What's new

Chelsea FC | 2020/21 Season

MenInG

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
217,982
Chelsea will begin their 2020/21 campaign two days after the official start of the Premier League season, playing Brighton away on Monday September 14.

Blues head coach Frank Lampard had warned the Premier League's return date of September 12 was too soon for his players to return after ending their season with a Champions League last-16 second-leg match against Bayern Munich.

"The 12th feels too early for me for the players to start playing again," he said after Chelsea lost in the FA Cup final to Arsenal. "The players need a break. That is why we have pulled two hamstrings [Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic] and had players pull out of the game before this.

"I would like to think the Premier League would look seriously at that and hopefully give us a fair start next season. We deserve to be, as a Premier League club competing in the Champions League."

He later said: "We will be ready to go come September 12 or whenever they give us our first league date... It has been the longest season ever, so it is important they have a break and we will be firing."

Lampard has been granted a small reprieve on that front with Chelsea's 2020/21 Premier League season starting two days after the official start date when they travel to Brighton on September 14.

That is followed by a visit of reigning Premier League champions Liverpool to Stamford Bridge before a trip to newly-promoted West Brom. Manchester United also feature in their opening seven fixtures.

It is a short Boxing Day trip for the Blues as they visit Arsenal and Lampard's team will not face west London rivals Fulham until January 16 at Craven Cottage. The return fixture will be played on May 1.

After this, Chelsea face a tricky end to the season with Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester in successive games before rounding off the campaign against Aston Villa on May 23.

CHELSEA'S PREMIER LEAGUE 2020/21 FIXTURES

September

14: Brighton (a)

19: Liverpool (h)

26: West Brom (a)

October

3: Crystal Palace (h)

17: Southampton (h)

24: Manchester United (a)

31: Burnley (a)

November

7: Sheffield United (h)

21: Newcastle (a)

28: Tottenham (h)

December

5: Leeds (h)

12: Everton (a)

15: Wolves (a)

19: West Ham (h)

26: Arsenal (a)

28: Aston Villa (h)

January

2: Manchester City (h)

12: Leicester (a)

16: Fulham (a)

27: Wolves (h)

30: Burnley (h)

February

3: Tottenham (a)

6: Sheffield United (a)

13: Newcastle (h)

20: Southampton (a)

27: Manchester United (h)

March

6: Everton (h)

13: Leeds (a)

20: Liverpool (a)

April

3: West Brom (h)

10: Crystal Palace (a)

17: Brighton (h)

24: West Ham (a)

May

1: Fulham (h)

8: Manchester City (a)

12: Arsenal (h)

15: Leicester (h)

23: Aston Villa (a)
 
Chelsea confirm signing of Ben Chilwell from Leicester for £50m.
 
Chelsea confirm signing of Ben Chilwell from Leicester for £50m

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Ben Chilwell from Leicester for £50m, with the England defender moving to Stamford Bridge on a five-year contract as Frank Lampard continues to stengthen his squad for the new season.

Chilwell, who was left out of England’s squad for next week’s Nations League matches due to injury, has long been targeted by the Chelsea manager and the 23-year-old was keen to play in the Champions League having just missed out on qualification with Leicester last season. His arrival takes Chelsea’s spending in this transfer window to around £130m following the signings of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, with the Brazil defender Thiago Silva expected to join on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the coming days.

Chelsea are also on the verge of an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a £90m deal for Kai Havertz that would take their spending this summer past £200m, while they are also hoping to sign free agent Malang Sarr.

“‘I am delighted to be joining Chelsea at this very exciting time for the club,” Chilwell told Chelsea’s website. “I’m looking forward to being a part of this young, dynamic squad led by Frank Lampard as we challenge for honours next season. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully it won’t be long before we’re playing in front of the Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge.”

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “We are very pleased to have completed our third addition to our exciting squad for the coming season. Ben brings plenty of top-level experience playing in the Premier League, Champions League and at international level, despite his young age.

“We are confident Ben will adapt very quickly to being a Chelsea player and with the fixture programme for 2020-21 especially busy, he is a fantastic addition to the squad needed to challenge for honours.”

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...igning-of-ben-chilwell-from-leicester-for-50m
 
Firebat said:
You’re talking about the 35 year old Thiago Silva? :)))
Click to expand...

The defense is so bad that he’ll be an upgrade. Can provide some organization and leadership at the back. As long as he can keep up with the pace of the PL, that is.

Still worried about the keeper :danish
 
Abdullah719 said:
The defense is so bad that he’ll be an upgrade. Can provide some organization and leadership at the back. As long as he can keep up with the pace of the PL, that is.

Still worried about the keeper :danish
Click to expand...

That would be my worry. From experience of watching David Luiz defend in my club's shirt, it is terrifying watching Mahrez, Sterling and Aguero run at your old experienced Brazilian CB :virat
 
Speaking of....

---------------------------------------

Thiago Silva set to undergo Chelsea medical in Milan on Thursday

Thiago Silva is due to undergo a Chelsea medical in Milan on Thursday - despite last-ditch efforts by Paris Saint-Germain to offer him a new deal.

The finishing touches to an offer have been agreed between Chelsea and the 35-year-old Brazilian in the past 48 hours.

After undergoing his medical in Milan, the centre-back is then expected to fly from Italy to London on Friday to begin a 14-day period of self-isolation before joining up with Frank Lampard's squad.

Although joining on a 12-month contract, it is believed the Brazilian could stay at Stamford Bridge for a further season.

PSG manager Thomas Tuchel remains a huge advocate of Silva - and has continued this week to try to keep the former AC Milan defender in Ligue 1 for a ninth season.

However Silva's fellow Brazilian, PSG's sporting director Leonardo, does not share Tuchel's plan and wants Silva to leave.

One source is Brazil has told Sky Sports News relations between Silva and Leonardo had deteriorated, prompting Silva to want a fresh challenge at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Chelsea have been keen to strengthen having been banned from signing players last summer.

The London club completed the signing of left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester for £50m on Wednesday, with the England international arriving at Stamford Bridge on a five-year-deal.

The Blues also remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen to sign their forward Kai Havertz before the start of the new season.

Silva won seven Ligue 1 titles during his time in France, but leaves the club having failed to achieve the European success desired most in Paris.

Read more:

Analysis: 'Thiago Silva is what Chelsea have been missing'

Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol:

"Anyone who watched the Champions League final, Thiago Silva, even though he's 35, he's still an exceptional centre-back. He's got leadership qualities, he's got so much experience, and what Chelsea have really been missing at the back is that kind of experience.

"They've got quite a few young centre-backs, and I don't think Frank Lampard has been totally convinced by any of them. That's why he's wanted someone with experience and Thiago Silva is available.

"He wants to move to London, he wants to play in the Premier League, and he wants to carry on playing because he still thinks he can play for Brazil in the next World Cup.

"If you look at Chelsea's defensive record, no one conceded more goals than Chelsea in the top half of the Premier League last season. They conceded 54 goals and with Thiago Silva in the side, he can address that problem.

"In the past, we have seen Chelsea have experienced centre-backs. I am thinking of players like Marcel Desailly, for instance, and the impact they have had at Stamford Bridge.

"I do not need to speak Thiago Silva up, everybody knows how good he is. The only question mark I would think about him going forward is can he maintain that level? He's going to be 36 next month but watching him in the Champions League final it looks like a great signing for Chelsea."
https://www.skysports.com/football/...va-set-to-undergo-chelsea-medical-on-thursday
 
Firebat said:
That would be my worry. From experience of watching David Luiz defend in my club's shirt, it is terrifying watching Mahrez, Sterling and Aguero run at your old experienced Brazilian CB :virat
Click to expand...

If he can manage Bayern , he should be able to manage primier league. No team in primier league is anywhere close to this Bayern team. He just can't play 38 matches however. It has to be a selected set of 20-25 matches.
 
is there chance chelsea can sign both havertz and messi?
And what about the cemeron keeper Onana
 
Thiago Silva has this afternoon completed his medical in Milan and is now waiting to sign the documents that will make him a Chelsea player.
 
Chelsea's pre-season preparations have been disrupted, with a number of players in quarantine after returning from their summer break.
 
Chelsea have made their fifth signing of the summer after completing a deal for young French defender Malang Sarr.

The 21-year-old, who left Nice this summer following the expiry of his contract, has signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Done deal! &#55357;&#56908; Welcome to Chelsea, <a href="https://twitter.com/tsilva3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TSilva3</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OhhThiagoSilva?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OhhThiagoSilva</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1299293943415402497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Kai Havertz: Chelsea target unlikely to train with Bayer Leverkusen again, says Peter Bosz

Kai Havertz is unlikely to train with Bayer Leverkusen again, says head coach Peter Bosz, as he closes on a £90m move to Chelsea.

The Blues have been in talks with their Bundesliga counterparts for several weeks over a deal for the Germany international, who is keen to join the club as soon as possible.

Havertz is currently with the German national team ahead of their Nations League fixtures against Spain and Switzerland this week.

Asked if he expected the 21-year-old to return to Leverkusen at the end of the international break, Bosz said: "Unfortunately our squad isn't set yet. I don't expect (Kevin) Volland and Havertz to train with us again.

"It's possible more players will transfer. We definitely still have to add some players."

Havertz looks set to become Frank Lampard's seventh summer addition, hoping to join international team-mate Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Xavier Mbuyamba.

He has spent his entire career at Leverkusen, contributing an impressive 36 goals and 25 assists in just 118 Bundesliga appearances since making his debut in October 2016.

It would represent a major coup for Chelsea to secure the signing of Havertz, who has received interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...-wants-to-move-to-chelsea-as-soon-as-possible
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Story: <a href="https://twitter.com/kaihavertz29?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kaihavertz29</a> made his medical check on sunday in london <a href="https://twitter.com/BILD_Sport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BILD_Sport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChelseaFC</a></p>— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) <a href="https://twitter.com/cfbayern/status/1300924591175540736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ANNOUNCE HAVERTZ :shafiq2
 
Kai Havertz: Chelsea agree €80m fee plus €20m add-ons with Bayer Leverkusen

Kai Havertz is closing in on a move to Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen after the clubs agreed a package of €80m plus €20m in add-ons for the midfielder.

Chelsea, who have been in talks with their Bundesliga counterparts for several weeks over a deal for the Germany international, concluded the negotiations for the club-record £89m transfer on Wednesday, according to Sky in Germany.

Havertz, who is keen to join the club as soon as possible, has not yet had a medical with Chelsea and remains with the Germany squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures with Spain and Switzerland.

Chelsea's previous club-record deal was the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for £71.6m in 2018.

Earlier this week, Leverkusen's head coach Peter Bosz said the 21-year-old is unlikely to train for the club again as he nears a move to the Premier League.

Havertz looks set to become Frank Lampard's seventh summer signing, following the arrivals of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Xavier Mbuyamba.

As part of the deal, Chelsea have offered Leverkusen the chance to sign one of their summer arrivals, Sarr, on loan for the season.

Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12060588/chelsea-agree-club-record-havertz-fee
 
Hate to say it, but could be one of the signings of the decade (and the decade has only just started) :ssmith
 
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kai Havertz has been given permission to leave the Germany squad's training camp to travel to London to finalise a move to Chelsea.

The 21-year-old could become Frank Lampard's sixth signing of the summer.

Leverkusen have said they value the highly rated player, who has seven international caps, at about £90m.

It is understood the move to Stamford Bridge could be completed in the next 24 hours.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller said he was "grateful to the national coach that Kai can now sort things out with our support on site in London".

Havertz was an unused substitute in Germany's 1-1 Nations League draw with Spain on Thursday, with the German team set to face Switzerland on Sunday.

Last week, the Bundesliga side's head coach Peter Bosz said he "doesn't expect Havertz to train with us again".

Last season Havertz scored 18 goals in 45 appearances for Leverkusen, including seven in nine games after the Bundesliga season restarted.

Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kai Havertz has been given permission to leave the Germany squad's training camp to travel to London to finalise a move to Chelsea.

The 21-year-old could become Frank Lampard's sixth signing of the summer.

Leverkusen have said they value the highly rated player, who has seven international caps, at about £90m.

It is understood the move to Stamford Bridge could be completed in the next 24 hours.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller said he was "grateful to the national coach that Kai can now sort things out with our support on site in London".

Havertz was an unused substitute in Germany's 1-1 Nations League draw with Spain on Thursday, with the German team set to face Switzerland on Sunday.

Last week, the Bundesliga side's head coach Peter Bosz said he "doesn't expect Havertz to train with us again".

Last season Havertz scored 18 goals in 45 appearances for Leverkusen, including seven in nine games after the Bundesliga season restarted.
 
Chelsea didn't need both Hervatz and Ziyech in my opinion. They would have been better off signing a top class CB instead.

Lampard will be under pressure to challenge now. This is a lot of money being spent when not many other teams are going to come close to spending this much. He has not shown the ability to really set Chelsea up well from a defensive aspect. This will need to change if Chelsea want to challenge for the title.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He’s here! <br><br>Welcome to Chelsea, <a href="https://twitter.com/kaihavertz29?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KaiHavertz29</a>! &#55357;&#56629;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HiKai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HiKai</a> &#55357;&#56395;</p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1301959172192440320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Signed. Sealed. Delivered.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HiKai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HiKai</a> &#55357;&#56395; <a href="https://t.co/mJGX67SPrD">pic.twitter.com/mJGX67SPrD</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1301962256297664513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Brilliant signings so far in the close season.

I still feel they need a new keeper and a couple of defenders to challenge the top 2.
 
Kai Havertz has joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £71m after signing a five-year deal.
 
MenInG said:
Kai Havertz has joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £71m after signing a five-year deal.
Click to expand...

Kai Havertz: Chelsea sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder for £71m

Chelsea have signed attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract in a deal worth about £71m.

The Germany international has scored 36 goals and contributed 25 assists in 118 appearances for the Bundesliga club.

He is Chelsea's second most expensive signing after Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Athletic Bilbao (£71.6m) in 2018.

"I am very happy and proud to be here. It is a dream come true to play in a big club like Chelsea," said Havertz.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "Kai is one of the best players of his age in world football, so we are very happy that his future lies at Chelsea.

"He is an exciting, dynamic talent. We are delighted to be able to add his versatility and quality to the squad before the season begins."

Havertz, 21, is Blues manager Frank Lampard's seventh signing in his first window since the club's transfer ban was lifted.

He follows forward and compatriot Timo Werner, midfielder Hakim Ziyech, and defenders Xavier Mbuyamba, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva to Stamford Bridge.

Sarr will be loaned out, while Mbuyamba has gone into the Blues' Under-23 squad.

Having graduated from the Leverkusen academy, Havertz scored 18 goals in 45 appearances last season, including eight in the 11 games after the campaign restarted.

The versatile midfielder, who can also play up front, has scored once in seven appearances for Germany.

Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign away at

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54023395
 
Kai Havertz: Who is Chelsea's £71m signing from Bayer Leverkusen?

He has been called "the next Michael Ballack" and tipped to be a future superstar.

And, after what felt like a never-ending transfer story, Kai Havertz has signed for Chelsea, becoming their second most expensive signing and seventh new recruit of the summer.

Blues fans will be hoping he can help turn the team into title contenders, but why have the club agreed to pay a fee in the region of £71m - including add-ons - for this 21-year-old?

Born in 1999, Havertz has been described as the biggest talent of his generation coming out of Germany.

The attacking midfielder made waves at the age of 17, making his debut for Bayer Leverkusen during the 2016-17 season, and it was obvious from the start he would become a superstar one day.

Havertz possesses the technical skills of a typical number 10, but cannot be strictly categorised as one - his height (6ft 2in) and dynamic style make him an option for various roles.

He has often played in attacking midfield for Leverkusen, but also in central midfield, on the right wing, and more recently as a striker. National coach Joachim Low also likes to test him in a deeper role.

Some in Germany see him as the new Michael Ballack. The former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder had similar attributes, not only pulling the strings with passes but also making powerful runs into the box.

While Havertz may lack Ballack's outstanding physicality, he can be an intelligent runner that suddenly emerges behind the backline to score.

Havertz is a modern playmaker who combines passing skills, vision, calmness under pressure, and a high level of athleticism. He doesn't try sneaky tricks and doesn't do anything inefficient. He is a no-nonsense player in the mould of his new manager Frank Lampard.

Havertz doesn't have the most colourful personality and, like many other German players of his generation, lets his feet do the talking.

Read more:

What is Havertz's backstory?

He grew up as the son of a policeman and a lawyer in the small village of Mariadorf, becoming a fan and youth player of local club Alemannia Aachen.

As a 10-year-old he caught the eye of Bayer Leverkusen scouts, who convinced him to move to the Bundesliga powerhouse.

As the young Havertz was still living in Aachen, he had to commute from school to Leverkusen's youth academy several times a week. Once he joined the under-17 team, he moved into the house of stadium announcer Klaus Schenkmann.

There is no rags-to-riches backstory.

"Kai is lucky that he comes from a level-headed family. His mother and father are both down to earth," said Jurgen Gelsdorf, the former head of Leverkusen's academy.

Havertz ended up taking his A-levels when he was a regular member of Leverkusen's senior team, once saying: "I couldn't go to school in the morning because we were training."

He had to catch up on the teaching material in the afternoons. "At some point, I couldn't do it any more. My energy was gone. I wanted to give up."

But manager Roger Schmidt convinced him to stay the course, and it paid off.

While his classmates went for a trip to Italy's Lake Garda, Havertz made his Champions League debut against Tottenham at Wembley in front of 85,000 spectators.

How could he fit in at Chelsea?

Havertz could be employed in a number of positions, and various systems.

But his most likely role is as the first-choice number 10 in a 4-2-3-1, or the advanced number eight in a 4-3-3.

The Blues already have an ensemble of wingers and, with the signing of Timo Werner, two highly talented strikers. There is no need to experiment with Havertz.

He moves effortlessly between the lines and can offer a unique presence in Chelsea's midfield. The likes of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech will benefit from having this kind of playmaker right next to them, while the deep-lying midfielders have a go-to guy if they are struggling.

Former team-mates and coaches have praised Havertz for his mental strength - seen as his biggest asset beside his footballing talent.

He may need a while to get accustomed to the Premier League and his new club after spending 10 years in Leverkusen, but there is little that could stop Havertz from becoming the linchpin of Chelsea's attack.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54034531
 
Frank Lampard has spent big but an enhanced creative threat may not wholly compensate for defensive weaknesses

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 3rd (NB: this is not necessarily Jacob Steinberg’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 4th

The generous take is Chelsea do not have to rush. Although they have made impressive strides under Frank Lampard, it is unlikely they will be strong enough defensively to challenge for the title this season. Inconsistency remains an issue and, given Lampard is still learning his trade as a manager, there are bound to be a few more stumbles from this entertaining but erratic side.

The transitional period is not over. Chelsea performed above expectations last season, qualifying for the Champions League despite having to deal with a transfer ban, and are still a work in progress.

Lampard saw the best and worst of Chelsea during the final weeks of an encouraging debut campaign. Whereas Chelsea were efficient when they secured fourth place by beating Wolves 2-0 on the final day, they were a mess when they lost the FA Cup final against Arsenal the following weekend and looked a long way from being capable of challenging the elite when Bayern Munich thumped them in the last 16 of the Champions League. “From having the ban we have missed out where other clubs have spent,” Lampard said after losing 7-1 on aggregate against Bayern. “I know where we can improve.”

The obvious place to start is in defence, especially as Chelsea have sharpened their attack with the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech and are poised to add Kai Havertz. Lampard’s side conceded 54 goals in the league last season, their worst record since the 1996-97 campaign. They made too many individual errors, struggled at set pieces and were vulnerable to counterattacks.

Part of it is down to personnel. Lampard does not trust Kepa Arrizabalaga, the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, and chopped and changed between Antonio Rüdiger, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen in central defence. Thiago Silva has been signed to strengthen there but he turns 36 in September and may not find the Premier League plain sailing. César Azpilicueta can struggle against pace and the Spaniard’s deputy at right-back, Reece James, is inexperienced. The hope is Ben Chilwell will solve the problem position at left-back.

Lampard is entitled to point out that N’Golo Kanté, the best defensive midfielder in the world, was rarely available to protect the back four. Opponents found it too easy to run through midfield when Kanté was not alongside Mateo Kovacic. Although Jorginho offers calm on the ball, there are times when the Italy midfielder looks too ponderous to flourish in England.

Not that Lampard is blameless. There are also structural issues to resolve. If teams find it easy to target Chelsea at set pieces and punish them on the break, it is down to the manager to find a tactical solution. Lampard, who thinks his players are too quiet, has to show he can strike the right balance between defence and attack.

Even so, Chelsea do not have to demand too much yet. Expectations have risen and Lampard, who has received substantial backing in the transfer market, is working in favourable conditions. But he has earned time; he deserves patience as he tries to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City.

After all, it is easy to ignore the fact Lampard inherited arguably Chelsea’s weakest squad of the Roman Abramovich era when he replaced Maurizio Sarri. Losing Eden Hazard to Real Madrid left a huge hole and there were times when Chelsea, who could not bring in a replacement straight away, huffed and puffed as they tried to break down deep defences.

Werner, Ziyech and Havertz should enhance Chelsea’s creative threat. There was an obvious need for more depth and quality in attack, especially after Pedro and Willian were allowed to leave on free transfers. Werner, scorer of 34 goals for RB Leipzig last season, will provide healthy competition for Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud and it should be fun watching Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic combine with Havertz and Ziyech. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, fit again after recovering from an achilles injury, will also be keen to make a strong impact.

Yet Chelsea need time to grow and develop at their own pace. Lampard is hungry for trophies but his first task is ensuring Chelsea do not stand still.

The manager
On the touchline: Don’t mess with Lampard. The manager showed his tough side when he thought Liverpool’s coaching staff broke a “code of respect” on the touchline at Anfield. His next meeting with Pep Lijnders, Jürgen Klopp’s No 2, will be one to watch.

On Zoom: It is pointless asking Lampard about transfer rumours, unless you want him to shoot you down, but he is usually happy to answer most questions related to football. Watch out for him opening with a quick joke before vaulting into serious business mode.

The key
Although Abraham and Giroud did well last season, Lampard was delighted when Chelsea completed a £47m deal to sign Werner. The Germany striker, who can play through the middle or on the left, scored 95 goals during four years at RB Leipzig and should improve an inconsistent attack.

Kit story
Chelsea wore Eton Blue from 1905 as the Earl of Cadogan, who was the club’s president and held the title Viscount Chelsea, was an old Etonian. They changed to the darker shade of Royal Blue in 1907.

The owners
Abramovich is the Russian billionaire who turned Chelsea into one of the biggest clubs in the world. He has spent heavily and has always sought high standards, acting ruthlessly whenever a manager has performed below expectations. However, Abramovich’s hopes of redeveloping Stamford Bridge have stalled. He took Israeli citizenship after withdrawing his application for a new UK visa in 2018.

Young blood
Hudson-Odoi will be desperate to impress after going through a dip last season. The England winger showed glimpses of his talent but lacked consistency after a serious achilles injury. He needs to kick on following the departures of Pedro and Willian.

New blood
Ziyech is going to provide plenty of entertainment. The Moroccan winger starred when Ajax reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 and he should boost Chelsea’s creative threat. Ziyech, who can play on the right or as a No 10, has a wand of a left foot.

Notes from an empty stadium
Some fans appear on the big screens at either end of the ground during games and seats are covered by banners and images of supporters drawn by the illustrator Brad Crawford. “I think the flags and banners gives a voice to the fans,” Crawford says.

Euros vision
Kanté has struggled to stay fit since playing the Europa League final in 2019 with a knee injury. The France midfielder kept picking up knocks last season and his lack of sharpness could give the world champions a selection headache at Euro 2020.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/sep/02/premier-league-2020-21-preview-no-5-chelsea
 
Michy Batshuayi: Chelsea striker set for contract extension and Crystal Palace loan

Striker Michy Batshuayi is set to sign a contract extension with Chelsea before a loan move to Crystal Palace.

The 26-year-old's current contract runs until next summer, so the new deal will mean the Belgium international does not leave on a free transfer.

Batshuayi went on loan to Palace in the second half of 2018-19, making 13 appearances and scoring six goals.

His move ends the chances of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher joining Palace on loan.

Premier League clubs can only sign one player on loan from a specific club at any one time.

Gallagher, 20, spent last season on loan at Swansea City.

Batshuayi's playing opportunities at Chelsea have been limited, and are set to narrow further after the Blues spent about £47.5m on forward Timo Werner and £71m on attacking midfielder Kai Havertz.

Last season he only made one Premier League start, at home to Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are closing in a deal for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The Premier League club has already had a bid for the 28-year-old Senegal international rejected.

But manager Frank Lampard wants to increase competition with first-choice keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Their record £71m signing made a number of errors last season and was dropped in favour of second-choice keeper Willy Caballero, who turns 39 later this month.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54077897
 
Michy Batshuayi has completed his season-long loan move to Crystal Palace from Chelsea.
 
Frank Lampard: Chelsea manager 'thrives' on pressure at the club

Frank Lampard says he joined Chelsea as manager "to win" and "thrives off the pressure" at the club.

Helped by billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea have been Europe's biggest spenders so far with an outlay of £200m - and six major signings made.

The club were under a transfer ban last season, finishing fourth in the Premier League and losing in the FA Cup final against London rivals Arsenal.

Lampard said the arrival of the new players "changes the landscape".

He said: "I didn't come into the job to fight for fourth place or bring academy players in; I came here to win. Last year we couldn't recruit and this year the club have made the decision to bring in players.

"It changes the landscape and we're ready to work."

Chelsea have brought in Germany international Kai Havertz for £72m, as well as compatriot Timo Werner for £48m and England international Ben Chilwell for £45m.

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech has also made the move to Stamford Bridge for £36m, while defender Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr have joined on free transfers.

Last term, Lampard was forced to field a number of youngsters from the academy, with the club having been sanctioned by Fifa for breaching rules on signing young players, but expectations are now higher given the investment in the squad.

Lampard said: "The pressure on me to do better should be standard. I don't want to talk about statements.

"Last year, we were very happy for Champions League places. We were very joined up in the business we wanted to do.

"I am surprised if you didn't think I wasn't under pressure last season. I thrive off the pressures. It's what I love doing."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54044867
 
Inter Milan want to sign N’Golo Kante but Chelsea are unlikely to sanction any deal because the Serie A club are managed by their former head coach Antonio Conte.
 
Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell out; Thiago Silva doubt for Chelsea, says Frank Lampard

Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard says new signings Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell will miss Monday's match against Brighton, while Thiago Silva is unlikely to play.

The Blues start their Premier League season away to the Seagulls on Monday Night Football - live on Sky Sports - but Lampard is set to be without several of his new arrivals.

Attacking midfielder Ziyech and left-back Chilwell will not be fit enough to feature, while Brazil defender Silva is not yet training with the rest of the first team.

"Hakim Ziyech took an injury to a knee against Brighton so won't be fit. Hopefully it's a matter of weeks, a couple of weeks but we have to see," Lampard said at Thursday's press conference.

"Ben Chilwell is working towards fitness and improved this week. He's going in the right direction but won't be ready for Brighton.

"Thiago is in London but not training with us until the weekend, so I doubt he's in contention for the game."

Lampard has been boosted, though, by the return to fitness of Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta, who both sustained hamstring injuries in last season's FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

He added: "I am certainly very happy to have them both back. They have trained since yesterday and are in contention for Monday.

"The way they are training and the attitudes they have looks like they are over their injuries. We'll have to manage it."

Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...go-silva-doubt-for-chelsea-says-frank-lampard
 
Very jealous of what Chelsea have done this summer.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Possible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chelsea?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chelsea</a> line-up after the arrival of the new signings. <br><br>With 4-3-3 formation : <br>Kepa, James, Silva, Rudiger, Chilwell, Loftus-Cheek, Ziyech, Pulisic, Mount, Havertz, Werner<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBlues?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBlues</a> 🔵🔵🔵 <a href="https://t.co/o3UNjORFII">pic.twitter.com/o3UNjORFII</a></p>— Chelsea FC Updates (@UpdateonBlues) <a href="https://twitter.com/UpdateonBlues/status/1302138212471767040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Chelsea transfers: Frank Lampard calls Jurgen Klopp comments 'slightly amusing'

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp's comments about the Blues' transfer window spending are "slightly amusing".

The Stamford Bridge club have spent more than £200m on players this summer following a transfer ban.

Last week, Klopp said the Reds have a different approach to clubs "owned by countries and oligarchs" amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

But Lampard said Liverpool have players who came "at a very high price".

Between Klopp's arrival in October 2015 and winning the Champions League in 2019, the Reds' major signings included forwards Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, both for £34m, midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho for at least £48m and £39m respectively, defender Virgil van Dijk for a club record £75m and goalkeeper Alisson for £67m.

However, since then Liverpool - who are Premier League champions - have only paid £1.3m for young defender Sepp van den Berg and £7.25m for forward Takumi Minamino last season, and spent £11.7m on left-back Kostas Tsimikas this summer.

"I was less annoyed with it, I found it slightly amusing," said Lampard when asked about Klopp's remarks.

"It's a fantastic story of a club - over four and a half, five years that Jurgen Klopp's been there - that have managed to get recruitment right to a really high level.

"You can go through the Liverpool players - Van Dijk, Alisson, Fabinho, Keita, Mane, Salah - incredible players that came at a very high price.

"The really smart thing they have done is believe in their coach and system for a number of years. It's a great story, but it's story that has seen money spent on players.

"What we've done is come off the back of a ban and tried to address the situation to improve."

Liverpool finished 18 points clear of Manchester City as they won their first league title for 30 years last season, with Chelsea 33 points behind in fourth.

The Blues were unable to make any signings last summer because of a Fifa transfer ban, but that was halved on appeal in December 2019 to allow them to bring in players from January.

Lampard has signed winger Hakim Ziyech for £33.3m, forward Timo Werner for about £48m, attacking midfielder Kai Havertz for £71m, left-back Ben Chilwell for £45m and also centre-back Thiago Silva on a free transfer.

"This summer we've spent money on players and now the hard work has to be done," added Lampard.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54140589
 
Frank Lampard: Summer signings lift Chelsea to new level

Frank Lampard is relishing a second season of development at Chelsea after an unprecedented summer of signings which he claims has lifted the club to new levels.

Chelsea have acted swiftly and clinically in the summer window to bring Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Malang Sarr to Stamford Bridge in one of the most ambitious recruitment projects in recent Premier League history.

Lampard guided Chelsea to a top-four finish in his first season at the helm, a campaign which began in the shadow of a transfer embargo and the departure of Eden Hazard.

With Chelsea not entering the transfer market in two successive windows, youth was given the chance to flourish last season and Lampard hopes further strides can be taken after the acquisition of some of Europe's most-exciting talent.

"I loved the nurturing last year, but I never wanted us to become an academy club," he told Sky Sports. "That story is great for five minutes and those debuts when you hand them out are really nice. But then it moves very quickly to people asking if you can win games now.

"When you see the injection of players and what they can bring - they have all brought personality with them already - that should bring a level of competition that lifts the squad to new levels.

"My feeling and my senses suggest the players are feeling that, but we have to show that on the pitch, and it is my job to manage that and take us forward.

"Last year we spoke a lot about the transfer ban, and it was very relevant. To come fourth last year was a big achievement and it certainly felt that way with the competition around us. That's done now, and now we are looking at whether we can get better, whether we can improve as a club?

"I'm a Chelsea fan and any fan should get excited about the type of players we have brought in. It's something we had a long look at last year. The ban allowed us to look at areas we wanted to improve, the profile, type and age of player we wanted to improve us in the long term.

"It feels good because it has been work, it's what you set out to do. Recruitment is a huge part of trying to be a club that is successful at the top of the Premier League.

"Liverpool and Manchester City are big examples of that, they have got big coaches and great players they have brought in at the right time. We've made positive moves, now it comes down to work and whether we can show it on the pitch."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ard-summer-signings-lift-chelsea-to-new-level
 
Frank Lampard says his expensively reshaped Chelsea side "have to have intentions to be up there" with champions Liverpool after they began their campaign with victory at Brighton.

Chelsea finished 33 points adrift of the Reds last season and lost both league fixtures against them but have spent around £200m this summer.

Timo Werner - signed from RB Leipzig - and his Germany team-mate Kai Havertz - brought in from Bayer Leverkusen - made their debuts for a side forced to work hard for their win in Monday's game at Brighton.

Werner was pacy and prominent in the victory, winning a 23rd-minute penalty when he was hauled down by Brighton keeper Mat Ryan, Jorginho scoring the resulting spot-kick.

The new signing had ice strapped to his leg at full-time following the collision to win the penalty but said he would be fit to face Liverpool in Sunday's game at Stamford Bridge.

Brighton lost summer signing Adam Lallana to injury before the break but were back on level terms after 54 minutes when Leandro Trossard's 20-yard shot squirmed past Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea regained their lead two minutes later when Reece James ripped a 25-yard right-foot shot high past Ryan.

Brighton should have equalised when Lewis Dunk somehow headed wide at the far post, paying the price for the miss when Kurt Zouma's shot was deflected past Ryan by Adam Webster.

"We definitely want to close that gap to Liverpool - we have to have intentions to be up there even though it is a big ask to win [the title]," said Lampard, who has also signed midfielder Hakim Ziyech and defenders Xavier Mbuyamba, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva this summer.

"We are behind, it's step by step. Hopefully we can make big strides."
Rusty Chelsea will take the points

Lampard will be delighted to leave Brighton win three points after what was a mixed performance, perhaps understandable for the first Premier League outing of the season.

Lampard got what he wanted, apart from a debut goal, from Werner as he was a constant menace, always on the move and looking to use his speed to get behind the Brighton defence. He had no trouble adjusting to the tempo of the Premier League and there seems little doubt goals will come.

Havertz was a more low-key presence on the right side of midfield in front of James but he worked hard in his 79 minutes and drew warm applause from Lampard for one lengthy recovery run back into his own penalty area to clear danger.

Chelsea were without injured left-back Chilwell, signed for £50m from Leicester City, and Silva as he has only just joined training and Lampard will be keen to get that influential duo into a defence that still looks vulnerable.

Tariq Lamptey's crosses caused trouble all night and Chelsea were grateful for that headed miss by Dunk at the far post when it looked easier to score.

And once again there were questions over keeper Kepa, who got close to Trossard's shot but allowed it to creep in.

It seems his time is running out as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper, with the £20m signing of Rennes' Edouard Mendy apparently imminent.

Brighton rue missed chance

Brighton can take some satisfaction through the pain of a defeat that will leave manager Graham Potter bitterly frustrated.

The Seagulls acquitted themselves very well and had the game's outstanding performer in former Chelsea right-back Lamptey, who was industrious and creative in a top-class display.

And the momentum appeared to be with Brighton when Trossard scored a deserved equaliser - only for them to concede a second within two minutes from James' thunderous finish.

Brighton then wasted the best chance of the game when Dunk headed wide and were unable to recover as Chelsea re-established a two-goal lead.

This was, however, a very respectable performance. On the down side, Potter is facing the issue he must have feared when he signed Lallana from Liverpool.

Lallana is a great asset when fit - but therein lies the problem. He did not last the first half and has now failed to play 90 minutes in the Premier League since he faced Middlesbrough for Liverpool in May 2017.

'We'll get better and better' - what they said

Brighton manager Graham Potter to BBC Sport: "The performance was good in many aspects; we more than matched Chelsea for long periods. I'm disappointed with the opening goal, but errors can happen. We were heavily punished with a wonder strike - and ultimately, if you concede three times it's hard to win football matches.

"You have moments against the big teams that you need to have go your way and we need to learn from that. But there are positives. Adam Lallana was enjoying the game, he brings that personality, we are pleased with what he has brought to us and we just have to help him get on the field more often."

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard to BBC Sport: "To come to Brighton and win is a tough ask. We've only had a few days, so I didn't expect the kind of football we want to play. We had to do some of the more difficult things - resilience, throwing yourself in front of the ball, so I'm pleased.

"We've had a lot of quarantines, a lot of players who aren't match fit. That's how this season has started. There's a lot of strain on these players and hopefully we'll get better and better."

Man of the match - Tariq Lamptey (Brighton)
Click to expand...

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54052535.
 
Timo Werner insists Chelsea are the 'best' option for him having spoken to other clubs

Timo Werner revealed he spoke to other clubs before choosing to join Chelsea, who he believes are the "best" club for him.

Werner was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, where he could have linked up with compatriot Jurgen Klopp, but the Germany international instead moved to Chelsea as a part of a major rebuild at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool had shown strong early interest in Werner but where the Reds baulked at the fee due to the coronavirus impact, Chelsea remained undeterred and now Werner, speaking ahead of a potential home debut against Liverpool on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, explained how Chelsea quickly became his top choice.

"Yes, I think when I decided to leave Leipzig, I talked to different clubs and next to Chelsea, I spoke to other clubs," Werner said at his press conference. "For me, I don't want to talk too much about other clubs.

"Of course, there are some other clubs like Liverpool who have a great team. Maybe I could fit in other teams but, in the end, I decided Chelsea because it was the best decision I could take. Not only the style of football but because of what they showed me.

"Yes, it was a hard decision in the end but I am very excited, proud and happy that I decided this. Now I am here for maybe two months, and it feels right, good and the team is brilliant. We have some very good but calm and nice players

"It is fun to play at Chelsea, be part of the team and be part of what we start here. We can do very well with this team in the next few months and years."

Werner revealed Lampard sent him video clips of his attacking blueprint for Chelsea, in pursuit of the highly-regarded 24-year-old's signature.

"It was a strange time, we couldn't meet each other and we met each other here for the first time because of the virus," said Werner.

"But he called me a lot, we had a lot of conversations, he texted me a lot and he sent me some videos where he could show me what style of football he wants to play.

"So for me, those were important things to know about moving to a new club. Because I loved to play for Leipzig and everything was well for me there.

"So it was really important for me to come to a team with a vision that fits my style of football. And I think the whole Premier League fits very well to my style of football, because it's so fast, and fast players have really good space. Space to go there and play well."

Werner has set his sights very high indeed with a much-changed Chelsea.

"To achieve at Chelsea, I come here to win titles," he said. "Of course, Chelsea is a big club that wants to win. I am a player who wants to win every game. It is clear we want to win titles.

"In the last year, we didn't win so much but I think we have a strong and young team that can develop where we can have a long period together. We are young and want to win; it is a good way to reach what I want to. I came here to win, and win titles, and as many titles as possible.

"Of course, a lot of German players played in the Premier League before. It wasn't that I saw one and thought I wanted to play in the Premier League because of him. I wanted to come to the Premier League because it is the world's best league."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...t-option-for-him-having-spoken-to-other-clubs
 
Kai Havertz insists he is not under pressure to justify his £75.8m price tag at Chelsea, but admits he needs time to adapt to Premier League football.
 
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea boss Frank Lampard defends midfielder after criticism

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says criticism of Ruben Loftus-Cheek's performance against Brighton in the club's opening Premier League game of the season was "very harsh".

Sky Sports Monday Night Football pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville questioned the 24-year-old's future at Chelsea after he was given a start in the 3-1 win at Brighton.

Neville described Loftus-Cheek's performance as "really disappointing" and added that the England midfielder has not "grasped his chance yet", while Carragher insisted that "he's had his chances now".

However, Lampard insists he will be giving the Chelsea academy product plenty of time to find his best form, with Loftus-Cheek yet to experience a solid run of first-team action since rupturing his Achilles in May 2019, which was the latest of a series of injuries that have hindered his development.

"I know Ruben's story probably second best to how he knows it," Lampard said. "But Ruben had a terrible injury - an injury that he worked very hard to come back from over the course of last season.

"(He) trained brilliantly to get fit again for the start of the season and I think if there is harsh criticism of him in the game against Brighton, then it is certainly very harsh because to come back from an injury like he has, has been difficult for him and he's put a lot of hours into it.

"And he's a hugely talented player, a great lad, so there will be lots more to come from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

"Unfortunately the nature of this game is very reactionary, and people will say it as they see it, but knowing Ruben's story behind the scenes, then he's fought back really hard to get where he is and he's a very, very talented player."

Loftus-Cheek could keep his place in Chelsea's side to face Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, with several of Lampard's other attacking midfield options remaining out injured.

Lampard confirmed on Friday that Christian Pulisic and summer-signing Hakim Zieych are not ready for first-team action, along with fellow recent arrivals Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva.

Two new signings who will once more be available for Lampard are Germany duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, who both also started at Brighton.

Werner started up front, while Havertz played off the right flank, but Lampard says he expects both players to be used in various roles throughout the season.

"We played one game so it's hard," Lampard said. "They both had a flexibility in how they played for their previous clubs.

"So of course that's going to be something that will remain slightly flexible. We'll try and find the right balance of the team as a whole and they're going to add a lot no matter what position they're playing."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...nk-lampard-defends-midfielder-after-criticism
 
It's going to take a few weeks for the new signings to gel.

However one thing Lampard needs to do very quickly is get rid of the keeper, who looks all at sea.
 
Edouard Mendy: Chelsea agree deal with Rennes for Senegal goalkeeper

Chelsea have agreed a deal with Rennes to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The Senegalese international, 28, is wanted by manager Frank Lampard to increase competition with club record £71m signing Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Kepa was at fault for Liverpool's second goal in the 2-0 Premier League defeat on Sunday, which was described as "a clear mistake" by Lampard.

The Spanish international was also dropped last season after errors in games.

That included the FA Cup final, where the 25-year-old was replaced by second-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who is 38.

Following the defeat at home to champions Liverpool, Lampard said Caballero would start the Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

He added: “Kepa has to keep working and he has to have support around him, that's very clear.

"Individually players need support, particularly from myself, and I give that to all the players. And now we've got to try to give him confidence, because that's important.”

Last season for Rennes, Mendy kept nine clean sheets in 24 Ligue 1 appearances, compared to Kepa's eight cleans sheets in 33 Premier League appearances.

Mendy's save percentage was 76.3% and he conceded a goal every 114 minutes. Kepa's save percentage was 53.5%, conceding a goal every 63 minutes.

However, Kepa's passing accuracy was 79.7% compared to Mendy's 70.1%.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54238075
 
Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool: 'A painful brush with reality for Frank Lampard and his team'

Frank Lampard's £200m summer spending spree designed to move Chelsea closer to Premier League champions Liverpool was never going to bring instant results - but Sunday's 2-0 home defeat was still a bruising, painful brush with reality.

Lampard's immediate concern will be the replacement of Chelsea's calamitous goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who once more flouted his £71m price tag to such an extent that it might well have had owner Roman Abramovich demanding to know who was responsible for him signing that cheque.

The Blues are now close to completing the £20m purchase of Rennes keeper Edouard Mendy, formalities possibly hastened by the manner in which Kepa's awful clearance gifted Sadio Mane his second goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win.

In the wider context, Chelsea and Lampard's negative approach came as a surprise, arguably exaggerating the already very large gulf in class between themselves and their visitors.

There must, however, be realism and context.

It always takes time for a clutch of new signings to settle in, for a team to adapt around them, and Chelsea's business this summer has been extensive.

Timo Werner worked tirelessly in a hopeless cause, winning a late penalty missed by Jorginho, while Kai Havertz was taken off as Lampard reshaped his line-up after defender Andreas Christensen was correctly sent off for a panic-stricken rugby tackle on Mane just before half-time.

Chelsea's defensive cavalry, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell, are not yet ready while attacker Hakim Ziyech has been injured. The brilliant Christian Pulisic is also injured - so it is far too early to dig into Lampard's dealings this summer.

Antonio Rudiger, strangely, was nowhere to be seen and while Fikayo Tomori did nothing wrong as a substitute, the German's experience and physical presence might have helped. It was an exclusion that seemed at odds with Chelsea's requirements.

What also raised eyebrows was the home side's passive, conservative gameplan that handed impetus to Liverpool from the first whistle, something they were more than happy to accept.

Chelsea got so stuck in a rigid defensive rut, hoping Werner's pace would threaten on the counter-attack, that they could not get out.

It is madness to suggest Lampard's men should have come out and thrown the kitchen sink at Liverpool but their approach resembled a team that would have settled for a point and hoped a bit of pace and magic might snatch all three on the break.

It was not happening. It was never happening. The Reds were too good, too ruthless and too packed with quality not to take advantage of what they were offered.

Lampard's strategy was even more high-risk against Liverpool given the fact both his goalkeeper and the current Chelsea defence represent accidents waiting to happen, which they duly did. An already nervous defence is frayed even further by a nervous keeper.

Silva will bring experience and calm, although he will have to become accustomed to the Premier League, while Chilwell should offer more solidity than Marcos Alonso.

Chelsea will improve once these quality players bed in but this was a chance to make a powerful statement of where they want to be and they lost with a whimper, well on the way down and out even before the numerical disadvantage brought about by Christensen's dismissal.

And for all the business of the summer, Chelsea's main problem has remained unaddressed (although it is about to be) in the shape of the shot confidence of keeper Kepa.

This is a goalkeeper Lampard lost faith in last season, even preferring 38-year-old Willy Caballero at the end of the season, so it has to be questioned why Kepa somehow survived until the opening games this season, where he has been predictably unimpressive against Brighton and now Liverpool.

The home side at Stamford Bridge deserved nothing, irrespective of the sending off, and in the end it could have been worse.

Lampard can still reflect on the fact he will soon have the ability to add touches of class and experience but the lack of ambition in Chelsea's approach was disappointing, as was the result.

Liverpool, on the other hand, demonstrated their hunger and desire has not been reduced by the club's first title in 30 years. If anyone wanted an answer to whether the glory of last season will lessen their appetite, it came here.

A good few days for Jurgen Klopp's side, in which they have added elite quality in Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich and also strengthened the squad with the arrival of Diogo Jota from Wolves, has ended in highly satisfactory fashion with a victory that was even easier than the scoreline suggests.

Manchester City and others harbouring dreams of mounting a challenge (reality suggests it will only be Pep Guardiola's side) would not have needed any reminder about how tough it will be to take the title away.

Liverpool gave them one anyway.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54229321
 
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich held secret investments in footballers not owned by his club, an investigation has discovered.

The players included the Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo, who turned out against Chelsea in Champions League matches in 2014.

He held rights in the players through a company based in the British Virgin Islands.

Mr Abramovich's spokeswoman stressed no rules or regulations were broken.

But former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has questioned whether it was "proper" for the owner of a football club to have an interest in players in other teams.

A leak of documents - banks' "suspicious activity reports" - that have been called the FinCEN Files and seen by BBC Panorama - has revealed that Mr Abramovich is behind an offshore company called Leiston Holdings.

Leiston was taking stakes in footballers overseas through third-party ownership (TPO).

This is where investors buy a share of a footballer's future transfer value from cash-strapped clubs.

The practice was banned in the English Premier League in 2008 but not internationally until 2015.

Andre Carrillo at Stamford Bridge in 2014 - he played against Chelsea in two matches
Chelsea faced Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League group stage in 2014.

And Carrillo lined up for Sporting in both matches.

So in Lisbon in September and Stamford Bridge in December, Mr Abramovich had an interest in 12 players on the pitch.

Lord Triesman told Panorama: "I don't think it can possibly be proper for the owner of a football club to own players in other football clubs. That is precisely why third-party ownership is banned."

"It casts suspicion and a shadow right across football. On the documents I've seen I would've um, wanted, as chairman of the FA, to investigate them."

It comes as Mr Abramovich appears to be making heavy investments in Chelsea again this year.

What links Roman Abramovich to the offshore company?
In December 2016, a suspicious activity report (SAR) was filed about Mr Abramovich.

It identified more than $1bn of "suspicious payments involving offshore shell companies" - firms functioning only to manage the money put in them.

The SAR said many of the shell companies were "owned by Roman Abramovich… one of Russia's most powerful oligarchs with close ties to Moscow & Vladimir Putin".

The money seemed to be going around in circles between the companies.

Among the transactions were a series of nine payments from a Cypriot company that were split between four other companies before $156m ended up in Leiston Holdings.

Leiston became the subject of public attention in 2018, when it was revealed by German website Der Spiegel as part of the Football Leaks investigation to be an investment vehicle for TPO.

Panorama discovered both the company in Cyprus and Leiston Holdings are Roman Abramovich companies.

As well as being funded with $156m of his money, Chelsea had first option of signing some of Leiston's players.

Was there a conflict of interest?
In 2011, Leiston Holdings secured 50% of Andre Carrillo's "economic rights" when it loaned Sporting €1m (about £850,000) to help them purchase the player from Alianza Lima.

The financial deal contained a number of clauses, as was common in TPO agreements.

It said that if a transfer offer of more than €6m was made for Carrillo and Sporting Lisbon did not accept it, they would have to pay Leiston 45% of the value of the offer.

And Sporting agreed to pay Leiston a "risk fee" of more than €127,000 for each season Carrillo played for the club.

The Portuguese club's accounts showed it owed Leiston €2.6m in 2014-15.

Leiston also owned stakes in two other Sporting players - Gael Etock, who played for the club between 2012 and 2013, and Valentim Viola who was in the squad between 2012 and 2016.

'No wrongdoing'
Former England and Liverpool striker John Barnes told Panorama that while third-party ownership could not really influence what happens on the pitch, it was important players had an identity and loyalty to the club they played for and their supporters.

"From a moral point of view, and from an integrity of the sport point of view - when you sign for a club, your integrity and your loyalty should be to that club 100%."

Mr Abramovich's spokeswoman said: "The fact that transactions may have been confidential, does not mean that they were unlawful or otherwise in breach of then applicable rules or regulations."

She said they "relate to the period before Fifa changed their rules".

The spokeswoman added that suspicious activity reports do not mean laws or rules have been broken, saying: "The fact that we are not aware of this issue, confirms that there has been no wrongdoing as no action was taken."

The FinCen Files is a leak of secret documents. They have revealed how major banks have allowed dirty money to be moved around the world. They also show how the UK is often the weak link in the financial system and how London is awash with Russian cash.

The files were obtained by BuzzFeed News which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and 400 journalists around the world. Panorama has led research for the BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-54229269
 
Edouard Mendy to Chelsea: Frank Lampard says Petr Cech had 'big say' in deal for Rennes goalkeeper

Frank Lampard has revealed that Petr Cech was a prominent figure in Chelsea's decision to sign Rennes' Edouard Mendy, and says he leans heavily on his former team-mate for goalkeeping advice.

Mendy - who underwent his medical on Tuesday ahead of his £22m transfer - is set to move to Stamford Bridge to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose game has been plagued by mistakes over the past year.

The 28-year-old will arrive from Ligue 1 club Rennes - coincidentally, the same side from which Cech signed for Chelsea in 2004.

Cech went on to win 13 major trophies during his 11-year spell in west London and is now the club's technical and performance adviser.

Ahead of Mendy's arrival, Lampard said: "Petr was important in that because goalkeeper is a very particular position. Petr Cech was the best in the world in that position for a long time so he's obviously had a big say in this situation.

"From my point of view, I lean heavily on him when it comes to goalkeeping today and in the future. So yes, he was very influential."

Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...ech-had-big-say-in-deal-for-rennes-goalkeeper
 
Frank Lampard confirms goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is currently undergoing a medical with Chelsea
 
Chelsea defender Thiago Silva says he is not worried by the speed of the Premier League - despite turning 36 the day before his debut for the club.

The Brazil centre-back joined Frank Lampard's Blues on a free transfer last month, after winning seven straight league titles with Paris St-Germain.

Silva will play in Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at home against Championship side Barnsley (19:45 BST).

“Age is just a number on your document," he said on Tuesday.

"I don't worry [about the speed of the Premier League] at all.

"Physically, I feel very young and I’m very well prepared for this. People who know me know how much I love my work; how I put in 200%.

“This is a great opportunity that Chelsea and Frank Lampard have given me and I don't want to let them down."

Chelsea conceded more goals than any team in the Premier League's top 10 last season.

As well as seven straight Ligue 1 titles, Silva also helped PSG reach the Champions League final in 2019-20, though they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich.

The former Fluminese player also won a Serie A title with AC Milan in 2010-11.

"I'm coming here as an older player so I see that as Chelsea and Frank Lampard wanting a player with my experience," added Silva.

"I'll use the words of how [Everton boss] Carlo Ancelotti described [new signing] James Rodriguez: 'If you want someone to run we could sign Usain Bolt.'

"I hope to help these young players with this new adventure."

At his first news conference since his transfer, Silva revealed he had no previous ambition to join a Premier League side because of "long-ball" football, which he says has now improved in England's top flight.

He also explained his delight at meeting the teenage boy who rose to fame after rapping the song Thiago Silva at Glastonbury in 2019.

Silva said: "I've never really seen myself in the Premier League before because I saw it as a difficult style of football. I didn't have any desire to play here.

"My impression of the football played was of long balls, long shots and, at the time, I couldn't see myself playing in that championship. I can play that way, but my preference was to play with the ball on the ground.

"I've seen that the championship has developed tremendously, there is a lot more technical quality. Little by little, it has won me over."

On the song, he added: "It was a very unusual situation because I’d never heard of the song before and then after the festival, there was the video of the lad, Alex [Mann], coming up from the crowd and wearing my PSG shirt, before it went viral.

"I had the opportunity to meet Alex and thank him, because sometimes we as footballers lose the idea of how far a reach and influence we have.

"It was a really happy moment. I remember that day well."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54255634
 
Chelsea sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from French side Rennes
 
MenInG said:
Chelsea sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from French side Rennes
Click to expand...

The answer to their goalkeeping problems?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edouard Mendy: Chelsea sign Senegal goalkeeper from Rennes

Chelsea have signed Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on a five-year deal.

The Senegal international, 28, made 25 league appearances for the Ligue 1 side after joining from Reims in 2019.

He completed his medical on Tuesday, with manager Frank Lampard having said he wants to increase competition with club record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, who cost £71m.

"I'm so excited to be joining Chelsea," Mendy said. "It's a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad."

Kepa was at fault for Liverpool's second goal in the 2-0 Premier League defeat by the Reds on Sunday, which was described as "a clear mistake" by Lampard.

The Spanish international was also dropped last season after errors in games.

That included the FA Cup final, when the 25-year-old was replaced by second-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who is 38.

Last season for Rennes, Mendy kept nine clean sheets in 24 Ligue 1 appearances, compared to Kepa's eight cleans sheets in 33 Premier League appearances.

Mendy's save percentage was 76.3% and he conceded a goal every 114 minutes. Kepa's save percentage was 53.5%, conceding a goal every 63 minutes.

However, Kepa's passing accuracy was 79.7% compared to Mendy's 70.1%.

Mendy, who has eight international caps, becomes Frank Lampard's eighth signing of the transfer window.

He follows in the footsteps of former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, who joined the Blues from Rennes in 2004 and is now the club's technical and performance advisor.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "As soon as Petr Cech and our technical team identified Edouard as the most suitable goalkeeper to complement our existing group, there was only one player we wanted to bring in.

"Edouard arrives following a season of real success with Rennes, he is ambitious for more, and we welcome him to our club."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54274909
 
Tammy Abraham scored a stoppage-time equaliser to complete an incredible comeback and rescue a point for Chelsea at West Bromwich Albion after they had trailed 3-0 at half-time.

In a thrilling match, West Brom looked to be heading for their first win back in the Premier League after racing into a commanding lead inside the opening 30 minutes at The Hawthorns.

A mistake by Marcos Alonso led to the hosts' first, Matheus Pereira feeding Callum Robinson to produce a classy finish past Willy Caballero, who was starting in place of dropped £71m keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Thiago Silva, who was making his Premier League debut for Chelsea, was then too casual in possession, allowing Robinson to pounce and run at goal before doubling the lead with another impressive finish.

Remarkably, it was quickly 3-0 as Kyle Bartley was left unmarked to tap home inside the six-yard box after the visitors failed to deal with a corner.

But Frank Lampard's side rallied after the break and Mason Mount reducing the deficit from 20 yards.

Substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi set up a tense finale with a stylish finish, before Abraham, making his first top-flight start of the season, tapped home the equaliser in the 93rd minute after Mount's shot had been saved.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54215342
 
They still look terrible in central defence. Christiansen and Thiago Silva were all over the place. Surely Tomori should have played.

There are reports they are looking to sign Declan Rice from West Ham.
 
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says a lot of the "spotlight" on under-fire goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is unfair.

The 25-year-old Spaniard has not featured in Chelsea's past two games after making an error in the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool last week.

Willy Caballero has started instead, and the Blues have also completed the signing of Edouard Mendy from Rennes.

"I certainly won't go to the point of saying Kepa has played his last game for Chelsea," said Lampard.

"We have to also understand Kepa is a young man. A lot of the spotlight on him has become unfair. I have to protect him because I know he's a good lad trying to do his best."

Lampard says new signing Mendy, 28, will be in the squad for Tuesday's trip to Tottenham in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

Tottenham, who drew 1-1 with Newcastle on Sunday, face Maccabi Haifa in a Europa League qualifier on Thursday, but Lampard still expects boss Jose Mourinho to name a strong side.

"I know for Jose it's a busy time with the Europa League," he said. "When I analyse Tottenham and see the squad that didn't play 90 minutes yesterday, I see a very strong squad."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54329768
 
Ben Chilwell: Chelsea boss Frank Lampard a 'big influence' in move to club

Ben Chilwell admits Frank Lampard was a big influence on him joining the Chelsea, having idolised the former midfielder growing up.

Chilwell had been a long-term target for Lampard and, after his move from Leicester this summer, the 23-year-old says he could never have imagined playing under his current manager when he used to watch him as a child.

"I used to watch England play in the international breaks and, when I was younger, it was more just enjoying watching them," said Chilwell.

"They had a lot of great players, including the gaffer, but it never crossed my mind that I might play under him in the future!

"I used to enjoy watching him play, he was a great footballer and that was obviously a big reason for me coming here, playing under someone I idolised, watched and respected growing up."

Chilwell has also been in contact with Chelsea legend Ashley Cole since his move to west London. The left-back made over 200 appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge, winning the Champions League and Premier League, and Chilwell aims to follow in his footsteps.

"Coming to Chelsea, as well as talking to the manager, a big factor for me was Ashley Cole, seeing the career he had here. I want to emulate that," he said.

"To have someone like that who's played for Chelsea and English, it was important for me. I spoke to my agent because I was quite keen to meet him and get to know him, pick his brains about what Chelsea means to him as a club and how he reached the success he reached here.

"Like I said, I was quite keen to have that chat with Frank to find out stuff like that too. I'm going to work as hard as I can over the next few years to emulate what he's done here."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...frank-lampard-a-big-influence-in-move-to-club
 
Captain Azpilicueta taking the ball off Tammy Abraham to give to Jorginho for Chelsea's 2nd penalty in their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace today:

imran.jpg
 
BREAKING: Chelsea have rejected a loan offer with a £70m option to buy from Bayern Munich for winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
 
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham has apologised "for the naivety shown" after he was reported to have breached coronavirus guidelines.
 
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to Chelsea after picking up an injury while training with Senegal.
 
Edouard Mendy returns to Chelsea after injury on Senegal duty

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to Chelsea after injuring his right thigh while training with Senegal.

The 28-year-old joined the Blues on a five-year deal last month and kept a clean sheet on his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea said Mendy "had a medical examination in a hospital in Rabat, where Senegal are due to play Morocco".

The club added: "Mendy has since returned to Chelsea where he will undergo further examinations."

Senegal play Morocco in a friendly on Friday (19:00 BST kick-off).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54472853
 
N'Golo Kante could leave Chelsea in January after falling out with Frank Lampard over a wedding, according to reports.
 
Chelsea were keen on a move for AC Milan's Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 21, before signing 28-year-old Senegal international Edouard Mendy from Rennes - and could still try to tempt him to Stamford Bridge when his contract expires next summer. (Calcio Mercato)
 
Lampard at presser:

"I keep talking about the need for work and how things can take time. We're playing with new players and it's understandable to have moments where I talk about game management.

"It has to be worked on with time. It's a lesson to be learnt in time.

"I'm aware of the stats and the other stat is we've conceded the second least shots. It helps to narrow down the issue. It's something we're aware with recruitment and on the pitch with the players to make sure we set up well.

"We want to concede less, as do all teams at the moment."
 
Edouard Mendy is already my No 1, says Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has admitted Edouard Mendy has already become Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper.

The former Rennes stopper helped the Blues secure Lampard's first goalless draw as Chelsea boss in Tuesday's Champions League stalemate with Sevilla.

Senegal international Mendy shook off a thigh issue to start the Group E opener at Stamford Bridge, which left Lampard delighted with his side's more robust shape.

Asked if Mendy is already Chelsea's number-one 'keeper, Lampard said: "At the moment yes; he's shown his quality. The way he's played, he's played very well, that's two clean sheets for him already.

"As it stands he is [the number one] but that's always up for grabs. But the way he's playing I'm very happy. I was pleased with the professional element to the win.

"Seville are a top team in European football, no doubt. The concentration and focus to get the result was big from the team.

"We made a lot of good decisions tonight, so it's a really nice place for us to build from. I think it's a positive result. The clean sheet was a big deal for us."

Out-of-form Kepa Arrizabalaga was dropped to the bench on Mendy's return after another afternoon to forget in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Southampton.

Chelsea were solid against Sevilla if a little uninspiring in attack, though the Blues will be delighted with an improved defensive showing.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...my-no-1-says-chelsea-head-coach-frank-lampard
 
Edouard Mendy says he feels a responsibility to be a success at Chelsea in order to encourage other Premier League sides to invest in African goalkeepers.
 
Chelsea are still intent on signing West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, 21, in the January transfer window, although the Hammers are prepared to give the England international a new contract which would double his £60,000-a-week wages. (Star on Sunday)
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Frank Lampard has confirmed Kai Havertz has tested positive for Covid-19. As a consequence the player is now undergoing a period of self-isolation and is not involved in tonight’s Champions League game versus Rennes.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHEREN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHEREN</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1324064235987587072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Thiago Silva: Chelsea boss Frank Lampard praises impact of experienced defender

Frank Lampard believes Thiago Silva’s experience and leadership is already proving invaluable at Chelsea.

Brazil defender Silva joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in the summer and he has helped the Blues to six clean sheets in his opening seven appearances for the club.

Lampard insists his squad will benefit from the professionalism and high standards Silva has set during his career as the 36-year-old seeks to overcame a language barrier.

"His English is improving, particularly the football side of his English, his words on around the pitch," head coach Lampard said. "His influence is huge. Without the language his professionalism has been very clear. That rubs off on players, they respect him.

"His performances have been very good. He trains well, prepares well and it's very obvious with him why he has had the amazing career he has had so far. It's been great to have him in the squad.

"Players look up to him and how he goes about his daily business and how he performs.

"It is great for younger players, every player in the squad. It is certainly a pleasure to coach and manage a player with that much intensity and wanting to perform at the highest level.

"Even his age doesn't feel like a big deal with managing him. When you look at his performances and how he trains it has just been a real positive story so far.

"Long may that continue, not just for him but also the influence he has on the team."

Chelsea, who have not conceded in their last five matches in all competitions, host struggling Sheffield United on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

Lampard was critical of his side after a 3-0 defeat against the Blades at the back-end of last season but credited Silva as being a pivotal reason for an improvement in how vocal his side now are.

He added: "[Silva] is a player that brings an attitude, a professionalism that is infectious. The players are growing. At times last year we were a pretty young team.

"Definitely one of the games that springs out in my mind is Sheffield United at Bramall Lane where they beat us in every department and that hardly ever happened last year.

"We just have to improve it with the work that we do as the squad grows. That is a bit of a process. Nice test tomorrow to see where we go."

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12125317/lampard-lauds-impact-of-thiago-silva
 
So good to watch when they are at their best.

Going forward they have so many options and Chilwell has been a superb signing.
 
Excellent 4-1 win vs Sheffield United.

The new signings are starting to click, Ziyech adds some much needed creativity.
 
Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League table, if only for a few hours, after a solid win at Newcastle United, their fifth straight victory in all competitions.

Federico Fernandez's own goal set the Blues on their way, the Argentine defender poking the ball over his own line while under pressure from Ben Chilwell.

Chelsea oozed quality, Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow producing excellent saves to deny the excellent Timo Werner as well as a close-range header by Tammy Abraham.

But Abraham made sure of the points with a smart finish following Werner's pass after Newcastle had threatened through Isaac Hayden and Joelinton. Sean Longstaff hit the bar for the home side towards the end.

Chelsea, who started the day fifth, are top the table on goal difference ahead of Leicester, who are at Liverpool on Sunday.

Aston Villa, who host Brighton at 15:00 GMT, could replace Chelsea at the summit with a big win, while Tottenham, who entertain Manchester City at 17:30, will move to the summit with a victory.
 
Inter Milan want to bring in Chelsea's France forward Olivier Giroud, 34, on a six-month loan deal in January, with an option to buy. (Tuttosport)
 
Frank Lampard has backed Kai Havertz to realise his "top-class" potential at Chelsea now he is putting his coronavirus illness behind him.
 
Bayern Munich will not chase Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi in the January transfer window, but the European champions continue to look at the 20-year-old Englishman as a long-term transfer target. (Goal)
 
Frank Lampard expects this season's Premier League title to be won with a significantly-lower points tally than in recent years.
 
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard "Very [disappointed]. We should see the game out at 1-0.

"If you're not playing well, don't allow counter attacks and we did.

"Performance is what gives you resultrs. We we were playing very well [recently] and maybe the lads think 'we're playing well'. When you think you're playing well, things like this happen.

"This is the Premier League. If you don't perform you lose games."
 
Lampard says fatigue a factor as Wolves stun Chelsea in injury time

Frank Lampard says his Chelsea players may be suffering from fatigue after Wolves came from behind to beat the Blues with an added-time winner.

Pedro Neto's 95th-minute strike gave the hosts a dramatic victory at Molineux and stopped Lampard's side going top of the Premier League.

Daniel Podence had equalised in the second half after Olivier Giroud put the Blues ahead.

The Portugal forward tiptoed through the Chelsea defence before wrong-footing goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with a shot that deflected in off Reece James.

It came after a fierce Giroud volley from Ben Chilwell's cross crept through Rui Patricio's gloves to open the scoring for the visitors.

Neto was denied a late penalty for the hosts after referee Stuart Attwell reviewed his original decision on the pitch-side monitor and judged the Wolves forward was not fouled by James.

But the 20-year-old broke away in the 95th minute and fired a low strike into the far corner beyond Mendy to earn Wolves only their second win in six games.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55225714
 
Pathetic performance from Chelsea tonight versus Arsenal.

Played like old men and only woke up in the last 15mins.
 
Frank Lampard has confirmed that two members of Chelsea's backroom staff have tested positive for coronavirus ahead of his side's game against Manchester City on Sunday.
 
More rubbish from Chelsea.

Too many players, too many changes.

Lampard doesn't know his best XI which is ridiculous.
 
Thomas Tuchel set to be appointed in place of the sacked Frank Lampard
 
MenInG said:
Thomas Tuchel set to be appointed in place of the sacked Frank Lampard
Click to expand...

According to Bild reporter Tobi Altschaffl, Chelsea will officially present Thomas Tuchel as their new manager today, with the German already in London following the sacking of Frank Lampard earlier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Amjid Javed
Arsenal FC | 2024/25 Season
74 75 76
Replies
6K
Views
146K
Amjid Javed
Amjid Javed
MenInG
Liverpool win second Premier League title and crowned champions for 20th time
7 8 9
Replies
711
Views
52K
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
Amjid Javed
Crystal Palace defeat Manchester City 1-0 to win the FA Cup 2025 [Update post@42]
Replies
44
Views
1K
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
FearlessRoar
Tottenham Hotspur FC | 2024/25 Season
Replies
47
Views
2K
Mamoon
Mamoon
Amjid Javed
Arsenal FC | 2023/24 Season
57 58 59
Replies
5K
Views
103K
Mamoon
Mamoon
Back
Top