Caicedo heads Chelsea past Pafos, Rosenior manages minutes
Pedro Neto attempted 15 crosses with none completed in the 1-0 win over Pafos, prompting calls for him to vary his game despite Rosenior recently calling him ‘outstanding’.
Rosenior reacted to Enzo Fernandez’s disallowed header, saying ‘That’s never a foul’, before Moises Caicedo’s late goal earned Chelsea a 1-0 win and a top-eight spot ahead of Napoli.
Report claims Chelsea have agreed terms with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet but not a fee, with a summer move possible. Arsenal monitor other targets amid a quiet window.
Joe Cole hailed Moises Caicedo as Chelsea’s ‘most important’ player after he dominated and scored the winner vs Pafos, noting his expanded role on the ball under Liam Rosenior.
Ex-Chelsea manager Graham Potter, now Sweden boss, watched Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Dortmund with Dejan Kulusevski. The result eases pressure on Thomas Frank amid Spurs’ poor league form.
Chelsea are set to sign 17-year-old Sheffield Wednesday left-back Yisa Alao after a bid over £1m with major add-ons, beating Man Utd. He is expected to join the academy setup.
Chelsea are pursuing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet before the deadline, with Rosenior newly appointed and eyeing late-window moves.
Rosenior rejected claims Liam Delap lacks confidence after the 1-0 Pafos win, citing deep defending. Delap struggled, losing 8 of 11 duels and possession 12 times, with Joao Pedro pushing to start vs Palace.
Liam Rosenior says Cole Palmer missed the 1-0 Pafos win as a precaution after a minor issue. Reece James was managed at half-time, Filip Jorgensen went off injured, and Caicedo’s header kept Chelsea eighth.
Chelsea are monitoring Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, 25, per Sky Germany. Dortmund plan talks on extending his deal beyond 2028 and are reluctant to sell. Nmecha stayed tight-lipped on links.
Chelsea Women hit form after a rut, winning seven straight and scoring 31, and reach the League Cup final. Arsenal’s draws against top sides leave them chasing. Saturday’s WSL clash is pivotal for both.
Jose Mourinho criticised big clubs for appointing unproven coaches, a nod to Chelsea and Man United, as Liam Rosenior begins positively at Stamford Bridge.
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has requested a move amid £40m valuation. Chelsea have contacted his camp as Rosenior considers adding physicality up front. Juventus’ loan proposal was rejected.
Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, missing 32 Chelsea games. Conflicting claims on a return surfaced, but Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail says he has set the record straight amid speculation.
Chelsea sit on 13 points and visit Napoli on 28 Jan. A win should secure a top-eight finish and avoid the playoff round, with goal difference potentially decisive.
Raheem Sterling is keen on a permanent move to Fulham to work under Marco Silva, says Alex Crook. Liam Rosenior has spoken to Sterling but an exit this month remains likely despite a clean slate at Chelsea.
Rosenior pre-planned substituting Reece James at half-time to manage minutes amid a busy run. Chelsea beat Pafos 1-0 via Moises Caicedo, with Napoli away next key for last-16 qualification hopes.
Marcel Desailly warns Cole Palmer could seek a transfer if Chelsea’s ambitions fall short. He urges patience during Palmer’s groin recovery and calls for a system built for him under new boss Liam Rosenior.
After Chelsea beat Pafos 1-0, Albert Celades was oddly asked about the Beckham family feud. He declined to comment, keeping focus away from off-field matters.
Diego Costa says ‘nobody liked’ Antonio Conte at Chelsea and recalls being frozen out after 2016-17 despite 20 league goals, before rejoining Atletico Madrid in 2018.
Chizaram Ezenwata scored and assisted as Chelsea U21s led 2-0, but Real Sociedad snatched a 3-2 Premier League International Cup win with stoppage-time goals after a Justin Osagie own goal levelled.
Ex-Chelsea defender David Luiz, unused for Pafos at Stamford Bridge, gifted a signed shirt to former staffer Brian Pullman after the Blues’ 1-0 win.
Moises Caicedo’s 78th-minute header sealed a 1-0 win over Pafos in Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League game, lifting Chelsea into eighth. Jay Gorter foiled multiple chances, Enzo Fernandez had one ruled out.
