10 March 2023 , 04:30
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Chelsea have won back-to-back games for the first time in 2023 as the cloud over Stamford Bridge begins to lift.
Graham Potter was teetering after the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham in late February, but victories over Leeds in the Premier League in and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League have provided a glimpse of a brighter future under the Englishman.
One player who is full of praise for Potter is Kai Havertz, who scored from the spot against Dortmund after being handed penalty duties by his manager. There remains concern over Mason Mount, however, with top-flight rivals ready to swoop for the boyhood Blue.
All that and more in Friday's round-up of the latest Chelsea headlines.
Blues set Mount fee
Chelsea will demand £50million to part ways with Mason Mount this summer.
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The England international has less than 18 months remaining on his contract and it appears unlikely he will extend his stay with his boyhood club. The Blues are unwilling to meet Mount's salary demands, meaning a sale could be on the cards this summer to avoid him entering the final year of his deal.
The 24-year-old has not lived up to the standards he set himself last season, when he was scoring and assisting at will, but remains a quality Premier League midfielder. As such, Chelsea will demand a hefty fee if the likes of Manchester United or Liverpool decide to formalise their interest.
Read the full story here.
Havertz backs Potter
Kai Havertz insists Chelsea players have never been more behind Graham Potter as the pressure on the Englishman begins to lift.
The Blues were in dismal form throughout January and February but kicked off March with a 1-0 Premier League victory over Leeds last weekend. They followed that up with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night to progress in the Champions League, prompting Havertz to hail how Potter has improved the team, as well as his own game.
"We have hundreds of coaches in England that think they know better than him," Havertz said of his manager. "We know he is a big personality, he has helped us so much, me personally as well. We are behind him, and even though the people do not see it, we all saw last night he is a big manager."
Kane option emerges
Chelsea may be able to offer Harry Kane a route out of N17 after the Tottenham talisman confessed his side's Champions League exit was a "dagger through the heart".
Spurs bowed out of Europe's premier club competition with a goalless draw - and 1-0 aggregate defeat - against AC Milan on Wednesday night. It condemned the north Londoners to another season without silverware, meaning Kane's wait for the first trophy of his career goes on.
The England captain will turn 30 this summer, so time is running out for him to finally lift the honours he craves. Many fans and pundits would like to see Kane move on and win the honours a player of his ability deserves, and Chelsea have been named among five potential destinations for him this summer.
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