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Tag: Chelsea

  • Biggest test for Sarri as Chelsea hosts Manchester City on Saturday

    It has taken less than two weeks for the optimism generated by a 12-match unbeaten start to Maurizio Sarri’s reign at Stamford Bridge to fizzle out.

    This weekend the Italian faces his biggest test to date when Manchester City visit.

    In fairness to the former Napoli manager, he stressed throughout the heady days of early Autumn that Chelsea were not equipped to challenge Manchester City for the title.

    Now, ahead of Saturday’s clash between the sides, a 10-point gap has opened up.

    On Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City maintained a searing pace at the top with a 2-1 win against Watford.

    Twenty four hours later, Chelsea went down 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers — their second defeat in three English Premier League games.

    Sarri said his side had only played well for 55 minutes at Wolves.

    He added that he knows they will have to be at full tilt for 90 minutes on Saturday if they are to have any chance of halting the Manchester City juggernaut.

    He said he expects a “big reaction” on Saturday.

    But he already appears to have settled for a top-four scrap along with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, rather than chasing down Liverpool and champions Manchester City.

    “Manchester City are in another category. We have to play and to fight to be in the top four,” Sarri said after the setback at Wolves.

    “City are the best team in Europe, maybe the best in the world. They can win the UEFA Champions League.”

    Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool, who like Manchester City are unbeaten, started without Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at Burnley on Wednesday but still won 3-1.

    With a huge `must-win’ UEFA Champions League game coming up next week against Napoli, Klopp may well gamble on squad rotation as they travel to seventh-placed Bournemouth for Saturday’s early kick-off.

    Victory for Liverpool would take them top, at least until Manchester City’s later clash with Chelsea.

    Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur will also have a massive UEFA Champions League night on their minds when they travel to Leicester City on Saturday evening.

    Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be less than pleased that his side kickoff at 1945 GMT with a trip to FC Barcelona following on Tuesday.

    It was a game Tottenham will almost certainly have to win to reach the last 16 of the tournament.

    Fifth-placed Arsenal have no such concerns as they host Huddersfield Town on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 21 matches.

    Manchester United, who are 18 points behind leaders Manchester City and eight adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea after three successive draws, are at home to bottom club Fulham.

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has made 46 changes to his starting line-up already this season and all eyes will be on his selection again.

    He comes face to face with the original “tinkerman” Claudio Ranieri, now at the helm at Fulham.

    Mourinho left record signing Paul Pogba on the bench for Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal and also started without Romelu Lukaku.

    But goalscorer Anthony Martial picked up an injury against Arsenal and is a major doubt to face Fulham.

    Also on Saturday, Burnley host Brighton and Hove Albion while new Southampton boss manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be in the dugout for the first time.

    His side take on fellow strugglers Cardiff City.

    West Ham United will be seeking a third consecutive win when they host Crystal Palace in a London derby.

    Match Day 16 Fixtures

    Bournemouth vs Liverpool

    Arsenal vs Huddersfield

    Burnley vs Brighton

    Cardiff vs Southampton

    Manchester United vs Fulham

    West Ham vs Crystal Palace

    Chelsea vs Manchester City

    Leicester vs Tottenham

    Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Everton vs Watford

     

  • EPL: Wolves shock Chelsea with comeback win

    EPL: Wolves shock Chelsea with comeback win

    Wolves fought back from a goal down to stun Chelsea and gain their first victory in seven Premier League matches.

    The visitors went ahead when Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s 25-yard effort was headed into his own net by Wolves captain Conor Coady.

    Chelsea had chances to extend their lead but Willian had a free-kick tipped over, Antonio Rudiger shot off target and N’Golo Kante fired just wide.

    Those misses proved costly as Raul Jimenez’s low strike, following a fine run from 18-year-old midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, made it level.

    Wolves scored what proved to be the winner four minutes later as Matt Doherty’s cross was finished at the back post by Diogo Jota for his first Premier League goal.

    It is now back-to-back away league defeats for Maurizio Sarri’s side, who drop down to fourth below Tottenham and remain 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, who they play at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

  • Sarri defends Jorginho, says Kante can’t play central role

    Sarri defends Jorginho, says Kante can’t play central role

    Maurizio Sarri has ruled out the possibility of altering the roles of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, despite criticism of his tactics after Chelsea’s defeat at Tottenham.

    The Blues were overrun by Spurs in their 3-1 loss at Wembley, leading to suggestions Sarri should move Kante to the deeper central position in his midfield three.

    Kante is regarded as one of the leading defensive midfielders, winning the World Cup and two Premier League titles in the last three seasons, but Sarri says he does not have the skillset to play the holding role in his system.

    The manager explained: “I want to play a central midfielder who is a very technical player, so for me, the central midfielder is Jorginho or (Cesc) Fabregas. I don’t want Kante in this position.

    “Kante, in the last match, wanted to solve the match after the first 15 minutes, but in the wrong way. He lost the position, he attacked too much.

    “This one is not one of the best characteristics of Kante, but it was only in reaction to the difficulties.

    “Maybe it’s only a question of time, but Kante has to stay near to Jorginho, especially when the ball is on the other side. When the ball is on the left he has to stay very close to Jorginho.”

     

     

     

  • I might leave Chelsea instead of extending my contract – Hazard

    I might leave Chelsea instead of extending my contract – Hazard

    The Belgium international has 18 months remaining on his contract and has been linked with both Real Madrid and Paris St Germain and admits a summer departure from Stamford Bridge is possible.

    “For now I’m staying at Chelsea,” Hazard told Canal Plus.

    “I have one year left in June. If I don’t extend, it (a move) is possible. I can’t see myself leaving in January. I wouldn’t do that to the club, to the fans.

    “Next summer it’s a possibility, but it’s also possible that I spend the rest of my career at Chelsea.”

    However, Hazard, who joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012, has ruled out the possibility Ligue 1 could be his next destination.

    “There has been contact in the past with PSG but I haven’t been tempted,” he added.

    “If I have to go back to France one day, it would be to Lille. But today, there is no chance that I’ll come back in the French league.”

  • EPL: Chelsea can’t catch Manchester City – Sarri

    EPL: Chelsea can’t catch Manchester City – Sarri

    Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri says it is impossible for his team to catch Manchester City in the Premier League this season, despite their unbeaten start.

    The Italian only defeat since taking charge at Stamford Bridge was in his first game, which came against City at Wembley in the Community Shield.

    Since then, Chelsea have gone 18 matches unbeaten in all competitions, leaving them just four points behind champions City in the Premier League.

    However, asked if he thought they could catch Pep Guardiola’s side, Sarri said: “No. For me they are stronger than us.

    “We have to work very hard just to try to recover the gap, but at the moment the gap is still there.

    “We have to do it. We can recover, but I don’t think in the first season we will be able to recover 30 points (distance Chelsea finished behind City last season).

    “In the Premier League, there is a team above the others. This team is Manchester City.

    “Then there is a very good team – Liverpool. For sure Liverpool will be in the first four positions.

    “Then there is four or five teams who will have to fight for the Champions League positions. Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, (Manchester) United.”

    Chelsea take on one of the sides Sarri feels will be scrapping for a top four place this season when they travel to Wembley to face Spurs on Saturday.

    Mauricio Pochettino’s side currently lie one place and one point below Sarri’s, but the 59-year-old has plenty of praise for the job his opposite number has done in north London.

    “He (Pochettino) has done a very good job,” said Sarri. “They play very good football. They are very dangerous in the offensive phase, in the short counter-attacks.

    “They are a technical team and in the match they run a lot. From the physical point of view, they are a very strong team.

    “They are competitive. They will fight for a Champions League position, for sure. It is a very difficult match.”

  • Kante signs new five-year deal to remain at Stamford Bridge

    Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has signed a new five-year deal to keep him at the club until 2023.

    The France international, 27, has scored three goals in 81 Premier League appearances for the Blues after joining from Leicester City in 2016.

    Chelsea won the league title in Kante’s first season at Stamford Bridge and he was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.

    “It has been two beautiful years and I wish for more to come,” he said.

    “Since I came, I have completely improved as a player, challenged myself and got some awards I never thought about.

    “I like the city, I like the club and I am happy to be here for more time.”

    Kante has 36 caps for France and was a member of their World Cup-winning squad in Russia this summer.

    Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: “When he arrived, we knew we had signed a special player – but he has astounded everybody with his tireless and unselfish displays.

    “Off the pitch, he remains a dedicated professional and a humble human being despite the fact he is a world champion and a two-time Premier League winner.

    “We now look forward to five more years with N’Golo at the heart of the Chelsea midfield.”

     

  • Lampard hails ‘monster’ Drogba as Chelsea legend hangs boot

    Frank Lampard has said that Didier Drogba was a “monster in the dressing room” who won countless big games for Chelsea.

    On Wednesday, Drogba confirmed he would retire from the game at the age of 40 following a professional career spanning two decades, the peak years of which the Ivorian spent at Stamford Bridge.

    In nine seasons across two spells, Drogba won a dozen major honours, including four Premier League titles and a famous Champions League triumph in 2012.

    And Lampard, a key figure alongside the striker in the most successful era in Chelsea’s history, paid a glowing tribute to his former team-mate.

    “I get asked a lot who are the greatest players you played with. One retired relatively recently in John Terry, and the other is Didier Drogba,” Derby County manager Lampard told a news conference.

    “He is the most incredible player. He’s a monster in the dressing room.

    “He won Chelsea countless titles, finals, semi-finals. He always turned up on the big occasion. He should be so proud of his career.

    “On top of that he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, men that I have played with. He is a friend, unselfish, humble, tough…I could speak all day about Didier Drogba.”

  • Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba confirms retirement

    Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba confirms retirement

    Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed his retirement from playing, ending “an amazing 20 years”.

    The Ivory Coast striker, 40, had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games and winning four Premier Leagues and the 2012 Champions League.

    He spent the last 18 months of his career with US side Phoenix Rising, the club he co-owns.

    “After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career,” he told BBC World Service’s Sportshour.

    It had been expected Drogba would retire after the United Soccer League Cup final earlier this month, with his last game a 1-0 defeat by Louisville City in the final of the United States’ second tier.

    “It’s the best way to end, helping some young talent to develop,” he said.

    “To give something back to the game was the best way to finish as I have learned so much in the game.”

    Drogba did not play top-flight football until the age of 23, when French side Guingamp signed him from Ligue 2 Le Mans in January 2002.

    He moved to Marseille 18 months later – and the following year completed a reported £24m move to Chelsea, where he had the best spell of his career.

    Drogba won three Premier League titles in his first eight years at Chelsea, including in each of his first two seasons in England, as well as four FA Cups and two League Cups.

    He also won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2006-07 and 2009-10.

    He left on a high, scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final shootout against Bayern Munich.

    Drogba then spent six months with Shanghai Shenhua and a year and a half with Galatasaray before returning to Chelsea.

    He scored seven goals in 2014-15, winning a fourth Premier League title and a third League Cup, leaving the club as their fourth highest scorer of all time.

    In 2015, he joined Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact and then became player-owner of Phoenix Rising.

    He scored 65 times in 105 caps for the Ivory Coast, playing in three World Cups and being named African Footballer of the Year twice.

  • Giroud dismisses Chelsea exit, says he’ll fight for his place

    Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Stamford Bridge, insisting he will “fight” for his place at the London club.

    The France international has started just four times in the Premier League this season under new head coach Maurizio Sarri, with Alvaro Morata often preferred in attack.

    Giroud, 32, is out of contract next summer and has yet to agree terms on a new deal, but the World Cup winner says he is only focused on securing more game at Chelsea.

    “Would I have to consider a departure to keep my place in the national team? I feel like it is as if we are where we were several months ago when I was being asked the same questions before the World Cup, the striker told TeleFoot

    “Today I am calm, happy with this World Cup title. I don’t need to put myself under more pressure than that.

    “Of course, I am a competitor and I would like more playing time. But I am in a very big club, with very big players.

    “I am going to fight and for the moment, it is not a question about seeking a departure. I am going to stick in there and do not expect me to give up.”

    Giroud’s only strike for the Blues so far this season came in the 1-0 Europa League victory over Bate Borisov.

     

  • Saturday transfer gist: Chelsea set to sign Pulisic from Dortmund

    Chelsea are set to sign Borussia Dortmund’s 20-year-old United States winger Christian Pulisic – and will push for the deal to be concluded in January. (Mail)

    Napoli’s Albania full-back Elseid Hysaj, 24, could also be a target for Chelsea, according to his agent. (Radio CRC, via Sun)

    Juventus have joined AC Milan in expressing an interest in Liverpool’s 25-year-old Brazil midfielder Fabinho. (Sport Mediaset, via Talksport)

    Galatasaray want to sign Liverpool’s 23-year-old Belgium striker Divock Origi on loan in January. (ESPN)

    Wolves want Origi on a permanent deal, and are lining up a £20m January bid. (Mirror)

    Tottenham have been warned that their new stadium may not be ready until March because of issues at the site. (Times)

    Real Madrid’s Colombia winger James Rodriguez could move to the Premier League next summer. Bayern Munich have opted against a permanent move for the 27-year-old, who is in the second year of a two-season loan. (Mirror)

    Barcelona insist they have no intention of selling 21-year-old France winger Ousmane Dembele, and say they have had no offers for him. (Cadena Ser, via Evening Standard)

    Arsenal are keeping tabs on 18-year-old centre-back Sebastian Walukiewicz, who plays in his native Poland for Pogon Szczecin. But the Gunners face competition from La Liga giants Barcelona. (Football London)

    Arsenal defender Julio Pleguezuelo, 21, says he has had offers to return to Spain but wants to stay at the Emirates. (Marca – in Spanish)

    New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri impressed club bosses by detailing where the team was failing and where improvements could be made in his interview for the job. (Mail)

    Juventus have made an offer for Toulouse’s 18-year-old French defender Jean-Clair Todibo. (Calciomercato)

    Roma’s Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick, 22, wants to stay at the club and has denied reports he might leave on loan in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

    Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia, 33, says he has been dropped by manager Jose Mourinho and is not injured. (Area Deportiva, via Mail)

    Porto’s former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, 37, said he would return to the national team and Real Madrid if either wanted him. (Movistar, via Marca)

    Liverpool’s England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 25, is targeting a comeback from his knee injury before the end of the season. (BetVictor, via Liverpool Echo)

    Republic of Ireland are keen to add Brighton coach Liam Rosenior to their under-21 set-up. (Mirror)

    Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has promised to take his players to Las Vegas if they win promotion to the Premier League. (Mail)