While the summer transfer window is closed in England, it remains open in Europe until the end of the month, and thus we could still see a Chelsea FC player or two move abroad until September gets here. So let’s take a spin through the latest news items, notes, transfer rumors and gossip making the rounds on the internet today.
We begin with English international Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who reportedly wants to go out on loan again, and head to a destination where he would regularly be in the first team.
However, the club wants him to stay and compete for his place in the starting XI. He wasn’t even named to the bench in the London derby win over Arsenal this past weekend, as the Blues have a very crowded midfield right now.
For part one of Chelsea FC news and transfer talk go here.
The Telegraph writes that: “New head coach Sarri currently prefers Ross Barkley and loan signing Mateo Kovacic to Loftus-Cheek, but there is a belief the England international can still force his way into the Italian’s plans.
“Chelsea’s coaching staff also feel Loftus-Cheek will be better served to work under Sarri and try to learn his methods, rather than working for another manager.”
At the very least, Chelsea hopes the 22-year-old, who has been with the Blues since 2014, will stay until the January transfer window and possibly reassess his future then. He scored two goals in his 24 appearances on loan with Crystal Palace last season.
Switching from the midfield to the back line, there is reportedly a Madrid derby going on right now to acquire 27-year-old left back Marcos Alonso.
According to AS, “Chelsea has not put a price on him, but his exit could be at 30 million euros, an affordable amount for a footballer who is causing a sensation in the Premier League.”
Coincidentally that is the same price Stamford Bridge paid for him when he was signed from Fiorentina in 2016. The Spanish international has strong connections to both clubs. He came up in the Real Madrid Los Blancos academy before making a move to Bolton in 2010.
Also, his father played for Real’s two biggest rivals, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. At Atletico, Alonso could fill a void that might be left by incumbent left back Felipe Luis, who has asked to for an exit to Paris Saint-Germain. At the estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Alonso might also fit in as central defender, taking the place of the now loaned out Theo Hernandez.
Thus, his versatility is making him a hot commodity during these final days of the transfer window.
Stay tuned, as we could be set for a second action packed deadline day come August 31.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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