Chelsea files: Christopher Nkunku knows his time is up while Blues are set to go back into ‘insane’ goalkeeper market
JOHN TERRY will feel right at home running the London Marathon this weekend.
The iconic one-time Chelsea captain wore the No26 on his shirt throughout his glittering career.
Add another 0.2 miles and you have the exact distance the former defender plans to run through the Capital.
Terry, 44, is putting himself through the gruelling course for two good causes: His own foundation which works to ‘ensure every child and adult has the opportunity to thrive’ and charity ‘Rays of Sunshine’ aiming to brighten the lives of seriously ill children.
Running a marathon is no easy feat even if you are still pretty fit and spent years in tip-top shape as a highly-decorated Premier League star.
Modern footballers are trained for short bursts of speed across a pitch – not for steady, long-distance running at constant pace.
When Chelsea Files last spoke to Terry a few weeks ago he was up to 17.5 miles and looking good for it despite a minor calf problem.
But don’t think to look out for the most famous Chelsea player of modern times in characteristic blue on Sunday. No way will he be running in a club kit.
The reason? “There might be a few Tottenham fans in the crowd.” He joked.
As you would expect, Chelsea’s legendary captain is putting the work in ahead of his big run.
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He told SunSport: “Everything I have read says that you have got to put in at least 30 kilometres beforehand.”
You can chip in to JT’s good causes by clicking here...
Fernandes poster boy for burnout fears
ENZO FERNANDEZ has become the new poster boy for fears over player burnout.
The Blues midfielder featured in a social media blitz from the international players’ union FifPro aimed at making a global pre-emptive warning about this summer’s hectic programme for club and country.
Figures compiled by FifPro show how Argentine schemer Enzo will have to take 11 flights for club and country following the Prem’s final game on May 25.
It is set to start with a 1,500-mile round trip to Wroclaw in Poland with Chelsea favourites to reach the Conference League final despite squeaking past Legia Warsaw after a quarter-final second leg home defeat on Thursday.
Immediately afterwards, Fernandez, 24, will head across the Atlantic for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, before joining up with his Chelsea team-mates ahead of the Club World Cup opener in Atlanta on June 16.
It comes as the union’s fight to persuade Fifa to ditch the expanded 32-team competition, citing concerns over player welfare, have failed.
But a FifPro spokesman referred to Fernandez’s likely summer exertions as “the crunch window”, pointing to the realities of his summer programme.
FifPro said: “Enzo now faces one of the most intense stretches of the season, when he will compete in four competitions for club and country between May and the middle of July.
“Our data shows he’s already played more than 50 matches this season and by July that’s projected to be more than 70, with little time to recover.
“Then the Premier League season restarts in August, leaving him little or no time to rest or retrain.
“Without stronger safeguards, this calendar congestion risks becoming the norm.”
Chelsea Women’s stunning ticket deal
CHELSEA WOMEN are at home to Barcelona this Sunday as they bid to overturn a 4-1 deficit in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
It’s a big ask but already 20,000 tickets have been sold for the 2pm kick-off to underline the growing level of support in the ladies’ game.
You can buy them on general sale and the club is being ultra generous by offering up to 20 per person… something you would never see in the men’s game.
Old favourites for Maresca
CHELSEA are always one of the busiest clubs in any transfer window.
And the Blues are set to be at the heart of one specific market this summer.
Goalkeepers have been a hot topic at Stamford Bridge all season, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen both failing to make their mark as first-choice.
That leaves the Blues with a big decision to make over what to do between the posts next season.
But they are not the only ones.
One industry insider has predicted that the market for keepers this summer is going to be “insane” as a host of players and clubs seek deals.
Chelsea will have calls to make on the futures of Sanchez and Jorgensen, but also on loan Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga, both having fine seasons.
If they do decide to recruit outside of Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca‘s former club could provide an answer.
The Blues have been impressed with Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen, who saved a penalty from Cole Palmer earlier this season.
And Leicester’s precarious financial position could give Chelsea the chance to snag a bargain.
While there is likely to be plenty of interest in the Danish stopper, Leicester’s need to sell could see them reduce the asking price of £35m.
Pop royalty at the Bridge
AT CHELSEA you play for the badge – unless it was last Thursday at Stamford Bridge when they played for the Madge.
Eagle-eyed star spotters picked out that pop legend Madonna was sitting in the stands and watching the Conference League clash with Poles Legia Warsaw.
The multi-award-winning performer is mates with Chelsea’s own rock star director Barbara Charone.
True Blue was a No1 album for Madonna in 1986. Listen out for it on the Stamford Bridge PA system soon.
No easy exit for Nkunku
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU knows his time is up at Chelsea.
The French forward is now playing a waiting game with the club to find a possible outlet this summer.
Nkunku was dropped from Sunday’s matchday squad for Fulham by boss Enzo Maresca who insisted it was for ‘technical’ reasons. This is managerial code for simply ditching a player the manager doesn’t think is up to the job.
There has been no fallout between player and head coach but Nkunku is now leaving the ball in Chelsea’s court to find him a new club in the close season.
He still has four years left on his contract and can sit back safe in that knowledge.
The only worry for the player and his advisers is that Chelsea will still demand a high price for a player who has never really settled at Stamford Bridge.
New face in the dugout
ENZO MARESCA cannot win. Not on the football pitch.
His attempts to win over sceptical Chelsea fans will have to go on hold this weekend as he serves a one-game touchline ban.
This is because the Italian picked up his third yellow card of the season at Fulham on Sunday for his overzealous celebrations of Pedro Neto’s 93rd-minute winner.
An act of raw emotion that the fans should have lapped up as they demand to see more of the old Chelsea identity back.
Modest Maresca cooled down then left the pitch at the final whistle to let the players and travelling supporters celebrate together – and copped some stick from some for not joining in.
Damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t?
Chelsea ratings vs Ipswich
JADON SANCHO spared Chelsea's blushes as Enzo Maresca's side came from behind to draw against Ipswich.
The relegation-threatened Tractor Boys went 2-0 up after 31 minutes with Chelsea flat throughout the first half.
But Maresca’s men woke up after the break and fought back for what will still be a disappointing point as they chase a Champions League spot.
So who were the shining lights for the Blues – and who had an afternoon to forget?