Will an owner with impending conflict of interest scupper Chelsea transfer?
Will an owner who surely has an impending conflict of interest case actually be able to legally block a prospective Chelsea transfer? The Pride of London also assess an apparent hijack angle concerning the Jean-Clair Todibo chase
After four victories from five outings across two competitions, things are gradually looking up at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, PoL was recently criticised - you can never please everyone, especially the totally partisan fanatics who are typically uninformed - for stating that Mauricio Pochettino is beginning to get results at Chelsea. In addition to that, we noted that performances may continue to slightly improve and further points be gained because particularly important injured personnel is returning, too.
A measured and informed verdict, I believe, regardless of the opposition merely being Crystal Palace, Luton Town and Sheffield United in the English top-flight. The increasingly dangerous Newcastle United were also beaten on penalties in the League Cup; a legitimate scalp for a modern CFC suspended in mediocrity, for now. Wolverhampton Wanderers, another EPL side on the up, managed to defeat the west Londoners on Christmas Eve. Though Chelsea's form makes for decent reading at the moment, which makes a nice change. Optimism is there, but only fractionally at present.
Are there areas of the team that could be improved during the January transfer window? Absolutely. But I am unsure that the centreback position requires bolstering.
Are Chelsea hijacking Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur over potential Jean-Clair Todibo deal?
While reports claim CFC have opened talks to sign Todibo of Nice, one person could possibly halt the transfer: Jim Ratcliffe. If Manchester United end up signing the 24-year-old, the Eaglets owner may face questions due to blocking agreements and profiting between two connected clubs. Presently, it seems as though he can intervene:
"Man Utd to suffer more transfer agony if Sir Jim Ratcliffe doesn't block 'Chelsea talks'
- ALEX TURK, Express
With Manchester United in the market for a new centre-back this year, the link between Jean-Clair Todibo and OGC Nice owners INEOS is an easy one to make. But Chelsea have previously thwarted United's hopes of signing a French centre-back, and they could do it again in January.
Todibo could be the latest Mauricio Pochettino adds to his ranks as the troublesome start to his Stamford Bridge reign turns for the better heading into 2024."