In our look at the latest Chelsea-related news stories from the media, the Blues will compete with Liverpool and Bayern Munich for Dayot Upamecano and former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked by Marseille.
These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.
Blues still in Upamecano race
Chelsea are reportedly still one of the leading clubs that could sign Dayot Upamecano says Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Speaking in an interview with Sky, Rummenigge confirmed that it will be a race between the Blues, Liverpool and his club to sign the centre-back in the summer.
‘In addition to Bayern Munich, there are at least two quite attractive clubs interested,’ he said. ‘The fact is that the player is interesting, and we will almost certainly lose David Alaba in that position.
‘The fact that Chelsea and Liverpool are also interested in him proves that he has very good qualities.’
The CEO’s statements come after the 22-year-old’s agent publicly said that Chelsea are still in contention to bring the French international to Stamford Bridge.
Upamecano has a release clause of £38 million and has been a key figure at RB Leipzig in Julian Nagelsmann’s team.
Villas-Boas leaves Marseille
Former Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked by Marseille.
This comes after Villas-Boas held a press conference to state he wants to leave his current post because of a ‘sporting policy’ dispute.
Marseille recently sold key midfielder Morgan Sanson for £15.5 million to Aston Villa and replaced him with Olivier Ntcham on loan from Celtic. According to the Portuguese coach, this was a decision he was not aware of.
‘It was not a decision that I took,’ he said in a press conference that was repeated in the Daily Mail. ‘It was specifically a player that I said no to.
‘I learned of the signing when I woke up this morning and went on the number one Marseille website.’
This is in addition to controversy for the French club after its fans marched to the training ground to protest over poor results.
‘I offered my resignation by saying that I was not in agreement with the sporting strategy,’ he added. ‘The board has not yet given me feedback.
‘I don’t want money I just want to leave.’
The Marseille board have since parted ways with Villas-Boas.
Terry defends David Luiz’s red card
Former Blues captain John Terry has come out to defend his old team-mate, David Luiz.
The former Blues centre-back, who is now at Arsenal, conceded a penalty and was sent off in a controversial decision against Wolverhampton Wanderers last night.
Terry took to social media to defend David Luiz and wrote: ‘Never a red card! Double jeopardy.’
The current Aston Villa assistant coach doubled down when a fan disagreed with him.
‘Anyone who has ever played the game can see David never attempts to play the ball,’ he continued. ‘He pulls out of the challenge, which means it’s a penalty but no red card.’
The pair played alongside each other in 80 games for Chelsea and formed a formidable partnership. They were also part of the Blues side that won the Champions League in the 2011/12 season.