Chelsea

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil believes Pedro Neto could have landed a bigger move this summer without his previous injury issues.

The winger joined Chelsea for £54m earlier this month and will make a rapid return to Molineux with the Blues in the Premier League on Sunday.

Neto suffered two separate hamstring injuries which saw him miss almost four months of last season - problems which O'Neil feels possibly denied him a move to a Champions League club.

"The important thing for him now is being able to play week in, week out," he said.

"I always felt he was unfortunate with injuries, he never struck me as injury prone. That will be a question mark around him at the moment.

"It's not one I'd be concerned about, which is why I was desperate to keep him and play him every week, but you can understand that may have had an impact in the summer.

"But he can definitely play at any club in world football. His talent, work ethic and physical attributes allow him to play at whatever level he wants."

Neto, who has taken Raheem Sterling's number seven shirt at Chelsea, made his first start in the 2-0 Conference League win over Servette on Thursday.

The 24-year-old made a second-half substitute appearance in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday.

His move to Chelsea came after five years at Molineux, having joined from Lazio, and he made 135 appearances for Wolves, scoring 14 goals.

O'Neil added: "He is one of the best out-and-out wide players in world football. What he can do one-v-one, his explosive pace, what he can do when he arrives there, it allows him to do things not many players can do. It was an emotional goodbye.

"He loved it here - his time before I was here and how well it went for him last season on the pitch."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Chelsea FC

Chelsea Foundation have announced they will donate £1m to the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, in memory of the entrepreneur who died suddenly aged 31 in 2022.

Edwards created SBTV, an award-winning platform for undiscovered musicians, which helped launch the careers of Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Jessie J.

He was a lifelong Chelsea supporter who worked with the club on numerous initiatives, including pieces of content with members of the club's squad.

For the £1m commitment, the club's foundation will help fund the Self Belief Sanctuary, a programme to house young people at risk of homelessness; and the Self Belief Community Hub, a community space in west London for people of all ages to come together, where staff members from the foundation will deliver workshops.

It will also fund 31 apprenticeships over a five-year period.

Barbara Charone, Chelsea director and trustee of the Chelsea Foundation, said: "We are thrilled to be partnering with the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust in honour of Chelsea legend, Jamal Edwards.

"Jamal was woven into the fabric of our community at Chelsea and we feel his loss at our club every day. We are so honoured to be able to continue supporting the causes that mattered the most to him."

Edwards' mother Brenda said: "I know just how much Chelsea meant to Jamal and how from a young age he was devoted to the club. I wear Chelsea blue every day in memory of my son and we have also designed the JESB Trust Logo in the same colour. So I cannot think of a more fitting partnership."

Reece James and Millie Bright, captains of Chelsea's men's and women's teams, have also commented on the donation.

James said: "I was lucky enough to meet Jamal on a few occasions. He was a pillar of the community and touched the lives of so many people."

Bright added: "Jamal was one of the most humble and selfless people I've ever met. He touched the lives of so many and was taken from us far too soon."

This season, English top-flight clubs are trialling a new financial system that limits spending based on the earnings of the bottom side, designed to "protect the competitive balance of the Premier League".

Football finance expert Rob Wilson tells The Football News Show why, if permanently introduced, it could make the top Premier League sides less competitive against their European counterparts.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth are weighing up a loan move for exiled Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The 29-year-old is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and is training with the "loan group" under loan technical coach Carlo Cudicini.

The move is internally considered complicated at the south coast club as the Spain international's high wages - estimated to be about £200,000-per-week - present a problem in negotiations.

Chelsea would also expect Kepa, who remains the world's most expensive goalkeeper after joining the club for £72m in 2018, to extend his contract by at least a year and that extension would come with a wage reduction.

That extension would allow the Blues to potentially cash in on Kepa at a later date if he does well on loan, but would also require compromises from all parties on how to cover his wages to facilitate the move.

Kepa spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, who were interested in re-signing him, but only if Ukraine international Andriy Lunin opted to leave.

Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad also cooled interest in Kepa last month having held initial talks to sign him.

Chelsea are looking to offload up to 15 players before the transfer deadline next week, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku available for sale.

Kepa is an option being considered alongside Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale as Bournemouth enter talks on multiple fronts to strengthen their options for manager Andoni Iraola.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea is a "demanding club" and players need to "fight until the end" to earn their place in the team, says boss Enzo Maresca.

With a much-changed starting XI, the Italian earned his first win as the Blues' head coach against Servette in the Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday.

Maresca said before the match that he is only working with 21 to 22 players in training, with a number of high-profile names excluded from the sizeable squad.

"I judge the first XI. It depends how they work every day for all of them. If they are bad in training sessions and they do not train with intensity, they are not going to play," he said in his pre-Wolves news conference.

"If they do not play Sunday in the Premier League and they think they are going to play Thursday, but if from Sunday to Thursday they do not train well, then they are not going to play Premier League and they are not going to play Thursday.

"Chelsea is a demanding club. You need to work hard, to fight until the end to get your place and be 100%.

"If you think I am going to give you a chance without working hard, forget about that. The first XI [against Servette] was this, against Manchester City was that one. We will see for the next game."

Chelsea have been one of the busier Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window, and Maresca is content with the squad he has with a week remaining until deadline day.

"It is better if we do not sign - because we do not need to sign players just to sign players," he added. "If we sign players and they help us to improve, then for sure we need players. Otherwise, we are happy with the way we are."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says new signing Joao Felix is physically "ready" to play against Wolves on Sunday.

The forward rejoined the club on Wednesday from Atletico Madrid on a seven-year deal for a fee in the region of £45m.

It is the 24-year-old's second spell at Stamford Bridge, having scored four goals in 20 appearances during a loan spell in 2023.

"In terms of knowing the way we want to play? Probably not yet," Maresca said in his pre-match news conference when asked if Felix was ready.

"In terms of physicality? I think he is ready because he was already playing games there [at Atletico Madrid]. He needs more time to understand the way we want to play but overall I think he can play.

"For me, he can do that [number nine role] fantastically - dropping in and giving us an extra man when we need more passes, more possession. Then, to find the right moment to attack, he can do that very well.

"He can play as an attacking midfielder, if we need, he can play also outside. He can play in different positions."

Felix will be hoping for a better start to life with the Blues than in his first spell - he was sent off less than an hour into his debut against Fulham.

Asked about the importance of the Portugal international remaining disciplined, Maresca added: "I think he is mature enough to understand what he has to do and hopefully he has learned from his mistake in the past and he can do better.

"He is a top player, no doubt. I have known Joao for many, many years. Now, working with him day-by-day, I will know him even better.

"Overall, I think he is a player that is going to help us."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Reuters

There is a strange atmosphere at the start of Enzo Maresca's Chelsea reign as some supporters booed their team off at half-time against Servette at Stamford Bridge.

It was far from the full stadium but it was a sizeable and audible minority who also jeered the team in a marginally improved second half when midfielder Moises Caicedo played it back to goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea fans already look like they may emulate sections of the Leicester City support and be critical of the patient, possession-based tactical approach favoured by the Italian, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

When asked about the response at the interval, Maresca said: "I can understand but the important thing is to win the game. Clean sheet and we did nine changes."

Of course, the atmosphere is not helped by back-to-back trophyless seasons and continued suspicion in parts of the fanbase of the Boehly-Clearlake ownership.

But the second half also showed the simple way out of it - through winning.

Winning is the one idea that binds this group of regulars in west London and a penalty from Christopher Nkunku and a powerful near-post finish from Noni Madueke saw the team cheered off the pitch.

That is despite a not particularly impressive performance to beat a team that finished third in the Swiss league.

"I think all of them need more time to know the system better. For sure, 100%. But tonight was also not easy for some of them in terms of physical condition," Maresca added.

It is fair for Maresca to call for time while radically overhauling this club's tactical approach to a detailed one akin to the style played by Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

Yet, giving time is not Chelsea's mantra and you have to buy it for yourself by winning.

To beat Wolves on Sunday they will have to improve markedly on Thursday's display.

We asked for your views on Chelsea's 2-0 Conference League play-off first leg win over Swiss side Servette on Thursday.

Here are some of your comments:

Nakul: I thought it was still a performance far away from what the standard of this club should be at. First half was not good enough and clinical enough but eventually we saw out the game. If we play like this in the league we are in trouble, but a win is a win.

Matthew: Good performance. Some worrying moments in the first half, but we did improve in the second half. I hope Marc Guiu's miss doesn't destroy his confidence as he did well before he came off. Great to see Nkunku and Madueke (he can't be sold) score. I just hope the fans don't turn on Maresca as it was really poor to hear the fans booing. Onto Sunday.

Alan: We won. Just about, no thanks to the defence. If they intend to play out from the back, then the defence needs a big shake-up. As for the team as a whole, if the manager is going to keep changing the team so drastically, how is any player going to fit into a pattern? Despite the win, I still see this season being a disaster.

Bails: It's a risky type of game to play and it's not working. The answer is not to keep buying players, it's just to use what we have. Selling players like Gallagher will not do us any good as he would bring so much. Sterling suits the system but he's been ousted. Kepa could be our number one but no. All the tools but no clue, it feels like.

Richard: Less attempts on target than Servette is not a ringing endorsement. There were multiple changes to the starting line-up and a lot of the players don't know each other too well. Weaknesses exist throughout the team. The defence looks insecure, midfield are not able to impose themselves and lose possession. Deadly striker required still. Who?

Sylvia: Yes a win is a win but this was a very disjointed performance with no sign of the on-the-front-foot possession-based and attacking football which is supposedly Maresca's style. Just lots of backward and sideways passing. Depressing to watch.

Danny: Chaos. Our club is a laughing stock and we have no chance whatsoever of top four in this or next season. Too much money spent on mediocrity and the decision making by the management is appalling. Who had the idea of playing roulette with the captain's armband?

Michael: Bit of a painful watch at times and I don't understand playing without a striker after the subs were brought on. Tosin and Veiga looked ok at the back and good saves from Jorgensen.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Getty Images

Enzo Maresca says Mykhailo Mudryk's moments in the attacking third are "like flipping a coin" and the Chelsea boss wants to help his winger realise his potential at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 win over Servette on Thursday but missed a huge chance just after half-time and struggled to make an impact.

When asked about the Ukrainian, who was signed from under the noses of Arsenal in a deal which could rise to £88m in add-ons, Maresca said: "This is Mudryk, not only in terms of tonight but also in terms of since he joined the club.

"He had some good moments and then some moments like flipping a coin. You don't know if it's one thing or the other thing.

"We are going to try to help him change. He needs to try to understand that we are going to give him the ball in the last third. And when he's there, [it's about] taking the right decision. For me, most of the mistakes from Misha are not about the quality or the technical mistake - it's about the choice.

"Sometimes he tries to do something different and we lose the ball. Sometimes he has to go one-v-one. It's about decision making. Hopefully we can help him improve that.

"If he can become more consistent, he can take one step forward."

Chelsea earned the first win of Maresca’s reign but conceded 22 shots on goal in a match where the Blues, at times, struggled against the Swiss Cup winners.

“I was a bit worried. In the last 10 minutes, we played a little bit with fire," added Maresca.

"We could have managed the game in a completely different way but I also expected [it] because we are in a moment where we are learning things.

"In the end it was a good thing because we didn't concede and from that we can learn."

The second leg of the Conference League play-off will take place next Thursday in Geneva (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Conor Gallagher chants were audible. And frequent.

The longer Chelsea's Conference League play-off first leg against Servette remained 0-0, the louder they became - and the more uncomfortable the ownership will surely have felt as a result.

The loss of a homegrown player, adored by match-going fans, is clearly still raw. In the first game since Gallagher's departure to Atletico Madrid, his absence, both on the pitch in midfield and in a wider sense at the club, was felt. And heard.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - the man many supporters see as Gallagher's replacement - did little to ease things with his performance, lacking quality on the ball aside from the pass to create Christopher Nkunku's penalty.

It is not of his own making, but the two will be compared constantly and an uphill start at a club like Chelsea is a situation few players excel in.

There were bright spots. Pedro Neto looked lively and Tosin Adarabioyo looked composed on their full debuts and Nkunku was a threat throughout. Noni Madueke came off the bench to score an excellent second.

Filip Jorgenson in goal, also on debut, was a standout performer - his accomplished display culminating in a fine stop down to his right late on to maintain the Blues' 2-0 advantage.

The less said of Mykhailo Mudryk's performance the better. In a week where Raheem Sterling's services have been rendered redundant it is hard to see how he turns things around. Another shadow one of Chelsea's players must now live in.

Overall, this was a fairly flat showing despite the primary objective being met and Enzo Maresca getting his first win as Blues boss under his belt.

Servette registered 22 attempts to the hosts' 14 and the tie would have an entirely different dynamic should Tiemoko Ouattara late deflected effort had snuck in rather than rattling the crossbar.

The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was that of a crowd skeptical but ready to latch on to any encouragement thrown their way.

However, not too much encouragement was forthcoming so fans chanted about the elephant in the room. The young man now in Madrid.

Chelsea's Raheem Sterling has been offered to Aston Villa but Unai Emery is not sure if the forward fits into his plans. (Mirror, external)

Sterling was kept in the dark about being frozen out at Stamford Bridge and has ruled out a move to Saudi Arabia. (Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo said in pre-season he lost confidence because of the pressure of his £115m price tag after joining from Brighton in August 2023.

But will this be the season the Ecuador international comes good?

Caicedo was entrusted with the captain's armband by Enzo Maresca against Servette and led his side to a 2-0 first leg win in the Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge.

He scored one goal and registered four assists in 48 games in his debut campaign as Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League, with manager Mauricio Pochettino leaving in May.

Caicedo praised a performance coach and his former manager Pochettino for getting him back on the right track after a difficult start to life at Chelsea.

Maresca's decision to make him skipper on Thursday should do Caicedo the power of good.

Chelsea need as many leaders on the pitch as possible and Caicedo could yet prove vital as Maresca negotiates his first season in charge.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea's performance, external

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

Read the match report

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Will a move to Chelsea be the catalyst in Joao Felix's career, or is his transfer to Stamford Bridge a bad one? That is the debate that European football experts had on Wednesday's Euro Leagues podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live.

"You have to believe that every 24-year-old will live up to expectations, especially someone who has the talent that he does," said Mina Rzouki.

"The only issue is whether you can see him doing it at Chelsea. That is the overhanging question mark and I don't think he can.

"One of the reasons that we hail players like Jude Bellingham is because of how they have managed their career and the choices they have made. Felix has chosen a club that have no rhythm and no rhyme. It is hard to understand what Chelsea are trying to achieve and you do not know if you will be selected to play or if you will be a fringe player."

Julien Laurens added: "There was no other club that wanted him this summer and Chelsea only came in for him because of Conor Gallagher. Otherwise he would still be at Atletico and not playing because he has fallen out with Diego Simeone.

"If this move does not work and he does not play then no one will come in for him in January or next summer. It would then become a waste of an incredible talent.

"They have to find him the right position and play him, but then you are still at the mercy of him being consistent, which he has not been for years now.

"This move is so important for him, because if it does not go right then I do not know what will be next for him."

Listen to the Euro Leagues podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about Chelsea's sale of academy players in the transfer window.

He said: "Chelsea are quite defensive about this and they say that all Premier League clubs are doing this to an extent and that is true. Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City have been selling academy players to help buy players. It helps to balance the books in the way that football accounting works.

"Chelsea have been particularly aggressive in this space, and Conor Gallagher was one of those. I think that's why Chelsea were so keen to go through with this deal, because he was in the last year of his deal.

"The difference with Chelsea is that they've spent so much money and this is because they've sold so many academy players.

"It's got to the point where they can't even adhere to Uefa rules for the upcoming Conference League competition because they don't have enough academy players available. This is staggering because in football circles, Man City and Chelsea are considered to have the two best academies in English football."

Image source, Getty Images

European football expert Archie Rhind-Tutt says Atletico Madrid have the better end of the Conor Gallagher and Joao Felix deal because Diego Simeone gains a player that suits his style.

Midfielder Gallagher has signed a five-year contract with the Spanish top-flight club, while Felix has signed a seven-year deal to begin a second spell at Stamford Bridge.

"It is difficult to argue that Atletico haven't really won this deal," Rhind-Tutt said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast.

"They paid a lot of money for Felix so they have done well to at least get a fee - especially as Felix is a player who has been accused of not having the best mentality.

"Gallagher fits into the way they play, and in the process they have got rid of someone who was a problem case for them.

"If you are a Chelsea fan then surely you are looking at this and thinking: 'How have we lost again on another deal?'

"But also, what players are thinking that Chelsea looks like a good place to go right now? I scratch my head and wonder who is advising these players."

Julien Laurens added: "This deal happened for purely financial reasons because all of Gallagher's sale goes into Chelsea's pocket and they can spread the cost of Felix.

"But a year ago Felix was a Chelsea player and he was not very good, so why would you go after him again? It was to make sure the Gallagher deal happened."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Ben Chilwell by Chelsea after the left-back was told he does not feature in boss Enzo Maresca's plans. (Talksport), external

Napoli director Giovanni Manna has returned to England to continue transfer talks for Blues striker Romelu Lukaku. (Gianluca di Marzio - in Italian), external

Forward Raheem Sterling wants to remain in the Premier League after being told he has no future at Stamford Bridge. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column