Chelsea have announced the signing of highly impressive French central defender Malang Sarr on a free transfer.

The 21-year-old joined from OGC Nice where he was highly impressive, leading to him being tracked by Europe’s elite.

The London club have revealed that the player will go out on loan to continue his development, before coming back and fight for a first team spot.

Reports in England claim that Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham have all been forced into quarantine after a Covid outbreak at Chelsea.

According to The Sun, all four went on holiday to the Greek island of Mykonos before pre-season training began last weekend.

None of them reported for duty at the Blues’ Surrey training ground yet in order to minimise the risk of any potential infection.

Chelsea would not comment on whether the players involved have tested positive or negative for coronavirus but it is known there are a number of cases at the club.

The club are now adhering to official protocols and guidelines to maintain the bio-secure bubble around the first-team squad.

France have excluded Paul Pogba from the upcoming UEFA Nations League games, after the Manchester United midfielder tests positive for COVID-19.

France CT Didier Deschamps confirmed the former Juventus hero, who has of course been linked with a return to Turin this summer, has tested positive for coronavirus.

He will therefore miss the games against Sweden and Croatia in the Nations League, on September 5 and 8 respectively.

PSG star Kylian Mbappe has bid farewell to Thiago Silva on social media as the centre-back closes in on a free transfer to Chelsea.

Silva confirmed after PSG’s Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich that he had played his last game for the club, and that he would move on this summer after the expiry of his contract at the Parc des Princes.

And Mbappe, who was captained by Silva at the Ligue 1 side, confirmed that the defender was set for a new challenge.

The forward posted a message to Silva on his Instagram story, which translates from French to: “Well, it is the end. I am very sad to wish you goodbye and that your adventures end but also very proud to have been able to play with you.

And Mbappe, who was captained by Silva at the Ligue 1 side, confirmed that the defender was set for a new challenge.

The forward posted a message to Silva on his Instagram story, which translates from French to: “Well, it is the end. I am very sad to wish you goodbye and that your adventures end but also very proud to have been able to play with you.

“Thiago, my captain (or just captain but it sounds better as my captain), you are a legend, you made your mark on the history of the club.

“One of the best I have seen and have played with.”

The World Cup winner also paid tribute to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, with the former Stoke striker also seemingly set to leave the French champions.

“Choupo you were like a great brother for me these two years, people took a long time to realise what a formidable player you are. But above all you are a super guy.

“Thank you guys, I will miss you.”

Photo Credit: Twitter @PSGEnglish

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has confirmed the appointment of a new first team coach to work directly with him.

Anthony Barry arrives from Wigan Athletic, where he was assistant under Paul Cook, and established a relationship with Lampard and assistant Jody Morris while on the same UEFA Pro Licence course.

Although Barry’s playing career was spent in the lower leagues having fallen out of Everton’s academy system, the former midfielder comes with glowing references and he was close to being given the manager’s job at Tranmere Rovers.

Upon the appointment, Lampard told the Chelsea website: “I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to the club.

“He’s an exciting young coach and someone I’ve known for a while. I believe he will be a strong addition to the team.”

He is not a defensive specialist, more of an all-rounder, but struck up a good relationship with Reece James during the right back’s loan spell in the north west the season before last and is said to have a keen eye for developing young players.

Photo Credit: Twitter @ LaticsOfficial