Now that Chelsea’s preseason tour of the United States of America is completed, there only remains one friendly to play. The Stadio Friuli – or Dacia Arena – shall host the Blues as they take on Serie A’s Udinese. Thomas Tuchel needs a response from the unpleasant Arsenal outing; the Gunners picked up the Florida Cup in the last CFC practice match. The less said about that performance and outcome the better, remembering that we are still only in the offseason. Though some slightly more worrying supposed information trickled out after the trip ended.
According to football.london’s Adam Newson, Chelsea players were said to be weary over in the USA and wanted to get back to their Cobham training ground in England. Tuchel was certainly very disappointed with the display against London rivals. Bordering anger, says the story. The squad was also apparently unsettled and surprised by the departure of Billy Gilmour, who was sent home to contribute to the Development Squad. Leading many to believe Gilmour will leave temporarily or permanently with Frank Lampard’s Everton interested, if updates are true. Some fans thought these factors to be excuses for the uneasy 4-0 loss.
Chelsea will now block Barcelona from signing their players as the Spanish side chase two Spaniards
Moving on to a type of transfer update now – and a potentially particularly newsworthy one, indeed. A report states that CFC will block the existing attempts by Barcelona to sign Cesar Azpilicueta, as well as his colleague Marcos Alonso. Both have been extensively courted by the enormous club from Spain; there were presumably talks way before the 2021/22 season came to an end, too.
The two teams have remained in discussions over the Blues pair during recent time, even after Andreas Christensen switched allegiance. Though it appears Barca hijacking the Jules Kounde deal was the final straw for Todd Boehly and Co., subsequent to Raphinha being taken to Camp Nou.
However, Christensen may have been the initial catalyst for contemporary disagreements which are described as ‘an escalating war‘ between the West Londoners and Catalonia outfit. Negotiations are purportedly “fractious and complicated”.
Tuchel admitted that he was probably a little bit annoyed at the advances towards his athletes. In addition, it is claimed that the German supports blocking Azpilicueta’s prospective transfer.
I must say, I love this tough decision from CFC, if accurate. So long as the measure doesn’t hurt the team too much, which I don’t think it does. It’s not like the Blues are refusing to relinquish someone who must leave such as Romelu Lukaku, as I see it. Boehly, as a new owner, cannot allow himself, his staff, or the group to be put in a position where they are bullied. And that theory applies to superclubs, too. A statements must be made.
Regardless of desires to depart, ‘Azpi’ and his teammate can still do very competent jobs on Fulham Road. That is to say, even if they are merely right-centreback and left-wingback understudy options, respectively. The former certainly seems unlikely to cause issues among other squad members. Their wishes might not be granted by Chels’, remembering that both are under contract.