Chelsea trail PSG, Reiten joins Gotham
Chelsea have not decided to sell Liam Delap despite Newcastle interest. With Joao Pedro first choice and Emegha, Nicolas Jackson set to return, Delap must improve his finishing to earn minutes.
Chelsea lose 5-2 at PSG after being level at 2-2 on 70 minutes. Liam Rosenior cites a key mistake, Kvaratskhelia’s strike and late lapses, but insists the tie is ‘difficult, but not impossible’ before the return.
Guro Reiten departs Chelsea for NWSL champions Gotham, initially on loan then free to 2029. The winger made 207 appearances, 59 goals, winning 13 trophies. She thanks Emma Hayes and the club in farewell.
Eddie Howe calls Chelsea ‘one of the toughest away games’ as Newcastle visit Stamford Bridge seeking to cut the gap. Updates given on Joelinton, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon fitness.
Barcelona are eyeing Chelsea winger Pedro Neto, signed for £54m in 2024, after ‘very positive technical reports’. His agent Jorge Mendes has strong ties there, though Chelsea’s stance is unclear.
Agent Ali Barat is trying to steer Kevin Schade to Chelsea, with Brentford valuing him at around £70m. Bayern and Tottenham interest noted, but price and fit raise doubts amid Chelsea’s striker options.
Athletic Bilbao are ready to sell Nico Williams below his €95m clause. Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal are keen, with Chelsea seeking more cutting edge on the flanks.
Heavy first-leg defeats for Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham put England’s extra Champions League spot at risk. If EPS is lost, only top four qualify in 2026-27, tightening Chelsea’s route to Europe.
Udinese forward Davis praises Joao Pedro’s quality and character on talkSPORT, saying he would not be surprised if the Chelsea striker made ‘big steps’, even mentioning Arsenal as a potential move.
Predicted Chelsea XI vs Newcastle: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Sarr, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro. Jorgensen out after PSG error, James rested, Neto dropped.
New Fordstam accounts show £987m net profit from Chelsea’s 2022 sale, but £1.4bn tied to Jersey firm Camberley remains frozen amid a Jersey probe. Abramovich contests any confiscation of funds.
Chelsea women target the League Cup to avoid a trophyless season. Set pieces and midfield overloads are key vs Man United, with Lauren James and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd central in Bompastor’s plan.
Pedro Neto gets an extra one‑match ban and £70,000 fine for failing to leave promptly and abusing officials after his red card in the 2-1 loss at Arsenal. He will miss Chelsea vs Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are ‘very close’ to signing Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco, with Guillem Balague hinting a deal is near. It would be Liam Rosenior’s first signing after earlier pre‑appointment arrivals.
Reece James signs a new six-year deal to stay until 2032, vowing his ‘peak years’ to Chelsea. The captain has 225 appearances, five major trophies, and 35 games this season after careful injury management.
Chelsea host Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter‑final on Saturday at 5:15pm live on TNT Sports 1. Other ties: Man City vs Liverpool, Southampton vs Arsenal, West Ham vs Leeds.
