CHELSEA are waiting for news on Ben Chilwell after his injury against Belgium was revealed to have been a back spasm.
Meanwhile Didier Deschamps has told Olivier Giroud he will no longer be first choice for France if he can't get a move away from Stamford Bridge in January.
Get all the latest updates from Stamford Bridge here…
- Josh Graham
BACK AGAIN?
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell's back problem against Belgium was reportedly spasms.
The Telegraph's Matt Law reports the defender is hoping it's not a major issue.
And that it could have been brought on by the amount of travelling the former Foxes ace has done in the last few weeks.
But it appears the £50m man is unlikely to be risked against Iceland on Wednesday evening with Gareth Southgate's Three Lions already out of the Nations League.
Chelsea will assess his fitness before the trip to Newcastle this weekend.
- Josh Graham
FAB MOVE
Former Chelsea striker Fabio Borini is reportedly set for a career lifeline with Turkish side Goztepe.
The Liverpool Echo claims Borini, 29, has been approached by the minnows after leaving Hellas Veona on a free transfer.
Borini, who was linked with Newcastle in April, has been training in a Merseyside park during the coronavirus pandemic.
And his hard work looks to have paid off, with Goztepe eager for Borini to fire them to their first Super Lig title since 1950.
The one-time Italy international started his professional career at Chelsea, making just eight appearances for the Blues before having loan stints at Swansea and Roma.
Borini secured a move to Liverpool in 2012 but ended up joining Sunderland three years later, having spent a season on loan at the Stadium of Light.
- Josh Graham
PALM READER
Chelsea and Napoli are reportedly in talks over a loan deal for Emerson Palmieri.
Repubblica claims the Italy left-back, 26, could be set to join Tiemoue Bakayoko at the San Paolo this winter.
Emerson hasn’t made a single Premier League appearance this season following the £50million arrival of Ben Chilwell from Leicester.
And Chelsea could now send him to Napoli on loan before letting the Serie A side make the deal permanent next summer.
Emerson joined Chelsea from Roma in January 2018 for £17.5m.
- Josh Graham
CHIL-LING
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell has been assessed by medical staff and is in contention for Wednesday's game against Iceland.
The former Foxes man was forced off against Belgium with a back problem but it does not appear to be too serious.
The news is a massive boost for Blues boss Frank Lampard.
Elsewhere, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson and Manchester City star Raheem Sterling have withdrawn from the Three Lions squad.
- Josh Graham
OFF THE MARC
Chelsea youngster Marc Guehi has pulled out of the England Under-21 squad.
The defender is on loan at Swansea and was due to face Albania on Tuesday.
But he has been withdrawn as a precautionary measure.
Fellow Blues, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher remain with Aidy Boothroyd's squad.
- Josh Graham
HE'S A KEEPER
Former Chelsea keeper Asmir Begovic has backed Blues flop Kepa Arrizabalaga to 'prove everyone wrong'.
The world's most expensive shot-stopper has lost his No1 spot to new signing Edouard Mendy after a number of gaffes.
The Bosnian told talkSPORT: “I don’t think it’s gone to plan for everyone.
“These situations are never straightforward. If you spend a big transfer fee it doesn’t mean everything is going to work out; there are a lot of factors into making a move work and making an impact at a club.
“Mendy has come in and done really, really well, I think he’s really solidified that position. He’s been impressive, he’s been a joy to watch to be honest and he’s someone I really enjoy watching.
“But can Kepa still prove everybody wrong? Possibly. I think Kepa is a really good goalkeeper, he played really well in Spain before his move to Chelsea and it’s obviously been a bit of a tricky time for him.
“He’s got really good quality and I’m sure he’ll be a huge success, whether it’s at Chelsea or somewhere else.
“When you have that equality it’s only going to be matter of time before things turn around for him again in a positive way.”
- Josh Graham
NEW BLUE BLOOD
Chelsea could reportedly bank a tasty £67million by flogging five fringe players.
The Express claims Frank Lampard remains eager to sign West Ham and England star Declan Rice, despite spending £226m on SEVEN new faces over the summer.
But with Rice reportedly valued at a whopping £80m by his club, Chelsea need to raise funds while also reducing their number of senior players.
It’s said that Lampard is ready to allow January exits for centre-back Antonio Rudiger, left-back Emerson Palmieri, midfielder Danny Drinkwater and striker Olivier Giroud, as well as Napoli loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Rudiger could fetch £27m, according to Transfermarkt, with Emerson valued at £16m, Drinkwater £3.5m, Giroud £4.5m and Bakayoko £16m.
- Josh Graham
FEELING THE CHIL
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell was forced off in the first-half of the 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium on Sunday night.
And Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate didn't give Blues fans much to be thankful for regarding the former Foxes man's back injury.
He said: “He had some sort of issue with his back that he was complaining about and he didn’t feel he could carry on.”
Despite the blow it is unlikely Marcos Alonso will be recalled with the Spanish defender very much an outcast.
He has only made it into one of Frank Lampard's matchday squad since he was hauled off away at West Brom in September.
Italian ace Emerson or skipper Cesar Azpilicueta are likely to deputise if Chilwell is unable to play.
- Josh Graham
BUNSEN WERNER!
Check out Chelsea's goal of the month for October.
Scored by German ace Timo Werner in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Southampton.
- Josh Graham
'AMAZING'
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has blasted international football's safety procedures in a sarcastic rant on Instagram.
The Spurs manager went online to deliver a stunning message to those in charge of health protocols after some players tested positive for coronavirus… having just taken part in matches.
New Tottenham right-back Matt Doherty was today ruled out of games against Manchester City and Chelsea after contracting Covid-19.
His test result came just hours after he played in the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Wales yesterday, with teammate James McLean also testing positive.
He wrote: “Amazing week of football. Great emotions in the national team matches, superb friendlies and total safety.
“Covid test results after matches been played, randomers running on the pitch while team sessions are taking place and much more.
“After another training session with only six players, it is now time to take care of myself.”
- Etienne Fermie
THE BLU£$
Chelsea certainly haven't been shy splashing the cash since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003.
The Russian's investment sparked a brand new era in the history of the Blues.
We take a look at their top ten most-expensive signings in history, in reverse order…
- Etienne Fermie
IT ALL ADS UP
Thomas Partey was advised by Emmanuel Adebayor to reject Manchester United and Chelsea to sign for Arsenal, the striker has claimed.
The Gunners paid £45.5million to sign the Ghana international in a deadline day switch from Atletico Madrid.
The 36-year-old told reporters in Ghana: “About six months to a year ago, he was telling me about contacts he had had from England. He mentioned Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea. And I told him, 'Listen, if I have a chance to play in England, a chance to play for Arsenal, the place you to have go to is Arsenal'.
“Because he is young, he is still learning and Arsenal are a family club, and I'm very happy and impressed with his first steps in the team.
“Unfortunately we all saw what happened against Aston Villa at home but he is a great player, a great personality. He is like a younger brother to me who is always looking for advice and we get along very well.”
- Etienne Fermie
KANTE GO WRONG
Chelsea hero N'Golo Kante has given his thoughts on where the Blues are at this season under Frank Lampard.
He said: “The team has changed in recent years but the coach has been here for a year working together now,.
“We’ve signed some new players and what we are trying to do is maintain Chelsea’s standards – win titles and be at the top nationally. We are well-placed at the moment and I hope we continue in this vein.”
- Etienne Fermie
FRANK TALK
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has opened up on the most important lesson he has learned as Blues boss.
He told the club's website: “There are so many things tactically so I won’t touch on that because I think there is a big part of that, but probably the one of personal relationships with the players and the group relationship you have with them.
“Trying to strike that right balance, because for me a high-performing group or team, it has to be a balance between being really positive but being slightly on edge.
“So it’s like 'how positive can I be where I don’t want to sound like I’m just trying to be a cheerleader here and not see that we’ve lost two games on the bounce.' I can’t just keep being positive. And when we’re winning and it’s great, how can I keep them on edge, just so they don’t think we’re going to win every game, because I’ve seen that one before many a time and then you lose the next game.
“So I think I try to create that kind of balance and I’m still striving for that. I still think a lot about that and go over it myself. I think you do have to keep analysing that one because it’s always different, but I think that’s the thing that I’ve learned, that you can’t neglect that side of it.”
- Etienne Fermie
DID WARN HIM
Didier Deschamps suggested Olivier Giroud will need a transfer in order to keep his place in the France squad.
The Chelsea striker, 34, has featured for just 33 minutes in the Premier League so far this season.
Les Bleus boss said: “I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team. With Anthony (Martial) who is a good player, it allows us to have a little more depth.
“Compared to Olivier, he has to be impacted, first of all with the situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm, it’s hard.
“That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated, we’ll talk, but obviously he has every interest in it not lasting, for him, to remain competitive, but we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do. Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously.”
- Etienne Fermie
RUD AWAKENING
Antonio Rudiger has emerged as a shock target for Barcelona, according to reports.
The Chelsea defender has fallen way down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, with Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva now Frank Lampard's established first-choice pairing.
And according to Sport, Ronald Koeman could whisk the German off to Spain, as the LaLiga side hunt a new centre-half.
- Etienne Fermie
RICE BREAKER
Chelsea legend Ashley Cole has ripped into Blues target Declan Rice for his involvement in Belgium's opening goal against England last night.
He said on Sky Sports: “I think he got attracted more towards Lukaku.
“I think that line (taken by Tielemans) should have been his recovery run. Look where this ball ends up, that would have been Declan running onto that.
“Now the ball has gone behind him and he’s chasing it. He doesn’t see where the danger is. If he had taken that straight run, he would have had [Eric] Dier with Lukaku and then you have that little bit of balance on the opposite side of the box for any balls that are played off Lukaku.”
- Etienne Fermie
PUSH AND PUL
Get to know Chelsea star Christian Pulisic better, as he talks all things gaming with the Blues' media team.
- Etienne Fermie
CESC ON FIRE
Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes that Hakim Ziyech can help the Blues in their quest to be champions.
He told 90min: “[Ziyech] is a very good player. He has this vision that you need in a top team like Chelsea, who want to win and be champions.
“You could see that they were lacking ideas last season and maybe at the beginning of this season, but with Ziyech, you can see that he has this last pass.”
- Etienne Fermie
LENDING ADE
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed that he advised Thomas Partey to snub interest from Chelsea and Manchester United in favour of a move to the Gunners.
The Togolese star said at an event in Ghana: “He told me that some clubs in England, namely Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and others have shown interest in him and he needs advice.
“I advised him to go to Arsenal because I have had the opportunity to play there and I think it will be good for his development.
“Arsenal is more than a club, it is a family and I’m impressed with his performances so far in the Premier League.”
- Etienne Fermie
PERFECT PAIR
N'Golo Kante has put club rivalry aside to reveal his pleasure at playing alongside Paul Pogba again.
The Chelsea star grabbed the only goal of the game as France defeated Portugal 1-0 last night.
Speaking to TF1 show ‘Telefoot’, he said: “He’s (Pogba) been injured for a while and it had been a while since we had played together.
“We remember the World Cup that we played together. It’s a pleasure to play with Paul. On the pitch, we felt great. I’m satisfied with the performance and the performance of the team. We were at the level we needed to be at.
“There’s a lot expected of us. We’re the world champion and the European Championship will be another challenge, but it’s certain that we’re a great team.”
- Etienne Fermie
HOT SCHOLES
Bruno Fernandes has claimed Paul Scholes was better than Chelsea legend Frank Lampard AND Steven Gerrard – and revealed he hopes to emulate the Old Trafford legend.
He told the UTD Podcast: “I think Scholes was one of the best midfielders in the world.
For England, a lot of people talk about Frank Lampard because he scored a lot of goals of course, one of the best in England too, you have Steven Gerrard too.
“But I think Scholes is the one who makes more difference than anyone else. And before everyone starts talking about this, I haven’t seen every midfielder in England… But I think in the last generation, those three were the three best ones, and for me Scholes was best.”
- Etienne Fermie
NO CHIL
England boss Gareth Southgate has offered a brief update on Blues defender Ben Chilwell, after the summer signing limped out of the 2-0 defeat in Belgium on Sunday.
The Three Lions manager said: “He had some sort of issue with his back that he was complaining about and he didn’t feel he could carry on.
“Outside of that I can’t give you any detail at the moment.”
- Etienne Fermie
JOR BACK IN BUSINESS
Jorginho may have been ousted by Timo Werner as Chelsea's penalty taker.
But the Italian was back to his best from the spot for the Azzurri last night.
The midfielder netted from 12 yards, setting his country on the way to a 2-0 victory over Poland.
- Etienne Fermie
OFF YOU KO
Napoli have reportedly reached a gentleman's agreement to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko on a permanent deal from Chelsea.
The midfielder joined the Serie A club on loan in October and has quickly become an integral part of their title push.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli did not agree a fee for the 26-year-old when signing from Chelsea.
But the two clubs are said to have now reached an agreement in principle over a £16million move in the summer.
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