Summary

  1. Maresca's balancing actpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea have spent about £185m on 11 signings this summer, adding to a squad that was already considered large.

    Academy products Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah and striker Romelu Lukaku, who cost them £97.5m three years ago, are all training away from the first team.

    Chelsea accepted a £33m bid from Atletico Madrid for Gallagher, who captained the club in 24 Premier League games last season.

    However, he has been unable to complete his move for now after a deal for striker Samu Omorodion to go in the opposite direction collapsed.

    Chalobah is being linked to several Premier League clubs, while manager Enzo Maresca has told England left-back Ben Chilwell that he is allowed to leave this summer too.

    Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and defender Axel Disasi were among the other players, apart from Raheem Sterling, left out against Manchester City on Sunday.

  2. Chelsea lacking in class - fans' reactionpublished at 08:59 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    "We've spent over a billion [pounds] and we've not addressed any of our problems," was the view of one of the Chelsea fans interviewed outside Stamford Bridge after Sunday's defeat to Manchester City.

    The consensus, following the 2-0 loss, was that Chelsea still needed a striker and lacked the necessary class of players to rival the Premier League champions...

    Media caption,

    Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City: Chelsea fans react to loss

  3. 'Chelsea have gotten themselves into a mess'published at 08:53 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Asmir Begovic
    Former Chelsea goalkeeper on BBC's Football Daily podcast

    Raheem Sterling and Conor GallagherImage source, Getty Images

    The situation isn’t sustainable, normally you get into the last week of the transfer window and you’ve maybe got one or two players [you want or need to sell].

    It can create a little bit of unrest within the squad because players are asking 'what’s happening with so and so? Who else is coming in? What is the squad looking like?'.

    When you look at Chelsea, the problem is it’s not just one player.

    During a game you can see there’s dislike between each other.

    As well as [Raheem] Sterling, we have [Conor] Gallagher, we have [Ben] Chilwell, we have [Armando] Broja, we have Kepa [Arrizabalaga]. These players are worth millions and everything is hanging on this because it’s going to be so difficult for them to manage it.

    All these things now over the next two or three weeks are going to have to get sorted. It doesn’t help the squad one bit, the fans are unhappy and unfortunately Chelsea have gotten themselves into a mess because this never used to happen.

  4. Postpublished at 08:46 British Summer Time 19 August

    There is also plenty more reaction to Raheem Sterling's statement in the latest edition of BBC Sounds' Football Daily podcast, while Mario Melchiot, David James and commentator Ian Dennis have been among those to comment on the subject on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast this morning....

  5. Sterling statement has made him 'cheaper to buy' - more reactionpublished at 08:43 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Here is a round-up of more reaction to Raheem Sterling's statement:

    Pat Nevin, who played for Chelsea from 1983 to 1988: "What this situation with Raheem Sterling has done is make him possibly cheaper to buy. He won't be £100m or £50m. He will be a lot less than that as a club can say they are buying 'damaged goods'.

    "Does it mean he will earn less money? Well, the top words of the statement were 'Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football club for the next three years'.

    "That is code for 'I am owed that money and I'm not giving it up'. I think this has been clever by the player and his people."

    Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, on Chelsea's bloated squad: "Enzo Maresca's biggest problem is trying to keep everyone happy. It is virtually impossible.

    "Maresca will see so many unhappy faces. The best teams in the world work on 24 or 25 players in the squad. How or why did they think they can reinvent football? They are giving the manager an impossible job."

    Read more reaction here.

  6. That will not help your team-mates - Richardspublished at 08:36 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Former England defender Micah Richards said that Raheem Sterling had let his Chelsea team-mates down by going public with his views before Sunday's game against Manchester City.

    Chelsea went on to lose 2-0 at home to the Premier League champions.

    Richards added: "Raheem and his team know what they are doing. They are trying to make noise.

    "Putting that statement out before the game is not good enough. That will not help your team-mates or your case of getting back in the team.

    "The manager has not picked him and he needs to deal with it."

  7. 'There is no space for all of them'published at 08:28 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Media caption,

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he still wants Raheem Sterling

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said that it was a "technical decision" after being asked about his omission of Raheem Sterling before Sunday's defeat to Manchester City.

    "The manager has to make some decisions," he told Sky Sports. "Sometimes players don't like it, that's normal. Just a technical decision, no more than that."

    Maresca maintained his line in his post-match news conference, but added: "I want Raheem Sterling but I want all the 30 players that we have, but there is no space for all of them, so for some of them they are to leave."

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - your views on Sterling's statement?published at 08:17 British Summer Time 19 August

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    So what do you think? Was Raheem Sterling right to sanction the release of that statement from his representatives following his omission from Chelsea's squad on Sunday?

    Click thumbs up if you believe he was right, or thumbs down if he was wrong.

    Get in touch with your views on the statement, whether you believe Sterling has a future at Chelsea or could do a job at another top Premier League club, should the Blues decide to sell him.

    Contact us via text, WhatsApp or X using the details above and remember to include your name.

    Thanks.

  9. 'We look forward to gaining clarity on the situation' - Sterling statementpublished at 08:10 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Raheem Sterling in pre-season trainingImage source, Getty Images

    Right, as promised, let's have a look at that statement from Raheem Sterling's representatives and the reaction to it.

    This is what was released by the Sterling "camp" after the England winger was not included in Chelsea's squad for Sunday's match against Manchester City:

    "He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach [Enzo Maresca], who he has developed a good working relationship with.

    "He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.

    "As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.

    "Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively."

  10. 'We don't like to lose games but the performance was good'published at 08:03 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Media caption,

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City: Maresca praises Chelsea after losing to 'best team in the world'

    Aside from the media storm created by Raheem Sterling's reaction to being dropped - which we will assess in more detail next - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was pleased with what he saw from his players during his first Premier League match in charge.

    "I think the performance was good," said Maresca, after watching his side lose 2-0 at home to Manchester City following goals from Erling Haaland and former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

    "We competed in this moment against the best team in the world and for a large part of the game I think we competed well.

    "We created chances and probably the biggest difference between us and them on the day has been inside the box, and the way they managed the ball at the end, for which they are the masters."

    Maresca added: "I am quite happy, we don't like to lose games, for sure, but the performance was good."

  11. 'To have started that way is good news'published at 07:57 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Media caption,

    Chelsea 0-2 Manchester City: Guardiola praises man city as 'privilege' to lead

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was understandably upbeat after watching his side come through a potentially tricky opening-day fixture at Chelsea with apparent ease.

    The Spaniard started with England stars Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker on the bench, while midfield lynchpin Rodri was not in the squad.

    He was also missing the attacking talents of Oscar Bobb, through injury, and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, following his move to Atletico Madrid.

    "I didn't expect it," admitted Guardiola, after watching his side kick off their bid for a fifth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. "I know what these guys can do, but on the first day, with a lack of training? Yet the team, with the body language and the way they have done...at Stamford Bridge last season we could not win so to have started that way is good news.

    "The bad news is that we still have 65 to 70 games left, so be patient, but it is important to start with a win - it is good for the confidence and for the message for ourselves is really good."

  12. 'Business as usual'published at 07:50 British Summer Time 19 August

    Monday's newspapers

    The Daily Express

    The Express, meanwhile, leads with a poster image of smiling goalscorer Erling Haaland with Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne. Manchester City's star trio combined to help the Premier League champions open their campaign for a fifth consecutive title with a comfortable 2-0 win at Chelsea.

    Manager Pep Guardiola compared Haaland - the Premier League's top goalscorer in his first two seasons at City - with legendary forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying: "I don't know how he does it."

    Express back pageImage source, Daily Express
  13. 'Sterling storm'published at 07:43 British Summer Time 19 August

    Monday's newspapers

    The Daily Mail

    The Mail has more on the shock expressed by Raheem Sterling's camp following his omission from Sunday's squad for the defeat to Manchester City.

    A statement from his representatives said that the decision to leave out Sterling was "unexpected" after the England winger featured heavily in the club's promotional material in the build-up to the season opener.

    Mail back pageImage source, Daily Mail
  14. 'Toney's heading for exit'published at 07:38 British Summer Time 19 August

    Monday's newspapers

    The Daily Star

    Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli lead the race to sign Brentford's England striker Ivan Toney, according to the Star, which reports that the 28-year-old looks ready to quit the club after being left out of the Bees squad for Sunday's 2-1 win at home to Crystal Palace.

    Star back pageImage source, Daily Star
  15. 'Sterling facing Chelsea exit'published at 07:33 British Summer Time 19 August

    Monday's newspapers

    The Daily Telegraph

    The Telegraph reports that Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could give Raheem Sterling no assurances that he would remain part of his squad beyond the end of the summer transfer window, which closes on Friday, 30 August.

    Telegraph's main sport pageImage source, Daily Telegraph
  16. Postpublished at 07:30 British Summer Time 19 August

    OK, let's start the reaction to Sunday's Premier League games with a round-up of today's national newspapers...

  17. Real Madrid held by Mallorca in Mbappe's league debutpublished at 07:25 British Summer Time 19 August

    Mallorca 1-1 Real Madrid

    Kylian MbappeImage source, Getty Images

    Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappe had a low-key introduction to La Liga after failing to score on his league debut for Real Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Mallorca.

    The France captain scored on his debut for the club in Wednesday's 2-0 Uefa Super Cup win over Atalanta.

    But the summer signing from Paris St-Germain failed to get off the mark in domestic football.

    Rodrygo curled home a fine opener from Vinicius Jr's backheel to give Carlo Ancelotti's side the lead.

    But Vedat Muriqi equalised with a header from Dani Rodriguez's cross.

    Madrid defender Ferland Mendy was sent off deep into injury time for a lunge on Muriqi.

    Mbappe, PSG's record goalscorer and six-time Ligue 1 Golden Boot winner, had chances for Madrid. He flashed a shot just wide as well as forcing keeper Dominik Greif into a save with his legs.

    This was the first time the 25-year-old World Cup winner had played a league game outside France after starting his career with Monaco.

  18. Sunderland thrash Sheffield Wednesday - EFL round-uppublished at 07:20 British Summer Time 19 August

    Dennis Cirkin celebrates scoring for Sunderland against Sheffield WednesdayImage source, Getty Images

    In the EFL, Sunderland thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 at the Stadium of Light to move into the Championship's top two after the first two matches of the season.

    First-half goals from Dennis Cirkin, Eliezer Mayenda and Luke O'Nien put the Black Cats in control at the break.

    And Mayenda's second of the game effectively sealed the points for Sunderland within two minutes of the restart.

    The victory meant Sunderland moved behind early leaders Burnley on goal difference, with six points from six.

    In League One, last season's play-off finalists Bolton Wanderers were held to a 0-0 draw at home to newly promoted Wrexham, while Jodi Jones’ stoppage-time penalty earned Notts County a deserved 2-2 draw with Fleetwood at Meadow Lane in League Two.

  19. Brentford beat Palace after leaving out Toneypublished at 07:14 British Summer Time 19 August

    Brentford 2-1 Crystal Palace

    Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Brentford started their season with a narrow win over Crystal Palace, despite leaving out striker Ivan Toney over "transfer interest".

    Bryan Mbeumo scored Brentford's opener in the 29th minute, shortly after Crystal Palace had their own strike controversially ruled out.

    Eberechi Eze found the net direct from a wide free-kick, but referee Sam Barrott had already blown his whistle for a foul before the ball crossed the line.

    Moments later, Mbeumo put the Bees in front by squeezing the ball beyond Palace keeper Dean Henderson following a mazy run.

    The Eagles got a deserved equaliser in the 56th minute when Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock poked Daniel Munoz's header into his own net, with Odsonne Edouard lurking behind him.

    But Brentford scored a 78th-minute winner through Yoane Wissa's tap-in after Henderson had kept out Nathan Collins.

    Click here to read Joe Rindl's full match report.

  20. Man City open title defence with victory at Chelseapublished at 07:07 British Summer Time 19 August

    Chelsea 0-2 Man City

    Erling Haaland and Kevin de BruyneImage source, Getty Images

    Erling Haaland scored on his 100th Manchester City appearance as the Premier League champions began their title defence with a win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

    Haaland opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a dinked finish over Robert Sanchez for his 91st City goal since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

    Former Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic made the game safe late on with a curling shot from just outside the penalty area.

    A low-key match only fleetingly burst into life, with Kevin de Bruyne curling just wide from the edge of the box shortly after Haaland's opener, before Sanchez made a fine save from Jeremy Doku’s deflected drive.

    Nicolas Jackson thought he had equalised after City goalkeeper Ederson fumbled Cole Palmer’s shot into his path, but the Senegal forward had just strayed offside.

    Jackson then fired a first-time volley straight at Ederson as Chelsea pushed for an equaliser after the break.

    City also went close through Haaland, while Rico Lewis had a goal disallowed, before Kovacic sealed the points.

    Click here for Tom Mallows' full match report.