Although Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said the other day that he still wants Raheem Sterling (see above), he was not named in their squad for Thursday's Europa Conference League game.

According to the PA news agency,, external Maresca told Sterling after last Friday's training session that he is not in his plans for this season and that the England forward should assess his options.

Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter

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Fulham are set to sign Crystal Palace centre back Joachim Andersen for a fee in the region of £30m.

Fulham have been pursuing Andersen throughout this window, and had a bid rejected with Palace valuing him at closer to £40m.

However, a deal has been agreed and the Denmark international will undergo a medical today before completing a move back to the club he played for on loan in the 2020-21 season.

There has also been interest in Andersen’s centre back partner Marc Guehi from Newcastle and chairman Steve Parish said it would be "unlikely" that the club would let both players leave.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Enzo Maresca is quickly learning that part of Chelsea's core identity is transfers.

During the Roman Abramovich era, it was dreams of lavish deals for stars.

But under new Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, it is similarly about lavish spending but on a host of younger players.

That constant need for a deal across two ownerships has made the transfer market part of the core identity of this club.

Fittingly, Maresca will be asked about players moving both in and out as Joao Felix is expected imminently to join Chelsea and could he possibly be available to face Servette in the Europa League.

The other intrigue is around signing so many players and what does that mean for Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and nearly a dozen others.

Chelsea

Conor Gallagher has said playing for Chelsea made his "dreams come true" after the midfielder completed his move to Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of £33m.

"To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true," the England international said in a post on social media., external

"It's been an absolute honour every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions. I loved every moment. These memories will last forever.

"I appreciate all the love and support from the fans. Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed meant the world to me. Thank you for everything.

"I wish the club all the best for the future, and I hope to see you all soon at Stamford Bridge!"

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger

There was no need to spin it that Conor wasn't wanted because of the new possession style.

The club have been keen to cash in on him for a season or more, the fans know this so don't insult their intelligence with that line. I would wish Conor the best whether he ended up in a Spanish villa or Aston Villa.

He just needs somewhere his talents and fabulous attitude are valued.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It’s safe to say that sections of the fanbase have raised their eyebrows over the treatment and departure of a homegrown midfielder, who clearly loved the club.

There are a lot of parallels to Mason Mount’s departure to Manchester United last summer - as two popular homegrown stars felt they were pushed out.

Ultimately, Chelsea don’t believe [Conor] Gallagher, who has exceptional energy level and fitness, is as good at playing the short passing game that will soon characterise the club.

But it won’t stop some supporters feeling that all these sales of academy players are a soulless ploy to cover transfer market mistakes and keep them compliant with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

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Spencer

Chelsea

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Conor Gallagher joins the likes of Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (AC Milan), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest), Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa), Lewis Hall (Newcastle) and Mason Mount (Manchester United) in terms of Cobham-developed players who have departed since the 2022 takeover.

Boss Enzo Maresca has called on the Premier League to change their financial rules so clubs do not feel "compelled" to sell academy players.

When clubs sell academy graduates the entire transfer fee goes down as 'pure profit' in their accounts and can help them navigate the top flight's strict profit and sustainability rules.

Nevin told BBC Sport: "The 'legacy' fans are particularly distraught, but they also understand this is little more than pure economics. He is a home-grown talent, 'straight outta Cobham', as it were and that means he represents pure profit when he is sold on.

‌"The club needs the Gallagher income to boost the coffers having spent more than a billion pounds, only to discover they have the looming Premier League PSR to consider.

"The England star, the club's most committed performer last season, a sometime captain and a true fans favourite is the next one to be nudged out."

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Daniel

While Chelsea are in the Europa Conference League in 2024-25, Conor Gallagher has joined a team that will compete in the Champions League after finishing fourth in La Liga last season behind champions Real Madrid, Barcelona and Girona.

"Gallagher adds the dynamism, intensity and enough quality to help the team and make an impact," said Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone is rebuilding his squad after allowing former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata, ex-Manchester United forward Memphis Depay and ex-Chelsea loanee Saul to leave.

"They wanted to bring in young blood," added Balague.

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Tom

Chelsea

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Conor Gallagher grew up local to Chelsea's Cobham training ground and rose through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, winning the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017.

However, it was not until 2022 that he was handed his senior Chelsea debut at the age of 22 by Thomas Tuchel.

By then Gallagher had already had loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.

It was while he was at Palace that he made his first senior England appearance in a 10-0 World Cup qualifying win away to San Marino in November 2021 - three years after having minor heart surgery., external

Gallagher's breakthrough season at Chelsea in 2022-23 saw him make 35 Premier League appearances. His contribution last season, when he scored five goals in 37 top-flight appearances, was second only to Cole Palmer, who finished the season with 22 Premier League goals.

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Steve, Powys.

Chelsea

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Conor Gallagher went from being an eight-year-old Chelsea academy signing to wearing the captain's armband.

Yet his 16-year spell at the club he grew up supporting is over following the England midfielder's move to Atletico Madrid for about £33m.

Some Chelsea supporters are upset at the 24-year-old's departure, claiming homegrown Gallagher's exit increases the gulf between the ownership and the fanbase.

Others appear fine with it , externaland believe the money for a player who was out of contract next summer will help balance the books.

While the debate among fans goes on, Gallagher is beginning the next chapter of his career in Spain where he faces a showdown with England team-mate Jude Bellingham on 29 September when Atletico host Real Madrid in La Liga.

He leaves behind a club on its fourth permanent manager since Chelsea's £4.25bn sale to a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital in May 2022.

Gallagher also leaves behind a club that has finished 12th and sixth the previous two seasons - and which has continued to spend big this summer.

Has his exit put new boss Enzo Maresca and the owners under even more pressure?

"There is only one thing that eases this tension and that is results on the pitch," said Chelsea fan Nat Hayward.

"Lets hope, for their sake, it is a positive start to the season."

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Adam

Here's the post from 07:46 Nick is referring to:

Nick

Chelsea

Well, Enzo Maresca has got quite the selection headache on his hands.

There are currently more than 40 players at Chelsea this season and with Joao Felix rumoured to be returning, that number is rising.

The Blues have also been linked with Manchester United's Jadon Sancho.

Conor Gallagher's transfer to Athletico Madrid has been confirmed, bringing to an end his 18-year-association at the club.

He's one player heading out the door in search of more playing time. Will others follow?

Ryan

Ian

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Chelsea centre-back Bashir Humphreys has joined Burnley on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old, who is an academy graduate, has made two senior appearances for the Blues.

He spent the majority of last season on loan at Swansea City and will return to the Championship to play under former Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker.