In the latest look at what’s being reported on the Blues in the media, David Luiz discusses his move across London, Wayne Rooney was targeted by Frank Lampard as a potential signing a year ago and Davide Zappacosta’s Chelsea future is examined. These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.
David Luiz explains the reasons behind his move to Arsenal
David Luiz has told arsenal.com that joining the Gunners from Chelsea represented a big challenge and one he ‘wasn’t scared’ to make.
The Brazilian departed Stamford Bridge for the Emirates on Deadline Day, bringing to an end his seven year association with Chelsea over two spells.
‘It was a conversation between me and Chelsea and everybody,’ the defender said. ‘I had an opportunity to come to another big club.
‘In my life, I’ve always liked to do some challenges. I’m not scared at all to try things. I think not too many players would make this kind of move, they would maybe be scared, or something like that. I’m just trying to do big things in my life and now I’m excited to start a new chapter here.’
Lampard tried to bring Rooney to Derby a year ago
Sky Sports News is reporting that Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard first floated the idea of bringing Wayne Rooney to Derby to Rams owner Mel Morris a year ago.
The former Manchester United striker, England’s all-time record goalscorer, confirmed earlier this week that he would be joining Derby from DC United in January, becoming player/coach at Pride Park under Phillippe Cocu.
But according to Sky Sports News, Rooney could have become a Ram a lot sooner than anticipated if Lampard had managed to get the deal he wanted over the line last season.
‘Lampard wanted to sign his former England team-mate to help the Championship club push for promotion to the top flight in his first managerial post, which would ultimately end in play-off final defeat to Aston Villa.
‘At that stage, it was only a player deal that was mooted with Rooney's representatives. Since then, more detailed discussions highlighted that the role of player-coach was much more attractive to both parties.’
The move never materialised at that stage, with Rooney remaining in MLS with DC United, while Lampard would eventually move on at the end of the season to return home to Stamford Bridge.
Zappacosta could depart Stamford Bridge
The agent of Davide Zappacosta is said to have met with Chelsea officials in London yesterday, with both Roma and Sevilla interested in signing the Italian according to tuttomercatoweb.com
The right-back, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017 from Torino, has been mainly used as an understudy to Cesar Azpilicueta during his time as a Blue.
According to reports in Italy, Zappacosta’s agent Alessandro Lucci flew to London to discuss the defender’s future with Chelsea officials.
Although the transfer window for English clubs has now passed, the deadline for European clubs continues for a while yet.