Here are the latest Chelsea evening headlines for Sunday, August 2.
Cesar Azpilicueta blasts referee Anthony Taylor following Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat
Cesar Azplicueta has questioned referee Anthony Taylor in the wake of Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Chelsea took an early lead at Wembley thanks to Christian Pulisic, but a resurgent Arsenal emerged victorious after a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The first of the striker’s two goals arrived from the penalty spot after Azpilicueta was adjudged to have pulled the striker back.
Taylor is the first referee to officiate two FA Cup finals since Arthur Kingscott in 1901 and was the man in the middle for Chelsea’s 2017 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.
His performance on Saturday drew sharp criticism from both players and fans, although Azpilicueta was quick to admit the players must also look at themselves.
“A lot of times there were 50/50s (that went in Arsenal’s favour) and we had the same in 2017 but we have to look further than this,” he told the Chelsea club website. “We have to look at ourselves. We know two weeks ago when we played against Man United, we really controlled it.
“We played our game, we were on top of them against a very good side but today we couldn’t do it for 90 minutes and, in the end, that makes the difference.”
You can read the defender’s full quotes here.
Petr Cech remains coy on Havertz talk
Petr Cech refused to be drawn on a question about Kai Havertz joining Chelsea.
The German international has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with the two clubs said to be negotiating a transfer fee.
Cech, who is the club’s technical and performance advisor, was in attendance for the FA Cup final against Arsenal on Saturday.
Making his way out of Wembley after the game a Chelsea fan asked if the club will be signing Havertz during the transfer window.
Choosing to reply with a laugh, he added: “Good try!”
Chelsea consider move for Matthias Ginter
Chelsea remain interested in Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter, according to Kicker, as quoted by Sportsmole.
Ginter, 26, joined Gladbach from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 and is now moving into the final 12 months of his contract with the German club.
The report states Frank Lampard has earmarked Ginter as a potential defensive reinforcement as he looks to strengthen the club’s leaky backline.
The Blues are facing competition Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, however, with any prospective buyer expected to cough up a considerable fee.
