Good evening, and welcome to your Chelsea evening headlines for Thursday October 8.
Giroud reveals future plans for Europe - and further
A French international he might be, but Olivier Giroud has no plan to return to Ligue 1.
The Chelsea forward has revealed that he almost moved to Serie A, with Lazio and Inter both known to have been keen on him, but as he told RMC, the stars didn’t quite align.
“I’ve been close to moving to Serie A. They appreciate experienced players there, but the transfer didn’t materialise,” he said, per SempreInter.
“For the future we will see what happens, I will decide by evaluating the opportunities I will have. I’m not ruling out anything, but for now I don’t see me returning to Ligue 1.”
Those ‘opportunities’ will likely keep coming from Europe’s top leagues for the veteran forward, but over the longer term he has another challenge in mind entirely, saying he wants to head to MLS to wrap up his career.
Havertz needs to be more influential - Nicol
Former Liverpool and Scotland defender Steve Nicol says Kai Havertz is capable of moments of amazing play - but he wants to see him run games more regularly to be worthy of his hefty transfer fee.
Speaking to ESPN , Nicol pointed out the attacker’s performance for Germany in their 3-3 draw with Turkey was impressive in spells, as Havertz claimed two assists, but too inconsistent overall.
“Some of the things he did [against Turkey] were really delicate and simple and well executed. But then he disappeared for long periods so he kind of played the way he does for Chelsea.
“He’s kind of nowhere and then he will have a lovely touch or a nice pass with the perfect weight. He will do something that keeps you interested.
“Officially he had two assists but he was in and out of the game and that’s not what you would expect from a guy who has cost so much money.”
Forgotten former starlet aims to make good on his talent
Remember Charly Musonda? He was once perhaps the most highly-rated youngster in the Chelsea academy, an attacking midfielder or winger who could dribble for fun, had great pace, a good appreciation of space and a clear route to the top.
Since his first excellent loan spell with Real Betis, however, injury and inconsistency has blighted his progression and the 23-year-old has been unable to get regular action with Celtic and Vitesse.
He’s now back with Chelsea and has two years left on his deal, and an Instagram post shows he’s determined to try and return to the top level after several setbacks through knee injuries.
“It’s been four years since I played back to back professional games, three years since I last played for my club, two of those last four years, I’ve been injured with the post cruciate ligament of my knee. Nothing but heartbreak and heartache,” he wrote.
He pointed to doctors saying “surgery after being out for so long would be the end, an 'impossible mountain to climb,’” but says he is only more determined now to make sure he can focus on training, work hard and get back out on the pitch.
Encouraging others who are injured to take heart and keep faith with their situations, Musonda says he’s believing in “the impossible comeback” and promises “one day I’ll be back.”
