Chelsea chiefs have been informed that Real Madrid are prepared to sell a star who they'd reportedly "love" to sign, with Enzo Maresca's side handed a potential transfer opportunity.
Enzo Maresca praises "good" Chelsea season amid Champions League race
The Blues face another crucial Premier League test in the race to seal Champions League qualification, and nothing but a win will do against a struggling Man United side who'll have one eye on the Europa League final next week.
chelsea-stamford-bridge-general Related
Chelsea have held talks with £70m rival forward who allegedly wants to join
The west Londoners could go for him this summer.
Chelsea could climb to fourth and put some breathing room between them and sixth-placed Aston Villa with a crucial victory over the Red Devils, but Unai Emery's men host Tottenham at the same time, and will be simultaneously hoping the west Londoners choke at Stamford Bridge.
Race for Champions League qualification with 2 games remaining Points
2. Arsenal 68
3. Newcastle United 66
4. Man City 65
5. Chelsea 63
6. Aston Villa 63
7. Nottingham Forest 62
Three points at home to Ruben Amorim's men is quite simply imperative, as Chelsea sit in the last remaining Champions League spot on goal difference alone with just two games remaining.
Qualifying for the Champions League is a key aim for BlueCo. Their success in doing so will have a knock-on effect on their summer recruitment plans and preparations for Maresca's second campaign in charge, with the Italian sharing his thoughts on the top-five chase prior to kick off against United.
"Since day one, I said that the target that the club gave to me was in two years we want to play in the Champions League," said Maresca in a pre-match press conference.
enzo-maresca-chelsea-premier-league
"Since day one. But when you arrive to March and you have been all season, top four, top five, it's natural that the target is to finish in the Champions League. So the reason why it changed from the beginning is because we arrived to March, international break, I still remember that we were there all season.
"I said many times already that I think we have a good season. that can become a very good season if we are able to finish top five and also if we are able to win the Conference League."
Chelsea informed Real Madrid are ready to sell Rodrygo
Failure to qualify for Europe's most prestigious competition will likely deter illustrious transfer targets, like £202,000-per-week Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in action with Real Madrid's Rodrygo
As per journalist Simon Phillips this week, Chelsea "would love" to sign the Brazil international, but it was previously thought as very unlikely they'd be able to strike a deal for him.
The 24-year-old has bagged 13 goals and a further 10 assists in all competitions under Carlo Ancelotti, but journalist Ben Jacobs has told the London is Blue podcast this week that Real are ready to offload him this summer after all.
Chelsea are apparently informed that Real are prepared to sell Rodrygo as well, but are yet to advance on any kind of move for the South American. However, Jacobs does urge supporters to "keep an eye" on his situation.
“Rodrygo is a new name I’m hearing, there’s nothing advanced between Chelsea and Rodrygo, but what I can tell you is that Madrid are willing to let Rodrygo go,” Jacobs said.
“He’s been forced to play at Real on the right side because of Mbappe and Vini Jr, but his best position, and where he really likes to play, is on the left side. Chelsea are aware of that market opportunity, without really moving on it at this point, the same can be said for Arsenal and Liverpool as well. So keep an eye on Premier League clubs and Rodrygo.”