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...]
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]