Chelsea secure top four, Pulisic 'unhappy with Tuchel', Kounde transfer 'as soon as takeover complete', Lewandowski deal

CHELSEA secured a top four finish on Thursday night with a tame 1-1 draw at home to Leicester.

The Blues are reportedly aware of the availability of Robert Lewandowski, who is set on leaving Bayern Munich.

The Pole is said to be keen on a move to Barcelona but the Blues could yet make a bid and reportedly would have done so last year if the move had been financially viable.

Meanwhile another man who came from a German club. is said to be unhappy at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel – Christian Pulisic.

And Chelsea are reportedly ready to complete the signing of Jules Kounde as soon as Todd Boehly's takeover of the club is done.

The Blues want to push the deal through as quickly as possible with the departures of Toni Rudiger and Andreas Christensen imminent.

In contrast to last summer when they upped the asking price at the last minute, Sevilla are also said to want a quick deal so they can focus on signing a replacement.

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Keep up to date with all of the latest gossip from the Stamford Bridge…

  • Alex Cole

    Tuchel on Kante's impact

    Thomas Tuchel spoke on N'Golo Kante after last night's game.

    He said: "I think he is our key, key, key player, but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch. He plays only 40 per cent of the games then it is maybe a miracle that we arrive in third place.

    "He is our Mo Salah, he is our Van Dijk, he is our De Bruyne. He is simply that player, he is our Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

    "He is that guy who makes the difference, and if you only have him for 40 per cent, then it is a huge problem.

    "Given that percentage, it is maybe a miracle that he produces results. It puts everything into perspective as I saw Liverpool without Van Dijk last season, and they struggled heavily.

    "You see the difference. N'Golo is our key player, and we need him on the pitch."

  • Alex Cole

    ‘It’s a huge problem’ – Tuchel alarmed by Kante fitness issues

    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel claims it is a miracle his side have finished third as star man N'Golo Kante has missed most of the season.

    Tuchel compared Kante, 31, to some of the biggest names in football, writes Keelan Hughes.

    Kante has struggled with injuries throughout the campaign and completed 90 minutes just ten times in the league this season.

    He did not look his usual self in the 1-1 draw with Leicester on Thursday but Tuchel defended the Frenchman and lavished him with praise.

    Kante's future has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks as he only has a year remaining on his contract but it appears Tuchel is desperate for the midfielder to stay.

  • Alex Cole

    Tuchel opens up on Azpilicueta

    Thomas Tuchel has spoken on why Cesar Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea.

    He said: “We had a lot of these talks because very genuinely it felt like he won everything after the Club World Cup, then suddenly given his personal situation I can understand these thoughts that maybe a cycle is at its end.

    “Then it is a change of ownership and he played only under this owner in this structure so it maybe increased even his second thoughts about his situation.

    “But then his extension kicked in at the same time.”

  • Etienne Fermie

    Good morning Chelsea fans

    Chelsea have secured third spot in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

    Barcelona transfer target Marcos Alonso was on hand to snuff out Foxes star James Maddison’s early strike.

    And the Blues’ stalemate with the Foxes means that even if fourth placed Tottenham draw level on points this Sunday with Chelsea, the West Londoners' greater goal difference of 18 will be enough to earn them a spot behind Liverpool and Man City.

    Thomas Tuchel is eager to break Man City and Liverpool’s dominance in the Premier League.

    The German has told new Blues owner Todd Boehly of his plan, according to the Evening Standard.

    And the report states that Tuchel wants the financial backing from Boehly to get his vision in motion.

    Chelsea star N’Golo Kante has cast fresh doubt on his future at the club.

    Speaking to Sky Sports, the French midfielder has brushed off talk of his long-term future.

    “He said: “The only thing that is sure is that I have one more year on my contract. It’s not really my concern.

    “The only thing [on my mind] is to finish the season well.

    “I’ll think about it at the right time but I just want to finish the season as best as possible.”

    Inter Milan won’t be able to buy Romelu Lukaku on a permanent basis.

    The Italian side will only be able to provide Lukaku with a loan transfer this summer, according to reports in Italy.

    Italian journalist Guido De Carolis said: “Lukaku can only return to Inter on loan. The Nerazzurri cannot buy him, but he can come back on loan.

    “It depends on Chelsea and Tuchel. Lukaku doesn’t want to stay with this coach.”

    But the reporter insists the loan deal can happen as Lukaku is desperate for a return to Inter.

    Antonio Rudiger is saying his goodbyes as he gets ready to leave for Real Madrid.

    Rudiger was pictured at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital meeting patients and staff.

    And the defender came with gifts that he handed out in the hospital, the Daily Mail reported.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Chelsea secure third spot

    Chelsea failed to bounce back from Wembley disappointment as they were held by Leicester at Stamford Bridge.

    James Maddison fired the Foxes ahead early on in West London before Marcos Alonso equalised for the Blues.

    The point means Chelsea have as good as secured third place.

    They would need to lose to Watford, and fourth placed Tottenham would have to score in excess of 17 goals against Norwich.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Reece James verdict given

    Reece James is a better all-round defender than Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    That's the view of ex-Chelsea and Liverpool star Glen Johnson.

    Johnson told LordPing: "It's tough because I think they're both fantastic. I think Trent [Alexander-Arnold] is just about better on the ball and has got a better delivery, but to be fair to Reece [James] that sounds harsh because he's fantastic as well.

    "I'd say Trent is better going forward and Reece James is better defensively, but all round, I'd have to say Reece James is better."

  • Justin Lawrence

    Chelsea fans' tribute to Mount and Tuchel

    Chelsea fans paid tribute to manager Thomas Tuchel and star Mason Mount with two huge new banners at Stamford Bridge.

    Supporters in the Shed End held aloft a banner bearing a picture of the German boss the message 'Deutsche Maestro'.

    The Blues on the terraces were keen to show support for their manager following the heart breaking penalty shoot-out defeat in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

    A second banner was unveiled with Mason Mount – who missed the crucial penalty – and the message: 'The boy who had a dream'.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Tuchel opens up on Azpilicueta

    Thomas Tuchel has spoken on why Cesar Azpilicueta wants to leave Chelsea.

    He said: "We had a lot of these talks because very genuinely it felt like he won everything after the Club World Cup, then suddenly given his personal situation I can understand these thoughts that maybe a cycle is at its end.

    "Then it is a change of ownership and he played only under this owner in this structure so it maybe increased even his second thoughts about his situation.

    "But then his extension kicked in at the same time."

  • Justin Lawrence

    Rudiger says his goodbyes

    Antonio Rudiger is saying his goodbyes as he gets ready to leave for Real Madrid.

    Rudiger was pictured at the Chelsea and Westminter hospital meeting patients and staff.

    And th defender came with gifts that he handed out in the hospital, the Daily Mail reported.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Inter may 'loan Lukaku'

    Inter Milan won't be able to buy Romelu Lukaku on a permanent basis.

    The Italian side will only be able to provide Lukaku with a loan transfer this summer, according to reports in Italy.

    Italian journalist Guido De Carolis said: "Lukaku can only return to Inter on loan. The Nerazzurri cannot buy him, but he can come back on loan.

    "It depends on Chelsea and Tuchel. Lukaku doesn’t want to stay with this coach.”

    But the reporter insists the loan deal can happen as Lukaku is desperate for a return to Inter.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Pulisic 'unhappy' at Chelsea

    Christian Pulisic is reportedly unhappy with his situation at Chelsea.

    And his discontentment with the Blues is starting to become a problem, according to the Mail+.

    The news comes after Pulisic's dad came out to criticise Chelsea's treatment of his son.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Chelse 'eye' Lewandowski transfer

    Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on Robert Lewandowski.

    Lewandowski has only got one year left on his Bayern Munich contract.

    And although he's been linked with a move to Barcelona, the Blues are also monitoring his situation, according to the Mail+.

    The report also states Chelsea were tracking Lewandowski last summer but a switch wasn't feasible at the time.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Kante speaks on Chelsea future

    Chelsea star N'Golo Kante has cast fresh doubt on his future at the club.

    Speaking to Sky Sports, the French midfielder has brushed off talk of his long-term future.

    He said: "The only thing that is sure is that I have one more year on my contract. It’s not really my concern.

    "The only thing [on my mind] is to finish the season well.

    "I’ll think about it at the right time but I just want to finish the season as best as possible."

  • Justin Lawrence

    Joe Cole continued

    Cole laughed: “Jose was the best at putting a player down.

    “Ricky Carvalho, obviously a great player, he had a row with Jose about something.

    “And after the game he didn’t play and Jose says, ‘You will never play again for me, you will never play!

    “’John Terry, number one, William Gallas, number two, Robert Huth, number three.

    “’Young kid, number four’…. And he went, ‘Kit man Mick, I play Mick ahead of you!’

    “Mick’s a 50-year-old fella with a big Derby [belly] on him!”

    The admission saw Crouch burst into laughter, with the ex-England ace declaring: “Carvalho! He wasn’t bad, was he!”

  • Justin Lawrence

    Joe Cole makes Mourinho admission

    Jose Mourinho once warned Ricardo Carvalho that Chelsea’s 50-year-old KIT MAN would play ahead of him during a blazing row.

    Former Blue Joe Cole disclosed the revelation while appearing on Peter Crouch’s podcast.

    He described how a bust-up between Portuguese pair Mourinho and Carvalho led to the Special One making a hilarious threat.

    Mourinho told Carvalho that he was “never going to play” for Chelsea again.

    And the boss then went a step further by insisting that Chelsea’s ageing kitman at the time, Mick Roberts, was ahead of Carvalho in the pecking order.

  • Justin Lawrence

    More on Juventus and Jorginho

    The report states that their sporting director Cherubini has arrived in London and “will hold talks with representatives of Chelsea in the coming days” in order to “discuss the possibility of doing a deal once sanctions have been lifted” have been lifted on the Blues.

    And they claim that the Stamford Bridge club have not rebuffed the transfer talks, suggesting they could be open to selling.

    Jorginho only has a year remaining on his contract and Chelsea will be desperate not to lose another star for nothing following Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s departures.

    Juve are yet to agree a fee with Chelsea for Jorginho, but Gazzetta say discussions with the player over personal terms “reached an advanced stage” already.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Juventus plan Prem raid

    Juventus chief Federico Cherubini has reportedly arrived in London as he looks to secure a deal for Chelsea’s Jorginho.

    The Italian giants appear to have won the race to sign Manchester United’s Paul Pogba on a free transfer when the Frenchman’s contract expires next month.

    And the 29-year-old could be lining-up alongside Jorginho when he returns to Turin next term.

    Todd Boehly’s consortium hope to complete their takeover of Chelsea by the end of the month, which will finally allow them to get back in the game transfer wise.

    However, a big-name departure could be the first topic of conversation, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

    They state that Juventus have made Italy international midfielder Jorginho, 30, one of their top targets and have now begun their attempt to get him.

  • Justin Lawrence

    Tuchel eyes Prem giants

    Thomas Tuchel is eager to break Man City and Liverpool's dominance in the Premier League.

    The German has told new Blues owner Todd Boehly of his plan, according to the Evening Standard.

    And the report states that Tuchel wants the financial backing from Boehly to get his vision in motion.

  • Alex Cole

    Tuchel unsure of Christensen involvement

    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is unsure as to whether Andreas Christensen will play for the club again after he withdrew from the squad on the morning of the FA Cup final.

    Speaking ahead of tonight's game with Leicester, the German said: “I’m not sure yet if he will be involved either tomorrow or at the weekend.

    “Andreas came to me [on Saturday morning] to tell me that he’s not ready to play, start or to be on the bench.

    “He had his reasons, and they will stay private and confidential – but it was not the first time.”

    Tuchel was quick to point out, however, that Christensen’s absence was not because the defender did not want to play, and reiterated that the Dane has the support of the club.

  • Alex Cole

    Government agree to Chelsea deal

    On Wednesday a deal was finally agreed between Roman Abramovich and the UK Government over the sale of Chelsea that will green light Todd Boehly’s takeover of the football club.

    The PA News Agency report that the two parties are said to have found a ‘legal resolution’ as to how to handle the £1.5billion debt the Stamford Bridge club owe to the outgoing Russian owner.

    Abramovich had previously indicated his willingness to write off the loan, but Downing Street officials had expressed concerns that the 55-year-old would later renege on that promise.

    The Premier League are now required to sign off on any sale of one of their clubs.

  • Alex Cole

    How Chelsea could line up against Leicester

    Academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah could slot into the back three alongside Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger.

    N'Golo Kante and Jorginho could start in the middle of the park, with Marcos Alonso and Reece James flying up and down the wing.

    Mason Mount will be hoping to get back to winning ways after having his penalty saved against Liverpool.

    Hakim Ziyech could also support Romelu Lukaku in attack.

  • Alex Cole

    Blues mini injury crises vs Leicester

    Thomas Tuchel is facing a mini injury crisis ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Leicester City, writes Joshua Mbu.

    The Blues could be without FOUR first-team stars for the 8pm kick-off.

    Timo Werner is almost certain to miss the game against the Foxes after appearing to pick up a hamstring injury in the warm-up ahead of the FA Cup final against Liverpool.

    Question marks remain over midfielder Mateo Kovacic, as well as defender Andreas Christensen and attacker Kai Havertz.

    Christensen was missing from Chelsea's squad for the final against Liverpool.

    Blues boss Tuchel admitted that it is a situation that has occurred multiple times in recent weeks but has refused to give details on conversations with the soon-to-be out of contract star.

  • Alex Cole

    Munich 10 years on

    It was the most famous night in Chelsea's history, when Didier Drogba stroked home the winning spot kick in the Champions League final.

    In 2012, the Blues beat Bayern Munich on penalties despite being dominated by the Germans over 120 minutes.

    Against all the odds they lifted the trophy after beating Bayern in their own backyard following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

  • Alex Cole

    Chelsea Team news

    Thomas Tuchel revealed that Timo Werner's absence from the FA Cup final was due to a minor knock that he felt in the warm-up which makes the German a doubt for the Leicester encounter.

    Werner's fellow countryman Kai Havertz was another squad player unavailable as his hamstring injury continues to cause him a concern going forward.

    Thiago Silva has also become a doubt having battled through 75 minutes of pain in the clash at Wembley with a minor injury.

    As for Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi, they remain out for the foreseeable future.

    Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers' has no further injury concerns ahead of Leicester's trip to Stamford Bridge.

    Wesley Fofana missed the 3-0 win over Norwich with a tight calf, but the Frenchman returned for the pummelling on Watford.

    Whilst Jamie Vardy's wrist scare was nothing serious as the English forward added another two goals to his tally against the Hornets.

  • Alex Cole

    Chelsea vs Leicester info

    Chelsea entertain Leicester City TONIGHT.

    It is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time.

    Stamford Bridge will be the location for this clash.

    The Blues ran riot when the sides met earlier on in the season.

    Source: Read Full Article