CHELSEA are on the hunt for summer transfers to strengthen Thomas Tuchel's squad following Frank Lampard's controversial exit.
And Antonio Rudiger – out of favour under the former boss – has strongly denied having anything to do with Lampard's sacking.
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- Jack Figg
MORNING, CHELSEA FANS
Thomas Tuchel admits Thiago Tuchel is a huge doubt as Chelsea bid to go fifth with a home win over Sheffield United this evening.
Just as Real Madrid's Eden Hazard is being linked with an incredible return to Stamford Bridge, Tuchel is aiming to make it three victories and a draw from his first four games as boss.
Spain's Defensa Central claim Chelsea will consider bidding for 30-year-old playmaker Hazard in the summer, despite his misfiring, injury-hit two years with Real.But all the attention, for now is on the Blues' clash with the bottom-placed but improving Blades.
Centre-backs Silva and Kurt Zouma, plus Kai Havertz, are battling to shrug off injuries.But midfielder Mateo Kovacic told Chelsea's website: “We played well against Tottenham and if we continue like that I think we can certainly get back into the top four.”
Meanwhile, back-in-favour Callum Hudson-Odoi insists he enjoys being bawled at by Tuchel in matches.
The England winger told Sky Sports: “I’m liking it because it’s motivating… I’m enjoying every bit of it."
Finally, Aston Villa reportedly hope to sign their Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley permanently this summer.
- Ian Tuckey
IS HE EDEN BACK?
Sensational reports from Spain claim Chelsea are interested in bringing Eden Hazard back to Stamford Bridge.
According to Defensa Central, the 30-year-old is a target for the Blues this summer.
The Belgium international has flattered to deceive in Spain as he continues to be plagued by injuries.
Hazard has scored twice in just eight LaLiga games this term.
- Ian Tuckey
BLES GO MORE ON THE AT-HAK
Hakim Ziyech has praised Thomas Tuchel’s tactics, claiming his philosophy is more attacking than Frank Lampard’s.
Speaking to the club’s website, Ziyech said: “I think you will see a Chelsea that attacks more and controls the game more.
“That’s what we’ve tried to do in the last two games, to play with possession and from there try to attack a lot.
“It’s not always nice when a manager leaves and a new one comes in but he’s brought his new ideas and everybody is excited to work under him.”
- Ian Tuckey
VILLA 'WANT PERMANENT BARKLEY DEAL'
Aston Villa want to sign their Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley permanently this summer, reports say.
The England midfielder, 27, who arrived last summer, is a major reason Villa have flirted with the top six
He notched three goals and an assist in his first nine games, shining with Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins.
A hamstring problem kept him on the sidelines throughout November and December.
But after returning in Villa’s 2-0 defeat away at Manchester City on January 20 he has got back to his best, netting the winner in their 1—0 victory at Southampton last week.
- Ian Tuckey
BLUES CAN CIC ON FOR TOP-4 SPOT
Mateo Kovacic has backed Chelsea to reignite their top-four push after a strong start under Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues defeated Tottenham in midweek to make it seven points from nine under the German, without conceding a goal.
Just four points off the top four, Chelsea are up to sixth ahead of rivals Everton, West Ham and Liverpool playing out their games this weekend.
And Kovacic, 26, hopes the team can continue to target a Champions League place for next season.
He told the club website: "We have started well under the new coach.
"That’s two wins in a row, plus a draw in his first game, and he’s explained to us exactly what he wants from us.
"We have started well but I think we can do even better.
"We played well against Tottenham and if we continue like that I think we can certainly get back into the top four."
- Ian Tuckey
CALL HAS A BAWL UNDER TUCHEL
Callum Hudson-Odoi claims he is having a bawl under new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
The England winger has started all three games since the ex-PSG manager replaced Frank Lampard and finds Tuchel's loud-mouthed touchline style inspiring.
Hudson-Odoi told Sky Sports: "I'm liking it because it's motivating for when you know a manager is on the side and he's instructing you to do certain things, he's always pushing you and shouting at you.
"Sometimes you don't like shouting but sometimes it motivates players to keep improving and keep showing your qualities.
"I'm enjoying every bit of it. I feel like he's come with a real purpose to try and win games as much as possible…trying to implement his tactics as quick as possible.
"We're all enjoying it at the moment."
- Ian Tuckey
DON'T LACK PATIENCE OVER HAVERTZ
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack urges the Blues to be patient with their misfiring summer recruit Kai Havertz.
Ballack told Omnisport of his fellow German: “It is important for Chelsea to understand that if you buy a player with that kind of potential, then you have to give him time, bit by bit.
“So he can be in that role and that the team can be built around him. At the moment there are too many players that fight for many positions. There are only a few players that are so to speak ‘untouchable’.
“Therefore he now faces a normal competitive scenario. It just depends on him, if he is able to win it.
“He needs that will, but if he sees it and takes on the fight then he will be able to get that spot as he has exceptional football qualities. “
- Ian Tuckey
THIA-NO GO VS BLADES
Thiago Silva has reassured fans over his injury, but is likely to miss Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United.
The Brazilian has started all three of Thomas Tuchel’s games in charge, but limped out of Thursday’s dominant 1-0 win over Tottenham in the 36th minute with an apparent hamstring injury.
Silva, 36, then took to Instagram today to give fans a further update.
He posted a picture of his heavily-strapped leg.
And he wrote: “Injuries are part of our profession, now treating and returning stronger!”
- Ian Tuckey
McTOMINAY'S MY TOUGHEST OPPONENT
Chelsea star Billy Gilmour names Manchester United ace Scott McTominay as the toughest opponent he’s faced.
Speaking on Chelsea’s official Youtube channel, he said: “It was against Manchester United, actually. It was Scott McTominay.
“I know he’s fellow Scottish and all that but he was so good, quick, strong and technically good. So, I think it was tough playing against him.
“He played really good, He was stopping everything in midfield and controlling the game.”
- Jake Lambourne
BLUE MOON
Hakim Ziyech has praised Thomas Tuchel’s tactics, claiming his philosophy is more attacking than Frank Lampard’s.
Speaking to the club’s website, Ziyech said: “I think you will see a Chelsea that attacks more and controls the game more.
“That’s what we’ve tried to do in the last two games, to play with possession and from there try to attack a lot.
“It’s not always nice when a manager leaves and a new one comes in but he’s brought his new ideas and everybody is excited to work under him.”
- Jake Lambourne
HAZ ABOUT THAT
Sensational reports from Spain claim Chelsea are interested in bringing Eden Hazard back to Stamford Bridge.
According to Defensa Central, the 30-year-old is a target for the Blues this summer.
The Belgium international has flattered to deceive in Spain as he continues to be plagued by injuries.
Hazard has scored twice in just eight LaLiga games this term.
- Jake Lambourne
HAZ ABOUT THAT
Sensational reports from Spain claim Chelsea are interested in bringing Eden Hazard back to Stamford Bridge.
According to Defensa Central, the 30-year-old is a target for the Blues this summer.
The Belgium international has flattered to deceive in Spain as he continues to be plagued by injuries.
Hazard has scored twice in just eight LaLiga games this term.
- Jake Lambourne
SILVA PINING
Chelsea are reportedly set to open talks with Thiago Silva over a new one-year deal.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Thomas Tuchel is a huge fan of the Brazilian and is keen to retain his leadership skills.
Thiago Silva and his agents will discuss with Chelsea about his 1 year contract extension in the coming weeks. No rush.
The report adds that Chelsea's board are also really satisfied with Silva with his agents set to discuss a contract extension in the coming weeks.
The experienced defender has started all three of Tuchel's games in charge but limped out of Thursday's 1-0 win over Tottenham.
SunSport previously revealed that Chelsea were in talks with the 36-year-old and Jorginho over contract extensions.
- Jake Lambourne
CAL OUT
Callum Hudson-Odoi has reacted with fury that social media companies refuse to believe a monkey emoji sent to black players is racist.
The 20-year-old said: "How can that make sense? Do you know what I mean? If somebody puts for example, a monkey emoji towards a player. Why is that?
“How is a player a monkey? What does that mean to a player?
“So for us seeing stuff like that it always makes us angry. Are you saying that because of our skin colour? Because of the colour that we are?
“Or are you just saying that because you just want to be, you think that you're funny or you want to get a laugh out of people?
"No one laughs at that sort of situation. All of us take that personally as a team and as players. We have to do something about it. Because obviously, as I said, racism won't stop.”
- Jake Lambourne
BALLACK CONTINUED
"However it is a different level than at Leverkusen. Therefore he has to live with it.
"At Leverkusen, they forced the game onto him with a lot of freedom.
"He didn’t have to chase the ball and was used to attack. He probably has some issues now with the rhythm.
"That means, the game is a bit different. He now also has to work back and work harder on pressuring the opponent."
- Jake Lambourne
HAV SOME OF THAT
Former Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz has urged the club to be patient with the German playmaker.
He told Omnisport: "It is important for Chelsea to understand that if you buy a player with that kind of potential, then you have to give him time, bit by bit.
"So he can be in that role and that the team can be built around him. At the moment there are too many players that fight for many positions. There are only a few players that are so to speak 'untouchable'.
"Therefore he now faces a normal competitive scenario. It just depends on him, if he is able to win it.
"He needs that will, but if he sees it and takes on the fight then he will be able to get that spot as he has exceptional football qualities. "
- Jake Lambourne
BLUE BEAUTY
Take a look at the best bits of Chelsea in training.
- Jake Lambourne
BLUE BEAUTY
Take a look at the best bits of Chelsea in training.
- Jake Lambourne
GREAT SCOT
Chelsea star Billy Gilmour names Manchester United ace Scott McTominay as the toughest opponent he’s faced.
Speaking on Chelsea’s official Youtube channel, he said: “It was against Manchester United, actually. It was Scott McTominay.
“I know he’s fellow Scottish and all that but he was so good, quick, strong and technically good. So, I think it was tough playing against him.
“He played really good, He was stopping everything in midfield and controlling the game.”
- Jake Lambourne
HAA LA LAND
Chelsea reportedly face competition from Manchester City in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
The Norway international, 20, has established himself as one of Europe's most deadly finishers since bursting on the scene last season.
He has a release clause in his contract worth £68million in 2020, but clubs are said to make a move for him this summer.
Chelsea and Real Madrid have been heavily linked with the player, but the Daily Star state the Citizens have made him a top priority.
They claim that Pep Guardiola wants Haaland to replace Sergio Aguero and club chairman Khaldoon -Al-Mubarak is willing to make a move for the £100m-rated man.
- Jake Lambourne
ROCK THE BOAT
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly eyeing up a move for Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng.
According to the Daily Express, the 32-year-old has emerged as a possible target for the Blues.
Boateng is seen as an attractive option as he is set to become a free agent in the summer.
The World Cup winner has featured in 22 games in all competitions this term.
- Jake Lambourne
DOR OPEN
Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United in the transfer pursuit for Jadon Sancho, reports say.
The forward was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, but United refused to meet Dortmund's £108million price-tag.
Sancho remained in Germany where he has managed eight goals in 25 appearances.
It has kept demand for the 20-year-old high, with Chelsea now interested in a move for the winger, according to Sport1.
They report Dortmund have accepted they will finally lose Sancho in the next window, likely to a Premier League side.
German out Bild, recently revealed the Bundesliga club will let him leave if they receive an offer in the region of £88m.
- Jake Lambourne
CHIPS ON HIS SHOULDER
Eden Hazard has been trolled by Burger King after he missed Real Madrid training with yet another injury.
The Chelsea legend has been plagued with fitness troubles since joining Los Blancos in an initial £88million deal in 2019.
Hazard has missed 44 games in that time and reportedly turned up overweight to pre-season in BOTH his first two campaigns at the Bernabeu.
The Belgian star, 30, is currently sidelined with a thigh problem which is expected to keep him out for around a month.
And fast food giants Burger King cheekily tweeted that they had a two for one offer on in response to a post querying why Hazard was missing from Madrid training.
The quip has been liked over 122,000 times and been retweeted more than 25,000 times since it was shared on Tuesday.
- Jake Lambourne
SILVA LINING
Thiago Silva has reassured fans over his injury, but is likely to miss Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United.
The Brazilian has started all three of Thomas Tuchel’s games in charge, but limped out of Thursday’s dominant 1-0 win over Tottenham in the 36th minute with an apparent hamstring injury.
Silva, 36, then took to Instagram today to give fans a further update.
He posted a picture of his heavily-strapped leg.
And he wrote: “Injuries are part of our profession, now treating and returning stronger!”
- Jake Lambourne
T-AKE A CHANCE
John Terry has revealed he told Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to leave him out of the squad for entirety of his final season – in order to give Nathan Ake a chance.
Speaking with snooker legend Stephen Hendry on an Instagram Live Q&A, Terry said: "I went to see [Conte] around Christmas time.
"I was like 'gaffer, listen you're putting me on the bench and we've got Nathan Ake', who for me was an unbelievably talented young player.
"I said 'put him on the bench because the chances of him coming on are really slim, it's going to be great experience for him'.
"'He was on the bench for about seven, eight or ten games, and he ended up playing against Spurs in the [FA Cup] semi-final that year.
"And it was just little stuff like that. I'm not sure players would have done what I did."
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