Good evening, Chelsea fans. Here are your evening headlines for Thursday, November 12.
Chelsea open to selling trio to land Rice
Chelsea could reignite their interest in West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice in the January transfer window, with Frank Lampard prepared to sell three stars to fund the move.
The Blues were heavily linked with a deal to bring the England international back to Stamford Bridge during the summer, but Irons boss David Moyes blocked any potential deal for his star asset
However, according to a report from Football Insider, Lampard remains determined to land the 21-year old, who was released from Chelsea's academy in 2014.
The report cites sources that claim Lampard is willing to listen to offers for Jorginho, Marcos Alonso, and Antonio Rudiger in January to raise the £60 million West Ham will demand for Rice.
The Hammers are not openly looking to sell Rice, who has played every minute of Premier League action for Moyes’ team this season, but a big-money offer from Chelsea could test their resolve and trigger Rice’s ambition to play Champions League football.
Former Chelsea boss backs Ziyech for starring role
Ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes Hakim Ziyech can become a crucial player for Lampard this season.
The Moroccan international has impressed since making his delayed debut due to injury, with two goals and four assists in all competitions so far.
The former Ajax star turned in an outstanding display in Chelsea’s 4-1 Premier League over Sheffield United before the international break and Grant backed him to be the ‘sensation of the year’ in an interview with The National.
Grant, who managed the Blues during the 2007/08 season, also commented on the work of Lampard, praising the former England midfielder's understanding of the game.
"Frank will be a very good manager – now he is a good manager – but with experience because he’s an intelligent guy," he said.
"He has a good brain for football, he knows the game and he’s played under a lot of coaches, [and] each one gave him a different perspective.
"Even though people say he is young, he didn’t start immediately in Chelsea – he with Derby for a year. He did a good job and last year, with the transfer ban, it was a good experience for him.
"You see the results now, what Chelsea have done this year. They did a very good job in the transfer window, and no doubt they will fight for the championship. I’m sure of this.”
Kovacic update as Croatia captain tests positive for Covid-19
Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic will travel with the Croatia squad for their UEFA Nations League game in Sweden, despite teammate Domagoj Vida testing positive for coronavirus.
The Croatia skipper was bizarrely informed of his test results at half time during their 3-3 friendly daw with Turkey last night, according to a statement from the Croatia FA.
The Besiktas defender was immediately substituted and the whole squad were tested again today, with no player returning a positive result and Vida entering self-isolation.
Kovacic has now been permitted to travel on with the squad as he was not classed as a close contact with Vida after remaining as an unused substitute against Turkey.
The 26-year old is expected to feature in Croatia’s vital double header against Sweden and Portugal, and he should be exempt from isolation on his return to the UK, ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Newcastle on November 21.
