Premier League: Chelsea v Newcastle preview

After finally getting a relatively straightforward win at home last time out against Burnley, today’s late game sees us back on our travels, as we face Newcastle.

Steve Bruce has had to deal with a string of injuries, the number changes from day to day, depending on which source you get it from, but they are still in a slightly better position than they were this time last year so it is not all bad. Football fans can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

Similar to us I suppose, we had to manage with our share of injury woes from the start of the season, on top of a transfer ban, and we must be doing so well the club has decided they do not need a transfer window after all.

Ok, I'm kidding, whilst the football is easier to watch, we are slightly worse off than this time last season, but there’s still clearly no panic buying despite our ups and downs this campaign.

We seem to be favorites for this one, which seems reasonable enough from Newcastle’s form but I agree with Frank, we would be mad to write them off.

They will be looking to Joelinton to upset us but I would be more inclined to think if Andy Carroll makes even part of this game, the fact he is gone 28 Premier League appearances without a goal would almost guarantee he would get on the score sheet today.

Manager’s Views

Going into today’s game, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce says “We have been down to the bare bones. We have had something like 12, 13 players injured all at once, out of a squad of 23 with three goalkeepers. That tells you that you are in a little bit of trouble.”

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard meanwhile, says: Every game in the Premier League remains vital and this is the same as all the others.

Even though we have good away form in general, every game brings new challenges. Going to Newcastle, I know it as a player and I know it now.

The emotion of the crowd they are a very organized team with the manager that they have. Also, the threats they have got some good results this season. 

We will be taking nothing lightly or expecting anything because of our away record. We have to take this game head-on, as we have to do in these games coming up now because it is massively important we keep or focus game in game out. We certainly do not underestimate Newcastle.

Squad News

For Newcastle Paul Dummett and Dwight Gayle are nursing hamstring injuries and Andy Carroll is a doubt but Jonjo Shelvey and Fabian Schar are back in training and Allan Saint-Maximin returns.

For Chelsea, Ruben Loftus Cheek Achilles, van Ginkel (ACL), Christian Pulisic adductor is out and N’Golo Kante hamstring continues to be assessed. Marcos Alonso could be in contention.

Teams

Newcastle Possible line-up: Dubravka; Hayden, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lejeune, Willems; Ritchie, Shelvey, S.Longstaff, Almiron, and Joelinton

Chelsea Possible line-up: Kepa, James, Rudiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Barkley, Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Abraham, Hudson Odoi

Other Stuff

Newcastle has taken just four points from their last eight Premier League games against Chelsea, losing the last three.

Chelsea’s 25 victories in this Premier League fixture are bettered only by 29 wins against Tottenham. Newcastle has won just once in six league matches.

Newcastle could lose three successive Premier League games at St James’ Park for the first time since October 2018. Newcastle’s average ball possession of 34% is the lowest in the Premier League.

Chelsea has taken 22 points away from home in the Premier League, compared to 17 points at Stamford Bridge. Twenty-five of Chelsea's 39 league goals have come on the road.

Chelsea has kept just one away clean sheet, conceding 19 goals in their 11 games.

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Premier League: 5 players who could move to Chelsea this January

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has plenty of options for improving his squad during this transfer window. After their summer transfer ban prevented them from making any pre-season acquisitions, Chelsea are now able to sign players for the first time in 12 months.

Manager Frank Lampard will be looking to bolster his squad as the Blues look to seal a top-four finish in the second half of the season. Football fans from around the world can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

One area where the west London club will be looking to strengthen this window is at left-back, with current options Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri unconvincing so far this season under Lampard.

Lampard will also be looking to bring in the striker to alleviate the pressure on in-form striker Tammy Abraham, while alternative options Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud are out of favor at the club.

Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain

The Blues have been long-term admirers of the Uruguayan and could make a move for him on a free transfer as the striker’s contract runs out at the end of the season.

However, Cavani is reportedly set to meet with PSG’s sporting director Leonardo this week to potentially discuss a move away in January which may force Chelsea’s hand.

Chelsea may face competition from Manchester United for Cavani’s signature, however, with the Red Devils looking to provide cover for striking options Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Moussa Dembele, Lyon

Another striker Chelsea are definitely interested in January is Lyon’s Moussa Dembele.

The French forward has 10 goals in 18 Ligule 1 games so far this season, with his eye for goal and devastating power and pace one of the main reasons why he is so sought after this window.

Dembele in no stranger to west London having played for neighbors Fulham between 2013 and 2016.

The forward scored 15 goals in 43 Championship games for the Cottagers before sealing a move to Celtic, where he won the double-treble with the Scottish giants in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

According to various reports, the Blues have had a £34m bid rejected for Dembele, with the French club expecting north of £40m for their star striker.

Despite the steep cost for a player who has limited experience in Europe, Chelsea has been urged by former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink this week to seal a move for Dembele.  

David Alaba, Bayern Munich

To solve the club’s left-back troubles, Chelsea have been linked with Bayern Munich’s full-back David Alaba in a prospective £60m move.

Despite winning eight Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian club during his career, Bayern have struggled in Germany’s top-flight this season and sit third in the table behind RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Chelsea believe that they could tempt Alaba with a new challenge in the Premier League, with the Austrian left-back being a mainstay in Bayern’s side since he came through the club’s youth ranks in 2009.

Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace

The Blues may look closer to home, as Wilfried Zaha remains a potential transfer window mover from a tumultuous summer.

Signing Zaha would be a clever move for any top-six sides the Ivory Coast winger is a proven Premier League player and can torment the league’s defenders across the whole front three.

Crystal Palace, however, are holding out for an £80m transfer fee for their star player, having rejected lower bids in the summer from Arsenal and Everton.

Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly also keen on Zaha’s signature; with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho reportedly giving spurs the green light to pay the large fee for the winger.

Nathan Aké, Bournemouth

Chelsea is also widely linked with a move for former defender Nathan Aké from Bournemouth.

The Dutch defender, who can also play at left-back, last played for the club in 2017 before sealing a £20m move to the Cherries that summer after an initial loan spell at Dean Court in the first-half of the 2016/17 season.

Having been virtually ever-present for Eddie Howe’s side since his permanent move, Chelsea are tempted to bring him back to Stamford Bridge but will reportedly need to sell once of their existing center-half options before making a move for Aké.

The most likely candidate is Andreas Christensen, given Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma’s popularity with current head coach Lampard and Fikayo Tomori’s potential in defense.

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Premier League: Every Chelsea player's salaries for the current season have been revealed

Frank Lampard's project at Chelsea is very different from that of his various predecessors under Roman Abramovich. 

The end of the Blues' transfer ban means they are finally free to dip into the transfer market. 

Yet so far, Lampard has been forced to operate on a very different basis to the likes of Jose Mourinho, instead of relying on young players and re-motivating existing stars. Football fans from around the world can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

Admittedly, Chelsea did have a comparatively high wage bill already in place to compete with other Premier League clubs. 

In the top flight, only Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool pay a higher average wage to their players. 

That average is naturally brought up by Chelsea's highest earners with Sportrac providing the full data on who earns what at Stamford Bridge. 

Kepa Arrizabalaga (£150,000)

Naturally, the most expensive goalkeeper in the world is also among the top earners at Chelsea. Has he been a good value for that money? Largely but he is also made several high-profile errors. 

N'Golo Kante (£150,000)

There can be no arguments. Kane is one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League and was arguably the key figure when they last won the title in 2017. Also, a thoroughly lovely man who deserves this sort of money just because of his wonderful personality: 

Christian Pulisic (£145,000)

Pulisic was always going to command a big wage because of his reputation but he really struggled to hit the ground running. Things are finally looking up for him now that he has five goals and has made two assists. 

Willian (£120,000)

There are few Chelsea players that divide the fans like Willian some rate him some think he is not worth a penny of his £120k-a-week.

Tiemoue Bakayoko (£110,000)

Bakayoko was a complete flop but these wages are at least split with Monaco where he is back on loan. 

Jorginho (£110,000)

The midfielder's contribution was more subtle in his first season but under Lampard, his involvement is more tangible even if he still does not get as many goals and assists as he would like. 

Olivier Giroud (£110,000)

Giroud is a World Cup winner and an established Premier League striker of eight years. Even so, given that he is made just two League starts all season we cannot help but feel this is money that could be better spent elsewhere.

Mateo Kovacic (£106,673)

An oddly specific amount, Kovacic has played a part in all bar one of Chelsea's league games this season. 

Marcos Alonso (£100,000)

Alonso has been atrocious at times this season though compared to the wages some top clubs pay £100k is not all that much in the grand scheme of things.

Ross Barkley (£100,000)

Barkley has had injury problems which is a pity as he finally looked like he was about to fulfill his promise. The midfielder inevitably commanded a high wage as Chelsea courted him for years. 

Pedro (£100,000)

The 32-year-old has played a minimal role since Lampard's arrival but he is still one of the most experienced heads in the dressing room. 

Antonio Rudiger (£100,000)

Rudiger ought to be on more than the likes of Alonso and Danny Drinkwater’s hands down. The Germany international is now the key to their defense. 

Danny Drinkwater (£100,000)

There really is no justice in the world. Drinkwater was let go by Burnley and his career seems to be in total free fall. Unsurprisingly, Chelsea is demanding that any club who takes him on loan must now pay the entirety of his wages. 

Cesar Azpilicueta (£90,000)

Azpilicueta, on the other hand, is consistent long-standing and probably one of the most underrated defenders in the Premier League. 

Michy Batshuayi (£90,000)

Batshuayi was class in Ligue 1 but has never made much of an impact at Chelsea. Another loan spell beckons this month. 

Baba Rahman (£86,000)

The Ghanaian is on loan at Mallorca having played for Chelsea 15 times since he joined in 2015. This is his fourth loan spell and it is not immediately clear why he is still on the books at all.

Andreas Christensen (£80,000)

When he is given an opportunity the Dane looks promising but £80k seems about right for a player who is still yet to really establish himself. 

Mason Mount (£75,000)

Mount is one of several players who has benefited from Chelsea's transfer ban finally establishing himself as a top-flight player this season. 

Victor Moses (£75,000)

To be frank Antonio Conte saw something in Moses that not many else have before or since. He's currently on loan at Fenerbahce. 

Davide Zappacosta (£70,000)

Zappacosta was given a new contract before being sent on loan to Roma, so his decent weekly wage may reflect that they still have plans for him or are trying to up his transfer fee.

Tammy Abraham (£50,000)

A new contract is surely on the way for Chelsea's top scorer who has only recently fallen behind in the race for the Golden Boot. 

Kurt Zouma (£40,000)

Zouma undoubtedly has potential but has never been quite the same since his horrific leg break in 2016. Chelsea does have faith that he will continue to progress through and are already in talks with him over a new deal. 

Chelsea's lowest earners the likes of Jake Clarke-Salter (£5,000-a-week) and Ethan Ampadu (£7,500-a-week) have a lot to aspire to ahead of them.

Also at the bottom of the rung are Marco van Ginkel (£27,885), Isaiah Brown (£25,000), Kenedy (£25,000), Lewis Baker (£20,000), Michael Hector (£17,000), Matt Miazga (£15,000), and Nathan (£10,000).

It is a good job the club is planning to sit down with quite a few of their senior players to discuss extensions and put right some of these potential injustices.

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Premier League: Chelsea identify Brazilian hitman Gabriel Barbosa as No 1 transfer target

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has made Gabriel Barbosa his top target with the 41-year-old keen to provide competition for top-scorer Tammy Abraham.

Lampard wants to decrease pressure on Tammy Abraham by signing Barbosa who has just finished a loan spell at Brazilian side Flamengo. Football fans from around the world can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

Chelsea might seal the deal by ignoring a fee on veteran Olivier Giroud sought by Inter boss Antonio Conte.

Brazil international Barbosa trapped the eye of Lampard after scoring both of Flamengo's goals in the Copa Libertadores final prior this season.

He has been a productive goal scorer in Brazil's Serie A scoring 70 goals in 112 arrivals for Flamengo and past club Santos before that. Lampard is still intense on Jadon Sancho but Barbosa is a primacy.

Lampard has about £150m to spend this month after the club’s transmission ban was boosted by CAS.

He is eyeing for a striker as his chief priority and did want Timo Werner who now looks set to stay with RB Leipzig as they hunt down a first Bundesliga award.

Nathan Ake return to deal with Bournemouth

An extensive man, a left-back and a center-back is as well on the club’s radar.

Chelsea is absorbed in getting Nathan Ake back from Bournemouth in an agreement worth £40m assisted by a buy-back section in his agreement but Lampard is waiting to see what other deals he can do first.

David Alaba is also on the position finder at left-back as he arrives the final 18 months of his agreement at Bayern Munich.

Chelsea has had a mixed start under Lampard despite sitting in fourth place in the Premier League.

They have already misplaced seven times in 21 league competitions but have been sheltered by the poor form of Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

21-year-old forward Abraham has been in sublime form this season netting 12 Premier League goals so far.

Only Jamie Vardy Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Danny Ings have found the back of the net more often than Abraham, while current back-ups Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud have only notched one league goal between them.

The duo has also been linked with January moves away from Stamford Bridge with Aston Villa reportedly interested in both players as potential short term replacements for the injured Wesley.

As a result, it is no surprise that Chelsea are after a new striker this month, with Lampard’s side already linked with moves for Lyon forward Moussa Dembele and Red Bull Leipzig star Timo Werner.

However, Lyon recently released an official statement where they claimed Dembele would not be leaving the club while Werner has reportedly decided to stay put at Leipzig until the summer.

The Express Report about Chelsea

Now, the Express is reporting that Barbosa is Chelsea’s number one target, with the Brazilian forward recently concluding a successful loan spell with Flamengo which included an eye-catching performance in the Copa Libertadores final.

West Ham have also been linked with a move for the man known as Gabigol, with new boss David Moyes keen on a new forward to ease the pressure on Sebastian Haller.

Speaking about the transfer speculation Moyes said: “I would love to answer all your questions with great knowledge but because I have only been in the door a few days the truth is I do not know I have probably had hundreds of agents putting people into me. If decent players are accessible we will look at them.”

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Premier League: Frank Lampard Jadon Sancho decision Wilfried Zaha close

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is eyeing Samuel Chukwueze, Fyodor Chalov, and Leon Bailey as well as Jadon Sancho and Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window.

The Blues legend has already drawn up transmission plans for his side as they get ready for their first window since their prohibition was lifted following a successful appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Football fans from around the world can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

What next for Danny Drinkwater?

Danny Drinkwater is returning to Chelsea after a disastrous loan spell at Burnley. Drinkwater played only 59 minutes of Premier League action since arriving at Turf Moor in the summer.

Frank Lampard has made it clear that the midfielder is not in his plans moving forward.

And with John McGinn ruled out for three months, Aston Villa has been linked with a move for the 29-year-old.

Chilwell alternatives

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard will turn to Nicolas Tagliafico and Alex Telles if he fails to land Ben Chilwell.

Express Sport understands that Chilwell is one of the club’s top transfer targets this month with a left-back high on Lampard’s list of priorities.

Trouble landing Chilwell is somewhat that Chelsea has recognized though and according to Portuguese reports from A Bola, they have two substitutes to the 23-year-old.

It comes with Marcos Alonso potentially on his way out while Emerson Palmieri has struggled with injuries.

Willian off

Tottenham have contacted representatives of Chelsea winger Willian regarding a January swoop.

The Brazilian is out of contract at Stamford Bridge in the summer and could be convinced to play for Jose Mourinho across London. The Blues policy of offering players over 30 one-year deals could mean the winger looks elsewhere.

Tottenham boss Mourinho is keen to strengthen his squad and could see Willian as the perfect buy.

Wilfried Zaha close

Wilfried Zaha could be set to leave Crystal Palace with the winger reportedly changing his agent.

According to the Daily Mail, Zaha is planning on working with Pini Zahavi to help facilitate his departure from Selhurst Park.

Zaha served notice of his intention to split with his long-term agent Will Salthouse last September after he failed to secure the forward a move away from Palace in the summer.

In a boost for Chelsea Zahavi has excellent relationships with many at Chelsea and is also close to the club’s owner Roman Abramovich.

Lampard’s Sancho decision

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has cooled his interest in Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho after the Bundesliga side set an astronomical asking price for the England international.

Transfer expert Ian McGarry claims Dortmund commanded £103million for Sancho.

And he relies on there would be an additional £42.6m which would go to the winger’s agent making it a massive outlay for Chelsea.

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Premier League: Frank Lampard confirms Chelsea defender should return within 10 days

Marcos Alonso has not played since the first half beside Ajax on November 5 and is linked to a January transfer to Inter Milan. His deficiency has not enriched Chelsea.

Marcos Alonso should be back fit again for Chelsea in around 10 days Frank Lampard has confirmed. Football fans can purchase Premier League Football Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

The Spanish defender has been out of action due to a muscular problem and he has not featured for the west London side since the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas.

Alonso, 29, was not in the squad for Chelsea clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on New Year’s Day, but Lampard has now revealed that the defender should not be out of action for much longer.

Fran Lampard Interview about Marcos Alonso

Speaking in an interview before the trip to the South Coast on Wednesday afternoon, Lampard said:

“Alonso is similar he will be out for a week to 10 days.

“It is the top of a gluten muscle injury. They are Alonso and Reece James in similar boat not terrible injuries but obviously, they are missing a pretty crucial time.”

Marcos Alonso has always been a scapegoat for the team's defensive problems. Alonso is not fast. Everybody in the world and those already dead knows that. However, Chelsea does not have an overall fast team they have an intelligent one.

 John Terry was famous for being slow but he was still arguably the best defender the league has ever seen. Why? Intelligence, Positioning, Picking your moments.

This is obviously not a comparison let alone equivalence between John Terry and Marcos Alonso. Rather, it is to show that the emphasis that has been placed on speed is overstated.

Jose Mourinho About Chelsea fans

Chelsea fans especially have short memories. This is why Jose Mourinho said that his biggest achievement is winning the next game because fans will not remember anything you did in the past. The same can be applied to Alonso.

Alonso did not become slow overnight. When he won the Premier League for Chelsea he was not fast.

Chelsea received a timely boost when Reece James returned to the starting line-up for the trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday as the young defender made his fifth Premier League start of the season for the west Londoners.

After that, the west London side will take on Burnley, Newcastle United, and Arsenal in their next three Premier League games as they look to keep up their push for a top-four finish this season.

Marcos Alonso had been playing well during the period Emerson was out. It is understandable if Frank Lampard does not see the traits he is looking for in Alonso, like speed.

However, Alonso has experience that Emerson does not have. He has better communication with the backline and his opposite full-back whoever it is. He is more useful in set-pieces defensively and offensively.

He is an actual goal threat. He is a wildcard option because he can pull special moments out of thin air. Last, Marcos Alonso is a better defender than Emerson Palmieri and it is not even close.

Frank Lampard is the head coach so he obviously knows a lot more than you or me. It would be nice to know what we are missing other than Marcos Alonso in the lineup.

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