Here are your Chelsea morning headlines for Monday, July 27.
Chelsea make Sancho decision after Champions League qualification
Chelsea have reportedly given up in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
The 21-year-old had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge but, according to ESPN, Frank Lampard’s side won’t continue chasing the highly-rated winger.
The Blues will reportedly shift their entire focus to signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz in the coming weeks, with the Germany international wanted at Stamford Bridge.
Ending interest in Sancho could give Manchester United a transfer boost with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side believed to have the Borussia Dortmund star at the top of their transfer wishlist.
Ziyech reacts to final day victory
New signing Hakim Ziyech has been at Chelsea’s training ground since his contract started on July 1, despite not being able to play in the latter stages of this season.
The former Ajax man has been watching on with a close eye at his new teammates and took to Instagram to praise Mason Mount for his stunning free-kick on Sunday.
The £34.4million attacking midfielder posted a picture of Mount’s strike on Instagram and tagged the England international alongside a clapping emoji.
Mount’s goal helped Chelsea to a 2-0 win to secure them Champions League football for next season and Ziyech will be raring to go ahead of the next campaign after previous success in UEFA’s top competition.
Lampard outlines key transfer tool involving Havertz
The Chelsea boss has been quick to outline just how important Champions League qualification will be for the club’s hopes of signing top players this summer.
Timo Werner and Ziyech have already joined ahead of next season but Bayer Leverkusen’s Havertz could also be coming through the door. Prior to the 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, it was suggested the attacker would only join the Blues if they secured Champions League qualification.
Speaking about future transfer negotiations, Lampard said the club’s qualification for Europe’s most prestigious competition could heavily impact their ability to get deals done.
"In brutal honesty I would say yes... not to say exactly where that will go, because that's not a conversation today off the back of the game straight away,” he said.
“We know that the economics of the Champions League are big, we know that. We know the prestige, top players want to play in the Champions League.
“The top players that are here already, even the young players, they want to play in the Champions League.”
