Round-up: Hazard plays and Scowen could miss Cardiff game
Eden Hazard played 75 minutes for Chelsea’s development side in the latest stage of his comeback from an ankle injury.
It was Hazard’s second outing since having surgery – he also featured a recent behind-closed-doors friendly against QPR’s youth side.
The young Blues were beaten 3-0 by reigning Premier League 2 champions Everton at Aldershot, where boss Antonio Conte watched Hazard in action.
Earlier on Friday, Conte admitted he was “surprised” by the decision of Belgium boss Roberto Martinez to call Hazard up for their games with Gibraltar and Greece on August 31 and September 3.
Meanwhile, midfielder Jordan Houghton came through another 60 minutes and is expected to return to Doncaster on loan, having recovered from the cruciate injury he suffered while on loan with the Yorkshire club last season.
Morata is improving – Conte
Conte says Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko are beginning to understand the style of play he is trying to implement this season.
Neither of the summer signings were fully fit for the opening weekend of the Blues’ Premier League title defence, although Morata did come off the bench to score in the 3-2 defeat by Burnley.
However, with Chelsea’s squad stretched by injuries and suspensions, both started in the 2-1 win against Tottenham at Wembley.
“Morata is improving a lot, [both in] his physical condition and also to adapt himself to this idea of football,” said Conte.
“Bakayoko is doing the same. Don’t forget, he is working with us for 10 days.
“To go into an idea of football, to adapt yourself into a style of football is not simple because you have to understand movement, you have to understand when you have to attack the space, whether you stay to receive the ball, there are many situations to understand.”
Conte refuses to comment on Llorente
Conte has refused to comment on reports that Chelsea are looking to tie up a deal to sign Fernando Llorente from Swansea City ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.
Llorente, 32, previously played under Conte at Juventus and has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during successive transfer windows.
Asked about the Spaniard, Conte said: “I don’t like to speak about players of other teams. It is a lack of respect for the teams these players are playing for and for my players.”
Omerou signs deal and is loaned out
Defender Kenneth Omeruo signed a new contract with Chelsea, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2020.
He will rejoin Turkish side Kasimpasa on loan for the rest of this season, having played 26 times for the Istanbul-based club in 2015-16.
It will be Omeruo’s third successive season loan spell in Turkey, having spent last season with Alanyaspor.
Benham’s open letter
Brentford owner Matthew Benham says the club’s current business model would not be sustainable without a slimmed-down new stadium plan – and promotion to the Premier League.
Last week, the club unveiled revised plans for their proposed Lionel Road stadium, with capacity reduced from 20,000 to 17,250 seats and a number of facilities removed or amended.
And in an open letter to supporters explaining the changes, Benham also addressed concerns he had heard about the long-term future of the club.
He said: “Football continues to change so it is impossible to predict what business model would make the club fully sustainable at any point in future.
“It is important to note that the business plan associated with the original stadium design would not have been enough to sustain the club with the current Championship wage bill.
“As it stands, the only way to be truly sustainable is to be in the Premier League.
“The new stadium design is completely aligned with our Premier League ambition, will yield important additional revenues that move us towards sustainability, and will not involve the club taking unnecessary business risks.
“We will continue with a transfer policy which will help to fill the rest of the funding gap.”
Goss lined up for loan move
QPR are looking to send Sean Goss out on loan ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.
The midfielder has started three games since being signed from Manchester United in January and has not featured for Rangers so far this season.
Goss, 21, had not made a senior appearance prior to his move to Loftus Road and QPR believe he might benefit from the chance to play first-team football elsewhere.
Clubs have therefore been made aware of his availability.
Goss and Manning play in U23 game
Goss and Ryan Manning featured for QPR’s development side in a game against Barnsley on Friday afternoon.
Manning scored a late winner and Goss hit the bar in the match at Rangers’ Harlington training ground, where the hosts won 3-2.
Manning crossed for Danny Rowe to score the opener and Dan Darbyshire doubled Rangers’ lead early in the second half when he headed in the rebound after Goss’ effort had come back off the woodwork.
Victor Adeboyejo scored twice to haul Barnsley level but Manning’s powerful strike made it three wins out of three this season for QPR’s Under-23s.
Scowen an injury doubt
Josh Scowen is a doubt for QPR’s game against Championship leaders Cardiff.
The midfielder, who has impressed since his summer move from Barnsley, has an ankle problem and will be assessed ahead of the match.
Joel Lynch is expected to miss out again with a hamstring injury, while Jordan Cousins and Grant Hall remain sidelined and James Perch faces several months out with a knee injury.
Kazenga LuaLua, who has been on compassionate leave following the recent death of his father, is expected to be available.
Agent says French clubs want Ngbakoto
Yeni Ngbakoto’s representative Philippe Fiorentino has told French publication Foot Mercato that the winger is happy at QPR despite interest from French clubs.
It comes after speculation that Ngbakoto, signed from Metz last year, is unsettled in London – and after French radio station RMC reported that Nantes had approached his representatives.
Fiorentino denied any contact with Nantes and insisted Ngbakoto is settled at QPR, but said there is interest among French clubs.
He said: “Yeni is well in London, but I can confirm that French clubs have come to us, like Angers, Toulouse and Guingamp.
“However, and contrary to what has appeared in several media, we have not received an offer from FC Nantes.”
Carter-Vickers loan move confirmed
Cameron Carter-Vickers has signed a new three-year contract with Tottenham and completed a season-long loan move to Sheffield United.
The 19-year-old defender has made four senior appearances for Spurs and the club are keen for him to pick up more first-team experience.
A number of clubs have shown an interest but he opted to join the Blades.
The move was lined up as Spurs edged closer to a deal to sign Argentine centre-back Juan Foyth, 19, from Estudiantes.
