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Back to normal... kind of

Petr Cech is glad to see something resembling normality returning to Chelsea's training ground following the international break. 

While the process to sell the club rumbles on in the background, Thomas Tuchel's players are preparing to face Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. 

And with the Cobham facility getting busier and busier as more stars report back after representing their countries, Blues legend Cech is enjoying the buzz the return of Premier League football is producing. 

Chelsea's technical director, 39, said: "We have a huge amount of games to be played in a short period of time. 

"This is where you need everybody in that run-in to be fit and in a good place to finish the season the best possible way with the best possible results.

"Now we reach the point where every game matters. Every game becomes almost like a final to achieve the goals you have left to play for.

"Our recent history has mostly been that from April onwards you have semi-finals, finals, the Champions League and games to play to finish as high as possible in the league. 

"You never know what can happen in the last two months of the season."

New deal for Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta's Chelsea deal has been renewed until the summer of 2023.

The versatile Spanish defender, 32, reached the minimum number of games needed to trigger an automatic one-year extension earlier this month.

Along with team-mates Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Charly Musonda, Azpilicueta was due to be out of contract on June 30. 

Barcelona have been linked with both him and Denmark international Christensen, who is believed to have all but agreed a switch to the Camp Nou. 

But the Spanish giants will now have to pay a fee should they wish to sign Chelsea skipper Azpilicueta. 

Bring it on

Ralph Hasenhuttl is looking forward to locking horns with new Leeds boss Jesse Marsch on Saturday. 

Hasenhuttl takes Southampton to Elland Road on the back of four straight defeats in all competitions. 

And he knows ending that losing streak against the resurgent hosts, who picked up back-to-back Premier League wins before the international break, will not be easy. 

Hasenhuttl, 54, said: "I know Jesse from my time at Leipzig. I think his character is very close to the players. 

"It is interesting to hear his views on football and it has been interesting to watch his development as a coach as it was not easy for him in Germany. 

"In the [Marcelo] Bielsa time, Leeds had a lot of injury problems. You forget the circumstances why a team that was flying last season is struggling. 

"Now they have a few players coming back they are getting better and better. It is up to us to show the weaknesses they have because everything they are doing is not yet perfect."

On top of the world

Brazil have leapfrogged Belgium to become the No1 team in the latest FIFA rankings. 

Tite's Samba Boys have won their last three games 4-0 and have lost just once in 28 matches dating back to 2019. 

Further down the list, fellow World Cup qualifiers Mexico have moved into ninth.

Rodgers feels for Harry

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is baffled by the treatment England fans dished out to Harry Maguire earlier this week. 

Former Foxes defender Maguire, 29, was booed as the Three Lions defeated Ivory Coast 3-0 at Wembley on Tuesday. 

And Rodgers believes the Manchester United star deserves better. 

Speaking ahead of Leicester's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, he said: "By nature of the word supporter, you are there to support. 

"He has the focus on him at a big club. Internationally, Harry has been a great player for England over these past three or four seasons. 

"Maybe it's just the modern world, patience is short now. It doesn’t do a player any good. You support through the good and the bad."

All over for Rudd

Preston keeper Declan Rudd has been forced to retire due to a knee injury. 

The former Norwich ace, 31, joined North End on a permanent deal in 2017 after two loan spells with the club. 

But he has opted to hang up his gloves after undergoing a number of knee ops over the last 18 months. 

Rudd said: "I've known for a while now so I've had a bit of time to let it sink in, but I wouldn't say I've quite come to terms with it. 

"It's a big thing that was always a possibility but one I hoped wouldn't happen. 

"Everybody wants to finish on their terms and I thought that I still had my best playing days to come. Unfortunately, it's stopped too early."