Chelsea face Alex Scott setback before Bournemouth
Chelsea have made contact with Palmeiras over 16-year-old Eduardo Conceicao and want to lead the race for the forward, with the Brazilian club said to value him at up to €100m.
Chelsea have no suspensions for Bournemouth, but Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Marco Palestra and Emmanuel Emegha are all major doubts after the 3-0 defeat at Brentford.
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea are exciting but unbalanced - 10 goals scored, 12 conceded and no clean sheet. Brentford's 3-0 win exposed issues in defence and midfield despite the bright form of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro.
Laurence Stewart is set to leave Chelsea by mutual decision, with Paul Winstanley, Sam Jewell and Joe Shields taking bigger roles as Xabi Alonso works more closely with the recruitment structure.
Chelsea are among clubs tracking Tottenham 18-year-old Luca Barnett-Williams, whose 15 goal involvements in 12 Under-21 games have sparked concern among Spurs fans over his future.
Bournemouth have told Chelsea and Real Madrid they have no intention of selling Alex Scott in January, with a winter move effectively ruled out.
Chelsea have been told JJ Gabriel is likely to leave Manchester United for a club abroad, with Spanish giants appearing his preferred destination.
Cesar Azpilicueta says Chelsea's experienced signings can help Reece James grow as captain, with Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck and Emiliano Martinez adding support around him.
Romeo Lavia has been hailed as a 'phenomenon' and Ballon d'Or-calibre by Hein Vanhaezebrouck, who said the Chelsea midfielder is among the world's best if he stays fit.
Moises Caicedo was fined £1,444 and given eight penalty points for driving without a valid licence or insurance, and could return for Chelsea's game against Bournemouth.
Alex Scott faces 6-8 weeks out with a quadriceps issue, denting Chelsea's transfer plans and ruling the midfielder out of Bournemouth's trip to Stamford Bridge.
Morgan Rogers starts for England against the Czech Republic, with Chelsea fans hoping his form on international duty carries into Saturday's game with Bournemouth.
Former Chelsea winger Pedro has retired at 39, saying 'I leave proud' after a trophy-laden career that included Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League success at Stamford Bridge.
David Seaman backed Chelsea's move for Emiliano Martinez, saying the club needed a 'proper goalie' after Robert Sanchez's inconsistency, despite no clean sheet yet for the Argentine.
Glen Johnson rates Alex Scott but warns Chelsea over consistency concerns, as the injured Bournemouth midfielder misses Saturday's Stamford Bridge trip.
Chelsea face Arsenal and Liverpool competition for Alex Scott, with Bournemouth set to resist January bids and demand around £80m-£85m next summer.
Malo Gusto was left out of Zinedine Zidane's first France squad amid reports he is viewed as 'not defensively good enough', before Chelsea's Bournemouth test.
Injured Chelsea striker Emmanuel Emegha, yet to debut under Alonso, was filmed outside a Paris nightclub saying, 'I'm not a footballer, I'm an artist' during his time off.
Chelsea have begun exploratory talks with Elmbridge Council over a Cobham upgrade, but no formal planning application, approval or construction timetable has yet been confirmed.
Morgan Rogers' path to Chelsea's £117m record deal took in failed loans, a key spell at Middlesbrough and a breakthrough that made him Britain's priciest player.
Monaco boss Filipe Luis hailed Chelsea target Lamine Camara as 'the future of the game', though a January deal looks difficult after deadline day drama.
Chelsea youngster Harrison Bettoni joined senior training before Bournemouth after scoring four times in six Under-21 games, boosting his chances of a first-team debut under Alonso.
Morgan Rogers set up Harry Kane with a first-time cross in England's 3-0 win over Czechia, earning praise from the striker after another strong international break.
