Welcome to our football.london CareFree Chelsea daily news round-up. Maybe not the first, we’ve definitely done transfer round-ups before, and European round-ups, so I guess in some ways it’s not that new at all. Anyway, we thought we would enter the world of football in a broad and roundabout manner for you and have some fun with some of the stories and captions doing the daily rounds.
Chelsea sent plea to save Gilmour from Norwich loan
Billy Gilmour has been hailed ‘world-class’ after his impressive display in Scotland’s dramatic 3-2 win over Israel despite having struggled for game time while on loan at Norwich from Chelsea.
The 20-year-old was showered with praise by fellow countryman John McGinn before the Aston Villa midfielder revealed that Gilmour has become growingly frustrated with his loan at the Canaries.
Chelsea’s loanee was dropped from each of Daniel Farke’s most recent sides following Norwich’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup but Gilmour showed the German boss exactly what he has been missing.
Speaking to the BBC after Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifier about Gilmour, McGinn said: “He’s a world-class player. He’s going through a wee rough patch at Norwich and frustrated not to be playing.
“But when he’s in the Scotland jersey, he’s always at the top of his game. He’s learning on the job as well.”
Alonso gives honest opinion of Lampard
Marcos Alonso has spoken honestly about his time at Chelsea under Frank Lampard and discussed his omission from the team.
The 30-year-old defender struggled for game time and was often left out of Lampard’s side before the arrival of Ben Chilwell meant the end of his consistent game time in west London.
However, now under new management in the shape of Tuchel, the Spain international has enjoyed a healthy resurgence for club and country.
Speaking to Chelsea FC, Alonso revealed how he felt having endured a difficult period under Lampard and explained how he was always available to play despite only featuring just three times under the former Blues boss’ last season.
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“It has been complicated in the past,” he said. “It is something that happens to all footballers at one point in their career, that you have a coach who does not count on you or you are not to their liking.
“But I have always tried to do my best. I showed even when playing with Frank Lampard at that time that I was ready to help the team.”
(Image: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Abramovich eyes Hazard return
Roman Abramovich is leading Chelsea’s pursuit of Eden Hazard from Real Madrid in a shock return to Stamford Bridge, according to Catalan outlet El Nacional.
The report revealed that the Blues owner believes that the Belgian, who swapped Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu in 2019 for an initial £88 million, can still be one of the best players in the world.
(Image: (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images))
Hazard is ‘fed up’ at Los Blancos and is keen on a return to west London, while Real Madrid would not be against the move so that they can recuperate a slice of the initial fee paid to Chelsea, according to the report.
El Nacional added that the Blues would not be willing to table more than €40 million (£34m) for the 30-year-old creative technician.
Rice targeted by Blues
Chelsea are long-term admirers of Declan Rice and football.london understands they are likely to make a move for him next summer.
The England international, who was released by the Blues when he was a teenager, has just less than three years remaining on his contract with West Ham, but according to reports, the midfielder is reluctant to sign a new deal with the Hammers.
(Image: Getty Images)
football.london understands that West Ham are determined to keep hold of their star midfielder and will not welcome any offers for his services.
The Hammers’ co-owner David Sullivan is understood to value Rice at £100m, according to Sky Sports; an evaluation in which the midfielder is unhappy about because it prices him out of a move away from east London, report The Telegraph.
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