Chelsea

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Burnley resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday when they host high-flying Chelsea at Turf Moor. BBC Sport touches on some of the key themes surrounding this fixture.

Burnley's defeat at West Ham United before the international break felt like a damaging one.

A win would have put Scott Parker's side six points clear of their opponents and the relegation zone, but their 3-2 loss means they only sit above the 18th-placed Hammers on goal difference.

The Clarets took a first-half lead, mustered 16 shots to West Ham's 15 and enjoyed more possession – and Parker felt that his players let victory slip from their grasp.

"We played well," said the manager after the match. "But that's irrelevant now. We've lost the game and fallen short in crucial moments, and in the Premier League you can't afford to do that."

Home comforts

Seven of Burnley's 10 points this season have come at home and they will welcome a return to Turf Moor this weekend.

The Lancashire club have only lost two league matches at their stadium since the start of last season (W16, D10) – one of those was to defending champions Liverpool and the other to Premier League leaders Arsenal. In England's top four tiers, only Birmingham City have suffered fewer home defeats in that time.

Dutch forward Zian Flemming's recent form is another reason for optimism. Curiously, 12 of Flemming's 15 league goals in a Burnley shirt have come on the road, including all three this season, but if he can find the net this weekend then he would become just the second player to score four or more times in his first five Premier League starts for the club since Maxwel Cornet.

Blues love playing on enemy Turf

Chelsea have enjoyed a lunchtime kick-off of late, having won their past seven Premier League outings at 12:30 on a Saturday.

Only three sides have enjoyed a longer winning streak at this time: Manchester United in 2003 with eight; Chelsea themselves with eight between May 2005 and December 2017; and Manchester City with nine from May 2021 to October 2022.

The west Londoners also relish their visits to this particular corner of east Lancashire.

The Blues have never suffered a Premier League defeat at Turf Moor, winning eight of their nine games there (D1), including the past six. In fact, they have only lost once to Burnley in 18 Premier League meetings both home and away - a 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge in August 2017.

Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute on his previous trip to Turf Moor with Manchester United, but he should feature this weekend on what will be his 100th Premier League appearance.

The Argentine is set to become the youngest South American to reach that milestone – surpassing the previous record held by Gabriel Martinelli – and he will be hoping the recent international break has not disrupted his form. The winger provided two assists in a top-flight match for the first time during the 3-0 home triumph over Wolves last time out.

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their attack is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be quite tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

Enzo Maresca's side are third at the moment and seem to have found more consistency than they had last season, although I still don't see them as genuine title contenders. They are not as strong as Arsenal or Manchester City.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League will from next season move to a new system of Financial Fair Play (FFP) based on squad costs.

The clubs met in London on Friday to vote on three possible methods of replacing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) got 14 votes in favour and six against, which is the minimum number that is required to exact a rule change.

Overall squad costs from next season will have to be limited to 85% of a club's revenue, although teams competing in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's maximum of 70%.

Squad costs comprise player and manager wages, transfer fees and agents' fees.

Rules around sustainability, which set out a club's financial spending plans over the medium and long term, were passed unanimously.

Read more about the news and what it means here

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has announced the start and end dates for the 2026-27 season.

The first round of fixtures will take place across the weekend of 22 August 2026 - a week later than previous seasons.

The later start allows rest time for players - 89 clear days from the end of this season, and 33 days from the 2026 World Cup final.

The Premier League said the delay was a "priority" for player welfare in an "increasingly congested global football calendar".

The final matches of the season will be played on Sunday, 30 May 2027, with all fixtures kicking off simultaneously as usual.

The season will end a week before the 2027 Champions League final, which will be on Saturday, 5 June.

There will be 33 weekend and five midweek fixtures - the same as the current season.

For the festive period, the Premier League have said no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours.

It has not been confirmed if there will be any fixtures on 24 December 2026.

However, as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the Premier League has said there will be more matches scheduled than this season, when there is only one.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Cole Palmer's latest set-back and what approach Enzo Maresca should take to cover his absence in the coming weeks.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: No team should rely on one man. No team is one man. Although Cole Palmer is a brilliant player, and on more than one occasion has saved us, we should never rely on him. The Chelsea squad should be managed and perform with any of the players. We are now building a team that can achieve with whichever 11.

Gregory: Same forward line as against Wolves except Estevao Willian in for Pedro Neto. He deserves it after his great performances for Brazil. I also fancy Liam Delap to get a goal!

Rajeev: We don't need Palmer! Moises Caicedo has stepped up comprehensively in Palmer's absence and we need him a lot more.

Steve: Palmer's season goes from one hiccup to another. Forget the World Cup unless he gets free from injury. I hope he stays as sharp as he once was!

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea were described as "Cole Palmer FC" during his sensational first season at Stamford Bridge under Mauricio Pochettino.

Since Enzo Maresca took charge, Palmer has remained Chelsea's standout attacker. He won player of the tournament as Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup and was man of the match in the 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final.

Palmer will miss matches against Burnley, Barcelona and Arsenal, with doubts over his availability for the following fixtures against Leeds, Bournemouth and Atalanta.

The injury is understood not to be serious, but his bone will need time to heal. There are hopes he is over the worst of a recurring groin problem.

Palmer has played only four matches this season and has not featured since being substituted after 21 minutes in the defeat at Manchester United on 20 September.

However, Chelsea have won eight of their 11 matches without him, drawing one and losing two.

Players such as Estevao Willian, Facundo Buonanotte, Alejandro Garnacho, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro have stepped in during his absence.

How should Maresca best continue to cover Palmer in the upcoming key games? Have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Cole Palmer is set for a longer spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured toe following an accident at home.

The 23-year-old had been due to return to team training this week after two months out with a groin issue, but he has now had an injury set-back after stubbing his toe on a door during the night.

Before the international break, it had been hoped he would be able to feature against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but he will now miss that game, plus Premier League matches against Burnley and leaders Arsenal.

"He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure," said boss Enzo Maresca in his pre-match news conference.

Palmer has not played for the Blues since their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on 20 September.

With the forward now out for some crucial upcoming games, how do you feel about the news? What is the best approach for Maresca to cover Palmer's absence?

Get in touch with your views here

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley at Turf Moor (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Cole Palmer is probably not available for tomorrow. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home with his toe. But it's nothing important. For sure, he is not back next week. We don't know it's fractured. The only thing we know he is not available for this week and next week."

• Maresca said "I feel much better with Cole on the pitch" but feels Chelsea "need to find solutions" whenever he is unavailable. He emphasised his satisfaction with the collective level the squad has maintained in Palmer's absence.

• On other injuries: "Moi (Caicedo) came back last night, I will see him soon. He is good. Benoit (Badiashile) can be available for tomorrow. Enzo (Fernandez) and Pedro (Neto) used the break to recover their energy and their injuries. They are both available for tomorrow."

• Maresca also disclosed Axel Disasi spent the international break working with the "second team" and supporting the "younger players", a move framed as part of the club's broader development approach rather than a demotion. Maresca reiterated firmly that "Axel and Raheem (Sterling) are Chelsea players," reinforcing the point that both remain firmly in his plans.

• On Estevao: "He is back from international team where he scored two goals. He is very happy, and we are very happy with him."

• More on Palmer's toe problems: "The last time I saw him was yesterday morning, and he was without socks, without flip-flops, without nothing. I don't know how he is today. It was in the changing room. He wasn't limping, he seemed OK, but it's his small toe, so it can be painful. He was very close. He was back with us almost with the groin, which is very good news, but he has this small problem."

• On Malo Gusto: "We said many times that Malo is a main player in the way we want to play. He can play in different positions. We like players that we can be dynamic with. Malo, personally, I consider him a main player for us."

• On Burnley: "It will be a different game (from Wolves). We know that every game is different. Probably tomorrow we need to use different strategies, different weapons. No doubt that it's going to be a tough game, especially after an international break. At 12 in the morning away, it's always a tricky game, and we need to pay attention."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will likely be faced with questions about the return of Cole Palmer ahead of Burnley.

Reports suggest that he may hold his star attacker back from the Saturday lunchtime clash with Barcelona and Arsenal to come next week.

There is also concern about Moises Caicedo's availability given he played two lots of 90 minutes for Ecuador in friendly matches.

Maresca will likely also be asked to clarify whether 'bomb squad' member Axel Disasi has been promoted back into the main squad, with fellow defender Benoit Badiashile also expected back.

Chelsea and Manchester United could provide competition for Porto and Spain forward Samu Aghehowa, 21 (Caught Offside) , external

Liverpool are fighting to keep England youth winger Joshua Abe, with Arsenal and Chelsea both pursuing the 15-year-old. (Mail - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

One of potentially the biggest moments in English football is coming on Friday, but precious few people understand how important it could be or even know about it.

The Premier League is considering 'anchoring' wages, which would cap the amount any club could spend on their squad at five times the smallest central Premier League broadcasting and prize money payout.

It is a complex argument. The league and some clubs are considering it because they want to ensure wage inflation does not continue to rise endangering their long-term financial security. From the other side - the players and their union, the PFA - this unnaturally limits the amount they can earn in what has until now been a free and open market.

Any changes to that position foisted upon the players without their prior consultation and agreement will not go down well. Remember, the players are the people that the paying public, the TV companies and the advertisers want to see, not a bunch of chairmen, executives and directors arguing over accounts, dividends and profit margins.

The game has increased the number of games played per season without consulting those who are physically doing it. No studies on how that will affect their health in the short and long term were considered, and so the PFA in England looks like it is finally ready to take a strong stand for its members.

Strike ballots are not unknown, I should know, as chairman of the PFA my name was on the bottom of every ballot paper when we last considered strike action over changes in working conditions. The modern owners may have forgotten, but we had 99% backing from our members.

Owners may think of footballers as ultra wealthy, mercenary, thickos who can easily be controlled - well they thought that last time and they lost.

It is time for serious and meaningful negotiation between equals and not a master and serf attitude from one side towards the other.

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

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

One of the biggest stories of the Premier League season so far is the decline of goals scored in open play and how teams have been scoring more from set-pieces instead.

When we compare how goals have been scored to the first 11 games last season, there have been 39 fewer scored in open play and 26 more from team set-pieces and penalties, giving us 13 fewer overall.

If we look at the bigger picture and the number of shots teams are taking, there have been an incredible 370 fewer in open play than at this stage last time out.

So which teams are most responsible for this change in how goals are scored this season?

The above graph compares how teams have gone up or down in numbers of set-piece and goals from open play compared with the same stage last season.

In terms of goals scored from open play, Wolves have seen by far the biggest decline, scoring just four in 11 games and that is 10 fewer than at this stage last season.

Outside of Wolves, the Premier League's decline in open play goals is very much a London thing, with five of the capital's seven sides scoring at least five goals fewer from open play than last season.

In fairness, that is largely down to them scoring lots of goals at the start of last season rather than them really struggling to score in open play this campaign.

Meanwhile Manchester City have seen the biggest increase, with all but one of their 23 goals scored this season coming in open play.

When it comes to goals scored from set-pieces (excluding penalties), Arsenal and Chelsea have seen the biggest increase, with both sides replacing the five fewer goals that they have scored in open play with the same number from dead-ball situation.

Manchester United have scored twice as many goals from set-pieces as they did in the 11 games before Ruben Amorim took charge last season.

On the flipside, Manchester City do not seem to have got the memo about scoring more from set-pieces because they've scored three fewer than last season, as have Nottingham Forest, although that might be down to the change in style they have tried to implement.

Read more about this season's scoring trends here

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Winger Omari Kellyman is unavailable to play in Cardiff City's EFL quarter-final against Chelsea.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan with the League One side from the west London club.

The Bluebirds made a tentative verbal request to allow Kellyman to play in next month's tie but that has been turned down by the Premier League side.

"That would've been another brilliant opportunity for me but it's a difficult one isn't it," Kellyman said.

"I would've loved to have played. It would've been a great opportunity to play against some world class players so I would've enjoyed that one but it is what it is."

Kellyman moved to Chelsea from Aston Villa for £19 million in June 2024 on a six-year contract.

His first season was hampered with injuries which limited to him only four appearances for Chelsea Under-21s.

Having joined the Bluebirds on loan for the 2025-26 campaign he has appeared 11 times, scoring once.

Cardiff host Chelsea for a place in the sem-finals on Tuesday,16 December (20:00 GMT).

Atletico Madrid have been monitoring Chelsea and Spain left-back Marc Cucurella for months, and are considering making an offer worth 40m euros (£35.3m) for the 27-year-old. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has been told he has a chance to become Denmark's starter at next summer's World Cup if he plays more football.

The number one spot in the national team remains open, but the 23-year-old is yet to start a Premier League match for Enzo Maresca's side.

He has made only one league appearance this season, coming on early against Manchester United after Robert Sanchez's red card, and his involvement has otherwise been limited to two Carabao Cup starts and one Champions League appearance against Ajax.

For a goalkeeper with his ability and international ambitions, that lack of opportunity could prove significant in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.

Within Denmark's international set-up, the goalkeeping role is still undecided.

Mads Hermansen has struggled for consistent form at West Ham, while Kasper Schmeichel only saved three of the 14 shots he faced as Denmark drew 2-2 with Belarus and fell to a 4-2 loss against Scotland in a disastrous last two matches of their qualifying campaign.

Those results mean Denmark will now have to navigate the European play-offs in March to secure their spot in next year's tournament.

Jorgensen would be in pole position to start those matches, but only if he plays more football.

Given his talent, age and experience, European clubs could show interest as the January transfer window approaches, especially if he is available on loan.

Any departure would have implications for Chelsea, who have no plans to reduce their goalkeeping depth but could sign a replacement or recall Mike Penders from his successful loan spell at Strasbourg.

Since joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2024, Jorgensen has made just 28 appearances after arriving as one of Europe's most highly regarded young goalkeepers.

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Which player at your club is flying?: Moises Caicedo's form has been getting better and better pretty much since he arrived at Chelsea, but it has reached a new level this season and it is really getting due appreciation from the media now.

Which player is floundering?: Tosin Adarabioyo has really struggled in his appearances this season and is seemingly now behind Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong in our centre-back hierarchy.

Tactically... I think we look increasingly impressive and defensively well-drilled but we are still lacking in natural chemistry and fluidity, which will take this team to the next level in attack.

I want my manager to give me more... of Josh Acheampong because he has looked great when given the chance, but Enzo Maresca is still very reluctant to start him. The defender has earned more trust than he is getting.

Our fans seem obsessed with... Estevao Willian starting in the Premier League every week because he makes such a positive impact off the bench, but they should be thinking about the fact that he is only 18 years old. He is already racking up more than enough minutes for a player of his age across all competitions. There's no need to rush his integration.

My expectation for the season... was another battle for the top four and we've got one.

Season rating so far: A solid 7/10 - but that's a rating that could change quite dramatically in the next month given the big games to come, for better or for worse.

One sentence on how you're feeling right now: Optimistic that the return of Fofana, Liam Delap and eventually Cole Palmer means that this team will continue to look better and better.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, will remain on loan at Bayern Munich for the rest of the season rather than return to parent club Chelsea in January. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Manchester United turned down Chelsea's offer to include Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia, 21, or France forward Christopher Nkunku, 28, as part of the deal that saw 21-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho join the Blues. (ESPN), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Over the past week, we have been asking you to send in the best Premier League XI your club could have put together.

We know football existed before 1992 but as a Leeds United fan asked our experts on the club to name theirs - using the Ask Me Anything form on the Whites - we stuck with their parameters.

Here's BBC Sport's Chelsea fan writer Will's effort.

And you can ask us about the Blues using the Chelsea Ask Me Anything form at the top of this page or here

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Image source, Getty Images

You have been sending your questions in for our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella:

Michael asked: The next two games, one with Barcelona and another with Arsenal, are true tests for Maresca's system and the Chelsea team. What do you see as critical factors that would lead Chelsea to two wins? If the team fails both tests, would you say that Maresca's tenure at the club is over?

Nizaar: I understand that some fans remain unconvinced by Enzo Maresca, even after the Club World Cup win, but I don't believe defeats to Barcelona and Arsenal would be viewed as a major internal issue. Chelsea are taking a long-term approach and will assess Maresca's performance at the end of the season. Even with those losses, he would still be in a position to secure a top-four finish and qualification for at least the play-off round of the Champions League knockout stages. That said, such results may prompt external questions about Maresca or the project more widely.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to send in your Blues-related questions and put a selection of them to our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella:

Daffa asked: What's one internal decision at Chelsea this season (in data, squad management, or sports science) that has quietly shaped the team more than anything fans actually see on the pitch?

Nizaar: I think the whole BlueCo project has settled into place over the past 12 months, highlighted by Chelsea moving from having the worst injury record in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons to one of the best. That came despite the club competing on five fronts last season. From what I've seen, the medical department has been very good. Chelsea have also improved on attacking set pieces, though not on defending them, which may be linked to the work of set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva.

Boaz asked: Yesterday we saw pictures of Axel Disasi with the main team, is he back with the team?

Nizaar: I reported last week that Disasi is being rewarded for good behaviour behind the scenes and increased involvement at Chelsea. He has played for the Under-21s and trained with the first-team squad. That opens the door to some minutes at senior level, but he remains for sale in January, and we should not forget that Benoit Badiashile is close to a return, which will further limit his opportunities.

Read more of Nizaar's answers on this page shortly

Image source, Getty Images

We had you send in questions and for our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella:

Jon asked: Do you think that the squad rotation from week to week stifles the Chelsea performance? The defence in particular seems to be the most affected.

Nizaar: I can see why Chelsea are rotating so heavily, and their argument is that it will pay off in the long run, as reported here. It is important to note that this is a club-wide strategy, not merely a whim of Enzo Maresca. However, I agree that the weakness in the process lies in defensive rotation. That may be due, in part, to none of the central defenders making themselves un-droppable. Overall, Chelsea are performing well this season. Maresca has made wholesale changes against lesser opposition and, generally, they have worked well enough. But the winter period will present an even greater challenge in that regard.

Andy asked: What is happening with the front-of-shirt sponsor? Since the takeover we have been missing a long term one, and in the era of PSR it's huge wasted income. There are rumours of an announcement soon, but what's going on here?

Nizaar: Yes, you're right. Being sponsorless has almost become the default for Chelsea, aside from the bulk of a season with AI analytics firm Infinite Athlete and a brief spell at the end of last season with the property company Damac. There have been rumours about Oracle becoming Chelsea's main sponsor. However, official sources still say it is an open, ongoing process involving multiple potential partners.

Oracle is certainly the type of company Chelsea would like to work with – a strong, blue-chip brand – but only on a long-term basis and at around £55m per season. For now, all I can say is that the process remains ongoing, and it is still unclear when the club will announce a deal.