CHELSEA are in FA Cup action this weekend as they welcome League Two side Morecambe to the Bridge.
On the transfer front, we've the very latest on interest in Moises Caicedo plus an update on the future of Olivier Giroud.
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Follow all the latest below…
- Gary Stonehouse
MORNING, CHELSEA FANS
Olivier Giroud is tipped to stay at Chelsea this month despite interest from Juventus and Inter Milan – whereas Frank Lampard's future seems less secure.
Lampard is the bookies' favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked after four defeats and just four points from the past six games.
But Giroud's run of nine goals in 15 matches is expected to keep the 34-year-old striker at Stamford Bridge until his contract ends in the summer.
Chelsea have been linked with Strasbourg's £13.5milion-rated defender Mohamed Simakan.
Nice and Serie A leaders AC Milan are also said to be keen on the 20-year-old.
The Blues' outcast midfielder Danny Drinkwater is reportedly being touted to Bundesliga clubs for around £3.5m.
The former Premier League title winner with Leicester, 30, has flopped in loan spells with Burnley and Aston Villa.
But Fussballtransfers.com claim representatives for the three-cap ex-England star have spoken to German top-flight teams over a possible January move.
Chelsea are said to be in touch with Independiente del Valle over midfielder Moises Caicedo – after the Ecuadorian club denied they were in talks with Manchester United over the 19-year-old.
- Ian Tuckey
PREM CLUBS WARNED
The Government has warned football clubs to get a grip on stars breaking Covid-19 rules or risk losing their backing to continue the season.
A string of Premier League stars flouted strict rules not to mix households to party over the festive period – making a mockery of the sacrifices the public are making.
And though they have given the green light for games to be played despite the new national lockdown, the government have made it clear patience is running thin because of the behaviour of the Covidiot players.
Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for Culture, Media and Sport, made contact with football bosses in England on Monday to assure them they were not being shut down in the lockdown announced that evening.
SunSport understands he made it clear the government supports the professional game carrying on, knowing it plays a big role in keeping fans across the country entertained during the pandemic.
But Dowden also made a point of making it clear that football needs to do everything to ensure that public backing does not come back to haunt them.
- Ian Tuckey
I GINK IT'S NOT ALL OVER
Forgotten Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel is back in full training with loan club PSV Eindhoven as the injury-hit 28-year-old battles to rebuild his career.
The eight-cap Holland star has had temporary spells with AC Milan, Stoke and three times Dutch giants PSV after joining the Blues from Vitesse in 2013.
And he told ESPN: “The knee is doing well, we are doing well. For the last two weeks, I have been doing everything with the group again.
“Now that I am so close again, it is starting to itch again."
- Ian Tuckey
WATER OVER THE BRIDGE
Chelsea could be willing to offload outcast midfielder Danny Drinkwater to the Bundesliga for just £3.5million.
The former Premier League title winner with Leicester, 30, has flopped in loan spells for Burnley and Aston Villa.
Danny Drinkwater is eyeing a move after three years going downhill with Chelsea But German outlet Fussballtransfers.com claim representatives for the three-cap ex-England star have spoken to German top-flight teams over a possible January move.
It's suggested the Blues would be prepared to accept ONE-TENTH of the £35m they paid the Foxes for him in 2017.
- Ian Tuckey
HAVE YOUR CAIC
Chelsea are said to be in touch with Independiente del Valle over midfielder Moises Caicedo – after the Ecuadorian club denied they were in talks with Manchester United over the 19-year-old.
The Express claim the Blues are the latest club to pursue the full Ecuador international.
But reports also suggest any interest from United has cooled.
- Ian Tuckey
STRIFE BEGINS AT 40
Premier League bosses have revealed a record 40 positive Covid tests last week.
Outbreaks of the virus at Manchester City, Fulham and Sheffield United contributed to the number of positives more than DOUBLING from the previous seven days.
But another factor was the return of twice a week testing, meaning that more than 50 per cent extra samples were taken at the 20 Prem clubs.
The latest figures, announced by the Premier League, confirmed that 28 new positive results were returned from 1,311 players and club staff tested between December 28 and New Year’s Eve.
But the second round of weekly tests, comprising a further 984 samples, saw another 12 positive results returned.
Last week saw three Prem games postponed because of virus outbreaks.
It has now emerged that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden warned Prem, EFL and FA bosses that further episodes of “Covidiocy” like the Christmas gather which included Spurs trip Erik Lamela, Giovani Lo Celso and Sergio Reguilon plus West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini could make it difficult for the Government to continue to support games being staged.
- Ian Tuckey
BLUES' FLOP SIX SCORING RECORD
Chelsea fans are split over why Frank Lampard's men fell away over Christmas.
But some are pointing to this startling stat – a lack of goals against traditional top six rivals.
That's another reason why Olivier Giroud is tipped to stay this month, despite interest from Juventus and Inter Milan.
The France frontman, 34, has hit nine goals in 15 games since earning more regular starts.
- Ian Tuckey
LIGHT THE BLUES' TUCH PAPER?
With Thomas Tuchel ‘interested’ in replacing under-fire Frank Lampard at Chelsea, how could the Blues line up under the former PSG boss?
Tuchel could bring a number of his old signings to Stamford Bridge with him, including Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi.
- Ian Tuckey
NO ROUD OFF THE BRIDGE
Olivier Giroud is tipped to stay at Chelsea this month despite interest from Juventus and Inter Milan.
Goal claim the France striker, 34, will see out the last six months of his Stamford Bridge contract after bagging nine goals in 15 games this term.
Inter boss Antonio Conte has long been a fan, having signed Giroud for Chelsea from Arsenal in 2018.
And Italian champions Juventus are said to have joined the race for Giroud’s signature after slipping to fifth in the Serie A table.
But Giroud told RMC Sport: “My career, in the short term, I see it at Chelsea.
“Now, we know things go quickly in football, both in good and bad ways. I want to keep my head clear and focus on the pitch.
“I’m coming to the end of my contract at Chelsea in June, even if we have the option of another year.
“We’ll go over things at the end of the year. But, once again, I have the ambition of winning something with Chelsea this season because I have a lot of hope due to the quality of our squad.”
- Ian Tuckey
- Ian Tuckey
- Ian Tuckey
BRIDGE OF SI'S
Chelsea have been linked with Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
Le 10 Sport reports the Blues are chasing the 20-year-old’s signature after he played every minute in Ligue 1.
He is valued in the region of £13.5milion and could be one for the future with current first choice centre-back Thiago Silva aged 36.
Nice – who took Arsenal’s William Saliba on loan yesterday – and Serie A high flyers AC Milan are also mentioned.
- Ian Tuckey
OLI GOOD FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Olivier Giroud has revealed there is a one-year extension available in his Chelsea contract and said he intends to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Juventus have publicly expressed an interest in the French forward with boss Andrea Pirlo praising the former Arsenal ban saying he would be a ‘handy’ addition.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Giroud was ‘pleased’ with the Old Lady’s interest.
But on Boxing Day, Giroud told French paper Dauphine Libere: “The rest of my short-term career, I see it at Chelsea.
“I’m coming to the end of my contract at Chelsea next June, even though we still have one year with options.
“We will do the accounts at the end of the year.
“But once again, I have the ambition to win something with Chelsea this season because I have high hopes because of the quality of our group.”
- Josh Graham
ON THIS DAY
Can Callum Hudson-Odoi spark a Chelsea revival from the slump that has put boss Frank Lampard under huge pressure?
He scored the late consolation against Manchester City on Sunday and also bagged a cracking goal 12 months ago today.
- Josh Graham
COVID CHAOS
Prem bosses have revealed a record 40 positive Covid tests last week.
Outbreaks of the virus at Manchester City, Fulham and Sheffield United contributed to the number of positives more than DOUBLING from the previous seven days.
But another factor was the return of twice a week testing, meaning that more than 50 per cent extra samples were taken at the 20 Prem clubs.
The latest figures, announced by the Premier League, confirmed that 28 new positive results were returned from 1,311 players and club staff tested between December 28 and New Year’s Eve.
But the second round of weekly tests, comprising a further 984 samples, saw another 12 positive results returned.
Last week saw three Prem games postponed because of virus outbreaks.
- Josh Graham
NO PAT ON THE BACK
Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has explained Frank Lampard's thought process during the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
Nevin, writing for the club's official website, said: "Maybe after that opener, Frank could have gone safe and changed from 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1, we had the players on the pitch to do it.
"The thing is, he would have wanted to get control back and get on the front foot, so being negative at that moment would have been alien to his outlook.
"Why shouldn’t we press and go for the equaliser, that is the Chelsea way, especially at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard.
"Do you shut up shop while under the cosh or go all out to get a goal back before half-time and know you are still in the game. We went with the latter and that commitment followed by a rare error by N’Golo [Kante] led to the third."
- Josh Graham
CAPTAIN CESAR
Cesar Azpilicueta made his 400th Chelsea appearance against Manchester City on Sunday.
He joined an elite club which now stands at 13 Blues to have passed the 400 mark, including, of course, his boss Frank Lampard.
- Josh Graham
ROUD AWAKENING
Olivier Giroud has revealed there is a one-year extension available in his Chelsea contract and said he intends to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Juventus have publicly expressed an interest in the French forward with boss Andrea Pirlo praising the former Arsenal ban saying he would be a 'handy' addition.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Giroud was 'pleased' with the Old Lady's interest.
But on Boxing Day, Giroud told French paper Dauphine Libere: "The rest of my short-term career, I see it at Chelsea.
"I’m coming to the end of my contract at Chelsea next June, even though we still have one year with options.
“We will do the accounts at the end of the year.
“But once again, I have the ambition to win something with Chelsea this season because I have high hopes because of the quality of our group.”
- Josh Graham
ROMAN EMPIRE
Roman Abramovich has spent a staggering £110.5MILLION paying off sacked managers since becoming Chelsea owner in 2003.
And amid a horror run of results, there's a real fear Frank Lampard COULD be next to face the swing of the Russian's axe.
Abramovich has spent over £110m on sacking managers since his 2003 arrival SunSport understands Blues chiefs are NOT considering dumping the ex-Derby chief yet.
But Chelsea have had their head turned by Thomas Tuchel's sudden availability after he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain before Christmas.
Since buying the Blues from Ken Bates, Abramovich has seen 12 managers come and go – including Jose Mourinho twice.
Only ONE of them left on their own terms – Europa League winner Maurizio Sarri, who quit Chelsea to pursue his dream at Juventus after just one year in London.
- Josh Graham
ON YOUR MARCS
Chelsea midfielder Marco Van Ginkel is finally set to return to action after TWO years out injured.
The Dutch ace is on loan at PSV but could soon be lacing up his boots again after a torrid time on the sidelines since 2018.
Chelsea loanee Marco Van Ginkel is finally set for a return to actionCredit: Getty – Contributor He told ESPN: "The knee is doing well, we are doing well. For the last two weeks, I have been doing everything with the group again.
"Now that I’m so close again, it’s starting to itch again. In the past two weeks. I have taken steps and now I have to take a step towards the games.
"Eventually, you find out that football is really your thing. That fire has always kept burning and it will do so for the time being.
"When you are that close, you know you have not done everything for nothing."
- Josh Graham
MAN OF THE MOHMENT
Chelsea have been linked with Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan.
Le 10 Sport reports the Blues are chasing the 20-year-old's signature after he played every minute in Ligue 1.
Strasbourg ace Mohamed Simakan has reportedly caught Chelsea's eyeCredit: AFP – Getty He is valued in the region of £13.5milion and could be one for the future with current first choice centre-back Thiago Silva aged 36.
Nice – who took Arsenal's William Saliba on loan yesterday – and Serie A high flyers AC Milan are also mentioned.
- Josh Graham
TUCHEL YOUR PLAYERS
With Thomas Tuchel 'interested' in replacing under-fire Frank Lampard at Chelsea, how could the Blues line up under the former PSG boss?
Tuchel could bring a number of his old signings to Stamford Bridge with him, including Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi.
- Josh Graham
SACK RACE
There IS some respite for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
He is no longer the favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked by their club.
Chris Wilder has leapfrogged Lamps as basement boys Sheffield United are still without a win and staring at relegation to the Championship.
Premier League next manager sacked odds – Paddy Power
- Chris Wilder 1/3
- Frank Lampard 9/2
- Roy Hodgson 12/1
- Graham Potter 12/1
- Sam Allardyce 14/1
ED LOSS
Jamie Carragher slammed Chelsea shot-stopper Edouard Mendy's display in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
Sky Sports pundit Carragher felt Mendy rushed to get the ball out to N'Golo Kante, rather than taking the sting out of the game with City threatening.
He said on the channel: "You’ve got to understand the situation. Your confidence isn’t great in the game anyway, City have had two big chances.
"Relax. Slow everyone down. He’s an experienced player in his late 20s.
"He then gives the ball to N’Golo Kante… and there is a turnover straight away.
"For me, it starts with the goalkeepers’s decision to throw the ball out… I think the goalkeeper should save it [Gundogan’s goal]."
TUCH YOUR TIME
Chelsea are ready to move for axed PSG boss Thomas Tuchel if Frank Lampard can't turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have slumped to eighth in the Premier League with pressure mounting on club legend Lamps.
And after Tuchel got the boot in Paris and was replaced by former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich knows there is a top coach waiting in the wings if he pulls the plug on the Lampard era.
SunSport understands Lampard is in no immediate danger of being sacked but results need to improve.
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