Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's FA Cup win means Chelsea will play in the Europa Conference League next season and Newcastle United will not play in Europe at all.

The Red Devils' victory has secured them a spot in the Europa League, despite only finishing eighth in the Premier League, forcing the sixth-placed Blues into the Conference League.

The Magpies finished higher than United on goal difference but had needed Manchester City to win to keep their European place.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Chelsea have begun talks to sign triallist Hafiz Umar Ibrahim from Nigerian club Ojodu City.

The 18-year-old striker has spent nearly two months on trial in west London and is expected to join the club on a permanent basis.

Talks have begun to make his stay permanent as Chelsea negotiate a fee to sign the striker, who caught their attention by netting 10 goals in six matches during a youth tournament in the Viareggio Cup in Italy early this year.

Ibrahim - a 6ft 2in target man who likens himself to Romelu Lukaku - could join Chelsea's partner club Strasbourg in France after agreeing a deal.

Midfielder Pape Daouda Diong, who joined Chelsea last year, will join Strasbourg after being signed out of Senegalese club football.

Image source, Reuters

How closely have you been paying attention to the Blues' Premier League campaign?

Check out our Chelsea quiz - and see if your knowledge is in order.

Try it now

For all the club Premier League quizzes, head here

We asked you who you want to become Chelsea's next manager after recent links to Enzo Maresca, Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna.

Here are some of your answers:

John: None of the three excite me enough and I can’t see them being a better fit than Pochettino. The pool of managers isn’t that great unless they get Tuchel or Mourinho back, but both of them seem unlikely now. Out of the three I’d say Frank as he knows how to get results in this league.

Anthony: Thomas Frank. Proven in the league and proven to be able to adjust to player losses throughout the season. Good with media and is harmonious with owners.

Daniel: The options aren’t particularly brilliant but, out of all of them, I see McKenna as the best. Maresca is too one-dimensional and Frank doesn’t play the right kind of football. Mckenna is the most enjoyable to watch and can change things when he needs to.

Sean: Maresca is the one for me. In terms of style and experience I think he will do a good job. This is still McKenna's first big management role (Ipswich) so I believe he should go to Brighton next - that would be the smart choice for him. Both good managers nonetheless and both could do a good job.

Liam: We cannot expect to achieve top four without a top head coach. None of the coaches on the shortlist are good enough, having only managed in the Championship or a mid-table Premier League team in Brentford. Amorim or now maybe Xavi are the best available options.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea suffered 43 separate injuries in the 2023-24 Premier League season, which is only topped by Manchester United's 45.

Research conducted for more than 20 years by the Premier Injuries website, external suggests that the total number of individual injuries across the league, where a player missed at least one Premier League game, was the highest they had recorded.

Many players suffered more than one injury.

Chelsea had a total of 20 players injured through the course of the season and they lost a total of 1,745 days combined.

This includes Reece James, who was out for 206 days from two separate injuries.

In Chelsea's worst game week, they had 11 players out at one time, which is the most alongside Manchester United, Newcastle and Luton Town.

Read the full breakdown of injuries in the 2023-24 Premier League season

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are linked with Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca and Brentford’s Thomas Frank as successors for the departed Mauricio Pochettino.

Would you like any of the three?

Tell us which one or who else may be ideal here, external

We asked for your views on the news that Chelsea could sell a quartet of players this summer, including Conor Gallagher and Trevor Chalobah, and also what you would like to see happen in the next transfer window.

Here are some of your responses:

Conor: We don't need another massive summer overhaul. Aaron Ramsdale and Callum Wilson are both rumoured to be available on the cheap and could be very useful additions. Meanwhile, Gallagher and Chalobah should be kept given that the permanent sales of Lukaku, Broja, Maatsen, Ziyech and Hall should bring us in about £100m which will help our PSR concerns.

Tony: From those four, I would keep Chalobah as a priority. Gallagher has been great but if he has to go then he has to go. The other two can go and Lukaku, Kepa etc etc. Let’s throw in a spanner. How much could we get for Cole Palmer? One bad injury away from disaster. Look what happened to Eden Hazard.

Chris: Players out: Chilwell (too injury prone), Chalobah (surplus), Sterling (too high wages vs output). Undecided: Gallagher (only for big money offer - ideally not to Spurs unless we pull their pants down on price). Players in: Estupinan (solid left-back replacement), Ugarte (provide better defensive cover in CM), Osimhen (world-class striker).

Gerry: Given that there have only been two real successes from all the players bought - Palmer and Gusto - with a few, because of injuries, it is hard to judge. Given their performances this season, both Gallagher and Chalobah should NOT be sold and if they are it’s because of money to try to cover the vast outlay on players that have not proved a success.

Rob: Every fan dreams of their club establishing a pipeline between their academy and first team! Chelsea have achieved this but are now undermining that process by selling off these players to balance the books! If I was a player in the Chelsea academy I would feel like a mercenary for hire. Are these players the heart and soul of the club?

Victoria: We need to keep Chalobah and Gallagher. Both big players for us going forward. Hopefully the new manager realises this and keeps them both. Would happily sell Enzo. He slows the game down too much. I'm happy with the second half of the season but need that to continue into the new season.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, 21, has signed a new contract, which is expected to be announced on Friday.

The England Under-20 international made Mauricio Pochettino's squad on several occasions and is set to go on loan to an English Football League club next season.

The youngster has already had spells out at Burton Albion, Havant & Waterlooville and Bromley.

A record fourth consecutive Premier League title cements Pep Guardiola's Manchester City as one of the best Premier League teams in years.

So how do City compare with some of the other great Premier League dynasties?

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea 2004-2007

Jose Mourinho helped establish Chelsea as one of the Premier League's top teams when he arrived in 2004.

And his personality - as he became known as 'the Special One' following a slight misquote from his opening Chelsea news conference - shook up the Premier League.

He led them to two Premier League titles, and a second-placed finish, in his three full seasons in charge before a fractious exit - which would become a running theme in his managerial career.

Stalwarts of the side included England trio Frank Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole, plus goalkeeper Petr Cech, holding midfielder Claude Makelele and striker Didier Drogba.

Read our list of Premier League dynasties and rank them here

Brighton are confident of beating Chelsea in hiring Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna but could try to bring back former manager Graham Potter if they fail to do so. (Times - subscription required), external

Chelsea are set to ask newly promoted Leicester City for permission to speak to Enzo Maresca about their managerial vacancy. (Talksport), external

Chelsea will listen to offers for midfielder Conor Gallagher and defender Trevoh Chalobah following Mauricio Pochettino's departure. (Evening Standard), external

Ajax and Feyenoord are interested in Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson, who spent last season on loan at Ipswich. (Football London), external

Stoke City's Souleymane Sidibe, 17, could be on the move this summer with Chelsea, Brighton, Monaco and Juventus interested in the French midfielder. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

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

Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen and Armando Broja could be sold if Chelsea received acceptable offers for them this summer.

The news follows closely behind Mauricio Pochettino leaving the club.

So, who are you happy with the four above potentially heading out of the door?

And who else would you let go this summer?

Let us know here, external

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Raheem Sterling missed out on selection for England's Euro 2024 squad on Tuesday but there is some positive news around his off-field work.

Last year, Sterling's foundation launched a scholarship programme, which provides financial support and mentorship for 14 students at King’s College London and the University of Manchester over the next three years.

The scholarship is open to students from black, African and Caribbean heritage from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds in Greater London and Greater Manchester.

"I'm delighted to hear inspiring stories from students and to hear how the scholarship programme has helped to provide positive experiences during the first year of their course," said the Chelsea forward.

"Through education, we can drive real social mobility and create long lasting pillars that will last throughout their studies, into future careers and beyond.

"I look forward to welcoming the second group of students into the scholarship programme and following their progress over the next few years."

Chelsea have identified a shortlist of candidates to replace Mauricio Pochettino and hope to make an appointment in a matter of days. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Chelsea are in discussions with McKenna's representatives about the 38-year-old becoming their new manager. (Football Insider, external)

Ipswich have offered manager Kieran McKenna a bumper new contract in the hope of keeping him amid interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton. (Sun, external)

Leicester City are braced for an approach from Chelsea for manager Enzo Maresca. (Sun, external)

Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 25, is set to reject interest from Paris St-Germain and Saudi Arabian clubs as he looks to secure a move to Chelsea. (Teamtalk, external)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 30, has given a clear indication he will remain with Everton despite transfer interest from Chelsea. (Mirror, external)

Finally, Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, 20, who is on Chelsea and Arsenal's radar, will decide before the Euros whether he wants to remain at RB Leipzig or move on. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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

Cesc Fabregas has revealed he visited Mauricio Pochettino days before he parted ways with Chelsea as manager.

Pochettino left by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Fabregas says he thought he was starting to see a better connection between the club's players and took positive feelings from visiting Pochettino late last week.

"I stayed in his office for an hour and a half talking football," Fabregas told BBC Sounds' Planet Premier League podcast.

"It was really fun. I didn't have the feeling this was going to happen. I was surprised about the decision."

• Listen to Planet Premier League

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is likely to reject any new deal amid interest from Chelsea and Brighton.

The 38-year-old is also believed to be under consideration by Manchester United if they decide to make a change with Erik ten Hag's future in doubt.

McKenna – who is contracted to Ipswich until 2027 - is ambitious and is understood to be keen to take the next step in his career.

Talks with Ipswich are likely to take place this week and the Tractor Boys are expected to offer McKenna a new deal to convince him to stay at Portman Road.

BBC Sport understands that is expected to fail with the manager, and assistant Martyn Pert, feeling the time is right to move.

Chelsea are believed to be in pole position, despite Brighton's interest, with United's situation adding to the complexities as they are yet to confirm what will happen with Ten Hag.

Any club will need to pay at least £4m compensation to take McKenna and Pert.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's players have been praising Mauricio Pochettino after it was announced on Tuesday the Argentine will depart the club after just one season in charge.

Despite clinching European football with an excellent finish to the campaign, it was a difficult season for Pochettino who was booed at various points by his own supporters after poor performances.

However, it appears he was popular with his players, who appreciated his public support of them during their struggles and took to social media to wish him well after his exit was confirmed.

Captain Reece James, who endured an injury-hit season, posted: "Thank you for everything boss. We had an amazing relationship from the moment we met. I never played as much as I would have hoped under you, which I am sorry for but also something I couldn't control. You believed in me and gave me a huge responsibility when many others doubted me."

Leading scorer Cole Palmer: "Gaffer, thank you for everything you have done for me and making my dreams come true. All the best."

Nicolas Jackson - who was publicly backed by Pochettino when he was struggling in front of goal: "Good luck coach, wish we could stay more together but may God continue to bless you and your family. Thanks for your support and advice, and for making me a better player and person. Wish you all the best."

Midfielder Moises Caicedo, who arrived for £115m last summer: "Mister! It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best for the future! What a person and what a coach."

Young winger Noni Madueke: "You taught me invaluable lessons both on and off the pitch. I will always be grateful. I wish you the best in the next chapter of your life."

We asked you to select your Chelsea player of the season from the four candidates chosen by our fan contributor.

After voting in your thousands, we can reveal the winner is... Cole Palmer!

Image source, Getty Images

And here's what Ross Mooring from Chelsea Fancast, external had to say about your winner...

"'Cold' Palmer hit the ground running for Chelsea, standing out from day one and turning in one of the best single-season performances from a wide player at the club ever, outscoring even Eden Hazard's best year in blue while providing more assists than any other player to boot.

"It does not bear thinking how the Blues' campaign would have turned out without the left-footed wonder."

See the breakdown of results

And here is how the votes went for the other 19 Premier League clubs

Will Faulks
Fan writer

The departure of Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was surprising, even for those following the club closely.

The clues were there that a change was coming, but him leaving seemed such a backwards step that it was easy to rationalise them away.

Surely, after such a ceaseless period of chaos, the priority was stability?

Evidently not.

Within moments of the announcement, insiders were reporting on the reasoning behind where things had broken down.

It is being painted as a mutually agreed parting of the ways because of differing opinions on how the team should be run.

That would be reasonable under normal circumstances.

Certainly if this ownership had taken over with Pochettino already in charge and introduced a radically new operating model, one would be able to understand this as a likely outcome. That is effectively what happened with Thomas Tuchel.

But instead, the opposite is true.

This time a year ago, the club were in the middle of an intense period of interviews, where the sporting directors went through various candidates and decided on Pochettino precisely because he was willing to sign up to manage in the way they wanted.

After all that, how can the club claim that Pochettino was not a "strategic fit", as one of the briefs put it?

The "strategy" - if that is not too kind a word for it - has remained the same since the takeover, and claiming that their own pick for the job did not fit it does not justify a decision to part ways so much as make a mockery of the decision to appoint him in the first place.

Will Faulks can be found at Chelsea News, external

With Chelsea now on the hunt for a new head coach, we asked you for your thoughts on the club's future and who could be the right person to take charge.

Here are a selection of your comments:

Tom: I'd love Kieran McKenna at Chelsea but, honestly, we've just burned our bridges with the manager best able to get something out of this team and I've completely lost the buzz of the last five and a half games - so I'm just braced for Warnock or Big Sam.

Phillip: Totally unbelievable. Which coach in their right mind would want to work for such an unstable club?

Benedek: My suggestions: 1. Thiago Motta - Bologna (amazingly good coach, tactician, smart) 2. Ruben Amorim - Sporting Lison (They won the Portuguese championship and 3-4-3 would suit Chelsea) 3. Ryan Mason - Tottenham assistant manager (ambitious, knows English football) 4. Will Still - without club (young, ambitious, studious).

Amer: Absolute farce. These owners and sporting directors keep talking about winning, but are showing their lack of knowledge and experience in how to go about it. Any new appointment will take time to bed in and the names being touted are underwhelming to say the least. As a lifelong Chelsea fan, I have never been more worried about the lack of direction.

Dave: Please, please, please bring back Tuchel.

Nifty: I don't see any manager changing form for Chelsea at the moment. Without Reece James and Ben Chilwell we are not the same team. Marc Cucurella and Trevoh Chalobah have got to go - they are not first-team players. Let's bring back Jose Mourinho and see where we go.

Jack: I don't want another mid-table manager who inevitably won't be able to hack the pressure of a big club and will waste half a season trying to make their mark. Tuchel 2.0 could be fun, but seems unlikely to happen.