Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Frenkie de Jong ‘very close’, Wesley Fofana bid, Zaha latest
Chelsea transfers and news all day with key updates on Werner, De Jong, Hudson-Odoi and Fofana.
Good morning and welcome to the football.london live blog for all the latest Chelsea news and transfer updates on Tuesday, August 9.
We’ll bring you the news as it happens in the Blues’ chase of Wesley Fofana with an expected world record bid set to be submitted in the next few days. Todd Boehly has made the Leicester City centre-back his number one target for the rest of the window and is prepared to pay up to £85m for the Frenchman.
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Part of that fee could be recouped by the exit of Timo Werner as he gets close to leaving Chelsea, re-joining RB Leipzig. There’s also plenty still to happen if Callum Hudson-Odoi wishes to get his move away from Stamford Bridge with more than 20 clubs interested in his signature. Oh, and there’s the small Frenkie de Jong debacle.
We’ll have all the latest right here for you.
Have your say on your club with our big Chelsea forum! Answer questions on everything from overall happiness with the club to how you think the transfer window has been so far.
Latest on Chelsea’s U23s
Harvey Vale with an impressive outing for #CFC alongside the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Jayden Wareham and Dion Rankine.
Great start but one that begs the question how many players will remain in September and when expiring contracts will be resolvedhttps://t.co/7i5nfK5zPZ
— scott trotter (@scott_trotter) August 9, 2022
Jorginho’s spot-kick evolution
The Jorginho penalty has become a recognisable trademark of Chelsea since the Italian midfielder made his move from Napoli in the summer of 2018.
The hop, skip and jump has also become a gimmick of its own, linked with the now 30-year-old who has been Chelsea’s primary penalty taker since the departure of Eden Hazard in 2019.
His latest, a right-footed strike at Goodison Park to seal the Blues’ first win at Everton since 2017, was the 59th of his career. In relation to the aforementioned Hazard, that goal, his 18th penalty scored, meant he passed the Belgian’s Premier League tally of 17 from the spot. Sadly though, reaching Frank Lampard is going to take something freakish with the club icon ending with 41.
Jorginho’s latest penalty against Everton symbolised the full-circle nature of his spot-kick evolution. | @SonOfChelsea #CFC https://t.co/OsNhBLWTue
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) August 9, 2022
Rio Ferdinand sets Raheem Sterling challenge
Rio Ferdinand has said that Raheem Sterling must become more efficient if he is to succeed at Chelsea this season, with less chances coming his way than at Manchester City.
Sterling scored 131 goals in 339 games during his time in Manchester, but will face a new challenge in a different system under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. However, Ferdinand says that he is looking forward to the former Liverpool star doing well during his time in London – it will be the first time that he has played professionally for a club in the city of his birth.
Raheem Sterling during Everton vs Chelsea in Premier League
Would you take Wilfried Zaha at Chelsea?
It’s always felt like one of the transfers that would be talked about but never achieved. Right in the leagues of Hulk or Edinson Cavani – when he was younger. Now, Wilfried Zaha is making his annual trip into Chelsea’s head as Thomas Tuchel looks for more attackers to strengthen his frontline.
The Ivorian had another productive season for Crystal Palace last term, scoring 14 for a team that only managed 50 in the league. He is 29 now but that wouldn’t bother Tuchel who not only wants to add experience, but also quality and Premier League-proven class to his XI.
Wilfried Zaha to Chelsea – yes or no? pic.twitter.com/kZBTZBpK5G
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) August 9, 2022
Impressive stats
Only 3 Chelsea players – Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho – have made more interceptions than Wesley Fofana (17) in the Premier League in 2022
Fofana has only made appearances this year…
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 9, 2022
Key development in Wesley Fofana transfer
Malang Sarr is closing in on a season-long loan move to AS Monaco, football.london understands. The 23-year-old defender is set to sign a loan contract with the Ligue 1 club that is expected to include an obligation to buy in the region of around £13million.
Malang Sarr is on his way to AS Monaco and this could have a direct impact on Wesley Fofana’s move to Chelsea. #CFC https://t.co/7Al8N3A8IF
— Bobby Vincent (@BobbyVincentFL) August 9, 2022
Thomas Tuchel’s dream Chelsea XI if Wesley Fofana completes transfer
Thomas Tuchel can continue the overhaul of his defence with the signing of Wesley Fofana this summer. Chelsea have lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen and need to revamp an ageing backline.
They have already added Kalidou Koulibaly to their backline, but with the three centre-backs who started against Everton all over the age of 30, it is clear that Chelsea need some youth in the ranks. Fofana started for Leicester at the weekend as they surrendered a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Brentford, with the player heading straight down the King Power Stadium tunnel after the match.
A world record £85million bid is believed to be required to sign the 21-year-old, with Chelsea having already made two failed offers so far. Leicester appear adamant that they will hold onto their star, having not made any transfer business so far this summer.
Chelsea continue their pursuit of Wesley Fofana
Chelsea identify new defensive target
Chelsea are considering a move for Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards but are expected to face competition from a number of Premier League sides, football.london understands.
New Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano have given the club’s head of youth development Neil Bath and head of youth recruitment Jim Fraser strong financial backing in the transfer market this summer and several signings have arrived.
Understand Chelsea are considering an approach for Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards.
Part of England U-19s that won Euros in the summer.
Chelsea not the only PL interested.
Club investing heavily in young talent this summer.https://t.co/7Bl9P9GvZE
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) August 9, 2022
Thomas Tuchel drops huge Wesley Fofana Chelsea transfer hint
Thomas Tuchel has suggested that Chelsea will begin to target players with more ‘pace’ and ‘speed’ as he seeks to continue his overhaul of the Chelsea squad this summer.
Having already signed Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, the German appears keen to make Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana the fourth major transfer of the summer. A world record £85million bid is believed to be required to sign the 21-year-old, with Chelsea having already made two failed offers so far.
Wesley Fofana latest
football.london understands that a third bid is expected for Wesley Fofana which would be a world record bid for a defender.
Read the latest here.:
Wesley Fofana to Chelsea transfer latest as world record bid expected#CFC https://t.co/q8vf3Ou7IH
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) August 9, 2022
Graham Potter on Levi Colwill
The Chelsea loanee came on for Brighton at Old Trafford last weekend in a 2-1 win for the Seagulls, see boss Graham Potter give his assessment here.
Will he be missed at Chelsea? pic.twitter.com/34t8uJIE4L
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) August 9, 2022
State of play
Busy week ahead for Chelsea and Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali on the transfer front.
Third Fofana bid imminent
De Jong to rumble on
Ampadu talks planned
Alonso hopeful of going
CHO interest mounts
Goodbye, Timo
And plenty more toohttps://t.co/2aO3NRZete
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) August 9, 2022
Timo Werner arrives in Germany
Overnight, Timo Werner arrived in Germany to complete his return to RB Leipzig. football.london’s Adam Newson reports as follows:
A season-long loan was originally discussed between the Blues and Leipzig. However, with Werner willing to take a substantial pay cut on his Chelsea salary – around £270,000 a week – the two clubs were able to come to an agreement over a permanent return for the forward.
There have been conflicting reports over the transfer fee Chelsea will receive for Werner but football.london has been told the deal is worth around £25million including bonuses, many of which are viewed as achievable.
Chelsea forward Timo Werner has arrived in Germany ahead of a potential return to RB Leipzig. #CFC pic.twitter.com/WToAAPm46M
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 8, 2022
Sterling’s Guardiola impact
Saturday heralded the start of a new era for Chelsea but there was a lot that felt familiar.
An awkward time at Goodison Park, the feeling of being overawed by an aggressive Everton side encouraged by a confrontational home crowd.
The opener played out in a very similar fashion to the clash back in April that sparked much disappointment. The only difference this time was the defining mistake was made by Abdoulaye Doucoure to concede a penalty when it was Cesar Azpilicueta last time. Although it took over 100 minutes, Thomas Tuchel gained Chelsea’s first win at Everton for five years with his new signings offering encouragement
Werner back to Germany
Timo Werner is set to leave Chelsea in the coming days and rejoin former club RB Leipzig on a permanent basis, football.london understands.
The German international was omitted from the Chelsea matchday squad on Saturday by Thomas Tuchel as the Blues began their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Everton. That was because talks over Werner’s return to the Bundesliga side were progressing.
A season-long loan was originally discussed between the Blues and Leipzig. However, with Werner willing to take a substantial pay cut on his Chelsea salary – around £270,000 a week – the two clubs were able to come to an agreement over a permanent return for the forward.
Fofana the record-breaker
Chelsea are preparing another bid for Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana in an attempt to lure him to Stamford Bridge with the world record bid for a defender expected to go in later this week, football.london understands.
Chelsea have already had at least one offer rejected for the Frenchman but have been undeterred by the Foxes’ swift knockdown and are preparing an offer that would smash the world record for the highest fee paid for a defender.
Todd Boehly has already spent £35m on Kalidou Koulibaly this summer as a centre-bac but the new American owner is being made to pay more than double that for the 21-year-old target, with their first offer falling well short of Leicester’s valuation.
Chelsea might have to break a world record to sign Wesley Fofana this summer.
They just don’t get on
Chelsea fans have been given an early kick in the teeth ahead of next weekend’s crunch match against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Both sides are going into the match with wins from the opening weekend and two of the top four favourites will meet early on in the season at SW6.
The blow for Chelsea supporters is that Anthony Taylor, possibly the least popular figure on a matchday, has been appointed as the referee for the game, and he has a history of infuriating Blues fans. Last season Taylor officiated Thomas Tuchel’s side as they drew 1-1 at Anfield on matchday two of the league season, and he sent off Reece James for handball before halftime
That was just one instance where Chelsea fans have felt hard done by due to Taylor. The 43-year-old also sent off Mateo Kovacic in the 2020 FA Cup final with a harsh decision, missed Emi Martinez’s handball outside the box in the same game, and didn’t give a handball call against Alexis Sanchez as he went on to score in the 2017 final, as well as giving a freekick against Chelsea for a kung-fu challenge on Marcos Alonso in 2019 against Tottenham.
