Read on below for all the latest news, views and gossip from Stamford Bridge, including the latest on Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
BLUES LOVE MUM
CHELSEA and Manchester City are battling to sign Sunderland teen Bali Mumba.
Spies from both clubs saw the midfielder, 17, dazzle in the FA Youth Cup at Halifax on Wednesday.
BRIDGE DOESN'T NEED WINDOW
MAURIZIO SARRI has suggested Chelsea might sign NO-ONE in January.
The Italian coach claims the Blues are not yet strong enough to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool but says his current squad can make the necessary improvement.
BARK'S GOT BITE
ROSS BARKLEY’S statistics speak for themselves.
Compared to Barkley’s final full season at Everton in 2016/17, he is running further, passing better, making assists more regularly and scoring more frequently for Chelsea so far in this Premier League campaign.
LET ME STAY AND PLAY
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK admits he is frustrated at his lack of action – but says: "I want to play for Chelsea".
The 22-year-old has only started six Premier League games for the Blues since coming through their Academy in 2014.
KOUL RUNNINGS
CHELSEA fans want Maurizio Sarri to splash out for Kalidou Koulibaly in January following a stunning assist for Napoli.
The Senegal international was a huge success under Sarri in Naples and supporters believe he could have a similar impact at Stamford Bridge.
LOFTY HEIGHTS
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK will be staying put at Chelsea when the January transfer window opens.
Maurizio Sarri has been highly impressed by the midfielder in recent weeks and reckons he can play a crucial part in Chelsea’s challenge for the title this season.
Loftus-Cheek scored four times in four matches last month, including a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League against BATE Borisov.
NAB HIM
NABIL FEKIR has emerged as a serious contender to replace Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea chiefs fear the winger could jump ship for Real Madrid next summer.
And Lyon’s Fekir, who helped France to World Cup glory in July, could be heading to Chelsea as Hazard’s replacement just months after a move to Liverpool collapsed.
RAM-IFICATIONS
AARON RAMSEY may be left high and dry by Chelsea following Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley’s resurgence in form.
The Welsh midfielder will leave Arsenal on a free contract at the end of the season and was believed to be in Maurizio Sarri’s sights.
But the Italian has been won over by Loftus-Cheek and Barkley in recent games, meaning Ramsey may have to look elsewhere for his next big break.
NOT SO FAB
CESC FABREGAS will have to accept a huge pay-cut if he wants to stay at Chelsea past the end of the campaign.
The Spanish playmaker has proven himself to be a worthy back-up option to Jorginho at the heart of a midfield three.
But Fabregas’ current deal is up in the summer and he will have to sacrifice a chunk of his £160,000-a-week wages to remain in West London.
HALF TIME
EDEN HAZARD is likely to return from injury against Crystal Palace on Sunday – but he isn’t fit enough to play the whole 90 minutes.
The Belgian has been out of action since the 2-2 draw with Manchester United on October 20 with a back problem.
Maurizio Sarri is confident Hazard can play some part in the London derby this weekend, but concedes his star man can probably only feature for 45 minutes max.
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