Chelsea

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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This was the perfect response by Chelsea following their narrow defeat to Liverpool at the weekend, with a couple of individual performances that will have no doubt caught Enzo Maresca's eye.

Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk were the standouts as the pair combined well and helped themselves to some goals and assists.

Felix has not started in the Premier League this season, and faces a difficult task of getting a starting berth given his favoured position is the number 10 role currently occupied by Cole Palmer.

But two goals will have helped his confidence greatly, while it was Mudryk who assisted both of them and he will hope that and a goal will boost his chances of nailing a regular starting spot.

Maresca has a headache, but the right sort of one as Chelsea show they are capable of fighting well on all fronts.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea’s performance, external

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

There are 18 matches in the Conference League on Thursday, including Chelsea's trip to Panathinaikos.

• Vikingur Reykjavik v Cercle Bruges (15:30)

• Djurgarden v Vitoria SC (17:45)

• Jagiellonia Bialystok v Petrocub (17:45)

• St Gallen v Fiorentina (17:45)

• Larne v Shamrock Rovers (17:45)

• Gent v Molde (17:45)

• Panathinaikos v Chelsea (17:45)

• APOEL v Borac (17:45)

• Rapid Vienna v Noah (17:45)

• Celje v Istanbul Basaksehir (17:45)

• Hearts v Omonoia (17:45)

• Pafos v Heidenheim

• HJK v Dinamo Minsk

• Mlada Boleslav v Lugano

• Olimpija v LASK

• The New Saints v Astana

• Real Betis v Copenhagen

• Backa Topola v Legia Warsaw

All kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow the action and reaction, including from the Europa League games, here

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Chelsea forward Joao Felix feels it is "just a matter of time" before he is getting a place in the Blues' starting line-up.

The 24-year-old has made seven appearances since his move from Atletico Madrid in the summer, but just two of those have been from the start and both in cup competitions.

He is facing tough competition with Chelsea's top goalscorer from last season Cole Palmer playing the same position, but that is something Felix was aware of when he signed.

"I spoke with Enzo [Maresca]. I like the way he thinks of football and plays football," Felix said.

"I liked what he said and I knew competition [for places] would be hard, but I am here to work.

"I know what I can do and how I can help the team. You never see me stopping working to follow my dreams. I am here to play, of course, and it is just a matter of time."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Enzo Marseca has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League game against Panathinaikos (kick-off 17:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Filip Jorgensen is "available and going to play" on Thursday, while Mykhailo Mudryk's absence at the weekend was a "technical decision" and he is also available.

• On when Mudryk will reach his full potential and get back into the team: "I don't know. We try to work with Misha everyday. Hopefully he can get better and better, day by day with us. Similar to Joao [Felix], he is doing well, but in this moment there are more players that are doing well. Important for him and the rest that when they get the chance, they take it."

• On if this game is an opportunity for Joao Felix with his lack of minutes so far: "Since Joao arrived, he is doing very well for us. I don't have anything bad to say about him, I can only say good things. But there are players that aren't playing, not because they are not doing well during the week, but because players they are playing against in the moment are doing well. Joao just needs to keep working in the way he is working."

• On whether he is not allowed to play Josh Acheampong until reported contract issues are resolved: "I feel a bit of shame for Josh because this kind of game is an opportunity for him. I had a chat with him personally, about three weeks ago, about his situation. The chat we had was very good, positive, but I haven't spoken with him since. It is a shame because I really think he is potentially a top player."

• He added: "The first thing we need to do is to find a solution for his contract, for his future. It's a bad situation for him at the moment. I don't know if the people are helping him or not. I really like Josh and I would like to have him here with us, but it is not possible."

• He does not feel the side are conceding "easy goals" at the moment but "conceding goals like all the rest of the clubs". At a full Panathinaikos stadium, he said he hopes "we are not going to concede any goals".

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Liverpool v Chelsea was the most-anticipated game of the weekend, the outcome would signal who is most likely to mount a challenge to the current duopoly.

The 90 minutes probably answered the question.

Liverpool edged it in terms of quality, but they still look a step below. They have time to continue their improvement under Arne Slot and as such deserve the patience the manager has pleaded for. They should not be written off yet.

The Reds look more street smart and that makes a difference at the margins while the Blues still look a bit green, particularly at the back. That is no surprise as the first-choice centre-backs have an average age of 29 for Liverpool and a callow 22 for Chelsea.

Blues fans have been spoiled in that position as from Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry to Thiago Silva and Toni Rudiger they have got used to some of the best in the world at the core of their defence. The absence of top quality in that core area means the top table is still beyond them.

As someone openly wanting a Chelsea win but always brutally honest enough to accept when we are second best on the day, there was one player I wanted introduced more than any other - Joao Felix. Enzo Maresca made five changes when creation was needed and the Portugal playmaker was not called on.

Is there something his managers know that I do not? Because in terms of skill and creativity he clearly deserves more chances if Chelsea are going to have a chance.

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Borussia Dortmund want to sign a left-back in January with Chelsea's 27-year-old England international Ben Chilwell and Bournemouth's Hungary international Milos Kerkez, 20, on their shortlist. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea have told 18-year-old England Under-20 defender Josh Acheampong that he will not play for the club at any level again until he signs a new contract. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Chelsea fan Felix Johnston tells BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has transformed the club and people will no longer be looking at the Blues as a "laughing stock".

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in Barcelona's 25-year-old Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo. (Caught Offside), external

The Blues and Arsenal are monitoring Juventus' 24-year-old Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic. (TBR Football), external

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

Will Faulks
Fan writer

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Chelsea played pretty well in their 2-1 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield. They even controlled the game for a spell in the first half - although they made painfully little use of the possession in dangerous areas, and ended up concluding that period by giving up a quick break that led to a penalty for Liverpool.

But for all of Enzo Maresca's talk of being delighted and impressed by his team with and without the ball, the reality was a little different, and the good start to this season has not obscured the flaws which have carried over from last year.

The simple fact is that this Chelsea team lacks a top goalkeeper and a reliable central defender duo. Both of those issues play into each other: a team can compensate for weakness in one position with strength in the other; but the two are so interdependent that problems bleed between them just as easily.

Liverpool's second goal was a perfect illustration. The defensive line stayed high, but allowed Curtis Jones to run beyond it. Robert Sanchez, a little spooked by his earlier clash with the midfielder, hesitated on his line. Both parties are left blaming the other as the Reds celebrate.

There is plenty of time this season for Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill to turn into the rock-solid pairing the team need. They certainly have the talent, but they are not there yet. And until they do, Chelsea's weaknesses in goal will continue to be exposed.

There are four young goalkeepers on the books behind Sanchez now - Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Djordje Petrovic and Gabriel Slonina. The hope is clearly that one of them ends up developing into a top-tier option.

The question is how many points Chelsea are going to drop while they wait for that to happen.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

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Our chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering the questions of BBC Sport readers.

Joey asked: Chelsea fan here. It’s refreshing to see the team performing better than last season, but where do you think there is still room for improvement?

Phil answered: Totally agree with you. I watched a Chelsea team at Liverpool yesterday that I think are really on the right road.

As for improvements, I think they need a better goalkeeper. Robert Sanchez is too vulnerable and he surely had to be more committed in the challenge on Curtis Jones when he scored Liverpool’s winner.

It would also help if a reliable goalscorer emerged, although there is no doubt Nicolas Jackson is improving.

I like what Enzo Maresca is doing, though, and I really fancy them to challenge for the top four on the evidence of what I’ve seen.

Read more of the Q&A with Phil and the rest of the day's football news

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Former Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez says Chelsea need "to keep the balance" between their defence and attack if they are to win trophies, something the Spaniard thinks the Blues are yet to achieve.

Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day 2 following their defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Benitez said: "They can be proud because they were attacking, but if you want to win trophies you have to keep the balance.

"You have to be sure that you're good in defence but also in attack.

"They are very good offensively, but are they working in defence? I'm not sure about that."

Former Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott agreed, saying this Chelsea side need to work more effectively as a collective, "it's like a team of individuals playing to their own strengths.

"It's a team environment and I feel they haven't quite got that - yet. At times they're just doing their jobs but as a team are they doing a job together?"

Watch the full episode here

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: Can't be too downhearted. A disappointing result but a fine performance. Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo in particular were outstanding - but credit due to Curtis Jones, who was Liverpool's best player by far. Only negative - it is surely time to recognise that Sanchez, while a great shot-stopper, isn't good enough to be goalkeeper in a club that aspires to be in the top four.

Phil: Once again Chelsea were the better side but failed to create many clear cut chances which you cannot afford to do against Liverpool even when they are not at their best. Oh, for a Diego Costa or a Didier Drogba.

John: Looking at the reports, and post MOTD comments, you would have thought that Liverpool won 6-0. For much of the game, they were second best and at the end were hanging on while Chelsea missed two good opportunities.

Mwazvie: Beautiful display. Shows a team that’s making speedy progress. It’s a team to watch next season as I think they can compete for titles. They only need to find better ways to break down teams that park the bus.

David: A good performance without really hurting Liverpool enough. I’m liking the confidence to play out from the back, dominate the midfield and get wide players on the ball. But not enough big chances created today, but you have to credit Liverpool for suppressing them.

Simon: Same old Chelsea. Poor performance, lack of quality and unless Cole Palmer turns up then there is nothing else. Some poor management as well. Mid-table this season again - it’s where we are.

Chris: Having been brought up on the likes of Bonetti, Cudicini, Cech, Desailly, Leboeuf, Terry, Alex, Cole, Ivanovic etc, I find watching this current Chelsea defence almost intolerable and devoid of talent. Sanchez thinks he can play like Ederson and he can’t. Maresca needs to sort this nonsense out!

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Are we seeing a new Nicolas Jackson this season?

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says the Chelsea number nine still has work to do but is showing "he has tremendous potential".

"He is starting to score goals and has a lot more confidence and belief in himself, " Reo-Coker told the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "Some of that might be from Enzo Maresca coming in and putting his faith in him.

"I think he has tremendous potential. He has all the attributes of a striker as he is strong and quick. If he had the mindset of wanting to be a game killer and score 30 plus goals a season then he could.

"But he has to work on his game. The biggest thing he is missing is composure. If he can learn how to have that in vital moments then he will score a lot of goals."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker does not believe Robert Sanchez is good enough to be Chelsea's number one goalkeeper.

"Sometimes he can be a liability for Chelsea," Reo-Coker said on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "He is a top shot stopper but there are too many mistakes in him and lapses of concentration.

"They need to improve in the goalkeeping area for them to talk about winning Premier League titles."

Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic disagrees with Reo-Coker and says Sanchez's hesitation in Curtis Jones' goal is because he had not long escaped conceding a penalty that was eventually overturned by the video assistant referee.

"The challenge in the first-half has possibly played on his mind," Begovic added. "He was close to giving away a penalty so maybe he was playing it a little bit safe.

"But it was just a really difficult ball by Mohamed Salah to deal with. It put Sanchez in a really difficult position. As a goalkeeper, I always think that if you are not sure whether to come out you should stay on your line and make yourself big."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Man Utd 2-1 Brentford

• Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-2 Man City

• Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

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Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Chelsea's defeat against Liverpool: "We don't like to drop points and lose a game, but if you have to choose a way this is the way.

"We came here and tried to control the game, dominate. For most of the game we played in their half and I thought the performance was fantastic.

"I came here many times in the past and I know how difficult it is but the way we controlled and managed the game was fantastic.

"This is the right direction."

On referee decisions in the game: "There are some decisions that have been clear for everyone, the referee is there to take a decision and they decide in a different way.

"It is a setback because we lost but the performance was probably one of the best of the season."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea’s pass completion rate (88.1%) was the highest on record (since 2003-04) by an away team in a Premier League game at Anfield, with the previous-highest being Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in October 2022 (87.8%).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Liverpool's performance, external

What did you make of Chelsea’s display?, external

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

There are two matches that make up Sunday's Premier League action. Follow all the action and reaction on the links below:

• Wolves v Manchester City - 14:00

• Liverpool v Chelsea - 16:30

Kick-off times BST

Listen to commentary of both games on BBC Radio 5 Live