CHELSEA could be on the verge of missing out on Jules Kounde as Barcelona are set to hijack ANOTHER deal from the Blues
A deal was said to have been agreed, both with Sevilla and the France international, who is set to earn £106,000 per week at Stamford Bridge.
However, it is claimed that Barcelona have reportedly agreed a deal for Kounde to make the switch to the Nou Camp.
But the Blues could soften the blow with a move for Allan Saint-Maximin who Chelsea are heavily linked with according to reports.
- IN: Raheem Sterling (Man City), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Omari Hutchinson (Arsenal)
- OUT: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Romelu Lukaku (loan to Inter), Danny Drinkwater (released), Charly Musonda (released), Jake Clarke-Salter (released), Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough, loan), Sam McClelland (Barrow, loan)
PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW FOR FREE WITH £100k IN PRIZE MONEY TO BE WON!
Stay up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge in our live blog…
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel gets Di Matteo's approval
Thomas Tuchel's business moves this summer proves his the best man for the job.
That's the view of ex-Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo who's been impressed by Tuchel's recruitment of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
He said: "Tuchel is the best man to assess what he needs and what the squad needs.
"The two signings so far have been absolutely brilliant for the club. I think they've done very well.
"Two great players, top quality players. They're already part of a very successful team but the talent and the skills they bring could unlock defences for the club and it's going be a very big asset.
"Also Koulibaly is a very technical centre half, physical, but he knows how to play out from the back and he's a big leader as well."
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea 'miss out on Kounde'
Barcelona have snatched Sevilla ace Jules Kounde out of Chelsea's hands, according to reports.
The two clubs have been locked in a tug of war for the defender that the Blues seemed to be winning.
He was all set to pen a £106,000-a-week deal with Thomas Tuchel's side.
But now Kounde's done a huge U-turn and is now poised to join Barca, reporter Gerard Romero tweeted.
He claims Barca and Sevilla have a verbal agreement in place on a deal that's 99 PERCENT complete.
- Alex Cole
Blues shirt in Mike Dean's man cave
Mike Dean has been busy building a man cave since hanging up his whistle at the end of last season.
The legendary referee, 54, called it a day after 22 years at Premier League level and several incidents of controversy.
His final game was Chelsea's win over Watford in May and at the end of the match he was presented with signed shirts from both teams.
They now sit proudly on the wall of Dean's 'mancave' and the former ref gave his Instagram followers a guided tour of the room.
- Alex Cole
Sterling and Neymar compared
PSG star Neymar is not good enough to replace Raheem Sterling at Man City.
That’s according to Trevor Sinclair who made the claim after Sterling joined Chelsea.
Sinclair said on talkSPORT: “Neymar is too inconsistent! You get one good game out of four!”
“If you’re a manager you’d want Sterling over Neymar! Three games out of four Raheem is top drawer.
- Alex Cole
Champions League draw weeks away
Brace yourselves football fans as the Champions League group stage draw is just WEEKS away…
The group stage draw for the iconic tournament is set to take place on Thursday, August 25.
It is scheduled to get underway from 4pm UK time.
- Alex Cole
You’re out of here
Arsenal transfer target Youri Tielemans will sit down with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers to discuss his future this week, according to reports.
The Belgium international, 25, has just one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
Tielemans has consistently refused offers on new terms but has remained committed to playing for the Foxes.
He is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.
- Alex Cole
Bacrelona 'on Azpilicueta permanently', says Tuchel
On whether this may affect Azpilicueta’s motivation, Tuchel replied: “Maybe now a bit tough because the other club [Barcelona] is on him permanently on him and causes distraction.
“But on September 1, normally when things calm down and things are clear, I’m very convinced he could play on his highest level."
Asked whether he was annoyed at Barca’s approach of a player under contract at Chelsea, Tuchel chuckled: "Maybe a little bit”.
- Alex Cole
Tuchel doesn't want to give Azpilicueta 'what he wants'
Azpilicueta has not yet spoken to the media on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the States.
And boss Thomas Tuchel insists his captain wants a move to Barcelona.
Tuchel explained: “I am not sure I want to give Azpi what he wants. He understands it but he does not like it.
“I don’t think so much about other clubs as I think about us. The full focus is on us and what we need and what we have in Apzi.
“I said to him many times that I can understand him on a personal level and career level. I can understand his point of view.
“But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants but I am also manager for Chelsea and have to do what is best for Chelsea.”
- Alex Cole
Magic in midfield
Jorginho and Kovacic have a tight bond on and off the field.
As displayed by Jorginho's latest Instagram snap.
The Italy midfielder posted a series of photos of the famous Universal studios, including one of the duo at the Hogwarts castle.
- Alex Cole
Mount’s role in Sterling transfer
Mason Mount has revealed the role he played in persuading England team-mate Raheem Sterling to join Chelsea.
Mount said: “I spoke to him a little bit when we were away on international duty.
“He didn’t have a clue what was going on. He just said there was interest there and I was obviously saying: “We’d love to have you at the club.”
- Alex Cole
Milinkovic-Savic wanted by Chelsea and Arsenal
Chelsea and Arsenal have contacted Lazio about midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports in Italy claim.
Calcio Merca say the London giants admire the Serbia star’s box-to-box style and goal record.
But Calciomercato, suggest the Gunners, in particular, have been put off by the Serie A club’s valuation – of around £60million to £68m.
Milinkovic-Savic netted 11 times for Lazio last term, having joined from Genk in 2015.
- Alex Cole
Chelsea starlet completes loan move
Chelsea have sent promising young talent Tino Anjorin on a season-long loan to Huddersfield Town.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder spent the second half of the last campaign with the Terriers.
Speaking after returning to Huddersfield, Anjorin told the club’s YouTube channel: “I’m buzzing to be back, I’m really buzzing to be back.
“To be around the lads again and the staff and the family again, to reunite with everyone. It feels good.”
He added: “I’m ready to go. Simple as that. All I’ve got to say is I’m ready.”
- Alex Cole
Chelsea have 'completed' a five-year-deal for Kounde, say reports
Chelsea have reportedly "completed" a five-year-deal for Sevilla's Jules Kounde, according to reports.
Journalist Gonzalo Tortosa says the Frenchman will sign a five-year deal with the Blues.
He claims the two clubs have a £55million agreement finalised.
- Alex Cole
Chelsea go Universal
The Italy midfielder Jorginho posted a series of photos of the famous Universal globe, a dinosaur from Jurassic Park and the Hogwarts castle as well as videos from around the grounds.
He also shared snaps of himself with a bunch of his Chelsea team-mates including Conor Gallagher, Ethan Ampadu, Mateo Kovacic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
The Blues are in Orlando because they face Arsenal in their final match in the States at the Camping World Stadium this weekend.
- Alex Cole
Orlando Magic
Chelsea stars enjoyed a day off from pre-season to head to Universal Studios and Hogwarts Castle.
The Blues have been in America for their tour this summer.
But they were spared a day off by boss Thomas Tuchel to go and make the most of the rollercoasters and other attractions on offer at the iconic Orlando theme park.
Jorginho took to Instagram to give his 3.2million followers a sneak peek at the trip.
- Alex Cole
Sterling settles in quickly
Raheem Sterling has no worries about taking time to fit in at Chelsea due to his connection with the club’s English players.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Sterling explained: “I know a few of the boys from the national team, Mase [Mason Mount], Chilly [Ben Chilwell], to name a few.
“I’ve got a good connection with Callum [Hudson-Odoi] already.”
- Alex Cole
Loftus-Cheek fancied by Sarri
Meanwhile, the Lazio boss is keen to bring Loftus-Cheek to Italy, according to the English midfielder's agent, Jonathan Barnett.
Earlier this week, Barnett claimed: "Lazio have not spoken to Chelsea as far as I’m aware.
"But Maurizio Sarri is a fan of Ruben and he likes Serie A. Let’s see what happens."
Loftus-Cheek is rumoured to have been identified as a possible replacement for Serbian star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is finally expected to quit Lazio.
The Italian giants were also keen on the ten-cap England star last summer after Sarri was appointed as manager.
Loftus-Cheek enjoyed the most prolific season of his career under Sarri during their only year together in 2018-19.
He chipped in with ten goals and five assists in 40 matches in all competitions as he helped the Blues win the Europa League.
- Alex Cole
Sarri wants Emerson at Lazio
Reports claim the Italian chief wants Emerson – who spent last season on loan at Lyon – to be his new left-back.
Sarri has opened talks with the Blues – who are desperate to offload a huge chunk of deadwood in the squad – over a season-long loan deal.
Brazil-born Italy international Emerson played 36 times on loan at Lyon last year as the French giants struggled – eventually limping home in eighth in Ligue 1.
Despite joining Chelsea from Roma five years ago, Emerson has played just 33 times in the Premier League, stuck behind Marcos Alonso and Ben Chilwell in the pecking order.
- Alex Cole
Sarri plotting raid
Maurizio Sarri is plotting an audacious double-raid of old club Chelsea this summer, according to reports.
The Lazio boss is keen to sign both Emerson Palmieri and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to bolster his squad.
The Rome giants finished just outside of the Champions League places last term, coming in fifth just six points adrift of Juventus.
And Sarri has got his eye on a pair of Chelsea fringe players to plug two gaping holes in his team, say reports.
- Alex Cole
Kounde expected to ‘complete transfer today’
Chelsea could finalise Jules Kounde’s transfer from Sevilla today, according to reports.
The Blues have been in advanced negotiations with the defender and Sevilla.
And despite the move nearly being hijacked by Barcelona, the Blues have withstood the pressure from Spain.
Kounde could now be unveiled by the Blues this afternoon in a £55m deal, The Times reported.
- Alex Cole
You’re out of here
Arsenal transfer target Youri Tielemans will sit down with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers to discuss his future this week, according to reports.
The Belgium international, 25, has just one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
Tielemans has consistently refused offers on new terms but has remained committed to playing for the Foxes.
He is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.
- Alex Cole
Chelsea eye Newcastle winger
Chelsea are taking a look at Newcastle ace Allan Saint-Maximin, reports claim.
The Blues have already signed Raheem Sterling, but wouldn’t mind adding Saint-Maximin to their ranks.
That’s according to The Athletic, who reported that the Blues have enquired about the 25-year-old’s availability.
But the Blues don’t want to pay the £40m asking price that Newcastle have slapped on Saint-Maximin, the report adds.
- Alex Cole
Champions League draw weeks away
Brace yourselves football fans as the Champions League group stage draw is just WEEKS away…
The group stage draw for the iconic tournament is set to take place on Thursday, August 25.
It is scheduled to get underway from 4pm UK time.
- Alex Cole
Kounde will sign for Chelsea, says Laporta
Jules Kounde will sign for Chelsea, claims Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
The Blues have agreed a £55million deal with Sevilla for the Frenchman, although Barca would like to hijack it.
Chelsea’s move for Kounde is at an advanced stage, with personal terms agreed on a five-year deal.
Speaking to a Barca fan, Laporta appeared to admit defeat in his pursuit of the 23-year-old.
In a clip shared by Relevo, asked about the Sevilla ace, Laporta appeared to say: “Kounde? No, he will sign for Chelsea.”
- Justin Lawrence
Mount's role in Sterling transfer
Mason Mount has revealed the role he played in persuading England team-mate Raheem Sterling to join Chelsea.
Mount said: "I spoke to him a little bit when we were away on international duty.
"He didn't have a clue what was going on. He just said there was interest there and I was obviously saying: "We'd love to have you at the club."
Source: Read Full Article
