All the latest Chelsea news and transfer gossip, with updates on Marcus Thuram, Carlo Ancelotti, and Jude Bellingham.
Thuram chance
Chelsea have been handed a huge boost towards signing Marcus Thuram. Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed that the 25-year-old will leave once his contract expires in the summer.
"We were in open communication with both players and knew the current status," said Roland Virkus in an official club statement. "It's a shame that they won't be extending their expiring contracts, because we've both given a lot in terms of sports over the past four years.
"It's always been part of our path over the past few years to bring in such talented players, to develop them further—and at some point let them go because we can't keep them forever," added the Monchengladbach sporting director. "Ideally, we'll get an attractive transfer fee with these transfers. Of course, it's not good that that's not the case now."
Ancelotti doubles down
Following the Spanish side's win over Chelsea, Ancelotti added: "It doesn’t bother me. English football competes very well. They have a very high level. I’m not surprised that [Manchester] City are favorites to win the Champions League. The truth is that while there may be a bit of a difference, in Europe it’s showing the opposite.
"Last year, the Spanish league took two teams to the semi-finals of the Champions League. It’s competitive, contrary to what many people, especially the English, think. When it comes to Europe, they compete against football that has less money to compete, like Spanish or Italian football."
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Bellingham prediction
Paul Scholes has placed Real Madrid at the front of the queue to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, with Manchester United not too far behind. Speaking on BT Sport, the former Red Devils midfielder said: "I think they are [contenders for Bellingham].
"I think if you’d gone back a couple of years, you’d have said there was absolutely no chance, or even to the start of this season—the start we had wasn’t really good—but now I think they have to be. Looking at this team now, he’ll think this is a team that is up and coming for the next couple of years.
"I do think he’ll sign for Real Madrid -- I don’t know why, I’ve just got that feeling -- hopefully he comes here because this is a team now with someone like Bellingham and his goals in the middle of the pitch, I think he could make United a proper team."