Chelsea news, transfers & rumours: Tuchel supports new contract for Rudiger & live updates from Stamford Bridge

Harry Kane has asked to leave Tottenham. And according to <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1394353747678072832" target="_blank">Sky Sports News</a>,&nbsp;Chelsea are one of the interested parties. It comes as no surprise that Chelsea would be interested if the premier English striker in the game comes on the market. Kane would not come cheap, while Spurs would likely want a bidding war with Manchester United and Manchester City also reportedly in the frame.

Kane could spark transfer frenzy

Thomas Tuchel is adamant it is ‘nothing personal’ after Tammy Abraham was left out of Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat by Leicester. When asked if the striker has a future at the club, Tuchel replied: “Well, it's just the amount of people that I can nominate for a game. “I decided to start Timo Werner in the number nine role, so we had Kai and Olivier Giroud on the bench, so we decided not to have three number nines on the bench.&nbsp;This is it, it's never personal. “When Kova and Andreas Christensen, maybe, come back into the squad, I need to figure out the squad and maybe eliminate two more players.&nbsp;This is the worst day and the worst decision for me in the whole week. Because since I arrived here everybody deserves to be in the squad.&nbsp;I understand his frustration and it was not the first time. We have other guys with the same situation to face. “This is not the moment to complain, and this is not the moment to explain too much. This is the moment just to live in the moment.&nbsp;These are the two decisive weeks now of the whole season.”

Tuchel: Abraham omission is nothing personal

Striker was left out of Chelsea's FA Cup final defeat

Thomas Tuchel is confident his Chelsea squad is strong enough to handle recent setbacks as they look to secure Champions League qualification. Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal in the Premier League last week before being beaten by Leicester by the same scoreline in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. The Blues face Leicester again tomorrow in a key game in the race for a top-four spot, and Tuchel has no concerns about his players’ mentality. "This is a strong group," said Tuchel. "There is no reason to doubt these players, who have done so well to get into the top four from 10th place, to reach the FA Cup final and to be in the final of the Champions League. "We are strong enough to handle&nbsp;these situations and these are the challenges that we face. It’s not easy, but it is fun, and there are a lot of teams chasing us and our situation."

Tuchel: This is a strong group

Chelsea boss not concerned after back-to-back defeats

Thomas Tuchel has had a superb impact since replacing Frank Lampard at Chelsea in January. He took them to the FA Cup final, Champions League final and into the top four in the Premier League. They tasted defeat to Leicester in the FA Cup final and could slip out of the top four in the final week. The Champions League final is still to come, but Tuchel has admitted the two league games against Leicester and Aston Villa could define their season. “The ambition is very clear and I can’t say now we are happy if we play two draws now and up fifth,” Tuchel <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelseas-season-judged-last-two-24127491" target="_blank">said</a>. “Because I am not, I am not happy. Then I will constantly have the feeling that we could have done better results-wise.”

Tuchel talks about season-defining week

Thomas Tuchel believes Chelsea's upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City is bigger than the FA Cup final they were beaten in&nbsp;on Saturday evening. Although their 1-0 defeat to the Foxes at Wembley cost the Blues a chance at silverware, they see qualifying for next season's Champions League as a priority. Last season Bayern Munich earned an estimated £112 million ($158m / €130.3m) from lifting the trophy, which dwarfs Leicester's £4m ($6m / €4.65m) prize money for winning and competing in every round of the FA Cup. Ahead of the upcoming match at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel knows money matters when you are coaching in west London. "It would look like I am a bad loser if I say ‘yes’," Tuchel admitted. "I am not a good loser but I want to be a respectful loser and I am not here to play the match down because of financial reasons. "We lost a big match, it was a huge match for us, we put out the best team possible, we did not rest anybody because we had the feeling that this game tomorrow is more important. "But, but there is a but. Do we want to play Champions League next season? Yes, this is the target when I stepped into this club I want to be very clear – the task was ‘let’s try everything to be in the top four’. "The task was not ‘let’s try everything to win the FA Cup’ because the FA Cup, as big as it is, does not bring you to Champions League football next season. It’s top four that brings us that. So, yes, tomorrow is another huge game but, like I said, this game was big for us. It was a final. "Once you can collect silverware you try everything because simply out of respect. And me and the players – be very sure about this – we think zero about how much money we earn. This is not in our heads."

Tuchel: Premier League clash with Leicester bigger than FA Cup final

May 29. It’s a date in Chelsea fans’ memory banks, with it being their meeting&nbsp;with Manchester City in the Champions League final. With it slated to be played in Turkey, only to be moved to Portugal on account of coronavirus concerns, it’s the talk of the town. But it’s not the talk of the City dressing room, says Pep Guardiola. “We will have six days after Everton to prepare for the final and we'll think about it then,” City boss Guardiola said. "We can't prepare well if we aren't prepared for Brighton and Everton. Tomorrow we are going to play a game to win again, it’s the best way to arrive for the final. Final five or six days will be more focused for Chelsea.”

City not thinking about Chelsea

Frank Lampard must look on at Chelsea with mixed feelings.&nbsp; On the one hand, the Blues legend will be delighted the team are in the final of the Champions League. On the other, he could be forgiven for thinking it should be him at the helm. He isn’t, Thomas Tuchel is and it’s now history. Looking to the future, Lampard is being linked with a return to management at Crystal Palace who could be on the lookout for a new manger if Roy Hodgson departs. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Crystal Palace are still in contact with Frank Lampard and his agente as potential new manager - talks progressing. Abdallah Sima from Slavia Praga is among the options as new signings, also in case Lampard will be appointed. 🔴🔵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CPFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CPFC</a> — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1394373280753197058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Lampard linked with Palace

Thomas Tuchel has claimed he did not watch Liverpool’s dramatic win over West Brom. Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes looked slim as they were drawing 1-1 in injury time, only for goalkeeper Alisson to go up for a corner and head home a dramatic winner. The goal was a blow to Chelsea and Leicester, who face each other on Tuesday, but Tuchel did not get overly stressed as he was not watching the game. "I came home, switched on the TV and saw it was 1-1 in the middle of the second half," he <a href="https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/05/17/tuchel--fans-can-give-us-extra-percentage-ahead-of-tense-finale" target="_blank">said</a>. "I thought 'oh that’s not a bad result' but I was a bit superstitious so didn’t follow it. "When I checked later I had to realise that superstitions don’t always work, or maybe never! It was a fantastic header in the last minute and does not make things boring. It’s pretty interesting and pretty tight but still it’s in our hands."

Tuchel didn't watch Liverpool game

Timothy Castagne expects Chelsea to change tactics on Tuesday following Leicester's win in the FA Cup final on Saturday. The Foxes clinched a 1-0 win despite arguably being second best on the day, and Castagne feels Blues boss Thomas Tuchel will tinker with his approach. "There might be some things which worked well in the final which won’t work any more because they’ve changed things, so it’s a bit double sided," Castagne <a href="https://www.lcfc.com/news/2146696/castagne-braced-for-different-chelsea-challenge" target="_blank">said</a>. "It’s two different games. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy, but we know if we win on Tuesday, we’ll be in the Champions League for sure."

Castagne expects Chelsea changes

Armando Broja Is one of Chelsea’s loan army, and he has impressed at Vitesse Arnhem. With no chance of forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans, the 19-year-old is set for another loan spell away. Vitesse are in pole position, and <a href="https://www.gelderlander.nl/vitesse/alle-ogen-gericht-op-de-transferzomer-td-spors-aan-zet-voor-de-verbouwing-van-vitesse~a8583dd9/" target="_blank">De Gelderlander </a>claims the two clubs are working on a one-year extension&nbsp; - with the forward in favour of extending his loan stay in the Eredivisie.&nbsp;

Vitesse keen on Broja loan extension

Reece James’ name has cropped up with regard to England’s squad for Euro 2020. England boss Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice at right-back, with the likes of Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James vying for spots in the squad. James showed he had another string to his bow when playing in the right of a three-man central defence for Chelsea against Leicester in the FA Cup final, and Blues legend Ashley Cole feels that could be a role for James this summer. "The quality of players that Gareth has at his disposal is unbelievable," Cole said on <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007t9y1" target="_blank">Match of the Day</a>. "We didn't even talk about Reece James. Could you play three at the back with Reece playing and Trent a little bit further up the pitch?"

Cole backs James for England role

In what will be his first transfer window in charge of Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel is likely to make changes to his squad this summer. There’s been plenty of talk about additions, but <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Calciomercato/Inter/17-05-2021/calciomercato-inter-young-perisic-4101084777327.shtml?cmpid=shortener_240a9986pc" target="_blank">Gazzetta dello Sport </a>has highlighted a couple of players primed for the exit door. The Italian outlet claims full-backs Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso are planning to depart in the summer - as they “want to feel important again” after falling down the pecking order. Serie A is likely to be the destination for Alonso and Palmieri who have experience in Italy following spells with Fiorentina and Roma respectively.

Emerson and Alonso set for exit

Thomas Tuchel feels luck was not on Chelsea’s side in the FA Cup final. Citing the slices of fortune that came Liverpool’s way against West Brom - that’s in no way a criticism of Alisson’s brilliant header - Tuchel is hopeful things turn his side’s way against Leicester on Tuesday. “Yesterday, with Liverpool, this is something you can't plan," Tuchel said. "Sometimes you have the luck, sometimes you don't. Clearly, we didn't have it against Leicester. It is a bit of an awkward feeling. If you look at the crucial data that have a correlation to the result, you see no reason why we should lose both matches but we lost them. We lacked a bit of luck and decisions. "Hopefully, we can bring it back.

Tuchel looking for some luck

Leicester understandably celebrated wildly when winning the FA Cup on Saturday. But the sight of David Amartey picking up a Chelsea pennant in the dressing room and flinging it over his shoulder raised eyebrows. According to Sky Sports News, the Foxes have apologised to Chelsea for any offence caused. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🚨 BREAKING🚨 Leicester City have apologised to Chelsea after a video emerged of Daniel Amartey throwing their pennant on the floor following their FA Cup win <a href="https://t.co/a8TJqiPtdd">pic.twitter.com/a8TJqiPtdd</a> — Football Daily (@footballdaily) <a href="https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1394244492199407617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Foxes sorry for celebration

Liverpool’s dramatic late win over West Brom on Sunday heaped pressure on Chelsea and Leicester in the race for the top four. The Blues face the Foxes on Tuesday, three days after losing to the same side in the FA Cup final. Thomas Tuchel felt his side were unlucky at Wembley, and does not believe there will be a mental block at Stamford Bridge. “I was more worried and angry about our performance in the Arsenal game, where I had the feeling that we were not sharp enough and not on point,” Tuchel said. “We did not put the bar up to our level to bring us a victory home. "Still, it was not the case in the final. If we bring out the same performance, energy against the ball and work rate, while slightly improving details especially in decision making then we are absolutely able to win matches.&nbsp; “We are absolutely aware that we need momentum and a bit of luck in every match. For results, it is a bit like this.”

No concerns over Chelsea mentality

The FA Cup final whetted the appetite for the return of fans to football grounds, as the atmosphere generated at Wembley was sensational. There will be 8,000 spectators in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday when Chelsea face Leicester - again. Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is looking forward to having the team roared on from the stands. "In some matches where we struggled a bit with momentum, I had the feeling during this run that support could help now and would be crucial also to our team,” Tuchel said. “So having the fans back is fantastic and I hope that they come in the right moment to help us to secure this last win at Stamford Bridge this season."

Fans' return delights Tuchel

It was a disappointing night for Chelsea in Gothenburg, as they were hammered by Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final. But it was a positive night in general for the women’s game as there was an excellent television audience. TV3 carried the game in Catalunya and 1.67 million people tuned in to watch Barca win 4-0. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 📈 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Audi%C3%A8nciesTV3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AudiènciesTV3</a> | Líders indiscutibles ahir, diumenge, amb un 13,4% de quota. 🔝 TOP3 per a TV3: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsTV3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsTV3</a> postpartit, partit i <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TNTV3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TNTV3</a> cap de setmana migdia. 📍 El Barça va escombrar el Chelsea (0-4) en un partit amb un 28,4 de quota. 👉<a href="https://t.co/YAxzRow0aA">https://t.co/YAxzRow0aA</a> <a href="https://t.co/2L2ojIo2eJ">pic.twitter.com/2L2ojIo2eJ</a> — TV3.cat (@tv3cat) <a href="https://twitter.com/tv3cat/status/1394190456863461376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Big TV audience for women's UCL final

Thomas Tuchel is focusing on maintaining a normal approach for Chelsea’s game against Leicester on Tuesday in what will be a crucial fixture in the battle to secure a top-four finish. Alisson’s dramatic late goal for Liverpool against West Brom on Sunday has intensified the pressure on tomorrow’s game, but Tuchel didn’t want to consider it a ‘win-at-all-costs’ fixture. Tuchel said: “Well, that didn't make things boring in the Premier League, that late goal from Alisson!&nbsp;But, at all costs I don't like, because it's not what we do, we want to win games. “It's not about life and death but it's also super important for our ambitions.&nbsp;Of course the situation is very clear, it's still in our hands, so this is very positive and what we worked hard for. “So, we approach the game more or less like any other game, the more tension is on the more normal approach we use.&nbsp;Because there's a lot of talks around what happens, so we have to stay focused on what you can influence. So, we approach this game like any other game, with a clear desire to win.”

Tuchel: It's not about life and death

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> I asked Tuchel about Rudiger. He said would support Rudiger getting a new contract at Chelsea if he wanted it. He said his performances have been outstanding and that he is an 'aggressive leader'. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> — Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1394275010223673344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Rudiger contract news

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> Tuchel says he will have to drop two more players with Mateo Kovacic and Andreas Christensen possibly returning tomorrow to the squad. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> — Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1394271788633317376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Team news ahead of Leicester game

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> Tuchel on Abraham: "It's just on the amount of people I can nominate for a game. When it is 18 or 20. I had Timo no9, with Kai and Oli who can play no9." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> — Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1394271666323300358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Tuchel on Tammy Abraham

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> Tuchel on Liverpool's bid for top four: "That didn't make things boring, for sure, Alisson's goal. His key message is though that "it is stiil in our hands." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> — Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1394271331810697216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Tuchel on Alisson's goal

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Tuchel on the mood: "it hurt us because once you reach a final, you want to win it. We were so close and passed a huge opponent in the semi-finals, we deserved to be there and felt we deserved to win it." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a> — Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href="https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1394270694154948611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Tuchel's pre-Leicester press conference

Hakan Calhanoglu is heading towards free agency, with Manchester United and Chelsea said to be among his many suitors, but the AC Milan playmaker is not ruling out fresh terms at San Siro. The Rossoneri remain in the hunt for Champions League qualification, which could go a long way towards determining&nbsp;whether key men agree to stay put - with Italy international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma another of those yet to commit to an extension. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/man-utd-chelsea-linked-calhanoglu-offers-future-update-as-ac/j8fb2wuv1gnt1lh5jarwh6d2a" target="_blank">Read the full story here</a>

Chelsea-linked Calhanoglu offers future update

Millie Bright is looking to focus on the positives following Chelsea's 4-0 Women's Champions League final defeat by Barcelona. "We’ve had a tremendous season," said Bright. "The journey to get to this final - beating Wolfsburg will probably be the top of it for me because they’ve beaten us for so many years, it’s always pushed us back in the Champions League and they’ve always knocked us out. Beating Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, we’ve had tough run. "It shows we are close, there’s work to be done to get to Barcelona’s level but I don’t think we are too far off. "We have to make sure we do better when we come back next time, because we will be back. It’s a setback and, from a setback, comes a bigger step forward and that’s what we’ll do."

Bright: Chelsea are not too far off

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has delivered a fitness update on his squad ahead of tomorrow’s crunch game with Chelsea and confirmed Jonny Evans won’t be involved after the defender went off in the FA Cup final. "Jonny won’t play in the game, he’ll struggle for that," said Rodgers. "We’ll see what he’s like for next weekend, but he won’t be involved tomorrow.

Evans out for Leicester

There are concerns that Chelsea's season could look like a failure should they lose their two finals and fail to qualify for the Champions League through a top-four finish in the Premier League. Even though Chelsea were in 10th place when he took over in January, Thomas Tuchel's remit was to ensure the club qualified for next season's elite European competition. Chelsea face Leicester again in the Premier League on Tuesday, having just lost the FA Cup final to them, and Tuchel denies that the pressure has been turned up on his team. "No, absolutely not," Tuchel said. "Arsenal increased the pressure for the game on Tuesday. It was an isolated game, it has nothing to do with the race for the top four or the Champions League final. "Arsenal had a lot to do with it, the Man City win had a lot to do positively. Arsenal increased the pressure, unfortunately, for Tuesday, not this game. This was a different competition."

Tuchel doesn't think FA Cup defeat has put pressure on Chelsea

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is optimistic that the 4-0 Women's Champions League final defeat by Barcelona on Sunday will be a valuable learning experience for her players. "It’s something we will learn from," said Hayes. "This is the next step up, and I thought we showed some naivety at times. "I felt calm coming into the game, but some of the inexperience cost us. They will grow from that, players will improve. I have a quiet dressing room right now, but they are proud of the shift they have put in. "Being in this position helps. I said to the players to look at the scoreboard. That has got to be a motivating factor when they come back in for pre-season. This will stay with them over the summer. "It’s been a wonderful season for us. We have won the double. It’s not like we are trophyless. I’m just gutted we didn’t get the chance to actually make a game of it. I did my best, I tried to coach the players, change a few things and give us some momentum, but it wasn’t to be."

Hayes backs Chelsea to learn from Barcelona defeat

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> What next for Chelsea? Last night might have been a rout on paper, but there’s no reason for them to panic. Emma Hayes’ side are where Barcelona were two years ago. A few tweaks, some more experience together, and they’ll have another shot at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UWCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UWCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/mq5KFfRzfX">https://t.co/mq5KFfRzfX</a> — Ameé Ruszkai (@ameeruszkai) <a href="https://twitter.com/ameeruszkai/status/1394209817133203458?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

What next for Chelsea?

Marco van Ginkel is keen to stay with PSV as he prepares to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis. The Dutch midfielder originally joined Chelsea eight years ago, but his Stamford Bridge career has been decimated by serious injury. He signed a new one-year contract last summer, but has taken in another loan spell with PSV this season and is hoping to remain in Eindhoven. “I am a free agent,” Van Ginkel told the media after captaining PSV and scoring against Utrecht over the weekend. “I like life in Eindhoven and I think it is nice to feel appreciated. But we have not started negotiations yet.”

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Chelsea news, transfers & rumours: Tuchel supports new contract for Rudiger & live updates from Stamford Bridge | Goal.com Kenya

Goal brings you all the latest news and transfer reports from Chelsea and our Blues correspondent Nizaar Kinsella