Here are the Chelsea evening headlines on Friday, June 26.
Valencia want Kepa - report
Amid Frank Lampard’s concerns that Kepa Arrizabalaga is not his long-term answer in the goalkeeper position, La Liga side Valencia could be about to offer both the shot-stopper and the Blues a chance to part ways.
In a similar deal to the 18-month loan move that Chelsea conducted with Atletico Madrid for Alvaro Morata, according to Marca via the Daily Mail, Valencia want to sign Kepa on a two-year loan deal with an option to buy.
Kepa has underwhelmed since his world-record £72 million transfer two years ago. That he moved in the same summer that Liverpool signed Alisson Becker has only worsened the perspective of his play.
And Chelsea appear are ready to move on.
Ajax’s Andre Onana is viewed as a potential replacement, while Jasper Cillessen, who is currently at Valencia, could move to Ajax in a strange three-way deal to facilitate Kepa’s departure.
Chelsea sign Van Ginkel to new deal
Remember Marco van Ginkel? The forgotten Chelsea midfielder signed a one-year deal, the club confirmed this week, meaning that he will return to Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Bought from Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem in 2013, Van Ginkel has undertaken numerous loan deals, including spells at Stoke City, AC Milan and most recently, PSV, throughout his Blues career.
More recently, he has endured horrible injuries. He has not played since the 2017/18 season and has featured just four times for Chelsea.
However, still only 27 and after 31 goals in 64 games for PSV, if he can return to London in shape, the Dutchman could feel like a new signing for Lampard.
Chelsea have plenty of options in central midfield, including Mason Mount and Ross Barkley, who both impressed against Manchester City on Wednesday. And with Hakim Ziyech still to arrive and with interest in Kai Havertz, opportunities could be limited for Van Ginkel.
Nevertheless, he will return to Stamford Bridge next season with nothing to lose, and he might just force his way into Lampard’s thinking.
McAteer rates Chelsea’s chances
After the recent dominance of Liverpool and Manchester City, former Reds midfielder Jason McAteer believes that Chelsea have the potential to rival the pair next season.
“One team who definitely look to be heading in the right direction are Chelsea,” he told the Racing Post. “It was a massive step up for Frank Lampard taking the manager’s job.
"It’s easier at Derby when your reputation as a player means you gain a certain amount of respect. But that’s not the case when there are World Cup winners in the dressing room.
“But I can see them being right up there next season. They needed to boost their forward line but Timo Werner’s signing is a huge statement of intent. I don’t think they can rely on Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud.
“I am a big fan of Hakim Ziyech as well and a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz would also be huge. So they are buying well.
“I think Lampard made a great statement of intent when he let David Luiz go and some of the talented youngsters have gained experience. I can see the Blues making great progress in the next 18 months. They are going to be right up there.”
