Your morning Chelsea digest on Monday, April 17.
Luis Enrique 'disappointed' by Chelsea manager decision after holding talks with Todd Boehly
Luis Enrique was left 'disappointed' by Todd Boehly's decision to appoint Frank Lampard as caretaker manager at Chelsea until the end of the season. football.london reported earlier this month that Enrique was in London to hold talks with the Blues about becoming their new head coach.
Enrique emerged as a candidate to replace Graham Potter after the former Chelsea boss was sacked following a poor run of results after replacing Thomas Tuchel earlier in the season. The Blues' form has failed to improve after Lampard's appointment until the end of the current campaign, losing all three games under the club legend so far.
football.london understands that Julian Nagelsmann is a serious contender to replace Potter but that the German would prefer to wait until the summer to become the new manager. Reports claimed that the former Bayern Munich boss has also been given the chance to hold talks with the Blues over their vacant manger position but a decision will not be rushed despite results failing to improve under Lampard.
READ MORE: Wesley Fofana reveals what Frank Lampard said in players meeting after Chelsea management return
Chelsea handed Champions League blow as Carlo Ancelotti confirms Real Madrid double injury boost
Chelsea have been handed a blow ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second-leg after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed two Real Madrid stars will be fit for the clash at Stamford Bridge. The Blues head into the second-leg with a 2-0 deficit after goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio gave Madrid a huge advantage in the tie.
Ancelotti made changes to his starting lineup against Cadiz on Saturday afternoon with the Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Chelsea in mind, as Vinicius and Kroos were both absent from the matchday squad entirely - whilst Modric, Dani Caravajal and David Alaba were left on the bench. Vinicius and Kroos not even being named among the substitutes at Cadiz’s Nuevo Mirandilla stadium sparked fears over their fitness for the trip to Stamford Bridge, with the Madrid boss later revealing that they were both struggling with minor muscle strains.
However, the Italian went on to say that he expects both players to return to full team training today and be fit for the second-leg clash in west London. “They couldn’t play today because they both had small issues,” Ancelotti told reporters when asked about Vinicius and Kroos’ absences against Cadiz.
Chelsea may already have Mason Mount dilemma answer as Liverpool plot transfer swoop
Chelsea are facing a serious dilemma regarding Mason Mount's future at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have failed to come to an agreement with the England international as talks over a new contract continue with his current deal set to expire in 2024.
Reports have suggested that Chelsea would want a fee in the region of £70million for Mount despite him only having a year left on his current deal. This could help the club avoid any potential Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues after spending £600million on new signings in the last two transfer windows.
The Blues may have already signed the perfect replacement for Mount - if he leaves this summer. Andrey Santos completed a permanent switch to Stamford Bridge in January but has been loaned out to Vasco Da Gama due to him failing to have a work permit approved to play for Chelsea.
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