Chelsea

Cole Palmer was given a hero's welcome on Monday when he arrived in St Kitts for the first time, fresh from playing a starring role in Chelsea beating Paris St-Germain to win the Club World Cup in the United States.

The Caribbean island is the birthplace of his grandfather, Sterry, and Palmer wears the flag of St Kitts and Nevis - alongside the England flag - on his football boots to honour his family's roots.

Deputy prime minister Geoffrey Hanley and tourism minister Marsha T Henderson greeted the 23-year-old and his family at the airport alongside traditional Masquerade performers.

Image source, Daryl Grant

Image source, Daryl Grant

Palmer said: "Landing in St Kitts off the back of winning the Club World Cup felt really special. It's where my grandad's love for football started. The island is beautiful and really chilled. I can't wait to explore the mountains, rainforest and sea - and to try out the food."

Terrance Drew, St Kitts' prime minister, added: "Cole Palmer's visit to St Kitts and Nevis is a powerful reminder of the strength and pride of our diaspora.

"His presence and mentorship will inspire the next generation to believe that global success is possible, no matter where you come from. We are proud to welcome him home and deeply grateful for his commitment to our young people and to the development of sports in our federation."

Image source, Daryl Grant

Henderson said: "The Palmers already have a special connection to the island and that will only grow as they spend time exploring our lush rainforests, picturesque mountains and stunning waters, and savouring our rich culture and cuisine."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

It seemed like a seminal moment as Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino presented the Chelsea players with the Club World Cup.

The tournament finished with a shock result as the underdogs claimed the prize against Champions League winners Paris St-Germain - though considering the money spent by the Blues, the 'underdog' term would not go down that well outside the European elites.

Chelsea fans will, of course, be able to claim they are world champions for the next four years, even if this title will be laughed at by the majority of football supporters who have been following the game for longer than the past month.

Try telling a Liverpool fan Chelsea are currently the best on this planet and stand back for the reaction after you have lit the blue touch paper.

There were a few good games in the tournament and Chelsea were exceptional in their destruction of the previously unstoppable PSG.

Enzo Maresca's side are progressing and on track to finish higher than the fourth place they managed in the Premier League last season.

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has won a lot of support internally at Stamford Bridge but his future remains uncertain.

The 27-year-old has impressed staff internally at Chelsea through his contribution to the Club World Cup title, which culminated in a 3-0 win against Paris St-Germain in New Jersey on Sunday.

Nkunku's was brought off the bench before Nicolas Jackson in the final and he also earned three starts to the Senegal international's one, scoring a crucial goal against Benfica in the last 16 that was widely celebrated by team-mates and staff.

Those appearances were earned, according to Enzo Maresca, during a tournament where the Italian also said Nkunku looked impressive in training.

However, the France international continues to assess his options as Chelsea are only able to offer him a squad role.

Signed for £50m from RB Leipzig in 2023 to be a star player under Mauricio Pochettino, his injury-hit debut season left the door open for Cole Palmer to take the leading role.

Maresca also used Nkunku sparingly last season and the arrival of Joao Pedro from Brighton for £55m is further competition.

Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have all shown interest in Nkunku, who will not be blocked from leaving should a suitable offer come in.

There is, however, no rush to force him out as he could line up alongside Joao Pedro given the pair's ability to play multiple positions.

Nevertheless, while his recent performances may have improved his standing in west London, they could also attract suitors to make formal offers later in the transfer window.

Chelsea are ready to begin their summer clearout, with 25-year-old Portugal forward Joao Felix in talks over a return to Benfica and 27-year-old France international Christopher Nkunku also set to leave. (Standard), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

In the final part of Tuesday's Q&A with our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella, he looks at the potential impact the Club World Cup campaign - which extended the Blues' season by several weeks - might have on 2025-26.

Matt asked: Do you think Chelsea will suffer for this involvement in the Club World Cup early in the new season?

Nizaar: That is very difficult to say. Chelsea have been mostly bullish having brilliantly handled the heat, travel and long season to win the Club World Cup.

It is certainly on people's radars but the approach to handling it is to give players a proper three-week holiday, despite it massively eating into pre-season. It is up to Chelsea to negotiate the first few weeks of the campaign when rivals might be sharper, fitter and stronger.

I sensed a small bit of concern in Enzo Maresca the last time he was asked about this.

Guerin asked: Do you think Chelsea can challenge for the Premier League and/or the Champions League next season?

Nizaar: There remains a major question mark about whether Chelsea can cope with the rigours of the Champions League alongside Premier League commitments - especially without a full pre-season.

In terms of the best starting XI, the Blues can give any team in world football a game and beat them – as shown by the 3-0 win over Paris St-Germain.

My concern is over a potential situation when injuries hit and there is a difficult run of two or three fixtures, and maybe one or two are struggling for form. In that scenario, could they continue to win games consistently?

Is the floor of the squad - with players like Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Filip Jorgensen and Tyrique George - good enough to help lift the team when the going gets tough?

That is my main and only worry about this group.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's Club World Cup Victory means they surpass Manchester City as the Premier League team with the most major trophies in the 21st Century.

Their 21 trophies are broken down as follows:

• Premier League - 5

• FA Cup - 6

• League Cup - 3

• Champions League - 2

• Europa League - 2

• Conference League - 1

• Club World Cup - 2

Chelsea have won other competitions, such as the Community Shield and the Super Cup, but these do not class as major trophies.

Image source, Getty Images

In part two of Tuesday's Q&A with our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella, he looks at the goalkeeping situation at Stamford Bridge following the successful Club World Cup campaign.

Paul asked: I have been one of many Chelsea fans who have called for a change of goalkeeper after the multiple mistakes Robert Sanchez has made with his feet. However, his performances in the Club World Cup final was exceptional and his distribution helped set up multiple chances. With rumours Chelsea were looking at Gianluigi Donnarumma, do you think this display has saved his place in the squad?

Nizaar: There is no doubt Sanchez was among the top performers for Chelsea in the final and was worthy of his Golden Glove award.

As for the future, Sanchez was always in a secure position, albeit with a giant caveat of 'for now'. He ended the Premier League season well and he has taken that form into the Club World Cup.

This summer, Chelsea were offered Mike Maignan but when they tried to negotiate a deal, they were unhappy with the £25m asking price, given the AC Milan goalkeeper had only one year left on his contract.

This shows they are only wanting to take an exceptional goalkeeper who would truly move the dial. They will not gamble on a mid-level option.

They will continue to work with Sanchez, who is statistically exceptional in all areas except one - mistakes leading to goals.

Cut some of those out and the club believe they already have a top goalkeeper.

Return to this page later on Tuesday for the final part of the Q&A, when Nizaar will look at whether the Club World Cup will help or hinder Chelsea in 2025-26.

Image source, Getty Images

Winning the Club World Cup can be a game-changer for Chelsea's "belief" and they now look a "cohesive" side.

The Blues stunned European champions Paris St-Germain 3-0 in the final of the competition on Sunday and secured their second trophy of the season after winning the Conference League in May.

Discussing the importance of the latest piece of silverware on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said: "For their belief, yes [it can be a game-changer]. For the fanbase, absolutely yes.

"It wasn't that long ago when there were fan protests outside the stadium, saying they should be contesting and they don't like the way the club is doing their business, the ownership, etc. But they have just seen their team go and win a tournament which has featured the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Boca Juniors, PSG, who up until Sunday felt like the best team in the world.

"So, it does matter and for them. They are the only team that can say their summer was not wasted. They went for that tournament, they are lifting that trophy and the next time someone can do that is in four years' time.

"Enzo Maresca has had a tonne of criticism and one thing about this squad is that it was a young squad. One thing that has been shown across this past year is that they are coachable, they are getting better."

Ex-England midfielder Izzy Christiansen agreed, adding: "Around this time last season, or towards the start of last season, they didn't look like a team who were coachable and they looked like a team that had friction in the dressing room and didn't know where they stood - but they have rectified that issue.

"They brought in Willie Isa, who has a rugby league background. I would describe him as a cultural architect. Somebody who knows culture in sport and how to proverbially 'sweep the shed'.

"It doesn't surprise me they now have two trophies with the Conference League and Club World Cup. But what's next? I don't know, because it also depends on the strengthening of the teams in the Premier League this season.

"If they have gone from looking uncoachable and not very cohesive to winning and being cohesive, that says something."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella has been following the Blues in the United States for the Club World Cup and we have put your questions to him following the Blues' successful campaign.

Here is the first of a three-part Q&A...

Richard asked: How do we quickly get rid of the deadwood in the squad after the tournament and before next season begins?

Nizaar: Chelsea are pretty happy with how the player sales plans have begun.

They will raise almost £80m when Noni Madueke completes his £52m move to Arsenal and Djordje Petrovic finalises his £25m switch to Bournemouth.

They may sell a few players that were in Enzo Maresca's first-team squad that travelled to the United States, with Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Trevoh Chalobah among those who could be allowed to leave for the right offer. But equally, those kinds of players could end up staying.

There is also still the so-called 'bomb squad' remaining, with Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and a half-dozen others back training at Cobham. They will not be easy to sell but should have minimal impact on the players in the first team.

They can help improve Chelsea's bottom line. However, some may be hard to offload and they look a bit like distressed assets.

Clubs interested in buying them will be looking for a good deal given they clearly have no future at Stamford Bridge.

Dan asked: Does Chelsea's win mean that they automatically qualify for the next CWC as defending champions?

Nizaar: No, that is not how it works any more either in the Club World Cup or World Cup - Fifa's two tournaments. Chelsea must either qualify through winning the Champions League or Europa League over the next three seasons, or build a very good coefficient.

Return to this page later on Tuesday for part two, which will look at the goalkeeping situation at Stamford Bridge.

After holding initial talks in January, Chelsea have active interest in 21-year-old Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho. (TBR Football), external

Meanwhile, Joao Felix's agent is trying to negotiate a deal for the Chelsea forward to move to Benfica. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Finally, defender Benoit Badiashile has been linked with Marseille but says he will be staying at Stamford Bridge next season. (Footmercato - in French), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.

Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.

All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.

Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.

1st: Liverpool - £174.9m

2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m

3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m

4th: Chelsea - £163.7m

5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m

6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m

7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m

8th: Brighton - £145.1m

9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m

10th: Brentford - £138.9m

11th: Fulham - £135.5m

12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m

13th: Everton - £131.8m

14th: West Ham - £130.9m

15th: Manchester United - £136.2m

16th: Wolves - £123.1m

17th: Tottenham - £127.8m

18th: Leicester - £116.9m

19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m

20th: Southampton - £109.2m

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more over here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views after Chelsea beat Paris St-Germain to win the Fifa Club World Cup final and lift their second trophy of the season.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: I am so proud of the boys. All I have heard for days is how PSG are going to crush us, but Chelsea showed that hard work, skill, a great game plan and London Pride can conquer the world.

Fossie: Brilliant! Top performance to beat the so-called Champions of Europe. Enzo Maresca created a masterclass. He has had many knockers this season but he has proved his doubters wrong. Well done Chelsea, champions of the world.

Tom: Obviously great to win a trophy, but it is a c-list trophy. The great thing about this is beating the Champions League winners who clearly really wanted to win it! So proud and so happy!

Ash: Incredible, simply incredible! I haven't seen Chelsea work that well as a team for years. Every single player put in an absolute shift and Reece James looked like a proper leader for the first time. Full credit to Maresca for having the perfect game plan. I've believed all along Chelsea are heading in the right direction, and tonight proved it to the whole world.

Diane: Where has this team been all season? A fantastic performance all-round and finally Robert Sanchez came good just when it mattered. Cole Palmer played his socks off. Unbelievable!

Keith: Well, I'm stunned! Not going to lie, was expecting that result the other way round, but Chelsea absolutely blitzed PSG. Don't think the French side knew what hit them pretty much right from the kick-off. I've never been convinced about Maresca but fair play to him, he's done the business on an otherwise fabulous opposition.

Chris: Wow, what a performance from the whole team! A complete revelation on what they served up for most of last season. Palmer again was the main architect and the rest of the lads backed up his performance. Even Sanchez got away with it tonight. If they can keep this form up, next season looks promising!

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says winning the Club World Cup could be "more important" than the Champions League in the future.

The Italian secured the club's second trophy of the season in his debut campaign in charge after the Blues beat Paris St-Germain 3-0 in the final on Sunday.

It comes just over six weeks after Chelsea lifted the Conference League trophy in Wroclaw and brings an end to a successful season that also saw the team finish fourth in the Premier League and secure Champions League football for the upcoming campaign.

"The truth is that one day I said to the guys inside that I have the feeling that this competition is going to be as important, if not more important, than the Champions League," Maresca said after the match.

"I was lucky three years ago to be part of the coaching staff when we won the Champions League [at Manchester City]. I lived all these moments, but the truth is that this competition is one of the best in the world.

"We value it as [much as] the Champions League, if not more so, because it has really been a great triumph for us and to allow the fans of Chelsea to have the chance for the next four years with this badge, the truth is that, for us, it is an honour."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has credited his mother for helping him "fulfil my dream" of winning his first major piece of silverware.

The 23-year-old only joined the Blues 12 days ago but has had an instant impact helping them to secure the Club World Cup after scoring three goals in three games, including Sunday's final in New Jersey.

"My family means everything to me, especially my mother, because I had difficult moments at the beginning of my career and she was there for me," Joao Pedro said after the match.

"So the first thing I did when I got to the team room was call her, because she's very important to me. I know how happy she is with this title.

"I think everyone here has made me very welcome, they helped me a lot, and I feel comfortable. Coming here and being able to show a little of my football, which isn't 100% yet, but thank God I've had some good moments wearing the Chelsea jersey in this tournament, which is very important for us.

"It's normal to have difficulties in life, but it's up to each person to find the strength they have. My mother has always been very important to me. I'm not sure if she hadn't been by my side from the beginning, I don't think I would have got this far.

"I'm very happy to be able to fulfil my dream of winning my first trophy as a professional player."

Chelsea's latest recruit from Brighton already seems to have built up an exciting partnership with midfielder Cole Palmer, with both players shining in the 3-0 win over Paris St-Germain.

"Cole is that player who is decisive, and he's been very good to me from the start here at Chelsea, in such a short time," Pedro added.

"He's always been able to help me in training, where we've been trying to understand each other better so we can work together on the field, and today [Sunday], thank God it worked in such an important match.

"I believe it's just the beginning of a partnership that can achieve so much."

In one of the stranger moments of the Club World Cup final, Chelsea captain Reece James has been explaining how US president Donald Trump ended up in the trophy lift celebrations.

Trump had been at the match alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino and was part of the trophy presentation ceremony at the end.

While many expected 79-year-old to leave the stage after handing over the trophy to the Blues captain, he initially stayed as James lifted the piece of silverware.

When asked about the situation after the match, James said: "I think the first thing I have to say is that it probably highlights how big the tournament is.

"The coverage for the tournament and the final was huge.

"Answering your question, before, they told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage, and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay."

Chelsea had been labelled underdogs for the final against reigning European champions Paris St-Germain, but shook off the tag to stun the French side 3-0.

James feels this is a "statement" victory that can give them a platform to build from going into the new season.

"I think for sure we are moving in the right direction, you know, winning this trophy against such good opposition," he added.

"It's a big statement. I'm happy with how much the club has progressed and how next season we're competing in the Premier League, to win the title and compete and to go far in the Champions League as well."

BBC Sport football reporter Nizaar Kinsella has followed Chelsea at the Club World Cup in the USA and has great insight into what the future holds at Stamford Bridge.

So ask him your questions and he'll answer them on this page throughout Tuesday.

Send your questions here

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea came through the heat, the cooling breaks, the PSG fury and the glitz of half-time concerts to lift the Club World Cup.

There were iconic images with President Trump that will undoubtedly circulate in prolific manner and, in addition to an eye-catching trophy, the Blues will return from the USA with their pockets full.

Enzo Maresca's side earned around £84m from the tournament, built from a £21.3m participation fee and £62.7m in prize money. That was the biggest haul of all the sides in the competition and over double the £37.8m earned by Manchester City.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Cole Palmer is literally and figuratively Chelsea's poster boy, and he will take all the headlines from this final.

In New York's Times Square, there are giant billboards featuring the 23-year-old's image and he recreated the famous lunch-atop-a-skyscraper photo for Fifa with Ballon d'Or-tipped Dembele before kick-off.

His fame could reach another level now and he has become the face of a resurgent Chelsea, the Club World Cup following the Conference League triumph in May to show the investment made by the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital regime can lead to glory.

Every Chelsea player can walk off that pitch with pride. There were impressive performances from the exceptional Robert Sanchez and Malo Gusto, who have faced much criticism in recent months.

Winger Pedro Neto showed impressive work-rate to nullify one of the world's best full-backs in Achraf Hakimi and Joao Pedro scored his third goal in three games since joining the Blues during the tournament.

The Chelsea players have earned their holidays, with pre-season to be cut short.

Boss Enzo Maresca says his players will receive three weeks of holiday before they face Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge in a mini-tournament on 8 and 10 August, with their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on 17 August.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and midfielder Cole Palmer had more trophies to pick up following the Blues' win in the Club World Cup final over Paris St-Germain.

Sanchez was awarded the Golden Glove, which is given to the goalkeeper judged to be the best over the course of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Palmer, who scored two goals and set up another in the final in New Jersey, was named the best player of the competition .