Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter, at Cobham Training Centre

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei says he was "not happy" after his loan at Leicester ended prematurely last season but says a conversation with new manager Enzo Maresca led to him staying at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of last season at the King Power Stadium but failed to start a single match after being recalled in January by Mauricio Pochettino.

When asked whether he considered leaving Chelsea in the summer, the Italy Under-21 international said: "To be honest at the start of this season I was thinking about what was the best solution for me.

"I think last season was quite difficult, especially the last six months, because I didn’t play a lot. I was not really happy, because everyone wants game time.

"But from the moment I spoke to the manager I was 100% sure that the decision to stay was best for me to improve and for my career.

“I didn’t want to go permanently. There were some possible loans. But I have always wanted to play for Chelsea. We are one of the biggest teams in the world so I could not be more proud to play for Chelsea."

Casadei finally made his first start for Chelsea after two years at the club against Barrow in the Carabao Cup and the Conference League match against KAA Gent could represent another chance to prove himself for further minutes in the Premier League.

But the Italian admits that competition from Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and a host of others makes it difficult, adding: "We are at Chelsea, so it’s normal there is a high level of competition.

"There's so many good players, as it should be. So not always easy to play week in, week out. You have to get it in your mind that you will have to fight for your place.

"That is why I decided to stay. When there is good competition it can make you a better player and help you to improve.

"My goal is to become a Chelsea player — an important player for this team. I always try to give my best to the team, to try to train hard every day and keep improving, having the goal to become an important part of this team."

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca feels Cole Palmer is a player that "needs to be protected" but insists his side are not dependent on the midfielder.

Palmer was not named in the Chelsea squad for the Europa Conference League group stages and will have the night off when the Blues open up against Gent at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

"It is not about reliance," Maresca explained. "We have already played some games without Cole. For sure, for us or any team in the world, Cole is an extra, something that you need. But we also need to protect some players. They need that."

Defender Ben Chilwell was also among the players left out of Chelsea's Europa Conference League squad.

Asked if he regrets not including Chilwell in the squad given Reece James' ongoing injury trouble, Maresca simply stated: "No."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei has heaped praise on manager Enzo Maresca before Thursday evening's Europa Conference League match against Gent.

Casadei played under Maresca during his loan spell with Leicester City last season and admitted he was "happy and excited" when he knew Maresca had taken the job at Stamford Bridge.

"It was very clear from the first day - everybody understood what his ideas were, his ways and how he wanted to play," he explained. "I really like the way he wants to play, the way he thinks and how he sees football.

"I think he's a great manager because he's able to get the best out of every one of us. We are doing really well and we are working hard every day. He's really demanding but that's the way it should be because we are at Chelsea and everybody knows we have high expectations.

"When this season started and I saw that the manager had come in, I was happy and excited because I had him at Leicester. I knew it would be difficult to play because we have so many players but at the same time, good competition can make me stronger and improve me."

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa Conference League game against KAA Gent (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Maresca said he is "excited" by the prospect of the Europa Conference League as a competition and the team will continue to "try their best" in it.

• He confirmed that he has a fully fit squad to choose from aside from Reece James who remains absent through injury.

• On the Europa Conference League being good for squad rotation: "At the moment it looks like we have players that are playing in the Premier League and players that are playing in the cups. In this moment it is like this but in general it won't be like this."

• On whether Filip Jorgensen can put pressure on Robert Sanchez for the number one shirt: "Filip has to do well because we need him doing well, not because we have to have him putting pressure on Robert."

• He confirmed there was no injury with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who missed out of the matchday squad last week, stating the decision is simply the "bad part" [of the job] and sometimes "you have to do that".

• On whether he has any regrets on leaving Ben Chilwell out of the European squad: "No."

• On the team not having enough control of games: "For sure we would like more control but sometimes we need to analyse that there is another team that wants to control and attack and sometimes it is not possible. For sure we would like control like the second-half [vs Brighton] or the West Ham game that I think we controlled really good."

• On having too much reliance on Cole Palmer: "We already played some games without Cole, but for us, Cole is something extra that you need. We also need to think a bit to protect some players. There is a reason behind it [his absence] and I think Cole needs to be protected."

• When asked if he believes the team have improved under him: "If you analyse the results probably yes but sometimes you don't win games and the performance is good when you deserve to win, for example, Palace. Sometimes you win games that you don't deserve, for example, Bournemouth. It depends how you judge. We have many things we need to improve but we are happy because the feeling is good."

Follow all of Wednesday's football news

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Enzo Maresca's Chelsea are flying high while just two points behind top of the table Liverpool in the Premier League and the club is enjoying a rare moment of peace.

From chaotic transfer policy to disappointing results, change of manager and the fallout of a rift between the two most influential owners at Stamford Bridge, it has been a wild six months for the west Londoners.

However, they are finally settling into their groove with a squad of still young players, who appear to be adapting to each other and to English football as a whole.

Maresca has also bedded in his tactical approach faster than anyone would have imagined.

The talk is no longer about Chelsea being a basket case but about what they can achieve under this Boehly-Clearlake consortium - arguably for the first time in their more than two years of ownership.

There remain lingering questions about the size of the squad that forces the Italian manager into ruthless decisions but results are positive as the club's Conference League campaign starts against KAA Gent on Thursday at Stamford Bridge.

At Wednesday's news conference, Maresca will likely be asked about:

• Whether he will change 10 or 11 players for the third match running

• Where was Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall against Brighton?

• How Reece James's recovery is coming along

• Whether this competition represents the easiest route to silverware

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For the first time in years, supporters can largely predict Chelsea's first choice starting XI.

When team news drops before Sunday's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest - barring injuries - there is an expectation Enzo Maresca's will name an unchanged line-up from last weekend's win over Brighton.

This is testament to Maresca's positive start at Stamford Bridge and to how he has blocked out the noise surrounding the club to find who best fits his system.

Yet with so much talk about his deep squad and competition for places, the expanded Europa Conference League and a possible deep Carabao Cup run offer opportunities to share minutes around and allow new signings the chance to adjust.

Aside from the October international break, the Blues have just two midweeks without a match from now until Christmas.

Those who could benefit most as the Blues begin their European campaign with the visit of Gent on Thursday evening include: Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Guiu, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

These nine players have just a combined five league starts between them so far this season.

With Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia not included in Maresca's Conference League squad to ease their workload, regular games away from the spotlight of the Premier League offers a chance for the names above to play into form.

A less pressurised environment could allow Mudryk to really express himself and shed some of the baggage that is clearly weighing him down. Dewsbury-Hall can begin to shake off the Conor Gallagher comparisons, Guiu can find his first goal while Neto could stake his claim to start in the league ahead of Noni Madueke.

As they did against Barrow in the Carabao Cup third round, youngsters like Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George could get valuable experience. At the other end of the spectrum, last season's vice captain Ben Chilwell may also play despite clearly not being part of Maresca's long-term plans.

With six Conference League group games upcoming, jeopardy in that particular competition is in short supply - especially when considering the comparative status and resources of Chelsea's opponents.

A comfortable path to the knockouts is predicted and Maresca is in a privileged position where making 11 changes from any league match should not significantly decrease the chance of picking up points.

Expect him to shuffle his pack, keep everyone hungry and, who knows, perhaps even have some fun.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Cole Palmer duly popped in four goals on Sunday to underline that, among all the great young talents in English football at a very special time, he is probably already the best of the bunch.

His four could easily have been six and he should have had a hat-trick of assists on the day too.

‌It is hard to imagine how he does not grab a starting berth for England now, even with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and Eberechi Eze on the scene.

‌There were six goals in the first half at Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea have already had an eight-goal bizarre-a-thon against Wolves this season.

‌There is an argument that winning the league is still beyond them, but as pure box office, they are once again becoming unmissable.

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Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Sometimes you just have to scream that the Emperor’s new clothes are indeed just nakedness, or in this case brazen stupidity.

‌The goalkeeping and defensive blunder count at Stamford Bridge on Saturday was incredible. There was a point when Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez was in line for the man-of-the-match award…for Brighton! He certainly provided an unmissable assist for Carlos Baleba’s goal that made it 3-2, as well as being at fault for their first.

‌He was not the only one defending terribly. The ultra-high defensive line by Brighton, away from home against lightning-quick attackers and clever players not being closed down in midfield, looked frankly embarrassing.

‌In times gone by, this would have been decried as monumental naivety, but the current Premier League groupthink has certain immutable tenets. One is that playing out from the keeper must be done even when he demonstrably cannot actually play outfield football at that level.

‌In my career - and that was not yesterday – as a midfield creative, I dreamed of playing against such a predictable and frankly quite sluggish high defensive line. It is incredibly easy to beat their offside trap with an average run from deep and a relatively simple well-timed pass or indeed just an unfocused hook over the top.

‌Forget the Emperor’s new clothes, Brighton were caught with their pants down time and again and they never thought to pull them back up again. Weird.

‌The Premier League can be great, but it can also be technically a bit rubbish sometimes too. Are you allowed to say that?

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Will Faulks
Fan writer

Following an impressive Chelsea win over West Ham, pundits focused on Nicolas Jackson, who had scored twice and was cementing his steady improvement of the last 12 months. He starred in a number of previews for the game against Brighton, as people begin to catch on to him becoming one of the better strikers in the league.

There was also praise for Jadon Sancho, who had done well in his first start as a Blue in the same game. This all followed accolades earlier in the season for Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku, who are in good form too.

It was great to see the love shared around a little. But come Saturday, Cole Palmer made a mockery of anyone who had wasted a word on anyone other than him.

The rangy left-footed playmaker put in a performance of such quality that it was hard to think of comparisons. Beyond the ruthlessness of his four goals in 20 minutes - a Premier League record, if you did not already know - there was so much more to enjoy. His graceful roaming between the lines with the ball at his feet; quick passes and flicks in small spaces to draw defenders in, then raking first time cross-field passes to send team-mates scampering.

There have been many great entertainers at Chelsea through the years, and plenty of prolific producers of goals and assists too. But there have been few - if any - who combine entertainment and output like Palmer. One thing seemed certain after last season - he would not be able to replicate a magical campaign where everything seemed to break for him and every shot found the net.

With every week, last season looks less like an outlier - and more like an incredible new benchmark.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Do you think Manchester City regret selling Cole Palmer to Chelsea?

Discussing the Blues forward on the BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club, New York Times journalist Rory Smith said: "It does seem really weird that they sold someone who might be the best player in the Premier League for £40m. That is not even a lot of money in modern football.

"It is strange that Pep Guardiola thought he was not going to play at City, but maybe that is because he was not willing to centre the team around him like Enzo Maresca is.

"City probably should be thinking they have made a mistake!"

Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton tells BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that Chelsea forward Cole Palmer's playing style is "unique" and downplays the comparisons with Dennis Bergkamp and Chris Waddle.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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BBC Sport Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on the weekend's football.

St Augustine asked: Do you see Chelsea finishing in the top four by the end of the season?

Phil answered: Early days yet but the signs are very promising for Chelsea under Enzo Maresca.

I was not sure about this appointment but one thing no-one could question was that they had some quality players who, if shaped into a structure and system, could be a force.

Maresca appears to be doing that. He has a clear style and in Cole Palmer, a real game-changer. Nicolas Jackson also looks to be maturing.

I do think the top three will be Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool but there is a clear opening in fourth. My pick is still Aston Villa but if Chelsea continue as they are they can certainly be part of that conversation.

Follow the rest of Phil's Q&A and all the day's football news here

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BBC Sport Chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on the weekend's football.

Victoria Gaskin asked: Hi Phil. Is it now increasingly clear Pep Guardiola made a mistake in allowing Cole Palmer to leave Manchester City for Chelsea.

Phil answered: I wondered when we’d get this one – and it is a question plenty are asking when they see Palmer performing so brilliantly.

On the surface it does look like a mistake because Palmer is performing in a way that would get him into any side in the country and £40m looks like a bargain.

The context here is that Guardiola has a track record of not keeping players who want to leave his club. The perfect scenario would have been to keep Palmer but Guardiola made it very clear, in his own words, that Palmer wanted to leave for two seasons so eventually he went.

Guardiola moves on from these situations very quickly. I'm not sure he does regrets – although I suppose City might now wish they had asked for more than £40m.

Chelsea, for their part, have been criticised and mocked for selling Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne, who developed into two of the greatest players of the Premier League era at Liverpool and Manchester City.

They might think getting Palmer for only £40m is their turn to get an incredible bargain.

Mick from Hampshire asked: Do you think Cole Palmer can improve as it’s hard to see how considering how good he is. Also does this mean he is now a must-start for England?

Phil answered: The great thing for Chelsea and England is that he is only 22 so there is plenty of room and time for improvement.

Palmer looks a class act, just oozing quality and a snip at £40m from Manchester City. Just imagine what he would command now?

England is an interesting one because Lee Carsley has so many options open to him and Palmer was injured for the last international break. We will see when they play Greece and Finland but he can do no more to state his case than what he is doing currently and he proved at Euro 2024 that he is a natural fit at international level.

Follow the rest of Phil's Q&A and all the day's football action here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Stevie: Literally a game of two halves. Looked fantastic going forwards but same defensive issues affecting us, Enzo Fernandez doesn't look able to play in a two-man midfield and wants too much time on the ball. Jadon Sancho looked lively again and I think Palmer might be pushed out on the right to get Nkunku playing in the 10.

Mathew: Really good from us. Cole Palmer is unbelievable and his free-kick was just as good. A shame with the two goals we conceded as Robert Sanchez has to do better. Sancho, Nicolas Jackson, Fernandez and Levi Colwill played well. It’s also great to see Romeo Lavia playing again. Renato Veiga looks like a really good signing. Great performance. On to Thursday.

Lawro: Visually, the scoreline is pleasing. However, to concede two goals in the manner that we did is unforgiveable. Sanchez was at fault with both goals, but he made two crucial saves to redeem himself. He needs to work on his judgement, which at best is poor!

Richard: The game against Brighton was helter-skelter, exciting but riddled with errors. Both defences hardly inspire confidence. Cole Palmer strode through it all and might have notched six or seven goals. Sancho's form is encouraging and in only a handful of games, he already has a number of assists. Chelsea score freely and the fans will not be complaining.

Brighton fans

Stuart: Albion have had this coming. The lack of defensive signings this summer has meant that this was always a possibility with our high risk of playing, I love our gallant approach to the game but now without Pascal Gross and Billy Gilmour ahead of them, I am unsure our defense is fit for purpose. This will happen again and again.

Matt: Brighton’s defence was embarrassing at times. The high line is too risky against good teams as Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster do not have the speed needed to get back. It’s Brighton’s first loss but there has been warning signs of this defensive display coming. Back to the training ground on Monday. This must improve against Tottenham next week. Finally, rest in peace Barry Lloyd [former Brighton manager, who died on Saturday].

Malcolm: We need to sort out how we defend, Webster was appalling and Pervis Estupinan not much better. Dunk is showing signs of being past his sell-by date. I worry about the tactics against better sides where we need to be more solid. On the bright side Carlos Baleba just gets better and Adam Welbeck is not yet injured!

Luke: Palmer will get all the headlines and he is a wonderful player but all four goals were down to our poor play. The high line is exposed by our lack of pace at the back. Tough run of games coming up. We will be regretting not getting more in the last two home games as we drop down the table.

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Could Chelsea be top four contenders this season?

"They are certainly going that way," said former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "Enzo Maresca is a great manager with a wonderful style of football. They have got off to a great start so the confidence is there and they have found a rhythm to their play."

The Blues are one point behind Arsenal in fourth having taken 13 points from a possible 18 so far this season.

"Chelsea fans just need to enjoy it because they are on a good run and are scoring lots of goals," Brown added.

Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds

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Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown says Cole Palmer "is exceptional to watch" because of his talent and the way he oozes confidence.

"He has got a bit of devilment but in a different way. It is not like a ‘dark arts’ nasty devilment, he has got this swagger about how good he is. It is exceptional to watch," said Brown.

"He is just getting better and better, so Chelsea did really well to give him that new contract."

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker added: "We all marvel at Pep Guardiola, but you haver to be a certain type of player to play for Pep and his system. I don't think we would be seeing the same Palmer if he was still at Manchester City. Pep would not have given him that same freedom.

"Palmer suits being under Enzo Maresca."

Listen to the full discussion on the Football Daily Podcast

Chelsea will encourage January bids for England left-back Ben Chilwell - despite the 27-year-old's return to their first-team squad. (Mirror), external

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

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 4-2 Leicester

• Wolves 1-2 Liverpool

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter, at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea will feel that, despite coming out on top in a chaotic first half, they are starting to lay down a real marker for what they can achieve this season.

Before kick-off, Enzo Maresca said it was time for his squad, the Premier League's youngest, to show they are 'men'.

Well, unlike on many occasions last season, they reacted well to going 1-0 down and through Cole Palmer's stunning four first half goals, found themselves 4-2 up after a chaotic 45 minutes.

Brighton managed to unsettle Chelsea's backline and goalkeeper with their extremely high defensive line and intense pressing, but ultimately, Maresca's approach and players were superior.

Beating this Brighton side is no mean feat, as they were unbeaten ahead of kick-off, and had only conceded four goals.

Some may credit Maresca for transforming what looked like a chaotic club from the outside amid another busy summer of transfers both in and out, but this is also a club maturing two years into the new ownership.

While Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's Clearlake Capital are trying to buy each other out, a new medical department has been put in place and has settled, with high level directors now settled into roles across the football department after a post-Roman Abramovich cull.

Mauricio Pochettino also did some good work building a culture and getting some of the younger players ready to compete this season.

Cole Palmer, who excelled last season, has continued his form, adding six goals and four assists in his first six league matches.

But there is also real progress in the development of Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto and others.

And, of course, after over £1.5billion spent in the last three transfer windows, Chelsea have probably the deepest squad of talent in world football.

Chelsea now trail by just one point behind league leaders Manchester City, posing the question: just how significant a threat does this team pose to the elite clubs?