Karim Benzema transfer meeting revealed as Mauricio Pochettino sent clear Chelsea message
Chelsea have the chance to secure themselves a place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Middlesbrough defeated the Blues 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium in the semi-final first leg earlier this month – but it’s still all to play for.
Fortunately for Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea managed to return to winning ways just a few days later with a win against Fulham on home turf. While the Blues will be hoping to secure European qualification via Premier League ranking, there’s lots of competition for places.
So, Chelsea will understand the significance of potentially winning either of the domestic cups. With that being said, football.london has taken a look at some of the biggest Blues stories on Tuesday, January 23.
Diego Moreira has confirmed that his loan spell at Lyon has been cut short after failing to make much of an impression after his summer transfer. The Chelsea winger arrived for free following the expiration of his contract at Benfica but was shipped out for a shot at first-team football this year after being part of Pochettino’s pre-season squad.
Moreira was unable to take advantage of his opportunity though, not scoring or assisting a single goal in six months. He now returns to the Blues without the prospect of playing much, if any, senior matches for the rest of the campaign.
Having been part of the Chelsea side that faced Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup second round in August he has already played for two clubs this season and rules permit getting minutes at a third. It means that Moreira will either have to challenge for an unlikely spot in Pochettino’s first team or go into the development squad and under-21s.
Benzema meeting
Karim Benzema is said to have scheduled talks with Saudi football officials as speculation of an Al-Ittihad exit remains rife. Saudi Pro League bosses are said to be doing everything they can to prevent one of their star names from leaving, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Officials are trying to convince Benzema to stay in the country – even if it means switching teams. Four of Saudi’s biggest outfits – Al-Ittihad, Al-HIlal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli – are run by the same firm, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle. In November, Premier League clubs voted against implementing a temporary ban on loans between clubs with the same owner, meaning the Magpies are theoretically free to draft the Frenchman in.
Nevertheless, talks between Saudi league officials and Benzema are set to be ‘tense’. Several big names have been linked with a return to Europe while Jordan Henderson completed his switch from Al-Ettifaq to Ajax last week.
football.london says: Chelsea need to get their hands on Benzema this month before reassessing the striker market in the summer. Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney would be great signings, of course, but their price tags are just far too much – especially in January.
It’s clear that the Saudis want to keep Benzema, but that doesn’t mean the Blues should give up hope of signing him. He won the Ballon d’Or not too long ago!
Salah to miss Chelsea clash
Chelsea have been informed that Mohamed Salah’s injury is ‘more serious than first thought’. The Liverpool forward suffered a hamstring issue shortly before half-time during Egypt’s clash against Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday last week.
At first, it was claimed that Salah would only miss two games for his country, but his agent has since revealed that the 31-year-old could be out of action for three to four weeks. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Ramy Abbas Issa detailed his client’s recovery programme and plan for the AFCON final.
“Mohammed’s injury is more serious than first thought and he will be out for 21-28 days, and not 2 games,” wrote Salah’s agent. “His best chance at participating in the current AFCON is by undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the UK and rejoining the team as soon as he is fit.”