Good evening, Chelsea fans. Here are your evening headlines for Saturday, September 19.
Chelsea agree fee for Kepa replacement
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a £22million fee for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
According to the Guardian, the Blues were told to raise their initial £18.2million offer for the shot-stopper, who is expected to challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for a starting role at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard's poor form over the past year has resulted in Chelsea turning Mendy, a 28-year-old goalkeeper who has two seasons of Ligue 1 football under his belt.
The Senegal international is believed to have agreed terms on a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and his move looks to be officially wrapped up in the coming days.
Low-maintenance Werner can thrive in Premier League
Frank Lampard believes Timo Werner has all the attributes needed to thrive in the Premier League ahead of Chelsea's clash with Liverpool.
The German international was heavily linked with a move to Anfield earlier this summer before joining the Blues and tomorrow's clash at Stamford Bridge between the two sides will stand as a good early test for the forward.
Speaking ahead of the game, Lampard highlighted the key qualities which will enable Werner to thrive in English football.
The Blues boss said: "It follows on from the Timo Werner I spoke to when he signed and the way he’s been since he started working here," Lampard said.
"He’s an incredibly talented player. He is robust, so I’ve no doubt he can handle the Premier League and the size of the opposition.
"And he’s very low maintenance. He comes in, he trains, he works hard, he lives right and he wants to come here and be a success. And he said that in his post-match statements.
Lampard sends message to Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi will be eager to make a big impression in the Premier League this season, but Lampard has told the youngster that a starting role can only be earned through hard graft in training.
Hudson-Odoi impressed in the Blues' first-team under Maurizio Sarri but suffered an Achilles injury in April 2019 which kept him out for several months.
The England international returned to action last September but has struggled to earn regular starts under Lampard. That trend continued against Brighton on Monday, with Hudson-Odoi named among the substitutes once more.
“With Callum, the young player he is, he has to absolutely focus on the work he puts in on the training ground day in, day out," Lampard said.
"I’ve said it now quite a few times. When I select a team, I have to think about how players trained, how they play within the team, how we work on the ball and, just as much, how we work off the ball. I have no favourites here, I don’t lean on people because I like them.
"I lean on people because I want people to be successful, which, in turn, will hopefully make everybody here happy.
"Callum is a young developing player and a lot of talk has come his way because of the way his career has gone at a young age.”
