All the latest Chelsea transfer news and gossip, including updates on Deivid Washington, Eden Hazard and Brennan Johnson
Washington Signs
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Deivid Washington from Santos as the Blues remain active through the summer transfer window. The club made a number of transfers as well as completing a first team squad overhaul.
Washington follows in the footsteps of Angelo Gabriel, who also joined from Santos and has since been on loan to Strasbourg after joining Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for pre-season in the United States. The 18-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge on a deal that could be in the region of £17m.
The striker parted ways with Santos on Tuesday after scoring six goals in 22 appearances for the Brazilian side in 2023 and signed a seven-year deal with the option for a further year. Upon signing, Washington said, “I’m looking forward to making my debut here at such a big club with tons of goals and assists.”
After much speculation over Eden Hazard’s future, the whereabouts of the 32-year-old have finally been revealed, nearly twelve weeks after his departure from Real Madrid. On June 3, the Spanish giants confirmed he would be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the month, despite him still having a year left on his contract.
Since he became a free agent, there has been much speculation about Hazard’s future. The possibility of retiring has been discussed in various media. But it seems the Belgian has no shortage of options as he gears up for the new season.
According to Hazard’s world-renowned hairdresser Ahmed AlsanawI, owner of Chessington’s A Star Barbers, the winger has already turned down offers from six teams this summer as he weighs his options. In response to a comment claiming ‘no one wants to sign Hazard’ under a video of him getting a haircut, Alsanaw hilariously replied, “Funny he rejected 6 teams *laughs- Emoji* t. ” ***.\”
Johnson’s Update
Steve Cooper has insisted that Brennan Johnson should not be distracted by speculation over his future at Nottingham Forest, given his links with Chelsea. When asked if there had been any offers for Johnson, Cooper said: “I’m not sure, I’m not looking into it. I just deal with Brennan on a daily basis.
“Right now we talk a lot, but it’s just normal conversations about performance and development and everything to do with him doing his best – or wanting to do his best. .”
“That’s our plan and that’s what we’re doing.” And if at some point we are told that things are changing – not just with him, but with any player – we will deal with it.
“But I can imagine that there is speculation about Brennan. I myself don’t pay attention to it. He is a very talented young player and the interesting thing is that he has much more in store.”
More news……
Chelsea star absent from training despite Mauricio Pochettino’s double injury boost
Chelsea news: Mykhailo Mudryk was absent from Chelsea training on Wednesday but there has been a double wave of injuries since.
Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk was absent from training on Wednesday as the Blues step up their preparations for Friday night’s game against Luton Town.
The Ukraine international was on the bench against West Ham at the weekend and showed promising signs of living up to the hefty transfer fee attached to his move. There were times when the winger’s crosses went wide or were intercepted while his finishing attempts are still questionable.
After struggling last season following the January move, it was hoped the 22-year-old could return to his best form. Problems with a lack of fitness have created problems that could ideally be solved by a full pre-season, although he has yet to feature under Mauricio Pochettino.
His absence from training might come as a slight surprise as Sky Sports report he is among the players missing on Wednesday morning. It remains to be seen whether this is due to injury concerns, a precautionary measure or some other reason ahead of the third game of the season.
Pochettino is reinforced by two returnees who seem expected: striker Armando Broja and defender Benoit Badiashile. The former is coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered late last year which horribly ruled him out for the rest of the season.
The Cobham academy graduate is back in training, although he is unlikely to be back in action anytime soon after suffering such a serious injury. The head coach also hinted that Broja was thinking long-term, suggesting a new striker shouldn’t slow his development.
As for Badiashile, the defender impressed after his transfer in January but late-season injuries carried over into pre-season and he was sidelined for months. A return to training is also on the cards as the club have confirmed the centre-back will train with the ball on the pitch when he returns to form.
All in all, Pochettino is confident that the end of the light injury crisis will come to an end in the coming weeks, although doubts remain over Mudryk’s recent absence.
