Chelsea news LIVE updates: Loftus-Cheek mistake, Morata swipe at Zidane, Sandro blow

Chelsea news LIVE: All the latest updates from Stamford Bridge

Friday September 29

Paul Merson prediction for Chelsea v Man City

05:40: Paul Merson can’t separate Chelsea and Manchester City and is plumping for a draw.

City meanwhile, recorded a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Pep Guardiola’s men have set the pace in the Premier League, winning five of their six games and hitting 21 goals.

But Merson can only see it being a draw at Stamford Bridge tomorrow (5.30pm).

“I cannot separate these two sides so I’m going for a 1-1 draw,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“It should be a great game. Chelsea’s win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday was one of the best performances I’ve seen away from home in Europe for a long time.”

Loftus-Cheek mistake

05:10 Antonio Conte was probably wrong in letting Ruben Loftus-Cheek leave, according to Danny Murphy.

Loftus-Cheek joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan over the summer.

The 21-year-old found it hard to nail down a first-team spot at the Blues last term, but has began his loan spell at Selhurst Park well despite the Eagles being bottom of the table.

And Murphy thinks squad balance is essential and reckons it wasn’t wise on Conte to dispense with Loftus-Cheek.

“With Loftus-Cheek, I have seen him a few times this season and I really like him, and maybe he was desperate to go and play I’m not sure.

“I think if Conte kept him, he wouldn’t be knocking on his door not playing every game.”

Morata swipe at Zidane

04:40: Alvaro Morata has suggested Zinedine Zidane didn’t believe in him at Real Madrid – and that’s why he wanted to join Chelsea.

Morata was re-signed by Real Madrid from Juventus last year but he struggled to break into Zidane’s starting line-up with Karim Benzema the preferred option.

And the Spain international has thanked Conte for showing faith in him to be Chelsea’s main man.

“I came to Chelsea because one club and one coach believed in me,” Morata said. 

“Now I have all of these things and I’m very happy.

“Was it a big move for me to become the first-choice striker? It’s the most important thing. 

Sandro blow

04:10: Chelsea’s transfer plans have reportedly taken a huge blow as long-term target Alex Sandro looks set to extend his contract at Juventus.

Antonio Conte had made the Brazilian wingback his prime target in the summer.

A number of bids were made but the Italian champions knocked back every offer.

Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport reported that Sandro and his agent are on the verge of a new deal to keep him at the club until June 2022 on a £4.38 million (€5 million) salary.

It will come as a huge blow to Chelsea boss Conte who had plans to make a fresh approach in January for defender.