Ghana defender Baba Rahman will have no involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations after his club Schalke 04 confirmed he will be returning to Germany further examination.
The Bundesliga side have confirmed the left-back suffered a bruised meniscus and will have to be assessed by experts at Gelsenkirchen.
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Rahman was replaced after 39 minutes and had to be stretchered off during the 1-0 win over Uganda in Port Gentil on Tuesday.
The Ghana Football Association announced on Wednesday that the player had flown to the Gabonese capital Libreville to ascertain the severity of the injury.
Initial diagnosis of #Baba's injury shows a bruised meniscus. The #S04 man is returning to Gelsenkirchen for further examination. pic.twitter.com/IcuuJ0CXfG
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) January 18, 2017
Chelsea news: Diego Costa latest, striker arrives at training ground, Conte’s winger deal
Diego Costa will remain at Chelsea beyond transfer deadline day, according to agent Jon Smith.
Costa had a bust-up with Antonio Conte last week and was linked with a move to China.
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But Costa has now accepted he won’t move this January but is likely to leave in the summer.
And Smith told Football Whispers: “I think it’s a very interesting position there.
“I think Abramovich has got to look at the situation.
“My guess is Roman will come out very strongly and say, ‘This is my club, I’m strong enough, I’m big enough and rich enough to make sure you stay.’
“I think Costa will stay until the end of the summer and then engineer a way out, providing China are still in that place.”
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Patrick Bamford has arrived at Middlesbrough’s training ground to complete his move from Chelsea.
Bamford struggled at Burnley in the first half of the season and was recalled by Chelsea.
But he will now complete a permanent move to Boro for around £10million.
He underwent a medical yesterday and should be announced as a Boro player later today.
And finally Chelsea have made an approach for Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore, according to Sky Sports.
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Traore joined Boro in the summer after one season at Aston Villa.
Traore, 20, has made just eight starts in the Premier League but has impressed Conte enough for him to consider an approach.
Here’s why Chelsea should sign Alexis Sanchez – A report
Chelsea are keeping a close eye on the Chile international’s contract talks – here’s why he should make the move to Stamford Bridge
The Diego Costa saga has cast a shadow over Chelsea’s Premier League title challenge but the uncertainty over the Spaniard’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge would be appeased by the signing of Alexis Sanchez.
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While Chelsea deal with the aftermath of an approach from Chinese Premier League side Tianjin Quanjian, their rivals across town apparently have problems of their own in convincing Sanchez to commit his future to the Gunners.
Just imagine it for a second. It would put the final nail in the coffin of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal career and Chelsea fans would relish such a scenario.
While a January deal would appear nigh-on impossible, a summer move for Sanchez would be a huge statement of intent from the Blues ahead of next season – and would leave the Blues’ fellow title competitors in the dust.
Sanchez is the real deal; full of pace, power and skill, but also desperate to be a winner and he will work harder than anyone else to be one.
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Cracks for the 28-year-old at Arsenal are already showing, with a heated argument with Aaron Ramsey and the look of absolute disgust as Olivier Giroud celebrated when equalising against Bournemouth followed up by him storming off in last weekend’s win at Swansea.
But the overriding factor remains that the Chilean is yet to have signed his new deal at the club, with his contract running out in 18 months’ time.
That speaks volumes about what he thinks is happening at the Gunners and the potential future of Wenger as well.
Mesut Ozil has yet to commit also, which begs the question of whether the club can fulfil either players’ lofty expectations or hopes.
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But Chelsea can and would welcome Sanchez with open arms with the promise of regularly competing for the prizes he craves.
The Blues have previous in taking an Arsenal star, with Ashley Cole snared from the Emirates as William Gallas went in the opposite direction.
Stealing Sanchez would eclipse even the uproar in North London that Cole’s departure created – and what a signal it could be to the rest of the league.
It’s true that Sanchez could make himself a legend at Arsenal, but does he really think the rest of the side can help him to achieve that?
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The next question is where the Chilean would fit into Conte’s system if the Blues were to pull off a deal.
Sanchez’s form at the tip of the Arsenal attack this season indicates that he could provide an option as a replacement for Costa, should he depart this summer.
The Chilean’s other favoured position is on the left flank, where he is able to cut in and either shoot or find a probing pass. However, Chelsea have their own one of those already in the name of Eden Hazard.
The only other option would be to field him on the right, and just imagine that for a second. Hazard, Costa and Sanchez wreaking havoc against defences up and down the country while Cesc Fabregas only has to decide which one he has to pass to.
It may all be a fantasy to Blues fans at the moment, but if Conte was to lose Costa this summer then Sanchez would be an obvious candidate to revamp the Chelsea attack.
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The manner in which the Blues saw off Leicester City at the weekend suggested they can cope in Costa’s absence and continue their march towards the 2016/17 title.
With Sanchez in our ranks, the 2017/18 title race may become a similar procession for Conte and his side.
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