Chelsea

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  1. Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 12:48 20 April

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    Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

    • Fulham v Chelsea

    • Ipswich v Arsenal

    • Manchester United v Wolves

    • Leicester v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

    All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

  2. Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Chelseapublished at 10:45 20 April

    Sutton's predictions graphic

    There is something not right at Chelsea.

    They drew at home to Ipswich last week, for example. I laughed when I saw my guest, Yizzy, had put the Tractor Boys down to get a point but that ended up being the result that killed me.

    From what boss Enzo Maresca has said since then, by asking the fans to trust him and saying the players are affected by the crowd, everyone seems to be feeling the pressure.

    He was questioning the fans, but also his players' temperament. If you think about how many millions have been spent on that squad, then if they don't have the strength of character to play the way their manager wants, then heaven help them in the long run.

    This is probably going to be another score draw but I seem to get Fulham wrong whatever I say.

    They deserved to get something from their defeat at Bournemouth on Monday, and I am going with them to get a repeat of their win at Stamford Bridge in December.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  3. Maresca on Palmer's drought, James' leadership and support from above published at 13:13 18 April

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca spoke to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Fulham (kick-off 14:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Offering reasoning on Cole Palmer's goal drought, Maresca said: "I think there are different reasons why. For sure, a moment where you struggle is part of their career, their process, their season. Last year he had a fantastic season. This season we said many times that the way the team approaches him is in a different way. Most of the time he's being marked man to man. That is more difficult for any player in the world."

    • Maresca also praised Reece James' honest interview, external after defeat to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, stating "he's right in what he said," and "he's doing well" in terms of leadership.

    • On Andrey Santos being an alternative for the midfield if Romeo Lavia cannot stay fit: "Now, we know that Andrey is doing well. But in this moment, we are just focused about how we finish this season. And then when we finish this season, we're going to start to think about next season."

    • The Chelsea manager also said that the club cannot achieve its targets this season if Palmer and Nicolas Jackson do not start scoring.

    • Maresca insists that the dressing room has to "build leaders" if they don't already exist and said they would help deal with "different problems" during the season.

    • On what he wants from Jadon Sancho: "No, the only thing we said to Jadon, but all our offensive players, is that we need more, in terms of numbers, goals and assists. So Jadon, in the last games, is doing better."

    • Maresca also stated that he feels "absolutely" reassured from the hierarchy of the club.

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

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  4. Fulham v Chelsea? Did you know?published at 13:12 18 April

    Rodrigo Muniz scores for FulhamImage source, Getty Images

    Fulham are looking to complete the league double over Chelsea for the very first time, in what is the 40th different league campaign in which they've met.

    Since scoring 11 goals across three consecutive away Premier League wins in November and December, Chelsea have scored just three goals in eight away games (D3 L5). They had a 19% shot conversion rate in those three wins, but that has dropped to just 3% in their eight winless games.

    Fulham have won two of their last five league games against Chelsea (D1 L2), more than they had in their previous 35 against the Blues (W1 D12 L22).

  5. 'A very stale and impotent performance'published at 09:45 18 April

    Your views banner
    Chelsea v Legia WarsawImage source, PA Media

    We asked for your thoughts after Chelsea's Conference League game against Legia Warsaw on Thursday.

    Enzo Maresca's side lost the second leg 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, but progressed to the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Pete: Overpaid, overrated and no idea. And they want to play Champions League. They don't seem to be able to grasp the fact that you can't score a goal passing the ball sideways and backwards.

    Nigel: Poor again - no urgency and happy to pass sideways and backwards all day. Fans go to be entertained and another game which was hard to watch.

    Mark: The worst display of this season. Team selection questionable. No pace. No central midfield and more passes back to the keeper than ever. Woeful.

    Harry: Lack of passion and commitment. We played as if the result was a foregone conclusion. The manager, and the team, are losing the crowd.

    Marko: A very stale and impotent performance. To lose at home to a team as bad as Legia is embarrassing and the manager should fall on his rather blunt sword!

    Colin: Awful football. Maresca plays one way. I respect the way players are trying to accommodate but the style makes ordinary teams look good and our players look ordinary. It's woeful and I've had enough of him.

    Graham: What started off as a promising season is fast finishing as a mediocre season. You have to question the recruitment of youngsters as we clearly lack some players with experience and leadership. Maresca has shown naivety at times and does not convince me he is the man for the job.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.
  6. How concerned should Chelsea be?published at 07:59 18 April

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Enzo Maresca managing ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea are now worryingly without an away win in eight Premier League games, dating back to a thrilling 4-3 success at Tottenham on 8 December.

    Although they were also unbeaten in eight matches at home before Thursday's defeat by Legia Warsaw, the performances have not been convincing enough to appease supporters who demand and expect better from their expensively assembled squad and raft of internationals.

    Recent results, including a goalless draw at Brentford followed by a 2-2 home draw against relegation-threatened Ipswich, have also dropped them to sixth in the table, leaving them with a tough task of reaching the Champions League next season.

    Newcastle have moved up to third spot after a run of good form, while fourth-placed Manchester City are a point clear of Chelsea and Aston Villa, who are seventh.

    With six games to go, no team can afford to slip up, but Enzo Maresca remained upbeat: "We lost a game. The other clubs like Villa, Newcastle have more confidence around them but things in football can change quickly.

    "Sunday [at Fulham], for us, is a final and can be a boost to reach our target."

  7. Gossip: Felix considers future elsewherepublished at 07:55 18 April

    Gossip graphic

    Chelsea forward Joao Felix, who is on loan at AC Milan, is considering a move to Saudi Arabia or former club Benfica this summer. (Sport - in Spanish), external

    Meanwhile, the Blues explored the idea of signing 33-year-old Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk this summer, before he signed a new contract with Liverpool. (Mail - subscription required), external

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  8. 'It's an important moment now' - Marescapublished at 00:18 18 April

    Enzo Maresca looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to the media after the match: "First of all, yeah, we are for sure not happy with the defeat.

    "Probably the first leg, 0-3, probably we try to manage a little bit the result, rotate, make rotation with the players, try to avoid injury, because we have an important game also Sunday.

    "So, as I said, for sure not happy with the result.

    "We are in the semi-final, but at the same time probably we were trying to manage a little bit the first leg, the result, we are there.

    "Overall, the good thing is that we can rotate players, we don't have injury, that for us was the main target, because during the season we had many injuries. An important moment, and because it's an important moment now, the last part of the season, the good news was that we don't have injury."

    On playing Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer: "Yeah, first of all the main target for them was to help them to build physical condition, so we decided to use both of them, and for sure if they are able to score it could be a good boost for them. But for me probably we managed in the wrong way the first result there, but the good thing is again, we have six Premier League games that are very important for us. Fortunately we rotate players, and this is for us in this moment very important."

    On the atmosphere: "I think for me tonight the environment was good, I didn't see any bad moments from the fans. So I said already, after the last game we need to engage them, so it's what we have to do."

    On Reece James' comments about maybe disrespecting the competition: "Probably not the competition, but probably the other team tonight, because I think we respect the competition all season.

    "Probably tonight, as I said, because of the first result, 0-3, you can manage in the wrong way the result. Reece is right, but more than the competition probably the opposite."

  9. 'We didn't step up' - Jamespublished at 23:33 17 April

    Reece James looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea captain Reece James, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was a game we should have won and something we failed to do tonight.

    "We qualified, we advance in the competition, but it was a poor performance from the team today.

    "It's hard to put it down to one thing. Maybe having a 3-0 lead played a part in taking our foot off the gas but there's no excuses."

    On how Legia Warsaw were different today: "The game was always going to be different. It's the second leg, away from home, they have nothing to lose and they showed that tonight.

    "They made it tough for us and we didn't step up."

    On what still gives Chelsea belief: "We are making progress. Today, that was for sure not progress, if anything a step back. Maybe we disrespected the competition today but this is football for you and if you don't prepare right then you'll pay.

    "Of course it's going to have an effect on the mindset going forwards, it's going to be in the back of people's heads that we lost when we shouldn't have lost but we need to put it behind us. We have a game on Sunday that's an important game so we need to regroup, stay strong."

    On how he would respond to fans who booed: "I understand the frustration, to be honest. I understand fans come to games to see excitement, to see goals. Today we were frustrating to watch. We remain focused and we still stick together and look forward to achieving what we want together."

  10. 'We cannot make excuses'published at 23:10 17 April

    Marc Cucurella embraces Jadon SanchoImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think the most important thing is we're in the semi finals and we fight to play in the finals.

    "I think today we have a bit of the same way as the last game, we create chances, we don't score, we concede early goals. We are in the most important part of the season so we need to stay together, work hard.

    "On Sunday we need to fight hard for the three points.

    "We conceded two easy goals but we cannot speak about this, we cannot make excuses. We are Chelsea and we want to win all the games.

    "We know we have more games to play, we can finish in Champions League position and play in a higher European competition. The most important thing is we have the opportunity to play semi-finals."

  11. Chelsea 1-2 Legia Warsaw (4-2 agg) - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:54 17 April

    Have your say banner

    Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

    Have your say on Chelsea's performance

    Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

  12. Follow Thursday's European games livepublished at 18:46 17 April

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    Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham are all involved in a busy evening of European football on Thursday and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

    All kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

    Europa League:

    • Athletic Bilbao v Rangers (agg 0-0)

    • Frankfurt v Tottenham (agg 1-1)

    • Lazio v Bodo/Glimt (agg 0-2)

    • Man Utd v Lyon (agg 2-2) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Conference League:

    • Fiorentina v Celje (17:45 BST - agg 2-1)

    • Jagiellonia v Real Betis (17:45 BST - agg 0-2)

    • Chelsea v Legia Warsaw (agg 3-0)

    • Rapid Vienna v Djurgarden (agg 1-0)

    Follow all of the action and reaction

  13. Changing manager again 'would be worst thing Chelsea could do'published at 12:42 17 April

    Fara Williams, BBC Sport columnist banner
    Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images

    The only way for Enzo Maresca to get the Chelsea fans back on board is getting results and by his team looking like they did in the first half of the season.

    The groans from the Stamford Bridge crowd - especially in the draw against Ipswich - are not helping.

    As a Chelsea fan, I want the crowd behind the team and being the 12th man between now and the end of the season to give them the best chance of getting into those Champions League spots.

    The players feel and hear it when the the fans moan at every ball that is given away, or every missed tackle or missed shot. Then, tension builds, anxiety builds and you do not get the result anyway.

    I do not think it helps, but I get it. I get the frustration. I am frustrated watching our games.

    I think for Maresca, it is not about getting the fans onside for the rest of the season - it is about getting the players motivated and in the right frame of mind to push with everything for a top-five finish.

    Him biting at fans in interviews does not help. There has been an expectation of winning at the club since Roman Abramovich's arrival. The fans have been suffering with the transition in the past few years and we are seeing some disconnect and frustration after they have tried their best to be patient.

    But I do not think Maresca can address or impact that fan perspective at this point this season through words.

    His focus has to be solely on the team and what they can control. Winning games automatically gets fans back on board.

    As a club trying to transition, develop an identity, bring in young players and build for the future, to keep changing manager every season is not going to help - even if they do not reach the Champions League.

    You have to build that identity. It does not just happen overnight.

    It started off as a good season and it is not ending great but they still have a chance of getting into the Champions League and that would have been the target at the beginning for Maresca.

    I think bringing in another manager after just a year would be the worst thing Chelsea could do. If they do that again it would be crazy and frustrate the fanbase at least as much as they are frustrated now.

    Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

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  14. Gossip: Chelsea players linked with exits as Blues target strikerpublished at 07:25 17 April

    Gossip graphic

    Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr are targeting Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo, who is expected to cost more than £100m. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

    Benfica are keen to re-sign Chelsea forward Joao Felix, who is on loan at AC Milan. (Record - in Portuguese, subscription required), external

    Juventus want to extend Blues defender Renato Veiga's stay beyond this summer, either via another loan or a £48m permanent deal. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

    Meanwhile, RB Leipzig are expected to set an £86m asking price for 21-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, who is attracting interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. (Bild - in German), external

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

    Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

  15. Caicedo to stay at Chelsea despite interestpublished at 18:55 16 April

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    Chelsea Moises CaicedoImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea would not accept offers for Moises Caicedo after links to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

    One source with knowledge of the Saudi market acknowledged the interest from Al Nassr, the state-owned club boasting the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in its starting 11.

    But neither the Blues and Caicedo's representatives say the have encouraged any interest and want to continue working together for the foreseeable future.

    Caicedo, 23, is the frontrunner to win Chelsea's Player of the Season awards having excelled consistently under manager Enzo Maresca.

    The Ecuador international is also under contract for six more seasons until 2031 on a deal which his former agent revealed was worth around £180,000-a-week, although his contract is incentive-based, and could rise with Champions League qualification.

    Chelsea have also signed midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas, to act as Caicedo's deputy from next season.

    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.