Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's close ties to Strasbourg are highlighted by the five deals from the bigger English club into the smaller French club.

Defender Mamadou Sarr completes a maximum of three loans into the Ligue 1 club this summer, with midfielder Kendry Paez and goalkeeper Mike Penders also moving to the Alcase-based club this week.

All three of those loaned were looked at by Enzo Maresca and his coaching staff at the Club World Cup and were in contention to make his squad for the coming season but in all cases it was decided a loan move would be more productive for their development.

Sarr was pleased to re-join Strasbourg while Penders is going to be number one and earn valuable experience. There was some confusion around Paez who had hoped he would make Chelsea's squad for the Club World Cup but travelled to the United States without being registered instead.

Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino was also considered for a loan move by Strasbourg.

In addition to the three loanees, Strasbourg have signed Chelsea academy defender Ishe Samuels-Smith for £6.5m and midfielder Mathis Amougou for around £12m.

There are further signs of the connection between the clubs with Strasbourg led by English manager Liam Rosenior, who secured a seventh placed finish last season to allow the club to qualify for the Conference League.

They previously signed Diego Moreira from Chelsea and have Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Maxi Oyedele and Andrew Omobamidele who have spent time in the English academy system.

Chelsea have also discussed signing Strasbourg's star striker Emanuel Emegha next season as part of his ongoing contract negotiations to keep him for a further year at Stade de la Meinau.

To some, multi-club models feel wrong but Chelsea are just the latest club from England after the likes of Manchester City, Brighton and Bournemouth to benefit from such a connection.

The Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership are understood to prefer a small but mutually beneficial connection - similar to the one between RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg - rather than a bigger model like the 12-club City Football Group, led by Manchester City.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr has completed a season-long loan move to Strasbourg.

The Blues and the Ligue 1 club, who are both owned by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital under the BlueCo umbrella, agreed a deal for Sarr in January and completed the £12m signing this summer.

It was the first permanent transfer between the clubs, but becomes the fifth bit of business between the sides this summer.

The 19-year-old made his Chelsea debut in the team's victory over ES Tunis in the Club World Cup and featured in every matchday squad en route to the Blues becoming world champions last month.

Chelsea are expected to make an offer for Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, 21, before the transfer window shuts and have no concerns over his character after a series of background checks on the Argentina winger. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

The Blues are also interested in Club Brugge's Ardon Jashari but the 23-year-old Switzerland midfielder prefers a move to AC Milan. (Sacha Tavolieri), external

Finally, Inter Milan have rejected the chance to sign Chelsea and France striker Christopher Nkunku, 27, as they are focus on a move for Atalanta's 27-year-old Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Image source, Ross

On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Chelsea and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Ross:

"My dad was Chelsea through and through and made me fall in love with this wonderful club. He took me to my first game at Stamford Bridge, which was the Gianfranco Zola tribute match against Real Zaragoza. Got to see the magician play in blue for the last time!

"Now I get to take my son, and create memories of our own. His first game at the Bridge was pre-season against Inter Milan last season - Enzo Maresca's first home game in charge. That was followed by FA Cup and Conference League games, and even managed to get tickets for home league game against Ipswich!

"Can't wait for this season - hopefully many more games to witness live together."

Join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love the Blues.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea forward Estevao Willian will meet his team-mates when they return to the UK on Monday, 4 August, following their Club World Cup triumph.

The 18-year-old, who is a versatile forward able to play across the frontline, chose Chelsea over a host of other teams. Most notably Paris Saint-Germain, who produced a rival bid, along with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.

The choice to join Chelsea was driven by belief in their project, as well as the offer of a substantial role in his first season, as Estevao aims to join the Brazil national team for the next World Cup in 2026.

That said, there is also the expectation he will be signed easily initially, but that he could quickly become a starter if he impresses in training.

Defender Thiago Silva was among those who met Estevao before he chose Chelsea in 2024, but manager Enzo Maresca also spoke with him during a meeting during the Club World Cup in the United States this summer.

Chelsea are ready to help Estevao settle in, as he will arrive early to find a place to live in London and the surrounding area.

Estevao does not speak English, but Maresca is fluent in several languages and reportedly managed to communicate with the striker in a mix of Portuguese and Spanish. The youngster has been taking English lessons since the beginning of the year and will intensify his studies when he arrives.

There is also optimism that Estevao will adapt quickly to English life, as he does not drink and is known for being a laid back person. He will also have his family with him as he escapes the unique pressures of Brazilian football.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea attacking midfielder Kendry Paez has joined Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on a season-long loan.

The youngster signed from Independiente del Valle in June 2023, but only officially completed his Stamford Bridge move after turning 18 in May this year.

Paez already has plenty of first-team experience, making 70 appearances for his previous club and earning 18 caps for the Ecuador national team.

However, he was left out of Enzo Maresca's travelling squad for the recent Club World Cup.

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have agreed a £37m deal to sign Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, subject to clearance by the Dutch club's supervisory board – and it is a signing that makes sense for the dynamics of Chelsea's bloated squad.

The Blues boast seven centre-backs in their current squad but only Levi Colwill, who played regularly last season, and Benoit Badiashile are naturally left-sided.

Badiashile's 2024-25 campaign was disrupted by a hamstring injury in December while just three Premier League starts suggests head coach Enzo Maresca wants a different option to compete with Colwill in the heart of defence.

Hato brings versatility having spent large parts of last season at Ajax playing at left-back and, with Ben Chilwell firmly out of favour, the 19-year-old can also offer competition to regular left-back Marc Cucurella given the Champions League campaign to come.

In 2023-24, Hato played 80% of his football at centre-back, most commonly in a 4-2-3-1 formation. However, last season, new head coach Francesco Farioli deployed him at left-back for 94% of his minutes, as part of a 4-3-3 formation.

Hato has already played 111 competitive games for Ajax's first team, after making his debut aged just 16 years and 335 days in 2023. That made him the third-youngest player to feature for the club in Eredivisie after Clarence Seedorf and Ryan Gravenberch. He also won his first Netherlands cap less than a year later.

Since that first appearance, Hato has been nearly ever-present for Ajax. Of players from Europe's top six leagues born after 1 January 2003, Hato has played the most minutes at club level in all competitions since the start of 2023-24 (8,347), ahead of Jude Bellingham (7,988) and Lamine Yamal (7,506).

Chelsea are still pushing to sign Alejandro Garnacho, but Manchester United are holding out for at least £40m for the 21-year-old winger. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, England Under-19 midfielder Leo Castledine is set to join Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan from Chelsea. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland are keen on taking Chelsea striker Marc Guiu on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old is being made available by Chelsea given they boast a host of other options and Guiu has previously attracted the attention of relegated Ipswich Town.

However, the chance of going on loan within the Premier League could also be attractive as Chelsea and the £5m signing from Barcelona in 2024 weigh up their options.

Guiu got six goals in 16 matches in his first season at Chelsea.

The Blues could also loan out winger Tyrique George, also 19, with both attackers having played a substantial role during Chelsea's Conference League win last season.

Chelsea have since signed Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens. They are also in talks to add RB Leipzig attacker midfielder Xavi Simons to Enzo Maresca's squad.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Big Transfer Talk, the panel discuss Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, who is potentially the next player to move to Chelsea.

"He is very technical for his age and very good on the ball," said Statman Dave. "When you look at his stats over the season, we are starting to see a player who is very composed and creative.

"He could potentially go on a similar path to Trent Alexander-Arnold - that is the player I would liken him to in Europe."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea defender Ishe Samuels-Smith has agreed a five-year deal to join Strasbourg.

The 19-year-old is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and was valued at £6.5m as he moves across to another Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital-owned club in France.

It is the second such permanent deal between the two clubs after midfielder Mathis Amougou moved for a similar sum.

There are also expected to be three loan deals into Strasbourg from Chelsea, with goalkeeper Mike Penders already having joined as new number one.

Defender Mamadou Sarr and midfielder Kendry Paez are also expected to join a club that qualified for the Conference League by finishing seventh in Ligue 1.

The move shows the strength of Chelsea's fledgling multiclub model but may also lead to criticism about the club using it in order to remain compliant with financial rules.

Samuels-Smith never made an appearance for Chelsea's first team in his two-year spell after joining in a £4m deal from Everton in 2023.

Manchester United have an interest in Paris St-Germain's Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but are reluctant to get involved in a bidding war with Chelsea and Manchester City for the 26-year-old's services. (Sun), external

Manchester United are keen to offload Garnacho and have spoken to Chelsea and Aston Villa about the possibility of striking a deal. (Independent), external

The Red Devils have ended their interest in Nicolas Jackson, 24, with the Senegal forward demanding too much in wages. (Mirror), external

Finally, Napoli have Raheem Sterling, 30 on their list of targets. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Image source, Getty Images

Joao Felix has moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in a deal worth up to £43.7m.

The Portugal forward made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Blues last season, scoring seven goals following his summer move to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid.

On his departure, Chelsea released a brief statement thanking Felix for his efforts and wishing him well.

The 25-year-old spent the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at AC Milan.

Read our feature on Felix's career

Chelsea are closing in on a deal worth more than 40m euros (£34.8m) to sign 19-year-old Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Aston Villa and England midfielder Morgan Rogers, 23, is a top target for Chelsea and the Blues are ready to offer England defender Tosin Adarabioyo, 27, and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, as well as a fee to secure a deal. (Football Insider, external)

Finally, Enzo Maresca has no intention of selling Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, 27, amid speculation with clubs in Saudi Arabia. (Football London, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Chelsea.

When was the moment it all began?

What is your most special memory?

Your first home game? Earliest shirt? A seminal away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders was always likely to join Strasbourg this summer and it has finally been made official.

The 19-year-old is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge and manager Enzo Maresca took him to the United States as part of his Club World Cup-winning team to take a closer look at the Belgian.

However, Penders has only made 26 senior appearances in his short career so a loan move was always likely.

Strasbourg are also owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital's BlueCo and thus have emerged as the primary destination for young players to go on loan from Chelsea, especially ones the club feel have a long term future inside their project.

Penders perfectly fits the BlueCo ideology of player development, but is making a significant step up from Belgian football given Strasbourg have qualified for European football this season.

Replacing former number one Djordje Petrovic - who joined Bournemouth for £25m this summer after winning Strasbourg's player of the year award - will also be difficult.

Yet Penders is seen as a keeper who some day is capable of reaching the highest level within the Chelsea/Strasbourg system - and this is an opportunity to live up to those beliefs.

Fulham have registered an interest in Chelsea's 25-year-old English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. (GiveMeSport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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