Chelsea

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the media before the upcoming friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Levi Colwill "felt something" in training on Monday and they do not know yet how long he is going to be out for.

• Wesley Fofana has returned to training. Maresca not expecting him to be fit enough for the two friendlies but he "should be available" for the first game of the season against Crystal Palace.

• Maresca said they "are going to try to share minutes" in pre-season because they have only just returned from three weeks off and have new players to integrate.

• On the new signings: "I feel very happy about them as they are the ones we were looking at. They need time because they have come from different countries and need time to adapt."

• He said he is "curious" to see how Chelsea's unprecedented summer schedule with the Club World Cup will impact the squad going into the new season. He added: "They have played over 64 games in a season, which has never happened before, so recovery has been the focus."

• On the rumours around Nicolas Jackson potentially leaving: "Nico's OK. When the transfer window is open, unfortunately or fortunately, anything can happen. This also involves Nico's situation. We also had two strikers arrive so we will see what happens."

• He said "the mood is much better" among the players after winning the Conference League and Club World Cup and "it will give the players more energy".

• On the 'bomb squad' and some of them moving on: "The situation is quite clear. They are training and they are waiting for a solution. I don't pay attention with the ones that are training and need to leave. I just focus on how to prepare the sessions. The news [of them leaving] comes from the club, not me."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs

When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.

In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.

And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.

"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.

"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.

"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.

"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.

"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."

A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.

But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.

"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.

"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."

As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?

"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.

"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.

"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."

Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.

And check out those from other Premier League teams over here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea captain Reece James praised Enzo Maresca's first-season impact as the Blues held an event at Stamford Bridge celebrating their recent success.

The men's team showed off their Club World Cup and Conference League trophies as the women's team also celebrated their domestic treble under Sonia Bompastor - as the two squads joined each other on stage on Wednesday.

When asked about Maresca delivering the two trophies, as well as qualification for the Champions League this coming season, James replied: "What he achieved for the club speaks for itself.

"When he arrived, we were in a difficult period of falling short and this season we have taken a big leap in the right direction.

"This is where Chelsea should be year in, year out. We have an amazing group who deserve to play in the best competitions."

James also said it was a "dream" for him to deliver trophies for his boyhood club, especially after his recent injury problems.

Maresca was also asked whether success was a surprise and he said: "It was something unexpected for most of us, but it is because of them [the players] this was possible and that we were able to finish very well.

"We feel very excited after two or three weeks off to recharge. We have some new players, so we are excited for the new season.

"We showed how strong we were last season, but in football it is never enough, and you have to do more. We have the same target this season: to improve the players and improve the team.

"The message, for me, is quite clear. The players need the fans, and it is important that they are always behind them."

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Chelsea.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Nigel: My grandfather met me off the bus at Victoria for my first independent trip to London. We lined up in a courtyard just off the Fulham Road for seated tickets. Grandfather told me to wait in line while he went off to engage a policeman in conversation. Father said (later) this was typical of my grandfather. Ron Harris' brother, Allan, played at right back that day, so that would make it the 1965-66 season, when I was 13.

Roy: My great-great uncle George "Gatling Gun" Hilsdon joined Chelsea in 1906 (also played for England). The weather vane at the Bridge, which was lost then found again for our latter excellent period, was modelled on him. My family have been supporting ever since 1906 while my first home game, I seem to remember, was with my uncle in 1963 against Arsenal. I used to live near Wimbledon, an easy tube journey to the Bridge.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Nicolas Jackson has been Chelsea's first-choice striker for the past two seasons but the recruitment of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap have left his future in doubt.

The 24-year-old would tick a lot of boxes for potential suitors, though he would not come cheap. Jackson's pace and work-rate make him a real threat on the counter-attack and he repeatedly stretches defences with runs in behind.

Last term, his average of 25.5 sprints per 90 minutes was the third-highest in the Premier League. He is also usually tidy in possession, completing 77.5% of his passes since 2023-24, despite often operating in congested areas.

Discipline and finishing are two areas with obvious scope for improvement, particularly given those dismissals against Newcastle and Flamengo at the end of last season. He has accumulated 17 yellow cards in the league, only three of which were for fouls against the opposition. The rest were for other infractions such as dissent, arguing and time-wasting.

Find and follow your team here

Another room for growth is his finishing. He has a solid scoring record of 24 goals from 65 Premier League appearances (59 of them starts) but he has underperformed his expected goals total by seven over the past two years, the second biggest negative difference by any player.

A key factor has been his record in what Opta define as 'big chances'. Jackson has just scored 18 of 61 such opportunities, a relatively low conversion rate compared to the league's top forwards.

The former Villarreal player has hit the woodwork nine times over the past two seasons, the joint-highest figure in the top flight. But whether he intends to fend off competition from Delap and Joao Pedro, or thrive at another top club, he will need a little more composure in front of goal.

Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.

Image source, Opta

Last season promised a thrilling title race between Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool - but in the end it was anything but.

Arne Slot was given just a 5.1% chance of winning the Premier League in his debut season, but expectations are far higher now.

Despite major changes - including the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz, and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - Liverpool have rebuilt with the signings of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike.

The Opta supercomputer now makes them title favourites, winning in 28.5% of simulations.

Arsenal have finished runners-up for three straight seasons. This could be their moment, especially with Viktor Gyokeres finally giving Mikel Arteta a true number nine. Their title odds have nearly doubled to 24.3%, though another second-place finish remains the most likely outcome.

City were aiming for a historic fifth consecutive title but stumbled, largely due to Rodri's long-term injury. With him fit again, Pep Guardiola will demand a return to form. Their supercomputer-backed chances have dropped sharply this season however, - from 82.2% to just 18.8%.

Fresh off a Club World Cup win, Chelsea are aiming for their first league title since 2017. Enzo Maresca's young side has potential, but consistency is the big question.

They win the league in 8.8% of sims, with another fourth-place finish considered the most likely.

Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external

Both Manchester United and Newcastle have earmarked Chelsea's Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, 24, as a contingency plan if they miss out on RB Leipzig's Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, 22. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho will leave United this month, with Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham all interested in the 21-year-old. (TBR Football, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Chelsea and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here are some of your submissions:

Rajeev: Being Indian, I've always loved packed stadiums - whether it is cricket, rugby or football. I only watched the World Cups and the Euros until 2006. Then, thanks to my Arsenal fan friend and my Manchester United-supporting brother, I got hooked on the Premier League. That season the top four were Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Chelsea stood out - they were second place and I've always liked teams chasing the top spot. I also dislike red jerseys, so blue felt perfect. I was amazed to see so many national captains at Chelsea. That's when I knew this was my club.

Send your pictures and stories here

Image source, Getty Images

With Chelsea having already recouped more than half of their transfer outlay this summer and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looking like the latest fringe player to be sold, we asked for your views on the transfer strategy.

Here are some of your comments:

Stuart: The strategy seems to be - hoover up as much young talent as possible, have a look at them and then sell whoever isn't good enough. Hopefully the next stage is to develop those we have got into a team that can challenge year after year, otherwise, I think players will be put off joining and the likes of Cole Palmer might want to move on.

Luke: It seems farcical at times, but it is difficult to argue the strategy isn't working. We have shown steady development in results after the aborted Thomas Tuchel season and signing gems like Palmer and Moises Caicedo. With the willingness to splurge on all positions, the only befuddlement to me is why we remain so keen on Robert Sanchez in goal.

Mark: I'm not totally sure if it is sustainable, but credit to the board for successfully shifting on a fair few players who were not going to be in the first-team squad. If it is like this every summer, it would take an extremely ambitious player to join us knowing that if they don't break into the squad then they will be surplus to requirements in double-quick time. It could add to the competitiveness and translate to success - but it could so easily blow up in our faces if we don't deliver on our promise. What wouldn't surprise me is other clubs adopting a similar method if we make it work.

Freddie: Provided we only trade fringe players and keep the core of the team the same, it seems to be working. We have steadily progressed over the past two years and this summer's transfer business has been almost entirely sensible (bar one or two). Ending the season with two trophies always adds a rosy tint to any team's outlook, but the proof will be in the Premier League pudding in a couple of weeks' time!

David: It is like having a stall at a Sunday market - selling what you don't want to get the money for things you do.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

'Why did you fall in love with your club?'

This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.

Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.

The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.

But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?

"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.

"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.

"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."

Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.

Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.

"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.

"It's handed down from generation to generation."

The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.

An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.

"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.

"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.

"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."

Share your story in our My Club My Passion campaign

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hasn't had an easy time at Chelsea after following his former manager Enzo Maresca to Stamford Bridge in a £30m move from Leicester City.

The 26-year-old rejected an offer from Brighton to stay playing in the Premier League with his Championship-winning boyhood club, but Chelsea's move was too big to turn down.

The midfielder adapted well to Maresca's system at Chelsea, but not to playing a bit-part role as Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez all featured ahead of him in the midfield pecking order.

He started only twice in the Premier League but made an impact in their Conference League run, where he scored four times and came off the bench to set up Jadon Sancho's goal in the 4-1 triumph over Real Betis in May's final.

Dewsbury-Hall was used mainly as a substitute in the Club World Cup, but scored his fifth goal for the club in a 4-1 victory over Benfica and appeared in the 3-0 final success over Paris St-Germain.

He was a decent performer when given a chance for the Stamford Bridge side, but became part of a trend of players moving quickly in and then out again.

Read the full article here

On Monday, we revealed Chelsea top the Premier League for player sales this summer.

The Blues have spent approximately £240m on new players this summer but have already recouped over half of that total by moving on eight unwanted players.

In all, around £130m has been brought in, with Liverpool second on £112m.

So Chelsea fans, is the strategy of buying plenty of players and trading them working? How do you feel about it?

Get in touch with your views here

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

The sale of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is particularly important as Uefa's recent punishment for financial control violations suggests Chelsea must sell players from their last Conference League squad to ensure a "positive transfer balance" this summer.

If not, they can't register new signings like Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap for the Champions League by September.

Chelsea are also still looking to strengthen their midfield options for next season, with talks ongoing for RB Leipzig's Netherlands international Xavi Simons.

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are reportedly ready to sell Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Everton and have accepted an offer from Burnley for fellow midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.

The Blues have spent approximately £240m on new players this summer but have already recouped over half of that total by moving on eight unwanted players.

Selling the likes of Noni Madueke, Joao Felix and Djordje Petrovic has brought approximately £129m into the club, more than any other Premier League side.

Should Dewsbury-Hall and Ugochukwu also depart, that figure could rise by a further £50m.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have agreed a fee to sign midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea on a permanent basis.

The 21-year-old is expected to sign a five-year contract having been given permission to complete a medical at Turf Moor.

Ugochukwu has been considered surplus to requirements this summer as Chelsea look to sell multiple players in their so-called "bomb squad" - a group of players including England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell - training separately from Enzo Maresca's first team.

Meanwhile, Burnley are also in advanced talks to sign striker Armando Broja from Chelsea, which could be the third move between the two clubs after defender Bashir Humphreys also moved on a permanent basis for £14m.

Ugochukwu spent two seasons at Chelsea making 15 appearances in all competitions during his first season before joining Southampton on a season-long loan in his second campaign.

The France Under-21 international joined Chelsea in 2023 from French club Rennes in a £23m deal.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Chelsea's latest signing Jorrel Hato from Ajax.

Here are some of your comments:

James: Good signing - very pleased with this one. To have played 111 games and be capped for the Netherlands at 19 speaks volumes of how highly rated he is. competition is needed throughout the squad, just need a new keeper I feel to complete the team.

Nick: A very good young player, with the potential to be a top class defender. My worry is that, like (the excellent) Renato Veiga, he may not be happy as a back-up player getting appearances off the bench and in cup matches and seek a loan move after a few months to play regularly.

Ayoola: He is young, energetic, and a great fit for Chelsea's project.

Hector: Excellent signing and he will only get better as an understudy to the master of inverted left-backs, the mighty Marc Cucurella. Remember when they said Chelsea's squad was too large? Who's laughing now?

Frederick: Let's stand by him and give him all the support he needs to excel. Welcome. BLUE IS THE COLOUR.

Shaun: Good to have back-up for Cucurella, but makes it even more important that we move Ben Chilwell on.

Steve: Another promising young player. Roman Abramovich bought trophies to the club but if we're honest the scouting at the club during his time was shocking. It was more of a scattergun approach. While Todd Boehly has spent a lot of money it certainly looks like the scouts know what they're doing and buying players that fit a type of system rather than just the latest 'name'. Looking forward to seeing these young players gel together and form a cohesive unit. Still need a goalkeeper though.

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Chelsea and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Sam: Wolves v Chelsea 1977. Chelsea were banned from away games towards the end of the season with no tickets for the game available to Chelsea fans. Me and my mate heard there were touts selling tickets in the Chelsea area so a day before the game we decided to try our luck to find if we could somehow get hold of some tickets.

We bunked off school and made our way to Chelsea from Leyton in the remote hope of finding someone with match tickets. As luck would have it, we found a tout and got four tickets.

As we were leaving, we were approached by a man claiming to be from the club and said they were looking for two ballboys for the Chelsea v QPR reserve game urgently and from thinking we were busted, we were taken to the dressing rooms to get tracksuited up. Relieved and excited at the same time, we kept the tracksuits as well.

We drove to Wolverhampton with Wolves needing a point to go up as champions and us needing a point to go up as well to Division One. The game ended with a 1-1 scoreline so both teams got what they wanted - but my abiding memory of that day was seeing 10,000+ banned Chelsea fans in one massive stand in the ground.

I'm sure that day the saying you can't ban a Chelsea fan was born.

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German side RB Leipzig enquired about English winger Tyrique George, 19, during talks with Chelsea over a move for Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons, 22. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Manchester United and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, 21, has given total priority to Chelsea and is waiting for talks to begin over a move. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

New signing Jorrel Hato says he "will be a good fit" for Chelsea's style of play after his £37m move from Ajax was confirmed.

The 19-year-old has finalised a seven-year contract with the Blues after a medical in London over the weekend, becoming the club's eight summer addition.

Hato emerged from Ajax's famed academy, making his debut in the first team aged 16 before captaining the side at 17 and making 111 appearances in total for the Dutch club.

"It feels strange to leave everybody in Holland, of course, but for me it's a new journey with new people in a new culture, a new team, new competitions," he said on the move.

"I was really thinking about my future and this is what I wanted. I think I will be a good fit for the way Chelsea are playing, so I was sure about taking my step to Chelsea.

"For sure it was a big decision. I played seven years at Ajax and for me it was home – the people, the players, the coaches, the culture. So it was not easy to leave, but my feeling was that at this moment I needed to make a step to the biggest club in the biggest competitions, and for me this was the right decision at the right time.

"This was for me the right time to make a big step, to come to the Premier League, to come to Chelsea. And now I'm here!"

Blues fans, what do you make of the signing? And what role do you see Hato occupying in the upcoming season?

Let us know here.