Branislav Ivanovic

Branislav Ivanovic | Serbia & Chelsea Superstar

Anderlecht player-manager Vincent Kompany has backed Frank Lampard to naturally fit into the head coach role at Chelsea. The Blues have yet to announce a new manager after the departure of Maurizio Sarri but they are close to doing so with Derby County permitting Lampard to hold discussions over the vacancy.

Speaking to Goal.com, Kompany said that he learnt much from the Englishman during the latter’s one-year loan at Manchester City and the Blues should provide from the expertise of the 40-year-old, he told: “Sign him up. He’s the man. I learnt so much from him. He was a bit older when he joined Man City. Frank was an incredible professional, he stepped the level up for everyone else, and I’m trying to have the same impact as an older player. The match is natural with Chelsea. I completely support him.”

Chelsea are reportedly interested in the signing of Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey according to reports from Europe.

The Daily Mail reports that the Blues have made enquiries about the player and have been told that he is valued at around £80 million.

Former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has said that Christian Pulisic has plenty of talent within him and he will have a great future at the west London side.

The USA international was confirmed as a Blues player during the January transfer window but he was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has said that Chelsea should consider the recruitment of Eddie Howe for the managerial role at the end of the season. Maurizio Sarri has endured a mixed campaign by his standards during his debut campaign with the Blues, and the club are currently just outside of the top four positions with four games to play.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said that there could be a change in management at the Bridge this summer, should Roman Abramovich continue to remain the owner at the club. He added that Sarri has not quite met his expectations after flourishing during his final year at Napoli, and Howe would be his preferred choice to take over at the helm ahead of next season.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has reiterated that Danny Drinkwater has no future with the club and is surprised why the midfielder has stayed put for the season. The England international has failed to make a single competitive appearance under Sarri this term, and it appears unlikely to change with Sarri stressing that the midfielder does not fit into his plans.

Speaking in a press conference, Sarri said that Drinkwater was urged to part ways with the club as early as August and he is probably unsure why he has remained for the season, he said: "I spoke with him in August when the market was open. I said to him to look for something different because in my opinion he doesn't play. I said to him the reasons, my reasons, but he decided to stay.

England manager Gareth Southgate has heaped praise on the performance of Callum Hudson-Odoi following his team’s 5-1 win over Montenegro on the road. The Chelsea graduate was handed his maiden start for the Three Lions on the night and he managed to produce a solid display with an assist to boost.
Speaking after the game, Southgate was pleased with the showing of the Blues graduate, who was surprisingly picked into the squad despite his reduced game. He said: “I am really pleased, the game was a simple one, we talked all week about using our width and using our wingers and our wingers were very productive on the night.

“Callum Hudson-Odoi put in a fabulous performance in which showed what he showed us all week. I don’t need to speak, his performance spoke. With young players it is always up to them. You can see the talent, the application with us has been excellent, he has got to continue that, this is a great step forward for him. “But like any player you have got to continue to improve.”

Former Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen believes Chelsea will continue backing Maurizio Sarri for the head coach role despite the club’s 6-0 embarrassment at the hands of Manchester City last weekend. The Blues manager has come under fire with the club’s losing streak on the road and of late, this has contributed to question marks regarding his future.

However, speaking to Optus Sport, Sorensen has said that the Blues hierarchy will maintain their faith in the Italian tactician with the opportunity to turn things around, he said: “That’s where you have to trust the people in charge at the club. They choose the direction of where you’re going and they’ve gone with Sarri. And they, you would expect, have to buy full into that and you need time. I know in today’s day and age you don’t have it. You look at [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer and there will be talks now that he doesn’t deserve the manager’s job because they [Manchester United] lost. So it is really tough.”

Chelsea shot-stopper Willy Caballero has praised the impact of Kepa Arrizabalaga since joining the Blues from Athletic Bilbao in the summer. The Spain international was pursued from the Spanish side on a world-record fee for a keeper in the summer and he has since been a regular feature for the Blues while being ever-present for the league duties.

Speaking to reporters, Caballero highlighted that the Blues were keen on signing a keeper, who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and this has certainly been the case with Arrizabalaga satisfying the requirements. The Argentine added that he was expecting the 24-year-old to have a tricky beginning in the Premier League but he is pleased that the former Basque player has settled seamlessly.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has urged the club to pursue another ball-playing midfielder after Jorginho endured a tough game against Newcastle United in the Premier League. The Italy international has been Sarri’s undisputed pick for the holding midfield role but the club are currently lacking a back-up option with the same attributes after the departure of Cesc Fabregas.

Speaking to reporters, Sarri admitted that Jorginho had a concern during the Magpies game but he could not change things, given he does not have a player on the bench with the same passing attributes as the Italian, he said: “Today Jorginho was in trouble and on the bench there wasn’t a player for that position.”
Meanwhile, the manager added that he requires an option behind Jorginho in the ranks, although he is unsure whether the club are making progress towards recruiting anyone, he further told: “I need an option for Jorginho. I have no idea. It’s not too much [of a worry for me]. [If] the club is worried, I don’t know. The club knows very well my opinion. I need the player there [in that position]. It depends on the club decision, I think. I cannot do anything more.”

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has said that the Blues must act on the contract situation of Eden Hazard in the near future amid the constant speculation linking him with Real Madrid. The Belgium international has openly admitted his ambition of playing for the European champions over the past year and this has increased speculation regarding his future with his Blues contract expiring in 18 months’ time.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Sarri stressed that the club must solve the Belgian’s contract saga in the forthcoming months, although he has no power on his side to influence the attacker’s decision, he said:"I think we have to solve the problem. If we want to plan the future, we have to solve this problem.I don't know [what Hazard is thinking], but I think that it's time to decide. I have not the power to do this. "I am the coach. I want to speak to him only about the position on the pitch."