Chelsea fitness boost and PSG focus
Manchester United admire Andrey Santos, but Chelsea consider the in-form Brazil midfielder not for sale, with strong passing numbers under Rosenior.
PSG host Chelsea on Wednesday in the Champions League last-16 first leg at the Parc des Princes, with Nantes postponed to aid preparation.
After PSG’s 3-1 loss to Monaco, reports cite internal doubts, though Luis Enrique urges calm before facing Chelsea. Paris target a response in Wednesday’s last-16 first leg.
West Ham’s Malick Diouf calls Chelsea ‘crazy’ for sidelining £39m defender Axel Disasi, praising him as a ‘machine’ after impressing on loan while Chelsea struggle with crosses.
Dario Essugo reflects on injury struggles but says he feels ‘very good’ after returning vs Wrexham, delivering two assists and 96% passing in Chelsea’s 4-2 FA Cup win.
Opinion piece argues Chelsea should stick with Nicolas Jackson rather than sign Darwin Nunez, noting similar Premier League output and Jackson’s 30 in 81 for the Blues.
Ahead of PSG, 74% of polled Chelsea fans want Filip Jorgensen to start over Robert Sanchez after recent errors. Rosenior weighs selection across midfield and attack.
Chelsea have made an initial move for Bayern’s Aleksandar Pavlovic, who is valued at €100m and wants to stay. Despite a strong midfield group, the Blues are monitoring the 21-year-old closely.
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards hail Joao Pedro as ‘a level above’ after 4 goals in two games. He has 11 goals and 5 assists in 13 under Rosenior and is central to Chelsea’s trophy push.
Frank Leboeuf says PSG’s midfield were ‘invisible’ vs Monaco and believes Caicedo, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez can trouble them if Chelsea replicate their Aston Villa display.
Roman Abramovich’s lawyers say the £2.5bn from Chelsea’s 2022 sale is his and any donation to Ukraine would be voluntary. The UK government threatens action to release funds for victims.
Transfermarkt update: Cole Palmer’s value drops €10m to €110m. League total hits €12.58bn, with several rises elsewhere. Tottenham suffer the biggest squad downgrade.
Chelsea have earned £36.9m from the Champions League so far. Beating PSG to reach the quarter-finals would add £10.8m, taking the total to £47.7m. Group wins and draws contributed £9.6m.
Andrey Santos has faced PSG three times: a 3-0 win with Chelsea in 2025 and a win and loss with Strasbourg.
Updates on Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Levi Colwill fitness ahead of a key week for Chelsea, with potential returns offering a timely boost before major fixtures.
Chelsea beat Wrexham 4-2 after extra time to reach the FA Cup quarters. Garnacho scored twice, Acheampong levelled late, João Pedro sealed it after Dobson’s VAR red card.
FA Cup flashback: Chelsea 1-1 Sunderland in 1992. Clive Allen scored after a controversial corner, John Byrne equalised late to force a replay at Roker Park.
Alejandro Hernandez will referee PSG vs Chelsea. He averages 2.00 yellows per UCL game, no direct reds, and 0.33 penalties. He oversaw Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Atalanta in the league phase.
