CHELSEA are reportedly confident of making a breakthrough in the signing of Leicester talisman Welsey Fofana.
The Blues have seen two attempts rejected already but are optimistic that their third bid will be successful.
Elsewhere, Thomas Tuchel has been praising Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang amid speculation that the Barcelona forward could be heading to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Tuchel said: "I enjoyed working with him [Aubameyang] a lot, it was a pleasure. I've never had any issue."
Meanwhile, tension is rising in the Frenkie de Jong transfer saga as both Manchester United and Chelsea await his final decision.
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- Kieran Davies
Tuchel looking for answers
During pre-season, manager Thomas Tuchel spoke about how he was not happy with the output of his players specifically in the 4-0 loss to Arsenal.
The German manager will be looking to get more out of his squad following their preparations for the season and will want to see more from each individual player.
He has shown that he does not have patience for mis-firing players as he was quick to move both Lukaku and Werner onto pastures new.
This should act as a warning to any player not performing that their time at Stamford Bridge could be short if they fail to perform at his levels.
- Kieran Davies
Tuchel keen to keep momentum
After securing all three points at Goodison Park last weekend, thanks to Jorginho's spot-kick, Chelsea will be looking to continue their winning start to the Premier League campaign.
With London rivals Tottenham travelling to Stamford Bridge, it will be an opportunity for the German manager to derail their opponents start to the season while impressing his new bosses at the club.
Defensively, The Blues will need to contain Harry Kane who has a stellar record in London derbies.
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte would like nothing more than going and showing his old employers what a mistake they made letting him go.
Tuchel on the other hand will be keen to make a statement to their rivals with a win tomorrow, showing Chelsea mean business this season.
Credit: Getty - Kieran Davies
Leicester hold firm on Fofana
The Blues have already seen two bids for the Leicester defender rebuffed by The Foxes with the clear statement that the player is not for sale.
However, reports are suggesting that Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with the French defender and it is now just a case of having a bid accepted by Leicester.
Fofana, hit a rich vein of form before injury set his career back somewhat but the player seems to be getting back into the swing of things since his return.
Talk is that Leicester are holding out for in the region of £80m for Fofana which would make him the most expensive sale in the club's history, topping the fee Man Utd paid for Harry Maguire back in 2019.
Signing The Foxes defender would give manager Thomas Tuchel options in defence and extend the depth of the squad available to him.
- Kieran Davies
Good morning, Chelsea fans
Leicester have come to terms with the fact that Wesley Fofana could leave the club this summer, according to FootMercato.
The Foxes have accepted that the 21-year-old will join Chelsea if their asking price, in excess of £80million, is met.
Meanwhile the Blues remain desperate to move on Tiemoue Bakayoko after AC Milan sent him back from his two-year loan spell 12 months early.
Reports suggest both Nottingham Forest and Turkish side Galatasaray are keen on the 27-year-old midfielder.
There could be another midfielder leaving Stamford Bridge too.
Juventus are reportedly set to target Jorginho as a replacement for Adrien Rabiot if the Frenchman joins Manchester United.
Jorginho is out of contract with the Blues at the end of the season, and has been linked with Juve in the past.
And finally, Crystal Palace remain interested in re-signing Conor Gallagher on loan.
The Eagles will wait until nearer the end of the window to see if they can scoop a bonus loan deal.
Gallagher could be an option if Frenkie de Jong joins Chelsea, with the Dutchman likely to impact Gallagher's opportunities if he does sign for the Blues.
- Giacomo Pisa
Conte – Lukaku was a "good signing"
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte still believes Romelu Lukaku was a "good signing" for Chelsea, despite the forward enduring a miserable campaign for the Blues.
Conte managed Lukaku at Inter, where the misfiring forward has returned on loan, a season after leaving for £97.5million.
The Italian said: "We are talking about a big amount of money for a player and I think we are talking about a really important striker in the world.
"But sometimes a situation outside of football happens and I think Romelu lived two years in Milan and he was the king. The fans showed him a lot of passion and I think he’s a guy who needs this. And for this reason, I think he wanted to go back to Milan.
"But, for sure, the signing was a good signing for Chelsea. Then, you know very well there are players that need more time to make an impact. But, for sure, he was a good signing for Chelsea.
He added: "A lot of things can happen for the confidence to drop. Now it's right for him to play for an important club in Italy to try to get again confidence in himself."
- Giacomo Pisa
Bak so soon?
Chelsea are desperate to part ways with Tiemoue Bakayoko for good this summer.
The 27-year-old joined AC Milan on a two-year loan, with an option to buy, last summer.
But the midfielder is not part of the club's plans and he is set to return to Stamford Bridge.
Both Galatasaray and Nottingham Forest are interested in Bakayoko, according to journalist Nicolo Schira.
Forest are claimed to have offered the one-cap France international a one-year deal, with the option for a further year.
- Giacomo Pisa
Working hard, or hardly working?
The Blues were pictured in training at their Cobham HQ today.
And it seems as though Conor Gallagher has got a backup career as a basketball player lined up for him if football doesn't go his way.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty Credit: Getty - Giacomo Pisa
Leicester 'accept Fofana exit'
Leicester have reportedly come to terms with the fact that Wesley Fofana could leave the club this summer.
The Foxes were believed to be desperate to keep hold of the French defender.
But a report from FootMercato states the club have now accepted that the 21-year-old may join Chelsea.
They are resigned to letting him leave if their asking price is met.
Although it will take a bid in excess of £80million for Leicester to part ways with the Frenchman.
Credit: Rex - Giacomo Pisa
Blues keen on Zaniolo
Chelsea are claimed to have had a player-plus-cash bid turned down by Roma for Nicolo Zaniolo.
The Blues offered cash plus Christian Pulisic for the 23-year-old Italian star, according to CalcioMercatoWeb.
But the Serie A side were reportedly quick to turn down the offer, with boss Jose Mourinho eager to keep him at the club.
Zaniolo has also been linked with Tottenham this summer, while back in Italy Juventus are also believed to be keen on the attacking midfielder.
Credit: Getty
- Giacomo Pisa
Exclusive – Koulibaly played with rocks for goalposts
Kalidou Koulibaly, the new rock of Chelsea’s defence, grew up playing with stones for goalposts, writes DAN KING.
Childhood friend Mohamodou Ndiaye has happy memories of their makeshift pitch in Saint-Die, an industrial town in north east France.
Ndiaye said: “Kalidou and I have known each other since we were five or so.
“We always used to play football after school on concrete. If you fell over, it hurt but after a while you got used to it.
“Behind his house we created a pitch with big stones to make the goals.
“Later Kalidou was the class representative at school. He made a request to have proper goals on the playground and we got them.”
Read more here.
- Giacomo Pisa
Blues in Ballon d'Or snub
Chelsea have ZERO players on the 30-strong shortlist for the men's Ballon d'Or award.
Antonio Rudiger is on the shortlist for his efforts in a Chelsea shirt, but the defender of course now plays for Real Madrid.
And nobody else at Stamford Bridge has been deemed worthy by France Football of making the list.
Meanwhile six from Liverpool, five from Manchester City, two from Tottenham and Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United have all made the cut.
- Giacomo Pisa
Pul the other one
Newcastle have reportedly emerged as a shock potential suitors for Christian Pulisic.
Toon are open to bringing in the American if he is allowed to leave Chelsea, according to The Athletic.
Eddie Howe is keen to add to his wide ranks before the end of the transfer window.
And Pulisic is a player who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, especially with Raheem Sterling's arrival set to restrict his game time further.
Reports from the Guardian say boss Thomas Tuchel does not trust Pulisic.
The USA international was given a 25 minute cameo appearance off the bench in Sunday's 1-0 win over Everton.
- Giacomo Pisa
Jor up next
Juventus are reportedly set to target Chelsea midfielder Jorginho if they lose Adfrien Rabiot to Manchester United.
The Serie A side are "hopeful" of persuading the Jorginho to join them, according to PA.
Jorginho has been linked with a move to Turin in the past.
He is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, and while he is settled there, Juve are targeting the Italy international as a replacement for Rabiot.
- Giacomo Pisa
Azpi eyeing more silverware
Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta is eyeing more glory with the club.
The Chelsea veteran has praised the new owners for the signings that have been made this summer.
And Azpi has said it is "important" that the club kick on under the new regime and win more trophies.
He told Sky Sports today: "It’s very important that we keep the ambition high and keep winning trophies – and we have showed that with our transfers and the new players coming in.
"I’ve seen a great ambition, they [the owners] have been very transparent and honest since the first day."
- Giacomo Pisa
Azpilicueta – leaving would have been "selfish"
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has said leaving the club this summer would have been "selfish".
The Spaniard was linked with a move to Barcelona before penning a new two-year deal with the Blues.
Azpilicueta told Sky Sports today: "I always stayed committed to the club, it’s how I’ve been since day one.
"This is my home and I never took the selfish decision [to leave].
"After the Club World Cup, I shared my feelings [about leaving], it was never a decision about contract years or wages.
"I expressed my feelings and then everything changed with the ownership and sanctions.
"I dealt with the situation in my own way. We had honest conversations and I’m really proud to be the Chelsea captain and I’m looking forward for the next years. I decided that the best thing for everybody was to stay."
- Giacomo Pisa
Zi you later
Hakim Ziyech continued to be linked with a move away from Chelsea.
AC Milan were reported to be keen, but now Erik ten Hag wants to reunite with the former Ajax man at Manchester United.
The Red Devils hierarchy though are blocking a move, according to Manchester Evening News.
Ziyech was an unused sub in the 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday.
- Giacomo Pisa
Eyes on the prize
Raheem Sterling has stated his desire to win the Champions League with Chelsea.
Europe's biggest prize eluded him at Manchester City, and Sterling admitted the Blues have "bragging rights" over him.
The summer signing told football.london: "I haven’t played Champions League football with Chelsea yet.
"They have obviously won it. I haven’t.
"They have got bragging rights. But again, I am here to try to win it.”
- Giacomo Pisa
Redknapp urges Blues to sign De Jong
ex-Premier League star Jamie Redknapp says beating Manchester United to the signing of Frenkie de Jong would be a "statement of intent" by Chelsea.
The Blues are believed to be leading United in the race to sign the Dutchman.
And Redknapp told Sky Sports: "I’m a massive fan of De Jong. I feel sorry for him in a way because he’s in limbo. It feels like he wants to come to London and isn’t too keen on going to Manchester.
"Whoever gets him, he’s a game changer for them. Chelsea certainly have problems in that area – Jorginho is not long-term in terms of his physicality.
"He’s done brilliantly and been an amazing player for Chelsea, Champions League winner and for Italy winning the European Championships, but De Jong gives them a different dimension with pace and strength, playing at the base of midfield, giving N’Golo Kante license to go and do what he wants.
"He’d be an amazing signing and a real statement of intent if they could beat Man Utd to that one."
- Giacomo Pisa
Chelsea still chasing boy wonder
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a £12.6million bid for Inter Milan wonderkid Cesare Casadei.
The Blues are set to return with a third offer after having two bids worth under £10m turned down by the Italians, according to Sport Mediaset.
And this time the Serie A giants could accept.
Inter had originally been holding out for around £17m, but reports suggest Chelsea's third offer could be enough to prise him away from the San Siro.
Credit: Getty - Giacomo Pisa
Jur the one that I want
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Celtic star Josip Juranovic.
The 26-year-old has also attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Atletico Madrid.
And now the Blues have joined the race for his signature, according to 90min.
The Croatian right-back is claimed to be valued at around £15million.
- Giacomo Pisa
Cole – Signings have been "great"
Chelsea hero Joe Cole is pleased with the business his old club have done this summer, and praised the Blues for the investment that has been put into the squad.
While he would like to see another striker join, Cole told Standard Sport: "The business has been great. I’ve read from other pundits that it has been a bit slapdash but I don’t agree.
"Koulibaly at 31 is one of the best central defenders. How else would you replace Rudiger? You need that ready-made replacement now. That’s a fantastic bit of business.
"We needed goals and experience at the top end of the pitch and we’ve got Raheem Sterling as a great bit of business.
"Cucurella is very good and we saw that against Everton. Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa is one of the most talented players in England.
"That signing is even more important when you realise that signing young players from Europe has changed since Brexit.
"It important that even if we pay a bit more than we want to, that we’re getting the best young British players in the door for the next generation."
- Giacomo Pisa
Blues keen on Adama
Adama Traore is claimed to be “hoping to secure a move away” from Wolves before the transfer window closes
And Chelsea are reportedly “keeping an eye” on the Spanish winger’s situation.
Sky Sports say Tottenham are also tracking the former Aston Villa and Middlesborough man.
The 26-year-old has just one year left to run on his Wolves deal.
Traore spent the second half of last season on loan at Barcelona, but the Spaniards turned down the chance to sign him permanently.
- Giacomo Pisa
Where Eagles dare
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has seemingly confirmed that his side are interested in re-signing Conor Gallagher.
It's been claimed the Eagles want to bring the youngster back to Selhurst Park on loan after his impressive spell last season.
A return to Palace would guarantee Gallagher regular action ahead of the World Cup later this year.
And Vieira said today: "The window is still open. Conor is still a Chelsea player until we hear otherwise."
- Giacomo Pisa
Ron his way
Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly battling it out for Peterborough star Ronnie Edwards.
The Mirror claims both are keen on the 19-year-old defender.
SunSport revealed in April that Manchester United were interested in Edwards.
We also told you that Aston Villa and Southampton fancied a summer swoop for the centre-back, who could cost more than £10million.
But it’s now reckoned Chelsea and Spurs are leading the race.
Credit: Getty - Giacomo Pisa
Tuchel – "we could use another defender"
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Chelsea are in the market for a central defender.
The Blues are keen on Leicester defender Wesley Fofana, and have already added Kalidou Koulibaly to their defensive ranks.
The German revealed today: "We could use one more central defender, if you look at the numbers.
"The profile of the guys in a back three is a little bit different, so we are also playing with Azpi who is more as a full-back. Let’s see."
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