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All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea as they prepare for the first of two pre-season friendlies.
Chelsea are now just a day away from returning to pre-season action, facing Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in their first of two friendlies in quick succession, with a date with AC Milan following on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca’s men put in may of their hard yards during the FIFA Club Word Cup campaign, so these two friendlies will serve as tools to rediscover some of that early summer rhythm. As the bid to sign new players continues, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella offer
Chelsea are said to be set to offer a new deal to Marc Cucurella, who has been an important part of Maresca’s plans since the Italian boss arrived at the Bridge. Fabrizio Romano has reported: “As exclusively revealed, Chelsea will offer new deal to Marc Cucurella as talks will advance soon. Cucurella, happy at Chelsea and club very happy with Marc. He’s staying despite links with Al Nassr.”
Cucurella is Chelsea’s first-choice left-back, and he has been key in establishing a tougher culture at the club over the last 18 months or so, in particular. His current deal is set to expire in 2028, but the Blues are likely to offer improved terms to keep any interest at bay.
Guiu exit
On the outgoings front, Chelsea look set to allow striker Marc Guiu to go out and get some regular football with Premier League newcomers Sunderland. Romano posted on X: “Marc Guiu completes his medical as new Sunderland player today. Straight loan, no buy option clause.”
Guiu is still seen as a player with a big future by Chelsea, but with a crowded strikers’ room, he was unlikely to see regular football this season. It will be interesting to see what the frontman can do at Sunderland, who may face a tough battle this season.
Estevao touches down
Chelsea have now confirmed the arrival of Estevao Willian after the deal was agreed well in advance of his 18th birthday, which was in April. Willian has now touched down in London, and he was presented as a new Blues player on Wednesday.
“Yes. It is ‘I am happy’. I am very happy,” he said when asked his favourite English phase. He added: “I think my biggest motivation is to give pride to my family. Not titles, not achievements, but for my family, because I know how much people have worked when we struggled to get where we wanted to go, where our dream was. So, it was more for them that I persevered during my childhood and I persevere to this day.”
Willian then went on to speak about his inspiration as he looks to live up to the expectation becoming one of Brazil’s next big things. He added: “My inspiration is my father, my dad. He was always with me, and he is with me now [in England]. We always trained together and had that dream of playing, of getting into a professional team, of playing in Europe.
“I have come here to England with my family,’ he continued. ‘They are everything to me. For them to be here means everything to me.”
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