CHELSEA will be Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell when they kick-off the new season against Brighton on Monday night.
The club are still in talks with Rennes over a deal for stopper Edouard Mendy, while Michy Batshuayi has completed a loan move to Crystal Palace.
Sign up to play Dream Team 20/21 now
- It's completely free to play
- Play the tradtional Season game as well as Draft
- There's a hefty jackpot up for grabs across 2020/21
- SIGN UP TO PLAY HERE
Get all the latest transfer gossip and updates from Stamford Bridge…
FROM SUNSPORT'S MARTIN LIPTON
Prem players have agreed to dump the Black Lives Matter slogan in favour of a new anti-racism message.
The 20 club skippers confirmed SunSport’s report that the Black Lives Matters logo worn during last season’s restarted campaign will be replaced by the sleeve badge declaring “No Room For Racism”.
The badge will feature on all player and officials’ shirts throughout the season to “act as a constant reminder of the commitment by the Premier League, its clubs, players and PGMOL to eradicate racism”.
Players will continue to “take a knee” in support of the anti-racism movement, a gesture inspired by the death of American George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota earlier this summer.
OH DANNY BOY
Danny Drinkwater has opened up over his infamous headbutt on Jota while on loan at Aston Villa.
The Chelsea flop told the Telegraph: “I got some stick from the fans and I woke up and I was raging.
“After training I planned to go and speak to Dean Smith about things, but then I went and headbutted Jota.
“We were on the same team, that’s how stupid it was. I’ve never done that, I’ve never laid someone out before. It was ridiculous. I apologised straight away and I had to go home.
“I texted him straight after to apologise and take full responsibility. I Google translated it into Spanish as well to make sure he’d understand.”
BATS AWAY
Michy Batshuayi has rejoined Crystal Palace on loan after signing a one-year extension to his Chelsea deal.
The Belgium international spent the second half of the 2018/19 campaign at Selhurst Park, scoring seven times in just 13 games.
Batshuayi became Chelsea's FOURTH striker in Frank Lampard's pecking order this summer following the big-money arrival of Timo Werner.
And the Blues can now cash in on Batshuayi next summer after his deal was extended to 2022.
TOMORI LATEST
Lampard has also confirmed Fikayo Tomori's loan move to Everton is not going ahead, because he's in contention to face Brighton.
The Blues boss added: “Fikayo trained with us today and is in contention for the Brighton game so that's where we're at.”
INJURY NEWS
Frank Lampard has confirmed the extent of Chelsea's injury problems, confirming Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Billy Gilmour are all out for at least this weekend.
Lampard said: “Hakim Ziyech took an injury to his knee against Brighton in the friendly game, so he won’t be fit for Brighton.
“We hope it’s a couple of weeks, but we’ll have to see on that one a little bit.
“Ben Chilwell is working towards fitness, he won’t be fit for Brighton but has developed and improved this week and his heading in the right direction, so that’s good news for us.
“Thiago Silva is now in London but is not training with us until the weekend, so I doubt very much he’ll be in contention for the Brighton game.
“Billy Gilmour is a longer-term injury he’ll be out for a couple of months with the operation he had.”
GO FIGURE
The Blues have confirmed their squad numbers for the Premier League season.
Here are those numbers…
CHELSEA FIXTURES
Here are the Blues' opening games of the season.
And their clashes against fellow 'Big Six' opponents.
DELIGHTED
Frank Lampard is still pleased as punch to have Kai Havertz on board.
The Blues boss told Chelseafc.com: “He is a player I have been aware of for a long time and as a fellow attacking midfield player, I have paid particular attention to those type of players for some time.
“I was aware of his talent and in conjunction with the club.
“We know how we want to go forward and look to improve in the right areas, and for players who are going to be here hopefully to improve and mature, but are already at a very high level.
“He absolutely fitted the bill for us, so I am delighted to have him.”
KANTE BELIEVE IT
Manchester United are plotting a shock transfer swoop for N'Golo Kante, according to sensational reports.
The French midfielder's future is still unclear with the Blues thought to be open to the idea of moving him on to raise funds.
Roman Abramovich has splashed out £230million this summer to bring in Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell.
And the sale of Kante would help reduce the deficit.
Now according to Tuttosport in Italy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to make an ambitious bid to land the star.
United already have Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred at their disposal in midfield – plus summer-signing Donny van de Beek from Ajax.
PICK OF THE BUNCH
Dream Team 20/21 returns with you chance to win a huge SIX FIGURE cash prize by picking your perfect XI.
The most popular fantasy football game on the planet is back — and your chance for a monster cash prize is just one click away.
PLAY DREAM TEAM 20/21 TO WIN £100K NOW
PICK OF THE BUNCH
Dream Team returns for this season and you have a chance to win a £100k jackpot.
The best fantasy football game is back and you just one team-selection away from winning the SIX-FIGURE prize.
PLAY DREAM TEAM 20/21 NOW
ETHAN: LIFE'S A PITCH
Ethan Ampadu has told Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder he’ll be fighting tooth and nail for game time at Bramall Lane.
The Chelsea loanee, 19, said: “[I want] game time. That’s first and foremost but along with that comes developing as a player and developing as a person.
“I had been in touch the last couple of weeks with my agent speaking about options this year and when this loan came about my first instinct was very positive because they did well last year and everyone had positive things to say about the place.
“The gaffer, also the way he could develop me as a player.
“I had good opinions about this place, that got finalised once I spoke to him he plays with freedom and high intensity – that suits me.
“The expectations of wanting to win and everything just suited me.”
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY
Blues midfielder Danny Drinkwater has reminded fans he is not a mercenary after an awful few years at Chelsea.
The midfielder, 30, played just six first-team games on loan at Burnley and Aston Villa last season.
He told the Telegraph: “Look, I know my Chelsea move hasn’t worked out how anybody would have wanted and I’ve made mistakes, but it’s not as simple as me just not playing football or picking up a wage.
“Money doesn’t solve anything. The pay cheque doesn’t really help at all, you don’t even think about money.
“There have been things that come above football that have not been as simple as I’d like. I’m not looking for sympathy, f*** me.
“I don’t want that, but I suppose I’d just like people to understand it’s not all gravy when you earn so much money and that I do care.”
BAT FLIES WITH EAGLES
Michy Batshuayi has passed his medical at Crystal Palace ahead of his return to Selhurst Park on loan.
The Belgian striker, 26, arrives fresh off a two-goal haul for his country against Iceland.
According to Belgian publication Het Nieuwsblad, he has passed his tests and will be unveiled as a Palace player soon.
Batshuayi signed a contract extension at Chelsea recently, with the club hoping to make money out of selling him eventually.
WE'RE NOT LIKE YOU GUYS
Jurgen Klopp has told Chelsea that Liverpool won’t even try and match their spending power.
The Premier League-winning gaffer said: “For some clubs it seems less important how uncertain the future is. Owned by countries, owned by oligarchs, that's the truth. We are a different kind of club.'
“We got to the Champions League final two years ago, we won it last year.
“We became Premier League champions last season by being the club we are.
“We cannot change it overnight and say ‘now we want to behave like Chelsea.’
“They are signing a lot of players. That can be an advantage, but that means they have to fit together.”
FAN PLAN IN BALANCE
Prem boss Richard Masters has admitted he is in the dark over when fans will be allowed back into grounds, reports MARTIN LIPTON.
League chiefs had hoped to open all turnstiles from October 1 with a staged return of supporters for the first time since March.
Clubs including Spurs and Manchester United were keen to run trials of selected fans at their opening home game of the campaign this month.
But with the Government having banned “social” gatherings of more than six people and Doncaster races putting the final three days of the St Leger meeting behind closed doors, Masters was unable to say how it will affect Prem plans.
He said: “We are always subject to a government decision and they haven't made that decision yet.
“All I can say is that the Premier League and the Premier League clubs stand ready willing and able to continue with our test events and test proposals and open our turnstiles from October 1 if we are given permission to do so.”
COLLARED
Chelsea are offering fans an exchange on any shirts bought at the club's store with 'Pulisic 22' written on them.
Because the Blues wore their new shirt at the end of last season, it meant that Pulisic played a few games with that number on and the shirt was on sale at the time.
But he has since been offered the No10 jersey at Chelsea and the club are offering a free exchange for a new shirt.
The club said: “For those who purchased from the Stadium Megastore at Stamford Bridge, simply return the 2020/21 home or away shirt with proof of purchase in person for a replacement.”
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Rennes have confirmed they are in talks with Chelsea to sell Edouard Mendy.
President Nicolas Holveck said: “We’ve started official negotiations with Chelsea to sell Edouard Mendy.
“We know the player wants to leave [and join Chelsea].
“But the agreement at the moment is not 100 per cent completed between the three parties.”
Despite the news, Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly ready to fight Edouard Mendy to be Chelsea’s number one.
According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law on the London is Blue podcast, the Spaniard has no intention of leaving Stamford Bridge and is happy to stay and fight for his place.
Kepa’s camp reportedly feel that he would relish and even benefit from the increased competition for a starting spot.
There is also little suggestion that the 25-year-old would ask to leave Chelsea because of his good relationship with boss Frank Lampard.
Meanwhile Lamps himself has been heaping praise on new boy Kai Havertz but warned fans the German will need time to settle.
He told the club's website: “Kai is a really exciting signing for myself and for the club first and foremost.
“He is a player I have been aware of for a long time and as a fellow attacking midfield player, I have paid particular attention to those type of players for some time.
“I was aware of his talent and in conjunction with the club, we know how we want to go forward and look to improve in the right areas, and for players who are going to be here hopefully to improve and mature, but are already at a very high level, he absolutely fitted the bill for us, so I am delighted to have him.”
LEAGUES BEHIND
Premier League clubs have been warned they are staring at a £1.25BILLION financial black hole.
And League chief Richard Masters admitted things will get even worse if, as now expected, turnstiles cannot be opened at all next month.
The Government is set to plunge cash-strapped EFL clubs into further chaos by cutting capacities at planned test events to 1,000.
Hopes that Prem gates would be partially opened to allow up to 25 per cent of fans inside grounds next month also seem doomed as the battle to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 intensifies.
And while the season will start as planned on Saturday, Masters admitted: “Our clubs lost £700million in 2019-20 and that creates significant difficulties.
“If we can only get 25 per cent of fans in this season it would cost another £547m.
“The longer that fans are outside the stadium in numbers, the more significant the financial impact on clubs.
“There is perhaps a perception that the Premier League can perpetually stage financial difficulties – but that isn’t the case.”
FRANKLY SPEAKING
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has also refused to be drawn on the comparisons between himself and Kai Havertz.
He told the club's website: “It is very easy to make those comparisons.
“I know he is hungry to score goals and make assists so I have already had those conversations with him, but I do think we are quite different in our styles.
“Kai can probably start in more forward areas than I started in. I liked to come from deep as a midfield player, and a lot of Kai’s really good play in the last few seasons as he has broken through at Leverkusen has been in a slightly advanced no.10 role, or slightly wider areas or more in a striker kind of area of late.
“So I think there are differences in our game and styles but in terms of what we try to bring to the team, it is pretty similar in terms of productivity in goals and assists.
“Michael Ballack was a a good player for us in terms of what he contributed and we have all got really good memories of Bally when he was at the club and what he did for us, but Kai is going to be his own player and his own person.
“He has his own style and he is very unique in terms of that, which really excites me to work with him, in terms of him going forward.”
TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard has hailed Chelsea new boy Kai Havertz but warned fans the German will need time to settle.
He told the club's website: “Kai is a really exciting signing for myself and for the club first and foremost.
“He is a player I have been aware of for a long time and as a fellow attacking midfield player, I have paid particular attention to those type of players for some time.
“I was aware of his talent and in conjunction with the club, we know how we want to go forward and look to improve in the right areas, and for players who are going to be here hopefully to improve and mature, but are already at a very high level, he absolutely fitted the bill for us, so I am delighted to have him.”
TOP VIC
Victor Moses has donated £20,000 to struggling former side Wigan Athletic.
The cash-strapped club is in dire straits after administrators were summoned in July, resulting in a 12-point penalty and relegation from the Championship to League One.
They are desperately looking for new owners to reverse their fortunes.
But in the meantime, a Supporters’ Club Crowdfunder page has been set up to raise cash and save Wigan from going under.
Former Lactics favourites including Roberto Martinez, Reece James and James McClean have all stepped forward with donations.
And now Moses has given £20k to the fundraiser in a touching gesture.
Wigan tweeted: “Thank you Victor Moses. Victor has pledged a significant donation to Save Our Club!”
The Chelsea wing-back, 29, starred for Wigan between 2010 and 2012.
ONE FOR AL
Chelsea target David Alaba could reportedly be sold by Bayern Munich.
The Austria international, who is set to enter the final year of his deal, has been stalling on a contract extension at the Allianz Arena.
According to BILD, the defender wants to become one of Bayern's top earners if he agrees to pen new terms.
Failing that, Alaba is said to be keen to ensure that Munich pick up a transfer fee rather than lose him for nothing next summer.
WERNING LIGHT
Pat Nevin has suggested that Chelsea’s new signing Timo Werner could hit the ground running and be “on fire” for the start of the Premier League.
He told the club's official website: “It is hard not to be excited by Timo Werner for a kick off.
“He scores in his first outing for the Blues against Brighton and then follows it up with a superb striker’s goal for Germany against Spain. He could well start the season on fire.”
KLOPP ON
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has cast doubt over Chelsea's summer transfer business.
He told Radio 5Live: “We live in a world at the moment with a lot of uncertainty.
“For some clubs it seems to be less important how uncertain the future is. Owned by countries, owned by oligarchs, that's the truth.
“We're a different kind of club. We got to the Champions League final two years ago, we won it last year and become Premier League champions by bring led the way we are leaded.
“We cannot change it overnight and say, 'so now we want to behave like Chelsea, now we want to behave like them.'
“That can be an advantage of course, but that means they have to fit together pretty quick as well.
“It's not all about bringing in quality, you cannot bring in the 11 best players in the world and just hope a week later they will play the best football they ever will play.
“It's about working together on the training ground, that will probably be an advantage for us, we work quite a while with each other.
“I know people don't want to hear that but we did it for our own club reasons.
“We always want to improve the squad but there are different ways.”
Source: Read Full Article