Here are you latest football.london Chelsea headlines on Sunday, August 14.
Josip Juranovic swap for Ross Barkley
Chelsea are reportedly looking at Josip Juranović as potential cover for Reece James, according to The Sun. The Croatian international had a great 2021/22 campaign and has caught the eye of both the Blues and Man United since. Despite not ruling out an exit for the £2.5million Celtic signing, manager Ange Postecoglou isn't surprised that there is interest in his star player.
“It shows he’s playing well and it also shows what can happen if you play well for this club. This is a fantastic platform for anyone. Josip had a strong year and he wants to get even better," the Celtic boss said via the Scottish Express. “He had a strong pre-season and he’s working hard. It’s a big year for him with the World Cup, so there’s a lot of him at club and international level. He wants to be at his best and my job is to keep pushing him to be the best he can.
"The talk doesn’t affect me, mate. Whether it affects the player then he’s the one you need to ask. I just look at how they play, train, and behave and I’ve seen no change with anyone in the group. If I do then I address it. It’s not something I ask daily. It’s about how they conduct themselves when they were with us representing this club. Josip and all the other boys are working hard in training and performing at good levels. My job is to keep pushing them.”
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With the current Scottish Champions seriously interested in the fringe Chelsea midfielder, knowing Todd Boehly, he could yet try his luck at another swap plus money deal and hope to replicate the Marc Cucurella success.
Wesley Fofana transfer hint
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted the Foxes will only be able to launch a late spending spree in the transfer market should they sell players. Chelsea's Premier League rivals have only added goalkeeper Alex Smithies on a free transfer during the summer window thus far with the former Liverpool coach offering no guarantee there will be more by September.
Chelsea have already seen two bids for Wesley Fofana rejected and seemingly still have plans to prise the French defender away from the King Power Stadium. It could take a record fee for a defender for the Blues to be successful.
However, with Rodgers suggesting the departure of players could release funds Chelsea still may face a challenge. The likes of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans have both been linked with transfers in addition to their 21-year-old teammate.
Rodgers said: “It’s still going to be one where the club need to try and move on some players and see what that releases, there’s no guarantee for us at this stage. Once anything happens the club will let me know. In the meantime, my focus is on the players that are here. If something happens later down the line then we’ll address it then.”
It's important to note that the 21-year-old did start for the Foxes against Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
Read the full story here.
Jim Ratcliffe takeover warning
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham's owners have been warned of what could be about to happen at Man Utd as takeover hopeful hopes to wake Sir Jim Ratcliffe up.
Amidst all the frustration on and off the pitch after Brighton, Michael Knighton, a takeover hopeful who failed with a previous bid back in the 1980s, has come out to outline a 'hostile' type bid to displace the Glazer family.
What is the purpose of this proposal though and should this come as a worry to Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham fans?
The simple answer being yes due to the fact that despite Knighton not being too wealthy, his long-term plan if successful in his bid will send fear to all of Todd Boehly, Stan Kroenke and Daniel Levy.
This is because going public with his takeover plan, he hopes will wake up former Blues takeover hopeful Ratcliffe into taking action. The current Nice owner is worth a reported £6.3billion, more than any of the London clubs' owners and his support of the Red Devils makes this prospect a real possibility but only if Knighton succeeds with his Consortium in getting the Tampa Bay owners out permanently.
"The reason I’ve been chasing the likes of Jim Ratcliffe is because he does have the resources, he is a Manchester lad originally, he claims to be a Man United fan, and I believe he is," Knighton exclusively told the United Stand. "If I can smoke Jim Ratcliffe out and bring him to Old Trafford, my job is done. I want the likes of Jim Ratcliffe to join the consortium. There are people that are a lot wealthier than myself. I certainly don’t have the funds to buy Manchester United.
Read the full story here.
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