Chelsea took the lead through Raheem Sterling, but Romeo Lavia and Adam Armstrong secured a home win.
While rival fans mock Koulibaly for failing to live up to his words about being the team’s security, some Chelsea fans blame Mendy for conceding yet another avoidable goals.
During his first interaction with the fans after joining Chelsea this summer, Koulibaly vowed to be “the team’s security.” When he fails to deliver in games, his words have been used against him.
Whereas for Mendy, many Chelsea fans believe he could have saved the two goals he conceded after being in a good position and getting his hands on the ball.
Some opined that he should be dropped for Kepa Arrizabalaga in subsequent games. Mendy has conceded in four out of five games including making one error leading to a goal.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Mohammed Salisu had a decent game and came close to netting his team’s third but Thiago Silva cleared his header off the line.
Koulibaly for Chelsea tonight, the security of the team fell asleep on dutyðŸ˜ðŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/CCnHrXyIVF
Everton manager Frank Lampard has once again clarified that Chelsea have made no official official move to have Anthony Gordon.
It was earlier reported that Chelsea have made a £60million bid for Anthony Gordon.
But according to Lampard, “They haven’t bid £60m, so let’s not talk about a number that’s not there.”
Lampard said at a press conference on Friday ahead of the Premier League clash against Brentford.
He indicated that Everton are pleased with Gordon’s output and plan to continue working with him in future.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with fantastic young players in my time with Derby, in my time with Chelsea, seeing them develop, now becoming internationals with England, Champions League winners, worth triple-digit figures in their personal values. Anthony is in that bracket. He’s been a pleasure to work with and he’s ours, an Everton boy, he plays for us, the crowd relate to him,” explained.
He is of the position that due to the 21-year-old’s efficiency, most clubs are ready to engage him.
Nonetheless, Lampard noted that as it stands now, Gordon plays for Everton.
“He’s our player and remains so. He’s in the squad for tomorrow. He’s a huge player for us. I said it last week, not only is he a big value for the club, if you want to talk financially, but more importantly for me he is a big value to the squad and the team,” he added.
Frank Lampard addresses the transfer speculation surrounding Anthony Gordon…
Inter have made a perfect start to their Serie A title bid, following up a last-gasp win at Lecce on the opening day by beating Spezia 3-0 last time out.
Lukaku, who fired the Nerazzurri to the Scudetto in 2020-21 with 24 league goals before heading to Chelsea, needed just 82 seconds to find the net when making his second Inter debut at Lecce.
While the Belgian then failed to score in Inter’s routine win at San Siro last weekend, Inzaghi was content with his display and believes it will not be long until he is scoring regularly once more.
“I think he did the first two games in the best way. It is not a matter that concerns only Romelu, but the whole team,” Inzaghi said at a pre-match press conference.
“We know that the condition is improving, we know we have players with important physicality and therefore we knew we needed some important games.
“We started quite well, we want to continue trying to improve all our players, including Lukaku.
“We also want to recover [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan, who will be very important, there will be 19 games in a row before a stop [for the World Cup].We will have to try to have all the players available. Tomorrow everyone travels except Henrikh.”
Lukaku scored 47 goals in 72 Serie A appearances in his first spell at Inter. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (60 goals in 66 appearances) and Ciro Immobile (56 in 72 games) outscored him in the competition during that time.
Lukaku’s return has raisedhopes that Inter could reclaim the Serie A title this season, but holding onto defender Milan Skriniar, who was strongly linked with Paris Saint-Germain, could prove just as important.
While Skriniar struggled with a muscle injury during pre-season, Inzaghi is pleased with the Slovakia international’s progress, adding:Â “I see him very well, concentrated, attentive.
“There was a problem at the beginning of the preparation, it came from an injury with the national team, something new for him because he had never skipped a training session in the last years.
“Instead, this time he slowed down for 40 or 45 days and his condition is growing.”
Inzaghi suffered his first league defeat as Inter boss when visiting former club Lazio in October last year, with Immobile on the scoresheet.
And while Inzaghi still enjoys a close bond with last season’s Serie A top goalscorer, he is not enthused by the prospect of facing the Italy international on Friday.
“A great affectionbinds me to him, he made very important seasons with me, he did it again last year with [Maurizio] Sarri,” he added.
“I know it’s a special game for everyone, we all care about it. I hope Ciro always scores, but maybe tomorrow he rests!”
Emerson Palmieri will no longer play for Chelsea as he has signed a deal with West Ham.
The four-year deal with a one-year is worth £13m plus £2m in add-ons.
The left-back has said he “can’t wait to get started in a West Ham shirt.”
“I’m very happy to be here and to arrive here. It’s a big challenge for me, it’s a big team, so I’m very happy to be here and I’m ready. Personally, since the first day I arrived here in England, I always saw the big clubs and I always watched the big games and I knew the history about West Ham. The history is so, so big for this team and so when I knew about the interest for sure I said ‘Yes, let’s go, I want to go there’ and I’m here now,” Palmieri added.
The Italy international spent last season on loan at Lyon and has struggled to become a regular at Stamford Bridge since his 2018 move from Roma.
Emerson Palmieri is West Ham’s seventh signing of the summer.
David Moyes’ side are currently bottom of the Premier League with no points from three matches.
The Hammers’ biggest signings have been striker Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo for £30m, defender Nayef Aguerd from Rennes for £30m and forward Maxwel Cornet from Burnley for £17.5m.
They have also signed midfielder Flynn Downes from Swansea for £12m, and defender Thilo Kehrer and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, each for a reported £10m from Paris St-Germain.
“We are very pleased to welcome Emerson to West Ham United,” said Moyes.
“He is an experienced player with a good pedigree, who has enjoyed great success at both club and international level in recent years.
“He will give us strong competition in defensive areas and brings a winning mentality that we are looking to build here at West Ham.
“We look forward to working with Emerson and wish him all the very best in his career with us.”
Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to leave Chelsea to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan in the on-going summer transfer window.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in a Twitter post revealed that the deal between the two clubs will be completed during the week.
“Bayer Leverkusen are closing on Callum Hudson-Odoi deal. Negotiations set to be completed with Chelsea on loan, after CHO turned down two loan proposals from Premier League. Deal progressing well – to be completed this week,” he tweeted.
Premier League sides with Newcastle and Southampton and Borussia Dortmund were interested in the 21-year-old, however, Callum Hudson-Odoi has opted to join Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen are closing on Callum Hudson-Odoi deal. Negotiations set to be completed with Chelsea on loan, after CHO turned down two loan proposals from Premier League. 🔴 #BayerLeverkusen
Hudson-Odoi made quite the first impression upon his debut season under Maurizio Sarri back in 2019, however he has struggled for game time since his injury. Last season, he had missed out on a large chunk of last season due to injury missing several games for the Blues.
He made 28 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side, scored three goals and provided six assists in the process last term.
Hudson-Odoi also enjoyed considerable success at youth level for England, being part of the squad which ended as runners-up in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and which won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the same year.
In March 2019, he became the youngest player to debut in a competitive match for England, doing so in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic.
Everton manager Frank Lampard has stated that nothing has changed on the future of Anthony Gordon amid strong links of a move away from Goodison Park.
It has been reported that Chelsea could be ready to pay up to £60million to take the 21-year-old to Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham and Newcastle United have also apparently been interested.
After the departure of last season’s top goalscorer Richarlison to Spurs and the injury to striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it has fallen on Gordon to lead the line at the start of this campaign.
Gordon started on the bench for Everton’s EFL cup game with Fleetwood Town on Tuesday and Lampard opted not to bring him in on in the 1-0 victory, amid rumours that Chelsea are preparing a new bid having reportedly already seen multiple offers exceeding £40m rejected by Everton.
But Lampard says that nothing has changed yet, telling talkSPORT: “He’s our player and the latest is the same as what I said after the game against Nottingham Forest.
“He’s our player and he’s got three years left on his contract. We’re aware of the interest of Chelsea as the world is now.
“This situation has to be right for Everton Football Club and for me as the coach of the team so we’re in the same position that we were a few days ago.”
Barca have targeted defender Foyth after missing out on Cesar Azpilicueta, who decided to stay at Chelsea.
Villarreal vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza warned the Catalan giants they would have to meet the €42million release clause in order to sign the Argentina right-back.
Emery reiterated that former Tottenham full-back Foyth is not looking to leave, but the Villarreal head coach accepts there are no guarantees he will stay.
“Barca’s interest is real,” Emery told Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’. “It’s a position they need and it fits for them. The issue is whether the player wants it or not, he has always told me that he is very happy.
“He does not contemplate leaving and wants to stay. From here, I don’t know to what extent circumstances will go one way or the other.
“He’s an important player for us and he’s grown a lot in recent years. I don’t rule out that at any given moment the surprise will be against us, but the most normal thing is that he stays at Villarreal.”
Emery is hoping to add to his squad by signing striker Edinson Cavani, who is also wanted by Valencia.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal boss said: “I spoke to Edinson Cavani we have a good relationship, he wants to come to Spain. It’s possible.”
In the Premier League, the summer transfer market is still open for business.
There have already been a lot of significant signings, with championship contenders Manchester Cityand Liverpool spending big on Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, respectively.
Raheem Sterling just signed with Chelsea, while rivals from North London Tottenham and Arsenal, as well as teams like Aston Villa, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest, have also been active.
But there is still a lot of work to be done before the window closes on Thursday, September 1 at 11 p.m. (BST).
To be informed of all the Premier League happenings during the summer transfer window, bookmark this page.
Arsenal
In:Marquinhos (Sao Paulo, £3m), Fabio Vieira (Porto, £30m), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, £5.8m), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City, £45m), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City, £30m)
Out: Konstantinos Mavropanos (Stuttgart, £3m), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon, free), Jonathan Dinzeyi (released), Joel Lopez (released), Jordan McEneff (released), Harry Clarke (Stoke, loan), Omar Rekik (Sparta Rotterdam, loan), Tyreece John-Jules (Ipswich, loan), Mika Biereth (RKC Waalwijk, loan), Jordi Osei-Tutu (VFL Bochum, undisclosed), Daniel Ballard (Sunderland, undisclosed), Nikolaj Moller (Den Bosch, loan), Matteo Guendouzi (Marseille, undisclosed), Zak Swanson (Portsmouth, undisclosed), Ovie Ejeheri (Chelmsford City, loan), Auston Trusty (Birmingham, loan), Omari Hutchinson (Chelsea, undisclosed), Marcelo Flores (Real Ovideo, loan), Ryan Alebiosu (Kilmarnock, loan), Arthur Okonkwo (Crewe, loan), Nuno Tavares (Marseille, loan), Mazeed Ogungbo (Crawley, loan), Bernd Leno (Fulham, undisclosed), Charlie Patino (Blackpool, loan), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray, undisclosed), Pablo Mari (AC Monza, loan), Alex Runarsson (Alanyaspor, loan)
Aston Villa
Philippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa from Barcelona on a four-year deal
In: Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona, £17m), Boubacar Kamara (Marseille, free), Diego Carlos (Sevilla, undisclosed), Robin Olsen (Roma, undisclosed), Rory Wilson (Rangers, undisclosed), Ludwig Augustinsson (Sevilla, loan with option to buy), Ewan Simpson (Hearts, undisclosed)
In: Ryan Fredericks (West Ham, free), Joe Rothwell (Blackburn, free), Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough, £10m), Neto (Barcelona, free), Marcos Senesi (Feyenoord, £12m)
Out: Gary Cahill (released), Brennan Camp (released), Ryan Glover (released), Connor Curran-Browne (released), Luke Nippard (released), Owen Palmer (released), Aaron Roberts (released), Jack Seddon (released), Gavin Kilkenny (Stoke, loan), Aji Alese (Sunderland, loan), Zeno Ibsen Rossi (Cambridge, undisclosed)
Brentford
In: Aaron Hickey (Bologna, undisclosed), Keane Lewis-Potter (Hull, £20m), Thomas Strakosha (Lazio, free), Ben Mee (Burnley, free), Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria, undisclosed), Mathias Jorgensen (Free)
Out: Ben Hockenhull (Tranmere), Hans Mpongo (released), Mads Bidstrup (Nordsjaelland, loan), Gustav Mogensen (Sarpsborg, undisclosed), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United, free), Paris Maghoma (AFC Wimbledon, loan), Dominic Thompson (Blackpool, undisclosed), Lachlan Brook (Crewe, loan), Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough, undisclosed), Ellery Balcombe (Crawley, loan), Tariqe Fosu (Stoke City, loan)
BrightonIn: Julio Enciso (Libertad Asuncion, undisclosed), Benicio Baker-Boaitey (Porto, undisclosed), Simon Adingra (Nordsjaelland, undisclosed), Levi Colwill (Chelsea, loan), Luca Barrington (Manchester City, undisclosed), Pervis Estupinan (Villarreal, undisclosed)
Out: Jayson Molumby (West Brom, £900,000), Tudor Baluta (released), Adam Desbois (released), Lars Dendoncker (released), Ulrick Ella (released), Ayo Tanimowo (released), John Lucero (released), Jaami Qureshi (released), Fynn Talley (Cliftonville, loan), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham, £25m), Alex Cochrane (Hearts, undisclosed), Simon Adingra (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, loan), Carl Rushworth (Lincoln, loan), Haydon Roberts (Derby, loan), Abdallah Sima (Angers, loan), Aaron Connolly (Venezia, loan), Leo Ostigard (Napoli, undisclosed), Taylor Richards (QPR, loan), Marc Leonard (Northampton, loan), Jensen Weir (Morecambe, loan), Reda Khadra (Sheffield United, loan), Teddy Jenks (Crawley, loan), Andi Zeqiri (Basel, loan), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, undisclosed), Shane Duffy (Fulham, loan), Kjell Scherpen (Vitesse Arnhem, loan)
Chelsea
In: Eddie Beach (Southampton, undisclosed), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City, £50m), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, £33m), Omar Hutchinson (Arsenal, free), Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire, £12m), Carney Chukwuemeka (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Marc Cucurella (Brighton, undisclosed), Cesare Casadei (Inter Milan, £12.6m)
Out:Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, free), Andreas Christensen (released), Danny Drinkwater (released), Charly Musonda (released), Jake Clarke-Salter (QPR, free), Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough, loan), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan, loan), Nathan Baxter (Hull, loan), Ethan Wady (Woking, loan), Ian Maatsen (Burnley, loan), Henry Lawrence (MK Dons, loan), Tino Anjorin (Huddersfield, loan), Gabriel Slonina (Chicago Fire, loan), Levi Colwill (Brighton, loan), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig, £25m), Malang Sarr (Monaco, loan)
Crystal Palace
In: Malcolm Ebiowei (Derby, free), Sam Johnstone (West Brom, free), Cheick Doucoure (Lens, undisclosed), Chris Richards (Bayern Munich, undisclosed), Kofi Balmer (Larne, undisclosed)
Out: Martin Kelly (released), Jaroslaw Jach (released), Luke Dreher (released), Rian Jamai (released), Kanye Jobson (released), Nya Kirby (released), Joseph Ling (released), Sean Robertson (released), Sion Spence (released), Aidan Steele (released), James Taylor (released), Dylan Thiselton (released), Reece Hannam (Bromley, loan), Remi Matthews (St Johnstone, loan), Tayo Adaramola (Coventry, loan), Sean Robertson (Forest Green, free), Christian Benteke (DC United, undisclosed), Scott Banks (Bradford, loan), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Charlton, loan), Malachi Boateng (Queen’s Park, loan), Cheikhou Kouyate (Nottingham Forest, free)
Out: Edinson Cavani (released), Juan Mata (released), Paul Pogba (Juventus, free), Jesse Lingard (released) D’Mani Mellor (released), Reece Devine (released), Lee Grant (released), Paul McShane (released), Connor Stanley (released), Paul Woolston (released), Nemanja Matic (Roma, free), Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest, loan), Dylan Levitt (Dundee, undisclosed), Andreas Pereira (Fulham, £8m), Alvaro Fernandez (Preston, loan), Alex Telles (Sevilla, loan), Ethan Laird (QPR, loan), Dermot Mee (Altrincham, loan)
Newcastle
In: Alex Murphy (Galway United, undisclosed), Matt Targett (Aston Villa, £15m), Nick Pope (Burnley, undisclosed), Sven Botman (Lille, undisclosed), Charlie McArthur (Kilmarnock, undisclosed), Jude Smith (East Fife, undisclosed)Â
Out: Oisin McEntee (Walsall, undisclosed), Mo Sangare (Accrington, free), Isaac Hayden (Norwich, loan with obligation to buy), Lewis Cass (Port Vale, undisclosed), Freddie Woodman (Preston, undisclosed), Dan Langley (Gateshead, loan), Jeff Hendrick (Reading, loan), Ciaran Clark (Sheffield United, loan), Dwight Gayle (Stoke, undisclosed)
Nottingham Forest
In: Ryan Hammond (Millwall, undisclosed), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, £17.5m), Dean Henderson (Manchester United, loan), Giulian Biancone (Troyes, £5m), Moussa Niakhate (Mainz, £8.5m), Omar Richards (Bayern Munich, £10m), Neco Williams (Liverpool, £17m), Wayne Hennessey (Burnley, undisclosed), Brandon Aguilera (LD Alajuelense, undisclosed), Harry Toffolo (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Lewis O’Brien (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United, free), Orel Mangala (Stuttgart, £12.7m), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford, £20m), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, free), Remo Freuler (Atalanta, £8.5m), Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolves, £25m)
Out: Tobias Figueiredo (released), Carl Jenkinson (released), Gaetan Bong (released), Marcelo Valencia (released), Josh Barnes (released), Baba Fernandes (released), Sam Sanders (released), Morgan Thomas-Sadler (released), Joe Watkins (released), Mohamed Drager (FC Luzern, loan), Jayden Richardson (Aberdeen, undisclosed), Ethan Horvath (Luton, loan), Brice Samba (Lens, undisclosed), Tyrese Fornah (Reading, loan), Will Swan (Mansfield, loan), Jonathan Panzo (Coventry, loan), Fin Back (Carlisle, loan), Lewis Grabban (released), Riley Harbottle (Mansfield, loan), Brandon Aguilera (Guanacasteca, loan), Nicholas Ioannou (Como, undisclosed), Xande Silva (Dijon, undisclosed), Braian Ojeda (Real Salt Lake, loan), Nuno da Costa (Auxerre, undisclosed), Richie Laryea (Toronto, loan), Baba Fernandes (Accrington, loan), Nicky Hogarth (Falkirk, loan), Joe Lolley (Sydney, free)
Southampton
In: Alex Iwumene (Sutton United), Gavin Bazunu (Manchester City, undisclosed), Mateusz Lis (Altay SK, free), Armel Bella-Kotchap (Bochum, £8.5m), Romeo Lavia (Manchester City, £10.5m), Joe Aribo (Rangers, £10m), Sekou Mara (Bordeaux, undisclosed)
Out: Harry Lewis (Bradford City, free), Fraser Forster (Tottenham, free), Caleb Watts (Morecambe, loan), Kazeem Olaigbe (Ross County, loan), Shane Long (Reading, free), Dan Nlundulu (Cheltenham, loan), Will Smallbone (Stoke, loan), Thierry Small (Port Vale, loan), Kegs Chauke (Exeter, loan), Benni Smales-Braithwaite (Barrow, free), Will Ferry (Cheltenham, undisclosed), Nathan Tella (Burnley, loan), Kayne Ramsay (Harrogate, undisclosed)
Tottenham
Croatian wing-back Ivan Perisic was Tottenham’s first signing of the summer
Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey has expressed his readiness to feature for his new club Malmo FF in the 2022/23 season.
The 24-year-old joined the club from French side Amiens SC on a four-year deal after passing his medicals.
Lomotey, who was born in Ghana’s capital, Accra began his professional career at Dreams FC.
“Where I grew up, we play Chelsea and it was a few years ago that they faced Malmö FF. I actually liked the way Malmö played, even though it was Chelsea who won the games,” Lomotey told Sydsvenskan .
“I am ready and I had hoped to play tomorrow if it was possible. I have run a whole pre-season with Amiens and feel “fit”. If the coach had taken me out, I would have been ready any second.”
Lomotey moved to Extremadura UD in the Spanish third division after a year and a half in the domestic league.
In total, he played just under 50 games in the Spanish second and third divisions, both for Extremadura and Villarreal B before continuing his career at French side Amiens SC.
In Amiens, he played for himself a regular place and over two seasons featured in 55 games in Ligue 2.
Lomotey, who can play both in the midfield and in the back line is expected to play a key role for Malmö FF this season and beyond.
Son (centre) was alleged to have been abused as he took a corner at the Shed End of Stamford Bridge
Chelseainsist they will take the “strongest action” as they investigate reports Tottenham forward Son Heung-min was racially abused at Stamford Bridge.
The incident is alleged to have happened when Son went to take a corner in the second half during Sunday’s 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
The club have previously banned fans for life following racist incidents.
It added: “Chelsea FC has consistently made its zero tolerance position on discriminatory behaviour very clear, yet there are still idiots like this that attach themselves to this club as so called ‘fans’, which shames Chelsea FC, our coaches, players, staff and our true supporters.
“We are investigating this incident and, if identified, this individual will face the strongest action from the club.
“It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities.”
Chelsea’s long-running ‘No To Hate’ campaign launched its latest initiative on Sunday, which gives instructions on the back of every seat on how supporters can report alleged abuses by either by text or by barcode on a smartphone.
They believe that identifying a specific seat from which incidents either happen or are reported will help increase the chances of individuals being caught.
Chelsea have signed Spain defender Marc Cucurella from Brighton in a deal worth more than £60m.
The 24-year-old left-back, who scored one goal in 38 games in his only season for the Seagulls, has signed a six-year contract.
“I’m really happy. It’s a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world,” said Cucurella.
“I’m going to work hard to be happy here and help the team.”
It is Brighton’s record sale, surpassing Ben White’s £50m move to Arsenal last summer.
A Barcelona academy graduate, Cucurella has won one senior cap for Spain and played for the under-23 side that won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Last month Brighton rejected a £30m bid from champions Manchester City for Cucurella, who handed in a transfer request after City expressed an interest.
“We did not want to lose Marc, but he wanted the opportunity of playing Champions League football with a view to accelerating his progress to Spain’s World Cup squad,” said Brighton manager Graham Potter.
“He had an excellent first season in the Premier League, deservedly winning both our player of the season awards, and has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the past 12 months.”
Cucurella is the second big-money departure from Brighton this summer after midfielder Yves Bissouma joined Tottenham for £25m plus add-ons.
“Marc is an elite defender of proven Premier League quality,” said Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly.
“We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we’re delighted Marc will be a part of the present and future at Chelsea.”
This summer Chelsea have brought in England forward Raheem Sterling from Manchester City for £50m, Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £34m and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa for £20m.
They also signed 18-year-old American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina for a reported £12m from Chicago Fire, where he will remain on loan until the end of the Major League Soccer season.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has joined Brighton on a season-long loan.
The England Under-19 international spent last season on loan at Huddersfield and scored an own goal in the 1-0 Championship play-off final defeat by Nottingham Forest.
“Levi has enormous potential and has already shown his ability last season in the Championship and with England at various age group levels up to under-21s,” said Potter.
“He plays mostly at centre-back, but has also played on the left as a full-back, and he is a player who is comfortable on the ball.”
Cesar Azpilicueta will remain Chelsea’s captain as he has signed a contract extension with the club.
Barcelona expressed interest in the defender but their target will have to be at Stamford Bridge until 2024.
It is reported by international tabloids that Azpilicueta was heading into the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and was reportedly open to a new challenge at Camp Nou.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have played a major role in ensuring that Azpilicueta stayed.
On the recent development, he said “We are so happy that Cesar is staying at Chelsea for a minimum of two more years. We are thrilled with our captain showing his exemplary commitment and leadership yet again. There is still so much to do together.”
Also, the captain has expressed excitement about his decision to continue to play for Chelsea, a place he considers home.
“I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea, my home. It is almost 10 years since I first arrived and joined the club so I really feel the love and I am really excited for the new project we have in our hands,” he said.
Azpilicueta is hopeful that he will make more strides with Chelsea in the near future.
“I would like to say thank you to Mr Todd and Mr Behdad for giving me the opportunity to keep my journey at this amazing club and I am really looking forward to continuing our adventure. I am a really proud captain and I hope we can share many good memories together,” he added.
Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly has said he will continue to represent his national team, Senegal, at every Africa Cup of Nations irrespective of comments by relevant stakeholders in the sport.
“Nobody can tell me not to go to my national team. I have a lot of love for my national team, the team that I play for. But me, now as captain of Senegal, when AFCON comes I have to be the first one there, the first one in Senegal.”
His comment comes in the wake of Aurelio De Laurentiis’ statement that Napoli will avoid signing any more African players unless they agree not to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kalidou Koulibaly, who is Chelsea’s new signing was with Napoli. At his former club, games while on international duty at this year’s tournament, which took place in January and February.
Speaking with Smart Talk on Wall Street Italia, Kalidou revealed that “Nobody ever told me not to go to AFCON” while at Napoli.
He stated that the comments from Aurelio De Laurentiis are not the best since a player’s national team is dear to his or her heart.
“So, if someone told me to do that, it would be the only time that I can fight with somebody. The way we feel all the time with my national team, we are all respectful, we wait for players to come from the Premier League, and everybody is happy to be here,” he said.
“Everybody thinks the same as me in the national team. If someone told them not to come they would always fight to come,” Kalidou added.
According to him, it is imperative that all players are given the same respect irrespective of their origin.
“This is the most important thing. Everybody has to give us respect,” he said.
Koulibaly has signed a four-year contract with Chelsea following the purchase of the club by US businessman Todd Boehly’s consortium.
The head pastor of Prophetic Life Embassy, Prophet Telvin Sowah Adjei says former Hearts of Oak midfielder Benjamin Afutu is destined for great things in the coming years.
In a post on his Facebook page, the Prophet says the Ghanaian midfielder will play for Chelsea in England and win a lot of trophies.
According to him, the player will lead Ghana to not just AFCON but FIFA World Cup glory as well.
“God has spoken. I saw this footballer receiving a great signing contract with great teams. I saw him wearing a Chelsea jersey and playing for Chelsea in England. Winning trophies all over Europe,” Prophet Telvin Sowah Adjei posted on his Facebook page.
He added, “Once again I saw this same footballer carrying African cup and World Cup silver medals for Ghana. He will be the face of Ghana football and carry the Black Stars to the World Cup finals.
“Starting from December some doors will begin to open and from there, an attempt by satanic authorities to sabotage him with a knee injury will fail in one of the matches which they will win 3:0. He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit saith.”
Benjamin Afutu recently returned from a short stint in Egypt and is now looking for a new club as a free agent.
During the club’s first training session at Cobham since their training tour in the United States, the players, led by the manager, observed a minute of silence in memory of the Ghanaian.
The Chelsea U-18 initially paid a tribute to the ‘ever-smiling’ ‘Uncle Eric’ during their pre-season friendly against Coventry City at Cobham on July 27, 2022.
Chelsea FC officially announced the passing of their all-loving and ever-smiling kit man, Eric Aseidu On June 8, 2022.
Eric Asiedu joined Chelsea in 2013, serving the Blue family, mostly at the Academy level until his passing.
To the academy players, Asiedu was a father figure and a role model. The players drew inspiration from his positivity and his loving character. He was loved by all at Cobham and had three nicknames, “Boss”, “Bossman” or “Uncle E”.
According to Asiedu Mends, a social media influencer who claims to be Eric Asiedu’s nephew, the kit man came to Ghana for a two-week vacation in June. Unfortunately, he died on June 7, 2022.
Staff and players at Cobham observed a minute’s silence and applause for much-loved Academy kitman Eric Asiedu ahead of his funeral tomorrow. 💙 pic.twitter.com/yUMYo29biC
Barcelona are reportedly poised to hijack Chelsea’s £55million move for Jules Kounde – just days after it was claimed they missed out on a deal for Kalidou Koulibaly because they had “no money”.
The Catalan giants were pipped to a deal for Koulibaly, who became the Blues’ second summer capture in a £33m switch earlier this month. Chelsea always appeared to be in pole position to land the coveted defender, with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claiming that he had told Koulibaly that he couldn’t let him join Barcelona as they had “no money”.
But the La Liga outfit are set to go head-to-had against Chelsea again in the race for Kounde, who looks set to finally leave Sevilla this summer.
According to SPORT, Barcelona have ‘agreed terms’ on a four-year deal with Kounde, who had seemingly been on the verge of a move to Stamford Bridge. The Blues failed in an attempt to bring the 23-year-old to the Premier League last year but rekindled their interest after losing the services of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
The report goes on to outline that Barcelona’s bid will fall short of the £55m package that Chelsea have tabled for Chelsea but the Spanish giants intend to pay the entire sum up front and believe that Sevilla will ‘accept the terms’ of their offer.Kounde’s arrival would be the latest big-money deal that Barcelona have pulled off this summer despite concerns o. The Spanish giants have been busy in the transfer market, with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski arriving for a combined sum of around £90m. Christensen and Franck Kessie have also moved to the Nou Camp on free transfers.
Harrison Afful shone brightly in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Ghanaian assisted Charlotte FC in winning 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 tie in regulation time.
The right-back’s performance drew praise from Ghanaians, who were overjoyed to see the experienced defender in action.
Afful was one of the best players for the US club in the match, keeping Chelsea’s new boy Raheem Sterling at bay.
The England international was so impressed by the Ghanaian that he willingly swapped shirts with Afful after the game.
Despite his club consistency, Afful has not played for the Black Stars in four years. His last appearance was in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia in 2018.
He has not, however, announced his retirement from the Black Stars and is hoping to return in time for the 2022 World Cup in Qata.
Chelsea have signed centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly on a four-year deal from Serie A side Napoli.
The Senegal international, 31, joined Napolifrom Genk in 2014 and made 317 appearances for the Italian side.
His arrival at Stamford Bridge follows the departures of defenders Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, both on free transfers.
“I’m very happy to be here with this team at Chelsea,” said Koulibaly.
“It’s a big team in the world and my dream was always to play in the Premier League. Chelsea came first to get me in 2016 but we didn’t make it. Now when they came to me I accepted it because they really wanted me to come to the Premier League to play for them.
“When I spoke to my good friends Edou [Mendy] and Jorginho they made my choice easier.”
Koulibaly made his senior debut for Senegal in September 2015 and has since earned 62 caps, captaining the team to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
He becomes Chelsea’s second signing since the Todd Boehly-led takeover after Raheem Sterling joined the club in a £50m deal.
Boehly said: “Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the world’s elite defenders and we are delighted to be welcoming him to Chelsea.
“A great leader and an exemplary team player, Kalidou brings a wealth of experience and attributes that will benefit our squad and the club as a whole.”
Chelsea have ended their interest in signing Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese international, 37, wants to leave the club and has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
But after signing former Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling on Wednesday, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said his “focus is on defence”.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has also said Ronaldo is “in our plans” and “not for sale”.
The forward has yet to join Manchester United’s pre-season tour of Asia and Australia because of what Ten Hag called “personal issues”.
When BBC Sport asked Tuchel about interest in Ronaldo on Wednesday, he said: “Ronaldo’s career speaks for himself. I know there are rumours out there but I will not start speaking about other top clubs’ top players.”
Chelsea’s new owners are understood to be delighted with the recruitment of England international Sterling and consider him to be a marquee signing.
Sterling has linked up with the Chelsea squad in Los Angeles for pre-season.
Tuchel said he hoped Sterling could help “shape” his team and provide leadership to a young attack following the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on loan.
The German coach said Chelsea needed to “work smart and fast” in the transfer market to catch their rivals following sanctions on the club, with Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly set to sign a four-year deal and talks held with Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake.
There have also been links with Paris St-Germain and France centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, who played under Tuchel when he was manager of the French club between 2018 and 2020.
Chelsea have joined the race to sign Leeds winger Raphinha.
The Brazil international has been the subject of a bid from Arsenal and interest from Barcelona.
Leeds would be looking for more than £50m for Raphinha, who they signed from Rennes for £17m two years ago.
But Chelsea’s American owners want to make the 25-year-old part of a new-look attacking line-up, and have already made contact with England international Raheem Sterling.
As yet, there has been no formal offer made to Leeds, who survived the threat of Premier League relegation on the last day of last season.
That was partly to do with a sparkling performance from Raphinha, who scored the opener in a 2-1 win over Brentford and is due to report back for pre-season training at the start of next week.
Leeds and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips is already set to join Manchester City in a £45m deal.
New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has moved quickly in his role as interim sporting director by loaning club-record signing Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan.
That move is expected to be announced in the next 24 hours once the 29-year-old has completed a medical.
Chelsea have made contact with Manchester City about a move for England forward Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, who joined from Liverpool in a £49m deal in 2015 and has scored 131 goals in 339 games, is a major transfer target for new Blues owner Todd Boehly.
It is understood Chelsea are yet to lodge a formal bid for the 27-year-old, but one is expected shortly.
Sterling has a year left on his contract and is understood to be reviewing his options.
Sterling, who has 77 England caps, has never made any secret of his desire to play as much as possible and be a central figure in a team that challenges for major honours.
He could be the Blues’ first major signing since they were taken over by a consortium led by Boehly in May.
Chelsea are looking to boost their attacking ranks after allowing Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku to rejoin Inter Milan on a season-long loan.
Haaland’s arrival changes the dynamic
Since Pep Guardiola became manager in 2016, only Sergio Aguero (124) has scored more goals for City than Sterling (120).
Sterling scored 13 goals in 30 Premier League appearances last season as he won his fourth league title and ninth major honour in seven seasons with City.
However, he was on the bench for both legs of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid and the epic final game of the season against Aston Villa.
Sterling did spark the memorable last-day league title success by coming on to set up Ilkay Gundogan’s crucial first goal as City came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and pip Liverpool by a point.
Of City’s attacking players, only Bernardo Silva started significantly more Premier League games last season – 33 to Sterling’s 23.
Phil Foden started one more and £100m man Jack Grealish one fewer.
But Erling Haaland’s summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund appears to change the dynamic, with the Norwegian likely to be a starter, especially in the biggest games.
Argentina forward Julian Alvarez will also be arriving at the Etihad this summer from River Plate after a deal was agreed in January.
Chelsea have announced that Bruce Buck will be stepping down from his role as chairman on 30 June.
The American, who had been in the role since Roman Abramovich became owner in 2003, will continue to support the club as a “senior adviser”.
It had been thought that Buck, 76, would remain chairman after Todd Boehly completed his takeover in May.
“Now is the right time to step down and let new ownership build on the strong foundations we have in place,” he said.
“The owners have a compelling vision for Chelsea’s future, and I look forward to helping them achieve it in this new role alongside our incredible staff, players, coaches and supporters.”
Buck added: “I am proud to have helped Chelsea realise great success on the pitch and make a positive impact in the community.”
During Buck’s chairmanship, the Chelsea men’s team claimed 18 major honours and the women’s team won 12.
Co-controlling owner Boehly said that Buck had “led Chelsea Football Club to the highest levels of international and domestic football” and thanked him for “his service and his commitment to the club”.
Chelsea are targeting Manchester City winger Raheem Sterlingas their major summer signing.
Sterling’s Manchester City future is in doubt as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
The England forward, 27, has attracted interest from major clubs overseas but Chelsea believe they can persuade him to remain in the Premier League.
The Blues have the obvious attraction of being in the Champions League for the London-born player.
Sterling scored 13 goals in 30 Premier League appearances as he won his fourth title last term.
However, he was on the bench for both legs of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid and the epic final game of the season against Aston Villa.
Sterling did spark that memorable last-day comeback by setting up Ilkay Gundogan’s crucial first goal as Pep Guardiola’s side came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and pip Liverpool to the Premier League.
The UK government has approved the £4.25bn takeover of Chelsea by a consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly.
The London club was put up for sale in March before owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned over his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
On Tuesday, the Premier League said the consortium had passed its owners’ and directors’ test.
Chelsea have been operating under a special government licence which expires on 31 May.
“Late last night the UK government reached a position where we could issue a licence that permits the sale of Chelsea,” a government spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.
The government does not want Abramovich to receive any of the proceeds from the sale, which will instead go into a frozen bank account to be donated to charity.
The statement added: “Following the sanctioning of Roman Abramovich, the government has worked hard to ensure Chelsea has been able to continue to play football. But we have always been clear that the long-term future of the club could only be secured under a new owner.
“Following extensive work, we are now satisfied that the full proceeds of the sale will not benefit Roman Abramovich or any other sanctioned individual. We will now begin the process of ensuring the proceeds of the sale are used for humanitarian causes in Ukraine, supporting victims of the war.
“The steps today will secure the future of this important cultural asset and protect fans and the wider football community. We have been in discussions with relevant international partners for necessary licences required and we thank them for all their cooperation.”
Earlier this month the deal had seemed close to collapse over concerns proceeds would not reach good causes as promised by Abramovich.
Abramovich denied that he had asked for his £1.5bn loan to Chelsea be repaid when the club was sold.
Several parties expressed an interest but Chelsea agreed to sell to the Boehly-led consortium earlier in May.
The consortium is led by Boehly, but Clearlake Capital – a Californian private equity firm – would own a majority of the shares in Chelsea. Other investors include US billionaire Mark Walter, also a co-owner of the LA Dodgers, and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss.
Chelsea’s sale – the key moments
24 February: Russia invades Ukraine
26 February: Roman Abramovich gives “stewardship and care” of club to charitable foundation
2 March: The Chelsea owner says he plans to sell the club
10 March: The UK government sanctions Abramovich
5 May: Abramovich denies he has requested a £1.5bn loan he made to Chelsea is repaid
7 May: Todd Boehly agrees a £4.25bn deal for the club
16 May: Government insider says the deal is close to collapse
Ministers are worried a £4.25bn deal to buy Chelsea may be at risk of “falling apart” due to a lack of consensus with the club over the proceeds of any sale, the BBC has learned.
According to a UK government insider, there is now “alarm” in Whitehall that the takeover of the European champions could be “timed out” if deadlines are not met.
Chelsea have agreed terms on a deal with a private-equity funded consortium led by US investor Todd Boehly, co-owner of the LA Dodgers baseball team.
The club was put up for sale before owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned for his alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.
However a senior Whitehall source revealed there was now “serious concern” that the oligarch was “willing to let Chelsea go under” over an alleged “refusal to agree to a sale structure that gives ministers confidence that proceeds would go to a good cause”.
The government version of events was disputed by sources close to Abramovichwhen approached. Chelsea have also been approached for comment.
Chelsea are operating under a special licence from the UK government which expires on 31 May, and any takeover requires the approval of ministers and the English football authorities.
Abramovich has said he has not asked for a £1.6bn loan to Chelsea to be repaid when the club is sold. Earlier this month a spokesperson for the billionaire confirmed he “remains committed” to making sure the proceeds from the sale “go to good causes”.
In a statement put out by Chelsea on 5 May, the Russian’s spokesperson said money from the sale of the club would be “frozen and subject to a legal procedure governed by authorities”, they added “the funds are still earmarked” for a charitable foundation.
“To be clear, Mr Abramovich has no access or control of these funds and will not have any access or control of these funds following the sale.”
However, the government insider said approval was being hindered by the club’s “complicated” ownership structure, with parent company Fordstam Ltd owing £1.6 billion to Jersey-based Camberley International Investments, a company with suspected links to Abramovich.
“Two big sticking points remain – where exactly the proceeds of the sale will be held, and what legal guarantees government will be given about the money going to good causes,” they said.
“Essentially, despite committing to all proceeds going to good causes in public, Abramovich seems unwilling to give the same legal commitments, which would have backed up his public statements of about a week ago, that in the deal neither he nor his affiliates could basically try and stake a claim to that unpaid debt between Fordstam and Camberley.
“A deal which would allow the cash to be diverted during the deal would be a breach of sanctions and is seen as a red line for ministers.”
The source added: “There are deadlines at the end of this month and the start of June, which would either see the club booted out of European competition or the Premier League entirely. But a good chunk of the sale needs to be done this week or next.”
It is understood any sale would need to be completed by early June when the Premier League meets to grant clubs the licenses needed to compete next season.
The government is understood to have proposed a two-stage process where the money from any sale would be held in a managed ‘escrow’ account, and only released once it is satisfied that a charitable foundation is ready.
A source close to the Boehly consortium told the BBC: “The consortium is committed to buying Chelsea and contributing to the success of English football.
“They are delighted that their plans have been accepted by the club, and welcome the constructive conversations they’ve had with the government and football authorities.
“The proceeds of the sale are a matter for the seller and the government to resolve.”
Will it be Chelsea or Manchester City who are crowned Women’s FA Cup winners when the two sides face each other at Wembley Stadium on Sunday?
Holders and three-time winners Chelsea are going for the double, having lifted the Women’s Super League title last Sunday.
Manchester City are also aiming for their fourth FA Cup triumph and second piece of silverware this year after their thrilling 3-1 Continental League Cup final victory over Chelsea in March.
The past five finals have been won by Chelsea or City, but it will be the first time the teams have met in the showpiece event, which will be shown live on BBC One.
For the first time, the men’s and women’s finals will be played across the same weekend, with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea taking on Liverpool the day before
New crowd record?
The current record for a Women’s FA Cup final stands at 45,423, which was set when Chelsea beat Arsenal at Wembley in 2018.
A record attendance looks on the cards, with the FA announcing on 11 May that more than 50,000 tickets had already been sold.
The FA had been optimistic of breaking that record in December for the final delayed from the previous season, but after issuing more than 45,000 tickets for the match the attendance on the day at Wembley was 40,942.
Double-double for dominant Chelsea?
Chelsea are aiming to lift the trophy for a second consecutive season, after they beat Arsenal in the final for last year’s competition.
Victory five months ago handed the Blues their first domestic treble, joining the WSL title and League Cup they had won in 2020-21 to wrap up a dominant campaign.
Should Emma Hayes’s side triumph this season, they will have won five of the past six domestic trophies on offer.
In this league campaign they beat City 1-0 at home in February and 4-0 away last November, although that latter match took place when Gareth Taylor’s team was plagued with injuries.
Chelsea have been sensational in the WSL this campaign, winning 18 of their 22 fixtures, including their past nine in the top flight.
In-form City aiming for number four
Since losing 1-0 to Chelsea in February, City have won 13 straight games in all competitions – a run that includes March’s League Cup final win over Sunday’s opponents.
In the league they claimed the final Champions League spot, finishing third, above Manchester United, despite a torrid start to the season.
Last November, after a 4-0 defeat by Chelsea, City sat in ninth place, a distant 12 points off the top.
It has been a remarkable turnaround and now the the three-time-FA-Cup-winners can move one clear of opponents Chelsea in the record books if they secure a fourth title.
The North West outfit have won three of the past five FA Cups and have never lost an FA Cup final.
Unstoppable in attack and immoveable in defence
Chelsea’s route to Wembley saw them edge past Aston Villa and thrash Birmingham City and Leicester City, before a feisty last-four encounter with Arsenal was settled thanks to goals by Guro Reiten and Ji So-yun.
Despite facing WSL opposition at every stage of this year’s tournament, they have conceded only one goal and scored 17 across their four ties.
Gareth Taylor’s City team have also been dominant in the cup this season. They beat third-tier Nottingham Forest 8-0, embarrassed rivals Manchester United 4-1 and defeated Everton 4-0 in their first three rounds.
The 4-1 semi-final win over West Ham United was emotional for City, with forward Chloe Kelly scoring her first goal since returning from a serious knee injury.
City last lifted the FA Cup in November 2020 thanks to late extra-time goals from Georgia Stanway and Janine Beckie against Everton in a behind-closed-doors tie.
Anita Asante, a British footballer of Ghanaian descent has announced that she will draw down the curtain on her 19-year professional career at the end of the 2021/2022 Women’s Premier League season.
Asante made her retirement announcement on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, with her final game set to be against Birmingham this weekend.
”It was a difficult decision to make and I’m enjoying my season with Villa at the moment. But every journey must come to an end and for me, I think it’s the right time to hang my boots up and give thanks to everyone who’s helped me along my journey,” she said as quoted by skysports.com.
Here is a look into her 19 years of professional career
Clubs career
Anita Ama Asante, born on April 27, 1985, turned 37 years on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
She was born and bred in the UK and thus spent a chunk of his career in the European country.
Asante started her club career at Arsenal. She joined the youth team in 1998 and made her debut for the first team in 2003.
The center back played for 9 different clubs, amongst them, Arsenal was her longest-serving club. She spent 5 spells with the team, where she achieved most of her successes.
Asante joined rival London club, Chelsea in 2008 before traveling abroad to join US-based Sky Blues.
During her time in the US, she played for Saint Louis Athletica, Chicago Red Stars, Washington Freedom, and back to Sky Blues all in the space of two years.
She then moved to Sweden in 2012, spending five seasons in the Swedish league- one season at Goteborg and four seasons at FC Rosengard/Malmo.
She then return to England, joining Chelsea in 2018 before a move to Aston Villa in 2020, where sj=he will call it a wrap.
International career
Anita Asante served the English national team for 11 years after playing at all levels in the youth team, including being named as the captain of the U19.
She made her senior debut in 2004 when she came on as a substitute in a game against Iceland.
She played at four different major tournaments for England, namely Euros- 2005, 2009, 2013, and the World Cup in 2011.
She made a total of 71 appearances for England. Her 50th game was a 1-0 win over Japan at the 2011 World Cup.
Anita scored one goal in her international career, her goal gave England a 1-0 win against Norway in a friendly in 2005.
Honours
Asante is one of the most decorated female British players. She is a Quadruple winner and a double winner.
At Arsenal, she won the UEFA Women’s Cup (Arsenal) in 2007 the FA Women’s Cup 3 times -2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, the FA Women’s National Premier League 4 times 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and FA Women’s Premier League Cup 3 times 2005, 2005, 2007.
She won the quadruple with Arsenal in 2007 (UEFA Cup, League, League Cup and FA cup) and a double in 2006 and 2008 all at Arsenal – League and FA Cup.
Her spell in Sweden also landed her four trophies, the Svenska Cupen in 2012 and Svenska Supercupen in 2013 while at Göteborg. She won the same trophies with FC Rosengard/Malmo in 2015 and 2016.
Coaching Career
Anita Asante has sight at coaching right after retirement. She has revealed that she is on the verge of completing her UEFA B coaching badge.
“I’m currently completing my UEFA B [coaching] badge at the moment, and I hope to continue that journey and explore it.” she said.
Players of English Premier League(EPL) side Chelsea, have congratulated their teammate, Édouard Osoque Mendy for winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. Â
Mendy kept three clean sheets and also saved a penalty in the final to guide Senegal to win their first-ever AFCON trophy. Â
Following the triumph on February 6, 2022, the goalkeeper joined his Chelsea teammates on February 8, for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE). Â
In a video posted by Chelsea’s twitter handle, Mendy’s teammates were spotted congratulating him on his achievement with Senegal. Â
The current FIFA best goalkeeper will be hoping to win the Club World Cup and add another trophy to his cabinet as Chelsea face Al Hilal in the semi-finals on February 9. Â
At the AFCON, Edouard Mendy missed the first two games due to COVID-19. He returned to the post in Senegal’s final group game against Malawi, which he kept his first clean sheet. The match ended goalless.Â
His second clean sheet came in the 2-0 win over Cape Verde in the round of 16. He then grabbed his third clean sheet in the final against Egypt, where he saved one penalty as Senegal beat the Pharaohs 4-2 in the shootouts. Â
As a result, Mendy was named as the best goalkeeper of the tournament.Â
Ghana defender Baba Rahman will remain at Chelsea for the rest of the season after failing to secure transfer on Championship deadline day.
The transfer window for the English Championship ended on Friday at 11 GMT-1.
Chelsea were hoping to send the Ghana left-back on another loan deal after Middlesbrough and Watford expressed interest in having him for the season.
Following discussions between Chelsea and the two clubs, Boro appeared to be serious in snapping up the defender on transfer deadline day.
However, a last-minute hitch meant that the move could not go through.
He is expected to get some minutes in the Chelsea development squad to stay fit and target a move in the winter.
The 26-year-old left back, who joined the Blues from Augsburg in the summer of 2015, has made 15 Premier League appearances since his move to England
Rahman has since enjoyed loan spells at Schalke 04, Reims and Real Mallorca.
His career has been hampered in recent years by a cruciate ligament rupture, which kept him out of action for more than seven months in 2017, and a knee injury, which sidelined him for virtually the whole of last season.
Scottish side, Queen of the South have signed former Chelsea youth ace Nortei Nortey.
Nortey is an English-born Ghanaian youngster and the versatile 25-year-old joins on loan from Chorley.
He has also had spells with Wrexham, Solihull Moors and Dover.
Doonhamers boss Allan Johnston said: “Nortei is a versatile player, he is joining us with a view to making the right back position his own but he can also play in the middle of the park.
“He has shown up well in training and looked good in the game against Dalbeattie on Friday. “He has a real determination and brings some freshness to Scottish footballâ€.
Bayern Munich are attempting to convince Chelsea to part ways with Callum Hudson-Odoi through an initial loan, although the German champions are willing to include an obligation to buy him in 2021.
Goal can confirm that talks are a long way from being agreed in principle and Chelsea could block the approach at any time for their 19-year-old winger, who has four years left on his contract.
Still, the German giants have spotted an opportunity to try and get their long-term target after missing out on him both last summer and in the previous transfer window, 18 months ago.
Frank Lampard has only used the England international in a bit-part role, leading him to grow frustrated after seeing the club add high-profile signings like Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech.
Hudson-Odoi hasn’t made a Premier League start since football returned after the coronavirus-enforced lockdown but has had three starts in cup competitions.
When asked about Hudson-Odoi’s future, along with both Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Lampard didn’t move to deny the possibility of him leaving the club.
“With every player in the squad, with the situation of a loan you have to consider what’s best for the player, what’s best for the club first and foremost,” Lampard said in his pre-match press conference.
“And then see how it stacks up. So with all those three players, I would consider those things. But I haven’t got an answer for you on any of those three.
“I have a good relationship with them all, speak honestly with them, again that’s one that we’ll broach player by player in the next few days. Once the window shuts every player that will be here will be used within our squad, because it’s a long season and a lot of competitions coming up. And we’ll know more on Monday.”
Hudson-Odoi remains in contention to start against Crystal Palace, having trained as normal with the squad all week.
Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger has lost interest from Roma, who are expected to complete a move for Manchester United’s Chris Smalling.
However, AC Milan and West Ham are now contenders for the German international, who is talking to various clubs alongside Chelsea as the club attempts to get the best possible deal for the defender.
Inter have also made contact for Rudiger, just in case Tottenham produce a bid worth accepting for their defender Milan Skriniar.
Rudiger is also seen as a backup option for Spurs in case they fail in their attempts to land Skriniar, having already had an approach rejected by Juventus for Merih Demiral.
The 27-year-old defender would welcome a stay in the Premier League and particularly London, but he also has an eye on his Euro 2020 place and sees European football as a key requirement.
The Hammers are working to convince him to come to east London, while Chelsea may block attempts from Jose Mourinho’s side to sign their defender. Barcelona are also monitoring the situation but have him lower on their list.
The complicated situation is likely to come to a head late on Sunday night with the transfer deadline on Monday at 5pm.
Furthermore, Chelsea remain locked in a complex situation deciding which left-back to sell, with Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri both being considered by Inter.
Both would likely move on loan with an option to buy but Inter first need to sell Dalbert, who is in talks with Rennes.
Bayern Munich will meet Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals after Robert Lewandowski inspired them to a crushing 7-1 aggregate win over Chelsea.
Having established a commanding 3-0 first leg lead at Stamford Bridge back in February, Bayern quickly made it 5-0 on aggregate when Lewandowski – from the penalty spot – and Ivan Perisic scored inside 25 minutes at the Allianz Arena.
Chelsea pulled a goal back through Tammy Abraham after a rare mistake by keeper Manuel Neuer, but Bayern’s class shone through.
Substitute Corentin Tolisso made it 6-1 on aggregate when he volleyed home unmarked inside the six-yard area before Poland forward Lewandowski, who now has 53 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions this season, headed the fourth to finish the match with two goals and two assists.
Bayern will now face Barca in a mouth-watering one-game knockout format in Lisbon on Friday.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea endured a Wembley nightmare as Chelsea strolled to victory and set up an FA Cup final date with Arsenal.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ditched his usual FA Cup keeper Sergio Romero to keep faith with De Gea – but the experienced Spain international produced two horrendous errors either side of half-time to gift Chelsea two goals.
De Gea made a flimsy attempt to deal with Olivier Giroud’s flick in first-half stoppage time then weakly fumbled Mason Mount’s tame 20-yard shot into the net moments after the restart.
Chelsea’s excellent performance fully merited this victory and United’s abject misery after a dreadful performance was complete when captain Harry Maguire diverted Marcos Alonso’s cross into his own net at the near post with 16 minutes left.
Frank Lampard’s side were in complete control from first to last as they comprehensively ended Manchester United’s 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back from the penalty spot late on after Callum Hudson-Odoi fouled Anthony Martial but it could not even be described as a consolation as Chelsea closed out the win.
A report had made it known that, Chelsea have gotten an interest in signing a deal with a good and experienced left back. A typical example of some defensive mistakes at Chelsea, is what have been seen, during a match against West Ham United, in their last Premier League match.
Chelsea are now a 2 point away from the Red devil’s, as the club still have some tangible matches at ground, before hoping to secure a Champions League spot at the club.
Chelsea had now shown an interest in signing a good and well experienced central defender, who will be able to change the Chelsea tactics at the defensive line.
Chelsea are looking out for a very brainy and experienced central defender, who will be able to coordinate the affairs of the defensive line, at the club Chelsea, according to a report.
Pau Francisco Torres is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Villarreal CF as a central defender.
The 23-year-old Central defender is said to have gotten a release clause of £45 million, as Chelsea will be willing to pay the price for him, if he is willing to join the blues from his club Villarreal.
The £45 million release clause player, had been seen as a good player, better of than Ben Chilwell, who is valued at £65 million, before Leicester City board can be able to release him for Chelsea.
Chelsea will be seen doing most of the great works, in order to complete a deal with Pau Torres. Chelsea will be doing some great business with the professional defender, in order to sign him off from his club, Villarreal.
The Villarreal player had been so great, following his great impact at his club Villarreal, and following his great debuts and sweet moments, who Frank Lampard thinks he will be able to change, the club to a great one, as reported by Caught Offside.
Pau Torres has been a wonderful player right from time, but said to have also been called from the likes of Manchester United and also Barcelona, who they are looking up to seal a deal with, at the end of the season, according to a report from Caught Offside.
Chelsea will be looking out to sign a deal with Pau Torres as they hope on him, as a big grace for the Blues, if they can finally land him to Stamford bridge, at the end of the season.
Chelsea returned to Premier League action by coming from behind to beat relegation-threatened Aston Villa and strengthen their bid for a top-four finish.
The Blues dominated the first half but fell behind when Kepa failed to hold Anwar El Ghazi’s shot and Kortney Hause was on hand to bundle in.
Chelsea fought back after the break and turned the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes.
First, substitute Christian Pulisic smashed Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross into the roof of the net at the far post before Olivier Giroud drove in from 15 yards with the help of a slight deflection.
The win means fourth-placed Chelsea restored their five-point advantage over Manchester United and Wolves, who are fifth and sixth respectively.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone, one point from safety after taking one point from their first two games back following the resumption of the Premier League.
Chelsea pick up from where they left off
The suspension of the season had perhaps come at a frustrating time for Chelsea. They had just beaten Liverpool 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round and then thrashed Everton 4-0 in the league.
But, 105 days on from that win against the Toffees, Chelsea looked fresh and motivated from the outset against a Villa side fighting for survival.
The only concern, however, was their inability to turn chances into goals – particularly in the first half.
Mason Mount saw a powerful strike kept out by Villa keeper Orjan Nyland before Ruben Loftus-Cheek, making a welcome return to the side after a year out with injury, just failed to turn home a teasing ball across the face of goal.
It could have proved costly, particularly when Villa scored from only their second shot on target to take the lead.
In the end Chelsea got the job done but, with 19 attempts on goal, they should perhaps have won by a more comfortable margin.
The signing of Timo Werner for next season will hopefully address Chelsea’s struggles to make the most of their opportunities but for now, Frank Lampard will hope his current forwards will use the striker’s impending arrival as motivation to be more clinical in the end-of-season run-in.
A tough return but some hope for Villa
It has been a tough return to Premier League action for Aston Villa, who resumed their survival bid against two opponents fighting to secure European football next season.
They were fortunate to pick up a point against Sheffield United, with goalline technology failing to register a goal for the Blades.
But despite seeing their winless run in the Premier League extended to six games, there are some signs of encouragement for Villa.
They competed well against high-flying Sheffield United and against Chelsea they started with a good shape and discipline that initially served to frustrate their opponents, although seemingly lacked a Plan B and never looked like getting back into the game once they fell behind.
Jack Grealish has also continued to be an influential and dangerous presence in their team. He was involved in the move that led to their goal against Chelsea and if he can continue to shine in midfield, then Dean Smith’s side still have a fighting chance of survival.
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Ghana defender Baba Abdul Rahman could leave Chelsea this summer following reinforcements at the London club.
The player who is currently on loan at Spanish side Real Mallorca is deemed surplus to requirement with Emerson Palmieri and Marcus Alonso the preferred choices for Frank Lampard.
Chelsea are also in the market for another left back, with Leicester City’s Ben Chiwell the identified target.
Reports in the UK suggests Chiwell’s arrival will mean Baba Rahman and Marcus Alonso will be sold to make way for other transfer target.
Marcus Alonso has been linked with a move to Italy with interests from Inter Milan and AS Roma.
Meanwhile, Rahman has struggled with injuries at Mallorca making his permanent stay a difficult decision for the club. The 25-year old has made only three appearances for Mallorca this season.
The ex-Dreams FC player joined Chelsea in 2015 from Bundesliga side Augsburg, but has since been on five loan spells.
On 19th May, 2012, tough-tackling Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien and his Chelsea side won the UEFA Champions League as they Blues stunned their more-fancied opponent Bayern Munich in the final at the Allianz Arena.
Although Michael Essien was an unused substitute in the final his impact in the London club was huge, having a key member of the team since his arrival in 2005.
Bayern Munich dominated play after they created countless of opportunities, but Chelsea held them to a 1-1 draw in regulation time to take the game to a penalty shootout and they emerged the better side as they beat the hosts 3-4.
Thomas Mueller’s late header put Bayern on the brink of victory on home territory but Didier Drogba levelled things up with a bullet header at the death before coolly converting the decisive spot-kick.
The tournament which gave Chelsea their greatest agony when they lost on penalties to Manchester United 2008 in Moscow delivered the greatest glory in their 107-year history.
Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s first penalty but David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were all successful. Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on target for Bayern.
The momentum shifted decisively when Cech denied Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the post to leave Chelsea on the brink and present Drogba with his moment of destiny.
This was a victory in the mould of Chelsea’s semi-final win against Barcelona, built on resilience, discipline, defensive organisation and nerve at the crucial times and done without the suspended Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles.
Chelsea became the first London club to claim the European Cup. Six European capitals have produced a winner: Madrid (9), Amsterdam (4), Lisbon (2), Bucharest (1) and Belgrade (1).
Chelsea also emerged as the second side to win the FA Cup and the European Cup in the same season, along with Manchester United in their 1998-1999 Treble-winning season.
Ex-Chelsea star Michael Essien has made the stunning revelation that he came very close to joining Liverpool in 2002 but opted to remain with his former club Bastia.
Essien had attracted a lot of interest from stellar European sides after establishing himself as a firm staple for the French Ligue 1 outfit.
Head coach Robert Nouzaret’s decision to move from defence to central midfield paid dividends.
The ex-Ghana international’s partnership with Nicolas Dieuze and Cyril Jeunechamp helped the Corsica Island-based side finish in the the top 10 of the 2001-02 season and reach the final of the Coupe de France.
Liverpool’s French manager at that time, Gerard Houllier, was an admirer.
Essien confirms holding talks with Houllier at Melwood but felt the time was not right for a move.
“I had lot of offers. I was close to signing for Liverpool when Gerard Houllier was their coach,” the now 37-year-old, who plays for Azerbaijani side Sabail, said on ConvosWithCarol which was monitored by GHANASoccernet.com
”I even went to Melwood to meet the coach. We had a talk and I returned to France but the offers were still coming.
”PSG, Olympique Marseille et al, but I told Bastia I don’t want to move and they also didn’t want to sell me at that time because they wanted me to stay for another year which was fine with me because I also didn’t want to leave the club so I stayed for another season, that’s my third year with the club.
”Olympique Lyon joined the three aforementioned clubs to enquire about me but I thought it was too early to move to England.”
In 2003, Essien eventually joined two-time defending league champions Olympique Lyon in a €7.8 million transfer.
He spent two seasons at the Stade Gerland where he scored seven goals in 71 appearances.
Essien was voted the 2005 Player of the Year by France’s National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP) and also named Ligue 1 Player of the Year.
He got nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year Award where placed 22nd.
“Lyon were my favourite team when I went to France because they were winning everything I told my agent that if Lyon has come into the picture I’d like to join them.
”PSG were then serious about signing me to the extent that they made an offer. I was back home at that time and the call came that PSG had made a bid for me. It was even on the national television that I had signed for PSG which I had not because I was still in Ghana.
”There was a lot of controversy going on between the board and my agent so when I came went back to Bastia, we met with the board members and the president, and I told them I’d prefer to join Lyon though I liked Paris.
”I was really caught between PSG and Lyon but my preference was always Lyon. I had then spoken the president and their coach.
”I gave them my word that when I return from my holiday in Ghana I’ll do everything to sign for them but It was not easy.”
In the summer of 2005, Essien was signed by Jose  Mourinho’s Chelsea in a £24.4 million fee which made him the club’s most expensive signing of all-time at the time.
Former Chelsea legend Michael Essien has said Paul Scholes and Steven Gerard were his toughest opponents in his career.
Now, 37, Essien enjoyed a hugely successful career at Chelsea, becoming one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world.
During his nine years stay at the Stamford Bridge, the former Ghana international faced uncountable best players, but only two stood out in his eyes.
“It’s between Steven Gerard and Paul Scholes. Those two players were quite tough to play against. They were not only good on the ball but they could tackle really hard. They were really tough but the Premier League was much more tough compared to now.”
“Every team you come up against was difficult so you have to try to be tougher.”
Essien has played for a host of top European clubs including Real Madrid, AC Milan, Lyon and Panathinaikos.
He played for Bastia in France after leaving Ghanaian outfit Liberty Professionals.
At Chelsea, he won the Premier League on two occasions (2005-2006 and 2009-10), four FA Cup titles, one League Cup, two Community Shields and the prestigious Uefa Champions League in 2012.
At international level, he represented Ghana at the 2002, 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2006 and 2014 Fifa World Cup tournaments.
Former Ghana midfielder Micheal Essien has opened up on how he fought Olympique Lyon to transfer him to Chelsea in 2005.
Essien left Lyon to join Premier League side Chelsea for a £24.4 million transfer fee and, at the time of his signing, he was the most expensive African footballer in history.
The Ghanaian had then attracted a lot of interest from top European sides after establishing himself as a firm staple for the French Ligue 1 outfit.
But according to the midfielder, the move to Chelsea could not have happened had he not put in effort to depart Lyon after he rejected overtures from Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain in the previous years.
“Moving to Chelsea was not difficult but my third year at Lyon we had Gerard Houllier as coach who wanted to sign me few years before when he was at Liverpool, and this man was a big fan of me, he loved me, he like how I played. So when he came to Lyon he was happy,” the 37-year-old said on ConvosWithCarol.
“We had a meeting and he expressed how happy he was to have the chance to work with me and then we went to South Korea for pre-season, and then Chelsea came in strongly with an offer. Obviously the president [Michel Aulas] was playing his transfer game but this man [Houllier] will come and talk to me, saying he knows my love for the Premiership but at the same time he was thorn between me going to England and staying at Lyon to work with him.”
“I wanted to go to England. I remember our first pre-season game, we played against a Mexican side and after the game I was so angry. I was angry because I was happy with how the president was handling the transfer at the time so I was angry that I took it into the game. I lost my head and went in hard for a tackle and I was sent off.”
“I always train with a smile on my face but I became so angry to the extent that I wasn’t talking to anyone, I was just getting on with whoever came my way in training but the coach was very good with me. He will be one of my best coaches I’ve had in my career even though I worked with him for a short time. he was always talking to me.”
“I remember I didn’t play two games and then the final game we had to play against Tottenham or so, and the coach came into my room and said Michael I want to talk to you. He said Michael please I want you to play this game for me [Houllier]. I was shell shocked because I respect him so much, he was like my father so I said coach no problem, I’ll play the game for you. I went into the game with the confidence of the coach because he told me he’d do whatever he can to help me secure my transfer to Chelsea. I was one of the best players on the pitch.”
“After the game, he came to me and in a nice way he asked, do you really want to go to England. I replied with a big smile that coach I’d like to go so we made a little joke out of it. We went back to Lyon but still the whole saga was going on so I told my agent I was not going to play any official game for the club until the whole thing is sorted out. I told him I’ll work my head around it and see if I’m going to stay at the club and the coach and the president respected my decision. I was going to training without any problem and then one day it just happened…I went to Chelsea.”
At Chelsea, Essien won the Premier League on two occasions (2005-2006 and 2009-10), four FA Cup titles, one League Cup, two Community Shields and the prestigious UEFA Champions League in 2012.
He has played for a host of elite European clubs including Real Madrid, AC Milan, Lyon and Panathinaikos.
Essien, who currently plays for Azerbaijani side Sabail FK, played for Bastia in France after leaving Ghanaian outfit Liberty Professionals.
At international level, the Accra-born represented Ghana at the 2002, 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2006 and 2014 Fifa World Cup tournaments.
CEO of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Reverend Eastwood Anaba has exhibited his knowledge in football during a virtual sermon on Sunday, revealing his love for English giants Manchester United.
Football in Germany is leading the way as its Bundesliga became the first of Europe’s major leagues to swing back into action since the coronavirus lockdown.
The games will mostly be remembered for the surreal circumstances as strict social distancing protocol was observed.
There were no mascots around the pitch and no children holding hands with players in the tunnels. Ballboys, reduced to four at each match, wore gloves and had to be tested for the coronavirus beforehand. TV reporters wore masks and plastic sheets over their microphones.
Strict hygiene routine saw players arrive on multiple buses, use several changing rooms and then enter the pitch by different routes.
Elite-level football is however expected to be back in Europe, but it certainly has a different feel about it than it did two months ago.
In the wake of Saturday round of games in the Bundesliga, Rev. Eastwood Anaba did not hide his delight with the return of football during an online church service on Sunday, claiming he has missed the beautiful game so much.
The holy man of God continued by disclosing his like for English Premier League outfit Manchester United and went deep by naming his favourite players of the side.
Cesc Fabregas starred at both Arsenal and Chelsea over the course of his glittering career, but he admits that his spell at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium will always stand out as special.
Fabregas moved to north London from Barcelona’s La Masia academy in 2003 at just 16, and became Arsenal’s youngest-ever first-team player months later by making his debut in the League Cup against Rotherham.
He went on to spend eight seasons under Arsene Wenger at the club, making more than 300 appearances and lifting the FA Cup in 2004-05.
A move back to Barcelona and later Chelsea followed, with both spells yielding the league trophy he was unable to obtain with the Gunners, but when told by fellow Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry that red was his colour, Cesc was in full agreement.
“When I think about you, you are in a red shirt,” Henry told his former team-mate in an Instagram chat. “I know people will say you won the league and became a legend at Chelsea, but you are an Arsenal man.”
Fabregas replied: “I am and it will be part of me for the rest of my life. I would never have thought I would have mixed feelings between these two teams, but you go there and you meet people, you win titles, become important and win titles. You end up having so much love for the club.
“You are right. You don’t forget where you come from and I came from Barcelona academy and I will never forget that, but to make it on the biggest level was at Arsenal and I don’t forget that.
“I was so lucky to come in at that moment, to see you, Ashley (Cole), Robert (Pires), Patrick (Vieira), Sol (Campbell).
“The management at the club gave me so much leadership and everything I needed to be a top player. I will never deny that I will always be an Arsenal man in my heart.
“Football has so many turnarounds but I will never forget the connection with the fans and I had so much love at Arsenal and Chelsea. No can ever hear me say anything bad about Arsenal, even when I went to Chelsea and won there, and then won the league.”
Fabregas, 33, is currently starring in Ligue 1 with Monaco, after leaving Chelsea for the principality in January 2019.
Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi says club legend Didier Drogba and Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho were his idols growing up as a footballer.
The 19-year old in a chat with former teammate and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois revealed the two legends inspired his career growth.
“My idols for me would be, I’d say Ronaldinho and Drogba,” he told Courtois. “Of course Drogba because he was at the club when I was young and been watching him growing up and Ronaldinho because I love watching him play exciting football,” he added.
Both players enjoyed successful careers winning several titles including the UEFA Champions Leagues. Ronaldinho was two times World footballer of the year and won the FIFA World Cup in 2002 with Brazil.
Hudson-Odoi is had a breakthrough season last year with Chelsea and has become an integral member of the Blues under Drogba’s former teammate Frank Lampard.
Former Chelsea star Michael Essien has opened up on the famous UEFA Champions League semi-final game against Barcelona in 2008/9 season which saw his side exit the competition after a 1-1 draw at the Stamford Bridge.
The Ghanaian superstar put the home side in front in the ninth minute to give his side a comfortable lead in the game.
From outside the penalty box, the former Persib Bandung midfielder fired hard volley using the left foot. The ball raced into the corner of the opponent’s goal without being able to be driven out by goalkeeper Victor Valdes .
Chelsea were able to keep the Catalan club from scoring until a rocket from Barca’s Andrea Iniesta ended the Blues hope of reaching the final.
“The game was very disappointing. Even though my goal was beautiful, one of the best in my career against a great team like Barcelona,” Essien recalled the dramatic defeat at Stamford Bridge .
Essien left Chelsea in 2014 after recording 256 appearances and 25 goals in all competitions.
He then traveled to AC Milan, Panathinaikos, Persib, and now plays for Sabail in Azerbaijan.
Chelsea legend Michael Essien is among a number of former English Premier League stars who are still playing actively.
The veteran midfielder is still performing at the age of 37, where he features for Azerbaijani side Sabail.
The ex-Ghana international Essien is still strutting his stuff and has recently played crucial roles for Panathinaikos and Indonesian side Persib Banding.
He is currently starring for Azerbaijani side Sabail, who were only formed four years ago.
Essien, nicknamed the ‘Bison’ for his physical presence on the pitch, was one of Roman Abramovich’s most successful signings at Stamford Bridge.
With the Blues he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League amongst others.
After leaving Chelsea he featured 20 times for Italian giants AC Milan in an injury-hit spell before plying his trade in Greece.
N’Golo Kante remains keen to stay at Chelsea despite reports in the Spanish media linking him with a transfer to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Kante has missed 20 of Chelsea’s 42 games this season due to a host of injuries to his hamstring, knee and ankle, and concerns over his long-term fitness have seen Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho strike up a good partnership in his absence.
Meanwhile, Billy Gilmour’s emergence and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s return from injury add to Frank Lampard’s options with Ross Barkley and Mason Mount also in the squad.
Chelsea are also monitoring Lille’s 21-year-old midfielder Boubakary Soumare but he currently ranks lower on the club’s priority list than a left-back and another forward.
Manager Lampard is yet to signal to any of his first-team squad whether or not they will be surplus to requirements in the off-season as he bids to create a competitive training environment until the end of the coronavirus-hit campaign.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has long been an admirer of Kante and is said to be looking for a back-up option for Casemiro, with Rennes’ 17-year-old wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga and Soumare also on the Blancos’ shortlist.
But Kante, who is currently Chelsea’s highest-paid player on £290,000 ($362k) per week, is unlikely to accept a back-up role.
Barcelona would interest Kante as well but only if he was told that Chelsea want to sell him ahead of the summer, with reports in Spain claiming the Blaugrana would be willing to offer Philippe Coutinho in exchange as part of a swap deal.
Kante is settled in London and he has three years left on his Blues contract but he previously harboured ambitions of playing for one of Spain’s big two clubs at one stage in his career.
N’Golo Kante Chelsea
Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, along with Serie A giants Juventus, were interested in Kante when he signed for Chelsea from Leicester for £32 million ($40m/€36m) in 2016.
French champions PSG had wanted to create a homecoming story for the World Cup winner. However, he has been cautious about returning home due to off-field legal issues with his former agents.
Kante has denied allegations in the French investigative publication Mediapart which suggested that he was threatened at gunpoint to sack his agent Abdelkarim Douis by his former advisors in Paris.
The report goes on to say that the dispute was resolved upon Kante’s contract renewal in 2018, with an agent fee being shared between his current agent and his former advisors.
However, in February 2020, Kante’s ongoing legal battle with his former image rights advisor Nouari Khiari were detailed in L’Equipe.
Meanwhile, like all their fellow Premier League clubs, Chelsea are training at home with advice coming in from the coaching team on routines to keep fit ahead of a return to action which will be in mid-May at the earliest.
Lampard has been in regular contact with his squad and he is using the increased amount of time to do some long-term planning for the club’s future.
“We have the good young players, we have had experienced players around them that have helped them this year, but we know there are little areas within the squad [we can improve],” Lampard told Sky Sports.
“Some of that’s what we have already, some of that’s how we might look to recruit going forward.
“This period now with what’s going on in the world has made it very difficult to plan too much on [transfers], how this is going to look in weeks or months going forward.
“We have to have different versions of plans going forward in terms of how it looks.â€
Meanwhile, the official announcement over youngster Tino Anjorin’s new contract is expected to come this week after agreeing on a deal in principle to renew it a fortnight ago.
Chelsea have also begun early talks to see if they can agree on a deal to keep Olivier Giroud at Stamford Bridge with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Chelsea have confirmed to Sky Sports News that forward Willian is in Brazil with his family during the coronavirus outbreak.
The club has allowed him to return to his wife and children after granting the player a leave of absence on appeal following a request to return home on compassionate grounds.
The 30-year-old has spent seven years at Stamford Bridge and faces an uncertain future with his contract due to run out at the end of June.
The Premier League season has been suspended until at least April 30, while Chelsea’s players have joined the nation in a three-week lockdown.
Chelsea’s policy is to treat each case individually if one of their foreign players ask to repatriate.
Rangers allowed all their overseas stars to return home during the coronavirus pandemic last week.
Chelsea will provide free accommodation to staff of Britain’s National Health Service in a hotel at the club’s Stamford Bridge stadium during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier League club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, will fund the service that will allow medical professionals in London a chance to rest if they are unable to travel home or face long commutes.
The scheme will be put in place for two months, but could be extended if needed.
There have been 1,950 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 71 deaths in Britain.
“It was decided the best way Chelsea can assist the NHS is to provide accommodation for NHS staff. Mr Abramovich will be covering the costs of providing the accommodation,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“Many of the medical staff will be working long shifts and may not be able to travel home or would otherwise have to make long commutes. Local accommodation helps maintain the health and well-being of these crucial personnel at this critical time.”
Chelsea do not know when they will next return to the pitch, with the Premier League suspended until at least April 4, although that date is set to be pushed back at a meeting of Premier League clubs on Thursday.
But in the absence of football, the Blues are the latest club to make an offer of community support at a time of crisis.
Liverpool players contributed to a £40,000 ($48,000) donation from the club to help keep local foodbanks running.
Aston Villa and Brighton were among the clubs to donate food prepared for last weekend’s matches to homeless charities.
Fourth-tier club Stevenage are preparing a community careline that will help isolated local residents over 70 with day-to-day needs such as delivery of food and prescriptions.
A dominant Chelsea thrashed Everton 4-0 in the Premier League on Super Sunday, making it an unhappy return to Stamford Bridge for Carlo Ancelotti.
The Everton boss had never faced Chelsea before in his managerial career and returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his sacking from the club in 2011, but it got off to the worst start when Mason Mount produced a fine, swivelled finish in the 14th minute.
Chelsea continued to dominate throughout – with 18-year-old Premier League debutante Billy Gilmour impressing once again – and the hosts doubled their lead seven minutes later as Pedro (21) slotted home.
But the game was ultimately decided just after the break, when Willian (51) and Olivier Giroud (54) hit Everton with two quick goals, leaving Ancelotti and his assistant Duncan Ferguson stoney-faced on the touchline.
The result keeps Chelsea three points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United – who beat Manchester City 2-0 later in the day – while Everton, who have now gone over four years without a Premier League goal at Stamford Bridge, remain in 12th.
Chelsea dominated the first half and went close early on, but Mount’s hooked effort was well stopped as Jordan Pickford leapt across to make the save. However, in the 14th minute, the Everton goalkeeper could not keep out Mount for a second time.
It was the Chelsea midfielder who started the move off too, feeding Pedro down the left before receiving the ball back in the middle. He swivelled as he controlled and struck, sending his effort hammering into the bottom corner and beating his England team-mate.
Despite recent criticism, Pickford had a mostly solid first half and the scoreline could have been extended much further without him. He was in action again when Willian burst into the area from the right flank but with no one in support, went for goal himself, only to see his effort pushed away by the Everton goalkeeper at the near post.
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