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Only £100m? No chance: David Moyes’ defiant Declan Rice stance speaks volumes

Phil Foden of Manchester City is challenged by Declan Rice of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham...

David Moyes’ comments Saturday on captain Declan Rice were refreshingly bullish while shedding light into an intriguing subplot as the season unfolds. While a lot of fanfare has covered Tomas Soucek’s rise, Jesse Lingard’s immediate impact and an unlikely but very real European qualification charge, the England international has proven a dependable constant. Continue reading “Only £100m? No chance: David Moyes’ defiant Declan Rice stance speaks volumes”

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Eden Hazard sidelined for 4-6 weeks with yet another muscular injury

Eden Hazard of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 30, 2021 in Madrid...

Eden Hazard’s persistent injury and fitness problems at Real Madrid have seriously hampered his progression since joining from Chelsea for €115m (£101.5m) in July 2019 and another fresh blow is expected to keep him out of their two-legged Champions League last-16 tie vs. Atalanta. Continue reading “Eden Hazard sidelined for 4-6 weeks with yet another muscular injury”

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Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea chats with Callum Hudson-Odoi during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at...

Every cloud has a silver lining, or so the saying goes. Frank Lampard’s 18-month stint as Chelsea manager was ruthlessly ended by lunchtime on Monday, but with the new man replacing him at the helm in west London, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has an opportunity to replicate Christian Pulisic’s success under the German succeeding their club legend. Continue reading “Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi”

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Stefano Pioli: Fikayo Tomori has interesting qualities, but needs time to settle

Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan warm up prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 23, 2021 in Milan,...

After his loan deal from Chelsea was complete, centre-back Fikayo Tomori was named in Milan’s matchday squad but didn’t feature during their 3-0 home defeat by Atalanta over the weekend. His new head coach, Stefano Pioli, praised his intelligence and said the 23-year-old has interesting qualities, though a lack of training with them means he’ll need time to settle in Italy. Continue reading “Stefano Pioli: Fikayo Tomori has interesting qualities, but needs time to settle”

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Preview: Everton vs Chelsea – Tricky away trip awaits Lampard’s men on Merseyside

Chelsea: Everton made it easy for Billy Gilmour, but he knew what to do

Chelsea ended their Champions League group unbeaten, one point above Sevilla and will go into Monday’s last-16 draw as Group E winners after their 1-1 draw with Krasnodar. Frank Lampard made multiple changes to the side that overcame an early deficit to beat Leeds three days prior, but is expected to make more ahead of their tricky Merseyside trip this weekend. Continue reading “Preview: Everton vs Chelsea – Tricky away trip awaits Lampard’s men on Merseyside”

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UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar

Pirlo endured a forgettable evening on the sidelines, seeing his Juve side limp to defeat against Barcelona

Read on for two Champions League MD6 match previews ahead of a pivotal Group G clash between Spanish giants Barcelona and Serie A champions Juventus with top spot not yet confirmed, while Frank Lampard’s unbeaten Chelsea side expect to finish with a flourish when entertaining Russian side Krasnodar elsewhere tonight in Group E. Are we in for some surprises? Continue reading “UCL MD6 Previews: Barcelona and Juventus clash, while unbeaten Chelsea host Krasnodar”

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Eberechi Eze’s persistence paid off as his top-flight journey is underway

Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace and Allan and Andre Gomes of Everton in action during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton at...

Released by Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall while still in his teenage years, Eberechi Eze endured failed trials and questions over his languid attitude. Over the weekend, Roy Hodgson gave the 22-year-old playmaker his first Premier League start for new club Crystal Palace and judging by how he’s handled adversity in the past, it’s likely the first of many to come.
Continue reading “Eberechi Eze’s persistence paid off as his top-flight journey is underway”

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Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview: An early litmus test for Lampard’s Blues

Liverpool fan roasts Chelsea on Twitter after 5-3 victory - Anfield Watch

Neither side was particularly convincing during their season-opening Premier League fixtures, but Chelsea and defending champions Liverpool clash at Stamford Bridge this Sunday. The Blues have a golden opportunity to lay down an early marker in the 2020-21 campaign against the Reds, who conceded three against newcomers Leeds last weekend. Will either side prevail? Continue reading “Chelsea vs Liverpool Preview: An early litmus test for Lampard’s Blues”

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Brighton vs Chelsea Preview: Lampard’s men target winning start in tough test

Werner, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz - How Chelsea could line up

Chelsea’s Premier League campaign gets underway with a tricky away trip to the south Coast, as Brighton await on Monday evening. Two weeks after a 1-1 draw at the Amex, the Blues return in a competitive capacity and target a statement win away to last season’s strugglers. Can Graham Potter’s men surprise the side who narrowly secured a top-four finish last term? Continue reading “Brighton vs Chelsea Preview: Lampard’s men target winning start in tough test”

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Champions League last-16 preview: Bayern vs Chelsea – Blues playing for pride

Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich: Serge Gnabry strikes twice to all but ...

A repeat showing of Bayern-Chelsea feels like an unnecessary formality. Alongside their three-goal cushion from the first leg victory, the Bundesliga champions host a depleted Blues side this weekend. Will they finish what they started with ruthless aplomb, or can Frank Lampard’s men complete mission impossible in Munich?

Continue reading “Champions League last-16 preview: Bayern vs Chelsea – Blues playing for pride”

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Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points as Blades blast Blues into submission

The hosts soaked up pressure and eased to an excellent 3-0 win over Chelsea to open up the top-four race

David McGoldrick’s first Premier League goals proved pivotal as Sheffield United ultimately cruised to a 3-0 win over third-placed Chelsea – blowing this summer’s race for European football open again with three games left to play. What were five talking points as the Blues succumbed to another frustrating defeat here? Continue reading “Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points as Blades blast Blues into submission”

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Chelsea-bound Werner explains decision to join Frank Lampard’s Blues next month

Timo Werner sends promise to Leipzig after ditching Champions ...

Chelsea-bound striker Timo Werner has explained his choice to join the Blues in a £47.5m move next month, having become RB Leipzig’s all-time top goalscorer with a brace against Augsburg during his final Bundesliga appearance last weekend.

Continue reading “Chelsea-bound Werner explains decision to join Frank Lampard’s Blues next month”