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Conte warns his Chelsea stars: Respect me or there will be trouble

Antonio Conte has fired a warning shot across the bow of his Chelsea players after suffering a disappointing pre-season friendly defeat by Rapid Vienna on his debut as manager. The Italian took to the dug-out for the first time as Blues boss as a strong line-up including Diego Costa, Willian, Nemanja Matic and captain John Terry succumbed in the Austrian capital on Saturday. Joelinton gave Rapid an eighth-minute lead before Tomi Correa scored a second with nine minutes remaining as Costa and youngster Ola Aina conspired to spurn … [Read more...]

Conte keen on signing only the right players

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits he “talks to the club every day” as he plots a third arrival of the summer at Stamford Bridge. The new Blues boss has already done deals for Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante and the Italian admits the club are still working to add new names to the squad. Chelsea have on Sunday been linked with a move for Leicester star and reigning Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez , but Conte was given nothing away when questioned about who he might sign next. “All together we are working to improve the squad,” he … [Read more...]

James Rodriguez wanted by Premier League clubs

James Rodriguez fancies a switch to the Premier League if a club matches his £67m release clause, according to Spanish reports. Marca have gone big on the front page with the headline ‘LA PREMIER TIENTA A JAMES’, which basically means that the Colombian has the horn for English football. Rodriguez started only 17 La Liga games last season and did not even make it off the bench for the Champions League final, with first Isco and then Lucas Vazquez preferred as substitutes. His preference is reportedly to stay at Real but he obviously … [Read more...]

Conte suffers defeat as Rapid Vienna beat Chelsea 2-0

Antonio Conte's reign as Chelsea head coach got off to an underwhelming start in front of Roman Abramovich, who was in the stands, as his team suffered a 2-0 defeat against Rapid Vienna. An early goal from teenage Brazilian striker Joelinton gave Rapid a lead they never relinquished as the Austrian giants marked the opening of their brand new 28,000-seater Allianz Stadion with a famous victory. Spanish substitute Tomi added a second late on. Chelsea announced the signing of Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante for a reported £30 million … [Read more...]

Chelsea sign N’Golo Kante from Leicester City

Chelsea have signed N'Golo Kante from Leicester City on a five-year deal reported to be worth around £30 million, both clubs have announced. Kante, 25, becomes Chelsea's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille and arrives at Stamford Bridge just 12 months after joining Leicester from Caen. Chelsea saw off reported competition from Juventus, Arsenal and Shanghai SIPG to make Kante second signing of the summer transfer window, after the acquisition of Belgium international striker Michy Batshuayi for … [Read more...]

Chelsea sign N’Golo Kante for £30m from Leicester

Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante is reported to have undergone a medical at Chelsea, with a £30million transfer expected to be completed over the weekend. Numerous reports on Friday evening claimed Chelsea had agreed a deal with Leicester, despite the champions’ best efforts to keep the France workhorse at the King Power Stadium. Kante is understood to have passed a medical at Chelsea’s Cobham base on Friday, with confirmation of the transfer likely to come in the next 48 hours. Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri said earlier this week … [Read more...]

Arda Turan to stay at Barcelona despite interest from Arsenal and Chelsea

Arda Turan is determined to remain at Barcelona this summer and fight for his place, despite heavy interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, according to the player’s agent. It was reported earlier this week that Barcelona would be willing to let Turan leave for £23million after a disappointing first season at the Catalan giants. The Turkey midfielder was unable to play for the first half of the season because of Barcelona’s transfer embargo and when finally eligible, he featured for only 810 minutes in the league, scoring two goals and providing … [Read more...]

Kante to decide future- Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri remains hopeful Leicester City can hold on to N'Golo Kante, but has admitted it's up to the midfielder to make a decision. Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has stressed N'Golo Kante's future is "in his own hands" amid reports claiming Real Madrid and Chelsea are keen to sign him. The holding midfielder was a key figure in Leicester winning the Premier League title in 2015-16 and his performances have not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Madrid and Chelsea are believed to be interested in luring Kante away from Leicester, … [Read more...]

Antonio Conte backs John Terry as Chelsea captain

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said John Terry will remain club captain this season regardless of whether he is on the pitch. Conte was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager in April, when Guus Hiddink was in interim charge and there were significant doubts over Terry's future at the club. The 35-year-old ultimately put pen to paper on a new one-year contract in May but had previously said he would have to accept a "different role" at the club. Conte has finally arrived at Stamford Bridge after having led Italy to the quarterfinals … [Read more...]

Chelsea set to Hijack Joao Mario move

Euro 2016 winner Joao Mario looked set to join the Biscione but now the Premier League side lead the race due to being able to offer the Portuguese club more money . After helping Portugal to Euro 2016 triumph, Joao Mario could be set for a move to Chelsea after the Premier League club moved ahead of Inter in the race to sign the Sporting midfielder. Antonio Conte’s side are now in pole position to sign the Portugal international – as they look to strengthen ahead of a title challenge –with the Premier League club able to offer more money … [Read more...]

Conte eager to set the ball rolling at Chelsea

Antonio Conte says he was “born with pressure” and will remain unfazed by the challenge of leading Chelsea as they seek to recover from a “bad season”. Former Italy boss Conte, speaking English well, expressed his pride and excitement at what awaits with the Blues as he unveiled by the club at a press conference on Thursday. He also acknowledged the challenge ahead at a club which won the 2014-15 Premier League title, but finished a lowly 10th last term. “The pressure for me is not important,” Conte added. “I was born with pressure. … [Read more...]

Antonio Conte takes first Chelsea training session at Cobham

A "very vocal" Antonio Conte took charge of his first training session as Chelsea manager on Wednesday after arriving in London to begin work in his new role. The 46-year-old was pictured touching down in the capital on Tuesday evening before he made his way to Chelsea's training base in Cobham the following morning to put his players through their paces. After a light jogging session, the Chelsea squad were split into two groups to work on their passing, look at their patterns of play and improve their ability to keep the ball - with … [Read more...]

Chelsea to replace Fabregas with Kante as Mourinho shows interest

With new Blues coach Antonio Conte expected to let several players go this summer, Cesc Fabregas could well need to find a new club . With his future at Chelsea uncertain, Cesc Fabregas could be offered a lifeline by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. The pair worked together at Stamford Bridge during the last two campaigns, winning both the Premier League and the Capital One Cup before the Portuguese tactician was sacked for a poor start to last season. New Chelsea boss and former Italy coach Antonio Conte could have a clear out … [Read more...]

Chelsea make £29m bid for N’Golo Kante

Chelsea have made a £29 million bid for Leicester’s France international midfielder, N’Golo Kanté, and want to push the deal forward this weekend. Antonio Conte, the new Chelsea manager, has made his move for the player, with a formal offer being considered by the Premier League champions. Leicester’s hierarchy were discussing Chelsea’s bid in Austria on Wednesday night yet remain hopeful of persuading the 25-year-old to stay for at least another season. Kanté has already turned down one contract proposal since the end of last season … [Read more...]

Conte set to be unveiled as new Chelsea boss

Antonio conte will be unveiled as Chelsea coach on thursday, with fans hoping he can deliver the goods at Stamford Bridge.  Conte was appointed Chelsea boss on April 4 and takes up his role after leading Italy at Euro 2016, where they suffered a penalty shootout loss to Germany in the quarter-finals. The Godfather – his nickname among the Italy players, according to Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci – is the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who is now boss of Manchester United. As well as having a new man at the helm, Chelsea are … [Read more...]

Arsenal and Chelsea look set to bring Roma defender to England

With contract talks seemingly set to break down and defensive reinforcements on their way, Roma could be set to offload centre-back Kostas Manolas. The impending arrival of Juan Jesus could signal the end of Kostas Manolas’ time at Roma , with the defender being monitored by Arsenal and Chelsea. With a deal agreed with Inter for an initial loan, followed by a mandatory purchase, of their Brazilian centre-back, it has fuelled further rumours that Manolas will depart the Giallorossi. Although he is contracted until 2019, considerable … [Read more...]

Chelsea and Arsenal battle for Kante as Chinese club shows interest

Chelsea's attempts to sign N'Golo Kante are complicated by interest from China and the efforts of several Leicester players to convince him to stay. Kante’s £20m release-clause is not prohibitive to Manchester United, Arsenal or Juventus, who are among those monitoring the situation, but Chelsea have shown the greatest willingness to act. Progress is expected this week now France have completed their Euro 2016 campaign but Chinese club Shanghai SIPG have raised the stakes by indicating they are prepared to pay £35m. Kante is thought to … [Read more...]

Willian signs new four-year deal at Chelsea

Chelsea have announced that Manchester United target Willian has signed a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho was understood to be keen on being reunited with Willian, and the winger was reportedly interested in a move to Old Trafford. But the Blues have managed to tie down the 27-year-old Brazilian, who was voted the club’s player of the year last season, until 2020. “I’m very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea. It’s a dream to continue with this club and over the next four years I will try to help the team … [Read more...]

Chelsea and Arsenal in race to sign Arda Turan

Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race to sign £23million-rated Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan, according to reports in the Spanish media. The midfielder’s future has been subject of heavy speculation in recent weeks after failing to make his mark in his first season at the Nou Camp. The Turkey international joined the Catalan giants last summer from Atletico Madrid for £34m but was unable to make his debut for his new side until January 2016 due to a transfer embargo on the club. Despite winning the La Liga title in his first season … [Read more...]

Chelsea interested in Lazio attacking midfielder

Lazio are willing to let Felipe Anderson leave at the right price, with Premier League club Chelsea understood to be interested in the Brazilian. The future of Lazio attacking midfielder Felipe Anderson looks increasingly unlikely to be in the Italian capital after the Biancocelesti relaxed their previously rigid stance on letting the player leave. This may well have something to do with the fact that Anderson changed agent only a few weeks ago, opting to affiliate himself with Giuliano Bertolucci. Bertolucci is a close associate of … [Read more...]

Juventus interested in Matic but he won’t go on a cheap

The Premier League club’s asking price for holding midfielder Nemanja Matic appears to be too steep for the Bianconeri. Juventus‘ hopes of securing the signing of Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic are fading, with the Bianconeri unable to match the asking price for the midfielder. The Serbia international has been targeted by the Bianconeri, who are looking to strengthen their midfield options as they aim for a sixth consecutive Scudetto. However, Massimiliano Allegri’s ambitions of securing the former Benfica ace have been dampened by Chelsea’s … [Read more...]

Conte keen on Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata returned back to Madrid this summer after two successful seasons with Juventus, but he could be on his way out. keen on keeping their striker, Real Madrid have rejected a €60 million offer from English side Chelsea for Alvaro Morata. During the last two campaigns, the Spaniard has been on loan at Italian champions Juventus , establishing himself as one of the brightest young strikers in Europe. Earlier in the summer, Real activated their buy back clause which saw Morata return to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for €30 … [Read more...]

Lucrative Chinese offer for Chelsea target Pelle

Chelsea target Graziano Pelle is set to depart Southampton but for the prospect of a £13million move to China, not a reunion with Antonio Conte. Italy international Pelle scored twice during Euro 2016 as the Azzuri reached the quarter-finals, with Conte informing the Chelsea hierarchy that he wanted to bring the 31-year-old with him when he took over at Stamford Bridge. However Southampton have accepted a sizeable offer from a Chinese Super League side, reported to be Shandong Luneng, for a player with one year remaining on his contract, … [Read more...]

Juventus set to hold talks with Chelsea over Juan Cuadrado future

The 28-year-old enjoyed a resurgent season at the Bianconeri last term with both the player and club intent on continuing the relationship. Serie A champions Juventus are set to hold talks with Premier League club Chelsea over the future of Juan Cuadrado as the Turin side prepare for a summer bid for the winger. The Colombian international’s rise to stardom at Fiorentina saw him complete a move to the Stamford Bridge outfit on a four-and-a-half year deal back in February 2015. However, Cuadrado was shipped off to Juventus at the … [Read more...]

Chelsea ready to chase Lionel Messi

If the Argentine doesn’t sign a new deal at the Camp Nou, coupled with complications in relation to tax issues, it could open the door to a move to England. Chelsea has joined Manchester City in the race to sign Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after his father was pictured on Roman Abramovich’s yacht. Messi has been handed a 21-month prison sentence after a court in Barcelona found them guilty on three counts of tax fraud, amounting to €4.1 million. Any fee to sign the Argentine would be over €117m, whilst Messi’s father, Jorge, has met with … [Read more...]