Wigan close to loan move for Chelsea's Walshpublished at 18:48 BST
18:48 BST
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Walsh started against Western Sydney Wanderers in pre-season
Wigan Athletic are closing in on a season-long loan move for Chelsea midfielder Reggie Walsh.
The 17-year-old is also expected to sign a new contract on improved terms before heading out on his first loan spell in League One.
Walsh has just returned from Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia under new manager Xabi Alonso. He still has to finalise personal terms and complete a medical in the North West.
However, the youngster was keen to play men's football this season after becoming Chelsea's youngest player to appear in the Champions League. He has also made three further senior appearances for the club.
Chelsea signed Harrison Bettoni from Wigan earlier in the transfer window. The midfielder, who plays in a similar position to Walsh, joined to strengthen the club's academy ranks.
Chelsea are also planning a similar move for academy winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, who is nearing a loan move to Championship side Portsmouth after travelling on the first-team's pre-season tour.
Striker Shim Mheuka is also expected to sign a new contract this week after broadly agreeing terms to remain at the club.
Mheuka, who was named Premier League 2 Player of the Season after scoring 17 goals in 17 appearances for the Under-21s last season, is then expected to join a club on loan.
How will Welbeck and Henderson fit into Chelsea?published at 16:48 BST
16:48 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Nizaar Kinsella has been answering some of your latest Chelsea transfer window questions.
Anas asked: Nizaar, do you believe Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck are the missing pieces in Chelsea's team? Would it be enough should Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto depart?
Nizaar said: I think, from a personality perspective, that both Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck fit that missing piece.
Chelsea and Xabi Alonso felt the squad had talent but lacked the right blend of personalities, something that has manifested itself in underwhelming seasons in recent years. They are also more likely to be happy to play a supporting role than younger players, given everything they have already achieved in the game.
As for Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto, I put together a projected Chelsea squad and made an estimate of a potential 26-man group based on the players we know are available for sale. I still think that is a very large squad for a club not competing in Europe, so I could see Chelsea managing if both were sold without signing direct replacements.
The club's incoming signings already provide cover, with Geovany Quenda likely to replace Neto and Valentin Barco an option to fill the gap left by Fernandez. Chelsea would be willing to consider offers for both players, but only at very high valuations that may ultimately not be met.
'I needed revenge, because football belongs to people like me' - Mourinhopublished at 14:44 BST
14:44 BST
Ciaran Varley BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Jose Mourinho was sacked by Roman Abramovich at both of his Chelsea spells in 2007 and 2015.
The veteran manager said that his former boss became increasingly interfering during his first spell at the club, including pushing for the signing of Andriy Shevchenko.
The Ukraine striker joined Chelsea in May 2006 for a then club record fee of approximately £30m, but scored only nine league goals in 48 games over a three-year spell in West London.
"Abramovich - incredible passion for football, but knowing nothing about the situation," Mourinho said on the new Netflix documentary series about his career.
"Shevchenko was on the table because of connections with the boss, connections with agents and I never wanted to sign him, but I never told no-one, so it's also my responsibility. You want to know the player that I wanted? [Samuel] Eto'o."
Following his dismissal by the Russian oligarch in September 2007, Mourinho had a chance for revenge when he returned to Stamford Bridge in March 2010 with Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Italian side beat Chelsea 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, in a season when they went on to lift the trophy.
"Honestly, I was playing against Roman that game," Mourinho said.
"I was playing against a guy that sacked me. I go home happy and he goes home upset. Because I know how much he loved Chelsea, I know how much he loves to win.
"But I needed revenge, because football belongs to people like me. The other ones are the intruders that don't belong. Football belongs to the players, belongs to the coaches, belongs to the fans. Football will always belong to us."
Inside Chelsea's pre-season tourpublished at 11:48 BST
11:48 BST
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Following another 10-hour private flight to Hong Kong, the Chelsea squad stayed at the Kerry Hotel, where local fans regularly gathered in the hope of securing selfies and autographs.
Although the attention remained positive, the level of excitement required heightened security, with some supporters even booking rooms in the same hotel in the hope of encountering players in lifts and public areas.
Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill were given the freedom to go shopping after picking up knocks against Spurs, but videos of their outing showed just how well-known they were.
They were chased for selfies inside a local mall to highlight how big some of these Premier League stars are in Asia, while many players were presented with hand-crafted gifts to take home from those lucky enough to get close to their heroes.
Perhaps more significant from a pre-season perspective was the arrival of new set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, who immediately assumed a prominent role within training sessions.
With a notepad in hand and junior coaches acting as blockers, the Scot - who had a successful spell at Aston Villa - barked instructions throughout sessions.
It marked a stage of the tour during which tactical work increased significantly as Alonso's attacking patterns became more visible.
Those ideas were evident despite the 1-0 defeat by Juventus at the world-class Kai Tak Stadium, although a poor pitch made life difficult for both teams in attack.
Alonso and a few of his players and staff also played a round of golf on Thursday, others were out for meals, playing a virtual reality game and some went to see the famous Tian Tan Buddha on a scheduled day off.
"We have learned a lot in these two weeks, not just on the football side but on the personal side in getting to know each other," Alonso said.
Overall, Chelsea faced less-than-ideal conditions during the tour, including extensive travel, sponsor commitments and difficult pitches.
They now have two weeks at Cobham to reset, facing Alonso's former club Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 15 August, before visiting Fulham for their opening Premier League fixture on Monday, 24 August.
Despite the demands of the summer tour, it was a culture-building exercise for Alonso as he looks to help lift Chelsea's fortunes after their problems last season.
The 27-year-old England international played 151 matches for the club he joined as as nine-year-old.
"After 18 years, it's time to say goodbye to Chelsea," he wrote alongside a montage of his journey with the Blues.
"I arrived as a nine-year-old with a dream, and I leave as a man who's lived that dream in ways I never imagined. This journey tested me, lifted me, and strengthened me. To every teammate, coach, staff member, and supporter, thank you for shaping me. I gave everything I had, and I'm proud of the person this club helped me become.
"To the young players: the path won't always be smooth. But stay ready, stay positive, and keep your faith. God's timing is always right. Thank you all, truly, with love and gratitude."
Chalobah also posted a carousel of photos from his 18 years at Chelsea, with the caption, external: "An 8-year-old boy walked through those doors. A man walks out. Dream lived. Purpose fulfilled. To every academy player at Chelsea: keep believing. Your time will come. Never give up."
Sanchez welcomes Penders competitionpublished at 19:21 BST 8 August
19:21 BST 8 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez says competition from Mike Penders can only help raise standards as the club prepares for the new Premier League season.
Last season Sanchez, 28, saw off competition from Filip Jorgensen, who is set to join Strasbourg on loan.
But Penders, 21, has returned to Stamford Bridge after spending last season with the French side and will provide fresh competition for the number one shirt.
New manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear that every position in his squad is "open", including in goal, but Sanchez welcomes the challenge.
Asked about the arrival of Penders, Sanchez said: "He is a great young goalie and had a great season at Strasbourg last year.
"He's tall, 6ft 7in, dominates his area, is very calm and is a top guy. I think he is going to be a great keeper in the future. He has massive potential."
Despite establishing himself as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper, Sanchez believes competition is essential to maintaining performance levels.
He added: "You never know what will happen to the first-choice keeper, whether he is going to get injured or go through a rough period.
"So you need another option to provide cover and push each other to raise the level. If you do not have someone pushing you every day, you get lazy and then performance drops.
"I think it is always good to have one or two people pushing you every day."
Sanchez is preparing for his fourth season at Chelsea after joining from Brighton in a £25m move in 2023.
After making 111 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, he is among the most experienced players in Alonso's squad and is expected to battle with Penders for the starting spot throughout the campaign.
Alonso bringing 'calm' to Chelsea - Sanchezpublished at 18:01 BST 8 August
18:01 BST 8 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez says new manager Xabi Alonso has brought "a lot of calm" to the club and given him the confidence to produce his best football.
Since joining Chelsea from Brighton in 2023, Sanchez has worked under four managers in three seasons and experienced significant change on and off the pitch.
He was asked to adapt his game under Liam Rosenior and endured a turbulent campaign as Chelsea finished 10th and ended the season without a trophy.
Regardless, Sanchez was among Chelsea's better performers last season.
"Obviously what happened at the club happened," he said, referring to Enzo Maresca's departure and Rosenior's dismissal during a chaotic second half of last season.
"The boys are really positive about the new people coming into the club."
Sanchez has made 111 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions and seen off competition from Filip Jorgensen, with Mike Penders the latest challenger for his starting spot.
He now believes Chelsea can look forward under Alonso, explaining: "He has brought a different attitude, a lot of calm into the squad.
"He is a really calm person, it's like how he used to play as a player. I like his idea of football. It can be positive that we do not have a European tournament because we can focus on the league.
"It is good for us as a team and as a squad because we get that time, one game a week and I have a feeling we can do great things this year."
Like many of Chelsea's players, Sanchez believes Alonso's approach suits his strengths.
Sanchez added: "It is the simplification of things. He is allowing me to do what I am best at. It means my confidence is boosted and I am going to play better and better.
"Xabi has given me all the confidence in the world. He understands the strengths of every individual, including me."
Blues blow Milan away in 3-0 pre-season winpublished at 16:24 BST 8 August
16:24 BST 8 August
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea produced a fine performance to comfortably beat AC Milan 3-0 in a pre-season friendly in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso's side dominated throughout the game against a Milan team managed by former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, but did not take the lead until first-half stoppage time through Joao Pedro.
The Brazil forward had missed two presentable chances earlier in the half, but headed home an in-swinging corner from six yards.
Pedro then doubled his and Chelsea's tally just seconds after the break by converting from a floated, in-swinging Pedro Neto cross at the far post.
The Blues scored their third four minutes later through Moises Caicedo's fine, volleyed outside-of-the-foot finish after a corner was floated to him on the edge of the box.
'I want to be the next top one' - Palestrapublished at 17:07 BST 7 August
17:07 BST 7 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter from Sydney
Image source, Chelsea FC
Chelsea's new £47m full-back Marco Palestra has been one of the strongest performers in pre-season.
The 21-year-old Italy international is preparing to face AC Milan on Saturday after playing in each of Chelsea's three pre-season matches.
He joined the Blues despite an offer from Inter Milan, and Palestra acknowledges he is the latest Italian, following the likes of Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli and Jorginho, to come through Stamford Bridge.
"I know Zola played at Cagliari and at Chelsea," Palestra said, speaking in English at the team's hotel in Sydney.
"He's a legend and maybe I can do what he did at Chelsea. I spoke with Davide Zappacosta, who I played with, and he always told me good things. A lot of Italian players played here. I want to be the next top one."
Palestra - signed from Atalanta - spent last season on loan at Cagliari, a move he says "changed my life".
The campaign saw him win Serie A Defender of the Year, record the highest sprint distance and the most dribbles of any defender in the division over the season.
New manager Xabi Alonso spoke to Palestra as Chelsea won the race to sign him, opening up the possibility of using him as both a full-back and wing-back.
"He told me what he wanted from me, his ideas and other things," Palestra continued.
"It was not only football. He said he likes me because he has watched a lot of my games. He likes my flexibility because I can play on the right, on the left, deeper or higher up the pitch.
"It was a good conversation about everything, so I was very happy with it. There were some clubs that wanted me, but when Chelsea wanted me, I agreed because they are one of the biggest clubs in the world."
Although captain Reece James has yet to join the squad in pre-season, he wrote Palestra a "beautiful message" and offered him support and advice should he need it.
Palestra comes across as humble, describing himself as a fan of Serie A and Cristiano Ronaldo, and concludes he is living his "dream" by joining a club like Chelsea.
Financial necessity - why Chelsea stockpile talentpublished at 13:25 BST 7 August
13:25 BST 7 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have been stockpiling players for more than a decade, dating back to former owner Roman Abramovich's reign.
Under Abramovich, they had as many as 42 players out on loan before Fifa introduced limits designed to curb the practice.
However, since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took charge in 2022 Chelsea have acquired Strasbourg, adding to the growing number of multi-club ownership models across Europe.
They also embarked on a strategy of signing younger players on lower wages, who can be moved in and out as required.
Among those signings was midfielder Andrey Santos, who arrived for £12m after a season in Brazil's second division before being sold to Manchester United for £50m.
Chelsea have spent £1.8bn on acquiring talent since BlueCo took over the club four years ago, comfortably more than any other club in Europe.
However, they have also raised nearly £1bn through player sales, including a Premier League record £300m, again the highest figure in Europe during that period.
Chelsea are expected to make a similar number of sales this summer, with Trevoh Chalobah's move to Como taking their total beyond £150m and Alejandro Garnacho's loan move to Aston Villa including an obligation to buy set to be worth about £40m next summer.
They have the lowest revenues among the traditional 'big six' clubs.
That is largely because of the size of Stamford Bridge, commercial underperformance, a kit deal with Adidas that has not kept pace with rivals, the absence of a front-of-shirt sponsor and missing out on Champions League football in three of the past four seasons.
It is player trading that makes up much of that shortfall, in much the same way as it does for Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth, albeit with loftier ambitions of winning trophies and qualifying for the Champions League.
Who is in and who is out at Chelsea?published at 10:59 BST 7 August
10:59 BST 7 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea are out of European football next season after finishing 10th in a campaign where Enzo Maresca left the club and Liam Rosenior was dismissed.
Xabi Alonso has some difficult decisions ahead.
His goalkeeping options appear set, with Robert Sanchez joined by exciting Belgian prospect Mike Penders, 21, following his impressive loan spell at French club Strasbourg, with with Teddy Sharman-Lowe likely to serve as the third-choice understudy.
At full-back, club captain Reece James, also capable of playing in midfield, is joined on the right by Malo Gusto and Marco Palestra.
Chelsea have put a £75m price tag on Gusto after Manchester City emerged as potential suitors.
On the left, the Blues have Jorrel Hato and are close to completing the £16.3m signing of Pep Chavarria.
At centre-back, Chelsea have nine players and Alonso has said the group needs reducing to "four or five".
Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are available for sale, while Mamadou Sarr is expected to depart on loan. That would leave new signing Maxence Lacroix competing with Levi Colwill, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo.
It remains unclear what will happen with Argentina Under-20 international Aaron Anselmino, although another loan move appears likely having spent last term with Borussia Dortmund and Strasbourg.
He is joined by fellow key central midfielder Moises Caicedo, fit-again Romeo Lavia, new signing Valentin Barco, who can play a number of positions in that area, Jordan Henderson and Dario Essugo.
Essugo, 21, was previously told he would be staying but is open to a loan move because of his need for regular football after an injury-hit campaign.
The club insist all options remain open and are assessing his fitness following his return after 20 months out, because of a suspension relating to a positive test for the banned substance meldonium.
Jamie Gittens is another option on the left wing, while Pedro Neto and new arrival Geovany Quenda are primarily right-sided players. Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers are the two number 10s.
Chelsea would also like to have three strikers going into next season. Alongside Joao Pedro and summer signing Danny Welbeck, one further forward is likely to remain in the squad.
That looks likely to be Emegha, although there remains uncertainty given Chelsea also have Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap on their books.
There is some overlap but, from information gathered by BBC Sport to date, this is the best projection of what Chelsea's squad could look like.
Available for loan: Guiu, Wiley, Kellyman, Mheuka, Walsh, Kavuma-McQueen, Kendry Paez.
Available for sale/uncertain futures, with desired fees for some players in brackets: Badiashile (£30m), Disasi (£25m), Guiu (£25m), Datro Fofana, Delap, Jackson (£65m), Slonina, Gusto (£75m), Fernandez (£120m), Emegha, Neto, Essugo.
Mudryk trained like a 'freak' - Tosinpublished at 17:03 BST 6 August
17:03 BST 6 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Mudryk has not played a competitive match since November 2024
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo says Mykhailo Mudryk trained like a "freak" to survive his 20-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.
The Ukraine international, 25, returned to make a 12-minute cameo appearance in the 1-0 defeat to Juventus at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
"Misha is a freak," Tosin said. "His work rate is unbelievable. There is no doubt he has been working hard throughout this whole time."
Mudryk had only been cleared to return to football by the Football Association and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Friday. He travelled over the weekend and had just two first-team training sessions, having used a private coach and worked alone for well over a year.
Tosin added: "I know he has been doing sessions away. I have seen him. I know the guys he has been working with, so it's good.
"Misha is my guy. I have kept in contact with him throughout and it is really nice to have him back. I am really happy for him.
"You can see he is just really happy to be around and back in the environment. It is obviously going to take him some time, but we are all here to support him."
Tosin, now 28, had consistently been Chelsea's oldest player since joining on a free transfer from Fulham in 2024.
With Danny Welbeck, 35, and Jordan Henderson, 36, having now arrived from Brighton and Brentford respectively, he is no longer the oldest player at Stamford Bridge.
"No, thank God. We have Welbeck now," he joked.
"They are still uncles too. They are still young in life, so it's fine. It was pretty funny being the oldest in the squad when I was 26, 27 and 28.
"I have known Danny for a long time, just from growing up in Manchester. We have all seen that he scores goals. Him and Jordan will add experience."
Kavuma-McQueen and Walsh consider loan movespublished at 08:57 BST 6 August
08:57 BST 6 August
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea academy duo Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Reggie Walsh are weighing up their loan options away from Stamford Bridge.
The pair are among the star players emerging from Chelsea's Cobham-based training centre and have been part of new manager Xabi Alonso's pre-season tour of Asia and Australia.
However, Portsmouth are plotting to take Kavuma-McQueen, 17, on a season-long loan deal into the Championship after Chelsea's tour and believe they are in pole position.
Furthermore, Walsh, also 17, is exploring his options due to a high-level of competition in Alonso's midfield.
Shim Mheuka, Ishe Samuels-Smith and Omari Kellyman are also available for loan and are likely to move to the Championship, although Kellyman is also considering options overseas.
It follows Genesis Antwi moving to sister club Strasbourg as a host of academy players get impressive loans, notably Jesse Derry joining Portuguese giants Sporting and Harrison Murray-Campbell moving to Belgian top flight side Kortrijk.
There are already seven academy stars on loan away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
The 2026-27 Premier League season has not yet kicked off, but it has already made history.
Nine clubs are set to begin the campaign with a new permanent manager - the highest number ever for the top flight's opening weekend.
The scale of turnover has dramatically reshaped the Premier League's managerial landscape.
The upheaval did not begin this summer. The 2025-26 Premier League season featured 11 managerial changes, with Forest among the clubs to make multiple appointments during the campaign.
The average tenure of a top-flight boss now stands at about 20 months, illustrating just how fleeting life in one of football's most demanding jobs can now be.
Recent history also suggests changing manager offers no guarantees. During the 2025-26 season, several clubs that switched coaches continued to struggle. Forest employed three managers during the campaign, Tottenham changed head coach twice, while Chelsea also altered direction before the season ended.
Others, however, did enjoy an immediate uplift. Michael Carrick averaged 2.6 points per game across his first five matches as Manchester United boss, while Liam Rosenior collected the same return after taking charge of Chelsea. Rosenior's tenure ultimately proved short-lived, though, with the Blues winning just one of his final eight Premier League matches before he was dismissed.
Research discussed in the Financial Times,, external external, drawing on findings from Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski, argues that player quality and spending remain stronger predictors of results than managerial changes alone.
Sports consultancy Twenty First Group says coaches often succeed or fail according to the environment they inherit as much as their own abilities.
Since the Premier League began in 1992, only six managers have won the title in their first season in charge of their club.
Mourinho became the first to achieve the feat with Chelsea in 2004-05, before Carlo Ancelotti repeated it with the same club in 2009-10.
Manuel Pellegrini guided Manchester City to the title in his debut campaign in 2013-14, Claudio Ranieri masterminded Leicester City's remarkable triumph in 2015-16, Conte won the league in his first season at Chelsea in 2016-17, and most recently Slot led Liverpool to the championship in his maiden campaign in 2025-26.
With almost half the division beginning the campaign under new leadership, the Premier League enters one of its most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.
What are the new financial rules Premier League clubs must stick to?published at 06:46 BST 6 August
06:46 BST 6 August
Katharine Sharpe and Simon Casson BBC Sport senior journalists
The 2025-26 Premier League and Championship seasons included the introduction of squad-cost ratio rules on a shadow basis, testing to see how a spending cap for squad costs set at a percentage of a club's total revenues might work.
These SCR regulations have now been permanently implemented for the 2026-27 season, replacing previous profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Uefa has a 70% SCR cap for European competitions, so Premier League clubs who qualified for Europe fall in line with this limit.
Clubs who did not qualify for Europe, and so are only taking part in domestic competitions, are capped at 85% of their total revenue.
However, clubs can spend above the 85% limit by using a multi-year rolling allowance of 30%. This allows them to invest ahead of revenue and variance or sporting underperformance.
Every club will start this coming season on 85% + 30% allowance, so effectively 115%.
If a club spends 105% on their squad in 2026-27, it means they have used 20% of their allowance, and for 2027-28 their maximum spend before potential sporting sanction is 95%.
If a club spend less than 85%, they can increase the allowance again to the maximum of 30%.
Spending above 85% but under the allowance results in a financial penalty, whereas going over both the 85% and the allowance will land the club a fixed six-point deduction which increases by one point for every £6.5m spent over the 115%.
'Anchoring' was also trialled in 2025-26, which meant any club's spending could not exceed a multiple of income earned by the bottom-placed club - however this was rejected at a vote of Premier League clubs.
SCR was approved by a vote of 14 clubs to six, and was introduced alongside sustainability and systemic resilience (SSR) regulations.
SSR involves three tests that are applied throughout the season:
Working capital test - assesses short-term cash resources
Liquidity test - assesses medium-term liquidity and resilience
Positive equity test -assesses long-term financial health
The aim of the SCR and SSR regulations is to stop the richest owners providing endless funds to their clubs to sign new players, as any money injected this way does not count as seasonal revenue.
They will also aim to prevent clubs from overspending and accruing unmanageable losses.
Image source, Getty Images
