Whilst the VAR controversy from the West Ham Premier League win rumbles on, Thomas Tuchel and the team’s main focus will be on the upcoming Champions League kick-off this week as the Blues take on Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia on Tuesday night....CONTINUE READING
Off the pitch though, with the transfer season over for now up till January, Todd Boehly’s focus has fully turned to finding a new sporting director and Michael Edwards and Paul Mitchell remain to the hot frontrunners to take on the role if the American can convince them.
“I’m not involved in that, I have to say. I am so, so happy. I had the feeling for one-and-a-half days, I shifted back to 100% being a coach, which I enjoy a lot and where my full energy will go from now on,” Tuchel said on his involvement in regards to the appointment of Marina Granovskaia’s and Petr Cech heirs.
“We need that energy going into the team. It’s a very complex situation with sporting directors and which role they have. They are very different in different countries and clubs.
“It’s no secret that I loved to work with Petr [Cech]. The communication and having this kind of legend at Cobham, who took care of not only our building but the academy and the culture of the club, was a pure pleasure for me.
It’s a big change not to have him, and we’re still adapting. I am not actively involved in the search or building of a new structure. I’m not so sure it is my job.”
Follow along throughout the day to keep up to date with everything Chelsea.
Chilwell impressed by Fofana
Wesley Fofana has impressed Ben Chilwell since joining Chelsea from Leicester City. The 21-year-old, who penned a seven-year deal in west London this summer, swapped the King Power Stadium for Stamford Bridge in a deal which is said to have cost the Blues in the region of £70million.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the 25-year-old left-back labeled the centre-back’s performance as ‘brilliant’ after a mature display. Chilwell said: “Massive kudos to Wes. He’s only just come in, he’s trained with us twice.
“Then he starts today, his first game at Stamford Bridge, it was a brilliant performance by him and many more to come. To come in at such a young age and gel so quickly into the group is massive.”
Chilwell continued by tipping Fofana for a ‘massive future’ at the club before referencing a new-found winning mentality at the club which has grown in recent weeks. The England international said: “He’s gonna have a massive future at our club.
“I think as well, all the boys that have come in have brought a mentality that they want to win. Everyone here wants to win and you need to bring in players that have that same mentality. Reaching finals and winning finals is what this club’s all about.”
Zakharyan sends transfer plea
Chelsea transfer target Arsen Zakharyan is still hoping to pen a deal at Stamford Bridge after a deadline day exit from Dynamo Moscow collapsed. The 19-year-old wonderkid was heavily linked with a move to west London late in the summer transfer window as Thomas Tuchel looked to bolster his midfield amid a handful of injuries.
He is still hopeful of joining the Blues in January. Speaking to the Evening Standard, Zakharyan said: “There was an offer, but it just didn’t work out. You probably know the reasons.
“How could I refuse? Of course, I agreed [to the move]. I hope everything will be fine, perhaps [it will happen] in the winter [window]. Of course, the level there is much higher than in the Russian Premier League, but everything is possible. Maybe it would work there. I could always go on loan.”
Tuchel on Aubameyang
Thomas Tuchel has provided an update on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s injury status ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League group stage opener versus Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night. The 33-year-old’s jaw was broken by house robbers just days before leaving the Camp Nou for Stamford Bridge.
Speaking to the press following Chelsea’s 2-1 win over West Ham at the weekend, the Blues boss said: “I can’t tell you if he trains full contact or individually. He has the mask.
“If the doctors tell me the mask is good and he’s comfortable with it, then that would be okay. But we need to check it with no contact, half contact and full contact. In the end we need to see how it is. It’s too early to make a prediction.”
Diego Costa set for shock Premier League return as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set Chelsea target
Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa could return to the Premier League, four years after he permanently left Stamford Bridge for Atlético Madrid.
Since then, the Spaniard has had an on-and-off relationship with Atletico manager Diego Simeone. His injury record combined with multiple factors led to the Spanish giants releasing him at the end of the contract as a free agent.
To which Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro responded by taking a chance on his services with the aim that he could potentially propel them to a rare Serie A title.
In the 19 games he played over the 2021-22 campaign, Costa helped out in attaining a total of six goal contributions in all competitions as the former prolific Chelsea striker played his part in the short-term by shaking up the pecking order in Brazil’s top league.
He left the club at the end of 2022 with a Serie A title and Brazilian cup credited to his name. Two trophies added more to the winning pedigree of the Brazil-born number 9 who won a total of three trophies during his up-and-down Blues stint.
No wonder Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose new signing Sasa Kaladjzic is out injured already with a long-term injury, are considering offering the now free agent a rare contract offer as the much loved José Mourinho signing contemplates returning to England, The Athletic have reported.
Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa is on the verge of a return to the Premier League
Chelsea confirm Champions League squad with Thomas Tuchel including seven new signings
Thomas Tuchel has included seven of his new signings in Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League squad. The list of 24 players has now been confirmed on the official UEFA website, with Carney Chukwuemeka called up.
The Blues kick off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday evening with a trip to Croatia to take on Dinamo Zagreb. Chelsea will be looking to improve on their European run last term where they could only make the quarter-final.
The squad is: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli, Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Denis Zakaria, Conor Gallagher, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Carney Chukwuemeka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Tuchel felt Chelsea got the right decision in West Ham win.
Danyal Khan
Armando Broja’s Champions League Chelsea squad snub explained ahead of Dinamo Zagreb opener
Chelsea’s squad announcement ahead of their Group E opener against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday has caused quite a stir on social media amongst the fanbase.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was listed as a forward alongside Aubameyang on the website which was confusing for supporters to understand, especially with the 26-year-old only occupying a central midfield and wing-back role in the early parts of 2022/23.
The biggest issue many fans had was Armando Broja’s absence from the initial A list. But supporters should not worry as like Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones for Liverpool, the Albanian is indeed on the B list, football.london understands.
This in essence means that Saturday’s substitute who made a good impact against the Hammers in his second half, could indeed start in the Croatian capital if new signing Aubameyang was not ready for action.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja after the Blues’ 2-1 home win over West Ham in the Premier League
Danyal Khan
Premier League make VAR call after Chelsea v West Ham and Newcastle v Crystal Palace controversy
The Premier League are set to step in and try and prevent future VAR issues that have seen many managers and players unhappy and unsettled since its implementation in 2019.
In the aftermath of this weekend which has seen the aforementioned technology scrutinised more than ever before, the Premier League have asked the PGMOL to review the whole usage in Stockley Park of the technology itself with the hope that this could help identify the teething issues that continue to become the talking points of most games nowadays.
