1.30pm Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Pulisic distances from Hazard claims, Willian takes Belgian’s number, Shaparenko latest – The Sun
And the Blues cannot make any new additions due to their transfer ban, but they can sell.
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William Pugh38 minutes agoJuly 22, 2019CHRISTIAN PULISIC is determined not to measure his success at Chelsea against Eden Hazard.
Arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer of the Belgian's £150million move to Real Madrid, Pulisic is aware of comparisons between himself and his wing wizard predecessor.
Back in 2012/13, Hazard scored 13 goals and won the Europa League – a record many fans would be happy with their new £58m man achieving this season.
But getting concerned about replicating his two Premier League titles, FA Cup and numerous Player of the Season gongs is not on the 20-year-old's mind.
Speaking to Sky Sports in Japan, Pulisic said: “I’m not here to compare or anything.
“Obviously Eden was amazing and he did so well for this club, as you could see last season and the whole time he’s been here.
“He was an incredible player [for Chelsea].
“For me, it’s coming in as my own player, proving myself and doing the best I can to help this team.”
- William Pugh1 hour agoJuly 22, 2019
CHELSEA are counting the Costa of letting hothead Diego go – because they now face a striker crisis.
A transfer ban, the sale of 16-goal top-scorer Eden Hazard and three strikers left with underwhelming records means it is not pretty reading for Blues fans expecting big things next season.
Diego Costa’s record of 52 goals in 89 Premier League matches between 2014 and 2017 is impressive – it works out at a very strong 1.71 games per goal.
Didier Drogba hit 104 in 254, working out at a goal every 2.44 matches while the recently-departed Hazard – a winger – managed a record of 2.88 games per goal for his 85 strikes in 245 appearances.
Even the records of ‘flops’ Alvaro Morata – 16 Prem goals in 47 games – and Gonzalo Higuain – five in 14 – equate to less than three games per goal.
And those are far better than what Frank Lampard has got left to play with.
There is no doubt he has been dealt a difficult hand – but he knew that before signing on the dotted line to take over at Chelsea.
- William Pugh1 hour agoJuly 22, 2019
- William Pugh2 hours agoJuly 22, 2019
AT a time when chances suddenly seem readily available to Chelsea's youngsters, the Blues are reminded of one who got away.
Before Eddie Nketiah emerged as one of the most exciting young stars at Arsenal, he was an unwanted Chelsea forward dumped at the age of 14.
Six years on and Nketiah has shown the West London club what they're missing, having been the standout star of the Gunners' pre-season.
His late winner against Bayern Munich was the latest stride in a rapid rise.
Substitute Nketiah had just eight minutes on the pitch but was named man of the match.
- William Pugh2 hours agoJuly 22, 2019
OLIVIER GIROUD is ready to handle the pressure of finding goals for Chelsea after Eden Hazard’s exit.
Hazard struck 21 times last season before heading to Real Madrid in a deal worth £150million.
Giroud, who netted 13 goals last term, says it will take a collective effort to replace the Belgian’s firepower.
The France World Cup winner will shoulder the burden — but he also expects youngsters Tammy Abraham, Michy Batshuayi, Mason Mount, Kenedy, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic to chip in.
Giroud, 32, said: “The numbers of goals Eden scored, I don’t know if I can take that from him but we have several strikers with different qualities.
“We have the quality and the quantity in the squad but obviously you know you cannot replace a player of Eden’s quality just like that.
“I’m thinking about the young players. I will take the pressure no problem if it can release them.
“We know there are a lot of expectations but, even with the transfer ban, we have a lot of quality and ability up front.”
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