Chelsea draw Leeds in FA Cup semis
Zinedine Zidane rejected Chelsea as he only wants Real Madrid or France. Despite Liam Rosenior’s mixed results, Zidane is now available but is expected to target the France job, not a move to West London.
Chelsea fan Rory Jennings sparks Leeds rivalry chat after the FA Cup semi-final draw. Alan Pardew recalls 1970 final as context. Leeds beat West Ham on pens to set up Wembley meeting with Chelsea.
Chelsea discuss signing 17-year-old N’Sira Safi from Right to Dream. Work permit rules may force an initial loan, with options via affiliated clubs. She impressed Sonia Bompastor on trial in 2025.
Chelsea draw Leeds in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on 25/26 April. Blues’ schedule includes Man City and Man Utd at home before Brighton away, then Nottingham Forest and Liverpool in the league.
Torino boss Roberto D’Aversa says Cesare Casadei’s inconsistency stems from his Chelsea spell, where he ‘missed playing’. The midfielder left in 2025 and has since scored four Serie A goals.
Chelsea are determined to keep Enzo Fernandez amid reported Real Madrid and PSG interest. Seen as among the best midfielders, he has 12 goals this season and a long deal to 2032. Messi called him ‘spectacular’.
Ex-Chelsea academy player and Olympian Adam Gemili now coaches speed at Cobham, improving U13-U14 acceleration and mechanics, and running pre-season camps for senior players to boost fitness and reduce injuries.
Chelsea could target Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy via a €35m clause to add an experienced No 9, with Delap underperforming and exits likely. Emmanuel Emegha is set to arrive from Strasbourg in the summer.
Chelsea have ‘strong interest’ in Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs for up to €60m and are among clubs sounded out over Vinicius Junior amid Madrid contract uncertainty. Gregor Kobel is also on Chelsea’s radar.
Liam Rosenior hails Chelsea’s 7-0 rout of Port Vale to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, praises Cole Palmer’s captaincy, hands Ryan Kavuma-McQueen a debut, and confirms Jamie Gittens has a hamstring issue.
Huddersfield loan helped Ben Chilwell develop before Leicester sold him to Chelsea for £50m in 2020. That windfall funded recruits like Wesley Fofana, later sold to Chelsea for £75m.
Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea have ‘total control’ to sign Valentin Barco from Strasbourg after his ‘green light’. Same ownership eases a summer move, with plans to integrate him for 2026-27. Livescore
England ratings focus on Ben White and Cole Palmer’s contrasting World Cup cases after FA Cup outings. Palmer’s situation is assessed amid his Chelsea form.
Chelsea eye Jules Kounde but the £70m Barcelona defender is not desperate to leave. Even if a fee is agreed, the France international may reject Stamford Bridge. Alternatives include Maxence Lacroix.
Chelsea loanee Kendry Paez struggles at River Plate, unused in back-to-back games under Edouard Coudet after injury. The 18-year-old has just nine starts all season across Strasbourg and River.
