Maresc happy with new Chelsea signing, Frenchman wants to be Chelsea player, Blues free sign Brazilian star

Here is a roundup of the top Chelsea news, gossip and transfer speculation from icchelseanews…

Enzo Maresca hailed Joao Pedro’s matchwinning CHELSEA debut after the new signing from Brighton scored the goals that secured a place in the Club World Cup final, and has revealed why the Brazilian star was signed by the club.

The Blues will take on either Real Madrid or reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s showpiece after they continued their fine form in the competition with a comprehensive win.

Pedro took just 18 minutes to make his mark, curling an unsaveable shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area and he made the game safe with 20 minutes remaining with an arguably better strike, twisting inside onto his right foot and blasting the ball beyond Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio.

‘We are very happy with Joao, we know that Joao is a very good player and a student that he can be,’ said Maresca in his post match press conference.

‘We knew how good he was as a player,’ said Maresca. ‘The reason why we brought him is because this season we faced many teams with a low block.

‘His quality is very good against this kind of team. As a player, as a person, first of all, he is from Brazil. Most of the Brazilian players are very happy with their journey with football.

‘Also, he worked with a friend of mine in Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi. I spoke with Roberto a while ago. This is exactly the way he should play.

‘It doesn’t mean that he is going to be all season like this. It’s not going to happen. But it’s good to have him also as an option.’

CHELSEA FREE SIGN DOUGLAS LUIZ

Juventus have reportedly informed long-term CHELSEA target and former Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz that he is free to leave the club this summer after just one underwhelming season at the Allianz Stadium.

Since joining Juventus from Aston Villa last summer, the Brazilian struggled to find regular game time at Allianz Stadium. So, he is anxious about his situation and has been constantly linked with a move back to the Premier League since the January transfer window.

The Brazilian midfielder has already attracted interest from Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and even Manchester United amid talk of a potential swap deal with Jadon Sancho over the past few weeks, but he is also a long-term target for the Gunners.

Chelsea were very interested in signing Douglas Luiz before he made the move to Seria A, and were even linked with a move during the January transfer window in order to add some depth to the squad, but ultimately the Blues decided to not make a move for the Brazilian.

Now the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder has been told to find a new club. New Bianconeri boss Igor Tudor has no plans to include him in his setup for the upcoming season, as per Calciomercato.

And keeping next year’s World Cup in mind, the South American is keen on playing regularly next season to secure his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad.

IcChelseanews Says…

There was a time that Luiz could be a very good signing for the club, but with all the quality that we now have in the side, he is not needed at the club and we are sure that a move will not happen.

FOFANA WANTS TO STAY

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared a reported quote from Wesley Fofana making it clear that he does not wish to leave CHELSEA this summer.

The 23-year-old has been at Stamford Bridge since summer of 2022 but injuries have meant that he has only now just started making an impact on the side, and there was alot of speculation in the last summer that he could actually leave the club.

In a post which has now been deleted on social media, Fofana is alleged to have said: “I’m a Chelsea player and I’m proud, I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m happy here, thanks. Is that clear enough?”

The Chelsea defender has been linked with a move to Marseille in recent months, his city of birth, and also took to social media to defend his choice of t-shirt in an image also uploaded on social media.

Replying to an account on X, Fofana said: “This is not a Marseille football team jersey it’s just a t-shirt with the name of the city I was born in and am proud to represent my city.”

IcChelseanews Says…

Fofana is a very talented Frenchman that could develop into a top level defender over the past few seasons if he is given the opportunities to develop and get to that next step.

We will be very happy to see the player stay for next season, he really has the potential to be quality, so hopefully there will not be a tempting offer arrive before the close of the transfer window

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