Chelsea

It's all over at MetLife Stadium where Chelsea have reached the Club World Cup final thanks to two goals from new striker Joao Pedro.

Send us your thoughts on the outcome

The BBC's search to find a new football expert is under way, with 12 content creators competing in Last Pundit Standing to win a role as BBC Sport's next football content creator.

The first two episodes of the show - co-hosted by former Watford captain Troy Deeney and YouTuber and football presenter James Allcott - are available to watch on iPlayer, as well as BBC Sport's YouTube channel and TikTok account, with new episodes every week until 11 August.

The contestants, who were chosen from more than 400 applicants, will be whittled down through a series of tasks staged at iconic football locations as the creators are challenged by some of the biggest names in the game.

Read more about the show here

Watch the first two episodes of Last Pundit Standing now on BBC iPlayer

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger

Image source, Getty Images

Why was Palmeiras youngster Estevao Willian trying so hard for his side against Chelsea this weekend when he is set to become a Blues player after this tournament? The answer is that he is a good pro who will do the right thing and has the right attitude.

It shouldn't even be a question. Every player should always give everything to the team currently employing him, even up until the last moment of the last game. Any player who doesn't has his moral compass badly out of whack.

Chelsea go marching on to the semi-finals with £55m signing Joao Pedro sitting on the bench. Liam Delap and Estevao, who cost another almost £60m, are waiting in the wings. Jamie Gittens - a snip at £48m from Borussia Dortmund - is also ready to join the group.

So far, so Chelsea. But on the same day this week, they were also fined £27m by Uefa for breaching spending guidelines.

Fans of other clubs will be flabbergasted Chelsea can continually keep splashing the cash when they have demonstrably broken the financial rules and bent a few others wildly out of shape.

However, we are in a strange, post-reality world. Getting multi-million pound fines is not considered problematic for the club or for the integrity of the sport.

Other clubs who sweetly and somewhat naively played within the rules must feel stupid as the Blues cruise to the latter stages of the Club World Cup after qualifying for the Champions League last season, particularly when they consider all the massive financial rewards they provide.

Chelsea will doubtless sell some of their multitude of excess players to get money in the short term. Noni Madueke looks a likely candidate.

Right now, however, it feels uncomfortable and indeed risky.

Then again, I will admit to selfishly really looking forward to a club I favour being a joy to watch next season with the quality they will have on show... how fickle we fans are.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva says he will help current club Fluminense's coaching staff with some "interesting details" about his old side before their meeting in the Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Silva spent four years at Stamford Bridge, making 151 appearances and winning the Champions League, before departing in 2024.

"I don't know Enzo Maresca that well, but I know a lot of the players there. I speak to them practically every week and some of them are very close to me," the 40-year-old said after joking that he is "not a spy".

"I'm happy about this match. It's going to be a special day for me, but it will be even more special if we qualify.

"The expectations are high and the anxiety is high about facing them in a Club World Cup semi-final, so I'm trying to help the coaching staff with some interesting details – but they are things that will stay between us.

"I was in London a little while ago to see my kids, so I went to training. Of course I can't give too much away, but we've prepared for this match. I think that's the most important thing.

"But whoever is on the other side, I think Fluminense have a special crowd, a special aura. I hope that can work tomorrow too."

Fluminense manager Renato Gaucho highlighted the gulf in resources between the two clubs in his pre-match news conference, but stated his belief in his team to go on and win the trophy.

"We are an ugly duckling in financial terms," he said. "Fluminense's finances are not 10% of these European clubs.

"They have the means to hire the individual players to give themselves higher chances of winning. We are ugly ducklings but that doesn't mean we can't win the Club World Cup."

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Maresca confirmed Romeo Lavia will not be available and is currently back in training individually.

• On Noni Madueke's mindset amid reports linking him with a move to Arsenal: "Personally, I think it was the same noise before the Palmeiras. I don't have any doubt Noni can help us as he was very good for 30 minutes. I understand it is not easy to deal with the noise, also, but hopefully he can deal with that."

• When asked about coping without the suspended Levi Colwill and Liam Delap, Maresca said: "In the last game, we had Romeo out, Moi [Caicedo] out and Reece [James] out and we found a solution. With Levi and Liam out, we will find a different solution. Joao [Pedro] is ready, also Nico [Jackson]."

• On Jackson, who himself returns from suspension: "Nico is training well. Unfortunately, in almost his last two games he was sent off. Unfortunately for him and us. He is working well. He played the Conference League final and scored. At this moment, he is OK."

• Maresca believes new signing Joao Pedro can play in a variety of roles: "I think Joao can play in all the attacking positions for us, wide, number 10 and as a number nine. The difference with Nico is I see him as just a number nine whereas I see Joao in different positions."

• He was asked whether he wished his players were like former Blues defender and current Fluminense captain Thiago Silva and responded: "I am happy in the way our players are."

• On Silva, he added: We respect Thiago, absolutely. But we prepare the game against Fluminense. We need to be careful about many different things."

• On Caicedo's significance: "Moi has been one of the best players of the season. He's a very important player for us and his team-mates. We also have Romeo, we used Andrey Santos in that position - we are quite happy but more happy when Moi is in the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro says he was on holiday in Brazil when the chance came to make a "dream" move Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old sealed a £55m switch from Brighton last week and is now in a position to start for his new club at the Club World Cup as they prepare to face Fluminense - the club he played youth football for - in the semi-finals.

Asked about his condition, he told BBC Sport: "I was on holidays, but I was always training and if I'm going to start or not, it's not my decision but I will try to improve, be ready for Enzo and if he needs me so we will see tomorrow.

"I was in Brazil, with my friends. In Rio but I have a personal trainer and I trained as well so I was ready. Imagine if I didn't train and Chelsea called me to come then it would be more difficult for me. I was on holiday with friends and family but I made sure I was ready.

"I knew Chelsea had an interest in me so that's why I was training harder and when they called me to come here I was ready, not 100% but ready enough to come here and train."

On what inspired him to join he said: "I think Chelsea is a big club and my dream was always to play for a big club and to win trophies. Chelsea have a great team, a young team and I think that's why I came here.

"When I left Watford I was in the Championship, then I went to Brighton. If you watch the group stage of the Europa League I was top scorer and I'm ready for a new challenge.

"That's why I joined Chelsea."

Pedro said he may choose not to celebrate if he scores against Fluminense and added he was "very grateful" for the club's role in his development.

There is a chance he could play in tandem with summer signing Liam Delap or be deployed in a support role.

"I would say I am a striker," Pedro told media when asked about his preferred position.

"I like to play as a number nine. But also I like to feel free on the pitch. And that's what Enzo said to me, 'Play like a number nine but come deeper to link up with the other players'. I am a very technical player. I like to score as well. I play like a nine, but I also have the mind of a 10 as well. I think this combination will be good for my team-mates and for Chelsea."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will speak to the media later on Monday before Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense.

Midfielder Moises Caicedo is available to return after serving his suspension, but Liam Delap and Levi Colwill will both miss out after collecting their second bookings of the tournament.

Maresca is expected to provide a fitness update on Reece James and Romeo Lavia who missed the quarter-finals through injury.

Image source, Getty Images

Malo Gusto believes Chelsea are in a good position to win the Club World Cup because they have shown "mental strength" throughout the competition.

Enzo Maresca's side face Fluminense in New York on Tuesday for a place in Sunday's final.

Chelsea have already lost in the competition - a group game with Flamengo - and have faced numerous challenges with the weather and pitch conditions.

"During this competition, our mental strength has been the most important thing," said Gusto. "That's why we are in the semi-final, because we've shown that on the pitch during all the games that we have had.

"We know the weather is tough, the pitch too, and all the teams are very good. There are many things are around the game and we have to deal with it.

"That's why this competition is so hard to play and that's why we are so happy to get this far.

"I think if we can overcome these hurdles we can do anything and that's why we must believe in ourselves, give our best and see what goes after.

"We have a chance of the trophy and that's what we must try to do."

Chelsea are expecting offers of more than £50m for 23-year-old England forward Noni Madueke, who has agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a move. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Borussia Dortmund are looking to extend the loan of Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, 21, with the English youngster's £40m release clause making a permanent deal unlikely. (Talksport), external

Chelsea need to raise more than £60m in sales to be able to register their new signings for this season's Champions League. (Times - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in New York

Image source, Getty Images

Marc Cucurella says Chelsea newcomers - including Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap - have "a lot of quality" and hopes they can bring "fresh energy".

The 26-year-old is one of the oldest players in Chelsea's squad and has emerged as one of their leaders.

He was speaking after Gittens became their latest signing - joining from Borussia Dortmund in a £48.5m move, taking their total spend this summer to about £170m.

Asked about what the new signings have added, Cucurella said: "I think this is good for Chelsea because we have new players with a lot of quality.

"They joined a club where we try to win every game. Hopefully, they bring good energy, the quality we know and we try to stay with them.

"I think it's early for them but hopefully they can bring fresh energy and a lot of quality."

Chelsea beat Palmeiras 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, where they will face another Brazilian team - Fluminense - at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey.

Palmeiras' goal was scored by 18-year-old attacker Estevao Willian, who is joining the Blues after a £52m move.

"I think he's a good player with a lot of talent," said Cucurella. "We want to help him. We try to help him in all the things that we can."

Cucurella has admitted regular signings and sales have previously made things tricky at Stamford Bridge.

"At the beginning, it was difficult because football is a lot of relationships," he said. "You stay close with one team-mate and then he leaves or you leave.

"It's difficult, but I think we have a good group now. I think we have been together for a long time. The most important thing is that as a new player, you feel OK.

"You have confidence and you can show your personality in everything. If you feel this from the beginning, it's more easy to reach."

Should Chelsea beat Fluminense they will face either Paris St-Germain or Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final.

"For all of us, it is very important," said Cucurella. "At this moment, we do not think about the fatigue. If we are tired, we want to enjoy this moment.

"It is a good opportunity to do something important, to be proud of our work and to play for Chelsea."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter at MetLife Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund want to re-sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka next season, says sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

Chukwuemeka, 21, came on for the last 15 minutes of Dortmund's dramatic 3-2 defeat by Real Madrid in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.

With his loan spell - which began in February - now over, Chukwuemeka will return to Stamford Bridge.

"We will definitely have some more discussions in the next few days about his situation," said Kehl.

"I think it was a good move from Carney to join us. Now let's see how we manage everything. It won't be easy, but we will try to keep him because he's a very good player."

Chelsea are understood to want about £40m for a player they signed from Aston Villa in 2022.

"It's always easier to loan a player than to buy one, especially within Carney's [price] range," said Kehl.

"But let's see. We are not that far advanced [in talks] at the moment, but I can tell you that we are pretty close to the player, and he loves Dortmund.

"Everything else will be decided between Chelsea and us. That won't be tomorrow. That won't be on Tuesday. I think it will take some more days."

Kehl also wished winger Jamie Gittens well after his £48.5m move to Chelsea.

"We held many discussions with Chelsea in recent weeks," he said.

"We refused an offer on June 10, but now we have found an agreement. Jamie wanted to make that next step, and Chelsea will get a very professional and highly motivated young player, who still has lots of potential.

"We built him for five years here at Dortmund. He's a great kid, and we wish him all the best."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on the signing of Jamie Gittens for £48m plus add-ons from Borussia Dortmund.

Here are some of your comments:

Ayoola: Hopefully, he lives up to expectations. He's the kind of player who fits into Chelsea's project.

James: Sorry but I can't get overly excited about this move! It is blatantly obvious that a top class keeper is needed yet Enzo Maresca seems happy. Hope Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap can strike up a good partnership quickly

Scott: In a word, underwhelming. His stats are not impressive. I'd rather have went for Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho who are desperate to get out of Manchester United.

Terence: Well Chelsea have bought three " top-drawer" strikers so it's time to get rid of Nicolas Jackson and let the new strikers prove themselves. Personally, I was happy with just Delap and Estevao joining as the new strikeforce.

David: We seem to now have seven or eight top-class forwards but still have a truly worrying goalkeeper. Surely buying a top-class keeper would have been better use of our multi-million purchases?

Chris: I suppose he'll fit in with the rest of the wide men we have, but a world-class goalkeeper would have been nice?

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will see his team earn a substantial $21m dollars after beating Palmeiras in Fifa's Club World Cub but Uefa sanctions still pose a problem.

The Blues will rightly celebrate a 2-1 win over the Brazilian giants, helped by a wonderful Cole Palmer goal at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

However, on the same day Fifa provided a windfall and something to celebrate, there was concerning news from Uefa.

Uefa's governing body announced an initial fine of 31m euros (£26.7m) and Chelsea could be fined a further 60m euros (£51.2m) over the next four years should they continue to not fulfil the financial controls enforced by European football's governing body.

Further to this, the sanction stipulates Chelsea must balance the books in Europe and make sure to end the transfer window with a "positive balance" or be unable to register new players, including new signings like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens.

Not only that, they must sell players that were previously on the A list in Uefa competition, in this case the Conference League squad from the second half of last season.

That means that balancing the £170m of purchases this summer needs to come from those registered from Europe's third tier, which Chelsea won, with only Marcus Bettinelli, sold for a nominal fee to Manchester City, thus far counting.

Sales of forwards Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku are not ruled out. Trevoh Chalobah could also be sold from the current squad.

The sales of Kepa Arrizabalga to Arsenal for £5m and defender Bashir Humphreys for £12.7m to Burnley do not count, neither would fees for Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja, Joao Felix and Renato Veiga, who were not selected for the Club World Cup and are deemed surplus to requirements.

This is a very complex case and it is not clear how many players will need to be sold but Chelsea say they are confident of future compliance and have spoken of their ongoing support for Uefa's rules.

Image source, Getty Images

New Chelsea signing Jamie Gittens says it is "an amazing feeling" to make the switch from Borussia Dortmund to Stamford Bridge.

The English forward completed his long-mooted move on Saturday and is determined to prove his worth in the Premier League.

"It feels great," Gittens said. "It's a great feeling to join such a big club as Chelsea.

"I can't wait to learn from everyone in the team and to push myself to the max here. It's an amazing feeling."

The England Under-21 international has featured for Dortmund in the Club World Cup, after a 2024-25 season that included 12 goals and five assists in 48 games.

What do you make of his arrival?

Where does he fit in at Chelsea?

Let us know

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views following Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Palmeiras to reach the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Mujahid: Target accomplished. Before this tournament, my target for Chelsea was to reach the semi-finals. Let's go and exceed expectations.

Dell: Estevao looks amazing - what a talent he is. He was the heartbeat of Palmeiras. I'm looking forward to watching him play for Chelsea. Overall, a good performance by Chelsea. Bring on Fluminense.

Mike: Starting to really come together. Liam Delap did well, Pedro Neto was great and Cole Palmer superb but I still wince every time the ball goes back to Robert Sanchez. Get Mike Maignan in and get rid of Raheem Sterling and the rest, even if we have to give them away!

Nick: Chelsea looked like they were really starting to purr in the first half. The team and the style of play seems to be coming together. Patience is still required. They're still young, but their mentality seems to be right as when they get pegged back they seem to find a way forward. As for Estevao, he is going to terrorise defenders for years to come.

Steve: Starting to see a style of play in this Chelsea team that has been absent for years.

Dani: I am still thinking Enzo Maresca is not the right manager to lead Chelsea.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Philadelphia

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has admitted he has struggled "on and off the field" in recent months after his goal in the 2-1 win over Palmeiras.

The 24-year-old is widely regarded as one of Chelsea's best players but his goal in the Club World Cup, which helped his club reach the semi-final, was only his second in 28 games.

Asked why he ran to substitute Tosin Adarabioyo during his goal celebration, Palmer said: "That's my boy. Obviously, I've had a difficult time these past whatever months on and off the pitch, but he's always been there for me and he's helped me a lot.

"So, yeah, I just thought I'd go over to him."

In the semi-finals, Chelsea will face another Brazilian club in Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

With striker Liam Delap suspended, debutant Joao Pedro could earn his first start after impressing off the bench in the quarter-final.

Palmer added: "Is it his boyhood club? Nice. I think he did very well tonight. I think he changed the game for us.

"Obviously, he's been on holiday in Brazil and we didn't know what to expect from (in terms of) match sharpness and things, but tonight, I think he changed the game."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Sport after the 2-1 win over Palmeiras: "I think in the first half we were in control of the game. We didn't concede nothing.

"We scored the goal and we could have scored more. Second half, they started better than us and they scored. The game changed a little bit - the dynamic changed.

"But then in the last 20-25 minutes we were in control again. I think we deserved to win the game without being lucky.

"Moises [Caicedo] was suspended, Romeo [Lavia], unfortunately, had a small muscle problem and Reece James felt something during the warm-up. We think that it's tightness, so we preferred not to take any risks with him.

"We decided to start with Andrey [Santos]. We know each other much, much better compared to one year ago. And with a different structure, a different way to play, the players are getting better and better."

On semi-final opponents Fluminense: "Until today, I was focused on Palmeiras. From tomorrow, I will start to be focused on Fluminense. I watched some games that they have played and you can see that they are very well organised. They have some very good players. The manager is doing a fantastic job.

"And again, it will be the same final. The energy from the Brazilian teams in this competition has been high."