Here is your Chelsea morning digest for Monday, May 11.
Willian set to leave Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have been dealt a blow in attempting to convince Willian to remain at Stamford Bridge with both club and player unable to agree a new contract.
The 31-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of June and the club’s best efforts to sign off on a renewal look to be in vain, according to recent reports.
TeamTalk report that the Brazilian would like a new three-year deal, while the club are only willing to offer a two-year extension given the player’s age, and say talks are ‘dead in the water’.
This could open up the possibility of a cross-London move to one of Chelsea’s rivals on a free transfer.
Willian has spent seven seasons at the club after signing for a reported £30m in 2013. Despite Frank Lampard’s focus on youth, the soon-to-be 32-year-old has featured heavily this season with 28 appearances and five goals in the league.
Chelsea given boost in pursuit of Lyon striker
Olympique Lyonnais President Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted that keeping the club’s best players will be a struggle this summer.
The French club have failed to qualify for European football for the first time since 1993 after the Ligue 1 campaign was curtailed by coronavirus.
This could put Chelsea in pole position to sign French forward Moussa Dembélé in a cut-price deal. The 23-year-old has been prolific this season, scoring 22 times in all competitions.
Aulas told Le Progres: “I am going to do everything to keep the players.
“But players who are programmed to play in Europe could want to go elsewhere because we don’t have European football.”
Eight clubs oppose Project Restart
The Premier League’s proposal to resume the season behind closed doors at neutral venues has run into further opposition.
Six clubs, including Brighton & Hove Albion, AFC Bournemouth, Aston Villa and West Ham United had initially expressed their opposition to the plans, but now a further two clubs have sided with them, according to the Telegraph.
This comes ahead of the Premier League’s latest conference, due to take place on Monday, discussing plans to move forward and complete the season.
Three Brighton players tested positive for coronavirus over the weekend and have entered into a two-week period of isolation, delaying the Premier League’s proposals further.
Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League and are scheduled to face Manchester City, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the battle to finish in the Champions League, if the season resumes.
