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Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Leading race for English defender, French left-back on the radar, Hunt for French winger
Chelsea have expressed the desire to add Harry Darling. The MK Dons defender is a sought-after prospect in the lower levels of English football, with the centre-back being the centre of attention for many teams across the PL. The London giants are among the teams keeping close tabs on his development.
But they are joined by Brighton while the recently relegated Norwich City are involved in the equation as well. A native of Cambridge, Harry joined MK Dons at the start of last year.
The jump from League Two to League One was not as difficult for Darling, who instantly became the lynchpin of the MK defence, racking up over 2,000 minutes of league action during the second half of the 2020/21 season. During his 18-month spell at the club so far, the 22-year-old centre-back has played 71 competitive games.
A defender by trade, the English centre-back is regarded as a modern-day defender who is adept at passing the ball out from the back and breaking the lines with his impressive range of passing. The Englishman’s skill set has not gone unnoticed, with the Blues recently expressing the desire to snap up the defender ahead of the new campaign.
With Rudiger joining Real Madrid and both Azpilicueta and Christensen being linked to a move to Barcelona, Chelsea are currently desperate for defensive reinforcements. The London giants are primarily targeting big-name footballers who can offer instant quality and stability in the defence.
Real Madrid will not put Ferland Mendy up for sale but could cash in on him if a suitor presents an attractive proposal. Los Blancos are open to offloading the 27-year-old defender for nearly €50m amid interest from Chelsea and Man United.
France international joined La Liga giants from Lyon in summer 2019 and has since endured a mixed bag of a stint with the Spanish club. While the French defender has garnered a lot of success in Real Madrid, he has also had some fitness issues, particularly in the 2021/22 campaign.
The Frenchman has turned out 105 times for Los Blancos thus far, chipping in with five goals and nine assists. But the former Lyon defender faces an uncertain future at La Liga giants ahead of the summer transfer window following Rudiger’s arrival in a Bosman move.
However, Mendy will not have a shortage of suitors if he leaves the Spanish club, with Chelsea and Man United keen on signing the defender.
The interest from the Blues stems from the uncertainties surrounding the future of Alonso. Marcos wants to return to his homeland in the summer transfer window amid links with Barcelona, with the London giants unlikely to stand in his way.
Ferland is thus a viable target for the Blues, who could have a world-class left wing-back arsenal in the Real Madrid defender and Ben Chilwell. But Chelsea will have to stave off stiff competition from Man United to secure the services of the French left-back in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona’s latest contract renewal offer was their last proposal. The Blaugrana are ready to end negotiations with Ousmane Dembele over a new contract, and he will likely move to Chelsea in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window.
France international’s stint with the London giants has left supporters divided. While Dembele has shown plenty of promise and delivered the goods in the 2021/22 campaign, his attitude problems and fitness woes have frustrated several in the Catalan giants’ fanbase.
Ousmane was top-class this past campaign, ending the season with more assists than anyone else in La Liga (13) despite playing just 21 matches. But the 25-year-old winger’s long-term future has left La Liga giants in a spot of bother for several months, especially with several European bigwigs, including the Blues, hot on his heels.
The Spanish club had announced back in winter that they would not offer the French forward a new deal after the two sides failed to reach an agreement. But negotiations resumed after the winter transfer window ended, with the Frenchman showing an inclination to remain at Barcelona.
But the Catalan giants’ hopes have been fading in the last few weeks, with recent reports touting the Blues as the favourites to add the former Borussia Dortmund winger.
The Blues will need to strengthen the front line in the summer transfer window, with Werner, Pulisic, Lukaku and Ziyech facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge. And the World Cup winner will be a solid addition to Chelsea’s squad this coming summer.
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MNU VS CHE: 4-2-3-1 Pochettino strongest possible IX that could help Chelsea defeat Man Utd
Today’s Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford is sure to be exciting. There isn’t a distinct favorite for this forthcoming matchup because both teams have shown inconsistent play this season.
Manchester United hopes to win against Chelsea after suffering an awful defeat to Newcastle United. Chelsea, on the other hand, is hoping to keep up their current winning streak in the Premier League by thrashing Manchester United in their next game.
4-2-3-1 Pochettino predicted starting IX
Goalkeeper: The Spanish international Robert Sanchez is expected to start in goal
Defenders: Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva, and Reece James make up Chelsea’s defense. Reece James is anticipated to start the next game, Despite his red card suspension that kept him out of the match against Brighton.
Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandes are midfielders. As Conor Gallagher is out due to suspension, Cole Palmer will fill in at offensive midfield, with Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo handling additional roles in central and defensive midfield.
Forward: Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, and Mykhailo Mudryk are the forwards. Nicolas Jackson, who has been struggling, is replaced by Armando Broja, with Raheem Sterling on the right wing and Mykhailo Mudryk in his standard left wing position.
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Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle: Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Moises Caicedo as Palmer start with Gallagher in Midfield #NEWCHE
Mauricio Pochettino makes two changes to his Chelsea team for today’s game at Newcastle.
Benoit Badiashile comes in for his compatriot Axel Disasi in the heart of defence, while Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Moises Caicedo.
Otherwise, it is the same starting XI that began the 4-4 draw against Manchester City prior to the international break
That means Reece James, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella join Badiashile at the back, ahead of Robert Sanchez. Enzo Fernandezand Conor Gallagher continue in midfield, with Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer supplying the width in attack, either side of Nicolas Jackson.
Caicedo and Levi Colwill, who was injured during the recent break, are among those named on the bench.
Alexander Isak returns for Newcastle after injury, but there is no Sean Longstaff.
Chelsea: Sanchez; James (c), Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Enzo, Ugochukwu, Gallagher, Palmer, Jackson, Sterling
Subs: Petrovic, Colwill, Disasi, Maatsen, Caicedo, Matos, Madueke, Mudryk, Broja
Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Lascelles (c), Schar, Trippier, Guimaraes, Miley, Almiron, Joelinton, Isak, Gordon
Subs: Dubravka, Gillespie, Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, Diallo, Murphy, Ndiweni, Parkinson
Referee Simon Hooper
Reece James just returned to action for Chelsea this season after recovering from an injury that kept him on the sidelines for weeks but the synergy between the Chelsea Skipper and Cole Palmer has emerged as a pivotal factor in Chelsea’s recent impressive performance.
Their relationship on the pitch showcases a dynamic partnership that has been significantly impacting the team’s overall performance.
One key element of this collaboration is the strategic placement of Cole Palmer in the middle, operating behind the striker.
This positioning capitalizes on Palmer’s unique skill set, acknowledging that he may not possess the blistering pace or sheer physicality to excel in isolated one-on-one situations with defenders.
Instead, Palmer’s strength lies in his ability to receive the ball on the half-turn, exhibiting clever passes that ignite the team’s attacking prowess.
Palmer’s fluid style, characterized by his adept use of pockets and floating movements, creates a symbiotic relationship with Reece James.
James, a versatile right-back, benefits from Palmer’s strategic play by having the freedom to occupy the wing.
This tactical understanding not only maximizes Palmer’s strengths but also amplifies James’s impact on the game.
What becomes evident in this partnership is Palmer essentially playing as a number 10, operating in a role that aligns with his capabilities and enhances the team’s attacking dynamics.
By strategically placing Palmer in a central position, Chelsea leverages his playmaking abilities, allowing him to orchestrate the flow of the game and provide crucial link-up play between the midfield and the strikers.
The tactical harmony between Palmer and James is not just about individual brilliance but also about how their styles complement each other seamlessly.
Palmer’s intelligent movements and distribution empower James to venture forward with confidence, creating a fluid and dynamic attacking unit for Chelsea
MNU VS CHE: 4-2-3-1 Pochettino strongest possible IX that could help Chelsea defeat Man Utd
Confirmed Chelsea line up vs Newcastle: Lesley Ugochukwu replaces Moises Caicedo as Palmer start with Gallagher in Midfield #NEWCHE
How Palmer and Reece James Have Complemented Each Other in Chelsea’s Lineup This Season
Chelsea eye double £156m transfer swoop as Todd Boehly faces Saudi Arabia questioning
