Chelsea latest: Including Hernandez and Azpilicueta

ESPN have reported via Twitter that Manchester United have rejected an enquiry from Chelsea over striker Javier Hernandez. Chelsea currently only have two strikers in Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge and they were looking to take advantage of United’s acquisition of Robin Van Persie. Hernandez may see himself be fourth in line for a forward spot behind RVP, Rooney and Welbeck and could be tempted by a move to Stamford Bridge. The initial approach has been give short shrift but Chelsea could yet resurface with another bid.

Chelsea target Cesar Azpilicueta will finalise a £7.9m move to Chelsea next week. The player will not have completed his move in time for Sunday’s opener against Wigan and is expected to play for Marseille in their league game this weekend but the 22-year-old should officially become a Chelsea player by early next week.

In his pre-match press conference, Roberto Di Matteo revealed Oscar could be in line to make his debut on Sunday despite the player only arriving at the club yesterday. Although signed three weeks ago, the midfielder has been unavailable due to Brazil’s progress in the Olympics football tournament and subsequently this week’s international friendlies.

The manager further revealed that Juan Mata will be given a prolonged rest in the coming months after an intense summer of international duty with Spain but would not confirm if Raul Meireles would be leaving the club to Tottenham before the close of the transfer window.

Regarding potential transfer targets, Di Matteo was adamant that the club would not be forced to pay over the top but implied that the club were still looking for additions to the squad.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes recent speculation linking Victor Moses with a move to Chelsea has unsettled the player. The two teams meet on Sunday but have yet to agree on a fee for Moses despite ongoing discussions. The Wigan manager stated that he thinks transfer windows should be restricted to off-seasons to prevent player’s feeling unsettled.

Ryan Bertrand has revealed his anticipation for the coming season as he looks to build on last year’s breakout season. The left-back played 15 games last term including a man of the match performance against Arsenal in the league and starting the Champions League final against Munich and is hoping for 20-25 games this season to progress his development.

Chelsea midfielder Connor Clifford has moved to Portsmouth on a one-month loan. Portsmouth are battling the increasing menace of liquidation but have been compiling a short-term squad to play in their league campaign. The 20-year-old has had previous loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Notts County.

The provisional Chelsea squad for the game against Wigan on Sunday includes new signings Oscar and Hazard in addition to a spot for youngster Lucas Piazon. Marko Marin is omitted due to a hamstring injury.

Provisional squad: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Luiz, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, Meireles, Malouda, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Piazon, Torres, Sturridge, Turnbull.

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