Chelsea manager hunt, valuation pressure and FA Cup shot
Cartoon reflects Chelsea’s Wembley run against a backdrop of BlueCo ‘self-reflection’ and ongoing managerial churn.
Candidates to replace Rosenior include Andoni Iraola, Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis, Marco Silva, Diego Simeone, Frank Lampard and Oliver Glasner, as interim Callum McFarlane leads Chelsea into the FA Cup final. Livescore
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says he joined Chelsea to reunite with Enzo Maresca and expected to play, but lacked a run of games despite ‘doing well’. He later revived form at Everton after the move faltered.
Interim boss Calum McFarlane can become the first English manager since Dave Sexton in 1969-70 to win Chelsea the FA Cup, after Enzo Fernandez’s header beat Leeds 1-0 to set up a Man City final.
Milan plan to sell ex-Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku after only 6 goals in 31 games, with Saudi interest likely after a disappointing 2025-26 under Allegri.
Man City could target Enzo Fernandez if Enzo Maresca succeeds Guardiola. Chelsea, who do not want to sell to Maresca and value their vice-captain highly, could resist despite missing Champions League.
Chelsea v Spurs moved to Tuesday 19 May, 20:15 BST due to FA Cup final involvement. Blues’ fans should note revised penultimate-week schedule.
Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro were seen in Madrid after the FA Cup win over Leeds. Fernandez, recently banned over comments about Madrid, scored the semi-final winner and has since started.
Ralf Rangnick says he rejected Chelsea’s 2021 interim offer after Lampard’s exit, calling it a ‘four-month’ lame-duck role. Chelsea hired Thomas Tuchel, who went on to win the Champions League.
Barcelona are keen on Marc Cucurella as a potential left-back if Alejandro Balde is sold, but his Chelsea deal to 2028 means a fee likely above €40m, limiting any cut-price hope.
Sportico value Chelsea at £2.95bn, but Kieran Maguire warns BlueCo’s debts and stadium costs mean a sale would leave them billions down. He criticises leadership churn and sporting structure failings.
Chelsea keep some candidates secret as they search for Rosenior’s successor. Iraola, Marco Silva and Xabi Alonso are in contention, with talks opened for Iraola. McFarlane leads after 1-0 Leeds win.
After injuries and 2 goals in 37 games, Liam Delap believes he can still succeed at Chelsea despite Joao Pedro being first choice. Telegraph say he is not giving up, with a loan touted as a route back.
West Ham are ‘making moves’ for Nicolas Jackson after Bayern declined a €65m option. Chelsea, amid transition and signing Emmanuel Emegha, could sell, with Newcastle and Aston Villa also interested.
Chelsea join Liverpool and Arsenal for Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi. Andoni Iraola is a managerial candidate, with a move for Kroupi seen as a potential sweetener. Livescore
Chelsea are keen on Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and could move regardless of Champions League status, though rivals and an £80m price complicate any deal.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hails Michael Olise and says Bayern would not sell at any price, recalling Chelsea’s failed 2009 bid for Franck Ribéry as precedent against big-money sales.
Barcelona consider Chelsea’s Joao Pedro as Plan B to Alvarez. The 24-year-old has 19 goals and nine assists this season and is contracted to 2033, but a sale is not ruled out.
