CHELSEA hammered Sheffield United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge as Hakim Ziyech turned in a masterclass.
But they could face a battle to keep hold of N'Golo Kante with Antonio Conte reportedly desperate to bring the midfielder to Inter.
Get all the latest updates from Stamford Bridge here…
- Etienne Fermie
NO CHIL
England boss Gareth Southgate has offered a brief update on Blues defender Ben Chilwell, after the summer signing limped out of the 2-0 defeat in Belgium on Sunday.
The Three Lions manager said: “He had some sort of issue with his back that he was complaining about and he didn’t feel he could carry on.
“Outside of that I can’t give you any detail at the moment.”
- Etienne Fermie
JOR BACK IN BUSINESS
Jorginho may have been ousted by Timo Werner as Chelsea's penalty taker.
But the Italian was back to his best from the spot for the Azzurri last night.
The midfielder netted from 12 yards, setting his country on the way to a 2-0 victory over Poland.
- Etienne Fermie
OFF YOU KO
Napoli have reportedly reached a gentleman's agreement to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko on a permanent deal from Chelsea.
The midfielder joined the Serie A club on loan in October and has quickly become an integral part of their title push.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Napoli did not agree a fee for the 26-year-old when signing from Chelsea.
But the two clubs are said to have now reached an agreement in principle over a £16million move in the summer.
- Etienne Fermie
'LITTLE MAGICIAN'
Ashley Cole has backed Jack Grealish to be part of England’s Euro 2020 squad and compared him to former Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard.
The Aston Villa star, 25, made his international debut in September before following it up with appearances in the victories over Wales and Ireland.
Cole was watching on from the Sky Sports studio and saw enough to convince him that Grealish will have a role to play at the European Championship next summer.
He said: “Grealish was pulling the strings and running the show. When you talk about little magicians who can win you games. He's one of them. Grealish should go to the Euros if he keeps producing the quality he's currently producing.
“He's got that (Eden) Hazard quality, he can beat players left and right, can get fouls for Mason (Mount) and Harry (Kane) to take free-kicks. He will win England points.”
- Joshua Jones
GOOD MORNING BLUES FANS
Frank Lampard will be sweating on the fitness of Ben Chilwell after the left-back was subbed off with an injury for England last night.
The Three Lions lost 2-0 but it was a first-half issue for Chilwell which will most concern his club manager.
The former Leicester man has been in great form since joining in the transfer window and both back-ups Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are out of favour.
Alonso has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace in recent days but the fitness of Chilwell could dictate the club's willingness to let him go in a January move.
Another Chelsea outcast in Antonio Rudiger has also been subject to reports which could see him leave.
The German has been rumoured for a shock switch to the Nou Camp as Barcelona consider alternatives to Manchester City's Eric Garcia.
Rudiger has struggled for first-team football this season since the arrival and stunning form of Thiago Silva.
- Kiro Evans
CAN'T CHIL OUT
Chelsea fans will be concerned about Ben Chilwell tonight after he was subbed off with injury in England's defeat at Belgium.
They will be hoping he's back fit and fighting soon with the fixtures coming thick and fast once this international break is done.
First up for Chelsea is a trip to Newcastle, which has often been a banana skin for the Blues in past, before they go to Rennes in the Champions League.
After that it's a mouth-watering London derby at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham before a difficult game away to Sevilla in Europe.
Leeds United are in town following Chelsea's return to England for what should be another tasty clash.
- Kiro Evans
ALL OVER
It's finished Belgium 2-0 England in the Nations League game, and it sends the Three Lions out the competition.
In truth England were far too limp for too long, while the hosts were clinical and robust in defence.
Questions are being asked about the line-up and the tactics, but for Gareth Southgate and his troops the goal will be bouncing back against Iceland in a few days time.
- Kiro Evans
THE ALONSO ALTERNATIVE
Chelsea fans are contemplating the short-term future after Ben Chilwell trundled off in the first-half of England's game against Belgium.
It appeared the in form left-back injured his back – and it could have big consequences for his club side.
If he is crocked, either Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri will likely have to come in, but Blues supporters don't particularly seem to like the prospect of either judging by social media.
Chilwell's potential injury comes on the same day SunSport report that his deputy Alonso he is being eyed up by Crystal Palace for a potential transfer move.
- Kiro Evans
CHIL NOT WELL
Ben Chilwell has limped off the pitch after pulling up with an injury – to the horror of Chelsea fans.
England trail Belgium 2-0 but it is the fitness of their star left-back that will most concern Blues fans.
Frank Lampard will be a concerned man as he waits on news of the ex-Leicester man.
Bukayo Saka is on to replace him
- Kiro Evans
TALKING POINTS
Chelsea fans will have much to look out for as England host Belgium tonight.
First and foremost will be the performance of Mason Mount, who has been unwittingly dragged into a debate surrounding Gareth Southgate and Jack Grealish.
While both midfielders are fine players in their own right, Mount will be inevitably compared to Grealish tonight but he can silence his critics if he can replicate his winning goal when England played Belgium a month ago.
Meanwhile, Blues supporters will have their eye on Ben Chilwell, who has been in fantastic form since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
There will also be a hope of Tammy Abraham getting a look-in, given his impressive if limited appearances this season.
- Kiro Evans
MOUNT STARTS
Mason Mount will be lining up as one of two Chelsea representatives in the England line-up for their clash with Belgium tonight
He will play alongside Aston Villa's Jack Grealish following debate on whether they can occupy the same team and who deserves a starting berth more.
Ben Chilwell also starts, while Tammy Abraham sits on the bench.
Former Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois is in goal for the opposition
- Kiro Evans
HIGH STANDARDS
Chelsea star N'Golo Kante is excited about the prospect of challenging for titles after the club's raft of new signings.
He said the new faces can help bring the club back to 'Chelsea's standards' of winning the biggest trophies.
His comments come as rumours intensify that his former boss Antonio Conte wants to bring the Frenchman to Inter
- Kiro Evans
TIME'S UP
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is ready to sell Tiemoue Bakayoko, according to reports from Italy.
The midfielder couldn't find his footing in the Premier League but is on loan in Serie A again, this time at Napoli.
And the club are so impressed with his start they have opening talks with Chelsea about a fee that could be around 18m euros, according to Football Italia.
The report adds that manager Lampard appears willing to finally let the Blues misfit leave in a permanent deal if the right offer comes in.
- Kiro Evans
ROO BETTER BELIEVE IT
Harry Kane will 'absolutely' beat Wayne Rooney's all-time England goal scorer record, according to Tony Cascarino.
The former Chelsea striker is convinced that United legend Rooney's 53 tally record will eventually go to Kane, despite the Spurs forward still being 21 goals behind.
He told Talksport: “If he plays enough football I think he will, absolutely.
“I think his attitude is one of his most outstanding attributes – his effort, his desire.
“I’ve never, ever felt that Harry Kane has taken anything for granted in football. He’s always worked his socks off.
“I think it feeds onto other people, I think it inspires and lifts others around him.”
- Kiro Evans
RUDI HELL
BARCELONA are reportedly eyeing a shock move for Chelsea outcast Antonio Rudiger in the January transfer window.
Spanish outlet Sport claim the La Liga giants are preparing to find a low-cost centre-back if Samuel Umtiti leaves the club.
And the report adds that Rudiger has been included on Ronald Koeman's shortlist to add more competition for current options Clement Lenglet, Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo.
The German is said to be keen on a switch to Barcelona with Chelsea willing to listen to offers for the out of favour defender.
Rudiger looked to be on the verge of leaving the club in the summer following interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham.
- Kiro Evans
FOOTBALL MOURNS: RAY CLEMENCE DEAD AGED 72
Breaking: Liverpool and England legend Ray Clemence has died, aged 72.
His family have released a statement after he 'passed away peacefully'.
Clemence leaves behind his wife Veronica, daughters Julie and Sarah and son Stephen, who is a former Tottenham player and current coach at Newcastle.
The Skegness-born star played for Scunthorpe, Liverpool and Tottenham during an illustrious 23-year career.
- Jake Lambourne
TO BE FRANK
Chelsea icon Guy Poyet believes the pressure on on Frank Lampard after the Blues spent heavily in the summer.
He said: “I like what Frank did last season without the chance to sign players.
“He used young players who go through these adrenaline periods of doing brilliantly and then not so well.
“Expectations have changed now because Chelsea spent big money in the summer. Frank has embraced that, no more transition period.
“Is it more pressure? Give me pressure with better players any day. I'd always prefer a chairman who spends £200milion.”
- Jake Lambourne
BIRTHDAY BOY
- Jake Lambourne
FOOTBALL FRIENDS
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- Jake Lambourne
WHAT ZI-YECH
Avram Grant believes Hakim Ziyech can become a crucial player for Frank Lampard this season.
He told The National: “Frank will be a very good manager – now he is a good manager – but with experience because he’s an intelligent guy.
“He has a good brain for football, he knows the game and he’s played under a lot of coaches, [and] each one gave him a different perspective.
“Even though people say he is young, he didn’t start immediately in Chelsea – he with Derby for a year. He did a good job and last year, with the transfer ban, it was a good experience for him.
“You see the results now, what Chelsea have done this year. They did a very good job in the transfer window, and no doubt they will fight for the championship. I’m sure of this.”
- Jake Lambourne
ROUD AWAKENING
France boss Didier Deschamps has fired a warning to Olivier Giroud as he stated he may have to leave Chelsea in January if he wants to be picked in his Euro squad.
Asked why he picked Anthony Martian ahead of Giroud for the clash against Portugal, Deschamps said: “I make the choices that seem best to me for the France team.
“With Anthony who is a good player, it allows us to have a little more depth.
“Compared to Olivier, he has to be impacted, first of all with the situation he has at his club, knowing that he has a large frame and that he needs rhythm, it’s hard.
“That’s not why I want to lose him, it’s complicated, we’ll talk, but obviously he has every interest in it not lasting, for him, to remain competitive, but we must not forget what he did with us and what he is still able to do.
“Anthony has a different profile but one that gives options. Anthony, today, is more fulfilled and in better physical and psychological conditions, obviously.”
- Jake Lambourne
GUNNER NEED SOMEONE
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon believes the club have to sign a player in the similar mould as Chelsea ace Mason Mount.
Addressing the Gunners' lack of creativity, Dixon told the Handbrake Off Podcast that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can't carry the burden of scoring alone
He said: “That is a huge, almost total reliance on one player to get you a goal.
“No goals from anywhere else, although Lacazette has three in six he seems to have gone off the boil.
“No goals from midfield at all. No breaking midfield player that forces teams back like a Mason Mount or somebody running through the middle like that and breaking into the box.
“So, already the way that you can play with that, and I haven’t even mentioned the back four or five, then you’re limited in what you can achieve.”
- Jake Lambourne
BLUE MOON
- Jake Lambourne
RETURNING HOME
Timo Werner has admitted it is extra special returning to Leipzig now with the German national team.
He said: “I’ve really been looking forward to coming back here.
“It felt a little like I was coming home after being on holiday. I always like returning to Leipzig so international games here are always twice as special for me.
“The Nations League was introduced so that you have competitive games against other very good teams. It’s a good test, especially ahead of the Euros.
“When you’re taking part in a competition, you always want to win and finish first in the group, qualify for the final four and then win that as well. That is the kind of success that brings a team together and helps it to improve.”
- Jake Lambourne
BAL ACHE
Chelsea are reportedly competing with Liverpool to bring Barcelona starlet Alejandro Balde to England.
According to Sport, both clubs have made approaches to sign the left-back.
They state that the player could be tempted to leave if he feels he has a better chance of playing first team football.
However it looks unlikely the 17-year-old will be allowed to leave as boss Ronald Koeman is a huge fan of the defender.
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