Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have confirmed they will begin pre-season under new manager Xabi Alonso next Thursday.

It marks the start of Alonso's tenure, although the Spaniard has yet to arrive at Cobham.

Some of the club's new signings, including Dastan Satpaev from Kairat and Geovany Quenda from Sporting, have already begun preparations as have Chelsea's academy players.

Some academy players — including Shim Mheuka and Reggie Walsh, both of whom have featured for the first team — could have some involvement in the club's pre-season tour of Australasia.

There are three weeks of work under Alonso at the training ground, who is also expected to be unveiled at a news conference at Stamford Bridge, before the squad flies to Sydney for the start of the tour.

Players not involved at the World Cup, including player of the season Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, are expected to report from day one after not being selected for their national teams.

However, the eight players involved in Fifa's tournament in North America will return in stages after a short holidays in between seasons.

Chelsea's pre-season fixtures include matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham in Australia, followed by games against Juventus in Hong Kong, AC Milan in Indonesia and Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia.

The squad will then return to London to prepare for their Premier League opener away to Fulham, which will mark the beginning of the Alonso era.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Four Premier League clubs have been given financial penalties for breaching the Uefa's squad-cost rule for 2025.

Aston Villa have been fined 22.5m euros (£19.4m) for a "significant breach", while Chelsea have been fined 3m euros (£2.6m), of which 2m euros (£1.7m) is suspended.

Nottingham Forest must pay 2.5m euros (£2.2m), with Newcastle United to pay 3m euros (£2.6m).

Three of the clubs either sold infrastructure to directly linked companies, or players to associated teams.

This was previously admissible under Premier League rules - it will not be from next season - but not by Uefa regulations.

Chelsea sold Mathis Amougou to Strasbourg for £12m, while Aston Villa sold their women's team.

Strasbourg, Chelsea's sister club within the BlueCo operation, were fined 25m euros (£21.5m) with 12m euros (£10.3m) suspended for reporting a squad-cost ratio above 70%.

Last summer, Chelsea were fined 31m euros (£26.7m) for breaches of the financial sustainability regulations, with the threat of further punishments over the next three years worth a potential 60m euros (£51.7m).

Chelsea said in a statement that Uefa had "recognised the improving trend" in their spending and that the 70% threshold was only "narrowly exceeded".

All four clubs were in Europe last season, and the fines show the difficulties of complying with different rules across two competitions.

Uefa reduced the squad-cost limit from 80% to 70% of a club's income last season, making it more challenging to comply.

The Premier League has introduced its own variation of squad-cost limits, which kicks in from Wednesday.

While clubs in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's 70%, the other 11 Premier League teams will be permitted to spend upwards of 85% of income on the playing staff and the manager.

The Premier League is trying to protect the competitive balance by allowing those without income from European competition to spend a higher proportion of their earnings.

But Chelsea must continue to comply with the Uefa regulations even though they do not have European football next season. This is part of the agreement reached with Uefa last summer.

Everton are confident of signing Chelsea winger Tyrique George, 20 - who they had on loan last season - on a permanent basis. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea are hoping to add to their attack by signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi. The 20-year-old France Under-21s international had a fine 2025-26 season, scoring 13 times in the Premier League. (Caught Offside), external

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Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have entered talks with Rayo Vallecano for left-back Pep Chavarria as they look to strengthen their defence.

Any move for the 28-year-old, who made 44 appearances for Vallecano last season, would not be as a direct replacement for Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid for £51.8m a fortnight ago.

Instead, that role is expected to be filled internally, with Jorrel Hato set to play a significant part under new manager Xabi Alonso next season.

Chavarria would offer a more attacking option, particularly if Alonso opts to use wing-backs, as he did during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are also targeting a centre-back and are expected to step up their pursuit of Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix.

Strengthening the midfield is also desired, with Strasbourg's Valentin Barco expected to join, as well as a move for a versatile attacker.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have set an asking price of £30m plus £5m in add-ons for centre-back Trevoh Chalobah after a bid was lodged by Como. Fellow Serie A side Inter Milan are among other clubs interested.

Potential departures form part of a wider plan to streamline the squad, with Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap all facing uncertain futures.

Real Madrid are expected to make a move for midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is keen to leave and valued at about £120m by Chelsea.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta says it is not a surprise that Reece James is playing at the highest level for club and country after seeing the England right-back come through the youth ranks during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The two defenders spent four years together in the first team and won the 2021 Champions League together. James eventually succeeded the Spaniard as the Blues captain in 2023.

"I rate him really highly," Azpilicueta told BBC Radio 5 live's Football Daily podcast. "He's a top player. I knew him when he was coming through the youth teams and he was starting with the first team.

"We played in the same position but when he was starting with the first team I was playing a bit more on the left when we were playing four at the back. Then when we played a lot, he was playing right wing-back and I was playing right centre-back so we had a lot of communication.

"I always tried to help him in his development. We are kind of different players but he took over the captaincy when I left, so I really rate him. He's a top player, top guy and I keep looking at him and seeing his development because now he's playing in midfield.

"He's doing amazing. He has top qualities. It doesn't surprise me seeing him playing at this level with England. He deserves it. It makes me really happy."

Listen to the full episode below or on BBC Sounds

Will Faulks
Fan writer

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Chelsea's statement about the departure of Enzo Maresca is full of frustration being released. It feels like the Blues have been waiting to give their side of the story ever since his resignation in January.

It doesn't pull any punches on a personal level, and it directly blames the coach's sudden exit for the horrible season that Chelsea just endured. But is that a fair assessment?

There is no denying it was hugely disruptive, or that the team got significantly worse once he left. The revelation that he had told Chelsea in the autumn that he was considering leaving also explains why things had started to fall apart long before his actual resignation.

The fundamental problems with the squad construction and club strategy were not Maresca's fault, but Chelsea do have a point in that his actions massively exacerbated them.

However, the sporting directors who chose to appoint Maresca, who never felt truly committed, and then made an even bigger mistake appointing Liam Rosenior to succeed him, are just as much at fault.

Find more from Will Faulks at Talk Chelsea, external

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Everyone at Chelsea respects the quality of Enzo Maresca's management, but his departure ultimately ended in fraught circumstances.

His decision to resign, which he has now admitted "opened a path" for him to join Manchester City, proved damaging to Chelsea's season. It contributed to a chaotic campaign in which they finished 10th, sacked another manager and cost the club millions in lost television revenue.

It led to a prolonged legal dispute that has only recently been resolved, allowing all parties to draw a line under the matter.

For Chelsea, Maresca's first season will still be remembered as their most successful under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. They qualified for the Champions League for the only time in four years since acquiring the club from Roman Abramovich, and won their first silverware in the Club World Cup and the Conference League.

City, meanwhile, have secured Chelsea's highest regarded manager since Thomas Tuchel, one who also has the backing of Pep Guardiola, having previously served as his assistant during a Treble-winning campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has apologised to his former club for the "disruption" caused by his mid-season departure.

Shortly after his appointment as Manchester City's new manager was confirmed, the Italian posted on social media: "At the end of December 2025, I made the difficult decision to leave Chelsea.

"The decision was only mine. My resignation from Chelsea opened a path for me to join Manchester City, which is a club I knew very well. I am ecstatic that I have now joined Manchester City.

"I recognise that my departure from Chelsea in the middle of the season caused disruption for the club and I apologise for that. It was neither my intention nor my wish.

"I was treated well by everyone at Chelsea and together we achieved great success and memories that I will always treasure.

"I am grateful to the club, the owners and the fans for giving me the opportunity."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have released the following statement after Manchester City's appointment of Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's successor:

"Chelsea FC appreciates the 2025-26 season was a hugely disappointing one for the club and its supporters. A major contributing factor was the disruption caused as a result of changes that the club was forced to make to the head coach position over the Christmas period.

"Due to recent developments, we consider that it is important to explain to our supporters what happened and why our former head coach left the club on 1 January 2026.

"In Autumn last year, the club was informed by our former headcCoach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season. It became clear to us that it was his strong desire to succeed Guardiola and that he was fully committed to pursuing the opportunity, despite the fact he was under a long-term contract which he had no right to terminate.

"In December 2025, our head coach unexpectedly and abruptly resigned from his position. Obviously, we felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club and another opportunity, despite having just arrived at Chelsea the year before.

"No club wants to change its head coach midway through a season. However, in light of his decision not to continue fulfilling his responsibilities through to the end of the season, the club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters, and the badge and accept his resignation.

"In the circumstances and given the mutual respect between clubs, a confidential settlement has been reached with Manchester City, which includes the payment of compensation. A confidential settlement has also been reached with the former head coach under which he will pay compensation.

"Looking forward to next season, in Xabi Alonso we have a manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. He has all the attributes to deliver the success the club's supporters deserve and expect."

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

For Chelsea, any successful move for Granit Xhaka - who Sunderland have said is not for sale after rejecting the Blues' £8m bid for the midfielder - would be a radical shift in transfer policy.

Chelsea have fielded the youngest team in the Premier League for the past two seasons and have not not selected a player aged 30 or over during that period. Xhaka turns 34 in September.

Members of the club's leadership, including co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, acknowledge that adjustments are needed to improve their recruitment.

Some of the criticism has centred on a perceived lack of leadership and concerns over dressing-room culture, which is something former Arsenal captain Xhaka received widespread praise for helping to build at newly promoted Sunderland last season.

The Switzerland international, who is under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2028, played a key role following a £17m move from Bayer Leverkusen as the Black Cats finished seventh to qualify for the Europa League.

A move for a midfielder has long been part of Chelsea's plans this summer, and comes amid growing expectation that Enzo Fernandez could join Real Madrid.

Chelsea have not received a formal approach for the Argentina international and value him at about £120m. However, sources in Spain suggest there is internal support at Real Madrid for a move, including from club president Florentino Perez and new manager Jose Mourinho.

Read more on Chelsea's Xhaka approach

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Thomas Tuchel says he is worried about England's right-back crisis before their World Cup last-32 tie after Jarell Quansah became the latest in the position to suffer injury.

Quansah started in place of the injured Reece James in the 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey, that clinched top spot in Group L, but limped off in the second half and went straight down the tunnel for treatment.

The injury leaves Tuchel facing a major dilemma heading into their first knockout game in Atlanta on Wednesday (17:00 BST).

James is a major doubt for the game with a hamstring injury and, with Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento being forced to leave the squad with a calf issue, Tuchel's only options at right-back appear to be Djed Spence of Tottenham and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, who has started all three of England's games at centre-back.

When Livramento pulled out of the World Cup squad, Tuchel opted to call up Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah rather than including a replacement right-back, such as Real Madrid's former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Tuchel said it was too early to assess the severity of Quansah's injury immediately after the game but, given the last-32 match is just four days away, the Bayer Leverkusen defender's availability is uncertain.

"A classic ankle twist and he is in pain," Tuchel said of Quansah's injury. "He said he had it before and it is a matter of days. He has his leg up high and in ice.

"Naturally, of course [I am worried about the right-back situation] - we have another injury in the position.

"It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions and we will do."

Malo Gusto has agreed to join Manchester City as the Chelsea right-back eyes a reunion with former manager Enzo Maresca once he takes charge at Etihad Stadium. (Footmercato - in French), external

Como have offered a package deal worth 27m euros (£23m) for Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, but the Blues want 35m euros (£30m) for the defender. (Sky Sports - in Italian), external

Everton are in pole position to sign Liam Delap as they work towards agreeing personal terms for the Chelsea striker. (Football Insider), external

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's Reece James missed training with England on Thursday which has thrown his fitness into doubt for the Three Lions' final World Cup Group L game against Panama.

The 26-year-old right-back suffered a hamstring issue in the goalless draw with Ghana on Tuesday and did not train with his team-mates in England's penultimate session before Saturday's game (22:00 BST).

It now remains to be seen if James is fit enough to start or be an option from the bench in the final group game at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's Declan Rice, who left Boston Stadium after the Ghana draw with strapping on his left calf, was also absent from Thursday's session at England's training base in Kansas City.

Sources indicate the 27-year-old midfielder's fitness is less of a concern. However, it remains to be seen if Thomas Tuchel is willing to start Rice - particularly given he is at risk of suspension for the last 32 after being booked against Ghana.

Inter Milan could make a move for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah if they are unable to sign Oumar Solet from Udinese. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Crystal Palace want £50m for 26-year-old France defender Maxence Lacroix, who is wanted by Chelsea. (Football Insider), external

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