CHELSEA FANSZONE

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea for their brand of football. The former Barcelona and Bayern manager has led Manchester City to a record breaking 15-match winning run but he has nothing but respect for his rivals, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their clash with the latter on Saturday evening. Guardiola said: "Tottenham, with Chelsea, is the best team in the way to play football. "They don’t expect the other ones, they want to make their own game. It is another amazing test for us" Guardiola and Manchester City will be hoping to extend their winning run to 16 by the end of the match on Saturday.

Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson has stated that only lack of playing time will force Chelsea to recall Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Stamford Bridge. Loftus-Cheek who scored for Palace in their 2-1 win over Stoke yesterday is enjoying a fruitful time on loan at Crystal Palace. He is now one of their most important players and is expected to be in the starting XI any time is fit and available, which is positive for Crystal Palace according to manager, Roy Hodgson "I have a feeling that they have the right to call him back if he is not playing enough games or featuring in enough games, which is a good clause," said the former England manager. "If you are loaning out players who you believe in to get playing time, and the clubs aren't using the player, then I think you are entitled to bring them back. "I think that clause exists. That is, I suppose, a risk for us. If we suddenly decide we don’t want to use him then he could go back." "We are enjoyin...

Chelsea are close to completing the signing of 17-year old Hamburg sensation Jann-Fiete Arp, according to Daily Mirror. The young striker had earlier rejected a move to Chelsea last summer, saying it was too early to move to another league in another country. He said: "It just doesn’t make any sense to join Chelsea as a 17-year-old. You have achieved near to nothing, basically have no experience in professional football. The risk is too high. It would have been nonsense to move abroad and neglect everything else. Football is a day-to-day business and it can be over any day. But nobody can take away the Abitur from you. On top of that, money must not play a role at my age" Now The Mirror is reporting that a deal to take the striker to Stamford Bridge is as good as done. Arp, who has scored two goals in four Bundesliga matches so far is also wanted by other English Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.

Chelsea’s little Belgian magician, Eden Hazard was in spectacular form in the English Premier League game against West Brom, scoring two goals in Chelsea's 4-0 win in a highly physical tensed match. Hazard was so unplayable that Captain Gary Cahill feels he can't be stopped when he is in that kind of form. “He’s obviously not one that is going to get hit and shy away from it so if that’s a tactic it’s not going to work,” said the England defender. “It spurred him on and I thought he was terrific. “He’s little but he’s robust and he picks himself up. He’s very difficult. It’s very difficult to get near him when he’s on form like he is and when he’s on form he’s great to watch. “I think he has a pressure on his shoulders to deliver and produce a high calibre performance because he’s in that bracket where he’s a special player, not just in the Premier League but in world football and in Europe and the Champions League. “Everyone is aware of his ability and want...

Former Chelsea great, Gus Poyet has joined in praising Chelsea midfielder, N'Golo Kante. Poyet described him as easily the best midfielder in world football. “They missed him a lot, you could see how much the minute he came back,” Poyet told Standard Sport. “He’s easily the best central midfielder in the world. Easily. He would play in a World XI, no doubt. I know there are players like Casemiro, Sergio Busquets but he’s better than them. “He knows the game, when to stay, when to run and how to run well. He reads it so well he knows what is going to happen before he gets there. That way he controls it with his incredible power and finesse. Normally players like that aren’t as good on the ball as Kante is. “It’s incredible that he went to Leicester and nobody saw him until they won the league! You do what you do, managers do what they do but how didn’t any scouts see him?” Kante is likely to be the first name on Chelsea's team sheet when they take on West Brom in the ...

Recently resigned Chelsea's Technical Director, Michael Emenalo has expressed doubt over working with another English club after leaving Chelsea, accusing them of being ignorant of recruiting well to build formidable teams. When asked if he would work for another English Premier League side, he said: “It may happen, but I think most English clubs do not know how to recruit for an issue that I almost think is cultural as almost everyone makes the same mistake. “English clubs really, really like top attacking players, yet to a large extent make them play alongside medium-quality defenses. And that, in my opinion, explains their relative lack of success in European competitions despite them spending exorbitant sums in recent years. “Successfully building a good team project always involves the ability of players to relate and ‘match’ to each other. In the Premier League there is a big difference between great talents and the medium quality of support for the same offensive talen...

Former France National Team Boss, Raymond Domenech has lavished praises on Chelsea and France midfielder, N'Golo Kante. The outspoken coach described Kante as the most important player in Chelsea's first team and French national team. “You can see there are two French national teams. There’s one when he is playing and one where he’s not,” Domenech told Goal. “You don’t see him in the game but if you look out for him, then you notice all the work he does for the other players. "He’s the symbol. He makes the others better. If I go to a huge club then the first player I sign is him. "I think Didier Deschamps knows what happens with and without Kante, he will build his team around him. The same for Chelsea, the same for Leicester City" N'Golo Kante was named the Football Writers Association footballer of the year last season.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was clearly delighted with Chelsea's performance against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Morata headed home the lone goal in the match which was dominated by Chelsea. Conte praised his team after the match: "For sure, we must be pleased for the performance of the team. I think we played with great energy, with great passion, with great enthusiasm. I think tonight I saw a lot of positive things, not only on the tactical aspects but above all the desire of my players: the will to fight, the will to help each other. "When we play in this way, I think it's great. It's great. Last season we won the title and we showed always fantastic spirit, enthusiasm and passion in every game. This season, for many reasons, we started with a lot of problems and when you have a lot of problems you must pay attention. Confidence can go down. "But I think that, tonight, this type of game... a massive game... to win against Manchester Uni...

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has labeled winning the Premier League title last year as a miracle. Conte's Chelsea have been struggling this season and are currently fourth in the English Premier League but Conte has called for calm and low expectations as Chelsea aims to improve their current status. "It's not simple to repeat and then to win [the title]. Above all here, above all in this league. It's not simple," Conte said. "You have to try to do this. You have to consider the real situation that you stay now. I said to you a lot of time that now we are trying to build something important. Now we are trying to put the fundamentals for this club. "Don't forget that in the last four, five years we lost a lot of important players for Chelsea: Drogba, Petr Cech, Lampard, Terry, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ashley Cole. I'm talking about players that wrote history in this club, because they played for many years and they played Champions League games, s...

Chelsea Brazilian star Willian has revealed how manager Antonio Conte communicates with Chelsea players. The out of form attacker claims that the Italian barely speaks to his players away from training ground. Willian said in an interview with Brazil Media, UOL: ‘He gives the instructions in training and on the pitch but that is it. ‘[What you see] in the game is what you know [laughs].’ Willian will be fighting with Pedro for a place in the starting eleven against Manchester United tomorrow.

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has revealed that he snubbed a move to Manchester United and other English Premier League clubs in favour of a move to Chelsea in London. Manchester United and Chelsea were in a battle last summer to sign Morata but Manchester United later signed Lukaku while Morata ended up at Chelsea. The Spaniard explained the reason why he signed for Chelsea: "Antonio, Michael [Emenalo], Marina [Granovskaia], all of them called me this summer and there was no chance I wasn’t coming to Chelsea. "They demonstrated to me that they really wanted me. I had the chance to go to Manchester United and other teams in the Premier League. "The important thing is I’m part of Chelsea and I’m very happy with this and now it’s time to fight for the blue shirt. I want to play well and win with this shirt."

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has labeled Welsh Super kid, Nathan Ampadu as the future of Chelsea. Conte gave Ampadu his first full 90 minutes in the senior team against Everton in the Carabao Cup. The teenager also traveled with the senior team for the English Premier League clash against Bournemouth last Saturday. Conte believes the 17-year old Welsh International is potentially the future of Chelsea Football Club "Against Everton, [Ethan] Ampadu played for the first time and he is only 17 years old. “Don’t forget that my first appearance in my career in Serie A, I was only 16 years old. I think I am the best person to give this possibility. If I see. I repeat. In my experience at Juventus, Pogba was only 18 years old. “I repeat I want to give these possibilities – but you have to deserve these possibilities. He is not an England player, only 17 years old, but he deserves to stay with us and to develop, to be the future of Chelsea.” Conte concluded

Chelsea beat manager-less Everton 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. As promised, under-pressure Chelsea manger Antonio Conte started youngsters Ethan Ampadu Kenedy, and Charly Musonda in the Blues’ starting XI on Wednesday night. Michy Batshuayi lead the line in Alvaro Morata’s absence but it was Danny Drinkwater’s inclusion in the team sheet that gave the home fans plenty of cheer. The summer signing started in Chelsea’s midfield for the first time and the former Leicester City man put in a tidy shift as he partnered the young Ampadu in the middle of the pitch with Kenedy and Davide Zappacosta offering support in their wing-back roles. Everton, who were playing their first match since sacking manager Ronald Koeman, trotted out in a starting XI which had a mix of established players and youth prospects. Wayne Rooney lead the line, flanked by Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon with Benni Baningime, James McCarthy and Tom Davies starting in the t...

Chelsea’s French power house Tiemoue Bakayoko has outlined his targets for Chelsea this season, he also dismissed comparison with former Blue, Nemanja Matic. The 24-year-old is hoping to develop further in the near future as he wished to fortify his own identity as a defensive midfielder. He told Sky Sports: "We all know that N’Golo was named the best player in the Premier League, so I’ve been learning a lot from him. "I’m not here to do what Matic did. Matic is a player that I really like; he’s a very good footballer. I’m here to play my game, to try to implement what the coach asks. "I don’t want to do what Matic did here just because I play in the same position as him. "Antonio Conte is one of the main reasons why I signed for the club. I knew that he was a coach who’d help me improve in terms of tactical awareness. "Now I need to improve on the ball and there are some little details that need to be smoothed out. I’m improving and in a few weeks...

After three matches without a win, Chelsea went into the match against Watford at Stamford Bridge yesterday hoping to bounce back. Pedro's early goal was canceled out by Watford with the last kick of the first half to draw them level at 1-1. Things got worse for Chelsea after the restart as Watford went 2-1 up. Conte made few changes, Batshuayi, Willian and Zappacosta came on which forced Azpilicueta to move to left wing-back. The changes changed the whole game, Batshuayi drew Chelsea level, Azpilicueta put Chelsea ahead on 87 minutes before Batshuayi scored his second in the 4th minute of injury time. Cesar Azpilicueta believed that the win was very important for Chelsea’s confidence after three winless run: ‘We left it very late and we had to dig in until the last minute, but we showed great spirit,’ said Azpilicueta, whose goal was his first of the season. ‘It wasn’t our best game but we got a big victory for our confidence after three games without a win. I...

Spartak Moscow manager and former Antonio Conte's assistant, Massimo Carrera has attributed his success today to the time he spent working with Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte during his time at Juventus and Italy National Team. The 53-year-old Italian has nothing but respect for his former boss despite being mostly referred to as Former Conte's assistant: "It doesn't really upset me to be referred to as 'Antonio Conte's former assistant' or 'the second Conte,' as I have huge respect for Antonio, but let's say I'm not the second Conte: I'm the first Carrera," he said. "I spent five years with Antonio working shoulder-to-shoulder -- three in Juventus and two in the Italy national team -- and I'm sincerely proud of this time. I should admit that everything I am now is thanks to him. How to train the team, how to communicate with your players, how to motivate them. He's a true mastermind in all of this, let alone his ...

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says he could use the option of playing Hazard as a number 9  in the absence of injured Alvaro Morata when Chelsea face Crystal Palace today in the English Premier League. Conte is widely expected to start Mitchy Batshuayi with Hazard and Pedro as number 10s with Willian as a substitute due to his late arrival from International duty. Conte said: "If you compare Michy with last season he has improved a lot. "He understands this league because it’s not simple. He understands our style of football but don’t forget he’s another young player and he’s working hard to improve. "This season he’s finding many opportunities to play, in the Champions League, Premier League and Carabao Cup, coming on and starting games. Last season he had few opportunities but this season he’s playing a lot. The most important thing is to show he’s improving. "Don’t forget, as a striker I can also utilise Eden Hazard. Last season we played two games with Ha...

Chelsea summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko said he's loving life in England and improving under Chelsea coach Antonio Conte. Bakayoko who was signed from Monaco also said he is adapting well to life in England. ‘This is a new world for me, be that on the pitch or in my personal life, it’s all new,’ he tells the official Chelsea website. ‘It’s a new country and obviously I’m learning a new language, but more than anything on the pitch I’ve already learnt so much and gained so many new experiences. I’m playing with great players, I’m playing for a great coach, the fans have been brilliant and it’s nice to be a part of the whole family that is Chelsea. ‘I’m playing in one of the best leagues in the world and in a huge stadium, which is obviously much bigger than the one I was used to. It’s something I think about every day, the fact that I’m a Premier League player, and I want to improve and progress to make sure I’m a Premier League player for many years to come.’ Bakayoko expl...

Swansea City Assistant manager and former Chelsea great, Claude Makelele is tipping Swansea's Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham to become a great player in the mold former  Chelsea stars, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o Fils if he continues to work hard. “He’s young and he has time on his side,” he said. “He wants to be one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He gets an example in the way Drogba and Eto’o play, but to do that he must work like they did. “Can he play for Chelsea? I hope so. He needs to be successful with Swansea first and learn more and more to come back and push for Antonio Conte’s team. It’s going to be difficult.” “He needs to adapt very well but we will push him. He has to show the ambition to reach the top. “I tell him to do everything: run, fight. Some young players think about dribbling but they need to understand about their team-mates. He is fast. Go in space and you’ll make the difference for your team-mates. It all depends on him. “...

One of Italy's greatest ever midfielders, Andrea Pirlo has hailed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as one of the World's best managers. Pirlo who played under Conte at Juventus is clearly in awe of his former coach's ability and attention to details. Pirlo who announced that he will retire from professional football when his contract with New York City FC expires in December said: “His attention to detail is impressive,” Pirlo told Gazzetta (via Football Italia). “He also manages to give you convincing explanations about things. “One of his 20-minute video sessions is worth three days on the training ground. “You immediately understand what it is you have to do. “Over the years he improved, with his desire to win and doing everything to the best of his ability. “He is one of the best, absolutely.”

After watching Chelsea being dominated by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea boss has suggested that retaining the English Premier League this season could be a tall order for his ream. Chelsea who dropped Victor Moses to the bench are currently fourth in the table behind Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. It was also the second time Chelsea have lost this season without Victor Moses. The Nigerian has not been on the losing side this season with Chelsea, which shows how important he is to Chelsea and Conte recognizes this. "Morata played three games in seven days and got injured," he explained. "It's not simple for our wing-backs. Moses played two games against Stoke and Atletico, [Marcos] Alonso one and a half because he came off early against Stoke. You have to try not to put your players in difficulty, but you aortant player for us. "To play three games in seven days, you risk. With Morata it was the same but I made this decisio...

Chelsea midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has narrated his struggles last season under Antonio Conte, saying that it was such a difficult moment but only his family knew what he went through. Fabregas suggested that it was so difficult that he contemplated leaving Chelsea but later decided to stay and fight for his shirt. "I'm not going to deny it, it was a difficult season,” Fabregas told Marca. "I came from playing everything with [Jose] Mourinho and [Guus] Hiddink and then suddenly I was not counted on all of the time.” "Not everyone knows what I went through during those months and there were people who went as far as to say that it was no longer worth it,” he added. "Only my family knows what I have been through.” "I know what I can give the team and if I can play or not so I decided to stay and fight. With Antonio there is no option other than to compete and give 100 percent in every training session and each match." Fabregas is now enjoying mo...

Despite finishing last season as Champions of England, Chelsea still found themselves in trouble having to replace first eleven players who left the club. Costa was Chelsea's leading scorer while Matic formed a formidable midfield pivot with N'Golo Kante. Both Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic were instrumental in helping Chelsea win the league and reach the FA Cup Final. Legend and Captain John Terry also left with backup goalkeeper Asmir Begovic joining Bournemouth along with Ake as Nathaniel Chalobah chose to stay in London with Watford. Ruben Loftus-Cheek went out on loan to Crystal Palace. Willian also had a good season which prompted another inquiry from Manchester United but the Brazilian decided to stay because he felt Chelsea is still strong enough after the arrival of Rudiger, Morata, Bakayoko, Zappacosta, Caballero and Drinkwater. Willian said on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday: "These players are great players, we miss these players, but Chelsea always try to...

Legendary Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko has thrown his weight behind Chelsea's new striker Alvaro Morata to succeed at Chelsea. Much has been said about filling the boots of departed Diego Costa with many pundits doubting if Morata is capable of doing that even after starting the season with three goals after five rounds of matches but Shevchenko believes that he is simply a good match for Chelsea. He said: “They have found a very good player in Morata,” Shevchenko told reporters at the Best FIFA Football Award ceremony in London on Friday. He has adapted very well. They are two very different players. Costa wasn’t happy so you couldn’t keep him. You have to replace him and I think the club were very patient in the market and found the right player that they were looking for.” “I’ve been surprised that Morata has found the right chemistry with his team mates so quickly. ”Of course he knows Pedro very well and (Eden) Hazard’s type of game suits him ...

Chelsea's hottest on loan star, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is in the thoughts of every football man in England at the moment after a sensational start to the season at Crystal Palace who are struggling in the English Premier League after five rounds of matches. Despite still searching for their first win of the season, Crystal Palace can be very optimistic because they have one of the best players in the 5-round old English Premier League in Ruben Loftus-Cheek whom they signed on a season long loan from Chelsea. The powerful midfielder believes that he was right to leave Chelsea for Crystal Palace where he's enjoying a great season so far on a personal level but knows that a return to Chelsea as a better player is his ultimate goal. He said: "Right now I’m just literally focused on Palace. “He [Conte] said I need to play games. Chelsea is a big club and there’s a lot of pressure which I understand. For me, I think it was the right time for me to go away from Ch...

Chelsea Football Club this afternoon announced that they have agreed a deal with Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical. Chelsea bought Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid for £32m and it's believed that Costa will cost his former club £18m more than they sold him three years ago. A Chelsea statement read: "Chelsea Football Club has today agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa. "The transfer will be subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical." Atletico said: "Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea have reached an initial agreement for the transfer of Diego Costa. "The agreement is pending the formalisation of the contract between our club and the Spanish international forward. "The English club has authorised Diego Costa to travel to Madrid in the coming days to undergo medical tests and settle his contract with our club." Costa won two English Pre...

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has hailed the qualities of Chelsea's Academy defender, Ethan Ampadu who could make his senior Chelsea debut against Nottingham Forest tomorrow night. Ampadu turned 17 years last week but Conte holds him in high regard allowing him to occasionally train with the main team. Conte said age will not force him to deny the youngster the chance he deserves: "Yes [Ampadu will be included]." Conte said. "Ampadu is a young player, but I think he has good quality. He has good prospects to become a Chelsea player. He's strong physically, good technique and personality. "Yes, I think we have to continue to work with him and to try and improve him, to bring him to the next step. But for sure he has good prospects at Chelsea to become a Chelsea player. "I don't think that, if your national team calls you up [Ampadu] and you are 16 years old [at the time of the call up], it puts pressure on you. You must be proud of this. But, f...

Chelsea in-form striker, Alvaro Morata has revealed that a move to Chelsea was so close in the summer of 2016 that he even instructed Cesar Azpilicueta to look for house for him. Morata also stated that he only wanted to join Chelsea after speaking with Chelsea coach, Antonio Conte. “Last summer it was close,” Morata told the Daily Mail. “Cesar Azpilicueta was a bit annoyed because he had already started house-hunting for me last summer. “We’d even got estate agents on board. This time Cesar has sorted everything! “When I spoke to Conte last summer, I said “If I’m going to leave Real Madrid, it will only be for Chelsea”. “I remember I was with my wife after hearing him out in conversation and I said “Chelsea are going to win the league this season.” And that’s exactly what happened. Now we need to repeat it!” Morata who has scored three goals in four English Premier League matches will be hoping to increase his tally when Chelsea host Arsenal at the Stamford Bridge ...

Hull City's on loan Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori has confirmed that his main target is to make it at Chelsea after going out on loan. Tomori, who is currently on loan at Hull City wishes to become a big part of Chelsea's first team in the nearest future. Tomori revealed this while speaking to Hulldailymail: “Making it at Chelsea is the main ambition,” he said. “I have been there since I was eight years old so to make that step and play for the first team is the ultimate goal. “Chelsea keep in touch, there is a lot of interaction with all the loanees. There is a loan department that keeps in touch with all the players, both at home and abroad. “People like Eddie Newton and Tore Andre Flo help a lot. The other staff help a lot as well and contact us. They come to visit the loan players and have a chat. It is a really good set up. “Players like Tammy Abraham have done brilliantly. I am not a striker so I won’t score 26 goals like him but, hopefully, I can have a...

Chelsea New signing Alvaro Morata has hit the ground running in the English Premier League after moving to Chelsea from Real Madrid. The Spaniard has scored three goals from four matches so far in the league, all coming from headers. Morata said training and playing with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and Fernando Llorente at Juventus helped him improve his heading ability. He told Dailymail: ‘At Real Madrid, I did heading drills with Cristiano Ronaldo. You see him go up for headers, that spring and power, he is a real beast. ‘At Juventus, I saw Fernando Llorente, how he finds space and directs his headers. I like the physical challenge. Last week, I played against Wes Morgan and Harry Maguire… big guys. ‘Cesc Fabregas was putting in good corners that I thought I could get to and bury but there were some coming in and I couldn’t even get a jump up against those guys.’ Morata is expected to lead the line for Chelsea on Sunday against Arsenal after missing ...

Chelsea returned to the UEFA Champions League one year after missing the last edition with a 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag of Azerbaijan while fellow English side Manchester United beat Basel of Switzerland 3-0 prompting the debate inside BT Sports studio about which English team will go furthest in this season's UEFA Champions League. Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand believes Chelsea are the best equipped English team in the competition. He told BT Sports: "They are a very well balanced team," says Ferdinand, talking about Antonio Conte's Premier League champions on BT Sport. "The manager works hard and from what you hear from within the camp, he drills them daily on tactics and they have an understanding of each other as individuals and as a team. In that sense, they are our best hope, as an English team. "With the other teams, you can see deficiencies. Man United, defensively, could come unstuck against the top teams. Man City, the sa...

Celtic manager and former Chelsea youth team coach, Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Chelsea were well aware of the talents of Neymar and Coutinho and wanted to sign. Neymar was rumoured to be wanted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich throughout his time in Brazil with Santos. Rodgers told the Scottish Sun: "When we were at Chelsea we were aware of Neymar and Coutinho. Lee came back from a trip and mentioned them. Neymar was in first teams young, he wanted to stay in Brazil before moving. "He has everything. He’s like a motorbike, he’s so fast and balanced, left foot, right foot. I love his hunger. He’s a worker. He’s come out of the shadows a bit, and obviously felt like he wanted to be the main man at PSG. Neymar is a massive talent.”

Chelsea and Italy great, Gianluca Vialli claims it's easier for current Chelsea boss Antonio Conte to work at Chelsea than at Juventus. Conte won the English Premier League in his first season at Chelsea following the foot steps of his fellow country man, Carlo Ancelotti who did the same at Stamford Bridge. Vialli says Italians succeed at Chelsea because they as are used to pressure. Vialli told The Guardian newspaper: “We Italians need to feel like we’re under pressure, we need to see an enemy. The pressure is a combination of expectation, scrutiny and consequences. That’s why we’re so good at managing, because we grew up experiencing pressure all the time. “When Antonio came to England I think he almost felt it was easier, but exciting at the same time.” “They say the Premier League is best league in the world. Or Roy Keane says we are brainwashed into believing it. He might be right. But I can definitely say it’s the most entertaining league. I’ve pla...

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has revealed that the dream of playing for Jose Mourinho took him to Manchester United not Chelsea. Incidentally, Lukaku was sold to Everton by then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, the same man he had wanted to play for. Lukaku who decided to sign for Manchester United in the summer after two bids from Chelsea and Manchester United said: “The manager, Jose Mourinho has helped me a lot to settle quickly, so it has all been very positive,” he said. “I am now with a coach that I have wanted to play with for a long time, since I was 11 years of age. And with him we are looking to do something special. “For me it is all about progressing and learning in my career, and all the coaches I have had have helped me with that.”

Eden Hazard has publicly declared that he wishes to have Chelsea outcast Diego Costa back at Chelsea as soon as possible. Hazard has enjoyed three successful seasons playing with the Brazilian born Spanish International in which they won't two English Premier League titles. Costa is currently on self imposed strike in Brazil after falling out with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte but could be back in London for peace talks according to reports after failing to earn move to his beloved club, Atletico Madrid. Hazard still wants him back and said: “Diego and I have been playing together for three years,” Hazard told Marca. “We won everything together except the Champions League. It is a pleasure to play with him: he is a top player and a top person. I would like to see him back, but I do not make the decisions. I hope we can find a solution and see him on the field soon.”

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has once again confirmed his desire to play in Spanish LA Liga. Hazard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for the past three seasons but the Belgian believes that one day he will play in Spain but insists that he's currently happy in England playing for Chelsea. Hazard told Spanish newspaper Marca: “At the moment I'm good in England. I play in one of the best teams, but yes, the Spanish League is special. Why not one day? Of course, for the moment I'm here.” Hazard however showered praises on his Idol Zidane and his team Real Madrid: “Well, I think now, at this moment, Real Madrid is the best team in the world. They have won everything and have good players, a great coach. “Now, the Champions League is very difficult to win. It happens as in the Premier League, anyone can win. You never know.” On idol Zidane, Hazard said: “He has won everything, both as a player and coach. He’s special. “Everyone knows ...

Chelsea and Leicester have reached an agreement for the transfer of Danny Drinkwater to London for an amount exceeding 30 million euros, according to SFR Sports. The transfer of the 27-year-old Englishman to London will cost Chelsea around £30m. The midfielder will compete with Tiémoué Bakayoko, N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in Chelsea's midfield. Chelsea have also agreed a deal in a region £35m with Arsenal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has reiterated his desire to play young players who are ready to play. Chelsea have been heavily criticized for not promoting and playing young players despite having arguably the best football academy in England. This season Chelsea have allowed few promising English youngsters to leave permanently prompting another avalanche of debate about Chelsea's willingness to play players from their academy but Chelsea's coach Antonio Conte insists that he is ready to play youngsters who can show him they are ready to play for Chelsea. “To have a core of English players is important,” said Conte. “It’s something I value but, above all, to have a core of good English players. Not only English players.” “Last season, Chalobah played some games, Loftus-Cheek played some games, Ake played the semi-final of the FA Cup, Aina in the League Cup and Kenedy, too. The question is this: Manchester City and other clubs, are their players from the academy playing reg...

Chelsea have secured their first three points of the season after beating Tottenham 2-1 at Wembley Stadium in what was a tense football match, from start to finish. Marcos Alonso was the hero as he scored both goals for the Blues as Chelsea recovered from an opening-day defeat to Burnley to move level on points with their Premier League title rivals. Alonso opened the scoring with a stunning first-half free-kick and the Blues survived an onslaught from the home side for large spells of the second half, only to concede with less than 10 minutes to go as Christian Eriksen's free-kick was turned into his own net by substitute Michy Batshuayi.

AS Chelsea get set to face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley this afternoon, one question that is yet to be answered is 'who will partner N'Golo Kante in midfield?'. Chelsea sold Kante's main partner last season, Nemanja Matic to Manchester United and Cesc Fabregas is suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Burnley while new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko only resumed training this week. With Chelsea manager's hand forced, Conte expects to unleash his new signing, Bakayoko not because he's ready but because he's the only one available to play with Kante in midfield. And Conte expects Kante to be able to adapt and accommodate Bakayoko when the two Frenchmen take to the pitch against Tottenham later today. Antonio Conte says: 'I think we all know very well the characteristics of N’Golo. I think today he is also a player that improved a lot in the previous season. 'Last year he played with Nemanja Matic and with Cesc Fabregas, and I think he h...

Chelsea's last season's English Premier League winning manager, Antonio Conte is currently having a summer to forget with keys players down injured or suspended, new players not coming in, key midfielder Nemanja Matic sold to Manchester United, Chelsea lost to lowly Burnley at Stamford Bridge last week in the season's opening match. Put all that together and the Italian is already feeling the blues. But Conte remains adamant that it's not about this season, it's about putting up a strong foundation like Tottenham whom his Chelsea will face on Sunday: “For sure, last season we started to build this foundation and we won the title so it means we built something. But now it’s not enough, so we have to improve, to extend this basis, work together with new players. "I think Tottenham is doing this very well. I think that Spurs started to work with Pochettino for three years and now he is into his fourth season. Pochettino has had the possibility to work with t...

Arsenal extended their Wembley Stadium winning streak to seven matches after beating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties following a one all draw in regulation time which saw Chelsea went down to 10 men after Pedro was issued a straight red card for a tackle on Arsenal Midfielder Mohamed Elneny and the resultant free kick was headed home by Kolisinac for Arsenal's equalizer after Victor Moses had put Chelsea in front on 46 minutes. Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata missed from the spot for Chelsea as Arsenal scored all their four spot kicks to emerge victorious. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte refused to blame anyone for the defeat: "Today was a tough game for both teams. We tried to win and improve our physical condition because in six days we have to start the league. Now the important thing is to continue to work and to try and improve the team. Courtois is one of the best players to kick a penalty. If you have a player during the training session show you to be one of the best...

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said  he expects Chelsea to fight for the title once again this season and also praised Chelsea’s in form striker, Michy Batshuayi ahead of the Community Shield clash between Premier League winners, Chelsea and FA Cup winners, Arsenal at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday. He said: "For us it is just a good opportunity to repeat the performance from the FA Cup final," Wenger said. "The two team will certainly go for the first trophy of the season with power and a desire as well to be ready for the championship, so that plays a part in it as well. "I would say that Chelsea look like they have kept the basis of 95 per cent of their squad. They have added Bakayoko who is a very strong player, strong ball-winner, similar to Matic, maybe less distant runner but more of an impact player - but certainly they will fight for the championship again. "They have replaced Costa with Morata. Morata is maybe less of a goalscorer than Costa, b...

Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Nemanja Matic on a three-year deal from Chelsea for a fee reported to be around £40m. The Serbian midfielder has been linked with a move to United for a while now even as they signed high-profile deals with Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku. Matic marks manager Jose Mourinho’s third big signing of the summer with Serge Aurier of PSG likely to be the fourth according to reports in France.

Chelsea have officially appointed Gary Cahill as the new club captain, taking over from long-serving captain John Terry. Cahill will be assisted by Cesar Azpilicueta. Cahill said: 'it’s definitely a proud moment in my career. I’ve had some good moments up until now and this certainly ranks very highly. To be captain of such a huge club like Chelsea is a great personal achievement.’ Cahill is currently with the rest of the team in Singapore, preparing for the friendly match against Inter Milan and on Saturday, which will be the club's last in Asia before returning to London.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic has suggested that Jose Mourinho is better than Antonio Conte, who was brought in to tidy a club messed up by his predecessor,  Jose Mourinho. Begovic said: "The way Mourinho thinks about the game, the way he works with players was incredible to see," said Begovic in an interview with the Metro. "Obviously, he brought me to Chelsea so I'm grateful to him for that. I was lucky to play under many good managers but I would definitely put him on top of the pile. I learned a lot from him in the short space of time we worked together." "Conte was good. He was very intense, very intense in his work, very driven in his structure and the way of playing," added the goalkeeper. "I think that's what we needed after a year of turmoil. It was important to buy into the philosophy as a team and the structure. That's what we did." While his comments could be seen a controversial by many football f...

Chelsea FC have officially announced the signing of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid on a five-year deal from Real Madrid. Morata will now join up with the squad on its pre-season tour of Asia. Chelsea Technical Director, Michael Emenalo hail the fantastic proven striker: ‘We are delighted to complete Alvaro’s signing and welcome him to the club. We believe he can make a great impact for Chelsea and look forward to seeing him in action. ‘Alvaro has proven class at the highest level and his quality will be a huge asset to Antonio and the squad.’