Good evening, Chelsea fans. Here are your evening headlines for Sunday, November 8.
Wright delivers Chelsea title challenge verdict
Ian Wright believes Chelsea can challenge for the Premier League title following their 4-1 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday evening.
The Blues are unbeaten in six league matches and are the top-flight's leading scorers after their win against the Blades. And Wright believes Frank Lampard's can maintain their title challenge throughout the season.
“Yes, with what they’ve got,” Wright said on Premier League Productions when asked about Chelsea’s title credentials.
“There’s a little bit of fitting the pieces together and I think the goalkeeper [Edouard Mendy], Thiago Silva, [Hakim] Ziyech coming in, [Kai] Havertz coming in, Werner coming in, I think those players and the quality and the standard of those players then yes they should be [title challengers].
“But it’s about fitting the pieces together. For me, playing [N'Golo] Kante where he does is going to free up another vital cog on the offensive side of things, because he was everywhere against Sheffield United.
“So once that’s all knitted together and they start to string a couple of wins together which they seem like they’re doing now, more clean sheets I’m sure will come.
“They’ll be very disappointed with that goal [against Sheffield United] because it was a poor goal to concede. But they’ve got everything in the armoury to actually challenge, without a doubt.”
Kante a key target for Serie A giants
Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made Blues midfielder N'Golo Kante a key target for his Inter Milan side.
According to French outlet Canal+, the Italian coach is determined to add the World Cup winner to his midfield as he looks to build a team capable of usurping Juventus atop the Serie A table.
Conte signed Kante for Chelsea in 2016 and led the Blues to the title with the former Leicester City midfielder shining alongside Nemanja Matic.
Kante has since seen his role change in Chelsea’s midfield, but this term, Lampard has reinstated him to a holding midfield role, with the 29-year-old playing all but seven Premier League minutes this season.
Cole highlights Ziyech impact
Following his two-assist performance in Chelsea’s victory over Sheffield United on Saturday, Ashley Cole highlighted the impact and quality of new signing Hakim Ziyech.
The Morocco international provided a brilliant cross for Ben Chilwell’s goal and then assisted Thiago Silva's header with a delicious free-kick. And Cole was enamoured with his distribution, especially his passes in behind the opposing backline.
“It's great play on the right-hand side, and when Ziyech gets the ball on his left foot, it begs for runs in behind - he’s such a talented boy,” Cole said on Sky Sports. “Quality with balls in behind.
“If I was playing with Ziyech, I would always be looking to run in behind, because he can pass a ball, this guy. When he gets it on his left foot, you’ve got to attack the ball.
“For me, I would’ve loved to play for someone with the quality of Ziyech. I had the pleasure of playing with Lampard who used to find me in behind, but as soon as he opens it up on that cultured left foot, I’m running behind.”
