'Never been concerned'published at 17:11 14 January
17:11 14 January
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Nine months ago, Todd Boehly was quoted saying Chelsea will remain compliant on PSR for the "foreseeable future", with the club maintaining they have never been concerned about receiving any sanctions from either Uefa or the Premier League.
The Blues point towards a vastly reduced wage bill and more than £500m worth of player sales, balancing out a world record £1.5bn spend over the first five transfer windows of this ownership.
However, league finishes in 12th and sixth place have been a challenge for compliance - meaning PSR 'swap' deals, involving academy graduates Conor Gallagher and Ian Maatsen, have been necessary to help balance the books.
Chelsea have found another unique way to stay clear of trouble - the controversial sale of the Copthorne and Millennium hotels to themselves for £76.5m. That was cleared by the Premier League and helped sustain aggressive transfer spending.
Chelsea expect their PSR position to improve significantly if they qualify for the Champions League, with a substantial windfall to come from participation in the newly expanded Club World Cup - which is hoped will attract a lucrative front-of-shirt sponsor.
Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Bournemouthpublished at 10:32 14 January
10:32 14 January
This is going to be another close game. Chelsea really need to win it, after going four league games without a win.
It feels like the busy festive period has taken its toll on their young squad but they are not just going to give up on their title hopes, no matter how slim they are.
Bournemouth, who have gone eight league games unbeaten, are in much better form and I feel like I have doubted them too often when I have made my predictions this season.
The Cherries always create chances and score goals. I don't think that will change much even with Evanilson and Enes Unal both out injured, but will they be quite as ruthless? I am not sure - but that could just be me being too cautious about backing them, again.
The other part of my thinking here is that Chelsea are going to return to winning ways at some point. They are at home, and they should have beaten Crystal Palace in their last league game, so they could click again here.
I just know that whichever way I go with this game, I am going to get it wrong. I suppose the safe bet is a draw, but I am not very confident about it.
Teams interested in Chukwuemeka published at 17:58 13 January
17:58 13 January
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Borussia Dortmund have registered an interest in taking Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan.
The Blues, however, would prefer to sell the 21-year-old on a permanent basis and have previously priced him at £40m.
Chukwuemeka is deemed surplus to requirements by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and could also be moved on loan to partner club Strasbourg.
Strasbourg, also owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, would have to cancel one of their three loans from Chelsea - as Djordje Petrovic, Andrey Santos and Caleb Wiley fill the three allotted spots stipulated in FIFA's rules.
Chukwuemeka has significant say over his own future and Chelsea could reduce their demands as the transfer window moves towards its conclusion on 3 February.
Could Mudryk's absence open the door for more George minutes?published at 14:01 13 January
14:01 13 January
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Finding noteworthy topics from Chelsea's 5-0 victory over League Two strugglers Morcambe in the third round of the FA Cup was tough.
Defender Tosin Adarabiayo scored twice from outside the box - his first albeit via a decisive deflection - while Joao Felix registered his own fine double to put some much-needed numbers on the board.
Elsewhere, Christopher Nkunku continued on his quest to end the season as the Blues' top goalscorer while offering the fewest Premier League goals possible. His celebrations contained a solemn familiarity that will make fans feel his long-term future is likely away from Stamford Bridge.
But these were contributions from experienced top-flight players against a team currently sitting 91st out of 92 in the English Football League.
At least 18-year-old winger Tyrique George's performance stood out, as he clocked 90 minutes and registered two assists.
George looks like he belongs at senior level, exhibiting a composure on the ball and maturity in decision-making that belies his age and inexperience.
Young wingers have a tendency after receiving the ball to either turn back and pass to their full-back or become predictable by driving at the defender. George though offered a variety of approaches - at certain times providing genuine threat with his jinking runs and at others keeping possession before offering an option for another pass.
Excitement rippled through a rather subdued Stamford Bridge crowd whenever he was on the ball. Aside from his two assists, he created five chances, completed three successful dribbles - both the most from any player on the pitch - and won the ball once in Morecambe's final third. The quality and application he exhibited was key in breaking down a stubborn low block.
So far this season, George has featured in all of Chelsea's six Conference League group games but is yet to make his Premier League debut.
Given Mykhailo Mudryk is unlikely to return soon after testing positive for a banned substance, there will be minutes available on the left wing. It would therefore not be a surprise to see George appear as a late substitute if the Blues are comfortably winning in upcoming league games against Bournemouth and Wolves.
All you can ask from a young player is to seize their first team opportunities when they come. George is certainly doing that.
Maresca on Chilwell, Veiga's future and keeping players 'happy'published at 11:42 13 January
11:42 13 January
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Maresca confirmed that Reece James and Romeo Lavia are both available to play 90 minutes, despite them having to manage their "delicate" situations, while Noni Madueke is "100% fit" after recovering from illness.
The Blues boss praised exiled Ben Chilwell for his "very professional" attitude around the club and confessed he feels "shame" for not playing him.
On why he has not played the left-back more: "First of all, because it is my choice. Reason why I said [is] probably because I can see Malo Gusto, Reece James or Marc Cucurella doing different kinds of job during the game. I think Chilwell is a top full-back, doing that job up and down and being given the opportunity in the past to win titles and be in the national team, but I struggle to see Ben doing different kinds of things."
After reports of an agreement for Borussia Dortmund to sign Renato Veiga, Maresca said he is "not aware" of anything being in place: "I had a chat with Renato... Playing in the [left-back] position with us gives him the chance to join the national team and gives him the chance to get the speculation around him. Clubs are looking for players that are doing well. If there is a player that only wants to play one position, they have to adapt."
On whether Veiga wants more minutes of game time: "I have said many times - I also want long hair... but we have more than 20-25 players. They all want to play, but it is not possible."
On how he will keep players happy during the January transfer window if they are not getting many minutes: "My first target is to try and do the best for the club and for the team - that is to try and win games. Then, if we can keep players happy, then we are happy. But that is not a reality. They play, they are happy and if they don't play, they are not happy."
He added: "If you have all the players leave who are not happy [with their minutes], then you stay here with 12 players. So our intention is not to move players."
On forward Nicolas Jackson going through a lean goalscoring spell, Maresca said they "don't judge him on goals" and praised how many times he scored last season and during this campaign, despite him not taking penalties like other strikers.
Chris: Professional performance to dispatch the lower league side, but couldn't help noticing that Christopher Nkunku is not enjoying his time at Chelsea. A missed penalty and didn't celebrate his goal. Odd.
Darren: Good to see Reece James and Romeo Lavia back and coming through unscathed. Two wonderful goals, one from Tosin Adarabioyo and the other from Joao Felix, were great to see. Hopefully we push on from here and get back on track in the league.
Nick: A very professional performance but difficult to draw many conclusions given the low quality of the opposition (whose fans were brilliant). Felix was excellent and showed he can play a similar role to Cole Palmer.
Spike: The most painful 5-0 win I've ever watched. Chelsea were only slightly better than a struggling League Two team. Shameful.
Finn: Good to get a win on the board after a very disappointing festive period - Todd Boehly was clearly on the naughty list! I think Felix deserves a start - he's a silky, albeit inconsistent, footballer who I'd love to see live up to his potential.
Christopher Nkunku has been involved in 16 goals in his last 12 starts for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 12 and assisting four.
Madueke absent through illness- Marescapublished at 18:01 11 January
18:01 11 January
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager confirmed winger Noni Madueke missed the 5-0 win over Morecambe through illness.
The Italian coach previously left the England international for a "technical decision" against Fulham in December.
But he explained there was no such controversy after the comfortable win on Saturday, "It was just because yesterday he didn't finish the session. He was unwell," he explained.
Reece James and Romeo Lavia both returned from hamstring injuries but only managed 45 minutes against the League Two minnows.
Maresca explained that the half-time change was pre-planned, adding: "The idea is to slow build the right condition.
"Especially for Reece, we have to be a bit more careful. The good thing is they both played 45 minutes and finished well without any problem. We can start to help them and bring the right condition."
"Hopefully now we can start to help them to build the right condition."
Chelsea last won the FA Cup in 2018 but have lost three finals between 2020 and 2022.
Maresca was asked about the importance of this competition - as he bids to win silverware in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
"It's an important competition but since we started, we are trying to treat all of the competitions the same way," he added.
"The Premier League, the Conference League, unfortunately in the Carabao Cup we lost against Newcastle, now the FA Cup. We try to do our best in all of the competitions."
'Very professional and serious'published at 17:24 11 January
17:24 11 January
Image source, Getty Images
Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Chelsea's victory against Morcambe: "Very professional and very serious. I am very happy for the performance and for the final result.
"Today all the teams are well-organised and can prepare the game in the way they want. When we scored the game changed and second half we were better."
On Romeo Lavia and Reece James returning: "They are both OK after 45 minutes and we are happy with that.
"It is good that players can get minutes and they can be ready in any games when we need them.
"We are already thinking about Tuesday's game [with Bournemouth] and tomorrow we will prepare for Tuesday."
'It was nice to be able to showcase my capabilities'published at 17:21 11 January
17:21 11 January
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Saturday's FA Cup victory against Morcambe: "It's the first time in my professional career I was on a hat-trick. I wanted to have another shot but the moment never came."
On his second strike: "I got into a nice position and I was in a position I look to shoot in. I managed to wrap my foot around it and put it top bins."
On the crowd shouting shoot every time he touched the ball: "I heard it a couple of times when I got the ball on the halfway line. I wanted to but I was too far out.
"Playing games and being able to showcase your abilities is always great, so it was nice to do that one today."
Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Morecambepublished at 10:44 11 January
10:44 11 January
BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for all 32 FA Cup third round games and given his verdict on who will make it into round four.
For this week's matches he is up against actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton, who is a Liverpool fan.
Sutton's prediction: 6-1
Morecambe are struggling at the bottom of League Two now, but I remember getting humbled 3-1 by them once, when I was Lincoln manager.
I had a pop at the linesman in the second half over an offside call and gave him a bit of stick.
He turned around and told me 'don't worry about me mate, your team is rubbish', only he used a rude word.
I had no comeback to that, so I just went and quietly sat back down in my dug-out.
As far as this tie goes, you cannot look past Chelsea even though they have had a disappointing dip in form in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca will use his Europa Conference line-up, but they will still be too strong for the Shrimps. He does not have to worry about the linesman giving him stick.