CHELSEA travel to Everton in the Saturday night game with Frank Lampard set to face former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti who is in charge of the Toffees.
And on the transfer front, we've got the very latest on Antonio Rudiger's future, while the West London club continue to be linked to David Alaba.
Follow all the latest Chelsea news below…
- Jake Lambourne
BLUE MOON
Chelsea are looking to win their seventh Premier League game of the season away at Everton tonight.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Chelsea FC (@chelseafc)
- Jake Lambourne
WELL GOOD
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell believes the club is showing a similar mentality to Leicester when they won the Premier League in 2016.
He told the Guardian: "What I’m finding quite interesting is the confidence of the group,’ said the England international.
"There doesn’t seem to be any drop off at any stage and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season because we have a great squad. The positive thing is we don’t get carried away.
"When we won the league with Leicester in 2016, when I was fortunate enough to be in the squad at 18 or 19 years old, what I found was that the boys were going into every game confident they were going to win.
"At the moment with Chelsea that’s what the group feels like. When we go into matches we feel like we can’t really lose at the moment, which is a great thing to have as long as you work hard with it."
- Jake Lambourne
REECE LIGHTNING
Ben Chilwell has admitted he was surprised by the quality of right-back Reece James when he joined from Leicester in the summer.
The left-back said: "I knew how good Reece was before I came here but I just wanted to say how much he’s surprised me
"He’s unbelievable, especially for 20-years-old. He’s a brilliant player. He’s powerful but quick with it.
"He’s very difficult to play against because of how physical he likes to be against his opponents."
- Jake Lambourne
TAKING THE MIC
Michael Owen believes Chelsea will be too strong for Everton at Goodison Park tonight.
The BetVictor Brand Ambassador said: "I covered the Chelsea game last weekend and was particularly impressed by Giroud.
"He continued his great run of form and I loved the cuteness and cleverness of his runs – he really was a joy to watch.
"Chelsea are bang in form. They are undefeated in their last 9 matches and can also boast 3 clean sheets in their last 3 away fixtures.
"Unfortunately, I’d have to say the opposite regarding Everton’s current form. One win in their last 7 Premier League matches is grim reading for Toffees fans, especially after such a promising start.
"One shining light has been the emergence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He’s continued his goal-scoring form, so Everton will still carry a big threat in front of goal. That said, with Chelsea in such good form, I can’t see anything other than an away win."
- Jake Lambourne
HAVE SOME OF THAT
Chelsea ace Kai Havertz has responded to Frank Lampard's claim that he can become 'top class'.
The German told BBC Sport: "Of course I feel very honoured because I know that he was a very big legend at this club and in world football.
"To hear that from such a legend is very good to hear. I know he’s my coach and he wants to make me better and I think I can learn a lot from him.
"But of course I feel very honoured to hear that from him. I know I have room to improve and I need to do that in the next weeks.
"I know that my start here was not the best. It was tough for me to change clubs and country.
"But now I’m feeling better and better and I hope the next few months and years will be good for me."
- Alex Terrell
MORE TAYLOR
Taylor said: "We have been very concerned, and remain so, about the physical load on players are now frequently required to play every two or three days or so.
“The physical load on players is hugely increased and the consequent fatigue is leading to avoidable and distressing injuries .
"Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Leeds were all impacted last weekend.
"A further 11 Premier League. clubs have players unavailable due to problems that might reasonably be attributed to physical load and fatigue."
Prem clubs held votes in August and September after proposals to extend the extra sub rules.
Both were rejected by 11 to nine, well short of the 14-club majority required.
- Alex Terrell
TIRED AND EMOTIONAL
PFA boss Gordon Taylor DEMANDS Prem chiefs overrule clubs and bring in five subs NOW.
Taylor is infuriated that his concerns over the health and safety of Prem stars has been ignored.
And he has now told League chief Richard Masters he MUST force the clubs to back down.
In a letter that was forwarded by Masters to all Prem clubs, Taylor blames the refusal to stick with five subs this season for the spate of injuries to players.
- Jake Lambourne
ROUD AWAKENING
Louis Saha believes Arsenal should consider resigning Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
He told Genting Bet: “Olivier Giroud could be a good option for Arsenal if they were to resign him. He is a top striker.
“He might not always give you the style that you want but he is always questioned and stands up to answer them.
“Any side in England would love to have a Giroud on top form in their team.”
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Carlo Ancelotti made a lasting impression on Frank Lampard — by getting a round in hours after being sacked by Chelsea.
It was last orders for manager Ancelotti in May 2011 in a corridor at Goodison Park where the two men will meet again tonight.
The axing of the genial and successful Italian remains the most baffling of the nine men to get the boot from owner Roman Abramovich during his 17 years in charge.
Lampard said: “He had a very laid-back demeanour about him which I appreciated. But beneath that was a hard edge, that was very evident.
“I didn’t crave too much conversation with my manager, I just wanted to do my job but with him I always felt comfortable when I was having those one-on-one conversations.
“I’ve got specific moments in my time with him that I remember. One was the evening that he left the club and he actually came and had a couple of beers with us in The Plough over the road in Cobham.
“Another time I was with Andrea Pirlo in Vancouver and we all had dinner together in an Italian restaurant and it was a fantastic evening.
“I have such high regard for him. He has the personal touch, he got it nailed.
“And the great thing is that he is straight with it. He is honest in everything he does and that is very refreshing.”
Meanwhile on the transfer front, David Alaba’s agent has reportedly approached Real Madrid over a potential switch.
The 28-year-old is set to leave Bayern Munich after failing to agree terms on a new contract.
ccording to Marca, the Austrian is most likely to make a move to the Bernabeu.
His agent, Pini Zahavi, has made Madrid aware of Alaba’s situation in Germany.
Zahavi is believed to have a ‘good relationship’ with Zinedine Zidane’s side.
And finally, Thiago Silva has begun preparing for a managerial career by starting his coaching badges.The Brazilian centre-back, 36, signed a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge after leaving Paris Saint-Germain for free in the summer.
Globo Esporte reports the veteran defender began a Brazilian football confederation (CBF) coaching course as part of his B Licence.
- Joe Brophy
TO BE FRANK
Carlo Ancelotti made a lasting impression on Frank Lampard — by getting a round in hours after being sacked by Chelsea.
It was last orders for manager Ancelotti in May 2011 in a corridor at Goodison Park where the two men will meet again tonight.
The axing of the genial and successful Italian remains the most baffling of the nine men to get the boot from owner Roman Abramovich during his 17 years in charge.
Lampard said: “He had a very laid-back demeanour about him which I appreciated. But beneath that was a hard edge, that was very evident.
“I didn’t crave too much conversation with my manager, I just wanted to do my job but with him I always felt comfortable when I was having those one-on-one conversations.
“I’ve got specific moments in my time with him that I remember. One was the evening that he left the club and he actually came and had a couple of beers with us in The Plough over the road in Cobham.
“Another time I was with Andrea Pirlo in Vancouver and we all had dinner together in an Italian restaurant and it was a fantastic evening.
“I have such high regard for him. He has the personal touch, he got it nailed.
“And the great thing is that he is straight with it. He is honest in everything he does and that is very refreshing.”
- Joe Brophy
FRENCH CONNECTION
The two World Cup winners have been in fine form for the Blues recently…
- Joe Brophy
OL SHOW YOU
Olivier Giroud has revealed how he is such a threat in the penalty box.
Asked by Chelsea’s official website the key to winning attacking headers, the Frenchman said: “The most important thing as a striker is to get in front of the defender and attack the ball between the first post and the penalty spot.
“That’s your job. It’s not going to be the winger on the other side or the number eight on the other side who will do it.
“Most of the time the other number eight on the side of the crosser is involved in the build-up.
“You also have to move first even if it’s just to free space behind you. I remember Christian Pulisic’s goal at Aston Villa.
“Azpi crossed the ball, I attacked the first post, Ross was just behind me and we brought the defenders with us. Then Christian was free.”
- Joe Brophy
SILVA SPOON
Thiago Silva has named the three coaches that have had the greatest influence in his career.
He told the Brazilian FA: “We can learn all the time.
“With some coaches that I worked with, I saw how not to do things, whether it was in man management or in tactical work. But I also met a lot of good people.
“If I had to name three coaches whose work inspired me the most, I would have to saw Brazil coach Tite, Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel.
“Regarding Tite and Ancelotti, it’s almost impossible to love one and dislike the other because they are very similar. But the three of them understand football a lot and they stand out on a human level.
“And I can’t avoid mentioning a few of the coaches at the star of my career in Brazil, like Ivo Wortman, Oswaldo de Oliveira and Renato Gaucho.”
- Joe Brophy
HIGH FIVE
Exclusive by Martin Lipton: PFA boss Gordon Taylor has DEMANDED Prem chiefs over-rule the clubs – and bring in five substitutes NOW.
Players’ boss Taylor is infuriated that his concerns over the health and safety of Prem stars has been ignored.
He said: “We have been very concerned, and remain so, about the physical load on players who are now frequently required to play every two or three days or so.
“The physical load on players is therefore hugely increased and the consequent fatigue that players are currently experiencing is leading to avoidable and distressing injuries.
“I note that Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Leeds United were all impacted by early injuries during last weekend’s fixtures.
“A further 11 Premier League clubs have players unavailable due to problems that might reasonably be attributed to physical load and fatigue.
“Calf, thigh and hamstring injuries (muscle injuries in general) are particularly prevalent among these.”
- Joe Brophy
AL TO PLAY FOR
Chelsea are one of four teams that have been heavily linked to David Alaba.
The 28-year-old's wage demands would make him the highest-paid player at Stamford Bridge.
German publication Bild report on the Austrian star wants £350,000-a-week.
- Joe Brophy
AL OR NOTHING
David Alaba's agent has reportedly approached Real Madrid over a potential switch.
The 28-year-old is set to leave Bayern Munich after failing to agree terms on a new contract.
According to Marca, the Austrian is most likely to make a move to the Bernabeu.
His agent, Pini Zahavi, has made Madrid aware of Alaba's situation in Germany.
Zahavi is believed to have a 'good relationship' with Zinedine Zidane's side.
- Joe Brophy
WHAT ZI-YECH
Chelsea will be without top assister Hakim Ziyech for this weekend's trip to Everton.
- Joe Brophy
FAN'S VIEW
SunSport's Simon Phillips says "Chelsea need not worry who they face in last 16 – they can beat any side.
"The Blues are in the hat for the last sixteen of the Champions League and the all important draw takes place this coming Monday.
"Frank Lampard’s side won their group having not lost a single match, one of only three sides to do that this year.
"Winning the group puts them as a higher seed for the next round draw, meaning they will avoid clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester City."
Read more HERE.
- Joe Brophy
SET PIECE KING
Specialist coaches are becoming the new normal in football.
In 2018, seeking an edge, Liverpool hired throw in coach Thomas Gronnemark to improve distribution from the sidelines from full backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
And that trend has continued in 2020 in the Premier League with Chelsea reaping the rewards of having a set piece specialist among their coaching ranks.
Anthony Barry, 34, enjoyed somewhat of a journeyman career as a footballer – playing at clubs including Accrington Stanley, Yeovil Town, Chester City and Fleetwood Town.
But, as an up-and-coming coach, he was brought to Stamford Bridge to address the Blues backline that conceded 54 goals in the league last season, including 15 from dead ball situations.
Read more HERE
- Joe Brophy
SILVA LINING
Thiago Silva has begun preparing for a managerial career by starting his coaching badges.
The Brazilian centre-back, 36, signed a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge after leaving Paris Saint-Germain for free in the summer.
Globo Esporte reports the veteran defender began a Brazilian football confederation (CBF) coaching course as part of his B Licence.
Silva was joined by former Blue Filipe Luis and ex-Spurs star Paulinho in beginning the transition during the pandemic.
Reportedly Luis, 35, is the keenest future boss out of the trio of Brazilian internationals.
Due to social distancing guidelines, all of Silva's coaching classes were held online.
- William Pugh
BEING FRANK
Here's how Frank Lampard's side have got on in the Premier League this season.
As things stand, they are third in the top-flight table.
The Blues will be up against Everton on Saturday.
- William Pugh
SILVA LINING
Chelsea star Thiago Silva has begun preparing for a managerial career by starting his coaching badges.
The Brazilian centre-back, 36, penned a one-year deal at Stamford Bridge after leaving Paris Saint-Germain for free in the summer.
Globo Esporte reports the veteran defender began a Brazilian football confederation (CBF) coaching course as part of his B Licence. Silva was joined by former Blue Filipe Luis and ex-Spurs star Paulinho in beginning the transition during the pandemic.
Reportedly Luis, 35, is the keenest future boss out of the trio of Brazilian internationals. Due to social distancing guidelines, all of Silva’s coaching classes were held online.
This helped all three players – Paulinho at Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande and Luis in Brazil with Flamengo – balance their busy schedules with the program.
In order to graduate from the course, face-to-face sessions and assessments will have to take place when the pandemic allows.
- William Pugh
ROUD AWAKENING
Olivier Giroud has rubbed further salt in the wounds of Arsenal supporters by stating his goal in the Europa League final was the best header of his career.
The former Gunners fan favourite opened the scoring for Chelsea against the North Londoners in the eventual 4-1 win in Baku on May 29, 2019.
In an interview with Chelsea’s website, Giroud spoke of his aerial attributes where he was asked to comment on the best headed goal he’s scored technically.
He said: “There are a few! I liked that one against Liverpool (at Stamford Bridge in 2018) because it was not easy. I liked the one in the Europa League final.
"I like diving headers because it means you come with pace and you have the force of your body. Petr can tell you I maybe couldn’t have had a better connection.
“I went 100 per cent for it and didn’t even think my friend Laurent Koscielny could put his foot and hit me. This was definitely one of the best.”
Credit: Reuters - William Pugh
PUL BACK
Chelsea travel to Merseyside to take on Everton in Saturday night’s 8pm kick-off with Christian Pulisic set to be fit enough to start.
The American winger, 22, has been struggling with a sore hamstring since last weekend’s 3-1 win over Leeds.
But Frank Lampard has revealed Pulisic is ‘training normally’ in a huge lift to the Blues with fellow wingers Ziyech and Hudson-Odoi out.
Ahead of the game, Lampard revealed: “We’re the same as we were in midweek.
“Hakim Ziyech and Callum [Hudson-Odoi] we know are out for around a couple of weeks.
“Christian Pulisic had a tiny bit of awareness off the back of the Leeds game with one of his hamstrings but he’s training normally so we should be as we were."
- William Pugh
BLUE WASN'T THE COLOUR
Since the arrival of Roman Abramovich in 2003, Chelsea have hardly struggled to attract big name stars.
The Russian has poured millions into his beloved Blues, particularly in his earlier years with the club.
He quickly set his stall out in his first few seasons at the helm by bringing the likes of Arjen Robben, Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba to West London, not to mention highly-rated young Porto coach Jose Mourinho.
And while Chelsea have hardly struggled for trophies in the following years, scooping five league titles, five FA Cups and a crowning Champions League triumph, it is astonishing to think that they could have had even more.
Yes, the Blues were within touching distance of signing a whole host of other superstars, and here is an XI of those that could have brought yet more silverware to the already overflowing Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.
Source: Read Full Article