Striker FINALLY agrees terms, Blues announcement coming – Chelsea announce Midfielder deal – Maresca sends message to £87M Blues target
Here is a roundup of the top Chelsea news and gossip from icfootballnews that we think you guys could have missed today featuring Romelu Lukaku, Victor Osimhen and the sale of Jelena Cankovic
Midfielder Jelena Cankovic has departed Chelsea after two seasons and has made the big decision to join Brighton – a move that has been welcomed by current boss Dario Vidosic.
The Serbian midfielder won two WSL titles and an FA Cup while at the club – but after Chelsea made a number of signings that have improved the squad in a number of areas.
Chelsea posted on the club website: ‘The Serbian midfielder signed for the club ahead of the 2022/23 season and leaves the Blues as a winner of two WSL titles and an FA Cup.
‘After joining CHELSEA from Swedish side FC Rosengard, Cankovic grew in confidence as she became accustomed to life in London. In her first season, she made 22 appearances across all competitions and scored four goals – all of which came in the WSL.
‘She rounded off her debut campaign with the domestic double, claiming the league title and the FA Cup following our victory over Manchester United in the final at Wembley.
‘Her second season saw her lift the league trophy once again as the Blues secured a fifth consecutive WSL title.
She made 16 appearances in all competitions with a standout display coming in the UEFA Women’s Champions League when she registered two assists in a 4-0 victory over Paris FC, which helped Chelsea reach the knockout stages as group winners.
‘On the international stage, Cankovic arrived at CHELSEA as an already-established presence in her national team and has continued to feature regularly for Serbia during her time as a Blue.
‘Everyone at Chelsea would like to thank Jelena for her contributions to our success over the last two years and wish her every success for the future.’
Brighton Women head coach Dario Vidosic said: “We’re delighted to bring a player of Jelena’s pedigree and experience to the club.
“She has already achieved so much in her career but is ready for a new chapter and excited by this challenge. Her experience and knowledge will be important in helping our squad grow and I am looking forward to working with her.”
IcFootballnews View…
Cankovic enjoyed her time at CHELSEA – she won a few titles and played alot of games – but with all the arrivals that have made the move to the Blues this transfer window – she needed to move on.
Brighton will give her the game time and minutes that she is looking for and she will hopefully improve that Brighton mifield.
LUKAKU AGREES TERMS –
Napoli have tabled a fresh bid for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, worth over €30 million (£25m/$33.5m) and it is reportedly a fee that the Premier League giants are more than happy with.
Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2021 in a £97.5million deal, which was a club-record signing for Chelsea at the time – but he’s failed to live up to the hefty price tag having scored just 15 goals in his second spell at the club.
He gave a bombshell interview with Italian media where he revealed his regret at leaving Inter Milan to join Chelsea and has had loan spells at Inter and Roma since.
It now looks like he’ll be on the way out of CHELSEA , and it seems that a move to Napoli will soon be happening for the powerful Belgian star.
Per Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli have tabled a new bid for Lukaku as they aim to bring him back to Serie A. The new offer is worth €30m (£25m), with add-ons and bonuses on top. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano adds that an agreement is now in place between the two clubs and Lukaku will sign a three-year deal
And reports understands that Lukaku has agreed a three-year deal to join the Serie A club in a €45million, which is approximately £38m.
IcFootballnews View..
Look, Lukaku had all the physical attributes to be a massive player for Chelsea in the Premier League – he should have scored alot of games – but the English game is not where he should be.
Italian football seems to be the place where he plays his best football and this move to Napoli is the right one – he will work under Antonio Conte.
CHELSEA have needed to get his massive £350k-a-week wages of the books for years and it will be welcomed by many when the deal is officially announced
MARESCA SENDS STRIKER MESSAGE –
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has told the likes of Napoli star Victor Osimhen that the club are still interested in signing a striker in the closing moments of the transfer window.
There is alot more transfer talk in the media that CHELSEA still wants to add a new striker to the side that has the ability to score goals on a weekly basis, and Osimhen is a plan that the Blues would love to add to the squad.
He has already put in a transfer request in order to force a move out of the club and Napoli are willing to allow the star to leave if the right amount of money is paid – with reports suggesting that £87 million will get the Nigerian star all signed up.
One of Victor Osimhen’s former team-mates recently hinted the striker has already chosen his next club as he continues to be linked with Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, CHELSEA are still believed to be at the front of the queue to sign Osimhen and one of his former team-mates has hinted a move to Stamford Bridge is close.
‘Osimhen to Chelsea… Here we go!!!’ ex-Nigeria midfielder John Ogu posted on X.
Now – with the transfer window closing in just a few days time – Maresca was asked about the club’s plans to target a striker in the closing stages of the transfer window, Maresca said: ‘If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference, then we are going to try. Otherwise, we are okay.
‘We do not need to sign players just to sign players. If we sign players and they help us to improve, then for sure we need players.
‘Otherwise, we are happy with the way we are.’
IcFootballnews View..
Nicolas Jackson is solid, Christopher Nkunku is solid, Marc Guia is not ready to lead that Chelsea attack – so signing someone like Osimhen is the right decision to make.
If the Blues dont sign a new striker – CHELSEA could struggle for goals this season – it really is that simple.
MORE BIG CHELSEA NEWS AND GOSSIP
Top Read: Enzo Maresca sends big message to Blues fans with big Chelsea transfer statement
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