Chelsea duo keen to leave, Telegraph say

Stories in Friday’s newspapers involving the area’s clubs….

Marcos Alonso and Davide Zappacosta are both keen to leave Chelsea, the Daily Telegraph say.

The newspaper reports that Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to sign a five-year contract with the Blues, who have agreed the £40m permanent signing of on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Matteo Kovacic.

The Telegraph also say incoming Chelsea manager Frank Lampard faces decisions on the futures of full-backs Alonso and Zappacosta, with both open to moves.

Spaniard Alonso has been linked with Atletico Madrid, while Zappacosta has been linked with a number of clubs in his native Italy.

Meanwhile, The Sun say Lampard plans to promote Joe Edwards, manager of Chelsea’s development squad, to a first-team coaching role.

The Sun also say Leeds want Chelsea youngster Jake Clarke-Salter on loan but that the Yorkshire club fear Lampard could block the move because of the so-called Spygate controversy involving Leeds and Lampard’s current club Derby last season.

Chelsea have rejected another approach from Bayern Munich for Hudson-Odoi, according to the Daily Mirror.

And the Guardian reports that Gianfranco Zola will leave Chelsea in search of a manager’s job after turning down an ambassadorial role at Stamford Bridge.

Blues legend Zola, whose contract as assistant boss expires this weekend, will not be part of Lampard’s backroom staff.

Zola’s representative Fulvio Marrucco said: “After a season of hard work and fantastic results alongside Maurizio Sarri, he is ready to take the next step in his own management career.”