Chelsea, West Ham charged by FA after late brawl
Chelsea are monitoring Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, 20, likened to Pedri, after his January move from Elche. Any bid would be costly and Atleti are unlikely to sell soon.
Piece recounts Kevin De Bruyne’s close friendship with Raheem Sterling from Man City days, praising him as ‘one of the nicest, most humble guys’. No concrete Chelsea team impact detailed.
Paul Gascoigne claims Frank Lampard’s quiet persona kept him from Beckham-level fame, though he hails his ‘incredible’ Chelsea goal record. Enzo Fernandez is compared to Lampard for goals from midfield.
Rosenior hails Wesley Fofana as ‘stronger and stronger’ after his display vs Arsenal. He adds Reece James and Pedro Neto failed late fitness tests but ‘should be absolutely fine’ for Wolves.
Chelsea and Liverpool are linked with Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, valued at £50m+. With Robert Sanchez criticised, Chelsea could move for a new No 1 this summer.
Chelsea and West Ham are charged by the FA for failing to control players after a stoppage-time brawl in the 3-2 win. Jean-Clair Todibo saw red for grabbing Joao Pedro by the neck. Responses due Friday.
Chelsea and Arsenal are pushing to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, valued at over €100m. His agent visited the UK. The 2022 World Cup winner has 16 goal contributions this season.
Salomon Kalou says Chelsea lack experienced leaders after Thiago Silva, with a very young core. He warns long contracts complicate resets and calls for older heads to lift the squad.
Arsenal and Chelsea push to sign 17-year-old Middlesbrough attacker Cruz Ibeh, with Liverpool monitoring. The forward is seen as a top talent who could add attacking depth.
Rosenior’s pragmatic back three stifled Arsenal before late pressure. Caicedo, Santos and Fernandez impressed, but without Palmer from the start Chelsea lacked craft and direct runners like Pedro Neto.
Chelsea will decide later this year on Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo amid a crowded centre-back group. Adarabioyo could return vs Leeds, while Badiashile may start with Trevoh Chalobah at Wolves.
Report claims Enzo Fernandez wants Real Madrid, citing discomfort with Premier League life, but his valuation around €140m makes a deal difficult after Chelsea’s €121m outlay.
Teenage centre-back Harrison Murray-Campbell impressed in Chelsea U19s’ Youth League win over Ajax, showcasing leadership and passing. His rise could ease the need for an expensive signing.
Dario Essugo suffers a setback and is out until at least March. With Lavia nearing return, Rosenior’s midfield options remain stretched after the EFL Cup exit to Arsenal.
Former Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel retires at 33. Signed for £8m in 2013, he made four Chelsea appearances amid injuries and later spells with Milan, Stoke, PSV, Vitesse and Boavista.
Atletico Madrid are prioritising Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez, denting Moises Caicedo’s hope Chelsea would sign his Ecuador team-mate. Chelsea already have numerous centre-backs after Sarr’s recall.
Tosin Adarabioyo is back on-pitch training after a hamstring issue but is unlikely to face Wolves. Chelsea will manage his minutes, with Leeds at home a more realistic return.
Chelsea and Arsenal have scouted Bayern prospect Lennart Karl, 17, likened to Arjen Robben and dubbed to have ‘fearless magic’. Fee touted at €80-90m as both seek greater cutting edge.
Chelsea’s summer targets include a centre-back, a midfielder and an attacker. A deal for Geovany Quenda is set, Mike Penders decision pending. Need for a second No 10 to ease reliance on Cole Palmer.
Eden Hazard backs Inter to win Serie A, praising their strength. He will cheer Napoli for friends Lukaku and De Bruyne, but still tips Inter over rivals including Milan.
Ex-Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has five Serie A goals in 313 minutes for Milan since December after a €37m move, averaging a goal every 63 minutes as Milan chase Inter.
Liam Delap is labelled a downgrade on Nicolas Jackson, struggling with hold-up play. Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha is set to join and could take the No 9 role next season.
Chelsea have contacted Dusan Vlahovic over a free transfer from Juventus this summer. The 26-year-old, once targeted by Mikel Arteta, has six goals and two assists this season and is out of contract.
David Ornstein tips Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers as ‘one to watch’ this summer. Chelsea and Liverpool admire the playmaker, though any deal could hinge on Villa’s Champions League status and price.
Preview tips Joao Pedro to score against Wolves, with match info and stats. (Limited details provided.) Livescore
Journalist Simon Phillips says a 2017 move for Sergio Aguero to replace Diego Costa was ‘99.9%’ done before Man City blocked it, leaving Chelsea to sign Alvaro Morata instead.
Joao Pedro says Estevao’s ‘brilliant’ mentality shows as he works hard on his English. The 18-year-old has delivered big goals, missed West Ham win for a personal matter, and featured vs Arsenal.
