Marcus Alonso will stop taking the knee in matches. See his reason

Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso will no longer take the knee as a sign of protest against racism because the Spain left-back believes the gesture is “losing a bit of strength.”

Alonso will instead point to an anti-racism badge on his shirt before kick-off.

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the trend of taking the knee to protest against police brutality and racial inequality.

Premier League clubs first began to perform the gesture when the 2019/20 season recommenced after a three-month stoppage due to the coronavirus pandemic in the wake of protests over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in the United States.

“I am fully against racism and I’m against every type of discrimination, and I just prefer to put my finger to the badge where it says no to racism like they do in some other sports and football in other countries,” said Alonso.

“It’s my way to do it, I think it’s another way. And maybe I think it’s losing a bit of strength the other way, so I just prefer to do it this way and to show I am fully supportive of fighting against racism.”

Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha became the first Premier League player to decide against taking the knee back in March.

Zaha explained the reasoning for his decision was the gesture has “become a part of the pre-match routine” and done little to curb racist abuse.

Alonso said he has not discussed the issue with his teammates.

“We haven’t talked about it,” added the 30-year-old.

“We are in the changing room and we are like a family. I have a very good relationship with everyone, I love everyone and up to now we haven’t talked about it.

“I don’t think there is a need to, but, of course, if I have to speak to anyone, I will say the same thing I just told you and I don’t think there will be any problems.”

Tuchel names 3 strongest teams aside Chelsea

 

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has named the teams he feels are the strongest in the Premier League.

The German tactician listed them as Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Tuchel revealed this while speaking about Harry Kane’s failed move to City this summer.

“We are not afraid of nobody. We accept any team — Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool. They are the teams strong like no others in this league.

“They have strong, strong squads. These other guys with whom you want to compete, it is normal they fight for the best players,” Tuchel said.

Saul Niguez names the 2 players who have surprised him most in Chelsea training

Saul Niguez admits he has been surprised by the quality of two Chelsea players in particular during his first training sessions with his new club.

The Spain international joined the Champions League holders during the final hours of a frantic deadline day which saw him complete a season-long loan move from Atletico Madrid.

After only one session with his new teammates, the 26-year-old was immediately thrust into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI last weekend during a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Despite another encouraging result, Saul struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game and was substituted at half-time.

Saul is under no illusions as to the fight he faces to secure regular football this season and has been struck by the quality Chelsea boast in virtually every position, with two players making a real impression on him in particular.

In conversation with Fabrizio Romano, Saul said: ‘I know many of the players, plus I followed the Premier League and Chelsea a lot. I know most of the players but if I had to say a name I would say Lukaku because I haven’t followed Serie A a lot.

‘I never played against him. Against his brother yes, in the academy. Maybe I played against him as a kid in the national team but I don’t remember.

‘He and his brother are big and very strong. But I think this year in Serie A he has performed at a great level.

‘I was very surprised by Thiago Silva too. A person at 36 years, with the level he has, being a professional in the gym every day with us.

‘He works not to get injured, he is always focused, he is very intelligent tactically and understands football very well.

‘It guides you in the match. He understands football very well and has surprised me a lot for good (reasons).’

Lukaku says 3 Chelsea teammates are 'quite tough to play against' in training

Romelu Lukaku was full of praise for Chelsea teammates who started in the back three in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 28-year-old’s clinical finishing — two goals from only two shot attempts — made the final scoreline look far more comfortable than it could have been for Chelsea, but they actually had to work a lot more at the other end of the pitch.

Dean Smith’s Villa side managed to create more chances than Chelsea, particularly in the first half, but the resilient Blues defence successfully kept another clean sheet in the end.

Lukaku did not seem surprised though. He even pointed out how he himself often finds it difficult to play against these Chelsea defenders in training.

“The defence is maybe the base of our success,” the Belgium international said.

“The defence is doing an incredible job, and from there, we try to build confidence.

“We know we have a lot of players who can deliver the ball, and we have a lot of players who can score the goals.

“Thiago [Silva], Toni [Rudiger], Trevoh [Chalobah] — they were amazing. In training, it’s very tough to play against them. We push each other very hard.”

Chelsea to increase move for Aurelien Tchouameni as Blues can sign cheap Jules Kounde alternative

 

Chelsea is very ready to move for AS Monaco youngster Aurelien Tchouameni but face competition from Juventus.

According to a journalist, Nicolo Ceccarini, the Serie A giants are plotting a move for the talented midfielder in January, but Chelsea is also planning to advance on their interest.

Chelsea may have missed out on a chance to sign Jules Kounde in the summer, but luck may be with them, as they can sign a cheaper alternative in Niklas Sule.

Sergio Busquets makes claim about Chelsea ahead of the Champions League restart

Sergio Busquets used Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season as the blueprints for Barcelona’s attempt this time around.

Chelsea claimed their second continental conquering earlier this year, having been steered through the knockout stages by Thomas Tuchel.

Frank Lampard ensured a safe passage out of the group stages, but was replaced before the elimination rounds got underway.

The Blues downturn in domestic results meant they certainly weren’t amongst the bookies and pundits’ preference to reach the final.

Their odds decreased further after it was revealed that Tuchel’s first task in the competition was to overcome Atletico Madrid.  

A bicycle kick from Olivier Giroud ensured the German’s tournament journey got off to a perfect start.

Subsequent 2-0 wins over the Spanish side and then Porto propelled Chelsea to a semi-final showdown with 13 times winners Real Madrid.

Tuchel tactically outclassed Zinedine Zidane in the opposite dugout – particularly in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge – to set up a scorching showpiece event with Manchester City.

With a Kai Havertz goal and some astute defending later, Chelsea were crowned European victors once again.

Barcelona will be looking to repeat this achievement in the midst of their own, much slower, transitional period.

“Last season Chelsea were not amongst the favourites and they won it. Anything can happen in football,” admitted Busquets.

Ronald Koeman failed to take the Spaniard’s back to their once unrivalled perch at the first go.

His mission appears even more daunting without the presence of Lionel Messi to rely on.

“We know Lionel is not here. We’ve got to try. We are really looking forward to this season,” continued Busquets.

“We are well aware of how difficult it is going to be. We want to start well.”

Thomas Tuchel & Rio Ferdinand agree on Timo Werner as he makes transfer decision

Werner is recently being linked with a move away from Chelsea despite being just his 2nd season.

Timo Werner, who signed from RB Leipzig for around £45million last summer, has endured a mixed start to life with the Blues and has been linked with a move away.

The 25-year-old was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Liverpool just prior to the international break, with Romelu Lukaku's arrival having an impact on his role under Thomas Tuchel.

Now, Bayern Munich is the latest club being linked with a move for the German forward.

The Germany international has recently changed agents and could be working with Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann to return to his homeland. Nagelsmann and Werner worked together during their days at RB Leipzig, where the Chelsea forward became one of European football's hottest properties.

After scoring 12 goals in his debut Premier League season last time out, Werner has been backed to hugely improve this season.

Chelsea boss Tuchel thinks the reintroduction of supporters inside stadiums will help Werner in the long run.

"I spoke about it with the board in our very first talks that I had the feeling it was a young team and looking at the characteristics from outside – not just with Timo – that the board should not forget the influence of not having the supporters helping them overcome difficult moments in matches," Tuchel said in May this year.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand shares a very similar view to the Chelsea manager as he also predicted Werner to enjoy a much stronger season.

"Werner will bang. Werner will bang next year," Ferdinand said.

"It is his first year in the country. People are forgetting he is settling in.

"He has just come in, he has still got over 10 goals, he has still got over 10 assists by the way. The most goal involvements at the club."

Chelsea fined £25,000 by FA for lack of control over players in draw at Liverpool

Chelsea Football Club has been fined £25,000 by FA for failing to control their players in the 1-1 Premier League draw versus Liverpool at Anfield.

Chelsea players clashed with Liverpool players & match referee Anthony Taylor after he decided to send off Chelsea's defender Reece James in first-half stoppage time for handball. He then awarded a penalty.

Kai Havertz's goal had initially put Chelsea in front before Salah levelled with a penalty for Liverpool.

Referee Anthony Taylor sent off defender Reece James after a goal-line handball, and Mohamed Salah equalising from the penalty.

The Chelsea players were enraged by the referee's decision to dismiss Reece James. The Blues had felt the ball deflected off James's thigh onto his arm.

FA Statement 

"Chelsea FC has been fined £25,000 for two breaches of FA Rule E20.1 which occurred during their Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on Saturday 28 August 2021," the FA said in a statement.

"The club admitted failing to ensure that its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during both the 48th minute of the first half and following the half-time whistle."

Reece James will serve a match suspension when Chelsea host Aston Villa on Saturday after the international break.

Uruguayan star Cavani has asked to leave PSG

According to the Telegraph, Chelsea are to challenge Atletico Madrid for the signing of Edinson Cavani this month after the striker told Paris Saint-Germain he wanted to leave the Ligue 1 side.

Chelsea are in a strong position to beat Atletico to the signing of Cavani after not spending on player purchases since last January.

PSG sporting director Leonardo has admitted his club has already declined an offer from Atletico but the Uruguayan appears intent on imposing a move from the French champions.

‘We’ve always said the same thing about Cavani. We were hoping he would stay with the club, but he asked to leave,’ said Leonardo.

‘We’re studying the situation. We’ve had a proposal from Atlético Madrid, but that proposal was not commensurate with the player’s value.

‘For Cavani, we’re listening. The link with Atlético Madrid has faded a bit because we haven’t been in touch since the offer.’

‘Although a deal to sign Cavani would be expensive, Chelsea could offset the cost against the proposed sale of Olivier Giroud to Inter Milan and the fact the club did not spend anything on transfers last summer because of their Fifa ban,’ stated the report.

‘PSG are understood to want a fee of at least £10 million to allow Cavani to leave this month.’

Chelsea transfer target, Zaha is set to stay

The possibility that Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha could join Chelsea this month has decreased after he revealed his intention to remain at his current club until the summer.

Daily Mail reports that Zaha has told Palace he is willing to stay till end of the season.

‘The Ivory Coast forward had been seeking a move this month, and appointed super-agent Pini Zahavi to broker a transfer,’ affirms their report.

‘But he has accepted no club is willing to meet Palace’s £80million valuation and will not attempt to force an exit.

‘Zaha, 27, was unhappy at being denied a move to Everton last summer but is more sanguine about being forced to stay at Palace for the rest of the season.’

Chelsea & Juventus Ready to Battle For £15m-rated Brazilian Wizkid Tiago Maia

According to The Daily Mail reports, Premier League giants Chelsea will reignite their interest in Brazilian sensation Thiago Maia, however, they will face competition from Serie A defending champions Juventus.

Chelsea FC transfer news: Blues target Milan Badelj could likely buy out Fiorentina contract to force move

Chelsea target Milan Badelj is considering buying himself out of his Fiorentina contract.

The midfielder is tied down to the Italian club until June 2018 and they are refusing to listen to any offers for him.

Guus Hiddink Is New Chelsea Coach!

Chelsea has announced Guus Hiddink as the new Chelsea coach.

The Dutchman has been appointed to be in charge on a temporary basis till the end of the season. He is to manage both the Russian team and Chelsea within this period.

The 62 year old has stated that he will have to see the Russian team at least to the 2010 world cup before considering a permanent move.

He is expected to be a spectator at Chelsea's match against Watford in the weekend. His first match as a coach will be against Aston Villa.

I totally support his appointment. He really has been a success every team he coaches.

He has coached the Netherlands, South Korea, Australia, PSV and currently Russia.


The Billionaire's Club (Chelsea FC Fans)