CHELSEA face West Ham on Wednesday night as they look to continue their excellent run of form since the Premier League restarted.
That comes after The Sun exclusively revealed that Frank Lampard expects to sign Declan Rice from West Ham and convert him to a centre-back.
Follow all the latest transfer updates and gossip from West London below…
REMOVAL VAN
Chelsea’s forgotten man Marco van Ginkel is set for a FOURTH loan spell in six years despite extending his time at Stamford Bridge by signing a new deal.
The Dutch midfielder has only just returned to somewhere near full fitness after rupturing his ACL in July 2018.
The 27-year-old was handed a boost when, out of the blue, the club offered him a one-year extension this week, despite having not turned out for the West London side since the 2013/14 season.
Van Ginkel was set to become a free agent this summer but now is likely to be shipped out on loan yet again with competition for places tougher than ever in Frank Lampard's side.
He told Ziggo Sport: “Joining Chelsea is a difficult story, I think. It is of course a top club.
“To hook [my hopes] on that [playing for the first team] now seems a bit premature. So I will be loaned out.”
NEWS TO ME
Frank Lampard claims Chelsea have NOT offered a contract to Angel Gomes.
The Blues boss also confirmed signing the out-going Manchester United youngster has never even been discussed at the club.
He said: “I can elaborate to the point that it's never been mentioned on my end. That's it.”
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Here is how superb Cesar Azpilicueta has been for the Blues this season.
Check out these stats –most minutes, most tackles, most crosses… he's even had the sixth-most shots, including blocks.
BEN CHANCE
Former Chelsea star Loic Remy is to sign for Italian minnows Benevento, according to reports.
The 33-year-old has played for Lille for the last two seasons, netting seven goals in 20 Ligue 1 outings this term.
But with his contract in North Eastern France set to expire today, the striker appears to have made a shock decision regarding his next club.
According to DiMarzio, the Frenchman has decided to join runaway Serie B leaders Benevento.
Having already sealed the Serie B title with seven games remaining, they want to make Remy an early acquisition.
He is expected to undergo a medical today.
PREDICTED BLUES XI
Frank Lampard will look to reshuffle the pack when his side face West Ham in a crucial London derby on Wednesday.
The Chelsea manager scrapped his experiment at half-time against FA Cup opponents Leicester on Sunday with his side eventually running out narrow 1-0 winners.
He had initially started with talented youngster Billy Gilmour in a midfield three with N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount before making a triple substitution at half-time.
Lampard also described the opening 45 minutes as his side's “worst performance of the season.”
CHELSEA FIXTURES
Here are the Blues' upcoming games and TV channels.
Fixtures leading up to the FA Cup semi-final – as well as the kick-off time at Wembley on July 18 and 19 – are yet to be confirmed.
HAVERTZ TRANSFER ODDS
Here are some odds on Kai Havertz’s next move, courtesy of 888Sport.
The Blues are favourites to sign the German international.
- Chelsea – 4/5
- Bayer Leverkusen – Evens
- Bayern Munich – 9/5
- Liverpool – 5/2
- Manchester City – 8/1
- Paris Saint Germain – 14/1
- Arsenal – 20/1
HAVE A SNIFF
Chelsea have placed Kai Havertz ABOVE Jadon Sancho on their transfer target list, according to reports.
The Blues have been linked with the Bayer Leverkusen star and the Bayern Munich winger this transfer window.
But according to Football.London they have placed a move for £89million-rated Havertz above Sancho, who has been valued at over £100m.
Manchester United are front-runners to purchase Sancho.
TARGET ON THEIR BACK
Michael Owen has backed Chelsea to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.
Owen told Premier League Productions: “Chelsea are showing a lot of intent with their signings.
“They’ve been banned from signing players for some while but now they’re making a big splash and they’ve got some youngsters coming in.
“Frank Lampard looks like he has the bit between their teeth.
“There’s lots of teams that look like they could [challenge] but I think they’re the main ones.”
LONDON-BOUND?
Hakim Ziyech and agent Mustapha Nakhli have shared a photo in the back of a car with a velvet ceiling and leather seats and… window curtains.
Could the former Ajax star be heading to Chelsea to get some promo photos in ahead of his move to West London?
???
A post shared byMustapha (@mustaphanakhli) on
WHERE WILL HE GO
Chelsea have reportedly made a “lucrative” offer to sign Angel Gomes after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he has not extended his Manchester United contract.
The playmaker is set to walk out on Old Trafford today, having failed to agree fresh terms with the club.
According to the Independent, Gomes rejected an offer of £25,000 plus bonuses, but had more favourable options elsewhere.
One of those is said to be Chelsea, with manager Frank Lampard keen to add the 19-year-old to his crop of homegrown talent.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi is involved in the discussion, but Gomes also plenty of other interest from across Europe.
It is understood he has been approached by clubs from Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal with Hamburg, Valencia and Benfica named as teams among those leading the chase.
MORE WERNER
The German added: “In the conversations with me, the coach often emphasised how much he wanted me, how much he valued me as a person.
“Of course it’s hard to give up an oasis of wellbeing like the one I’ve had in Leipzig for years, but you can only get ahead in a career if you take the next step.
“This season was the crossroads, otherwise I would always have stayed with Leipzig.
“I’ve decided on something new and I hope that my form will continue like this.”
TIMO PLAYER
Here's the full quotes from Timo Werner, who admits he chose Chelsea over Liverpool after “comfortable” talks with Frank Lampard and the board.
RB Leipzig’s star striker is on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer after finalising terms on a £47.5million move.
He told Sky Sports: “The discussions with the board at Chelsea were so good that I ultimately chose them.
“Frank Lampard in particular stood behind me and really wanted me to know that if I went to Chelsea, I could feel just as comfortable as I do with Leipzig.”
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS,
Timo Werner claims Chelsea made him feel more “comfortable” and wanted than other Premier League giants chasing him.
And even before the Germany striker officially arrives from RB Leipzig for £54million he feels at home at the Bridge.
He told Sky Sports: “The discussions with Chelsea were so good…
“Frank Lampard in particular stood behind me.. The coach often emphasised how much he wanted me, how much he valued me as a person.
“This season was the crossroads, otherwise I would always have stayed with Leipzig.”
Chelsea are reportedly ready to nip in for Angel Gomes as the midfielder, 19, is close to rejecting a new Manchester United deal.
Hamburg, Valencia and Benfica are among Gomes' other admirers.
But Blues' target Nathan Ake is now said to also be under the eye of Manchester City.
The ex-Chelsea centre-back, 25, has continued to impress for relegation-threatened Bournemouth.
The Blues, though, are also reportedly monitoring Marseille's Boubacar Kamara and Napoli's in-demand Kalidou Koulibaly as Lampard wants more options at the back.
BLUE ANGEL
Chelsea will exploit Manchester United's inability to keep Angel Gomes by offering him a lucrative deal, reports say.
The Independent claim Blues boss Frank Lampard is keen on the attacking midfielder, 19.
And United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Gomes is set to leave.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi is said to be leading the discussions to find Gomes a new club.
He has been contacted by clubs from Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Hamburg, Valencia and Benfica are understood to be prime contenders for his signature.
NICE LITTLE WERNER
Incoming striker Timo Werner says Chelsea have made him feel at home even before he officially leave RB Leipzig.
The Germany ace told Sky Sports: “The discussions with the board at Chelsea were so good that I ultimately chose them.
“Frank Lampard in particular stood behind me and really wanted me to know that if I went to Chelsea, I could feel just as comfortable as I do with Leipzig.
“In the conversations with me, the coach often emphasised how much he wanted me, how much hevalued me as a person.
Of course it’s hard to give up an oasis of well-being like the one I’ve had in Leipzig for years, but you can only get ahead in a career if you take the next step.
“This season was the crossroads, otherwise I would always havestayed with Leipzig.”
LAMPS LIT UP TIMO'S MIND
Timo Werner admits he chose Chelsea over Liverpool after “comfortable” talks with Frank Lampard and the board.
RB Leipzig’s star striker is on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer after finalising terms on a £47.5million move.
He will become one of Chelsea’s top earners on £150,000 a week.
And after 34 goals in all competitions this season, it is hoped Werner can fire the Blues back into title contention.
Liverpool were thought to be closing in on a deal for the Germany ace before Chelsea secured his signature.
CITY EYE CHELSEA TARGET AKE
Chelsea target Nathan Ake is reportedly a growing target for Manchester City.
The Dutchman has drawn admiring glances from elsewhere with his accomplished displays over the last three years at AFC Bournemouth.
But with relegation for the Cherries looking a more-and-more likely prospect despite his best efforts this season, Ake looks set to move on this summer.
According to The Athletic, City had the 25-year-old watched before Christmas as they showed an initial interest.
Pep Guardiola's side decided against making a January move for the ex-Chelsea defender, however, despite the long-term injury suffered by Aymeric Laporte.
The Frenchman is now fully fit, but City have decided that they would still like another left-sided defender.
At the time of Laporte's injury, a shortlist was drawn up including Milan Skriniar, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Mykola Matviyenko and David Alaba.
With Bayern deeming Guardiola-favourite Alaba as important enough to keep despite his impending 2021 contract expiry – Ake has now moved to the top of their defensive wishlist.
STRIP TEASE
Chelsea's home kit for next season has been spotted on hoardings at Stamford Bridge.
The leaked strip has NOT gone down well with fans.
Supporters lambasted the design as “hideous” and “lazy” after catching it online via FootyHeadlines.
What do you make of the shirt?
BLUE THE KEYHOLE
Chelsea legend John Terry has slashed the price of his Surrey mansion to force through a sale.
SunSport can exclusively reveal the mega rich Aston Villa assistant boss has hacked £500,000 off the asking price of his Oxshott pad.
It was originally put on the market for £5.5million in March but even the super rich are feeling the pinch amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Terry and wife Toni are thought to be keen to sell up after a 2017 break-in.
BLUE IS THE COLOUR
Chelsea have been handed a transfer boost by Dutch side Ajax.
The club confirmed goalkeeper Andre Onana and left-back Nicolas Tagliafico CAN leave this summer.
The Blues could swoop for Onana if record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga returns to Spain on loan with Valencia.
Tagliafico is a back-up option if a deal for Leicester's Ben Chilwell cannot be done.
Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag confirmed the news when speaking to Het Parool.
COOL ON KOUL AND KAM
Chelsea continue to monitor the situations of Marseille defender Boubacar Kamara and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.
Liverpool have long been linked with a move for defender Koulibaly, but due to his big price tag could cut out the middle man and go straight for Kamara – who has been tipped to replace Koulibaly at Napoli.
Phew, get all that?
EPSN say Chelsea and Everton are being kept informed of developments.
HAV SOME OF THAT
Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Kai Havertz.
Bayer Leverkusen's failure to qualify for the Champions League means they will miss out on some of the riches on offer at Europe's top table.
How does that affect Chelsea?
Well, reports say Leverkusen will be willing to knock £20million off their asking price for Havertz.
The 21-year-old attacker will now be available for around £70m rather than £90m.
It's still a huge ask given the finances of all clubs in light of the coronavirus crisis.
But it does open the door slightly to Lampard adding to the signings of Ziyech and Werner.
YOU GO BAKAYOKO
Tiemoue Bakayoko is not part of Frank Lampard's future plans and the Blues boss wants him to return to AC Milan, reports claim.
The Frenchman has been repeatedly linked with a return to the Rossoneri ever since his successful loan spell at the club in the 2018-19 season.
Le10 Sport say Bakayoko is “very attracted” to the idea of going back.
But that could be complicated by PSG opening talks with Chelsea over a deal.
If PSG do not get the deal over the line – and it is believed that Bakayoko is not their primary target – Milan would automatically become the first choice.
Chelsea will lower their fee from around £38.5m to get the deal over the line.
ANGEL FROM ABOVE
Chelsea will swoop on Man Utd's inability to keep Angel Gomes by offering him a lucrative new deal, according to reports.
The Independent claim Frank Lampard is keen on signing the 19-year-old.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed Gomes is all set to leave the club this morning.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi is said to be leading the discussions to find Gomes a new club.
He has been contacted by clubs from Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal with Hamburg, Valencia and Benfica understood to be among those leading the chase.
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