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Transfer News: Chelsea asked to pay €20m for talented 20-year-old starlet
Chelsea will need to fork out around €20million to land Mohamed Simakan
According to Football.london, Gianluca di Marzio has revealed what it would take for Chelsea to sign Mohamed Simakan.
The 20-year-old has been an ever-present for Strasbourg this season. He could be on the move this month with the Blues keeping a keen eye on proceedings. (h/t Chelsea FC)
Simakan was offered to Chelsea last summer. However, he stayed put in Ligue 1. The youngster’s situation has also drawn attention from RB Leipzig and AC Milan. (h/t Football.london)
The defender is currently in talks with Leipzig and Milan. The latter had an €18m offer rejected by Strasbourg. It included an initial €15m with €3m in bonuses. It is believed that an €18m bid plus €2m in bonuses would be enough. (h/t Football.london)
Strasbourg are ready to sell the player given the fall out of the financial crisis brought upon by COVID-19. With the Blues keen to bring in a defender, Simakan is a promising prospect available at a decent price.
With the likes of Thiago Silva not getting any younger, the Blues will need to bring in another defender sooner than later.
With the futures of Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and Fikayo Tomori all far from certain, an overhaul of the backline could be in order in the coming windows.
The French top flight has been a favoured source of recruitment for the club’s defensive stars last summer. The likes of Thiago Silva, Edouard Mendy, and Malang Sarr all arrived at the Bridge from across the channel.
Whether Simakan will join them or not remains to be seen.
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Simakan has been at Strasbourg since 2017, eventually making his first-team debut in July 2019. Since then, he has grown into a regular member of the team, racking up 42 appearances so far.
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Key Chelsea decision-makers differ in their take on Lampard’s future
Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia differ over their decision regarding Chelsea manager Frank Lampard
According to ESPN, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and club chief Marina Granovskaia are at odds regarding what to do with Frank Lampard.
A run of just two wins from eight Premier League games has cast the spotlight on Lampard’s future in the Blues hot seat. Unless results pick up, he runs the risk of being yet another managerial fatality at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard did well to lead the club to a fourth-place finish last season, given the constraints he had to work under. However, he was adequately backed last summer and patience is now running thin at the Bridge.
Both Abramovich and Granovskia are torn over whether to hire an interim replacement now or wait until the end of the campaign to make their move.
Interim replacements under consideration include former boss Avram Grant and Ukraine manager, Andriy Shevchenko. Chelsea, however, appeared to be paralyzed by a lack of decision-making.
Known for being impatient, Abramovich has sacked 13 managers since taking over the club in 2003. As if things were not bleak enough for Lampard, Blues stars appear to be questioning his tactics.
A number of players are unsure of Lampard’s tactics and the criteria used to select his best XI. The boss, for his part, snapped back at journalists in his presser on Friday.
For now, it would appear Lampard’s status at the club has brought him some time to set things right. But knowing the Blues hierarchy, he would be foolish to assume it will be a long leash.
More Chelsea News
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- Paul Merson urges Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to change formation
- Encouraging news for Chelsea as Real Madrid could be out of Erling Haaland transfer race
It was reported earlier that Lampard had three games to save his Chelsea job. The Blues boss successfully cleared the first hurdle earlier today.
A Tammy Abraham hat-trick ensured the Blues defeated Luton Town 3-0 to progress to the FA Cup fifth round. Next up is a Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.
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Transfer News: Chelsea to battle Man United for talented La Liga star
Chelsea and Manchester United to battle it out for Ousmane Dembele
According to Spanish publication, SPORT (h/t Express), Chelsea and Manchester United are set to battle it out for Ousmane Dembele.
The Frenchman joined Barcelona 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for a massive transfer fee of £117m. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, he has failed to put up a consistent string of performances.
The 23-year-old’s contract expires in 2022 and negotiations regarding an extension at Barcelona have hit a roadblock. Given his potential, it is fair to say that he has failed to hit the desired heights at the Nou Camp.
Injuries and inconsistency have marred his stay at Barcelona. However, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman appears to have put his trust in the young Frenchman (h/t Express)
He has only made 93 appearances for the club in three and a half years. During this same time, he has missed an incredible 85 games due to injury. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Barcelona are keen to rid themselves of Dembele if he does not sign a new contract. Koeman is keen to bring Memphis Depay to the Nou Camp once the Dutchman’s contract expires this summer at Lyon. (h/t Express)
Dembele is clearly an exciting talent who is yet to fulfill his potential. As long as he can stay fit, he is likely to be an asset to the club.
Given that we are still to see the best of our big summer signings in Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, how far the Blues are willing to spend next summer remains to be seen.
More Chelsea News
- Barcelona cede pursuit of Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso
- Paul Merson urges Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to change formation
- Encouraging news for Chelsea as Real Madrid could be out of Erling Haaland transfer race
The upcoming summer presents the last chance for Barcelona to sell the player for a decent fee. The Frenchman will be free to discuss pre-contract arrangements from January 2022 and can be signed for a free later that summer.
However, it all depends on how well his negotiations with Barcelona go. It will be worth keeping an eye out on developments in the coming months.
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Chelsea reject loan approach for 26-year-old star from London rivals
Chelsea reject Hammers bid for Emerson Palmieri
According to the Mirror, Chelsea have rejected a loan offer from West Ham United for Emerson Palmieri.
The Hammers are keen to bring in a left-back this month. Although they have Aaron Creswell, losing Arthur Masuaku due to injury has necessitated a dip into the market.
The Italian ace has struggled for game time at Chelsea and has been linked with a move away. As a stop-gap measure, there are few better left-backs available this window.
Despite being the club’s second-choice left-back, Frank Lampard is keen to keep Emerson at the club. While Ben Chilwell is the club’s first-choice, he cannot be expected to play every single game for the remainder of the season.
The decision to keep Emerson is further strengthened given Marcos Alonso’s fall from grace. The Spaniard and Frank Lampard had a falling out earlier in the season and the former has not featured for Chelsea since.
With the Champions League also set to return in February, Lampard will need strength in depth to negotiate a busy schedule.
Emerson has 18 months left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge. Signed from AS Roma in 2018, the Italian star has failed to make an impact in the Blues’ squad.
He has so far made 64 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions. During this time, he has scored one goal and assisted five. (h/t Transfermarkt)
More Chelsea News
- Barcelona cede pursuit of Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso
- Paul Merson urges Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to change formation
- Encouraging news for Chelsea as Real Madrid could be out of Erling Haaland transfer race
With games set to come thick and fast, how Lampard will rotate his squad will be key. Chilwell has shown that he is susceptible to injuries, meaning the Blues need a senior left-back ready to step in when needed.
Emerson can fulfill that role well. Keeping him could prove to be an inspired decision come to the end of the season.
A View From The Bridge
“Karius wearing a mask” – Some fans react as Chelsea star makes yet another blunder in goal
Chelsea fans react on Twitter as Kepa Arrizabalaga makes yet another blunder against Luton Town
It would appear that Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga cannot catch a break in the Blues goal.
Making his sixth appearances of the season, the Spanish goalkeeper has once again found himself at the centre of a storm, for all the wrong reasons.
Chelsea welcomed minnows Luton Town in their FA Cup fourth round fixture at Stamford Bridge. Tammy Abraham put the Blues up 2-0 before Jordan Clark reduced the deficit at the half hour mark.
The Luton ace’s strike was straight at Kepa but somehow managed to squeeze in between the goalkeeper’s hands. While errors happen, Kepa has been making them on a consistent basis.
The 26-year-old has a save percentage of 58.8 percent since the beginning of last season. It is the worst among all Premier League goalkeepers with 20 plus appearances.
A lot was expected of Kepa after Chelsea paid a club-record fee to purchase him in 2018. While he has had his moments, the transfer has to be considered a massive flop.
Kepa is by no means a bad keeper. But it would appear his time at Chelsea has run its course. A move away would be the best bet for both him and Chelsea going forward.
The Spaniard tp his credit did redeem himself with an excellent save from Harry Cornick in the second half. Thankfully Kepa’s mistake did not come to haunt us as Tammy Abraham finished off Luton with his third on the night in the 74th minute.
Twitter reacts as Kepa makes yet another Chelsea blunder
More Chelsea News
- Barcelona cede pursuit of Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso
- Paul Merson urges Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to change formation
- Encouraging news for Chelsea as Real Madrid could be out of Erling Haaland transfer race
Chelsea beat Luton Town 3-1, with Abraham completing his hat-trick in the second half. We will now be facing Barnsley in the fifth round.
Key Chelsea decision-makers differ in their take on Lampard’s future
Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia differ over their decision regarding Chelsea manager Frank Lampard According to ESPN, Chelsea owner Roman...
Transfer News: Chelsea to battle Man United for talented La Liga star
Chelsea and Manchester United to battle it out for Ousmane Dembele According to Spanish publication, SPORT (h/t Express), Chelsea and...
Chelsea reject loan approach for 26-year-old star from London rivals
Chelsea reject Hammers bid for Emerson Palmieri According to the Mirror, Chelsea have rejected a loan offer from West Ham...
“Karius wearing a mask” – Some fans react as Chelsea star makes yet another blunder in goal
Chelsea fans react on Twitter as Kepa Arrizabalaga makes yet another blunder against Luton Town It would appear that Chelsea...
La Liga giants end their interest in signing out-of-favour Chelsea star
Barcelona cede pursuit of Chelsea outcast Marcos Alonso According to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano (h/t Football.london), La Liga giants Barcelona...
Arsenal legend urges Lampard to make drastic formation change to arrest Chelsea slump
Paul Merson urges Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to change formation Writing in his column for the Daily Star (h/t Express),...