'Sarriball' has not been remotely impressive, claims pundit

Maurizio Sarri’s supposed ‘Sarriball’ is no different to what was on show at Chelsea before, claims Phil Neville.

The Blues manager is under increasing pressure to save his job, with supporters fast losing patience with him.

Wednesday’s 4-0 thrashing away to Bournemouth was one of Chelsea’s worst defeat in recent memory and fans vented their anger at Sarri.

After a strong start to the season, in which he was earning endless praise, his side have dipped horribly.

Having looked like potential title rivals to Liverpool and Manchester City, they are now struggling to finish in the top four.

Speaking on Premier League Today, Neville was full of criticism for Sarri, saying he has had nowhere near the influence of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, and has alsotreated Eden Hazard badly:

You hear all these coaches talk about ‘Sarri-ball’, saying ‘this coach is revolutionary’.

And when he came in at Chelsea I was waiting… I was waiting for something special.

When Pep came and when Klopp came we saw something different but I don’t think we’ve seen anything different from ‘Sarri-ball’.

Nothing about it has blown me away. He always takes Barkley and Kovacic off at 60 minutes every game.

Sarri going after Hazard, I don’t think was the smartest move because he’s their best player.

I think Hazard will be a Real Madrid player next year, that’s my gut feeling.

And he’s not playing at anywhere near the standard that he should be at the moment.

Sarri faces a must-win game on Saturday afternoon when his side host Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge.

There is an increasing feeling that the 60-year-old could be on his way out sooner rather than later.

Failure to secure victory this weekend could spell the end.

The post Phil Neville launches scathing attack on ‘Sarriball’ appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Big changes happening at Man United, defender will leave this summer: report

Antonio Valencia expects to leave Manchester United this summer after ten years at the club, according to reports.

The Ecuadorian, a regular in Jose Mourinho’s first two seasons, will become a free agent this summer should the club decide against granting him an extension.

He has only made five Premier League appearances this season, managing just one start from Ole Gunnar Solskaer’s first nine games as caretaker manager.

And according to the M.E.N‘s Samuel Luckhurst, Valencia is resigned to leaving Old Trafford over the summer after failing to fulfill the full-back role this season.

The club captain was not included in the match-day squad against Burnley, nor did he travel down to Arsenal, where first choice pair Luke Shaw and Ashley Young started. His marked decline in mobility and speed on the ball, coupled with continued knee problems, has relegated him down the pecking order and convinced supporters that his days as a United player are over.

He has been a truly superb servant to the club but it was clear to both Mourinho and Solskjaer this season that his time at the top is over.

4-3-3: Solskjaer to field stronger attacking team against Leicester City

Manchester United supporters were not happy with the performances of Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata against Burnley on Tuesday night.

A very firm consensus has sprung from the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era with regard to Man United’s attacking options: the front three of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford is by far and away the most effective combination available.

And as Man United visit a strong Leicester City side this weekend, Solskjaer will no doubt want to restore his best options to the starting XI after seeing a changed side stutter against Burnley.

With that in mind, here is a potential XI for the clash at the King Power stadium on Sunday.

We have reached a point where the front six at United – three attackers and three midfielders – cannot really be touched. The balance and vitality among those players goes beyond anything seen under Jose Mourinho. They must be allowed something which the latter never gave them: time to evolve on the pitch together.

That is what makes any good team, after all. The injection of Diogo Dalot’s energy out wide, as well as Eric Bailly getting another chance to impress alongside Victor Lindelof, should serve as the only deviations from the normal back four as Solskjaer looks to return to winning ways.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirms that Chelsea forward was club's 'only' transfer target this month

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was the ‘only’ player the club were interested in signing this month.

The Bavarian giants’ pursuit of Hudson-Odoi was no secret, with the club submitting four highly lucrative offers to Chelsea, while the player himself was keen on a move, handing in a transfer request.

The 18-year old was believed to be frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities he was receiving at Stamford Bridge, and was looking at other successful spells in Germany by English talent, namely in Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson.

Manager Maurizio Sarri was adamant that Hudson-Odoi should not be let go, which has left the Bavarians frustrated.

Talking in a news conference earlier today, Rummenigge confirmed that Hudson-Odoi was the club’s first and only target this month. As quoted by FourFourTwo, Rummenigge said:

The only one Hasan [Salihamidzic, Bayern’s sporting director] would have liked to buy was this player [Hudson-Odoi] from Chelsea.

I have to say that he nearly fell in love with this player and his qualities. All the other things [stories about transfer links with other players] were rumours.

We don’t have any demand on these positions for the second half of the season. This is a topic for the future. We’ll handle it in the next months and will decide.

I won’t deny that they [Chelsea] didn’t like this so much [Bayern’s open pursuit of Hudson-Odoi], but don’t forget that you have to give a signal to the young player [that you want him].

There was no personal contact with the player because this is not permitted. I think that was noticed. The player had to have a signal that Bayern is standing completely behind him.

The post Hudson-Odoi was Bayern’s ‘only’ target this month appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea tell Tottenham Hotspur how much it'll cost to sign striker

Tottenham Hotspur have baulked at Chelsea’s asking price for Michy Batshuayi, according to a report from the Evening Standard.

It was reported earlier on today that Spurs had established an interest in making a shock move for the Blues forward, whose future has come under scrutiny in recent weeks.

Several clubs have been touted in the race to sign Batshuayi, but it seems Chelsea will not let him permanently leave in a cut-price deal.

The Evening Standard claims that Maurizio Sarri’s side quoted Tottenham an asking price of £40 million for their striker, partially because of the rivalry between the two teams.

This appears to have led Mauricio Pochettino’s men to cool their interest in a late deal for the player, who has endured a difficult time in Spain on loan with Valencia.

Chelsea had agreed on loan deals in principle with West Ham and Real Betis, as per the report, but the Belgian international has not yet secured a move away from the club as the clock continues to tick ahead of the January transfer window’s deadline.

The post Tottenham baulk at Chelsea’s Batshuayi valuation appeared first on Read Chelsea.

From France: Man United make deadline day bid for talented midfielder

Manchester United are leading the race to sign 16-year-old AS Monaco midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, according to French media outlet RMC.

Talks between Man United and Monaco have been underway for a few dats, with Mejbri said to be keen on leaving the French club.

An agreement has already been reached with Amiens for striker Noam Emeran and it looks as if United remain keen to bolster their academy with further foreign talent.

According to reliable French media outlet RMC, United are leading the race in terms of concrete interest in Mejbri and have reportedly launched a bid for the midfielder.

The report also states, weirdly, that Monaco are making an attempt to block the move at all costs. This is a club which often serves as a conveyor belt for young talent to be sent to England or Spain or, well, Paris Saint Germain.

However, should the right offer be made, combined with Mejbri wanting to leave, there may well be nothing Monaco can do.

La Liga side retract interest in Chelsea forward

Real Betis have reportedly pulled out of a deal to sign Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi on loan before the transfer deadline closes.

It was reported earlier today that both West Ham and the Spanish outfit had agreed terms with the Blues over a prospective deal, and it would have been up to the Belgium international to choose his destination.

Chelsea were believed to have preferred to sell Batshuayi to Everton, however the Toffees haven’t made a move for the former Marseille man and are unlikely to do so before the deadline closes.

Now according to ABC Sevilla, as cited by Sport Witness, the Hammers remain the sole club in for Batshuayi’s signature after Betis decided to withdraw their interest.

Whether the club decided it wasn’t in their best interests or that they grew tired of waiting for an answer is unclear, but it is understood that after negotiating all day, the La Liga side have declared the option to have ‘finally been ruled out.’

The post Betis pull out of Batshuayi deal appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea duo will not be offloaded before the window slams shut

Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater are set to remain at Chelsea for the rest of the season, according to a report from the Evening Standard. 

The pair had been linked with respective exits from Stamford Bridge this month but with the January transfer window closing later tonight, departures are unlikely. 

Maurizio Sarri has scarcely utilised either of the duo throughout his first season in the Premier League but is likely to have them available for selection for the time being.

Cahill has found himself behind the likes of Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz in the pecking order of central defenders, with his contract also rapidly approaching its expiration date.

Drinkwater, too, is not a player who has been used freely by Sarri. The Englishman’s role at the club has been made even less prominent in recent months following the arrival of summer signings Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic. 

Sarri will be hoping to lead Chelsea to success in the Carabao Cup final, the Europa League and the Premier League, so a sizable squad could be of benefit to the Italian.

The post Drinkwater and Cahill to remain at Chelsea appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Maurizio Sarri has once again defended his use of 'Sarriball' tactics

Under fire Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has come out in defence of his possession based tactic nicknamed ‘Sarriball’ following his sides worst Premier League defeat in over 20 years at the hands of Bournemouth.

A calamitous second-half performance from the Blues saw Joshua King and David Brooks take full advantage, as Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side ran out 4-0 winners despite being dominated for almost all of the first 45 minutes.

Such a dismal result as it was, Sarri, a man who only recently commented on his teams lack of motivation, entered the dressing room at full time in search of arousing a response. Instead, he was left deadlocked in the room with just his squad for almost 40 minutes, before surrendering to the power of his players and claiming that maybe he can’t be the man to motivate this side.

Aside from the obvious question marks over the amount of control this Chelsea squad exert in comparison to the many managers they have isolated, the blame for such lethargic displays in recent months lays in Sarri’s ponderous possession style of play, that has regularly failed to conjure up any real creative spark. The chain-smoking Italian, however, went on in his press conference to defend the tactics he has employed during his time in West London, telling Sky Sports Italia:

We are struggling, above all mentally. We had assumed that we learned a certain style of football, but the truth is we never did learn it and are paying the consequences.

We haven’t even learned the most basic moves yet. We need to work on the basics, the primary foundations of my football, and only then will we try to change a few things.

It was a good first half, but we conceded after the restart and then stopped being a team. We stopped attacking or defending as a team, we did everything individually.

I don’t understand why that happened, because we had 45 minutes to go and could comfortably have turned the situation around if we’d kept our focus.

Every now and then this team reacts in a way I cannot decipher, so that creates some uncertainty.

Perhaps some of the steps were inevitable, but we need to understand why we have these mental black-outs and what we can do to stop them.

Sarri also went on to comment about the subdued performance of on-loan forward Gonzalo Higuain, whose controversial move broke all Chelsea policy surrounding players above the age of 30, in a firm statement from the board that they are backing their manager. Sarri continued:

Higuain can improve a great deal. At this moment, he is not in good shape, probably because he has played very little recently between transfer market distractions and back pain. He can grow a great deal over the next few weeks.’

This statement is met with a certain caveat, for Chelsea will now expect Sarri to do nothing but deliver on the expectations beseeched upon him at the start of the season, and his honest appraisal will not offer much in the way of hope to expectant Chelsea fans.

The post Maurizio Sarri defends ‘Sarriball’ after humiliating loss to Bournemouth appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Maurizio Sarri delivers fitness update on key Chelsea star

Maurizio Sarri has conceded that Gonzalo Higuain is ‘not in good shape’ after his Chelsea side suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth. 

As quoted by Metro, the manager revealed that the striker is suffering from a minor back injury and is not yet fully fit, which is the reason behind his underwhelming Premier League debut for the club. Sarri said:

At this moment, he is not in good shape, probably because he has played very little recently between transfer market distractions and back pain. He can grow a great deal over the next few weeks.

The 30-year-old joined the Blues on loan from Juventus, replacing Alvaro Morata who arrived at Atletico Madrid on a temporary basis.

Higuain made his first start in Chelsea colours against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, where he produced a subdued performance before being replaced in the four-goal drubbing. 

His 65-minute cameo left much to be desired, with fitness said to be a current issue for the frontman.

The loss leaves Chelsea winless in their last two top-flight outings, with pressure mounting on Sarri as his side look to secure a top-four spot at the end of the season.

The post Sarri addresses Higuain fitness after Bournemouth thrashing appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Serie A club looking to secure Chelsea star in cut-price deal this summer

AC Milan are pushing to complete a cut-price deal worth €30 million for Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko ahead of the summer transfer window. 

The Frenchman arrived at San Siro ahead of the current campaign on a season-long loan deal following a problematic introduction to English football under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. 

Bakayoko has established himself as a vital cog in Gennaro Gattuso’s Milan side, and it is claimed by Sport Italia, as cited in a report from Calciomercato, that the Serie A giants are looking to negotiate a lower option to buy fee with Chelsea. 

The report states that the Rossoneri currently have the chance to sign the former AS Monaco midfielder for €35 million in the summer following his loan spell. 

However, the club’s sporting director Leonardo and sporting strategy and development director Paolo Maldini are claimed to be pursuing a deal worth €5 million less for the player. 

The 24-year-old has made 11 starts in the top-flight of Italian football this season and has also appeared from the bench on five occasions.

The post Milan hoping to land Bakayoko for €30m appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Italian club decide to buy Chelsea defender on a permanent basis

Ola Aina looks set to complete a permanent move to Torino, with the Italian side deciding to take up their option to buy.

According to reports in Italy from Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited on Calciomercato, Torino have been so impressed with the defender that they want to secure his future.

As part of the loan deal that saw him move to the Serie A in the summer, Torino have the option to buy the player permanently.

Aina has been one of Torino’s most impressive players this season and he has adapted to life in Italy brilliantly.

Letting Aina go so cheaply could be a decision that Chelsea come to regret, but it remains to be seen if there will be any first-team opportunities for the player at Stamford Bridge.

The full-back positions have been areas that Chelsea have struggled to address in the transfer market in recent years, so replacing Aina may not be so easy.

The post Torino poised to take up option to buy Aina permanently appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Out-of-favour defender set for Chelsea stay

Chelsea defender Davide Zappacosta is unlikely to seal a January move away from Stamford Bridge.

ESPN’s Liam Twomey reports that Italian side Lazio are interested in the player but will not meet Chelsea’s demands this month.

Zappacosta is out of favour at Chelsea and is widely expected to leave the club in the near future.

Lazio had been linked with a loan move that would include the option to buy in the summer, but with time now running out in the January window, a deal is looking increasingly unlikely.

He has found game time hard to come by under Maurizio Sarri this season, being limited to action in the cup competitions on the odd occasion.

With Cesar Azpilicueta a regular at right-back, it is hard to envisage where or when Zappacosta will find game time during the second half of the season.

The player’s future will no doubt be a talking point once again at the end of the season.

The post Zappacosta set for Chelsea stay appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea defender secures Stamford Bridge deadline day exit

Charlie Wakefield will leave Chelsea before the transfer window shuts this evening. 

Journalist Pete O’Rourke claims the versatile defender will join Coventry City, as he looks to build a career away from Stamford Bridge.

With his Blues deal running out in the summer, bosses at the West London outfit have looked kindly upon his request to fly the nest earlier than was expected. 

After a spell on loan at Stevenage last season, it became clear that the 20-year-old was not going to be breaking into the starting XI under Maurizio Sarri. 

The sprawling youth system of Chelsea looks set to lose another name then, with the Worthing-native heading north to join up with the Sky Blues, who currently sit 11th in League One. 

Wakefield won the FA Youth Cup once, and UEFA Youth League twice with Chelsea’s accomplished youngsters. 

The post Wakefield set for Coventry move appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Picture: Martial all smiles with Solskjaer, official new contract signed until 2024

Manchester United have confirmed that Anthony Martial has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2024.

The Frenchman appeared destined to leave Old Trafford over the summer having fallen out of favour and form under Jose Mourinho.

His performances this season, however, have propelled him back into the starting XI, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival notably accelerating talks between Martial and the club.

It was confirmed by the club on Thursday lunchtime – minutes after it was leaked on social media – that Martial had penned a new deal with the club.

Today just got a whole lot better! #MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2019

“I am loving my time at this club,” he said. “From the day I joined I have been made to feel part of the United family and I have been incredibly humbled and overwhelmed by the warmth and love of our fans, who continue to amaze me with their support.”

“I would like to thank Ole and his coaching staff for their belief in me and for helping me to take my game to the next level. This club is all about winning trophies and I am sure the next piece of silverware is not that far away.”

I do not need to tell you how important this is. Speaking generally, only David de Gea ranks higher than him when it comes to the love Martial receives from supporters.

United fans recognise a true United player when they see one. Martial has always belonged in that bracket.

Tottenham make late offer to sign Chelsea star

Tottenham have entered the race to sign Chelsea striker Michy Bathsuayi.

According to a report on Mundo Deportivo, who cite claims made by The Guardian, the Belgian striker is currently mulling over offers from Real Betis, West Ham and Spurs.

It had been widely reported that Chelsea have reached an agreement with both Betis and West Ham, but it now appears that Tottenham are trying to bring in the player.

Batshuayi is due to make a decision on where he wants to play his football during the second half of the season, as Chelsea have already agreed terms with both clubs.

The striker is set to end his loan deal with Valencia early after failing to impress during the first half of the La Liga season.

However, it looks unlikely that he will be heading to Tottenham. While Chelsea appear happy to sell Batshuayi this month, they are unlikely to approve of a deal that would see him join their local rivals.

The post Tottenham make offer to sign Batshuayi appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Official: Arsenal Sign Denis Suarez On Loan From FC Barcleona

Arsenal have confirmed the news that Denis Suarez has joined the club on loan until the end of the season (via Arsenal.com).

It has been the likeliest outcome for several days but finally, Denis Suarez’s transfer to Arsenal has been confirmed.

The 25-year-old FC Barcelona man has long been a rumoured Arsenal target given the club’s lack of financial clout this window.

Finally, the notification you’ve all been waiting for

Welcome to Arsenal, @DenisSuarez6 #HolaDenis

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 31, 2019

Suarez has joined the Gunners on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy in the summer just after signing a new contract extension at the Camp Nou.

Suarez is a former Manchester City player who joined FC Barcelona in 2013. After that, he was managed by Unai Emery while the pair was at Sevilla.

He has made eight appearances for the La Liga side this season after falling down the pecking order at the Camp Nou.

Hopefully, he will recapture his form at the Emirates in the coming months in a loan deal which is said to be worth €2.5 million.

It’s good to see that this has finally been announced. Denis Suarez’s career could go either way at Arsenal so it’s great that the club has secured a loan deal with an option to buy if things don’t go as planned for him. Let’s hope he impresses in the coming weeks and months. Suarez will wear the number 22 shirt at the Emirates, previously occupied by Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

Chelsea accept two offers for out-of-sorts striker

Ed Aarons of the Guardian has claimed Chelsea have accepted a pair of offers for Michy Batshuayi, and will give the forward a choice of where he wants to go out on loan. 

The Belgian could opt to stay in the English capital, with a move to West Ham one of the two clubs who have satisfied Chelsea’s demands in order to be a suitable candidate to acquire his services. 

Real Betis are the other option, in a move that would see the 25-year-old return to La Liga, after an entirely unsuccessful spell at Valencia earlier this season. 

Everton have also been rumoured as a team interested in the former Marseille striker, but the Toffees are understood to be pursuing a permanent deal for Batshuayi instead. 

Indeed, it seems as though the Blues may force Everton’s hand on deadline day by allowing Batshuayi to pick where he wants to play out the rest of the 2018-19 season. 

The post Chelsea accept two loan offers for Batshuayi appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Willian's agent in Paris waiting for Chelsea to give the green light for PSG move

The representatives of Chelsea star Willian are believed to be in Paris, as they bid to secure a late move to PSG.

According to UOL, as cited on the Metro, the player’s agent has flown to Paris amid speculation that the French champions could make a late move for the Brazilian following the injury to Neymar.

The former Barcelona winger was sidelined with an injury recently and the Ligue 1 outfit want a replacement lined up before the January window closes.

The report does not suggest that a deal is imminent, but should an agreement between both club be met before the deadline, then they are ready and waiting to seal a deal.

Chelsea have stood firm with their stance on Willian’s future after the player was linked with moves to Barcelona earlier this month.

The La Liga side tried to sign the Brazilian both in the summer and in January, but Chelsea are not willing to let him leave.

The post Willian’s agent in Paris holding out for move appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Reports: Emile Smith Rowe Set For Bundesliga Move Which Could Last 18 Months

Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly set to join the Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on a loan deal which could last 18 months (via Football.London).

There is definitely a growing trend of young British players heading to the Bundesliga and it seems as if another could soon be on their way.

Emile Smith Rowe has had something of a breakthrough season for Arsenal in cup competitions but now looks set to swap England for Germany.

The 18-year-old is reportedly set to move to Red Bull Leipzig on a six-month loan deal with an option for a further year if things go well.

Perisic to Arsenal off – #Inter ended all player talks yesterday, #AFC attempts to structure loan + option (+ penalty fee if option not taken) of no interest. Nkunku efforts ongoing but now very unlikely #PSG. Suarez announcement soon. Smith Rowe #RBLeipzig loan, no option to buy

— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 31, 2019

Smith Rowe has scored an impressive three goals in just six appearances for the Arsenal first team this season.

Reports in England suggest that Smith Rowe is viewed as a future first-team player by Arsenal and that this loan move is just about him getting game time.

It seems like a great piece of business for Arsenal. Emile Smith Rowe is clearly a hugely talented player and can hopefully impress in the Bundesliga just like his former Gunners teammate, Reiss Nelson. Let’s hope he can develop well and return to the club a better player.

Chelsea outcast heading for Italy loan move

Chelsea’s forgotten man Lucas Piazon is heading to the Serie A on loan until the end of the season.

According to the Daily Mail, Piazon is set to join Chievo on loan in a deal that does include the option to buy in the summer.

Piazon has been out in the cold since the start of the season after failing to agree on a move away from Stamford Bridge during the summer window.

The Brazilian was named on the bench against Tottenham in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, but he remains unlikely to feature for Maurizio Sarri during the second half of the season.

Piazon will now be tasked with helping Chievo avoid relegation to the Italian second tier, with the club nine points adrift at the bottom of Serie A.

With the option to buy included, the loan move looks set to bring an end to Piazon’s time in London, where he has failed to fulfil his once huge potential.

The post Piazon to join Chievo on loan appeared first on Read Chelsea.

David Luiz the worst of the bunch? See how we rated Chelsea's players against Bournemouth

Chelsea suffered one of their worst defeats in recent history, as a second-half salvo from Bournemouth handed the Cherries a 4-0 victory over Maurizio Sarri’s shoddy outfit.

The first half was controlled and as is always the case Chelsea had a huge majority of possession without making the opposition, even with the addition of veteran striker Gonzalo Higuain who started his first Premier League game on the night. Were it not for Artur Boruc’s heroics in goal Sarri may well have been more pleased with his sides efforts at the break, but five eye-catching saves ensured the sides went in level.

Sarriball was seemingly thrown out of the window at the break as Chelsea entered self destruct mode, conceding to Josh King just two minutes after the restart, as the Norwegian forward hammered home David Brooks’ cut-back. Welshman Brooks would then go from creator to goal scorer to double Bournemouth’s lead just past the hour mark, capitalising on a horrendous lack of communication in the Chelsea backline to slot past Kepa Arrizabalaga. King added another close-range finish before Charlie Daniels ensured a rout was on the cards with an injury-time header.

Having seen everyone around them pick up points Chelsea have yet more work to do if they’re to hang on to their coveted fourth place position.

The post Chelsea player ratings: Bournemouth (A) appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea outcast unlikely to leave Blues

Gary Cahill is likely to remain at Chelsea for the remainder of his contract, unless a club comes in and pays all his wages.

The defender, who is allowed to leave the Blues, was in talks with Fulham about a switch before the deal collapsed. With the only other offers coming from abroad.

However, according to Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard, Cahill is likely to remain at the Blues, with the defender not keen on a move abroad with his family at this late stage of his career.

Twitter: #Cahill has been told by #cfc he can leave on loan if someone pays his wages in full. But I understand after #ffc f… https://t.co/GjuOBgRlx9 (@sjstandardsport)

The defender is a long time Chelsea stalwart, but has seen playing time being slowly reduced during the last two seasons.

Cahill has had to settle for cup competitions under Maurizio Sarri, and it looks likely to remain this way unless an English club comes in for the defender.

The post Cahill likely to see out Chelsea contract appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea forward prefers Everton move despite West Ham interest

Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi would prefer to join Everton over a move to West Ham, according to Simon Johnson.

Johnson reports that Everton are keen to sign the player on a permanent basis, while West Ham have also enquired about a loan deal until the end of the season.

It is claimed that Everton are still some way off raising the funds to sign Batshuayi permanently.

It has previously been reported that a permanent deal for the Belgian striker would cost the Toffees a fee of £35 million.

The Hammers are looking to sign another striker before Thursday’s deadline, with the club also linked with a move for Olivier Giroud.

Everton themselves are keen to add another forward to their squad, with Marco Silva’s team lacking goals this season.

Batshuayi has been struggling on loan at Valencia and Chelsea appear keen to cash in on the forward this month, with his future in London looking bleak.

The post Batshuayi prefers Everton move over West Ham appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Picture: Man United midfielder confirms he’s at an airport, January exit seems imminent

Marouane Fellaini has passed a medical and agreed personal terms ahead of completing a move to Shangdong Luneng from Manchester United.

The midfielder, despite signing a new two-year contract at Old Trafford over the summer, has been tipped for a move away after falling out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He posted a photo on Thursday morning of himself at the airport with his entourage ahead of presumably flying to East China.

Marouane Fellaini has just posted this on his Instagram of him at an airport with the caption ‘Let’s go’ #mufc pic.twitter.com/0TJVMVIA3T

— The Peoples Person (@PeoplesPerson_) January 31, 2019

And it has been confirmed by the BBC‘s Simon Stone – among other reputable journalists like ESPN‘s Rob Dawson and M.E.N‘s Samuel Luckhurst – that Man United have granted Fellaini permission to leave for Shandong, with the midfielder passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the Chinese club.

Fellaini medical done. Personal terms agreed. Paperwork still needs to be completed. Chinese transfer window doesn't close until end of February. With Martial new contract nearly done, feels like @ManUtd are hitting the reset button.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 31, 2019

The departure of Fellaini is truly symbolic. He has, over the last five and a half years, served as a living example of the abortive post-Fergie era, more a meme than an actual player.

But here’s the thing: Fellaini may not be United standard, yet his attitude is something any professional can learn from. Always there to do a job, never complaining, often coming up with important goals. He has had a notably bigger impact on this club than, say, Angel Di Maria or Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Supporters ought to give Fellaini the recognition he deserves for over half a decade of loyal service.

Premier League side not interested in selling midfielder to Chelsea

Chelsea look unlikely to complete a deadline day deal to sign Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard reports that the Hornets are not interested in selling the player to Chelsea before Thursday’s deadline.

Earlier in the day, Maurizio Sarri’s side were linked with a dramatic swoop for the Frenchman in the wake of their heavy defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

Doucoure has been heavily linked with a move away from Watford, with the player boasting ambitions to play European football and break into the French national team.

Paris Saint-Germain have been long-term admirers of the player and were credited with an interest earlier in the January transfer window.

Doucoure has been ever-present for Watford this season, impressing in the middle of the park. He has played a key role in the Hornet’s push to break into the top six this season, but he looks set to see out the season with his current club.

The post Watford not interested in Doucoure sale appeared first on Read Chelsea.

European giant to make deadline day move for Chelsea forward

Willian could be the subject of a deadline day enquiry from Paris Saint-Germain according to Sky Sports. 

The French champions are preparing to take on the Champions League knockout stages with a question mark hanging over Neymar, who sustained an ankle injury in recent weeks. 

To alleviate the issues created by his absence, Thomas Tuchel’s side could try and bring in one of his international teammates in Willian. 

The winger has been a part of the furniture in Maurizio Sarri’s starting XI this season, making 34 appearances in all competitions to this point. 

Goals had not been flowing in abundance for the 30-year-old, until the former Shakhtar man bagged a brace against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. 

This isn’t the first interest Willian has attracted, however. 

Barcelona have also been reported as harbouring affection for the Ribeirão Pires-native, in addition to the customary offers from China. 

Chelsea may opt to cash in on the veteran, in a move that could free up playing time for Callum Hudson-Odoi. 

The post PSG to make stunning deadline day move for Willian appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea to make Deadline Day move for Premier League star

Chelsea are considering making a surprise Deadline Day move for Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, according to the Mirror.

The 26-year-old played no part in the Hornets’ 2-1 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday evening, with manager Javi Gracia claiming he has a knee injury.

Chelsea are big admirers, however, and the report states Maurizio Sarri sees him as a possible replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who moved to Monaco earlier this month.

Doucoure’s future has previously been up in the air, after he admitted a move to Paris Saint-Germain would be a dream.

The Ligue 1 giants are attempting to sign Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, however, making a move to Parc des Princes unlikely for the Watford man.

Whether or not Chelsea’s interest is concrete remains to be seen, but time is running out for them to complete a move.

The January deadline is at 11pm (GMT) on Thursday night.

The Blues suffered a shock 4-0 loss at Bournemouth on Wednesday, throwing Sarri’s future into doubt.

The post Chelsea set for shock move Deadline Day move for Doucoure appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea players won't like Hudson-Odoi attention, claims pundit

Chelsea’s players will be “fed up” of the attention being paid to Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to former Blues man Pat Nevin.

Maurizio Sarri’s side crashed to a shock 4-0 defeat away to Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

The Italian’s job is now reportedly hanging by a thread, with his players seemingly not playing for him.

The level of focus aimed at Hudson-Odoi may not be helping, following endless speculation linking the 18-year-old with a move to Bayern Munich.

Speaking to LoveSportRadio, Nevin said it won’t be appreciated by his teammates, considering he has achieved nothing yet:

If you’re [Eden] Hazard, you’ve been at incredible levels.

If you’re Willian, you’ve been in a Brazilian World Cup team. If you’re Pedro, you’ve got Champions League and World Cup medals.

You’re them and you’re looking at this kid who has done the square root of nothing and apparently everything is about him! You’d be fed up with him.

If he gets sold and he gets £35m for Chelsea, I suspect he’s paid back something of what he owes there.

It might not be what Chelsea or any club wants, but if you get £35m for spending a good bit of time developing a player, that’s good business.

I would much, much prefer the lad to stay but I understand he wants games of football.

Chelsea’s woeful night at Dean Court has left them in a precarious position in the top-four battle.

They are now only two points ahead of sixth-place Manchester United, while Arsenal have snuck into fourth on goal difference.

Despite back-to-back cup wins last week, all is not well at Stamford Bridge and victory at home to Huddersfield Town is imperative on Saturday.

The post Chelsea players will be “fed up” of Hudson-Odoi focus appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Big injury blow for Man United, key midfielder could miss Leicester

Paul Pogba is a doubt for Sunday’s visit to Leicester City after he was seen limping through the mixed area following Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Burnley.

The Frenchman played a vital role in Man United’s late comeback from two goals down on Tuesday, scoring his 11th goal of the season from the spot to set up a grandstand finish.

He has started eight out of nine games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over last months.

And according to the Guardian‘s Jamie Jackson, Pogba was clearly feeling the effects of a bruising encounter with Sean Dyche’s side, although the extent of the knock is unknown.

Pogba may be a doubt for Leicester on Sunday as he left Old Trafford limping…

— jamie jackson (@JamieJackson___) January 30, 2019

You can only hope it was a residual kind of limp players get after physically taxing, ferociously paced Premier League encounters like the one we saw yesterday. Pogba was, after all, often chopped down by Burnley players as he turned with the ball. A player who draws as many fouls as Pogba is bound to pick up knocks.

Few have benefitted from the entry of Solskjaer like Pogba, who can boast a fantastic record of eight goals and four assists since Jose Mourinho was removed.

Supporters face an anxious wait to see whether Pogba can recover in time for a difficult clash with Leicester.

22yo superstar agrees five year contract, announcement to happen this week

Anthony Martial has agreed a new five-year contract at Manchester United, with an announcement set to happen this week, according to RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi.

Jose Mourinho was willing to let Martial leave over the summer and it was claimed by the Frenchman’s agent in June that they would look for a move elsewhere.

But Martial’s situation at Old Trafford has taken a U-turn in recent weeks. According to the BBC, a ‘significant breakthrough’ in talks have been made this month, and media outlets are all pointing towards a new contract being agreed.

And according to Bouhafsi, a well-informed journalist for RMC, the contract will be signed this week ahead of an official announcement.

Anthony #Martial has agreed new five-year contract (june 2024). The signing of the extension will take place before Friday ! #MUFC

— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) January 30, 2019

It very much felt like the end of the line for Martial in June. He had just spent six months watching Alexis Sanchez from the bench and his form, as a result, was in tatters. Mourinho, like with so many players, had lost a sense of trust in Martial.

But that performance in Switzerland against Young Boys changed the dynamic for the 22-year-old. With Alexis badly out of form, Martial took full advantage, and amid the chaos under Mourinho he continued to score goals and deliver strong performances when such things seemed impossible.

He has only continued to soar under Solskjaer. United cannot afford to let him go anywhere.

Sarri facing Chelsea sack after Bournemouth defeat

Maurizio Sarri is facing the prospect of losing his job at Chelsea after a shock 4-0 defeat away to Bournemouth.

The Daily Mail claims that the pressure is rising on the Chelsea head coach after Eddie Howe’s side eased past them on Wednesday night.

It is claimed that Sarri kept his players in the changing room for 40 minutes after the full-time whistle, without the rest of his coaching staff.

Chelsea fans were seen to turn on the Italian throughout the game, with the Blues now losing back-to-back Premier League games in a very unconvincing manner.

The defeat is the heaviest that Chelsea have suffered for as long as Roman Abramovich has been at the club, something that will speak volumes when deciding Sarri’s future.

The loss also saw Chelsea drop out of the top four, albeit only on goals scored.

The report does not specify if a decision is imminent, but Sarri will know he needs an immediate turnaround.

The post Sarri facing Chelsea sack after Bournemouth defeat appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Opinion: With no plan B to call on Sarri must go!

Enough is enough!

Dire football orchestrated by a one-trick pony of a coach and we are in danger of floundering even further this season.

The one saving grace is that we have enough points in the bag to avoid being relegated. People want to know why Maurizio Sarri hasn’t got a plan B when things are not going Chelsea’s way in a match – well I’ll tell you – that’s because he hasn’t got a plan A.

The one he brought with him from the slow-paced Serie A, just won’t wash here in the Premier League. What is the point of 72% possession, when every time you lose the ball you concede? Then, on top of that, we don’t move the ball with speed or purpose at the other end of the field and create minimal chances.

Sarri has to go before things get even worse. I don’t know what the answer is, to be honest. Watching this uninspiring dross against Bournemouth made me long for the days of Doug Rougvie and Joey Jones. Little skill on show but my god, what passion!

Chelsea need someone who knows the game, not some banker who thinks he knows the game. Bring back John Terry, someone who knows the club and the fan base. Hey, I would even welcome Claudio Ranieri back, because he cares.

This sort of performance is an insult to every Chelsea fan out there, who pays their good money to support this team through thick and thin.

At the moment, we have a cup final against City – and based on this, we might as well hand them the trophy right now, and then United in the FA Cup!

Jorginho needs to return to the slow-paced Serie A and on his way out the door, he can take his boss with him and good riddance.

The post No Plan A or B: Sarri must go appeared first on Read Chelsea.

The best photos from Manchester United 2-2 Burnley

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s eight-game winning run came to an end on Tuesday as Manchester United could only manage a 2-2 draw against Burnley at Old Trafford.

The hosts did not start aggressively enough and fell behind on 50 minutes to a goal from Ashley Barnes, before Chris Wood seemingly killed the game by doubling Burnley’s lead with ten minutes left.

Man United responded emphatically, however, and pulled a goal back through a Paul Pogba penalty to set up a grandstand injury time finish during which Victor Lindelof stabbed home a loose ball to level the game.

Here are the best photos from a truly chaotic evening at Old Trafford.

Embed from Getty Images

Confirmation: Midfielder to leave Man United, personal terms have been agreed

Marouane Fellaini has agreed personal terms with Chinese Super League club Shangdong Luneng ahead of leaving Manchester United after five and a half years at the club, according to the BBC.

The midfielder, one of Jose Mourinho’s favourites, signed a new two-year contract at Old Trafford over the summer.

However, Fellaini has fallen out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, failing to start a single Premier League game since the Norwegian’s arrival before Christmas.

And according to Simon Stone, personal terms with the Chinese club have been agreed, although Man United have not declared whether a fee for the midfielder has been settled on.

Solskjaer noted recently that he did not expect any players to leave before the transfer window shuts. The Fellaini developments, however, appear to have sprung out of nowhere. He appears to have been tabled an offer he, nor the club, could refuse.

The English transfer window closes at the end of this month but China’s transfer window doesn’t close until February 28, giving Shangdong plenty of time to strike a financial agreement for Fellaini. A fee of £7m has been mooted by several reports.

Everton make move for sign £35m-rated Chelsea star

Everton are targeting Michy Batshuayi in their hot pursuit to bring in a new striker before the January transfer window slams shut but Chelsea are holding out for £35million, according to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons and David Hytner.

Kurt Zouma’s loan deal means Everton can’t sign Batshuayi on a temporary basis, however, manager Marco Silva is said to be confident of a deal going through before Thursday’s deadline.

The 25-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Marseille for £33million and now Chelsea are looking to recoup what they splashed out back in 2016.

Interest in a loan deal from West Ham United has already been brushed aside this month.

After scoring 19 goals in 53 appearances over one-and-a-half campaigns with the Blues, Batshuayi impressed on loan at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season, netting nine in 14.

‘Batman’ has spent the first part of the 2018/19 season on another loan, this time in Spain with Valencia, but he has scored just three goals in 23 games and hasn’t featured yet in 2019.

Valencia have been actively looking to cut his stint at the club short and after Maurizio Sarri replaced Alvaro Morata with Gonzalo Higuain earlier this month, it’s unlikely the Belgian international’s minutes will improve in the capital.

The post Everton told to pay £35m in Michy Batshuayi pursuit appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Hudson-Odoi tipped to become a 'big player' by Premier League rival

Callum Hudson-Odoi has the ability to develop into a ‘big player’, according to Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

InsideFutbol cite an interview with German outlet Sport Bild, in which Leno spoke about Bayern Munich target Hudson-Odoi in a very positive light.

The 18-year-old has burst into Maurizio Sarri’s first-team squad this season, having only made his professional debut this time last year in an FA Cup tie against Newcastle United.

His three top-flight appearances this term have all come from the substitutes bench, but the winger has particularly impressed in the Europa League and Carabao Cup.

The Chelsea academy product is now entering the last 18 months of his Stamford Bridge contract and is reportedly keen to get more regular game time.

German Champions Bayern have had a number of bids knocked back for the England U19 international, resulting in the player handing in a transfer request and refusing to sign a new deal.

Leno, a German international between the sticks, revealed he has been impressed with what he has seen of the young talent.

He said:

We played against Chelsea in pre-season, in addition to the league.  Hudson-Odoi was on the pitch and was really strong. He is a very interesting player. Hudson-Odoi can definitely explode and become a big player.

The post Bernd Leno believes Hudson-Odoi can become a ‘big player’ appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea want Barcelona star to replace Hazard in the summer

Chelsea have reportedly identified Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho as a replacement for Eden Hazard.

According to Mundo Deportivo, as cited on Calciomercato, the Blues are said to have decided that the former Liverpool man is the player they want to replace the Belgian, should he go on to complete a move to Real Madird.

Hazard has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu and his contract up at the end of next season he is being tipped to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Coutinho has been linked with moves away from the Nou Camp recently after struggling under Ernesto Valverde.

The Brazilian has started 12 La Liga games this season and scored four goals in that time, but concerns have been raised about the player’s long-term future at the club.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move to bring Coutinho back to the Premier League, in what would be a shock deal to see him leave La Liga so soon.

The post Chelsea want Coutinho to replace Hazard next season appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea willing to let defender leave for HUGE fee

Chelsea want £6m from any club looking to sign defender Andreas Christensen on loan this January if they are to allow the centre-back to leave, the Mirror reports.

Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund as well as Italian giants Juventus are all believed to be interested in taking the 22-year-old Denmark international on-loan until the end of the current campaign.

Christensen has been out of favour under Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri this season and would benefit from a move away from the club before the transfer deadline strikes on Thursday.

However, it is reported that the Blues want a huge £6m loan fee if they are to part with the Dane this window.

Sarri was reportedly angry with Christensens’s decision to leave the substitutes bench for a toilet break during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Arsenal earlier this month.

But the Chelsea boss joked later on saying:

I don’t know the reason, but he’s very nervous. He had to go to the toilet, so I don’t know what to say.

The post Chelsea want £6m loan fee for Christensen appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Rudiger reveals exactly how Higuain can find goalscoring form for Chelsea

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger believes that Eden Hazard will help to bring the best out of new striker Gonzalo Higuain.

As reported on the Evening Standard, Higuain made his Chelsea debut in the 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge.

Although he found it hard to get any clear opportunities to score, the Argentine’s movement was good and he got into some dangerous areas. 

Rudiger believes that by playing with Hazard, Higuain will find it easy to score goals for the club. He said:

Everyone who understands football and knows Eden, you can make a profit out of him playing with him.

It [playing without Hazard] is the same as Barcelona playing without [Lionel] Messi. For us it’s Hazard. He can make always the difference, as he showed against Tottenham last week. 

We have to be patient with Higuain. He’s new. Everything’s new. But he will be important for us and he will show his strength.

First of all, if you see his record, you know he’s a goalscorer. He will do the same here. I’m confident about him. 

Hazard is now expected to return to his preferred position on the left wing after playing in a false 9 role in recent months. 

The Blues take on Bournemouth tonight and Hazard and Higuain are expected to start together in attack. 

The post Rudiger: Hazard will bring the best out of Higuain appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Sarri admits that Hazard may need to leave Chelsea

The Belgian international who’s just turned 28 earlier this month, has been consistently linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, amid rumours that Real Madrid are looking to sign him.

His current contract keeps him at Chelsea for another 18 months. However, Maurizio Sarri seems unfazed that his top performer could be on his way out of West London.

Sarri has mentioned in a recent interview that Hazard is free to depart from the club although he does stress that he would prefer it if he would stay and continue his form, which at the beginning of the season, looked to be his best whilst in a Chelsea shirt.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Bournemouth, as reported by the Mirror, Sarri gave his stance on the Belgian’s future.

Eden is 28. If he wants to go, I think he has to go. Of course, I hope the opposite, I hope he wants to stay here. He has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment.

If Hazard does remain at Chelsea until the expiry of his contract in 2020, there is a risk that they would be losing him for nothing which is almost insane to think about when talking about one of the world’s best.

The heads at Chelsea however, are very keen on getting the Belgian star to renew his contract even though Hazard has expressed his dream of wanting to secure a move to the Bernabeu in the past.

Contract negotiations are said to have been going on for the past year, however, there is still no certainty of Hazard wanting to remain in London.

Sarri added that “he has the potential to be the best player in Europe at the moment”, seemingly recognising that a move to Spain would allow Hazard to prove that he has the ability to play among the world’s best.

Due to the recent acquisition of Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus on loan this window, we can expect to see Hazard back on his preferred left-hand side, something Sarri hopes will bring the best out of him.

It’s my job to improve him and put him in a position to do his best.

The post Sarri says Hazard may have to leave Chelsea appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea forward rejects €10m a year offer to leave the club

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has reportedly rejected a big-money contract to move to the Chinese Super League.

According to French outlet L’Equipe, as cited on Sport Witness, the striker has been the subject of interest from China, but he has opted to stay at Chelsea, for the time being at least.

It is claimed that a contract worth €10 million a year was on the line in China with Dalian Yifang, but the Frenchman was not interested in the move.

Giroud has attracted a wealth of interest recently, with his immediate future at Stamford Bridge looking bleak.

Premier League side Wolves have been credited with an interest, while Ligue 1 outfit Lyon are also said to be admirers of the striker.

The recent arrival of Gonzalo Higuain has cast major doubts over the amount of playing time he will get for the remainder of the season, having already struggled to break through under Maurizio Sarri.

The post Giroud rejects big-money offer from China appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Chelsea reject three offers for defender

Chelsea have reportedly rejected moves from Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund as well as Juventus for their defender Andreas Christensen, according to the Evening Standard.

All three clubs are believed to have contacted the Blues in the past week over Christensen’s availability, whether he be available on a permanent or a loan deal.

The 22-year-old has struggled for game time with the Blues this season but is highly regarded as one of the best centre-backs around.

The Denmark international has made just one Premier League start this term, with Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri preferring to play David Luiz at the heart of the Chelsea defence instead.

Barcelona also had an approach or Christensen rejected last month and Chelsea have made it clear to Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus that they are not prepared to let the defender leave before the window shuts tomorrow.

However, despite the youngster having three years left on his contract with the London side, his future at the club appears to be up in the air and it is expected that Bayern, Dortmund and Juve amongst others will all return in the summer transfer window to enquire about his availability once more.

It is also believed that Luiz is close to signing a one-year contract extension with the Stamford Bridge outfit too, meaning Christensen’s pathway to the senior side will continue to be blocked.

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Chelsea boss compares transfer drama surrounding two of his star players

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has urged Callum Hudson-Odoi to remain at Stamford Bridge this month and reject a move to Bayern Munich, the Guardian reports.

Hudson-Odoi handed in a transfer request earlier this month that was swiftly rejected by the Blues, with the youngster having hoped to complete a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich before the January transfer window shuts on Thursday.

The Chelsea hierarchy are also believed to have told Sarri that they will not be forced into selling the youngster at the end of the season either.

Hudson-Odoi, 18, is one of the brightest prospects of the Chelsea academy but has not yet started a Premier League game for the Blues and believes he would find game time easier to come by in Germany.

Chelsea have already rejected a £35m move from Bayern for the starlet who is contracted with the club until 2020.

Sarri has since moved to compare the situation of Hudson-Odoi’s future at the club to that of Eden Hazard’s. Sarri has said:

Eden is 28 so, if he wants to go, I think he has to go. I hope the opposite. I hope he wants to stay and improve. He has the potential to be the best player in Europe and, sometimes, he’s happy with something less.

It’s my job to improve him and put him in a position to do his best. Sometimes that means I have to say something [critical] in the press to do that. It’s normal. It’s my job.

But Callum is 18 and he has to respect the club, the academy, everything. He has time. If you are one of the best young players in Europe, maybe the academy helped you. So you have to respect this.

The situation of Eden is different. Callum’s a great player. He’d become one of the best in Europe in another team, too, but he has to respect the work of the academy coaches.

The Chelsea boss was then asked why the 18-year-old should reject a move away from the club to stay at Chelsea.

Because this is his home. We will be patient with him because he’s a boy from the academy. I don’t know if, at another club, people would be patient with him after five or six matches. It’s very difficult to go to another country and adapt or play very well immediately. That’s a difficult situation. It’s better for him to try and improve here.

The post Sarri compares Hudson-Odoi saga to Eden Hazard appeared first on Read Chelsea.

Manchester United join Chelsea in eyeing a summer deal for Barcelona star

Manchester United appear to have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, as cited on Sport Witness, United have added the player to their list of potential targets and are keen to discover what his availability will be at the end of the season.

Rakitic has been heavily linked with moves away from the Nou Camp recently, with Chelsea said to be among the teams keeping an eye on his situation.

While the report adds that Rakitic would prefer to stay at the club, the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and the proposed incoming of Adrien Rabiot from Paris Saint-Germain has cast serious doubts over his long-term future at the club.

Rakitic is due to turn 31 later this year and Barcelona appear keen to add some younger, fresher personnel to their midfield options, something that may leave the Croatian cut adrift.

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Agent Claims PSG Star Nkunku Is "Willing To Wait" To Get Arsenal Move

The agent of Paris Saint-Germain star Christopher Nkunku has claimed that the player is “willing to wait” to get a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal’s inability to sign players on permanent contracts has been frustrating during this January window with the Gunners looking to loan deals to get things done (via GFFN).

That seems to have worked out well as far as Denis Suarez is concerned but not, it seems, for another of the club’s targets.

Arsenal are said to be keen admirers of Christopher Nkunku and now, the player’s agent has provided an update on the potential transfer.

“I am here (in the studio) tonight, which is not a good sign. There is a real interest from Arsenal for Nkunku, but the discussions are quite complicated,” said agent José-Pierre Fanfan on French television, as quoted by GFFN.

“There are restrictions from Arsenal’s side, they cannot do a transfer in the middle of the season. It is still being discussed with PSG, things could still happen in the next 48 hours, but as I said, the fact that I am here means that it does not look good.

“His situation will be evaluated in June, then he will have just 1 year left on his contract, and his situation will need to be evaluated.

“He is a young boy, who needs to play, enjoy himself, and to sign up for a project for the long term, that is what he is looking for, and he was in that phase with Arsenal but it looks complicated, if we have to wait, then he is ready to do that, he will wait.”

It’s an interesting series of quotes from the player’s agent. Christopher Nkunku seems like a bright young talent and could be a good addition to the club in the long term. Perhaps it is too soon and a summer transfer would be better for everyone, even as a potential replacement for Denis Suarez.

Jenkinson: "I'm Training As Hard As I Can To Get Myself In The Team"

Carl Jenkinson has stated his desire to get back into the Arsenal first team following the injury to Hector Bellerin (via Arsenal.com).

It’s strange how things work out in football. Go back a few years and it was Hector Bellerin who stepped up for Arsenal when Carl Jenkinson was unavailable for selection. Now, it could be the other way around.

Jenkinson has been at the Emirates since 2011 but has made just 67 appearances for the club in all that time.

The Englishman took to the field in a Premier League match last night for the first time since November 2016 and now he wants to build on it.

“Now I’ve got to push on, I’ve got to keep working,” Jenkinson told Arsenal.com after the match.

“That’s what I do best, I’m pushing and I’m pushing. We’ve got top lads in the squad and whoever plays is going to do a job, but for personal pride of course, I want to be in the team.

“I’m training as hard as I can to give the manager a problem and get myself in the team.”

It’s hard to pick an Arsenal player more determined to play for the club than Carl Jenkinson. The 26-year-old has been used mostly as a backup option this season but could be handed a bigger role in the team in the coming months. Jenkinson’s performances have been good for the most part and he certainly deserves a chance.