27/07/2020 - Negotiations ongoing with Bayer Leverkusen over fee Chelsea hoping to replace Kepa ArrizabalagaChelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Kai Havertz after qualifying for the Champions League, opening talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a fee for the German midfielder.Havertz has told Leverkusen that he wants to join Chelsea, who are also looking for a new goalkeeper after Frank Lampard dropped Kepa Arrizabalaga for his side’s win over Wolves on Sunday, and all that remains now is for the two clubs to reach an agreement over a price for the 21-year-old. Related: Premier League 2019-20 review: young players of the season Continue reading... Collapse

25/07/2020 - Liverpool’s ruthless consistency and Sheffield United’s ability to adapt exceeded expectations, but Arsenal and Spurs slumped, while Manchester City and United have been satisfactoryLeague tables may never lie, though everyone knows they can be economical with the truth. By Sunday evening we will have our final Premier League table, after an extraordinarily difficult season is played out to a compromised but fair conclusion. Yet what the record books and finishing positions never quite reveal is what was expected of teams beforehand.Some teams in the top half of the table will be disappointed with their place in the order of things, whereas some teams in the bottom half will be relieved. What follows is an attempt to break up the table into three groups: those who have done better than anticipated, those who have done worse and those who have simply completed the course with an acceptable but unspectacular score. Related: Three into two will not go as race for Champions League enters Collapse

22/07/2020 - Manager stands firm after 5-3 defeat at champions LiverpoolChelsea need a point at home to Wolves on SundayFrank Lampard backed Chelsea to handle the pressure of trying to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season and refused to criticise Kepa Arrizabalaga after the goalkeeper struggled against Liverpool, who marked lifting the Premier League trophy with a thrilling 5-3 victory at Anfield.While Manchester United’s draw with West Ham earlier in the evening meant Lampard’s side went into their game against the champions knowing a point would seal a place in the top four, they were unable to contain ­Liverpool’s attack and fell short despite a spirited comeback in the second half. Jürgen Klopp’s side led 3-1 at half-time and the focus homed in on Chelsea’s defending, with ­Arrizabalaga under the spotlight after conceding a long-range strike from Naby Keïta and a free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Related: Liverpool fend off Chelsea fightback in 5-3 thriller Collapse

21/07/2020 - Chelsea will form guard of honour before game at AnfieldLampard says new signings Ziyech and Werner need timeFrank Lampard wants Chelsea’s players to take inspiration from giving Liverpool a guard of honour before facing the Premier League champions at Anfield on Wednesday.Although Chelsea could end their campaign on a high by qualifying for the Champions League and beating Arsenal in the FA Cup final, Lampard thinks finishing in the top four should be the minimum requirement. Related: West Ham rule out swapping Rice for Chelsea's Barkley and Batshuayi Related: Chelsea close to agreement with Kai Havertz but no deal yet with Leverkusen Continue reading... Collapse

20/07/2020 - Move may hinge on Champions League qualificationLeverkusen holding out for as much as €90m for midfielderChelsea are closing in on the signing of Kai Havertz after discussing personal terms with the midfielder on a five-year contract, although the club still have to reach an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a fee for the Germany international.Frank Lampard is leading a revamp of his attack for next season, having already secured the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, and there is growing confidence that Havertz will become the latest player to seal a move to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Leverkusen star has indicated that he is willing to join Chelsea, though the deal is not done yet. Related: Frank Lampard talks of Chelsea's 'three finals' after FA Cup semi win Continue reading... Collapse

19/07/2020 - Of all the selection decisions that Ole Gunnar Solskjær made for this FA Cup semi-final, the one to persist with David de Gea rather than call upon Sergio Romero looked the safest. Related: Manchester United 1-3 Chelsea: FA Cup semi-final – as it happened Related: Selfless Granit Xhaka completes unlikely Arsenal redemption | Jonathan Liew Continue reading... Collapse

18/07/2020 - ‘We are working on how to cut out the defensive errors at crucial moments,’ the Blues manager said as he prepared for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against in-form Manchester UnitedFrank Lampard admits Chelsea have given too many goals away through unforced individual errors this season and after three defeats against Manchester United already he does not need to be told that Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side approach Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final full of confidence.“We know we will be playing a very good team in great form,” the Chelsea manager said. “Their front three are very potent and behind them Bruno Fernandes has given United a huge boost since joining in January. The way they are playing United have the individual quality to beat almost anyone, so we have to be at our best and make sure we keep our concentration.” Related: Frank Lampard says VAR is favouring semi-final rivals Manchester United Continue reading... Collapse

17/07/2020 - Chelsea manager warns his side about conceding penaltiesUnited have been given 13 spot-kicks in league this seasonFrank Lampard has said VAR appears to be working in Manchester United’s favour at the moment and has warned Chelsea’s defenders to be wary of conceding penalties when they look to end a run of three successive defeats by Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side in their FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.United have equalled a record for spot-kicks awarded in a single Premier League campaign after winning 13 this season and Lampard wants his players to avoid diving in at Wembley, pointing out how Bruno Fernandes shaped his body to convince the officials to give him a controversial penalty against Aston Villa this month. Related: Manchester United's Rashford and Martial sink luckless Crystal Palace Related: Frank Lampard calls on quiet Chelsea players to make some noise Continue reading... Collapse

14/07/2020 - If the task was simply to show Frank Lampard that they are capable of making some noise on the pitch, then Chelsea’s players passed the test. Yet telling a teammate whether they have time on the ball seems a rather basic aim for a side chasing Champions League qualification. Pub sides are capable of making a lot of noise and although Chelsea found a way to bounce back from their Sheffield United debacle, the concern is how they fell short when it came to expressing themselves in possession against the worst team in the Premier League.Be under no illusions: this was an anxious slog against opponents already condemned to return to the Championship. Lampard will not be fooled by this nervy victory over Norwich, even though Olivier Giroud’s goal was enough to keep Chelsea in third place, four points clear of Leicester and Manchester United after playing a game more than their closest rivals. Related: Chelsea v Norwich City: Premier League – live! Related: Premier League: which clubs Collapse