CHELSEA fans are eagerly waiting to find out exactly when the Premier League will return, with a date of June 12 currently pencilled in.
And they could be set for a big boost with Tammy Abraham reportedly close to signing a new £135,000-a-year contract.
Follow all the latest news and transfer updates from the Bridge below…
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GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Or should that be G'Day – as the Premier League is looking to go Down Under to play their final 92 matches.
Talks are ongoing for a stunning scheme for the matches to take place in four stadiums in Perth, Western Australia.
English agent Gary Williams has masterminded the plan after Red Devils legend Gary Neville put forward the idea that the matches could take place abroad.
Williams has been in contact with the Australian government and Ministry for Sport to get their backing for the eye-catching idea.
It has already been put to the Prem, while several clubs have also been alerted and are happy to oblige.
One club official said: “We go on world tours in pre-season. This is no different. And the climate in Australia is ideal just now.”
Williams’ eight-point proposal to the Prem is:
1. Fly all 20 squads to Perth. Airlines would be delighted with the custom and are available.
2. Base them in their own hotels, with facilities, and isolate for up to afortnight if they have to. Perth is currently in tourist ‘off season’anyway.
3. Play games at several top venues in the city, behind closed doors or even with a limited number of local fans.
4. Slash the number of medical tests needed, possibly only two in total rather than the proposed twice a week.
5. Remove the need for police to control closed venues in England when the games are played.
6.End concerns about travel arrangements and hotel stays. The clubs would use the same bases, close to grounds, for the duration.
7. Allow families to travel over towards the end of the campaign to give them a much-needed break in a safeenvironment.
8. Easy for TV coverage, with various kick-off times to suit English schedules.
Perth has four major sporting venues that can be used — Optus Stadium (capacity 65,000), Perth Oval (20,500), cricket’s WACA (24,500) and Joondalup Arena (16,000).
Brummie Williams said: “I have had discussions with contacts at Premier League clubs and they like the idea. I have also spoken with government officials and they are enthusiastic. We are speaking again this week.
“Everybody is safe here. The government has lifted many restrictions.”
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WHY ROMAN BOUGHT CHELSEA
Roman Abramovich wants to shield Chelsea and its community from the worst ravages of the virus, says his right-hand man.
And in a rare interview, club director Eugene Tenenbaum revealed why the billionaire bought the Blues in the first place.
Abramovich moved swiftly to open the doors of his hotel in the grounds of Stamford Bridge for use by NHS staff in the early stages of the outbreak.
He is also allowing the kitchens at the 42,000-capacity ground to be used to prepare meals for health workers. And two club doctors have switched to work for the nearby Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Tenenbaum, 56, explained: “In such a trying time, he did not want extra stress around the club and community.”
And of Abramovich's motives for taking over the Prem giants, he added: “In football, the exciting thing is that you set the plan, you execute the plan and then every week you have a validation or not of whether your plan is correct.
“He likes to figure things out. I think the reason why he loves football is that it’s not a formula. I think people find it exhilarating because you can’t control it. There are so many factors.”
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ZIY'S THE LIMIT
Chelsea’s stars have been told to expect top quality from Hakim Ziyech by his former team-mate Alfred Finnbogason.
Finnbogason played alongside Ziyech for two years at Dutch club Heerenveen and loved it.
“Oh my god,” he told De Telegraaf, when asked about Ziyech. “And I already knew he was good, didn’t I.
“But what he has shown in recent years is not normal. If you don’t click with Ziyech, you are not a good striker.
“All you have to do is move. He gives the balls exactly the way you want them to be.
“He is something special and will be a big signing for Chelsea.”
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BOTCH-IT RESTART
Bosses at a Premier League club have told their players they can OPT OUT of Project Restart for health and safety.
But that sparked outrage among fellow top-flight pros, unhappy they have not received the same offer.
The revelation came on the players’ WhatsApp group which was initially between the 20 club captains — but has swelled to over 100 members.
Now a growing number of stars believe that they are being railroaded into playing again before it is safe, with a June 12 resumption mooted
SunSport understands one club has emailed its squad individually, making it clear if they are uncomfortable with playing a game — let alone the remainder of the campaign — then they are free to avoid it.
It has caused stars from players at remaining clubs as they do not want individuals to be open to criticism if they take their own decision not to play, preferring to be a united front.
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PREM PONDER EFL CASH BOOST
EFL clubs could receive a multi-million-pound handout from the Premier League if they get their season going.
The remarkable gesture has been discussed by several top-flight owners who are concerned for the levels outside the elite.
And the news was relayed in a confidential memo sent out from the PFA to players yesterday.
The leaked document read: “The Premier League are conscious that behind-closed-doors football is costly for the EFL and have obligations to support the lower leagues…
“It may be that once they get back playing they will know the financial damage they face and then look to help the EFL.”
This money would be extra cash and on top of the existing ‘solidarity’ payments that help many clubs to survive.
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PERTH-ECT PREM SOLUTION?
The Premier League is being offered an amazing Plan B escape route — to end the season in sunny Australian city Perth.
Worried chiefs are trying to find ways of playing the final 92 games in England — with a neutral venue masterplan in place — but are constantly finding hurdles.
TV pundit Gary Neville claimed the top flight should finish behind closed doors overseas.
And now English agent Gary Williams is masterminding the astonishing alternative.Williams, who lives in the Western Australian capital, has received backing from the local Perth senator.
He is also in contact with the Australian government and Ministry for Sport to get their backing for the eye-catching idea.
It has already been put to the Prem, while several clubs have also been alerted and are happy to oblige.
One club official said: “We go on world tours in pre-season. This is no different. And the climate in Australia is ideal just now.”
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£5M BLUE BIRD?
Chelsea are closing in on their second summer signing in the shape of Max Bird.
That’s according to website Todofichajes, who claim Frank Lampard is ‘very close’ to sealing a deal for his former Derby player.
It is said Lampard recommended the signing with Chelsea set to pay around £5m for his services.
Bird would become Chelsea’s second incoming this summer with Hakim Ziyech agreeing a £37m transfer in February.
The winger will join from Ajax on July 1, with the Dutch top flight already cancelled due to coronavirus.
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HE'S DO OR DIE
Willian has told of his admiration for Diego Costa.
The pair won the Premier League title together at Stamford Bridge in 2017.
He told the Desimpedidos YouTube channel: “[He’s] a great guy, on the pitch that’s how he behaves, he annoys every defender.
“He is the striker that no defender wants to face.
“He really is annoying. He makes a whole mess, gets the defenders a few yellow cards and after that they get scared of making a mistake and get the red card.
“So he really is the striker that the defender does not want to play against because of his many qualities.”
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SWAP, DROP & CROP
Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner has claimed that the club will only be partaking in swap deals in the upcoming transfer window, increasing speculation over Chelsea target Philippe Coutinho.
The 57-year-old has lifted the lid on how the club have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic with players' wages set to be slashed again despite the squad already accepting a 70 per cent cut.
In an interview with ESPN, Cardoner has revealed how the Blaugrana have already lost around £124million due to being in lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
After stating Barca would definitely make a loss this campaign, he said: “Because our base economic situation is a solid one, this will not affect us the same way as probably other clubs.”
SunSport have previously reported how both Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele could leave the club at the end of the season in swap deals.
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BLUE SEES RED
Chelsea wonderkid Billy Gilmour has revealed he wears a LIVERPOOL shirt at home.
The 18-year-old burst onto the Stamford Bridge scene in the weeks before coronavirus halted the season.
After a series of stunning performances in centre-midfield, boss Frank Lampard even admitted he shouldn't have held him back for so long.
Gilmour has been the perfect example of Chelsea's gradual turn to trusting their top talent in the first-team squad.
But Blues fans might not be too happy hearing he wears a Liverpool shirt in lockdown.
When asked if he wears a jersey of another team, the teenager told the Chelsea website: “It was probably Andy Robertson’s Liverpool shirt when I swapped with him after the recent FA Cup game.
“I wear that sometimes at the moment, just out in the garden playing football.”
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ALREADY SET THE TONE
Arsenal legend Tony Adams believes Chelsea target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be sold in the summer as his former employers continue to be a selling club.
Asked by Sky Sports whether it is likely he will leave, he said: “Quite possibly, he could walk out the door.
“I loved [former manager] Arsene Wenger's principles, that no player was bigger than the club, and he moved players on if it made sense for the club financially.
“He was strong with that and he got Champions League football every year but it did stand in the way of recruitment – so we have become a club that is selling the best players.
“If I was a coach I'd be saying 'Don't sell Aubameyang at any price, we need to recruit, bring players through the academy and keep our best players'.”
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LOL
How to troll Spurs, Cesc Fabregas style.
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SPECIAL WHINE
Jose Mourinho has revealed the only time he shed tears after a defeat was NOT when Chelsea were knocked out of Europe, but when Real Madrid lost on penalties to Bayern Munich back in 2012.
The Portuguese had already steered Los Blancos to a record-setting year in La Liga but was denied the chance to make it a Champions League double against the Germans.
He said: “Unfortunately, that's football.
“Cristiano, Kaka, Sergio Ramos… three complete monsters of football, there's no doubt about that, but they're also human.
“That night is the only time in my career as a coach that I've cried after a defeat. I remember it well… Aitor [Karanka] and I pulled up in front of my house, in the car, crying…
“It was very hard because we were the best that season.”
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'HEN PECKERS
Chelsea and Manchester United target Victor Osimhen is reportedly the subject of a shock transfer bid from an unnamed club.
According to French outlet Telefoot, Lille have received an offer of £75million including bonuses for their 21-year-old striker.
Tottenham and Inter Milan have also been linked with a move for the pacy star but Liverpool are said to be in the driving seat.
Osimhen had scored 18 times in his 38 appearances for Lille before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Nigerian international only joined the Ligue 1 outfit from Belgian club Charleroi last July.
Osimhen still has over four years left on his contract at Lille, which means any interested suitors will have to fork out big to sign him.
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JIM'LL FIX IT
Raul Jimenez has declared he's happy to stay at Wolves – but could not turn down a chance to sign for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Several clubs have been linked with the Mexican, 28, as he nears the end of his second year leading the line at Molineux.
While speculation does not concern Jimenez, he has not been afraid to state his ambitions of challenging for titles and believes Wolves are still some way off that target.
He told ESPN Mexico: “I find [rumours] through social media.
“They have already put me at Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and every day comes out a new team that want me.
“I have to be calm. If they are talking about me it is because I am doing things well.
“I would like to continue in England. I am happy, adapted and I like the idea [of staying].”
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HEALTH IS PRIORITY
Frank Lampard says football cannot return if there is any risk to the health of players and staff.
He told BT Sport: “We’re all aware of the nation’s desire to get football back on because of what it means, the escapism and how we love our football.
“I’m also very aware of the obstacles. There are many obstacles that people will have to go through.
“I’m certainly not pointing fingers, I think we’re all working in the same direction: we want it back.
“But of course health and safety comes first. Now all the steps to try and get that in place have got to be the important thing.
“Because we cannot risk the health of players and staff who are working in football. We can’t.”
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THINGS LOOKING UP
English clubs have been handed a huge transfer boost with the news that RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano could leave for £53.25million.
The Frenchman has been earning rave reviews in the Bundesliga, with a host of top European clubs believed to be in the transfer hunt for him.
Speaking to Sport 1, as reported by Goal, Leipzig managing director Oliver Mintzlaff hinted that Upamecano could be heading out.
He also suggested star striker Timo Werner, heavily linked with Liverpool and Chelsea, is another big name who could switch clubs.
He said: “In the Covid-19 crisis, we have other issues greater than concerns about contracts.
“That’s the case with Timo Werner and that will be the case with Dayot Upamecano. I have the economic stability of the club in mind.”
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JADONE DEAL
Manchester United are determined NOT to break the bank for Chelsea target Jadon Sancho but reportedly remain in the driving seat for the winger's signature.
Bleacher Report claim that the prospect of the Red Devils splashing nine-figure sums is unrealistic in the current climate with coronavirus dropping every player's value by “at least 15 per cent.”
Borussia Dortmund had put a £100million-plus price tag on Sancho earlier this year with a warning that the valuation could rise even further if the 20-year-old impressed for England at the Euros.
Now, any premium has disappeared with the Euros postponed but United have to be cautious not to annoy the Germans with low-ball bids.
The Old Trafford club are said to be keen not to spend more than the £89m they splashed on Paul Pogba, with any deal for Sancho for less than £86m seen as a good result.
Chelsea are also hoping to muscle in on a potential deal, with Sancho big pals with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham.
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KO PUNCH
Mateo Kovacic has made it into FIFA 20's team of the season so far.
Here's his card, with a 91 rating!!
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CHELSEA PENSIONERS
Turns out Christian Pulisic hasn't aged well during lockdown.
View this post on Instagram
That time we used FaceApp on the players in pre-season! ?? #CFC #Chelsea
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FAB MEMORY
Cesc Fabregas likes nothing more than a cheeky swipe at Spurs fans on Twitter.
And he's at it again, referencing this day four years ago when he helped Chelsea come from behind against Tottenham to end their title dreams with a 2-2 draw at the Bridge.
Goals from Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill handed Leicester the crown in a game which has gone down in Blues' folklore as the 'Battle of Stamford Bridge'.
12 players were yellow carded as tempers boiled over late on – and Fabregas clearly enjoys looking back on the occasion.
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JT’S BIG REGRET
John Terry has revealed the biggest regret of his Chelsea career was getting sent off against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final in 2012.
“I knew I was in trouble,’ he told BeIN Sport about the incident.
“It’s funny because I heard before we played them at Stamford Bridge, he got a dead leg.
“And in the home game he run past me and I sort of blocked him and caught him on his leg, and he was in absolute agony.
“He was still carrying it [in second leg] so I thought I’ll just give him a little.
“Stupid really, I don’t know why I did the second one at the Nou Camp because it put the team in a dreadful position.
“I look back now and I think it must be one of my silliest moments as a player on the pitch and if you could pick one team you do not want to be down to ten men against its Barcelona at the Nou Camp. I thought I could get away with it.”
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AT HOME WITH RUBEN
Loftus-Cheek has been keeping busy during lockdown…
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ZIYECH THIS GUY OUT
Chelsea’s stars have been told to expect top quality from Hakim Ziyech by his former team-mate Alfred Finnbogason.
Finnbogason played alongside Ziyech for two years at Dutch club Heerenveen and loved it.
“Oh my god,” he told De Telegraaf, when asked about Ziyech. “And I already knew he was good, didn’t I.
“But what he has shown in recent years is not normal. If you don’t click with Ziyech, you are not a good striker.
“All you have to do is move. He gives the balls exactly the way you want them to be.
“He is something special and will be a big signing for Chelsea.”
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