Here's all the news from around Stamford Bridge over the past 24 hours.
Chelsea midfielder the biggest loser after Cech news
Danny Drinkwater’s Chelsea career is as good as over after the inclusion of Petr Cech in the club’s Premier League squad.
Cech, who officially retired in 2019, is undertaking individual training and will act as an emergency backup to Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Willy Caballero.
“We felt it was a no-brainer to have Pete in the squad for that reason and it helps me training every day," Frank Lampard said."When he is in such good form it can only help the goalkeepers we have to see one of the world’s best in the modern era among us.
“We had that space in the squad and we know this year, it looks like no other because of Covid and isolation so it was a very easy one.”
That does not bode well for Drinkwater, who was not considered for the squad even with an extra space available.
Mendy skill proves Chelsea have found their new No.1
Mendy’s footwork was the most eye-catching part of an impressive performance in Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw against Sevilla.
The goalkeeper helped Chelsea to a welcome clean sheet in their Champions League opener, making an excellent save in the first half after a shot deflected off Kurt Zouma.
But it was the 28-year-old’s ability with the ball at his feet that will have encouraged Frank Lampard most.
Mendy’s distribution was good throughout, and Alisson and Ederson for Manchester City and Liverpool have shown how important that is in a top side.
Bent claims £72m man could ‘cost Lampard his job’
Former England striker Darren Bent has suggested the performances of Kepa Arrizabalaga could lead to Lampard’s dismissal as Chelsea manager.
The goalkeeper, signed for £72 million from Athletic Club two years ago, has made several high-profile mistakes and lost his place in the first team following the arrival of Mendy.
Kepa was unconvincing again in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Southampton, and Bent is clearly not impressed.
“I would pick anybody except Kepa,” Bent told talkSPORT. “I probably would go Petr Cech over Kepa but then you think to yourself that he has no confidence already, it is gone, it is on the floor, he has got none.
“If you go and play Petr Cech over him as well, what happens then? But what else can you do? Every time he plays Kepa he makes a mistake, he costs us goals and he costs us points.
“If you keep putting a goalkeeper out there and he keeps making mistakes, costing you points by the way, you can't keep putting him out there. He might cost Frank Lampard his job if he doesn't win many games."
