Hello and welcome to football.london's live Chelsea blog on Tuesday!
Chelsea overcame Newcastle on Sunday courtesy of Kai Havertz who stepped up when it mattered.
There was a lot of controversy to come from the game but the attention now turns towards Lille tomorrow night, where the west Londoners go into the round of 16 Champions League second leg fixture with a two-goal cushion.
The main Chelsea headlines, however, continue to be dominated by the situation surrounding the club's potential takeover and we will have all the latest for you on that front as it happens as well as the latest transfer rumours.
So sit back, relax and let football.london keep you posted with what is going on.
Eden Hazard to Arsenal?
Arsenal have reportedly joined Newcastle in the race to sign former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard from Real Madrid, according to Foot Mercato, via Get French Football News.
But the player is not planning on leaving the Bernabeu at the end of the campaign as things stand.
Exclusive: What the government's role in Chelsea's owner hunt will be
football.london can reveal that the government will have no role in deciding Chelsea's new owner and are only looking to ensure funds do not transfer to Roman Abramovich.
Roman Abramovich sanctioned by EU
The EU have followed the example set by the UK government and sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, citing his "privileged access" to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Spotted in training
Chelsea take on Lille in the Champions League tomorrow night.
Ahead of the clash, we have taken a look at the Blues final training session and this is what we spotted.
Havertz's classy Chelsea promise
Kai Havertz has insisted he would pay for his own travel to away matches amid the ongoing situation at Chelsea right now.
Following Roman Abramovich being added to the UK government's sanction list last week, Chelsea are now restricted to paying a maximum of £20,000 on travel to away fixtures.
However, Havertz thinks the players at the club would have no problem in paying that themselves and confirmed he would definitely do so.
"I would pay, it's no problem," the German said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to France to take on Lille tomorrow. "That's not a big deal for us."
Middlesbrough respond
Middlesbrough chairman Simon Gibson has brutally responded to Chelsea's controversial statement earlier this afternoon.
Every word from Tuchel
It was an eventful press conference earlier from Thomas Tuchel with the agenda domiated by the off-field matters.
Chelsea make FA Cup statement
Chelsea have released a statement revealing that the club cannot sell tickets for the clash on Saturday.
The statement reads: "We are disappointed to announce we will not be able to sell tickets for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough.
"Despite engaging in extensive discussions with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the deadline to purchase away tickets has passed without appropriate amendments being made to the Government licence which would allow a full allocation of Chelsea supporters to attend.
"Executives at Middlesbrough had been kind enough to extend their deadline for ticket sales and stadium allocation from 7.30pm last night until 9.30am this morning.
"It is important for the competition that the match against Middlesbrough goes ahead, however it is with extreme reluctance that we are asking the FA board to direct that the game be played behind closed doors for matters of sporting integrity.
"Chelsea FC recognises that such an outcome would have a huge impact on Middlesbrough and its supporters, as well as our own fans who have already bought the limited number of tickets that were sold before the licence was imposed, but we believe this is the fairest way of proceeding in the current circumstances."
Read what Tuchel had to say
Thomas Tuchel just faced the media ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Lille. Read what the Chelsea boss had to say below.
Tuchel delivers injury news
Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi are in a "tight race" to be fit for Chelsea tomorrow night against Lille, Thomas Tuchel has confirmed.
Thomas Tuchel on team news: "Marcos is ready to start. Azpi is ready to start.
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) March 15, 2022
"We will try to have them (James and CHO) later in training but it will be a very tight race. We will take the decision after training." #CFCW
Christensen latest
Barcelona are hoping they can reach an agreement to sign Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen before the end of the month, according to a report from 90Min.
The Dane would stay at the Blues until the summer, with his contract at Stamford Bridge in its final few months, with a move looking to be on the verge of completion.
Chelsea sale latest
football.london has put together a round-up of the very latest news regarding the sale of Chelsea Football Club.
What Gallagher did
Conor Gallagher did something for Crystal Palace last night that proves why he could be the perfect midfield partner for N'Golo Kante at Chelsea.
More on the Candy 'meeting'
Nick Candy has reportedly held a meeting with Chelsea chiefs Marina Granovskaia and Bruce Buck over the possible purchase of the football club.
Barcelona chase Lukaku
According to AS, Romelu Lukaku is the 'Plan D' for Barcelona this summer, with Xavi said to be an admirer of the Chelsea striker.
Lukaku returned to the Blues last summer, but already his future at the club looks uncertain with Kai Havertz being the preferred option in the centre of attack for Thomas Tuchel right now.
The report from Spain claims that the La Liga outfit are considering moves for one of Lukaku (last option), Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah or Robert Lewandowski at the end of the season.
Candy holds Chelsea meeting
Nick Candy remains interested in the purchase of Chelsea Football Club and it seems like the 49-year-old businessman held a meeting over the weekend with some senior officials representing the Blues.
I'm told Nick Candy (possible buyer), Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia had a private meeting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) March 14, 2022
Al Saud net worth
Mohamed Alkhereiji, the owner of Saudi Media Group, is a Chelsea fan and is reported to be leading a private consortium to buy the club.
Here's how much Al Saud are worth...
Carragher says Lukaku could leave
Jamie Carragher has claimed that Romelu Lukaku could leave Chelsea this summer if things do not improve for him.
"If this situation continues with Havertz as the main striker, I don't think you see Lukaku at Chelsea next season..."
Conor Gallagher record
Conor Gallagher covered 12.5km in Crystal Palace's 0-0 draw against Manchester City - the most run by any Palace midfielder in a single match. What an effort.
Boris Johnson's spokesman sends Chelsea message
The behaviour of supporters singing Roman Abramovich's name at Chelsea matches has been condemned by the government, with Boris Johnson's spokesperson describing it as 'completely inappropriate'.
Read the full quotes here.
Neville unsure on Saudi Media Group bid
Manchester United legend Garry Neville is unsure if Saudi Media group’s rumoured £2.7 billion bid to buy Chelsea will be successful.
“I’d be amazed if the Saudi Media company is allowed to buy Chelsea football club off the back of what’s happened.
“I do think there is something absolutely coming on top very quickly when it comes to fit and proper persons’ test.
“It’s not resilient, it’s not independent, it’s not transparent. We don’t know what criteria hurdle the Saudis will have to jump through to get into this country.
“I was supportive of them coming in, even though I would probably reassess that after what’s happened in the last 10 days.”
Carragher hits back at Chelsea fans
Jamie Carragher has hit back at the criticism he has received from Chelsea fans for his comments stating that Manchester United should make a move for Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. The former Liverpool defender says that the backlash to his comments is "hypocritical" from the Chelsea faithful.
Read the full quotes here.
