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Juventus and Real Madrid want Chelsea youngster
Juventus and Real Madrid are being linked with a move for unsettled Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, according to Spanish publication AS.
The 21-year-old is looking likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after the signings of Diego Costa and Didier Drogba upfront, having already struggled to break into the first-team in his three years with the club.
Both Juve and Real are in the market for new strikers, and Lukaku’s form on loan with West Bromwich Albion and Everton in the last two seasons have impressed the two European giants.
Everton manager quiet on Lukaku talk
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has remained coy on rumours linking the club as favourites to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, accorrding to the Liverpool Echo.
The Spanish tactician brought the Belgian international to Goodison Park on a season-long loan deal last term, and there has been some speculation that the Toffees are the current favourites to sign the player on a permanent deal.
However, Martinez did not want to be drawn on speculation, saying: “It would be disrespectful for me to speak too much about someone else’s player. I don’t like to see people talking too much about my players. We must be respectful to their registration of players.”
Juventus linked with move for Chelsea target
Juventus are said to be stepping up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain youngster and Chelsea target Adrien Rabiot, according to talkSPORT.
The 19-year-old midfielder is a highly regarded prospect in French football, though he faces a battle on his hands to work his way into the PSG starting lineup with so many big names in the club’s ranks at the moment.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea will look to compete with Juve for the signing of Rabiot, while the likes of AS Roma and Inter Milan are also thought to be monitoring his situation.
Drogba handed number 15 shirt
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will wear the number 15 shirt this season after re-joining the club on a free transfer, the club’s official site have confirmed.
The Ivory Coast veteran originally wore that number when he first joined Chelsea back in 2004, though he later switched to his now legendary number 11 shirt for the remainder of his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
Mohamed Salah wore 15 last season, but has now switched to 17 after Eden Hazard being given the number 10 for the 2014/15 campaign.
Mourinho delighted with Drogba return
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been delighted with Didier Drogba’s surprise return to the club after two years, according to Sky Sports.
The 36-year-old rejoined the Blues on a free transfer this summer after spells with Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, and will now act as a backup to the likes of Fernando Torres and new signing Diego Costa.
“First of all when he came, it looks like he never left the club,” the Portuguese coach said. “I think we need him. We need him as a player for our squad to be the way I like. I like my squad with different qualities, not just as football players but also in terms of personalities.”
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