LA LIGA GIANTS BATTLE TO SIGN CHELSEA DEFENDER MARC CUCURELLA NOW
Atletico Madrid are targeting Chelsea's in-form left-back Marc Cucurella as a top transfer target. The Spanish international has become a key player for the Blues after a slow start at Stamford Bridge.
Defender A Top Target For Two La Liga Giants
Chelsea will travel north to play Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, marking the resumption of the Premier League.
After defeating Wolves 3-0 the previous time out, Enzo Maresca's team is currently third in the top division standings. The Italian will be hoping to see his team maintain their recent winning streak against the Clarets.
Cole Palmer, who has missed 11 straight games but has been spotted working out on the grass, will shortly be back for Chelsea's Champions League game against Barcelona later this month.
One of Chelsea's key players is reportedly drawing a lot of interest from a Spanish team ahead of their trip to Turf Moor.
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella is one of La Liga team Atletico Madrid's top transfer targets, according to Spanish publication Fichajes.
According to the source, Atletico really admires the Spain international and believes he would be a perfect match in Diego Simeone's system.
Cucurella, 27, started slowly in SW6 after joining the Blues from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022.
However, he has been in excellent form over the last two seasons, rapidly becoming one of the Blues' most vital players.
He has now made 27 appearances for the West London team in all competitions, including 16 this season.
According to the source, the recent investment from Apollo Sports Capital, who now own the majority of Atletico, may open the door for a significant investment in the team's playing lineup, and Cucurella is probably on their shortlist.
The Spaniard is under contract at Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2027/28 season, but it remains to be seen whether or if Atletico can bring him back to Madrid.
HE'S BACK: COLE PALMER'S RETURN DATE SET AFTER MEDICS' FINAL DECISION
Chelsea's Cole Palmer is targeting a return for the Champions League clash with Barcelona on November 25. The attacker has been out for 11 games with a groin injury but is in the final stages of recovery.
Cole Palmer's Return Date Set
After being sidelined for two months, Cole Palmer may return to action for Chelsea's Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday, November 25. After hobbling off during Chelsea's September defeat to Manchester United, the Englishman has missed the team's following eleven games.
The club decided to give him a full healing period rather than treat his persistent groin issue. Palmer sought guidance from multiple physicians while receiving treatment at the club, but surgery was never really considered.
Palmer is keen to be included in England's World Cup team for the upcoming summer, according to The Telegraph. According to reports, Thomas Tuchel has kept in touch with the player and Chelsea in recent months.
Palmer has only played for one team since Tuchel took over as temporary coach, Lee Carsley, earlier this year. He began the 1-0 victory over Andorra at Villa Park in the summer.
Palmer did not play in the next friendly match against Senegal. Since the European Championship final last summer, he has only participated in three of England's sixteen games.
Tuchel recently talked about the abundance of quality available to him, especially in Palmer's role. "Especially in the number ten position, if you think about Phil [Foden], who could play there, or Jude [Bellingham], you think about Morgan Rogers, who played wonderfully for us in this position," he stated.
"You have Cole Palmer, you have Morgan Gibbs-White, so there are a lot of guys, and there's the risk that we will not take everyone to the World Cup."
When Enzo Maresca gave his most recent update on the 23-year-old at the end of October, he was a little evasive. "The plan is precisely the same with Cole," he stated. We shall wait, and maybe he will return shortly."
Earlier in the month, Maresca had explained his strategy. "Unfortunately, he needs to remain out for approximately six more weeks," the Blues manager stated.
"This is the latest information. The most crucial thing is that Cole is totally fit when he returns, and we do everything in our power to safeguard him.
"We hope the six weeks will be adequate, but it is a problem that we need to look at step by step, week by week, but for sure, he is going to be okay."
UNBELIEVABLE:CHELSEA PLOTTING SURPRISE JANUARY MOVE FOR DEFENDER ANTONIO RUDIGER
Chelsea have made an €8 million bid to re-sign defender Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid. The 32-year-old's contract expires soon, but the Spanish giants have rejected the initial offer as too low.
Antonio Rüdiger's return to Chelsea would be completely unexpected
Chelsea is reportedly interested in Antonio Rudiger, according to a report by the Spanish publication Fichajes. During the winter transfer window, the Blues are eager to add a centre-back to strengthen their defence. Thus, the West London team has made the 32-year-old Real Madrid defender a target.
According to the source, the champions of the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup in 2024–2025 have already made a €8 million proposal to re-sign the Berlin native from Real Madrid. However, the Merengues have deemed the amount insufficient, and they will want greater compensation to part ways with Rudiger in the winter transfer window.
What is Antonio Rudiger's performance at Real Madrid?
Since joining Real Madrid from Chelsea in a Bosman transfer over two years ago, Antonio Rudiger has made a name for himself as one of the top defenders in the world. The 32-year-old has advanced his career at Real Madrid after being a staple at the back for the West London team.
The 81-cap German international has made almost 150 appearances for Real Madrid so far, contributing four assists and seven goals. But as he approaches the last 12 months of his contract, Rudiger's future at Real Madrid is unknown. The Blues have offered €8 million to re-sign him, thus he may return to Chelsea in the winter rather than leaving Los Blancos for free.
Since joining Real Madrid, Chelsea has been keeping an eye on Antonio Rudiger. The Blues are searching for a centre-back going into the winter transfer window after losing Levi Colwill to a chronic knee ailment a few weeks ago, so it makes sense that they are still interested in him despite his advanced age.
As a result, Chelsea is now considering a number of prospects, including Rudiger. The seasoned defender should go right to work at Stamford Bridge because he has already played in the Premier League for several years.
Chelsea's €8 million offer, however, is insufficient to persuade Real Madrid to let go of the 32-year-old centre defender during the winter transfer window. In the upcoming weeks, it will be intriguing to see if the Blues make a better offer to re-sign the 81-cap German international.