Chelsea

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  1. Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Key statpublished at 16:32 6 October

    Cole Palmer of Chelsea battles for possession with Elliot Anderson of Nottingham ForestImage source, Getty Images

    Since his Premier League debut for Chelsea in September 2023, no player has provided more assists in the Premier League than Cole Palmer (16 – level with Bukayo Saka).

  2. Sutton's predictions: Chelsea v Nottingham Forestpublished at 11:16 6 October

    A split image of Chris Sutton and ColdplayImage source, Getty Images

    Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

    For week seven, he takes on Will Champion and Jonny Buckland from Coldplay, whose latest album, Moon Music, came out on Friday.

    Sutton's prediction: 2-1

    Chelsea are a lot easier to predict this season. I am not getting their scores right, but I am having much more joy with their results.

    Being a former Chelsea player, I obviously have that connection with the current players, the same way I linked up so well with the Chelsea team I played for.

    Unfortunately, I am not doing too well with Nottingham Forest this time. They drew me in, to make me believe they would get something against Fulham last week, and let me down badly.

    I am not getting sucked in again. Cole Palmer, who will go down as 'the one that Manchester City let get away', is on fire at the moment, and it is as if he has got eyes in the back of his head.

    I absolutely love watching him play because everything is so easy for him, and it feels like he is going to score every time he plays.

    Forest will probably nick a goal, because I am not convinced with how Chelsea defend, but this is definitely a home win - I am sure of it.

    Will and Jonny's prediction: 1-1

    Read the rest of their predictions, and have your own say here

  3. Chelsea appoint new academy directorpublished at 18:47 4 October

    Glenn van der KraanImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea have announced that Glenn van der Kraan has joined the club as academy technical director from Manchester City.

    He will lead the youth development plan at Stamford Bridge alongside Jack Francis, who has been in the post long-term under former bosses Neil Bath and Jim Fraser.

    Sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: "Glenn brings his vast experience and track record for success in youth development into his new position.

    "The academy is fundamental to the plan for the future of the club."

  4. The answerpublished at 16:59 4 October

    Didier Drogba celebrates a goal for ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier, we asked you for the two players who have scored more than 100 Premier League goals for Chelsea.

    Frank Lampard is the club's leading scorer in the Premier League with 147 goals, while striker Didier Drogba netted 104 times in the top flight for Chelsea.

  5. 'The players can see the purpose and identity we have'published at 14:01 4 October

    Chelsea manager Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says results are not the most important thing to help convince his players buy into his project.

    That is despite embarking on a five-match winning streak and only not taking the spoils in two of their games since an opening day defeat to Manchester City.

    "When you win games, it always creates energy, trust and confidence," Maresca said. "It's helping the process but the players are the first to recognise when the team plays well or not.

    "The results are helping but they are convinced because they can see clearly the purpose and identity we have."

    Chelsea host Nottingham Forest on Sunday seeking to consolidate their position in the top four of the early Premier League table.

    "For the first two months, we had a lot of noise around the club, although I said inside it was quiet," added Maresca. Hopefully, we can continue in the way we are now.

    "I like to be focused on the things I can control. The only part I can control is the football side. All the noise around the club is something I cannot control."

  6. Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - did you know?published at 11:53 4 October

    Cole Palmer of Chelsea FC and Scott McKenna of Nottingham ForestImage source, Getty Images

    No side’s Premier League games have produced more goals than Chelsea’s so far this season (22), while Nottingham Forest’s matches have seen the fewest (11).

  7. 'Definitely a buzz around Stamford Bridge'published at 09:08 4 October

    Your views banner
    Christopher Nkunku (C) of Chelsea celebrate with Mykhailo Mudryk (L), Joao Felix(2nd L), Pedro Neto (2nd R), Tosin Adarabioyo (R) after scoring the third goal of their team during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD1Image source, Getty Images

    We asked for your views after Chelsea's comfortable win over Gent in their opening Conference League match at Stamford Bridge.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Martin: Good result. It could have been six or seven goals, but I felt we made a couple of errors that led to Gent scoring their two goals. We took our foot off the gas a little bit in the second half.

    John: Felt like I was watching a friendly. Poor defending from Chelsea as we should be looking for clean sheets but we look good going forward.

    Nikki: A win is a win at the end of the day. It was a decent performance but our defence looks so shaky. Get that sorted and we will be flying because we sure can score goals. Christopher Nkunku is looking good again!

    Hans: Benoit Badiashile is a huge liability. If Chelsea get into the latter stages of this competition, they will seriously have to consider player changes. I was pleased for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto and Renato Veiga.

    Philip: I thought Cesare Casadei caught the eye. He kept possession really well. Badiashile still looks poor and Mykhailo Mudryk's delivery still looks underwhelming, but it was a comfortable win. We really showed the depth of our squad.

    Mark: I was pleased to see the cohesion in the team, considering they are all playing for a place. Another pleasing thing was how well they operated as a group. There is definitely a buzz around Stamford Bridge. It has been a really positive few weeks. KDH was excellent, along with good performances all round!

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  8. Today's trivia challengepublished at 09:02 4 October

    Chelsea quiz graphic

    Can you name the two players who have scored more than 100 goals in the Premier League for Chelsea?

    Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

  9. Which fringe players impressed?published at 08:06 4 October

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

    Renato Veiga celebrates scoring for ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea's second string mostly played well in the 4-2 win at home to Gent in their opening Conference League match.

    After rotating their entire starting XI from the 4-2 win against Brighton on Saturday, Renato Veiga scored an early header, Pedro Neto powered in a finish seconds after half-time and Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both plundered loose balls to kill the match.

    It could have been a risky move but they looked comfortable, despite conceding twice, with further significant rotation expected against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

    Although the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho will no doubt return for Sunday, those players on the fringes made their case for more minutes against stronger opposition in the league.

    With a seventh goal in nine matches this season, Nkunku continues to show off his sharp finishing, with all of his past five league appearances coming from the bench.

    On Saturday, Dewsbury-Hall did not even make the Chelsea squad but was among the better performers here, with Neto another knocking on the door, along with Veiga, who looks a bargain for £11.8m.

    But Benoit Badiashile was poor again defensively for some of the goals, while Mykhailo Mudryk was devastating in attack but sometimes sloppy in possession.

    Overall, it was a positive exercise for those involved - but it does not feel like Maresca needs to make any major changes to his line-up for Sunday.

  10. 'Many things we can do better'published at 22:40 3 October

    Enzo Maresca looks on during matchImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to TNT Sports: "Good performance. It was a tough game and we approached it well very. It's a shame the second goal we conceded, we can avoid that.

    "Every game is complicated. We have many things we can do better - attack better, defend better.

    "The ones who play tonight it doesn't mean they won't play the next game.

    On Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scoring for Chelsea goal: "I know Kiernan very well. I know when you are the main player and then move to a big club it's not easy because you're not the main player.

    "Sometimes you struggle a bit at the beginning so I was very happy for him."

  11. 'I won't forget this night' - Dewsbury-Hallpublished at 22:25 3 October

    Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates goal against GentImage source, Getty Images

    Chelsea goalscorer Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm over the moon. I've been waiting for that moment since joining the club, to show everyone what my qualities are.

    "Scoring the goal is an amazing feeling. I won't forget this night.

    "I pride myself on working as hard as I can every day. I'd like to play more but it's my duty to make sure the manager has a decision to make. I feel fresh.

    "I've loved it [being at Chelsea]. You come through the door and expectations are through the roof. The standards are so high. It's so nice to play with players on your wavelength - top, top players.

    "It's about learning and evolving. That's literally what I'm here for.

    "He [Enzo Maresca] is a breath of fresh air. I was taken aback by him last year. Everything he did was passionate and motivated. You can see the lads are buying into it."

  12. Full-time: Chelsea 4-2 Gentpublished at 22:07 3 October

    Christopher Nkunku celebrates goal with balloonImage source, Getty Images

    A Chelsea side showing 11 changes earned a comfortable win over Gent in their opening Europa Conference League match.

    Follow reaction and read the match report

  13. Panel split on Chelsea penalty decisionpublished at 19:50 3 October

    Carlos Baleba tries to avoid contact with the falling Jadon SanchoImage source, Getty Images

    The Premier League Key Match Incidents panel was split on the decision to award Chelsea a penalty for a foul by Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba on Jadon Sancho.

    Baleba was deemed to have fouled Jadon Sancho by referee Peter Bankes.

    A 3-2 majority on the panel sided with the on-field decision to award the penalty.

    The two panel members that voted against the decision felt that Baleba was "entitled to run that line" and stated it "looks worse due to the closing gap".

    The KMI panel, made up of five members, includes three ex-players and managers.

  14. Carsley names England squad for October internationalspublished at 14:10 3 October

    England squad graphic: Henderson, Pickford, Pope, Alexander-Arnold, Colwill, Guehi, Konsa, Lewis, Stones, Walker, Bellingham, Foden, Gallagher, Gibbs-White, Gomes, Mainoo, Palmer, Rice, Gordon, Grealish, Kane, Madueke, Saka, Solanke, Watkins

    Interim England boss Lee Carsley has announced his squad for this month's Nations League games with Greece and Finland.

    Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke is the headline inclusion, returning to international contention for the first time in seven years.

    The 27-year-old has three goals in six appearances for Spurs since moving from Bournemouth in the summer.

    Read the full story

  15. Should Chelsea build team around 'game-changer' Palmer?published at 12:01 3 October

    Cole PalmerImage source, Getty Images

    Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes the current team should be built around "game-changer" Cole Palmer.

    Speaking on the latest episode of the Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas said: "When someone is that special, when someone makes you see and feel that - whatever happens in the team - you know he's a game-changer.

    "We've seen it throughout the years with different types of players. It's fair to say it could be the right thing to do [build a team around him at Chelsea]."

    Palmer's stunning four-goal first-half display against Brighton on Saturday garnered comparisons with Premier League greats Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie.

    "As coaches, sometimes we hate saying things like this because we want to protect the team and we want to protect the collective, but when you have someone that good, someone with such an impact on the pitch, I think the team themselves see that and they want Palmer to get on the ball as much as possible," Fabregas added.

    "He makes things happen but in a way that he makes look so easy, which is the impressive thing in a leaguethat is so competitive, so physical and so fast.”

    Listen to the full episode now on BBC Sounds