Chelsea are interested in signing Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarría.
Chelsea have contacted the Spanish club for their 28 year old left-back, Xabi Alonso want the player to replace Marc Cucurella who joined Real Madrid earlier this month for £51.8m deal.
Chelsea are also targeting a new centre-back and have Crystal palace French defender Maxence Lacroix as their top target, they’re expected to step up their pursuit of the CB.
Chelsea also have Como’s defender Jacobo Ramon on their list and are evaluating on whether to go for him if they want another CB apart from Lacroix.
Chelsea want a midfielder regardless of the Enzo Fernandez situation and have contacted Sunderland for their captain Granit Xhaka who is currently on national duty at the World Cup. Xabi Alonso regards Xhaka as a leader and he wants him to join him in Chelsea.
Xhaka on the other hand is eager to join the blues and have agreed personal terms, Chelsea approached Sunderland this weekend and had a bid of £8m rejected by the Tyneside club. Chelsea will go back this week to try and reach an agreement even though Sunderland are not interested in selling their captain but sources say they are also aware of xhaka’s preference of leaving.
Chelsea have also completed documents for the signing of Marco Palestra and the only thing remaining is the official announcement of the deal.
Chelsea have communicated to Last summer signings, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap and Veteran winger Pedro Neto that they will be listening to offers for them this summer transfer window.
Chelsea paid over £70m for both Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap last summer from Manchester United and Ipswich Town respectively.
Chelsea paid €60m for Pedro Neto two summers ago from Wolverhampton Wanderers. But all three haven’t live up to expectations at Stamford bridge especially Garnacho and Delap.
The club are looking to recoup money and invest on new targets this summer transfer window.
Sources say some directors inside the club have labeled both Garnacho and Delap as “waste of money” and see no reason why they should stay at the club.
Paul Wistanley who signed Alejandro Garnacho last summer saw him as an opportunity due to the transfer fee and PL experience at a young age, he has been impressed by Garnacho’s attitude at the club so far. Not necessarily they will be sold but if good offers come for them the club has told them that they will review it.
Chelsea just finished a terrible season once again under Blueco, a season that many fans hoped will be a change of direction after winning the Club World Cup last summer, but what the season wrote has been catastrophic for both the owners,directors,Players and fans.
Chelsea fans should also be happy that a season like this opened their eyes to what has been going on behind the scenes at the club. Lack of proper squad building, players checking out of the season since March, no accountability from anyone whatsoever has all contributed to everything happening at the club.
Chelsea can change the wave though with the appointment of Xabi Alonso and proper planning this summer. Chelsea appointed the Spaniard the day they lost the FA cup final to Manchester city and he will start working officially by July 1st. Although sources say he will be working behind the scenes after the end of this season.
Chelsea should not entertain bad attitudes in the club and should allow anyone leave if they want to, Players giving interviews and saying all sort of things, agents linking their players to different clubs during the season should not be rewarded with a smile rather by being ruthless towards them.
Sources disclosed to me that Xabi Alonso communicated to the players this past week that you’re either in or out under him, if you want to leave then the door is open for anyone. He’s said to want committed players at the club.
Away from the players too, the directors should also find shame because they’ve been the root of everything this season. From a poor transfer window to the situation of Maresca and them, they deserve no mercy. But they’re on a long term contract and it seems they will be here for a long period too.
Chelsea will resume in July when they travel for pre season tours in Malaysia and Australia, hopefully we get a clearer picture of what the squad will be under him by then.
Chelsea have been scouting players in the last few months, the club told sources that it will be a busy summer especially with the new man in charge at Stamford bridge. The blues appointed Xabi Alonso as the new club manager earlier this week and they’re ready to back him up in the upcoming transfer window. Who are the players in consideration?
Chelsea are looking at strengthening their CB position and they’ve been scouting alot of CBs across Europe, players like Maxence Lacroix, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Ousmane Diomande, Joel Ordonez, Jacobo Ramon etc. No negotiations with anyone so far but Chelsea are aware that they need to upgrade their defensive depth this summer.
Chelsea discussed internally about free agents Ibrahima Konate and Marcos Senesi but were not interested in paying them their wages demands and sign on bonus, as for Senesi the club are totally out but they really like Konate and it’s left to see if they will pursue the deal later on.
Still talking about defense, Josh Acheampong wants an assurance from Chelsea this summer before deciding on his future, understand clubs like Manchester United,PSG and Bournemouth are interested is the player if him and Chelsea decide to part ways. Chelsea don’t want to lose him and talks will go down between them,his family and his agents very soon to clarify that situation.
The club fully expects some of their CBs to leave this summer, which will open space for the club to start talking to the new ones they want.
Apart from the CBs position, the club have been scouting Left backs too, Maxi Araujo from Sporting Lisbon have been watched closely for so many games since the turn of the year, the club are also monitoring the situation of Lewis Hall and Newcastle even though sources said Hall doesn’t want a move back to London anytime soon.
According to sources, Chelsea wants a change in direction this summer but this doesn’t mean the club will pay huge wages to players, it will still be modest but they will sign players that are more ready to start immediately rather than the past approach.
Chelsea are in talks to sign Jamie Gittens from Borrusia Dortmund, Chelsea LW position looks empty at the moment with Mykhailo Mudryk out and Jadon Sancho yet to agree new terms for a permanent signing. Chelsea have now contacted Dortmund for Gittens,sources said the German club will ask for fee around £50m from the English club.
Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)
The England international has only 12 months left on the contract he signed when he joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and is widely expected to leave Selhurst Park this summer. The big question is where he will end up after seeing four massive bids from Newcastle rejected last year and another worth up to £70m from Tottenham in January. Liverpool have also been strongly linked amid uncertainty over Ibrahima Konaté’s future, while Chelsea are thought to be considering an attempt to bring Guéhi back to Stamford Bridge. There were reports that the 24-year-old is considering running down his contract at Selhurst Park after leading them to the FA Cup but can Palace afford to turn down big money again?
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
A hat-trick for France’s Under 21s against England in March and the goal he scored against Tottenham in the Europa League underlined the former Paris St-Germain striker’s potential. Ekitike stepped up for Eintracht Frankfurt when Omar Marmoush joined Manchester City in January, ending the season with 22 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions. But a reported asking price north of £80m for the 22-year-old who started his career at Reims might prove too high for most potential suitors, who are thought to include Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
It’s unlikely that the latest academy graduate who could be shown the door at Old Trafford will be short of offers. After being left out of Manchester United’s matchday squad against Aston Villa on the final day by Ruben Amorim, Garnacho’s potential availability has alerted several clubs looking for a potential bargain. The Argentina forward is expected to cost around £40m if United allow him to leave, with Napoli – who tried to sign him in January – thought to be the early frontrunners. Chelsea have also been monitoring his situation.skip past newsletter promotion
Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
“I want to play for a club that suits me and brings out the best in me,” said the Slovenia striker this week. Whether that is finally Arsenal three years after Sesko first appeared on Mikel Arteta’s radar when he was starring for Red Bull Salzburg as a teenager will be answered soon enough. The 21-year-old only managed 13 goals – one down on last year – as RB Leipzig struggled in the Bundesliga but fits the profile required at the Emirates given Arsenal’s need for more firepower. Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres is also on Arteta’s shortlist, while Chelsea have previously shown an interest in Sesko and could try to get involved if they miss out on other targets.
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
At one time he was in the shadow of his elder brother, Iñaki Williams, but it is the 22-year-old winger who is now the wanted man, Williams Sr having stayed in the Basque Country past his 30th birthday. While the elder brother now players for Ghana after gaining a single Spain cap almost a decade ago, Nico is familiar to English audiences as scorer of the first goal in the Euro 2024 final, in which he was named man of the match. That success came three months after he helped Athletic Bilbao win their first Copa del Rey. As the summer window approaches he has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea, among others, and has two more seasons on his contract with a release clause of €58m (£49m).
Estêvão
BRA
Winger
from Palmeiras
Sought-after creative talent will join up with club in summer after agreeing move for initial €34m last year
Dário Essugo £28.6m
POR
Midfielder
from Sporting
Holding midfielder will join in July after spending last season on loan at Las Palmas, with teammate Geovany Quenda (£62.5M) joining him in 2026.
Armando Broja
ALBANIA 🇦🇱Forward from Everton
Toffees decline £30m permanent deal option on striker after injury-hit spell without registering a shot on target. Loan ended.
Transfers out
Bashir Humphreys ENGLAND🏴
Defender to Burnley
Blues confirm permanent move for loanee who made 28 appearances for Scott Parker’s promoted side last season.
Chelsea still have one more game to go this season before heading to the USA for the FIFA club World Cup tournament,but what does the summer activities looks like for the players (ins and outs).
Let’s start from the Goalkeeping area… Fans have debated a lot amongst themselves about the goalkeeping position this season: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen,Marcus Bettinelli are still at the club but sources have suggested that either Sanchez or Jorgensen (loan) might leave this summer if the right offers comes but Maresca has backed Sanchez to be his number one all through the season. While on loan GKs Djorde Petrovic (Strasbourg),Gabriel Slonina and Mike Penders (Genk) are all touted to return to the club this summer and find solutions to either loans or permanent transfers. Understand Chelsea will give Petrovic the chance to prove himself under Maresca in pre season but they believe he can cough up €35m with his Strasbourg performances if offers come. Sources also say Chelsea believes loan offers in the championship will help both Penders and Slonina to develop next season.
Let’s move to the defenders,this is the area where I think we need to solve a lot of things this summer. Sources have confirmed that Chelsea will sign Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg permanently for a reported fee of €15 but it yet to be known if he will join the team or if he will return to Strasbourg on loan. Club expect Renato Veiga,Caleb Wiley, and many more on loan to return and find solutions to their places in the squad. I understand Chelsea will listen to loan offers for Josh Archeampong,Genesis Antwi and Samuel Ishe smiths as they want them to garner a lot of experience, clubs also put a tag of “untouchables” on these academy players.
To the midfield,Chelsea will have a lot of problems resolving some players futures here, Dario Essugo will join from Sporting Lisbon while players like Andrey Santos,Joao Felix and many more will return from loan spells. Kiernan Dewsbury Hall,Mathias Amogou and many more might go out on loan or even be sold if proper fees arrives this summer. I also understand that Chelsea are not looking to sign a midfielder at this point but things could change if players like Joao Felix,Christopher Nkunku and Dewsbury Hall leaves at the end of the day.
More deal sheets will drop soon on the strikers and also what Club World Cup means for transfers.
In 2023-24, the Blues finished the Premier League season in sixth spot and, besides a semi-final exit at the FA Cup, they were runner-up to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
They will compete in the Europa Conference League play-off round this season, having failed to qualify for the Europa League after Manchester United won the FA Cup.
Here, I bring you everything you need to know about Chelsea’s pre-season plans ahead of the 2024-25 season, plus ticket information, where to watch games live and more.
Chelsea 2024 pre-season fixtures & results
DateGameKick-off timeVenueWed, Jul 24 Chelsea vs Wrexham10:30pm ET (3:30am BST)Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara. Sat Jul 27.
Sat Jul 27 Chelsea vs Celtic 4pm ET (9pm BST)Notre Dame Stadium, Indiana.
Wed, Jul 31 Chelsea vs Club America7:30pm ET (00:30am BST)Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Sat, Aug 3 Chelsea vs Man City 5:30 pm ET (10:30 pm BST)Ohio Stadium, Columbus.
Tue, Aug 6 Chelsea vs Real Madrid 7pm ET (00:00am BST)Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte.
Sun, Aug 11Chelsea vs Inter 3pm BST (10am ET)Stamford Bridge, London.
Chelsea will once again travel to the United States for their 2024-25 pre-season tour, having visited North America for a number of friendlies over the past two years.
The Blues have announced five games in total so far, with the first game set against Hollywood’s Wrexham in California on July 24, followed by a clash against former Blues manager Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side and Liga MX outfit Club America on July 27 and 31 respectively.
Chelsea will face Premier League champions Manchester City next on August 3, with the tour to conclude against 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid on August 6. There will be one final pre-season friendly at home, with Stamford Bridge hosting Italian giants Inter on August 11.
How to watch Chelsea pre-season games on TV & livestream online
TV details have not yet been confirmed for Chelsea’s pre-season games.
However, the friendly game against Wrexham is likely to be available to watch on Chelsea’s official website or the 5th Stand App, which usually broadcasts the Blues’ friendly matches.
Likewise, the preparatory game against Manchester City could be watched on CITY+.
When does the 2024-25 season start for Chelsea?
Chelsea will kick off the 2024-25 Premier League season against defending champions Man City on August 18, 2024. It will be the second meeting with City in a matter of weeks, with Pep Guardiola’s team providing pre-season opposition too.
Once the season begins, the Blues will see themselves involved in the Carabao Cup and the Europa Conference League subject to qualification.
Paris 2024 is around the corner and the excitement for the upcoming games are already in motion from countries all over the world,but will there be an Olympics/Paralympics games without the financial side of life?
According to my research,almost 96% of the budget to organise the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will come from the private sector,companies who are in partnership with the IOC(international Olympic Committee) and also from the game tickets office. This budget will cover every aspect of planning and delivering the the event which includes the renting of some premises,operating the facilities,welcoming delegations from all countries,providing security and transporting of athletes from one venue to the other. Part of the planning also includes the opening and closing ceremonies.
Here is the composition of the updated Paris 2024 budget:
€4.397 billion for the Paris 2024 Organising Committee budget;
100% private funding for the organisation of the Olympic Games;
IOC allocation: €1.2bn* (including TV rights €750m and TOP partnerships €470m);
4% of public funding to finance the organisation of the Paralympic Games.
According to Le Parisien,there are three tiers of sponsorship for the Paris 2024 games. Companies like Supermarket chain Carrefour,Energy firm EDF,telecommunications giant Orange,Accor and more.With next year also marking the first Summer Olympics since 2016 where fans are back in venues – 70 per cent of ten million available tickets had been sold as of June – sponsors will likely be preparing to make more noise than they have done around recent editions.
The IOC contribution to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 also includes indirect support, such as undertaking the responsibilities of the host broadcast operation and various other forms of Games support to the Organising Committee, amounting to USD 435m. These are costs that Paris 2024 would have faced if the IOC was not covering them.
Understand Kendry Páez will train with Chelsea this week. The-16-year-old first trained with the Blues back in December. He will join officially on July 1st, 2025. 🇪🇨 #CFC
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing up the potential transfer of Flamengo forward Pedro, who could leave for as little as €25million despite having a €60m release clause.
This is according to a report from Brazilian outlet O Dia, who report that the Blues have added Pedro as a somewhat surprise name to their list of targets up front this summer.
The 26-year-old Brazilian has been in superb form at the start of 2024, and it seems this has got him onto Chelsea’s radar, even if he’s not one of the biggest names in world football.
The report states that the likes of Tottenham and Benfica have looked at Pedro in recent times, and it will be interesting to see now if Chelsea decide to step up their interest in him.
Chelsea are lacking goals right now as Nicolas Jackson has struggled to settle and live up to his potential, though it might be that the west Londoners will turn to someone a little more proven than Pedro to solve that problem.
Still, if CFC fancy saving a bit of money this summer it could be that this would be a smart, low-cost option in comparison to some of the other names on the market.
Chelsea10:30Man City
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Chelsea09:00Arsenal
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