The Brazilian is reported to be “upset and offended” by Chelsea’s two-year contract offer amid claims he is set to join Arsenal.
Follow all the latest transfer updates from the Bridge below…
BIRTHDAY BOY
Look who turns 32 today!
Willian may be close to leave Chelsea, but the Blues have wished the incoming Arsenal winger a happy birthday
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 9, 2020
LEW BEAUTY
Tammy Abraham has lauded Robert Lewandowski after the Polish striker scored twice in Saturday’s 4-1 win against Chelsea.
He said: “For me he’s the best striker in the world right now and that’s the level I have to get to and better.That’s what I aspire to be and coming here, playing against him is a great learning curve, a great experience for me.
“Building to next season and onwards I have to build myself to get to those high levels. It’s been a phenomenal season for myself and the lads. I couldn’t ask for a better season.
“I have had a few niggles here and there but I have come out stronger and I have just got to build myself for next season, start well, end well and that’s my aim.
“This is the level so next season I have to raise my bar and go again.
“I think that’s the level we’ve got to get to. We’re a new, young side, with a new manager. That’s the first season so we have to be pleased with ourselves.”
LIL ANGEL
Lille have wrapped up the signing of Manchester United reject Angel Gomes.
The England teenager – who was linked with a switch to Chelsea – has now been sent out on loan to Portuguese side Boavista.
Gomes quit Old Trafford after 14 years at the club.
But he made just six Premier League appearances during that time.
The 19-year-old left Old Trafford last month after talks over a new contract broke down.
BLUE BEAUTY
?: @cpulisic_10 (June 2010) pic.twitter.com/tLMk3kzOuU
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 9, 2020
ABRA-CADABRA
Tammy Abraham admits he is going to need to take his game to a new level to beat Timo Werner to the main striking role at Chelsea.
Abraham enjoyed a decent first full season in the Blues first team last season with 19 goals – yet the £45million arrival of Werner at Stamford Bridge leaves his place under serious threat.
But the 22-year-old England star is not prepared to give up his place in Frank Lampard’s side without a fight.
He said: “This is something I’ve been dreaming of as a kid so I have to fight for my spot, it’s never going to come easy.
“It didn’t come easy at the start of the season but I worked myself into the team and that’s what I have to keep doing.
“This is Chelsea Football Club. There’s always going to be high standards and high competition.”
WHITE HEAT
Chelsea want to gazump Liverpool over their hunt for Brighton defender Ben White – and ditch Antonio Rudiger in the process.
Leeds United have already had two bids turned down for the player who was a success on loan at Elland Road last term.
Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa had converted him into a defensive midfielder but he is comfortable there or at centre-back.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wanted the 22-year-old as back-up to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip after losing Dejan Lovren this summer.
But Blues boss Frank Lampard is desperate for defensive reinforcements and will go higher than the £20million Anfield bean-counters will pay in an auction.
BYE BLUES
Pedro has confirmed his departure from Chelsea in an emotional Instagram farewell.
The winger, 33, spent five years at Stamford Bridge playing 206 times and winning three major honours.
With his contract expiring upon the completion of the Blues’ season last night at the hands of Bayern Munich, he will now join Roma on a free transfer.
Pedro wrote: “After five wonderful years my stage at Chelsea FC comes to an end.
“Thanks a lot to the club’s board, to the coaches and teammates I’ve had, and of course to the fans: thank you for the experience of being a member of your big family.
“I’ve been very happy here, you’ve made me feel like home. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to play for this club and win the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League titles, as well as competing in one of the world’s best football leagues.
“I made the right choice, I take with me wonderful and unforgettable memories. I say farewell very pleased with this stage of my career, and I’m also very excited with the next to begin. Thanks and good luck for the future. Come on Blues!!!”
WHERE THERE’S A WILL
Arsenal’s announcement of Willian will reportedly be announced in the next week.
ESPN Brazil state that his time at Chelsea has now officially come to an end following their Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea.
They state a three-year deal gas been agreed at the Emirates, and only minor details need to be sorted out before his switch to North London is confirmed.
BAK AT IT
Tiemoue Bakayoko is reportedly prepared to take a 50 per cent wage cut in order to force through a return to AC Milan.
Yet according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Frenchman’s desire to seal a permanent move to Italy may be blocked by Chelsea’s steep asking price.
The Blues are said to want £20 million in order to recoup at least half of the £40 million they originally forked out for Bakayoko.
GOOD MORNING, CHELSEA FANS,
Robert Lewandowski made it seven ‘n hell for Chelsea with a double that completed Bayern Munich’s embarrassingly easy route to the Champions League quarter-finals.
After The Germans’ 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge, the Polish striker struck first and last at the Allianz Arena with a penalty and superb header for a 4-1 return victory and 7-1 aggregate success.
But more positively, SunSport’s Duncan Wright revealed that Declan Rice may have to be sold by West Ham if they want to bring in several new faces to strengthen their squad.
Chelsea lead the race for England midfielder Rice, 21, with boss Frank Lampard looking to convert him back into a defender to help solve the problem area in his side.
The Hammers insist they have no desire to sell their player of the year but it would be hard to turn down any offers that get close to their £70million valuation.
Manager David Moyes wants to freshen up a squad he led to Premier League survival.
But with money short because of the lack of revenue from empty stadiums, cashing in on their main man might be the only step open to them.
The club have a strong interest in QPR’s £20m-rated attacker Eberechi Eze and Brentford forward Said Benrahma.
SEVEN N’ HELL
Robert Lewandowski made it seven ‘n hell for Chelsea with a double that completed Bayern Munich’s embarrassingly easy route to the Champions League quarter-finals.
After The Germans’ 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge, the Polish striker struck first and last at the Allianz Arena with a penalty and superb header for a 4-1 return victory and 7-1 aggregate success.
Lewandowski and Ivan Perisic put dominant Bayern 2-0 up inside 24 minutes.
Callum Hudson-Odoi then had a stunning solo reply ruled out by a marginal VAR offside verdict against Tammy Abraham in the build-up.
And although Abraham cut the deficit to 2-1 just before half-time by punishing Manuel Neuer’s blunder, Bayern sub Corentin Tolisso profited from the Blues’ own dozy defending to make it 3-1.
Lewandowski rounded it all, nodding home imperiously – although it was Chelsea, not him, who left with a huge headache.
…
But even if the Blues have to unleash a fire sale of unwanted stars it will most likely pay dividends in the long run.
It is all well and good splashing the cash on Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner but the new attacking riches can’t be expected to consistently bail out a leaky defence and unreliable keeper next season.
With the Slovenian between the sticks, Lampard could propel Chelsea to new glory days – eight years after the 42-year-old lifted the Champions League on the same turf where his side exited the comp tonight.
…
It would be unfair to label Caballero as the sole villain in this sorry tale as his defenders went AWOL in Munich with Chelsea shipping FOUR in total.
Truth be told Lampard could do worse than re-jig the whole back five.
But it was a stark reminder for the Blues boss that he must delve deep into his pocket to poach a shot-stopper who will instil confidence at the back.
That is the first step in what is a much-needed defensive overhaul after Chelsea conceded 54 league goals – more than any other side in the Prem’s top ten.
After already discarding the world’s most expensive keeper, Lampard knew he had issues.
But he must now make a statement signing with Dean Henderson, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jan Oblak three prime candidates.
Chelsea must swallow their losses on Kepa and instead snap up the youthful Henderson from Manchester United, ter Stegen from Barcelona or write a blank cheque to secure Oblak from Atletico Madrid.
After David De Gea’s own blunder-prone recent form Henderson may fancy his chances of becoming the Red Devils’ No1 on his return from Sheffield United next season.
Barca keeper Ter Stegen could yet re-sign at the Nou Camp and the Blues will face plenty of competition for his signature.
Oblak is widely regarded as the best keeper in the world.
And he has the potential to transform the West London side from scraping the top four to becoming genuine title challengers, competing on multiple fronts.
He certainly won’t come cheap with a £109million release clause…
VERDICT
SunSport’s Josh Graham says a whole 165 days later and nothing has changed for Chelsea.
Frank Lampard’s side were once again far too vulnerable at the back as they lost 4-1 in the second leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie against Bayern Munich.
The Blues were hunting a comeback so unlikely that Tom Cruise would have been interested in this Mission Impossible.
And sure enough the faintest of faint hopes were immediately extinguished thanks to a hapless Willy Caballero.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper has been entrusted with the gloves after expensive flop Kepa Arrizabalaga’s woeful form.
But he had an opening half to forget in the Allianz Arena.
Caballero brought down Robert Lewandoski and failed to stop the Pole’s resulting spot-kick, despite going the right way, after just ten minutes.
Less than 15 minutes later the Argentine was far too easily beaten at his near post by Ivan Perisic…
RICE ON TIME
Exclusive by Duncan Wright: Declan Rice may have to be sold by West Ham if they want to bring in several new faces to strengthen their squad.
Chelsea lead the race for England midfielder Rice, 21, with boss Frank Lampard looking to convert him back into a defender to help solve the problem area in his side.
The Hammers insist they have no desire to sell their player of the year but it would be hard to turn down any offers that get close to their £70million valuation.
Manager David Moyes wants to freshen up a squad he led to Premier League survival.
But with money short because of the lack of revenue from empty stadiums, cashing in on their main man might be the only step open to them.
The club have a strong interest in QPR’s £20m-rated attacker Eberechi Eze and Brentford forward Said Benrahma.
FOX HUNT
Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, according to reports.
The Blues have long been linked with a move for the 23-year-old England international but the Foxes have so far appeared unwilling to do business.
However, Leicester may now have shown their hand in negotiations as they have enquired about Olympiakos full-back Kostas Tsimikas.
The Greek international impressed against Wolves in the Europa League on Thursday night and has reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea and Everton in the past few weeks.
Tsimikas is valued at around £12million by his club and the Daily Mail say Premier League champions Liverpool are also interested.
The Reds had a £10million bid rejected for Norwich defender Jamal Lewis this week as they seek cover for first-choice left-back Andy Roberston.
With the Canaries looking for a fee closer to £20million, Tsimikas may present Liverpool with a cheaper option.
However the 24-year-old may see Leicester as a better option for first-team football.
WERNING LIGHT
Michael Ballack has hailed Chelsea new boy Timo Werner.
He told Sportbuzzer: “He has an incredible speed, is direct and has force.
“The package Werner and Chelsea fits.
“For Werner, the move is a step forward because Chelsea have different ambitions than Leipzig.”
HAV A BIT OF THAT
Michael Ballack has encouraged Chelsea to complete a deal for Kai Havertz this summer.
He told Sportbuzzer: “I firmly believe that Frank Lampard would be 100 per cent behind Kai Havertz.
“He likes players who are very dangerous in front of goal and there aren’t many of those.
“Havertz is a player that Frank Lampard would help further, not least because he himself was a midfielder with an eye for goal, who was always moving into dangerous areas, looking to finish off a chance.”
KANT ON ME
Frank Lampard has named N’Golo Kante as Chelsea captain for tonight’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2020
WILL I NEVER
Paul Merson believes Arsenal have got themselves a ‘special player’ if Willian completes his expected free transfer from Chelsea.
In his column for the Daily Star, he wrote: “Willian would be an unbelievable signing for Arsenal. I think Willian is a special player who ticks all the boxes. I can’t believe Chelsea are letting him go to be honest.
“I know he’s 31 and wanted a three-year contract but football is all about now, and right now he’s a great player. No manager is thinking about what might happen in three or four years’ time.
“They need results now, so it’s no surprise to me Frank Lampard doesn’t want him to go. Arteta won’t be Arsenal manager forever. He needs to win now. Willian can help him do that.”
GIFT OF THE GAB
Lille have left Gabriel Magalhaes out of their squad for their friendly game against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar following links concerning a move to Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has impressed in France this season and been heavily linked with a number of top European sides, including the Blues.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and Napoli have all been rumoured to be interested in a move for the Brazilian defender.
ED FOR THE HILLS
Former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino has slammed Eden Hazard’s first season at Real Madrid.
He told talkSPORT: “We all know how brilliant Hazard can be, we all know the difference he can make to a football team.
“But he didn’t take the move to Madrid seriously, and he’s paid for it this season.
“He turned up overweight, he’s been playing catch-up, he’s getting niggly injuries.
“Watching him last night was like watching a completely different player.”
JUVE BEEN HAD
Juventus could pay Maurizio Sarri up to £27million in compensation after sacking the Italian.
And now Mauricio Pochettino is the early favourite to replace Sarri in the dugout at the Allianz Stadium.
The Old Lady decided to give Sarri the boot on Saturday, not even 24 hours after his side crashed out of the Champions League.
But because Sarri penned a three-year deal when he took over last summer, worth a basic figure of around £5m per season, Juve are obliged to pay out the remainder of his contract.
But reports suggest Juventus president Andrea Agnelli must shell out between £18m and £27m to cover the compensation package depending on whether he gets another job within the next two years.
The former Chelsea boss lost the Supercoppa Italiana in December to Lazio and then the Coppa Italia final on penalties to his old side Napoli in June.
BAK AT IT
Tiemoue Bakayoko is reportedly prepared to take a 50 per cent wage cut in order to force through a return to AC Milan.
Yet according to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Frenchman’s desire to seal a permanent move to Italy may be blocked by Chelsea’s steep asking price.
The Blues are said to want £20 million in order to recoup at least half of the £40 million they originally forked out for Bakayoko.
BLUE MOON
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 8, 2020
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