Here are your football.london Chelsea headlines on Saturday, March 26.
Saudi Media's Liverpool-style takeover plan
Saudi Media have been rejected in the Chelsea takeover race but their plans for the club may have left some fans feeling a sense of what could have been. The Saudi group were the first to confirm that they are not being considered to take over from Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch under UK government sanctions.
The consortium led by Todd Boehly, a part-owner of the LA Dodgers, remains among the front-runners. The group featuring Sir Martin Broughton have also progressed to the next stage.
Whilst the race now goes on between the two favourites, Goal have released more info as to what a Saudi Media takeover would have looked like. Instead of the carefree spending, Mohamed Al Khereiji and co were planning to adapt a Liverpool-style model regarding smarter recruitment. Something that will come as a surprise to Chelsea supporters whom some believed this relatively unknown group were the closest they would get to someone like an Abramovich style of owner.
Eden Hazard's Chelsea transfer and takeover stance revealed amid Newcastle and Arsenal links
Chelsea's takeover uncertainty has apparently resulted in former Blues star Eden Hazard having "doubts" over his Premier League return amid reported interest from Newcastle and Arsenal. Hazard, 31, was yet again snubbed by Carlo Ancelotti as the former Chelsea manager didn't give the winger any minutes in the recent El Clasico embarrassment for Los Blancos. A move that was heavily criticised by Real Madrid legend Guti. who questioned Ancelotti's in-game management after the 4-0 defeat last Sunday.
READ MORE: Chelsea sale: Two groups confirm they are on shortlist with questions over Ricketts family
"I'm Ancelotti and I look at the bench and I have Hazard, Jovic, Bale, Isco," Guti told El Chiringuito via the Metro. "And you’re telling me that I can’t sub any of them in? What’s going on? I am getting lost. Back at Chelsea, Todd Boehly's consortium and Sir Martin Broughton's group are the two favourites to complete a takeover for the club, but while a return to Stamford Bridge for Hazard has been rumoured for some time, no one yet knows just how each would view a potential comeback for the winger. It was rumoured that Roman Abramovich and his board were keen on a potential loan deal that was in the works before the sanctions hit, but other teams like Arsenal and Newcastle have also been linked.
This sentiment was reflected in SPORT's latest update on the situation whereby they say Hazard now has "doubts" about his next move. The Belgian could even postpone leaving the Spanish capital in the summer if a move to Chelsea is not an option.
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Chelsea ace confirms future transfer plans as Thomas Tuchel approaches crucial summer decision
Marcos Alonso has admitted that he would love to play in La Liga before the end of his career. The wing-back has often found himself the subject of transfer speculation during his time at Chelsea, with links to Inter Milan as recently as last summer, while a move always felt on the cards during his fractious relationship with Frank Lampard. However, despite up and down performances, the 31-year-old has proved himself a valuable member of Thomas Tuchel's team this season. With Emerson Palmieri on loan at Lyon and Ben Chilwell's ACL injury ruling him out for the rest of the season, the German coach has had little other option to turn to.
The Spaniard made just a single appearance for Real Madrid after graduating from their Castilla side and found himself plying his trade for the likes of Bolton, Sunderland and Fiorentina before arriving at Stamford Bridge. A return to his homeland has never been too far away from his mind. “I would love to play in La Liga, all my life I have wanted to play and be here in Spain, but the circumstances have been different and not everything has depended on me. At the moment I am focused on this season and what has to be, will be,” Alonso told AS, via Sport Witness. Pushed on whether he could play for Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona due to his familiar connections, Alonso was more coy. He added: "Yes, yes, I have family ties on all sides… Chelsea right now. I have a contract for this and one more season.”
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