CHELSEA were well beaten by Man City in a disastrous first game of 2021 for Frank Lampard.
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid are said to be interested in signing Olivier Giroud to replace Diego Costa, just as Chelsea did in 2018.
Follow all the latest from the Bridge below…
- Josh Graham
NO SILVA LINING
Chelsea's veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva could not explain the Blues' poor form after they suffered a fourth loss in six Premier League games against Manchester City on Sunday.
Silva told BBC Sport: "Today was painful in the first half in football terms because their level of play shows where we need to aspire to.
"In the second-half I saw a reaction but the work needs to be done."
In a French interview with RMC Sport, he added: "No, I don't understand what's wrong. If I understand before, I think I could have given some advice, but that's how it is, it's football, it's the Premier League, one of the toughest championships around the world.
"You have to be careful, work harder, be stronger as a team, but I think the team is good, the second half was much better than the first in my opinion.
"We tried to play a little more, we managed to play. I think we were superior in possession of the ball in the second half, sometimes it does not work as we want, as we have prepared, but hey, that's how football is.
"We must prepare for the next match when it arrives."
- Josh Graham
PUL YOUR SOCKS UP
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic blamed the Blues' lacklustre first 45 minutes for the 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester City.
The American wideman said: "We conceded goals with a lot of counter situations and we weren’t prepared to stop that so the first half really let us down.
Christian Pulisic couldn't inspire a Chelsea comeback against Manchester CityCredit: AP:Associated Press "They were able to beat us on some transitions where we needed to defend better and be a little smarter and then we allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game.
"We had to go back out and show character. We’re never going to give up, we know we have talented guys and a good team but we just need to show it, which is what we did in the second half.
"It’s not easy to come back from three goals down but it’s happened before so we gave it everything and managed to get one back. Unfortunately, it was just too little, too late."
- Josh Graham
CAN'T HAK IT
Hakim Ziyech was accused of being 'not bothered' about tracking back during Chelsea's 3-1 hammering at home to Manchester City.
The Moroccan playmaker was brought back into the squad for the first time since he picked up a thigh injury against Leeds at the start of December.
Former Liverpool midfielder turned Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness picked out Ziyech for not racing back and helping defend the counter attack.
He said: "But Ziyech was guilty of for the third goal because it was 'I'm not bothered'. He didn't do the basics. What does that say about him?
"That's happened in training. In proper teams, that never happens. In teams that win big trophies, other players get after him.
"Even in training, they'd be told you don't do that."
- Jack Figg
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Unfortunately, it is looking like a Blue Monday for the Stamford Bridge faithful and potentially for boss Frank Lampard.
The Blues are now eighth after suffering four defeats in their last six Prem games.
And it has been reported the Chelsea boss’s position could be in peril if results do not improve following the 3-1 loss to Manchester City.
The Athletic claims Blues officials are mulling over alternative plans if the team’s slump in the Prem continues.
The club’s senior figures are thought to be troubled by the Blues’ recent form and the struggles of summer signings Kai Havertz and Timo Werner. Lampard himself has admitted to “feeling the heat” in the Chelsea hot seat following his team’s loss to Pep Guardiola’s side.
But the Blues coach is confident his side have the character to bounce back and described his team’s recent dip as “a test” Alan Shearer is among the pundits who believe Chelsea’s performance against City could put Lampard at risk of the chop.
And the Daily Star have highlighted Thomas Tuchel, Max Allegri, Laurent Blanc and Rafa Benitez as names who may well make Chelsea’s shortlist of possible replacements.
Meanwhile, Gary Neville has slammed Chelsea’s midfield performance for being sub-standard against City.
The Old Trafford hero described N'golo Kante’s, Mason Mount’s and Mateo Kovacic’s efforts as “nowhere near good enough”.
- Sandra Brobbey
FRANK DANGER
Frank Lampard's position as Chelsea boss could be in peril if results do not improve, according to reports.
The Athletic claims Blues officials are mulling over alternative plans if the team's slump continues.
The club's senior figures are thought to be troubled by the Blues' recent form and the struggles of summer signings Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
And there has been speculation in regard to tension between Lampard and certain squad members, who have made less appearances than his trusted group of starters.
- Sandra Brobbey
HOT LAMP
Frank Lampard has acknowledged he is feeling the heat in the Chelsea hot seat after his side's loss to Manchester City.
But the Blues boss believes his team has the character to overcome their recent blip which has seen them lose to Wolves and Arsenal as well as City.
After today's defeat Lampard said: “I always feel heat. There is a lot of youth and new players in the team.
"That is not easy. I’m not going to speak for the people on the board or what they are thinking. That would be too much of a distraction. I can only speak as the manager of the club.
“We have character. We have 17 games unbeaten. A month ago people are asking where is this going to go, when are you signing a new contract. Now they’re saying the opposite.
"I’ll be the first to look at myself today but I know where we’re at and I know what it takes to churn out the level that City were at today. It’s normal that we take knocks but now is a test.”
- Sandra Brobbey
SACK RISK
Alan Shearer reckons Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Manchester City could heap more pressure on Frank Lampard's position as club boss.
The Blues suffered their fourth defeat in six games and have dropped to eighth in table after being talked of as title contenders.
And the Newcastle legend gave ablunt verdict on the potential impact of the team's performance.
Shearer told PLTV: "It's the kind of performance from Chelsea that gets the manager the sack."
Frank Lampard's team are eighth in the table following a 3-1 home loss to Man City - Sandra Brobbey
FANS' FURY
Chelsea's performance against Man City has left scores of Blues fans furious.
The team are currently losing 3-0 to Pep Guardiola's players after a disastrous opening 45 minutes.
Chelsea seem a little toothless in attack and have had just one shot on target at Stamford Bridge with 77 minutes gone.
And supporters have taken to Twitter to vent their anger, with one fan describing the performance as "highly unacceptable".
- Sandra Brobbey
CITY SLICK
Chelsea have gone three goals behind in the opening half of their clash with Manchester City.
City netted their goals in less than 40 minutes looking clinical on the counter.
And Guardiola's players scored their two opening goals in three minutes with strikes from Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden.
- Sandra Brobbey
BLUES ELEVEN
Frank Lampard has made changes to the team that took on Aston Villa ahead of Chelsea's clash with Man City today.
Kurt Zouma is back to take his place next to Thiago Silva in central defenceafter the pair were rested on Monday night.
Mateo Kovacic who joins N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount in midfield replacing Jorginho
And Hakim Ziyech will join the Blues attack making his first start for Lampard since Chelsea's 3-1 victory against Leeds in December.
- Sandra Brobbey
KEANE'S FRANK VIEW
Roy Keane has dismissed comparisons between Frank Lampard's managerial experience at Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp's first year in charge at Liverpool.
Lampard had highlighted Klopp's success at Anfield as an example of a club reaping the rewards of being patient with a manager rebuilding a team.
However, Keane reckons the Blues boss cannot compare his situation with that of Klopp's given the German's previous success with Borussia Dortmund.
Keane told Sky Sports: "If you look at Frank’s situation, coming into management, he’s new to it, he’s 42 years of age and we’re comparing Klopp. Remember Klopp came from Dortmund and won big prizes over there.
"I know that’s the name of the game, the Ancelottis in the world, the Mourinhos, Pep – he’s up against all these managers and we’re saying he needs patience and time, but these lads have got a CV behind them, they’ve won the big prizes.
"He won’t get the time Klopp got."
- William Pugh
COUNTDOWN IS ON
Chelsea vs Man City kicks off at Stamford Bridge at 4:30pm.
Stay with SunSport for team news and our LIVE minute by minute match blog.
- William Pugh
KICKING OFF
Chelsea's Premier League clash with Man City will go ahead despite two new positive coronavirus tests in the City camp.
The clash between the title contenders was in jeopardy after a serious outbreak of the killer bug at Man City.
Fresh tests returned two new positive results, with Eric Garcia and a member of staff coming down with the bug.
But the match will go ahead as planned at 4.30pm today.
Eric Garcia is the latest Man City player to test positiveCredit: AP:Associated Press The game at Stamford Bridge was under threatCredit: PA:Press Association - William Pugh
PREM UPDATE
The Premier League table is finely poised as we approach the half-way point of the season.
Liverpool and Manchester United lead the way on 33 points each with Jurgen Klopp's men having a far better goal difference.
Just ten points separates third and 15th spot with every team in those places with a shout at a European spot come the end of the season.
Sheffield United look doomed already at the bottom while Sam Allardyce's West Brom also have a mountain to climb.
Although the conditions aren't ideal, this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of all time.
- William Pugh
COUNTDOWN IS ON!
Chelsea teased fans online ahead of this afternoon's Premier League match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues will go third with a win with both teams on 26 points.
Kick-off is 4:30pm.
- William Pugh
…
The ban left Atletico Madrid chiefs enraged, stating it’s unfair they are being punished when they played no part in the alleged offences.
With Trippier’s ban now on ice, he could miss England’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Those three games could be the Three Lions final games before June, when they take on Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic in the group stages of this summer’s delayed Euros.
The right-back spot is easily England’s deepest too.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James are already pushing for the starting spot, with Tariq Lamptey, Kyle Walker and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also in the mix.
Missing crucial games in March could see Trippier forced out of the squad and replaced for the Euros.
- William Pugh
TRIPP CANCELLED
Kieran Trippier could miss this summer’s European Championship due to his ten-week betting ban.
Last week, the former Tottenham right-back, 30, was found guilty of four of seven alleged betting offences relating to his move to Spain in 2019.
But Atletico Madrid say his ban has now been put on hold after they appealed the ‘totally unjust’ decision. And it could now affect England‘s Euros campaign this summer.
As well as his ten-match ban, Trippier was fined £70,000, with Fifa confirming the ban was effective worldwide and would start immediately.
That meant Trippier would miss Atletico Madrid‘s next 13 matches, including the Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea.
Trippier appealed the decision, claiming he did not place any bets or profit from bets placed by others…
- William Pugh
BRUCE CHANGE
Steve Bruce is reportedly plotting two January deals in the shape of Fikayo Tomori and Hamza Choudhury to bolster his Newcastle side.
The Magpies have endured a spluttering season that sees them just about keeping clear of the relegation fight.
Understandably, Bruce is keen to add to his side this month but must do so on limited funds. That's seen him target Chelsea centre-back Tomori.
The talented defender shone in the first half of last season but has since fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, particularly since the arrival of Thiago Silva.
The 23-year-old, who picked up his first England cap last season, has managed just 44 minutes of league action this term.
According to multiple reports, Newcastle hope to bring him in on loan for the remainder of the season.
- William Pugh
ETERNAL BLUE
Frank Lampard has pledged that he will never walk away from Stamford Bridge and admits to embracing the pressure of spending £200million, according to reports.
The Chelsea midfield icon has seen his side experience a slight dip in form towards the end of 2020 with two losses from their last three games in December.
However the Blues boss insists he is thriving on the demands of his role.
Lampard told reporters: “I enjoy pressure. If I didn’t enjoy it I would not have got back into this, or I would walk away at the first chance, and that’s never ever going to be something that I would do.
“The first person that puts pressure on me is me. I do that all the time, for good and for bad.
“I take it on. I don’t mind it. That’s how I am. Maybe my wife will tell you how I react to pressure better than I do. But I don’t kick the dog!”
- William Pugh
HAZARD AHEAD
Chelsea took the opportunity to post a throwback video of Eden Hazard's brace against Manchester City in 2017 before the clubs meet at Stamford Bridge later.
The Blues won 2-1 on April 5 2017 and will hope for more of the same tonight.
- William Pugh
THANKS A LOTTI
Pep Guardiola is convinced Frank Lampard is already on the way to making himself a legend as a manager.
Just like the Manchester City boss’ own hero — Carlo Ancelotti.
Lamps comes up against Pep having spent almost £230million on rebooting Chelsea for a title challenge.
Instead he is under pressure after three defeats in December that will allow City to overtake his struggling side with a win today.
Yet Guardiola sees Lampard as a true Blueblood and declared: “He is an excellent manager. And he is a top, top, top guy — like Carlo Ancelotti who is a legend for me.
“He is one of the people I admire the most, Frank is an incredible person. It is nice to be involved with such a nice person.”
Credit: PA:Press Association Credit: Getty Images – Getty
- William Pugh
BLUES WORRY
Manchester City have had another positive Covid test returned — taking the total number at the club to EIGHT.
Fulham’s midday match at Burnley has already been postponed but City are confident their game at Chelsea will go ahead.
Boss Pep Guardiola and his squad were tested again yesterday, with the results expected to arrive this morning.
City’s new case emerged from the testing carried out on Friday and is understood to be a player from the elite development squad.
A club spokesman said: “The Manchester City Covid-19 bubble underwent testing on Friday and one result has returned as positive from a player outside the immediate first-team squad.
“The player has had no contact with the first team in the last ten days. Everyone at City continues to wish speedy recoveries to all our colleagues who remain in self-isolation following their positive tests.”
Credit: PA:Press Association - William Pugh
…
"I have read a few things about how much some people can suffer with it.
"Some people are asymptomatic but he has definitely had a bit of fallout from having it. We are trying to help him deal with that.
"I have full belief in him and we have to give him that time. I know I had to do extra work.
"Kai is different to me but with the knock back of Covid we have to give him time to do that work. I'm excited to take on that challenge with him."
- William Pugh
BE KAI-ND
Frank Lampard has backed Kai Havertz to eventually deliver at Chelsea and blamed his poor form on catching coronavirus.
The German has struggled since his £89million move from Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season.
He was struck down with Covid-19 in November and seems to still be feeling the effects.
But his boss has leaped to his defence ahead of the Blues' clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Lampard said: "Just as Kai was coming to terms with the Premier League, he had some really good performances, he got Covid.
"And he had Covid quite severely. People are starting to open up about it now…
- William Pugh
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Frank Lampard has said he is keen to remain in charge of Chelsea for as long as possible.
And the Blues boss admits he has been embracing the pressure of his job which has seen the club spend £200million on signings under his tenure last summer.
Lampard told reporters: “The first person that puts pressure on me is me. I do that all the time, for good and for bad. I take it on. I don’t mind it. That’s how I am.”
Meanwhile, the Blues are rumoured to be eyeing a move for AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma despite adding Edouard Mendy to their ranks last year.
The 21-year-old Italian is due to be out of contract at the end of the season.
And Chelsea have also been linked with a swoop for Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
Le Sport10 claims the club have been in contact with the Ligue 1 outfit over the possibility of a move for the £13.5million rated star.
The Strasbourg ace has also been a target for AC Milan, Burnley, Tottenham and West Ham.
And TalkSport’s Tony Cascarino reckons Declan Rice could offer Chelsea more security in midfield.
The former Blues ace believes his old side should consider a move for the West Ham star.
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