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Tag: Chelsea

  • Chelsea unveils new home kit for next season [Photos]

    Chelsea unveils new home kit for next season [Photos]

    Chelsea have revealed their new home kit for the 2018/19 season, which they will wear for the first time against Newcastle on Sunday.

    The new kit takes inspiration from the famous and much-loved jerseys of the 1980s and 90s.

    Flashes of colour feature on the shirt, with “dazzling horizontal red and white lines vibrantly standing out against the famous Chelsea blue”.

    The jersey is complemented by the traditional blue shorts and white socks, which include a horizontal red and blue trim at the knee.Meanwhile, there are two subtle inner features which give a nod to Chelsea’s pride and heritage.

    High up on the back of the neckline of the shirt sits a small lion, an instantly recognisable symbol borrowed from the club crest, while Inside the jersey, the words ‘Blue is the Colour’ – the opneing line from the Chelsea anthem – can be found.

    As well as the men’s team, both the Chelsea Academy and Ladies teams will wear the new kit throughout the 2018/19 season.

  • Not my decision to sell Salah from Chelsea – Jose Mourinho

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says it was not his decision to sell Egypt forward Mohamed Salah when he was Chelsea manager.

    Salah, 25, left Stamford Bridge for Roma in 2016 and has scored 43 goals in all competitions for Liverpool since joining the club last summer.

    Mourinho, now manager of Manchester United, says the Blues opted to cash in on the player to fund other signings.

    “People say that I was the one that sold Salah and it is the opposite,” the Portuguese told ESPN.

    “Chelsea decided to sell him, OK? So the decision to send him on loan was a decision we made collectively, but after that, the decision to sell him and to use that money to buy another player wasn’t mine.”

    When asked about the matter at his news conference on Friday, Mourinho added: “Everybody knows I bought Salah; I was responsible.

    “I bought fantastic young player. We decided with him it was better for him to have a loan period.”

    Salah joined Chelsea under Mourinho in 2014 but was loaned to Fiorentina and then to Roma before making a permanent move to the Italian side for around £15m.

    On his return to the Premier League with Liverpool, Salah has scored 31 goals in 33 matches and won the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Player of the Year award.

    However, Mourinho says his form this season will have surprised even the player himself.

    “He is a fantastic boy. I am really happy for him. He has more than deserved player of the year and maybe more than that,” he added.

    BBC

  • Chelsea must be ready to ‘fight’ in FA Cup semi-final – Conte

    Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte says the team must ‘be ready to fight’ in their FA Cup semi-final tie against Southampton on Sunday.

    Conte, whose side beat Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor in the league on Thursday, said he is not “listening to those who say Chelsea are already in the final”.

    “It won’t be easy,” said Conte, who hinted that he may start with two strikers in the semi.

    “Five days ago we were 2-0 down at Southampton, but I saw a fantastic spirit at Burnley. We must continue this way.”

    Against Burnley, Conte played two strikers – Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud – for the first time since taking over at Chelsea in 2016.

    “In the past it was very difficult for me to try this option with the two strikers,” he said.

    “But they showed a great link and a great combination, and at the same time they worked very hard for the team.

    “Our strikers created a lot of difficulties for the central defenders and we surprised Burnley.

    “To see Giroud and Morata play this way gives me satisfaction. It’s an option, for Sunday or maybe for the future.”

    Spaniard Morata, who missed a one-on-one opportunity with goalkeeper Nick Pope, showed his frustration after being replaced by Eden Hazard 19 minutes from time.

    “Alvaro must be angry,” said Conte. “He had a chance to score and if you score you change the confidence.

    “I thought he was angry he was substituted because of this miss but I am very pleased with him. I thought it was better to put fresh strength on with Hazard.”

    Chelsea lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the FA Cup final last season.

    “A second final in a row would be great for our fans,” said Conte.

    “It’s not my task to judge the season. I have to work and try to transfer my enthusiasm to the team.

    “Sometimes I am good, sometimes I am not so good.”

    BBC

  • Chelsea wing-back Alonso given three match ban for violent conduct

    Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso has been given a three-match ban for violent conduct after a tackle on Shane Long in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Southampton.

    The Spaniard will miss Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against the same opponents at Wembley, plus Premier League matches at Burnley on Thursday and Swansea on 28 April.

    Alonso denied the charge and said such a suspension would be excessive.

    But this was rejected after an independent regulatory commission hearing on Wednesday.

    The FA took retrospective action against the 27-year-old after officials, including referee Mike Dean, failed to see the incident.

    “It was a poor challenge – it should have been a red card in my view,” said Southampton manager Mark Hughes after his relegation-threatened side’s defeat.

    “The disappointment was the officials didn’t see it. They were all within a 10 to 15-metre radius – one of them should have seen it.”

    On Wednesday, Alonso was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Premier League team of the year – the only representative from Chelsea.

    BBC

  • Substitute Giroud seals Chelsea’s victory over Southampton

    Substitute Olivier Giroud scored twice as Chelsea came from 2-0 down to win at Southampton and keep alive their faint hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

    Dusan Tadic’s opener, a placed effort following Ryan Bertrand’s marauding run, and Polish defender Jan Bednarek’s left-footed shot looked to be lifting Saints out of the bottom three.

    But, with Mark Hughes seemingly on course for a first league victory as Southampton manager since arriving on 14 March, Giroud sparked a listless Chelsea into life.

    The France forward’s header – his first league goal for Antonio Conte’s team – and left-footed drive sandwiched Eden Hazard’s left-foot finish as the Blues moved within seven points of fourth-placed Tottenham.

    For an hour, Chelsea’s performance epitomised their travails since the turn of the year, with the defending champions having collected just 12 points from a possible 33.

    Willian’s 55th-minute shot was their first effort on target, and there were question marks over the application of several players in the build-up to both Saints goals.

    One of those players – wing-back Marcos Alonso – was also fortunate to escape without punishment for standing on the back of Southampton forward Shane Long’s calf in the first half.

    BBC

  • Javier Hernandez earns West Ham valuable point at Chelsea

    Javier Hernandez earns West Ham valuable point at Chelsea

    Substitute Javier Hernandez scored an equaliser to earn West Ham United an unlikely point in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

    The home side had dominated the London derby for 73 minutes, leading for almost half that time after Cesar Azpilicueta poked home following a short corner.

    Their Spanish striker Alvaro Morata also had the ball in the net twice but was narrowly offside each time.

    West Ham, who had been much improved in beating Southampton 3-0 a week ago, offered little until Hernandez’s intervention soon after coming on.

    Chelsea midfielders Willian and Eden Hazard were the game’s most creative forces and were both involved in the few scoring opportunities before their team finally struck.

    Hazard linked up cleverly with Willian, the Brazilian bringing a good save from Joe Hart.

    From the subsequent corner, however, West Ham switched off and allowed Azpilicueta two bites before he jabbed the ball in.

    Willian squandered a good chance early in the second half, shooting wide of the far post, and Chelsea were made to pay thereafter.

    Marko Arnautovic set up Hernandez to score only a few minutes after the Mexican striker had come on.

    Hart, keen to restore his reputation as England’s best goalkeeper before the World Cup finals, made fine saves from Marcos Alonso and substitute Olivier Giroud late in the game.

    “We did well in the first half apart from the goal which was really poor,” Hart said.

    “They are the champions, let’s not forget. They created a lot but we stood strong.”

    With six games left, the draw left West Ham in 14th place, only six points short of the target of 40 for survival that their manager David Moyes has set them.

    Chelsea’s prospects of catching fourth-placed Tottenham, who are 10 points ahead of them, now look even more remote.

    There was an emotional tribute before the game, and after eight minutes of play, to Ray Wilkins, the former Chelsea captain and assistant manager, who died in midweek.

    NAN

  • Transfer Rumours: Man Utd confident of signing Willian from Chelsea

    Manchester United are confident of signing 29-year-old Brazil midfielder Willian from Chelsea for £30m, according to the Sun.

    Manchester United coach, Jose Mourinho tried to land the Chelsea star last summer and talks took place with the player’s representatives.

    Willian moved to Chelsea in 2013 from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for a fee of £30 million, making 228 appearances and scoring 44 goals.

    The Brazilian has won two Premier Leagues, one League Cup, also with individual honours for winning 2016 Chelsea player of the year and Chelsea Player’s Player of the year award in 2016.

    Willian’s Stamford Bridge contract expires in 2020.

    Also, Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is set to leave Old Trafford this summer, with Mourinho planning some big changes as he bids to build a side capable of challenging city rivals Manchester City next season.

    Mata, 30 this month, was signed for a then club record fee of £37.1m in 2014 from Chelsea and has gone on to make 182 appearances, scoring 39 goals.

     

  • Chelsea to keep Eden Hazard with £300,000-a-week contract

    Chelsea to keep Eden Hazard with £300,000-a-week contract

    London club Chelsea are set to offer star player Eden Hazard with a huge £300,000-a-week contract, and they are hoping he will commit to Stamford Bridge for the next few years.

    With the likelihood of no Champions League football next season, Chelsea are hoping they can secure Hazard to a new deal

    The Spanish publication Sport indicates Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich is so keen to hold onto Hazard that he will blow open the club’s wage structure to keep him.

    Despite Real apparently being ready to submit an £87million bid after the World Cup, Chelsea will pull out all the stops in order to hang on to their main man.

    Hazard, 27, is already the top earner in West London, pocketing £200,000-a-week and his contract runs until 2020.

    The Belgian would get a massive £100,000-a-week raise if he were to sign the reported contract offer.

    Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte is likely to leave the club at the end of the season after falling out with Chelsea’s hierarchy.

    Hazard could be stuck in no-man’s land as he once again waits to discover who his new manager will be and what role he’ll be taking up in the new system.

    Chelsea signed the forward in 2012, from French Ligue 1 side Lille for a reported fee of £32 million, going on to win two Premier Leagues, one League Cup and Europa League.

  • BREAKING: Former England captain Ray Wilkins dies at 61

    BREAKING: Former England captain Ray Wilkins dies at 61

    Former England and Chelsea midfielder, Ray Wilkins died on Wednesday at the age of 61, one week on from a heart attack.

    Wilkins, who also played for Manchester United, AC Milan, Rangers and QPR, was being treated at St George’s Hospital in London before his death.

    His family thanked “Ray’s friends, colleagues and members of the public” for the many messages of goodwill.

    Chelsea said they were “devastated to learn of the passing of our former player, captain and assistant coach”.

    The club added: “Rest in peace, Ray, you will be dreadfully missed.”

    Wilkins’ family said: “It is with great sadness we announce that Raymond Colin Wilkins passed away this morning.

    “Ray leaves behind his loving wife, Jackie, daughter Jade, son Ross, and his beautiful grandchildren, Oliver, Frankie, Ava, Freddie, Jake and Archie.

    “We are asking for privacy at this very difficult time.”

    Wilkins had been working as a TV and radio pundit.

    As a player, he won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1983 and the Scottish league title with Rangers in 1989.

    He made 84 appearances for England and captained his country 10 times.

    Wilkins had spells as manager of QPR, Fulham and the Jordan national team.

    He was also Chelsea assistant coach from 1998-2000 and then 2008 until 2010, when he worked alongside Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.

    BBC

  • Chelsea: Hazard accept to play out of position under Conte

    Chelsea: Hazard accept to play out of position under Conte

    Chelsea play-maker, Eden Hazard admits he has no problem with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte playing him out of his favourite position.

    In recent big games, Conte has opted to use Hazard in a ‘false nine’ role rather than his preferred position on the left wing.

    However, ahead of Chelsea’s crucial Premier League fixture against Tottenham on Sunday, the Belgian insists he is willing to sacrifice his favoured role for the good of the team.

    “I just want to be on the pitch,” Hazard told Sky Sports News.

    “Number 9, 10, I can play left-back if the manager wants, no problem. I just want to be on the pitch and try to give everything like I do every time.

    “I’m happy with Chelsea,” he added. “I am just thinking about the end of the season and the World Cup. I have got two years left on my contract so I am just happy.”

    Hazard is currently on international duty with Belgium and is set to feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Saudi Arabia.

    Belgium have been drawn in Group G at the World Cup with England, Panama and Tunisia and Hazard believes they are equipped to go much further than they did in 2014 when they reached the quarter-finals.

    “Four years ago was the first World Cup for almost all of the players in the national team,” he said. “Now we have the experience four years later so we know what to do to be ready.

    “We have one target which is to go to the final and then we will see what happens.”