CHELSEA were held at home by Tottenham Hotspur as they missed out on the chance to go top of the league.
And the Blues are rumoured to be one of the clubs interested in six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.
Follow all the latest Chelsea news below…
- Josh Graham
EUROPEAN DREAM
Take a look back at Chelsea's successful Champions League campaign ahead of the trip to Sevilla tomorrow.
- Josh Graham
WHERE VAR YOU?
VAR will operate remotely for Chelsea's game against Sevilla.
The Champions League clash will use officials based in Switzerland, Uefa confirmed.
Substitute VARs will be in place at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium 'in case of any connectivity issues'.
Chelsea travel to Andalucia tomorrow night having already qualified for the knockout stages.
- Josh Graham
BARGAIN BAY
Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is reportedly 'appreciative' of Chelsea's interest in signing him.
The defender can leave for nothing in the summer.
And the Blues are thought to be interested in bringing the versatile 28-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
AS reports the Austrian has been encouraged by Frank Lampard's interest and Chelsea appear to be in the driving seat.
- Josh Graham
ITALIAN JOB
Juventus and Inter Milan are set to battle for Olivier Giroud's signature in January, according to reports.
The Chelsea striker, 34, has grown frustrated by his lack of playing time this season after opting to stay at the club beyond the summer after a strong end to 2019-20.
Giroud also has one eye on next summer's European Championship – knowing he must be playing regularly to keep his spot in the France squad.
And Inter Milan are looking to rescue the ex-Arsenal star in January, according to Tuttosport.
Antonio Conte brought Giroud to Chelsea in January 2018 before he was sacked in the summer.
- Josh Graham
RAMS RAID
Chelsea legend John Terry is in the frame for the role of Derby manager, putting him in competition with old rival and England pal Wayne Rooney.
Rooney, 35, is currently sole interim boss of the Rams following Phillip Cocu’s sacking.
The former Manchester United star joined Derby as a player-coach in August.
And despite Rooney saying he is ready to retire from playing football if he’s offered the Derby boss’ job full-time, the club’s potential new owners are keen on Terry, according to the Daily Mail.
Championship basement-boys Derby are close to be taken over by Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan – a senior member of the Abu Dhabi royal family – in a £60million deal.
And it’s believed he is keen to bring in current Aston Villa No2 Terry – who has never served as head coach.
- Alex Terrell
YELLOW FEVER
John Terry was BOOKED during Aston Villa's 2-1 defeat at West Ham after a heated row with Hammers staff.
The East Londoners were fuming after Jack Grealish was awarded what they believed was a soft free-kick and Dean Smith's assistant stood up to back his man.
West Ham coach Dave Billows was also given a yellow in the aftermath as the ref came over to sort the matter after a report from the fourth official.
Dean Smith accused the Hammers bench of calling Grealish a 'diver and a cheat'.
England man Grealish went down under what appeared to be a soft challenge from Pablo Fornals.
The Spaniard boot did brush the England man's knee but Grealish's international team-mate Declan Rice was incensed over the perceived play acting.
John Terry was shown a yellow card at the London StadiumCredit: Reuters - Dave Fraser
MORNING CHELSEA FANS
The Blues are reportedly pressing ahead with plans to land David Alaba on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
According to AS, Chelsea will send representatives to talk with Alaba’s agent in the New Year and convince the defender his future belongs at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are just three clubs in a transfer tug-of-war while Liverpool and Manchester City have also been linked.
But the involvement of Alaba’s agent Pini Zahavi, who has helped Roman Abramovich’s club seal many transfers in the past, is said to help Chelsea' case.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan reportedly want to sign Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
Antonio Conte’s side are keen on a six-month loan deal, according to Tuttosport.
And the former Blues boss is understood to want an option to buy included in any deal.
In other news, Newcastle could make a January loan move for Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori.
Tomori’s opportunities have remained limited this term, following the summer arrival of Thiago Silva, as well as the failure to flog Antonio Rudiger.
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce could pounce on the situation to bolster his defence for the second half of the campaign.
And finally, Chelsea have been drawn against Morecambe at home in the FA Cup third round.
The game will be played on the weekend of 9 and 10 January 2021.
- Jake Lambourne
CHIL OUT
Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell revealed his relief at dodging a serious injury against Spurs.
The former Foxes defender received lengthy treatment after rolling his ankle in the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
He said: “I was desperate to carry on and thankfully I ran it off.
“It’s fine now so I’m just looking forward to recovering and hopefully playing again in midweek.”
- Jake Lambourne
TOUCHY TERRY
Chelsea icon John Terry got a yellow card during Aston Villa's game at West Ham after a heated row with Hammers staff.
The hosts were fuming with Jack Grealish for going down under minimal contact and Dean Smith's assistant stood up to back his man.
A Hammers coach was also booked in the aftermath as the ref came over to sort the matter after a report from the fourth official.
Grealish went down under a soft challenge from Pablo Fornals.
The Spaniard brushed the England man's knee with his boot and the Villa midfielder fell to the ground screaming and holding his leg.
Grealish's England team-mate Declan Rice was incensed with his Three Lions colleague for the perceived play acting.
- Jake Lambourne
NORTHERN ROCK
Newcastle could make a January loan move for Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, according to reports.
Tomori's opportunities have remained limited this term, following the summer arrival of Thiago Silva, as well as the failure to flog Antonio Rudiger.
According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce could pounce on the situation to bolster his defence for the second half of the campaign.
The report claims that the Toon will be limited to loan signings only.
And the Blues have 'indicated' that Tomori will be on the move when the window opens, putting Newcastle on alert.
- Jake Lambourne
CAMA HAVE A GO
Man Utd and Chelsea target Eduardo Camavinga is reportedly available for just £45million.
AS claims the Rennes star, 18, is free to leave the Ligue 1 side with just 18 months left on his current deal.
Real Madrid are also in the race for Camavinga, with Juventus also keen.
The youngster was previously thought to be available for £68m.
But Camavinga reportedly sacked his agent in a signal of intent to join a new club.
And with time rapidly expiring on his current contract, Rennes are apparently happy to let him depart for a more reasonable £45m.
- Jake Lambourne
FIK-LE GAME
Chelsea defender Fikay Tomori could leave Stamford Bridge on loan for Newcastle in January.
The Mirror suggest Tomori could swap West London for the Toon after being starved of game time under Frank Lampard.
Steve Bruce's side are only likely to be able to sign new players on loan in the upcoming window, according to The Northern Echo.
Owner Mike Ashley coughed up £35million on Jamal Lewis and Callum Wilson in the summer and is unlikely to green light any more heavy spending.
And the Blues are reportedly open to a temporary move away for Tomori, who has only played three times this season.
- Jake Lambourne
FA CUP DRAW
Chelsea have been drawn against Morecambe at home in the FA Cup third round.
The game will be played on the weekend of 9 and 10 January 2021.
- Jake Lambourne
BLUE BEAUTY
- Jake Lambourne
CHEEK OF HIM
It seems Fulham fans won't be able to count on Chelsea loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek to lift the club's penalty curse.
The Cottagers have missed their last three spot-kicks, which has potentially cost them five points.
Loftus Cheek told YouTuber Manny in a FIFA 21 showdown as part of Amazon’s Black Friday Live: "I’m not on pens, you have to respect it!
"In terms of goals for the season, because I’ve been out for so long, I’ve just been coming into this season to get a good run of games.
"I just want to get back playing, I’m so grateful to be playing football. From when I first got injured to my first competitive game I was out for 13 months!.
"Now I feel strong and no thoughts about my injury are coming into my head, I just need to kick on from now."
- Jake Lambourne
ZAK ATTACK
Man City are ready to battle it out with neighbours United and Chelsea in the race for Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria.
The 24-year-old midfielder, whose contract runs until 2022, has just returned to action after fighting back from a long-term knee injury.
Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano told his Here We Go podcast that City have already been in contact with Zakaria’s agent.
He said: “Manchester City are focusing on Zakaria, he is so appreciated by the board, they are following him, they are in contact with his agent.
“So he’s for sure on the list of Manchester City, there is nothing advanced yet because they are not negotiating yet with Borussia Monchengladbach, they need time.”
Further reports claimed last month that both Manchester United and Chelsea were looking at making a move for the attacker.
- Jake Lambourne
ED'S GONE
Chelsea icon Eden Hazard could miss the rest of 2020 after suffering yet another injury at Real Madrid.
The Belgian, 29, was forced off the field during Real’s shock 2-1 home defeat to Alaves on Saturday.
Hazard underwent ultrasound and MRI scans on Sunday to determine the extent of the problem.
And Real have now announced he has suffered a small rupture in his right hamstring.
A Real statement read: “Following tests carried out on Eden Hazard, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the rectus femoris muscle of his right leg.”
According to Spanish outlet AS, Hazard could now miss four weeks of football.
That would see the ex-Blues man sit in the stands for EIGHT games, including crunch LaLiga clashes against rivals Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.
- Jake Lambourne
JANUARY SALES
Chelsea are pressing ahead with plans to land David Alaba on a free transfer, according to reports.
Frank Lampard's side remain in pole position ahead of fellow European heavyweights to land the signature of the Bayern Munich superstar.
According to AS, the Blues will send representatives to talk with Alaba's agent in the New Year and convince the defender his future belongs at Stamford Bridge.
Alaba's availability and long list of accolades mean he is one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are just three clubs in a transfer tug-of-war while Liverpool and Manchester City have also been linked.
But the involvement of Alaba's agent Pini Zahavi, who has helped Roman Abramovich's club seal many transfers in the past, is said to help the Blues' case.
- Josh Graham
ROUD AWAKENING
Inter Milan reportedly want to sign Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.
Antonio Conte's side are keen on a six-month loan deal, according to Tuttosport.
And the former Blues boss is understood to want an option to buy included in any deal.
Giroud was previously urged to seek more game time by France boss Didier Deschamps ahead of the delayed Euro 2020 this summer.
The former Arsenal striker told Telefoot: "It's worrying. I thought I still had a role to play at Chelsea but my playing time is getting reduced a lot. It's going to have to change or a decision must be made."
- Josh Graham
FAN FRENZY
Chelsea will welcome 2,000 home supporters for Saturday's Premier League match against Leeds.
The club are operating a ballot system to decide which lucky fans get to go to a game at Stamford Bridge for the first time since March.
- Josh Graham
TAM TO STEP UP
Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has called on Tammy Abraham to 'step up' after missing chances in Sunday's stalemate against rivals Tottenham.
Hasselbaink criticised Abraham for failing to convert three chances to steal the show and send Chelsea to the top of the Premier league.
Tammy Abraham should 'step up' for Chelsea Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Hasselbaink said: "He had three chances. Three opportunities to make that his own.
"He has to improve in those moments. He did ever so well when he came in last season, for half of the season he was a breath of fresh air.
"Second-half he had it difficult but that's normal because he's a young boy.
"But second season he has to step up and at times he can do better.
"With his stature, with his ability, he can do better and score more important goals."
- Josh Graham
SILLY WILLI
Former Chelsea star Willian's ambitious dream of winning the Champions League at Arsenal looks increasingly unrealistic.
The Gunners sit 14th in the Premier League after the 2-1 loss to Wolves last night.
After moving across London, Willian told SunSport: "One of the reasons I wanted a three-year deal was to be part of a plan, not just a player passing through.
“When I talked with the manager he told me why he needed me for three years. It was that he first wanted to qualify for the Champions League and win it by the time I left. That was what I wanted to hear.
"I was at Chelsea for seven years and won everything except the Champions League. Hopefully this move will give me the trophy I haven't got as well as another Premier League title.”
- Josh Graham
MAT OF THE MATCH
Chelsea's Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic was voted man of the match against Spurs on Sunday.
The Blues drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge – missing the chance to go top of the Premier League with a win.
- Josh Graham
THE NAME'S BOND
Chelsea and West Ham are reportedly keen on RB Leipzig’s Matthew Bondswell.
The England Under-18 international left-back is a man in-demand after a series of impressive displays in Holland.
England Under-18 star Matthew Bondswell has caught the eye of Chelsea Former Nottingham Forest starlet Bondswell, 18, joined FC Dordrecht on a season-long loan to further his development.
His form for the Dutch second division outfit have caught the eye of the Premier League duo, according to The Telegraph.
But the Prem clubs face strong competition from Sporting Lisbon – where Spurs ace Eric Dier came through the system.
- Josh Graham
MOR DRAMA
Former Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata was sent off AFTER the full-time whistle for Juventus against Benevento.
The Old Lady were held to a shock 1-1 draw by the minnows.
Morata was sent off after calling the referee's decision to not award Juventus a penalty 'shameful And Morata saw red for slating the ref's 'shameful' decision not to award the Bianconeri a penalty, according to Tuttosport.
He had earlier scored the game's opening goal before being dismissed for dissent after the match ended.
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