Chelsea rule out Xavi as owners weigh Iraola amid fan unrest
After a 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, Chelsea cannot finish fifth. Fans target BlueCo with protests planned, amid record £262m loss, ticket anger and search for a sixth permanent manager in four years.
Taiwo Awoniyi makes BBC Team of the Week after scoring twice and winning a penalty in Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win at Chelsea, with Troy Deeney praising his powerful display.
Wayne Bridge backs Cesc Fabregas for the Chelsea job, praising his intelligence and work at Como. He urges signings at centre-back and a keeper upgrade, citing Thiago Silva’s impact and naming Marquinhos.
Owners feel pressure to get the next manager right. No talks with Xavi, shortlist ongoing. Behdad Eghbali favours Andoni Iraola, who leaves Bournemouth. Fans plan protests at Wembley.
Liverpool seek Champions League qualification after a draw at Manchester United. Chelsea visit Anfield looking to end a six-game Premier League losing run.
Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest risks missing the Champions League, triggering contract clauses cutting wages by £30k-£40k a week per player. Calum McFarlane called the start ‘unacceptable’.
Chelsea are monitoring FC Dallas midfielder Kaick Silva, 20. The ex-Grêmio player is a deep-lying passer with defensive work, contract to 2028, €18.5m clause. Interest is early, no bids yet.
Ex-Chelsea prospect suffered a four-minute debut then an ACL rupture 21 minutes into first start, and now faces contract termination after just two games.
Declan Rice recalled Chelsea releasing him at 14, crediting West Ham for his rise. Now key for Arsenal and England, he is framed as the leader Chelsea lacks.
Porto’s Francesco Farioli cools Chelsea links, joking ‘too cold’. Fresh title, family settled, Champions League, and a deal to 2028 with a €20m clause mean he is focused on Porto.
Chelsea rule out Xavi. Candidates include Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and free agent Xabi Alonso. Calum McFarlane stays interim through the FA Cup final vs Man City. Mourinho, Nagelsmann unlikely.
Report links Chelsea with Xavi, whose faith in Marc Guiu at Barcelona could hand the 20-year-old striker a Stamford Bridge lifeline after a stalled season and desire for minutes.
Luis Enrique has a ‘special attraction’ to work in England, but wants a club with clear title aims. He is set to extend at PSG to 2030 after recent success, making a Chelsea move unlikely.
John Obi Mikel says Cole Palmer looks ‘lost’ and disinterested, not just injured, amid Chelsea’s turmoil. He backs Palmer’s talent but questions the club’s direction, affecting his form.
Chelsea face Liverpool with doubts over Robert Sanchez, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Jesse Derry. Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens are out, Benoit Badiashile is ill. Mudryk appeals his four-year ban.
