Chelsea FC latest news & transfer rumours: Sturridge, Okore, Leeds

Transfers news and rumours first, Daniel Sturridge is almost certain to join Liverpool ahead of Tottenham, delivering a major blow to AVB’s attempts to rebuild a strike force with Premier League experience and goals to their name.

It appears Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich is not convinced England international Sturridge can cut it at Stamford Bridge and has signalled for his exit, paving the way for Liverpool to finally land their long-term transfer target in a £12m deal.

Sturridge, 23, will agree to a £65,000 weekly deal and do battle for a starting berth with in-form Luis Suarez, which many would argue is a greater challenge than competing with Chelsea’s Fernando Torres.

Drifting east of the British Isles the transfer news continue to sail in, today’s main headline from the European football rumour mills is that of FC Nordsjælland’s Jores Okore to Chelsea if the defender gets his merry way.

Unsettling club chiefs the Ivorian-born Danish footballer is considering a move away from Danish top flight football and has his mind set on a dream move abroad, the likely destination being Stamford Bridge.

The player has stated that he has options on his future and the probability is that he will go abroad with the Premier League the likeliest destination.

Okore has decided it’s time to start a fresh challenge, which may come as a happy coincidence to Blues boss Rafa Benitez who is plagued with the defensive casualties of Cahill’s disciplinary, Terry’s injury and Luiz’s inconsistency – the FC Nordsjælland stopper might be the ideal transfer solution.

“I’ll see what the future holds. I have a lot of options. I feel good at FC Nordsjælland, and we have a lot to achieve but I think there is a possibility that I may go abroad at some time,” said Okore is a recent interview.

“Chelsea are my favourite team and I would love to play for them in the future. Every player dreams of playing for Chelsea and I am no exception.”

In other news away from transfer land Chelsea expect to overhaul Leeds in tonight’s midweek Capital One Cup tie as they travel to Elland Road with intentions to put the Club World Cup defeat to Corinthians behind them.

Team news for Chelsea, Oriol Romeu (knee) looks set to miss the majority of the season after surgery, while captain John Terry (knee) and Daniel Sturridge (knock) are sidelined with unknown return dates, Gary Cahill and John Obi Mikel are suspended for the game.

GK: Cech, D: Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Bertrand, M: Lampard, Ramires, A: Moses, Mata, Hazard, S: Torres

Betting prediction: Back Chelsea for an away win with two goals or more.

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