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Chelsea FC | 2021/22 Season

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Chelsea Premier League fixtures - 2021/22

Exact dates and kick-off times are subject to change depending on TV schedules

14 August 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Crystal Palace

21 August 2021 - 3pm - Arsenal v Chelsea

28 August - 2021 - 3pm - Liverpool v Chelsea

11 September 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Aston Villa

18 September 2021 - 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

25 September 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Manchester City

2 October 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Southampton

16 October 2021 - 3pm - Brentford v Chelsea

23 October 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Norwich City

30 October 2021 - 3pm - Newcastle United v Chelsea

6 November 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Burnley

20 November 2021 - 3pm - Leicester City v Chelsea

27 November 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Manchester United

30 November 2021 - 7.45pm - Watford v Chelsea

4 December 2021 - 3pm - West Ham United v Chelsea

11 December 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Leeds United

15 December 2021 - 8pm - Chelsea v Everton

18 December 2021 - 3pm - Wolverhampton v Chelsea

26 December 2021 - 3pm - Aston Villa v Chelsea

28 December 2021 - 3pm - Chelsea v Brighton

1 January 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Liverpool

15 January 2022 - 3pm - Manchester City v Chelsea

22 January 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

8 February 2022 - 7.45pm - Brighton v Chelsea

12 February 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Arsenal

19 February 2022 - 3pm - Crystal Palace v Chelsea

26 February 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Leicester City

6 March 2022 - 3pm - Burnley v Chelsea

12 March 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Newcastle United

19 March 2022 - 3pm - Norwich City v Chelsea

2 April 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Brentford

9 April 2022 - 3pm - Southampton v Chelsea

16 April 2022 - 3pm - Leeds United v Chelsea

23 April 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v West Ham United

30 April 2022 - 3pm - Everton v Chelsea

7 May 2022 - 3pm - Chelsea v Wolverhampton

15 May 2022 - 3pm - Manchester United v Chelsea

22 May 2022 - 4pm - Chelsea v Watford
 
Antonio Rudiger has told Thomas Tuchel he is committed to remaining at Chelsea next season, even though the club have not yet opened talks with the defender over a new contract.

Rudiger has just one year remaining on the contract he signed with Chelsea when he arrived from Roma in the summer of 2017, and a number of clubs in England and Europe have contacted his representatives to enquire about his situation.

The German centre-back - who has started both of his country's games at Euro 2020 so far - established himself as a regular in Tuchel's side following his countryman's arrival as head coach in January.
 
AC Milan have already raided Chelsea once this summer with the signing of Fikayo Tomori, but they have three more Blues players among their transfer targets, with Olivier Giroud, Hakim Ziyech and Tiemoue Bakayoko of interest.
 
Timo Werner's agent has insisted the German striker, 25, will remain at Chelsea, despite being linked with Real Madrid. (Sport1, via Sun)
 
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal worth £1.7m to sell Olivier Giroud to AC Milan.

As first reported by Sky in Italy, the 36-year-old France international is set to travel to Italy for a medical before signing for Milan in a €2m deal.

The Serie A side are set to pay an initial fee of £860,000 (1m Euros) plus another £860,000 in add-ons depending on the player's appearances and the club's qualification to next season's Champions League group stage.
 
Chelsea have been warned they are facing "mission impossible" as they step up their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this summer
 
Juventus have rejected an £85m bid from Chelsea for Chiesa, according to reports
 
Olivier Giroud has completed a permanent transfer to AC Milan from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.
 
MenInG said:
Chelsea have been warned they are facing "mission impossible" as they step up their efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this summer
Click to expand...

Chelsea will make an ambitious £50m bid to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich after failing in their attempts to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
 
Chelsea are contemplating the idea of bringing Eden Hazard back to the club from Real Madrid this summer while they are also reportedly still in secret talks behind the scenes over the signing of former player Romelu Lukaku
 
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on a free transfer
 
Chelsea have been warned it will take an offer of more than €100m to tempt Inter Milan to sell Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea have been in talks to re-sign their former striker but they have not made a bid that has reached Inter's valuation of the Belgium international.
 
If Chelsea sign either Lukaku, Cheisa, Harland or Levondovski, they will be hard to stop this season.
 
Chelsea have had an offer for Romelu Lukaku worth £85m rejected by Inter Milan.
Chelsea's proposal would have also seen left-back Marcos Alonso move to Inter, according to Sky in Italy.

The offer came after the Premier League club were warned it would take an offer of more than €100m (£85m) to tempt the Italian champions to sell Lukaku.
 
Romelu Lukaku is waiting on the go-ahead to seal a return to Chelsea, with Inter Milan now prepared to let the Belgium international go.

Chelsea are poised to make a renewed bid for the striker in the region of £100-110million, which the Italian champions are expected to accept.

Lukaku has been open to a return to Stamford Bridge, seven years after leaving for Everton, so long as a fee could be agreed between the clubs.

While he was not prepared to agitate for a move, he has now made it clear that he wants to join Thomas Tuchel’s European champions and is expected to sign a five-year contract worth around £212,000-a-week.

Tuchel is eager to get his transfer business done swiftly with the new season rapidly approaching and informed the club before the end of the campaign of his requirements this summer.

A top-class centre forward was always his priority, with Erling Haaland quickly identified as his leading target.

But Borussia Dortmund’s reluctance to sell meant only an offer in the region of £150m would see Tuchel land the Norwegian.

Chelsea were prepared to explore the possibility of a compromise deal, but Dortmund were adamant they were under no pressure to sell after securing £73m from Jadon Sancho’s move to Manchester United.

Haaland will be available for a cut-price fee of around £63million next summer when a release clause kicks in, which has so far made suitors reluctant to spend so much more just 12 months earlier.

Lukaku was one of three main targets drawn up by Tuchel, with Harry Kane the third option – even if Chelsea knew a deal with Tottenham would be almost impossible to pull off.

Lukaku was therefore seen as the most attainable target – but his refusal to push for a move saw them continue to explore Haaland in the early weeks of the window.

It has since become clear that he would like to return to the Premier League, while financial difficulties for Inter meant a significant offer would be hard for the Italians to reject.

Chelsea have already seen a bid of £85million-plus Marcos Alonso turned down – but have been encouraged enough to work on an improved offer that could see a deal reached quickly.

Tuchel is confident Lukaku wants the move and spoke of his need to bring in a striker after last night’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

He said: “He is a fantastic player, but a player from Inter and with all due respect I will not talk about him. I can imagine a lot of players want to come and join, but we don’t comment on that.

“I think with the exit from Olivier Giroud we could use a player used to play with their back to goal, whose strength is to keep possession from long balls so we can add this direct style of play to our portfolio.

“This is the characteristic of player that is not Tammy (Abraham), Timo (Werner) or Kai (Havertz) so this is a profile we don’t have in the squad and could be useful. But not for any cost and not hectic or in panic.
 
Chelsea are willing to pay Inter Milan £93.25m (€110m) to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Blues are prepared to pay a straight €110m with no other players involved in a potential deal, while other ways of structuring a deal continue to be discussed.

Inter are expected to agree to sell Lukaku if the reigning European champions offer a deal worth £102m (€120m).

Chelsea have made two offers for the Belgium international, the second of which was worth £85m (€100m) plus left-back Marcos Alonso.

Lukaku, 28, left Chelsea in 2014 after making just 15 appearances there following his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2011.

SKY
 
Chelsea have plenty off good players yet flatter to deceive. Lakaku could be the difference maker potentially forming an exciting partnership with Werner up front.
 
Romelu Lukaku is undergoing the first part of his Chelsea medical in Italy after the club agreed in principle a club-record deal worth £97.5m (€115m) to re-sign the striker from Inter Milan.

The medical is taking place in Milan, while the paperwork is now with club lawyers, and once that is formalised Lukaku is expected to sign a five-year contract.

Inter have previously rejected two offers from Chelsea for the Belgium international, the second of which was worth £85m (€100m) plus left-back Marcos Alonso.

Lukaku, 28, left Chelsea in 2014 after making just 15 appearances there following his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Anderlecht in 2011.
 
Romelu Lukaku is flying to London to complete his £97.5m (€115m) transfer to Chelsea from Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old underwent the first part of his medical in Milan after the Italian champions agreed in principle a club-record deal to re-sign the striker.

The paperwork is now with club lawyers, and once that is formalised, Lukaku is expected to sign a five-year contract, worth £200,000 a week.
 
Roma have agreed a £34m deal to sign Tammy Abraham from Chelsea, reports Sky in Italy.
The 23-year-old striker must now decide if he wants to join the Italian club, who are managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Fellow Serie A side Atalanta and Arsenal are also interested in Abraham, but Chelsea's preference is to sell him to a foreign club, making a move to their London rivals less likely.

Abraham fell out of favour at Chelsea midway through last season as Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as head coach and was left out of the squad for May's Champions League final, despite being fully fit.
 
Romelu Lukaku has arrived in London to complete his £97.5m (€115m) transfer to Chelsea from Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old landed in Biggin Hill Airport on Wednesday evening after a stop in Monte Carlo.

He underwent the first part of his medical in Milan after Chelsea agreed in principle a club-record deal to re-sign the striker.
 
UEFA Super Cup - Final

Chelsea 0-0 Villareal after 20 mins.

Should be a comfortable win for the blues.
 
Kepa Arrizabalaga and a late substitution with penalties looming in a major cup final. Sound familiar?

In the 2019 Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, the £71m Spaniard refused to come off for Willy Caballero late in injury time, an incident which has so far been the defining moment of his time at Stamford Bridge.

He saved one penalty on that occasion but they still lost - and he was fined by the club for disobeying manager Maurizio Sarri's instructions.

On Wednesday, the roles were reversed, with Kepa the man to come on. This time, it was the Uefa Super Cup against Villarreal in Belfast, with the game tied at 1-1 after Gerard Moreno cancelled out Hakim Ziyech's opener. And this time it ended in glory.

Jorginho's dance marked night Northern Ireland arrived on global club stage
It also helped that the man he replaced, Edouard Mendy - who had a good game - was more receptive to the idea.

Kepa was very active during the shootout, putting off opponents by getting in their faces and producing some theatrics on the goalline. It worked as he saved two penalties - from Aissa Mandi and Raul Albiol.

After he saved Albiol's kick, he was mobbed by jubilant team-mates who wanted to celebrate the moment with him.

Manager Thomas Tuchel, whose side were in the game after beating Manchester City in the Champions League final, revealed afterwards it has been an idea in the pipeline since February.

"It was not spontaneous," he told BT Sport. "We talked about it with the goalkeepers after the first cup game against Barnsley.

"Kepa has the best percentage at saving penalties. The analysing guys and goalkeeping coaches showed me the data. We spoke to the players and told them this could happen when we play in knockout games."

Mendy was gracious as he came off, embracing Kepa - and said in a post-match interview alongside Kepa he always knew it would happen.

BBC
 
MenInG said:
Romelu Lukaku has arrived in London to complete his £97.5m (€115m) transfer to Chelsea from Inter Milan.

The 28-year-old landed in Biggin Hill Airport on Wednesday evening after a stop in Monte Carlo.

He underwent the first part of his medical in Milan after Chelsea agreed in principle a club-record deal to re-sign the striker.
Click to expand...

The Lukaku signing is now complete. A few pundits making Chelsea favourites for the title and this will only strengthen that opinion.

Even though they still lack a striker unless Kane signs, I'd put Man City as favourites. But Chelsea look formidable.
 
Chelsea have re-signed striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for £97.5m.

The 28-year-old Belgian returns to Stamford Bridge on a five-year deal, having left the Blues to join Everton for £28m in 2014.

The fee is just short of the British transfer record of £100m paid by Manchester City for Jack Grealish.

"I came here as a kid who had a lot to learn, now I'm coming back with a lot of experience and more mature," Lukaku said.

"I have supported Chelsea as a kid and now to be back and try to help them win more titles is an amazing feeling."

More money has now been spent on Lukaku than any other player in history with clubs paying out a combined figure of about £290m in transfer fees for him.

Two of the top five fees paid for a player in British football history have now been for Lukaku.

Belgium's all-time top goalscorer is also the most expensive player ever sold by a Serie A club, having become the third most expensive buy in Italian history when he joined Inter in the summer of 2019 from Manchester United for £74m.

Chelsea return 'comes at right time'

European champions Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League last season, scoring 58 goals - which was only the eighth-highest total in the division.

German striker Timo Werner, who signed for a reported fee of about £48m in June 2020, contributed just six in 35 league appearances.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said, in Lukaku, they have signed "quite simply one of the world's best strikers and goalscorers".

"We are absolutely delighted to be bringing him back to the club he loves, and are excited to be adding his talent to our Champions League-winning squad," she said.
 
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What a signing Lukaku is for Chelsea.

That surely puts them up there as possible challengers to Man City and Liverpool for the League title.
 
Romelu Lukaku's agent, Federico Pastorello, says he and his family received threats while he was working on the striker's £97.5m Chelsea move.

Lukaku, 28, left Inter Milan after helping the club end its 11-year wait for a 19th Italian title.

Pastorello says talk the deal was "engineered" or "forced" for financial gain "is leading everyone astray".

"Many of those who today insult me and threaten me, thanked me wholeheartedly for bringing him to Milan," he said.

"I have always accepted - and will continue to do so - confrontation and constructive criticism: they are part of the game for those who play a role with considerable media relevance.

"What we absolutely cannot tolerate are the falsehoods, insinuations, insults and threats we have received [also against my family and my daughters], which have far exceeded the limits of civilisation, decency and tolerance."
 
Chelsea showed their Premier League title credentials with a thoroughly comfortable win over Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace.

The highlight in front of a noisy, near-full Stamford Bridge was when academy product Trevoh Chalobah smashed home their third from 25 yards on his Premier League debut.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel said before the game he was surprised his side - who are European champions and won the Uefa Super Cup on Wednesday - were considered among the favourites to win the title.

But they were excellent in their league opener as Vieira's first game as a manager in England resulted in a limp performance.

Marcos Alonso whipped in Chelsea's opener with a free-kick from about 22 yards.

Christian Pulisic then blasted in a second via the underside of the bar after Vicente Guaita spilled Mason Mount's cross.

And Chalobah, who joined Chelsea's youth set-up 14 years ago, drove home from distance to seal the win.

Palace improved slightly after the break, but Jordan Ayew's header was their only effort on target.
 
Even without Lukaku, their bench today was:

1Arrizabalaga
6Thiago Silva
9Abraham
15Zouma
20Hudson-Odoi
21Chilwell
24James
29Havertz
33Emerson

That is some squad they have. Surely the main challengers to Liverpool and Man City.
 
Thomas Tuchel said he sees Chelsea as 'fourth favourites' for the Premier League title, despite their Champions League triumph and opening-day thumping of Crystal Palace.

Tuchel has won 20 of his 32 games as Blues boss since taking over from Frank Lampard in January, leading his new side to European glory in May and to fourth place in last season's Premier League.

But even with the mega-money addition of Romelu Lukaku to their ranks for the new campaign, the boss denied the Blues were in the title race this season - and insisted they were fourth favourites to lift the Premier League trophy next May.
 
Thomas Tuchel said he sees Chelsea as 'fourth favourites' for the Premier League title, despite their Champions League triumph and opening-day thumping of Crystal Palace.

Tuchel has won 20 of his 32 games as Blues boss since taking over from Frank Lampard in January, leading his new side to European glory in May and to fourth place in last season's Premier League.

But even with the mega-money addition of Romelu Lukaku to their ranks for the new campaign, the boss denied the Blues were in the title race this season - and insisted they were fourth favourites to lift the Premier League trophy next May.

"To be totally honest, I see us as the number four, that cannot be the favourite in the next year," he said. "They have to close the gap to three, two and one. We said during the campaign in the last half-year we set the bar high and look to close gaps during 90 minutes, and that's what we'll try to continue.

"This is the Premier League, a tough competition. It's on us, we are in this role and in the role of the hunters, we have to close the gap to Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

"We have to do that week in, week out, so this was a very good first step, but that's the reality and we are not shy to say this out loud that we try to be the best in any competition we play, but the reality is we come from fourth place and have three teams to close the gap to.

"We played in the Champions League and won it, but we played that as underdogs, it's a different competition, it's a tournament, we played it at a super-high level and reached constantly the highest level when necessary so had a feeling we deserved to win.

"But this is one competition, and the reality is we were fourth last season and needed help from Tottenham on the last game to get that. It doesn't help if we translate the win of the Champions League into the status of becoming favourite in the Premier League. This is the toughest league in the world to win, and now it's on us to keep calm and work hard to reach the highest level on a permanent basis."

thumping of Palace at Selhurst Park in April, and instead it was the Blues' defensive qualities that were the catalyst for their strong end to the campaign under the German.

The addition of Lukaku, who scored 47 goals across two seasons at Inter Milan before joining the Blues, looks set to improve that problem, which had not been lost on Tuchel.

He said: "We are well aware of the situation, the problem, it was hard for us to convert all the chances we created. We had in our opinion a lot of chances in the box, which should be enough to score more.

"We tried to help with the addition of Romelu to our squad, and in the Premier League it will stay super hard to score, so we are very happy we were able to have three goals today. We did it without a penalty from Jorginho which is quite impressive too."

Crystal Palace named four youngsters who had yet to make their debuts among their nine substitutes, and gave 18-year-old Jesurun Rak-Sakyi his first appearance for the club as a second-half substitute.

New manager Patrick Vieira, whose side have made only three senior signings this summer, pleaded for more arrivals after full-time given the Eagles' lack of strength in reserve.

"When you look at the bench we had today, I think the young players did really well in pre-season, but are not ready for that level," he said.

"It's just showing we need to work, and work hard, to bring in a couple of players. We are a little bit short on numbers, and the young players we had on the bench, are not ready to play at this level yet."

SKY
 
Tammy Abraham has agreed to join Roma, according to Sky in Italy.

The striker will fly to Italy to complete the move with his medical scheduled in Rome for tomorrow.

Abraham will sign a five-year contract worth £4m a year after tax.

Chelsea will have €80m buyback option which can be triggered in the summer of 2023.
 
Striker Tammy Abraham has completed a 40m euro (£34m) move to Italian side Roma from Chelsea.

Abraham, Chelsea's joint top scorer last season, joins the Serie A club - managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho - on a five-year deal.

It is understood the deal for the 23-year-old England international includes a buy-back clause set at £68m.

"You can sense when a club really wants you - and Roma made their interest clear immediately," said Abraham. "Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I've had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again - so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.

"It's a massive honour to be the number nine at this club and I just can't wait to get started and to help the team."

Abraham, who has had loan spells at Bristol City, Swansea City and Aston Villa, flew to Italy on Sunday for a medical after Roma struck a deal with European champions Chelsea over the weekend.
The Premier League club re-signed their former striker Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for £97.5m on Thursday.

Abraham, who has won six England caps, scored 30 goals in 82 appearances for Chelsea, having joined them at the age of seven.

The buy-back clause cannot be triggered until the Chelsea academy graduate has completed two seasons with Roma.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "Tammy will always be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge as one of our own.
"We have all enjoyed watching his progress through our academy and into the first-team squad, and are grateful for his contribution to our successes at senior and youth level."
 
Forward Michy Batshuayi has joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan until the end of the season after extending his contract with Chelsea until 2023.

It is the 27-year-old's fifth loan spell since joining the Blues in 2016.

Batshuayi has previously had stints with Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and two spells at Crystal Palace, where he scored two goals in 18 league appearances last season.

The Belgian has not featured for Chelsea since February 2020.

Turkish side Besiktas won the 2020-21 Super Lig and will feature in the Champions League.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Marseille for £33m, Batshuayi has scored 25 goals in 77 appearances for the Blues.

He scored six goals under Frank Lampard in the 2019-20 season but with Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud in fine form that season he struggled for opportunities.

He helped Chelsea to win the Premier League in 2016-17, his debut season.

The move comes as Romelu Lukaku returns to the Blues and Abraham departs for Roma.

BBC
 
Romelu Lukaku has confirmed he will wear the No 9 shirt at Chelsea and is available for selection against Arsenal this weekend.

The Belgium international is keen to take a leadership role in his second stint at the London club - and says he is fully fit and available for selection against Arsenal on Sunday.

Lukaku has returned to Chelsea in a £98m deal, after helping Inter to win the Serie A title last season, and will take the shirt vacated by Tammy Abraham, who has been signed by Roma.
 
Romelu Lukaku scored his first ever Chelsea goal - almost a decade after his debut - as Thomas Tuchel's team deservedly beat Arsenal.

Lukaku, who was at Chelsea as a teenager, started at the Emirates after his £97.5m signing from Inter Milan and looks to have given the Blues an ominous new dimension.

His hold-up and link-up play caused Arsenal problems all day - and the Belgian duly gave them the lead.

Lukaku was involved in the build-up and then finished the move from close range into an empty net from Reece James' pass.

James got the second himself as he slammed the ball into the roof of the net from Mason Mount's pass to make it two wins from two in the league.

Lukaku almost made it 3-0 but his header was tipped onto the bar by Bernd Leno.

Arsenal, missing centre-back Ben White through Covid, have now lost more London derbies in the Premier League this season than last - after just two games.

It is only the third time Arsenal have lost their opening two Premier League matches in a season.
 
Lukaku too hot to handle for the gunners today.
 
This could be another cracking signing for Tuchel:

Chelsea are among the clubs to have been offered the chance to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez on loan. Saul was part of Diego Simeone's title-winning side last season but will be allowed to leave the club this summer. The 26-year-old has made more than 300 appearances for Atletico since breaking into the first team as a 17-year-old in 2012.
Click to expand...
 
CFC's Jorginho has been named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year
 
Chelsea frustrated Liverpool in a fast and furious Anfield encounter to claim a hard-earned point despite being reduced to 10 men after Reece James' first-half sending-off.

In the battle between two Premier League superpowers who are fully expected to contest the title this season, Liverpool pressed frantically throughout, but the Champions League holders were superbly organised and will ultimately be satisfied with the draw.

Liverpool started at a super-charged pace but Chelsea were composed and took the lead when Kai Havertz sent an angled glancing header beyond the reach of keeper Alisson from James' corner in front of the Kop in the 29th minute.

Mason Mount wasted a glorious opportunity to double Chelsea's advantage before the game exploded in controversy in the closing moments of the first half.

Liverpool were awarded a penalty following a goalmouth scramble in which Joel Matip hit the bar and James swept Sadio Mane's shot off the line with his hand, referee Anthony Taylor awarding the spot-kick after consulting VAR, adding insult to Chelsea's injury by showing the defender the red card.

Mohamed Salah drilled home the penalty to set up a second-half Liverpool siege but Chelsea were more than up to the challenge.

The Blues, who lost N'Golo Kante to injury, brought on Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic and held the hosts at bay with a superbly drilled defensive display, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy playing his part by saving well from Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho, with Diogo Jota also coming close with a headed chance.
 
Defensive masterclass.

That was a top effort in the second half when some teams would have caved in at Anfield.

Definite title contenders.
 
The increasing talk about Chelsea's Premier League title chances has been largely built around the acquisition of £97.5m striker Romelu Lukaku - but at Anfield on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel's team demonstrated another side of their game, and showed exactly why anyone who finishes above them has a great chance to claim the crown.

It is early in the season to make sweeping judgements, but one statement that can be made with confidence after a furious 1-1 draw at Anfield is that Liverpool and Chelsea will be contesting that coveted prize.

The London side's development under Tuchel since he succeeded Frank Lampard in January has been hugely impressive and the German manager already has the Champions League to show for his rejuvenation.

He will now want to bring the title back to Stamford Bridge to reinforce his glowing reputation. Everything on show at a predictably frantic Anfield suggested this Chelsea team has every opportunity to fulfil that ambition.

This game clearly meant a huge amount to Liverpool as an early chance to inflict a blow to a rival, something clearly illustrated by manager Jurgen Klopp's (to put it mildly) animated touchline demeanour.

Klopp clenched his fist as Liverpool's players roared into early challenges, contesting every ball and plenty of decisions with his body language, even occasionally urging an ear-splitting Anfield to even greater volume.

Throughout it all, one wasted Jordan Henderson volley apart, Chelsea kept Liverpool at arm's length with control, discipline and no little threat once they were able to get on the ball.

The visitors had already hinted at threat, even if in an understated manner, and they made good on that promise when Kai Havertz glided a glancing header beyond Alisson's outstretched arm after 22 minutes. They then wasted a massive opening to double that lead as Mason Mount shot across the face of goal after being set up by Lukaku.

What had started to look a relatively smooth passage was thrown into turmoil in the moments before half-time as Reece James was sent off for handling Sadio Mane's shot on the line, Chelsea appearing to lose their discipline in response, surrounding referee Anthony Taylor before Mohamed Salah drilled home the spot-kick.

Chelsea resembled a boxer staggering to the corner after being hit with a counter-punch but Tuchel used his time in the dressing room well, while also having to deal with the loss of N'Golo Kante to injury.

Tuchel acted quickly, sending on the veteran Thiago Silva, 37 in September but showing the smoothness and calculating mind that have made him such an outstanding defender in recent years for Brazil and Paris St-Germain.

What followed was a masterclass in defensive organisation and calm under pressure as Chelsea saw off Liverpool's attacking surges to take a point, even if Tuchel will feel it might have been three had the first half not ended as it did.

It showed that, with Lukaku's addition as a spearhead who can take chances that were missed too often last season, Chelsea are pretty close to the complete package.

Andreas Christensen was as accomplished as Silva in defence and, when called upon, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy played his part.

Mateo Kovacic bolstered midfield and even had a chance to put Chelsea back in front, only to show that finishing is a weak spot with a poor effort straight at Alisson.

Chelsea would have like to have seen more of Lukaku, who still looked a little rusty in only his second game since his move from Inter Milan, but he showed enough to confirm what danger he will provide this season.

Lukaku spent a lot of the second half chasing lost causes and was up against Joel Matip, who was in outstanding form, and Virgil van Dijk, but he was always on the hunt and had a half-chance amid the Liverpool pressure. It was Matip, inevitably, who thwarted him.

Liverpool, with fans back inside Anfield, will provide a totally different test this season, a throwback to the pre-lockdown days when teams were regularly overwhelmed by the intensity of their pressing and the Anfield atmosphere.

Chelsea came through the examination with their title credentials at the very least confirmed, regaining their composure and temperament when it looked lost to claim a point many thought would not be theirs. In the end, Liverpool had run out of any good ideas long before the final whistle.

Tuchel was the picture of frustration at half-time and still did not look exactly placated after the final whistle - but once the dust settles he will know he has a Chelsea side with everything it takes to challenge teams such as Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League this season.

BBC
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re delighted to welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/saulniguez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@saulniguez</a> to the club on a season-long loan! ✍️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HolaSaul?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HolaSaul</a> &#55356;&#56810;&#55356;&#56824;</p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1432836867230208009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58412571

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players in their 1-1 Premier League draw at Liverpool.

The charge relates to two incidents before the break when Reece James was sent off and Liverpool were awarded a penalty.

Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Antonio Rudiger were also booked for their protests.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel later said he was unhappy with the officiating.

Referee Anthony Taylor gave the penalty and dismissed James after a brief look at the video assistant referee pitchside monitor.

Chelsea have until Friday, 3 September to respond to the charge.
Click to expand...
 
3-0 flattered them yesterday against Villa.

At times they were all over the place and the goalkeeper kept them in it.

However, the best teams win when they don't play well and Chelsea certainly did that.
 
Left-back Ben Chilwell is back in contention for the Chelsea team after returning "mentally tired" from the summer, says boss Thomas Tuchel.

Chilwell has not played since Chelsea's Champions League final win over Manchester City on 29 May - with Marcos Alonso in his place so far this term.

The 24-year-old was in England's Euro 2020 squad but did not play once.

"He just needs to be patient. He's in the race now and with a good mental attitude," said Tuchel.

"It's been difficult for him, from a Champions League win, then it was a tough Euros because he felt he could have played a part for England, then to keep training for four or five weeks, then he had a personal break which is difficult.

"When I arrived I felt he was mentally tired which is unlucky because Marcos Alonso had a full pre-season. We had some talks with him and no further worries with him."

Spaniard Alonso has played all five of Chelsea's games at left wing-back in their unbeaten start to the Premier League season and Uefa Super Cup win.

The Blues start their Champions League title defence on Tuesday at home to Zenit St Petersburg (20:00 BST).
 
They just bullied Spurs in the second half after a slow start to the match.

In the end Spurs were on their knees and couldn't wait for the final whistle.

Looking a very strong side Chelsea.
 
Saj said:
They just bullied Spurs in the second half after a slow start to the match.

In the end Spurs were on their knees and couldn't wait for the final whistle.

Looking a very strong side Chelsea.
Click to expand...

Tuchel is a top coach, but they have too many players who are not genuinely top class. They are lucky that Real Madrid and Barcelona are in terrible financial straits and can't afford to improve their own weaknesses.
 
Chelsea are likely to have to make defender Antonio Rudiger among the highest paid players at the club if they are to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

Rudiger has entered the final year of his contract and talks are ongoing with Chelsea over a new deal.

Sky Sports News has been told six of European football's top clubs are ready to offer Rudiger a pre-contract in January ahead of a free transfer.

Rudiger loves Chelsea and will continue to give 100 per cent, but - at 28 - will assess all his options before committing to what he believes will be the biggest and most important contract of his career.

Last week, Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel insisted he was relaxed over the future of Rudiger, adding the Germany international has "not many reasons" to leave the club.

"I hope that they find a solution but it's not only between coaches and players," he explained. "It's between the club and the player's agent.

"He plays excellent for a long time - very consistent [and] at a very high level. I feel him very calm, very focused and it's obviously not a distraction for him.

"So give things time - sometimes it needs a bit longer, sometimes things get very fast. There's no news from my side."

Rudiger has re-established himself as a key player at Chelsea under Tuchel and played every minute of Chelsea's run through the knockout stages to win the Champions League in May.

Tuchel added: "I think Toni feels very, very good at Chelsea. He feels respect from his team-mates, he feels the importance he has in the team. It's well deserved because he delivers.

"He feels the love from the supporters. He plays in the strongest league in Europe and in a big club, so not many reasons to change. But it's in good hands. I'm calm and relaxed - whatever has to happen will happen."

https://www.skysports.com/football/...nder-one-of-clubs-highest-earners-to-keep-him
 
Midfielder N'Golo Kante has tested positive for Covid-19 and has gone into self-isolation.
 
Holders Chelsea will be without Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante and Reece James for their Champions League game at Juventus on Wednesday.

Kante has Covid-19, while attacking midfielders Pulisic and Mount and right-back James are injured.

Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, their first defeat of the season.

Massimiliano Allegri's Juve are four games unbeaten and have moved up to 10th in Serie A after a terrible start.

"They are such a big club," said Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. "Yes they have had some troubles, a rough start but they were very convincing in the Champions League [a 3-0 win at Malmo].

"They are reliable. It is a no-brainer, they demand respect."

Chelsea beat Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in their Group H opener and have only conceded four goals in 14 Champions League matches since the start of last season.

"Maybe there is expectation," added Tuchel. "We came from a role that wasn't favourites last season and we got better with every match and now we are seen as a real contender.

"Now it is easy to make us the favourites. We have the experience that means there is a higher value and motivation to play against us. We have to accept this. We are not favourites for this title."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58724930
 
Thomas Tuchel puzzled by 'strange' display from Chelsea in Juventus defeat

Thomas Tuchel said "I don't know why" Chelsea did not play well in their 1-0 Champions League defeat by Juventus.

Federico Chiesa scored Juve's goal 10 seconds into the second half.

The Blues have now lost twice in five days - with only one shot on target in total - after a 1-0 home Premier League defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

"I felt we were a bit slow and tired, mentally slow in our decision making. That's why it's a strange one to analyse," boss Tuchel told BT Sport.

This was only the second time European champions Chelsea have lost consecutive games since Tuchel was appointed in January.

"We were so good yesterday in training, but not good enough, not free enough today. I don't know why, it was the whole team," he added.

They were caught out after the restart as Chiesa scored the earliest Champions League second-half goal since at least 2003-04.

"At this level you cannot concede an easy goal like this in the first seconds of the second half," said Tuchel.

"When you know what's coming and you have defensive organisation like we have, normally it's always possible to defend it. We got punished for it.

"We should have been much, much sharper. We should have asked more questions."

Juve have now won three games in a row in all competitions, having dropped into the Serie A relegation zone following a shaky start to Max Allegri's second spell in charge.

Allegri said: "Sailors always find the way out of a storm. Tonight was a good game against the European champions.

"Technically we could have played better, but we suffered a bit and we missed a couple of counter-attacks. Two games, six points, zero goals conceded, another step towards qualification, a good step forward."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58743805
 
2 defeats in 2 games now, albeit from elite teams. Perhaps they're not quite at the title success stage yet? Plenty of time left in the season though of course.
 
Chelsea scored two late goals as Thomas Tuchel's side bounced back from consecutive defeats to beat Southampton and move top of the Premier League.

Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell struck in the final six minutes after Saints had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of captain James Ward-Prowse for a poor challenge on Jorginho.

Academy product Trevoh Chalobah put the hosts ahead after nine minutes, swooping at the back post to head in his second of the season after Ruben Loftus-Cheek flicked on Chilwell's corner.

A dominant Chelsea had the ball in the net on two further occasions in the first half, however Romelu Lukaku was flagged offside and Werner's header was ruled out following a foul by Cesar Azpilicueta on Kyle Walker-Peters in the build-up.

The hosts were punished for not extending their advantage when former Chelsea player Tino Livramento was tripped by Chilwell in the box and Ward-Prowse fired in the resulting penalty.

However, the visitors could not hold out for a point following the loss of their skipper, whose yellow card was upgraded to a straight red after referee Martin Atkinson viewed the pitchside monitor.

And having lost 1-0 to Juventus in the Champions League in midweek after their unbeaten league start was ended by Manchester City, Werner and Chilwell's late strikes ensured Chelsea returned to winning ways at Stamford Bridge.
 
Germany and Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, 28, says he does not allow himself to get distracted by rumours linking him to the likes of Bayern Munich. (Mirror)

With Rudiger's contract due to expire next summer, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is keen for the centre-back to sign a new deal, with rivals Tottenham interested in signing him for free. (Express)
 
Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League as Ben Chilwell's strike - and some strong work to hold off intense late pressure - clinched victory at west London neighbours Brentford. (0-1)

After Liverpool had gone top by thrashing Watford earlier on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel's side responded in the late game with a mature and dogged display against their promoted hosts.

England left-back Chilwell scored in the final minute of the first half with his third goal in three games for club and country.

The European champions dominated the first half but had to dig deep to secure the three points in the first league meeting between the two clubs in 74 years.

The outcome would have been different had Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo scored instead of twice hitting the Blues woodwork either side of Chilwell's winner.

In a frantic final 15 minutes where Brentford threw everything at their opponents, Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy had to make two important and brave saves, while Blues league debutant Malang Sarr also cleared off the line.

Senegal international Mendy also tipped over an acrobatic effort from Bees midfielder Christian Norgaard in injury-time, sealing a victory which the Blues keeper celebrated wildly with his team-mates at the final whistle, while the relieved away fans sang their delight.
 
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58990387

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner will both miss a few matches after being injured in the 4-0 Champions League win over Malmo, confirmed boss Thomas Tuchel.

Lukaku twisted his ankle in a tackle which led to a penalty and Werner hurt his hamstring while running - both in the first half.

"It will take a while for both of them, and we will need more examinations to be precise," said Tuchel.

"They will be out for some matches."

Chelsea have a relatively straightforward run of games against Norwich, Southampton in the Carabao Cup, Newcastle, Malmo and Burnley.

Record signing Lukaku, 28, has not scored for Chelsea in seven games after four goals in his first four matches.

"If I knew what would happen beforehand I would not have done it (started the pair), but how can you know it before?" said Tuchel.

"It was necessary that Romelu was on the pitch. He started strong, I spoke to him about it, about mental fatigue carried around with him.

"But he's our number nine and our reference up front. And the best thing for mental fatigue is a goal.

"He took the foul to win the first penalty so maybe without him it's not 2-0."

Andreas Christensen put Chelsea ahead and Jorginho scored two penalties - either side of a Kai Havertz goal.

German Werner, 25, has only scored twice in 10 games this season.

Tuchel said: "The race is on, the guys who start against Norwich have our trust and we will try to find new solutions.

"We have won games before without Werner and Lukaku, we don't want these problems too often but it happens during a season."
Click to expand...
 
Mason Mount scored a hat-trick as Premier League leaders Chelsea thrashed bottom club Norwich at Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel's side were 2-0 ahead inside 18 minutes as Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi scored their first goals of the season, with Mount turning provider to set up Reece James for a third goal before half-time.

Fellow defender Ben Chilwell scored for the fourth successive game to extend Chelsea's lead shortly after the restart, before Max Aarons' own goal and Mount's late double wrapped up the win.

Canaries defender Ben Gibson was sent off for two yellow cards to cap a miserable afternoon for the away side, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table and without a win this season.

With Lukaku and Werner ruled out with injuries suffered against Malmo in midweek, Tuchel played Kai Havertz as a false nine with Mount and Hudson-Odoi either side, and together they formed a mobile front three that regularly outmanoeuvred a labouring Norwich defence.

The Canaries' lack of pressing afforded the Blues players far too much time on the ball and they ruthlessly took advantage, with the London club unlikely to have a more comfortable afternoon this season.

Norwich's failure to close Mount down gave the England midfielder time and space to score the opener from the edge of the box after just seven minutes, while Kovacic and Mount were able to set up Hudson-Odoi and James respectively to effectively end the game as a contest before the break.

Substitute Milot Rashica had an effort saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as Norwich briefly threatened to get back into the game at the start of the second half, but the rest of match turned into a procession.

Their afternoon was summed up by the sight of manager Daniel Farke with his hands outstretched on the touchline in utter bemusement at his side's defending after Chilwell scored Chelsea's fourth.

Hudson-Odoi's cross then deflected off Aarons and crept under Krul for an unfortunate own goal, before Gibson was rightly shown a second yellow card minutes later for a clumsy challenge on James.

Krul managed to save Mount's late penalty but VAR spotted he had strayed off his line, with Mount scoring the re-taken kick.

Blues substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek beat the offside trap to tee up Mount for his hat-trick in stoppage time.

It was a fitting performance for Chelsea as they paid tribute to former vice-chairman Matthew Harding, who died in a helicopter crash as he flew home from a game at Bolton 25 years ago in 1996.

It was also a poignant day Norwich, who wore T-shirts during the warm-up in support of team-mate Dan Barden following his diagnosis with testicular cancer.
 
Thomas Tuchel is the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for October!

Played 4, won 4, 14 goals scored and just 1 conceded!
 
Ben Chilwell: Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says wing-back suffered ACL injury against Juventus

Ben Chilwell was forced off with a knee problem after a coming together with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the second half of Chelsea's 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge; Thomas Tuchel: "The next six weeks will tell the story if he makes it and will be available or if he will need surgery".

Full story: https://www.skysports.com/football/...ing-back-suffered-acl-injury-against-juventus
 
"Very lucky" - Chelsea beat Watford to stay top

Chelsea were "lucky" to remain at the top of the Premier League after being given a scare in their victory at Watford, said boss Thomas Tuchel.

The under-par Blues needed a goal from substitute Hakim Ziyech to edge out their hosts after Hornets forward Emmanuel Dennis had cancelled out Mason Mount's opener.

With title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both victorious, Chelsea would have slipped to third had they drawn - but Ziyech ensured they still lead the way.

"We were not ready for this game," said Tuchel.

"We are to blame. We never found the right attitude. We were very lucky to escape with the win."

Watford had twice gone close to taking the lead when England midfielder Mount broke the deadlock with a first-time finish at the end of a lovely move involving Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz.

The Hornets equalised after Ruben Loftus-Cheek lost possession and Moussa Sissoko set up Dennis, who scored with a shot that deflected off Antonio Rudiger.

But having scored his side's first, Mount then set up the winner by providing the pass for Ziyech to fire past Daniel Bachmann.

Chelsea's fifth straight Premier League away win kept them one point clear at the top.

The game was halted for 32 minutes with the score 0-0 while a fan, who had suffered cardiac arrest in the stands, was stabilised.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59397415
 
Seems like CFC got any with one there. But they all count. Some wins have to be grinds.
 
Didn’t get away with this one though. Perhaps this defeat for Chelsea was coming. Could be a very significant result in the context of the top four.
 
Antonio Rudiger is reportedly set to become one of football's highest-paid defenders, potentially earning up to £400,000 a week if he leaves Chelsea as a free agent next summer.
 
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all tested positive for Covid-19, as has Ben Chilwell.
 
Starting to go pear-shaped for Chelsea.

1-1 draw against Everton and now 4 points behind leaders Man City.
 
Another draw, this time against Wolves 0-0

Now 6 points behind leaders Man City.
 
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has won an apology from a publisher over defamatory allegations.

HarperCollins published a book which included the claim that Mr Abramovich bought London football club Chelsea on the orders of Russia's President Vladimir Putin.

On Wednesday the company apologised to Mr Abramovich and confirmed it had reached a settlement.

It has amended the book and will make a charitable donation in lieu of damages.

UK journalist Catherine Belton's book Putin's People, published by HarperCollins last year, included an allegation by another Russian billionaire, Sergei Pugachev, that Mr Abramovich had bought the club in 2003 on the orders of Mr Putin.

In a statement, the publisher said Ms Belton's book "contained some inaccurate information" about Mr Abramovich.

"While the book always included a denial that Mr Abramovich was acting under anybody's direction when he purchased Chelsea, the new edition will include a more detailed explanation of Mr Abramovich's motivations for buying the club," it read.

A spokesman for Mr Abramovich said they were "pleased" at the settlement, and said the allegations "lacked evidence and were indeed false".

"In contrast to events relayed in the book, Mr Abramovich's ambition with Chelsea Football Club has always been clear and transparent: to create world-class teams on the pitch and to ensure the club plays a positive role in all of its communities."

Since his takeover of the club, Chelsea have won the Premier League and the FA Cup five times each, as well as twice winning the UEFA Champions League, most recently last year when the team beat Manchester City.

BBC
 
Robert said:
Hopefully another one tonight against Beeeeeeezzzzzz
Click to expand...

I was really unimpressed with Chelsea’s dodgy win against Leeds, particularly the soft penalty in the last minute. They also went in for pulling a bit of a stunt against Wolves and tried to get the match postponed due to Covid, which failed. Hoping that City or Liverpool win the title personally, and not Chelsea.
 
Chelsea have been handed a boost with the news that Hakim Ziyech will be available in January and February after being left out of Morocco's squad for the AFCON.
 
Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea: Romelu Lukaku inspires comeback as Jorginho scores twice for Thomas Tuchel's team

Substitute Romelu Lukaku inspired Chelsea as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park.

Reece James' first-half own goal had given Villa the lead but Jorginho converted a penalty soon afterwards after Matty Cash's foul before Lukaku turned the game from the bench.

He headed Chelsea in front within 11 minutes of his introduction and then burst through late on to win another penalty that was once again scored by Jorginho.

https://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-chelsea/report/446468
 
Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is expected to need knee ligament surgery and could miss the rest of the season.
 
Another 2 points dropped.

1-1 against Brighton and a couple of injuries too.
 
European champions Chelsea have announced losses of £145.6m after tax for the year to 30 June 2021.

The Premier League club won last season's Champions League under Thomas Tuchel.

Their turnover went up from £387.8m to £416.8m thanks to an increase in broadcasting revenue.

But the club say playing games with no crowds because of Covid-19 and a reduction in profit on player sales were the main reasons for the loss.

Chelsea FC PLC continues to be supported financially by Fordstam Limited, a company owned by Roman Abramovich - with confirmation in the accounts that the club owes more than £1bn to "related companies".

The accounts also say that "the company is reliant on Fordstam Limited for its continued financial support". It says Fordstam has indicated support will continue "for the foreseeable future".

The club adds that under a "severe but plausible downside scenario of football being played behind closed doors in December 2021 and January 2022" it would be reliant on additional funding from Chelsea FC PLC, with further funds needed if the financial impact of Covid-19 were even more severe.

Premier League and EFL clubs recently chose to fulfil festive fixtures despite ongoing Covid-19 disruption, including a series of postponements and a record 103 Premier League players and staff testing positive for Covid in the seven days up to and including 26 December.

Chelsea's accounts also say there is £24.1m owed due to unspecified "ongoing legal matters" - while the club also decided an "impairment loss" of £17.9m was necessary against the value of its squad.

The club say since 30 June they have signed three players for a total of £109.7m - striker Romelu Lukaku, goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and midfielder Saul Niguez, on loan from Atletico Madrid.

In the same period they say they have sold 13 players for a combined £103.7m. They could also receive up to £16.4m if outstanding clauses in previous transfers are all met.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59827141
 
Fans are standing at Stamford Bridge for the first time in almost 30 years as Chelsea play Liverpool.

It is the first time fans have stood at a game in one of England's top two tiers since laws came into force in 1994.
 
I thought they were the better team against Liverpool today for large parts of the game which is impressive considering the number and quality of players missing.

However a draw is not what they wanted and they are 10 points behind Man City.
 
Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich and Juventus have opened talks with Antonio Rudiger’s representatives over a pre-contract agreement this month.
 
Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus & Bayern Munich are all interested in Antonio Rudiger.

Reports say Chelsea will have to make him highest paid defender in the Premier League to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
 
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel says Manchester City are the "benchmark" before the two clubs meet in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tuchel added the way top-flight leaders City have dealt with injuries and Covid-19 this season is the difference between the two sides.

Chelsea go into the game at Etihad Stadium 10 points behind their rivals.

"Maybe it's luck, maybe they do it better, but they have less injuries from key players," said Tuchel.

"[They have] less players out and less weeks where they miss them.

"And they did not suffer from Covid as we did over many weeks so this is a huge difference.

"We had some draws in the season that were unnecessary, and if you have the full squad, you create a certain atmosphere that pushes everybody to the edge.

"And you need to be on your edge and at the very highest level if you want to compete with Manchester City.

"They are the benchmark, they are the best team in England right now. This is something we have to admit realistically."

City manager Pep Guardiola was one of 21 people, including seven senior players, isolating at the club before their FA Cup win at Swindon Town on 7 January.

Some of those have returned but there have also been some fresh cases at the top-flight champions.

"We have some new cases but they want privacy, so I cannot tell you," said Guardiola.

"We had a lot of cases and a lot of injuries. We played Aston Villa with 11 first-team players and in the last six or seven games there were four or five academy players on the bench.

"We are in the same situation as all other clubs. Maybe injuries are bit less because our medical department have been exceptional but, in terms of Covid, we have had a lot, like all clubs."

Chelsea had a request to postpone a match against Wolves in December rejected after a Covid-19 outbreak at the club and the game finished goalless.

Since then, draws against Brighton and Liverpool have also seen the Stamford Bridge outfit lose ground to City - who have won 11 consecutive Premier League matches - in the title race.

Chelsea will be without Andreas Christensen against City on Saturday after the defender tested positive for Covid-19.

Asked if his side's hopes of winning the Premier League crown would be over if his side lost to City, Tuchel said: "Maybe, who knows.

"We don't think a lot in scenarios what happens if - let's play the game.

"I'm always in for a good fight, but I'm also always very realistic."

Chelsea edged City 1-0 in the Champions League final last season, but were beaten by the same margin when they met Guardiola's men in the league at Stamford Bridge last September.

"If you look back to our last games, when we have our squad and are in good shape, we are always up for a good fight with Manchester City and are always there to push them to the limit and to ask some questions that they don't like, maybe, to answer," Tuchel added.

"But the situation at the moment is that they are very strong, very consistent and they perform on the absolute highest level."

BBC
 
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