Both Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois are set to sign new deals to earn a £50,000 wage increase as they put pen to paper on new deals to secure their long term futures at the club, just months after both were angling for moves back to Spain, claim the Telegraph. Antonio Conte has already convinced both players that they would be better served by remaining at Stamford Bridge.
Both have been in superb form of late as the team have gone on a run of six consecutive victories without conceding as Antonio Conte’s new system comes into force with superb results.
Atletico Madrid are nearing completion on a move for Thomas Lemar from Monaco, which many tip as a direct replacement for Antoine Griezmann as Chelsea step up their plans to bring the Frenchman to London, claim the Daily Star. Their star man is reportedly keen on the move, which is likely to take place either this summer or next.
Griezmann has been in great form for Diego Simeone’s team since signing from Real Sociedad and now looks set to take his career to the next level by testing himself in the Premier League under Antonio Conte, though a massive bid is likely to be required to prise him away from Atletico’s move to their new stadium next season.
A former club legend is also back on the scene at Cobham as Michael Essien has returned to the club to train with the team and maintain his fitness levels, claim Metro.
The 33-year-old left Greek club Panathinaikos in the summer after making 15 appearances in one season in Athens and is now looking for a club as he seeks to avoid being forced into an early retirement on a career which included 256 matches for the Blues in eight years across two spells.
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