Author: David McGeady

Chelsea must tie Eden Hazard down to a new long-term contract after being hit with a transfer ban, according to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The Blues have been banned from signing any new players during the next two transfer windows, after FIFA determined they had breached rules regarding the registration of minors.

Hazard, who is contracted until 2020, has long been linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid and he admitted last year that he ‘dreams’ of one day playing at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Editors’ Picks

• Theatre of Nightmares: United at Old Trafford the ultimate test of Liverpool’s title dream
• Simeone and Tuchel outsmart Allegri and Solskjaer & five tactical lessons from the Champions League
• The most disliked Chelsea boss since Benitez – how Sarri lost the fans
• ‘Good this innit?!’ – VAR mocked after Man City & Atletico suffer at hands of officials

As revealed by Goal, the Belgian is keen to make the move to Madrid in the summer, although the Blues’ transfer ban, which they’ve announced they do plan to appeal, could now muddy the waters.

Hasselbaink, who played at Stamford Bridge between 2000 and 2004, believes his old club must now make extending Hazard’s current deal their number one priority.

“They can’t replace him or get somebody who they can work on to become as good as Hazard,” Hasselbaink told Sky Sports. “I know they have bought [Christian] Pulisic, but they will need more to replace Hazard.

“It’s now about believing in Chelsea and them persuading him to sign a long contract.”

Chelsea have endured a miserable 2018-19 campaign so far under Italian boss Maurizio Sarri, slipping to sixth in the Premier League and suffering a fifth-round FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United.

Sarri, who, as revealed by Goal, has three games to save his job, has been widely criticised for his rigid tactics and stubborn selection policy, which has seen the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi restricted to only a few appearances across all competitions.

And Hasselbaink believes that Chelsea’s transfer ban might benefit the younger players in the squad, with more opportunities likely to be forthcoming over the coming months.

“It’s not good for Chelsea, particularly with how things are going at the present time,” he added. “But on the other hand, you can spin it, in a way it is good news for the younger players like Callum Hudson Odoi and also Loftus Cheek, who now will get chances.

“They will have to look at their youth if this [transfer] ban is held.”

The Blues are now gearing up to play against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final this weekend, just two weeks after suffering an embarrassing 6-0 defeat against the Premier League champions.

Sarri’s side will then resume Premier League duties three days later as Tottenham arrive at Stamford Bridge, before a London derby against Fulham the following Sunday.

Let’

Chelsea have stated their intention to appeal the two-window transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA for alleged breaches of regulations regarding the acquisition of players under the age of 18.

A statement released on the club’s official website read: “Chelsea FC has today received a decision from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged breaches of the FIFA Regulations that relate to the international transfer of players under the age of 18.

“The decision imposes a transfer ban of two consecutive registration periods and a fine of 600k Swiss francs.

Editors’ Picks

• Theatre of Nightmares: United at Old Trafford the ultimate test of Liverpool’s title dream
• Simeone and Tuchel outsmart Allegri and Solskjaer & five tactical lessons from the Champions League
• The most disliked Chelsea boss since Benitez – how Sarri lost the fans
• ‘Good this innit?!’ – VAR mocked after Man City & Atletico suffer at hands of officials

“Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and will therefore be appealing the decision.

“The club wishes to emphasise that it respects the important work undertaken by FIFA in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with FIFA throughout its investigation.

“Initially, Chelsea FC was charged under Articles 19.1 and 19.3 in relation to 92 players. We welcome the fact that FIFA has accepted that there was no breach in relation to 63 of these players, but the club is extremely disappointed that FIFA has not accepted the club’s submissions in relation to the remaining 29 players.

“Chelsea FC acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will shortly be submitting its appeal to FIFA.”

FIFA had charged the Premier League outfit over 29 of their deals involving young players, while also accusing them of “several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players”.

An official statement released by world football’s governing body read: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

“Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players. The club also breached art. 18bis of the Regulations in connection with two agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters.

“The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two (2) complete and consecutive registration periods. This ban applies to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and does not prevent the release of players.

“Additionally, the club was fined CHF 600,000 and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned.”

Chelsea, who already have a £58 million ($74m) deal in place to sign United States international Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund over the summer, were given the right to appeal.

They intend to take up that option and fight their case with the relevant authorities.

Let’

FIFA have banned Chelsea from signing new players in the next two transfer windows after breaching rules relating to the registration of players under 18, football’s governing body has confirmed.

An official statement released on Friday reads:

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

Editors’ Picks

• Theatre of Nightmares: United at Old Trafford the ultimate test of Liverpool’s title dream
• Simeone and Tuchel outsmart Allegri and Solskjaer & five tactical lessons from the Champions League
• The most disliked Chelsea boss since Benitez – how Sarri lost the fans
• ‘Good this innit?!’ – VAR mocked after Man City & Atletico suffer at hands of officials

“Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players. The club also breached art. 18bis of the Regulations in connection with two agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters.

“The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two (2) complete and consecutive registration periods. This ban applies to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and does not prevent the release of players.

“Additionally, the club was fined CHF 600,000 and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned.”

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18. Read more on @FIFAcom ?? https://t.co/iTpcozM7Mz

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 22, 2019

In addition to Chelsea, the English FA have also been sanctioned, although both parties will be able to contest the decision with FIFA’s Appeal Committee.

“The Football Association was also found to have breached the rules in connection with minors,” the statement continues. “It was fined CHF 510,000 and given a period of six months to address the situation concerning the international transfer and first registration of minors in football.

“The protection of minors is a key element in FIFA’s overall regulatory framework relating to the transfer of players and effective enforcement of these rules is paramount, as also confirmed on various occasions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“The decisions issued by the Disciplinary Committee were notified today and can be contested before the FIFA Appeal Committee.”

More to follow…

Let’

Tottenham will find it “difficult” to keep Harry Kane and Mauricio Pochettino from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United unless they start to land trophies, Frederic Kanoute has told Goal.

Impressive progress has been made in north London over recent years, with Spurs having forced their way into Premier League title contention while becoming regulars in the Champions League.

Tangible success has remained elusive, though, with a wait for major silverware having now passed the 10-year mark.

Editors’ Picks

• Theatre of Nightmares: United at Old Trafford the ultimate test of Liverpool’s title dream
• Simeone and Tuchel outsmart Allegri and Solskjaer & five tactical lessons from the Champions League
• The most disliked Chelsea boss since Benitez – how Sarri lost the fans
• ‘Good this innit?!’ – VAR mocked after Man City & Atletico suffer at hands of officials

Many have suggested that honours will be required in order to prevent key men from leaving, despite a number of star turns and a highly-rated coach having committed to new contracts.

Former Spurs striker Kanoute told Goal, courtesy of Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, when asked if prolific England international Kane will look for a move at some stage: “He’s obviously one of the best strikers in Europe right now.

“He might want to go and have a new experience to take his career to another level. At the same time, if he can win something fairly soon with Tottenham then I think they have the chance to keep him. But it’s going to be difficult.

“They have done so in the last couple of years, keeping hold of their players, we know they haven’t transferred new players and they haven’t bought any players at all this season. They keep maintaining a very high standard so that’s good. In modern football that is very rare.”

Kanoute added on the need to match the ambition of key men such as Pochettino, with the Argentine having generated plenty of talk regarding future roles at Old Trafford or the Santiago Bernabeu: “I know this is a big debate in England and I also think that they need some silverware, they need something to make sure they go past that level where they are just good but don’t win anything.

“I think they really need to make it happen, win something and they will be able to write the next part of their history by keeping Pochettino and carrying on developing the club. It might be difficult to keep the coach in the coming years, especially if they don’t win anything.”

Spurs still have the chance to bring their barren run on the trophy front to a close this season.

They hold a 3-0 lead over Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League last-16 showdown, while there is just a five-point gap between the north London outfit and Premier League leaders Manchester City – with Pochettino’s side having a game in hand.

Asked if Tottenham could upset the odds and taste title glory in 2019, Kanoute said: “I think a lot of people are writing Spurs off because unfortunately in the last few years they couldn’t maintain the level that they have started the league with. It’s been a bit difficult for them to maintain that level and be very competitive at the end of the league to make it.

“Nonetheless, I think they still have a chance but it’s going to be very, very tough against Liverpool and Manchester City – who are just kind of cruising a little bit more than any other team in England.”

Spurs are back in action against Burnley on Saturday, before then taking in back-to-back derby dates with old adversaries Chelsea and north London rivals Arsenal.

Frédéric Kanouté is working with UEFA Europa League partner Enterprise Rent-A-Car on their Legendary Journeys campaign. To discover more and to enjoy special rates on car hire across Europe, visit www.enterprise.co.uk/UEL  

Let’

Maurizio Sarri has stated Chelsea will need to sell a winger if they are to keep Callum Hudson-Odoi at the club beyond this season.

The Blues cruised to a 3-0 Europa League victory over Malmo on Thursday night, with Hudson-Odoi bagging the third and final goal to secure the win.

It was another impressive performance from the winger, and Sarri stated he played “very well” after the match.

Editors’ Picks

• Simeone and Tuchel outsmart Allegri and Solskjaer & five tactical lessons from the Champions League
• The most disliked Chelsea boss since Benitez – how Sarri lost the fans
• ‘Good this innit?!’ – VAR mocked after Man City & Atletico suffer at hands of officials
• Alarm bells ringing for Man City despite glorious Schalke comeback

The Englishman now has three goals in 14 appearances for the Blues this season, and is slowly pushing for a permanent starting spot in the team.

However, Sarri remains still reluctant to use him in the Premier League with the 18-year-old yet to start a fixture in the league.

Speculation also continues regarding his long-term future at the Stamford Bridge club following on from Bayern Munich’s failed bids in January.

When asked what Hudson-Odoi needs to do to start in the Premier League, Sarri said: “You need to understand that, in the same position, we have Pedro, Willian and Hazard, so it’s not easy for a young player to play with the consistency with his team-mates. 

“I want to remind you that Callum, with this one, played 14 matches. There isn’t in England another 18-year-old player with 14 matches in the first-team. So I think that we are using him in the right way at the moment. 

“Of course, the 20 matches this season will be 30 matches in the next, and 40 in two years. Also, I think that the club has to decide. 

“If I am at the club and I want Callum on the club consistently, I have to sell another winger. Otherwise the manager is in trouble.”

Chelsea’s next fixture is against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley.

The two sides played out a repeat fixture on February 10 in the league, with Pep Guardiola’s side romping to an easy 6-0 victory at the Etihad.

Sarri’s men will be keen to gain revenge on the reigning Premier League champions this weekend in their quest to lift the first silverware of the season.

Let’