In our look at the latest Chelsea-related news stories from the media, Jorginho’s agent responds to speculation the midfielder will be moving to Juventus, Aston Villa announce John Terry has extended his contract with the club and Dennis Wise feels it may be too soon for Frank Lampard to return to Chelsea as head coach.
These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.
Jorginho’s agent responds to Juventus links
Citing an interview by Tuttomercatoweb, the Football Italia website is reporting that the agent of Jorginho is taking a wait-and-see approach following speculation the Chelsea midfielder is wanted by Italian giants Juventus.
Having arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer from Napoli, rumours have been rife the 27-year-old will make a quick return to Italy to team up again with Maurizio Sarri after his appointment as the new manager of the Bianconeri.
However, Joao Santos claimed that he did not know about an approach by the Serie A club, and while he insisted that Jorginho was settled at Chelsea, he did not close the door on a possible move.
‘Chelsea have a four-year contract with him. We’ll wait a few days to figure out whether there is any truth in this interest mentioned in the papers,’ said Jorginho’s agent.
‘His past at Napoli won’t be an issue, because Jorginho is a professional.
‘Right now, Jorginho is happy at Chelsea. He found a great atmosphere and we can’t really say that he’d like to go elsewhere, but anything can happen on the transfer market. We’ll wait and see.”
Terry signs new Villa deal contract
Aston Villa have put a stop to discussion about the immediate coaching future of John Terry by announcing on their official website that the Chelsea legend has extended his contract with the club.
Speculation had been rife that the former Blues skipper was set to step up to a managerial post at another club after a successful season as an assistant coach under Dean Smith as Villa won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
However, the 38-year-old has opted to remain with the Birmingham side, signing a new deal which will keep him there until 2021.
‘I am really pleased that JT has extended his current deal as he is a pleasure to work with,’ said Smith, who brought in Terry last October after he had announced his retirement as a player.
‘We have had a successful start to our Villa coaching careers and JT has been instrumental in joining myself, Richard O'Kelly and Neil Cutler.
‘He has [complemented] the team that we have and I have no doubts he will go on to be a top manager in the years to come. Our focus now is on the coming season and to try to continue the progress we have had in the past eight months.’
Wise concerned by timing of Lampard return
Former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise has told Sky Sports he feels it may be too soon for Frank Lampard to return to the club as head coach as speculation mounts that the former midfielder is close to agreeing a deal to manage the Blues.
With Maurizio Sarri leaving to take charge of Juventus, Lampard has been heavily tipped by the media as his successor after he enjoyed a solid first season as manager at Championship side Derby County.
However, Wise feels Lampard and his assistant Jody Morris lack the necessary experience to manage a big Premier League club.
‘Is it too soon for him? I think it is,’ said Wise, who left Chelsea as Lampard arrived as a player in the summer of 2001.
‘I look at the staff he may bring in as well. Jody may come alongside him and he's a bit inexperienced in a coaching capacity.
‘If Frank does come in, he probably needs to bring someone with a bit of experience. There probably will be some changes, because he'll want to bring his own staff in.
‘Frank, from a playing and personal point of view, everyone loves him at Chelsea, but he hasn't been long in coaching, and neither has Jody. It worries me a little bit, but if they get it I wish them all the luck.
‘It's going to be tough for them, but fingers crossed they do the right thing for Chelsea.’
Ex-Chelsea pair named as Afcon ambassadors
Goal.com is reporting that the African Football Confederation (CAF) have appointed ex-Blues Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o as ambassadors for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Drogba and Eto’o were on a list of seven former African Footballer of the Year recipients who will play ambassadorial roles in the competition, which kicks off on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe in the opening game in Cairo.
In addition to Drogba and Eto’o, the other former players selected as tournament ambassadors are Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Khatib, Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure, Algeria’s Rabah Madjer, Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu and Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf.