Thomas Tuchel has issued an injury update on five Chelsea players ahead of the Premier League visit to Brentford on Saturday. The Blues boss announced that Antonio Rudiger will miss the fixture due to a back problem which ruled him out of Germany’s 4-0 win over Maceonia on Monday. His injury is made more costly by Thiago Silva’s own absence due to the Brazilian representing his country in the early hours of Friday morning. Meanwhile, the manager revealed Chelsea will also be without wingers Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, who has been out for a month due to an ankle injury. Tuchel said: “Thiago will be back in the afternoon, hopefully safe from this match in Brazil. We had our talk and tactical training, he missed all that. “He played 90 minutes and had 12 hours of travelling so that gives you the answer. “Toni Rudiger is injured, came back injured from the national team. Christian Pulisic is still injured. “We also have doubts with Hakim …
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Romelu Lukaku takes part in Chelsea training after injury scare on international duty with Belgium
Romelu Lukaku took part in full training with Chelsea on Thursday despite having pulled out of Belgium’s defeat to Italy due to muscle fatigue, though there was no sign of Antonio Rudiger. The forward was part of the Belgium side that lost to France on Thursday, netting shortly before half-time as Roberto Martinez’s side threw away a two-goal advantage against the world champions. But he played no part in their follow-up game on Sunday against Euro 2020 winners Italy in the UEFA Nations League third-place play-off, having withdrawn from the squad as a precaution. Although Chelsea were confident that the issue was not serious, there were still question marks over whether Lukaku would be fully fit to take on Brentford on Saturday. The west London club initially allowed Lukaku to return to Belgium for some time off after his muscle overload, though he was back in action on the training pitching at Cobham on Thursday. Lukaku took part in full training with no issues …
Darren Bent warns Arsenal that Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United could attempt to sign Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe
Darren Bent has warned Arsenal that Chelsea , Liverpool and Newcastle United could make moves for talented Gunners stars Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe . Saka and Smith Rowe have established themselves as key players at Arsenal since making their first-team debuts in 2018, making 97 and 53 appearances for the club respectively. Former England striker Bent believes Arsenal can build their team around the youngsters but has warned they may ‘make a run for it’ if the Gunners do not match their ambition. And Bent reckons Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United would all be keen to snap up Saka or Smith Rowe if they were to leave the Emirates. ‘It’s a decision to make. Arsenal’s ambition has to match their own,’ Bent told talkSPORT . ‘There’s no point in Arsenal [being] seventh or eighth every season. At some stage, you’re going to have to make a run for it. ‘I’m guessing if the likes of Newcastle United now, and …
Paul Merson’s Premier League predictions, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool
Paul Merson expects Manchester United ’s inconsistent form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to continue at Leicester City this weekend but has tipped victories for Chelsea , Liverpool and Arsenal . United have only won one of their last four matches, losing to West Ham in the EFL Cup and being beaten by Aston Villa in the league before the international break. On Saturday, Solskjaer’s side travel to the King Power Stadium to face a Leicester team who are currently down in 13th with eight points from seven games. But former Arsenal and England star Merson believes the Foxes will pile the pressure on Solskjaer, predicting a 2-1 home victory in his column for Sportskeeda . Merson also expects Chelsea to finish the weekend top of the table as they prepare to face west London rivals Brentford, and reckons Liverpool will be too strong for Claudio Ranieri’s Watford. The weekend’s Premier League fixtures end on Monday night with Arsenal facing Crystal Palace, and …
Chelsea duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen wanted on free transfer by Barcelona at end of season
BARCELONA are interested in signing Chelsea pair Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen, according to reports. The two defenders could be available on free transfers next summer with their contracts due to expire at the end of the season. And since Barcelona are embroiled in financial turmoil, their only realistic chance at signing players could be to explore the free-agent market, according to Fichajes . Azpilicueta, 32, is Chelsea captain and still a key part of Thomas Tuchel's plans, whether he plays in central defence or as a wing-back to cover the injured Reece James. Likewise, Christensen, 25, has an important role to play for Blues and the club could be keen to hold on to him given Antonio Rudiger's uncertain future . In fact, Chelsea are planning to offer the Dane a new long-term contract . And Christensen is reportedly willing to stay, with the club ready to match his salary demands of £120,000 a week . Thiago Silva is another defender whose …
Chelsea ‘open Niklas Sule transfer talks with Bayern Munich over £26m deal for defender this summer’
CHELSEA have 'contacted' Bayern Munich regarding a summer deal for Niklas Sule, according to reports. The Blues are after a new defender in the summer, as boss Thomas Tuchel aims to strengthen his back line. Sule, 25, has under 18 months remaining on his Bayern contract. And due to financial restraints brought about by the pandemic, the burly German centre-back could be sacrificed at the end of the season. According to Todo Fichajes , Tuchel is keen on acquiring his compatriot, and the Blues could shell out £26million for his signature. They also claim that while boss Hansi Flick is 'reluctant' to sell Sule, other people within the club are 'not satisfied' with his 'attitude'. Chairman and club legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, however, isn't one of them - and recently opened the door to handing Sule a new deal. He said: "We want the good German national players at FC Bayern. "Niklas still has one year of contract. "We will hold talks and see where they …
Michael Owen makes Premier League predictions including Leicester vs Man Utd, Watford vs Liverpool and Brentford vs Chelsea
Michael Owen is backing Manchester United to beat Leicester in the Premier League this weekend. United return from the international break without first choice centre-halves Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane with a tricky fixture run looming in front of them. Leicester however find themselves in in poor form with just one win in their last seven games in all competitions but Owen is backing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s side’s to come away from the King Power Stadium with a win. ‘I didn’t see United’s last two results coming. To pick up just one point from two home games to Aston Villa and Everton is disappointing and the pressure is back on Ole,’ Owen wrote for Bet Victor . ‘Bruno Fernandes’ form has dried up, and Solskjaer needs to find a way to bring out the best of him and Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘When the pressure is on, Ole tends to get a result. Leicester haven’t beaten United at home in the league since 2014, so this is clearly a good matchup for United and despite …
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel rules Antonio Rudiger out of Brentford clash through injury
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Antonio Rudiger will miss Chelsea’s game against Brentford on Saturday through injury, but Romelu Lukaku is available. Rudiger missed Germany’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over North Macedonia on Monday after complaining of a back problem, but national team boss Hansi Flick said at the time that his omission was precautionary. However, Tuchel has now confirmed that the injury will keep the Germany international out of the game against the Bees, along with Christian Pulisic – while Hakim Ziyech is also a doubt. The German boss did provide more positive news on Lukaku, who was a doubt for the game after he left the Belgium squad earlier this week due to muscle fatigue. ‘Rudiger is injured. Pulisic is still injured. Ziyech is a doubt, he missed the last two training sessions with a headache. Romelu is fine, doing all the training and will play tomorrow,’ Tuchel told a pre-match press conference. The Blues will also be without Thiago …
Olivier Giroud’s claim it was “harder” to leave Chelsea than Arsenal makes perfect sense
AC Milan star Olivier Giroud recently admitted it was harder to leave Chelsea than Arsenal - and it's easy to see why. The Frenchman, 35, spent two more years at the Emirates than Stamford Bridge but had unfinished business at Chelsea. Giroud told talkSPORT : "I had an amazing time at Arsenal but [at Chelsea] I can say even more because I won the big titles. “It was emotionally difficult to leave when I left Montpellier and Arsenal, but even more tough [at Chelsea] because I didn’t play the last three months so it was evidence for me to leave and go for another challenge." Giroud was a regular during his time at Arsenal, featuring in every single Premier League game during the 2015-16 campaign and making 36 starts two seasons earlier. Olivier Giroud joined AC Milan from Chelsea during the summer ( Image: SIPA USA/PA Images) He got the chance to leave his mark during a five-and-a-half-year spell in North London, scoring 105 goals in all …
Newcastle next manager – Frank Lampard favourite as bookies SLASH odds on ex-Chelsea boss, Conte & Favre in the mix
FRANK LAMPARD leads the race to replace Steve Bruce as Newcastle manager. That's according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who've significantly altered their odds after an intense 24-hour period in the betting market. SKY BET - GET £40 FREE BETS* The former Derby and Chelsea manager had previously trailed Leicester's Brendan Rodgers, who was the 11/8 favourite. But Lampard now occupies that position having shortened from 4/1 to 5/2 overnight. Lampard is still a free agent having been sacked by Chelsea in January after 18 months in charge. The 43-year-old left having guided the club to a fourth-placed finish and the FA Cup final during his first season in charge. Lampard did not sign a single player during his debut campaign with Chelsea still operating under a transfer embargo. He did, however, show his prowess in the transfer market by later spending more than £200m on seven major signings, including Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz. Newcastle next manager Sky …