Italy international Federico Bernardeschi is reportedly ready to force through a January move to Stamford Bridge by telling current club Fiorentina he wants to move to London to join Antonio Conte, say the Express. The 22-year-old winger has been monitored by the Blues since the summer and is not prepared to wait much longer.
Capable of playing on the right or the left, or even behind a striker in a central role, Bernardeschi has already been involved in six goals in Serie A this season in 11 games with four goals to his name and a further two assists.
One of his competitors should he move to London would be Willian, who is reportedly confused and upset by the club’s refusal to fund a private jet to bring him back to the UK from Brazil after international duty. The Metro report that Liverpool, Manchester City and PSG split the cost of the flight to rush back their South American stars, but Chelsea refused to do so.
Chelsea’s fixture against Middlesbrough falling on Sunday is believed to have given the club the option not to as the scheduled flight was only a day later, so they opted against the £30,000 cost of sharing the private jet.
Another tricky winger who could be returning to the club is former player Joe Cole as he told Sky Sports he is returning to the UK after a spell at the Tampa Bay Rowdies:
“I’m going to start training this week, maybe to get back to West Ham or Chelsea for a bit of training and just see how the bodies feels. I wouldn’t go there to play, but just go there to train.”
Having turned out for the Blues 274 times, the former West Ham playmaker could return to the Blues to get his fitness levels up as he searches for a new club and considers retirement.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Craig Ballantyne.