Chelsea focus on FA Cup as Fabregas cools links
Bayern’s Max Eberl says the loan’s purchase option will not be exercised as Nicolas Jackson has not met appearance criteria, so the striker will return to Chelsea after the season.
Interim Calum McFarlane says Chelsea will use the FA Cup semi-final with Leeds as motivation after five straight goalless defeats and Liam Rosenior’s sacking, urging a reset and momentum at Wembley.
Chelsea face Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, 3pm BST. Form is unclear: Chelsea have lost seven of eight, Leeds are unbeaten in nearly two months. Winners play Manchester City on 16 May.
Paul Merson tips Eddie Howe as a Chelsea target, claiming owners would ‘take him tomorrow’. Howe’s Premier League experience is admired, though his future at Newcastle remains uncertain.
Cesc Fabregas distances himself from the vacant Chelsea job, saying he would be ‘crazy’ to think beyond Como’s run-in, despite Como’s president saying he is free to join Chelsea after the season.
Antonio Conte says Romelu Lukaku did not speak to him during a Napoli visit, extending their feud. The ex-Chelsea forward has been injured, fined for absence and has only 1 goal in 7 games.
Chelsea and Spurs are linked with Brentford striker Igor Thiago. Brentford eye Dynamo Kyiv’s Matviy Ponomarenko as a replacement, with a fee of around €25m touted amid rival interest from Europe.
Calum McFarlane highlights Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro as key to lifting Chelsea, backing Neto despite criticism over discipline and a goal drought since 3 December.
Chelsea have scouted Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey, who has 6 Premier League goals, scoring against Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and West Ham. He is seen as a realistic No.9 target.
Leeds arrive buoyant for Wembley, with Daniel Farke chasing a first FA Cup final, while Chelsea reel from Liam Rosenior’s sacking. A win would return Leeds to Europe and set up a Wembley final in May.
