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Following RB Leipzig's 1-0 victory over Hoffenheim at home in the Bundesliga, manager Rose spoke about Nkunku, whose goal in the 28th minute made all the difference and kept them in the hunt for a top-four finish. When talking about what the forward's goal meant to him, he made a future prediction. WHAT THEY SAID:  Speaking to reporters after the game, Rose said: "That [winning goal] should give him a boost for the next few weeks - for his last few weeks with us." THE BIGGER PICTURE:  A deal for Chelsea to sign Nkunku for a fee of  €60m has reportedly been agreed and firmly in place since the beginning of 2023, following  speculation towards the end of 2022 Chelsea are currently enduring a nightmare season that sees them in the bottom half of the Premier League table and looking unlikely to secure any kind of European football next year, but with the deal signed off, it is expected that they will complete the transfer  regardless of their season finish . ...

It is not unusual for managers to sign their former players whom they feel comfortable working with. In Tuchel’s case, there are likely several Chelsea players that he may want to bring to Bayern, but Kovacic clearly ticks a lot of boxes.   First of all, according to Sport1, Tuchel considers the Croatia international one of his “dream” players and is pushing for Bayern to sign him this summer.  Secondly, Kovacic will soon enter the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, and amid uncertainty over his future, he is reportedly open to leaving Chelsea. Bayern are reportedly looking to bring in a “strong player” who can give their midfield stability, and Kovacic could offer that. In addition to these, Austria-born Kovacic speaks German fluently, which would only help him adapt to a new life at Bayern if he were to move to Allianz Arena. Sport1 adds that Chelsea are likely to be open to listening to offers for the former Real Madrid man, although as it stands, the...

Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea after his loan period is complete, according to Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta, but he also hinted that there may be talks about the Belgian's long-term plans. Lukaku returned to Inter on a season-long loan following a challenging campaign with the Blues. He has suffered with injuries but has played more frequently in the second half of the campaign. In 27 games in all competitions, the 29-year-old striker has scored nine times, but in his most recent game against Empoli, he not only scored twice, but also added an assist. Mauricio Pochettino appears set to be that man, and Chelsea's goalscoring problems have persisted and even got worse in 2022/23. Nevertheless, with the Blues' requirement to trim their squad numbers, interested parties will need to be taken seriously. Marotta has  previously poured cold water on the idea a return to the north of Italy is a certainty for Lukaku . Discussions appear set between the coach and the boa...

This is according to FBC Inside, which quoted Sport 1 as saying that Tuchel is lobbying for a transfer for the 28-year-old. According to reports over the past week, Bayern is interested in a move for Kovacic as they prepare to restructure their team for Tuchel in the summer. Those made it clear that the Bayern manager was eager for the transfer to happen, and today's Sport 1 supports that. In their explanation, they note that Kovacic was one of Tuchel's "absolute favorite players" while in charge of Chelsea, and that it is therefore "no real surprise" to hear that he has been linked with Bayern. The German giants are looking for a “strong player and strong tackler who ensures creativity and stability” in midfield and Kovacic can certainly be that man. His ability to play as both a six and an eight appeals to the club and Tuchel.  Another advantage is that Kovacic was born in Austria and spent a large part of his childhood there so can speak perfect German...

Chelsea have two players that Inter Milan would accept as part of a swap deal for Andre Onana, according to reports.  Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are of interest to the Italian side who have already said no to one other Blues player. Signing a goalkeeper is set to be a priority for Chelsea this summer.  Edouard Mendy has fallen out of favour, while Kepa Arrizabalaga has never really been the answer at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are yet to appoint their next permanent boss to replace interim head coach Frank Lampard. But it is widely expected that Mauricio Pochettino will take over at the end of the season and he could put pen to paper on a contract in the coming days.   And it appears  Onana is set to be a top target for the incoming boss. Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport claims a meeting was held between Chelsea and Inter chiefs in Milan on Wednesday.  Chelsea are said to have decided on Onana being their No 1 next season after interest...

Arsenal target Declan Rice is a "firmer option" than Mason Mount for the Gunners, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook has told GIVEMESPORT.  The Chelsea attacking midfielder is also thought to be on the north London club's radar right now, but Crook has suggested that his England team-mate is the more likely signing at the Emirates this summer. Arsenal transfer news — Declan Rice and Mason Mount Last month, CBS journalist Ben Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT that Rice will be a priority for Arsenal in the next transfer window.   Since then, talk has emerged about the Gunners also being interested in one of his England colleagues.  According to Goal, Arsenal are discussing the possibility of signing Mount, who's approaching the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge. Despite his current Chelsea deal running down, the MailOnline claims that the Blues have already quoted Newcastle United a huge £80m fee for the 24-year-old.  What has Alex Crook said about Declan Rice...

Barcelona may still decide to make a stunning transfer to re-sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer. Following the arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk, a Ukrainian star, and Joao Felix, a loanee from Atletico Madrid, Chelsea no longer needs the Gabonese international. After joining the Blues at the beginning of 2022–23, Aubameyang has only managed one Premier League goal this season, and the club is willing to let him go. As their financial situation has improved and Chelsea is willing to transfer the veteran striker for free, La Blaugrana are considering a potential move for the player. Despite his controversial departure from the Camp Nou, the former  Arsenal  forward managed 11  La Liga  goals in six months at the back end of 2021/22. As per reports from  Joan Fontes , the feeling towards bringing Aubameyang back to the club is positive, with an estimated 80% of the Barcelona dressing room open to a return.

Behdad Eghbali, a co-owner of Chelsea, has made a huge implication that Mauricio Pochettino will take over as the team's head coach. The Argentine has had fruitful discussions with the team since last week, when he assumed the lead. It occurs as the current Stamford Bridge administration searches for its third permanent manager in the past 11 months since taking office. Now that the new season is approaching, the former Tottenham manager, 51, can be hired. The Times stated that crucial discussions over Pochettino will take place over the weekend in LA, and Todd Boehly and Eghbali's appearance at the LA Lakers game on Saturday has confirmed their presence in the country. Boehly has a minority stake in the NBA side and watched them seal progression to the next round after a 4-2 win over Memphis Grizzlies but for Chelsea fans their presence was important in other ways. Both Boehly and Eghbali were pictured at the game but it was a video of the latter that seems to all but confir...

Chelsea chiefs have met with Inter Milan regarding a deal for goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to reports in Italy. Will Chelsea sign a goalkeeper this summer? The Blues look all set to appoint former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino in the coming weeks, with several reports suggesting the Argentine is on the brink of replacing Frank Lampard in the Stamford Bridge dugout.   Pochettino's first job may well be to identify a new goalkeeper, with neither Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy covering themsleves in glory over the last 18 months.  Todd Boehly has allegedly identified Brentford's David Raya as a possible option, but Onana's name has popped up more than most, with an update this week claiming Pochettino has actually already approved the deal. Now, a report from Sport Mediaset, via  Sport Witness , delivers a further update on the pursuit of the Cameroon star, revealing Inter and Chelsea have actually already met to "set the stakes for a negotiation" ...

Raheem Sterling, a winger for Chelsea, has opened up about life in the dressing room at Stamford Bridge as the Blues plod toward a miserable bottom-half Premier League finish, saying that he and his teammates are sometimes left "staring into space." The £47.5 million transfer of the England international from Manchester City last summer hasn't gone as expected. After falling out of favor under Pep Guardiola, Sterling moved to west London in search of a bigger first-team role. Even though he frequently gets the start, the 28-year-old has contributed to Chelsea's most problematic spot on the field. We are disappointed when we come off the pitch and feel angry and disappointed. There are times when we finish a game you just sit in the changing room looking into space because you can’t understand what has just happened. It’s tough to take. You are always trying to look for a positive solution.

On a cold January night at Craven Cottage, it almost felt like Chelsea had found the answer. Having barely been with the club for 24 hours Joao Felix started for Graham Potter and seemed to change everything.   The Portugal star was a constant threat from the halfway line and showed trickery on the ball, the ability to move directly and most importantly of all helped Chelsea actually have shots on goal, something that had been severely lacking.  The Atletico had six shots of his own, though did not find the net, and was starting to hint at why Chelsea had decided to spend in the region of £9million a loan a Doubt soon returned as a rash challenge saw Felix sent off, receiving a ban in the process.  However, there seemed little doubt he was the Chelsea player with the most quality on the pitch. There was a greater understanding of the deal as the Blues looked to overcome an awful start to the season. Could Felix either inspire a run to the Champions League final or qual...

Hakimi has become one of the world’s best wing-backs over the past few seasons. Indeed, he’s been impactful at each of his last three clubs.   The final season of his loan with Borussia Dortmund, 2019/20, saw him directly involved in 15 league goals, as well as four in the Champions League. That led to a move to Inter Milan, where he scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in the league in one season. That was enough to gain him an immediate move to PSG, for in the region of £60million. In 77 games for the Ligue 1 side so far, he’s scored eight goals and provided 11 assists. It’s little surprise, then, that he’s being courted yet again. Indeed, Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly both keen on the Morocco international. There are indications that the former may shortly name Mauricio Pochettino as manager. One of the reasons Chelsea are so interested in him is the fact that the Argentine managed Hakimi at PSG. According to a recent TEAMtalk report, PSG will let...

Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly "disappointed" that Tottenham did not make contact with him about a possible return after Antonio Conte was sacked. Pochettino has been linked with a return to Tottenham several times since his departure in 2019.  He was touted as a candidate to take over when Antonio Conte departed at the end of March, but Cristian Stellini was appointed interim boss instead. Stellini was then sacked after they lost 6-1 to Newcastle and the job was given to Ryan Mason instead. Spurs' decision not to reach out to Pochettino upset the Argentine, according to Alan Brazil, who said on TalkSport: “I really like the guy. I think he’s a top top bloke. But one thing I do know is that he was so  disappointed that Spurs didn’t even contact him."   THE BIGGER PICTURE: Spurs could come to regret overlooking Pochettino as the ex-Paris Saint-Germain coach looks set to take over at Chelsea, after they sacked Graham Potter. Tottenham are looking to end their...

Stop me when this gets too ridiculous. Next Tuesday, atoning for the mess they made in Manchester, theoretical title-chasers Arsenal beat the team at the bottom of the Premier League form table. Then Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, both "fighting for their lives", therefore "not to be taken lightly", despite not being terribly good at football, record narrow wins against less motivated opponents. In the 12 days that follow, Manchesters City and United each win at home against the same opponents, who they beat (City) and drew with (United) away previously this season. On the final day, Newcastle United need a win in London for Champions League qualification.  They secure it. A national day of celebration is declared in Saudi Arabia, where Eddie Howe is paraded through Riyadh on the shoulders of local well-wishers, Dan Burn gets 33 thoroughbred racehorses and a skyscraper is dedicated to Sean Longstaff. You were probably with me until the final sentence, whic...

Chelsea have been forced to re-hire sacked medical staff member Jose Calvarro just a few months after parting ways with him in September. As per the  Evening Standard , the Blues have re-hired him after a request from the players. Calvarro, along with medical chiefs Thierry Laurent and Paco Biosca, were let go by the west London giants when Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club. It was a part of a backroom purge, possibly to brand the club with the American owners' identity. Calvarro, who was with Chelsea from 2016 until September of last year, has an excellent understanding of how the club operates. It was a part of a backroom purge, possibly to brand the club with the American owners' identity. Calvarro, who was with Chelsea from 2016 until September of last year, has an excellent understanding of how the club operates. Chelsea players were believed to be worried about the club’s medical department and injury issues as early as January this year.  This seems...

According to reports, Inter has told Chelsea which players they would like to trade for Andre Onana, passing over Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Blues are said to have made Cameroonian goalkeeper Onana a top target for the summer transfer window, but they are  reluctant to meet his €40 million (£35m/$44m) asking price . As a result, the Premier League heavyweights are looking to put a part-exchange agreement in place. There were suggestions that Chelsea were willing to include Spain international Kepa as part of a package for Onana, but Inter have no interest in the world’s most expensive shot-stopper. Instead, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Nerazzurri are looking to land either Trevoh Chalobah or Ruben Loftus-Cheek. : Chelsea directors are said to have already met with Inter officials in Milan, where they were informed of demands from San Siro. Chalobah is viewed as an option to replace PSG-bound Milan Skriniar at the heart of Inter’s defence, while England international playmak...

Chelsea was already considering the Spurs striker as they want for an experienced no. 9 for the upcoming season. The Blues' interest will only grow as a result of Mauricio Pochettino's impending employment at Stamford Bridge, though. Kane played 242 games for Spurs under Pochettino, and the two of them have a particular affinity as a result of their five years of working together. talkSPORT has learned that Levy is hesitant to part with Kane, who is also desired by Manchester United, to any Premier League team, much less a side from a rival borough of London. But with only a year left on his contract, Spurs are hardly in a position of power when it comes to the future of their record goal-scorer.

Chelsea are planning to keep Joao Felix for another season, according to reports. The Portugal star's loan expires in the summer but he looks set to stay for another 12 months at least.  Felix hasn't had the best of spells at Chelsea so far. He has scored just two goals in 16 matches and is yet to register an assist. Chelsea paid just under £10million to take the 23-year-old on loan for the final six months of the season. But, as many of his team-mates have, he has struggled in the final third.   Felix still has over four years remaining on his contract at parent club Atletico Madrid. But he doesn't have a good relationship with boss Diego Simeone. The Sun, therefore, claims Felix looks set to stay at Chelsea for another season. That is despite the Blues missing out on Champions League qualification this term.

Roméo Lavia, a target for Chelsea, would be a "good fit" for Mauricio Pochettino and the west London team, according to journalist Dean Jones. One of numerous Premier League teams rumored to be interested in the Southampton midfielder is the Blues, who appear likely to hire Pochettino as their new manager. According to TalkSPORT writer Alex Crook, if Rubén Sellés' team is relegated, Lavia will demand for a transfer out of St Mary's. According to Football Insider, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all interested in the 19-year-old right now. The same source estimates that Lavia will cost roughly £45 million this summer. If the Belgian transfers to Stamford Bridge, he'll probably play under  former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham manager Pochettino. According to The Telegraph, the 51-year-old is on the verge of being named Graham Potter's permanent successor.

The French international was able to finish current season with RB Leipzig thanks to a pre-arranged transfer before making a permanent move to Stamford Bridge in the summer. Ralf Rangnick, a former manager of Manchester United and Leipzig, criticized Nkunku for signing with Chelsea a few days ago, saying it was too soon for him. He also mentioned the poor state in which the Blues are currently in. Johnson has responded to these remarks and supported the player's choice. He said as follows (h/t Football.London): Johnson is right here. One season of underwhelming performances does not wash away the might of Chelsea. It is clear that the club needs to start taking better decisions going forward, the attraction of playing for a top club in London has not died yet, or has it? Nkunku would add versatility and a genuine goal threat in the final third to Chelsea. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) Mauricio Pochettino is  closing in on  becoming the next Chelsea boss. The Argentine ...

The newspaper claims Blues’ officials will travel to Italy next week to discuss the future of Lukaku, who is due to return to Chelsea in the summer when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.  The Belgium striker moved to Inter on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea last summer and has impressed at the San Siro Stadium, scoring nine goals and registering three assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.  The West Londoners are planning a summer clear-out in order to meet the Financial Fair Play requirements after spending £323m in the winter transfer window on eight new players as well as splashing out close to £300m last summer. However, bringing in a shot-stopper could be on the cards as they look to bolster their squad for next season. Edouard Mendy is  expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign after losing his first team place. The Senegal international has featured in only 11 games in all competitions having been hampered by in...

This according to Italian news outlet Repubblica.it, who report that the 27-year-old is a major target for the Argentine who is expected to take over at Stamford Bridge, and that the Nerazzurri would expect a fee of at least €40 million for his signature. Dumfries’s future at Inter has looked uncertain for some time now, with the 26-year-old former PSV man having been strongly linked as a possible sale during the summer transfer window should the Nerazzurri need to bring in cash from the market. The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been reported to be interested, whilst Barcelona have reportedly also enquired about the Dutchman for the summer transfer window. However, in March Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Dumfries is no longer a major target for Chelsea as he had been in the past. The situation at Stamford Bridge has been in flux, however, with Graham Potter removed as head coach just a few months after taking over, replaced with Frank Lampard on an interim basis.