CHELSEA were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid despite a heroic effort at the Bernabeu, losing 5-4 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, the owner of the Boston Celtics Stephen Pagliuca has broken his silence on current plans to takeover Chelsea football club.
The Bain Capital chairman has hinted that he is willing to sell his stake with Italian outfit Atalanta for the takeover to go through.
It's been reported that the Government are willing to speed through the process with all final offers to be made by TOMORROW
And Juventus have named their price for ex-Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the takeover in our live blog…
- Justin Lawrence
Prem clubs battle for Bremer
Liverpool have reportedly waded into the fray to sign Torino defender Gleison Bremer along with Manchester United and Arsenal.
And the Reds are willing to part with £25milllion to pip their Premier League rivals to the 25-year-old’s signature, according to Tuttojuve.
The Brazilian has made 29 appearances for the Serie A side this season, chipping in with three goals and an assist along the way.
His assured performances have caught the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs including Juventus and Bayern Munich.
But Arsenal, United, Chelsea, and now Liverpool are keen on bringing the defensive stalwart to the Prem this summer.
- Justin Lawrence
Blue trouble
Chelsea and Manchester City yobs had to be separated by riot police as they fought in Madrid.
The shocking scenes unfolded in Plaza Mayor square in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.
A total of 8,000 supporters were expected to travel from England to Spain to watch the Champions League quarter-final showdowns.
Chelsea faced Real Madrid in the Bernabeu on Tuesday, 24 hours before City's second leg at Atletico's Wanda Metropolitano.
And video footage posted on social media showed rival followers confronting one another, shouting and chanting.
Then things spilt over as punches were thrown and drinks flew before the notoriously heavy-handed Madrid police rushed in with batons and shields to restore order.
- Etienne Fermie
Morning, Chelsea fans
Chelsea will be waking up this morning surely more devastated than they've ever been by a brilliant victory.
The Champions League holders crashed out of the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate despite a 3-2 extra time win in Real Madrid.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has never looked more frustrated or animated than he did last night as the unlucky Blues wasted their superiority and string of decent chances.
Mason Mount's superb curler, Antonio Rudiger's thudding header and Timo Werner's neat finish put the Blues 3-up on the night, 4-3 ahead overall.following their 3-1 first-leg loss
But Real sub Rodrygo earned extra time with a classy volley following a magical pass from Luka Modric, before Karim Benzema clinched the Spaniards' fortunate success.
As for the Chelsea buy-out situation, bidder Tom Ricketts has recruited Indian beer baron Karan Bilimoria to help his efforts.
Blues' fan Lord Bilimoria founded Cobra lager from his flat in Fulham 30 years ago.
The deadline for final offers for £3billion-rated Chelsea is tomorrow.
Liverpool could join Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in a £68million summer hunt for Benfica strike sensation Darwin Nunez.
And Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere has hailed Blues and United target Declan Rice as the world’s BEST defensive midfielder.
- Ian Tuckey
Juve want £84m for De Ligt
Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with Juventus centre-back Matthew de Ligt – but he could cost around £84million.
Calciomercato say the Italian giants are keen to keep the former Ajax superstar.
Chelsea are thought to have monitored the 22-year-old this season.
And United have reportedly trailed him in past campaigns
- Ian Tuckey
Cheeky bid for World Cup place?
England's forgotten man for four years, Ruben Loftus-Cheek might just be timing a late World Cup run to perfection, writes OSCAR PAUL.
And you can bet he’s one of the few buzzing that it’s this winter rather than next summer.
Chances are that he would not make it if it was in July.
Yet what we do know is that Gareth Southgate was a massive fan.
And certainly on tonight’s evidence, it would come as no surprise if the England boss had again started pencilling his name down a couple of lists here and there.
There is plenty more work to do if Loftus-Cheek, 26, is to force his way on to the plane for Qatar.
But with seven months to go, time is on his side — and his form is undoubtedly now heading in the right direction.
FULL VERDICT ON RLC
- Ian Tuckey
Sub ratings
Christian Pulisic (for Werner, 83') – 5
Had two golden chances to win it late on in normal time but twice volleyed over the bar from close range.
Hakim Ziyech (for Kante, 100') – 4
Booked not long after coming on and did not make the impact Tuchel hoped for when he decided to bring him on.
Jorginho (for Kovacic, 105') – 6
Saw plenty of the ball but was unable to create anything with Real sitting deep in defence for the second half of extra-time.
Ball fell to him nicely twice in the box but his first effort was blocked and the second he dragged wide.
Saul Niguez (for Loftud-Cheek, 105') – 4
Like Jorginho he came on at a time of desperation for Chelsea but failed to influence the game in any capacity.
- Ian Tuckey
Rest of the starting XI ratings
Timo Werner – 8
Assisted Mount for the opening goal and posed a threat not just with his pace but with his running on the ball.
Was quieter in the second half until he scored a stunning solo effort, beating two players before firing past Thibaut Courtois.
Kai Havertz – 7
Quiet in the first half despite all of Chelsea's possession but his movement caused problems and allowed space for Mount and Werner to exploit.
Could have done a little better with a half chance when played through in the second half by Mount.
He also missed a fantastic chance with a free header late on in extra-time.
- Ian Tuckey
More Chelsea ratings
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
A bold move from Tuchel to pick the midfielder at right wing-back but he provided a threat with some powerful runs from deep.
Faded as the game went on but continued to help James deal with Vinicius.
N'Golo Kante – 5
An improvement on his first leg performance when he was substituted at half-time but still a little sloppy in possession at times.
Never was that more evident when he carelessly lost the ball in the build-up to Real's first goal – allowing Carlo Ancelotti's side to find that all-important aggregate equaliser.
Arguably a little to blame for Real's winner too as he was a little flat-footed when waiting to receive Silva's pass out from the back, with Vinicius breaking before assisting Benzema for the winner.
Matteo Kovacic – 8
He was the heartbeat of Chelsea's midfield as Blues dominated possession at the Bernabeu.
Kept his side ticking over and dominated a Real midfield consisting of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro – a complete reverse of the first leg.
Mason Mount – 8
Finished off a brilliant Chelsea move in spectacular fashion to give Chelsea the lead in the 15th minute.
Also provided the corner for Rudiger's goal and never stopped pressing when Real were on the ball.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea ratings
Edouard Mendy – 6
One good save of note to keep out a Toni Kroos free-kick.
Could do nothing about either goal with both Rodrygo and Benzema finishing well after being left in too much space.
Reece James – 9
Started on the right-hand side of central defence and got done by a lovely bit of skill by Vinicius jr. early on and was booked.
But he did not let that affect him and did an outstanding job of containing the tricky Brazilian.
He supported Ruben Loftus-Cheek well with much of Chelsea's good play coming down their right flank – and came close to scoring with a snapshot in the second half.
Thiago Silva – 7
Kept Real dangerman Karim Benzema quiet for the most part and provided the experience and leadership required in the absence of captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
He did, however, play a weak ball out from defence which resulted in Real's winner – though he could blame N'Golo Kante for not reacting quickly enough.
Antonio Rudiger – 9
Had a relatively comfortable and night with Real offering little in attack until going 3-0 down.
He powered home a header from a corner to level things up on aggregate and also made an amazing last-ditch interception to stop Vinicius going through on goal but could have kept a closer eye on Benzema when he scored his extra-time winner.
Marcos Alonso – 7
Will feel rightly aggrieved after his goal was ruled out for handball after a consultation with VAR.
Got into the game more as it progressed but could have been a little tighter to Rodrygo when he scored Real's equaliser.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues in despair after 5-4 aggregate loss
Many players from both sides are on their knees in exhaustion – Chelsea with despair too – after this brilliant tie.
Rodrygo and Karim Benzema grabbed the Real comeback goals that put them through 5-4 on aggregate.
Mason Mount, Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner had overturned Real's 3-1 first-leg lead to put Chelsea 3-0 up on the night, 4-3 in front overall.
But Real then struck clinically twice – to punish a superior Blues' side for their misses.
Follow all the reaction to the Blues’ harsh exit on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea out – but so unlucky
Chelsea went out 5-4 on aggregate – after deservedly leading 3-0 on the night at one stage.
Follow all the reaction to the Blues' harsh exit on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
Three minutes over to play in extra time
It'll be so unlucky on Chelsea if they fail to get an aggregate equaliser.
Follow all the action on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
Jorginho even closer
Jorginho screwed a loose ball wide from a corner as Chelsea are denied again.
- Ian Tuckey
Mount wastes late header
Reece James' brilliant cross three minutes before the end of extra time was flashed wide by Mason Mount at the near post.
The England midfielder held his head in his hands.
The Blues are piling on the pressure in search of an aggregate equaliser.
- Ian Tuckey
4 Prem stars in list of Europe’s most valuable rookies
Arsenal’s Albert Sambi Lokonga is the only player with a Prem giant in a list of Europe’s 20 most valuable rookies.
But Crystal Palace duo Marc Guehi and Michael Olise, plus Southampton full-back Valentino Livramento, HAVE made the pick.
RB Leipzig provide the top two – Josko Gvadiol and Dominik Szoboszial.
But the Three Lions ace only made his Premier League debut THIS season following his move to the Eagles.
Because of that, Guehi is a Big Five Leagues ‘rookie’.
And the former Blues defender is fifth-most-valuable ‘rookie’ in Europe, according to data from the CIES Football Observatory.
But what is a ‘rookie’? Any player who is yet to reach their 23rd birthday and made their Big Five league debut this season falls into that bracket.
Guehi, valued at £41.7m amid his stellar season, cracks the top five and is the best of FOUR Premier League players in the top 20.
Yet the real young talent appears to be coming out of RB Leipzig…
The top two players on the list both hail from the Bundesliga giants – with Josko Gvardiol and Dominik Szoboszlai streets ahead.
- Ian Tuckey
105m gone: Real 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4)
That's the first 15 minutes of extra time over – end-to-end stuff with Real ahead on aggregate.
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL! Real 2 Chelsea 3 (5-4)
Karim Benzema poaches the goal that puts Real in front on aggregate early in extra time.
- Ian Tuckey
Here's that Chelsea goal ruled out…
This is why Chelsea feel aggrieved – a tight handball VAR ruling that erased a Marcos Alonso goal.
- Ian Tuckey
Full time: Real 1 Chelsea 3(4-4 on agg)
Chelsea sub Christian Pulisic wasted two decent stoppage-time chances as this riveting tie went to an extra half-hour.
Follow all the action on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
Real 1 Chelsea 3 – Brilliant Rodrygo volley
Rodrygo belied his quiet night with a superbly-controlled volley from an even better pass by Luka Modric- making it 4-4 on aggregate.
Follow all the action on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL! Real 1 Chelsea 3
- Ian Tuckey
Real 0 Chelsea 3 – Cool Werner finish
Timo Werner wriggled through, cut back neatly and fired low into the far corner to put Chelsea 4-3 up on aggregate.
Follow all the action on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL! Real 0 Chelsea 3
- Ian Tuckey
Benzema hits bar!
Real's first-leg hat-trick hero Karim Benzema stretched back for a fine header off the top of the bar.
But Chelsea are looking good at 2-0 up, 3-3 on aggregate, as the game turns into a thriller.
Follow all the action on our match blog HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL CHECK… Alonso cracker ruled out
Marcos Alonso's cracking right-foot rebound finish was checked for handball.
And replays suggested it just flicked his hand as it fell back to him.
So it's still 2-0 to the Blues on the night.
Follow all the action on our match blog HERE.
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