Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

In the final part of our special Q&A, Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella discusses competition for the number one shirt and new stadium developments.

Alan asked: Is it realistic for Chelsea fans to expect a proven number one goalkeeper, like James Trafford or Mike Maignan, to arrive in the summer transfer window? Or is it a given that we will have Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders vying for the spot next season?

Nizaar: Chelsea are expected to go into next season with Robert Sanchez competing with Mike Penders for the number one spot.

Both are highly regarded and, although other names have been linked, any incoming goalkeeper would likely need to represent a significant upgrade for the club to change direction.

Any addition would also mean either Penders being sent out on loan or Sanchez being sold, as the club are unlikely to carry three goalkeepers of that level.

• Read Nizaar Kinsella's insight on goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen seeking an exit

Gregory asked: Are Chelsea going to build a new stadium?

Nizaar: If you ask the club's ownership or senior executives, the answer is a straightforward yes.

There is a full commitment, in line with the terms of the initial takeover, to build a new stadium - but delivering it is far from straightforward.

High interest rates and rising construction costs present significant challenges. Building a new ground in one of the most expensive areas of one of the world's most expensive cities has long been considered a complex undertaking.

For many match-going Chelsea fans, the location of any new stadium is also crucial. In reality, the choice is likely to come down to either moving to the nearby Earl's Court development site - which some figures within the club still believe is a possibility, despite public denials from the company involved - or redeveloping Stamford Bridge.

Both options have advantages and drawbacks. It is expected to be a lengthy process before construction begins, and longer still before any new stadium is opened.

Scroll further down this page to find the rest of Nizaar Kinsella's Q&A.

Image source, Getty Images

In the second part of a special Q&A, Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella explains the club's stance on signing a new goalscorer and Nicolas Jackson's future.

Moses asked: Do you think Chelsea are going to sign a striker this summer?

Nizaar: Yes and no. Chelsea have already signed Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and the initial plan was for him to be involved with the first team.

However, it remains to be seen who out of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson will feature as deputies to main striker Joao Pedro next season, or be sold or sent out on loan. With no European football to contend with, carrying three specialist strikers may not be ideal.

As a result, beyond those options, another centre-forward signing is not expected. However, Chelsea are considering adding a goal-scoring winger or a versatile attacker.

• Read more insight on Nicolas Jackson's situation

Tim asked: Do you think giving Nicolas Jackson another chance might spur Cole Palmer on? His best two seasons were when he was playing with Jackson.

Nizaar: The view from Stamford Bridge is that Nicolas Jackson still has a chance of working his way back into the side, although that would likely require Xabi Alonso to select him ahead of Emanuel Emegha and Liam Delap.

Jackson had a strong understanding with Cole Palmer under Mauricio Pochettino and continued to show that link in Enzo Maresca's first season.

However, if pushed to make a prediction, it is still expected that Jackson could leave Chelsea this summer.

Keep across this page for the final part of Nizaar's Q&A, which will look at subjects including Chelsea's number one shirt and new stadium plans.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to send in your Chelsea questions for our reporter Nizaar Kinsella before the summer transfer window opens.

In the first part of a special Q&A, he discusses Xabi Alonso's short-term vision and the chances of targeting Bayer Leverkusen players.

Jordan asked: With Xabi Alonso supposedly having more say in transfer business and the squad makeup, is there any sense of his vision for the short term? We have our own ideas of what needs strengthening as fans, but I would like to know what direction the manager will actually look to go in.

Nizaar: The Chelsea manager is understood to have spoken to several players facing uncertain futures, but he has not yet contacted the entire squad.

Alonso does not officially start work until 1 July, although he is already involved in planning for next season, including transfers and gaining an understanding of the structure at the training ground and at Stamford Bridge.

There has been limited indication so far around how Alonso intends to strengthen the squad. Chelsea need to sell players, both to meet the terms of their Uefa settlement agreement and to remain financially compliant, as well as adjusting to the absence of European football next season.

However, the club are expected to target a forward, a midfielder and a centre-back. Alonso's input will form part of the decision-making process, alongside the club's hierarchy.

• Read more about Xabi Alonso's training ground visit

Ryan asked: Can we expect any moves for Bayer Leverkusen players that already know Xabi Alonso's system, or any of his former players in general?

Nizaar: I just looked through Xabi Alonso's last Bayer Leverkusen squad - and I couldn't really see any obvious candidate to join Chelsea.

I know the club signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City when Enzo Maresca joined, but I just can't see an obvious option for Alonso. I also don't think Alonso or Chelsea will necessarily want that or feel it is the right thing to do.

Keep across this page for parts two and three of Nizaar's Q&A, which will look at subjects including Nicolas Jackson's return, goalkeeper additions and stadium plans.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea and Axel Disasi have agreed a permanent exit would suit all parties this summer after the latest round of talks.

Disasi, who is attracting interest from two Premier League clubs and one in Italy, has three years left on his contract after joining from Monaco for £38.5m in 2023.

The 28-year-old Disasi made 14 appearances for West Ham during a six-month loan spell last season.

The Hammers had wanted to keep the centre-back and he was open to staying, but relegation has ended the prospect of any deal.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have started providing clarity to academy players about their futures.

A number of academy players, including striker Shim Mheuka and centre-back Harrison Murray-Campbell - both nominated for Premier League 2 Player of the Season, with the latter winning the award - are set to go out on loan. Defender Kaiden Wilson is also exploring his loan options.

Other star names include midfielder Reggie Walsh, wingers Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Jesse Derry and defender Landon Emenalo and they are likely to get a chance in pre-season under Xabi Alonso.

Brodi Hughes, Richard Olise, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Jimi Tauriainen will leave the club when their contracts expire on 30 June, creating space for the next generation to play under-21 football.

Barcelona are aware of interest from Chelsea and Arsenal in Spain winger Dani Olmo, but will only allow the 28-year-old to leave if their £60m valuation is met. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

It is only 17 days since the Premier League season ended, but there is plenty of summer work to be done at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea might be waiting for Xabi Alonso to start work on 1 July - but Enzo Fernandez has already requested a summer exit, Nicolas Jackson is about to return from his loan spell at Bayern Munich, multiple approaches have already been rejected for Josh Acheampong, and goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is on the hunt for a new club.

There is clearly plenty to discuss, so our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella will be on hand to answer your questions later this week.

Put your thinking cap on - what do you want to know about the Blues right now? The floor is yours...

Get in touch with your questions here

Image source, MADONNA/YOUTUBE

Chelsea forwards Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro swapped the football pitch for the movie set as they made a surprise appearance in a promotional film for pop star Madonna's new album.

Palmer and Joao Pedro, who were left out of the England and Brazil World Cup squads respectively, are among the high-profile names included in Confessions II - The Film.

The 14-minute video was unveiled by Madonna at the Tribeca Festival in New York on Friday and uploaded to her YouTube channel on Monday.

Palmer and Joao Pedro appear about six minutes into the video when they are approached by Madonna while at a urinal.

Seven-time Grammy winner Madonna is a regular watcher of Chelsea's men's and women's teams and was at Stamford Bridge in October when the men's side beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Premier League.

Last month she was among the celebrities who launched Chelsea's new home kit for the 2026-27 season when she appeared in a Twitch stream alongside British influencer Gymskin.

• Read more on the story

Incoming Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is keen on West Ham's 21-year-old Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes who is also of interest to Chelsea. (AS - in Spanish), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on which players Chelsea should keep, loan, and sell this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: Fringe player to keep, Mamadou Sarr. He's a quality defender who could become a mainstay in the team, but needs to learn from an experienced centre-back. One to loan, Jamie Gittens, after a year disrupted by injury, a season on loan to another Premier League club would help show if Jamie has what it takes to succeed at a top club. One to sell, Liam Delap. He heads a long list of current Chelsea players who are simply not good enough to play for a top or aspiring club.

Derek: Chelsea should try to keep Marc Cucurella, but not as a defender, he's not fast enough or tall enough. He has plenty of skills but he can't defend, he goes on his attacking runs often but, often very impressively then can't recover for his defensive roll.

Jonny: Keep Josh Acheampong, loan Mamadou Sarr, sell Liam Delap. Delap looks like a fish out of water.

James: One player who should definitely stay is Trevoh Chalobah, he has never made a fuss when out of favour or when loaned out and is a club player. I would loan out Omari Kellyman as there is clearly a player in there who has had a bad time with injuries. I would sell Liam Delap, he puts the effort in but just hasn't hit the number of goals we need.

David: Player to be kept Tyrique George, he's better than the wingers we bought. Player to be sold - take your pick from Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cuccrella, Liam Delap, Neto, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho. Loan out Reggie Walsh.

The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Blues selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Chelsea's World Cup contingent:

• Moises Caicedo (Ecuador)

• Marc Cucurella (Spain)

• Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

• Malo Gusto (France)

• Jorrel Hato (Netherlands)

• Nicolas Jackson (Senegal)

• Reece James (England)

• Pedro Neto (Portugal)

• Kendry Paez (Ecuador)

• Mike Penders (Belgium)

• Mamadou Sarr (Senegal)

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

La Liga sides Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are best positioned to make a move for Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, with the defender keen on a change of scenery after four years at Stamford Bridge. (Marca - in Spanish), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City and Chelsea remain locked in negotiations about Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola announced on 22 May he would step down as City boss after a trophy laden decade in charge, and Maresca was quickly identified as the leading contender to be his replacement.

Talks are at an advanced stage, with senior figures at both clubs discussing a compensation package for Maresca.

The 46-year-old won the Club World Cup and Conference League during his time at Stamford Bridge but left in January and is keen to take the City job.

Chelsea feel they are due compensation under the terms of Maresca's departure as he was contracted to the club until 2029 and left just six months ago.

The London club have been exploring their legal options and expect a compensation package to be paid, though it remains unclear both how much that might be, or when it will be resolved.

Compensation negotiations have been made more complex as Chelsea became aware of City's potential interest early in October and December.

Maresca was an assistant to Guardiola during City's Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and played a key role in the club's academy prior to joining the first team.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea forward Omari Kellyman is set for another loan move this summer.

The 20-year-old suffered a series of hamstring injuries, culminating in surgery, after his £19m move from Aston Villa at the start of the 2024-25 season.

Kellyman scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 36 matches while on loan at Cardiff City, helping the League One side secure promotion, while carefully managing his minutes to rebuild his fitness.

That form has provided him with a platform for another loan at a higher level, with potential options in Europe being considered.

However, any overseas move may be limited by Fifa regulations, which allow a maximum of six international loan slots per club.

Kellyman is also attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs, and Chelsea are keen for him to continue gaining experience and proving his fitness next season before returning to Stamford Bridge.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Chelsea goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is looking to leave this summer and has been made available for sale in order to get his career back on track.

The 22-year-old has not made a single appearance at Stamford Bridge since his £10m move from Chicago Fire in 2022.

He served as the third-choice option over the past season but is now being allowed to seek a permanent exit from the club over his lack of playing time.

Multiple clubs across Europe have expressed an interest, although it remains a negotiation to secure an asking price at a level Chelsea are happy with but that doesn't deter suitors.

Slonina, who holds a Polish passport to ease any move to Europe, has had loan spells in League One at Barnsley and in Belgium at Eupen.

Change is inevitable at football clubs during the summer months and we want to ask you something specific about your club's squad.

Tell us:

One player who should be kept who may be on the fringes and why?

One player who should be loaned out

One player who should be sold

We would love names and reasons for all three - Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Chelsea before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Scott: Very simply I think what needs to change most at Chelsea is discipline around the club. Player power, bad attitudes, red cards, 'I'm bigger than the club' - all this nonsense has to stop.

Adam: Delap gone for a start, along with the two left wingers we have. Penders to start, and sadly, we are in a position after spending billions that half the squad still needs improving.

Kazuki: Management needs to continue showing that they are learning from their mistakes. Signing Alonso was a great step in the right direction, but if they do not sign an experienced player whom Alonso wishes to sign and sign another young winger instead, then that might mean we may need to get ready for another frustrating season. As long as management learns, then it'd be far better than replacing them. We know that from the Abramovich era.

Steve: As a long-time supporter, I honestly don't know what "the plan" is and what the steps and relevant timetable is. I feel so distant from the club I have known for nearly all my life. We have a stadium that is below optimum capacity for the Premier League and where I sit in the East Stand is over 50 years old and it feels it. There is some grand talk but no detail. Just tell us what your intentions are and stop treating us like strangers.

David: I'd like us to begin acting like a competitive football club again rather than as a player-trading business. The owners need to understand and embrace our footballing culture and stop thinking they know better than other US owners who own Premier League clubs. A big part of it is that they have to stop interfering. Bring in top execs and let them run the club, just as Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal have. Immediate steps by August would include the hiring of a top sporting director to work alongside Alonso, a major reduction in the huge number of players on the books and, using the fees generated to sign two or three very competitive, experienced players in their late 20s. We have to start to change the culture of the club this summer because if we don't I really fear for the future of the club.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

New manager Xabi Alonso visited Chelsea's training ground earlier this week with his coaching staff to familiarise himself with the club's set-up.

Alonso, 44, will formally join Chelsea on 1 July but visited the base in Cobham to better understand the environment so he can hit the ground running when he begins his role.

He was joined by his coaching staff - Sebastian Parrilla, Alberto Encinas, Benat Labaien and Ismael Camenforte Lopez - to meet various departments at the club, assess what is already in place and decide whether any adjustments are needed before his arrival.

It is already known, for example, that Alonso and his staff will work alongside former interim head coach Calum McFarlane, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva next season. There are also established structures in place around data, medical and performance at the training ground.

It has been stressed that his visit was not related to transfer strategy.

Alonso, who has been appointed as a manager rather than a head coach, remains in regular dialogue with the club's hierarchy over potential incomings and outgoings, although this does not require him to be on site.

Alonso's formal unveiling is expected in the following weeks. Pre-season will begin in a staggered manner because of the World Cup, while a tour of Australia and Asia starts on 25 July in Sydney and ends with a match in Malaysia on 11 August.

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella is exploring a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Atletico Madrid set to make an opening offer for the Spain international. (Teamtalk), external

Juventus want at least 30m euros (£26m) for 26-year-old Italian full-back Andrea Cambiaso, who has been linked with Chelsea and Barcelona. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, AIK Stockholm say they are in talks to sell 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, who has been linked with Chelsea, Brighton and Newcastle United. (Northern Echo), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With all 48 World Cup squads now confirmed, we look at how they shape up and compare with each other leading into the tournament.

Which clubs have the most players?

Looking just at the 20 clubs that made up the 2025-26 Premier League, only this season's top three have more players at the World Cup than Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12).

Including players out on loan over the season, Sunderland remarkably have as many representatives on the global stage as Chelsea and Liverpool (11), showing just how globe-trotting their recruitment was following promotion last summer.

The majority of Brentford, Everton and Leeds' squads can put their feet up and recharge their batteries for next season, with those clubs sending just four players each.

• Get more key stats on participation

The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.

We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?

It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.

Let us know in detail here