4pm Chelsea news: Sarri says star Morata can be 'a little fragile', Willian and Pedro can be keys for DEFENDING, and Drinkwater exit talk

Read on for all the match reaction, including Sarri's searing summary and our verdict on which two players could be the key to toughening the Blues up. Plus news and gossip.

WANTED WILF

WILFRIED ZAHA is ODDS-ON to join Chelsea in January after starring for Crystal Palace this season.

The winger is 4/6 to join the Blues and punters have since lumped on the Eagles ace to make the switch.

SNOOZE YOU LUIZ

CHELSEA'S David Luiz is a shorter price to join Barcelona than Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.

According to reports, the two Premier League defenders have been targeted by Barca due to their current injury crisis.

LOOK, DON'T TOUCH

MAURIZIO SARRI is a well-known creature of habit but Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has revealed yet another stunning superstition which the Italian abides by.

Already known for painting his players' studs black, avoiding black cats and using a lucky parking space, Sarri has ANOTHER tradition which he employs to avoid cursing his team.

MOR NEEDED

CHELSEA fans will have left Stamford Bridge yesterday evening feeling buoyed by the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, but plenty will surely still harbour lingering doubts over two-goal striker Alvaro Morata.

The Spaniard is gradually starting to show signs of the form that led the Blues to shell out around £60 million for him in the summer of 2017.

SARRI YOU GOT CAUGHT

JAMIE REDKNAPP has accused Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea of using "dart arts" after the Italian's side lit up Stamford Bridge with another win on Sunday.

Alvaro Morata scored twice in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace to see Chelsea leapfrog Liverpool and go second in the Premier League.

HOT ROB

CHELSEA are reportedly eyeing up a move for Watford star Roberto Pereyra as a replacement for Eden Hazard – should the Belgian leave Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are understood to have drawn up a list of potential targets if their talisman calls time on his career in England, with Real Madrid desperate to nab him.

MOURINHO SALUTE

CHELSEA appeared to flash another "Jose Mourinho salute" yesterday as Pedro celebrated his goal in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

The Portuguese waved three fingers at the crowd in Manchester United's draw at Stamford Bridge last month, signalling the three Premier League titles he won in his two spells at the club.

'RIGHT DECISION'

EDEN HAZARD has been warned about quitting Chelsea for Real Madrid… by his BROTHER.

The Belgian attacker looked set to leave Stamford Bridge over the summer after intimating he was considering his future after helping his country to finish third at the World Cup.

GAME OF TWO ALVS

MAURIZIO SARRI says Chelsea’s two-goal hero Alvaro Morata can be a “little bit fragile” and must improve if he hopes to be their main striker.

Morata impressed as the Blues 3-1 win over Crystal Palace put them second in the Premier League table on goal difference above Liverpool.

WHERE FLAIR IS A WILL THERE'S A WAY

AMID the cheers and celebrations of another Chelsea win lies a curious statistic.

Maurizio Sarri’s side has not kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League since September 1. But read our big-match verdict to see why Pedro and Willian could help them defend better from further forward.

ON OR OFF?

ALVARO MORATA was on the scoresheet once again for the Blues – but was it offside?

Fans have take to Twitter to voice their confusion over the Spaniard's positioning – a similar incident to Sadio Mane's disallowed goal in yesterday's Arsenal vs Liverpool draw.

BLUE ENDING

DANNY DRINKWATER and Victor Moses have been told by Maurizio Sarri that they are surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

The pair have struggled for game-time since the Italian's arrival and could move on in January.

JAM HOT

BLUES fans are raving after their 18-year-old loanee Reece James scored a brilliant free-kick for Wigan.

Supporters are calling for the youngster to be their next right-back, rather than signing someone in the summer.

JOAO MUCH?!

BLUES are in a race against time to sign Benfica starlet Joao Felix on the 'cheap'.

The 18-year-old has only made five league appearances so far this season – but the Portuguese club are offering him a new deal that would increase his buyout clause from £45m to £105m.

NOTHING TO LUIZ

DAVID LUIZ is wanted in Barcelona as the Catalans face a defensive crisis.

With the Brazilian out of contract at the end of the season, Barca hope they can get a cut-price deal to cover for Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen.

BAY BAY AARON

CHELSEA'S hopes of attracting Aaron Ramsey to Stamford Bridge have hit a stumbling block.

The Welshman is out of contract at the end of season, meaning he will be available for free – but German giants Bayern Munich have stolen a march on the race.

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.

 

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