Mauricio Pochettino will be hiding behind this sofa this week before he welcomes his Chelsea players back from international duty – hopefully unscathed and injury free! Cole Palmer and Armando Broja are among a few Blues stars who have returned to Cobham recently due to a few minor issues but – touch wood – nothing significant yet.
The Blues boss will be hoping that the duo are okay with a huge London derby against Arsenal on the horizon. Chelsea will need to be at their very best on Saturday afternoon to stand a chance of securing all three-points – so Pochettino better get Palmer wrapped up in cotton wool.
In other news, the summer transfer window may be shut but there's still plenty of life left in the rumour mill. Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen continue to be heavily linked with moves to Chelsea, meanwhile fans await an update from Eden Hazard on his next steps after retiring.
So, with that being said, stay with us at football.london as we keep you up to date on everything you need to know as it happens LIVE from Stamford Bridge.
Silva update
Thiago Silva has remained coy about his future at Chelsea. The 39-year-old defender sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether he'll be offered an extension – let alone accept or reject a potential new deal.
Speaking to Esporte Espetacular, as quoted by TNT Sports, the veteran defender said: "This is a long-standing relationship, right? But I’d rather keep quiet at the moment, because it’s been controversial in the recent past.
"I have a family now, I have children. So we have to think about that too. But it’s about seeing where things can bring us happiness, to finish off this beautiful and victorious career that I believe I’ve had."
Kendry Paez deal vindicated
Earlier this month, while playing for boyhood club Independiente del Valle, Kendry Paez scored a delightful free kick from a tight angle before following that up with his first senior goal for Ecuador. Moises Caicedo picked out the teenager with a perfectly-weighted pass allowing him to open up his body.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea officials believe Paez is already worth double than what they have already paid for the Ecuadorian wonderkid. While the decisions to sign young players and not improve the first team have been scrutinised, he's showing serious potential and it is easy to see why the Blues believe their investment is a bargain.
Read the full story here.
Merson prediction
Paul Merson has identified one Chelsea player in particular who could cause Arsenal problems when the two sides meet after the international break. Mauricio Pochettino will welcome the Gunners to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, October 21, in what is expected to be a fiery London derby.
In a column for Sky Sports, the former Arsenal midfielder claimed that the Blues are better against stronger opposition and 'can beat anybody' on their day. Merson said: "They will have a go at Chelsea, so it will be interesting.
"But against the better teams, like Liverpool who had a right go, those are the games they have played well in this season. So it will be interesting but, where Chelsea are in the league, teams will not want to play them as, on their day, they can beat anybody and when Raheem Sterling is playing like he did at Burnley, then he is unplayable."
Felix breaks his silence
Joao Felix has revealed why he struggled to impress at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid following a fantastic start to the season at Barcelona. The 23-year-old forward, who was heavily linked with a return to Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis in the summer, has hit the ground running at the Camp Nou.
As quoted by 90min, the Portuguese star claimed that he's finally been able to 'maintain a good level' at Barcelona. Felix said: "As you can see, I'm happy where I am, I feel good, confident and I feel like I'm going through a good moment.
"The most difficult thing is to maintain a good level, something that I have not achieved for some time in recent seasons. But I work every day and I always try to improve to correct those less positive aspects of myself. And yes, I am happy and going through a good time."
Chelsea eye next transfer
Chelsea enjoyed a busy summer transfer window signing two of Brazil's biggest prospects in Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington – not to mention Andrey Santos too, who the Blues signed from Vasco da Gama in January. Despite arming Mauricio Pochettino with a wealth of exciting young players, co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley look set to further bolster the club's ranks.
According to Brazilian publication PL Brasil, Chelsea are among several top clubs who are interested in Palmeiras star Luis Guilherme. The report states that the west Londoners face tough competition from Manchester United, Bayern Munich and West Ham for the 17-year-old midfielder's signature.
It's said that Guilherme's representatives have recently met with numerous clubs, with the Blues and the Hammers reportedly impressing in talks. The Brazilian outlet add that Chelsea and West Ham must present proposals for the teenager to Palmeiras before the Under-17 World Cup which kicks off at the start of next month – even though he was called up for the tournament.
Christensen 'annoyed' by Bellingham impact...
Andreas Christensen has admitted it's 'annoying' to see Jude Bellingham's strong start at Real Madrid. While on international duty for Denmark, the former Chelsea defender said: "It's annoying when you sit down and look at the results he's getting.
"He's been scoring in the last few games, I don't know in how many games already. He's conquered La Liga. Real Madrid have brought in a really good player."
Bellingham has ten goals in ten matches across La Liga and the Champions League since his summer move from Borussia Dortmund. He has become a key figure for Carlo Ancelotti and Los Blancos, who currently lead the domestic table by two points.
Barcelona interest
Chelsea are in a race against time to secure the long-term future of Ian Maatsen. The 21-year-old defender was heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge in the summer following his impressive performances while out on loan at Burnley.
According to Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona are exploring the possibility of signing Maatsen once his contract in west London expires at the end of the season. The report states that the Catalan side will make a final decision in January when they'll first be eligible to begin pre-contract talks.
Barcelona's interest in Maatsen comes as a huge wakeup call to Chelsea, who could lose out on millions...
Sterling has Chelsea chance to prove Arteta and Arsenal wrong
Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping that Raheem Sterling can continue his impressive form in front of goal when Chelsea face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend. The 28-year-old, who would have worked alongside Gunners boss Mikel Arteta at Manchester City, has scored 12 goals for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer with three of those coming this season.
In the 3-0 win against Luton Town, Sterling scored a magnificent brace before going four games without a goal heading into the trip to Burnley. With the Blues in search of back-to-back away wins for the first time in nearly a year, Sterling returned to form as he played a key role in three of the goals scored by Chelsea Turf Moor with one goal and assist coming after his cross was turned into his own net by Burnley defender Ameen Al Dakhil.
After the game, despite his impressive display, Pochettino played down his impact as a clear message that he wants to see it more often. "It's his job, no? To play well," the Chelsea boss replied. All players try to play well and today he was well. He was involved in the goals and I am so happy for him and so happy for the team. The team was good, the performance was fantastic, they deserve the praise. So happy for them and go to the international break with a different feeling to the last."
Pochettino will certainly be hoping he uses that and another England snub to fuel him and play a significant role in getting Chelsea back up the table. That mission stars with the visit of Arsenal to Stamford Bridge with Sterling also having a chance to prove to Arteta he signed the wrong Manchester City stars last summer.
Read the full story here
Pochettino has dream Chelsea partnership to unleash
Mauricio Pochettino has a perfect partnership that he can unleash at Chelsea in the coming weeks with Thiago Silva likely to be replaced.
The veteran defender has started every Premier League game this season despite being 38 and Chelsea wanting to give him plenty of time to rest in between matches.
While his leadership from the back is important, Chelsea have a number of players capable of taking on that mantle with the perfect centre-back partnership of Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi soon to be available. The French duo played alongside each other at AS Monaco before their respective moves to west London and a reunion on the pitch could arrive once Badiashile returns from injury, with Disasi believing they strike the perfect balance as a partnership.
Read the full story here
Pochettino halfway to solving huge Chelsea problem
As Chelsea prepare for arguably their toughest test of the 2023/24 Premier League season so far against Arsenal, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad finally have some much-needed confidence. After a torrid start to the campaign, the Blues have now won their last three matches in all competitions – bringing some long-awaited joy to Stamford Bridge.
"It's always about building a team," Pochettino said last week. "It's a young squad, a team that still need to know each other. Only with time and training can we provide the team with what it needs. It's why it is only a matter of time, no doubt.
"We need to be calm in the way we judge players and the team. I think we are growing and very good things are coming. You can feel that, even if sometimes we have some ups and downs. But, in the end, we will succeed together, for sure."
There has undoubtedly been improvement from Chelsea in the last three games, with the Blues looking much more of a threat in front of goal. Prior to that, Chelsea went more than three matches without putting the ball in the back of the net despite creating a host of opportunities for their attacking players to do so.
Despite the Blues scoring seven goals in their last three games, shot conversion is still a slight issue but Pochettino is getting closer to solving it and there is one man who will almost certainly help.
Read the full story here
Reece James Chelsea return hope
Mauricio Pochettino could have his Chelsea team boosted by a major injury return to face Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.
The Blues have a number of concerns heading into the game, but captain Reece James does not appear as one of them with the Athletic reporting he is expected to return from his two-month absence this weekend.
James picked up another muscular issue in training after the Liverpool draw with his return to training coming before the October international break.
Chelsea next five fixtures compared
Chelsea will be hoping to pick up where they left off before the international break as the Premier League returns this weekend. The Blues securing back-to-back league wins came at the perfect time with a challenging fixture schedule kicking off this Saturday when Arsenal are the visitors to Stamford Bridge.
Despite their improved form of recent weeks, the Blues are still in the bottom half of the table after a bad start that saw three defeats arrive in their first six games. However, Chelsea look to be getting into their stride under Pochettino with the injury problems at Stamford Bridge also lessening.
Reece James, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah are all in with a chance of returning to the matchday squad with the trio spotted back in training. Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk and Cole Palmer's injury scares don't appear to be serious even with the latter returning back to Cobham as a precaution.
With that said, football.london has taken a look at Chelsea's upcoming Premier League fixtures and how they compare to their top-four rivals...
Read the full story here
Desailly makes shock Chelsea vs Arsenal prediction
Chelsea hero Marcel Desailly has predicted his old side to defeat Arsenal in their huge Premier League clash on Saturday. The Gunners have enjoyed a fine start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, accruing 20 points from their first eight outings - leaving them second in the current standings, behind league leaders Tottenham Hotspur because of goals scored.
Meanwhile, the Blues have been slightly more inconsistent, struggling in the opening weeks of the season before a run of three games without defeat has seen them rise up to 11th going into the ongoing international break. This weekend, Mauricio Pochettino's side welcome their London rivals to Stamford Bridge, a match that Desailly. via Gambling Zone, thinks the hosts will come out on top.
Read the full story here
Chelsea legend reveals love for Badiashile and Disasi
Former Chelsea defender Frank Lebouef has explained why he already loves Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile despite the duo only just joining the club this year.
While Badiashile has been injured, Disasi has been a consistent starter alongside Levi Colwill with the latter surprisingly playing at left-back despite valid comments that he is better centrally. However, Pochettino is clearly a huge fan of him in the role judging by his answer to whether Ben Chilwell would play against Brighton in the Carabao Cup after missing the two games prior.
"I am so happy with Levi and the way he is playing. He is showing character and is providing the team with a very good balance." Meanwhile, for Leboeuf, it is two other Chelsea defenders he appears happy with in Badiashile and Disasi with the 55-year-old revealing he will love them more if they do one thing in particular.
Read the full story here
Kendry Paez impact on Chelsea
Chelsea have been making several bold transfer decisions over the last 12 months with wonderkids all around the globe completing moves to Stamford Bridge. The likes of Andrey Santos, Cesare Casadei, Gabriel Slonina and Omari Hutchinson were welcomed in the first two windows with a further seven teenagers arriving this past summer.
Two talents in particular were clearly signed for the future as neither has officially joined Chelsea yet as they are too young. Dujuan Richards (17) and Kendry Paez (16) will arrive when they turn 18 and although that will be in two years for the latter, he is already making a significant impression.
Read the full story here
Dream Nkunku Chelsea injury message
Mauricio Pochettino has been sent a dream Christopher Nkunku Chelsea message for when he finally makes his return from injury.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has now provided his verdict on what Nkunku will bring to Chelsea once he is fully match fit, which is likely to be in late 2023 or early 2024, while also making a point that Chelsea fans will love when referencing how Nkunku responded to an injury last season in Germany.
Read the full story here
Colwill verdict
Levi Colwill has made his feelings clear about playing full-back for Chelsea and England. Gareth Southgate handed the 20-year-old defender his senior international debut on Friday night as the Three Lions secured a 1-0 win over Australia at Wembley.
In an interview with beIN Sports, Colwill said: "Obviously, it is a different role. But I have been playing there for my club and I am enjoying it and if it gives me a chance to start and to play, I’m all for it."
With Ben Chilwell still nursing a hamstring issue which he picked up against Brighton the Carabao Cup last month, Colwill is expected to continue at left-back after the international break when Chelsea welcome Arsenal to Stamford Bridge on October 21.
Who's better? Mbappe or Salah?
Noni Madueke has explained how he has used Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe during Chelsea training sessions to improve his game.
"One thing I've got to add to my game is the easier goals, the one-touch goals - that's what I'm trying to improve," the Chelsea star told the Daily Mail. "I work very hard on the last bit. I know I go at such pace, so sometimes I've got to calm down at the last moment, take a breath and then slot it away.
"Our analyst has clipped up Mbappe and Salah, so I watch them a lot. It's the way they always follow their pass into the box, or when a team-mate is in the box, they're always there to anticipate."
Is this too harsh?
Todd Boehly has been warned that Reece James is depreciating in value ahead of the January transfer window. The 23-year-old defender was named as the new Chelsea captain in the summer following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta.
With question marks over James' growing injury record, ESPN pundit Alejandro Moreno has claimed the right-back has no right to be described as Chelsea's 'most valuable player'. He said: "By definition MVP is most valuable player and in order to be a player, you have to be on the field.
"It’s not a situation in which I disagree with Sam in regard to the value of Reece James when he’s on the field. But if he is watching from the stands, then he has no use for me. He does nothing for me if I’m a Chelsea player, if I’m part of the Chelsea coaching staff or the front office."
Hazard ultimatum
Eden Hazard's brother, Thorgan, has confirmed that the former Chelsea star will not pursue a career in the dugout following his retirement from professional football. The 32-year-old was left without a club this season after Real Madrid terminated his contract a year ahead of a schedule.
As quoted by a recent print edition of the Mirror, Thorgan said: "He is mentally and physically not capable of doing that. And we won’t see him in the dugout as a manager, either. He just wants to spend time with his family."
Good morning!
Good morning and welcome to football.london's dedicated blog for all things Chelsea! Stay with us as we bring you all the latest Blues news and transfer gossip during the international break...
