Striker to leave in the summer
Tammy Abraham looks set to leave Chelsea this summer with newly promoted Newcastle United or Brighton to be the most likely destination. It will be only on a loan basis however as the Blues are keen to offer the young forward an improved contract before allowing him to gain first team experience. Abraham scored 26 goals in 48 appearances for Bristol City last season but Chelsea will be aiming for him to get some first team experience in the top division. Other strikers have previously struggled to make the step up to the Premier League after impressing in the Championship. In an effort to show the 19 year-old that he will one day play for the first team the club may not look to bring in any more young forwards as competition.
Traore hopes to play next season
On loan Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore has stated his intention to play for the first team next season. After a successful season long loan to Europa League finalists Ajax he hopes that he has done enough to impress Antonio Conte. The Burkina Faso international scored 13 in 35 games for Ajax this season as they narrowly missed out on the Dutch title. When asked of his chances Traore said ‘That was the key when I came to Ajax, play as many as I could, do well, and try to go back to Chelsea. I think I had a great season but I don’t decide to stay at Chelsea or move. I will see what my future will be.’ He admits that he has not spoke to the manager directly but was part of the side at the end of the 2015-16 season, scoring four in 16 appearances.
Full strength side to chose from before Final
Chelsea will have a full strength side to chose from before the FA Cup final. The only injury doubt of late has been Ruben Loftus-Cheek but he has only featured as a fringe player this season. N’golo Kante missed the 3-0 win against Middlesbrough but was back for the final game of the season against Sunderland. There are still many places to be diceded however, particularly in the midfield as Kante, Matic and Fabregas have all performed well at the end of the season. Diego Costa will likely start up front for the Blues but it is comforting to know the form of Michy Batshuayi is good should they need to call on him.
Merson sees Arsenal struggling
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson cannot look passed a Chelsea double as they face his former side at Wembley tomorrow. He states that the defensive woes currently affecting Arsenal will be their undoing. Merson said ‘Arsenal are struggling in defence. If both teams had brought their A game then Chelsea would still have won, but with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel out, Shkodran Mustafi potentially out and Per Mertesacker playing at the back I would be shocked if Arsenal got a result.’