Chelsea news LIVE updates: Follow the latest news from Stamford Bridge

Tuesday 12 December

Drogba on Salah

19:25: Didier Drogba has explained why Liverpool star Mohamed Salah struggled while at Chelsea.

Salah joined Chelsea from Basel in 2014 but a year later was sent on loan to Fiorentina.

After another loan deal at Roma he eventually left Chelsea for good, signing for the Rome side.

Liverpool bought Salah last summer for a club-record transfer fee.

He has been named the African Player of the Year and Drogba spoke out about his time at Stamford Bridge.

"There was time when he was texting me: 'I don't score, I don't know why' I said 'It is just a matter of time and confidence.'," Drogba told BBC Sport .

"When you have the confidence everything can happen and you can see now that he is scoring goals.

"I saw how he improved through the years. He had to go to Italy to perform and then come back to England show that he is the player we always believed he was.

"What he has done with the national team as well being able to qualify the country in a very difficult game I think he deserves it."

Chelsea also in the frame…

17:45: Philipp Max: Chelsea scouts were eyeing up the 24-year-old left-back at Augsburg's 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin on Sunday night, the Daily Mail reports.

Premier League quartet scout Philipp Max

17:30: Manchester United and Liverpool are among four Premier League clubs who have sent scouts to watch Augsburg left-back Philipp Max.

Despite being a defender, Max has made a major impact for Augsburg in attack with seven assists this season which is the most of any player in the league.

And it has put a number of clubs on his radar ahead of the January transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton have all sent representatives to watch Max in action.

The Daily Mail say Max has a contract with Augsburg until 2022 but he should a Premier League side make an approach, the defender will find it difficult not to accept.

Barkley to Chelsea?

16:30: Chelsea are looking to entice Everton and England midfielder Ross Barkley to Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Mail.

The paper says the club is preparing another bid for the 24-year-old, who snubbed the Premier League champions on deadline day in August as he wanted to move to Tottenham.

Spurs did not make a move at the time as Barkley was facing months out with a hamstring injury but could still be interested, the paper reports.

Courtois to leave Chelsea?

12:00: Chelsea star Thibaut Courtois has told Alvaro Morata he wants to return to Spain.

That’s according to Diario Gol.

Courtois wants to be Keylor Navas’ replacement at Real Madrid.

Yet he is also open to a shock return to Atletico if it means being closer to his daughter, who resides in the capital.

Wilkins reveals the problem

11:00: Ray Wilkins says the sales of Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa have cost Chelsea this season.

Chelsea lost for the fourth time on Saturday as West Ham beat them at the London Stadium.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “They’ve only got one real centre-forward (Alvaro Morata), Michy Batshuayi is not up to it, and the release of Costa has cost them dearly.

“The sale of Nemanja Matic too. Bakayoko could have come and backed him up, but he doesn’t look like he’s the real deal at the moment.

“The way things have gone for them in the market haven’t really helped them.”

Morata injury latest

10:00: Alvaro Morata is out at Chelsea face Huddersfield tonight.

The striker had a virus last week but played against West Ham, but Antonio Conte has ruled him out.

“Drinkwater started to train on Sunday after his fever,” Conte revealed.

“He’s come with us, but for sure after three or four days with a fever, his physical condition is not at the top level.

“David Luiz is continuing to recover from his knee problem. And Morata is out. He is a bit tired and he has a problem in his back.”

Madrid to make Courtois decision

08:00: Real Madrid will make a decision on Thibaut Courtois this month.

Courtois has 18 months on his contract and is among Real Madrid’s targets to replace Keylor Navas.

The Chelsea goalkeeper is joined by David de Gea, Hugo Lloris and Jan Oblak.

Madrid are also set to sign Kepa from Athletic Bilbao next month - but he will act as back up with Florentino Perez keen to have two new goalkeepers in place by the start of next season.

The Telegraph claim Madrid will make a decision on Courtois next month with Chelsea hoping to tie him down to a longer deal.

If Madrid opt against a move for Courtois Chelsea are more likely to be able to convince him to extend his contract.

Lemar race

07.00: Chelsea have joined the hunt for Thomas Lemar, according to reports in France.

Lemar was tracked by Arsenal and Liverpool in the summer and they are expected to go back in for him next month.

But they will be joined by Chelsea are keen to add more attacking flair.

Antonio Conte ruled Chelsea out of the title race on Saturday and has been unhappy with the club’s transfer dealings.

And they will look to add in January with Lemar now among their targets, according to L’Equipe.

Conte blast

06:00: Antonio Conte has sent a message to the board.

The Chelsea boss is unhappy with the recruitment and the scheduling of their pre season tours.

And he made it clear who he feels is to blame for their poor form.

“It’s difficult because to face a game every three days is not simple, especially if your squad is not big, but at the same time we have to face this situation,” he said.

“We have to try to do our best. Some players can be tired, that’s normal because some players are playing from this summer and our tours in China and Singapore.”