Here are the Chelsea morning headlines for Tuesday, September 1.
Blues to launch bid after Havertz deal
Chelsea are interested in making Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy their next summer signing as the Blues’ heavy recruitment drive continues.
Frank Lampard’s side have already added Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr to their squad ahead of the upcoming season, with Bayer Leverkusen ace Kai Havertz also widely tipped to join them.
But Chelsea remain interested in signing a goalkeeper with doubts over the long-term future of Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Kepa, who has struggled since joining Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for a record £72million in 2018, lost his place to Willy Caballero at the end of the 2019/20 season.
According to the Mirror, the Premier League side are set to table an increased offer for Mendy having seen their previous bid of £14m turned down.
Lampard calls for patience from fans
Lampard, meanwhile, has asked Chelsea fans to temper their excitement about the upcoming season despite a hugely impressive showing in the transfer market.
Signing Havertz would take Chelsea’s spending this summer past the £200m mark.
But Lampard, who guided the Blues to a fourth-place finish in his first season in charge, has asked fans for patience as the new signings adapt to the league.
"We have an idea to try to add to improve, as you should do at a club of our level," Lampard told Chelsea’s official club website.
"We know that has not been absolutely possible for us, and we knew the ban and all this talk, and it was important for me to try to improve the squad.
"It feels that way, but we need to be careful of getting too far ahead of ourselves because we need to give time to players to come in and adapt to the way I want us to play and to their team-mates.”
Kepa set to stay despite Mendy interest
According to the Sun, out-of-favour Kepa is expected to stay at Stamford Bridge this season despite the club’s pursuit of Mendy.
As per the report, Kepa has repaired his relationship with Lampard and is determined to fight for the No.1 jersey.
The Spaniard played 45 minutes of Chelsea’s pre-season friendly draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The 25-year-old has made 95 appearances for the Blues since joining from Bilbao in 2018.
Chelsea remain interested in Mendy, while Burnley’s Nick Pope and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak have previously been linked.
