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Palmer and Delap new squad numbers revealedpublished at 11:02 5 June
11:02 5 June
Chelsea have confirmed the squad numbers for Cole Palmer and new signing Liam Delap for the 2025-26 season.
Palmer, who has been the creative force in the side since his arrival from Manchester City in 2023, will move from the number 20 to the number 10 shirt.
Meanwhile, striker Delap - who joined for £30m from Ipswich on Wednesday - has been given the number nine shirt.
The number was vacant having become somewhat notorious at Chelsea for it's history of wearers struggling to live up to expectations when donning the shirt, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the last to wear it in 2022-23.
What if... the season was about what happens when you are winning?published at 10:02 5 June
10:02 5 June
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...
It is the table no-one wants to be top of.
While some fans will feel pretty comfortable when their team goes in front, for others, it is just the start of what could prove to be an emotional rollercoaster.
The fans who had to suffer the disappointment of wondering 'what might have been' most were those of Tottenham.
If the Premier League season had come down to which side lost the most points from winning positions then Spurs would have been top of the pile.
There were 22 occasions in which Ange Postecoglou's team were in front, but they went on to win only half of those, with four ending in draws and seven in defeat.
While 'Ange-ball' provides entertainment, as shown in the Europa League final, if the Spurs boss had adapted on a few more occasions, they might have found themselves celebrating a more successful league campaign than one that left them a place above the relegation zone.
For Fulham fans, it was hard to know whether they were coming or going.
While they were one of the 'comeback kings' having picked up 21 points from losing positions, they also dropped 28 points from winning ones.
Rather than consistent inconsistency, boss Marco Silva will be hoping for less of a rollercoaster next campaign if they want to achieve their European dream.
There were not a lot occasions in which relegated Southampton and Ipswich were in front, but when they were, they struggled to see them through. The 28 and 27 points lost respectively could have been the difference-makers in the fight to stay up.
At the other end of the scale, Newcastle supporters could often sit comfortably in the knowledge that when they went in front, they were unlikely to see any other result at the end.
In fact, of the 23 games in which they were in a winning position, they drew twice and lost just once - a confidence they will hope to take into the Champions League next season too.
Much was said of Chelsea's questionable defensive abilities and the maturity of such a young side. But despite this, they too were a team regularly able to see out a game they were leading - winning 20 of the 26 such occasions.
Two perhaps more surprising additions at this end of the table are relegated Leicester City and a Manchester United side who set unwanted club records for the season.
While there were not many occasions when the two sides were in a leading position - 10 for Leicester and 16 for United - between them they lost just three times and dropped only 10 and 11 points restrictively.
Some solace for supporters in otherwise underwhelming campaigns.
'I wanted to come here to win trophies' - Have your say on Delap arrivalpublished at 08:17 5 June
08:17 5 June
Image source, Getty Images
New Chelsea signing Liam Delap says the "hunger and desire" to "keep adding trophies" and taking the club "back to where it belongs" attracted him to make the move from Ipswich.
The Blues have completed the signing of Delap on a six-year deal after meeting a £30m release clause that was activated following Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League.
"Growing up watching this club, I understand the stature of it and how incredible it has been over the years," the 22-year-old told Chelsea's media team after the move was confirmed.
"I wanted to come here to win trophies. When I spoke to the club, everyone wanted to get back to the very top, and they have the quality and the players to do that.
"The hunger and desire to keep adding trophies, to take the club back to where it belongs, that is the main objective."
"Since I was eight or nine years old, I was focused on football. I never wanted to do anything else, and I've given everything I could to make it happen.
"It's such a long and hard period and things can be tough for you, but I've always enjoyed it. I just love football - I'd be playing with my mates if I wasn't a professional.
"Fortunately, I'm alright at it – and I'm delighted that graft has worked out and I'm here now at Chelsea.
"I had a few loans and I learned a lot from then. You are a mixture of all these different experiences, so I've taken little bits from everywhere I've been and then built it together as one. I'm always learning and developing."
Chelsea fans, what do you make of the signing? How and where do you see him fitting in at Stamford Bridge?
'Unbelievable decision' or 'not a big deal'? Fans on Sanchopublished at 18:09 3 June
18:09 3 June
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Chelsea not making Jadon Sancho's loan move permanent and what you made of his time in blue.
Here are some of your comments:
Chris: What's the point of signing Sancho when you can go abroad and sign a complete unknown for double the money with no Premier League experience? Unbelievable decision!
Eduardo: I think it's sad as he has been an important player for us this season. He is extremely talented and would have been a great permanent addition. We should have made it permanent.
David: Good decision. Wages too high and, with Neto and Sterling, we are overloaded out wide when we need a striker.
George: A club paying £5m to send the loanee back to the parent club says a lot. Not surprised Chelsea are sending him back. A player that flatters to deceive at best, completely absent and uninspiring at worst. Nowhere near the England set-up. The guy needs a reality check.
Nigel: It seems that once he became comfortable, he stopped really trying both to create opportunities for his team-mates and to score himself. The right decision has been made.
Dean: Sancho would be a squad player at Chelsea. If he couldn't accept the club's wage structure then so be it. It's a bit of a shame, but not a big deal. Not sure it's the best decision for him, but maybe there's a way back at Manchester United? Good luck to him.
Garry: He was a last-minute loan signing and it just hasn't worked out for him at Chelsea. Going back to United under a new manager might be good for him as we don't want him!
'A quiet summer by Chelsea's standards'published at 16:19 3 June
16:19 3 June
Will Faulks Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
After years of major turnover in every summer at Chelsea, this should be a relatively quiet one at last.
Enzo Maresca will be the first manager to stay in place for a second year for the first time since Thomas Tuchel (who himself only had one full season in charge). There will be some alterations to the playing staff, but they will be tweaks rather than wholesale changes.
Liam Delap will add depth up front, while a central defender and a right-footed left winger are likely to be the most notable first-team additions. Cover at left-back would also be very handy.
The fact Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez have already been signed to arrive this summer means there will be a major upgrade in terms of depth, even before any new names are added to the list.
There will be departures to make room for the new arrivals - and the likes of Raheem Sterling, who has been out of sight and out of mind, will once again have to try to find a permanent new home.
The addition of Sarr and potentially another, more senior central defender, will mean there are guaranteed to be several sales at the back too.
With all that considered, the changes most fans would like to see would be around the style of play.
As the young group increase in age and experience, and as Maresca gets into his second season in charge, the expectations and demands for Chelsea's performances will increase. Their results against the top teams also need to be improved next season.
So while it is going to be a quiet summer by Chelsea's standards, there is a lot going on, starting with the Club World Cup in just a couple of weeks.
Maignan emerges as Chelsea targetpublished at 14:33 3 June
14:33 3 June
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have expressed their interest to AC Milan in signing France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The 29-year-old has been a regular for Milan since joining them on a five-year contract from Lille in 2021.
He has also been first choice for France since Hugo Lloris retired from international football in January 2023.
Chelsea have learned that doing a deal for Maignan is a possibility, because the goalkeeper would be interested in a move to Stamford Bridge.
Blues have struggled to find a long-term option in goal since buying Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018 for £71m, which remains the world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
Two years later they brought in Edouard Mendy, who left for Al-Ahli in 2023, while Kepa has spent the past two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and then Bournemouth.
In the past two years the Blues have also signed Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic and Filip Jorgensen but the club appears unconvinced by all three.
Petrovic spent last term on loan at Strasbourg while Sanchez and Jorgensen both had spells in the Chelsea team.
The 25-year-old began his loan spell strongly with an assist on his Premier League debut away at Bournemouth, followed by assisting again in his next two appearances.
He then scored in successive victories over Southampton and Tottenham in December, making it five goal involvements in nine league games as the Blues sat in second.
Sancho also finished the season with a medal after scoring a goal off the bench in the Conference League final.
However, he struggled in periods and went 18 games without a goal, and with only one assist and two shots on target in all competitions, at the start of 2025.
So, what do you make of the decision? And how do you reflect on Sancho's time in west London?
What if... the season was all about the first 45 minutes?published at 09:21 3 June
09:21 3 June
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...
Football games are 90 minutes long. They have been for more than 150 years.
So, what if they weren't? What if only the first 45 minutes mattered?
Some teams like to lead from the front, come out the blocks flying and try and get the job done before half-time.
If that had been the case this season and it all came down to that first half showing, then it would not have been Liverpool lifting the trophy, but in fact Arsenal winning their first league title in over 20 years.
With 20 wins, 13 draws and five defeats, the Gunners were the kings of the first half.
Four points behind them were Manchester City - a team that has for so long been able to control games from start to finish, but during their difficult spell with injuries and results, this was something they seemed to lack.
If the league really came down to this metric, Brentford fans would be planning for a Champions League adventure. While the Bees were fast starters this campaign, being able to back that up across the 90 minutes was their Achilles heel (ranking 14th in the second half).
And what about this year's Premier League champions? Arsenal may have had the number when it came to first halves, but Liverpool well and truly led the way in the second...
What if the season was all about the second 45 minutes?
While some prefer to get their nose in front, others prefer a half-time reset or back themselves to get the job done later in the game.
One of those teams was Arne Slot's Reds.
They won 24 of their 38 second-halves, drew nine and lost just five. If it was this 45 minutes alone that counted, they would have had 81 points and - just like in the actual season - been runaway winners.
Another club that enjoyed success after half time was Chelsea.
Ranking seventh in the first-half table, the Blues were often in a position where they needed to turn things around or dig out a result in the second 45 and, despite the young age of the team, managed 17 wins in second halves.
A side deserving an honourable mention here is Crystal Palace.
They may have finished 12th in the 2024-25 league table after a underwhelming start, but when it came to getting a result in the second half, with 16 wins,12 draws and 10 defeats, they were up there alongside some of the best in the league.
Gossip: Blues keen on Branthwaitepublished at 08:03 3 June
08:03 3 June
Chelsea are considering a move for Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 22, while Tottenham could rival the Blues for his signature this summer. (Teamtalk), external
The Blues are also weighing up a move for Borussia Dortmund's 20-year-old English winger Jamie Gittens, who could cost about £50m. (Guardian), external
'The good thing about Liam is he still has a lot of developing to do'published at 16:49 2 June
16:49 2 June
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Liam Delap is set to become Chelsea's striker - and while that move is good news for Blues supporters, it is bad news for England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley.
The Young Lions boss had named Delap in his squad for the U21 European Championships in Slovakia.
The tournament starts next week but Chelsea are involved in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Once Delap signs for the Stamford Bridge club, they are likely to want him to play in that competition. Unfortunately for Carsley, the Club World Cup has precedence.
"First and foremost we have to remember the age of the players. Obviously, they are adult professional players as they are over 18, but they still need a lot of support," Carsley said.
"We're supporting all of the players. We have room within our schedule to make sure they get a chance if they need to have a medical or they need to speak to a club. We support them with that.
"Liam is one of two or three players we are supporting with that at the moment.
"Ideally, I want them here - of course I do. You want your strongest squad but we have to put the players first and that is definitely what we are doing."
When asked about what Delap will bring to Chelsea, Carsley was reluctant to go into detail until a transfer was complete, but he did highlight the 22-year-old's strengths.
"Liam has done really well in the Premier League. He has shown what a capable player he is.
"The good thing about Liam is he still has a lot of developing to do. He still has a lot of improvement to do in his all round game so it is exciting times for him."
Why did Chelsea not move for Kelleher? Transfer window Q&Apublished at 14:09 2 June
14:09 2 June
Image source, Getty Images
BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel has been answering your questions on the summer transfer window.
Will asked: Working out the sanity of Chelsea's transfer policy is impossible, but can anyone explain why when a goalkeeper like Kelleher is available for as little as £18m (less than Sanchez cost) Chelsea refuse to upgrade an area they are clearly crying out for?
Sami said: It's a good question. Chelsea have made it clear that a new goalkeeper isn't viewed as a priority for them this summer which flies in the face of some of the difficulties they have faced in that position last season.
Chelsea have another big summer ahead. They want a striker, a winger and a centre-back. That won't come cheaply. So they will have to prioritise their spending. However, if towards the end of the window a market opportunity arises to sign a goalkeeper who is a marked improvement on the options they already have, I wouldn't be shocked if they engaged.
What can Chelsea spend this summer?published at 13:42 2 June
13:42 2 June
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea's ability to maintain their lavish outlay on players comes with an asterisk attached.
The Blues have already assembled a squad with a value heading north of £1.4bn and will welcome a host of new exciting talent when pre-season resumes in July, with Liam Delap set to join midfielders Kendry Paez and Dario Essugo, winger Estevao Willian, goalkeeper Mike Penders and defender Mamadou Sarr.
Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, 18, is already signed on for the following year.
But further bolstering their ranks may be determined by the Premier League's response to the sale of their women's team to parent company BlueCo for £198.7m - a process that put the wider business into profit.
"If this is accepted by the Premier League, then Chelsea would have significant spending flexibility and another £200m is a possibility," said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
"If it is excluded, then things will be far more challenging and they may have to sell before buying."
What if... the season came down to improvement?published at 11:40 2 June
11:40 2 June
As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...
Many of us will have been there in school.
It was not always about being the best, but about being better. Not trying to beat the others' scores or times, but about beating your own.
In sport too, it is why personal bests exist. It is a way of measuring your own improvement against what has gone before - we can't all be Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner.
So if the Premier League season was all about how you compared to the campaign before, who would have come out on top?
Well, there is one clear winner.
With 29 points more than they had in 2023-24, Nottingham Forest would have been lifting that trophy.
They may not have finished the season quite as they hoped having spent so much time in the Champions League spots, but having narrowly avoided relegation a year ago, this shows the sheer scale of the improvement this term.
Their nearest challenger on this basis would have been Brentford.
With 56 points, they were three points short of their best ever Premier League tally, but having flirted with relegation last time out, it made for a more enjoyable season this time around.
Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham may have just missed out on European adventures in the real league, but they are also teams who can be happy with the improvements they are showing as now well-established top-flight sides.
And despite the chaotic nature of Chelsea since the new ownership came in, they too can look to steady progress.
At the other end of the scale (or table), it is a very different picture.
Many question whether the traditional 'big six' teams is still relevant, given how others have broken that mould in recent years.
But if the season was based on improvement, four of those six would have been at the bottom.
Tottenham dropped-off in the league nearly as much as Forest improved. Manchester City had a high bar to reach, but a torrid spell proved costly. Manchester United have set multiple unwanted club records, while Arsenal struggled to maintain a real challenge for the title.
They say beware the wounded tiger, and it is hard to see all these sides having the same difficulties next season, but they will not have it all their own way with those teams that are on the up.
*All data from Opta and only teams who were in the league in 2023-24
Two Chelsea players in Williams' underrated XI of the seasonpublished at 09:13 2 June
09:13 2 June
As the dust settles on this Premier League season, we asked former England international Fara Williams for her underrated XI for the season.
She selected two players who have represented Chelsea this year.
Marc Cucurella
Cucurella has gone from a player fans really didn't like when he first joined to a cult hero. He has played almost every game this season and stepped up a level in terms of his consistency.
His energy, desire and winning mentality have had such a positive impact on the young team around him and even at 26 he has taken responsibility as a senior player.
Because of the way he presents himself on the pitch he is very easy to dislike which is probably why he doesn't get the credit he deserves as one of the league's best full-backs.
Trevoh Chalobah
It would have been easy for Chalobah to shut off when deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea at the start of the season and shipped off to Crystal Palace on loan, but he kept his head down, worked hard, and represented the Eagles with distinction.
Then when recalled to Chelsea, he didn't fuss and was a reliable performer when selected. He is maybe not your modern-day centre-back who steps into the play, but he defends solidly and wins his duels.
To put in seven or eight out of 10 performances every week despite difficult situations and an uncertain future is admirable and he deserves his chance in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
Gossip: Delap completes part of his medicalpublished at 08:02 2 June
08:02 2 June
Ipswich and England Under-21 striker Liam Delap, 22, has completed the first part of his medical over a £30m move to Chelsea. (Fabrizio Romano), external
Signings and sales - your transfer window prioritiespublished at 09:53 31 May
09:53 31 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for you to tell us what Chelsea need to do in the summer transfer window.
Here are some of your comments:
Sam: I believe we need another striker (on top of Liam Delap). Preferably sign Viktor Gyokeres. We should also sign a new goalkeeper. Finally, we need to sort out the Jadon Sancho situation.
Don: Major requirements needed are top goalkeeper, if Enzo Maresca doesn't like what is already at the club. Robert Sanchez is too erratic. Also, a experienced player in a central defender role to keep the backline calm and tight. We have good youngsters in defence but maturity will help more. And then up front - a striker with 20-plus goals in him. All well and good having a young squad, but wise older heads are needed to progress and the young to flourish more.
Alex: Let go or sell Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Axel Disasi and Robert Sanchez. Looks like Liam Delap is arriving. Andrey Santos looks like he will compete in midfield. What we need is a truly world-class goalkeeper, but I doubt many are available.
Rob: We definitely need an upgrade at the back - a goalkeeper and an experienced centre-back. A proven goalscorer also needed and although Delap is a bright, young talent, someone with experience like Jonathan David or Viktor Gyokeres would be a good fit. A bit more plan B tactics from the manager, as required, would also be helpful.
Stu: For me, a top-class striker as well as Delap, if that move goes through. I would move Nicolas Jackson to left attack rather than having him up front. Also, we need to address defence as Wesley Fofana cannot be relied on. Levi Colwill has shown he can do it, so a top defender to complement him as it's clear Trevoh Chalobah will be sold. Marc Guehi would be perfect. As much as I want a new goalkeeper, we have too many already and I can see us persisting with Sanchez.
