'The good thing about Liam is he still has a lot of developing to do'published at 16:49 BST 2 June
16:49 BST 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 BST 2 June
14:09 BST 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 BST 2 June
13:42 BST 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 BST 2 June
11:40 BST 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 BST 2 June
09:13 BST 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 BST 2 June
08:02 BST 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 BST 31 May
09:53 BST 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.
Thank you for your feedbackpublished at 09:14 BST 31 May
09:14 BST 31 May
Thank you for the feedback you submitted on the Premier League club pages.
Our aim is to contain all of the BBC's in-depth coverage of that team in one place, so it is helpful to hear from you - you are who the pages are for after all.
We are going through all your responses and will take suggestions on board for next season.
What Chelsea must add in 'vital summer'published at 15:00 BST 30 May
15:00 BST 30 May
Image source, Getty Images
Enzo Maresca has done a fantastic job in his first season at Chelsea.
He did well to cut his squad early, and has dealt effectively with the pressure and noise that comes with managing a club that has spent so much money.
Not long ago, there was talk about whether he would keep his job if the season ended poorly, but he has to now. He has begun to build and has tasted a little bit of success. There is no point in changing the manager.
To continue improving, though, he does need to add some experience.
There was a point earlier in the season when it appeared Chelsea could be in the title race, but Maresca came out and said the team were not ready. That certainly had a negative impact on an inexperienced squad and form dipped massively.
It felt as if the players took their foot off the pedal a little bit and realised the pressure was not on them to win the Premier League this year. That can happen with young players.
In glimpses, Chelsea have shown they can compete at a high level, but for the majority of the season, they have also shown how young they are. That is why it is important to have senior players around to get the balance right.
I know the club's transfer strategy, but sometimes plans must change if the need is so obvious.
As it stands, this young squad cannot compete to win the Premier League next season. I have to be realistic about that.
They need a goalkeeper, an experienced centre-half and a striker who score upwards of 20 goals. If they get that, there is no reason they cannot start talking about competing - but given the money spent, it is an oversight that so much more experience in key areas is needed.
Look at Arsenal these past few years trying to win the title with a young squad - it is really hard to do. There is definitely a balance to be found. To sustain a challenge, you really need at least one or two who have been in those situations before.
Maresca has shown enough to earn the trust of the hierarchy, but this is a vital summer to add the required experience to push on.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
What needs doing in the transfer window?published at 13:05 BST 30 May
13:05 BST 30 May
The transfer window opens on Sunday - albeit for 10 days initially, mainly so sides competing in the Club World Cup can get early business done - before reopening for the rest of the summer on 16 June.
The Blues are debating the future of loanee Jadon Sancho and a move for Liam Delap appears close, but are there other players you are desperate for the club to sign, or is there an area of the squad that needs improving?
Or maybe holding on to a key player is your biggest priority.
And what about sales - who needs to go?
So over to you... what names need bringing in and shipping out?
'Young, hungry and talented' or 'out of his depth?'published at 12:29 BST 30 May
12:29 BST 30 May
Image source, Getty Images
After Chelsea triggered the release clause of Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap, we asked how you felt about the 22-year-old potentially moving to Stamford Bridge.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Freddie: I'm pretty happy to have a striking option wrapped up so soon. He's young, has Premier League experience and knows the manager, and at £30m he's an absolute bargain compared with what we've been paying. I reckon him and Nicolas Jackson will bring out the best in each other through competition - and if he can score 12 for Ipswich imagine how many he could get with Cole Palmer behind him!
Stewart: I like Delap. He is big, strong, mobile and knows where the goal is. Will be a great addition if the deal goes through.
Paul: He is exactly what we need. Young hungry and talented.
Carlo: As a Chelsea season ticket-holder it seems to be an absolute no-brainer at that price and his age. Also, I believe he counts as homegrown for our Champions League campaign. I feel he is going to have a great partnership in attack with his mate Palmer.
Andy: He scored fewer goals than Jackson this year. How is this improving the squad? What a disappointment.
Ricahrd: No disrespect to him but he hasn't proven it. We don't want another mediocre player who will be out of his depth in Europe next year.
'Potential is frightening' - what can Delap bring to Chelsea?published at 12:27 BST 30 May
12:27 BST 30 May
Graeme McLoughlin BBC Radio Suffolk reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Liam Delap had an instant impact at Ipswich Town and thinking back, he may well have played a small part in the Premier League title race as well.
After running Jarell Quansah ragged during the opening 45 minutes of the season at Portman Road, Liverpool boss Arne Slot made a change at centre-half and kept Ibrahima Konate as his first choice for the rest of the campaign.
Delap only grew in confidence after his performance against the side that were eventually crowned champions, and would go on to score a third of Town's league goals in their first top-flight campaign since 2001-02.
As a player, his qualities are many - and his potential is frightening.
There is an undoubted eye for goal, both inside and outside the box, and Delap also has a turn of pace that has caught a few defenders unaware. Add to that his obvious strength - hold-up play and readiness for a battle - and you have a player who appears tailormade to play the lone striker role well.
It is fair to say that Delap was not Ipswich's most eye-catching signing last summer, with bigger headlines created by Omari Hutchinson's permanent switch from Chelsea and the loan signing of Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City.
It was no secret that Kieran McKenna was also keen to bring in another striker. However, when those efforts failed, it became clear that Delap would be leading the line from August, despite having never started a Premier League game - and it is safe to say he made the most of the opportunity.
It will be very interesting to see how he handles this next step.
Sancho future hinges on Chelsea contract talkspublished at 11:47 BST 30 May
11:47 BST 30 May
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea are in contract talks to sign winger Jadon Sancho on permanent basis from Manchester United.
The 25-year-old is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge but it will require him to take a pay-cut from his deal at Old Trafford.
The Blues had already agreed an obligation to buy worth between £20m-£25m, as long as Chelsea finished above 15th place, which they easily achieved when finishing fourth and qualifying for next season's Champions League.
However, there is a way out of the deal through a £5m penalty clause payable to United should a failure to agree personal terms cause the move to collapse.
Sancho scored in the 4-1 win over Real Betis on Wednesday to help Chelsea win the Conference League, ending the season with five goals and 10 assists in 42 games.
Why Chelsea must back this up to avoid more doubts 'from the outside'published at 08:39 BST 30 May
08:39 BST 30 May
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
This season all came down to what Enzo Maresca and the players called two cup finals.
Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday to clinch Champions League football, then backed it up by beating Real Betis in the Conference League final, to earn their first piece of silverware under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership.
The manager and the squad, which is the youngest in Premier League history, can now say they are winners, while the owners have proof the club is moving in the right direction.
Those two landmark achievements ease pressure and doubts that were coming "from the outside", as Maresca put it in a sweary rant on Sunday.
The Italian had already been given a five-year contract and was safe regardless of the outcome of those two games, as Chelsea plan to review his position next summer.
But he struggled to connect with supporters because of his ponderous style of play, while there are broader concerns about the rebuild of the club from the Roman Abramovich era.
Chelsea have been branded chaotic in the past for having four managers in three seasons. They finished 12th and then sixth under this US ownership, who gutted the backroom staff and then hired their own people. Of course, they also spent £1.7bn on the transfers of young players, albeit with significant sales to balance the books.
"From the outside", Chelsea looked unstable. But a critical mass of talent in the young squad averaging about 23.5 years of age is starting to click, aided by star players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
Fans, players and staff all had their own parties after victory in the Conference League - Chelsea becoming the first club to win every European trophy.
However, within a week, talk will be about how the Blues build on it and back this up. They have a Club World Cup to come from mid-June and then return to the Champions League next season.
If they do, they will look back on this title as the start of something. If they do not, anger will again bubble up to the surface and doubts will start to penetrate "from the outside" again.
Maresca 'deserves more credit' - fans on end-of-season scorecardpublished at 08:03 BST 30 May
08:03 BST 30 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Will Faulks end-of-season scorecard (27 May, 12:43 BST).
Here are some of your comments:
Michael: 6/10 is harsh. This is the youngest squad in the Premier League. With young teams, there will be bumps in the road. Totally agree on Levi Colvill, plus the return of Trevoh Chalobah helped IMO. I am no fan of Enzo Maresca but he deserves a pre-season and a good transfer window in June. However, he will need to be supported by the owners.
Peter: Maresca's football is so tedious. After all, this is supposed to be entertainment! Viktor Gyokeres would be the best player for us - he is a great goalscorer, very good technically and will suit our style.
Tony: I think we got a better end to the season than our overall performances have deserved. It remains to be seen whether they can kick on from here, because more of the same won't do it, especially in the Champions League! Hope I'm proved wrong!
David: Season rating 7/10. Unsung hero, believe it or not, Robert Sanchez. Throughout the season, he made some very important saves in key moments and with a settled central-defensive pair, he will become a top keeper. Best partnership was Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. Manager rating 4/10 - when you're second in the league, big it up no matter what, especially with such a young team. Let them ride the crest of the wave as who knows where that will go.
Philip: How can you give 6/10 for a season where we are back in the top four? Maresca has presided over the third-best home record and deserves more credit for his achievements.
Gossip: Blues open discussions to sign Gyokerespublished at 07:11 BST 30 May
07:11 BST 30 May
Chelsea have joined Juventus in making a formal enquiry to Sporting over the availability of 26-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is also wanted by Arsenal. (Record - in Portuguese), external
The Blues have been impressed by Jadon Sancho's recent performances and could trigger their £25m obligation to buy clause with Manchester United to sign the 25-year-old England winger on a permanent deal. (i Sport), external
Chelsea quartet named in Conference League team of the tournamentpublished at 16:26 BST 29 May
16:26 BST 29 May
Image source, Getty Images
Four Chelsea players have been named in the UEFA Conference League Team of the Tournament, chosen by the UEFA Technical Observer Group.
The Blues won the trophy after defeating Real Betis 4-1 in the final on Wednesday evening.
Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer all made the team, despite Palmer not being named in the Blues squad for the league phase.
Real Betis midfielder Isco was named Player of the Tournament.
The full team is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Filip Jorgensen (Chelsea)
Defenders: Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis), Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea), Natan (Real Betis), Robin Gosens (Fiorentina)
When will the 2025-26 Premier League fixtures be released? published at 16:20 BST 29 May
16:20 BST 29 May
Image source, Getty Images
The BBC's Ask Me Anything team have done all of the research ahead of the announcement detailing next season's Premier League matches.
The fixtures for the 2025-26 season will be released at 09:00 BST on Wednesday,18 June 2025 and the release will include the weekly schedule of all 380 matches.
The season will begin with a single fixture played on Friday, 15 August 2025 and conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when all matches will be played at 16:00 BST. There will be 33 weekend rounds of fixtures, plus five midweek rounds.
The exact date and time at which individual matches are played during each weekend will be determined at regular intervals throughout the season, based on TV selections made by broadcasters.
