THINGS have taken a huge turn for the worse for Chelsea in a matter of days.
Jules Kounde was on the verge of joining the club, but has now reportedly reached a pre-agreement with Barcelona.
That would mean all that is left to be done before the deal goes through is for Barca to agree a fee with Sevilla.
There are also reports that Chelsea have already turned their attention to PSG's Presnel Kimpembe, given the developments with Kounde over recent days.
And the Blues, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are three of the clubs Jorge Mendes has held talks with as he looks to find a new team for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel has fumed at his side following their 4-0 defeat to Arsenal and added that there are no guarantees Chelsea will be ready for their opening match at Everton in two weeks.
- 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)
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- Anthony Chapman
Kounde reaches Barcelona contract agreement
Jules Kounde looks set to snub Chelsea.
That's after reportedly agreeing a contract with Barcelona until 2026.
Sport claims Kounde is on the verge of leaving Sevilla for their Spanish rivals despite receiving a better offer from Chelsea.
He would become the second star to snub Thomas Tuchel after Raphinha and hopes to complete his move next week.
- Anthony Chapman
Chelsea target Militao signs deal
Chelsea have missed out on reported target Eder Militao.
That's after the defender signed a new deal at Real Madrid.
The Brazilian was on Thomas Tuchel's shortlist earlier this summer but always maintained he was committed to Real.
And Militao is now staying at the Bernabeu until 2028, securing a release clause worth £425million.
- Anthony Chapman
Recap – Arsenal 4 Chelsea 0
Missed the action between Arsenal and Chelsea earlier today?
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- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea enter Dumfries transfer race
Chelsea will battle Man United for the signature of Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries.
The defender is set to leave Inter this summer and United have been identified as one of the front runners in the race to sign him.
However, Chelsea have now thrown their hat into the ring, according to Football Italia.
Whoever wins the transfer battle will have to splash €40m on the Dutchman.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea willing to extend Lukaku deal
Chelsea are willing to extend Romelu Lukaku's loan deal for another season.
Lukaku wants to remain at Inter beyond his one year term.
And Chelsea won't stand in his way.
The Blues are supposedly in talks with Inter about adding another season to Lukaku's move, the Telegraph claim.
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea enquire about Saint-Maximin
Chelsea and Tottenham have both reportedly made enquiries to Newcastle about signing Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Premier League rivals, plus a number of teams from Europe, are claimed to be keen on the trickster.
But Newcastle's valuation of their prized asset has put off both Chelsea and Spurs from making an official move.
Toon value Saint-Maximin in excess of £40million, according to The Athletic.
Both London clubs are claimed to have hoped Newcastle would accept a cut-price fee for Saint-Maximin thanks to their vast wealth.
- Justin Lawrence
Kounde 'agrees deal with Barcelona'
Chelsea's pursuit of Jules Kounde seems to be all over after the player agreed personal terms with Barcelona, according to reports.
The defender has accepted a four-year deal from the Catalan giants, Diario SPORT reported.
The proposed deal means only Sevilla can stop the move from going ahead as Barca still need to work out a price with their La Liga counterparts, it was added.
- Justin Lawrence
Barcelona attempted Koulibaly hijack
Barcelona tried to hijack Chelsea's move for Kalidou Koulibaly but the attempted coup flopped as the Catalan giants couldn't meet Napoli's asking price.
That's according to Napoli chief Aurelio de Laurentiis, who said: "Barcelona had come in, but they didn’t have the money because they are in debt.
"Koulibaly wanted to leave, I told him: 'I can't sell you to Barcelona as they had no money'.
"Then Chelsea came forward and we couldn’t say no."
- Justin Lawrence
Blues fans want Ronaldo
Chelsea have been urged to sign Cristiano Ronaldo by disgruntled fans.
The Blues drew a blank during their 4-0 loss to Arsenal, and supporters reckon Ronaldo could provide the answer.
One fan said: "Season starts in two weeks and we look useless up front.
"Whether you like him or not, Ronaldo will guarantee goals, time to get him in before the first game of the season."
- Justin Lawrence
Pep wanted to keep Sterling
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed he wanted Raheem Sterling to remain at the Etihad.
Sterling left to join Chelsea, while his former team-mates Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko left for Arsenal.
And Pep has revealed both stars would've stayed put if he had things his way.
He said: "No [the outgoings weren't guaranteed] because I was incredibly happy with Gabriel, Oleks and Raheem.
"If they stayed longer there would be no problem. They proved last year how good they are."
- Justin Lawrence
Kounde rejects Chelsea offer
Jules Kounde has rejected Chelsea after speaking to Barcelona manager Xavi about moving to the Nou Camp, according to reports.
Chelsea had agreed a £55million deal with Sevilla to sign Kounde, 23, with the defender set to sign a five-year contract.
But Barcelona have made a late attempt to hijack the move – just as they did with Raphinha.
Xavi has spoken to Kounde and persuaded him to delay a move to the Blues and instead wait for Barcelona to agree a transfer, report AS.
Kounde is said to be "flattered and excited" by Xavi's interest and is now hoping Barca have a bid accepted by Sevilla.
Mundo Deportivo claim Sevilla are yet to receive an offer but Barca are reportedly planning a £46.7m bid for the Frenchman.
- Justin Lawrence
Ex-Chelsea stars pitch battle
There is no such thing as a friendly El Clasico – as last night's encounter in Las Vegas proved.
Chelsea heroes Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger were both involved in a mass brawl between the two sets of bitter rivals.
The game boiled over just before the break following a trademark run by the scintillating Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian star was cynically hacked to the ground by Jordi Alba – and he did not take it well.
That sparked players from both sides – including Hazard and Rudiger – to pile in for a pushing contest.
- Justin Lawrence
Koulibaly display impresses Tuchel
Kalidou Koulibaly was Chelsea's best player during their loss to Arsenal, according to Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel was blown away by his latest signing's performance against the Gunners.
As a matter of fact, the defender's display was the only positive Tuchel took from the disappointing defeat.
Tuchel said: "He was the best player on the pitch for us.
"He was incredibly good I have to say.
"On an evening where nothing felt good, this felt very good."
- Justin Lawrence
Chelsea need quality players
Chelsea are in desperate need of quality players this summer, Thomas Tuchel insisted.
He said: "We had an urgent appeal for quality players and a huge amount of quality players.
“We've got two quality players – that is no doubt – but we are not competitive like this and unfortunately, we could see it today.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel expresses worry
Thomas Tuchel admits he's worried going into the new season after Arsenal dismantled his Chelsea side.
Tuchel said: I’m far from relaxed. I think we deserved to lose – which is fair enough – because we were simply not good enough.
"We were absolutely not competitive.
"The worrying part is the level of commitment, physically and mentally, for this match was not the same, it was far higher for Arsenal than us."
- Justin Lawrence
Shock academy claims made
Ex-Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo claimed a former manager tried to CLOSE the club's academy.
The former Monaco chief told the Telegraph: “I defended the academy when there was pressure and doubt and pessimism.
“There was a time when there was a clamour to do more and a manager came in to make a presentation to say the academy was not necessary.
“The argument was it takes too long, we don’t have time, we should use it to make some money here and there, and that the owner should stop pumping money into it because it seemed like a waste.
“But that wasn’t my idea and I had to fight against it.
“This is where I am very, very proud of the owner Roman Abramovich because of the trust he had in me and the willingness to listen to me and give the academy time.
“He would not abandon it. He believed in it and in me, and I can’t thank him enough for that.”
- Justin Lawrence
Tuchel explains horror show
Thomas Tuchel has blamed Chelsea's drubbing by Arsenal on the hot weather in the US and long hours travelling.
He said after the horror show: "We could feel the energy level drop after Las Vegas and after the Charlotte game because of the amount of travelling, very humidity, and very hot temperature.
"It made it tough because it's now been two weeks on the road."
- Jon Boon
Jorginho hopes for trophies for pal Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly has not yet got the silverware to show for his impressive career.
And Chelsea midfielder Jorginho believes the club’s new man is finally in the right place to add some glamour to the barest of trophy cabinets.
"Oh definitely, because of the person he is, he deserves the best of everything," the Italian international revealed.
“When I saw him win trophies I was so, so happy for him. He is such a nice guy and brings a lot to this club.
“He is an experienced player, not just on the pitch. You will see he is a brilliant defender, strong, fast, he plays on the ball.
“But as a guy, a person in the changing room he is just amazing.”
- Jon Boon
Anjorin was wanted by Everton
Frank Lampard was desperate to add Chelsea wonderkid Tino Anjorin to his Everton side.
However, it has been reported the former Blues manager, who handed Anjorin his first team debut, missed out because the Toffees wanted a permanent deal.
Instead, Anjorin has joined Huddersfield Town on loan for the upcoming campaign.
- Jon Boon
Rice 'annoyed' by Chelsea links
Declan Rice is fed up with "annoying" transfer rumours linking him with a move away from West Ham.
The midfielder, 23, has been made Hammers captain following the retirement of Mark Noble and has vowed to give his all to the club.
In an interview with Sky Sports the England star said: "Every time I put on the shirt I go out there and give it 100 per cent and whatever happens off the pitch takes care of itself.
"I can't control that – what I can control is going out there and trying to be the best player.
"It's annoying because of the numbers that get attached to your name.
"You can't control that at all, but there's stuff sometimes that you see and you read that you don't want to hear, because it's not really true in a way.
"For the last couple of seasons that's what I've done and that's the faith the manager has put in me, so all that speculation stuff, that's what comes with playing good, I suppose."
- Jon Boon
Agent Jorginho
Jorginho has revealed he was instrumental in bringing Kalidou Koulibaly to Stamford Bridge.
The Italian and the Senegalese defender were team mates at Serie A giants Napoli.
And Jorginho revealed he had been pushing for his pal to sign for the Blues.
The midfielder said: "I pushed! I was like come on, come to Chelsea. And he was like ah yeah I would like to. I said ‘just come’ because it has been a long time since we played together and shared a changing room or be together again."
- Jon Boon
Barcelona Kounde deal close
Jules Kounde's transfer to Barcelona will come in 'a matter of time'.
The French defender looked set for a move to the Blues.
But at the final hour, Barcelona hijacked the move and appear to have got their man.
Spanish journalist Gerard Romero has revealed the Sevilla player is close to joining the LaLiga side.
- Jon Boon
Giroud’s new look
Ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud had fans swooning over him after revealing his audacious new look.
The striker, 35, has dyed his hair bleach blond ahead of the upcoming season.
Credit: Getty He posed for the camera while in AC Milan training on Friday – and his new barnet has created quite a stir on social media.
Many have praised Giroud’s beauty, suggesting the new look has only elevated his appearance.
One Twitter user remarked: “This bloke could die his hair green and he’d still nick your missus.”
- Jon Boon
Lukaku deal
Chelsea have an agreement in principle for Romelu Lukaku to spend a second year on loan with Inter Milan.
The Blues bought the Belgium international for £97.5m from the Italian side last summer in a marquee signing for boss Thomas Tuchel.
However, after an emphatic start, Lukaku ended the season with just eight Premier League goals having fallen out of favour with the German coach.
Tuchel has previously remained adamant there could still be a future for Lukaku at Chelsea despite being shipped back to Inter on a £6.9m season-long loan last month.
Yet there is an understanding that Chelsea are already looking ahead to sending Lukaku, 29, to Inter again for the 2023/24 campaign.
It is now likely Lukaku has played his last game in a Chelsea shirt, having taken a large pay-cut to get back to Inter.
- Jon Boon
Werner sale
Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Timo Werner this summer, according to reports.
The maligned German striker has stuttered in front of goal for the Blues since arriving at the club for £50million.
He's mustered just 23 goals in 89 appearances – and has been guilty of some horror misses.
And Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has added that a fall out between boss Thomas Tuchel and Werner could be the catalyst for his departure.
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