Your Chelsea morning digest on Monday, October 2.
Toney message
Ivan Toney has sent Reece James a message on Instagram, sparking fresh speculation over a potential transfer to Chelsea. The 27-year-old striker, who is serving the final months of a ban from football for breaching Football Association betting rules, has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Brentford are expected to demand in the region of £50million to £60million for Toney's signature. The Italian journalist confirmed that the striker wants to leave the west London club, recently appointing a new agency to take care of his future.
Despite having not kicked a ball since May, Toney has still been subject to plenty of interest ahead of his return to the Premier League. It remains to be seen where the Englishman's future lies, but he's obviously close with James, who has posted pictures of his sister Lauren's birthday on social media.
Zola complaint
Gianfranco Zola has named four deals which Mauricio Pochettino should not have sanctioned in the summer transfer window. With the Chelsea boss eager to trim down his bloated squad, the Blues' co-sporting directors were tasked with managing the incoming and outgoings.
In an interview with The Times, the Chelsea legend said: «I am surprised so many experienced players left. My understanding is they are planning to build a team within the next three or four years but players left that were there a long time and that won a lot – [Cesar] Azpilicueta, Jorginho, [Kai] Havertz, [Mateo] Kovacic — players that probably everyone looked up to.
»You need those players. In difficult moments you rely on those players. So many left and that doesn’t help the situation."
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