Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Sunday, October 4.
Chelsea could hand Partey dream squad number
Chelsea have been linked with a late bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Guardian claims the Ghana international could make a surprise switch to Stamford Bridge on deadline day.
Partey has been an Arsenal target throughout the transfer window, but has been identified as a possible alternative to Declan Rice for Chelsea.
Should the Blues meet the 27-year-old’s £45 million release clause, he could be offered his dream squad number, as football.london detail here.
Rudiger breaks silence as transfer speculation continues
Antonio Rudiger commented on Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace amid continued speculation over his future.
The defender has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur having fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard.
Rudiger was left out of the squad again as Chelsea secured a comfortable victory over the Eagles on Saturday.
But he took to social media after the game, writing: “Happy for the team.”
The 27-year-old has also been linked with West Ham and PSG ahead of Monday’s deadline.
Lampard gives verdict on penalty dispute
Lampard insisted the dispute between Tammy Abraham and Jorginho over a second-half penalty against Crystal Palace was not a concern.
The two players appeared to argue over who would take the spot-kick, with Chelsea already 3-0 up.
But Lampard claimed the situation had been “dealt with”, and that the passion on display was good to see.
“It’s been dealt with in the dressing room,” he told BT Sport. “No problems, it’s been dealt with.
“I want leaders and I don’t mind a little bit of conflict.
“If Tammy wanted to take it because he wants the goal and gets put in his place a little bit, I appreciate his eagerness because his performance deserved a goal.
“But those are the rules, you don’t jump ahead in the list at any moment unless someone’s on a hat-trick and we’re so comfortable and then I decide. But it’s dealt with.”
