Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Alaba LATEST, Rudiger denies Lampard betrayal, Barnsley build-up

TUCHEL HAILS BLUES' KIDS

New Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits he’s been impressed by what he’s seen of the club’s academy players.

He said: “I watched the in-house match of the 18 years olds and they are on a high level.

“It’s a pleasure to work with them because they have the quality and the physical ability to handle the Premier League.

“I am very pleased all the Chelsea boys in the squad are aware of the challenge.

“It does something to you character and approach to games in training.”

BLUES REFUSED TO BITE ON BARC MARC

Chelsea reportedly turned down a deadline-day bid from Barcelona for Marcos Alonso.

That’s according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, who claim Catalans tried to sign the left-back hours before the closure of the window.

The Blues reportedly rejected Barca’s late swoop for the Spain international as they weren’t left with enough time to find a suitable replacement.

NO TIMO-OUT NEEDED

Thomas Tuchel is confident Chelsea hitman Timo Werner will soon end his goal drought.

He said: “With every player, and all strikers, we try to create a bond and a relationship.

Every guy is different, need something different.

“Some need you close, others like to be alone. So we find out what suits him to feel comfortable and to open up.

“We want him to feel comfortable on the pitch and it’s our responsibility to create moments for him.”

ALLI QUESTION KICKED INTO TUCH

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was bizarrely asked his opinion on Dele Alli at a press conference - and shot down the question superbly.

The German boss was speaking ahead of the Blues' trip to take on London rivals Tottenham on Thursday.

A reporter starts with: "A final question is a question about Dele Alli."

Tuchel then breaks into laughter as the man continues to try and ask his question.

The new Chelsea gaffer then interjects with: "Are you in the right press conference? Yes? You sure?"

The reporter continues: "Obviouslly he was linked with PSG and you were the PSG manager, are you surprised with the way he is not playing at the moment."

Tuchel, still laughing, responds: "I will not answer that.

"I was happy to answer for Harry Kane because it is an honour for me to speak out that he is one of the best players.

"But every other player, hopefully you understand I want to show the respect that I don't talk about any other players from other coaches and we stick to our team."

BLUES'S TOP 3 TARGETS REVEALED

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has reportedly already set his sights on three big summer signings.

Dayot Upamecano has attracted his interest along with Bayern Munich duo Niklas Sule and David Alaba.

That is according to , who claim one of the three players will join Chelsea in the summer.

It is suggested that Tuchel, 47, will be backed by Roman Abramovich during the transfer window.

The club owner is prepared to trust Tuchel's judgement despite Lampard's spending spree last summer.

Lampard splashed a whopping £228.7million in a desperate attempt to strengthen his squad.

But the club legend was sacked last month as his star-studded line-up failed to get results.

Here we take a look at the three players that Tuchel has added to his summer shopping list so far.

BLUES HOT TO TROT AT TOTT

Chelsea bid to leapfrog Tottenham in the Premier League with victory at old boss Jose Mourinho's current club tomorrow night.

And the Blues went through intensive training at Cobham today.

FROM ZARD TO WORSE

Eden Hazard's injury hell at Real Madrid has continued after the club confirmed he picked up ANOTHER muscle problem.

The former Chelsea star started Los Blancos' 2-1 defeat to Levante last weekend but missed training on Tuesday.

HLN claim the injury is the same as the one he suffered in November only now in his left leg not his right.

The report adds that Hazard is likely to miss four to six weeks with his latest problem.

That would see the 30-year-old miss both legs of the Champions League knockout clash with Atalanta as well as numerous league games.

For Hazard it's another blow in what has been a tumultuous time during his Real Madrid career.

He also faced criticism for being overweight in his past two pre-seasons, as he struggled for fitness, and has had injuries since then.

JT VS LAMPS FOR CHERRIES?

Frank Lampard and John Terry will always share a bond.

As vice-captain and captain, they were the generals that led Chelsea to the most successful period in their history.

But now as young coaches, they find themselves in direct competition.

They've already done battle, with Aston Villa assistant manager Terry, 40, having stared down the touchline at his old mate Lampard, 42, during the former midfielder's stints with both Derby County and Chelsea.

But now that Lamps has been brutally axed by the Blues he finds himself back in the job market... potentially to JT's detriment. SunSport understands that both are in consideration for the vacant Bournemouth job, following Jason Tindall's sacking this week.

Two years Terry's senior, Lampard has more experience in the dugout to date, having managed 141 matches across his two jobs so far.

Terry did manage to get his hands on two further Premier League titles following Lampard's 2014 Stamford Bridge exit, however, and may be helped by those experiences playing under Antonio Conte and working under Dean Smith.

Despite both being in their forties, each likes to upload to Instagram - with JT's account the marginally more popular. The former England skipper boasts 5.4million followers, compared to Lampard's 4.5m.

HAK BACK TO FACE SPURS

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has reportedly revealed he will be fit for the Blues’ London derby with Tottenham on Thursday.

Ziyech missed the Blues’ 2-0 win over Burnley last weekend, prompting suggestions manager Thomas Tuchel isn’t a fan of the former Ajax man.

According to beIN Sports’ Ibrahim Khadra, Ziyech has informed them he will be available for tomorrow’s trip to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

JT'S CITY TITLE TIP

Chelsea legend John Terry has backed Manchester City to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve said Man City from the start.

“We [Aston Villa] played against them recently, and they are the kind of team that, no matter how you play, if they are on it, they can beat anyone in the league.

“I think they are the best team, they have the best individuals, and when they are at it they are by far the best team.

“They are showing that with their recent run that they are a threat. ‘When you play against them the movement is incredible and you really don’t know what to do.

“It’s one of those games where you come off and can only learn from it really, how well they move and the options they give each other on the pitch.

“They make it so difficult for the opposition team so they are the ones for me.”

TUCHEL PLAYS DOWN TOTTENHAM AFFECTION

Thomas Tuchel has played down his childhood love of Tottenham ahead of Chelsea's clash with the north Londoners on Thursday.

He said: “They are one of the biggest clubs in England and in Europe, for sure.

“It’s a big challenge but don’t get confused: when I was a boy once or twice it was me pretending to be Tottenham in the garden, it was to show off more in front of my friends. Because actually I didn’t even know Tottenham were a team in London.

“It was just a fancy name and a team we could see on TV for a few minutes.

“Later of course with Jurgen Klinsmann and some German players there that led to a bigger focus.

“But there’s no doubt that I arrive [on Thursday] in blue, proud to coach in blue and proud to coach my team and we will do everything to win the game.”

TUCHEL PROVIDES INJURY UPDATES

Both Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz are doubts for Chelsea's Premier League clash with Tottenham on Thursday, manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed.

He said: "We had two little issues today on the training pitch.

"It was Kurt Zouma and Kai Havertz who went off the pitch with little issues so they are checking issues and doing images right now. It is questionable if they are in the squad for tomorrow.

“Everyone else is available."

TUCHEL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WERNER'S GOAL DROUGHT

Thomas Tuchel is confident Chelsea hitman Timo Werner will soon end his goal drought.

He said: “With every player, and all strikers, we try to create a bond and a relationship.

Every guy is different, need something different.

“Some need you close, others like to be alone. So we find out what suits him to feel comfortable and to open up.

"We want him to feel comfortable on the pitch and it's our responsibility to create moments for him.”

TUCHEL RELISHING FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE CLASH WITH MOURINHO

Speaking ahead of Cheslsea's clash with Tottenham, the German said: "I think it's very clear what he stands for.

"He builds competitive and strong teams. He has built a Tottenham squad with characters like Sissoko, Hojbjerg that support the defence.

"They have great players upfront: Harry, Son, Bergwijn, Bale.

"The challenge for us is to beat them. We are very excited to have these challenges."

IMPRESSED BY THE YOUNGSTERS

New Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admits he's been impressed by what he's seen of the club's academy players.

He said: "I watched the in-house match of the 18 years olds and they are on a high level.

"It's a pleasure to work with them because they have the quality and the physical ability to handle the Premier League.

"I am very pleased all the Chelsea boys in the squad are aware of the challenge.

"It does something to you character and approach to games in training."

TUCHEL HAPPY WITH HIS SQUAD

Speaking ahead in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's clash with Tottenham on Thursday, the German said: "I am very pleased with the behaviour and the atmosphere we have right now.

"We have to be focused and keep on going because this is exactly how it should be to grow as a team."

TUCHEL ON MOURINHO

New Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has heaped praise on Jose Mourinho ahead of the Blues' clash with Tottenham on Thursday night.

He said: "It's Tottenham against Chelsea, not me against Jose.

"I am very happy to compete with a strong team against his side, with a squad with our quality, mentality and the atmosphere we're in right now.

"Was he a role model? Honestly, when I started my career he was so far away, like the moon from the earth.

"I was coaching in an academy and was then promoted, from there on I just enjoyed every day.

"I have no doubts he is one of the best managers in the world and has created a squad at Tottenham that is always competitive, very strong. That is the challenge."

DEMBELE DEAD SET ON BARCA STAY

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has no intention of leaving the Nou Camp, it's been claimed.

The France international has been linked with a move away from Catalunya, with Chelsea one of the teams reportedly interested in acquiring his services.

But according to Sport, the World Cup winner is determined to fight for his place in Ronald Koeman's starting XI.

CHELSEA WISH PAUL CANOVILLE A 'RAPID RECOVERY'

Chelsea have wished Paul Canoville a speedy recovery following admission to hospital.

An excerpt of the statement read: "All at Chelsea Football Club wish Paul Canoville, our former player, a rapid recovery following the statement today from his own trust that he is critically ill in hospital."

TERRY'S TITLE PREDICTION

Chelsea legend John Terry has backed Manchester City to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: "I’ve said Man City from the start.

"We [Aston Villa] played against them recently, and they are the kind of team that, no matter how you play, if they are on it, they can beat anyone in the league.

"I think they are the best team, they have the best individuals, and when they are at it they are by far the best team.

"They are showing that with their recent run that they are a threat. ‘When you play against them the movement is incredible and you really don’t know what to do.

"It’s one of those games where you come off and can only learn from it really, how well they move and the options they give each other on the pitch.

"They make it so difficult for the opposition team so they are the ones for me."

BEST OF THE BUNCH

Former Blues striker Chris Sutton reckons Antonio Rudiger is Chelsea's best centre-back.

"If you'd have asked me 'who's Chelsea's best centre-half?' at the start of the season I'd have said Rudiger.

"So I don't understand rumours of a fallout between Frank [Lampard] and Rudiger. I don't know.

"But I think that was a mistake from Frank to leave him out."

'REAL AUTHORITY'

Former Chelsea hitman Chris Sutton has hailed Thiago Silva for bringing a real presence to Chelsea's back four.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “Thiago Silva has real authority at the back and is an organiser."

BLUES TURNED DOWN BARCA BID

Chelsea reportedly turned down a bid from Barcelona for Marcos Alonso.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club tried to acquire the left-back's services on transfer deadline day.

But the west Londoners rejected the offer for the Spain international - who fell down the Stamford Bridge pecking order under former boss Frank Lampard - as they weren't left with enough time to find a suitable replacement.

ALL SQUARE

Chelsea's clash with Tottenham will end in a 1-1 draw, BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted.

He wrote in his BBC column: “This is Thomas Tuchel’s biggest test so far as Chelsea manager, even with Tottenham on a poor run of form.

“It seems to be the same old story with Spurs – Harry Kane gets injured, and they are not the same team without him.

“Gareth Bale’s arrival last September was meant to help change that, but he looks a shadow of his former self.

“Bale has lost that zip which was his trademark and when I watch him play, it doesn’t really seem like he is enjoying it.”

BUNDESLIGA RAID

New Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly planning a major overhaul of Chelsea's back four in the summer.

German outlet Bild claim the former PSG boss is eager to sign Dayot Upamecano and Niklas Sule from RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich respectively.

The west Londoners will, however, face competition for Upamecano's services from Bayern, who have been open about their interest in signing the 22-year-old.