Chelsea

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca speaking to BBC Sport: "Strange game in terms of creating many chances and we could've scored many but they saved goals on the line or great saves from the keeper.

"We could do many things better, defend better in some moments."

On penalty: "They said it's a bit soft but we have to accept it's a penalty.

"We made four changes from the last game because they all deserve to play. Now we've finished the first part of the season, no one expected us to be where we are. We are in a good position but we can do many things better. It's a long race.

"We had chances with Joao [Felix] and Noni [Madueke] so it's not about the striker. Sometimes you create chances and it doesn't go for you.

"We focus game by game. We are not focused on title race or those things."

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Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella speaking to Sky Sports: "We created a lot of chances. We conceded two easy goals and then we had to play a different game.

"We have to continue, we've played a lot of games and can take some positive things. People asked what we expected these first few months and no one expected this level. But we need to continue in this way. We've done well so far this season, we need to continue to work hard and try to undo these small mistakes.

"Sometimes we have good luck, sometimes not, it's part of football but we have to take positives and watch and review clips where we can improve. When we win we are not the best but when we lose we are not the worst. We have to continue in this way and try to win the games.

"We conceded the early goal and we had to play more with passing and then the second one we lost our way a bit with mistakes. We need to play always in the same style and take our time but we rushed and made mistakes. In January we have time to improve, train hard and continue.

"We need to play with the same intensity and desire. Sometimes we rush and rush to win but I think we have done well this first six months. Maybe we have been better than people expected apart from the last two games."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Ipswich's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea will recall defender Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors in January.

The 19-year-old joined the Blues in a £15.6m deal in August but was immediately sent back on loan to the Argentine giants.

It remains unclear whether Anselmino could go on another loan move within Europe, including potentially to partner club Strasbourg in France, or if he will remain with Enzo Maresca's squad.

Maresca currently has several injuries in his back line, including Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.

However, Argentine Anselmino also missed the last five league games of Boca's season with a hamstring problem.

The recall will free up an international loan spot, with a limit of six players allowed to go on temporary moves overseas under new Fifa rules.

Midfielder Cesare Casadei is among players looking for a January loan move, with Monza and Feyenoord both interested.

There are three games in the Premier League on Monday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Chelsea (19:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Brighton (19:45)

• Man Utd v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times are GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

Christmas is boxed off.

We're almost through the confusing days before New Year and January is within touching distance.

And we need your help - what is Chelsea's New Year's resolution?

It could be a new player to sign, a tactical system to implement, an off-the-pitch matter or something else entirely.

Let us know

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Chelsea have had a couple of disappointing results over Christmas, firstly failing to score against Everton and then losing late on against Fulham.

Maybe Blues boss Enzo Maresca was right when he said his side were not title contenders. I still think that was more kidology than him ruling his side out of the race but, either way, it must be painful to drop points like that after winning their previous eight games in all competitions.

I am backing them to bounce back here, though, because they should have too much quality for Ipswich.

Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday.

That was typical of Kieran McKenna's side this season. They have given it a real go in the Premier League and they never seem to lie down, whoever they play.

While I am going for a Chelsea win, the one thing at the back of my mind here is that Ipswich's determination and will to hang on in there in games has already brought them some reward in away games.

Eventually it is going to bring them a first home win of the campaign too.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 0-3

Ipswich have done so well to get where they are and I like the way they try to play football, but I only see one winner here.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United for the signing of 26-year-old France and Paris St-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea have a host of potential exits to come in January, including the likes of Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei.

Manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that both Chilwell and Chukwuemeka are free to leave on permanent deals.

However, the Blues are demanding Chukwuemeka's full £40million release clause for his January exit - or could look to send him out on loan instead.

Casadei, 21, is a different case with Chelsea not actively seeking to sell the Italian midfielder, with a loan move looking more likely. Feyenoord and Monza are both interested in signing the Italy Under-21s international.

Meanwhile, Harvey Vale is set to leave the club on a permanent deal with less than six months left on his current contract.

The 21-year-old attackers has interest from clubs in Europe and the Championship.

He rejected a move to Al-Ettifaq last summer and is getting renewed interest after outstanding displays in Chelsea's Under-21s, leading to 18 goal contributions (nine goals and nine assists) in 15 games.

Those performances led to two surprise appearances under Enzo Maresca in the Conference League, albeit with qualification to the knockout stages already secured.

However, after loan spells at Hull and Bristol Rovers, Vale is considered to be playing at a level below where he should be.

Any deal will only likely command a nominal fee, with a sell-on clause likely to be included to cash in at a later date.

Alex Matos could also leave on a permanent deal, while Chelsea are currently not actively pushing to loan or sell further first team players, including teen stars Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu at the early stages of the January window.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says the omission of Noni Madueke from the matchday squad on Boxing Day does not mean the England winger is out of contention for the trip to Ipswich on Monday.

The 22-year-old has come of age this season, scoring six times and providing four assists as well as making his England debut.

However, he has also been left out of the squad on more than one occasion, with his absence against Fulham on Thursday prompting more questions.

"Sometimes we just take a decision and it's no more than that," Maresca explained. "Is he in contention for Ipswich? Yeah, for sure.

The competition has to be higher, but not only for Noni Madueke. Also Renato Veiga was not in the squad and the reason is exactly the same for both of them.

"There is not any different reason - it's just a technical decision."

Earlier this season, Madueke was dropped for the trip to Aston Villa but returned to the starting XI three days later at Southampton and scored in a 5-1 win.

"Very good, fantastic and he responded very good at that time so there is no more than that," added Maresca. "I expect the same this time, yeah, absolutely."

Defeat by Fulham was an unexpected black mark on a positive first half of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca said the Blues' first league loss in over two months left a "bad feeling," and he reiterated the importance of Chelsea bouncing back with victory at Portman Road.

Full commentary of Ipswich v Chelsea from 19:45 GMT on Monday on BBC Radio 5 Live

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We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

David: At the beginning of the season, we would have taken second spot at Christmas without blinking. No need to panic - we have plenty more to come. Not ready for the title but we will be a solid top-four team this year. Fulham played well and probably deserved it.

Hashir: A really disappointing game. Enzo Maresca should've made changes during the second half when Fulham were going for attack after attack. One point out of a possible six against weaker teams only puts us under more pressure in challenging for the top four. Hopefully we can forget those results and move on to the next one.

Fossie: The only bright spot was Cole Palmer's goal. In the second half, Fulham dominated the game. The blame has to lie at the manager's door for this loss. There was plenty of talent on the bench, but only one change occurred. Unfortunately, it is also the case that the goalkeeper is just not up to standard. A miserable afternoon for Chelsea supporters.

Luke: This should not be brushed off. There are ways to lose a football match - this horror show was not one of those ways. I need to see a response from Maresca.

Fulham fans

Bill: A quite magnificent performance. Never gave up, a top-class game from everyone and don't forget Bernd Leno's saves! After 45 years, about time!

Will: Wow, just wow. Another late goal in a London derby. Level on points with Manchester City and all memory of the last game has faded. Only one team in Fulham.

Mario: It's a great feeling when the team you have supported for all your life beats the team from down the road. Our never-say-die attitude showed everyone that we cannot be counted out. Happy Christmas to all at Fulham and all our supporters.

Bob: Absolutely brilliant team effort. Subs did the business again with the full support of the rest of the team. Definitely looking up again this season. We have the bragging rights this time. Well done, lads!

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Alan Shearer told Match of the Day that Chelsea are still ahead of where they thought they would be under Enzo Maresca despite a disappointing Boxing Day defeat by Fulham: "When you look at where they are now, there is no doubt they would have taken it [at the start of the season].

"I still think they will finish in the top four which will be a brilliant achievement for them and I think they will win the Conference League also.

"They will [still] be really happy with the things that are happening at Stamford Bridge."

Watch Match of the Day on iPlayer

Highlights and analysis from Boxing Day's eight Premier League fixtures.

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

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has always said Premier League title talk was premature, even as they emerged as Liverpool's closest challengers in recent weeks.

If this was proof that the Italian being realistic, it came as part of a very painful experience with Chelsea going from contemplating closing in on Liverpool to sifting through the wreckage of a damaging loss after a dramatic finale at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca can point to Marc Cucurella's first-half header, which the Spanish defender directed straight at Bernd Leno when he should have scored and then the keeper's acrobatic stop from Enzo Fernandez.

However, this was a Chelsea display that lacked ideas and creation.

Cole Palmer, as usual, made his contribution with a goal but it was a rare highlight in a flat Chelsea performance, with most of the drive coming from Fulham after the break.

Maresca was accused of expectation management as he tried to take Chelsea out of the Premier League title conversation. There is still hope - but this was the sort of result and performance that acts as brutal reality check and suggests he may have been right all along.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to MOTD: "It is a shame, especially in the way we lost the game in the last minute.

"It happened and now it is about recovering energy and ready to go again in a couple of days.

"We could have managed the game better, controlled better, but it is a game we can learn things.

"We have said many times we are a very, very young team but the most important thing is to see them growing and improving.

"Tomorrow we are in recovery and on Saturday we prepare for Monday game. It is important to recover the energy.

"I said many times no matter if we win games or don't it is more the reality we can see inside that for many reason we are not ready [for a title challenge]. The most important thing is to see the team improve."

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Cole Palmer scored his 26th Premier League goal in 2024 - the most ever scored by a Chelsea player in a calendar year in the competition.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

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