Chelsea mourn Tambling, step up No 1 hunt
Tottenham have bid for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, valued around £70m. Chelsea, well stocked at centre-back, are only loosely linked and may need sales before any move.
Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu is hoping for a move, with Chelsea named as a possible bidder as they assess goalkeepers beyond Robert Sánchez. His contract runs to 2027 and Freiburg have signed Mio Backhaus.
Ex-Chelsea record scorer Bobby Tambling dies aged 84. Netted 202 goals in 370 games, won the 1965 League Cup, scored in the 1967 FA Cup final, earned three England caps, later managed in Cork.
Barcelona make contact for Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso after Chelsea tracked him. The 26-year-old, able to play both flanks, had 3 goals and 5 assists in 47 games. Juve may sell to raise funds.
Jorrel Hato played 45 minutes for the Netherlands in defeat to Algeria, earning a 5.5 from Voetbal Primeur after being at fault for the goal. Chelsea plan to use his versatility at wing-back.
PL2 Player of the Season Shim Mheuka targets ‘more goals, more assists’ after captaining Chelsea U21s to the title. The 18-year-old striker is expected to go on loan for first-team minutes.
Chelsea target around £50m for a front-of-shirt sponsor but may get nearer £33.6m after finishing 10th and missing Europe. Recent short-term deals included IFS and Damac.
Burnley defender Maxime Esteve is expected to attract bids, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace tracking him after his Premier League displays ahead of Burnley’s drop to the Championship.
Chelsea are open to offers for Liam Delap after a 26-game goal drought, though not actively selling. The striker scored 2 in 41 in his first Premier League season amid injury issues.
Chelsea and Man City are negotiating compensation for Enzo Maresca after his New Year exit. Chelsea blame the departure for a 10th-place finish as City line him up to succeed Pep Guardiola.
Trevoh Chalobah says Chelsea suffered fatigue after the Club World Cup, echoing Enzo Maresca’s view. A short break hurt a young squad in a season that ended 10th despite an FA Cup final run.
Katie McCabe, 30, leaves Arsenal for Chelsea on a deal to 2029 with option. The Ireland captain cites needing to ‘put myself first’, targets trophies and accepts backlash from Gunners fans.
Romelu Lukaku admits regret over his Chelsea fallout, saying he should have discussed tactics with Thomas Tuchel and kept issues internal after his unauthorised Sky Italia interview.
Chelsea are monitoring AIK winger Zadok Yohanna, 18, as Newcastle and Brighton lead a £20m race also tracked by Tottenham and Real Madrid.
John Obi Mikel hails Chelsea’s ‘amazing’ post mocking Arsenal after their Champions League final loss, reminding that Chelsea remain London’s only European champions despite finishing 10th.
Roma reject Chelsea’s €50m approach for keeper Mile Svilar, who kept the second-most Serie A clean sheets. Chelsea seek a new No 1 amid doubts over Robert Sánchez and links with Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea and Newcastle are competing for an unnamed target as Xabi Alonso’s recruitment drive ramps up ahead of the new season.
Chelsea plan a midfield signing to free Moises Caicedo to play higher, amid Enzo Fernández interest from Real Madrid. Targets include Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, with Valentin Barco also eyed.
