Here is your Chelsea morning digest on Thursday, August 5.
Jose Mourinho’s Romelu Lukaku comments
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s past quotes on Romelu Lukaku have perhaps indicated how Thomas Tuchel could get the best out of him if he secures a £100million move this summer.
Lukaku has worked at two clubs with the Portuguese boss, with the latest being when they were at Manchester United together for just over a year before the now-Roma manager was sacked in December 2018.
“These two years at Inter Milan have given him the stature and the self-confidence that he didn’t have before,” Mourinho told the Times via the MEN in June. “At Chelsea, he was still a kid. At Manchester United, he was still developing. At Inter he became the top man.
“He became loved – a big love from the supporters, love from teammates, great relations with the coach.
“He’s a big guy, physically so strong, but there is also a kid inside who needs that love, needs that support, needs to feel important.”
Read the full story here.
Kurt Zouma ‘rejects’ West Ham
The Chelsea defender has reportedly rejected the Hammers in an attempt to stay at Chelsea for at least one more year, according to The Guardian.
Consequently, Zouma’s decision to put the brakes on any potential departure out of west London this summer has had a knock-on impact when it comes to the Blues’ pursuit of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
Koundé has a release clause of €80million (£68m), which Chelsea may not be willing to trigger. They initially proposed paying €35m for the 21-year-old and including Zouma, only to find that Sevilla wanted more money.
It is unknown what the solution may be in this transfer negotiation, but it seems that Marina Granovskaia may have to raise funds through a centre-back sale before any official offers are tabled for a player who is regarded as one of the best defenders in Spain.
Thiago Silva drops Lukaku hint
Eagle-eyed Chelsea fans have spotted defender Thiago Silva viewing a mocked-up picture of Lukaku in a Chelsea shirt.
football.london understands that the west Londoners have so far had two bids for the 28-year-old rejected from Inter Milan for their star striker, as the Italians hold out for a fee in excess of £100m.
In his wife Belle Silva’s Instagram story, the Brazilian was spotted by fans whizzing through his feed on the social media site. And popping up appeared to be an edited picture of Lukaku in the newest Chelsea home kit, which has since gone viral.
A Chelsea fan commented: ‘man’s an actual Chelsea insider.’
Read how more fans reacted to this latest hint here.