CHELSEA have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with former PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentinian has been locked in negotiations with Todd Boehly and Co for the past week.
And TalkSport claims a verbal agreement has now been struck, with Chelsea hoping to confirm a deal for Pochettino by the end of the week.
However, owner Todd Boehly will be determined for Pochettino to make drastic changes as the Blues lost their FIFTH consecutive match under interim boss Frank Lampard.
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- Tony Robertson
Inter name player swap after Kepa snub
Inter Milan have told Chelsea who they want to swap in a potential deal for Andre Onana.
The Blues have reportedly been in discussions over a possible swap deal with Kepa Arriazabalaga making way for Onana.
However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italians instead want to sign one of Trevoh Chalobah or Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The report adds Chelsea and Inter officials met in Milan on Wednesday.
- Tony Robertson
Chelsea 'interested' in David transfer
Chelsea are reportedly interested in a £57million transfer for Jonathan David, along with Man Utd and Spurs.
French outlet L’Equipe have claimed the trio are candidates to sign the Lille forward this summer.
Only Kylian Mbappe has outscored the Canadian in Ligue 1 this season, with David netting 21 goals and adding four assists in 31 games.
There is a growing expectation he will take the next step this summer.
Chelsea have suffered greatly without a clinical scorer this season.
- Tony Robertson
Mount 'holds exploratory talks with Arsenal'
Chelsea have held "exploratory talks" over the potential sale of Mason Mount to Arsenal, according to The Telegraph.
They report Arsenal opened discussions as they look to pack out their squad with quality ahead of a Champions League campaign next season.
Mount recently took to Instagram to post a positive update following "minor surgery" which is set to keep him out for a few weeks.
- Tony Robertson
'Gutted' Hayes praises Chelsea women
Chelsea women manager Emma Hayes has heaped praise on her team following their Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.
The Blues fell to a 2-1 aggregate defeat in the semi-finals.
However, Hayes insisted the "better team lost" and praised the effort of the team.
As quoted by Chelsea's website, following the game she said: "I can’t ask anymore of our players.
"I said to them at the end that they should all be proud to be Chelsea, because the better team lost tonight.
"Coming into the tie, with 72,000 fans here we knew it wouldn’t be easy but by not conceding early, we gave ourselves a chance to build. We grew into the game, we got more aggressive and we created some good chances.
"It wasn’t quite enough and I’m stood here now just absolutely gutted to be totally honest."
Emma Hayes was full of praise for her teamCredit: PA - Tony Robertson
Mount on road to recovery
Mason Mount has provided an update after undergoing surgery.
The playmaker posed while laying on a hospital bed following a "minor procedure".
Mount also suggested he will be back before the season finishes to hand Chelsea a boost as they attempt to salvage some dignity from an otherwise embarrassing season.
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- Tony Robertson
Chelsea boost in Gnonto push
Chelsea target Wilfried Gnonto "doesn’t know why" he is not playing at Leeds, according to Jermaine Beckford.
Speaking to William Hill, Beckford revealed a direct chat he had with the winger who has five goal contributions in the league this season.
He said: "I’m starting to worry a little bit, one of the biggest issues at Leeds, currently, is that there are a couple of players who should be playing in this situation.
“Wilfried Gnonto, he’s fantastic, he’s so positive, driven and direct with the ball. He gets the play up the field and doesn’t mind defending.
"He’s a fantastic player, but he isn’t playing. He didn’t even come off the bench for the last couple of games."
“I’ve spoken to him directly about it and he doesn’t know why. But I think he should be playing, there’s Rodrigo, Patrick Bamford as well, Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra.
"There are so many great attacking players in the team, the issue seems to be at the other end of the field – conceding for fun."
Gnonto has previously been linked with transfers to the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal.
- Tony Robertson
EXCLUSIVE: Poch to try Felix-Lukaku strikeforce
Joao Felix looks set to stay at Chelsea for another year even though the club will not be playing in the Champions League.
The Portuguese forward had stressed that qualification for the world’s best club competition would influence his decision on whether to remain in England or go back to Atletico Madrid.
He has been on the bench for the last three matches under caretaker boss Frank Lampard.
Felix, 23, is settled in London and happy to stay but wants assurances from the incoming permanent boss – expected to be Mauricio Pochettino – that he will get game time.
On-loan striker Romelu Lukaku is coming back from Inter Milan and talks will be held to try to make him give England another go.
Read the full story here.
- Tony Robertson
Kova the moon
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly eyeing a reunion with wantaway Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic.
According to German outlet Sport1, Kovacic is seeking a way out of Stamford Bridge.
With Chelsea's huge squad in need of trimming down, he could be one of the players that makes way as he enters the final 12 months of his deal.
And it is understood that Chelsea would rather sell him to a club outside of England.
- Tony Robertson
Pitch Poch
Former Prem chief Simon Jordan has claimed Mauricio Pochettino will come up “short” at Chelsea as he lacks the “winning gene”.
Reports on Wednesday suggested Pochettino had reached a verbal agreement to become the Blues manager.
However, during a debate on the matter, Jordan told talkSPORT: "I don’t think anyone can doubt that he’s passionate and can bring people with him.
"But my question about Pochettino is whether he has this tiny little factor that only the top managers have, and it’s something you can’t bottle or distil, it’s this win gene.
"And I don’t think he has it.”
- Gary Stonehouse
MORNING BLUES FANS
Mauricio Pochettino will make a midfield anchorman his transfer priority – while Chelsea would be "ideal" for Harry Kane.
That's top of the gossip as fans wait for ex-Spurs chief Pochettino to be confirmed as manager for next season.
It's reckoned current defensive midfielder Mateo Kovacic could reunite with former Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
That's one reason why Poch reportedly wants a new grafter, rather than the type of exciting but under-achieving individuals brought in by Graham Potter in January.
Potter paid for their failure with the sack, and interim chief Frank Lampard has fared even worse with his more cautious selections – in the shape of five straight defeats.
That's led to suggestions Chelsea could seek to bring in Pochettino BEFORE the summer.
So far, however, that seems less likely than the ex-PSG manager officially arriving on a permanent basis in mid-May or June.
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has suggested his old club's main man Kane might be tempted by a reunion with Poch, rather than moving to Manchester United.
And the Blues are regarded as big admirers of Brentford's top two players – keeper David Raya plus striker Ivan Toney.
As for the long-term, 15-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez could be close to joining.
Chelsea are said to have tied up a £17.5m deal for the Independiente del Valle starlet but can't register him for the Premier League until he is 18.
- Ian Tuckey
Blues eye another big Paez day
Chelsea have “agreed a deal in principle” for Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez, according to reports.
The Blues have been linked to the 15-year-old youngster, who is tipped to have a big future.
And Mach Deportes report that the Blues have gotten a step closer to securing the deal.
- Ian Tuckey
New anchorman tipped to be Mauricio's priority
Mauricio Pochettino has made finding a new no.6 a priority, reports say.
The Argentine, who is expected to be named the next Chelsea boss, is believed to be keen to boost the midfield.
The reports come as Mateo Kovacic is linked with a reunion with his former manager Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
- Ian Tuckey
Pochettino reunion at Chelsea would 'suit Kane'
Harry Kane making a controversial switch to Chelsea would be a “great move” for the Tottenham striker, according to Harry Redknapp.
Spurs talisman Kane is out of contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a summer exit. The 29-year-old is thought to be a target for Manchester United.
But Redknapp has suggested a controversial switch to Tottenham’s bitter rivals Chelsea could suit Kane instead.
Mauricio Pochettino, who previously coached Kane at Spurs, is on the verge of joining the Blues as manager.
When asked about Kane’s future, Redknapp told the Beyond The Pitch podcast: “It will be interesting if Pochettino goes to Chelsea.
“That wouldn’t go down very well with the Tottenham fans, that’s for sure. But you never know if Pochettino’s there.
“I’m sure Harry got on well with him [at Spurs]. And it’s a great move for him. I think he’s [Harry Kane] building a new house in that area.
“He’s a family man and he’d be happier not moving to the north of England or wherever he’d have to go.”
- Ian Tuckey
Could get A LOT worse…
After five straights defeats in all competitions under Frank Lampard, it could get worse for Chelsea!
Here's their daunting Prem run-in. – with four of the six games against top-four sides.
Remaining games
May 2nd – Arsenal (A)
May 6th – Bournemouth (A)
May 13th – Nottingham Forest (H)
May 21st – Man City (A)
May 25th – Man United (A)
May 28th – Newcastle (H) - Kiro Evans
Deal 'Done'
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £17.5m deal to sign Kendry Paez, according to reports.
The Blues are believed to have secure the 15-year-old wonderkid from Independiente del Valle.
He had been tracked by several club including Real Madrid and Man United.
- Kiro Evans
Positive Signs
Mykhailo Mudryk showed a lot of potential as he came on at half-time in yesterday's defeat against Brentford.
The Ukrainian immediately injected energy and verve into Chelsea's game and looked a constant danger down the left.
It appears he's finally finding his feet and could start the next game against Arsenal, the team he opted not to join in January.
Credit: Stephanie Meek – CameraSport via Getty Images - Kiro Evans
Targeting a Midfielder
Mauricio Pochettino has made finding a new no.6 a priority, reports say.
The Argentine, who is expected to be named the next Chelsea boss, is believed to be keen to boost the midfield.
The reports come as Mateo Kovacic is linked with a reunion with his former manager Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.
- Kiro Evans
Poch Latest
There seems to have been little movement on the Mauricio Pochettino to Chelsea front so far today.
The latest major update came yesterday morning as reports broke that Poch had verbally agreed to become Chelsea boss.
He was not believed to be at Stamford Bridge for the Brentford loss yesterday.
- Kiro Evans
Swooping for Ken
Chelsea have "agreed a deal in principle" for Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez, according to reports.
The Blues have been linked to the 15-year-old youngster, who is tipped to have a big future.
And Mach Deportes report that the Blues have gotten a step closer to securing the deal.
- Kiro Evans
Forward Thinking
Chelsea fans got to enjoy the rare sight of an out-and-out striker wearing Blue yesterday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a rare appearance off the bench and immediately offered far more goal threat.
Unfortunately the rusty forward fluffed his two chances but it gives Lampard an interesting card to play when the Blues head to the Emirates next week.
Credit: Robin Jones/Getty Images - Kiro Evans
Stats From Last Night
- After winning seven of eight meetings with Brentford in all competitions between 1946 and 2021, Chelsea are now winless in their last three against the Bees (D1, L2)
- Chelsea are winless in their last EIGHT matches in all comps (D2, L6), losing the last five in a row. They last had a longer winless run between October and December 1993 (11 games), which included a run of six straight defeats, the last time they lost 5+ consecutively
- The Blues have lost four of their last seven Prem London derbies (W1, D2). They last lost four of them in a single campaign in 2001-02
- Kiro Evans
Horror Run
Chelsea fans are fearing they won't see their side win again this season due to the club's horror run of games.
The Blues still have to play all of this season's top four.
Remaining games
May 2nd – Arsenal (A)
May 6th – Bournemouth (A)
May 13th – Nottingham Forest (H)
May 21st – Man City (A)
May 25th – Man United (A)
May 28th – Newcastle (H) - Kiro Evans
Go to Spurs
Former Chelsea managerial target Julian Nagelsmann has been urged to join Tottenham by ex-Man United manager Ralf Rangnick.
Discussions between the Nagelsmann and Chelsea broke down and Spurs seemingly have a free run at the German.
Rangnick told Sky Sports Germany: “Tottenham are an exciting club in many ways. They’ve one of the best stadiums in the world. They have one of the best training facilities, and Daniel Levy, who has run the club for many, many years.
"If Tottenham really want Julian Nagelsmann, it’d be important to have a sporting director there to support him.
“This is not a club where they expect you to be in the top immediately. So it could be a very, very exciting story.”
- Kiro Evans
Double Trouble
Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and Borussia Monchengladbach's Manu Kone are both on Chelsea's radar, according to reports.
The Blues will be looking to get the show back on the road next season after a desperately poor season and Mauricio Pochettino could be the next man at the helm.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea are monitoring both and are open about making a move in the summer.
- Kiro Evans
Stat Attack
Chelsea's wobbles can best be summed up by their awful form in front of goal.
With just 30 league strikes this season, Chelsea are below the likes of relegation-battlers Leicester and Leeds when it comes to goals scored in the Prem.
Nottingham Forest are also just one behind the Blues after they put three past Brighton last night.
Chelsea have scored 14 goals fewer than Leicester who are currently scrapping for survival
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