Here is your Chelsea morning digest on Sunday, April 17.
Blues 'want' Rice in new-look midfield
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for West Ham star Declan Rice this summer, and want him to link-up with Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount to form a new-look, youthful English midfield next season.
According to The Athletic Blues boss Thomas Tuchel ‘loves’ Rice and sees the 23-year-old as a replacement for N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman, who turned 31 last month has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge with his contract set to expire in 2023.
If Kante fails to put pen to paper on a new deal, Chelsea are likely to sell him this summer in order to prevent a similar scenario to one they're currently experiencing with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. Both players’ contracts expire in June and are likely to leave the west London outfit on free transfers.
READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Rudiger update, Aurelien Tchouameni blow, Jorginho contract
And if Kante does depart the club it is believed that the Blues will turn their attentions to Rice who was on Chelsea’s books as a youngster until he was released at the age of 14. The England star is currently in the midst another impressive campaign; helping West Ham reach the semi-finals of the Europa League and a potential second successive top six finish.
Tuchel on Conor Gallagher's future
Thomas Tuchel believes Conor Gallagher can be integrated into the Chelsea first-team squad ahead of next season, but only after discussions have been held in the summer with the academy graduate over his role and future at Stamford Bridge.
During his season-long loan at Crystal Palace, Gallagher has blossomed into one of the Premier League's standout performers – who Chelsea will face in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday. The midfielder has struck eight goals and registered five assists for the Eagles this term but is unable to take part at Wembley this weekend due to the conditions of his loan move.
That is a source of disappointment for Gallagher. No surprise, given a place in the FA Cup final is at stake. Yet he has certainly done enough across the current campaign to catch the eye of Tuchel , who may have to refresh his midfield this summer with both N'Golo Kante and Jorginho in their thirties and out of contract at the end of next season.
"I believe Conor can be a part of our squad [next season] and can play a role with us," Tuchel told reporters this afternoon ahead of the FA Cup semi-final. "But I am not the only one to decide. We need to speak after the season with everybody, speak after the season about what Conor wants, and we need to see what the situation is and what role we have for him that he can fight for.
Read the full story here.
Barcelona confident on Azpilicueta move
Barcelona are convinced that they will have Cesar Azpilicueta in their team next season, but that's not all. The Chelsea captain himself is reassured the Blues will let him go to honour his request in the summer.
If you thought that Chelsea's transfer nightmare couldn't worsen, brace yourself.
Along with Andreas Christensen, Azpilicueta has reportedly agreed on a deal in principle with the Catalans and will be looking forward to a move to Spain in the summer. Antonio Rudiger is also another one of Chelsea's players on Barcelona's free transfer list, and it is a worry as they might lose three of their most decorated defenders.
The Spanish news outlet Sport has reported that the Chelsea captain is planning to talk to those in charge at Stamford Bridge to make the move happen. Barcelona are in the 'final stretch' of the potential deal, as they've been chasing his signature for several months.
Read the full story here.
