A View From The Bridge
Injury News: Star Chelsea trio could return for crucial FA cup showdown against Arsenal
N’Golo Kante and Willian among those could return to face Arsenal in the FA Cup final
Frank Lampard’s first season in charge of Chelsea has been a promising one that hints at much potential.
It could get even better when the Blues take on arch-rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup final this weekend. A win will not only bring Lampard’s first silverware as a manager but also put the cherry on top of what could be a pivotal season.
The best games require the best players. Lampard could be set to welcome back three stars who have been sidelined with injuries.
French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante has endured a difficult season that has been constantly interrupted by injuries. One of Chelsea’s best players, he has missed the last six games due to a hamstring injury.
According to Football.london, the Frenchman is expected to be fit in time for the Wembley showdown. Kante was able to train ahead of the clash against Wanderers last Sunday. However, he did not feature. But he could be in line to do so this weekend.
The 29-year-old has won a trophy in all three seasons at the club. His return will be considered a good omen by the superstitious folk in the fanbase.
The report goes on to add that Brazilian midfielder Willian too is recovering well and could be set to feature.
The 31-year-old’s future may be up in the air, but his contributions to the team cannot be overlooked. A player who has a habit of scoring important goals, he could prove pivotal against Arsenal.
Willian’s contract at Chelsea is nearing an end. According to his agent, he will make a call on his future after the final.
Mateo Kovacic has grown to be a key player for the Blues this campaign. The Croatian’s performances have been crucial, especially in the absence of Kante.
Kovacic was exemplary in the win over Wolves. He was seen sporting an ice pack after the game but is back in training and expected to be fit.
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A win will be Chelsea’s seventh in the competition. Lampard will join an elite list of footballers who won the prestigious trophy both as a player and a manager.
A View From The Bridge
Chelsea face Serie A competition for 23-year-old Real Madrid star
Napoli join Chelsea in Sergio Reguilon pursuit
According to Sky Sports Italia (h/t ESPN), Serie A outfit Napoli have joined Chelsea in the pursuit of Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon in the ongoing transfer window.
The 23-year-old Reguilon is a product of the Real Madrid youth academy. He made his first-team debut in the 2018/19 campaign. However, the arrival of Ferland Mendy last summer meant he was loaned out to Sevilla.
Reguilon has made the most of his loan spell at the Andalusian outfit, having racked up three goals and four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.
The Spaniard was on target in Sevilla’s Europa League Round of 16 win against AS Roma last week, while he was also named the best left-back in La Liga for the recently concluded season.
Reguilon’s exploits have put him on the radars of Chelsea. It is no secret that our left-back situation at the moment is quite bleak. Both Marcos Alonso and Emerson haven’t been convincing enough. The latter’s performance against Bayern this past week summed up his entire spell at Chelsea.
With him likely to be sold this summer, it goes without saying that we will be in need of a new left-back before the next season kicks off.
Reguilon, to that end, would be a fine addition to the squad. At 23, the Spaniard is quite young, but has proven himself at the highest level. He would also be a long-term solution for our left-back woes. However, we will now have to battle Napoli to sign the defender. (h/t ESPN)
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Likely to cost in excess of £18m, Reguilon would be a cheaper alternative to Ben Chilwell. And the fact that we will be able to offer Champions League football should help us beat Napoli to the defender’s signing.
With Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech already joining the club, an exciting transfer window is on the cards for Chelsea.
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Chelsea ‘willing to pay double the asking price’ for 22-year-old La Liga star
Chelsea keen on signing Marc Cucurella
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Chelsea are interested in signing Getafe left-back Marc Cucurella and are willing to pay double his valuation to land the Spaniard.
The 22-year-old Cucurella came through the youth ranks at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. He spent the 2018/19 season out on loan at Eibar and impressed heavily, before enjoying another strong campaign on loan at Getafe last time out.
Cucurella ended the 2019/20 term with one goal and six assists from 46 matches, as Getafe finished eighth in La Liga and made it to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.
Following this, Cucurella’s transfer to Getafe was made permanent in a deal worth £6m. However, he could be on his way out right away, with Chelsea now keen on signing the Spaniard. (h/t Daily Mail)
It is a no-brainer that we are in need of a new left-back heading into the next season. Neither Marcos Alonso nor Emerson Palmieri have done well enough to become regulars in the position.
This had forced Frank Lampard to use captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the position on numerous occasions this past term. Hence, bringing in a quality option to reinforce on the left-side of the defence ahead of next season would be a smart move.
While Ben Chilwell is the club’s top target for the left-back slot, his exorbitant price tag means Chelsea are now looking at affordable alternatives, with Cucurella emerging as an option. (h/t Daily Mail)
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Cucurella is valued at £22m by Getafe. And, as per the report, Chelsea have been so impressed by the youngster, that they are willing to pay double that valuation to sign the 22-year-old. (h/t Daily Mail)
Comfortable both as a full-back and a wing-back, with good defensive and attacking abilities, he can be a good addition to the ranks. However, it remains to be seen if the club does make a move for Cucurella.
A View From The Bridge
Chelsea starlet could be set to join newly-promoted PL club on loan
Ethan Ampadu could join Fulham on loan
According to The Athletic’s Michael Bailey, Chelsea starlet Ethan Ampadu could be set for a loan move to newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham, after a potential switch to Norwich City fell through.
The 19-year-old Welshman came through the youth ranks at Exeter City and joined Chelsea in the summer of 2017. He made his first-team debut for the club in December that year and has made 12 appearances till date.
Last summer saw Ampadu leave Chelsea on loan for German outfit RB Leipzig in search of regular first-team football. However, injuries and form meant he couldn’t make the most of his spell in Germany, making just seven appearances across all competitions.
The 19-year-old, who can play at centre-back as well as a defensive midfielder, is back at Chelsea with his loan deal expiring. However, given the number of options at manager Frank Lampard’s disposal, his situation at Stamford Bridge is unlikely to improve next season.
Reports had claimed that Norwich City, having just been relegated from the Premier League, were in negotiations to sign the Welsh international on loan for the 2020/21 campaign.
However, journalist Michael Bailey has now revealed that a move to the Canaries is now off. Instead, Ampadu could be on his way to our London rivals Fulham this summer.
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As mentioned previously, Ampadu is unlikely to get a lot of minutes under his belt at the club next season. So, another loan move would serve to benefit him.
Playing for Fulham would also allow him to get a taste of Premier League football and prepare him well for the future.
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Chelsea set to target Eredivisie duo instead of primary targets and save £130m
Chelsea to move for Andre Onana and Nicolas Tagliafico
According to a report from the Mirror, Chelsea could be set for a double raid on Eredivisie giants Ajax for the signings of goalkeeper Andre Onana and left-back Nicolas Tagliafico.
The Blues have already raided Ajax for the signing of Hakim Ziyech and may yet again be involved with the club for two more transfers for Onana and Tagliafico.
It is no secret that manager Frank Lampard is in the transfer market for a new goalkeeper and left-back, given that the current options have failed to live up to expectations.
Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak is believed to be the club’s top transfer target for the goalkeeping spot. However, the Slovenian international is valued at around £100m release clause.
Onana, to that end, is considered a cheaper alternative to the Atletico Madrid star. The Cameroonian international will cost us only around £30m, saving us about £70m.
A similar situation has ensued at the left-back slot. Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell is Lampard’s preferred option for the club, but is valued at a whopping £80m by the Foxes. (h/t Mirror)
Tagliafico, in comparison, would come at a much more reasonable transfer fee of around £22.5m. Thus, signing Onana and Tagliafico in place of Oblak and Chilwell could save us almost £130m. (h/t Express)
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While Oblak is easily one of the best goalkeepers in the game, Onana, too, has demonstrated great ability during his time at Ajax and would be a quality alternative.
Tagliafico, in comparison to Chilwell, is more experienced at the highest level and would be an equally effective option for the left-back slot.
With a new centre-back also needed, Chelsea need to be smart in the transfer market. If there is a possibility of saving £130m by going for two players who would bring almost the same level of quality as our primary targets, then we should go for it.
Chelsea face Serie A competition for 23-year-old Real Madrid star
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Chelsea ‘willing to pay double the asking price’ for 22-year-old La Liga star
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