Good evening, Chelsea fans. Here are your evening headlines for Sunday, September 6.
Cole reveals Abramovich refuses to sell players to Spurs
Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has revealed the club’s owner Roman Abramovich insists that no transfer business be done with Tottenham.
The rivalry between the two clubs is clearly significant to the Russian, who bought the Blues back in 2003.
And Cole has lifted the lid on Abramovich’s intolerance of Spurs, revealing that he almost moved to White Hart Lane while a Chelsea player.
“I almost joined Spurs,” he told talkSPORT - via the Mail. “I went and did my medical and everything.
“Roman Abramovich found out and he said ‘you've got to come back, you’re not joining them’. He said 'you can’t go to Spurs, I don’t do business with them'.”
Cole eventually left for West Ham in 2006 having made 31 appearances for Chelsea.
Germany manager backs Havertz to succeed at Chelsea
Joachim Löw has claimed Kai Havertz’s move to Chelsea will help him develop as a player.
The 21-year-old’s £62m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen was completed on Friday, with the youngster leaving the Germany squad to undergo a medical.
And Löw has insisted the move has come at “the right time” for Havertz.
“We were in two minds about Kai,” Low said. “On the one hand, his ability on the ball would’ve helped us against Spain, but the risk of an injury before a transfer of this magnitude is too great.
“The bad thing about the transfer is that the Bundesliga has lost a top player. But by moving abroad, it’ll help Kai’s development. You mature abroad.
“Kai was sure that he wanted the move and he’s mentally prepared for it. Chelsea is a good club with lots of young players.
“I don’t think that this has come a year or two too soon for Kai; it’s the right time for him.”
Mount comments prove he won’t give up staring place
Mason Mount clearly has no intention of surrendering his place in Chelsea’s starting XI following the signing of Havertz.
The England international was a regular last season, making his breakthrough with the Blues after a campaign on loan at Derby County under the guidance of Frank Lampard.
But Mount will have significantly more competition in the new campaign, not least because of the big money signing of Havertz.
His comments back in January, however, give an idea as to how he will approach the challenge.
“For me, it's about having that same attitude I have had since I was six and making sure I never lose it,” the 21-year-old told the Daily Mail.
“You just have to fight. You know Chelsea can always buy £60million or £70m or £80m players that are world-class. They want to come here and take my place.
“Just because I am an academy boy and young, that doesn't mean anything. But the mentality I have means I won't be pushed over easily.
"I will fight for my position and keep working hard. At a club as big as Chelsea you have to have that mentality. It always stuck with me. It's why I am here in the first place.”
