Chelsea Archives ⋆ Page 115 of 143 ⋆ LSU

Aug222019 by JBNo Comments

Lampard considering new Chelsea role for Loftus-Cheek when he returns from injury

Premier League

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is toying with the idea of using Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a forward when he returns from injury, with the England international hoping to be back in training in six weeks. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The 23-year-old was expected to miss much of the campaign after rupturing his Achilles in Chelsea’s friendly game against the New England Revolution in May, shortly before the Europa League final. But Ruben Loftus-Cheek confirmed to Sky Sports that he hopes to return to first-team training in ‘4-6 weeks’ and Lampard is already thinking about the best way to utilise him. According to The Sun, that could see the midfielder asked to lead the line, with the manager giving serious consideration to deploying him up front. One ...

Aug222019 by JBNo Comments

Lukaku reveals late Mourinho phone call stopped Chelsea move before Man Utd hijack

Premier League

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed how a late phone call from Jose Mourinho ensured that he signed for Manchester United and not Chelsea in the summer window of 2017. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian had seemed certain to be returning to Stamford Bridge three years after leaving the club for Everton, only for United to swoop in and hijack him to Old Trafford. After two years at the theatre of dreams, the 26-year-old has left for Inter Milan this summer, linking up with ex-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte in Italy. Speaking on the LightHarted podcast, Lukaku recalled the circumstances of his transfer move to United, who he says were determined to get him. “I was gone, I was going to Chelsea," he said. "I was looking for an apartmen...

Aug202019 by JBNo Comments

REVEALED: Chelsea star Pulisic rejected United transfer ‘because his dad hated Jose Mourinho

Premier League

Christian Pulisic turned down a transfer move to Manchester United because of Jose Mourinho, according to his former manager. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The American signed for Chelsea in the January window in a £58million deal but was loaned straight back to Borussia Dortmund until the end of last campaign. The 20-year-old has made a bright start to his career at Stamford Bridge and looks likely to play a key role under Frank Lampard. But it turns out the forward could have signed for the Red Devils before his move to Chelsea, according to The Telegraph. Robin Walker coached Pulisic as a youngster at non-League yeam Brackley Town and made the stunning revelation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); He said: "I'm a Che...

Aug182019 by JBNo Comments

David Luiz breaks silence on exit talks with Lampard before Arsenal transfer

Premier League

Former Chelsea defender David Luiz confirmed he held ‘honest’ talks with Frank Lampard before deciding to join Arsenal this summer window. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Brazilian made the shock move in the final days of the summer transfer window, amid reports he had downed tools at Stamford Bridge in an attempt to force the transfer. Lampard, who played alongside David Luiz, denied those claims and the centre-back has now broken his silence on his final discussions with the Chelsea head coach. ‘It was a great pleasure,’ Luiz told ESPN Brasil after making his debut against Burnley. ‘It is a new challenge in my career, where I took the decision to fight for new things and I enjoyed it in the best way possible. ‘In talks with Frank [Lampard], he...

Aug152019 by JBNo Comments

Zola reveals what really happened when Kepa refused to come off in Carabao Cup final

Premier League

It will go down as one of the most infamous moments in Carabao Cup final history as Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga appeared to refuse his manager's orders by refusing to come off against Manchester City last season. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Spaniard would not adhere to Maurizio Sarri's wishes on the touchline and stayed on the pitch despite Chelsea wanting to replace him with Willy Caballero. Having defied the Italian manager, who was clearly angry and stormed down the tunnel in frustration before returning, Kepa seemed to be injured but was soon ready to continue the game. Now, six months on, Chelsea legend and assistant that day, Gianfranco Zola, has revealed what was a crazy situation, saying it 'was not easy' to deal with, nor make sen...

Aug142019 by JBNo Comments

Virgil Van Dijk explains how Lampard can cope without Hazard at Chelsea

Premier League

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is confident that Chelsea still have the ‘quality players’ to cope without their star player Eden Hazard this campaign. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The 28-year-old brought an end to his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge by joining Real Madrid this summer window in a deal worth an initial £88million which could rise to £130m including add-ons. The Belgium international scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in the Premier League last season and also found the net twice in Chelsea’s Europa League final win over Arsenal. Hazard’s exit would have hit any club hard, but Chelsea’s transfer ban meant Lampard was unable to sign any replacement for the forward ahead of the 2019/20 season. However, Virgil Van Dijk ha...

Aug132019 by JBNo Comments

Lampard reveals N’Golo Kante injury setback ahead of Super Cup clash with Liverpool

Premier League

Frank Lampard has revealed that N’Golo Kante sustained ‘another small injury’ in Chelsea’s loss to Manchester United and is a doubt for their Super Cup match against Liverpool. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The 28-year-old flew home early from July’s pre-season tour of Japan with a knee injury and was not fit enough to start at Old Trafford, but came on as a 73rd-minute substitute as Chelsea were thrashed 4-0 by United on Sunday. While Kante remained on the field until final whistle, Lampard claims the midfielder suffered a fresh injury problem and is cautious over his chances of playing a part at the Besiktas Park in Istanbul. The France international, who has also struggled with hamstring issues this summer, will be assessed by the blues' medical ...

Aug132019 by JBNo Comments

Chelsea consider rushing Rudiger back from injury after defensive disaster at United

Premier League

Chelsea are weighing up the possibility of bringing Antonio Rudiger’s injury return forward after conceding four goals in their opening day loss to Manchester United. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The German defender underwent surgery on a knee injury earlier this year, which ruled him out of the final few matches of the 2018/19 campaign, and he was pencilled in to return against Wolves in September. Rudiger is reluctant to rush back until he feels his knee is 100% recovered but Lampard is keeping a close eye on his progress with a view to bringing him back sooner rather than later, according to the Daily Mail. Lampard rates Antonio Rudiger highly and told the Germany international over the summer that he is very important to his plans. The 4-0...

Aug112019 by JBNo Comments

Lampard hits back at Mourinho over his Mount criticism after Chelsea’s defeat to Man Utd

Premier League

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has hit back at Jose Mourinho’s criticism of his team selection and Mason Mount’s performance after Chelsea’s 4-0 loss to Manchester United. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Two goals from Marcus Rashford plus strikes from Anthony Martial and Daniel James completed United’s riot over Chelsea at the theatre of dreams. Mourinho, who was working as a pundit for Sky Sports, claimed Lampard was wrong to leave out his experienced players from his starting XI and singled out Mount, Abraham and Christensen for criticism after the game. Mourinho also said that N’Golo Kante should have started the match and questioned the decision to leave Willian out of the team. But when told about Mourinho’s criticism of Mount, Abraham and Chris...

Aug102019 by JBNo Comments

David Luiz reveals how Chelsea staff reacted to his surprise move to Arsenal

Premier League

Former blues defender David Luiz has revealed his move to Arsenal left one member of staff at former club Chelsea emotional. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Brazil international made a surprise transfer across the capital on deadline day, moving to the Emirates from the Blues in a deal worth £8m. It brought the curtain down on the 32-year-old's second stint at the Stamford Bridge, having rejoined the Premier League club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016. During that period, the larger than life character built up some strong bonds with both players and staff at Chelsea. And it seems Luiz's exit left the Blues head of medical Paco Biosca in tears, such was the friendship the duo had struck up during their time together at the club. (adsbygoog...