Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Saturday, January 2.
Chelsea target White swoop
Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head with Premier League rivals Liverpool in the race to sign highly-rated Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White.
The centre-back, who played an instrumental role in helping Leeds United secure promotion back to the top-flight of English football last season, is considered as one of English football's hottest prospects.
Following his return to Brighton last summer, White has become a key figure in Graham Potter's defence, quickly establishing himself as a Premier League player.
His performances, too, have caught the eyes of an array of clubs, including Chelsea, who, according to reports, will battle it out with Liverpool to land his signature.
However, the Blues do have a long list of other targets they may pursue moves for this month, meaning a move for White may be put on hold until the summer.
With Thiago Silva now at the age of 36, Chelsea could see White as a long-term replacement for the Brazilian.
Zidane coy on Alaba links
Real Madrid chief Zinedine Zidane has refused to be drawn on links connecting the Spanish giants with a move for Chelsea target David Alaba.
The Bayern Munich defender, who can operate at either centre-back or left-back, is out-of-contract at the Allianz Arena this summer and has not been able to agree a new contract with the Bundesliga giants, meaning an exit is looming.
Now January has arrived and the defender is into the last six months of his contract, he is free to speak to any potential suitors ahead of joining them on a free transfer.
But despite being linked with a move to Madrid, Zidane has refused to be drawn on the speculation.
He said: "David Alaba joining as a free agent? I won’t talk about players who are not part of our team."
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Carragher raises Havertz doubts
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Chelsea were right to splash out more than £70million on sealing a deal to sign Germany international Kai Havertz last summer.
After being linked with the attacking-midfielder throughout the summer transfer window, the Blues completed a deal for Havertz a week before the Premier League campaign got under way, signing him from Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the 21-year-old has struggled to live up to expectation so far this season, scoring just one Premier League goal.
Carragher said: "I look at Kai Havertz and wonder if Chelsea really needed to sign him last summer?
"He is obviously a player of great potential, but it never works buying a player because he is so highly-rated, unless you have a predetermined idea where he will fit into the side."
