Chelsea ‘put four defenders up for sale’
CHELSEA’S squad is bracing for a Frank Lampard-led revolution this summer, with the Blues boss reportedly set to oust four defenders amid 10 potential sales.
The legendary ex-midfielder is determined to refresh his defence after conceding more goals (54) than any other top-half Premier League team in his first season since retuning to Chelsea, finishing fourth before losing the FA Cup final to Arsenal.
The west Londoners have put Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso up for sale with N’Golo Kante also potentially leaving, according to the Times.
Zouma, 25, and Christensen, 24, have stalled in their progress after being tipped for big things as youngsters, while Antonio
Conte signings Alonso and Palmieri are among those below Lampard’s required level.
Both Lampard and Mauricio Sarri having struggled to accommodate Kante in their systems and the Frenchman could be sold in an effort to prioritise the Blues’ weaker spots.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly set for a loan, with a summer sale unlikely to regain much of the £71m spent on the Spaniard after miserable season which saw Lampard lose trust in the keeper — replacing him with Willy Caballero at Wembley.
The Times also claim that Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ross Barkley are available, while Michy Batshuayi has been frozenout by Lampard.
Willian’s future is still in doubt, with the Brazilian winger having rejected Chelsea’s latest two-year contract offer, demanding a three-year deal as Arsenal and Tottenham circle.
Lampard was denied the chance to bring in reinforcements a year ago amid Chelsea’s transfer ban before a disappointing January window, but has already pulled-off some superb business — landing Timo Werner for £53m and Hakim Ziyech for £38m.
The Blues’ planned sales are designed to gather funds for more upgrades, with Leicester’s Ben Chilwell a priority at Stamford Bridge.
The Leicester full-back finished the season on the sidelines with a thigh injury but was a standout performer in Brendan Rodgers’ side, who sat in the top-four for much of the season before Chelsea and Manchester United bumped them into fifth.
The Foxes’ failure to seal a Champions League place will aid the west Londoners’ pursuit of the Englishman, with Lampard’s stature in the game also proving a boost in the transfer market after Werner claimed the England icon was a crucial factor in his decision to leave RB Leipzig behind.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have finally got Alexis Sanchez off their books after Inter Milan agreed to sign the Chilean winger permanently, according to reports in Italy.
Corriere della Sera have claimed that Inter’s sporting director Beppe Marotta agreed on a deal with United, which will see the Serie A side part with £13,5 million for him.
The report also suggests that the move will be announced after Inter’s Europa League clash with Getafe on Wednesday - in which he was named in the Serie A side’s squad for the remainder of the competition on Monday.— dailyonline.
A THIRD of international male cricketers have suffered breaches of contract or non-payment from events sanctioned by the game’s global governing body or its member nations, the international players’ federation said yesterday.
The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) said after the release of its “Men’s Global Employment Report 2020” that the International Cricket Council had a duty to protect those working within its regulatory framework.
The report cited examples such as Bangladesh players not receiving their share of prize money from an ICC event, and their counterparts in Zimbabwe, another ICC full member, still waiting for their board to pay their contracts.
It also listed unresolved payment issues in Twenty20 and 10-overs leagues in several minor cricketplaying nations including Canada, the United
Qatar.
“Systematic contract breaches and non-payment of players are issues that urgently need addressing,” FICA Chief Executive Tom Moffat said.
“The ICC has an obligation to protect people working within its regulatory frameworks and it’s time something was done about this issue.
“We continue to urge decision makers to work with FICA at global level, and players’ associations at domestic level, to develop joint solutions to issues ... many of which are likely to be exacerbated by the current global situation.”
The ICC was not immediately available for comment on the report.
FICA also called for an end to “blanket bans on players from certain countries playing abroad” and limitations on the number of overseas league contracts a player may hold. — Euro Sport.
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