Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Chelsea FC

"Amputee football is life-changing, putting a positive spin on something that's initially seen as negative."

Defender Mark Smith is gearing up to play for Chelsea at St George's Park for the amputee final at the Disability FA Cup on Saturday.

Describing the benefits of having the opportunity to play for Chelsea, train at Cobham and represent England, he said: "Being around lads who've been in car accidents, motorbike accidents, lived through cancer diagnoses or are military veterans, we help each other mentally."

Smith, who is also a player-manager at Chelsea and doing his coaching badges with non-disabled academy players at MK Dons, added: "What surprises people watching for the first time is the pace of the game, physicality and technical ability.

"We saw a Polish player [Marcin Oleksy] win the Puskas Award [in 2023] for an overhead kick on crutches a few years ago.

"We are like a Jose Mourinho team. We play to our strengths but we are a young, hungry group and preparing at Cobham and aiming to win our first trophy as an amputee team.

"Winning would eclipse my two England caps, that's for sure."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are exploring the option of signing two attackers this summer amid ongoing talks with Borussia Dortmund for winger Jamie Gittens.

Dortmund continue to hold out for €70m (£60m) and Chelsea are not in a rush to complete the deal given Gittens is cup-tied for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.

Alternatives for the 20-year-old include Lyon's Malick Fofana, who has been sounded out for the position vacated by Jadon Sancho after he returned to Manchester United following his season-long loan for a £5m penalty fee.

Signing a versatile forward is seen as a lesser priority but would be done in conjunction with any potential sale of Christopher Nkunku, with Brighton's Joao Pedro and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike among options considered. The Blues are not currently interested in Randal Kolo Muani despite recent links.

Moves for goalkeepers, left-backs and centre-backs are not ruled in or out and depend entirely on sales of current squad players.

Chelsea were offered the opportunity to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan for £25m but refused to meet the asking price and are not expected to revive their interest.

They remain broadly happy with the three goalkeeping options currently in the squad, featuring Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and new teenage signing Mike Penders.

Senior sources have also explained they are not afraid to make the squad even younger and are not expecting to have a summer like 2022 or 2023 - when the Blues broke records for fees paid and transfers both in and out of the club.

Chelsea could sign as few as two or three senior players with the squad in good condition in terms of quality, age profile and contract situations.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on how Liam Delap will fare next season and whether he should be first choice ahead of Nicolas Jackson.

Here are some of your comments:

George: It's very hard to compare strikers from clubs at either end of the table. However the goals/XG score is really interesting. I reserve judgement until the end of the season, seeing how both play in this team. My hunch is Delap will shine, and Nico has a lot of growing to do in terms of his temperament and turning his wasteful nature in front of goal.

Colin: Delap is a natural, instinctive, talented striker with a great temperament. Jackson is the polar opposite and a proven liability. He must go.

Marvo: Delap should lead the line, period.

Emmanuel: I think Delap is more composed and looking at the team he's coming from, he will do better and score more goals with Chelsea if he gets the supply. At that age, he will be a great asset to Chelsea.

George F: I think it's time Jackson found another team. He has demonstrated he is not a team player (red cards) and a reluctance to pass. Too often he tries to dribble into an impossible situation and loses possession. On paper, Delap appears to be a terrific fit and a striker that is dearly needed.

Roy: Delap is a breath of fresh air. He's positive and gelled the team instantly. I'd play him ahead of Jackson all day long.

Steve: Delap for me every time, Jackson's a liability. Give Delap the service and he'll get goals. It's the other end I'm more concerned with. The goalkeeper situation is a joke. We're a world-class club with a third-rate goalkeeper. It's ridiculous and so frustrating.

Rich: Delap any day of the week. Jackson has shown how much of a liability he is -his petulant behaviour is his downfall. Delap is a future England star.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Teenage winger Tyrique George says a family sacrifice when he was 12 was the "best decision" in helping his ascent to become a Chelsea player.

The now 19-year-old, who scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over ES Tunis that helped Chelsea make the last 16 at the Club World Cup, described moving from Camden to Croydon as a boy was "tough" because he "didn't want to move".

However, now he recognises the move was pivotal to his career and saved his mother, who worked as a teacher, undertaking multiple gruelling journeys after work between Chelsea's Surrey training base and north London.

"I used to get the train with my mum from Camden to Cobham after school both there and back, which was really long," George said.

"I've got no clue what lines we took. I'd just get on the train with mum. She put in all those hours for me. She didn't have to do it. She took me to training after she'd finished work, there and back - tired.

"She's a teacher. Training would be an an hour and a half. We'd get back late, but it was worth it."

Eventually, like many talented youngsters in Chelsea's academy, George was offered the chance to move to south Croydon, nearer the club's training base.

But George admits it was not an easy decision to make, adding: "I was living in Camden and then I moved to south Croydon when I was 12 to another school. It was a tough move, to be fair. I didn't really want to move to south Croydon. I left behind most of my mates.

"I was emotional. All my friends were in north London, so me moving away to a completely new area was tough. But I eventually enjoyed it and it was closer to training so after a month or two, it wasn't too bad.

"It was worth it. I think it was the best decision I ever made."

George is now paying his family back having made his 26th appearance of the season but he could be sent out on loan for 2025-26 with Chelsea looking to sign at least one further attacker this summer.

Asked about the possibility, he said: "I'm not really too sure. There's always going to be competition whether they do sign one or not. I'm always ready to learn from them. I learn from all the forward players."

• In depth: read the definitive story of how George made it at Chelsea

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Given Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal in the win against ES Tunis and, with Nicolas Jackson serving a ban, he can use the Club World Cup to press his claim for a starting role in 2025-26.

But how do the two forwards compare?

Delap, 22, had to make the most of limited service as Ipswich struggled in the Premier League last term. He had far fewer touches in the box than Jackson and, as a result, attempted over twice as many shots from outside the area.

But, despite this, he scored two more goals than Jackson, netting 12 times from an xG of just 9.3. He also posted better shot conversion and shot accuracy figures and was far more efficient at converting what Opta define as 'big chances' – a weak spot for Senegal forward Jackson, who only scored seven of 26 such opportunities.

Overall, the two players offer contrasting profiles for Blues boss Enzo Maresca.

Jackson has shown he suits a possession-focused side, completing 76.9% of his passes last term while often looking to lay the ball off to nearby team-mates.

Usually more isolated, Delap had to rely on hopeful flick-ons when receiving long balls up to him but did excel in terms of workrate and hard running.

With Ipswich often on the back foot, the England Under-21s international used his pace and power to carry the ball forward whenever possible, covering over 3,000m, and taking on opponents 89 times – 27 more than Jackson (who also has genuine speed).

Delap also contributed more off the ball, contesting almost twice as many duels and winning a higher proportion of his tackles.

His industry – and his penchant for roughing up defenders – meant he was regularly penalised by referees, accumulating 72 fouls, the second highest in the Premier League.

That figure was almost twice as many as Jackson and he picked up nearly double the number of yellow cards as his new striking rival (12 to seven).

However, Delap was not sent off, and instead, it is Jackson whose reckless red cards against Newcastle in May and Flamengo in the Club World Cup, have put his disciplinary record under the microscope.

How do you think Delap will fare in the 2025-26 season?

Will he reach double figures for goals?

And do you put him as first choice striker above Jackson?

Let us know your thoughts

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Rumours of Chelsea and Manchester United considering a swap involving Christopher Nkunku and Alejandro Garnacho have circulated recently, but which club would get the better deal should it come to pass?

Nkunku, 27, tore knee ligaments barely a month after joining the Blues in summer 2023 and has yet to regain top form, starting just 11 Premier League games.

However, United may be mindful of what 'peak' Nkunku looked like and reflect on his outstanding record during his final two seasons at RB Leipzig. Between August 2021 and May 2023, he scored 36 times in 59 Bundesliga games, converting almost a quarter of his chances and outperforming his xG by 5.3.

While Nkunku has been kicking his heels in west London over the past two years, Garnacho has been a regular for United, starting 53 league matches in that time. Yet speculation over his future has intensified since being dropped from the starting line-up for May's Europa League final defeat by Tottenham.

More winger than forward, Garnacho does not possess the same goalscoring pedigree as Nkunku, albeit he has reached double figures in all competitions in each of the past two seasons. He tends to dribble and cross more, though his total number of assists is disappointing.

Nevertheless, despite fall-outs with both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, he is tenacious off the ball, and winning possession in the final third more than any of his United team-mates last term.

The Argentine is also nearly seven years younger than Nkunku and has an excellent record of being available, having not missed a single game through injury in 2024-25.

The below table shows Nkunku's record in the Bundesliga between 2021 and 2023 and Garnacho's in the Premier League alone over the past two seasons.

Who gets the best end of any deal probably depends upon what they are looking for. A winger ticks boxes for Chelsea while United are need a goalscoring striker. If both play at their best, they will be assets.

But that is a big if.

Chelsea are edging closer to a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund and England Under-21 winger Jamie Gittens, 20, with the Bundesliga side holding out for a £50m fee. (ESPN), external

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

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Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says they have no doubts Liam Delap will score goals for them and that he expects the process to be "quite quick".

The striker, who joined from Ipswich this summer for £30m, scored his first goal for the Blues in their 3-0 win over ES Tunis at the Club World Cup.

Maresca said: "We know Liam is going to score goals for us, we don't have any doubts about that.

"Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is a good feeling because it means he is there, he is in the right position and doing well.

"Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo but he scored here. We expect the process to be quite quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play."

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

It has not always been plain sailing for Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea.

There was a lot of expectation on the World Cup winner when he joined from Benfica in the 2023 January transfer window for a British record fee of £107m.

While things started off brightly in those first few months, like a number of players, Fernandez suffered in the chaotic nature of the Blues' squad upheaval.

He seemed to struggle with the weight of the price tag and then suffered a hernia which required surgery and ruled him out of the remaining part of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 24-year-old then began last season amid an alleged racism scandal after he sang a derogatory song about black players in the France national team, before losing his starting place to Romeo Lavia in the autumn months.

However, when he got his chance again, he stepped up and made seven goal contributions in six Premier League games between 10 November and 15 December.

And while other players dropped off in the second half of the campaign, Fernandez came to the fore with some crucial goals and assists to help Chelsea secure Champions League football for 2025-26, and silverware by winning the Conference League.

The Argentina international was once again among the goal contributions overnight when he provided two assists in the side's 3-0 over ES Tunis in the Club World Cup.

In fact, Fernandez has provided more assists (eight) and scored more goals (six) than any other Chelsea player in this calendar year.

Heis also the only Chelsea player to create 50 or more chances in that time (54).

And, since the start of April, the midfielder has the most goals and assists combined of any Premier League player in all competitions (11 - four goals, seven assists).

It seems Fernandez could finally be finding the form that led the Blues' hierarchy to break their transfer record to bring him in.

While talisman Cole Palmer is often seen as the creative force, that could now be being challenged with Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George all contributing more or equal to the Chelsea number 10 in 2025 so far.

But who will be the one to top this table next season?

Make your choice here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Chelsea beat ES Tunis 3-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Dell: Considering the amount of changes to the starting line-up, I thought we played well in the first half. The ball was moved around at pace and we went forward rather than the pedestrian sideways and backwards movement we see so often. The second half was played at a slower pace but we still tried for more goals. Tosin's headed goal finally broke the deadlock and with Delap getting his first a couple of minutes later broke the hearts of Tunis. Overall, I reckon it was a good team performance by Chelsea.

Nick: A very comfortable win - frankly no more than expected - by what was practically Chelsea's 'Conference League Group Stage' starting XI. Very tough playing conditions, so the slow pace was unsurprising. Well-taken goals by Tosin and Delap. And an unexpected bonus to be playing Benfica rather than Bayern Munich in the last 16.

Ahmed: The good thing is Chelsea won and progress, and good to play Benfica next, That should be a bit easier than Harry Kane's Bayern. Hopefully make last eight. Keep winning, Blues.

David: The first of many goals for Delap. We hope!

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Philadelphia

Image source, Getty Images

Liam Delap proved he can be a threatening option up front, with alternative striking option Nicolas Jackson still suspended for the last-16 match against Benfica following his sending off against Flamengo.

The £30m summer signing opened his Chelsea account with a stylish goal - a deft first touch, spin and placed shot into the bottom corner just before referee Yaez Falcon Perez blew his whistle for half-time.

The England Under-21 international had earlier twisted into space after Noni Madueke's pass inside and saw a shot saved by goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.

Chelsea dominated possession on a hot evening, having 74% of the ball. They also managed 16 shots to just three - and none on target - from ES Tunis.

Midfielder Enzo Fernandez captained the team in the absence of an ill Reece James and set up both goals before being taken off for debutant Andrey Santos in the second half. Mamadou Sarr also made his first appearance for the club.

Several Chelsea players struggled to impress - like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku - but it was understandable in such difficult conditions in Philadelphia and after eight changes.

Have your say on the victory and Chelsea's Club World Cup so far

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking after victory over ES Tunis in their final group game of the Club World Cup: "The performance was good. It was not easy and, until we scored the first goal, it was difficult to break their defensive line down.

"We were quite patient, and when we scored the first goal the game became a little more open and a little easier for us.

"It's impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it's not possible for them to play every game. The ones who played were good and we've given some rest to many players.

"It's important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.

On Chelsea's last-16 opponents Benfica, Maresca added: "We know Benfica is a top club, with a top manager and top players.

"It's going to be tough, but from 32 we are now into the round of 16 - and our next target is to go into the quarter-finals."

Striker Liam Delap scored his first Chelsea goal as the Blues qualified for the knockout stages of the Club World Cup with a win over ES Tunis.

Enzo Maresca's side finished runners-up in Group D but avoid Bayern Munich in the last 16 and instead will face Portuguese side Benfica - who topped their group ahead of the Bundesliga giants - in Charlotte, North Carolina at 21:00 BST on Saturday.

What did you make of Chelsea's display and what are the talking points?

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have restarted talks with Borussia Dortmund over winger Jamie Gittens in an attempt to find an agreement.

The Blues had a £42m offer rejected on 10 June.

The England Under-21 international has played just 13 minutes in the Club World Cup under Dortmund boss Niko Kovac and is keen to move to Stamford Bridge having previously been offered a seven-year deal with the club.

Bayern Munich are known to be interested but unlikely to progress talks.

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed plans to sign a winger this summer and reports emerging on Tuesday suggest a deal for Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens could soon be finalised.

Negotiations have been helped by the fact both clubs are competing at the Club World Cup in the United States.

Gittens, 20, scored 11 goals in the first half of a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign but only added one more after mid-January and has been largely out of favour since the arrival in February of new head coach Niko Kovac.

A rapid right-footed winger who is most comfortable on the left flank, Gittens' top speed of 22.34mph last season was the 16th fastest in the German top flight.

That pace helps him excel in one-against-one situations – he came top among Bundesliga players across all competitions last season for dribbles attempted and completed.

He ranked in the top two percent among wingers for successful dribbles in Europe's top five leagues in 2024-25.

Gittens also scored twice as many goals as expected based on the quality of his chances, an overperformance only bettered by Patrik Schick, Julian Alvarez, Ayoze Perez, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

However, he ranks in the bottom 20% for chances created and he registered fewer assists than any of Chelsea's other likely wingers for next season.

But the stats overall suggest he would provide something different to the club's current options.

Image source, Getty Images

The results of a survey of Chelsea fans has urged the Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) to join the Football Supporters' Association (FSA)'s 'Stop Exploiting Loyalty' campaign.

It comes as the club introduces a range of new policies around ticketing and membership, including a new booking fee per ticket and a priority membership option.

According to the CST's survey, almost 90% of respondents instructed the trust to join the FSA's campaign which was launched in 2024 and has seen a number of protests across different supporter groups take place in support of the campaign.

The CST say that Blues fans have indicated they do not believe their loyalty is "understood or appreciated by the club" and that they will now "take action to highlight how supporters are continuously being overlooked".

The CST said: "Piece by piece, Chelsea FC is alienating a large part of our core fan base with decisions that will slowly force supporters to pick and choose which games they attend.

"The exploitation of members is also a worry, and we are deeply concerned that the increasingly bad deal that members have will negatively impact our club for generations to come.

"This should be a huge wake-up call to the owners and the senior leadership team within the club. Supporters are rejecting the decisions made by the club and are evidently unhappy with the current path being taken.

"Not only is it ethically wrong to exploit the loyalty of the lifeblood of our club, but it is strategically short-sighted and obliterates any trust or goodwill that had started to be built by recent positive initiatives."