Chelsea

Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole have examined the "problem" that Romelu Lukaku may have going forward at Stamford Bridge, after being left out of Tuesday's win ...

Today it worked good and I enjoy every forward position." "Think about his form at the end of last season when he was able to drop off and runners go and behind him, his best position is a No.9, but that’s bad for Lukaku. Read the story in full HERE. "He was very good, very decisive. Read the story in full HERE. "He really steps up.

Chelsea wore the badge celebrating their success in Saturday's 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace in the Premier League, but many believed it was just a one-off ...

Chelsea are set to be allowed to wear the Club World Cup badge for the rest of the season even though bosses REFUSED to give Liverpool and Man United permission to sport it on their shirts when they won Chelsea will reportedly be allowed to wear the Club World Cup badge on their shirts for the rest of the season after the Premier League accepted their request.

Havertz managed to surpass Lukaku's seven touches within 15 minutes as holders Chelsea proved too strong for Lille. Soccer Football - Champions League ...

N’Golo Kante drove at Lille’s defensive line on a quick break then threaded a ball through for his American team-mate to take a couple of touches before sending the ball around Jardim even while slipping as he shot. Lille, meanwhile, have nowhere near hit the heights of last season and are currently struggling mid-table in the French top-flight. While Lukaku’s lacklustre performance against Crystal Palace became the focal point before this game, it’s perhaps indicative of a wider Chelsea malaise that has been masked, somewhat, by the club’s recent trophy and a run to Sunday’s League Cup final. In his place played Kai Havertz, who wasted no time – and barely any touches – in scoring only eight minutes from kick-off. And, admittedly, Lukaku had scored in both games on their way to lifting the Club World Cup trophy in Abu Dhabi, but they remain his only two goals in eight matches and it’s funny how in-form strikers tend not to need resting. Chelsea will be confident of progressing to the quarter-finals when they head to Lille for reverse fixture, joining Manchester City and Liverpool as favourites in their respective second legs.

CHELSEA defender Cesar Azpilicueta is still backing Romelu Lukaku to find form at Stamford Bridge.

“Of course, Romelu is the first one who wants to give more for the team,” he said. “But I know that now preparing for the final every player will have a chance and we have to show that we deserve to be there and then the manager will make the best decision for the team.” More consistency would appear to be the key and, as with so many players over the years, Azpilicueta is certain that Lukaku has a part to play on the biggest stages more often than not. “He’s having a tough period, but we cannot forget also that he scored two goals in the Club World Cup, in the semi-final and the final, so you know he can do it at a high level,” Azpilicueta said. It has been a stop-start beginning to Lukaku’s return to Chelsea but Azpilicueta feels some of the highlights are being forgotten too quickly and too conveniently. “The manager makes his decision, the best for every game, so against Lille Romelu didn’t play,” he said.

On Sunday Chelsea will compete in our ninth League Cup final and attempt to lift the trophy for the sixth time when we face Liverpool at Wembley Stadium.

That meant it went all the way to penalties, following a few minutes of confusion about whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would stay on the pitch for the shoot-out. Eden Hazard tried his best as a false nine but was outnumbered and isolated, while at the other end Sergio Aguero found the net for Manchester City but had it correctly ruled out for offside. Jose Mourinho missed the additional 30 minutes after being sent off for his goal celebrations, but there was only one team in it from then on. We were pegged back on both occasions, before left-back Eddie McCreadie justified his selection as an emergency striker by embarking on a 60-yard dribble to seal the win with an incredible solo goal in the 81st minute. It was over 25 years before Chelsea would have the chance to erase that disappointment by lifting the League Cup trophy at Wembley for the first time. The League Cup was only in its fifth year when Chelsea first reached the final.

All of the latest Chelsea news and transfer rumours all day on Thursday including updates on Romelu Lukaku, Serge Gnabry and much more.

The decision to renew depends on him, but to me he's a player I like. I heard a lot of fake stories about him - it's the opposite. It was a tough match and almost every question is about Romelu. The focus is huge. That was the decision and that’s it. “He doesn’t know if there is going to be a late decision with regards to the cup final. “We have to use the power we can bring from there. A number of players have been linked with a move to west London - the latest two being Ousmane Dembele and Serge Gnabry. They also failed to recall Emerson Palmieri, which was to be expected. It can be a four, five or six-week return to play. Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Conte's favourite wants to return to Inter and is willing to take a pay cut. “Everyone knows what Conor is about,” said the winger. “The energy and the quality he brings to the team.