Chelsea and Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of Erling Haaland – with the striker set to QUIT this summer if Borussia Dortmund miss out on the Champions League, according to reports.
The Norwegian wonderkid, 20, showed his frustration on Saturday as he stormed off the pitch following his side’s 2-2 draw with Koln.
And now, AS have claimed Haaland could walk away from Dortmund this summer, with Chelsea, Man Utd and Real Madrid poised, if they miss out on a seat at Europe’s top table.
The Spanish publication has even claimed Haaland has spoken to his agent, Mino Raiola, to make it crystal clear he wants to quit if Champions League football is off the table at the Westfalenstadion.
Goals from Oliver Norwood and Hakim Ziyech were all Chelsea needed to beat hard-fighting Sheffield United in FA Cup quarter-final match at Stamford Bridge.
The rate how Chelsea’s players fared in the FA Cup triumph.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7.5
He was very quiet and rarely called upon albeit a few long-range tame efforts.
That was until the second half when United threatened a bit more and the Spaniard made a few good saves.
Andrea Christensen – 8
Looked just as comfortable at right centre-back as he has done in the middle of the back three and continued his fine form.
Kurt Zouma – 8
Solid at the back and he was very good at controlling passing out from deep. Always talking and organising the backline and didn’t put a foot wrong.
Emerson – 6.5
Looked a bit rusty and uncomfortable with the ball at his feet at times, but largely he did his job well and what he needed to do as he grew into the game.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
A good threat out wide, often beating his man to find enough space to deliver a good cross.
It was exactly this that made Chelsea’s first half goal from a resulting corner. Second half he appeared to lose his touch a bit and was poor.
Billy Gilmour – 8
Like a player who’s been playing at the top level for 15 years, he controlled Chelsea’s play alongside Kovacic and showed once again what a top-class all-round midfielder he is.
Mateo Kovacic – 8
As always, very neat and tidy on the ball and controlled the middle park for Chelsea.
A few nice long diagonal passes to find Hudson-Odoi out wide, and great at driving forward with the ball.
Ben Chilwell – 8
He looked much better today after a few poorer games.
It was his shot that Chelsea got their first half goal from and he was very tidy on the ball always looking to be progressive.
Mason Mount – 6
The Chelsea captain today looked a bit easy to knock off the ball one too many times, and it wasn’t his best performance as of late.
Christian Pulisic – 6
Not a great game for him really, although he was the victim of a lot of fouls from the Sheffield United players and no protection from the referee.
But he missed a one-on-one chance to score, and his overall contribution was poor despite getting much better in the second half.
Olivier Giroud – 5
He was very quiet in the first half and it was easy to forget that he was even on the pitch. Unsurprisingly he was subbed off just after 60 minutes.
Subs
Cesar Azpilicueta (replaced Christensen, 63) – 5
Was supposed to sure up the back line but he was a little uneased under pressure.
Was supposed to sure up the back line but he was a little uneased under pressure.
Reece James (replaced Giroud, 63) – 6
Was put in for his physicality and tried to make the difference.
Christian Pulisic would be ‘ideal’ for Liverpool if he ends his time at Chelsea, according to Brad Friedel.
The attacker has struggled for game time under new boss Thomas Tuchel and former Liverpool goalkeeper Friedel thinks he would excel at Anfield.
Friedel told CardsChat: “I think Liverpool’s system is a good one for Christian, without a doubt.
“He’s very quick, his first steps are quick and even when he gets going, he’s very quick.
“The pressing style that Jurgen Klopp likes to play under, then the quick counter-attack and the runs through the lines, I think he would be able to perform very well in that system.
“I have no idea if that’s a player that they (Liverpool) are looking at, but that type of system would be ideal for someone like Christian.”
Former Premier League star Michal Ricards claims Chelsea will be ‘scary’ next season if they sign Erling Haaland.
Haaland, 20, is in high demand this summer with his future at Dortmund hanging in the balance with top clubs after his signature.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus and Barcelona have all been linked along with Real Madrid for Haaland.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly ready to make it his ‘personal mission’ to sign Haaland this summer.
And, if Abramovich’s wish is accomplished, Richards believes the west London club will be awesome.
He told the BBC: “I think they’ve got absolutely everything. They’ve sorted their defensive problems.
“The only thing to add that little bit of icing to the cake would be a striker. They’ve put Werner in there, they’ve put Havertz in there.
“It seems like they’ve not really cracked that offensive aspect of the game.
“I’m not going to speculate. If you put Haaland in this team, they’ll be scary next season.”
Borussia Dortmund will be willing to sell Haaland this summer for in excess of €150 million. His €75 million release doesn’t become active until next summer.
