Chelsea

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another week, another false dawn over Stamford Bridge fades back to gloom.

A late win over Liverpool, goals galore against Nottingham Forest and Ajax, winnable games in the next few weeks. It had all lined up perfectly for Enzo Maresca's men to find a groove and roll on with three points against a newly promoted team.

Instead, this Chelsea side did the same thing they've done countless times in the last few years - stumble just when they look like they've set themselves up for success.

It's one thing to struggle to break down a well organised, well motivated team like Sunderland. But what is really criminal is not being able to take advantage of having a lead in the game. To lose from that position is really unforgivable.

The defence let down the attack by failing to hold firm with the lead. Then the attack let down the defence by toiling for 70 minutes, unable to create clear-cut chances. Joao Pedro has very quickly gone from solution to problem, while Marc Guiu's renaissance lasted precisely one start (one which comprised just 10 touches).

Alejandro Garnacho's early goal was his only real contribution and Pedro Neto was equally anonymous on the other flank. Even substitute Estevao's magic feet weren't able to produce much against the massed ranks of brave Black Cats formed up in their solid back five.

You can blame the individuals, and many of them deserve it for their performances. But when every attacking player on the pitch struggles, the coach has to take some responsibility too. We're approaching the 18 month mark for Enzo Maresca's time at Chelsea, and we really don't see a team that's better coordinated in breaking down defences than the one he inherited.

Even Cole Palmer would have struggled to make anything happen in a team programmed to move the ball slowly and sideways.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca gave straightforward, honest appraisals in his pre-match press conference looking ahead to Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Wolves.

When asked by BBC Sport, he said he does not think star forward Joao Pedro - without a goal in seven games - is a 20-goal-a-season striker.

He said all his attackers must share the load - aiming for about seven to 10 goals each - to meet the team's targets this season.

This comes amid the return of striker Liam Delap from a 10-week-long injury layoff after a serious hamstring problem.

The Italian was in good spirits, despite going into detail on the challenges facing his team this season.

He shared anecdotes and funny stories during the press conference. It is clear he faces the challenges with a smile.

But pressure will mount if Chelsea lose to the Premier League's bottom club Wolves and miss the chance to win the Carabao Cup, with Tottenham up next on Saturday and enjoying improved form under new manager Thomas Frank.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Wolves at Molineux (19:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Maresca confirmed Liam Delap will be available to return from his hamstring injury on Wednesday: "He took part of a complete session [on Monday] and he is available. For 90 minutes - no, he's been out two months so he needs to be gradually back to 100%."

• Maresca added that he "needs to rotate" his starting XI: "We need to protect the players because if we go with the same 11, we are going to struggle during the season. Probably we will make some changes."

• More on his team selection: "There are players that they need to be protected for many reasons, so we'll see. Enzo [Fernandez], Moises [Caicedo], Joao [Pedro] - they are all players, for different reasons, we need to protect them."

• On the importance of progression in the Carabao Cup: "It is three games from the final, so we need to have the desire to play for that. We need to go game by game. Hopefully winning the game, we can think about the next one. All the competitions are important for Chelsea."

• Asked about Joao Pedro not scoring in his past seven games after his fine start at the club, Maresca said: "For sure, the physical part is important. When you are not 100%, it is difficult to compete. Joao is not a problem. He is going to score goals and give us assists. He is not going to score 20 goals a year. He's a different profile."

• On Pedro Neto's form before returning to his former side Wolves: "He's top, very humble and working hard. He's a very important player for us. We are very happy."

Follow Tuesday's Carabao Cup news conferences

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter at Cobham Training Centre

Image source, Getty Images

At the moment, Chelsea cannot take two steps forward without taking at least one back.

That inconsistency highlights that despite winning the Club World Cup and Conference League over the summer, they are not ready to win the Premier League title.

A shock defeat at home to surprise package Sunderland has led to supporters playing the blame game again.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca must navigate a big week that could either see negativity grow or fend it off until the next potential setback.

A match at Wolves in the EFL Cup is nearly as important as the trip to face fierce rivals Tottenham, given his squad only looks capable of success in the domestic cups.

Some are blaming the misfiring attack while others point to the central defenders for Chelsea's inconsistency this season.

The return of Liam Delap after around 10 weeks out is expected at Molineux, which could provide a much-needed boost - amid injury absentees and a lack of fitness from some of those currently playing, including forward Joao Pedro.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

We have had a lot of questions on whether there is any more news about a new stadium or redevelopment plans for Stamford Bridge sent into our 'Ask about Chelsea' form.

There is no major update on the stadium and I will explain why. It seems, for all intents and purposes, like Chelsea have been waiting to see if an opportunity emerges to take a 44-acre site just north of Stamford Bridge.

This plot of land is being billed as the last major development opportunity in central London and whatever happens next will certainly focus minds at Chelsea. Currently, another company is building an Earl's Court Development Project, which does not feature a stadium.

They are in the final throes of securing planning permission from the two relevant London councils. If planning permission is granted, Chelsea will have their minds focused on the last and probably only option - knock down their current stadium and rebuild a bigger 60,000-seater stadium.

If it is not granted, could Chelsea hijack the site through their political connections on the board? That would open a new can of worms as the club would then need permission from the fans to move the stadium given an organisation called Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) owns the turf at Stamford Bridge, effectively giving them veto power over any proposed move.

I suspect things will remain quiet for the remainder of 2025 but there is potential for some major updates early in 2026.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Ari: One step forward and two steps back. We just simply don't have the talent to break down teams who put everyone behind the ball. We are so inconsistent as well. This takes me back to the late 90s when we would show up against the big boys but struggle against the lesser teams. We also lack leaders. Where are the Terrys, the Lampards and the Drogbas?

Michael: A poor performance. There's no point having all that possession if you cannot create chances. Sunderland packed their defence but we had no creative spark. It was all too slow and predictable and we got rightly punished for it at the end but it was a game we should have won comfortably.

Alan: We have a good squad of talented players. Our problem is that this manager doesn't know how to get the best out of them. His style of football is not working and he has no plan B.

Rod: Great display against Liverpool, now back to the old ways of playing along with the manager making as usual his boring excuses. So many talented players yet still not putting it together, could this be managerial issues? Maresca look at yourself for a change.

Sunderland fans

David: A statement win which has finally earned us some proper recognition. Am so proud of the team, club, fans and city. Astute management is making the most of clever recruitment and, whisper it, we may finally have got a top half Premier league team.

Craig: The fans are delighted that we are being taken seriously, and most importantly that the players and the manager are taking being in the Premier League seriously. This wasn't a fluke win; they were genuinely better than Chelsea, on their own ground. Absolute dreamland.

Ray: Before today's game, all the pundits were saying that we were in a false position as we hadn't played anyone yet. I agree. We've only played teams below us in the league! Well done Sunderland AFC, WOW!

Dan: I thought our bubble might burst today with having such a good start so was hoping for a point but expecting a defeat. Great win, the players look like they're enjoying themselves and playing for the club and the fans. Great team spirit in the camp. Surprising everyone including us. Loving it!

Juventus are monitoring Chelsea's Malo Gusto, 22, as they consider making a move for the France right-back in January. (Calciomercarto - in Italian), external

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

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Pundits Michael Carrick and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland

• Newcastle 2-1 Fulham

• Man Utd 4-2 Brighton

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Chelsea missed the opportunity to move into second place in the Premier League after winger Chemsdine Talbi scored a 94th-minute for Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

Regis le Bris' side were on the brink of earning a valuable point in west London, but snatched all three when Talbi converted from the edge of the box after a quick counter-attack to make it 2-1.

The victory - Sunderland's second on the road this season - was all the more remarkable given Chelsea had taken an early lead when Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for the club with a fine solo effort.

Sunderland levelled through Wilson Isidor, who netted from close range for his fourth goal of the season following Chelsea's failure to clear their lines from a long throw.

The Black Cats were less adventurous in the second half, seemingly content to settle for a point against the Club World Cup champions.

But the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances and over-committed numbers in the search of a winner.

Sunderland expertly exploited the space left in Chelsea's half as substitute Brian Brobbery latched on to a long ball, held up possession and laid off for Talbi to score a famous winner.

The win means the Black Cats move into second place, two points behind leaders Arsenal having played a game more than the Gunners.

Chelsea, who would have gone second with a victory of their own, slip to seventh behind London rivals Tottenham.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Match of The Day after his side's defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge: "We started well with the ball but we were losing the second balls and against these sort of teams you have to know how to deal with that and overall we were not good enough.

"It was not one of our best performances. You can drop points against any team if you do not perform at 100%

"I think when you lose a game like today it is not just about one player, we were not good enough in general and it is something we need to learn soon as the Premier League is full of these games."

On Sunderland's equaliser: "It was the first time they shot on goal. When they bring seven to eight players inside the box it is very difficult but it is something we need to do better."

On conceding a late winner: "We said many times that if you can't win you shouldn't lose. So we should have managed that better, but it is something to learn."

Did you know?

• Chelsea have dropped six points from winning positions in Premier League home games this season, the most of any side.

• Alejandro Garnacho scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea. The Blues have now had 10 different goalscorers in the competition this term (excluding own goals), with no side having more.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Enzo Maresca makes eight changes to the side who saw off Ajax on Wednesday and starts Alejandro Garnacho alongside Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto.

Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Pedro, Garnacho, Guiu

Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Fofana, Hato, Lavia, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, George

Regis Le Bris makes two changes to the team that beat Wolves last weekend with Omar Alderete missing out due to a concussion and Chris Rigg dropping to the bench.

Sunderland starting XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo, Geertrudia, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Isidor

Subs: Patterson, Neil, O'Nein, Talbi, Rigg, Brobbery, Mayenda, Jones, Masuaku

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Sunderland (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Fulham (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Brighton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Brentford v Liverpool (20:00)

Kick-offs 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Sunderland" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Fulham", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This fixture does not hold too many good memories for me, because my Chelsea debut was against the Black Cats in 1999.

They are terrible memories, actually, because I missed a couple of one-on-ones but at least it was a good team performance and I still got a win bonus... although thinking about it, they should have taken that off me.

I am going for another Chelsea win this time too, even though Joao Pedro is in my Fantasy team and he is not scoring.

They made lots of changes against Ajax on Wednesday but still won so emphatically.

Enzo Maresca's side were not as convincing when they beat Nottingham Forest last weekend and the 3-0 scoreline flattered them a bit, but after a bit of a wobble in September, they have now won four in a row in all competitions.

Sunderland are extremely well organised but I'd still fancy Chelsea to find a way through - which is probably bad news for Blues supporters.

I don't want to sound too negative about how my predictions are going, but I got Sunderland wrong every week even when I was doing well, and at the moment I am doing badly.

I am going to write the Black Cats off again now though because I think we are already at the stage where their fans want me to. They know it means there is a good chance of them winning.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

In-form Chelsea host the pick of the promoted sides Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues have won each of their past four matches in all competitions, with three of those victories coming at home, including a 5-1 thrashing of Dutch giants Ajax in midweek.

Much was made of the starting XI chosen by head coach Enzo Maresca for that match which, with an average age of just 22, was the second youngest named by an English side in Champions League history.

His bold selection was vindicated by their emphatic win, with Marc Guiu, Estevao and Tyrique George finding the target - the first time in the competition's history that three teenagers have scored for one team in a single match.

Marseca remains the only manager in Premier League history not to select a player over the age of 30, although some of his more experienced names should return on Saturday, with the likes of Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Pedro Neto all rested for their European fixture.

One player who will not return this weekend is Cole Palmer. The 23-year old has only featured fleetingly this season because of a groin issue but his absence has largely been masked by the emergence of Estevao, who was exceptional against 10-man Ajax on Wednesday.

The 18-year old is the youngest Blues player to set up a Premier League goal, the youngest Brazilian to score a winner in the Premier League and the youngest Chelsea player to score in the Champions League. His head coach has also hinted at a likeness between him and Chelsea's missing star.

"Cole started wide at Manchester City then built some physicality," said Maresca. "In the future, Estevao can do the same and become a number 10."

Sunderland head to the capital with confidence and rightly so.

The Premier League newcomers have made their joint-best start to a Premier League season, matching the efforts of the 1999-2000 squad managed by Peter Reid. His side went on to finish seventh.

The Black Cats have also gone 13 away league games against London sides without losing since a 2-1 defeat at Fulham in April 2018, winning four of those matches and drawing nine.

Sunderland made sweeping changes to the side that won Championship promotion and the majority of the club's raft of summer signings have hit the ground running.

Robin Roefs, 22, has arguably been the pick of the bunch and according to Opta's data he has prevented a total of three goals this season, more than any other Premier League goalkeeper.

None of the past 16 Premier League meetings between these sides at Stamford Bridge have resulted in a draw, with Chelsea winning 13 and Sunderland the other three.