Chelsea have completed signing of Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, 28, this summer to strengthen their defense option for the next 2020/21 season
In our look at the latest Chelsea-related news stories from the media, the Blues are reported as favourites to beat Tottenham to sign an experienced Premier League defender and John Mikel Obi appears to be close to a return to English football.
These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.
Blues linked with Dunk deal
The Sun reports Chelsea are favourites to beat Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of defender Lewis Dunk from Brighton.
A lifelong Chelsea fan, Dunk is the Seagulls’ current captain but could be allowed to leave the club with promising young defender Ben White set to take his place.
‘Dunk has been with the Seagulls since the age of ten and became only the fourth player from the club to win a senior England cap when he made his debut in 2018,’ says the report of the Brighton skipper.
‘But the 28-year-old has made no secret of his love for Chelsea. Dunk’s childhood idol was former Blues and England captain John Terry and he even named the family dog Didier after another Stamford Bridge legend Didier Drogba.
‘Brighton fans began fearing they could lose their captain when they noticed he was absent from recent club promotional material.
‘And his exit is set to be confirmed if Chelsea can match the Seagulls’ valuation, with Ben White expected to step in at centre-back after returning from his loan spell at Leeds.’
Blues pair on Golden Boy shortlist
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ethan Ampadu are on the 60-player shortlist for the prestigious Golden Boy award, the Evening Standard reports.
The Chelsea duo are in the running for the award – created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport – along with 12 other Premier League youngsters including Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Tottenham’s Ryan Sessegnon.
However, Billy Gilmour and Tino Anjorin are no longer under consideration after being part of the initial list of 100 nominations named in June.
The award began in 2003 and involves journalists across the continent voting for the best top-flight players aged 21 or under in Europe across one calendar year.
The Borussia Dortmund duo of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho and Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies are among the favourites to win this year’s prize.
Previous winners of the award include Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling and Kylian Mbappe.
Mikel looks set for Stoke move
According to the BBC, former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is set to return to England to join Championship side Stoke City.
The Nigerian, who won the Champions League and two Premier League titles during his 11-year spell with the Blues, spoke last week about the possibility of his return to English football after he was linked with moves to Stoke and newly-promoted Premier League side West Bromwich Albion.
However, it appears the 33-year-old has opted to join the Potters, who were in relegation trouble for much of last season before securing their place in the Championship with wins in three of their last four games.
Mikel, who has been a free agent since he left Turkish side Trabzonspor by mutual consent in March, is expected to sign a one-year deal with Stoke.
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