Chelseanews247

Chelsea are in pole position to land €60m Real Madrid target.  In a stunning series of developments, Chelsea have moved into pole position in the race to sign RB Leipzig sensation Christopher Nkunku, who is also on the radars of Real Madrid. The French international has been brilliant since moving to the Bundesliga in 2019 and enjoyed the best season of his career to date last time out, finishing with a whopping 35 goals and 20 assists from 52 games in all competitions. The 24-year-old has been in fine form this season as well, having already bagged 12 goals and two assists in 20 matches. Naturally, Nkunku’s exploits have attracted a lot of interest from top clubs across Europe. Real Madrid have been keeping tabs on the former PSG wonderkid for a while now, but Chelsea have now taken the lead in the race to sign the versatile attacking midfielder, who can play anywhere across the frontline. Indeed, as reported by Foot Mercato, Nkunku has already completed the first part of his medi...

 Chelsea ready to splash cash and battle Real Madrid & City to acquire the signature of £84,000 per-week player.  The Blues are ready to compete with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid for Jude Bellingham.  Chelsea are desperately trying to play catch up in the race to try to sign England star Jude Bellingham next summer. Per Telegraph Sport, the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership have already attempted to make inroads into the Bellingham camp, despite being told that Real Madrid and Liverpool are ahead of them. Co-controlling owner and interim sporting director Boehly still believes that Chelsea have enough time to make a serious play for Bellingham and has not been put off by warnings that Real Madrid and Liverpool have been working on a potential deal for months. Bellingham is quickly becoming the hottest young property in world football with Borussia Dortmund likely to have to cash in on the £130 million-rated midfielder at the end of this season. Th...

 Chelsea Legends react to Mikel Obi as he announces retirement.  A host of Chelsea icons have sent fitting tributes to midfielder John Obi Mikel after the Nigerian announced his retirement from football at the age of 35. The Nigerian has called an end to his 18-year career which started all the way back in 2004 with Nigerian side Plateau United. Chelsea poached the midfielder from Norway in 2006 and despite his non-legends tag that Blues fans have given to the likes of Didier Drogba, Petr Cech and many others, the defensive-minded player still played his part in many successes on the pitch for the club.  Whether it was his involvement in the run to the 2012 UEFA Champions League title or his iconic goal in Paris, Mikel despite not going down as a legend, will be remembered for being a cult hero of such. The 35-year-old, who racked up an impressive 372 appearances in SW6, confirmed the news with his Instagram post which read: 'There is a saying that “all good things must c...

Kai Havertz sends strong message to Graham Potter.  The Chelsea Man netted twice in Germany's 3-3 draw vs England.  There was not too much riding on England's Nations League clash with Germany on Monday night. The Three Lions had already been relegated following defeat in Italy on Friday evening, while Germany were unable to qualify for the finals. The rivalry between the countries ensured it was never going to be a dull match, though, and it proved that way, especially for Graham Potter. The new Chelsea head coach will have been watching the match somewhere, that's for sure – and he would have been delighted with what he witnessed at Wembley. Potter had the chance to see Raheem Sterling, Reece James, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz play, with Ben Chilwell being an unused substitute. The Germans took the lead on 52 minutes from the penalty spot, with Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan striking the ball past Nick Pope. Havertz then doubled the visitors' lead at Wemble...

 WATCH: Conor Gallagher scores stunning strike for the Young Lions in their 3-1 win vs Germany. Conor Gallagher scored a stunning goal for England U20s last night. The Chelsea midfielder started the game for the young Lions and helped them seal a superb 3-1 comeback against Germany.  Chelsea target in the summer transfer window, Anthony Gordon was directly involved in Gallagher's goal, helping the Blue starlet with an assist.  Gordon's link up play with Conor Gallagher is definitely a beauty to see, and one that will give the Blues' hierarchy sleepless nights over failing to acquire the signature of the Everton Starlet.  Watch video of Gallagher's goal and linkup play with Gordon here : 

Chelsea have been told asking price for Jude Bellingham.  Jude Bellingham has already become the most coveted player ahead of the summer transfer window, with a handful of Europe's biggest clubs queuing up for his signature. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from Borussia Dortmund for some time as he continues to impress at the Signal Iduna Park. Bellingham, who sees his contract with the German giants expire in 2025, featured 32 times in the Bundesliga last season, directly contributing to 11 goals from midfield. His impressive displays led Dortmund to a second-place finish behind only titans Bayern Munich. The England international has carried over his excellent form into the new campaign, further strengthening the interest in his services. Of whom, according to widespread reports, are said to be Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid. According to The Athletic, Dortmund want to keep the midfielder but value him at €150million (£...

 OFFICIAL: Mikel John Obi announces retirement from professional football.  Chelsea star, Mikel John Obi has announced his retirement from professional football after 20 years.  The midfielder spent 11 years at Chelsea, winning 10 trophies. Announcing his retirement, he wrote:  "There is a saying that "all good things must come to an end", and for my professional football career, that day is today. I look back at the past 20 years of my career and I must say, that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve, and more importantly, the human it has helped shape.  "‘All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, clubs, coaches, team-mates and most importantly my ever-loyal fans. You supported me through my highs and lows, even on days that I did not live up to your expectations. I say a big thank you. ‘I will also like to encourage everyone who I may have inspired one way or the other in the course of my ...

 EXCLUSIVE: £145,000 per-week Chelsea star enter talks with Juventus to leave Chelsea in January; Chelsea will demand £31m.  According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has entered talks with Italian giants Juventus for a move away from Stamford Bridge after falling out with the west London club. It is also revealed in the report that the Blues will ask for £31m for the USA international. Juventus have made contacts with the player, who has been keen to move on from his current club for some time now. Pulisic arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2019 after signing a deal in January of that year and eventually moving to London from Borussia Dortmund that summer. His Blues’ career has been a perfect illustration of a see-saw. He has had some good moments but never succeeded to get regular game time under either manager – Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel. Injuries haven’t helped him, but Tuchel didn’t use him much despite the player being available f...

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea set to seal January deal for £30m rated wonderkid who could be N'Golo Kanté ally in the future. The Blues are ready to seal a deal for the teenage wonderkid, per reports. Chelsea are ready to pay a staggering £30 million for 17-year-old Fulham starlet Luke Harris. The Jersey born forward who is in the Wales squad for Sunday's Nations League game against Poland hasn’t yet made a first team appearance for the Cottagers. But Chelsea have been on his trail since he scored a hat-trick in an Under 21s game between the two clubs earlier this year. He is the next star off the Fulham conveyer belt of young talent which has seen Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho leave for Liverpool. Spotted by Fulham’s chief academy scout Malcolm Elias, Harris is regarded as the youngster with the most potential at his age. Luke Harris. Todd Boehly and Graham Potter are planning to add to their Chelsea squad and have identified Fulham's 17-year-old star Luke Harris as a man worth ...

"I will return!"  — Eden Hazard breaks silence on Chelsea return amid transfer speculations.  Former Chelsea ace, Eden Hazard has spoken about his situation at Real Madrid amid Chelsea transfer speculations. Hazard has had limited game time this season at Real Madrid, playing a combined total of 98 minutes in six of the La Liga side's opening fixtures this season and has been an unused substitute on three occasions and despite playing for 60 minutes against Celtic in the Champions League, Hazard once again found himself on the bench and not used for their second Group F match against RB Leipzig. The Belgium international left England for Real Madrid in 2019 in a deal worth over £100m after a trophy-laden spell in London in which he won two Premier League titles and two Europa League titles as well as the FA Cup and League Cup. It has not gone to plan so far in Madrid though, with Hazard vilified by a section of the club’s fans and the Spanish media for his poor form and s...

 The new Chelsea signing has been named as the second best under 18 player worldwide.  By CFC_247. New Chelsea signing and Loanee, Gabriel Slonina has been named as the second best Under-18 player in the world after Barcelona's Pablo Gavi, per CIES observatory.  Slonina was signed by the Blues during the summer transfer window in a £12million deal but will remain with Chicago Fire until January 2023. The young goalkeeper's signing signalled a change in transfer strategy from co-owner Todd Boehly as the American looks to protect Chelsea's long-term future by signing highly-rated talents now. Slonina signs for Chelsea. Real Madrid were thought to be keen on signing Slonina but the 18-year-old opted to sign for the west London outfit instead.  Slonina on loan at Chicago Fire.  Slonina set the record for the youngest player to start an MLS game at 17 years and 81 days old and wants to challenge Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge....

The long serving medical director has exited the club, following the continued overhaul in the Boehly era.  Per the Telegraph, long-serving medical Chief, Paco Biosca has become the latest senior staff to leave Stamford Bridge under the Boehly regime.  Since the start of the new era, the Blues have seen massive departures from the club, worthy of mention include Petr Cech, Marina Granovskaia, Bruce Buck and just recently, Thomas Tuchel's sack.   Paco Biosca was at the club for both Champions League wins. His departure comes at the end of another week of upheaval in which Chelsea sacked commercial director Damian Willoughby over evidence that he sent ‘inappropriate messages’ before he joined the club and announced the departure of director of communications Steve Atkins. Biosca, 69 arrived at Chelsea in 2011, ahead of the club’s Champions League success the following year, and Biosca was still head of medical in 2021 when the club won the competition again under forme...

Manchester United Legend Rio Ferdinand reveals the better player for England between Reece James and Trent Alexander Arnold.    The Manchester United Legend has advised England Boss, Gareth Southgate on which right-back to pick over the other for the upcoming World Cup games.  By CFC 247. Rio Ferdinand believes Reece James should play for England instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Rio Ferdinand has waded into the debate over who should play on the right-hand side of England’s defence at the upcoming World Cup.  Gareth Southgate might be short of central defenders, but he is spoiled for choice in the full-back positions with both Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold laying claim to being among the best in the world in that position. The Three Lions boss is also able to call upon the experience of Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker, both of whom starred during last summer’s European championships. In Qatar, however, it is likely to come down to a straight shootout betwe...

£80m highly rated centre-back rejects Manchester City bid, agrees January move to Chelsea.  By CFC 247.  RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has refused to shut the door on a possible switch to Chelsea in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old was rumoured to be one of Thomas Tuchel's leading targets over the summer following the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.  Leipzig have already rejected a reported €80m offer from Manchester City for Gvardiol, whilst fellow Premier League side Chelsea want to use Timo Werner as a makeweight to sign the central-defender. However, Leipzig remain adamant that the player won’t be leaving this summer. However, Leipzig were under little pressure to sell Gvardiol, who is under contract at the Red Bull Arena until the end of the 2026-27 season, and Oliver Mintzlaff confirmed at the end of August that a sale would not be considered. "Josko still has a contract with us until 2026. We assume that he will not only play w...

By CFC 247.  ‘He’s bad for football’: International manager says Thiago Silva is so good it’s bad for other players. Brazil manager Tite has claimed to GeGlobo that Thiago Silva’s absurd ability is a nightmare for other defenders in football. The centre-back, who turned 38 today, has been continuing to defy the ageing process for a number of years now, with him joining the Blues in the twilight of his career in 2020. Despite that, he has easily been the most important defender the Blues have had in that time, and he has been forced to play the majority of games this season due to how much the club rely on him. His impact is similar for the Brazilian national team, with him still likely to lead his team out at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar. They are one of the favourites for the tournament, and a World Cup win would be the perfect way to cap off a legendary career. His future after the game looks set too, with Tite claiming he will become a great coach when his playing days are e...

'I hope it doesn't happen.'  — Arsenal Legend hopes Aubameyang 'flops' at Chelsea.  BY CFC 247. The Arsenal Legend also hopes Aubameyang doesn't score up to 20 goals a season, so Chelsea do not 'go up the League.' Per Metro, Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn admits he ‘hopes’ Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang struggles at Chelsea. Ex-Gunners captain Aubameyang joined Chelsea in a £10.3m deal from Barcelona on transfer deadline day. The Gabon striker made his Chelsea debut in Thomas Tuchel’s final game in charge of the club, a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. Aubameyang also started Chelsea’s first game under new manager Graham Potter, a 1-1 draw with Red Bull Salzburg. The 33-year-old scored 92 goals in 163 games during his five-year spell at Arsenal but was effectively exiled by Mikel Arteta before he left to join Barcelona at the start of the year. On Aubameyang’s move to Stamford Bridge, Arsenal hero Winterburn told Free Super Tips: ‘It didn’t surp...

'Messed up!' —Kai Havertz questions Todd Boehly's decision to sack Thomas Tuchel. By CFC_247 Kai Havertz has hit out at Todd Boehly's decision to sack Thomas Tuchel in front of the German media.  Todd Boehly allowed Tuchel to oversee an unprecedented summer of spending at Stamford Bridge as the club embarked on a major rebuilding project following a number of high-profile departures. Chelsea have struggled for consistency during the early weeks of the new campaign and suffered shock defeats against the likes of Leeds, Southampton and Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. That European setback, ultimately, proved to be the final straw for Boehly where Tuchel was concerned and dismissed the Champions League winning coach, before sanctioning the appointment of Graham Pottter as his replacement. Tuchel was said to have been shocked by Boehly’s ruthlessness, despite reports the pair had not seen eye-to-eye during a tumultuous summer, and believed he would be given time to t...

By CFC 247 The Chelsea star claims he was misled into joining Chelsea by Former Boss, Antonio Conte.   Michy Batshuayi has hit out at his former boss Antonio Conte, claiming the Italian 'fooled' him when the pair were at Chelsea. Batshuayi was one of Conte's first signings when he arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2016 as the Blues splashed out £33m on the Belgian striker to snap him up from French outfit Marseille. However, the forward quickly found himself behind Diego Costa and then Alvaro Morata in the pecking order, and was limited to just 32 league appearances in his two seasons under Conte - who now manages rivals Tottenham. Batshuayi has stated that he was made to believe he was going to be a major part of Conte's plans when he signed, but feels the manager was not completely honest with him. 'Conte was constantly contradicting himself,' Batshuayi told Belgian outlet SPORT. 'To start with my arrival. He called me and explained his project. He wanted me t...

By Cfc247 AC Milan and Chelsea have been dealt with injury blows ahead of their Champions League tie. Chelsea's Edouard Mendy and Milan's star left-back, Theo Hernandez are the two familiar names who are currently not with the Senegalese and French National teams respectively due to injury.  Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to England early from international duty due to a recurring knee injury, per reports. Mendy picked up the injury during the closing stages of the Blues’ 2-1 win over West Ham and has not played since. The injury was not thought to be too serious however, especially after the 30-year-old was called up to the Senegal squad for their upcoming friendlies against Bolivia and Iran.  However, just days into the international break, Mendy has returned to Chelsea to receive further treatment on his knee, but it is not known how long the keeper will be out for. Milan's left-back, Hernandez has also been surrounded by injury concerns.  The 24-year-ol...

The Former Chelsea winger has advised Graham Potter to keep the Chelsea defender, despite the Blues' defensive lacklustre.  Former Chelsea winger, Willian Borges believes Cesar Azpilicueta will be an important player for Chelsea as they continue their transition into the Boehly era under Graham Potter.  Spanish defender Azpilicueta has won every major trophy available to him during his 10-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Despite his influence at the club, Azpilicueta was close to leaving Chelsea to join Barcelona over the summer. Willian is pleased his former team-mate stayed put and says the Spaniard can play a significant role as Chelsea transition not only ownership groups but managers. A Boehly-Clearlake consortium bought Chelsea from long-time owner Roman Abramovich earlier in the year, while former Brighton boss Graham Potter has replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager. Asked about the widespread changes at Chelsea, Willian told The Athletic: ‘I couldn’t believe it when this sit...

 • The new Chelsea star has revealed he wasn't aware of a possible move to West London until 6 hours to the close of the transfer window.  Denis Zakaria was Chelsea's loan signing on deadline day, and the defensive midfielder who is dubbed 'another N'Golo Kanté', has revealed he wasn't aware he would move to Chelsea until hours before the transfer window shut.  Zakaria had joined Juventus from Borussia Monchengladbach earlier this year in January, but had struggled to settle in with the Italian side.  The 25 year old has revealed he didn't know he would be changing clubs on September 1 but Chelsea came in late with a €3m loan deal, with option to buy for a further €28m plus €5m in add-ons. The Swiss international told Blick: 'It all happened very quickly. I didn’t know a move to Chelsea was possible until six hours before the end of the transfer window. 'I packed my things and waited for the contracts to be signed. Then I did the medical check in Tur...

 • Christian Pulisic has spilled on the origins of his strained relationship with Thomas Tuchel in his new autobiography 'Christian Pulisic: My Journey So Far', per Daily Mail.  • Pulisic was told he would play in a crucial match vs. Real Madrid in the 2020-21 Champions League campaign, which Chelsea would eventually win vs. Man City  • The USMNT star revealed how his semi-final goal was born from disobedience. Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has shed light on his troubled relationship with Thomas Tuchel and admitted he was left 'dumbfounded' after being dropped for the second leg of the Champions League semifinal.   The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager was said to have told Pulisic he would be rested for a game at Fulham prior to the second leg of their semifinal vs. Real Madrid, only to 'change his mind' and opt for Kai Havertz in the European clash instead. The American had scored in the first leg of the tie in Madrid, but had to put up with a su...

 The Blues have beaten their North London rivals, Arsenal, including City & Liverpool to break 2022/23 opening Premier League record. Chelsea have been named the second team with the most Pressing intensity in the Premier League, beating their North London rivals, Arsenal per stats from the Premier League.  Press Intensity is what the modern game is all about. Teams want to win the ball high up in dangerous positions, and they’re willing to take more and more risks to do so. The stats from the Premier League so far show that only Leeds press with more intensity than Chelsea, and only Arsenal, City, Brighton and Liverpool play with a higher defensive line It will be interesting to check back on this data at the end of the season, when Graham Potter has had time to shape this team to play in the way he wants. You can see the full graph embedded here:

• Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in line to become the next manager of either Bayern Munich or Juventus. Earlier in Septemb er, Tuchel was sacked following Chelsea’s poor start to the season and a breakdown in his relationship with Blues owner and chairman Todd Boehly. He was swiftly replaced by Brighton boss Graham Potter, but according to Bild Sport the German could make a swift return to the dugout with two of Europe’s biggest clubs eyeing him up. Both Bayern and Juventus have endured difficult starts to the new campaign, which has left managers Julian Nagelsmann and Massimiliano Allegri under a lot of pressure. Bayern have failed to win their last four Bundesliga games, which has left them fifth in the table and five points off surprise leaders Union Berlin as the international break begins. They have performed better in the Champions League though, with victories over Inter Milan and Barcelona, and, for now, the club’s CEO has thrown his support behind Nagelsmann....

 The Former Blue reveals he was sold to Chelsea without his knowledge.  • The Argentinian was enjoying his life at Inter Milan in the summer of 2003. • However, the Blues' offer was so lucrative that the Nerazzurri shipped him out without hesitation. Former Chelsea striker, Hernan Crespo has revealed that the Blues'offer for him was so lucrative that he was sold without his knowledge. Hernan Crespo's time at Chelsea was hardly an unqualified success: during his five years on the Blues' books, he spent more time on loan out at the two clubs from Milan than at Stamford Bridge. As it turns out, this transfer was almost doomed to fail from the start, as the Argentinian had little desire or intention to leave Inter Milan - but he had no choice, either. "They sold me to Chelsea without my knowing," Crespo told Sky Italia. "I had bought a house in Milan 10 days before, I had another four years of contract and I was doing very well. "[We'd got into the] ...