Tag: Noni Madueke

  • ‘Clearly’: Journalist hints Mauricio Pochettino isn’t a big fan of £29m Chelsea player anyway

    ‘Clearly’: Journalist hints Mauricio Pochettino isn’t a big fan of £29m Chelsea player anyway

    'Clearly': Journalist hints Mauricio Pochettino isn't a big fan of £29m Chelsea player anyway
    Graeme Bailey has hinted that Mauricio Pochettino is actually not a big fan of Noni Madueke at Chelsea.

    The trusted and respected journalist spoke out on the Talking Transfers podcast.

    What is the problem?

    Well, actually it was Graham Potter, not the Argentine, who signed the England Under-21 international from PSV Eindhoven in January.

    Pochettino was also in charge of Tottenham when Madueke left Spurs for the Netherlands in 2018. The South American has given the 21-year-old just 15 minutes of Premier League action so far this season and has now signed very similar Cole Palmer from Manchester City for £45m. giving the £29m player more competition.
    Go with it.

    Now Bailey has hinted that Pochettino’s transfer to Palmer means Madueke is not in his good books.

    The reporter said: “I think they might be ready (in the transfer window). Palmer emerged after Olise said no. Bradley Barcola has turned his back on interests, he seems to be going to PSG.

    'Clearly': Journalist hints Mauricio Pochettino isn't a big fan of £29m Chelsea player anyway
    “They say they are doing nothing. Conor Gallagher, it doesn’t look like he’s leaving right now. Chelsea want Gallagher to stay and sign a new contract. However, if someone comes along and offers £50million, they are ready to let it go.

    “I think it depends on who Pochettino considers a player. Obviously, I don’t think he’s a big fan of Madueke.”

    Noni Madueke could face Chelsea move in January

    The 2023/24 season hasn’t started well for Madueke despite scoring against AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday.

    The Chelsea No.11’s situation currently looks quite grim under Pochettino. If Palmer’s arrival means he has even less playing time, he could have a big decision to make in January.

    Madueke is far too talented to sit on the bench and if Pochettino really doesn’t like him, he might have to go for an exit while his value is still high. I hope the winger born in London can familiarize himself with the good books of the 51 -year -old man and become an important player at Stamford Bridge.

    More news……

    Chelsea owners sent angry message after controversial £65m deal

    Chelsea owners sent angry message after controversial £65m deal
    Chelsea news: Strasbourg fans continued their protests over BlueCo’s £65m takeover of the club in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Toulouse

    Chelsea’s takeover of Ligue 1 club Strasbourg continues to anger the club’s supporters. The company that owns Les Bleus took a first step in building a multi-club network with the takeover of the French club in June.

    BlueCo, made up of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, invested in a stake in Strasbourg at the start of the summer to acquire almost 100% of the club. BlueCo paid around £65million for their participation and the Ligue 1 outfit are in their first season under new ownership.

    Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira was appointed as head coach shortly after taking over, before Brazilian wonderkid Angelo Gabriel was loaned to the club for a season after signing from Chelsea earlier this summer.
    It’s a decision that has fans worried.
    Strasbourg Ultras expressed their dissatisfaction with Boehly & Co.’s involvement in the club by demonstrating in late June. A message appeared on the Internet saying “Boehly is not welcome”.

    Well, in Sunday’s 2-0 Ligue 1 win over Toulouse, Strasbourg fans once again made their feelings clear and protested against the multi-club model. A banner in the stands read “No to timeshare”. Which translates to “No to multi-ownership”.

    Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali was present at the Stade de la Meinau to see Strasbourg rise to fifth in the Ligue 1 table thanks to goals from Emanuel Emegha and Jean-Richer Bellegarde. Strasbourg chairman Mark Keller has previously said Le Racing won’t just be a development area for Chelsea prodigies in an effort to allay grievances among supporters.

    “It’s not the project,” he said in an interview with L \ ‘Equipe. “We had meetings with the sports management to define the objectives. We will have more resources to be more ambitious. Loïc Désiré (Strasbourg chief scout) will discuss the players we might be interested in, if any. You also have to want to come to us.

  • Information on Chelsea’s injuries and expected returns against West Ham for Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, and Noni Madueke.

    Information on Chelsea’s injuries and expected returns against West Ham for Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, and Noni Madueke.

    Information on Chelsea's injuries and expected returns against West Ham for Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, and Noni Madueke.

    The most recent Chelsea injury information is provided as Christopher Nkunku provides a positive update ahead of the Blues’ Sunday afternoon trip to the London Stadium.

    Before Chelsea’s game against West Ham, Mauricio Pochettino has received a huge boost. On Sunday in the early afternoon, David Moyes’ team will receive the Blues at the London Stadium as the visitors try to earn their first victory of the year.

    Liverpool held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw on the first weekend of the new Premier League season. Reece James’ withdrawal from the game against the Reds in the closing moments caused the west London team to experience a minor injury scare.

    As it turned out, Pochettino was merely exercising caution by removing the defender. In other news, despite missing players like Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, and Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea must still play the Hammers.

    Against Liverpool, it must be acknowledged that the Blues missed the latter player more than the other three, with Nicolas Jackson frequently surviving on leftovers.
    So let’s talk about football now.
    London has looked at the most recent Stamford Bridge injury information as Chelsea prepare to face West Ham this weekend.

    Nkunku Christopher.

    After being challenged by Mats Hummels during the first half of the Blues’ final preseason match against Borussia Dortmund, Nkunku was substituted. His injury is confirmed to be more serious than first thought, and the 25-year-old can expect to miss a few months of action.

    “We feel very sorry about him,” Pochettino said. He was doing well and was a crucial player for us. One of the best offensive players who can play multiple positions is always a significant problem for us, but I believe the quality is there. The key right now is to avoid dwelling on the wounds and to think positively about the day he will rejoin us and fully recover.

    “We’re working the market as well, and we’ll miss one player like this. The club is working to find a solution, possibly in the short, medium, and long terms, to add the right profile for the team to perform for the time being. “.

    What Nkunku has said: “As you can probably guess, I’m really disappointed that I won’t be able to join my teammates at the beginning of the season. It hurts that I wasn’t able to meet you guys at the Bridge. I’ll put a lot of effort into regaining my strength. It’s just a matter of time. “.

    Anticipated return date: Jan 2024

    Reece James

    When James was replaced by Malo Gusto in the second half, there were concerns about an injury because he held his right leg while pausing briefly. Fortunately, Pochettino later clarified that it was only caused by fatigue.

    According to Pochettino, Reece James was exhausted. You must discover where he came from. As soon as we arrived, the first thing we did was evaluate and analyze each former participant. For three or four months, he was hurt. Given that he had a difficult preseason, we didn’t want to take any chances, so we decided to stop at 80 minutes.

    Noni Madueke

    Madueke has returned to training after missing preseason due to a hamstring injury sustained after winning the Euros with England Under-21. The winger was a substitute for the Blues in their match against Liverpool, but he didn’t play because he is still making his comeback from injury.

    Benoit Badiashile.

    Due to the serious hamstring injury he suffered last season, the defender is another who has missed Chelsea’s preseason schedule. The club is reportedly targeting a return for Badiashile against Luton after the player posted pictures of himself working out at Cobham.

    Anticipated return date: Luton (H) Friday, August 25

    Brandon Broja.

    Since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the December friendly match with Aston Villa, Broja has been sidelined from competition. At Cobham, he is continuing to work on his recovery.

    Expected return date: Unknown.

    Wesley Fofana.

    After rupturing his ACL, Fofana is expected to miss another sizable amount of time.

    Pochettino said: “Really sad, really bad news. We are so depressed. We can only assist him; we are aware of how difficult it is for him to rejoin the team. He requires our assistance, and we must wish him success. The competition is there, so we must continue. The competition moves quickly, so we must be prepared.

    “Hope so. You are fully aware of the difficulties involved. His development is different, but we can only hope that his recovery is successful. “.

    Expected return date: Spring 2024

     

  • Nkunku, Madueke, and Badiashile – Chelsea injury updates and return times prior to the match against Liverpool.

    Nkunku, Madueke, and Badiashile – Chelsea injury updates and return times prior to the match against Liverpool.

    Nkunku, Madueke, and Badiashile - Chelsea injury updates and return times prior to the match against Liverpool.
    The most recent Chelsea injury information and return dates as Mauricio Pochettino gets ready for his first competitive match in charge of the Blues against Liverpool.

    As Chelsea prepares to face Liverpool in their Premier League debut, Mauricio Pochettino will evaluate the fitness of a number of its stars. Christopher Nkunku’s early withdrawal due to a knee injury after only 22 minutes against Borussia Dortmund in a recent friendly gave the Blues a concerning injury scare.

    Pochettino gave a hopeful update following the 1-1 tie, but subsequent reports have revealed that he won’t play against Liverpool. The central defensive pair, however, were present for the match against Dortmund while the latter two are anticipated to leave the club on loan. Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Angelo Gabriel, and Lewis Hall were all absent from the previous friendly against Newcastle.

    Malo Gusto frequently received the nod at right-back during preseason, but he played 73 minutes against the German team. Noni Madueke might be in a race against time to make the matchday squad, and Reece James’ fitness has been questioned.

    So let’s talk about football now.
    Ahead of Chelsea’s match against Liverpool this weekend, London has looked at the most recent updates from the medical facility.

    Christopher Nkunku.

    Christopher Nkunku, a France international, was forced to leave Chelsea’s preseason match against Borussia Dortmund in the first half due to a knee injury, and the Frenchman will now miss the Premier League’s opening game against Liverpool. Nkunku’s initial evaluation indicated that he would be out for only a few weeks, but since then, rumors have started to spread that he will be out for several months.

    What Pochettino said: “I hope it’s not a major problem. The doctors are checking him. We hope it’s nothing serious, but he felt something in his knee when he fell during the action, which may have been a penalty. As we need a few days to evaluate him, we hope he can rejoin the team quickly. “.

    Expected return date: Unknown

    Noni Madueke.

    Nkunku, Madueke, and Badiashile - Chelsea injury updates and return times prior to the match against Liverpool.
    Noni Madueke missed the entire Chelsea preseason due to a hamstring injury, but he has started training again in the past week.

    What Pochettino said: “Noni is in Philadelphia; he has some hamstring tightness. It is not a big deal. It’s only Noni who suffers [from an injury], but we believe it can be resolved in the coming days, he said after the Newcastle match on July 27. “.

    Anticipated return date: Liverpool (H) Sunday, August 13

    Benoît Badiashile.

    Benoit Badiashile, another star for Chelsea, missed preseason after suffering a serious hamstring injury toward the end of the 2022–23 campaign. The 22-year-old isn’t healthy enough to play against Liverpool, but Chelsea have, per journalist Nathan Gissing, set a goal for his return for the third game of the season against Luton on Friday, August 25.

    Anticipated return date: Luton (H) Friday, August 25

    Armando Broja.

    Since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the mid-season friendly matchup against Aston Villa following the World Cup, Armando Broja has not participated in a Chelsea competitive game for nearly ten months. At Cobham, the forward is currently recovering.

    Anticipated return: Unknown

    Wesley Fofana.

    Nkunku, Madueke, and Badiashile - Chelsea injury updates and return times prior to the match against Liverpool.
    To recover from a serious knee injury, Wesley Fofana will need to spend a significant amount of time on the sidelines. In a football injury, the 22-year-old player’s anterior cruciate ligament was torn. London is aware of the situation and will need to operate.

    Remarks made by Pochettino: “Really sad, really bad news. We are extremely depressed. We can only assist him, and we are aware of how difficult it is for him to rejoin the team.
    He needs our assistance, and we want the best for him.
    Given the competition, we must continue. We must be prepared because the competition doesn’t wait. “.

    “Hope so. You are fully aware of how challenging this is. He is developing in a different way, but we can only hope that his recovery goes well. “.

    Expected return date: Spring 2024

     

  • Three “big” Chelsea stars are about to break out in Mauricio Pochettino’s inaugural season.

    Three “big” Chelsea stars are about to break out in Mauricio Pochettino’s inaugural season.

    After Mauricio Pochettino was appointed manager, Frank Lampard predicted that three Chelsea players in particular would have a "big" future
    After Mauricio Pochettino was appointed manager, Frank Lampard predicted that three Chelsea players in particular would have a “big” future with the team.

    Following his disastrous second stint as manager of the west London club, Frank Lampard believes there is plenty to be excited about for Chelsea supporters.

    Beginning in early April, the 45-year-old replaced Graham Potter in that position temporarily. When Lampard returned to the Blues for the remainder of the season, he was only able to win one of his 11 games across all competitions.

    Although Chelsea’s team was talented, he was unable to bring out their best qualities because they had a season to forget and were an extremely insecure group of players. To try and turn things around at Stamford Bridge, the club has now turned to Mauricio Pochettino, who was hired on a two-year initial contract with a one-year extension option.

    Pochettino will spend a significant amount of time getting to know all of his new players, including those who struggled last season, during a busy preseason. The Blues have sold 11 players so far during the summer transfer window in an effort to trim down their bloated squad in time for Pochettino’s first season in charge.

    Many of the players still on the Stamford Bridge roster have a lot to live up to. Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Noni Madueke are just a few of the players who will start their first full season as Chelsea players after being signed during the January transfer window.

    After Mauricio Pochettino was appointed manager, Frank Lampard predicted that three Chelsea players in particular would have a "big" future
    Fernandez had a fantastic debut for Chelsea. The Argentine World Cup champion played for the Blues 22 times in the second half of the season, starting each and every game. When Chelsea paid £106 million to purchase Fernandez from Benfica, there were some concerns about whether Chelsea had paid too much. However, based on early signs, Fernandez appears to be the real deal and then some.

    For Madueke and Mudryk, things were a little bit different. Due to Chelsea’s absurdly large pool of available players, the former, Madueke, was not selected for the UEFA Champions League squad. From January on, the 21-year-old winger made 12 Premier League appearances.

    The former Tottenham academy star was looking to establish himself at Stamford Bridge when seven of those 12 games were started from the beginning. Although Madueke displayed flashes of his undeniable talent, he only scored once in those 12 games.

    At the moment, Madueke’s game has a raw quality to it. There are few players better than the England Under-21 international in one-on-one situations. He makes overcoming defenders appear simple, but his finished product requires improvement. However, Madueke is an extremely promising young footballer with a very bright future in west London.

    Compared to the other two, Mudryk’s life at Stamford Bridge got off to a slower start. The 22-year-old, who was acquired from Shakhtar Donetsk in January, played 17 times for Chelsea last season but frequently fell short of expectations.

    However, Blues fans are genuinely optimistic that Mudryk will excel in his first full season with the team. Lampard appears to concur with this as well.

    On the Diary of a CEO podcast, Lampard said, “I think as a Chelsea fan, you look at it and go, ‘OK, that is positive, there is talent there’.”. The team is being reduced.

    “I can say from the bottom of my heart that the owners had good intentions when they made those purchases and wanted the club to succeed. If their plan to deal with the problem moving forward includes doing so.

    “However, I do believe that Enzo Fernandez and other young players like Madueke and Mudryk will mature and become important players. Moving forward, you must establish the proper structure and strategy. “.

    All three of these players are scheduled to travel to the United States with the rest of the Chelsea team during the upcoming preseason. In order to start their preseason schedule, the Blues play Wrexham in North Carolina on Wednesday.

     

  • Mauricio Pochettino sent £35m transfer message to Chelsea with tactical question when confirming deal

    Mauricio Pochettino sent £35m transfer message to Chelsea with tactical question when confirming deal

    Mike Maignan
    Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino has been given proof that he can sell Hakim Ziyech without worries this summer after Noni Madueke got fit for his country.

    The young Three Lions had a tough international tournament following the Under-21 disaster before Carsley’s appointment and Madueke’s role against the best in his age group has shown huge promise.

    Appearing in all three games won by his team and scoring five of the six goals scored, his influence on the right wing was felt. Even with no goals or assists to show for his efforts, Madueke was recognized for his work with the Man of the Match award.

    Against Germany, it was a superb run in the 52nd minute that drew attention to an otherwise brilliant performance. With his 34 contacts, he completed 20 of his 22 pass attempts, made four big passes and completed four of his five dribbles.

    He has lost possession six times, won all but one of his duels and demonstrated why his direct approach from the flanks is so valuable. It was he who benefited as much as anyone from the end of the season under Frank Lampard’s management.

    Mauricio Pochettino sent £35m transfer message to Chelsea with tactical question when confirming deal
    Madueke featured in all of the last seven matches after failing to appear in either of Lampard’s first two games, eventually starting in five of them. With his first goal against Arsenal in a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, the youngster became one of the go-to options up front.

    He consistently outplayed Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic in a group of three on the right side of a 4-3-3, while edging out Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz when the lineup closed.

    Although his production has remained sporadic, the point of difference method he plays with is very different from what his teammates can bring. Although there was only one goal, Madueke’s possession was news for Blues fans and poses a question for Mauricio Pochettino.

    The Argentine prefers to play with an inside striker, think Christian Eriksen or sometimes Dele Alli and Eric Lamela, but the current squad is built for natural width with Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Madueke.

    Ziyech’s upcoming sale to Saudi Arabia for around £8m opens up even more opportunities for the Englishman but also leaves a tactical conundrum.

    While his form is promising and Pochettino’s preferred plans and methods are not yet known, Madueke will enter the summer a bit of a renegade and misfit.

    It’s what he’s had great success with in his youth career so far and the rise of the Under-21 squad is just further proof of why Chelsea were so willing to spend £35million on him in January.

    More news……..

    Chelsea makes over £100 million by selling FOUR players, in order to fund their increased transfer plans

    Although Chelsea may have recently made a lot of purchases, it now appears that the sale of just three first-team fringe players, all of whom are headed
    Although Chelsea may have recently made a lot of purchases, it now appears that the sale of just three first-team fringe players, all of whom are headed to Saudi Arabia, will net the team at least £100 million.

    Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, and Kai Havertz, who are all headed to Arsenal, are the four first-team players that Chelsea are getting ready to part ways with for a whopping combined fee of £107 million.

    The Blues want to sell the last three to various Saudi Arabian clubs in an effort to raise enough money for Moises Caicedo, a midfielder for Brighton. Personal considerations shouldn’t be a problem for the Ecuadorian international, who is thought to be interested in the Stamford Bridge move.

    Because of the anticipated volume of sales in west London, it appears that newly appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino will have a sizeable budget to work with. Seven Chelsea regulars may all depart in the upcoming days.

    N’Golo Kante already left to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, but Matteo Kovacic is soon to be formally introduced as a Manchester City player.

    Mason Mount is a fan favorite, and Manchester United and Liverpool are both showing a lot of interest in him. Manchester United has already had two bids for the England international rejected. Mount is unlikely to play football in the capital next season, regardless of which of the two clubs he chooses, as Chelsea will not sell for less than £60 million.

    Although Chelsea may have recently made a lot of purchases, it now appears that the sale of just three first-team fringe players, all of whom are headed
    Germany international Havertz will join Arsenal at the Emirates after a deal has been reached. The 24-year-old has been actively promoting the transfer and has already reached an understanding with the Gunners regarding personal terms.

    Comment below with your thoughts on whether Chelsea will sign Caicedo this summer.

    Chelsea should have no trouble meeting Brighton’s £80 million asking price for Caicedo as a result of all these departures, at least theoretically. The Blues’ £60 million offer for the 21-year-old was turned down two weeks ago, and they have yet to make another one.

    The people in charge at Stamford Bridge are reportedly desperate to sign Caicedo so that they can pair him up in midfield with club-record signing Enzo Fernandez the following season.

    Pochettino hasn’t officially taken over yet, but the Argentinean manager is likely to have spoken with those in charge of the team before him to discuss potential additions and departures.

    The former Tottenham manager will be well aware of the size of the task that lies ahead of him in west London as Chelsea attempts to recover from one of their worst seasons in recent memory last time out.

    Last season, the Blues spent over £600 million on new players during both the summer and winter transfer windows, yet they finished 12th, their lowest position ever.

  • 21-year-old Chelsea player is prepared to fight for his spot at Stamford Bridge

    21-year-old Chelsea player is prepared to fight for his spot at Stamford Bridge

    21-year-old Chelsea player is prepared to fight for his spot at Stamford Bridge
    Noni Madueke has no plans to leave Chelsea on loan this summer

    Chelsea star Noni Madueke has expressed his desire to stay at the club during the current transfer window and has no plans to move temporarily.

    The Blues bought the Englishman from PSV Eindhoven in January for £30.5m. However, there is huge competition for seats on the Stamford Bridge side. The club is expected to strengthen further this summer.

    However, speaking to the Evening Standard, the 21-year-old has no plans to leave the West London club on loan. The striker is determined to fight for his place in the team.

    Noni Madueke is determined to stay at Chelsea this summer. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

    “A loan would be impossible for both parties. I have been signed and there is a plan for me at the club. I finished the season well, so next season is just about continuing in the team and showing everyone the real me.

    Madueke initially developed at Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur academies. Subsequently, the youngster decided to leave England and further his football prospects in the Netherlands.

    The 21-year-old has established himself as a key player in PSV’s first team. Then, in the previous transfer window, Chelsea hired the winger’s services.

    Last season, the Englishman showed a taste of his talent at Stamford Bridge. Under Frank Lampard, the striker enjoyed some regular playing time towards the end

    Noni Madueke showed a taste of his talent last season. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

    Chelsea went through a tough time last season. The west London club finished 12th in the table. Throughout, the blues was unconvincing.

    However, our attack didn’t do much. We couldn’t count on any of our strikers to keep scoring. Players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Mykhaylo Mudryk failed to make an impression.

    Looking ahead to today, there seem to be plenty of frontline players who no longer meet the requirements. Madueke is a talented person with a lot of potential. But will the England international be a key part of our squad next season? Only time can tell.

    Read also………

    Mauricio Pochettino prepared his dream £68m striker deal after Chelsea scheduling Nicolas Jackson medical

    Mauricio Pochettino prepared his dream £68m striker deal after Chelsea scheduling Nicolas Jackson medical
    Chelsea have the tough task of reducing a bloated squad this summer and while they need to beat some players, Mauricio Pochettino remains keen to strengthen his options further.

    As Chelsea begin preparing for the departure of N’Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly, Olympique Lyonnais have reportedly opened a sale – and some diamonds in the rough are up for grabs.

    Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with the difficult task of bringing down a bloated side this summer and while he has some players to beat, the 51-year-old remains keen to bolster his options further.

    The Blues have been heavily linked this summer with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with Cristopher Nkunku expected to follow suit.

    But now Pochettino has had the unique opportunity to invade one of France’s most formidable clubs.

    Lyon were bought by an American investor named John Textor late last year, with the 57-year-old since he became club chairman.

    And according to RMC Sport, Les Gones will have to raise £111million to avoid sanctions from the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, the body which oversees the accounts of French football clubs.

    Mauricio Pochettino prepared his dream £68m striker deal after Chelsea scheduling Nicolas Jackson medical
    Thiago Mendes

    With Lyon desperate to raise funds, several players have been made available for transfers this summer, including Rayan Cherki, Thiago Mendes and Castello Lukeba.

    The trio were regulars in the France first team last season and despite their impressive performances, they were available for much less than the market price.

    According to L’Equipe, Chelsea tried to sign Lukeba last year but his £38million offer was rejected by Lyon. In a bid to force an exit this summer, the report says the 20-year-old defender was looking to switch agents in April – but it remains to be seen whether he was successful in changing agents.

    As for Mendes, he would certainly provide plenty of cover in midfield while the Blues can still get their hands on Caicedo and Lavia, while Cherki scored four goals and six assists in 34 Ligue 1 games last season after being linked on a transfer. to Paris Saint-Germain in January.

    With a few busy weeks ahead, Chelsea have already landed a deal for a Lyon star: Malo Gusto. After signing for the Blues in the final week of the January transfer window, he rejoined the French side on loan until the end of the season.

    West Londoners reportedly paid around £26m, including add-ons, for the then 19-year-old right-back. Chelsea were to benefit significantly from Gusto’s reception at Stamford Bridge in the winter, with Reece James’ injury record becoming an issue.

    But they could not agree on this as part of the deal. Pochettino will be delighted to team up with two of the most exciting young full-backs on his arrival at Cobham training ground on July 1 – and perhaps Gusto can take Cherki along…