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Top Story: Abramovich to back Chelsea revolution

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to back manager Antonio Conte and sanction an overhaul of the Blues' playing squad, with a new "full-back, another central defender, a midfielder and a new forward" on the Italian manager's wanted list, according to the Daily Telegraph.

After a promising start to the season with three wins in their first three games, Chelsea have reverted to the disastrous form of the previous campaign and have picked up just one point in their past three fixtures. That leaves them behind pace-setters Manchester City and Arsenal.

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann is a confirmed target, as is Roma's Antonio Rudiger, if the German defender can prove his fitness following a knee ligament injury. Another target could be Burnley's Michael Keane, with Chelsea having made preliminary enquiries about the defender's availability, the Mirror claimed in a separate report.

But any major revamp of the playing squad will have to wait until next summer, it is claimed, which gives underperforming stars such as Branislav Ivanovic and out-of-favour midfielder Cesc Fabregas time to prove their worth at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal scout Alexis replacement

Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Sassuolo striker Gregoire Defrel on three occasions already this season, after the 25-year-old's fine scoring run caught the eye of Arsene Wenger, according to the Daily Mail. The manager only recently added Lucas Perez to his front line, but with Alexis Sanchez reportedly unsettled, the Gunners could be lining up another new attacking option.

The report claims that Defrel, who has seven goals in his past eight games for the Serie A side, is also being monitored by Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Swansea City, but the French frontman would reportedly "relish the prospect of working under Arsene Wenger."

Isco set to take Rooney's place?

Wayne Rooney's future at Manchester United could be about to take another turn for the worse, the Sun claimed, with Jose Mourinho lining up a move for Real Madrid playmaker Isco.

The arrival of the 24-year-old Spain international, who is also wanted by AC Milan, could push Rooney "even further down the pecking order at Old Trafford," it is reported. The England captain already has a fight on his hands to get his place in the United team back, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford looking sharper in front of goal so far this season.

Tap-ins

- Juan Mata was thought to be one of the big names on his way out of Manchester United following Jose Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford this summer, but the Sun reported a surprise new contract is being discussed instead. Mata, who has two years to run on his current deal, is said to be "desperate" to stay put, while United "are keen to sort it out before the New Year."

- Real Madrid and several Premier League clubs are watching a 17-year-old striker ambitiously labelled "the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic" after scoring six goals for AIK Solna in the Swedish Allsvenskan league. However, AS reported that Alexander Isak is happy to stay put and continue his development for the time being. That makes a move unlikely for now.

- In one of the more unlikely transfer rumours doing the rounds, the Sun reckoned that Angel Di Maria could swap Paris Saint-Germain for the Premier League, with Chelsea keen on the Argentina international. Di Maria has been frustrated following the arrival of Unai Emery in the French capital, and if that continues, he could line up a move to West London next summer.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by MICHAEL WADE

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