Jules Kounde saga to finally end as Chelsea ‘strike £55m deal’ with medical this week

Manchester United star Roy Keane has thrown his weight of support behind T homas Tuchel despite Chelsea’s underwhelming pre-season.It's not been the best of summers for the blues after they failed to deliver a convincing win over Mexican side Club America, beating them just 2-1. Next they were defeated on penalties by MLS outfit Charlotte FC after a 1-1 draw, before being thrashed by London rivals Arsenal 4-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo would be a worse signing than Romelu Lukaku was if the club changed their mind, according to Chelsea legend Pat Nevin.The Blues have shipped £97.5million man Lukaku back off to Inter Milan for the season following his drab return to Stamford Bridge, with Ronaldo linked as a replacement option after he made it clear he wants to leave Manchester United.When they were presented with the opportunity to sign the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Chelsea's hierarchy didn't express an interest - and their former winger Nevin believes it should stay that way, as like Lukaku, he's not suited to their style of play.READ MORE: Win 2 tickets to watch England vs Germany in Nations League action at Wembley Stadium Speaking to BonusCodeBets, he said: "I think Ronaldo would be even more of a poor fit than Lukaku was for Chelsea. "When Lukaku signed last season, people thought he would be the missing link but I thought by signing him, Thomas Tuchel was throwing his style of play out the window, if indeed it was Thomas who signed him.

James Corden is definitely making the most of his time back in the UK, now enjoying a boys night out with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.The Gavin and Stacey creator, who this year announced he would be stepping back as host of the Late Late Show, seems to be having a well-earned break after returning to the UK.Enjoying dinner at Scott’s restaurant in Mayfair, James, 43, and Todd, 48, could be seen in peals of laughter. At one point, James could be seen pointing at Todd as he giggled sheepishly, while another shot showed Todd grinning at something on James’ phone.

Chelsea fans have begged Alphonso Davies to pack his bags and join the Blues from Bayern Munich after he admitted he was a Blues fan as a youngster.Davies has emerged as one of the best full-backs on the planet during his stay in Bavaria. But when asked if he had to support a team in the UK by ESPN, the Canadian was quick to respond.He said: "I mean, I grew up watching Chelsea.

Real Madrid's biggest names have been handed new contracts.Eder Militao, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo have all reportedly signed new bumper deals and they all have whopping release clauses that even the richest clubs in the world would struggle to pay. Combined, clubs could bag the three players for a small £2.1billion.

Arsenal fans have been left salivating over the prospect of Gabriel Jesus starring in the Premier League after his outrageous chip kick-started a 4-0 win over Chelsea. The Blues fielded a near full strength line-up that included the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount, Reece James and Edouard Mendy as Thomas Tuchel looked to beat their London rivals in the Florida Cup on Saturday evening (July 23).Mikel Arteta also opted to play his best available XI with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard in behind new star signing Gabriel Jesus - who didn't need long to make a mark.

Chelsea have an agreement in place to leave Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan for an extra year to all but end his future at Stamford BridgeThe Belgian striker re-joined the Serie A giants on a season-long loan in June, just 10 months on from his blockbuster £97.5million move to west London.Lukaku fell out with Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel after accusing the German of misusing him tactically during an ill-fated interview with Italian TV in December - during which he also promised to return to Inter - and spent most of the latter half of the season warming the Blues' bench.READ MORE: Romelu Lukaku ordered on diet at Inter after returning from Chelsea 'too heavy'Keen to put the sorry saga behind him, Tuchel greenlit Lukaku's escape back to Italy, and it appears he's more than happy for him to stay there following news that Chelsea and Inter have an agreement in principal to extend the 29-year-old's loan move by an extra season.Lukaku still has four years left to run on his Chelsea contract, but it's understood that all ties between player and club have effectively been severed following his dismal return last season, where he netted just eight league goals.The Blues wanted Lukaku to leave permanently, but his £200-a-week wages and mammoth price-tag proved too much of a stumbling block.How many goals will Lukaku score this season for Inter Milan? Let us know in the comments section below.Since returning to the San Siro, Lukaku has been put on a special regimented diet as well as an intense fitness programme after turning up in Italy overweight.The former Manchester United and Everton man was at the peak of his powers during his two-year stint with Inter, scoring 64 goals in 95 games before being tempted back to England by

Chelsea were linked with a sensational move for Paris Saint Germain star Neymar earlier this window, but the Brazilian has squashed reports with his latest admission.The most expensive signing of all-time has since been overshadowed by both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at PSG, with the latter becoming the most powerful player at the club due to terms in his blockbuster contract. Neymar initially moved away from Messi and Barcelona to establish himself as the main man elsewhere, but it hasn't exactly gone to plan.Neymar has been reduced to tears on multiple occasions following their agonising run in the Champions League, and new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was reportedly offered the chance to sign the Brazilian earlier this month.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has been told if he continues to attempt to build a new-look defence with players from abroad it will cost his side a chance of winning the league. The Blues lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at the start of the summer when their contracts expired, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso linked with moves to Barcelona too. Thus, the priority at Stamford Bridge has been signing defenders.Kalidou Koulibaly was announced as the club’s first defensive recruit, joining from Napoli in a deal worth £33million, whilst they are edging closer to securing long-term target Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

Brad Pitt and various other celebrities on the red carpet after jetting home from Chelsea's pre-season tour.The Albanian striker was tipped to challenge for a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge this term after an impressive stint on loan at Southampton last season, where he bagged nine goals in all competitions.But the 20-year-old is being courted by a host of Premier League clubs - and Broja appears to have decided his long-term future lies away from Chelsea. After linking up late with the Blues squad on their pre-season tour of the United States, Broja has returned to London and is now edging closer to a permanent exit from the club.READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel blasts flop Timo Werner over exit demands due to huge Chelsea wagesBroja was snapped on the red carpet in London in midweek, as Pitt's new film, Bullet Train, received it's UK premiere.

Thomas Tuchel has hit back at Timo Werner by stating the Chelsea flop should be content with his mammoth wages.Werner, 26, pockets an eye-watering £270k-a-week at Stamford Bridge following his mega-money move from RB Leipzig in 2020 but the German international has hinted his future could lie away from west London. Starting just 15 Premier League matches last season, Werner was ousted by Romelu Lukaku's £97.5m return and continued to misfire in front of goal.The forward registered just four goals in the top-flight over the course of the 2021/22 season and is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench once again after Tuchel bagged top target Raheem Sterling in the transfer window.READ MORE: Chelsea told to "get rid" of Timo Werner and sign Romelu Lukaku's favourite old team-mateEarlier in the week, Werner admitted a lack of game could see him leave the club in the summer window, whilst also aiming a subtle jibe at Tuchel.

Chelsea star Conor Gallagher produced a Panenka penalty attempt so bad that fans questioned if their defeat to Charlotte FC was "fixed".Thomas Tuchel's side stepped up their pre-season preparations with a match against the MLS outfit on Wednesday (July 20). Christian Pulisic's opener was cancelled out by a late penalty for the hosts, forcing the game to a shootout.Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell tucked away the first two spot kicks for the Blues, but after Charlotte had converted their third, Gallagher totally fumbled his.

The future is unclear for Billy Gilmour as the Scots star is set to hold talks with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.

Lens right-back Jonathan Clauss could become Erik ten Hag's fourth signing as Manchester United manager after the club reportedly entered advanced talks over a deal.

Chelsea’s pre-season training camp in America, with each of the quartet linked with moves away from the club this summer.Armando Broja and Tino Anjorin have flown back to England, with the pair expected to spend next season elsewhere. West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign Broja in a deal worth £30million, with the player agreeing personal terms at the club and pushing for a permanent exit – after a loan move was discussed.Anjorin is set to finalise a loan move away to the Championship, with Coventry, Norwich and QPR all registering their interest in the central midfielder.

Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko was held at gunpoint by Italian police in the centre of Milan on Sunday in an embarrassing case of mistaken identity.The Frenchman was hauled from his car and searched by an officer against a police cruiser as colleagues aimed firearms at Bakayoko's utterly perplexed, and presumably terrified, passenger(s).After around 30 seconds, one of the officers informs the man searching Bakayoko that they'd made a mistake and that the person they'd nabbed was actually an AC Milan player, though after hearing his name, the cop hilariously replies: "Who?"READ MORE: Chelsea 'closing in on Jules Kounde transfer' but Barcelona attempt £51m hijackHe then surreptitiously helps the midfielder up before patting him on the back to say sorry for the gaffe.

Thomas Tuchel says vaccination status is now a consideration for Chelsea when buying players in the summer transfer window. Tuchel is currently preparing his squad for the upcoming season in the US without N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The two midfielders have been unable to travel for the pre-season tour because they have both chosen not to have the Covid-19 vaccination.The duo are currently training with the Blues’ youth squads at Cobham and took part in a friendly against Boreham Wood on Friday.

Chelsea are reportedly closing in on the signing on Sevilla star Jules Kounde, but could see a move for the centre-back scuppered by Barcelona. Having lost Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona on free transfers earlier in the summer, Thomas Tuchel has made bolstering his Blues backline the priority this summer.

Chelsea fans have been left shocked after Michy Batshuayi was given a run-out during the Blues pre-season tour of the United States.Batshuayi joined the Londoners six years ago in a £33million deal from Marseille, but the Belgian striker has been a major flop at Stamford Bridge. The 28-year-old has mustered just eight Premier League goals in 48 appearances and has been farmed out on loan countless times in recent years.After struggling to make an impression with Crystal Palace in the 2020/21 campaign, Batshuayi notched 14 goals in 42 games for Besiktas last term and has been tipped to leave the Blues for good this summer.READ MORE: Ben Chilwell swiftly deletes Insta post of Chelsea stars Mason Mount and Reece JamesBut the striker featured in Chelsea's 2-1 win over Club America - much to the bemusement of Chelsea fans.

Raheem Sterling has been caught on camera snubbing a fan who asked him to sign a Manchester City shirt after he signed for Chelsea. The England international ended his seven-year stay at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, completing a £50million move to Chelsea to become the first signing since Todd Boehly's takeover.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier could be left with egg on his face after revealing he laughed off Presnel Kimpembe to Chelsea rumours... but talks are progressing.The Blues are desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements as a matter of urgency having lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at the end of last season when their contracts expired. It is also being considered that both Marcos Alonso and captain Cesar Azpilicueta are in talks with Barcelona as well.Earlier this week it was announced that the Blues had signed one replacement, bringing in Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli in a deal worth £33million.