Chelsea lead Murillo race, Jackson loan decision looms
Chelsea host Burnley at 15:00 Saturday, not televised in the UK due to blackout. Highlights on BBC and Sky later. Rosenior’s side chase top four, while Burnley battle relegation.
Chelsea track FC Twente’s 18-year-old left-footed centre-back Ruud Nijstad after Barcelona balked at €10m fee. Man City, Bayern and several Premier League clubs also keen, with contract to 2027.
Bayern are open to selling Kim Min-jae after losing his place to Jonathan Tah. Chelsea and Tottenham target the 29-year-old centre-back, who joined for €50m in 2023 and has 102 Bayern appearances.
Chelsea weigh Delap exit after 1 goal in 17 league games. Loan likely but permanent bids assessed. Man United, Newcastle, Everton, Brighton and Sunderland monitoring the £30m signing from Ipswich.
Chelsea contacted West Ham in January about signing 21-year-old midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but the Hammers refused to sanction an exit amid their own upheaval.
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele was taken off after 26 minutes against Monaco, raising injury or tactical questions. If injured, it could boost Chelsea should they face PSG later in Europe.
Wayne Rooney defends Liam Rosenior’s relaxed, jokey approach at Chelsea, likening it to Sir Alex Ferguson’s man-management, amid criticism despite eight wins in 11 games.
Jason Cundy says Andrey Santos could fill in as a No.10, though Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are preferred there. Santos has impressed alongside Moises Caicedo in midfield under Rosenior.
Opinion argues Chelsea could have won the title with Jurgen Klopp instead of Enzo Maresca, citing Klopp’s ‘mentality monsters’ and superior points record during key wobble periods.
Teen striker Shumaira Mheuka has 12 goals in 11 PL2 games plus 5 in the Youth League and three hat-tricks. With Delap struggling, an FA Cup tie vs Wrexham could hand him Chelsea minutes.
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit claims Rosenior could be sacked within 10 months if results dip, urging stability despite a strong start and a push for Champions League qualification.
Cobham starlet Reggie Watson leads four Chelsea call-ups to England U16s, joined by Josh Henry, George Jobling and Thomas McDermott. Watson, 16, has four U18 PL goals and shone at the Messi Cup.
Morgan Rogers’ camp deny talks with Liverpool, Chelsea or others. Chelsea recruitment chief Joe Shields wants the Aston Villa attacker, who has 8 league goals and may have a release clause.
Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Hull sets up an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Wrexham, fulfilling Rob McElhenney’s 2023 hope of facing the Blues, their first competitive meeting in 44 years.
Ex-Chelsea defender Malang Sarr is key for Lens, starting almost every game as they top Ligue 1 ahead of PSG. Chelsea, hit by Colwill’s absence, continue to juggle Badiashile, Chalobah, Fofana and Tosin.
Chelsea and Liverpool eye Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet. Chelsea’s injuries at centre-back and Liverpool’s needs drive interest in the 23-year-old.
Chelsea have scouted RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande but Liverpool’s move is most advanced. Leipzig want £87m for the 19-year-old, who has 8 goals and 3 assists in 21 Bundesliga games.
Report claims Atletico’s Julian Alvarez prefers Barcelona if leaving, despite links to Arsenal and Chelsea. Atletico want a new deal after his recent goal ended an 11-game drought.
A ranking of Chelsea’s greatest kits, from the 1997-98 ‘Vialli’ home and 2003-05 stripes to the tangerine 1994-96 away and the 2024-25 third, celebrating iconic designs across eras.
Analysis says ex-Blue Christian Pulisic outperforms Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, with 10 goals and stronger dribbling. Milan could seek up to £69.9m, and he would likely start for Chelsea now.
Opinion: Joao Pedro hailed as Chelsea’s Player of the Season, with 13 goals across competitions and key winners. Sanchez and Chalobah praised for consistency. Rosenior called Pedro ‘outstanding’.
Man United discuss €80m move for Brentford striker Igor Thiago. Chelsea and Arsenal also linked as they assess upgrades up front.
Chelsea are leading the race for Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo, but his deal to 2029 means a fee near €80m may be needed. Liverpool also track the 23-year-old Brazilian.
Chelsea may face a Cucurella decision under the two-year contract policy. The 27-year-old, on £175k a week, is injured and could need new terms as Hato emerges as competition at left-back.
Nicolas Jackson set to return from Bayern loan, with clubs in Spain, Italy and England interested. Bayern unlikely to trigger £56.2m option. Chelsea may keep him for Liam Rosenior.
Chelsea’s Kendry Paez can only be recalled from River Plate if he plays under 50% of games, meaning he could stay until December. Blues prioritise guaranteed minutes after Strasbourg loan issues.
Liverpool’s 15-year-old Josh Abe is in scholarship stalemate, with Premier League rivals circling. Chelsea could move for the winger after losing Rio Ngumoha, who cost Liverpool up to £6.8m in compensation.
Preview: Chelsea host Burnley on 21 Feb aiming to consolidate top-four push. Rosenior’s side seek a fast start and home control. Prediction given as 3-0, with rotation and discipline stressed.
