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The rebuild of Manchester United could definitely take some time, so get ready and dig your heels in for that. The upshot is that we’ll have a summer transfer window filled with many comings and goings.
And with Manchester United linked to approximately 97,324 players already, the time is right for some Red Devils transfer talk. For part two of today’s United transfer talk, go here.
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It’s still another week until the UEFA Europa League Final gets here, and thus it’s too early to talk about previewing the match at this point. However, the good news is that we have plenty of Chelsea FC news and transfer narratives to discuss today.
Let’s take a spin through the interwebs and see what’s buzzing right now in the Blues online community.
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American Christian Pulisic has now completed his first round of interviews as a member of Chelsea, and during his media opportunities he said that he hopes to emulate Blues superstar Eden Hazard. Pulisic, who was acquired from Borussia Dortmund for €64m in January (on the agreement he would move to west London at the end of the season), is the most expensive U.S. born player in history.
The Pennsylvania native also said that he hopes to be an inspiration to American youth. Recently, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said that he expects Pulisic to help grow the club’s fan base in America. First though about Hazard, who is widely believed to be off to Real Madrid once the UEFA Europa League final concludes.
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Spanish publication AS (h/t Daily Mirror) held a poll among Real Madrid supporters asking them which of the club’s summer transfer window targets they would most like to see in a white shirt next season. Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard, who by all indicative clues will be making the switch after the Europa League Final on May 29, topped the list.
Six names were presented and more than 160,000 respondents showed up. While Hazard topped the list, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba came in dead last. That’s very interesting, especially when you consider how Hazard was regarded the biggest snub from the PFA Team of the Year plaudit, and Pogba the most undeserving player to get awarded a place in the side.
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It is expected that Chelsea FC will soon announce a one year extension for striker Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman, who came over from Arsenal in January of 2018 on an 18 month deal plus a one year club option to extend, will now see that extension realized according to the London Evening Standard.
Giroud, who will never see consistent first team football as long as Gonzalo Higuain is there above him on the depth chart, has complained about not being the first choice centre-forward for Premier League play.
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Liverpool FC are looking very strong as they head into their all-England UEFA Champions League final versus Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid on June 1. at arch-rival Manchester United. Their fine form (third highest season point total in Premier League history/most points ever for a runner-up) has resulted in their retaining the top spot this week in Shaka Hislop’s global power rankings.
The table composed by the former goalkeeper and current ESPN FC pundit is a world order, but it’s all Europe this week, and almost every week. With both Euro finals being all-England match-ups, it’s no surprise that British sides dominate the list.
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Chelsea had two objectives heading into last night’s 3-0 friendly win at the New England Revolution. The off-the-pitch goal was to raise some money for a great cause: non-profit organizations fighting the rising tide of AntiSemitism.
The match dubbed the “Final Whistle on Hate” did bring awareness to the issue, but unfortunately, the attendance was dismal. The on-the-pitch goal was simple- stay healthy and avoid any major injuries ahead of the Europa League Final against Arsenal on the 29th. Well, this benchmark was certainly not met as Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek left the field unable to walk on his own power.
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Persona non grata in the United Kingdom, Chelsea FC Owner Roman Abramovich has not seen his team play live and in person- until tonight.
Yes, it was just a friendly, and every competitive match for Chelsea this season except one (London derby Europa League Final versus Arsenal on the 29th) has been played, but hey, the Russian oligarch is finally in the house. Abramovich was on hand at Gillette Stadium for Chelsea’s charity match against the New England Revolution.
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Chelsea FC center back David Luiz and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek have joined summer addition Christian Pulisic in dropping hints about the future of Eden Hazard. The Belgian superstar is currently with the Chelsea squad as they prepare to take on Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution in a post-season charity match benefitting the fight against AntiSemitism, but it appears this will be his final friendly with the club.
When Hazard takes to the pitch for the Europa League final versus Arsenal in two weeks’ time, it may be his final competitive match with the side as he seems bound for Real Madrid, and his teammates have his blessing.
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You know the narrative: Eden Hazard is leaving Chelsea FC and joining Real Madrid. To paraphrase Jim Nantz, “it’s a summer transfer window tradition unlike any other.” Although this time it seems it will actually happen, if/when Chelsea sanction it.
Incoming Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic, a man that will essentially be replacing Hazard, has dropped a major hint that the Belgian’s transfer is on. During his first interview with the club’s official website, the American born ex-Borussia Dortmund man listed out the players that he said he is most excited about playing alongside.
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Both Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and star forward Eden Hazard discussed their futures with the club today, following the Blues’ goalless draw at Leicester City.
While neither man was able to give a definitive answer about his future at Stamford Bridge, conventional wisdom seems to hold that Sarri will return whilst Hazard will not. Eden Hazard to Real Madrid is a narrative that arrives every summer transfer window- you can just about set your watch to it. It’s being widely reported that this is the summer it finally happens.
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Chelsea head into Leicester City on Championship Sunday has underdogs, and perhaps that is to be expected. For one, the Blues may already be looking ahead to the London derby UEFA Europa League Final against Arsenal at the end of the month.
Secondly, Leicester has been really formidable against the big six this season, and the Foxes would love nothing better than to give their home fans another conquest of this sort on the season’s final day. Let’s take a look at who Blues boss Maurizio Sarri may select in his first team, as he strives to keep that from manifesting.
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