CHELSEA are looking to bounce back from defeat at West Ham as they host struggling Watford.
But Hammers ace Declan Rice could be making a reunion with the Blues as early as this summer as Frank Lampard looks to snap up the England starlet.
Follow all the latest transfer updates and gossip from West London below…
STAT ATTACK
Feeling Blue. Chelsea will want to stop the rot against Watford tonight.
Especially with Manchester United going above them after their win against Bournemouth at Old Trafford this afternoon.
SAY GOODBAY
Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has given Chelsea a huge transfer boost by ruling his club out of the running for Kai Havertz.
Bayern have just splashed £55million on Manchester City winger Leroy Sane.
And Rummenigge claims the Bundesliga champions can’t afford to finance a deal for 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star Havertz as a result.
He told Sport1: “I say very clearly, financially a transfer for Havertz will not be possible this year.
“It’s my wish for (Bayer chief) Rudi Voller that he stays one more year in Leverkusen.”
The revelation will be music to Chelsea’s ears as they look to further strengthen their attack this summer.
CAREFUL WHAT YOU'RE RU-ING
Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek urged Blues fans to be safe during the lockdown relax ahead of their home game with Watford this afternoon.
HIGHEST WERNER
Timo Werner will be Chelsea's highest earner when he arrives at Stamford Bridge.
GIVE THEM WHAT FORD
Frank Lampard is not taking today for granted despite Watford's lowly position in the Premier League.
Chelsea were beaten at 16th place West Ham on Wednesday and he does not want to make the same mistakes again.
GRAPPLE FOR PAU-ER
Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United and Barcelona for the signature of Villarreal defender Pau Torres, according to reports.
Blues boss Frank Lampard is keen to bolster his side’s leaky defence.
According to the Mail, however, the Blues see Torres as a potential solution to their defensive woes.
The 23-year-old has impressed for the Yellow Submarine, making 29 appearances this season and even being handed his senior Spain debut, in which he scored.
Torres has three years left on his current contract, but the deal contains a £45million release clause.
This fee may have to be negotiated down, however, if Torres is to get a dream transfer.
WILL HE STAY OR WILL HE GO?!
Frank Lampard has not given up hope of Willian signing a new contract.
Speaking ahead of Watford's visit to Stamford Bridge, he said: “I haven’t given up hope on it
“The club are still in discussions with him. We want him to stay but I also appreciate the fact this contract for Willian is a big deal because of his age.
“I have been there before myself, but the way he is playing at the moment shows his worth to the squad and I hope it is something we can get to.
‘Whichever way, he has been a great servant to the club and if we can get there, I’ll be happy.
“If not, I will certainly wish him well as I have a lot of time for him and in the short term, we can see what he is doing for us.’
SWAT-FORD AT HOME
Chelsea have vowed to swat the Hornets away at Stamford Bridge this afternoon with a cheeky Instagram post.
View this post on Instagram
Looking to bounce back today against the Hornets. COME ON YOU BLUES! ? #CHEWAT #CFC #Chelsea
A post shared byChelsea FC (@chelseafc) on
IT'S VARCICAL – EXCLUSIVE!
West Ham vice-chair and SunSport columnist Karren Brady wants VAR scrapped from the Premier League next season.
She said: “VAR was brought in to reduce the number of innocent mistakes a referee makes during a game.
“But in this strangest of football seasons, it is clear VAR has not corrected those mistakes.
“It has made its own.
“Because the ref on the pitch has simply been replaced by one in a box — and not the penalty box. One in a box in a remote location in Stockley Park.”
CHO-ING ELSEWHERE!
Chelsea target Jadon Sancho has reportedly agreed terms with Manchester United.
According to The Transfer Window Podcast, United have reached an agreement over Sancho’s wages.
Journalist Ian McGarry said: “Sancho has agreed in principle in the last few weeks a five year contract with Manchester United which will pay him initially around £140,000-per-week.
“But increasing to around £200,000-per-week over the course of that deal.
“The player’s agent Emeka Obasi has recently been busy doing other deals notably [Bukayo] Saka’s new deal at Arsenal.
“But he is still hopeful that United will be able to agree a fee with Borussia Dortmund.“
BLUEKING GOOD
Stamford Bridge has had a makeover ahead of Chelsea's game against Watford there tonight.
New sponsor Three has seen their branding plastered all around the stadium after the club's deal with Yokohama Tires finished on June 30.
CLAP FOR CARERS
All of this weekend's Premier League games will see players and staff from both teams join the final clapforcarers for the UK's NHS Heroes.
HAV A LOOK
Kai Havertz has an “agreement” in place to quit Bayer Leverkusen, confirmed sporting director Rudi Voller.
The German midfielder, 21, is said to be “dreaming” of a move to the Premier League with Chelsea.
Voller claimed the German giants want to keep hold of him for at least another season but an agreement is in place for him to leave this summer if they receive the right offer.
He told Bild: “We have an agreement – if it fits, he can go this summer. As of now, he is a player of ours. We have our ideas, we know what he can do.
“I personally hope that he stays one more year. Of course, you can't force anyone. Havertz knows what he owes to his colleagues, the fans and club.”
CARLO'S XI
Carlo Ancelotti picked THREE former Chelsea players in the best XI players he has ever managed.
Frank Lampard, John Terry and Andriy Shevchenko all made the cut but the latter made it in because of his time under the Italian at AC Milan rather than the Blues.
GOOD MORNING, BLUES FANS
A blast from the past as Chelsea are reportedly scouting Hoffenheim winger Nick Breitenbucher – dubbed 'the next Arjen Robben'.
German website Spox reports Chelsea face competition from a fellow Premier League rival in Liverpool for the 17-year-old wonderkid.
Schalke remain the favourites to poach the talent from their Bundesliga rivals.
Breitenbucher's style of play has been compared to former Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben.
One of Breitenbucher's team-mates described him as “a little devil” and that he “says exactly what he thinks and is very direct”.
Another youngster tipped to join the club is Kai Havertz.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all fighting for the German star and Bayer Leverkusen colleague Wendell believes the English duo could have the best shot.
He said: “Psychologically, the Germans are very focused people.
“They are very concentrated on what they want. If he goes to the Premier League, he will learn a lot.
“I think Kai dreams of playing there. He has that desire, and I think if he decides to play in England he will be a success.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea have offloaded a member of their loan army with Nathan joining Atletico Mineiro on a permanent deal.
Mineiro were hoping to extend Nathan’s loan, but instead they’ve now been able to sign him for just £3m.
It’s believed Chelsea were hoping to pocket at least £6.5m.But the Blues have decided £3m is acceptable and Nathan is now an official Mineiro man.
FOREVER HUMBLE
Frank Lampard has admitted to being “surprised” by getting a Manager of the Month nomination.
Up against the Chelsea boss are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Nuno Espirito Santo and Steve Bruce.
Lampard stated: “I’ve still got West Ham in my head so I was slightly surprised but it’s a small thing to be proud of.
“These are not the huge, important things but it shows our good form – five wins in five in that period, and playing some good stuff.
“Obviously it was disappointing against West Ham, we know that but before that we’d been on a good run. It’s always a collective award because it shows more the work of players and staff included.”
CAL-TEKKERS
Can Callum Hudson-Odoi earn a starting berth against Watford?
Frank Lampard could do a lot worse, judging by this calmest of finishes.
DONE DEAL
Former Brazilian youth star Nathan has been dumped by Chelsea without making a single appearance in five years.
The attacking midfielder, 24, has joined Atletico Mineiro after a lengthy loan spell.
Mineiro were hoping to extend Nathan’s loan, but instead they’ve now been able to sign him for just £3m.
It’s believed Chelsea were hoping to pocket at least £6.5m.
But the Blues have decided £3m is acceptable and Nathan is now an official Mineiro man.
BO AND ENJOY YOURSELF
Chelsea youngster Ike Ugbo is one of many hot talents on the Stamford Bridge production line.
After a spell at Roda JC, the striker is ready to head out on loan again next season after being named on the club’s retained list.
Nottingham Post name Nottingham Forest, Derby County, West Bromwich Albion and Championship-bound Coventry as considering moves for the England Under-20 international.
SEA YOU LATER
Swansea have confirmed the loan extensions of Marc Guehi and Connor Gallagher for the rest of the season.
The Chelsea duo will hope to push towards the play-offs, with Welsh rivals Cardiff four points above them in the race for sixth place.
Swans boss Neil Cooper said: “They’re all good to go, they’ll be with us for the rest of the season and available for selection.
“I don’t know why it was left longer than the others, there was certainly nothing untoward going on.
“It was just a matter of getting stuff done at Chelsea’s end, but that's all firmed up. Conor and Marc will play a part in the next six games.”
NEV-ER MIND
Gary Neville was one of many pundits who criticised Marcos Alonso following West Ham’s winner two days ago.
However, Frank Lampard insists outside opinions are irrelevant to his team with the matter not discussed with the Spanish left-back – even though he was left for dead by Andriy Yarmolenko in stoppage time.
The Chelsea boss stated: “I haven't spoken to him about it.
“I think it's a dangerous game to comment on every pundit because you would probably have to have conversations with all of your players every week.
“That's the nature of the beast and what we do. Yes, if I felt a player needed help or support in those situations, I would do, but I think we as players and myself are the biggest self-critics.
“We analyse games and go over them, talk with players individually or collectively. That's my main focus, not so much what comes from outside.”
FRI-YAY
All smiles in Chelsea training today…
But who will be laughing at 10pm tomorrow night?
MIKE’D UP
Chelsea’s hunt for a new goalkeeper could take them to France and Lille star Mike Maignan.
Le10Sport name the Blues and Tottenham as interested in the 25-year-old, who came through PSG’s academy.
Rated at around £15million, a bid is reportedly yet to land for Maignan.
FOR-EMER YOURS
Emerson Palmieri has already held talks over a move to Inter Milan in the summer, according to reports.
The Independent claim that Chelsea are ready to hear out offers around the £25m-£30m mark for the left-back.
It is said that the club believe Emerson’s time in West London to be all-but over.
Ben Chilwell is one man linked with replacing the Italy international.
FRANK DISCUSSION
Frank Lampard has added his voice to the discontent over VAR in the Premier League.
Chelsea benefited from West Ham’s seemingly legitimate opener being ruled out on Wednesday.
But the Blues boss hopes to be part of an honest discussion with the game’s authorities at the end of the campaign.
He told reporters: “We need a reflection at the end of the season, a collective sit-down — managers, players, referees, anyone who loves the game — to have an input and get it closer to where we want it to.”
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