Chelsea

Will Faulks
Fan writer

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Compared to the last few years, Chelsea find themselves in a very good position with regard to injuries at the moment. Blues fans have become accustomed to seeing a number of long-term absentees joined on the sidelines by a rotating cast of players out with smaller issues.

Often these problems cascade: Reece James's long injury last year meant Malo Gusto was forced to play week after week, and that in turn caused the Frenchman to pick up regular smaller niggles.

This season things are looking a lot better. James is the only player set to miss this weekend's game, and even his issue is a minor one compared to some of the extremely serious injuries we've seen in the last few seasons.

The hope is that a fit squad can create a positive spiral which operates in reverse to last season's negative one. Having a fit squad means that nobody is forced to push themselves too hard, which should cut down on the problems caused by overloads and sheer match volume.

A crucial part of this will be the second string constructed for the Europa Conference League. There is no need for any of Enzo Maresca's first team to play any games in that competition, certainly in the group stage.

If a player from the second string has a problem (and that's an inevitability at some point), we just hope that we see a youth team player called up to fill the gap, rather than a first team starter dropping down. That both protects the Premier League selection from being overused, and gives a morale boosting chance for fans to see the latest brilliant crop of Cobham products in action.

It's the sensible option for many reasons - but unfortunately that's no guarantee it will be the one the manager chooses.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Ipswich and Crystal Palace are monitoring Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell for a potential January move. (Sun), external

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea welcomed back four players from injury and illness after the 1-0 win away at Bournemouth at the weekend.

Midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returned from illness while Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia were back from spells out injured.

Jadon Sancho did not take part in the training session on Monday as he completed a recovery session.

Captain Reece James remains out with a hamstring injury, with no sign of an imminent return.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans:

Charl: A very good performance from the whole team. Bournemouth played with confidence from back to front. Evanilson needs time, as did Solanke - but don’t tell us he played well when he was dreadful. Our subs were disappointing, especially Scott - I expect a lot more from him. Keep Travers in and build the team with him in goal. Unlucky Cherries.

Malcolm: Good performance. Thought we were decent for most of game but could/should have done better on the finishing. Kluivert should have taken the pen. Tired a bit at the end, which is when Chelsea struck.

Fin: Thought we played well, Evanilson looked good other than the penalty miss, which is promising. We were unfortunate to concede so late. After such a good start to the season I think fans can’t complain and, with this squad, we should be in for a good season.

Chelsea fans:

Pete: The first half was dreadful - same old, same old. The second was a bit better; Sancho added some spark, was direct and showed good skills. I thought Vega was decent. The defence doesn't inspire confidence. Against more heavyweight opposition I can't see us keeping any clean sheets.

Matthew: Chelsea were outplayed for most of the game. Poor control of the ball, poor focusing, generally poor passing. Sanchez made no mistakes, which is a first and won us the game. Brief moments of cohesion between the Chelsea players. Bournemouth were a tough team to play. Constant pressing and didn't allow us to settle. They were unlucky to lose.

Nick: A lucky win but credit to Sanchez, who played his best game for Chelsea, and to Sancho and Nkunku for turning the game around. But 14 bookings in a game where there were no bad tackles? I was too scared to shout at the screen in case the ref booked me for dissent.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Manager Enzo Maresca says Chelsea must "find different solutions" if Cole Palmer gets man marked as he was at Bournemouth.

The 22-year-old forward had made a sensational start to the season with a goal and four assists but struggled to make an impact in a physical match where Lewis Cook followed his every move.

When asked whether the seemingly frustrated-looking Palmer has become a target for opposing players after being fouled four times and marked over 90 minutes, Maresca said: “Yes, but these kind of players are probably going to have these things.

"Cook was marking him for 95 minutes man-to-man before we put him wide. It is not easy for Cole or any player. You need to find a different solution."

The Blues faced 19 shots but found a way to win 1-0 at Vitality Stadium after Jadon Sancho made an impact from the bench by setting up an exceptional 86th-minute winner from fellow substitute Christopher Nkunku.

That goal sparked wild scenes as players celebrated with the away support and Maresca was happy to see his players turn the conversation around the club positive after in a week where a rift between owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali became apparent.

"The players read and see things on their social networks but I told them there’s nothing they can do about it and we try to prepare our games in the best way," he added.

"In this kind of game you need to learn that it isn’t just about the tactical part - you need something inside, to win duels and all the games are different.

"To win the game, you have to win with the T-shirt dirty - probably [getting] some yellow cards because they had many yellow cards. These kind of games require these kinds of things."

Gary Linker brings you highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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There was a fun bit at the end of Enzo Maresca’s news conference when a Brazilian journalist asked him about Estevao Willian.

The 17-year-old winger was signed for an initial £29m from Palmeiras early in the summer but remains in his home country before a move to Stamford Bridge when he turns 18 in 2025.

When asked the left-field question about Estevao, who recently made his full international debut, Maresca said: "Yes, we are following him. He is doing fantastic - but, unfortunately, he is doing fantastic there and not with us.

"We are going to wait until next summer when he will arrive here but, for sure, we are very happy in the way he is doing these things."

The Italian also joked when asked if he has spoken to the youngster, who has 15 goal involvements in his past 21 domestic games, adding: "No, no, no. I have so many players to speak [laughs]. No, I didn't speak with him."

It was a light-hearted end after a big 1-0 win at Bournemouth as Maresca’s side survived heavy pressure, with Jadon Sancho impressing on his debut and fellow substitute Christopher Nkunku winning the match.

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Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Chelsea's victory against Bournemouth: "First half we struggled, second half we were miles better. We didn't win many balls in the first half and you need that in this type of stadium against this team."

On Sancho's debut: "He did exactly what we expected from him and Tosin was the same and Nkunku too. Felix was very good. All the guys from the bench were very good. We were creating chances and we needed just a bit more quality from inside the box and he [Sancho] did that. Nkunku is not starting but he is working very well.

"If you see the game against Palace, we create many chances but this is football. We deserve to win."

On Robert Sanchez: "Since we started, he is doing very well with us and we are very happy. He is giving us what we need from a keeper and is doing very well with the build-up. He recognises when we need to play short or long. We enjoy the three points."

Image source, Getty Images

There were 14 yellow cards shown in Chelsea's victory against Bournemouth (six for Bournemouth, eight for Chelsea), the most ever issued in a single Premier League game.

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Chelsea winger Jadon Sancho spoke to Sky Sports after Saturday's victory over Bournemouth: "First of all it is amazing to make my debut for Chelsea. Just being back playing I'm very grateful. The team played very well and we are happy with the three points.

"I've been working hard for this moment and I'm just happy that I got my chance. I had a great end to last season being in the Champions League final and I just told myself going into this season so I'm just happy to make my debut for Chelsea.

"I have to thank all the staff and my team-mates. The first day I came in, they made me feel welcome and I'm so happy to feel this comfortable."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter, at the Vitality Stadium

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Jadon Sancho created the goal that won the game on his Chelsea debut, the club which he supported as a boy.

The 24-year-old winger, on loan from Manchester United with an obligation to buy included in the deal, produced nutmegs, beat his men and set up several chances after replacing a struggling Pedro Neto at the start of the second half.

Within 30 minutes, the away fans had seen enough and begun chanting his name.

But for all his promise, the moment was fellow substitute Christopher Nkunku's, as his impressive pivot in the box found himself space out of nowhere, before an instinctive finish allowed him to score against the run of play in the 86th minute.

Chelsea were second best on the South Coast where Robert Sanchez had to make multiple saves, including from a 36th-minute penalty.

It says all you need to know about this match that Sanchez and England defender Levi Colwill arguably deserve to be rewarded with the man of the match award.

However, as work still needs to be done to implement Enzo Maresca's philosophy to the required standard, there is talent at Chelsea, especially in attack with Sancho now among their options and already looking exciting.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Bournemouth’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

Read the match report and follow reaction

There are eight Premier League games on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

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BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa v Everton

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

For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Bournemouth are still unbeaten this season, even if their win at Everton was fortunate - they had a good five minutes, but that was it... which is a bit like the way my career went.

I really don't know what to expect from Chelsea though, or if Cole Palmer is going to be fit enough to play. Because of that, I am going to sit on the fence and go for a draw.

Koleoso's prediction: 2-1

I am going with Bournemouth here - this is a tough fixture.

Ogunjobi prediction: 1-2

We are are leaky defensively but I still think we will win.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been pleased with what he has seen from "perfect" new signing Jadon Sancho.

The England international joined the Blues from Manchester United on a deadline loan, with the deal including an obligation to buy next summer.

“I don’t consider Jadon a risk," Maresca said. “He’s a player who can help us. Whatever’s happened with Erik [ten Hag], I have no idea. I can only judge the player on the weeks he’s been with us. He’s been perfect."

Sancho fell out with United boss Ten Hag last season and was made to train away from the first team before rejoining Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.

“With Jadon and Joao [Felix] when they joined the club, I had a chat with them. One of my messages to them is if you come here and don’t work properly then you’re not going to play. Before they arrived, the message for them was clear," Maresca said.

“If they perform during the week, they’ll have a chance; if they don’t work properly, they won’t play.

“The only way to do the best for the team is to give chances to the players who really work and deserve.

“Jadon’s working well since he arrived and he can help us in the way he plays."

After training at Chelsea’s Cobham training complex during the international break, Sancho is in contention to face Bournemouth on Saturday.

“The reason we have Jadon here is because I love him, otherwise he’d not be here.

“We need more accuracy, more quality and passion - he’s that sort of player."

John Southall
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator

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Enzo Maresca knew what was coming. As soon as he sat down he joked about there being no questions about the owners.

Question five was the ownership one. Predictably, he stressed he was just concentrating on preparing his team for Bournemouth on Saturday - but he did say he couldn't spend his energy thinking about the ownership struggle. He also admitted he has spoken with both owners over the past few weeks.

The other main talking point was the short-term future of Ben Chilwell. It appears there is a possible way back for him to at least train with the squad.

This was Maresca's take on the current impasse: "We will sit with him and find solutions. He is probably going to be back with us [training]. We will see. At the moment, he is not training with us.

"The reason why he was training apart is because the idea was for him to leave. We didn’t find solutions and he is here. I saw him this morning - he's OK."

So I think we can now expect Chilwell to return to first-team training after the club's failure to sell or loan him out.

On the injury front, Malo Gusto will be missing at Bournemouth and Reece James still needs more time because of his hamstring injury. But Romeo Lavia is close to a return and he will possibly be ready for the West Ham game on 21 September.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana has completed his loan move to Goztepe.

The 21-year-old Ivorian has travelled to Turkey and completed an initial season-long move which could be made permanent for £20m.

The move comes after AEK Athens saw a similar move collapse and it also includes a break clause in January when the transfer window across the big five European leagues reopens.

Fofana has played just four matches for Chelsea since his £8.4m from Molde in January 2023, but had two loan spells at Union Berlin and Burnley.

The move will help manager Enzo Maresca reduce his bloated squad in west London, with 30 senior players now on the books.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says he has "no idea if something will happen" amid reports of a rift among the club's ownership.

Minority investor Todd Boehly, who has a 12.8% stake in the Blues, and co-founder of private equity firm Clearlake - the company which owns a majority 61.5% stake in the club - Behdad Eghbali, want to buy each other out.

"If I spend my energy on something different then it's not worth it. My focus is on tomorrow's game, to be honest," Maresca said in his news conference before Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

"In the last week I've done the same thing: focus on the game and how to prepare in the best way.

"The other things are things I cannot control. I spoke with Todd when we played City and Behdad just days ago. I'm speaking with both. There are no problems at all. I'm focused on the pitch.

"The players are professional [enough] to understand that these things are things we can't control, so the focus is the pitch and the way we need to improve.

"I don't know if something will happen, I have no idea.

"There are no problems at all. I just focus on what is on the pitch because that is all I can control."

On the pitch, Chelsea have four points after three games and Maresca says he has been working over the international break to try a new approach.

"We used the international break to try something new for the future that we can use," he added.

"We did some defensive work to try and find some balance. It doesn't mean we aren't defending well."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez won't be punished by the FA for his controversial video, which is alleged to have included racist and homophobic while on international duty with Argentina.

The incident was considered part of Fifa and CONMEBOL's remit as it happened at the Copa America.

It effectively means that Fernandez will avoid a six to 12 match ban that is stipulated for discriminatory behaviour or language under FA rules.

Fifa continue to investigate the video which Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana described as "uninhibited racism".