Martin Zubimendi may push to leave Arsenal in January after losing his place in the XI, with Chelsea and Real Madrid interested in the 27-year-old Spain midfielder. (Teamtalk, external)
Real Madrid have offered 21-year-old Turkey midfielder Arda Guler, who counts Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso among his admirers, a six-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano, via Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesMauricio Pochettino believes Chelsea should be stripped of the Premier League title for 2016-17, when his Tottenham team finished runners-up.
This is about Chelsea making £47m in secret payments, according to a Premier League investigation, to unregistered agents and third parties to seal transfers between 2011 and 2018.
The transfers included Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle and Nemanja Matic.
Four of those - Hazard, Willian, Luiz and Matic - were at the club in 2016-17.
During that period Chelsea won two Premier League titles (2014-15 and 2016-17), two FA Cups (2011-12 and 2017-18), the EFL Cup (2014-15) and the Europa League (2018–19).
Chelsea have been fined by Uefa, the Premier League and the Football Association, but Pochettino thinks that is not enough.
"If they admitted they broke the rules, the Premier League title was for the second-best team," Pochettino said.
Tottenham were relentless at the end of the 2016-17 season, winning 12 of their final 13 matches to finish on 86 points.
Yet Antonio Conte's Chelsea were almost as relentless, winning 11 of their last 13 to take the title with 93 points.
Spurs' tally would have been enough for the title in 2015-16, when Leicester finished on 81.
However, since 1999-2000, when Manchester United were champions on 79 points, 86 points would only have won the title twice, including the two most recent seasons.
Tottenham's problem in 2016-17 was too many draws at the start of the campaign. Despite an unbeaten 11-game start, only five of those were victories.
Chelsea lost more matches - five to Spurs' four - but secured 30 wins to Tottenham's 26.
Pochettino might argue that the attacking influence from Willian and Hazard proved the difference, with those two players having attacking contributions in eight different matches which led to points.
Then there is the mere aspect of sporting advantage - how the signings of players like Hazard enabled Chelsea to win trophies, qualify for the Champions League and therefore attract more top talent.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.
Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.
The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.
Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.
A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.
The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.
The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.
Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.
The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.
Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule
Saturday, 26 December
12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds
15:00 Everton v Sunderland
15:00 Fulham v Brighton
15:00 Ipswich v Brentford
15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth
17:30 Hull v Liverpool
20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City
Sunday, 27 December
14:00 Coventry v Chelsea
16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest
19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Tuesday, 29 December
19:30 Hull v Leeds
19:30 Spurs v Brighton
20:15 Everton v Manchester City
Wednesday, 30 December
19:30 Coventry v Brentford
19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth
19:30 Fulham v Arsenal
19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland
19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest
20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool
20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea
Friday, 1 January
20:00 Leeds v Everton
Saturday, 2 January
12:30 Brighton v Manchester United
15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich
15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace
15:00 Liverpool v Coventry
15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham
15:00 Sunderland v Hull
17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Sunday, 3 January
14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle
16:30 Manchester City v Spurs
Tuesday, 5 January
19:30 Arsenal v Brentford
19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth
19:30 Everton v Aston Villa
19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull
20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool
Wednesday, 6 January
19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea
19:30 Fulham v Spurs
19:30 Ipswich v Coventry
20:15 Leeds v Manchester City
Thursday, 7 January
20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle
Image source, Getty ImagesXabi Alonso's Chelsea have quickly established themselves as entertainers, with Wednesday's chaotic 6-3 comeback win over Leeds in the Carabao Cup the latest, and most extreme, example.
The Blues have scored 16 goals in five games in all competitions, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro, the latter not involved on Wednesday, all combining to great effect.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: "They're going to be a good watch this season, especially with the way Alonso is setting them up to be.
"Every game I've seen Chelsea in this season I've thought has been a good game and obviously tonight was an absolute barnstormer.
"That front three - if he can keep them fit and firing throughout the whole season then they're going to be a handful for anybody."
However, the entertaining attacking football exhibited by the Blues is not the only narrative surrounding the early days of Alonso's reign. His side have also conceded 10 goals in their five matches - and were booed off at half-time on Wednesday when 1-0 down.
"They need to try and get a couple of clean sheets," said former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam.
"As a coach, I don't think Xabi will be too happy with that and the 10 goals conceded so far this season. They are far too open and there are structural problems and failures within that.
"There are still things to work on. As a coach you don't want to be conceding two or three every game because ultimately it's not every game you can score four or five to come back.
"It's something they'll have to work on. Maybe it's why they brought in Jordan Henderson - to give them a bit of experience in the middle of the pitch when he gets fit.
"It's great for the neutral, lots of goals, but it's something Alonso will want to work on and he will want clean sheets."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Chelsea's 6-3 win over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.
Here are some of your comments:
Nick: Xabi Alonso was rescued by that brilliant second-half performance. He was asking for trouble playing three at the back, with no experienced defensive midfield cover, against a physical and intense Leeds side. The focus on Chelsea's scintillating attack is masking issues over how the defence is organised. Without two central midfielders to drop back and help, a back three can't cover the width of the pitch and will keep giving away opportunities.
Stuart: The first half was awful and highlighted that Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto, in particular, are not up to scratch. The second half was brilliant going forward but still a bit open defensively. It was so much more exciting than anything we did last season.
Peter: We need to introduce the fringe players two at a time and keep the defensive core the same regardless of the competition. Mike Penders should be the club's No. 1. However, what a great attacking display in both halves. Shame we didn't do that against Arsenal.
Paul: Conceding goals is still a worry, but if we're scoring four and six in games, then I'll take it! A huge step up from watching the sideways and backwards passing we had under Enzo Maresca. So much better to watch. Thank you, Xabi.
Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesXabi Alonso watched his Chelsea team hit six second-half goals against Leeds United, but felt the need to "take responsibility" for the shaky start that came before the thrilling flurry.
Amid jubilation that followed the final whistle at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea recovered from 2-0 down to progress as 6-3 winners in the Carabao Cup, it was easy to forget that Alonso's side were booed off at half-time.
Supporters witnessed arguably the worst first half of Alonso's short tenure to date, with Chelsea fortunate not to be further in arrears after the head coach made nine changes to his line-up.
The team's rhythm was disrupted. Leeds made eight changes themselves, but Daniel Farke's side took control and were threatening to surge into the fourth round.
Alonso responded to Chelsea's out-of-sorts start by making four substitutions at half-time - on came Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Reece James, and together they changed the game.
However, speaking after the match, Alonso said he had made it "hard" for his players in the first place.
"I need to take blame and responsibility," he said. "I need to be able to help them better so they are not responsible."
For the Premier League's biggest clubs, this competition is usually an opportunity to blood youngsters and give fringe players valuable minutes.
However, only 35-year-old Danny Welbeck, who scored twice, emerged from the starters with a compelling case for more regular involvement.
Young attackers Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens suffered the disappointment of being substituted at half-time, while £40m signing Geovany Quenda did not add to his solitary substitute appearance as he watched from the bench.
Midfielder Reggie Watson, making his debut at 16 years old, was also withdrawn at the break after being booked.
Alonso later said he would not take a "cynical" view about the difference in level between his proven stars and back-up options.
Nevertheless, reaching the fourth round is important for Chelsea. It is not only about preserving their hopes of silverware in a season without European football, but also about needing as many competitive fixtures as possible.
After failing to sign Roma midfielder Manu Kone in the summer, Chelsea could go back for the 25-year-old France international in January, offering a deal that could involve winger Jamie Gittens heading in the opposite direction. (Simon Phillips, via CaughtOffside, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea manager Xabi Alonso, speaking to Sky Sports: "Happy with the result and the reaction."
On team selection: "Yeah, there was so many changes. There was a risk. Things weren't going the way we planned, so we had to change. I take responsibility with the first half. The crowd were great, with the atmosphere [pushing the players on]."
On the impact of substitutes: "I like that they were ready before the game. They knew they weren't starting, and they were ready to make an impact.
"When you put together a team that hardly plays together, it is difficult to play at this level when [Leeds United] are intense."
On Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer's chemistry: "For sure, it's so important. To have a great chemistry between them. They enjoy assisting together. It's important for the team."
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, speaking to Sky Sports on what manager Xabi Alonso said at half-time: "Up the intensity. Thought the first half was flat, so we upped the tempo."
On playing in this Chelsea team: "I'm enjoying it. All the attacking players, it's a lot different for us. I think we still have a bit to go, but we are getting results, which is the main thing."
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Chelsea's performance
What did you make of Leeds' display?
Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies.
Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesXabi Alonso has confirmed midfielder Kendry Paez will not be part of Chelsea's first-team squad after failing to secure a move before last week's transfer deadline.
The 19-year-old Ecuador international is expected to join Cobham Next Gen - Chelsea's Under-21 side - after failing to find a loan move in the Premier League or Championship.
Chelsea had wanted to send Paez on a domestic loan after Argentine club River Plate removed him from their first-team squad and forced them into recalling him.
However, Chelsea used the last of their overseas loan allocations on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's move to Como 1907 and midfielder Dario Essugo's switch to Strasbourg on deadline day.
Asked whether Paez would now be reintegrated into the senior squad, Alonso said: "At the moment, he's not part of the first-team squad."
When asked if that could change later in the season, he replied: "No, no, he's not part of the plans."
The decision follows a mixed loan spell at Strasbourg, the French club owned by Chelsea's parent company, where Paez won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Month award but also faced criticism from former manager Liam Rosenior and sections of the French media.
There have also been questions over his conduct off the pitch. In March 2024, Paez was filmed in a strip club in New York while on international duty with Ecuador at the age of 16.
Paez was part of Ecuador's squad at the 2026 World Cup and made one substitute appearance.
The youngster joined Chelsea from Independiente del Valle in 2023 in a deal worth up to £17.3m, but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the club.
Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesA late flourish from Estevao Willian almost snatched Chelsea a draw at Arsenal on Sunday.
His curling strike was saved by goalkeeper David Raya to preserve Arsenal's lead, but it served as a reminder of the important role the 19-year-old Brazil winger could play in Xabi Alonso's side.
His game time has been limited so far this season by the club record £117m signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa as well as the form of Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.
Reports in Brazil have suggested Estevao is unhappy with his lack of opportunities.
However, those claims have been denied by sources at Stamford Bridge and by people close to the player, some of whom have also expressed excitement about Chelsea's summer recruitment - including the arrival of Rogers.
Chelsea regard Estevao as one of a small group of untouchable players that includes Palmer, Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo.
But where does Estevao fit at Chelsea?
Estevao came on for Pedro Neto, who has been operating as a wing-back in Alonso's new system, as Chelsea chased an equaliser on Sunday.
It is difficult to imagine any other in-game circumstance in which Estevao would be asked to perform the same role, given the defensive and physical demands placed on players in that position.
Instead, Palmer occupies Estevao's preferred inside-right number 10 role.
Estevao and Palmer have shown encouraging signs when used together when Alonso has played a back four - but he has deployed that shape only against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.
Displacing Palmer for league games could prove difficult as Alonso regards him as both a dressing-room leader and one of his key attacking threats.
Alonso has also fielded close to his strongest side even in the Carabao Cup, with Chelsea not involved in European competition and with the new head coach eager to establish his tactical principles as quickly as possible following his arrival.
Estevao is not alone in struggling for meaningful minutes early in the season and, should Leeds United win at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Blues will have no further cup fixtures until the FA Cup in January.
That quietly makes Wednesday's game an important one in terms of keeping a 27-man squad satisfied.
Chelsea are ready to make a move for Bournemouth's English midfielder Alex Scott, 23, in January. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Leeds United at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo are "not yet" match fit. Both players are being assessed game by game, but the cup fixture "isn't the right moment to take a risk".
Caicedo could be back for Saturday's Premier League game against Hull City, though. A decision will be made on his availability on Thursday or Friday.
Levi Colwill will be available for selection, but Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha will not feature.
On whether he will name a strong side like he did in the second-round tie against Luton Town: "We always assess everything in terms of where we are coming from and where we are going. We try to take all of the games and the cup ties very seriously. We want to field the best possible team."
He added: "The more players you have involved in the squad and playing minutes, the better it is for the overall level. For that reason, it is important that we use all of our players because it breeds a very good dynamic."
Chelsea are expecting a "very intense and very tough game" against Leeds United, who enjoy one-v-one duels. Alonso added: "We need to cope with that, find solutions for it, and know that it is going to play an important role."
When asked about reports in Brazil suggesting Estevao Willian is concerned about his playing opportunities this season, he replied: "No [he hasn't said that to me]. He is ready and training well. He was given a chance to make a very good impact against Arsenal. He is fully involved in our squad."
Alonso reiterated that "private conversations should remain private". However, he feels he can "100% count on" the 19-year-old this season.
On his early impressions of summer signing Valentin Barco: "He is a competitor and a fighter. He is very good with the ball, open to adapting quickly and intelligent. We are only four games into the season in total, so it is still early days for him, but he is ready for the challenge."
Chelsea can be "happy" with their start to the season, but Alonso is looking for his players to also be "self-demanding". He explained: "We are taking steps but there are still lots of steps to be taken. We need to improve in the areas where we can do better and emphasise on the areas where we are already doing well."
He added: "We aren't even close to the final product. As I said in my first news conference, the Chelsea we will see in January will be a much better version [than in August]."
Got a question about Chelsea? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesMykhailo Mudryk became the first player to move from Chelsea to Tottenham in 17 years and the first loanee to join Spurs from Chelsea since 1992.
The Ukraine international, 25, has since returned to action, making his first competitive appearance in more than 21 months as a substitute in Roberto de Zerbi's side against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Upon joining, Mudryk reiterated that De Zerbi, who managed him at Shakhtar Donetsk, was his "football father".
However, a move to north London was not a realistic option until the last few days of the window.
Spurs had previously explored moves for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and then-Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, with Richarlison set to move in the opposite direction to the Toffees.
However, Liverpool opted to keep Gakpo, while neither Ndiaye nor Richarlison agreed personal terms despite the clubs reaching an agreement. Ndiaye ultimately joined Manchester City instead.
Meanwhile, Leeds United were favourites to sign Mudryk.
Their proposed deal included a loan fee, full wage coverage and penalties if the attacker was not played.
Leeds had at least two offers rejected by Chelsea during talks that lasted more than two weeks, but remained hopeful of completing a deal because they were Mudryk's preferred destination.
Brentford also explored the possibility of signing Mudryk, having previously attempted to acquire him in 2022, but wanted an affordable option-to-buy clause that Chelsea were unwilling to include.
Leeds were blindsided when Chelsea and Spurs held club-to-club talks over deals for both Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo on the same day, helping reduce the size of Chelsea's squad at a crucial stage of the window.
The agreement for Mudryk also included a £75m option to buy. While that option is considered unlikely to be exercised, it is expected to establish a high benchmark for any asking price should Chelsea decide to sell the attacker next summer.
Ultimately, the Yorkshire club instead completed a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Jean-Matteo Bahoya, using an extended deal-sheet deadline to secure an initial loan move with an obligation to buy, just before the window shut.
BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club team have been discussing Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso's "brave" and "fascinating" approach to defending Arsenal's corners.
The Spaniard suffered his first defeat as Blues manager on Sunday, as Mikel Arteta's side came from behind to earn a 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium.
On Sunday, Chelsea employed a tactic of leaving four players upfield for defensive corners, going man for man in the penalty area.
"I loved the braveness of it, if I'm honest," former Premier League defender Conor Coady said. "It is risky - of course it is, especially against Arsenal - but I love the way Alonso is thinking outside the box a little bit.
"Someone has got to try to stop Arsenal. We have been speaking about their set-pieces for over a year and there has to be a way to stop them.
"We have to remember we are only seeing him at the start of something, though. At least he is trying to think outside the box and trying different things within the game."
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton added: "It was fascinating, but his players were always going to have to deal with Gabriel and they needed somebody who could match him in the air.
"The point is that you can try to defend Arsenal flooding the box with bodies and have everybody back, but they will still find a way of scoring.
"But I like seeing different things and I like that Xabi Alonso felt brave enough to do that."
Watch the clip below for more discussion about Alonso's style and how, of all the managers he played under, the 44-year-old is most like Carlo Ancelotti...
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
