Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers reveals why his team lost to Chelsea

Leicester head coach Brendan Rodgers looked like a broken man after Chelsea thrashed his team at King Power Stadium by 3-0.

The Blues shot to the lead through Antonio Rudiger’s header, and Foxes old boy N’Golo Kante doubled the visitors lead with a sumptuous solo goal.

Christian Pulisic sealed Chelsea’s victory with assist from Hakim Ziyech in the second half when Leicester were trying to come into the game.

Rodgers highlighted where his side went wrong and that he is determined to solve the Foxes’ issues ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

Brendan Rodgers told BT after the match: “We obviously conceded a disappointing goal from a corner so that gives them confidence and you can see why they are the European champions, they are a top team in every aspect of the game that you would want.

“We lacked that little belief at the beginning of the game and of course then you go 2-0 down so we had to resurrect that at half-time.

“In fairness to the players, their attitude, their spirit, everything was much better in the second half.

“Confidence has not been where it’s been in the last couple of years but that’s my job.

“But there’s no doubt that we need to defend better and attack better as a team and that responsibility is down to me to find a solution to it.”

Photo Credit: LCFC/Twitter

Tuchel confirms Lukaku, Kovacic will miss Leicester clash, reveals Chelsea plan for sensational loanee Conor Gallagher

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Romelu Lukaku WILL not be featuring for Chelsea at Leicester on Saturday, and are sweating on his fitness for the games against Juventus and Manchester United.

Lukaku has been missing for a month because of an ankle injury, suffered during the club’s 4-0 Champions League win over Malmo on October 20. He is set to return to team training this weekend. Mateo Kovacic, meanwhile, is not close to returning.

In better news, Chelsea have Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount all available, as they look to stay top of the Premier League.

“He’s pushing hard,” Tuchel said of Lukaku when asked about the upcoming games against Juve and United. “It’s pure speculation and it will not help.

“All I can say is, at the moment, we try hard. There are a lot of ifs and I don’t want to put pressure on him. He’s putting pressure on himself.

“We will take things serious as always, have talks with doctors, physios, and the player.”

Asked about Conor Gallagher, the Chelsea youngster who is on loan at Crystal Palace and flying, Tuchel said: “It’s too early to talk about, and way too early in public before we talk with Conor himself with what he wants and his goals.

“This will happen in the summer. He saw this possibility for him and we had these talks before. I’m not surprised the national coach loves him because I loved him from day one.

“There cannot be a coach who does not love guys like this. He’s all the time ready to give his everything, and he wants to improve. As a team-mate I would have loved to play with him because he’s a helper.”

Barcelona legend’s wife files for divorce after confessing having extra-marital affair with PSG star

Eric Abidal’s wife has filed for a divorce after he admitted to having an affair with Paris Saint-Germain star Kheira Hamraoui, according to reports.

Prior to joining PSG, Hamraoui, 31, played for Barcelona while Abidal was sporting director.

She was attacked earlier this month, with thugs beating her with an iron bar.

Investigators into the attack initially held Hamraoui’s team-mate Aminata Diallo for questioning for 36 hours.

But they have reportedly since moved their inquiry away from Diallo.

A connection with Abidal was discovered by detectives, after it came to light that Hamraoui’s phone was registered in the Frenchman’s name.

It was this development that led to Abidal admitting to an affair with Hamraoui, wife Hayet claims.

In a statement sent to AFP by Hayet’s lawyer Nicolas Cellupica, she alleges that he admitted ‘to an adulterous relationship with Ms Hamraoui’.

REVEALED: What Chelsea devise clever way to stop Barcelona from signing their star

Chelsea are reportedly banking on a Plan B to retain the services of Cesar Azpilicueta as new Barcelona boss Xavi is looking to weave some more magic by snapping up the Blues captain on a free transfer.

Dani Alves has already been recruited for free, with Chelsea man Azpilicueta said to be his next target.

According to ESPN, Barca are keeping a keen eye on how contract talks progress between the Blues and club captain Azpilicueta.

The 32-year-old’s current deal at Stamford Bridge runs out at the end of the season.

The Blues though are thought to be keen to tie him down to a new deal and extend his stay at the club with talks currently ongoing between Blues chiefs and Azpilicueta’s representatives.

Chelsea, according to Sport Witness, ‘will exercise’ the option to extend Cesar Azpilicueta’s contract at the club by a further year if there is no agreement after contract talks.

There is therefore ‘no chance’ he will join Barcelona.

Barcelona are long-term admirers of Azpilicueta and have shown an interest in him in the past.

Antonio Rudiger fumes, says Chelsea’s latest contract offer “slap in the face”

Antonio Rudiger reportedly feels Chelsea’s latest contract offer is a ‘slap in the face’.

Bild claims the defender has been left fuming after the Blues fell short of his wage demands by £60,000-a-week.

Rudiger, 28, has been one of Chelsea’s star men since Thomas Tuchel took charge at the start of the year.

He played a key role in last season’s Champions League final triumph over Manchester City.

And Blues fans were hoping his contract renewal would be taken care of promptly to prevent a free transfer next summer.

But Chelsea are now facing the very real prospect of losing Rudiger for nothing after another round of contract talks ended in disappointment.

It’s claimed Rudiger is looking for £10m-a-year, which works out to around £190k-a-week.

However, Chelsea are only offering him £7m-a-year – which is around £130k-a-week.

And Rudiger apparently feels disrespected by the gulf in figures, reportedly describing it as a ‘slap in the face’.

Bayern Munich are known to be circling and are rumoured to be preparing a mega-money offer worth £400k-a-week.

There’s also interest from Real Madrid and Juventus.

Official: Dean Smith joins Norwich as manager

Norwich City have named former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith as their new head coach.

The Canaries are bottom of the Premier League table, five points behind Watford in 17th and Dean Smith’s former club Aston Villa in 16th, although Norwich did win in Daniel Farke’s last match in charge before being sacked.

Smith, 50, joins the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal after being sacked by Aston Villa eight days ago.

He replaces German boss Daniel Farke, who left the Canaries the day before his own departure from Villa Park.

Dean, according to Norwich City Twitter handle, will be joined in the dugout by his assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare, formerly of Leicester City, Everton and Aston Villa.

Photo Credit: MorwichCityFC/Twitter

Jorginho reveals how he disagreed with Maurizio Sarri about Chelsea move, reacts to criticisms about his style

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho has revealed his desire to move to Manchester City before his switch to Stamford Bridge in 2018.

Former Blues manager Maurizio Sarri eventually brought the Italian international with him from Serie A side Napoli and he has become a key player for both Thomas Tuchel and Roberto Mancini in the national team set-up.

Jorginho told L’Equipe: “I had been working with [Maurizio] Sarri for three years, so when he wanted me at Chelsea, I didn’t really want to go.

“I had started discussions with Manchester City and I could see myself there already.

“But hey, Chelsea insisted, and I’m very happy here today, especially after such an incredible 2021.”

“It was absolutely surreal. I use the word ‘surreal’ because what is happening to me is so huge that I can hardly believe it. I couldn’t even dream of it.”

The 29-year-old has been widely tipped to win the Ballon d’Or after his performances that led Chelsea to the Champions League and the Azzuri to a European Championships win.

His style hasn’t always meant he is a stand out, but his ability to circulate the ball is like very few in the game.

He continued: “It’s true that people don’t see me too much.

“I stay in the shadows. I’m not like N’Golo [Kante] who runs around for 90 minutes and steals 300 balls per game.

“I’m not like [Mateo] Kovacic who managed to dribble past two players before throwing himself forward.

“Me, I am more the one who fluidifies the whole move, puts oil in the engine.

“I’ve managed to gain the trust of my team-mates, so when I tell them where to go, they listen to me and it’s very rewarding.”

Thomas Tuchel pushes Chelsea to sign Bundesliga “gem” as Real Madrid, Barcelona join chase for youngster

Chelsea have reportedly begun making moves to sign Bayer Leverkusen gem Florian Wirtz whom Thomas Tuchel considers a “priority” transfer target.

According to a report from Catalan outlet El Nacional, as cited by the Chelsea Chronicle, Chelsea are ready to make their move for Wirtz.

The 18-year-old prodigy, valued at €100 million by Bayer Leverkusen, is also being courted by Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The report claims Tuchel has already informed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich that the signing of the 18-year-old is a priority.

El Nacional also mentioned that Chelsea have made their moves, but Leverkusen rate the teenager as a €100million (£85.4m) talent.

That is even higher than the £75.8m (Sky Sports) the west London outfit paid for Kai Havertz last year.

Wirtz has been absolutely phenomenal. He has already had seven goals and seven assists from 13 appearances in the Bundesliga and the Europa League this term.

He is often compared to Havertz for obvious reasons, as well as their versatility as an attacking midfielder.

Real Madrid are reportedly also closely following the teenager. Having already missed out on Havertz, the report said they do not want history to repeat itself.

The Spanish media claims that Barcelona are also interested in Wirtz, who apparently grew up as a Barcelona fan, idolising Xavi Hernandez and Andreas Iniesta.

Photo Credit: bayer04_en/Twitter

Germany boss provides injury update on Kai Havertz

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has missed some training sessions for Germany this week due to a pain in his thigh, but Germany manager Hansi Flick has given a positive update on the 22-year-old.

He stated that the youngster is available for selection for their match against Armenia today.

He sat out of Thursday’s emphatic 9-0 win over Liechtenstein due to suspension but has since returned to training with Die Mannschaft.

Havertz then missed training yet again on Friday due to the same issue but, thankfully for Blues fans, Flick provided an update on the injury on Saturday, with Germany in action against Armenia on Sunday in Yerevan.

“Marc [ter Stegen] will play from the beginning, we also assume that Kai can play,” said the former Bayern Munich boss.

“He trained with the team for the first time today, he is fit and will play from the start.”

Havertz has so far played 16 matches for Chelsea this season and already has four goals and two assists to his name.

Kepa wants ‘change of air’ as ex-Chelsea boss eyes reunion

There are reports that Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga wants a ‘change of air’ as former Blues manager Maurizio Sarri is said to be keen to reunite with the Spaniard at Lazio.

According to Sport Witness, the Serie A are interested but would not make a move until June.

Kepa is reportedly ‘[Maurizio] Sarri’s favourite’ for the position as neither Thomas Strakosha nor Pepe Reina have fully convinced him.

The Italian manager knows the Spaniard well from their time together at Stamford Bridge, and, in his eyes, he’s an upgrade on what he currently has at his disposal.

But, Chelsea would need to pay a portion of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s wages should he depart on loan amid Lazio interest.

Corriere dello Sport look at the situation, and make it clear that any goalkeeper arrival would be in June.

As expected, ‘he would need to move on loan, accept a wage cut and Chelsea would need to acknowledge a part of it’.