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Tag: Chelsea

  • Chelsea explore signing Benzema, Firmino

    Chelsea explore signing Benzema, Firmino

    Premier League club Chelsea are exploring the idea of signing a Saudi Pro League striker this month.

    The Telegraph says Chelsea have Al-Ittihad centre-forward Karim Benzema and Al-Ahli’s Roberto Firmino on their radar. The Blues will seek to sign one of the two to ease the pressure on manager Mauricio Pochettino.

    Pochettino has expressed concern over his lack of attacking options, with Christopher Nkunku continuing to battle with injury.

    Former Liverpool striker Firmino is unsettled at Al Ahli after battling for consistency in the SPL.

    Meanwhile, Benzema’s future with Al-Ittihad is in doubt after struggling to get along with management since his summer arrival from Real Madrid.

    Tribalfootball

  • We’re still worrying about Nkunku – Pochettino

    We’re still worrying about Nkunku – Pochettino

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted to having concerns about Christopher Nkunku.

    The French attacking midfielder is working to rebuild his fitness after many months out with injury.

    Nkunku was not able to train this week after suffering an injury in a 3-2 win against Luton Town recently.

    “We are still worrying about the situation of Nkunku,” Pochettino admitted on Friday in his latest press conference.

    “Now I think we are 10 days he cannot train. We are assessing. A little bit worried as we want him back as soon as possible.

    “I remember my first conference after he suffered a small issue. Now I think it’s nearly 10 days he has not trained – in between eight and 10. After six months, we were waiting for him.

    “He was so close to again feel(ing) comfortable. I am of course disappointed with that. We want him as soon as possible to be involved again.”

  • Chelsea board make fresh Pochettino decision

    Chelsea board make fresh Pochettino decision

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino does not need to fear the sack at present.

    The Stamford Bridge club are languishing in midtable in the Premier League this term.

    A 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first leg loss to Middlesbrough has increased talk about Pochettino’s future.

    However, The Telegraph states that Pochettino is not currently at risk of losing his job.

    Chelsea want him to see out the season, and they believe improvements can arrive.

    If the club can qualify for any European competition, even through a domestic cup, the season will be considered a success.

    Tribalfootball

  • Carabao Cup: Middlesbrough shock Chelsea 1-0 ahead return leg at Stamford Bridge

    Carabao Cup: Middlesbrough shock Chelsea 1-0 ahead return leg at Stamford Bridge

    Chelsea’s hopes of winning this season’s Carabao Cup hang in the balance after suffering a shocking 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Hayden Hackney’s goal giving Mauricio Pochettino’s wasteful side plenty to do in the return.

    Hackney lashed on to a pass from Isaiah Jones to slot home the only goal of the encounter at the Riverside Stadium and the Championship side defended superbly to take a slender advantage to Stamford Bridge.

    Chelsea paid for lack of clinical finishing in the game as they dominated possession but squandered a host of chances — the biggest culprit being Cole Palmer who failed to hit the target twice in the opening half with the goal gaping.

    Boro, who won the trophy in 2004, had chances on the counter-attack to increase their lead but will head to London believing they can reach Wembley. Chelsea’s players were booed by some of their own fans at the final whistle.

    The Blues have another opportunity to redeem their image on the 23rd of January in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

  • EPL: Osimhen set to sign pre-contract agreement with Chelsea

    EPL: Osimhen set to sign pre-contract agreement with Chelsea

    Despite signing a new contract at Napoli recently, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is prepared to  sign a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea, according to TEAMtalk.

    Findings show that the forward who’s currently at the Abu Dhabi  camp with rest of Super Eagles teammates  in preparations for the forthcoming AFCON has made up his mind to leave the Serie A champions this summer.

    However, the 25-year-old, who now has a release clause of around £112m, will not be moving this month.

    But Osimhen is willing to sign a pre-agreement in January, before making the move to Chelsea at the end of the season.

    The report claims former Chelsea players, Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel have been in regular contact with Osimhen, hoping to persuade him to join the Blues.

    Chelsea have been keen to add a top centre-forward to their ranks for the majority of this season and have Osimhen at the top of their list.

  • Thiago Silva fumes at Chelsea teammates after Luton win

    Thiago Silva fumes at Chelsea teammates after Luton win

    Chelsea defender Thiago Silva was furious with his teammates at the end of victory against Luton Town.

    Chelsea won 3-2 at Kenilworth Road, but at one stage were 3-0 ahead.

    Luton’s late fight-back left Thiago Silva fuming and he let his young teammates know his feelings at the final whistle.

    Later, Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “Thiago is like this. He is always moaning and never happy – but that is good. He is 39 years old and still playing. I think sometimes we are there on the pitch but sometimes it was the small details.

    “You want to show that you want to help the team and your emotion is there.”

  • Where I see Nkunku playing for Chelsea – Pochettino

    Where I see Nkunku playing for Chelsea – Pochettino

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is pondering whether to start Christopher Nkunku today against Crystal Palace.

    Nkunku played and scored in defeat at Newcastle United on the weekend. He’s now banked an hour in two appearances.

    Pochettino said: “At the moment he is coming back from injury his best position is more like a 10 or a 9, more than the left or right side like a winger. To cope with the demands of the Premier League and what the team needs, it’s better in these positions.

    “He is now starting to understand the Premier League, that teams are very aggressive and the football is very different to other countries.

    “It’s good for him, more minutes. He will adapt little by little, but scoring will help him adapt quicker.”

  • EPL: Wasteful Chelsea suffer 2-1 defeat to Wolves at the Molineux

    EPL: Wasteful Chelsea suffer 2-1 defeat to Wolves at the Molineux

    Chelsea on Sunday evening suffered a  2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux.

    The Blues were hugely wasteful in front of goal and were made to pay for their lack of clinical finishing as the host scored two goals in the second  half of the encounter to snatch victory against the Blues.

    It was a positive first-half for the visitors at Molineux but somehow the game was goalless at the break. Raheem Sterling missed a golden opportunity where he could have played it to one of his teammates for an easier chance.

    Mario Lemina then put the hosts a goal ahead early in the second-half and that was enough for the three points. Matt Doherty scored Wolves’ second in stoppage time to make sure of the win for the home side.

    Christopher Nkunku then scored in stoppage time to give Chelsea some hope but it wasn’t enough. Below, Bobby Vincent rates each of the Chelsea players that featured at Molineux.

  • Chelsea players to spend Christmas Day in training

    Chelsea players to spend Christmas Day in training

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says the players will train on Christmas Day.

    The Blues visit Wolves on Sunday before hosting Crystal Palace on December 27.

    Pochettino said: “We are going to train on the 25th. We cannot stop as we have another game on the 27th.

    “I am not going to complain but Palace played on Thursday against Brighton. We cannot stop because the players need to understand there’s a very short space for recovery.”

    Pochettino added: “If all of us play 24th and all of us play 27th, then we are in the same circumstances.

    “There’s a difference in recovery. I’m not going to complain but the organisation should be better because it’s not fair.”

  • Why I substituted Fernandez against Newcastle – Pochettino explains

    Why I substituted Fernandez against Newcastle – Pochettino explains

    Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino explained his substitution of midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

    The Blues experienced a nervy game on Tuesday against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

    Before the dramatic closing stages of the game, Chelsea had taken off mega signing Fernandez, which was due to a stomach problem.

    Pochettino stated post-game: “He asked to go out because he was a little bit sick before the game.

    “He suffered some problems in his stomach. He tried, he wanted to play and see if it went well. It didn’t go so well so that is why he had to come off.”

    He then added on subbing Levi Colwill: “My perception was Levi was a little bit tired and we wanted to put some more offensive players like Malo on and provide more energy in the side.”