Maresca will be handed new signings in the next couple of weeksplaceholder image
Maresca will be handed new signings in the next couple of weeks | AFP via Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea as they march through to the quarter-finals.
Chelsea are now on to the next round after their FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 win on Saturday night. The Blues can now look forward to another round of action, facing Palmeiras in the quarter-final.
Enzo Maresca will be pleased with how his side are growing into the competition, but in the meantime, the club’s recruitment chiefs are working on new arrivals. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Kudus offer
Chelsea are said to have had a proposal rejected for Mohammed Kudus, who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. According to Simon Phillips, Chelsea submitted a £50million proposal for Kudus but were rejected.
The Blues need a winger this summer and it now looks as though they will push through a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. That could well end their interest in Kudus, especially with Joao Pedro looking like a potential signing up top.
Disasi interest
Juventus are said to be interested in a deal to sign defender Axel Disasi this summer. Disasi could be one of the defenders sold this summer as Maresca looks to strengthen at centre-back with a new signing.
Chelsea spent £38.8million for Disasi, but they could now sell him, and for just £25.6million. Tutto Juve have reported that Juventus are pushing for a potential deal, and Chelsea are expected to be very receptive to talks, as long as they can bring in that asking price. They are not likely to go lower given the amount of money they are already losing.
James on Benfica win
Reece James spoke after Chelsea’s win over Benfica, praising his teammates for the way they bounced back after a break of around two hours due to the weather. He said: “We’ve come a long way. It’s difficult to be so close to the end of the match and then have a kick in the teeth. To pick yourself up, brush yourself down and score a few goals probably shows how far we’ve come, and everyone has played a part today.
“It was a very difficult game with a lot of interruptions. The climate wasn’t the best, the pitch wasn’t the best, it was hard to play, and we got into 85 minutes, and we stopped for a long period of time. It takes a lot out of the players to cool down and then restart that engine again, but we’re happy we got the job done. It was about recovery, keeping the legs going on the bike, listening to some music to keep the vibes going, and we did well in extra time to score the goals we did.”
Asked about his goal in the second half, which was a direct free-kick, he explained: “As I was walking over and I was speaking to the centre-backs, and I asked them what they wanted. They said a shot, cross or in-swinger, and I said no problem. When I got to the ball and saw the goalkeeper's positioning; he showed me too much of the goal. So I just decided to shoot and it went in.”
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