spinning out of the competition last season over two torturous legs.
The draw starts at 4pm.
POT ONE: Bayern (GER), UEFA Champions League holders; Sevilla (ESP), UEFA Europa League holders; Real Madrid (ESP); Liverpool (ENG); Juventus (ITA); Paris (FRA); Zenit (RUS); Porto (POR)
POT TWO: Barcelona (ESP); Atlético Madrid (ESP); Manchester City (ENG); Manchester United (ENG); Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR); Dortmund (GER); Chelsea (ENG); Ajax (NED)
POT THREE: Dynamo Kyiv (UKR); Salzburg (AUT); RB Leipzig (GER); Internazionale (ITA); Olympiacos (GRE); Lazio (ITA); Krasnodar (RUS); Atalanta (ITA)
POT FOUR: Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS); Marseille (FRA); Club Brugge (BEL); Mönchengladbach (GER); İstanbul Başakşehir (TUR); Midtjylland (DEN); Rennes (FRA); Ferencváros (HUN)
- Kiro Evans
ALONSO UPDATE
Inter Milan may be in the window for Marcos Alonso, only days after the left-back's reported bust-up with Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea gaffer was furious with Alonso's actions after he was subbed off at half time and may now have a route to get rid of him.
Inter have just sold their Brazilian left-back Dalbert to Rennes and are now reportedly in the market for a replacement.
- Kiro Evans
PICK THAT ONE OUT
After two dodgy results this week, Chelsea will look to fight back against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
And it looks like Olivier Giroud is gunning for a place in the starting line-up.
- Kiro Evans
BIRTHDAY BOY
Chelsea have paid tribute to birthday boy and former player George Weah.
He enjoyed only a brief stay at the Bridge but made a big impact in that time.
Weah is also, perhaps more importantly, the current president of Liberia.
- Kiro Evans
THE CHEEK OF IT
West Ham believe they can get Ruben Loftus-Cheek on loan AND keep Declan Rice, reports say.
Rumours have long linked Rice with Chelsea, and in recent days the transfer mill has suggested RLC to West Ham is brewing.
A permanent swoop for Rice has seen some say RLC would have to go the other way on loan, but the Mirror reports that the Hammers believe they can have both players.
David Moyes is keen on signing another midfielder but does not believe Rice has to depart in the process.
Sources say the ex-Everton boss also believes he can capture Loftus-Cheek without having to sacrifice his own midfielder.
- Kiro Evans
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW BUILD UP
Chelsea go into today's Champions draw in pot two, alongside two English rivals in Manchester United and Manchester City.
They're almost guaranteed to get one of the big boys from pot one, while pot three also has some scary opposition in the form of RB Leipzig, Inter Milan and Atalanta.
The draw starts at 4pm.
POT ONE: Bayern (GER), UEFA Champions League holders; Sevilla (ESP), UEFA Europa League holders; Real Madrid (ESP); Liverpool (ENG); Juventus (ITA); Paris (FRA); Zenit (RUS); Porto (POR)
POT TWO: Barcelona (ESP); Atlético Madrid (ESP); Manchester City (ENG); Manchester United (ENG); Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR); Dortmund (GER); Chelsea (ENG); Ajax (NED)
POT THREE: Dynamo Kyiv (UKR); Salzburg (AUT); RB Leipzig (GER); Internazionale (ITA); Olympiacos (GRE); Lazio (ITA); Krasnodar (RUS); Atalanta (ITA)
POT FOUR: Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS); Marseille (FRA); Club Brugge (BEL); Mönchengladbach (GER); İstanbul Başakşehir (TUR); Midtjylland (DEN); Rennes (FRA); Ferencváros (HUN)
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING BLUES FANS
SunSport can exclusively reveal that Chelsea face wasting £5million to pay for Kepa to sit on the bench – because they cannot find anyone who wants to sign their flop keeper.
With an asking price approaching £60million, there have been no buyers found for the 25-year-old and now the Blues have had to start looking to find a club willing to take him on loan.
But there are not even any sides willing and able to agree a loan deal which would mean they have to meet his £150,000-a-week wages.
Meanwhile, Ross Barkley has completed a shock loan move to Aston Villa.
The midfielder found himself squeezed out of Frank Lampard’s plans by the £75m arrival of Kai Havertz, becoming the 20th player to leave Chelsea on loan this summer.
Finally, Thiago Silva has dismissed concerns over his age and says he has joined Chelsea to win major trophies.
The 36-year-old defender, signed on a free from PSG, said: “I'm not here just to go through the motions, or just for the experience, I'm here to win.
“I want everyone to be very clear about that: I'm going to give my all to make sure that Chelsea win.
“I didn't come here to dine out in London or visit the tourist sites. I came to play football, to work, and that's what I'm preparing for.
“I'm certain, with the group of players we've got and a coach who's a natural leader, that we'll be in the fight for every piece of silverware going this year.”
- Anthony Chapman
RUDI AWAKENING
Chelsea have ordered Antonio Rudiger to sign a contract extension if he wants to leave this summer, claim The Mirror.
The German has no future under Frank Lampard and his current deal expires in 18 months.
Chelsea do not want to risk losing him on a free transfer should they loan him out.
And Rudiger has now been told to extend his contract for another 12 months as Spurs and West Ham circle.
- Anthony Chapman
CALL OF DUTY
Ross Barkley admits he’s left Chelsea for Aston Villa to secure his place in England’s Euro 2021 squad.
The midfielder said: “The last couple of years I’ve been stop-start, performing well and then being out of the team.
“To come here and have the chance to play regularly is a big thing for me.
“The Euros at the end of season is a big target, hopefully I can be there.
“Dean Smith swayed me with the way he spoke to me, it looks like it’s going to be an exciting season.”
- Anthony Chapman
ANT FOR DEC
Chelsea are ready to offer Antonio Rudiger and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Declan Rice.
The Transfer Window Podcast claims West Ham could sign two of the Blues’ established first-team players in exchange for their star man.
Frank Lampard recently admitted Loftus-Cheek needs regular football for his development.
While Rudiger has become fifth-choice at centre-back following the arrival of Thiago Silva.
- Anthony Chapman
CRYSTAL CLEAR
Chelsea welcome Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
But the Blues have lost two of their last four games in all competitions, winning just once against Barnsley.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have already beaten Man Utd at Old Trafford before a controversial defeat to Everton.
And Frank Lampard will be eager to get his side back to winning ways.
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY DUNCAN WRIGHT
Chelsea face wasting £5million to pay for Kepa to sit on the bench – because they cannot find anyone who wants to sign their flop keeper.
With an asking price approaching £60m, there have been no buyers found for the 25-year-old and now the Blues have had to start looking to find a club willing to take him on loan.
But with European football hit badly by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are not even any sides willing and able to agree a loan deal which would mean they have to meet his £150,000-a-week wages.
And it is growing increasingly like the London club will be stuck with Kepa on their wage bill for the remainder of the season – handing them a bill of £5m just to be a back-up keeper.
- Anthony Chapman
DRINK UP
Valencia are lining up a shock loan move for Danny Drinkwater.
The Chelsea exile has no future under Frank Lampard.
And Radio Esport Valencia claims Drinkwater could be on his way to the Mestalla this week.
He would arrive to fill the void left behind by Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin, who both bizarrely sold on the cheap to rivals Villarreal.
- Anthony Chapman
BAK TO FRANCE
Tiemoue Bakayoko is on the verge of leaving Chelsea for Paris Saint-Germain.
Goal claims the French side have struck a loan deal for the outcast midfielder.
PSG also remain interested in taking Antonio Rudiger from the Blues.
- Anthony Chapman
THIA-GO?
Thiago Silva insists he is not worried about his long-term future with his new Chelsea contract running for just one season.
Silva explaiend: “I will do my best possible and really contribute to this team, this new project.
“I’ve accepted this new challenge, it's going to be really good for me.
“Everyone knows that my ambition is to play in the World Cup in two years' time when I'll be 38. That's a great responsibility.”
- Anthony Chapman
SILVA BULLET
Thiago Silva has dismissed concerns over his age and says he has joined Chelsea to win major trophies.
The 36-year-old defender, signed on a free from PSG, said: “I'm not here just to go through the motions, or just for the experience, I'm here to win.
“I want everyone to be very clear about that: I'm going to give my all to make sure that Chelsea win.
“I didn't come here to dine out in London or visit the tourist sites. I came to play football, to work, and that's what I'm preparing for.
“I'm certain, with the group of players we've got and a coach who's a natural leader, that we'll be in the fight for every piece of silverware going this year.”
- Anthony Chapman
BARKING MAD
Ross Barkley’s move to Aston Villa saw him become Chelsea’s 20th player to leave on loan this summer.
But who else has got a temporary move away from Stamford Bridge?
And can they play a future role under Frank Lampard in west London?
CLICK HERE TO SEE CHELSEA’S LOAN ARMY
- Anthony Chapman
POT LUCK
Chelsea could be handed a nightmare 'group of death' when the Champions League draw is made tomorrow.
There is potential to be drawn against Bayern Munich, who beat them 7-1 in the last 16 before winning the entire tournament.
A possible clash with old boss Antonio Conte and Inter Milan could happen from Pot 3.
While Pot 4 holds French side Rennes, who just sold Edouard Mendy to the Blues for £22million.
- Anthony Chapman
EDEN HANDS
Eden Hazard has been ruled out for the next month with injury.
He’s only just regained full fitness and was named in Real Madrid’s squad to face Real Valladolid tonight.
But the ex-Chelsea star has suffered a muscular injury in his right leg.
Hazard has been plagued by injury and fitness problems after leaving Stamford Bridge for Spain last year.
The Belgium international has missed an incredible 32 games through injury for Real so far.
And there will be even more after this latest setback.
- Kiro Evans
OLD FRIENDS
Ross Barkley looks like he's settling in well with his new Aston Villa teammates.
- Kiro Evans
BIRTHDAY BOY
Chelsea have paid tribute to their birthday boy Olivier Giroud, who turns 34 today.
The classy striker has found himself benched of late as Chelsea's new signings settle in, but he contributed to good effect when he started last night against Tottenham.
- Kiro Evans
WERNER'S RALLYING CRY
Timo Werner has issued a rallying cry after Chelsea's penalty loss against Tottenham.
The shootout defeat came only days after they had to recover after from 3-0 down against West Brom, but their German striker is looking to get the team fired up for Saturday.
- Kiro Evans
NO TIME WASTED
Ross Barkley was Dean Smith's preferred loan choice and jumped at the chance to sign him, according to one journalist.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also tipped for a loan move away but Smith “did not waste any time” when Barkley became available.
- Kiro Evans
MORE ON BARKLEY
There is no option to buy at the end of Barkley's surprising loan move to Villa, so Chelsea will be obliged to keep him.
The Athletic report that it was the offer of regular game time that convinced Barkley to move, but he will face stiff competition in midfield with Jack Grealish and John McGinn impressing.
Villa are reportedly not done with Barkley, and will look to sign another attacker before the window shuts.
- Kiro Evans
BARKLEY TO ASTON VILLA
BREAKING: Aston Villa have taken Ross Barkley on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
The midfielder had much competition in the midfield positions at Stamford Bridge and has now left for Dean Smith's Villa.
Source: Read Full Article