Loftus-Cheek, Billy Gilmour net braces as Chelsea put QPR to the sword (Match Report)

Chelsea came out smoking in their preparations for the Premier League restart, beating Queens Park Rangers 7-1 in a friendly encounter at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Billy Gilmour scored twice each while Mason Mount, Willian and Olivier Giroud also got on the scoresheet as Chelsea improved on a 1-0 victory over Reading in a similar warm-up friendly last week.

N’Golo Kante, who made a return to full contact training on Tuesday after expressing concerns over his safety due to the coronavirus outbreak, started the game against Championship side QPR.

Chelsea were in a commanding 4-1 half-time at the break.

It was much of the same after the break, with another strike from Loftus-Cheek adding to the scoreline before Gilmour grabbed two for himself to put the shine on a fantastic Chelsea display.

Lampard’s side are fourth in the league with 48 points from 29 games ahead of the resumption of the season on Wednesday following the coronavirus disruption.

Chelsea are scheduled to face Aston Villa away next Sunday in their first game back.

Photo Credit: Twitter @ChelseaFC

Chelsea pull out of move for sensational winger

Chelsea have reportedly withdrawn their interest in Porto winger Jesus Manuel Corona.

Blues transfer chief Marina Granovskaia is believed to have instructed scouts to turn their attention elsewhere.

Corona has banged in four goals and registered 17 assists for the Portuguese side this year.

The 27-year-old’s agent Matias Bunge confirmed the Blues had made contact earlier this year.

But their stance changed when they found out Liverpool had pulled out of the race to sign Timo Werner.

Photo Credit: calcionline.com

Injured Taiwo Awoniyi rushed to hospital during Bundesliga match, his manager confirms talks with Liverpool over deal for striker

Mainz manager Rouven Schroder has confirmed the club’s interest in a permanent move for Taiwo Awoniyi, who was rushed to hospital today during his club’s match against Augsburg.

The striker was stretchered off in 23 minute into a 1-0 home defeat to Augsburg in a Bundesliga relegation battle.

Awoniyi was taken to the hospital following a clash of heads and nasty-looking fall after just 23 minutes of the match.

Reports say he is conscious and talking in the ambulance.

The 22-year-old aimed to play a key role in his side’s quest to build on last weekend’s five-star performance, where they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Schroder said: “I am very, very positive about him.

“Taiwo never let himself down, always had his head up and the absolute will to improve was never negative. It is a symbol of how team sport works.

“We are in an exchange with Liverpool, that is an open position.

“We are now waiting for the last games. Then we’ll see what the next steps are.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @ Mainz05en

Former Liverpool star explains why Kai Havertz should snub Manchester United for Chelsea

Dietmar Hamann has called on Kai Havertz to dismiss Manchester United’s interest in favour of a move to Chelsea this summer.

Havertz, 20, is one of the most exciting prospects in Europe and has continued his impressive Bayer Leverkusen form since the Bundesliga’s restart.

Though Chelsea lead the way in trying to sign the Germany international, they face stiff competition from United and from European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Nonetheless, Hamann insists Stamford Bridge is the best destination for the £75million-rated forward, reports Mirror.

“United has lost its appeal in recent years,” the former Bayern Munich and Liverpool midfielder told Sky Germany.

“They have been the measure of things for many years, they are still the largest club in England, but they have major internal problems.

“If there was a player on the market in the past, Manchester United was the first point of contact for years. I believe that is no longer the case today.

“When a player like Kai Havertz changes clubs and signs somewhere for five years, the long-term perspective is more important than participating in the Champions League next season.

“The player may have to make the decision in the next few weeks and cannot wait until the season in England, which runs until the end of July or beginning of August, is over.”

Hamann then asserted that United has been a “vacuum” for players in recent seasons before urging Havertz to become part of an “incredibly exciting” project with the Blues.

He added: “Perspective is important for a player, but Manchester has been in a vacuum for years.

“On the other hand, if I look at Chelsea, they have a coach with Frank Lampard who did a great job for the club as a player – and I have the feeling that the Blues are growing again.

“For the first time in a long time, you have a team with which the fans can really identify. If a Timo Werner or possibly a Kai Havertz were to be added, it would be an incredibly exciting and interesting story.

“If I think about where I see the clubs now and in two or three years, the decision for Chelsea would be a relatively easy one for me as a player.”

Chelsea battle Arsenal for Premier League club goalkeeper

There are reports in England that Chelsea and Arsenal are set for a transfer battle for Southampton outcast Fraser Forster.

The goalkeeper has been on loan at Scottish giants Celtic this season, with the Hoops believed to want to sign him permanently.

But according to Football Insider, Chelsea “are assessing the keeper amid doubts over his future at St Mary’s Stadium”.

Rumours persist that Frank Lampard is ready to move on first choice Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer after a series of high-profile blunders.

He ended up losing his place in the team to back-up Willy Caballero, who recently agreed a one-year extension at Stamford Bridge.

Southampton are ready to listen to offers this summer for 32-year-old Forster who has another two years left on his current £70,000-a-week deal.

Alex McCarthy has cemented his place between the Saints’ sticks this season with Angus Gunn providing the back-up.

Premier League clubs on high alert as PSG confirm exits of Edinson Cavani, Thiago Silva

Top Premier League clubs are expected to swoop for Lique 1 record scorer Edinson Cavani and Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva as their club Paris Saint-Germani have confirmed their exits from the club in August.

Cavani, 33, and Silva, 35, are both out of contract in June but will remain with the club until the season is fully completed as PSG are in the Champions League quarter-finals.

United were linked with Uruguay legend Cavani in January before signing Odion Ighalo on loan, whilst Chelsea have previously monitored the Uruguayan.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are thought to be keen on at least one major recruit in defence, although at 35 Silva is unlikely to be the answer for Mikel Arteta’s squad.

PSG Director of football Leonardo told told Le Journal du Dimanche: “Cavani and Thiago Silva? Yes, we are coming to the end.

“It was a very difficult decision. These are players who have marked the history of the club.

“Their stories were so beautiful. But yes, we are coming to the end.

“We had to make a logical decision, economically speaking and with regard to the generation that is coming through.

“Maybe it’s the wrong decision, I don’t know. There’s never a perfect moment. The Champions League is still on the agenda and the plan is to remain in the competition with them until the end of August.”

Chelsea flop to be offered to West Ham in Declan Rice swap deal

Reports in England suggest that Chelsea are determined to acquire the services of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

The Blues are, according to The Athletic, set to offer Michy Batshuayi as part of a swap deal to re-sign the England international.

The Evening Standard report that the Hammers remain desperate to keep hold of Rice, a former Chelsea academy prospect, but are also one of a number of clubs linked with Batshuayi of late.

And the Belgium international, who has fallen further down the pecking order with Timo Werner to sign, may be used to help push through a deal.

Batshuayi failed to make either starting XI in the Blues’ intrasquad friendly last week.