Possible Fernandez exit could lead to Camara movepublished at 12:13 BST
12:13 BST
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez potentially leaving for Manchester City could open the door for fellow midfielder Lamine Camara to arrive at Stamford Bridge from Monaco as his replacement.
It could be Chelsea's 13th deal coming in, with exits exceeding 30 players as the Blues are expected to surpass the Premier League player sales record they set at £300m last season.
There is further intrigue around departures, with Mykhailo Mudryk looking for a loan move, and still a lack of clarity on the futures of Pedro Neto and Tosin Adarabioyo. The likes of Dario Essugo, Deivid Washington and Shim Mheuka could also leave.
Hull City in talks to sign Essugo from Chelseapublished at 11:08 BST
11:08 BST
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Hull City remain in talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo on loan.
Sources close to the Portugal Under-21 international say he would prefer a move within the Premier League to joining Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg.
The Tigers are expected to be active before the transfer deadline having had a move for Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya collapse over the weekend.
Transfer relationships and regulationspublished at 09:59 BST
09:59 BST
Mohamed Moallim BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Unai Emery has insisted that there are no "good relations" between Chelsea and Aston Villa after a series of transfers between the clubs.
On Sunday, Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joined Chelsea from Aston Villa, completing the eighth deal between the clubs in the past four years.
Martinez's move to Stamford Bridge comes after Nicolas Jackson's transfer the other way last week.
No two Premier League clubs have exchanged more players, on permanent or loan deals, in the past four years.
But Villa boss Emery said the relationship between the two clubs is "only through the deals for money".
"Good relations?" he said. "They want to kill us and we want to kill them! We have good players and we can sign one player off them - it is not a good relationship, it is a deal for money and a deal for players.
"I'm happy for Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Rogers. I know I'm not happy for Chelsea."
A series of deals between the clubs began after Chelsea's owners BlueCo took control of the club in 2022 and signed Carney Chukwuemeka from Aston Villa for £20m that summer.
Ian Maatsen (£37.5m, to Villa), Omari Kellyman (£19m, to Chelsea) and Axel Disasi (a £5m loan deal, to Villa) subsequently moved between the clubs.
This summer alone has brought four more deals. Morgan Rogers completed a £117m move to Chelsea, while Alejandro Garnacho joined Aston Villa on loan with a conditional obligation to buy in a deal worth around £43m.
Jackson then moved to Aston Villa for £65m, before Martinez followed.
Since 2022, Chelsea have paid Aston Villa £163.5m for players - and Aston Villa have spent £102.5m on Chelsea players, including Axel Disasi's loan fee.
That figure could rise to £150.5m should certain criteria be met to make Garnacho's loan move permanent.
The recent volume of business between the clubs has not gone unnoticed elsewhere in the Premier League, at a time when both have had to navigate domestic and European financial regulations.
One source told BBC Sport that a number of club executives have raised questions about the frequency of the dealings. There is no suggestion, though, that either club have broken any rules.
Paul: Chelsea are brilliant going forward and a joy to watch. However, our defence and midfield are caught out of position and cannot read passes. We let in goals that can still be avoided. I know that we will improve in those areas soon. Hopefully my nails will grow back quickly. Arsenal next. Get a result against them and make my day.
Mike: Pleased with the start of the season and we look strong, with a clear direction. The board appears to now be listening.
Ben: Fantastic from a team that had virtually no midfield. Somehow Alonso gets four goals out of a team with 26% possession? Never boring being a Chelsea fan.
Tristan: The most important thing is that we got it over the line. But if we didn't, I'd be livid! Always doing things the hard way! When we were 3-0 up I expected the game to be done and we'd take those three points, but we had to put ourselves in a difficult position, didn't we? Yes, the three goals we conceded were a bit lucky but shouldn't have given them confidence. But we should take the positives. I'm really excited for this season, especially the front three we have. Not it's time for Arsenal!
Brighton fans
Martin: Brilliant display by Brighton after gifting a very poor Chelsea a three-goal lead. It was far too much to overcome but Chelsea were panicking the entire second half. It's going to be a great season for Brighton. Chelsea are just going to fail again.
Barry: Brighton didn't play badly at all. We started too slowly, but were much better in the second half and scoring three away at Chelsea shows the attacking quality is there. The problem was finding the right balance defensively and Chelsea punished our mistakes. We need to start games with the same intensity we showed after the break.
Steve: I absolutely hate losing... but this was definitely less painful. To have kept their heads up and relentlessly tried to get back into the game having conceded three early goals shows a huge amount of character and fight. This attitude will pay dividends in matches this season, I'm sure.
Merciless: Poor defensive display cost the Seagulls at least a point. Gomez needs to do better with the countless chances offered to him.
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton: How the players ratedpublished at 20:19 BST 30 August
20:19 BST 30 August
Media caption,
Chelsea starting XI:
Emiliano Martinez: The new signing was thrown straight in, claiming two early crosses and making saves from Malick Yalcouye and Charalampos Kostoulas - though the former did beat him with a well-struck volley. He was tested again as Brighton pushed for an equaliser in the second half. 8
Wesley Fofana: Drove forward well in possession and helped pull Brighton players out of position in the build-up. 7
Maxence Lacroix: The new signing from Crystal Palace was confident in possession but not always convincing in a defensive display that was occasionally ragged. 6
Levi Colwill: Also looked comfortable on the ball but was caught out of position at times in new manager Xabi Alonso's system. 6
Pedro Neto: Tapped in Chelsea's second goal and put a chance on a plate for Joao Pedro. However, he was most at fault for over-committing to a challenge in the build-up to Brighton's first goal. 7
Malo Gusto: Played out of position in midfield. It was a quiet performance, but he delivered some good corners. 6
Romeo Lavia: After threatening to score from a similar situation in midweek, Lavia tapped in his first Chelsea goal after four minutes. 7
Jorrel Hato: The Dutchman provided a wonderful assist on the counter-attack while playing at wing-back. 7
Cole Palmer: Scored with a wonderful curling effort in the 75th minute. He pressed well but also missed a good chance early in the second half. 8
Joao Pedro: The Brazilian produced a clever flick for Chelsea's opening goal, showcased some excellent touches and made amends for missing a good chance by scoring the Blues' third. 8
Morgan Rogers: His powerful running down the flank set up Neto for Chelsea's second goal. He should have had another assist, but Palmer blazed his effort over the bar. 7
Chelsea substitutes:
Josh Acheampong (on 68, Fofana): Helped steady Chelsea defensively after coming on. 6
Reece James (on 68, Neto): Contributed at both ends of the pitch and provided added energy down the flank. 7
Moises Caicedo (on 68, Lavia): His afternoon was cut short after just 11 minutes as he left the pitch in tears. 6
Pep Chavarria (on 72, Colwill): An energetic cameo and looked eager to get forward. 6
Valentin Barco (on 82, Caicedo): 6
Subs not used: Penders, Gittens, Estevao Willian, Welbeck.
'Chelsea need to control games better' - Murraypublished at 17:44 BST 30 August
17:44 BST 30 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live following the 4-3 victory over the Seagulls: "Xabi Alonso will definitely want better game management.
"There is no way on earth when you are 3-0 up after 32 minutes this game should ever be in the balance at any point. They should have blown Brighton away.
"Brighton showed a lot of character. Chelsea had 26% possession at home, the group can control games way better than that.
"It was almost too easy at times. They will not go anywhere near winning the league playing like that. They need to control games better if they want to progress."
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton: What Alonso and Martinez saidpublished at 17:24 BST 30 August
17:24 BST 30 August
Media caption,
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Hard fought win but this is the Premier League. We knew that Brighton were tough to beat recently in these games. There was history. It was good to finish with the win but many things happened. We will have time to analyse different stages.
"It was a brilliant first half hour. We could have sored more than three. But we were sitting too deep after that. But this is a process. We need to develop with these wins which give you the confidence."
On forward Joao Pedro: "He has been terrific in all the games he has played this season and also the pre-season. He has the desire to play each game 100% and have a terrific season. We need to help him but it's important he has this hunger to do it."
On new signing Emi Martinez: "It's great to have him. We saw that even today. Even if we conceded three goals, he had a straight impact and he helped the team really well. We are happy we have him.
"He is a great personality and a great goalkeeper. His expression and his charisma influence the rest of the team."
On transfers: "We will see what happens. We are ready for whatever. Most important is the team. And however we finish on Tuesday, I am happy it will be a good squad to compete this season."
Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martinez, speaking to Sky Sports, after his debut: "I spoke with Chelsea legends John Terry and Petr Cech. I know how big this club is and what we want to achieve this season. I came here to help.
"I had an amazing seven years at Aston Villa. I have come here to challenge and to try and win the Premier League.
"I trained only one day with the team. The guys have treated me really well in the last day or two. I know the talent we have up front. I try to bring that solidity in the back."
On the win against Brighton: "A win is a win. I know it wasn't a perfect game. But in the end, winning and moving on is what we need. We've got 36 games left and it's one week after another.
"I am here for a reason. The front three is amazing. When we go forward, we can hurt teams. We had a lot of chances to finish the game. Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro had chances to kill the game. At the back, we need to bring the goals down."
Did you know?
Chelsea have won both of their first two games of a top-flight season while scoring 3+ goals each time for the fourth time, after 1936-37, 2010-11, and 2018-19.
Chelsea's Xabi Alonso is only the fourth manager to see his side score 7+ goals in his first two Premier League games, after Bobby Robson (8 in Sep 1999), Michael Laudrup (8 in Aug 2012), and Marcelo Bielsa (7 in Sep 2020).
It is a lifeline for Martinez, who turns 34 next week and fell out of favour at Aston Villa following a failed move to Juventus and the arrival of Japan's Zion Suzuki as Unai Emery's first-choice keeper.
The World Cup winner's every catch was cheered on by the Stamford Bridge faithful during an assured display in goal, though he was unlucky to concede two of Brighton's three goals, his save landing on the feet of Yalcouye for the opener and then getting undone by Joao Pedro's own goal.
His best moment came just before Brighton's second when he made a sharp diving save from Diego Gomez and he also denied Olivier Boscagli and Brighton a third, which would have levelled the score.
Chelsea have spent heavily across the pitch under their new ownership, but for many, a reliable goalkeeper was the missing piece.
Martinez's performance on his debut suggests they might have a solution in the Argentine.
Meanwhile, there will now be question marks over Robert Sanchez's future in west London.
The Spaniard, who had another error-strewn display during the 3-2 opening win at Fulham, was left out of the matchday squad completely as 21-year-old Belgian Mike Penders found a place on the bench as Alonso's number two.
It might well be the case that Sanchez, who was a £25m signing from Brighton in 2023, now joins the long list of players Chelsea are looking to offload before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
With an experienced shot-stopper in their ranks and the attack continuing to fire, Alonso's Chelsea could aim high this season, but their biggest test yet will come at champions Arsenal who they face next on Sunday, 6 September (16:30 BST).
Martinez 'delighted' to join Bluespublished at 13:10 BST 30 August
13:10 BST 30 August
Image source, Getty Images
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says he is "delighted" to sign for Chelsea on a three-year deal.
The 33-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2022, has joined from Aston Villa for £7.5m.
"Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon," Martinez said. "I can't wait to get started.
'I want to be successful here. I'm someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club because it's a football club that wins titles, so I think it's a good match.
"'I'm all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100 per cent every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud."
Martinez will make his Chelsea debut against Brighton at 14:00 BST.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Sunderland match", for example.
Chelsea have got some talented players and, because they've got no European football, they're going to have a good crack in the Premier League this season.
What interested me against Fulham is Chelsea didn't have a lot of possession, but they were effective when they did have possession.
But Brighton are just one of those teams. I don't think I predicted a single Brighton result right last season they're just impossible to call.
I really like Jack Hinshelwood he's such an exciting young player and there's a good history with his family in football and connection to Brighton.
But I'm going to say Chelsea carry on this run and get the three points.
Chelsea v Brighton: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:57 BST 29 August
12:57 BST 29 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea and Brighton both enjoyed impressive wins in their opening fixtures of the new season.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (14:00 BST).
A first Premier League match at the Chelsea helm proved to be an eventful one for new manager Xabi Alonso.
Joao Pedro was awarded the number nine shirt ahead of this season and rewarded that faith by netting after just 31 seconds – the quickest goal ever scored by a team in their opening Premier League fixture.
If Chelsea's fast start promised a straightforward contest, it proved to be anything but in the visitors' 3-2 win.
Cole Palmer deservedly dominated headlines in a triumphant return to form after setting up the opener and scoring what proved to be the winner in the second half, but Alonso will be equally pleased with the performance of debutant Morgan Rogers.
The £117m summer signing from Aston Villa scored Chelsea's second goal and created five chances from open play for the first time in his Premier League career, while he was also their most effective presser.
Image caption,
Morgan Rogers impressed on his Premier League debut for Chelsea on Monday
However, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez did look vulnerable once again, with the Blues now failing to keep a clean sheet in their past 17 Premier League games.
They next face a Brighton team who opened their 2026-27 account by scoring four goals against Villa – their biggest victory on the opening day of a league season in 26 years since beating Mansfield Town 6-0 in the fourth tier.
The Seagulls recorded an expected goals tally of 3.4 from open play – their highest on record – to continue an excellent opening-game record of five wins and a draw in their past six Premier League campaigns.
Central to their success against Villa was an effective high press, long a hallmark of a Fabian Hurzeler team but one that was executed with particular aplomb last Sunday.
Image caption,
Brighton unsettled Aston Villa with a high press in their 4-0 win last weekend
Brighton amassed 19 high turnovers, their second highest tally in a league match since Hurzeler joined the club two years ago, although Jack Hinshelwood, who scored a brace last weekend, is set to miss several weeks because of a training ground injury.
Four goals against Villa is followed by a fixture in which the Seagulls tend to flourish in attack. They have triumphed in the past three top-flight meetings with Chelsea, scoring three goals on each occasion.
The last team to score three or more goals in four consecutive league games against the Blues was West Ham United between 1972 and 1974.
Brighton, though, will be wary of an opposing goalscorer who so recently played for them. Danny Welbeck could face his former club for the first time since departing Amex Stadium for Stamford Bridge earlier this summer.
Welbeck is Brighton's highest goalscorer in the Premier League, with 46 goals in 176 appearances. He's also the highest scorer in this Premier League fixture, scoring six times in total – including four at Stamford Bridge.
Image source, Getty Images
