EPL: Todd Boehly blocks Chelsea players from joining Premier League rivals

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will not allow any of the club’s top stars to join Premier League rivals.

Daily Mail reports that the American has taken it as his‘ personal mission’ to block Chelsea from losing one of their key players to a league rival this summer.

The Blues are expected to make rapid progress in bringing in new faces to Stamford after Boehly and the manager, Thomas Tuchel met during the week.

And Boehly, who has promised to spend over £200m in the transfer market this summer, will play an active role in the club’s transfer activity during what remains of the window following the departure of Marina Granovskaia earlier this week.

Among other areas, the Blues will prioritise strengthening their defence given the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

The American billionaire wants to sort a new contract for Reece James as a matter of urgency, according to the Daily Mail.

Any delay could put Manchester City on red alert with Pep Guardiola a known admirer of the 22-year-old, while the Premier League champions are also on the lookout for Kyle Walker’s long-term replacement.

Real Madrid, too, has registered an interest in James and was particularly impressed with the wing-back’s performances against them in last season’s epic Champions League quarter-final tie.