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 Nou Camp during the summer transfer window, and that would leave Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Jeremy Mathieu as they three remaining defenders. According to the report, Enrique will set about restructuring his defence … [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 remains disappointed in how the club have handled the recent situation. “I still have three years left on my contract with Napoli after experiencing two good years and there are offers on the table,” Koulibaly told … [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 convince me to go to Chelsea and we've had a chat about it. He's an interesting person. We'll see [if I stay at Roma]. I don't know." Conte is not the only person trying to convince the Roma midfielder to move to Stamford … [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 the club and Jose Mourinho to an end. “The club regrets the circumstances which led to Dr Carneiro leaving the club and apologises unreservedly to her and her family for the distress caused. We wish to place on record … [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 Chelsea - having replaced Mourinho with Guus Hiddink following a dreadful first half of the season - missed out on Europe and failed to win a trophy. Pedro admits he misses life at boyhood club Barca and concedes the past … [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 history to retain the division's Player of the Year award. Speaking to Telefoot, he said: "I have a contract until 2020. I don't want to finish like this. If I have to leave, I must do it like a boss! Like I did in Lille. … [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 their performances in the last campaign, N’Zonzi could be the man to improve the Londoners’ in defensive midfield position. … [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. Chelsea are a great team and it's good to be appreciated by them." The Belgium international has spent his whole senior career in Italy playing for Piacenza, Cagliari and now Roma and he thinks it would be difficult to leave … [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 summer. The midfielder fueled talk of a move to the Premier League earlier this year when he was spotted in London when given time off by Juventus and Conte has identified Chelsea’s midfield as a priority in this summer’s … [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 interest in making this deal happen. Candreva is also keen on leaving Lazio and seems ready to try his luck in the Premier League. … [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 to the job at Villa Park but it is thought Di Matteo's achievements at Chelsea were most appealing to Xia as he looks to build Villa's profile in the Far East. Di Matteo, who still has a house near Birmingham in … [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 professional and always focused on his job,” Ancelotti told FourFourTwo . “Chelsea are getting a top manager who will look at all the little details. “Coming to England from Italy, he will find a different world: less … [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 Brazil star himself is hot on a move to Barcelona. The Catalan club already have four of his compatriots in their ranks — including Neymar and Adriano. However, Marquinhos will keep the Premier League trio interesting, … [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 elsewhere as the German sealefd his move to Roma. Meanwhile, there are claims in Italy that Chelsea have agreed an £8.4m deal with Juventus for Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The defender could join Chelsea when … [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 clause in any deal for the Denmark international to smooth things over with the Blues. However, reports from Italy says the Premier League side are not willing to part company with the 20-year-old and are keen for him to … [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 that. "I've said many times before, he's the best manager I've worked under and a real delight. It's a shame the way he finished at Chelsea this year but I wish him well because he's a great manager and a great man as … [Read more...]
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pledges to play under Antonio Conte next season
The Belgian Euro 2016 goalkeeper has been a target for both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain after a troubled season and an apparent falling out with Stamford Bridge goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon. But the goalie insisted he was going nowhere this summer, saying: “I am at Chelsea. We are going to have a new coach and I have three years left on my contract. If nothing major happens I will stay at Chelsea. “I know that in football things happen fast, but in theory my next season is with Chelsea. I hope we can have a better year and win the Premier League again. It’s going to be very tough. All the teams will be adding new talent, but we are going to come back strong. “After winning the league the previous year by eight points and playing well, this … [Read more...]
Jermain Defoe strikes Earns sunderland victory in a thrilling comback win over Chelsea
Jermain Defoe's 18th goal of the season lifted Sunderland out of the Premier League relegation zone as 10-man Chelsea twice squandered the lead on Wearside. Newcastle's failure to beat Aston Villa means the Wearside club will secure a 10th consecutive season of Premier League football if they beat Roberto Martinez side at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday. Anything less, and it will go to the final day, when they travel to Watford, Newcastle host Tottenham, and Norwich, who remain in with a chance of survival, face Everton. Defoe struck 20 minutes from time - his first at the Stadium of Light since January 2 - to settle a five-goal thriller after first Wahbi Khazri and then Fabio Borini had cancelled out efforts from Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic with Blues … [Read more...]
Chelsea were at the brim of relegation when I took over- Guus Hiddink
Chelsea's carertaker manager Guus Hiddink has revealed for the first time how close the club were to being relegated when he first arrived, claiming the side was “drowning” and that he feared they would not survive. The Dutchman was appointed on December 19, with the club just two places and one point off the relegation zone after a woeful start to the season that saw Jose Mourinho fired. The Dutchman has since steadied Chelsea to mid-table stability, but he admits he was deeply worried when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge – admitting that some of his players were too complacent. But Hiddink says that the situation was “desperate” and far more serious when he first arrived than was realised at the time. “Is there danger when you are there, in 16 or 17 … [Read more...]
Late Diouf strike denies Chelsea win at the Bridge
A late Mame Biram Diouf strike denied Chelsea a win in a 1-1 score draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday. Chelsea took the lead in the 39th minute when Bertrand Traore's stunnig strike from just outside the box rested in the back of the net. Stoke pushed and deservedly drew level in the 85th minute as Diouf headed a rebound pass Thibaut Courtois for Mark Hughes men. The first half was a beehive of activities with both teams creating early chances. It was the Blues who took the initiative as Traore, who was standing in for the injured Diego Costa, struck with aplomb from the edge of the box. The second half continued in a similar fashion, with chances created for each team. Stoke's goal came after Courtois punched the ball straight to … [Read more...]
Hazard hopeful of silverware at the Bridge
Eden Hazard insists he is enjoying life at Chelsea and has his gaze set on winning trophies at the Bridge. The Belgium international revealed last month that it would be difficult to turn down French champions Paris Saint-Germain and added there was a slight possibility of him leaving at the end of the season. The attacking Midfielder who is under contract until 2020, said he is content with Chelsea and enjoys challenging for trophies. "I am always happy here," he told Chelsea TV. "Even if I play badly, I am happy. I know this is football but I try to keep a smile on my face every time. "The future is always the same and that is to win trophies, next season, in two and three years. "You want to win the games, to win trophies. [To do that] you have to be … [Read more...]
Cesar Azplicueta pledges future to Chelsea
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has no intentions of leaving the club and wants to see out the final three years of his contract. The Chelsea defender has pledged his future to the club and says he has no plans of leaving Stamford Bridge. Since arriving the Premier League four years ago, the 26-year-old has become a core member of Chelsea's first team, making 37 appearances across all competitions this season. The right footed defender has spent most times playing at left-back rather than his natural position on the opposite flank, but the Spainard is more than happy to fulfil any role within Guus Hiddink's side. Azpilicueta who has three years remaining on his contract spoke of his commitment to Chelsea during an interview having been asked about a … [Read more...]