Category Archives: Chelsea

Arsenal And Liverpool On Alert Over £35m Spanish Star – reports

Isco has decided that he wants to leave Real Madrid, with the Premier League thought to be his ideal destination.

This has put the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea on alert, with all three clubs believed to be interested in signing the Spanish star, according to Fichajes.net.

The 23-year-old has declared that he wants a “change in scenery”.

The signing of Mateo Kovacic in the summer from Inter Milan has left Isco finding it difficult to earn a place in the first team, and his form has suffered as a result.

Would it work?

This is probably the sort of question that keeps Arsene Wenger up at night – can he slot another attacking player into his side.

The reality is that the Gunners really do not need another option in that role.

However, the injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey may tempt Wenger into considering a bid for an attacking player in January.

While he can still call on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, Ramsey has played a key role while operating from the right.

Given that Wenger now sees Theo Walcott as a striker, that leaves him with only Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the berth on the right wing while Ramsey is out.

With Arsenal now pushing for the title, Wenger may feel he needs another option.

In Liverpool’s case, Isco would be an excellent signing and immediately freshen up Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Given the German manager has had to pick a narrow and oddly creativity free midfield in his first few games, having a player like Isco available would only benefit the Anfield club.

Rumour rater

If Isco has genuinely requested a move, there is no reason why Arsenal or Liverpool could not bring him in.

However, as Premier League sides have learned (see: Arsenal/Karim Benzema, Man Utd/Sergio Ramos), players at Real often use English sides to earn bigger contracts.

This one could be that again, or could actually be a case of Isco seeking a route out of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Not out of the realms of possibility.

Rumour rated: 3/5

Man Utd and Euro giants chase £70m Chelsea ace – reports

In what must stand as one of the least likely rumours of the weekend, Manchester United have apparently entered the race for Eden Hazard.

Yes, that Eden Hazard. Yes, the one who plays for Chelsea.

According to the Daily Star, Man Utd are looking to take advantage of Hazard’s rift with Jose Mourinho to bring him to Old Trafford. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City are also thought to be preparing bids.

It’d cost them £70 million to take him away from Chelsea.

Would it work?

Is this even really a question?

Of course Hazard would improve pretty much any team he played for, at least as long as his manager is not Jose Mourinho in the middle of a sulk.

He’s one of the world’s best attacking players, and was integral as Chelsea won the league last season.

Given Manchester United are currently marooning Anthony Martial out-wide, it would make incredible sense for the Old Trafford club to have Hazard as an option and move the talented young French star to the middle, where he is most effective.

Real would see Hazard as a long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who it cannot be forgotten is over 30.

Barcelona could add Hazard to an already devastating front line.

Rumour rater

However, it’s absolutely ludicrous to think Chelsea would let Hazard join a title rival.

He’s their best player by a long way, despite his current feud with Mourinho.

It seems incredibly unlikely that Roman Abramovich would sanction his sale, and he’s more likely to get rid of Mourinho before the Belgian is allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

Given Chelsea’s current form, that seems all the more likely.

No chance.

Rumour rated: 0/5

Man Utd and Chelsea handed huge boost in chase for £73m star – reports

Another day, another rumour involving Paul Pogba.

Juventus’ central midfielder has been linked with every club up and down the country, consistently with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Now the Daily Star are reporting that because of the denial of a deal with Barcelona, as per Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, that means the trio of clubs are back on ‘red alert’ over his possible signing.

“An agreement with FC Barcelona? Absolutely not,” Raiola told Le10 Sport.

Would it work?

Every team in the world would benefit from a signing like Paul Pogba.

However, it is slightly difficult to imagine where he’d fit in at Manchester City.

The Etihad Stadium side have a settled midfield, and with options like Fernando, Fernandinho, Fabian Delph, Yaya Toura and David Silva, it’s really not a priority area for Manuel Pellegrini.

However, both Man Utd and Chelsea would benefit from his arrival.

That is especially the case for Chelsea, who have been awful so far this season.

Furthermore, the Stamford Bridge club have seen Nemanja Matic struggle horrifically since the start of the new campaign, best demonstrated by his sending off in the match against West Ham yesterday. Chelsea lost 2-1.

If anyone is likely to move for Pogba in the United Kingdom, it could be the Blues, who will want to spend in January to ensure a Champions League place.

Rumour rater

Even though all three clubs will want to sign Pogba, the Star’s suggestion that because Raiola said that it means all of the clubs are on red alert is preposterous.

Yes, there is no agreement with Barcelona, but the Premier League sides will be as ready to pounce as they would have been prior to that quote.

Not only that, but Barca will remain the frontrunners heading in to January, when they can make an agreement with Pogba, should they choose.

Chelsea have previously been linked with a £73m move – it seems Pogba is the tabloid favourite that keeps cropping up.

Rumour rated: 1/5