Friday’s biggest Chelsea news and transfer gossip.
Chelsea midfielder Ramires has insisted the club’s players still “trust” Jose Mourinho after claims that the Special One has lost the dressing room, according to the Daily Mirror.
Champions Chelsea are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League after just two wins and four defeats from their eight games so far.
Juventus are looking to open up negotiations with Chelsea over a permanent deal for Juan Cuadrado, the Daily Star reports.
The right-sided midfielder is on loan with the Italian champions, making eight appearances so far this season – including starts in both Champions League matches.
Chelsea are reportedly ready to make Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos their main target to strengthen in defence this January.
According to sources in the Metro, the Brazil international is seen as a more realistic option than Everton’s John Stones, whom the Blues failed to sign in the summer.
Jose Mourinho’s players are right behind him – and are taking the blame for the club’s dismal start, according to the Daily Express.
“The players are to blame,” said striker Diego Costa, who happens to share the same agent as his manager in Jorge Mendes.
Diego Costa revealed he returned for pre-season this summer overweight. He also conceded that he and his team-mates believed the Blues could repeat their easy title win from last season, the Daily Mirror reports.
Costa, who scored 20 Premier League goals for the London club last year after signing from Atletico Madrid, said: “I got injured at the end of the season and then I went on holiday.