Incoming Blues manager reckons Italy full-back would fit in with new-look defence he is planning at Stamford Bridge The incoming Chelsea boss is currently managing Italy at Euro 2016, with Darmian a key player in his squad. And according to Bleacher Report , the 26-year-old Old Trafford star has been identified as a possible signing to kick-start Conte’s reign. It is thought the versatille defender will fit in at Chelsea as Conte wants to experiment with both a three and a four-man defence. Darmian can play as a full-back or as a … [Read more...]
Zouma eager to work with Conte next season as he continues to recover
Kurt Zouma has confirmed that he will not be fit for the start of Chelsea's season as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury, but says he is relishing the prospect of learning from new boss Antonio Conte. The 21-year-old has not featured for Chelsea since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a Premier League clash with Manchester United in February, ruling him out of the rest of the season and France's Euro 2016 campaign. Prior to the injury, Zouma had become a regular starter in the heart of … [Read more...]
Euro 2016:Italy were the better side- Courtois
The Belgium goalkeeper was helpless to prevent his side falling to a 2-0 defeat to Italy in their opening Euro 2016 match in Group E B elgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted that his side were no match for Italy , as the Azzurri romped to a 2-0 win in their Euro 2016 opener on Monday evening. Despite going into the match as favourites, Belgium could only muster a single shot on target and fell to strikes from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle, as Antonio Conte’s team went top of the group. Following the defeat, the Belgian … [Read more...]
Blood and sweat as Conte’s Italy dismissed Belgium
Italy boss Antonio Conte said his side "can do great things" after they defeated Belgium 2-0 in their Euro 2016 opener in Group E on Monday. Italy took the lead through Emanuele Giaccherini in the 32nd minute and held firm until injury time, when Graziano Pelle smashed the ball home following a counter-attack to make victory certain. There have been doubts as to the quality of the current Italy squad going into the tournament but Conte felt the win over Belgium -- currently the top-placed European side in the FIFA World Ranking -- showed the … [Read more...]
Chelsea to tempt Dimitri Payet away from West Ham
West Ham have responded to Chelsea’s request to ‘name their price’ for Dimitri Payet by putting a £60million transfer fee on the France playmaker, according to reports on Sunday. Sources claims the Blues have contacted their Premier League rivals to check on the availability of the player, who has enjoyed a stellar first campaign for West Ham, and has since seen his star climb higher following a spectacular winner in France’s Euro 2016 opener against Romania on Friday . The 29-year-old signed for the Hammers last summer from Ligue 1 outfit … [Read more...]
Napoli warned they would take legal action against Chelsea over Kalidou Koulibaly transfer
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed Kalidou Koulibaly has cost the club millions of euros in merchandising revenue -- and warned that he could take legal action against Chelsea. Last week, Senegal international Koulibaly said he was likely to leave the Serie A club in the summer and expected rumoured interest from the Blues to become more concrete. The defender told L'Equipe: "If nothing happens with Napoli, I'm going to start making contact with other clubs. "I'm going to make the most favourable choice, not only … [Read more...]
Roma set to keep Radja Nianggolan despite Chelsea showing interest
Although Radja Nainggolan has attracted the interest of Chelsea, James Pallotta wants to keep him at the Giallorossi, particularly as they are close to losing Miralem Pjanic to Juventus. Given the continued speculation linking Radja Nainggolan with a move to Chelsea, Roma President James Pallotta has no intention of selling the Belgian international and he wants to keep him at all costs. Chelsea have shown interest in the 28-year-old midfielder, especially new Blues coach Antonio Conte who is a big fan of Nainggolan, and the Belgian revealed … [Read more...]
Conte eager to bring Leonardo Bonucci to Stamford Bridge
Current Italy coach Antonio Conte, who is set to take over at Premier League club Chelsea following Euro 2016 , will try to entice Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci during the summer transfer window. While the 29-year-old Azzurri international centre-back has repeatedly insisted he is happy in Turin, Conte is hoping to convince the player he worked with at club level while in charge of the Bianconeri between 2011-2014 to join him in West London. Bonucci has won five successive league titles with the Old Lady since joining the club … [Read more...]
Nemanja Matic to force his way out of Chelsea to link up with Mourinho
Nemanja Matic has told Antonio Conte he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to The Sun . Mourinho brought the Serb back to Stamford Bridge during his second spell with the Blues and is hoping to sign him again this summer. Despite playing a key part in 2015’s title win, Matic was one of the team’s biggest underperformers when Mourinho was sacked last year. It was claimed the pair fell out when Matic was substituted just 27 minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-1 … [Read more...]
Barcelona considering Chelsea’s Ceazar Azpilicueta as replacement for Alves
Barcelona are keen to add Chelsea defender Ceazar Azpilicueta to their ranks as they set for the departure of Dani Alves to Juventus. The Spanish champions are desperately considering their defensive options as officials work to avoid a mini crisis in manager Luis Enrique's back line. Dani Alves is tipped to leave and Marc Bartra have already departed the club, while Douglas, Adriano and Thomas Vermaelen may all follow suit. That is according to Spanish newspaper Marca, who claim both Javier Mascherano and Aleix Vidal could also leave the … [Read more...]
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte interested in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly
Napoli are keen on retaining their commanding centre-half, although Kaildou Koulibaly is now expecting to leave the Stadio San Paolo. Kalidou Koulibaly is contemplating a summer transfer away from Italian side Napoli and has criticised the club’s inertia in arranging a potential contract renewal. Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has already lined up a potential move for the Senegal international, as he aims to bolster his defence in a proposed €30 million deal. However, Napoli are reluctant to sell their star defender, although Koulibaly … [Read more...]
Radja Nianggolan says Antonio Conte wants him at the Bridge
Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has revealed that Italy coach Antonio Conte wants to sign him for Chelsea next season, having tried to lure him to Juventus in the past. The Belgium midfielder features high up on Conte's summer shopping list and he told Belgian media that not only is he aware of Conte's interest, but that he has already spoken to him about a move to the Premier League. "We've talked. He already wanted me at Juve, but I told him that I would never go there," Nainggolan told Belgian media in France. "Now he's trying to … [Read more...]
Chelsea apologize to former doctor Dr Eva Carneiro as both parties settled on confidential agreement
Jose Mourinho and Chelsea to settle the employment tribunal regarding her departure from the Premier League club last September. A statement titled “Chelsea Football Club announcement” appeared on the club’s official website immediately after news of the settlement was revealed, in which the Premier League outfit apologised “unreservedly to her and her family for the distress caused”. It read: “Chelsea Football Club is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Dr Carneiro which brings her employment tribunal proceedings against … [Read more...]
Pedro admits he misses boyhood club Barcelona but doesn’t regret Chelsea move
Pedro admits he misses Barcelona but is adamant he does not regret joining Chelsea despite a "very strange" first season. Chelsea winger Pedro insists he has no regrets over moving to Stamford Bridge, though he admits he does miss Barcelona. The Spain international was signed by Jose Mourinho in August last year and made an explosive start to life in the Premier League, scoring on his debut in a 3-2 win over West Brom. The 28-year-old endured a largely inconsistent campaign, however, hitting seven league goals in 29 games as … [Read more...]
Eden Hazard not planning on leaving Chelsea
Eden Hazard has committed his immediate future to Chelsea and promised only to leave on a high. Hazard, 25, has been regularly linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid following a tough season with Chelsea but the Belgium international played down reports he could leave Stamford Bridge. He also expressed a desire to depart "like a boss, like I did in Lille," a reference to him scoring a hat trick in his final game for the Ligue 1 side, notching 20 goals in 38 league games that season and becoming only the second player in … [Read more...]
Chelsea in talks to sign Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi
Chelsea are reportedly keen to signing Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi. The former Stoke City ace has impressed for the La Liga outfit since arriving last summer, helping them to win the Europa League for an unprecedented third year in a row. This has piqued the interest of incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte, but there is also competition from Leicester City according to The Sun On Sunday. With a £21 million release clause, any transfer for the 27-year-old won’t be cheap. However, with Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel criticised for … [Read more...]
Radja Nainggolan confirms Chelsea interest
Radja Nainggolan has confirmed Chelsea are interested in signing him, but added he is "very happy at Roma." Nainggolan, 28, is wanted by new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to bolster the club's options in midfield but he is not sold on the idea of a Premier League switch. "They want to strengthen and moreover you have a coach like Conte who has always wanted to sign me", Nainggolan told Belgian magazine Nina. "There has been contact between the two clubs, but as long as there is no agreement reached, I'll stay well out of it. … [Read more...]
Chelsea Boss Anthonio Conte wants Paul Pogba at the Bridge
Antonio Conte is desperate to sign Paul Pogba this summer and Chelsea are in talks with the Juventus midfielder’s camp over a British transfer record £76million move to Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old left Manchester United for Turin in 2012 and he’s won four consecutive Scudettos with the Old Lady. The Frenchman has attracted interest from the majority of European superpowers and, according to Get French Football , Chelsea are in constant contact with the midfielder’s representatives over a move to bring him to west London this … [Read more...]
Chelsea set to price Anthonio Candreva away from Lazio
Chelsea are reportedly ready to make a move for Lazio winger Antonio Candreva in this summer’s transfer window. The Italy international has long been regarded as one of the top attacking players in Serie A, having previously attracted interest from other top Premier League clubs. And it now looks like the presence of Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge could finally see Candreva make the move to these shores, according to Il Tempo . Chelsea would have to pay around £20million for the 29-year-old, but it seems the club are stepping up their … [Read more...]
Ex Chelsea coach named new Aston Villa boss
Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as the club's new manager. The former Chelsea boss replaces Remi Garde, who was sacked in March ahead of Villa's relegation from the Barclays Premier League. Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012, makes his return to management a year after leaving German side Schalke. The 45-year-old has always been the number one choice for prospective new owner Dr Tony Xia. David Moyes and Nigel Pearson, who was appointed Derby manager on Thursday, were also linked … [Read more...]
Conte will be a success in England- Carlo Ancelotti
The 46-year-old, who won three successive Serie A titles during his time in charge of Juventus, will stand down as Italy coach after Euro 2016. Chelsea have had an affinity with Italian managers, having hired Gianluca Vialli, Claudio Ranieri, Roberto Di Matteo and Ancelotti over the past 18 years. Ancelotti, who won the Premier League and FA Cup during his two seasons in charge of the west London outfit, is well placed to judge Conte. And Ancelotti has lavished praise on his countryman. “Conte is a hard worker: really serious, really … [Read more...]
Premier League trio in chase for out of favour Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are all eyeing up out of favour Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos. The Brazilian centre-back, 22, has struggled to break into the PSG first XI — falling in the pecking order behind compatriots David Luiz and Thiago Silva in the heart of defence — and is now hoping for a summer move. The news has caught the attention of the three Premier League giants— who are all keen to boost their back-line after they failed to keep it tight at the back last season. There is a concern however, as the … [Read more...]
Chelsea weigh defensive options as Rudiger joins Roma
AS Roma have signed German defender Antonio Rudiger on a long-term contract until 2020, making permanent his loan move from VfB Stuttgart for a fee of nine million euros ($10.02 million), the Italian club said on thereby ending speculations he could join Chelsea. The 23-year old joined the Italian club on a one-year loan deal from Stuttgart in September for an initial fee of four million euros and has made 30 appearances in Serie A. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte reportedly lined up a £16m bid for the Germany international, but have to look … [Read more...]
Chelsea rules out defender sale despite bumber offer
Chelsea will not sell Andreas Christensen to Borussia Monchengladbach, according to reports. Christensen is half-way through a two year loan spell with the German club and has cemented himself in the starting XI. The centre-back made 39 appearances in all competitions last term for the Bundesliga side and scored three goals. And according to German newspaper Bild , Gladbach want to make the deal permanent and will table an offer in the region of £15million - a record for the club. They will also reportedly include a buy-back … [Read more...]
Terry backs former boss Jose Mourinho to Succeed at the Theatre of Dreams
Chelsea captain John Terry believes his former boss Jose Mourinho will achieve great success at Manchester United. Mourinho, who was named as Louis van Gaal's successor on Friday, and will hope to hit the ground running in order to bring back the glory days the Old Trafford fans used to know under Alex Ferguson trophy-laden 26-year tenure with his retirement in 2013. The 35-year old expects the Portuguese manager to have a major impact at Old Trafford, telling Sky Sports News: "I'm sure the Man United fans and players will be delighted with … [Read more...]