Chelsea Rumours Archive January 20 2011

20 Jan 2011 15:39:27
Chelsea Rumours
Hey Ed, if deal falls through for Alexis Sanchez who do think Chelsea will go for as a back up plan? I have been hearing that they may well go for Stuart Downing.

{Editor's Note: I doubt that Chelsea have any interest in Stewart Downing at all. They are not going to make any knee jerk purchases and at present are expecting the Sanchez deal to go through - subject to Manachester United not coming in with a late bid.}

So Ed, at the moment Chelsea are well poised to complete two mega signings of Alexis Sanchez whose price tag is around 22m and Luiz for around the same 22m plus a player. That is a lot of money to be spent especially for January and considering Chelsea trying to cut on big spending but I will be very happy if the two transfers go through any way.

{Editor's Note: There are issues to be resolved with both transfers - Benfica want another Chelsea player as part of the Luiz deal and Udinese want the player loaned back until June - which is what Barcelona originally suggested.}

20 Jan 2011 14:04:50
Chelsea Rumours
Hey Ed, if deal falls through for Alexis Sanchez who do think Chelsea will go for as a back up plan? I have been hearing that they may well go for Stuart Downing.

{Editor's Note: I doubt that Chelsea have any interest in Stewart Downing at all. They are not going to make any knee jerk purchases and at present are expecting the Sanchez deal to go through - subject to Manachester United not coming in with a late bid.}

20 Jan 2011 13:46:18
Chelsea Rumours
Hey Ed, is it true that Chelsea have had a third 22m bid turned down by Benfica for Luiz? Who do you reckon they will go for if they don't get him ed? Lescott, Lombaerts, Van Der Wiel?

{Editor's Note: The issue between the clubs, as I understand it, is not now the money but the addition of one particular player as part of the transfer. Van Der Wiel is a right back and tied to the separate Bosingwa issue. Other options are Diego Godin at Atletico Madrid but I am not convinced that they would want to sell, Mexes but Arsenal are favourites, Raul Albiol and of course Nic Lombaerts.}

20 Jan 2011 10:15:18
Chelsea Rumours
Ed, is it true Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Suarez? He is the best candidate to spearhead our attack in the future in my opinion

{Editor's Note: Liverpool seemingly have an interest in the player. Whether they match the valuation put on him by Ajax and whether the player wants to move we have yet to see. Chelsea have previously asked Ajax to keep them informed of developments, but I would guess that Chelsea do not value the player at the same price as Ajax. Spurs may also show an interest in Suarez.}

20 Jan 2011 00:09:09
Chelsea Rumours
Hey Ed, all this talk about Chelsea going to make a "third bid for David Luiz" are they true or just more press speculation and if Chelsea fail to land Luiz or any other defensive target will they move for Wolfsburg center back Simon Kjaer? {ed's note - I don't know about the bids for Luiz, I know Chelsea want him but I don't know if any official bids really have gone in. I very much doubt there is any chance of anyone getting Kjaer this window though.}

20 Jan 2011 00:03:16
Chelsea Rumours
This is it, no more speculation or rumour, this is the inside track. Leaked by Chelsea exec after Roman and Carlo's chat.
Ancelotti wanted reassurances on money and targets, plus who will be considered for release.
The ins Jan/Summer;

Luiz from Benfica with poss Fereria going the other way.
Van der Wiel right-back from Ajax for around 10m.
Pajnic midfield from Lyon 25m.
Sanchez young Chilean striker from Udinesse 20m.
Begovic, Stoke Goal keeper for around 5m.

The outs;
Boswinga- 8-10m, poss move to Bayern Munich.
Hilario - released.
Fereria- released if not included in Luiz deal.
Mancienne- 3m, prob Wolves.
Zhirkov- 15m prob Dynamo Kiev.
Borrini- .5m poss also included in deal for Sanchez.
Cork- .75m to Burnley.
The surprise will be Mikel Obi, but with Ramires and Essien capable of a defending midfielder, plus Carlo not convinced with Mikels limited passing and shooting ability. He will be touted at around 10m, with Anderlecht and Juve interested.

Hey Ed, any truth to this?