Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 2 January
Chelsea Consider £2m Bothroyd Bid
Chelsea are considering a £2 million bid for Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd, according to the Mail On Sunday.
The England international is out of contract at the end of the season and the paper says that Bluebirds’ boss Dave Jones accepts that he is likely to move on this month rather than go on a free transfer in the summer.
Birmingham City and West Ham United are also interested in signing Bothroyd but the Mail suggests that with only a restricted transfer budget in place this month Carlo Ancelotti regards a £2 million bid as good business as Bothroyd would provide cover for Didier Drogba.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 22 December
Chelsea Target Lukaku Won’t Be Moving Until Summer
The BBC reports that Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku will not be leaving Anderlecht in January. The prodigious 17-year-old striker has been linked with a move abroad after scoring 13 goals for an Anderlecht side that sits at the top of the Belgian League.
Chelsea, Real Madrid and Spurs have all been linked with Lukaku with the Blues in pole position after the teenager was photographed wearing a Chelsea shirt after a tour of Stamford Bridge earlier this year.
Lukaku scored 15 goals as a 16-year-old in his side’s championship-winning season last term and has begun this season in equally spectacular fashion attracting the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid in the process.
“It is obviously for Romelu to decide how long he stays with us, but I hope I can play with him for as long as possible,” Anderlecht and Belgium goalkeeper Silvio Proto told the BBC.
“At some point he will probably have to move because of his incredible talent.
“I must say, he is simply brilliant, both as a human being and as a footballer. Romelu is an intelligent person and he is very well advised by his parents and the club.”
Indeed such is the wealth of advice given by the Anderlecht hierarchy and the teenager’s parents that it was decided as long as July that Lukaku would be going nowhere until the summer of 2011. At the time the club’s general manager Herman van Holsbeech said that both the club and the player’s father want the 17-year-old to complete his education at the club’s school. “He has another year to go,and that is another reason why we have no intention of selling him this summer,” van Holsbeech said then. It would appear then that little has changed in the meantime.
Anelka Could End His Career In The States
Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka could be ready to end his career in the USA, according to the Daily Star.
The 32-year-old striker’s current deal at Stamford Bridge runs out in 2012 and he has yet to be offered a new contract. This had led to the Star speculating that he could be on his way out of the Premier League altogether.
Anelka’s brother Claude, who acts as his agent, said “Nicolas told me he is interested in playing in the United States.
“We could see him crossing the Atlantic, and I’m serious when I say this. He asked himself what he will do once his current contract runs out.
“The US is quite something, and a dream destination. He says he will give it a try, even though he would earn less money than in somewhere like Qatar.”
Chelsea and Real Madrid are fighting it out to sign Colombian striker Cristian Nazarit, according to radio reports from Spain.
The 20-year-old Santa Fe striker has earned a reputation as a free-kick specialist in his homeland and is being likened to a young Samuel Eto’o. He has scored 15 goals in 49 games for Santa Fe since arriving from the America club of Cali two years ago.
Chelsea are believed to have watched him at under-20 level while Real Madrid are also said to be interested.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Tuesday 14 December
Chelsea To Give Trial To Portugese Teenager
Talk Sport are suggesting that Chelsea are interested in taking lower-league Portugese striker Joao Reis to Stamford Bridge in January although other sources suggest the youngster is bound for Inter Milan.
The 19-year-old plays for third-tier semi-professional side Louletano in the south of Portugal and his form this season has led to interest from a number of top European sides.
Although Talk Sport reports that Chelsea are to take him on a week’s trial, sources in Portugal suggest that he will be on his way to the Champions League holders when the transfer window opens next month.
Louletano coach Paulo Renato says Reis has the ability to succeed at the top level.
“He’s young, has talent, two good feet, a collective sense and the will to win,” Renato told Portugese TV channel RTP.
“Many teams already interested: here in the Algarve, Benfica, Sporting, FC Porto and now interest has come from abroad with Inter ahead. Whoever signs him could have a gem.”
Wickes Bathroom Offer
Spend £500 or more on Sale items and Save an additional 15%
Voucher Code: BATHS15
Starts: 14th December 2010
Expires: 3rd January 2011 Click here for more details
Wickes Kitchen Offer
Spend £3,000 or more on Sale items and Save an additional 15%
Voucher Code: KITCH15
Starts: 17th December 2010
Expires: 3rd January 2011 Click here for more details.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Monday 13 December
Deschamps Still Hopes For Drogba
Marseille boss Didier Deschamps says he tried to sign Chelsea striker Didier Drogba over the summer and that he still harbours hopes to bringing him back to the club he left in 2004.
Deschamps was asked by a French TV station about reports that he tried to sign the Ivory Coast international in the summer and replied: “Yes. It’s complicated. Maybe one day he will return, but with each year that goes by, it is going to get more and more complicated.”
Drogba spent a season at the Stade Velodrome in 2003-04 after he was signed from Guingamps for £3.3 million. He played 55 games that season, scoring 32 goals before his £24 million transfer to Chelsea the following summer.
Spurs 1-1 Chelsea. Ancelotti and Redknapp Both Happy With Draw
Ancelotti Hails “Good Performance”
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti declared himself satisfied with his side’s 1-1 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday even though his side missed an injury-time penalty.
“We have to be happy because we drew away against a good team with a good performance,” Ancelotti said after the match.
Chelsea left Didier Drogba on the bench for the first half and went behind to a 15th minute Pavlyuchenko strike.
Drogba, on in the second half, equalised 20 minutes from the end, Gomes failing to keep out his powerful strike.
“In the second half we could have won the game,” said Ancelotti. “We were unlucky, we missed a penalty but the performance was good so we have to look forward with more confidence now.
“We have the players and the attitude to move on quickly and this performance was a good step to move on quickly together.”
Explaining his decision to leave out Drogba, Ancelotti said.
“I wanted to use the counter-attack in the first half so I put Anelka up front. The second half was different. We played very well because he [Drogba] used his ability and his power for the team. He played very well. It doesn’t matter that he missed the penalty.”
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was also happy with a point.
“It was end-to-end stuff. For such an open game with so much attacking football the keepers haven’t had much to save.”
The Spurs boss was also ready to forgive Gomes’ error for the equaliser.
“The keeper probably should have done better but he’s made up for it, he’s saved the penalty at the end.”
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 12 December
Chelsea Linked With Lescott
Chelsea are being linked with a January bid for Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott.
The 24-year-old former Everton and Wolves centre-back has been told he can leave Eastlands not much more than a year after joining the club in a £24 million deal.
Everton are said to be keen on re-signing the player though the current financial restrictions in place at Goodison Park pretty much rule out anything other than a loan deal.
Lescott is said to fancy a move to London but City may be reluctant to sell to one of their title rivals. Spurs are also keen on Lescott but could find themselves in a similar situation to Chelsea.
Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists he still doesn’t know why he was sacked from his job last month.
Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant was summoned to a meeting with director Bruce Buck at half-time during a reserve team game at the club’s training complex at Cobham and was told he was being relieved of his duties, but more than a month on he says he has still to discover the reason behind his dismissal.
“The reason hasn’t been given, so I’m still waiting for that,” Wilkins told Sky Sports, “but that really isn’t a problem as far as I am concerned.
“We always want to know why, but if it isn’t forthcoming we’ve got to get on with our lives.
“I’ve no problems. I was privileged to be part of something that was very special and was a great adventure.”
However, Wilkins dismissed speculation that he had a bust-up with club owner Roman Abramovich, although he did say he had a “discussion” with the club’s owner after the club had been knocked out of the Champions League last season.
“I don’t think I fell out with him at all,” Wilkins said. “I think if that was the case, then I would have been removed from my position immediately. There wasn’t so much a row, there was a discussion.
“I think everybody was immediately after the game a bit pent up and we’d been knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan, who are a very good side and who over two games deservedly beat us.
“I think we’re big enough to come away from that situation but we’ve moved on from there and we’ve won the double but obviously the owner felt that there was need for a change, and he made that change.”
Wilkins came to an agreement with Chelsea last week about his dismissal. Nigerian coach Michael Emenalo has now taken over as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Friday 3 December
Luiz Turns Down New Deal At Benfica
Chelsea transfer target David Luiz has admitted that he does not know if will still be a Benfica player in January.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City, though recent reports suggest that Luiz’s £25 million price tag makes him too expensive and suggest that City do not want to get into a bidding war for the Brazilian.
Luiz was linked with a move to Real Madrid during the summer but the arrival of Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu scuppered a move to Spain after Mourinho cast doubts on his ability to play at a higher level than the Portugese league.
Luiz has apparently turned down a new deal at the Lisbon club and was quoted this week as saying.
“I do not know where I will be in January, in the summer or in 2015.
“The rumours from England – I know that and I follow them, but this does not depend on me.
“I refused another renewal because I have a contract until June 2015 and am happy here. I have a clear conscience.”
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Thursday 2 December
Chelsea ‘Register Interest’ With Bolton About Cahill
Chelsea’s defensive problems see them linked today with Bolton’s Gary Cahill.
The Daily Mirror reports that the Blues have registered an interest with Bolton for Cahill ahead of a January bid.
Wanderers look set to sell the 24-year-old after reporting debts last month of £93 million. At the time chairman Phil Gartside suggested that if a club still in the Champions League came in for Cahill then he would be minded to sell. Arsenal and Spurs have both been linked with a move, though Arsene Wenger now says it is unlikely he will sign anyone in January. Liverpool are also said to be interested in paying £10 million for Cahill, though the fact they aren’t in the Champions League and the release clause in Cahill’s contract set at £15 million.
Chelsea’s defensive frailties were highlighted when they fielded Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic as a makeshift central pairing against Sunderland. John Terry’s absence has seen them lose top spot in the Premier League and a dip into the transfer market in January is looking more likely.
Work Permit Issues Could Scupper Keeper Bid
Chelsea are said by the Daily Mail to be looking at putting in a bid for Lokomotiv Moscow goalkeeper Guilherme. The 25-year-old Brazilian has spent the last three years at the Russian side and the Blues are looking at a £3.5 million deal to bring him to the Premier League. However, the deal looks set to be scuppered as the Brazilian is uncapped and that means he is unlikely to receive a work permit.
Agreement Leaves Wilkins Free To Join Another Club
Chelsea have come to an amicable agreement with former assistant manager Ray Wilkins following his departure from the club three weeks ago.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay told the club’s official website: “I am pleased to announce that we have come to a swift and amicable agreement with Ray Wilkins and all unresolved matters have now been settled.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ray for his service to the club and wish him all the best for the future.”
Wilkins was dismissed by the Stamford Bridge club on 11 November and the resolution of any outstanding matters means he is free to go and work at another club. There have been suggestions that the former England international could link up with Avram Grant at West Ham after the Hammers sacked Zeljko Petrovic last week.
Chelsea Sporting Director To Quit At End Of Season
Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has announced that he is to quit the club at the end of the season.
The Dane joined the Blues six years ago from Spurs but has decided to leave the club when his current contract expires.
“It has been a privilege and an honour for me to work for such a big club with so many great people,” Arnesen told the club’s official website.
“After six wonderful years I have decided to seek a new challenge when my contract expires at the end of this season.
“It has been a tremendous journey and I would like to thank everyone at Chelsea, especially Roman [Abramovich], for giving me the incredible opportunity to help build on the club’s Academy and youth system along with our greatly talented academy and scouting staff.”
Arnesen went on to add that the club was now seeing the fruits of its youth development with the aim of getting one Academy into the first team each year from this season onwards.
He added: “It is always difficult to take big decisions like this, but it is entirely my decision. I’m looking forward to continuing my work here until such time as the club decides which way they want to move forward. With that in mind I wanted to make the decision now, giving the club plenty of time to make the necessary plans for the end of the season. I will always be grateful to the club and Chelsea will always be in my heart.”
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits that his side’s recent poor form means it has lost its air of impregnability and that teams have lost the fear factor when they play the Premier League champions.
The Blues have lost three of their last four league games, scoring only one goal in the process, and Ancelotti admits that smaller teams are no longer daunted when they play Chelsea.
“At the beginning of the season, when you’re winning 6-0, you can put pressure on teams. Now a lot of teams have improved their confidence to play us,” he said. “This is normal. We’ve had some problems playing against particular teams.”
However, the manager expressed surprise at his side’s poor goalscoring form. “From the beginning of the season we didn’t have a problem scoring or winning games. The last few games, particularly away from home, we weren’t able to score. Our statistic has gone down from 21% to 6% in shots converted. We have to improve that.
“Against Sunderland we played very poorly. The other games, we’ve played well. We created a lot of opportunities to score and were sometimes unlucky. We have to stay more in focus.
“I said those first few weeks wasn’t real football. It was PlayStation football. But I didn’t think it would be possible for us only to score once in four games.”
Jose Bosingwa is fit to play in the Blues’ game against Newcastle on Sunday though John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Yuri Zhirkov are all out. Ancelotti expects Terry to be fit again next weekend while Lampard is set to begin training after next week.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Thursday 25 November
Chelsea Linked With Montenegro Defender
Partizan Belgrade teenager Stefan Savic is the latest defender being linked with a move to Chelsea.
The 19-year-old has impressed in the Champions League for his club and made his international debut in the friendly win over Northern Ireland earlier this season.
Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma and CSKA Moscow are also said to be interested in the 6ft 1in defender, who claimed earlier this year that he had signed a preliminary agreement to join Arsenal. However, he left his club, Belgrade side Borca, for Partizan during the summer.
Savic didn’t play in Partizan’s 3-0 home defeat by Shakhtar on Tuesday but was part of the Montenegro defence that shut out England last month.
Chelsea have been linked with a number of defenders as they struggle to overcome injuries with Bolton’s Gary Cahill also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Shakhtar are believed to be ready to pay around £6.75 million to land Savic.
Chelsea are also being linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s 17-year-old striker Jean-Christophe Bahebeck and Deportivo La Coruna youngster Pablo Insua.
Chelsea have denied rumours that coach Carlo Ancelotti is quitting the club. Reports at the weekend suggested that Ancelotti may be close to quitting the Blues and had already consulted the League Managers’ Association. However, the club described these rumours as ‘total nonsense.”
Ancelotti is thought to have been unsettled by the recent departure of his assistant Ray Wilkins and his replacement by unknown Nigerian Michael Emenalo allegedly at the behest of owner Roman Abramovich.
The Italian is also said to be frustrated about the lack of control he has over the team.
“You have to compare me with Ferguson, it’s a different position,” Ancelotti said after Saturday’s defeat at Birmingham. “It is different because Ferguson has total control of the team. I am just technical direction. Full stop – OK.”
The Birmingham defeat was Chelsea’s third in four Premier League games although they remain at the top of the table on goal difference from Manchester United.
Saturday’s game was the first in which Emenalo sat in the dugout next to Ancelotti. Although the Nigerian is continuing in the role of chief opposition scout Ancelotti claims that he is fulfilling the same role as Wilkins. Meanwhile, Wilkins is to take legal action over the nature of his dismissal. Nevertheless, Ancelotti refuses to blame Wilkins’ departure for Chelsea’s recent slump in form or for their defeat by Birmingham.
“This is not the reason why we lost,” he said. “We lost the games because in four games we scored just one goal. We have to improve there, to stay more in focus. We have to continue to play like we did against Birmingham.”
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Sunday 21 November
Follow us on Twitter
Chelsea Linked With Cahill and Jones
With Chelsea defender Alex facing a lay-off that could last months rather than weeks there is the inevitable speculation that Chelsea will enter the transfer market in January to buy a new central defender.
Two names in the frame at present are Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Blackburn’s Phil Jones. Cahill, 24, is also believed to be on Arsenal’s radar and has a £15 million release clause in his contract. Cahill has had another impressive season as Bolton have charged up to fourth in the Premier League and the former Aston Villa defender made his England debut against Bulgaria in September. Bolton chairman Phil Gartside is anxious to reduce his club’s £93 million debts and has publicly admitted that he could be forced to sell one of his star players in January.
Jones, 18, forced his way into the Rovers side towards the end of last season and is already being tipped for greater things. Rovers boss Sam Allardyce rates the teenager in excess of £10 million but with only a handful of Premier League games under his belt Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti may prefer a more experienced player.
Meanwhile, John Terry’s problems continue and although Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful of a return sooner rather than later one of the Sunday papers speculates that the former England captain could be out until March. However, the Sunday Telegraph reports that Ancelotti expects Terry to be back in action next weekend. “It’s not true that he’ll be out for a month. It depends day by day,” he said on Friday.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Thursday 18 November
Follow us on Twitter
Neymar Now Open To European Move
Brazilian wonderkid Neymar says he is open to a move to Europe, but Chelsea fans will be disappointed to hear that his preferred destination is Juventus.
The 18-year-old – who scored five goals for his side Santos in a Brazilian Cup tie earlier this year – was linked with a £25 million move to Stamford Bridge during the summer, but in a last-minute turnaround he signed an improved contract with Santos that put him on wages of £40,000 a week – a huge amount for a Brazilian club – in a deal that was hailed in Brazil as a landmark for a country keen to stop its top footballing talent going abroad.
However, just months afterwards, Neymar is now keen on a move to Europe. His relationship with Santos has deteriorated over the past few months and although the club put in a £40 million buy-out in his new contract he believes there is room for manoeuvre.
In an interview wirh Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Neymar said “There are five big clubs interested in me: Juventus, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Inter Milan. The proposal that I like most is that from Juventus. They have great worldwide appeal. Inter have prestige. Ronaldo played there and he is one of my idols. I hope no-one is offended as my first choice is Juventus.”
On Santos he added: “The club’s officials have said that I’m not for sale but I don’t think the same. This may be the right time to try the European adventure.”
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 17 November
Follow us on Twitter
Chelsea Set For Fresh Luiz Bid As Alex and Terry Face Lay-Offs
Chelsea defender Alex has been ruled out for up to two months with a knee problem. With John Terry also facing a long lay-off with problems with a nerve in his right leg, boss Carlo Ancelotti could be about to plunge into the transfer market in January in an attempt to pick up replacements.
Alex, will undergo keyhole surgery on his right knee this week and it is unlikely he will be back before Christmas. It leaves Chelsea with Branislav Ivanovic as their main central defensive option with Paulo Ferreira and 19-year-old Dutch centre-half Jeffrey Bruma as his only possible partners.
Speculation is now rife about who Carlo Ancelotti will sign to fill the gap. The Daily Mirror speculates that the Italian will splash out £25 million on Benfica defender David Luiz. The Brazilian was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during the summer as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Ricardo Carvalho but no such move materialised. Now Ancelotti may be prepared to go back to Benfica with a fresh bid to land the 23-year-old. Ironically, it was Luiz’s lack of experience in one of Europe’s top leagues that forced Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho to plump for Carvalho.
Chelsea and Manchester City Maintain Interest In Portugese Defender
Chelsea and Manchester City are both said to be interested in Porto centre half Rolando, according to the player’s agent.
“He’s a very important player and is also followed by Chelsea and Manchester City,” Peppino Tirri told Italian website Calciomercato.
“I’m talking with many teams as all agents do. I also spoke with Inter Milan, but not only with them, but I repeat that at the moment nothing is concrete and real,
“We’re talking about an unmovable of Porto and the Portuguese national team, I think there could be a very important offer for leaving in January, it won’t be easy to take him.”
Rolando signed for Porto from Lisbon side Belenenses in 2008. Since then he’s been a regular fixture at the centre of the Porto defence and made his international breakthrough last year. Despite being named in Portugal’s 2010 World Cup squad he failed to make an appearance in any of his side’s four games.
Chelsea have parted company with assistant manager Ray Wilkins.
Wilkins’ contract was up to renewal but despite being offered new terms he is to leave the club with immediate effect.
Wilkins was part of the backroom staff during the Gianluca Vialli era but after leaving the club for spells at Watford and Millwall he returned to Stamford Bridge in 2008 as assistant to Luis Felipe Scolari. He took charge of the team for one game after Scolari’s departure in 2009 and reverted back to his role as assistant during Guus Hiddink’s temporary tenure and remained when Carlo Ancelotti was appointed manager in the summer of 2009.
An Italian speaker, Wilkins was credited with forging links between the players and the coaching staff at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said “On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Ray for everything he has done for Chelsea Football Club.
“We all wish him well for the future.”
Wilkins began his playing career with Chelsea in 1973 and spent six years at the club as a player before joining Manchester United.
No reason has been given why his contract has not been renewed.
Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours, Wednesday 10 November
Follow us on Twitter
Chelsea Keeping Tabs on Defender Breno
Chelsea are monitoring Bayern Munich centre half Breno, according to the Daily Mail.
Scouts from Stamford Bridge were watching the 21-year-old Brazilian – full name Vinicius Borges Breno - when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in March while out on loan at Nuremburg. He’s still a few weeks away from returning to the Bundesliga side but Chelsea are still expected to renew their interest in the Brazil Under-23 international, who signed for Bayern for £11 million in 2008 but who has only appeared for them 22 times.
