Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIFA FURY AT BLUES
FIFA has announced it will scrutinise the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to lift Chelsea’s transfer ban.
Chelsea blasted FIFA’s “deeply unsatisfactory” verdict for imposing a two-window transfer ban on them when CAS made their judgement.
The original sanction against the Premier League club related to the signing of overseas youth players but the Swiss-based CAS reduced the transfer embargo to one window, leaving Chelsea boss Frank Lampard free to sign new players next month.
“FIFA has taken note of the award by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS),” said a FIFA spokesperson.
“FIFA is now waiting to receive the grounds of the decision in order to fully analyse it.”
REECE JAMES is set to be rewarded for his breakthrough at Chelsea with a new deal.
The 19-year-old’s current contract runs until 2022 and he will be given improved terms to bring him closer to the club’s first-team stars.
James has made 14 appearances for the Blues this season and has started five of the last six games at right-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta moved to leftback and Marcos Alonso left out.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has put his faith in James (below) and his fellow academy graduates Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi this season.
And the young guns have repaid him with some excellent performances to put their side in the top four.
Lampard insists the players are there on merit and not just because of the transfer ban imposed on the club in the summer.
TOM HOPKINSON
Otamendi 85
Goalscorers Marcus
Rashford and Anthony Martial celebrate their stunning win