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Sport

Bilbao’s Kepa pays 80m euro release fee, ahead of record Chelsea move

Bilbao’s Kepa pays 80m euro release fee, ahead of record Chelsea move

London, Aug. 8, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has paid his 80 million-euro (71.9 million pounds) buy-out clause to break his contract with the Spanish side, ahead of a reported move to Chelsea.

The 23-year-old is expected to sign for the Premier League side on Wednesday, with current goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois poised to move to Real Madrid.

“La Liga has confirmed to us that Kepa Arrizabalaga has fulfilled the requirements for the unilateral termination of his contract with Athletic Club,” said Bilbao in a statement.

“(He has ended) the relationship that linked him to us since the 2004-05 season and the amount of compensation established in the contract has been deposited.”

At 80 million euros, Arrizabalaga will become the most expensive goalkeeper in football history, ahead of Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, who moved from AS Roma for 75 million euros earlier in the transfer window.

After being strongly linked to Real Madrid, Arrizabalaga signed a new deal with Bilbao in January which raised his release fee to 80 million.

Chelsea Coach Maurizio Sarri praised Arrizabalaga on Tuesday night.

“I saw (Kepa) one year ago. My first impression was that he is a very good goalkeeper, very young but very good,” said the Italian. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

Sport

Chelsea’s Willian to take legal action over ‘forged’ letter

Letter

London, Aug. 3, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Chelsea midfielder Willian has initiated legal proceedings following the appearance of a “forged” letter which appears to state a change of agents for the Brazil international.

The 29-year-old posted the letter, which states that Denirobson Dias had given permission to Renee Pinheiro Anunciacao to represent Willian to clubs in the U.K. and France, on his social media.

“In the recent days I have been informed that a ‘letter of authorisation for player agent FIFA’, allegedly signed in my name has been circulated through the football market… ,” Willian said on Instagram.

“… Since there seem to be clear evidence that my signature has been forged, or anyway misused, I hereby inform that my lawyers are already instructed to proceed with all appropriate legal measures …”

Willian, who represented Brazil at the World Cup in Russia, returned to training with Chelsea on Thursday ahead of their Community Shield tie against Premier League champions, Manchester City on Sunday. (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Omolade Michael/Peter Ejiofor)

Sport

Abramovich knocks back approach to buy Chelsea – reports

Chelsea

London, June 9, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Britain’s richest man has had a bid to buy Chelsea football club turned down by Roman Abramovich, according to British media reports.

The Daily Mail reported that Jim Ratcliffe, the chairman and chief executive of multinational petrochemicals group Ineos, expressed an interest in the Premier League club which the Russian has owned for 15 years.

Chelsea’s future has become uncertain since Abramovich ran into UK visa problems, which caused him to miss Chelsea’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester United in May.

The delay in renewing his UK tier one investment visa, which has been reported to be linked with worsening UK-Russian relations, led to him applying for Israeli citizenship, which was granted in May.

Israeli passport holders can enter Britain without a visa for short stays, although they require visas to work there.

Speculation over his commitment to Chelsea intensified when the club announced it would not go ahead with a one billion pound ($1.34 billion) redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.

It was a project intended to place it on a firmer financial footing.

Despite the uncertainty, the Daily Mail report said Abramovich remains committed to Chelsea and had knocked back Ratcliffe’s approach, which it said was one of several.

The Premier League club are valued at around one billion pounds.

Ratcliffe, 65, is reported to be a Chelsea season ticket holder and in May topped the Sunday Times rich list which valued his personal fortune at 21.05 billion pounds.

Abramovich’s personal fortune is valued at 9.3 billion pounds.

In 2017 Ineos purchased Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport, which is based near to its offices in Rolle in the Canton of Vaud.

Ratcliffe, who grew up in Manchester, has not previously linked with buying into English football.

A spokesman for Ineos said they did not respond to market rumour or speculation.

And Chelsea, who refused to comment publicly on the story to the Mail, did not respond to phone calls from Reuters. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Maharazu Ahmed

Sport

Chelsea close in on top four with win over Liverpool

EPL
London, May 6, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Chelsea moved within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday through an Olivier Giroud header.

Spurs’ surprise loss at relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Saturday opened the door for Chelsea to close the gap on the top four.

It was a good outing for the London side as they capitalised on that lifeline with an assured performance over the UEFA Champions League finalists.

Frenchman Giroud headed what proved to be the winning goal in the 32nd minute, meaning the striker has now scored 17 league goals with his head since the start of 2015-16.

The record is more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Liverpool pressed but Chelsea held on to move within three points of the visitors who are third.

On Wednesday, Chelsea have a game in hand over the Merseysiders at home to Huddersfield Town as they bid to set up a thrilling final day next Sunday.(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Chelsea beat Southampton to set up FA Cup final against Manchester United

Chelsea beat Southampton to set up FA Cup final against Manchester United
FA Cup
By Kayode Adebiyi
London, April 22, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) A flash of attacking brilliance from Olivier Giroud and an emphatic header from substitute Alvaro Morata earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over struggling Southampton in the second FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley on Sunday.

Chelsea’s victory means an FA Cup final date with Manchester United next month.

Giroud muscled and dribbled past three defenders and keeper Alex McCarthy seconds into the second half to poke the ball home from a pass by the ever-busy Eden Hazard.

Morata, who came on for Giroud, made it two in the 82nd minute, nodding Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross into the net.

Relegation-threatened Southampton were outplayed for most of the match but came close to equalising in the 72nd minute.
Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero’s save kept out Nathan Redmond’s rasping shot.

They also had a possible goal not given when Charlie Austin was adjudged to have fouled the keeper. (Reuters/NAN)
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Edited by Salif Atojoko
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Sport

EPL: Moses strike gives Chelsea win at Burnley

Nigerian Victor Moses scored the most crucial of the four African goals in the English Premier League at the weekend as it kept Chelsea top of the table. (File Photo)

Victory

Burnley (UK), April 19, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Nigerian professional footballer, Victor Moses, struck a 69th-minute winner for his Chelsea to give Antonio Conte’s side a 2-1 Premier League victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Thursday.

Chelsea had taken a 20th-minute lead through a Kevin Long own goal and was well in control of the game.

However, Burnley drew level when Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s low drive went in off Burnley striker Ashley Barnes.

But the Blues restored their lead when a cross from the left by Emerson reached Moses at the back post and he took his time before firing past Nick Pope.

The win moved fifth-placed Chelsea to within five points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

The loss ended Burnley’s five-match winning streak. (Reuters/NAN)

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde

Sport

Alli double helps Tottenham snap Chelsea jinx

EPL

London, April 1, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tottenham Hotspur claimed a first victory at Chelsea for 28 years with Dele Alli scoring twice in the second half as they came back to win 3-1.

The victory cemented Spurs fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday.

It looked like being a familiar tale of woe for the north London side when Hugo Lloris’s error of judgement allowed Alvaro Morata to head Chelsea in front after half an hour.

Tottenham responded in first-half stoppage time with midfielder Christian Eriksen dipping a right-foot shot over a bemused Willy Caballero from 30 yards.

Eriksen had already tested the Argentine with one fizzing effort.

There was a growing sense of belief in Tottenham’s play after the interval and Alli struck twice from close range in four minutes just past the hour to turn the game on its head.

Tottenham, who enjoyed a further boost when Harry Kane came off the bench having recovered from an ankle injury, moved eight points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea with seven games left.

Tottenham are a team with momentum. They had not lost in the Premier League since Dec. 16 winning all four of their previous fixtures.

And Eriksen, so often capable of creating something from nothing, carried the team again. They now have 64 points, two points behind third-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

Tottenham are just four points behind second-placed Manchester United and an FA Cup semi-final against Jose Mourinho’s men is on the horizon.

Spurs players such as Alli appear to have regained form, as well as having their key player Harry Kane back. (Reuters/NAN)

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Sport

Pressure not only on Tottenham but on Chelsea also, Pochettino says

EPL
London, March 29, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday said his team would be under as much pressure as London rivals Chelsea on Sunday in the English Premier League (EPL).

The two sides face each other at Stamford Bridge, with both teams looking to secure a top-four finish to ensure participation in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Fourth-placed Tottenham, currently occupy the final qualification spot and sit five points ahead of Chelsea with eight games left this season.

“It is always a massive game because it is a London derby. I think when you play this type of game, I think the pressure is for both teams,” Pochettino told a news conference.

“Of course there are still a lot of games to play, it is not a final. It is not a decisive game that is going to put you in one or another position.

“But obviously it is important for your confidence, your motivation.”

Tottenham have not beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since 1990, when striker Gary Lineker scored the winning goal in a 2-1 league victory.

“I think it is not a point of focus for us. We are focused on performance and the possibility to be better than them and we have the capacity to win the game,” Pochettino added.

“Of course the history is the history. It’s there but it’s not going to help, first of all Chelsea and then us…

`To win against Chelsea will be fantastic for everyone, but it will be a tough game. They are a good team.”

Harry Kane will be assessed before the weekend, with the striker stepping up his recovery from an ankle injury he picked up in this month’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth.

“I think it’s difficult now to say `yes’ or `no’, to be involved or not in the game. If not this weekend, maybe next weekend. But the most important thing is that we are so positive about his recovery.”(Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Joseph Edeh and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Majestic Messi helps Barcelona crush Chelsea

Champions League

Barcelona (Spain), March 14, 2018 (Reuters/NAN)  Lionel Messi scored two brilliant goals and created another for Ousmane Dembele as Barcelona thrashed Chelsea 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate.

Messi opened the scoring after two minutes and eight seconds, the quickest goal of his career, slipping the ball through Thibaut Courtois’ legs from a tight angle.

The Argentine forward created the second with a blistering run from the halfway line which left three Chelsea defenders stumbling in his wake.

Messi then squared the ball for Ousmane Dembele to rifle home his first goal for the club.

Marcos Alonso hit the post and Olivier Giroud was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty for a tangle with Gerard Pique as Chelsea tried to launch a comeback.

However, Messi killed the tie with his 100th Champions League goal.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said after the match: “Tonight in the two legs, Lionel Messi made the difference. We are talking about the best player in the world.

“Over the two legs we were a bit unlucky. We hit the post four times. In our best moment today they scored.

“They were very clinical. We created many chances. We are talking about a player (Messi) that every season he scores 60 goals.

“We are talking not about a top player but a super top player. He made the difference.

“We have no regrets. I must be pleased for the commitment. They gave everything tonight. We didn’t deserve to lose 3-0.

“During the game, from the bench and for me it was a clear penalty on Marcos Alonso. We have to go and move on and to prepare for the game against Leicester on Sunday.” (Reuters/NAN)

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Sport

Conte wants ‘perfect game’ from Chelsea against Barcelona

NAN-S-

Conte

London, Feb. 19, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Chelsea must play the “perfect game” to beat a formidable Barcelona in Tuesday’s first leg of the Champions League last 16 tie, the manager of the Premier League club Antonio Conte has said.

The Premier League champions have recovered from a poor run of form, winning consecutive matches over West Bromwich Albion in the league and Hull City in the FA Cup.

However, Chelsea’s Italian coach is not getting carried away.

“On one hand you know this team is one of the best in the world – maybe they are favourites to win this competition,” Conte told British media.

“On the other hand we must be excited because we have a great opportunity to play a massive game against a really strong team and to show which is our level.

“… We have to try to have the perfect game, the perfect game to try to make the best decisions. For this type of team.

“They have fantastic characteristics with the ball. But they can have weaknesses without the ball and we have to try and exploit this.”

Barcelona’s star forward Lionel Messi has never scored in eight matches against Chelsea and Conte is eager for his team to maintain that record.

Chelsea last defeated the Spanish side in 2012 as the London outfit marched to their first Champions League title.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona in 2014, is confident that Conte’s side can repeat the feat.

“They try to put the first pressure very, very high – (they) always work towards the ball,” Fabregas said.

“If we can (get) past this first phase of their pressure, then we have the content to do that, and not put ourselves under too much pressure, then I think we can hurt them because they will leave a lot of spaces at the back.

“Hopefully we can give a good image of what we can do and do a good performance.”

Chelsea next travel to second-placed Manchester United in the league on Sunday.(Reuters/NAN)

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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Maharazu Ahmed)