Chelsea push for JJ Gabriel amid fresh fitness concerns

Kendry Paez, signed for £17.27m in 2023, made his Chelsea Under-21 debut at 19 after Xabi Alonso said he was 'not in my plans' and loan options were blocked by Fifa rules.
Sporting have no plans to send Jesse Derry back in January despite just 26 minutes so far, with the Chelsea loanee on an individual programme to build strength.
A Premier League panel unanimously backed no red card for Gabriel after his boot caught Emi Martinez in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea, citing a loose-ball scramble.
A prediction piece backs a 2-2 draw at Brentford, citing Chelsea's 20-game wait for a Premier League clean sheet and tipping Cole Palmer to score. www.livescore.com
Santos have denied claims Chelsea target Gabriel Bontempo is available for £10.4m, casting doubt on suggestions the Brazil-call-up midfielder could leave cheaply.
Chelsea lead the race for JJ Gabriel after the Manchester United teenager requested an immediate release and submitted a de-registration letter.
Joao Pedro hailed Cole Palmer as a 'special player' who can 'do everything' after Chelsea's strong start, but Pedro was absent from training before the Brentford trip.
Estevao Willian's camp are concerned after limited starts under Xabi Alonso, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro blocking his preferred No 10 role and early momentum at Chelsea fading.
Chelsea named 20 senior players in their Premier League squad, leaving five places free and a possible route to sign free agents with Premier League Board approval.
Former Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo earned praise from Tottenham fans despite Spurs' 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool on his full debut after a £12m move.
Ruud Gullit said he would be interested in the Celtic job if the 'right offer' arrived, potentially making Chelsea loanees Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo his players.
Chelsea thrashed Manchester United 5-0 in the WSL, dominating throughout as Alyssa Thompson started and the Blues outshot their visitors with 25 attempts to control the game.
Andy Madley will referee Chelsea at Brentford, his first Blues game since a 2-2 draw at Newcastle when a missed penalty call later went in Chelsea's favour.
Joao Pedro named Danny Welbeck as Chelsea's best finisher, saying 'Between me and Danny, but I would say him' after the veteran's strong impact in training and cup matches.
Chelsea were left 'annoyed' after failing to sign a midfielder on deadline day, with moves for Manu Kone and Lamine Camara collapsing after Enzo Fernandez left.
Chelsea are tracking Corinthians defender Iago Machado, 17, but face Arsenal competition. The Brazilian teenager can move to Europe when he turns 18 in February.
Manchester United have reportedly made former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte their top managerial target, while Chelsea remain committed to Xabi Alonso.
Levi Colwill said Chelsea's academy taught him you can 'never rest on your laurels', with competition and standards rising at every age group through to the first team.
Chelsea face Brentford with fitness concerns after Reece James, Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo missed training. Xabi Alonso is set to give an update on Thursday.
Joao Pedro said Morgan Rogers has changed his game at Chelsea, with the striker now playing more balls into space to exploit Rogers' runs and one-v-one threat.
BlueCo are closely monitoring Sevilla midfielder Nico Guillen, 18, after positive reports, but no formal Chelsea offer has been made and his release clause has risen.