A round-up of news and gossip relating to Chelsea over the past 24 hours.
Daniel Sturridge has told manager Di Matteo that he wants a central striking role next season. The striker has impressed there for Great Britain during the Olympics and scored the winning goal in the 1-0 win against Uruguay but was played predominantly on the wings last season under Villas-Boas. The player has also been impressed by the club’s signings and believes the likes of Hazard will help the club improve.
Italian source Mercato365 have reported that Roberto Mancini is preparing a £35m bid for Chelsea centre-half David Luiz. Luiz is said to be happy at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are unlikely to sell but a £35m bid could force the club to consider its options.
Kevin De Bruyne has completed his loan move to Werder Bremen today. The expected move will see the former Genk winger replace fellow Chelsea new-boy Marko Marin in attack for the Bundesliga side.
Marseille have rejected Chelsea’s £5.4m bid for full-back Cesar Azpilicueta, according to The Daily Mail. The French club are looking for a fee of around £8m before they agree to a deal for the 22-year-old. Marseille director Jose Anigo dropped the biggest hint last week that they were prepared to sell the player after admitting they would need to sell before buying new players.
Brazilian midfielder Ramires is hoping to reproduce his form from last season and maintains the club will forget about their Champions League success as they embark on new challenges this upcoming season. The combative midfielder spoke after earning a recall into the Brazilian national side.
Roberto Di Matteo has revealed his excitement for the new season with new signings adding an ‘unpredictability’ to Chelsea’s style of play. Speaking in an interview with the club magazine, Di Matteo highlighted the additions of Hazard, Marin and Oscar as exciting signings that will add to the attacking positions that only Juan Mata held last season.
19-year-old Romelu Lukaku has told Chelsea that he will only leave the club on loan to another Premier League club. Fulham are reportedly interested and Lukaku feels regular Premier League football will be the most effective way of improving.
image: © Ben Sutherland
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