Your Chelsea morning digest on Sunday, October 1.
Silva hails Blues duo
Marco Silva has heaped praise on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Craven Cottage on Monday night. The Fulham manager described the duo, who cost the Blues almost £250million, as ‘quality’ and expects them to enjoy a ‘very good fight’ in midfield against Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha.
“Enzo joined in January and Caicedo in the summer as well,” Silva said, as quoted by the Independent. “They’re quality. We are talking about two players they almost spent £250 million on. This speaks about the quality and about how much they wanted them in their squad.
“Plus [Conor] Gallagher in the midfield, they have the quality, the energy, they have the organisation to create a very good fight with our midfield line and I think it will be a very good fight because they have that quality.”
Read the full story here.
Palmer hint
Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Cole Palmer could be handed his first Premier League start for Chelsea against Fulham. Marco Silva’s side will welcome the Blues to Craven Cottage on Monday night in what is expected to be a fiery west London derby.
After impressing against Brighton during the week, Palmer could be rewarded for his efforts with another start. Speaking to the press ahead of the tie, Pochettino was asked if the England Under-21 international will start at Craven Cottage.
“Yes, maybe, yes,” said the 51-year-old. “I’m so happy with his performance after only a few weeks with us. He was able to perform very well and fit very well in the team. He is a talented player, young talented player but I think he is in my mind to start on Monday.”
Read the full story here.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE – Ben Chilwell injury, Ramsdale move, James ban, Pochettino hint
READ MORE: Mauricio Pochettino breaks silence on Noni Madueke party video amid Chelsea absence
Vlahovic offer
Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has confirmed that Chelsea made an attempt to sign Dusan Vlahovic in the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with Mauricio Pochettino in the market for a new striker.
“There was an offer from Chelsea for Vlahovic,” Giuntoli told La Repubblica, as quoted by Football Italia. “We didn’t want to sell Dusan, but given certain numbers we would have accepted. Chelsea never reached that figure and the exchange [with Romelu Lukaku] never took place.”
Then, Giuntoli spoke on the financial difficulties which the Italian giants have faced in recent years and how Victor Osimhen could have ended up in the Premier League. The Juventus chief said: “When you don’t have more money than others, the difference is the spirit. As for scouting, I found great professionalism here. Today in football everyone knows everything, it’s difficult to beat others to the punch and do business at low costs.”
Read the full story here.
