JustChelsea.com

Today is an absolutely crucial day for Chelsea, and could decide whether the rest of the season is a dogfight with today’s opponents Manchester City to see who comes second in the Premier league, or a battle with Arsenal and Tottenham for the Champions league positions.

At the moment, the Blues are at a tipping point. A win today at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester will put us just a single point behind Roberto Mancini and last year’s champions. That would put us in a clear race with City, and also pull us clear of the chasing pack. .....Read more...

Chelsea are ready to rock rivals Manchester City with an opening bid of £18million for striker Edin Dzeko, following an interview in which the forward suggested he could move on from the club.

Chelsea have been in the hunt for striking options this month, with Fernando Torres continually disappointing in the lone-striker position.

Demba Ba has already joined the Blues for £7.5million having impressed in his 18 months at Newcastle United, and Chelsea are expected to add another forward to the ranks before the month’s end. .....Read more...

Metalist Kharkiv striker Taison Freda’s move to Chelsea is reportedly close to collapse.

The forward´s club have set a January 10 deadline date on the move, with the second half of the Ukrainian league set to kick-off.

The Brazilian, who turns 25 on Sunday, had been confident on completing his move to the West London club after talks with the Blues hierarchy this month.

The player even had his work permit complications sorted out, but the two clubs now appear to be at loggerheads over his protracted fee. .....Read more...

Chelsea are said to be eyeing up a move for Real Betis midfielder Beñat Etxebarria, who is available for €20million.

The 25 year-old’s contract is set to expire in 18 months, leading various suitors to believe he could be available for a cut-price deal.

The Betis boss has refuted such claims, insisting Beñat will not leave for less than his Beñat €20M minimum fee release clause. Pepe Mel said: “Benat’s clause is €20million and he will only leave for €20million. .....Read more...

Manchester City defender Micah Richards has reportedly become a surprise target for Chelsea FC.

Chelsea were expected to try to sign an experienced centre-back, but now appear to be chasing Micah Richards, with a view to Branislav Ivanovic returning to play in the centre, allowing David Luiz more time in midfield.

Richards is currently out injured, and expected to make his return in early February.

The Englishman was at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to watch Chelsea’s 1-0 loss at the hands of Queens Park Rangers, sparking various rumours to circulate. Rafa Benitez when asked, did not rule out such a move, further fuelling speculation the versatile Man City defender could be a Blue player in the near future. .....Read more...

Since the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea have fallen behind in their attempts to sign 18 year-old Gerard Deulofeu from Barcelona, with Manchester City taking prominence.

Deulofeu is considered to be the stars of the Academy and is being billed in Spain as the heir to Lionel Messi’s throne.

He has played briefly in the Champions League and La Liga this season and he is such hot property that Nike offered him a £122k deal when he was just 14.
But he is still only on a youth contract at the club and has so far refused to sign a new deal which would keep him there until June 2017, despite extensive talks between the club and his agent. .....Read more...

FIFA agent Francois Gallardo has claimed that Pep Guardiola has a preliminary agreement to take over at Manchester City.

The Spanish coach quit Barcelona in the summer and pledged to take a year sabbatical out of football to spend some time with his family.

Premier League champions City appointed former Barcelona executive Txiki Begiristain as their director of football in October, to work alongside chief executive Ferran Soriano, another former Nou Camp employee.

The agent said: “Guardiola has a pre-deal to be the next manager of Manchester City, no matter if Milan or whoever make offers to him.” .....Read more...

With christmas songs starting to be played all around us, football clubs are starting to line up their January wish-list, which always leads to the usual rumours. There is no surprise that there is a fair share of Chelsea transfer rumours appearing in the media, especially with Torres yet to score in nearly two months.

The Daily Mirror are claiming that Manchester City will now fight Chelsea and Tottenham for Willian’s signature. Chelsea have seen first hand in this years Champions League how dangerous the player can be to defences, with the player scoring 3 goals against the blues in their 2 group games and are said to be long-time admirers of the Brazilian. .....Read more...

Rafa Benitez spoke out after Chelsea’s 0-0 draw yesterday after receiving a very hostile reception from Chelsea fans.

The former Liverpool manager was loudly booed before the game, while many Chelsea fans sang songs such as “F*** off Benitez, you’re not welcome here”. Roberto Di Matteo’s name was sung throughout the match.

Rafa Benitez claimed he wasn’t listening to the fans, saying: “My experience in England is that when the fans are singing in the stands, I don’t understand what they say, So I was just concentrating. I can understand because of the rivalry in the past. But I’m sure the majority of the fans will understand: I’m a professional, I do my job, I want to win, and I want to win for the club. I hope they share those ideas. .....Read more...

The new Chelsea interim manager has finally met with Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich, to discuss their current plans and targets.

When asked if Fernando Torres was the main talking point, Benitez responded: “I cannot say we were not ­talking about Torres. We were talking about a lot of things in two or three hours.

“But they can see Fernando has to improve. Everybody can see he can improve ­because he has the potential.”

Torres was in wonderful form under Rafa at Liverpool and the manager expects to see an improvement in him over the next few weeks. .....Read more...