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According to reports on Italian football website Calciomercato, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is still keen to sign Juventus left-back Alex Sandro this summer, but with the Serie A holders not keen to sell they could have to offer €70m (approximately £62.8m) to convince them to part with the 26-year-old.

Calciomercato say that Juve’s goal is to keep the Brazilian for at least another season, and they have offered the player a contract extension until 2022, which he is yet to accept.

Blues boss Conte is keen to bring in some wing-back competition and cover for Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses before the start of the campaign, and the Italian could step up his efforts after losing out to Manchester City for Danilo.

However, a deal to bring Alex Sandro to England is looking more and more complicated and the Premier League champions should perhaps turn their attentions to Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand – a former Blue.

Here are three reasons Chelsea should move for Bertrand as their Sandro hopes fade…

Statistics

While Bertrand missed the opening two Premier League matches of last season, the left-back soon took his spot back in the Southampton side and he made 34 appearances in all competitions throughout the campaign, scoring three goals and providing a further five assists.

It is form that is certainly not too dissimilar to Alex Sandro’s record, after he netted three times and set up seven goals for his Juve teammates, in a more elite team of course.

When you take that into consideration, Antonio Conte should certainly take a closer look at the England international instead.

Premier League experience

While Alex Sandro has been an impressive performer for Juventus in Serie A and in the Champions League, he has never played in England and that is an advantage that Bertrand has over the Brazilian.

While he struggled to break into the Chelsea team during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, the England international has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League during his time with Southampton and he would be a strong performer at both ends of the pitch for the Blues.

In addition, the 27-year-old made his European debut in the Champions League final in 2012 when the west London outfit lifted the trophy by beating Bayern Munich, and featured in the competition the following season.

Price tag

While Calciomercato say that Chelsea could have to pay £62.8m to sign Alex Sandro this summer, they would likely have to pay a lower amount to bring Bertrand back to Stamford Bridge.

Even though Southampton will want to keep hold of the 27-year-old, The Sun reported earlier in July that Man City were lining up a move for the £30m-rated England international, and if Antonio Conte could get him for around that amount it would certainly have to be seen as a better deal than one for the Juve man.

Do you agree, Blues fans? Let us know below.

Everton came away from the Etihad Stadium yesterday evening with a massive point that owed everything to Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the tip of attack.

The youngster showed his quality earlier in the summer by netting the winning goal for England U20s in the World Cup final and appears to have taken that confidence into the new season, highlighted by a performance beyond his years against arguably the Premier League’s top side in Manchester City.

Indeed, Everton set up to spoil the party and hit the Citizens on the counter, which hinged on Calvert-Lewin’s ability to not only lead the line and bring Wayne Rooney into the game but also provide the pace to push back the likes of Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones and Vincent Kompany.

That’s exactly what the 6 foot 1 forward did; in addition to creating four chances, one of which supplied Rooney for Everton’s goal in the first half, Calvert-Lewin won two fouls, two aerial duels and completed two dribbles to give his side a vital foothold in the final third.

It was an exceptional performance from a youngster who appears to have an incredibly bright future at Goodison Park. But was he your Man of the Match? Let us know by voting below…

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has claimed that the club should prioritise bringing in a handful of players rather than spending big on one star, reports the Metro.

What’s the word?

The Premier League champions have recruited three new first-team players in the forms of Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata.

The club do not begin the defence of their title until this weekend, but there has already been some disappointment for the Blues having lost the Community Shield to Arsenal.

After the match, focus turned to transfers, and Chelsea have just over three weeks remaining to bring in new additions.

With Paris Saint-Germain spending £196m on Neymar from Barcelona, the figures in the transfer window have soared, but Conte has insisted that his club will not part with a big chunk of cash on one player.

The Metro quotes the manager as saying:

“I think now is not the right moment for Chelsea to spend so much money on one player because we need many players. It’s important to divide this amount of money to buy many players.

“I think only one player is not enough to improve our team, we need more players, not of top level like Neymar, but more players to improve our squad, our quality, and our numerical aspect, now we are a few players [short].”

What areas should Conte focus on?

The Italian coach has brought in some talented players, but he has mainly replaced rather than strengthened.

Morata has been brought in as an attacking option with Diego Costa unlikely to play for the club again, but he is still in limbo.

Nemanja Matic was recently sold to rivals Manchester United following the arrival of Bakayoko, while Rudiger has come in to the defence.

Chelsea lost two players from the back line, including John Terry and Nathan Ake, so the club should consider another defender.

Additional bodies for the left side of the pitch would be welcome in order to provide some competition.

If the Blues have not bolstered their squad further by the end of August, then they could start the season on the backfoot.

As reported by The Telegraph, Chelsea’s quest to keep Eden Hazard at the club has been given a big boost after the Blues secured the signature of his younger brother Kylian Hazard.

What’s the story?

Eden Hazard is a wanted man, reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid, a club who could see big personnel changes next summer as their successful squad reaches the end of its cycle.

However, it seems the Blues have already taken a big step towards tying him down to life at Stamford Bridge, by signing his brother. That’s according to The Telegraph who say that bringing in 22-year-old Kylian Hazard to their development squad could be a difference maker in any new contract discussions.

The paper say that’s the next bit of business on the horizon for the English champions as they attempt to ward off any interest in their star man.

Unrivalled

Hazard’s direct goal contribution to Chelsea in his time at the club is unrivalled with a massive 72 goals scored and 62 assists in 249 appearances.

Now in his sixth season with the Blues, he’s won four major honours with them, including two league titles. He’ll be an absolutely vital part of any success going forward under Antonio Conte.

Still just 26 years of age, he’s coming into his prime as a footballer and Chelsea supporters will be desperate for him to commit his best years to the club after such a fruitful relationship already.

Will signing his brother have the desired effect in securing his future at the Bridge?

As reported by The Sun, Everton are looking to South America to secure an attacking talent also coveted by two European giants.

What’s the story?

Everton paid lots of money to secure some big transfers this summer, but if they’re to maximise their spending power they’ll have to be more imaginative and shop in untapped markets that have big talents ready to make a step up to English Premier League football.

One such talent they’re looking to bring to Goodison Park is Federico Martinez, who ironically plays for Uruguayan side Liverpool.

That’s according to The Sun, who say the 21 year old is also interesting the likes of Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, who Everton will have to fend off if they’re to get his signature.

Who is he?

A winger who can play on both the left and right sides of midfield, Martinez made his Primera Division debut in June 2015 and has gone on to make 58 appearances for Liverpool.

The Sun reckon he’s drawn comparisons to a certain Angel Di Maria which is high praise indeed. If he could reach those heights then he’d undoubtedly be a huge hit at Everton.

With transfer fees ballooning in England, it’s important that the Merseyside club expand their outlook and secure the next big talents from South America and Europe before their competitors, so it may be heartening for supporters to hear they’re chasing a South American talent.

Is signing the Uruguayan youngster a fanciful notion or will he be the next talent to make a splash in Europe? Time will tell on that one but we’ll be watching with interest.

Credit must be given when its due and despite the criticism he’s received since moving to Tottenham from Newcastle in summer 2016, Moussa Sissoko has looked surprisingly assured during his last two outings.

The 52-cap France international was busy if not exactly productive in the scoreless draw with Swansea City and ended up being arguably one of Tottenham’s better performers during their 3-2 win over London rivals West Ham on Saturday, impressing in central midfield.

The north London outfit’s next clash comes this evening against APOEL in the Champions League – a side they should comfortably beat on paper but could come unstuck against considering the Cyprus outfit are a bit of an unknown quantity.

So, Spurs fans, do you think Mauricio Pochettino should keep Sissoko in his starting XI this evening, or does the clash represent an opportunity for the Tottenham boss to rotate his options and give someone else the chance to impress?

Let us know by voting below…

Sorry folks this poll is now closed!

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes that Manchester United’s first real test will be this Saturday when the team take on their biggest rivals.

All eyes will be on Anfield in the lunchtime kickoff as Liverpool look to inflict defeat on their enemies, which would be the first time that Jose Mourinho’s men have lost this season.

A 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions is a very bright start for the Red Devils, but Fowler has played down the achievement on account of the opponents faced.

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In the league, United have played against West Ham United, Swansea City, Leicester City, Stoke City, Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace – none of which are currently in the top half of the table.

Mourinho’s team have won six and drawn one, conceding just two goals in that time, and as a result, sit second in the league table.

Manchester City are on the same points but occupy top spot due to a slightly superior goal difference.

Liverpool are seventh and as many points adrift of United, but Fowler thinks that the Red Devils’ run must be put into perspective.

The former striker told the Daily Mail:

“If you look at the fixtures — I’m not having a go at Manchester United here — but the run that they’ve had, they’ve played teams who, on paper, they should be beating.

“Without sounding disrespectful to them, now you’ll see over maybe the next month or so, with the run of fixtures they’ve got, what sort of team that really is. They’ve done well. Football is a confidence thing, and that breeds confidence.”

Chelsea already find themselves nine points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after a shock away defeat to rock-bottom Crystal Palace last weekend. That has led to many claiming the Blues aren’t quite up to successfully defending their top-flight crown this season for various reasons, mostly a lack of strength in depth.

Former Blues star Chris Sutton said as much in his recent column for MailOnline, as well as singling out new signing Alvaro Morato for criticism.

“Chelsea replaced a reliable centre forward in Diego Costa with a striker in Alvaro Morata who has ability but has not yet gone the distance in a league campaign.”

But does Sutton have a point?

We asked our best writers for their thoughts of Chelsea’s perceived issues and Sutton’s quite damning assessment…

Christy Malyan

It’s looking like it won’t be Chelsea’s season and that is unquestionably linked with their failure to bring in certain players during the summer.

It’s quite interesting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Fernando Llorente all turned the west Londoners down during the final few days of the transfer window, and Antonio Conte now appears to be paying the price. But it’s being quickly forgotten that some very ruthless decisions were made during the summer, with Nemanja Matic, Diego Costa and John Terry all moving on.

That’s taken away vast leadership and experience from Chelsea’s starting XI, so it’s almost inevitable that they’re struggling to match the consistency of last year. They’re still a good side and the replacements, Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger, have more than enough talent to replicate the levels of their predecessors, but it feels like this will mostly be a season of transition for Chelsea – probably glossed over with an FA Cup or League Cup.

There’s no shame in that if they’re back to their best next season.

Chris McMullan

Sutton’s comments seem unfair, but perhaps that’s to be expected from such a short article that was never given the chance to go into any real detail of his argument.

Essentially, he thinks that Chelsea’s summer business left the squad short. That might well be true, and clearly that was the worry this summer. But picking out Alvaro Morata for criticism is particularly strange given the Spanish international has scored seven goals in seven starts in all competitions this season.

His assertion is that Morata hasn’t proved that he can do it over the course of a whole season, and that may well turn out to be a problem. But, for now, he certainly can’t be blamed for the fact that Chelsea find themselves nine points behind the Premier League leaders.

Olly Huddlestone

It seems that way. Like Mourinho before him, Conte is finding it difficult to defend the title won so convincingly the previous season.

If you compare with rivals Man United and Man City’s strength and depth it is clear what Chelsea need to do in January – strengthen in every position.

If the season continues to go downhill for the Blues, you can expect a flurry of transfers in the new year.

Liverpool romped to a convincing 3-0 victory against Huddersfield on Saturday, blitzing them with three second half goals from Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum.

After a poor first half display, Jurgen Klopp inspired his side to come out with renewed focus and energy and once they got the first goal, there was no danger of a second successive defeat in the English Premier League.

Those three goalscorers will get the headlines but Liverpool fans were left impressed by a defender most of all, 20-year-old Joe Gomez. The youngster was in excellent form throughout, giving Reds fans hope that their defence isn’t quite the lost cause many think it is.

Gomez has emerged as a regular starter under Klopp this season, having seen his previous years at Liverpool blighted by injury. With 10 starts already this term, he’s well on his way to becoming a fan favourite.

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

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Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has suggested that Jamaal Lascelles is in danger of missing the team’s Premier League clash against Manchester United, reports The Shields Gazette.

What’s wrong?

The club captain suffered an ankle injury during last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth at St James’ Park.

The problem forced Lascelles off the pitch in the 55th minute when the Magpies were on level terms with the Cherries at 0-0.

Even though Newcastle do not take on United at Old Trafford until November 18, Benitez is unsure whether his skipper will return to fitness in time.

The Shields Gazette quotes the manager as saying:

“It’s still a bit painful. He’s been working with the physios and getting a little bit better, but it’s slow. We have to wait a couple of days, and then without inflammation we’ll see how it is.”

Could this spell trouble for Newcastle?

There is no doubt that Lascelles has been one of the team’s best performers this season.

The 23-year-old has led from the back by marshalling the defence and helping the Magpies stay in touch of he top 10.

Losing the Englishman’s quality will only hurt Newcastle, particularly against a United team with world-class talent.

Not only is Lascelles a doubt, but Mikel Merino is on the sidelines, and there are reports that the Spaniard could miss out of action until December.

Newcastle need to be wary, because if injuries start to pile up, the club could find themselves lingering around the relegation zone.