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Chelsea are preparing to face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday, April 27, in the Premier League. Mauricio Pochettino's team are coming off a 5-0 drubbing at Arsenal earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the Blues are not in talks to appoint Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim as their next manager. Elsewhere, the London giants remain interested in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
On that note, heres' a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on April 26, 2024:
Chelsea not in Ruben Amorim talks, says Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea are not considering Ruben Amorim as a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino, according to acclaimed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Portuguese manager has earned rave reviews with his efforts for Sporting and has been linked with Liverpool as well. Meanwhile, Pochettino has been under tremendous pressure at Stamford Bridge at the moment, and his future remains uncertain.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano said that a decision on Pochettino's future will only be taken at the end of the season.
“Many of you have been asking me about whether Chelsea are going to sack Mauricio Pochettino after the terrible game against Arsenal, a 5-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, but the answer is no.
"There is no change to Chelsea’s plans now – nothing is happening. Obviously Chelsea are discussing internally about the future, but a final decision on Pochettino’s future will be made closer to the end of the season,” wrote Romano.
He continued:
“We’ve seen some reports about Ruben Amorim being linked with Chelsea as a potential replacement for Pochettino, but I’m not aware of concrete contacts so far, we will see closer to the end of the season.
"For sure Amorim is keeping all the options open after West Ham talks ended up not advancing to anything concrete. But, again, decisions on Pochettino will be made at the end of the season, not now.”
Pochettino has won 21 and lost 14 of his 45 games in charge of the London giants since taking charge last summer.
Blues eyeing Benjamin Sesko, says Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea have retained their interest in Benjamin Sesko, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Slovenian striker is a rising talent in European football, and his efforts with RB Leipzig haven't gone unnoticed. Sesko has scored 14 goals and set up two in 38 outings across competitions and has turned heads at Stamford Bridge.
In his column for Caught Offside, Romano added that the Bundesliga side will discuss the player's future next month.
“Staying with Chelsea, I’m aware of more links with Benjamin Sesko, but it’s not really new, as I’ve mentioned Chelsea’s interest before.
"Still, I think we have to be patient on Sesko – time for decisions is not now, on both club and player side. It’s one to discuss probably next month, but now is still not something decided or clear,” wrote Romano.
Sesko's contract with Leipzig runs till 2028.
John Terry backs Conor Gallagher to become Chelsea skipper
Chelsea legend John Terry reckons Conor Gallagher has all the ingredients to become the next skipper at Stamford Bridge.
The English midfielder has been a first-team regular under Pochettino this season, registering five goals and eight assists in 44 appearances across competitions. However, Gallagher's contract expires in 2025, and his future remains uncertain.
On Up Front with Simon Jordan, Terry pointed out that the 24-year-old has been pushing the team like a true leader this season.
“I like Conor. I’ve known him since he was a young kid. Seeing him now as a Chelsea fan, I look and go ‘if there’s one player I want to represent and wear the armband it’s him for me'," said Terry.
He continued:
“I think he’s a very good player. They’re still nurturing, if I’m a fan and watching right now, I want a player who gives absolutely everything, and Conor does that. He has the quality as well, but he’s the one pushing and driving this team in a different way to how I would have as captain.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been hot on Gallagher's heels for a while, and recent reports have also named Newcastle United as his suitors.
