James' substitution was 'planned' - Maresca published at 16:11 GMT
16:11 GMT
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Reece James hugged Jamie Gittens after the 2-0 win at Burnley
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has calmed fears that Reece James was injured during the 2-0 win at Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues captain came off at half-time and was replaced by fellow defender Benoît Badiashile, as goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez secured victory for the Londoners at Turf Moor.
Maresca explained the switch after the match that it was a premeditated substitution.
"Yes, the idea was to manage Reece [James]. This is the reason why he played 45 minutes – it was planned."
The rotation and rest for key players in a dominant victory seemed like perfect preparation for a week in which Chelsea welcomes Barcelona and Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League and Premier League.
Maresca, marking his 50th league match as Chelsea manager, left star midfielder Moises Caicedo on the bench throughout and was pleased his deputy, Andrey Santos – who won man of the match – shone in his absence.
"Andrey's position is the position he played today," Maresca added. "With us, most of the time he plays a little higher because in that position we have Moises, so we try to find solutions and space for Andrey."
Chelsea analysis: Cucurella exceptionalpublished at 15:12 GMT
15:12 GMT
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was outstanding in both defensive and attacking moments, inspiring the breakthrough goal.
The Blues were not at their best against Burnley at Turf Moor, but his unlikely run into a striker's position helped Neto break the deadlock.
Roaming from his usual left-back role, Cucurella found himself in a number nine position, brought the ball down like a target man and laid it off for Gittens to cross for Neto's header.
That clever movement proved impossible to track, and a subsequent run into midfield created a chance for Liam Delap, which he squandered. Delap now has only one goal in 13 matches since joining Chelsea.
Cucurella repeated that same movement into a striker's position twice in the second half, mounting a further blocked shot and producing a similar lay-off to a team-mate.
There is no doubt Cucurella was Chelsea's star on the day, and he is in the conversation alongside Cole Palmer and Caicedo as one of the club's very best players.
Burnley 0-2 Chelsea: What Maresca and Gittens said published at 15:02 GMT
15:02 GMT
Media caption,
Maresca happy to win 'complicated' game
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm very happy, this kind of win, we needed it. After the international break, 12:30, Burnley away, it's complicated. So I'm very happy with the result and the performance.
"They defended very well and didn't give us many spaces to attack. It was complicated. I think it's complicated to come here and don't concede. They only add one big chance in the second half, if you ask me. Overall, we created more chances and deserved to win.
"I'm very happy with the goal. The ball from Jamie Gittens was very good, and Pedro Neto got to score. I am very happy for them."
On Andrey Santos' performance: "Andrey's position is number six. With us, he is also playing in other positions, which is not his best. But he's a good boy and works hard. We are happy."
On Reece James being substituted at half-time: "Yes, it was planned for 45 minutes."
Chelsea's Jamie Gittens speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a hard-fought win to come to Burnley and get three points, is good for us. We feel more confident.
"We expected it to be a really tough game and fighting for the second balls, and we did really well today. To come back and play at 12:30 on Saturday is not easy, and I am happy we got the win."
On his assist for Pedro Neto's goal: "I have been working on that in training, and it came off in the game. I am happy it came off. Pedro got there in the end.
"We are definitely more confident and more comfortable playing with each other. We are going to keep working hard as a team."
Did you know?
Chelsea have won each of their last eight Premier League games kicking off at 12:30 on a Saturday, with only Manchester City enjoying a longer run of successive victories in this specific kick-off slot in the competition (9 wins in a row from May 2021 to Oct 2022).
No manager has been shown more Premier League cards since the start of last season than Chelsea's Enzo Maresca (8 – level with Fabian Hurzeler).
Chelsea make four with Reece James, Jamie Gittens, Tosin Adarabioyo and Andrey Santos coming in after the win over Wolves before the international break.
After playing two lots of 90 minutes for Ecuador over the international break, Moises Caicedo is only deemed fit enough for the bench with Barcelona and Arsenal coming up.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City", for instance.
Burnley v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:11 GMT 21 November
19:11 GMT 21 November
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.
Sutton's predictions: Burnley v Chelseapublished at 18:26 GMT 21 November
18:26 GMT 21 November
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.
Financial Fair Play rules in Premier League to change next seasonpublished at 18:10 GMT 21 November
18:10 GMT 21 November
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.
'No team should rely on one man' published at 17:18 GMT 21 November
17:18 GMT 21 November
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!
'Cole Palmer FC' face key matches without star playerpublished at 12:12 GMT 21 November
12:12 GMT 21 November
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.
Palmer out with broken toe - how should Chelsea deal with absence?published at 11:20 GMT 21 November
11:20 GMT 21 November
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?
Maresca on Palmer injury, Disasi and Gusto's significancepublished at 10:45 GMT 21 November
10:45 GMT 21 November
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."
Fitness questions to be asked of Marescapublished at 08:06 GMT 21 November
08:06 GMT 21 November
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.
A pivotal moment for the Premier Leaguepublished at 17:11 GMT 20 November
17:11 GMT 20 November
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.
Are goals from open play on the decline?published at 15:06 GMT 20 November
15:06 GMT 20 November
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.
Kellyman to miss EFL Cup tie with parent club Chelseapublished at 14:05 GMT 20 November
14:05 GMT 20 November
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).
Gossip: Cucurella wanted by Atletico Madridpublished at 07:25 GMT 20 November
07:25 GMT 20 November
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
Image source, Getty Images
