CHELSEA are on the hunt for deadline day deals to strengthen Thomas Tuchel's squad after Frank Lampard's controversial exit.
Meanwhile Billy Gilmour is set to stay at the club after Tuchel reversed Lampard's decision to loan him out.
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- Craig Mahood
SILVA LINING
Thiago Silva has been integral to Chelsea's two clean sheets in Thomas Tuchel's first two games.
Again yesterday, the veteran showed his stature in the Blues team.
- Craig Mahood
COSTA MYSTERY OFFER
Ex-Chelsea man Diego Costa has been offered a deal until the end of the season by one of the Premier League's top six, reports claim.
Arsenal were linked with a move for the former Atletico striker last month.
But Sky Sports say the unnamed club will not land Costa on the proposed terms as he is looking for a longer contract.
Clubs in Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also keen and Costa is holding out for at least 18 months and £13million paid over that duration.
- Craig Mahood
LUNCHTIME RECAP
Here's what has happened at Stamford Bridge this morning with 11 hours left on transfer deadline day.
- Billy Gilmour linked with a move away with Southampton and Newcastle linked
- Understood in last half an hour that Gilmour has assessed options and wants to stay and fight for Chelsea place
- Dayot Upamecano 'deciding on his future' at Leipzig with Chelsea and United monitoring
- Frank Lampard in 'feud with Petr Cech' during time as Blues boss
- Abramovich didn't speak to Lamps while in charge
- Craig Mahood
BILLY STAYS – CONFIRMED
Sky Sports News confirm Billy Gilmour going nowhere today as he stays to fight for football at Chelsea.
Is that a good move from Gilmour?
- Craig Mahood
50 & COUNTING
Mason Mount has clocked up 50 starts now for Chelsea in the Premier League.
- Craig Mahood
ICYMI
Frank Lampard's fractured relationship with Petr Cech was confirmed in reports today.
We told you how the former Blues teammates had a 'strained' relationship during Lamps' time as boss.
Telegraph chief football writer, Sam Wallace, wrote: "In public, Lampard talked up the role of the man alongside whom, as a player, he enjoyed such success.
"In reality, Cech was on the other side of the divide and as a permanent club employee is loyal to Granovskaia."
- Craig Mahood
ALONSO U-TURN
A few weeks ago, Marcos Alonso leaving Stamford Bridge was obvious.
Now, things are a lot different.
The left-back had a great game against Burnley yesterday, crowned with the second goal in the 2-0 win.
- Craig Mahood
BILLY TO STAY
Billy Gilmour wants to STAY at Chelsea and works out how he fits into Thomas Tuchel’s plans, reports say.
Gilmour has been left out the Blues last two squads under Tuchel.
Southampton were in talks to take the youngster on loan.
But the Athletic claim he has decided to stay after assessing his options.
- Craig Mahood
BA-BYE
Blues outcast Baba Rahman has joined Greek side PAOK on loan until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old has been shipped out on loan five times since he joined the Blues in 2015.
A statement read: "Baba Rahman has today moved on loan to Greek side PAOK for the remainder of the campaign."
It continued: "His new loan club PAOK are known to Chelsea supporters for our games against them in the Europa League in 2018."
- Craig Mahood
DEADLINE DAYOT
Dayot Upamecano agent has confirmed the sought-after centre-back is deciding on his future with two top Premier League clubs vying for the RB Leipzig star.
Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with the highly-rated 22-year-old but the Premier League sides will face competition from Bayern Munich.
Upamecano has a current contract until 2023 at the German side but the player’s representative Volker Struth confirmed he has a £38million release clause – something that is likely to be triggered this summer.
Speaking to Sport1, he said: “The release clause was agreed because the player decided to want to take the next step at some point. It is very likely in the summer.
“Nothing final has been decided yet. The tendency for him to leave the club in the summer is high.
“The release clause is £38m. That is an insane sum in coronavirus times.
“In summer 2019 it was something else. The proportions of the transfer fees have changed. I believe that some clubs have to say goodbye to the market values when they sell players.
“[Apart from the Bundesliga] only the English league is in consideration. The Spanish clubs that were eligible are currently financially unable to do so.
“It’s no secret that there are two interested parties from the Premier League. A decision will be made and announced in the next few weeks.”
- Craig Mahood
MANE MAN
Chelsea and Manchester United have both been dealt a transfer blow with Ousmane Dembele reportedly staying put at Barcelona.
Sport claims the Frenchman has no intention of swapping Spain for England on deadline day.
Dembele, 23, has scored six times in 21 games under Ronald Koeman.
And after finding a new lease of life in the Dutchman’s system, Dembele is said to be enjoying playing for Barcelona again.
That means suitors United and Chelsea will have to wait until the summer to make a move, with Juventus also keeping tabs.
Dembele’s contract expires in 2022 and Barcelona could be forced into selling if the winger decides he wants a new challenge.
- Craig Mahood
OLI OUT?
The Frenchman started against Wolves in Tuchel's first game but was an unused sub against Burnley.
Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham are likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order from here on which could see his Euro 2021 hopes in jeopardy.
Antonio Conte is a big fan of Giroud and would be eager for a reunion but Tuchel may feel he will be left threadbare in attack if the veteran leaves.
Could this be a move that materialises?
- Craig Mahood
FITS THE BIL
Billy Gilmour should be mixing in the Chelsea first-team and NOT having to go on loan for regular football.
Clinton Morrison told Sky Sports News the midfielder would be a brilliant signing for Southampton if a deal could be struck.
- Craig Mahood
HAK A DEAL
Achraf Hakimi could be on the move to the Premier League, according to reports.
Hakimi has enjoyed a fruitful spell at Inter Milan since joining from Real Madrid.
But Inter have been hit hard financially by the Covid-19 pandemic and posted a loss of 102million euros for year ending June 30.
And with concerns over their financial viability, the Athletic claim the Moroccan full-back would be open to a move to the Premier League.
Though it is likely any move would happen in the summer.
The 22-year-old has six goals and five assists since his switch and is contracted until 2025.
- Craig Mahood
MOUR OUT
Could Billy Gilmour be on his way out of Stamford Bridge today?
Reports claim Southampton have made enquiries to take the young Scot, potentially on a loan deal.
Gilmour was given a chance under Frank Lampard but could find things more difficult with Thomas Tuchel.
Gilmour has a real chance of making the Euros squad for Scotland in the summer and would need regular game time for Steve Clarke to have an interest.
- Craig Mahood
TUCH AND GO
Two games in now for Thomas Tuchel and he will have some idea of what he wants at the Bridge.
Yesterday's 2-0 win at Burnley was a positive step after a 0-0 draw with Wolves in his first game.
Two clean sheets, defensively they appear sound.
But it was the two full-backs that got on the scoresheet, is there anyone attacking he could turn to?
- Craig Mahood
CHALO-BACK
Nathaniel Chalobah could return to the Premier League today, according to reports.
The former Chelsea youngster could be reunited with former youth boss Brendan Rodgers with Leicester City said to be interested, Sky Sports claim.
Rodgers confirmed he was hoping to add a midfielder to the club if possible and could make the move for the Watford man.
Rodgers said: "Our idea is to get a midfield player. If we can do that, then great.
"I clearly know Nathaniel from my time working with him at Chelsea, but I know lots of players and there are a number of players that we're looking at."
- Craig Mahood
FROZEN OUT
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich did not speak a single word to former manager Frank Lampard during his 18 months in charge of the Blues, according to reports.
Lampard's axing was the 14th managerial change of the Russian's tenure – and among the cheapest as he was paid just £2million in compensation.
And a report in the Telegraph claims Abramovich never personally spoke to Lampard during his year and a half managing the club.
The Telegraph's chief football writer Sam Wallace writes: "The early suspicions at the Cobham training ground among Lampard and others that he had always been a convenient stopgap at a difficult time were borne out.
"It is said that Chelsea is a political club but in reality those politics are very simple: Granovskaia tells everyone what to do and then they do it.
"The protégée of Roman Abramovich, who has spent her career running the oligarch’s businesses, appointed Lampard when alternatives were scarce.
"He has not spoken to Abramovich for the duration of his 18 months as manager."
- Craig Mahood
REALITY CECH
Frank Lampard's relationship with former team mate Petr Cech WAS strained.
SunSport told you how Lamps didn't hold as good a replacement with the former keeper as was portrayed publicly.
Now Telegraph chief football writer confirmed this today.
He wrote: "In public, Lampard talked up the role of the man alongside whom, as a player, he enjoyed such success.
"In reality, Cech was on the other side of the divide and as a permanent club employee is loyal to Granovskaia."
- supal
GOOD MORNING CHELSEA FANS
Welcome to transfer deadline day.
The summer transfer window was a busy one for the Blues, but we're not expecting quite as much action today.
Still, it's the first window for new manager Thomas Tuchel even though he's only been there a matter of days.
Will the new Blues boss have his eye on anyone for a late deal today?
In terms of exits, Billy Gilmour looks set to leave on a loan deal.
We'll have you covered all day and night up until the 11pm deadline with all the Blues news.
- James Orr
STAT'S LIFE
The numbers behind Thomas Tuchel's first win as Chelsea boss yesterday…
- James Orr
MANE CONCERN
Chelsea and Man Utd have both been dealt a transfer blow with Ousmane Dembele reportedly staying put at Barcelona.
Sport claims the Frenchman has no intention of swapping Spain for England on deadline day.
Dembele, 23, has scored six times in 21 games under Ronald Koeman.
And after finding a new lease of life in the Dutchman’s system, Dembele is said to be enjoying playing for Barcelona again.
That means suitors United and Chelsea will have to wait until the summer to make a move.
Indeed, Dembele’s contract expires in 2022 and Barcelona could be forced into selling if the winger decides he wants a new challenge.
Should Dembele insist his future lies at the Nou Camp, anything can happen in football and Barcelona could risk losing him for free in 2022 if they rebuff summer offers.
- James Orr
5. Dayot Upamecano
If Tuchel wants to splash out, then Upamecano could be his first big-money signing.
The centre-back is free to leave RB Leipzig if a club match the £38m release clause in his contract.
Chelsea have been big admirers of the Frenchman and he could be eyed as the perfect long-term replacement for Thiago Silva.
But they face serious competition from Bayern Munich who have stepped up their chase for the big man.
- James Orr
4. Kepa Arrizabalaga
The former Athletic Bilbao keeper will find his spot in Spain's Euro 2021 squad under serious threat.
He is now the club's second choice between the sticks and third choice for his country.
Kepa would be willing to leave on loan but a permanent move seems off the cards as Chelsea will want to recoup a chunk of the £71.6m they paid for him.
A temporary move back to Spain could happen but his £150,000 wages may be a major stumbling block.
- James Orr
3. Emerson
It appears the left-back is deemed surplus to requirements at the Bridge.
He has only made two substitute appearances in the league all season and was left out of the squad against Burnley.
With Marcos Alonso getting the nod against Sean Dyche's men it appears a long way back for Emerson to prove himself at Chelsea.
A move back to Italy could be on the cards with Juventus, Napoli and Roma all previously linked.
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