Chelsea Transfer News: Sadio Mane Rumours Emerge, Eden Hazard Latest

Chelsea are reportedly ready to launch a January swoop for Southampton’s star forward Sadio Mane, hoping to fend off interest from Manchester United for his signature.

That’s according to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, who claims that the Blues hierarchy see the Senegal international as the ideal player to add some thrust in advanced areas. Lewis writes that the Saints are hoping Mane will sign a new deal with the club 14 months on from his transfer from Red Bull Salzburg.

Kevin Palmer of ESPN FC doesn’t expect Southampton to cash in on one of their brightest attacking players, but he thinks there will be tangible interest in him regardless:

Mane has been making steady improvements in 2015-16. His first season in the Premier League was rife with bits of brilliance but a lot of profligacy, too.

So far this term, there’s been a much more refined end product from the Senegalese forward, with Saints boss Ronald Koeman handing him a central role in a lot of games.

Even so, as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, Mane is still a player that’s pretty rough around the edges:

It means the 23-year-old may not be ideal for Mourinho’s side.

In Juan Cuadrado, the Blues signed a similarly skilful but equally capricious player last January; the Colombian failed to make any impact at all at Stamford Bridge and has been loaned out to Juventus this season. Mane's erraticism would surely irk the Chelsea boss in similar ways.

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If his talents were channeled in the right way, Mane could become one of the most fearsome attacking players in the Premier League. The Blues wouldn’t be the best team for him to continue developing, though, and if there’s a new contract on the table at St. Mary’s, the former Salzburg man would be wise to sign it.

Eden Hazard Happy at Chelsea

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Despite rumours to the contrary, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has revealed he is happy at Stamford Bridge and has no problem with manager Mourinho.

Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail wrote earlier this month that the PFA Player of the Year would seek to force a move away from the Blues should Mourinho remain in charge at the end of the campaign.

However, all seems to be well between the pair, with Hazard confirming he has a lot of admiration for the Portuguese, per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph:

"

I don't have a problem with him. I heard a lot of things about this, but no. Everything is good with him. He is the best manager. He is the best manager for Chelsea and we hope we can win a lot of trophies together. Maybe not this season because it will be difficult, but next season and on.

"

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Although Chelsea ground out a 1-0 win over Norwich City this weekend, it’s been a miserable campaign for the Blues, with key players—such as Hazard—failing to show their best form.

The Belgian also noted, per Law, he’s spoken to Mourinho about a positional shift in the team. As such, Hazard has recently been moved off the left flank into a more central role, as the Blues seek to get their star man more involved in the game.

Bleacher Report’s Garry Hayes feels it’s a change which worked well against the Canaries:

It’ll be encouraging for Chelsea supporters to hear Hazard is content at the club and there have been some signs in recent weeks that he’s back to a level approaching his best.

Once the goals start flowing again—the Belgian has yet to score this season—the Blues will be an entirely different proposition.

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Nevertheless, it’s important for Chelsea they do qualify for the Champions League this season if they are to continue to match the ambitions of their attacking crown jewel.

Whether he’s happy or not, if Mourinho’s side are not in Europe next season and Real Madrid do come calling, it’d only be natural for Hazard to have his head turned.