4.10pm Chelsea news LIVE: Mendy ‘IN SQUAD to face Sevilla’ tonight, Rudiger transfer REJECTED by Everton, Kepa LATEST – The Sun
CHELSEA have been given a welcome boost ahead of tonight's game with Sevilla as Edouard Mendy trained with the first team – and is reportedly in the squad.
Meanwhile it has also been revealed that Everton rejected the chance to sign defender Antonio Rudiger in the transfer window.
Get all the latest updates from Stamford Bridge here…
- Joe Brophy
EU MUST BE JOKING
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly in talks with Fifa over forming a European Premier League comprising of 18 teams.
Following their failed Project Big Six proposal, the two giants of English football have up with a new plot.
Here's how it may look…
- Richard Forrester
CHAMPS OR CHUMPS
Frank Lampard has warned his players of the 'cut-throat' nature of the Champions League.
The Blues boss watched his side throw away a two goal advantage on two occassions against Southampton at the weekend.
And the boss admitted there is no room for error as they prepare to take on Europa League champions Sevilla.
He said on Chelsea's official site: “The players that were here last year, and talking about the young players particularly in the Bayern Munich games because of the strong opposition, it would have been a learning curve for them.
“That’s the Champions League; it’s the top club competition in world football. They will be better for it; they will want to improve this year in that. We will see how much they have learned.
“Of the players we have brought in, some have more Champions League experience than others.
“We generally have younger players so it’s important we try and make sure we learn any lessons as we go because the Champions League is so cut-throat.
“You have to have absolute focus because of the level of teams you’re playing, and particularly as we start against Sevilla.”
- Richard Forrester
CES THE DAY
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has vowed to fight for the right to compete in the Champions League.
The Blues face a tricky opening encounter against Europa League winners Sevilla.
And Azpilicueta admitted his side will need to be at the top of their game to snatch a result.
He said: “Since I arrived here in 2012 I always had the belief and the confidence that we could fight for everything
“So this year it’s true that we didn’t start the way we wanted in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup but the Champions League starts, it’s completely a new challenge and we have to be ready for it because we are going to be playing against a strong team.
“We saw Sevilla beat Wolves and Manchester United in the last campaign in the Europa League, so we have seen that they have the level to compete against teams in the Premier League, and they are a team that want to control the game offensively and defensively.
“When they don’t have the ball they want to get it back and attack quickly and also they try to put their attacking players in dangerous situations.
“Last season in La Liga they finished in the Champions League places and they won the Europa League, so they had a very good season and they have started this season in the same way.
“We expect a tough game but we are Chelsea, we are at home, we are playing our first game in the Champions League, so we have to be ready to compete.”
- Richard Forrester
STRIKE ONE
Former Chelsea ace Samuel Eto'o has hit out at ‘disrespectful’ France Football for naming him in their top ten right-wingers of all time.
The legendary Cameroonian striker played the majority of his iconic career up-front and he is not happy being labelled a right-winger alongside David Beckham and Lionel Messi.
France Football run the historic Ballon d’Or award but bizarrely cancelled it this year because of coronavirus.
And in its place they are attempting to collate the best XI players of all time.
The formation is a 3-4-3 with a pool of iconic final nominees for the panel of 170 international journalists to choose from.
Having seen himself included as a right-winger, Eto’o tweeted: “Thank you but I played one or two seasons on the right yet I have 25 years of career as a centre-forward.
“The lack of respect @FranceFootball.
“WHATEVER!”
- Richard Forrester
DROWNED OUT
Danny Drinkwater and Baba Rahman are just two players likely to miss out on Chelsea's Premier League registration.
The deadline for registering players for the upcoming campaign is tonight.
And with Chelsea's influx of summer signings, it means some unfortunate players are likely to be cast aside.
Football.London report that Drinkwater and Rahman will miss out alongside youngsters Dujon Sterling and Charly Musonda.
- Richard Forrester
KAN'T TOUCH THIS
N'Golo Kante wants to stay at Chelsea despite being targeted by Real Madrid and Inter Milan, reports claim.
Kante, 29, has no desire to leave Stamford Bridge in the 'short or medium term' and is happy to see out his contract, which ends in 2023, according to Le10Sport.
Boss Frank Lampard shares the same sentiment and has insisted that the midfielder still plays an important role at the Bridge.
Speaking on Kante he said: “I think pretty much every club in the world would want N'Golo Kante.
“I have seen those reports as well. He is an incredible player and person and I certainly don't want to lose him. He's fundamental in terms of what I'm trying to do.”
- Richard Forrester
TIM TO SHINE
Michael Owen has cast his predictions for Chelsea's clash with Sevilla.
The Blues face a tough Champions League opener against the Europa League champions at Stamford Bridge tonight.
But Owen believes Timo Werner's quality could see Frank Lampard's men come out on top.
He told BetVictor: “Chelsea come into this one having surrendered a 2 goal lead to draw 3-3 with Southampton.
“This was the second time the Blues have drawn 3-3 this season and I’m expecting goals to be on the menu again here. Sevilla lost out to Granada at the weekend, so it’s fair to say both need a result.
“Timo Werner finally found the net on Saturday, and if he’s in the mood again, I could see Chelsea edging it.”
- Richard Forrester
COVID-19 POSITIVES
Eight people have tested positive for coronavirus in the Premier League’s latest round of testing.
Burnley announced that Phil Bardsley tested positive before their 0-0 draw at West Brom last night and the Prem released a statement this morning confirming seven more.
A Prem statement today read: “The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 12 October and Sunday 18 October, 1,575 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.
“Of these, there were eight new positive tests.
“Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of ten days.
“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing.”
- Richard Forrester
HOW RUD
Chelsea wanted a £5million loan fee and Antonio Rudiger's entire £150,000-a-week wages to be paid during the summer window, reports say.
The German centre-back was desperate for a late move away from Stamford Bridge having been frozen out of Frank Lampard's squad this season.
But according to The Athletic, clubs were put off by the cost of taking Rudiger on loan.
With Chelsea not offering to pay any of the 27-year-old's wages combined with the loan fee, it would have cost £12.5m to take the defender for a season.
Rudiger did attract interest from London rivals Tottenham and West Ham as well as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Barcelona.
But he will instead stay a fight for his place, despite so far managing to even make the bench on just one occasion this season.
- Richard Forrester
HAK-IN ZIYECH
Chelsea host Sevilla on Tuesday night in their Champions League season opener.
Frank Lampard will likely have one eye on Saturday’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester United.
But the Blues chief will send out his best available XI to take on the reigning Europa League champions at Stamford Bridge.
In a boost for Lampard, Edouard Mendy looks set to return after sitting out the 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Here's how we think Chelsea will line up against the Spaniards.
- Richard Forrester
DON'T BAINK ON IT
Former Chelsea star Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink has written off his old club's title chances due to their 'leaking defence'.
Frank Lampard's side looked on course for three points in their Premier League clash against Southampton at the weekend.
But Saints defender Jannik Vestergaard pinged home a 92nd-minute equaliser for a 3-3 draw and a point apiece.
He said: “No, Chelsea are not contenders [for the title].
“They are leaking too many goals. It is a breath of fresh air to see them going forward with the likes of Mason Mount and Werner.
“But the defence is a worry, if they cannot improve the centre-backs and goalkeeper it is a concern.
“Alisson wins Liverpool points, but that doesn't happen with Kepa. Chelsea need to improve in that area.”
- sstreet
ON THE MEND
Chelsea fans have received the news they were desperate to hear as Edouard Mendy returned to training yesterday following an injury picked up on international duty.
And according to journalist Simon Johnson, the Senegalese star is in the squad to take on Sevilla tonight.
It had been thought that the Blues would have to rely on calamity keeper Kepa for their games against the Spanish side and Man Utd.
The world's most expensive goalkeeper made a howler on Saturday to allow Che Adams to score for Southampton in a 3-3 draw.
- Gary Stonehouse
MORNING, CHELSEA FANS!
Edouard Mendy could make a shock return for Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League match against Sevilla.
The new keeper missed the 3-3 draw with Southampton due to a thigh issue and Kepa Arrizabalaga started but blundered yet again.
And The Telegraph reports Mendy trained without issue on Sunday and Monday despite boss Frank Lampard appearing to rule him out.
Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta backed compatriot Kepa and said he has the ‘character’ and ‘personality’ to bounce back.
He said: “I have no doubt Kepa will work hard to reverse the situation.”
The Spaniard also blasted the Blues’ leaky defence after conceding nine times in just five Prem games.
The 31-year-old said: “When you're weak defensively sometimes we feel like we have to score three or four each game.”
Lampard has pinned the West Londoners’ defensive woes on a lack of preparation time.
He said: “The main thing particularly for ourselves is that there has been a lack of preparation which if you're working with new players or small changes, that takes time. And hopefully that will keep improving now.”
Everton reportedly rejected the chance to sign Chelsea outcast Antonio Rudiger this summer.
The Athletic reports former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti was offered the German centre-back on loan but the Italian turned them down due to the £5million loan fee plus £150,000 a week wages.
- Josh Graham
HOW RUD
Chelsea wanted a £5million loan fee and Antonio Rudiger's entire £150,000-a-week wages to be paid during the summer window, reports say.
The German centre-back was desperate for a late move away from Stamford Bridge having been frozen out of Frank Lampard's squad this season.
But according to The Athletic, clubs were put off by the cost of taking Rudiger on loan.
With Chelsea not offering to pay any of the 27-year-old's wages combined with the loan fee, it would have cost £12.5m to take the defender for a season.
Rudiger did attract interest from London rivals Tottenham and West Ham as well as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Barcelona.
But he will instead stay a fight for his place, despite so far managing to even make the bench on just one occasion this season.
- Josh Graham
KEEPA FAITH
Blunder-prone keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has the 'character' and 'personality' to bounce back, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has insisted after the stopper's latest mistake.
The Spanish goalie is once again under the microscope after being involved in a comedy of errors which led to Southampton's second goal during a 3-3 draw on Saturday.
Despite Kepa's mistake, Azpilicueta is convinced his countryman will bounce back at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “In football we have difficult times, in my position as captain and also knowing him a long time, I’ll always try to help him.
“Sometimes you feel like everything goes against you. You have to have the character and personality to face it.
“I have no doubt Kepa will work hard to reverse the situation.
“The whole squad are fighting for targets as a collective. When you are a goalkeeper it’s a completely different situation, but he will keep working hard, giving his best.”
- Josh Graham
CALLING DYBS?
Chelsea target Paulo Dybala is set to move from Juventus.
The Argentine was left out of the Old Lady's starting line-up this weekend and he had words with club chief Fabio Paratici.
The disagreements heightens speculation he is on his way out of Turin.
And Chelsea could make a move despite already splashing over £230million in the summer window.
- Josh Graham
ARD WITH NO TIME
Frank Lampard has put the blame on Chelsea's leaky defence on a lack of preparation time with his troops.
The Chelsea boss said: “We're working hard defensively and we're always trying to improve on that.
“This season we've had the second-fewest shots on our goals behind Man City, but we have an issue where we're conceding too many goals from the chances that we do allow.
“The main thing particularly for ourselves is that there has been a lack of preparation which if you're working with new players or small changes, that takes time. And hopefully that will keep improving now.
“Maybe there's an element of that for everybody, without the fans, but we have to worry about ourselves and we have to change it ourselves.”
- Josh Graham
TRAIN HOW YOU PLAY
Chelsea will be looking to bounce back from the 3-3 draw with Southampton by getting off to a flyer in the Champions League.
The Blues host Sevilla and Frank Lampard has been putting his players through their paces ahead of tomorrow night's game.
- Josh Graham
BARK AND BITE
Chelsea's on loan midfielder Ross Barkley was lured to Aston Villa by Dean Smith on the condition of one promise.
Barkley bagged a late winner for his new side in the Midlands derby against Leicester on Sunday.
And after signing a season-long loan at Villa Park – where Blues legend John Terry is assistant boss – it was revealed what helped make the move happen.
Villa boss Smith said: “He's a high-calibre player. I'm thankful to Chelsea that they've loaned him to us.
“I sold him the project here and told him I'll get him in the Euros squad and he's going to try and help us win football games. He's certainly done that in his first couple.”
- Josh Graham
ON THE MENDY
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has received a huge boost with the news Edouard Mendy is back in training.
The new Blues keeper, 28, missed the 3-3 draw with Southampton with a thigh injury.
And the world's most expensive keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, deputised but came up with another howler leading to Saints' second goal.
Chelsea play Sevilla tomorrow night in the Champions League group stage.
- Josh Graham
BITTER PILI
Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta has slammed the club's issues at the back ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League game against Sevilla.
The Blues have leaked nine goals in just five Prem games this season.
And Spanish defender Azpi, 31, fumed: “When you're weak defensively sometimes we feel like we have to score three or four each game.
“I see football as a collective. When we don't score, as a defender I think how can we put our attacking players in better situations.
“Through a season you are not going to be winning 3-0 or 4-0 every week. You have to work to get results and at the moment we have to improve that.”
- Josh Graham
ARD TO TAKE
Frank Lampard gave his thoughts on the injury to Liverpool's talismanic centre-back Virgil Van Dijk.
The Dutchman has had an operation after injuring his ACL after a horrific challenge from Everton keeper Jordan Pickford on Sunday.
The Chelsea boss said: “I think Virgil van Dijk is clearly an outstanding player. He’s one of the outstanding defenders in world football and has been for the last two or three seasons.
“The loss of a player of that quality and that size is going to affect any team because individuals and the quality of individual players like that make huge differences.
“But we’re talking about Liverpool, we’re talking about a squad that’s been built, that are so strong, with a great manager so – of course nobody wants to lose a player like that and obviously I wish him my best when I see that sort of injury – but it remains to be seen how much it affects Liverpool.”
- Richard Forrester
QUITE FRANK
Frank Leboeuf has been far from impressed with Kai Havertz’s start to life at Chelsea admitting he is unconvinced by the £72m man.
Speaking on ESPN FC after the 3-3 draw with Southampton, Leboeuf said: “I’m not convinced about Havertz, I’m not that optimistic, I’m very pleased with Werner, he’s a real satisfaction.
“Thiago Silva should have been back because it’s crucial for Chelsea to have a real leader at the back and that’s the main problem.
“They all have to work hard physically to make sure they can play together and be stronger together.”
He continued: “I'm not convinced at all about Chelsea right now, It’s like they don’t know each other, they’re not fit enough, I’m very worried.
“I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt because I don’t know what they’re worth, but, really, if they keep on performing like that, for sure they’re not going to finish in the top four.”
- Richard Forrester
DON'T SHUFFLE THE DEC
Declan Rice has been urged to stick around and become West Ham’s very own ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’.
The Hammers held on to their best all-rounder in the transfer window despite growing interest from other clubs.
And first-team coach Stuart Pearce reckons the lure of short-term glory at one of England’s big-spending elite is not the only factor to consider in your career.
He said: “Put it this way, I’m probably testament to that. I played my football where I enjoyed playing football and turned money down to stay where I was happy.
“My biggest driver was probably playing for the national team. I get the same impression now with Dec — he is intensely proud of representing England.
“He’ll make his own decisions but we are lucky at West Ham to have a current captain called Mark Noble who has been here for a number of years and has shown great loyalty to the club.
“I like to think Dec will be at West Ham for years to come, leading the club on to success.”
- Richard Forrester
TO VICTOR, NO SPOILS
Victor Moses is thought to have dropped his wage demands in order to seal a Spartak Moscow loan switch, according to reports.
The Chelsea outcast, who has fallen down Frank Lampard’s pecking order, took the salary cut in a bid to get his transfer to the former Russian champs over the line.
Spartak boss Shamil Gazizov told Russian Daily Sport Express : “The footballer wants to play for Spartak.
“This is the most important point. And everything else is particular.
“He did not come here to earn money. Yes, [he’s earning less] but only slightly.
“If we are in the Champions League, we can buy him.
“We can buy him if he plays a certain number of matches. If we get into the Champions League with him, I think there will be no questions.”
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