Chelsea 'line up £42m Casemiro transfer', Perisic 'AGREES Blues deal', Tuchel blasts Mount abuse – latest updates
CHELSEA suffered a THIRD consecutive FA Cup final loss to ensure they end up trophyless this season.
But they are reportedly already laying the foundations for next season in terms of the playing staff.
Thomas Tuchel's side could have done with Inter Milan ace Ivan Perisic at Wembley, who has reportedly agreed terms with the West London outfit.
The Blues are also reported to be interested in a £42m deal for Real Madrid star Casemiro.
And Tuchel has hit out at social media trolls sending abuse to Mason Mount over his missed penalty.
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- Justin Lawrence
Alisson's plan to stop Mendy
Alisson devised a secret plot to stop Edouard Mendy from playing mind games on Liverpool’s FA Cup Final penalty takers – by hand delivering the ball to his teammates.
The Chelsea ‘keeper has a history of interfering during penalties when helping Senegal to beat Egypt via spot-kicks in the Africa Cup of Nations final in February.
Alisson was adamant that would not happen again, and he scooped up the ball after each Chelsea kick and walked straight to his pal to give them it.
Only Sadio Mane, Mendy’s international teammate, missed a penalty for Liverpool.
- Justin Lawrence
Rudiger speaks on frustration
Antonio Rudiger is frustrated that he hasn't left Chelsea with a FA Cup winner medal after yesterday's loss to Liverpool.
Rudiger said after the game: “It’s been five years as normal with ups and downs, but with a lot of positive things,” the Germany international said.
“That’s why I’m even more frustrated because I wanted to have a different ending."
- Justin Lawrence
Terry reveals FA Cup pain
John Terry revealed he was devastated after witnessing Chelsea's FA Cup final loss.
But the Blues legend still found the time to praise Liverpool's Luis Diaz who was the game's Man Of The Match.
Terry said on Instagram in a message that Diaz shared: "Absolutely devastated, but you are a fantastic player my friend.”
- Justin Lawrence
Rudiger explains quitting reasons
Antonio Rudiger has dismissed the theory that Government sanctions are behind his decision to quit Chelsea.
The German defender is leaving for Real Madrid on a free transfer once the Premier League season finishes on Sunday week.
Strict rules imposed due to owner Roman Abramovich’s links to Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin have banned Chelsea from negotiating new contracts with existing players but Rudiger insists it was other issues which stopped him staying.
But Rudiger, who suffered FA Cup Final defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, said: “There was a chance but sanctions are not the problem. I don't want to go too deep in things.
"At the end of the day it's not only about one side (helping the other), it's both sides – Chelsea have been great to me, I have been great to Chelsea.
"As always, I am very, very thankful me, my family. I became a man here. My kids were born here and everything. London and especially Chelsea will always be special to me."
- Justin Lawrence
Mo Salah's classy gesture
Mohamed Salah invited former Egypt team-mate Moamen Zakaria into the Liverpool dressing room to celebrate their FA Cup win over Chelsea.
Salah was forced to watch a large part of Saturday's final from the sidelines after being forced off through injury.
Liverpool's epic dressing room celebrations where shared with former Egypt star Zakaria, who has motor neurone disease, after he was invited in by Salah.
- Justin Lawrence
Hav some of that
Kai Havertz, was also another absentee from the squad due to a hamstring injury.
Discussing the problems afterwards, he said: "Kai did not train because of hamstring problems and we thought he would injure himself.
"We did a test on Saturday morning but it was not better."
- Justin Lawrence
Tuch and go for Werner
Thomas Tuchel has revealed Timo Werner told him he did not want to play in the FA Cup Final after suffering a problem in the warm-up.
Chelsea fans were shocked as the German forward was left as an unused substitute during the penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool at Wembley.
He said: "Timo felt uncomfortable in the warm-up and said he could not play.
"A hamstring as well. We had no options."
- Ian Tuckey
Lew ‘agrees 3-year Barca deal’
Robert Lewandowski has reportedly agreed a three-year contract with Barcelona.
The Pole has been linked with a move to the Nou Camp after snubbing a new deal at Bayern Munich.
He still has a year to run on his existing agreement with the Bundesliga side but they have now confirmed that the forward wants to leave them.
The Times state that Lewandowski is set to join Barcelona.
And they report that he has verbally agreed to sign a three-year contract with them.
Now all that remains is for them to thrash out a transfer fee for him.
Confirming that Lewandowski, who has scored 49 goals for the club this term, wants to go, Bayern’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky Germany: “I spoke with Lewa.
“In that discussion he informed me that he does not want to accept our offer to extend the contract and that he would like to leave the club.
“He said he wants to do something else. But our position has not changed.
“The fact is he has a contract to June 30, 2023.”
- Ian Tuckey
Klopp and Tuchel agree…
Managers Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel agreed Liverpool's FA Cup final glory came down to 'tiny margins'.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount missed penalties as the Reds repeated their Carabao Cup shootout joy over the same opponents, this time with a 6-5 success following a goalless 120 minutes.
And Liverpool boss Klopp 'couldn't be prouder' after his 'mentality monsters' won an 'incredible, tense' final.
Counterpart Tuchel claimed he was sure Chelsea would win – 'until the final minute'.
So it's two down, two to go, in Liverpool's Quadruple hunt.
And skipper Jordan Henderson believes today's triumph shows ‘attitude, personalities and incredible talent’ are their driving force.
- Ian Tuckey
‘Sad’ Tuchel felt sure Chelsea would win
Thomas Tuchel claims he was sure Chelsea would win the FA Cup final – right up to Liverpool’s final shootout penalty.
The Blues boss praised his ‘excellent’ side for shutting out ‘maybe the most dangerous attacking team in the world’ as the Reds triumphed 6-5 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.
And he revealed just how confident he was that they would come out on top – after Liverpool beat them the same way in February’s Carabao Cup final.
He told the Wembley press conference: “No regrets. I’m proud of the team.
“We were sure we could make life for Liverpool difficult – and we did again.
“We struggled in the first 15 minutes then we were excellent and played a goalless draw against maybe the most dangerous attacking team in the world.
“I was sure before the match and I was sure during the game we would win.
“I was sure momentum was on our side and I was sure until the very last minute and unfortunately I was not right.”
- Ian Tuckey
Mason's lost all his six Wembley finals
Mason Mount missed a crucial penalty in Chelsea's FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool, condemning himself to SIX consecutive Wembley final defeats.
The Blues academy product stepped up and missed his sudden death spot-kick in the penalty shootout, before Liverpool ace Konstantinos Tsimikas wrapped the game up.
It means the England and Chelsea ace has now lost SIX consecutive finals at Wembley in his professional career.
Mount's bad luck at the national team's stadium started back in 2019 during his loan spell at Derby.
The 23-year-old was playing under Frank Lampard at the time but lost to Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final. He then followed it up with back-to-back FA Cup defeats in 2020 and 2021.
Mount then suffered heartbreak with England, who were penalties away from their first major trophy since 1966, but they were toppled by Italy.
And this season, back-to-back losses to Liverpool on penalties in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup added more insult to injury for the Chelsea fan. Mount's bad luck is leading to some fans believing the midfielder is "cursed". One fan said on Twitter: "Mason Mount is really cursed at Wembley."
- Ian Tuckey
Trolls target 'bottle job' Mason
Mason Mount has been branded a "bottle job" by brutal trolls online after his FA Cup final penalty miss, writes TOM SHEEN.
The Chelsea star played the full 120 minutes as his side battled with Liverpool under the Wembley arch.
Like in February's League Cup final, the two sides couldn't be separated – with neither able to score in two hours of play.
The match went to penalties, with Mount not stepping up until the Blues' seventh spot kick – after forgotten man Ross Barkley.
Cesar Azpilicueta had already missed from 12 yards, only to be bailed out by Edouard Mendy's save from Sadio Mane.
Mount wouldn't be so lucky, with Kostas Tsimikas tucking away the following penalty to seal a 6-5 shoot-out win for the Reds.
Social media was subsequently full of trolls criticising Mount for failing to score. One wrote: "Mason Mount’s a bottle job pass it on."
Another asked: "Mason Mount the biggest bottle job in football?"
Pointing out his record, one fan wrote: "Mason Mount is the biggest bottle job ever 6 finals now init?" Another pointed out: "When it’s Mount he’s cursed but when it’s Kane he’s a serial bottler."
A kinder fan pointed out: "He's rather a blessed one @masonmount_10. How many people get such finals to play. His time will come. Even Klopp has started winning trophies."
- Ian Tuckey
Klopp hails his ‘outstanding mentality monsters’
Boss Jurgen Klopp praised Liverpool’s nerves of steel as they completed a domestic shootout double over Chelsea.
Klopp told the BBC: “Outstanding, it was an incredible, intense game against Chelsea – they would have deserved it [the win] exactly the same way, like in the Carabao Cup – that’s how small the margins are.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my boys, the shift they put in, how hard they fought, early changes.
“All of these things, missing good chances, overcoming good moments from Chelsea, then having really good moments ourselves.
“Then in the penalty shootout, it was nerve-racking, my nails are gone but I really feel for Chelsea – for the second time, 120 minutes and you get nothing, that’s too hard. But for us I’m pretty happy.
“We are mentality monsters but there were mentality monsters in blue as well – it was one penalty.
“Chelsea played outstanding but in the end there must be one winner and that was us today.”
- Ian Tuckey
Blues lack killer Tuch
Chelsea suffered shootout heartbreak at the hands of Liverpool for the second time this season, writes JACK ROSSER.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are still on for a remarkable quadruple after both Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount failed from the spot at Wembley, handing the Reds a first FA Cup under the German.
Chelsea had to ride their luck at times – recovering after a terrible start in which Luis Diaz could have scored twice.
But they had plenty of chances themselves and were too wasteful when it really mattered.
American Christian Pulisic sent good chances agonisingly wide in either half while he should have played a better ball for Marcos Alonso in the first half.
Alonso was racing through but the pass forced him into a heavy touch, allowing Alisson to save.
Pulisic was Chelsea’s most dangerous player – but fell short when it mattered most.
Boss Thomas Tuchel must shoulder some blame too. With Liverpool leaving acres of space thanks to their high line, Pulisic had showed that pace could hurt them.
Despite that, Tuchel decided to keep a confident Timo Werner on the bench throughout, instead turning to Hakim Ziyech and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to bolster the forward line.
It is desperately cruel to lose on penalties again, especially with one Chelsea legend, Azpilicueta, and another in the making, Mount, being the ones to let the Blues down.
Tuchel’s true task at Chelsea is to ensure they mix it with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table next season. After four draws from four games against Liverpool this season Chelsea will feel close to doing that. To make that next step, they need a killer touch at the crucial times.
READ THE FULL VERDICT HERE
- Ian Tuckey
Chelsea sub ratings
N'Golo Kante (for Kovacic, 66) – 7
Added plenty of energy and pace to the Chelsea midfield.
Covered well at the back and constantly looked to drive forward on the ball from deep.
Hakim Ziyech (for Lukaku, 85) – 6
Took a superb penalty but struggled to make a real impact during normal and extra time.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Pulisic, 106) – 6
Showed his versatility once more by coming on at centre-forward – though he was hooked after only 14 minutes on the pitch.
Cesar Azpilicueta (for Chalobah, 106) – 6
Added some experience to the back line to ensure Liverpool couldn’t find a late winner during extra time but clattered his penalty against the post.
Ross Barkley (for Loftus-Cheek, 120) – 7
Sent on to take a spot kick in his first appearance since January 8 and hammered it home past Alisson.
Subs not used: Kepa, Werner, Saul, Sarr
- Ian Tuckey
More ratings after Blues' final agony
MASON MOUNT – 7
With tired legs all around him, the Cobham graduate never stopped running and working – desperately unlucky to be the one whose penalty cost Chelsea the Cup.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC – 6
The American was a constant danger throughout but proved very wasteful with a number of efforts sent narrowly wide.
ROMELU LUKAKU – 5
A frustrating afternoon with little service for the striker, but he offered far too little himself.
Sent his best chance, a first time effort under pressure from Virgil van Dijk, well over the bar.
- Ian Tuckey
More Chelsea ratings
JORGINHO – 6
Took a Salah shot straight to the face after just five minutes and gave good protection to the back line throughout.
Kept a cool head following the poor start and gave Chelsea some composure as they got back into the game.
MATEO KOVACIC – 7
Passed fit to play after his injury at Leeds. Dragged Chelsea back into the game after a terrible start and impressed before tiring and being replaced just after the hour mark.
MARCOS ALONSO – 8
Kept Salah quiet before the Egyptian was forced off and dovetailed superbly with Christian Pulisic going forwards.
Took a very composed penalty to get things going.
The Spaniard got in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold time and again and caused plenty of problems.
- Ian Tuckey
How Chelsea rated
Jack Rosser gives his verdict on the unlucky Blues after Liverpool won the FA Cup final 6-5 after a goalless draw at Wembley.
EDOUARD MENDY – 6
Made some important stops in normal time and saved Sadio Mane’s spot kick, but it wasn’t enough.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 6
Drew the shortest of straws in having to deal with Diaz at full-pelt all afternoon.
Just about managed to hang in there and cleared an effort of his off the line inside the first ten minutes.
THIAGO SILVA – 6
Battled back from an early knock with a typically intelligent performance.
Kept Sadio Mane quiet for the most part and did his best to help Chalobah fend off Diaz.
ANTONIO RUDIGER – 7
How Chelsea will miss the German.
The most composed of the back three and ensured there was not much to be seen from either Salah or Diogo Jota down his side.
REECE JAMES – 7
Struggled early on but dropped in a dealt with Diaz well after the frantic start.
Got forward well after the break and delivered some wicked crosses for his teammates in the middle – though none could convert them.
Cool as ice over his penalty.
- Ian Tuckey
Bayern in for Chelsea and Utd 'target' Dembele
Bayern Munich reportedly added Ousmane Dembele to their list of summer transfer targets.
The France winger, 24, is set to leave Barcelona on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.
Some of Europe's biggest clubs have been linked with a potential swoop for the star, including PSG, Manchester United and Chelsea.
The Blues were planning to go all-out to sign the winger in the coming months, however, they now face some serious competition from Bayern Munich.
According to Sky Sports, the German giants are very interested in signing Dembele and have already made contact with his representatives.
Julian Nagelsmann is eager to sign a new forward who has the ability to make a difference in attack.
- Ian Tuckey
Milner consoles Mount
James Milner showed his class as he consoled Mason Mount after he missed Chelsea's final penalty in Liverpool's FA Cup final shootout win.
Milner spent time to put his arm round Mount, who was on his knees, after Kostas Tsimikas stroked home Liverpool's next kick to clinch a 6-5 triumph following a goalless draw.
Mason Mount shows the pain of his shootout missCredit: Getty Kostas Tsimikas rolls home the decisive shootout kickCredit: Getty Sub Kostas Tsimikas leads Liverpool's victory celebrationsCredit: AP - Ian Tuckey
Deja Blues – Liverpool beat Chelsea in shootout AGAIN
The Blues suffered FA Cup shootout agony against Liverpool after the same fate in the Carabao Cup showpiece at Wembley.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount had penalties well saved by Alisson.
And overall the Reds merited their success.
Chelsea matched them for golden chances but the longest, strongest spells came from Jurgen Klopp's Quadruple hunters.
- Ian Tuckey
Liverpool win shootout 6-5
Alisson brilliantly saved from Mason Mount's spot-kick to the keeper's left.
Liverpool sub Kostas Tsimikas then rolled in the winner – sending Mendy the wrong way.
- Ian Tuckey
Sudden death: Chelsea 5 Liverpool 5
Hakim Ziyech smashed a fierce penalty home to put Chelsea 5-4 up.
Diogo Jota tucked home a high spot-kick to level it up for Liverpool.
- Ian Tuckey
Sudden death penalties on
- Ian Tuckey
It's level again! Chelsea 4 Liverpool 4
Jorginho sent Alisson the wrong way to make it 4-4 – leaving Sadio Mane with the final penalty of the regulation ten to win it for Liverpool.
But his low kick to Mendy's right was too close to the keeper, who saved well.
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