The Gunners raised some eyebrows when they completed a something of a surprise swoop to bring the Italy international in from their London rivals on transfer deadline day last week.

Jorginho made his debut for the north London side in Arsenal’s clash at Everton on Saturday but was unable to prevent the Gunners from slipping to a disappointing 1-0 loss at Goodison Park.

The 31-year-old was brought on as a substitute for Thomas Partey during the defeat, with Jorginho offering the Gunners a wealth of experience at the top level.

Former Newcastle United and England star Shearer reckons that Jorginho will bring some added experience to the Arsenal squad in the second half of the season as they look to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Shearer said: “Arsenal are a very, very good team with a really bright and intelligent manager in Mikel Arteta.

“I really do like the Jorginho signing. He will bring a wealth of experience and that know-how to win and to get over the line.

Jorginho (Photo: @jorginhofrello / Instagram)

“They are still going to be big questions and big times to navigate over the coming months. So who better to get in January than a guy like Jorginho who has been there and done it at every level?”

Arsenal are currently five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table with a game in hand as they eye their first top-flight title since their unbeaten triumph back in 2003-04.

And Manchester City have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week after they were charged with than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules following a four-year investigation.

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown (Photo: BT Sport)

However, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown fears that the news of the charges will only serve as motivation for the Manchester City players in the second half of the season.

“I’m pretty certain this will only galvanise the City players,” Keown told talkSPORT. “This can be used as fuel to get back to the top of the Premier League table.

“There’s a feeling that the world is against them now, the ramifications are huge. These players will want to hit back, they’ll use this as energy.

“They’ll have the best lawyers in the world against this and they’ll want to get the truth out.”

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The Blues have been heavily linked with a move to sign the 22-year-old from Benfica in recent days and widespread reports on Monday suggested that the south west London club had tabled a €120m (£105.6m) bid for the Argentina international.

Should the transfer go through at that price, it would become the British transfer record signing after Manchester City paid £100m to Aston Villa for Jack Grealish back in 2021.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea FC will be able to get a deal over the line for the defensive midfielder before Tuesday’s transfer deadline – but former Manchester United defender Ferdinand reckons that Fernandez would be an excellent signing for the south west London club.

Speaking on Vibe With Five, Ferdinand said of Fernandez: “Bad player, wicked player. He’s got it. He’s a good player. I’d be surprised if he comes in and isn’t a success.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Photo: BT Sport)

“He’s a top player. He was the best young player at the tournament in the World Cup I thought. He was integral for them. His passing, his composure for a young player was top, and he won’t be fazed if he handled the World Cup the way he did.

“He played at Benfica a big club in that country and the demands at the club, he’s used to pressure. The money is irrelevant if you look at it and think he could be here for five or six years. Chelsea are on a mad one.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are reported to be closing in on the deadline-day signing of midfielder Jorginho from Chelsea FC.

Jorginho (Photo: @jorginhofrello / Instagram)

The Athletic is claiming that the north London club are targeting the Italy international after having so far failed in their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The story, written by David Ornstein, suggests that Arsenal are now keen on recruiting Jorginho, whose contract at Chelsea FC is due to expire in the summer.

Arsenal’s cause could be helped by Chelsea FC’s proposed move to sign Fernandez from Benfica as it would push Jorginho further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, the article says.

Jorginho, 31, has scored two goals in 18 Premier League appearances for Chelsea FC so far this season.

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The Italian reporter took to his personal Twitter account to deliver updates on Chelsea FC’s interest in the 22-year-old on Sunday as the Blues aim to bring the midfielder to Stamford Bridge this month.

According to Romano, Chelsea FC want to sign Fernandez “at all costs” and are willing to shell out €120m (£105m) to bring him to the south west London club before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Posting on social media on Sunday evening, Romano wrote: “Chelsea are back in direct talks with Benfica for Enzo Fernandez. They want the player at all costs — Chelsea would be prepared to pay €120m fee.

“Benfica president Rui Costa has still no intention to accept — but Chelsea will insist to get the deal done now.”

The Italian journalist then followed up that Tweet by claiming that the Blues have scheduled a fresh round of negotiations with Benfica about a possible deal to bring Fernandez to the London club.

Romano also claims that the player himself would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge before the deadline.

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano (Photo: Fabrizio Romano / YouTube)

Romano posted early on Monday morning: “Chelsea have scheduled new round of talks for Enzo Fernández on Monday. Full focus on getting it done, player side won’t be an issue.

“Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the board are on it — Chelsea will reach €120m, depends on Rui Costa.”

Fernandez was a key part of the Argentina squad who won the World Cup back in December, with the defensive midfielder having scored one goal and made one assist in seven appearances in Qatar.

He’s been a regular fixture for Benfica this season too, having netted one goal and made five assists in 17 league games for the Portuguese club.

Chelsea FC have been busy in the January transfer window so far and should Fernandez arrive at Stamford Bridge, he would become the eighth new arrival this month after Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto all joined the Blues.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a fee to sign Chelsea Under-21s striker Jude Soonsup-Bell to their academy set-up, according to reports.

(Photo: Adobe Stock)

The Evening Standard is claiming that the 19-year-old is set to leave Chelsea FC to join Spurs, with the north London club set to offer him a long-term pathway to the first team through loans from next season.

Soonsup-Bell, who the newspaper claim is “highly regarded” at Chelsea FC, was also the subject of a similar offer from Manchester City but he is now expected to join Spurs.

Chelsea FC are back in Premier League action on Friday night when they host London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

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Liverpool FC have been struggling to find consistent form in the Premier League in recent weeks and they start the weekend in ninth place after having lost their last two games in the top flight.

The Reds slumped to a disheartening 3-0 loss by Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend but they managed to bounce back in midweek by booking their place in the FA Cup fourth round with a 1-0 victory over Wolves.

Chelsea FC have also been struggling under new boss Graham Potter. The Blues are 10th and level on points with Liverpool FC but have only won one of their last four outings in the English top flight.

Jurgen Klopp (Photo: New Balance)

Former Arsenal star Merson feels that Saturday’s game could well be decisive in the race for Champions League qualification via a top-four finish, with the ex-midfielder claiming that the losing side would likely be guaranteed to miss out on a spot in the top four.

However, the former England international is expecting the game to end all square at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.

Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson said: “Ninth place against 10th place – is this a big game? I’ll go as far as to say that whoever loses this match is completely out of the Premier League top-four race. This is a massive game. The team that wins this game could go on a run and really push for a place in the top four.

“Liverpool got blown away by Brighton the other day. I did mention that there was no way Brighton were going to lose that game, and they deserved to win. The Liverpool players who played against Wolves aren’t going to play on Saturday. Mohamed Salah isn’t closing down like he used to. They need to go back to closing down and winning the ball high up the pitch – they’re not doing that at all at the moment

“This is going to be an interesting game. Chelsea have got injuries and aren’t playing great football, but if they can get through the first 20 minutes, they’ve got a chance. Cody Gakpo’s been struggling a bit so far – I can’t remember players for Holland coming in and ripping it up in the Premier League in the last couple of years. He’ll need time, and he might need to come out of the team for a game or two.

“Liverpool have got to hang in there and win matches until the likes of [Diogo] Jota and [Luis] Diaz are back. They need to get their confidence back up and get on a roll. There’s not a lot between these two teams, and I think this game will end in a draw.”

Arsenal legend Paul Merson (Photo: Sky Sports)

Former Chelsea FC star Chris Sutton is also expecting to see Saturday’s game end all square on Merseyside.

The ex-forward feels that both sides’ inconsistent form makes this a difficult game to call, but he is also ultimately expecting it to end up as a 1-1 draw.

“How on earth can you call this game?” Sutton wrote in his own column for BBC Sport. “Both sides have been incredibly inconsistent this season, and it is impossible to know what they will do next.

“I’ve been unconvinced by Liverpool for a while now, because of their lack of energy and legs in midfield, and their defeat at Brighton last weekend was not even that big a surprise.

“I know the Reds then went and beat Wolves in the FA Cup, but I’ve not seen anything that makes me think they are going to bounce back and clinch their first league win of 2023.

Ex-Chelsea FC striker Chris Sutton (Photo: BT Sport)

“It is a similar story with Chelsea, because we don’t know which Blues team will turn up at Anfield.

“They got an important win over Crystal Palace last time out but they needed some big saves from Kepa Arrizabalaga to get over the line.

“A win would be a huge boost in confidence for both teams, but it is hard to make a case for either of them to take the three points.”

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The Blues head into the game after having slumped to their second-straight defeat in the Premier League following their 2-1 loss to Fulham on Thursday night.

The south west London side have struggled to find consistent form under new boss Graham Potter this season and the Blues’ poor run of results has caused them to drop down into 10th place in the table ahead of this weekend’s round of games.

As things stand, Chelsea FC are 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United and are facing a serious uphill struggle to force themselves back into contention for Champions League qualification.

Former Manchester United star Evra feels that Potter is struggling to get the best out of his team because most of the players were signed by previous managers, leaving his group looking like a collection of “individuals” rather than a team.

However, the ex-France defender feels that Chelsea FC will have enough to beat Crystal Palace – who are 12th and only three points behind the Blues – in front of their home fans on Sunday afternoon.

Writing in his column for Betfair, Evra said: “I think Chelsea will win. People are also disappointed with Chelsea right now, everyone expects more for Chelsea, expects more for Graham Potter.

“When you look at the Chelsea side, he didn’t sign those players. Let’s be honest, you have to be clear, these aren’t his players. He came and he needs to fix that team, there’s no soul and they aren’t together.

Patrice Evra (Photo: China Images / Imagine China Limited / depositphotos.com)

“I don’t see them as a team, I see them as individual players. Right now they’re not a team, they’re not his players and he has to deal with that. The players need to understand his philosophy of football. He’s a great manager but it’s a tough job. I can see them winning this match though.”

Meanwhile, former Chelsea FC man Sutton also feels that the Blues should have enough to beat Palace on Sunday, despite their stuttering form.

The ex-striker was making his prediction before the result of their clash with Fulham was known – but he was hoping that the home side can claim a victory on Sunday in their first home game since the death of former Blues player and manager Gianluca Vialli.

Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Sutton said: “Palace are so inconsistent that we are getting to the stage where I might as well say they will win or lose every time because when I try to call it based on their previous result or performance, I get it wrong each time.

Ex-Chelsea FC striker Chris Sutton (Photo: BT Sport)

“I am talking about this game before Chelsea play Fulham on Thursday night, but I am not expecting Graham Potter’s problems to have disappeared, no matter what happens at Craven Cottage.

“At times it has felt like Chelsea are making it up as they go along with their transfer strategy under Todd Boehly, and of course that has impacted their performances on the pitch.

“Chelsea will pay tribute to their late manager Gianluca Vialli, who passed away last week, before this game and it is going to be an emotional afternoon at Stamford Bridge. It was Vialli who signed me for Chelsea and I’d like to see them win, just for him.”

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The reporter took to his personal Twitter account early on Wednesday morning to update Blues fans about the transfer situation. According to the journalist, Chelsea FC and Benfica “spent the whole night” in negotiations about a deal for the 21-year-old but no agreement has yet been reached.

Romano said that talks were due to continue on Wednesday with a view to getting the deal over the line, as Chelsea FC aim to bolster their squad this month.

Posting on Twitter, Romano said: “Enzo Fernandez deal update. Chelsea and Benfica spent the whole night in negotiations — but there’s still no full agreement on key details, still waiting for Rui Costa’s green light.

“Talks will continue on Wednesday. The player wants the move, but he’s now waiting too.”

Defensive midfielder Fernandez was part of Argentina’s World Cup winning squad in Qatar, with the Benfica man having scored one goal and made one assist in seven appearances at the tournament.

He has been a regular fixture in the Benfica side this season, scoring one goal and making three assists in 14 league games for the Portuguese club, as well as notching up one assist in five Champions League outings.

There have been claims in recent days that Chelsea FC could be willing to shell out as much as €120m – which is believed to be the value of Fernandez’s release clause – to sign the midfielder this month.

However, former Liverpool FC star Steve Nicol feels that the suggested transfer fee for the Argentina international is over the top.

Nicol told ESPN: “Am I the only person that’s thinking, ‘what’s wrong with Chelsea?’ You are going to spend €120m on Enzo Fernandez? Am I the only person thinking that? €120m?!

Graham Potter (Photo: Marco Canoniero / depositphotos.com)

“He’s a hot property? Cody Gakpo is a hot property, he scores goals and Liverpool got him for £37m. I am sorry, Enzo Fernandez had a great World Cup and he’s a good player. But €120m? When your problems and struggles are going forward – I think they have everything upside down at Chelsea.

“You are going to waste €120m. Their problems are going forward and Fernandez is going to do nothing for you going forward. Am I the only one that thinks €120m is crazy for this guy?”

Chelsea FC, who have only won one of their last five Premier League games, will return to top-flight action when they welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.

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Chelsea FC have been struggling to find consistent form in recent weeks and they have only won one of their last five Premier League games, slumping to a 1-1 draw away to Nottingham Forest last time out.

Their poor run of form has caused them to drop down into ninth place in the Premier League table and has left them significantly off the pace in the race to secure a top-four finish this season.

Manchester City head to south west London looking to bounce back to winning ways in the wake of their frustrating 1-1 draw against Everton at The Etihad last time out.

As things stand, Pep Guardiola’s men are seven points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table, but the Citizens may find themselves 10 points behind the Gunners by the time they kick off on Thursday, with the north London set to host Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Former Blues star Sutton has not been impressed by what he has seen from Chelsea FC under their new manager so far and he is tipping Manchester City to claim a dominant win on Thursday night.

Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Sutton said: “I like Graham Potter and I want him to do well at Stamford Bridge but if you were a Chelsea fan you would be a bit worried about what you had seen under him so far.

“His side were lucky to escape with a point against Forest on Sunday but the result isn’t the problem, it’s more the manner they got it.

Ex-Chelsea FC striker Chris Sutton (Photo: BT Sport)

“I am a Potter fan but I am not seeing any style or identity from his team at the moment, and they will need to put up much more of a fight against City.

“I think Pep Guardiola’s side will play with some anger and take out some of the frustration of their draw with Everton here. Chelsea will pose a threat on the break, but they could be overwhelmed at the other end.”

With the January transfer window now open, Chelsea FC are likely to be on the lookout for a number of reinforcements as they aim to bolster their squad for the second half of the season.

And former Liverpool FC star Jamie Carragher feels that the Blues are likely to be one of the busier clubs in the English top flight in the current transfer market.

Ex-Liverpool FC defender Jamie Carragher (Photo: Sky Sports)

Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said: “Chelsea may be the busiest team in this January transfer window – because every time I pick up a paper I see they’re signing someone! It feels like they’re going for every player in the world!

“It seems to take me back to when Roman Abramovich first came in and I thought with him leaving the club, it might be the end of that. But it doesn’t seem to be the case, certainly with the new regime at Chelsea.

“It looks like they’re trying to throw their money around to try and get in the best players to the club, which is what Chelsea are used to in the last 10 to 15 years.

“I thought it may stop a little, it looks like Todd Boehly are scouting the air for players and I expect them to be busy.”

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New Blues boss Graham Potter has found himself under pressure at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks after a run of poor form resulted in three straight defeats in the English top flight.

Chelsea FC will be eager to get their bid to finish in the top four back on track when they welcome Bournemouth to south west London on Tuesday evening – the Blues are currently eight points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham but do have a game in hand over their local rivals.

Former Chelsea FC star Sutton feels that Potter is the right man to lead the Blues forward but he concedes that the new manager will need some time to settle into life as the boss at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, Sutton is expecting to see Chelsea FC bounce back from their recent poor run of form with a victory in front of their home fans on 27 December.

Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Sutton said: “Chelsea are desperate for a win after going six domestic games without a victory, and losing the past four of them, so the pressure is really on Blues boss Graham Potter here.

“I am a strong believer that Potter just needs time to get things right at Stamford Bridge, but they have had issues with scoring goals since he took charge and they will need to finish their chances against Bournemouth, as well as create them.

“I do expect Chelsea to win this game but it is going to be interesting to find out what happens with the Cherries next too.

“Gary O’Neil’s success as their caretaker boss meant he definitely deserved to be appointed on a permanent basis but, to keep the job, he needs to match those results now.”

Chelsea FC will be without the injured N’Golo Kante for Tuesday’s game, and Potter was asked for an update on the France international’s recovery at his pre-match news conference last week.

Kante underwent surgery after suffering a hamstring injury and Potter revealed that the France international will not be available again until late February or early March.

“He’ll be end of Feb, start of March,” Potter said when asked about Kante. “It’s a surgery so it’s a minimum period of four months.

“My focus is to help him get back fit as soon as possible, and getting him back on the pitch in the right way, because we haven’t seen him.”

Potter also revealed that full-back Reece James is back available for selection after recovering from a knee injury which caused him to miss the World Cup.

“Reece is back in, he’s been training with us,” said Potter. “He completed 65 minutes in the week.

“We’re still without Ruben [Loftus-Cheek], still without Ben Chilwell, obviously Kante. [Edouard] Mendy has had a couple of days training with us.”

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The south west London side head into their home clash against the Cherries after having lost their last three games on the spin in the English top flight before the World Cup.

Chelsea FC are currently in eighth place in the Premier League table and eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

The Blues were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa in their most recent top-flight fixture and Chelsea FC boss Potter will be eager for his side to kick off the busy festive period with a win.

Chelsea FC are set to come up against a Bournemouth side who have lost four of their last five Premier League outings, although they were 3-0 winners over Everton last time out.

Former Manchester United and France full-back Evra says that there can be no more “excuses” for the Blues and it’s time for Potter’s side to “wake up” – starting with a victory against Bournemouth next week.

Writing in his column for Betfair, Evra said: “I think now Chelsea have no excuses, for the players that didn’t go to the World Cup they’ve had one month, Potter will have had the chance to get to know his team better.

“They will understand the system and they will be ready to go again. There’s no excuses for a team like Chelsea, it’s time for them to wake up and start the season.”

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Chelsea FC fans will be eager to see Potter bring in some reinforcements ahead of the second half of the season.

Former Chelsea FC and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas recently urged the Blues to consider a move to sign Spain World Cup star Dani Olmo as he feels that the 24-year-old would be a great addition to the squad.

Asked in a Twitter Q&A to name the Spain player he’d like Chelsea FC to sign, Fabregas said: “Dani Olmo could be a great addition if Chelsea continues to play in this system.”

Olmo scored one goal and made one assist in four games at the World Cup and has netted one goal and made two assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig so far this season.

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Romano used his personal Twitter account to claim that the south west London side have reached a “full agreement” to bring the Ivorian forward to Stamford Bridge this winter.

The Italian reporter said that the 20-year-old would undergo a medical with the Blues on Thursday – which happens to be his birthday – ahead of his proposed transfer to the London club, while also confirming that the Premier League outfit are set to pay in the region of £10.5m for the attacker.

Posting on his personal Twitter account on Thursday morning, Romano wrote: “David Datro Fofana to Chelsea, done deal and here we go! There’s full agreement between all parties, deal sealed.

“Been told medical tests will take place today in London, on his birthday. Born in 2002, Ivorian striker will join Chelsea from Molde for €12m fee.”

Born in Ouragahio, Fofana has scored two goals in seven games for Molde so far this season. He joined the Norwegian club on a four-year contract back in February 2021.

The Premier League January transfer window officially opens on new year’s day and closes at 23:00 UK time on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

Meanwhile, there has also been a fresh update for Chelsea FC fans about the future of Italian midfielder Jorginho.

The Italy international’s current deal at Chelsea FC is due to expire in the summer and he is yet to commit to a new contract with the Blues.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Jorginho insisted that he wants to stay with the Blues, but said that he is not thinking about his contractual situation and simply wants to help Chelsea FC get back to winning ways.

Asked if he wanted to stay at Chelsea FC, Jorginho replied: “Of course I do, I love Chelsea. But this is a thing I’m not going to think about now.

“I need to think about winning games. Otherwise it’s a problem. I’ll focus game by game and then we’ll see what’s going to happen.

“But my mind is on Chelsea now and trying to win as many games as possible.”

Jorginho (Photo: @jorginhofrello / Instagram)

The 31-year-old midfielder has scored two goals in 13 Premier League games so far this season and has also netted once in six Champions League outings.

Chelsea FC have lost their last three games in the Premier League and will bid to return to winning ways when they take on Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on 27 December.

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