Chelsea given lift as star wins appeal against Aston Villa red card

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s red card against Aston Villa at the weekend has been overturned following an appeal.

The Blues skipper was dismissed for violent conduct after appearing to catch Villa playmaker Jack Grealish in the face in the 89th minute on Sunday.

Chelsea secured fourth place and Champions League qualification on the final day of the campaign despite suffering a 2-1 loss at Villa Park.

The 31-year-old has been included in Spain’s squad for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

Chelsea face Premier League champions Manchester City in the Champions League final this Saturday.


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Chelsea ready to sell fringe star

Meanwhile, Chelsea are willing to sell Genoa loanee Davide Zappacosta this summer and another Serie A side could show transfer interest, a report claims.

The 28-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge under Antonio Conte‘s stewardship in the summer of 2017. Despite playing a key role as the Blues won the FA Cup in his first season, his influence waned. He made only four Premier League outings in 2018/19, instead playing 10 Europa League games as Chelsea triumphed.

Nevertheless, incoming head coach Frank Lampard saw no place in his plans for the player and sanctioned his exit.

Davide Zappacosta Lazio v Genoa May 2021

Zappacosta moved to Roma last season and moved back to Serie A this term for a spell with Genoa.

But as he nears the end of his latest career move, speculation has again arisen about where his future lies.

Italian publication Il Secolo XIX has claimed that the Blues are looking to earn €10million (£8.6million) from his sale. That would represent a loss on the £27million Chelsea paid to sign him from Torino (via Sky Sports).

However, as it stands it looks like he has no future at Stamford Bridge; boss Thomas Tuchel has lots of talent on the flanks, with Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi playing there.

However, it remains to be seen if Zappacosta’s transition into midfield for Genoa could offer him a glimpse of an opportunity next season.

In a more recent report, Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) lines up Inter as an ideal next destination.

Conte manages the newly-crowned Serie A champions and the source claims that he could offer a ‘low-cost’ solution to the former Italy head coach.

In any case, Zappacosta is, for now, unclear on where his future lies. Asked about his plans, he said: “I have no idea”.