Chelsea Football Fans Blog
Chelsea, the former champions are all set to face Malmo in the last 32 groups of the upcoming Europa league. On the other hand, Arsenal will be locking horns against the BATE Borisov, once again.
When it comes to Ross Barkley from Chelsea, there are only great things spoken about especially from Roy Hodgson. As per Roy Hodgson, Ross Barkley is on the right track to fulfil his potential. The Crystal Palace manager made all the preparations for the reunion of players on Sunday to whom he gave the England cap for the first time 5 years back. The different forms of Barkley made him achieve a starting place in the side of Maurizio Sarri and the 24 year old is now set to start against Palace after scoring on each of his previous 3 appearances in the Premier League. The ex Everton midfielder was called up initially in 2013 by England during the tenure of Hodgson. The faith of this manager in the talent of his player saw him being added in the squad for the World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016.
Eden Hazard has a strong belief that Maurizio Sarri is the best for Chelsea and the players are performing brilliantly under his guidance. Hazard scored his 8th goal of the season so as to ensure Chelsea sticks to their unbeaten beginning. So far he has played under 6 different coaches at the Bridge. Although Sarri is managing Chelsea for only 3 months, but the Italian has taken the performance of the club to a different level altogether as per Hazard. The club may have seen good results in the past too, but as far as playing techniques are concerned, this is the best so far said, Hazard.
English Premier League clubs were all worked up trying to finalize the squads for the upcoming season. Chelsea has signed up for Kepa Arrizabalaga as a goalkeeper for $91million. The 23 year old is all thrilled to sign the deal and would reach at Stamford Bridge to replace Thibaut Courtois as he would join Real Madrid. The deal is for 7 years, which Arrizabalaga has come to terms with. In addition, Chelsea has signed Mateo Kovacic, the Croatia midfielder on loan through Real Madrid for the next season. The transfer of Kepa crosses the $68 million Liverpool given to Alison in the month of July and an additional $75 million was spent on Alvaro Morata, the striker in the last summer.
England international Gary Cahill has admitted that the club had a ‘strange season’ under the tutelage of Antonio Conte. The Blues only finished fifth in the Premier League after failing to offer a proper defence of their title but they still managed to end the season on a high with an FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United.
Chelsea favourite Frank Lampard believes Mohamed Salah has transformed into a free-scoring forward at Liverpool, and this has been the key towards his progress since leaving Chelsea. The Egypt international joined the Reds from AS Roma during last summer’s transfer window, and he has since been in stupendous form with 39 goals across all competitions.
Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit believes Antonio Conte has an opportunity of saving his job, should the Blues manager to knockout Barcelona from the Champions League. The Italian head coach has struggled to keep his side within Premier League contention this term, and a run of three defeats in four league games has increased speculation over his future.
Speaking to Omnisport, Gullit had a different perspective of the situation and cited that the 48-year-old could yet prolong his future at Stamford Bridge. According to the former Blues boss, Conte may need to concentrate on bagging a surprise win over Barcelona in the Champions League, which would enhance his reputation greatly among the Blues’ hierarchy.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has stressed that David Luiz’s exclusion from recent matchdays squads is solely because of his knee problem rather than the alleged bust-up, which is being talked about in the media. The Brazil international has featured in just a solitary Champions League game since he was axed from the matchday squad, prior to the Blues’ 1-0 win over Manchester United last month.
Speaking in the lead-up to the Southampton game, Conte insisted that he is saying the truth on Luiz’s injury, who is expected to be sidelined for an indefinite period with an inflammation in his knee, he said, “I understand that someone thinks I’m not telling the truth. I’m disappointed about this but I can understand it. I’d rather tell you a bad truth rather than a good lie.
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has not ruled taking over the vacant technical director position at the club and also revealed that managing the current Premier League champions would be his ultimate job.
The former Blues midfield maestro is apparently a target of the club to replace Michael Emenalo after his shock departure from Stamford Bridge earlier this week.
Chelsea FC are reportedly close to completing the signature of Emerson Palmieri from AS Roma. The left back is expected to join the club this January before the window closes. The Blues want a double player deal with Roma for the signature of Emerson and striker Edin Dzeko.
Sky Sports claim the talks for Emerson are advanced, with the 23-year old pleased with the terms of the deal. The Serie A club just needs to give their approval for the move to Stamford Bridge to go through.