Veiga makes £26m move to Villarrealpublished at 13:16 BST 22 August
13:16 BST 22 August
Image source, Getty Images
Defender Renato Veiga has completed a permanent move from Chelsea to Villarreal for a fee rising to £26m.
The 22-year-old joined the Blues from Basel for £12m in July 2024 and made 18 appearances for the club during the first half of last season.
Struggling for regular game time, Veiga then went on loan to Serie A side Juventus in January, where he featured 15 times in the league.
The Portugal international was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Enzo Maresca and was training in the so-called 'bomb squad' - a group of senior players away from the first team - having asked to play at centre-back instead of left-back midway through last season.
His move will see Chelsea raise an estimated £251.7m from selling 11 players, to balance £277m of spending on nine new recruits in a busy summer of transfers.
West Ham v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 11:40 BST 22 August
11:40 BST 22 August
Sophie Brown BBC Sport journalist
West Ham host Chelsea, with both sides looking to kick-start their campaigns after disappointing opening games.
The Hammers ended last season with two wins in their last three matches but offered few encouraging signs in their opening match of this campaign, looking lacklustre as they lost 3-0 at newly promoted Sunderland.
And it may not be a case of returning to home comforts for the Hammers, whose last win at London Stadium came back in February.
Another defeat will pile the pressure on head coach Graham Potter, whose predecessor Julen Lopetegui was sacked after 20 league matches, which is the landmark Potter will reach on Friday evening.
Anything short of a victory will mean Potter's record compares unfavourably with Lopetegui's, and the former Chelsea and Brighton boss has already had the dreaded 'vote of confidence' this week.
After winning five of their final six Premier League games last season and picking up the Club World Cup title over the summer, the 0-0 home draw with Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of this campaign was something of a comedown for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca.
The Blues have refurbished their forward line, with four new attackers – signed for a combined total of over £160m – making their debut last weekend. But neither they nor their new team-mates found the net, amassing only three shots on target.
It was the fifth time Chelsea had begun a Premier League campaign against a London rival, and the first time they had failed to win it.
They will need to get better at dealing with local rivals as they are starting the season with four consecutive derbies, with games against Fulham and Brentford following the trip to West Ham.
Title 'shouldn't be main focus' - Melchiotpublished at 11:22 BST 22 August
11:22 BST 22 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot believes the club should not be considered as title contenders this season when there has been such a high player turnover this summer.
"I don't think it should be the main focus at the moment," said Melchiot on BBC Radio 5 Live. "With so many new players, this season should be about getting in the top three and see what happens then.
"Going after the league straight away is a big shout and I don't want to make that."
Melchiot also previewed this evening's trip to West Ham, who will be looking to bounce-back after suffering a miserable 3-0 opening day defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland.
"It is never an easy ground to go to," he added. "Chelsea have to be smart and up the tempo and put them under pressure.
"West Ham's confidence is not that high and they have to start quickly so they cannot compete with them."
Sutton's predictions: West Ham United v Chelseapublished at 09:25 BST 22 August
09:25 BST 22 August
West Ham were as flat as anything at Sunderland, my colleague Ian Dennis on BBC Radio 5 Live called them anaemic. I'm a little bit worried for them this season.
I was at Chelsea's last game against Crystal Palace and I thought they also lacked that spark.
A lot has been made about Chelsea's new attack. Joao Pedro was quiet, Cole Palmer was quiet. There's also a stat going around that Palmer hasn't scored a league goal from open play since January.
West Ham might prove me wrong, it is a London derby after all, but I still think Chelsea will find a way to edge it.
Andrey Santos 'stays here with us' - Marescapublished at 08:08 BST 22 August
08:08 BST 22 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says midfielder Andrey Santos is set to stay at Stamford Bridge despite widespread reports of interest in the midfielder.
The Blues reportedly turned down an offer from West Ham, who they face on Friday evening, for the one-time Brazil international earlier this summer.
When asked about the future of the 22-year-old, who spent the past 18 months on loan at partner club Strasbourg, Maresca said: "First of all, I am very happy with Andrey and the idea that Andrey stays here with us.
"He can play in Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo's positions for sure. He played one game in the Club World Cup against Palmeiras where he was very good as a number six. So he can play in both positions very well."
Maresca also said that forwards Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku are training with the main squad but being allowed to explore moves away, adding: "I think it is better if they find a solution as they will be more happy, the club the same."
Gossip: Nkunku draws Tottenham interestpublished at 07:21 BST 22 August
07:21 BST 22 August
Tottenham are exploring the possibility of signing 27-year-old Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku. (Teamtalk), external
Manchester United are hoping Tottenham will enter the race to sign 21-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho and provide competition to Chelsea. (Givemesport), external
Maresca on Fofana, players near the exit and finding a 'solution' in defencepublished at 12:50 BST 21 August
12:50 BST 21 August
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Maresca confirmed Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile both remain out through injury, but Wesley Fofana is available again and "can get some minutes", as well as Tosin Adarabioyo.
On the latest situation with defender Fofana after he removed mentions of Chelsea from his Instagram: "I speak with Wes every day, he is very happy, especially because he is back from injury. He is joining all the sessions and is very happy."
On online abuse Fofana received afterwards, Maresca added: "Wes is happy, we are happy and there is nothing to add. If there is abuse on Instagram that's never good - not good for Wes or any player but is something that we unfortunately cannot control."
The Chelsea boss also confirmed forwards Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, who are subject to speculation about moves away, are both available but will not be with the squad to face West Ham as they are "waiting for some solution" around their futures.
He added that it is "always better" if players away from first team "can find a solution as they will be more happy and the club the same".
On if he needs to adapt his play without Levi Colwill in defence: "It is not in my mind not to play from the back. As we said many times, you can be more direct when teams are high pressing but it is not in my mind to play in a different way. We used Josh [Acheampong] in the last game, we are trying to find some internal situation and we will see."
Pushed further about comments made last week on needing to bring in a central defender: "I said and repeat again - maybe I need to improve my English - we are looking for an internal solution and we will see if something happens."
After their short pre-season, he feels with "more time we will get better and better" as the situation "is where it is and we need to adapt".
On the future of defender Aaron Anselmino: "He is training with us. Training very hard. He is a fantastic boy, good player, but he needs to play games. He needs to go, he needs to play games so he is another one trying to find a solution."
Chelsea's busy weekpublished at 10:52 BST 21 August
10:52 BST 21 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea ideally want to do more than a deal every single day before the transfer deadline on 1 September.
They are targeting moves for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig's versatile attacking midfielder Xavi Simons.
For those two moves to go through, they want to sell both striker Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, while academy graduate Tyrique George would also see his game time reduced and is being allowed to explore both loan and permanent moves away from Stamford Bridge.
That's five deals but defender Aaron Anselmino is also allowed to leave on loan before the transfer deadline, with interest emerging from Dortmund.
Now, we reach the so-called 'bomb squad', which features Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Alex Matos, Alfie Gilchrist and David Datro Fofana. They are all for sale.
There is a limited chance for players to leave on overseas loan moves as Fifa limit overseas loanees to six players with four spots already filled.
That effectively rules out the chance to even offer loan with obligation to buy moves for the likes of Jackson, Nkunku and others before the transfer deadline.
Many of the clubs keen on Jackson, including Juventus and Napoli, would prefer to at least initially loan him, with at least £60m needed to sign him permanently.
In total, Chelsea are looking to sign, sell and loan 13 players in 12 remaining days, with negotiations, legal documents and medicals all needing to be done, drafted and organised to allow moves to go through.
In recent seasons, Chelsea have had late flurries for transfers before deadline day and again expect to be busy, with several transfer windows remaining open after those in the big five leagues close on 1 September.
Loan moves for academy trained players who are under 21 are exempt from the rules.
Gossip: RB Leipzig close to replacing Blues target Simonspublished at 07:44 BST 21 August
07:44 BST 21 August
RB Leipzig have agreed personal terms with Liverpool and England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott, 22, as Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, looks close to completing a move to Chelsea. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Strasbourg target Antwi and Ensicopublished at 13:40 BST 20 August
13:40 BST 20 August
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
RC Strasbourg, the club owned by Chelsea's BlueCo owners in France, have brought in academy defender Genesis Antwi to pitch their project.
Antwi played in Chelsea's Under-21's win over Manchester City on Monday but could move to Strasbourg on a permanent deal as they target a new right-back signing before deadline day.
Strasbourg also want an attacking option and have contacted representatives of Brighton winger Julio Ensico and Southampton's Sam Edozie.
Gossip: Chelsea to step up Garnacho pursuit published at 07:41 BST 20 August
07:41 BST 20 August
Chelsea are set to increase their efforts to sign Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United but the 21-year-old will not be allowed to leave Old Trafford on the cheap. (Evening Standard, external)
Aston Villa are exploring the viability of a move to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea but the asking price needs to be lower than £60m due to the West Midlands club's financial restrictions. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)
Meanwhile Bayern Munich's move for Christopher Nkunku has stalled, delaying Chelsea's attempts to sign RB Leipzig's 22-year-old Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons. (Guardian, external)
'Nobody is panicking'published at 12:38 BST 19 August
12:38 BST 19 August
Will Faulks Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea went into Sunday's game against Crystal Palace on the back of a busy and successful summer which had built a rising tide of expectation around a team that finally looked to be coming together.
Enzo Maresca's side had played exceptionally well at times in the Club World Cup and ended up lifting the trophy. From front to back, everything was starting to click on the pitch, and so much quality had been added both to the first team and the bench. Fears about fatigue after that tournament had even been dispelled a little by bright and busy performances in the two friendly games last weekend.
One would have to look back to Thomas Tuchel's first pre-season at the club for the last time Chelsea were being taken this seriously as a contender on the eve of a new campaign.
In the end the game was a let down, with both sides struggling to put together coherent attacking moves. One would have been forgiven for thinking that Chelsea had had three months off rather than three weeks given their lack of chemistry beyond the halfway line.
The ebullient mood at Stamford Bridge before kick off gradually deflated, with pre-match trophy boasting and flag-waving enthusiasm melting in the August sunshine. The appearance of Estevao Willian gave a spike to the energy levels in the second half, but even the thrilling Brazilian could only manage a couple of moments that got fans on their feet.
Nobody is panicking after just one game against a very good team, but the disappointment hanging in the air now is a reminder that raised expectations will bring their own issues to a team that's still very young and still trying to establish itself back at the top table of European football.
Veiga agrees terms with Villarreal but negotiations ongoingpublished at 12:21 BST 19 August
12:21 BST 19 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has agreed personal terms with Spanish club Villarreal.
The Portugal international, 22, is ready to join the Spanish club - who have qualified for the Champions League this season - but difficult negotiations continue over the fee.
Chelsea are known to value Veiga at about £34m but the Spanish club are aiming to negotiate after Atletico Madrid failed to agree a fee last month.
There is hope in Spain that a deal can be struck for under £30m.
Veiga is deemed surplus to requirements even after a serious knee injury has ruled star defender Levi Colwill out for much of the season.
He is training with the so-called 'bomb squad' - a group of senior players away from the first team.
Veiga spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus and has played 18 games for Chelsea having joined in an £12m move from FC Basel in 2024.
Kavuma-McQueen excites in Chelsea's PL2 winpublished at 07:58 BST 19 August
07:58 BST 19 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter at Kingsmeadow
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen made a statement that he is up to under-21s level, despite still being just 16 years old, in a 3-1 Premier League 2 victory over champions Manchester City on Monday night.
The youngster initially needed 15 minutes to find his level, but then delighted with a number of actions.
City's Lakyle Samuel, 19, looked physically superior in the first few one-v-one duels, but Kavuma-McQueen eventually got the better of his marker, coming close twice when cutting inside and shooting.
Kavuma-McQueen also made a rash challenge on goalkeeper Jack Wint to pick up a booking and was substituted in the 62nd minutes for new signing Jesse Derry, who joined in the summer from Crystal Palace.
However, he impressed in his eighth appearance and third start at this level.
Kavuma-McQueen's inclusion is an example of the current academy strategy, which follows the first team and partner club Strasbourg in driving down the average age of all their sides.
New Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane's first XI had an average age of 17.7, with Kavuma-McQueen the youngest starter, having been born a few months after fellow 16-year-old Reggie Walsh.
Of course, Walsh has already made his senior debut and is the Blues' third-youngest player - and the youngest in European competition, having played in both Conference League semi-final legs against Djurgarden last season.
The real star was striker Shumaira Mheuka, who scored all three goals - two headers either side of half-time, and another on the counter-attack in the 86th minute to seal victory after Samuel had pulled one back.
It served to highlight Mheuka's readiness, not only to lead the line at academy level, but also knock on the door of Enzo Maresca's first team again, having made his debut last season.
This was an early marker of who is ready to star at this level, who can step up from the lower age groups and whether Chelsea are title contenders while under the leadership of former Manchester City academy boss Glenn van der Kraan.
Gossip: Blues will not let Nkunku leave on loanpublished at 07:03 BST 19 August
07:03 BST 19 August
Chelsea have rejected a loan offer from Bayern Munich for forward Christopher Nkunku and will only sanction a permanent transfer. (Times - subscription required, external)
Aston Villa have added Blues striker Nicolas Jackson to their shortlist of attacking options but could face competition from Bayern. (Florian Plettenberg, external)
Finally, Chelsea are open to loan offers for winger Raheem Sterling and want to move on a further eight players before the transfer window shuts. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)
Man Utd expecting Chelsea bid for Garnachopublished at 09:42 BST 18 August
09:42 BST 18 August
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United are braced for an offer from Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho but are determined not to let the young winger leave on the cheap.
Senior United figures believe Garnacho is keen to move to Stamford Bridge, which is the main reason why he is still at Old Trafford nearly three months after head coach Ruben Amorim told him to find a new club.
The relationship between the two sides has deteriorated and on Sunday a picture of Garnacho close to Old Trafford was defaced.
However, the manner of his exit is hugely important as Amorim looks to reshape his squad.
As an academy graduate, the money raised will have a significant impact on United's profit and sustainability situation.
However, the negotiations - when they eventually start - will be a major test for the Old Trafford club's director of football negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, and director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell.
United know Chelsea will attempt to drive the price down for 21-year-old Garnacho.
Yet insiders at Old Trafford note the Blues' reluctance to sell one of their unwanted forwards, Christopher Nkunku, to Bayern Munich for less than £50m and feel that should guide the London club's valuation of Argentina international Garnacho, who they consider to be a better player.
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:33 BST 18 August
08:33 BST 18 August
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
Here are some of your comments:
Chelsea fans
Richard: Underwhelming would be a kind description. Blunt in attack and vulnerable in defence. The full attack was available but could barely muster an attempt on target. Do the players work on accurate shooting in training sessions? So little creativity on display. A really disappointing start and two home points are gone already. Much more is expected, starting Friday. Fortunate in the VAR intervention that ruled out the Palace 'winner'.
Nick: After the great summer, seems like we've put the handbrake back on. Really disappointing performance. We've got great attackers - we need to set them free and then the goals will come.
James: So much for our refurbished attack - they've got to start firing. Gittens was useless on that wing, Joao Pedro seemed non-existent. Delap had a good physical presence but couldn't get a shot at goal, Estevao was looking quite positive. Looking forward to when we start firing - we will be unstoppable.
Crystal Palace fans
Robert: A great gutsy performance by the whole team amid speculation of possibly losing Guehi and Eze. I really hope they will stay in this great squad. As for the disallowed goal, it was six of one and half a dozen of the other by both players which led to Eze's disallowed goal. I think the goal should have stood. Why on earth can't the transfer window close BEFORE the season starts? It's ridiculous how it is now.
Gary: I thought it was an excellent performance against Chelsea's millions. We only spent £2m so far. We've proved once again we can compete against the 'bigger' clubs. Eze was unlucky to have his goal ruled out as otherwise it was a win. An excellent performance, especially defensively.
Corin: Promising start to the season. Well organised in defence and dangerous in attack. Wharton is such an effortlessly classy player! Two years in a row we've had a goal disallowed in the first game. Should have been a penalty when Sanchez punched Guehi just before half-time. Glasner deserves praise for what he has achieved. If Eze and or Guehi go, they go with massive thanks and will always be legends at Palace. Without them, Palace will still be a test for anyone.
Gossip: Inter reject Blues' Bastoni offerpublished at 07:02 BST 18 August
07:02 BST 18 August
Inter Milan have turned down a 50m euros (£43m) bid from Chelsea for Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni, 26. (La Gazzetta dello Sport), external
RB Leipzig and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, has told the club he wants a transfer to Stamford Bridge, despite interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. (ESPN), external
Image source, Getty Images
