Papy Djilobodji Is Heading To Werder Bremen

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Chelsea signed Papy Djilobodji from Nantes on transfer deadline day in September but the defender will now join Werder Bremen on loan for the rest of the season, the club has confirmed.

Djilobodji was a £4 million capture on the final day of the summer transfer window, brought in when former Blues manager Jose Mourinho missed out on John Stones from Everton. The 27 year old has only made one appearance for the senior side since, however, when he came on as a late substitute against Walsall in the League Cup.

The defender began his career at Senart-Moissy in France but is now contracted to Chelsea until 2019. The Senegal international will head to Werder Bremen until the end of the season and is hoping to help the Bundesliga club escape their current plight. They sit third from bottom of the German top-tier and just two points from the bottom spot.

Alex Kiwomya Heads To Fleetwood Town

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19 year old Chelsea Academy forward Alex Kiwomya is heading to Fleetwood Town on loan, the club has confirmed.

The England Under-19 international joined the Blues’ roster from Rotherham when he was a youngster but has yet to make a Premier League appearance for the senior side. He did join Barnsley on loan last season and made 5 appearances for the Yorkshire club.

Kiwomya will join League Two side Fleetwood Town on a short-term loan and the club’s boss, Steven Pressley, said, “He is a quick attacking wide player and he gives us good flexibility in that area”.

Arsenal v Chelsea Match Preview (Premier League) – 24th January 2016

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Chelsea will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they travel to take on league leaders Arsenal. The champions facing the table toppers is usually one of the highlights of the season, but this game certainly has less shine now that the Blues are struggling down in 14th place. Can Guus Hiddink’s men bridge the 19 point gap between the London rivals and pull off a huge win?

The last two games haven’t gone that well for the Blues, they’ve dropped points in both, and looked sloppy at the back. A last minute West Brom equaliser denied them in midweek, before they went 2-0 down against Everton. They may have fought back well, but there are some alarming problems that just won’t go away. How will they deal with this step up?

The free week should be a big boost to the team, giving them extra time to rest and more time on the training ground. Working on their defensive shape will be key, as that absolutely has to improve. Hiddink played with two defensive midfielders last weekend, and the team still shipped goals. Even with extra screening, there are serious problems at the back.

While there probably won’t be too many reinforcements for the backline, we should see more work put in to fixing those errors. That work will probably be done with both John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic in mind, as those two are likely to keep their places ahead of this game. Naming two defensively minded players in midfield was Jose Mourinho’s tactic in these games and we expect Hiddink to take a similar approach.

The Gunners should have Mesut Ozil back in their team before this one, and it’s hard to imagine what he could do on Sunday given the space the Blues have been affording the opposition this term. The German is having his best season since joining Arsenal, and if the Blues let him roam free then this clash won’t end well for them. If their defensive display is anything like what happened on Saturday, then Match of the Day 2 might be one to miss for Blues fans.

Ahead of these kinds of big games teams tend to sharpen up, just look at how much tighter United and Liverpool were in their clash after both recording 3-3 draws days before. The visitors should be a lot better at the back, but even that might not be enough.

There are parts of the team that are working, like Willian’s wing play, and Diego Costa’s return to form. The problem here is that Costa is expected to miss out, after coming off injured on Saturday. Just as the partnership between him and Cesc Fabregas began to click once more, the forward has picked up a knock.

Given the mounting problems, it’s hard to see anything but a home win here. The days when Chelsea would bully Arsenal off the park are gone, which means this game is going to be a real struggle.

LCN Verdict: Arsenal to win 2-0

Martinez Felt ‘Pure Anger’ Over Terry Offside Goal

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The Everton manager Roberto Martinez has admitted to feeling ‘pure anger’ after his side conceded a 98th minute equaliser at Stamford Bridge on Saturday; a goal for which John Terry was in an offside position according to replays.

The Everton manager said, “It’s heartbreaking. Seven minutes of injury time, the last action happens in 97 minutes 51 seconds and John Terry is two yards offside. Maybe refs need a bit of help. But to have a player two yards off in the box is unacceptable”.

Everton took a 2-0 lead before being pegged back to 2-2 thanks to goals from Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas. They then re-took the lead when Ramiro Funes Mori put them ahead in the 90th minute and thought they’d won the tie, only for the Chelsea captain to atone for an earlier own goal with his controversial equaliser.

The equalising goal was a great piece of improvisational skill from the former England captain, back heeling it past the onrushing Tim Howard. That won’t have appeased Martinez, though, who felt that the officials made ‘two major errors’ in the build up to the goal. Terry being offside was one, with the goal coming after all of the stoppage time had been played being another.

The Toffees are now without a win in their past four games and have only one won of their last nine matches in the Premier League. Of the decision not to flag Terry as offside the Spaniard said, “There is no explanation. It’s a big, big error. It’s not good enough”.

Surprisingly for a Premier League manager Guus Hiddink, the defending champions’ interim manager, was quite candid about the referee’s decision and admitted that Chelsea were lucky. He said, “is quite right, he was offside. Sometimes it’s in our favour, I’ve seen it. Oscar touched the ball and John was offside but he made a beautiful goal”.

Hiddink also felt that the referee was justified in playing an extra minute of added time because of the fact that Everton’s players celebrated their goal for so long. He said, “There was seven minutes extra time. I said to the fourth referee, ‘OK they are celebrating at least one minute in the corner’”.

Diego Costa Bruises Shin In Everton Draw

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A scan has revealed that Diego Costa suffered a bruised tibia in Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Everton over the weekend.

The combative striker scored one goal and assisted another in the game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but he had to be substituted when he limped off after 80 minutes. The club’s interim manager, Guus Hiddink, said this is star striker had been in ‘a lot of pain’ when he spoke to the press after the match.

How long the defending Premier League champions will be without the Brazilian-born Spanish international remains to be seen, though their next match is against title-chasing Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Costa, who struggled to find the net when Mourinho was manager earlier in the season, has scored 5 goals since the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was sacked and Hiddink took over in December.

The 27 year-old was top scorer for the London club last term, netting 20 goals as he helped to fire the Blues to a Premier League and League Cup double. He appeared to fallout with Jose Mourinho towards the end of the Portuguese manager’s time in charge, however. The pair had a public spat towards the end of a match against Maccabi Tel-Aviv before the striker appeared to throw his bib at his then manager when he was an unused substitute during a 0-0 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane.

The forward has returned to form under Hiddink and the Dutchman will be hoping that the bruised shin will not keep him out of action for too long.

Chelsea 3-3 Everton Match Report – 16th January 2016

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Chelsea needed a late equaliser from John Terry to secure a point against Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Blues’ captain had scored an own goal to give the visitors the lead, before Kevin Mirallas doubled it. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas equalised, but Ramiro Funes Mori scored in added time to put the Toffees ahead. That looked to be enough for them but Terry’s late goal salvaged a draw.

Going into this game we said that Guus Hiddink might try and fix his defence by playing two holding midfielders, and that’s exactly what he did. John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic both started, with Fabregas playing in behind Costa. That aside, there were no other changes from the team who drew 2-2 with West Brom on Wednesday night.

There was little about the first half that suggested this would turn out to be a six goal thriller. The two sides went in at the break goalless, with Hiddink’s defensive midfield pairing seeming to be working for him. Neither side could really keep a hold of the ball in the first half, with the first 45 coming to a close without incident.

It took all of five minutes for the game to turn in the second half, as the visitors took the lead. Leighton Baines sent a cross into the box after a good attacking move, and it was Terry who got on the end of it. When trying to clear it, he deflected the ball in to his own goal, giving away the opening goal.

Everton had pushed forward and they looked dangerous and they were 2-0 up just six minutes later. Baines’ cross found Mirallas, who took one touch before firing home to double the lead. With the defensive duo clearly not working, Matic was hauled off to be replaced by Oscar.

Chelsea got back in the game not long after, as Fabregas’ long ball forward beat almost everyone, with Costa giving chase alongside Phil Jagielka. The forward held off the challenge, poked the ball around Tim Howard and scored into an open goal to get his side back in the game.

Two minutes later, Costa returned the favour, as he teed up Fabregas, who saw his shot deflected in to bring the Blues back level. The game stayed level until stoppage time, when Funes Mori turned the ball in at the back post. He ran into the crowd and his crowd surfing saw more time added on.

Into the eighth minute of added time, the Blues pumped the ball into the box, and Oscar nodded the ball in to the path of Terry. Terry was clearly offside but the linesman didn’t give it and his backheel finish pulled Chelsea level, ending an incredible game with some last minute drama. The team stay 14th in the table and they’re still unbeaten under Hiddink.

LCN Man of the Match: Cesc Fabregas

Chelsea Boss Admits Relegation Threat Is Real

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Chelsea’s interim manager, Guus Hiddink, has admitted that the threat of relegation is a very real one for the defending Premier League champions.

Despite remaining unbeaten since the Dutchman took over from the departed Jose Mourinho in December, Chelsea remain closer to the relegation zone than to the top four. They are six points away from Sunderland who occupy the last relegation spot, whilst they are twelve points away from Tottenham in fourth.

The next five fixtures for the Blues are Everton at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal at The Emirates, Watford away, Man United at home and Newcastle also at the Bridge. Looking slightly more short-term Hiddink said, “We have two difficult games coming up. If you don’t gather points there, you don’t know what the others do. The Premier League can surprise you”.

There has been a slight improvement in the club’s fortunes since the departure of the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’, with Chelsea sitting just one point above the relegation zone when the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, decided to sack the Portuguese manager for the second time.

Hiddink said, “There are 12 points difference to fourth place, which is Tottenham. We all like to look forward and to the top of the table, but also don’t be unrealistic – you’re six points off the line of relegation. That’s also a fact. We have to work hard and be very concentrated and gather our points to step up. [Relegation?] It’s reality.

The London club are still going to be without Eden Hazard and Radamel Falcao for the visit of Everton, whilst Pedro’s position could be under threat after a decidedly poor display against West Brom during the week.

Everton could welcome back Tom Cleverly who has been out with an ankle injury but Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy will not be able to turn out for the Merseysiders who won the reverse fixture 3-1 in September.

Speaking ahead of the match Everton’s manager, Roberto Martinez, said, “Chelsea are a team full of winning footballers. They won the league so the quality is there. They have players that can produce magic. They have had a couple of very impressive performances under Guus Hiddink, and have shown plenty of fight”.

Chelsea v Everton Match Preview (Premier League) – 16th January 2016

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Chelsea are aiming to bounce back from their disappointing draw against West Brom when they take on Everton on Saturday. The Pensioners were heavily beaten when these two met at Goodison Park earlier in the season, so the players should be desperate to pick up the win in this one. Can they get the better of the Toffees, or will defensive problems cost the champions points once again?

While the team were awful defensively against West Brom, there were a few encouraging signs going forward. The full backs were making dangerous runs from deep, while Kenedy proved that he’s an alternative attacking midfielder to the current crop, of which only Willian has looked good this season. Maybe it’s time to give the youngster a go from the start this time?

Kenedy deserves a shot, especially if Eden Hazard is missing once again here. He’s been out since coming off with an injury against Crystal Palace. The Belgian seems to go over in a light breeze these days, and he’s failed to get a goal all season. With young, hungry alternatives in the wide positions, the big names should be facing a fight to get in the team.

The defence has been awful at times this season, but there’s little option to rotate at the back. The main problem is that the back four aren’t getting enough protection, with neither Nemanja Matic nor John Obi Mikel doing that job consistently well. Maybe it’s time that we see both of them starting, which would help out the struggling defenders.

Cesc Fabregas could fight it out for a spot in the attacking midfield places, which may add some much needed competition in there. All the creativity comes from the full backs and Willian right now anyway, so wouldn’t it be better to drop one of the midfielders who isn’t producing, and replace him with a defensive minded player to try and shore up the leaky defence?

Keeping the defence secure is an even bigger priority this weekend, ahead of the return of the forward who got away. Romelu Lukaku shows up at Stamford Bridge as the top scorer in the league, a man who Jose Mourinho sold off. Questions have to be asked about that decision, especially at a time when the team needs a proven scorer up front.

The other big worry here is Everton’s clean sheet at Manchester City. The Toffees came away from the Etihad with a 0-0 draw, so just what could they do to the Blues? If they can shut out the likes of Sergio Aguero, then they shouldn’t have too much trouble against Pedro and co. With goals in their team and an improving defence, the visitors might just steal a win here. A response is needed by Chelsea, so it might be time for Hiddink to make some big changes.

LCN Verdict: 1-1 draw

Chelsea 2-2 West Brom Match Report – 13th January 2016

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A late equaliser from West Brom denied Chelsea all three points on a frustrating night at Stamford Bridge. Cesar Azpilicueta had put the Blues ahead, only for Craig Gardner to equalise. A Gareth McAuley own goal looked to have been enough for the Blues to win it, until James McClean scored to prevent the home side from overtaking the Baggies in the Premier League table.

Guus Hiddink had ruled Diego Costa out of this game at the weekend, but despite that the Spaniard started here, leading the attack. He was supported by Willian, Oscar and Pedro, with Eden Hazard once again not even fit enough to make the bench. John Terry and John Obi Mikel both returned after sitting out the cup game at the weekend. Thibaut Courtois also returned to the side after being rested in the FA Cup.

There was a sense of optimism around the Bridge after the good recent performances from the Blues. That almost made you forget about the extent of the problems within the team, many of which were laid bare over the course of the 90 minutes. Everything started off pretty well though, with the home side getting themselves ahead after 20 minutes.

The combination for the opening goal says a lot about Hiddink’s Chelsea. Branislav Ivanovic, who was by far the biggest underperformer in the last few months of last year, was the man who provided the assist. His cross was met by his fellow full back, Azpilicueta, who scored just his third goal for the club. The fact that both full backs were so attacking shows the manager’s mentality, but it also hinted at problems to come.

West Brom came back at the Blues after that goal, knowing full well that there were gaps to exploit. Gardner was on as a substitute after just five minutes, but he was up to speed in the game by the half hour mark. Pedro gave the ball away cheaply and Gardner found himself in acres of space in the middle of the park. He took one touch, strode forward and smashed the ball home.

Pedro found himself hooked off at half time, with youngster Kenedy taking his place on the left wing. The young Brazilian played a key part in the second goal, as Willian’s low cross towards the forward touched in off McAuley, who diverted the ball into the bottom corner of his own net.

Chelsea seemed on course to win it, but poor defending cost them again. The players switched off and the ball rolled to the unmarked McClean at the edge of the box. He had all the time in the world to pick his spot, putting the ball in the bottom corner to prevent the Blues taking all three points. The win was there for the taking, but once again the defending just wasn’t up to scratch.

LCN Man of the Match: Willian (again!)

Chelsea v West Brom Match Preview (Premier League) – 13th January 2016

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Chelsea return to league action on Wednesday night as they aim to complete a league double over West Brom. The Baggies are three points and two places ahead of the Blues in the table as things stand, but Guus Hiddink will be hoping his side can keep up their good recent form and leapfrog their opponents. Can they avoid another setback and take maximum points here?

Chelsea will have to go into this game without Eden Hazard, who continues to be out after coming off against Crystal Palace. Many are wondering just how serious his injury is, given how it didn’t seem too serious at the time. With rumours circulating about a move or PSG or Real Madrid, is the Belgian trying to avoid playing, or does the manager think he’s not mentally right to feature yet?

Either way, the midfield trio of Willian, Oscar and Pedro should be enough to get through this game. Pedro scored on his debut against the Baggies in August, so hopefully he can get back to scoring ways here. On top of that, Rueben Loftus-Cheek was on target against Scunthorpe, and he could be pushing for a starting berth, given how impressed Hiddink was with the youngster’s contribution.

Either way, they’ll likely need an attacking edge in midfield, with Diego Costa set to miss out. He came off against Scunthorpe, and he’s not expected to be back in time for this midweek clash. Loic Remy should step in up front, giving the forward a deserved chance under the new manager.

West Brom head here in rather mixed form; they’ve had a pretty inconsistent season which has seen them rooted in mid-table. With Tony Pulis at the helm, it’s hard to see them going down, but they’ve not yet kicked on under the Welshman. His time at the Hawthorns hasn’t been as impressive as his spell at Crystal Palace was, but this is a team that you can’t really write off.

Expect them to be functional and organised against the Blues, which could prove a tall task to oppose with Costa out. He’s so often the battering ram that takes down a camped defence, and without him the team may struggle to find an opening. It may well take another moment of brilliance from Willian to carve through the Baggies here. Aside from the Brazilian, there won’t be that much in the way of goalscoring threat in the team on Wednesday night.

Hiddink’s approach does feel more open than Moruinho’s, however, as we’ve been seeing the full backs pushing on and more midfield runners getting into the box. The Dutchman’s approach is much more forward thinking, so hopefully that will help get through a team parking the bus at the Bridge. A win here would give them momentum ahead of another home game on Saturday, in a week which could truly get the Blues up and running in the league.

LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 2-0