And Champions League qualification will be crucial on the transfer front where they are trying to sign Jan Oblak and Kai Havertz.
Follow all the latest transfer gossip and updates below….
HAVEN’T THE WILL
Chelsea winger Willian has reportedly rejected a move to Inter Miami, in a boost to potential suitors Arsenal and Spurs.
The Brazilian’s Blues deal is set to expire at the end of the season – with it looking increasingly unlikely that he will sign on to stay at Stamford Bridge.
But according to the Telegraph, his future DOES lie in the Premier League, with the 31-year-old reluctant to leave London.
FAN-TASTIC
The Government will allow fans to return to Premier League games from the beginning of next season, according to reports.
Prem clubs have reportedly already started consulting with supporter groups to prepare for a “partial return” but after the latest coronavirus update from the Government, fans could be forced to wear face masks if they wish to attend.
The EFL were set to hold trial matches which would have seen a small number of fans in attendance on the last day of this season.
But they have been cancelled.
However, the Football League as well as England’s top flight are working on a method to admit fans at the start of next season, according to the Mail.
N’GOLO BLOW
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will still be without N’Golo Kante for this evening’s match with relegated Norwich at Stamford Bridge.
The Frenchman is still nursing a hamstring issue, but could be fit for the weekend’s FA Cup semi-final.
Lampard will also be without Fikayo Tomori and Billy Gilmour – although Andreas Christensen is set to be passed fit despite having to come off at half-time against Sheffield United.
CAKIR WE GO
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, according to reports.
The No1 has played a vital role in leading his team to second in the Super Lig standings this season.
And Haber365 says Cakir has been so good he’s even caught the eye of Blues scouts.
The Turkish outlet claim Chelsea have agreed to a £30m fee to sign Cakir.
The report continues by saying the club and player are yet to agree personal terms.
OB-LIGATION TO BUY
Chelsea are looking to secure the mouthwatering signing of Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, according to the Mirror.
Regarded by many as the world’s best goalkeeper, Oblak would only be available for a world record fee for a player in his position, potentially totalling as much as £120m.
However, the Blues hope to get around this by offering Kepa, who they paid a record £71m to sign in 2018, in exchange.
MORNING CHELSEA FANS
The Blues have reportedly made an enquiry for Man Utd’s Dean Henderson as Frank Lampard steps up his pursuit of a replacement for Kepa.
According to the Express, Henderson is said to be eager to continue playing regular first team football and unlikely to want to spend the 2020/21 season as David De Gea’s understudy at Old Trafford.
But with the Red Devils unlikely to want to sell at the moment, the Blues are also willing to consider snapping Henderson up on loan.
Meanwhile, Chelsea appear ready to sell N’Golo Kante with Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte eyeing a summer transfer.
Frank Lampard once regarded the France star, 29, as an untouchable asset, but a change in tactics and a series of frustrating injuries for Kante have seen the Blues boss soften his stance on the player.
Gazzetta dello Sport now claim Chelsea are set to cash in on Kante while they can, with the player’s former boss, Conte, keen to make his move.
In other news, Willian has reportedly snubbed a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
MLS’s newest team are thought to have offered the 31-year-old a huge deal as he nears a free transfer this summer.
The Telegraph claim Miami, co-owned by Becks, approached Willian with a three-year contract offer.
And finally, Chelsea have been dealt a blow with Kai Havertz reportedly refusing to sign unless Frank Lampard’s side get into the Champions League next season.
TERR-IFIC
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has rejected reports that his assistant John Terry could leave to become Bristol City manager.
He told Sky Sports News: “I have spoken to John and he is fully committed to our cause here at Aston Villa.”
When pushed on whether things could change at the end of the season, Smith added: “I don’t think we can look at the summer, we’ve got to look at now.
“They’ve got Dean Holden, a former coach of mine, in charge at the moment. He is working hard for his club and JT is certainly working very hard for me.
“We’ve got a very good relationship and we enjoy working together.”
TIM TO SHINE
NOT INTER IT
Chelsea winger Willian has reportedly snubbed a move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
MLS’s newest team are thought to have offered the 31-year-old a huge deal as he nears a free transfer this summer.
The Telegraph claim Miami, co-owned by Becks, approached Willian with a three-year contract offer.
That’s the timespan Willian wanted for a new Chelsea deal – with negotiations faltering as the Blues continue to refuse to go beyond 24 months.
Now Spurs are said to be dangling a massive contract in front of the ex-Shakhtar Donetsk and Anzhi Makhachkala star.
The Brazilian won the Premier League when Tottenham chief Jose Mourinho was his Chelsea boss.
COVID TESTING
The Premier League have released a statement after the 13th round of coronavirus testing.
Thye said: “The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday July 6 and Sunday July 12, 2,071 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, one person has tested positive. “The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing.”
GUESSING GAME
AZPILICUETA CONTINUED
“When you are a player of Chelsea you have to give everything in every training session, in every game.
“Always Chelsea have had very good players, world-class players, new signings. We know that every day we have to fight for our place and the standards are high and we have to aim for the maximum.
‘This ambition has to remain. We know that the squad we have at the moment is one that can achieve the targets for this season and then when next season comes we will take it as it comes.
“But the focus is on doing the best job we can in these weeks and getting the targets that we are aiming for.”
BLUE MOON
Take part in our ‘Predict to Win’ competition for your chance to win a 2020/21 signed home shirt!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2020
AZ SOME OF THAT
Cesar Azpilicueta has stated that Chelsea must treat every game from now until the end of the season as cup finals.
Speaking to the club’s website the Spaniard said: “We have conceded a lot of goals and obviously that put us in every game in difficulties and now, at this stage of the season, it’s about sticking together, fighting together.
“We know that in the Premier League we have three games remaining, and we have the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
“Our job is to be as high as possible in the table. We got into the third place, we are Chelsea and always we aim to finish as high as possible.
“So when you lose that chance to have it in your hands and to finish third, obviously it is a big disappointment.
“We are very disappointed about the result at Sheffield United and we know that we have a massive game against Norwich. Every game that we are going to play from here until the end of the season is a final and we have to get the maximum points possible.”
ZOL SEARCHING
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2020
HAZARD AHEAD
Eden Hazard has revved up his Real Madrid career by buying a £500,000 Lamborghini.
The former Chelsea idol has helped the Bernabeu club hit the fast lane towards the LaLiga title following a slow start.
And 29-year-old Hazard has now splashed out over half a million euros on a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.
The supercar can do over 217 mph, and go from 0-60 in an incredible 2.8 seconds.
Belgium international Hazard turned heads when rolling up for training in the Lambo on Sunday.
And he found favour with Real’s fans by choosing a simple white paint job for the car – matching the club’s colours – rather than opting for a more adventurous shade.
NOT CONCERNED
Frank Lampard has given his verdict on Manchester City’s Uefa ban being overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The former midfielder, who spent one season at the Etihad, refused to criticise his old club.
The 42-year-old said: “I was pretty neutral on it, I don’t know much about the case, any of the details.
“I just listened to the result as everyone else did this morning.
“I don’t see beyond the games ahead. We want to win them and see if it gets us Champions League football for next season.
“I was never pinning my hopes on it meaning another team getting in. We worry about ourselves.”
HAV-ING SECOND THOUGHTS?
Chelsea have been dealt a blow with Kai Havertz reportedly refusing to sign unless Frank Lampard’s side get into the Champions League next season.
The Blues have already added Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner to their ranks this summer.
And Lampard is keen to add £70million-rated Bayer Leverkusen ace Havertz as well.
Stamford Bridge chiefs are said to have negotiated a five-year deal worth around £7.1m-a-year after holding talks with the player’s agent.
Yet according to German outlet Sport Bild, Chelsea are unlikely to sign Havertz if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The report adds that the 21-year-old’s desire to leave Leverkusen is because the club hadn’t qualified for Europe’s top competition.
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) July 12, 2020
PREDICTED XI
Frank Lampard is set to drop several players after Chelsea’s collapse at Sheffield United on the weekend.
A quick turnaround sees the Blues host Norwich on Tuesday with Olivier Giroud among those pushing for a recall.
Dreadful defending in the defeat at Bramall Lane could see Reece James and Kurt Zouma dropped, although Antonio Rudiger hardly impressed off the bench.
Andreas Christensen was forced off at half-time of the 3-0 loss but Lampard confirmed on Monday that the Dane is fit to feature at the Bridge.
RICE IS HOT FOR DEVILS
West Ham’s Declan Rice has become one of Manchester United’s top summer targets after impressing Sir Alex Ferguson, according to reports.
Chelsea are also known to be interested in the midfielder, who can also play in defence.
According to Football Insider, Solskjaer has tasked scouts with intensifying their analysis of Rice, 21, and would want him as a holding midfielder.
It would add more competition in that area of the pitch with Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred all able to play the deep-lying role at Old Trafford.
Reports last week suggested Lampard would want to turn Rice into a defender if the Blues go ahead and sign the West Ham star this summer.
BAY BAK GUARANTEE?
Bayern Munich are eyeing up shock moves for Premier League midfield duo Tiemoue Bakayoko and Tanguy Ndombele, according to reports.
The Bundesliga champions are believed to be readying themselves for the imminent departures of Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez.
And with Corentin Tolisso also potentially nearing the Allianz Arena exit, boss Hansi Flick is seeking summer reinforcements.
Le10 Sport claim that the Bavarians are looking to out-of-favour Premier League stars to fill the impending gap in their illustrious team.
While Bakayoko, 25, featured in pre-season for Frank Lampard last year – he hasn’t seen competitive action in a Blues shirt since the 2018 FA Cup Final.
LOSS OF EARNINGS
Premier League clubs are set to lose out on some big money by the end of this season with no fans in the stadiums.
Here is how the losses break down for every club.
KEEN ON DEAN
Chelsea have asked Manchester United to name their price for Dean Henderson – with Frank Lampard also eyeing Ajax’s Andre Onana.
The Blues chief has finally run out of patience with £71.6million man Kepa Arrizabalaga after a turbulent second season in England.
Lampard hopes to make red-hot Sheff Utd loanee Henderson his new No1.
The Man Utd ace, 23, has kept 12 clean sheets in 32 Premier League games this season – including during the Blades’ 3-0 win over Chelsea at the weekend.
But the West Londoners won’t get him cheaply – with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to be a big fan of Henderson.
And with David De Gea suffering a difficult season between the sticks at Old Trafford, there is talk the Norwegian could hand the young England star the starting spot.
PUSH COMES TO JOV
Chelsea are considering a summer swoop for Real Madrid flop Luka Jovic, according to reports.
Frank Lampard’s side have already secured the services of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner for next season.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea are “closely” following Jovic’s situation at the Bernabeu.
It is also stated that Real Madrid will be prepared to sell the 22-year-old for just £31.3million this summer.
The Spanish giants are prepared to take a loss on the star they signed for £55m last year.
Here is how they could line up if they sign Jovic.
UNWANTED STAT
Kepa has conceded 41 PL goals this season, most by a keeper for Chelsea in a season since Dimitri Kharine in 1993-94 (48).
No doubt, Frank Lampard’s defence needs improving.
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