Chalobah impressed with Chelsea in the season just goneChalobah impressed with Chelsea in the season just gone
Chalobah impressed with Chelsea in the season just gone | Getty Images
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea as they close in on the FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea are now closing in on the start of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, beginning their tournament on Monday. The Blues have a busy summer ahead, and Enzo Maresca will want to see new faces aplenty before the start of next season.
It was a successful season for Chelsea, but Maresca knows it is a big step up to be competing for the Premier League, which is the logical next step for a club finishing inside the top four. As the Blues seek a path to such success, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Maignan blow
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea’s desperate bid to land Mike Maignan on a deal before the early transfer deadline has fallen short. It’s claimed the deal is now off, at least for now.
Romano has posted on X: “EXCL: Mike Maignan deal now OFF between Chelsea and AC Milan. Chelsea not willing to meet Milan price, deal not proceeding in time for Club World Cup as #CFC won’t pay “CWC tax”.#CFC maintain full trust in Petrović, Sánchez, Jorgensen + talent Mike Penders for GK role.”
Stance on Chalobah
Chelsea would reportedly prefer to keep Trevoh Chalobah despite the Englishman being linked with a move away. Chalobah was recalled from a loan spell with Crystal Palace in the winter and went on to make a sizable impact for Maresca’s side, slotting into the back four comfortably.
Maresca said of Chalobah during the season: “I think Trev, since he’s back with us in January, he’s doing very well. He’s playing games, he’s helping us, he’s defending when he needs to defend. He is also building from the back when we need him, so he is able to do that, and we are very happy with Trev.”
Despite his impact, Chalobah has been linked with a move away, but CaughtOffside say the Blues would prefer to sell other players before having to offload Chalobah. That is a more logical conclusion based on what the centre-back offered in the second half of this season and how his impact has compared to Benoit Badiashile and others.
Abramovich speaks on Chelsea return hope
Roman Abramovich has been quoted for the first time since selling Chelsea, with quotes emerging from a book titled ‘Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC’. In the book, Abramovich says: “Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that. I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.”
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is also quoted as saying: “Our goal with Chelsea is also to win silverware, because we know, and I know, how much it means to the fans. It makes you appreciate again that sport makes people happy, especially when you win. And Chelsea is supposed to win. But I really believe that sustained success is an investment, and no matter what business I'm in, or any industry, there are no shortcuts."
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