Just before going into the international break, Antonio Conte managed to stop Chelsea‘s slump with a 2-0 away to Hull City. The win came following a string of disappointing results last month, the hammering at the Emirates gave Conte a complete assessment of how much work he has in front of him this season. The game against Hull City saw Costa extending his lead in the Golden Boot race, while last year’s player of the season Willian also got on the scoresheet and that relieved the fans to some extent. However, one big positive to come out of the match was the performance of Victor Moses as a right wing-back in Conte’s 3-5-2-1 formation. In the post game interview, the Manager said, “Moses played an incredible game in defensive and offensive situations.” He further added, “It is fantastic because he is working very hard. He deserved to play and he showed me that my choice was right.”
Moses signed for the blues in the summer of 2012 following four unsuccessful bids by Chelsea to price the winger away from Wigan Athletic. His time at Chelsea has somewhat been a roller coaster ride, as after an impressive first season at Stamford Bridge, the Nigerian was sent out on loan spells at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United. If you are from Canada and looking to bet on any games, here is a list of betting sites in Canada to choose from.
There were rumours that the Hammers might try and make the move permanent but Moses’s early preseason form convinced Conte that he should keep hold of his player this season, especially to strengthen the depth in the squad. Often last year, Chelsea looked short of ideas when players like Hazard, Pedro and Oscar found it hard to find their touch and at that moment of time, a player like Moses would have given the manager a different option to try.
With so little time at Chelsea, no one would blame him if he started looking for new employers but the 25-year old has time and again said that he wants to stay at Chelsea and fight for his place in the team. He is well aware that with everyone fit, it will be difficult for him to get a starting spot, therefore he has to work hard and deliver the goods whenever an opportunity comes by. He has already made a few very impressive performances coming off the bench and his pace has been a major threat during the final stages of the game, something Conte can utilise very well. With Conte likely to revert to a three-man defence that became so famous during his time in Italy, Moses could use this new role to his advantage and cement his place in the starting XI.
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Chelsea receive injury boost as 20-year-old ace could be available for Liverpool clash
Chelsea injury boost as Callum Hudson-Odoi could be fit to face Liverpool
Chelsea are set to have Callum Hudson-Odoi fit for the Liverpool clash during the midweek (via Daily Star h/t Metro). While most of the attention on him was due to the handball incident, he was taken off at half-time, very likely due to an injury concern.
Later, it was shown that the youngster was sitting on the benches with an ice pack strapped around his left thigh. While Thomas Tuchel did confirm it was a minor injury, he also said that the winger was taken off for tactical reasons.
‘[He was] a little bit injured. The reason [he was replaced] was a tactical reason and a little injury, a combination, because we switched to a back-five in defence and covered the wide position from [Marcus] Rashford in between [Cesar] Azpilicueta and Reece James. In the second half, that was not an option to use Callum there and that’s why it was a tactical choice.’
However, he is now making good progress with his injury and could be in line to face Liverpool on Thursday. The only other injury concern remaining is Thiago Silva and he is likely to miss the game.
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Hudson-Odoi has prominently featured in Thomas Tuchel’s plans and been deployed at wing-back so far. The 20-year-old has done well in that role after overcoming his problems in the Southampton game. Tuchel will be hoping to have him fully fit for the vital game.
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Young Chelsea star emerges as summer target for West Ham
Tammy Abraham wanted by West Ham as Chelsea future hangs in the balance
According to Daily Star, Chelsea ace Tammy Abraham is being eyed by West Ham as a possible summer target. West Ham are also looking at Eddie Nketiah and Ivan Toney as other possible signings.
Tammy Abraham’s future is in limbo after being left out of the squad against Manchester United. The academy graduate is mulling over a new contract but wants to see whether Chelsea commit to signing Erling Haaland in the summer.
West Ham have a dearth of strikers after letting go of Sebastien Haller in January and not being able to sign a replacement. They even had a move for Youssef En-Nesyri turned down. However, the Hammers want to bring in one striker to provide competition and support for Michail Antonio.
Chelsea are also in a spot with Abraham, given he is their top-scorer this season but has featured much less under Thomas Tuchel. The German manager has preferred to use Olivier Giroud as well as Timo Werner.
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While Abraham may yet have more than two years on his existing deal, it looks increasingly likely that they could let him go. The Blues are actively pursuing Haaland and that could push Abraham further down the side. There is no shortage of interest in the striker, with Aston Villa also said to be interested.
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Chelsea transfer boost as St. Etienne prepare £22m sale of 17-year-old rising talent
Chelsea transfer boost as St. Etienne prepare Lucas Gourna-Douath sale
According to FootMercato (h/t The Sun), St. Etienne are ready to sell Lucas Gourna-Douath, who has been linked to Chelsea. The French side are willing to sanction a deal for the 17-year-old if a bid of £22million comes in.
As one of the rising stars in Ligue 1, Gourna-Douath has become a vital part of St. Etienne. He has already played for the senior side 23 times this season. A deep-lying central midfielder, manager Claude Puel wants him to stay at the club for a long time. Even the player is interested in the same.
However, due to the economic impact of the pandemic, the French side are willing to let him as well as a few more players, go. The club sold the likes of Wesley Fofana and William Saliba in the summer and it could continue with Gourna-Douath.
There will be competition for the Blues though, with AC Milan and RB Leipzig also interested in the youngster. The player’s representatives are preparing for any possible move including one to England.
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While Chelsea don’t really need any more central midfielders for the first-team, Lucas Gourna-Douath can be a good addition to their flourishing academy. Chelsea have promoted players from the academy in recent times and the same could be followed for him in case Chelsea can strike a deal.
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European giants set to make decision on the future of Chelsea loanee at the end of the season
AC Milan to make Fikayo Tomori decision at the end of this season
According to Football.london, AC Milan are likely to sign Fikayo Tomori on a permanent basis at the end of the season if he continues to impress. The Chelsea academy graduate went on loan to the Italian side in January and Milan have an option to sign him permanently next season.
Tomori found game time hard to come by under the latter days of Frank Lampard. With the arrival of Thiago Silva, Tomori was sidelined as Kurt Zouma was preferred ahead of the English starlet.
AC Milan came for his services and took him on loan till the end of this season. However, they hold a £26.6m to-buy clause which they can choose to exercise at the end of the season.
Tomori has impressed massively for the Milan giants and it looks very likely that he could make the move permanent in the summer. Milan director Paolo Maldini, who was instrumental in securing Tomori’s signature, spoke about a permanent move for him.
“Fikayo has particular characteristics, intensity, speed. In our opinion, it was a possible reinforcement for this season finale. There is an option to buy, it is very high, it will be an assessment between now and the end of the season whether to exercise it or not. It is a fairly clear situation.”
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New manager Thomas Tuchel has mostly used the likes of Silva, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta at centre-back. It looks very likely that Tomori has no future at Chelsea. With his impressive showings for Milan, the club are also very likely to make his stay a permanent one.
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