Chelsea given 'green light' to sign £137m Man Utd duo in spectacular Old Trafford transfer raid

Mauricio Pochettino has a few days on the training pitches at Cobham to prepare for Chelsea's next Premier League fixture. The Blues will welcome Everton to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening, April 15, with Europa League qualification on the table.

While Chelsea are just ninth in the English top flight, they're only five points behind sixth-placed Manchester United. The west London outfit also have a game in hand over the Red Devils, which could prove decisive by the end of the season.

In other news, the summer transfer window is just around the corner. Chelsea continue to be heavily linked with numerous big names, but it remains to be seen whether or not Todd Boehly will sanction another spending spree.

Chelsea have forked out almost £1billion on new players since the new owners took the reins, yet they didn't spend a penny in January. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at some of the biggest Chelsea stories on Tuesday, April 9.

Madueke rallies the troops

Noni Madueke has insisted that the Chelsea squad must stick together after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Sheffield United at the weekend. Speaking to the official club website, the 22-year-old winger said: "The way we drop points sometimes... it's in the palm of our hands.

"I don’t know what to say other than there are still games to go and we have to go again and stick together. We still have faith we can finish in the places we want to finish in. But we have to cut that [dropping points] out sooner rather than later."

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football.london says: "With an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on the horizon, the Chelsea players must heed Madueke's call to arms. The Blues have been very disappointing this season, but there's still a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel..."

Old Trafford raid

William Gallas has urged Chelsea to sign two Manchester United players this summer. The Blues have signed numerous young players since Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took over at Stamford Bridge, but the former Premier League defender believes Mauricio Pochettino could do with some experience.

"Both Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes could be good options for Chelsea. Both are quality players," Gallas told Gambling Zone. "Bruno could definitely be the kind of midfielder who has the quality to play in the number ten role where Chelsea lack strength. Chelsea are a team of young players and Bruno Fernandes has the leadership qualities to get through certain periods."

football.london says: "I see the vision, but unfortunately I can't see Manchester United selling Bruno Fernandes this summer – let alone to a Premier League rival. As for Rashford, he'd be a far more realistic signing for Chelsea although his recent form worries me. It also must be said that the duo are worth a combined £137.3million – which is quite a lot, even for Boehly and Eghbali!"

Former Chelsea boss snubs Ajax

Graham Potter has reportedly turned down the chance to manage Ajax. The 48-year-old has been without a job since his departure from Chelsea in April last year and he's been heavily linked with the Manchester United job ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a stake in the club.

According to Sky Sports, Ajax have shortlisted Potter as their primary target to replace interim head coach John van't Schip at the end of the season. However, the report states that the former Blues boss snubbed the Dutch giants as he holds out for an offer from a Premier League outfit.

Ajax are sixth in the Eredivisie, winning just 12 games this term and are on track for their worst finish since 1965. Their season went from bad to worse over the weekend too, losing 6-0 to Feyenoord – one of the club's biggest losses in their history.

football.london says: "On one hand, I think Potter should have taken the Ajax job – what an opportunity that would have been! After such a poor season, it would be very unlikely that he isn't able to showcase his excellent coaching and take the Dutch outfit back into the Champions League.

"With that being said, I can also understand why he would want to hold out for a Premier League offer. For instance, his family may not want to move to a new country or learn a new language. I think he should either replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United or return to Brighton if Roberto De Zerbi leaves the Amex Stadium."