A selection of the biggest Chelsea stories on Wednesday morning, including updates on Reece James, point deduction fears and a potential new Premier League transfer rule
Reece James has issued a promising injury update ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Newcastle United this weekend. Eddie Howe will welcome the Blues to St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon as either side look to climb the Premier League table after the international break.
The Blues captain opted against joining the England squad this month in order to focus on his fitness having recently returned from injury. James missed a large chunk of the start of the Premier League campaign after suffering a hamstring problem, but the 23-year-old defender has since been given the all clear.
In fact, he has issued an update on his recovery on his Instagram story. Captioning an image of himself training under the lights at Cobham, he wrote: “Good start to the week.”
Chelsea given reassurance
Former Liverpool star John Aldridge believes nether Chelsea or Manchester City will be hit with a points deduction, unlike Everton. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds legend claimed the two clubs have ‘scared off’ prosecutors with their firepower.
He said: “Everton were a sitting duck. I don’t know how you gauge it so I guess it all comes down to what happens in future. We’ve all seen what’s gone on with Chelsea under Roman Abramovich or everything at Man City – 115 charges. Was it because the other teams have gone on to do well?
“The others are in the top six? Perhaps it has to do with Everton not having the money to fight it. City have got unlimited amounts, Chelsea have got unlimited amounts, so they’ve scared off the people who are trying to do them for years, delaying and delaying… Everton physically could not do that – I’m sure they would have done too with the same resources.”
New rules could be in place very soon…
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur – as well as the 17 other Premier League clubs – met on Tuesday to vote on potential changes to related-party deals, which could have a big impact on how business is conducted in the English top-flight. The debate comes shortly after reports linked Ruben Neves with a controversial loan move to Newcastle United in January.
Premier League chiefs have claimed the proposal was not designed to stop the Al-Hilal midfielder joining the Magpies, but is instead part of a wider debate over associated party transactions. English top-flight clubs voted on whether or not there should be a ban on incoming loans from ‘related-parties’.
If the ban is passed, clubs would no longer be able to sign players on loan from clubs who share the same owners. For example, Neves has been heavily linked with a temporary move to the Magpies from Al-Hilal in January – but both clubs are owned by the Saudi state sovereign wealth fund, PIF, so a move would be no longer possible.
Similarly, Chelsea would no longer be able to sign a player on loan from Strasbourg if the measure is passed. It must be said that the vote will only be a temporary measure until a permanent solution can be found.
