7am Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Barkley – Rice swap, Mendy LATEST, Lampard talks Kante future, Giroud wants to stay – The Sun
CHELSEA are close to securing the signature of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes as Frank Lampard looks to complete his summer business.
The Blues are hopeful of landing the stopper ahead of their season opener against Brighton on tonight, while reports are linking Declan Rice with a move to Stamford Bridge.
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Get all the latest transfer gossip and updates from Stamford Bridge…
GOOD MORNING BLUES FANS
Chelsea face Brighton tonight in their first game of the new Premier League season.
Excited supporters are set to see new summer signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz handed their competitive debuts by Frank Lampard at the Amex.
However, fellow arrivals Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech will miss out through injury.
And there will also be no place for Thiago Silva, who has only just returned to training following PSG’s Champions League campaign.
In other news, boss Lampard has called Jurgen Klopp a hypocrite for criticising Chelsea’s summer spending.
Lamps said: “There’s no point doing the maths. We know that Liverpool have spent at a high level
“You can go through the Liverpool players Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah – incredible players that came at a very high price.
“Liverpool have done it over a period of time. What we have done is come off the back of a ban and tried to address the situation ourselves to help improve us.”
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen chief Rudi Voller claims Chelsea took advantage of the coronavirus crisis to sign Havertz ahead of other interested clubs.
He told Bild: “[Chelsea] simply made good use of the coronavirus period.
“Next year it would have been much harder for Chelsea to get Kai. [Other interested teams] preferred to hold back because of the high transfer fee in this special and uncertain time.”
Finally, reports claim Hellas Verona defender Marash Kumbulla is wanted by Chelsea.
L’Arena claims the Albanian centre-back is a target for the Blues before deadline day.
FROM SUNSPORT’S DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM
Chelsea finally have the players creative enough to open teams up – and then be clinical enough to take full advantage.
The likes of Kai Havertz operate best in tight spaces, and the young German midfielder will add that extra dynamic when opening up tight defences.
And when fit, that’s exactly what Hakim Ziyech can bring also from out wide.
And in Timo Werner, they have a deadly finisher that rarely lets chances pass him by.
READ THE REST OF HIGGO’S ANALYSIS HERE
FROM SUNSPORT’S ANDY DILLON
Frank Lampard has called Jurgen Klopp a hypocrite for criticising Chelsea’s summer spending.
Lamps said: “There’s no point doing the maths. We know that Liverpool have spent at a high level
“The reality is most clubs that win the league in the modern day have recruited well and have recruited at quite a high level money wise.
“You can go through the Liverpool players Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah – incredible players that came at a very high price.
“Liverpool have done it over a period of time. What we have done is come off the back of a ban and tried to address the situation ourselves to help improve us. It’s par for the course. We all know that.”
FRANTASY FOOTBALL
Fran Kirby hit her first league goal in 16 months after being told she may never play football again.
The England striker was one of nine different scorers as rampant Chelsea beat Bristol City 9-0 in the WSL.
READ OUR FULL MATCH REPORT HERE
BRIGHT AND EARLY
Chelsea are already in town for their game at Brighton on Monday evening.
Blues fans could see debuts handed to new boys Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
But there will be no Hakim Ziyech or Ben Chilwell, who are both injured.
Thiago Silva is also unavailable after only just returning to training following PSG's Champions League campaign.
HAVE A GO
Bayer Leverkusen chief Rudi Voller claims Chelsea took advantage of the coronavirus crisis to sign Kai Havertz.
He told Bild: “[Chelsea] simply made good use of the coronavirus period.
“Next year it would have been much harder for Chelsea to get Kai. [Other interested teams] preferred to hold back because of the high transfer fee in this special and uncertain time.”
KUM ON FEEL THE NOISE
Hellas Verona defender Marash Kumbulla is wanted by Chelsea, according to reports.
L’Arena claims the Albanian centre-back is a target for the Blues before deadline day.
However, there is also strong interest in Kumbulla from Man United.
And London rivals Spurs are also known to be fans.
CON ARTIST
Leeds are plotting a permanent move for Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher.
The Mail claims Marcelo Bielsa wants to sign the midfielder before deadline day.
Gallagher starred on loan at Charlton and Swansea last season.
West Brom have also been linked while Crystal Palace wanted him before signing Michy Batshuayi on loan instead.
MORE FROM SCHWARZER ON KANTE
“He's played a lot of the time with little niggling injuries and he's played through the pain barrier and I think last season it caught up with him a lot.
“He struggled to get any real consistency in terms of game time because of his injuries.
“I hope this season after the coronavirus break he has hopefully given his body time to recover and hopefully get things right physically.
“If he can do that he'll be a massive asset for Chelsea. I hope they keep hold of him.”
OD ONE OUT
Chelsea have reportedly informed Callum Hudson-Odoi that he could be loaned out after signing Kai Havertz.
90min claims new arrivals Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have pushed the winger further down the pecking order.
And having failed to impress since his botched attempt at joining Bayern Munich 18 months ago, Hudson-Odoi could find himself gaining experience elsewhere this season.
KANTE BELIEVE IT
Mark Schwarzer fears N'Golo Kante's energetic style of play may have finally taken its toll on the Chelsea midfielder.
He told Goal: “I'm a massive fan of Kante, I think he's a phenomenal player.
“His rise to stardom has been well documented and having been with him for that one season at Leicester, it was a joy to be there, watching and playing with him.
“I think it's all just caught up with him physically because he's a player that's very mobile, does a lot of work all over the pitch, it's taken its toll.”
MENDY DEAL ALMOST DONE
Chelsea are closing in on Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, the keeper is understood to have completed his medical on Friday.
The fee is believed to be £18.5million and would alomst complete what has been an incredible display of ambition from the Blue with already £200million spent this summer already.
Blue boss Frank Lampard lost faith in current number one Kepa, after a string of mistakes last season, eventually dropping him in favour of Willy Caballero.
With the goalkeeping issue addressed, Lampard will turn his sights to West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to Football Insider the Blues are willing to use Ross Barkley in a player, plus cash deal.
BARKLEY FOR RICE?
Chelsea are reportedly prepared to offer Ross Barkley as part of a player, plus cash deal to land West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
According to Football Insider, the west Londoners are set to offer Barkley as part of a part-exchange deal and value the England man at £30million.
The offer for Rice is set to be in the region of £70million, however the Blues will need to raise funds by offloading players after spending a recording £200million on transfers this summer.
West Ham will be desperate to keep hold of Rice, but may decide to cash in order to strengthen other areas of their team.
TEAM NEWS
Lampard is set to hand debuts to Timo Werner and Kai Havertz when Chelsea face Brighton tomorrow night.
The 8.15pm kick-off represents the first real chance for Blues fans to see the fruits of their summer market labour.
However, a trio of new stars will be absent in Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech.
Chelsea boss Lampard explained in his pre-match press conference that Ziyech is out for the opening weeks of the season with a knee issue.
Chilwell is suffering from a heel problem while Silva only landed in London this week after his switch from Paris Saint-Germain.
IT'S A N'GO
Frank Lampard says he has no interest in selling N’Golo Kante – because the World Cup winner is so important to his plans for Chelsea.
Inter Milan have failed with two bids for the World Cup winning midfielder.
Antonio Conte is desperately trying to raise some cash to make a third offer in excess of £50million for the Frenchman.
But Lampard maintains the 29-year-old is going nowhere.
He said: “I think pretty much every club in the world would want N’Golo Kante.
“I see those reports as well – he’s an incredible player.
“I certainly don’t want to lose him, no.”
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Yesterday was a fairly quiet day as the Premier League got underway with Chelsea not playing until Monday night.
After reports of Mason Mount being unhappy at Kai Havertz’s arrival, Frank Lampard moved quickly to quash such rumours.
He said: “I saw the story about Mason Mount, I know it was absolutely fabricated from somebody, particularly if it came from the German end.
“I don’t know if he’s got any friends or relatives over there he would talk to, it’s a strange angle for that to come from Mason.”
Elsewhere, Tiemoue Bakayoko has reportedly rejected an offer from fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
The French midfielder is said to be holding out for an offer from AC Milan as the San Siro is rumoured to be his preferred destination.
In other outgoings, Chelsea are reportedly considering letting Callum Hudson-Odoi go on loan.
English outlet 90min claim the Blues have informed the winger he could be sent out to secure game time after the arrival of Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The report adds Lampard has been left unimpressed by Hudson Odoi's attitude and performances in training this summer.
One man who will be staying in West London is forward Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman is set to remain at Chelsea this season as he enters into the final year of his contract.
According to reports, the forward was in contact with Italian champions Juventus, but he has since admitted he was surprised to see him linked with the move.
And after several reports of players leaving the club, the Blues have reportedly had a bid accepted by Rennes for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who could be on the way in.
Lampard has been desperate to bring in a new shot-stopper having grown impatient with Kepa Arrizabalaga, 25, following a number of mistakes.
And finally, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz are set to start the opening-day fixture against Brighton on Monday night.
The Chelsea new boys, some of Germany’s biggest and brightest stars, made the switch from the Bundesliga to the Premier League this summer.
Werner has already scored for Chelsea, he scored in a pre-season friendly against Monday’s opponents Brighton.
JAD ENOUGH
Premier League clubs are calling a halt to transfer business amid growing fears about a second wave of coronavirus.
The impact of the pandemic is a major factor in Manchester United’s reluctance to pay Borussia Dortmund £100million for Jadon Sancho.
And the uncertainty about when or if fans will be able to return, not to mention the possibility of a new lockdown, is putting the frighteners on almost every club except big-spending Chelsea.
A source said: “Covid is back and everyone is s***ting themselves.
“Most clubs have spent all their money and those that haven’t are concerned about doing business in the current situation.”
ONES TO WATCH
Chelsea have had a massive overhaul this summer, and it's not stopping just yet!
They've brought in a seasoned pro in Thiago Silva, as well as young exciting forwards in Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
WHAT'S NEW
Let's take a look at what's new in the upcoming 2020-21 Premier League season.
BAKA-NO-NO
According to reports, Tiemoue Bakayoko has rejected an offer from fellow Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
The French midfielder is reportedly holding out for and offer from AC Milan, the San Siro is rumoured to be his preferred destination.
Life hasn't worked out for Bakayoko in London, he dandy feature much for Chelsea and has been loaned out on a number of occasions in order to play first-team football.
His future will be decided soon.
PAUL YOUR WEIGHT
Paul Merson piled pressure on Frank Lampard saying he has to produce after his summer of spending.
He told the Star: “Chelsea will be right in there too with Liverpool and Manchester City.
“They have done some great business and if they finish above Liverpool, I wouldn’t be shocked.
“The worry for Chelsea is keeping all their players happy with all those new signings. Who’s going to play? The pressure’s on Frank Lampard now.
“Did anybody else really want the job when he got it? They had just sold Eden Hazard. Couldn’t buy players.
“Now, he’s got to produce.”
IT'S PICTURE TAM
Tammy Abraham looked a natural as he posed for his pre-season TV shots ahead of the new season.
ZOUM CALL
Kurt Zouma proved his Chelsea credentials screaming “UP THE CHELS” into cameras for his TV lineup shot.
GUNNING FOR GLORY
Topless Willian enjoyed a dance as he celebrated shining on his Arsenal debut.
The Brazilian winger, 32, was filmed by team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cutting shapes in the away dressing room at Fulham.
Gunners skipper Aubameyang started the Instagram video with himself and Alexandre Lacazette.
The giggling Gabon star cheered the Frenchman on as he pulled out some moves.
But then debutant Willian came through the door and the camera quickly turned to him, even though he seemed to have just got out the shower with an Arsenal towel wrapped around.
Not one to shy away on the big stage, though, Willian delivered – just as he did on the pitch at Craven Cottage with all three assists.
SMOOTH
Imminent Chelsea arrival Edouard Mendy isn't just good with his hands, he appears to be very good with his feet! Very Silky.
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