3pm Chelsea news LIVE: Willian transfer target for Atletico, Kepa eyes Blues exit, Alonso and Emerson wanted by Conte – The Sun
FRANK LAMPARD's Chelsea were brought back to Earth with a bump as they were hammered 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
And that could be the trigger for Lampard to ship out a number of players this summer, including Ross Barkley, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Jorginho.
Willian could also be on the way out, with Atletico Madrid reportedly keen on him.
Follow all the latest news and updates from the Bridge below…
ON THE DEFENSIVE
Frank Lampard has defended his habit of playing three centre backs.
The Blues boss said: “I stand on the fact we have to be fluid and results are how we perform with players. Their input.
“Against Tottenham it was fantastic, against Bayern, there were individual mistakes.”
CODE RED
The Premier League may be forced to hold crisis talks to decide whether Liverpool can be crowned champions if coronavirus wipes out the end of the season, reports Duncan Wright.
There is a growing threat the illness could wreck sporting events around the globe as health chiefs battle to contain the spread of the disease.
Huge public gatherings, such as football matches and concerts, may have to be called off in the worst-case scenario in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
So far, more than 80,000 people in almost 50 countries have been infected with coronavirus – with around 2,800 killed.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have prohibited any journalists suffering a cough from attending their press conferences.
READ THE BOMBSHELL STORY ON SPORTING CHAOS HERE
LOAN BLOW
Chelsea are set to suffer as Fifa moved closer to implementer stricter limitations of loans.
Football's world governing body announced in September the plans to shake up the system.
From next season, the limit, subject to the approval of Fifa's players' status committee and Fifa Council, would be eight international loans in and out.
This would drop to six from the 2022/23 season, to “ensure [loans] have a valid sporting purpose for youth development”.
And it means Chelsea are on course to have to cut back massively on their transfer policy, which sees them bring in lots of talented youngsters and ship them out across the world on temporary deals.
Frank Lampard currently has no fewer than 15 senior players out on loan outside of England.
THE ANTO-DOTE
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is looking to his previous employers as he looks to improve Inter's defence, reports the Mail.
Conte is looking at either Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri and will make one of them a target in the summer.
CHANCES OF THAT?
Here are Ladbrokes' odds for Chelsea's trip to Bournemouth tomorrow.
- Over 3.5 goals at the Vitality Stadium: 2/1
- Both teams to score: 3/4
- Giroud to notch again: 23/20
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