Xhaka set to stay at Sunderlandpublished at 19:26 BST 3 July
19:26 BST 3 July
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is set to stay at the club this summer, despite interest from Chelsea.
The Switzerland midfielder, whose contract ends in 2028, was attracted by the prospect of reuniting with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, after playing under him at Bayer Leverkusen.
Chelsea saw an £8m bid for Xhaka rejected by Sunderland last week and the Blues had been expected to return with an improved offer.
However, sources at Sunderland have told BBC Sport that the 33-year-old is not for sale and, following discussions, Xhaka has reaffirmed his commitment to the Black Cats.
Chelsea have not given up hope of landing Xhaka, with sources at the club maintaining that the former Arsenal midfielder is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the Blues will submit a further bid for the player.
Anyone following comments from his camp, or from the Argentina international himself, will be aware he has been open to the possibility of leaving Stamford Bridge this summer, with a move to the Spanish capital understood to be his preferred option.
Real Madrid's public distancing from Fernandez follows similar signals given privately by sources at Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, both of whom have previously been linked with the midfielder.
Since March, Fernandez has made a number of public comments in Spanish-language interviews following Chelsea's dip in form and their Champions League exit to PSG.
Later that month, while on international duty, he spoke about a potential move to Spain in several interviews, which ultimately resulted in an internal two-match suspension.
His agent, Javier Pastore, has also publicly discussed his future, suggesting Fernandez is underpaid at Stamford Bridge and indicating that failure to qualify for the Champions League could become an issue.
Those comments have created an uncomfortable situation for Chelsea, given Fernandez's importance to the team. The midfielder contributed 15 goals and seven assists last season and served as vice-captain.
Chelsea, however, have remained consistent in their position, willing to listen to offers should their £120m valuation be met, but not actively seeking to sell the player. They remain open to Fernandez continuing as a key part of Xabi Alonso's plans.
While the situation has been challenging, Chelsea do not view it as irreparable.
There is a belief at Stamford Bridge that Alonso can successfully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and help repair his relationship with supporters through strong performances and results on the pitch.
How Chelsea players are performing at the World Cuppublished at 14:00 BST 3 July
14:00 BST 3 July
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It has not been a particularly memorable World Cup for Chelsea's players in terms of either involvement or performances, but it does mean new manager Xabi Alonso will have a larger group available for most of pre-season.
Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and more than 10 other Chelsea players were not selected by their national teams following the club's disappointing campaign last season.
Ten Blues players did receive World Cup call-ups, although only five have featured for their countries so far.
Reece James has started twice for England, against Croatia and Ghana, without reaching his best form. He suffered a minor hamstring injury against Ghana but returned to the squad as an unused substitute against DR Congo. He is expected to be in contention to face Mexico in the last 16 in the early hours of Monday morning.
Pedro Neto has started all four of Portugal's matches, providing an assist against DR Congo in the opening game. Portugal are through to the last 16 after beating Croatia, but neither Neto nor his team have been convincing.
Moises Caicedo started and completed all four of Ecuador's matches before their exit to Mexico. He was named captain in place of striker Enner Valencia for the crucial final Group E match against Germany and produced an impressive performance in a 2-1 victory.
Enzo Fernandez has started and completed two matches for Argentina in a deeper midfield role. He was then among the players rested against Jordan after qualification for the knockout stages had already been secured. Argentina will expect to progress to the last 16 when they face Cape Verde at 23:00 BST on Friday.
Nicolas Jackson started twice and made two substitute appearances for Senegal. He got an assist in the 2-1 last-32 defeat by Norway but did not make a significant impact overall. Bayern Munich have confirmed his return to Chelsea, reflecting a situation that was already widely known, and the striker is expected back for pre-season under manager Xabi Alonso.
Malo Gusto has made three substitute appearances, against Iraq, Norway and Sweden, totalling just 25 minutes playing time.
Mamadou Sarr, Jorrel Hato and Kendry Paez did not feature for Senegal, the Netherlands and Ecuador before their respective exits, while Mike Penders and Trevoh Chalobah are so far unused by the United States and England.
The players who were knocked out in the last 32 are likely to be back training by the time Chelsea's tour of Australasia begins later this month.
A number of sides are understood to be interested in Santos, who has scored three goals and provided five assists in 47 games for Chelsea since joining from Vasco da Gama for £18m in 2022.
Chelsea need to balance strengthening the squad under new manager Xabi Alonso with the need to manage finances and limited minutes available to players after failing to qualify for European competition.
They also remain under a Uefa settlement agreement, which places constraints on spending.
As a result, Santos could be available for a significant fee - although an exact valuation for buying clubs remains unclear.
He is in a similar uncertain position to much of Chelsea's squad, apart from a small group of players actively available for transfer and others considered untouchable - including Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Josh Acheampong.
Those close to Santos seem open to the possibility of a move, and his situation is one that could evolve over the coming months.
Damien: I think it's a decent signing in an area of the pitch that we are ever weakening in. Obviously the Premier League is definitely not Serie A, but he has qualities that can translate. I think we need to be looking at a goalscoring centre-forward to help Joao Pedro out this season, as our other options up top don't seem to be up to much.
Paul: Palestra is another youngster - where is the experienced players we need so badly, those who have played in the Premier League?
Stevie: Exciting prospect but now we need experience. We need a decent centre-back to pair with Levi Colwill, we need a good left-back and then it just depends on what formation Xabi Alonso wants to play.
Mike: Palestra is a decent signing for sure. Next up must surely be a goalkeeper, Xhaka, and a centre-back with experience. But with Alonso now the boss I'm excited again; something I've not been for quite a while now.
Boycie: The priority now is surely a goalkeeper and a striker. I for one don't want to see Xhaka at the Bridge! He's always a red card waiting to happen and we need to improve our dreadful disciplinary record not add to it!
Palestra, a move for Lacroix and perhaps a back threepublished at 16:48 BST 1 July
16:48 BST 1 July
Chelsea are now prioritising a move for a centre-back, with Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix expected to be their primary target, with a move for Rayo Vallecano full-back Pep Chavarria also in discussion.
Sunderland have also rejected an £8m bid from Chelsea for their captain Granit Xhaka, who played under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
The move marks a rapid rise for Palestra, who has progressed from Italy's third tier with Atalanta's under-23 side to Chelsea in the space of three years.
He made his senior Atalanta debut in the Europa League in December 2023, but it was his loan spell at Cagliari last season that accelerated his development, culminating in his senior debut for Italy during the high-pressure World Cup play-offs.
At Cagliari, Palestra attempted 73 dribbles over distances of more than five metres - the most by any defender in Serie A - with only Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz recording more in the competition overall.
His 70 successful dribbles were the highest of any defender across Europe's top 10 leagues, while also winning 15 fouls in the final third, the joint-most by a defender in Europe's top five leagues last season, according to Opta data.
Former Cagliari sporting director Guido Angelozzi, who signed him last summer, told BBC Sport the club faced strong competition from across Italy and Europe to secure his services.
Angelozzi said they provided Palestra with the "right environment" to compete at a high level under pressure, while also allowing him the freedom to make mistakes. He added that Chelsea, along with other leading European clubs, had sought character references.
He said: "The first thing that struck me was his maturity. He is a very curious young man - always willing to listen, yet with a strong personality.
"He trained with intensity and constantly sought to improve. He is polite, level-headed and very serious about his daily work. These are traits that inevitably translate on to the pitch."
Chelsea watched Palestra for over a year. They will know they are signing an attack-minded defender and are encouraged by Palestra's versatility, who can play at full-back or wing-back began his career in central midfield.
His arrival may also be the first clue that Alonso will play a back-three system at Stamford Bridge, having used it to great effect when leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2024.
Angelozzi added: "As a player, Marco combines technical quality with footballing intelligence. He has a great sense of timing, the ability to read situations and a natural ease in making decisions under pressure - qualities that are rare at his age.
"But what I appreciate most is his willingness to make sacrifices. He is a player who works for the team, accepts tactical instructions and never rests on his laurels."
Palestra 'excited' to join 'one of the best clubs in the world' - have your saypublished at 14:38 BST 1 July
14:38 BST 1 July
Image source, Getty Images
New Chelsea signing Marco Palestra says incoming head coach Xabi Alonso speaking to him "about how he wants us to play" helped him choose the Blues as his next destination.
Right-back Palestra arrives from Atalanta for a fee of about £47m, including add-ons, off the back of an impressive season on loan at Cagliari where he was named Serie A defender of the year.
The 21-year-old has signed a six-year deal, with the option of a further year, and becomes the first arrival since Alonso's appointment.
"A lot of things convinced me to join Chelsea, one of the best clubs in the world," Palestra told club media.
"I'm very excited to get started. I've felt the energy since the first day Chelsea wanted me. I can't wait to start, see all the fans, my team-mates and the manager.
"We have so many talented players here, a very strong squad and manager in Xabi. He has spoken to me about how he wants us to play, which is exciting, and we can't wait to compete in the Premier League."
Blues fans, what do you make of the deal? Where does Palestra fit into Alonso's new squad? And where do Chelsea need to strengthen next?
Alonso's start date revealedpublished at 14:17 BST 1 July
14:17 BST 1 July
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have confirmed they will begin pre-season under new manager Xabi Alonso next Thursday.
It marks the start of Alonso's tenure, although the Spaniard has yet to arrive at Cobham.
Some of the club's new signings, including Dastan Satpaev from Kairat and Geovany Quenda from Sporting, have already begun preparations as have Chelsea's academy players.
Some academy players — including Shim Mheuka and Reggie Walsh, both of whom have featured for the first team — could have some involvement in the club's pre-season tour of Australasia.
There are three weeks of work under Alonso at the training ground, who is also expected to be unveiled at a news conference at Stamford Bridge, before the squad flies to Sydney for the start of the tour.
Players not involved at the World Cup, including player of the season Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, are expected to report from day one after not being selected for their national teams.
However, the eight players involved in Fifa's tournament in North America will return in stages after a short holidays in between seasons.
Chelsea's pre-season fixtures include matches against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham in Australia, followed by games against Juventus in Hong Kong, AC Milan in Indonesia and Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia.
The squad will then return to London to prepare for their Premier League opener away to Fulham, which will mark the beginning of the Alonso era.
The details behind Chelsea's Uefa squad-cost finepublished at 12:34 BST 1 July
12:34 BST 1 July
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Four Premier League clubs have been given financial penalties for breaching the Uefa's squad-cost rule for 2025.
Aston Villa have been fined 22.5m euros (£19.4m) for a "significant breach", while Chelsea have been fined 3m euros (£2.6m), of which 2m euros (£1.7m) is suspended.
Three of the clubs either sold infrastructure to directly linked companies, or players to associated teams.
This was previously admissible under Premier League rules - it will not be from next season - but not by Uefa regulations.
Chelsea sold Mathis Amougou to Strasbourg for £12m, while Aston Villa sold their women's team.
Strasbourg, Chelsea's sister club within the BlueCo operation, were fined 25m euros (£21.5m) with 12m euros (£10.3m) suspended for reporting a squad-cost ratio above 70%.
Last summer, Chelsea were fined 31m euros (£26.7m) for breaches of the financial sustainability regulations, with the threat of further punishments over the next three years worth a potential 60m euros (£51.7m).
Chelsea said in a statement that Uefa had "recognised the improving trend" in their spending and that the 70% threshold was only "narrowly exceeded".
All four clubs were in Europe last season, and the fines show the difficulties of complying with different rules across two competitions.
Uefa reduced the squad-cost limit from 80% to 70% of a club's income last season, making it more challenging to comply.
The Premier League has introduced its own variation of squad-cost limits, which kicks in from Wednesday.
While clubs in Europe will have to adhere to Uefa's 70%, the other 11 Premier League teams will be permitted to spend upwards of 85% of income on the playing staff and the manager.
The Premier League is trying to protect the competitive balance by allowing those without income from European competition to spend a higher proportion of their earnings.
But Chelsea must continue to comply with the Uefa regulations even though they do not have European football next season. This is part of the agreement reached with Uefa last summer.
Gossip: Chelsea hope to recruit Junior Kroupipublished at 08:22 BST 1 July
08:22 BST 1 July
Everton are confident of signing Chelsea winger Tyrique George, 20 - who they had on loan last season - on a permanent basis. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea are hoping to add to their attack by signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi. The 20-year-old France Under-21s international had a fine 2025-26 season, scoring 13 times in the Premier League. (Caught Offside), external
Chelsea in talks with Vallecano for Chavarriapublished at 16:34 BST 30 June
16:34 BST 30 June
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have entered talks with Rayo Vallecano for left-back Pep Chavarria as they look to strengthen their defence.
Any move for the 28-year-old, who made 44 appearances for Vallecano last season, would not be as a direct replacement for Marc Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid for £51.8m a fortnight ago.
Instead, that role is expected to be filled internally, with Jorrel Hato set to play a significant part under new manager Xabi Alonso next season.
Chavarria would offer a more attacking option, particularly if Alonso opts to use wing-backs, as he did during his time at Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also targeting a centre-back and are expected to step up their pursuit of Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix.
Strengthening the midfield is also desired, with Strasbourg's Valentin Barco expected to join, as well as a move for a versatile attacker.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have set an asking price of £30m plus £5m in add-ons for centre-back Trevoh Chalobah after a bid was lodged by Como. Fellow Serie A side Inter Milan are among other clubs interested.
Potential departures form part of a wider plan to streamline the squad, with Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap all facing uncertain futures.
Real Madrid are expected to make a move for midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is keen to leave and valued at about £120m by Chelsea.
'I always tried to help him in his development' - Azpilicueta on Jamespublished at 16:28 BST 30 June
16:28 BST 30 June
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta says it is not a surprise that Reece James is playing at the highest level for club and country after seeing the England right-back come through the youth ranks during his time at Stamford Bridge.
The two defenders spent four years together in the first team and won the 2021 Champions League together. James eventually succeeded the Spaniard as the Blues captain in 2023.
"I rate him really highly," Azpilicueta told BBC Radio 5 live's Football Daily podcast. "He's a top player. I knew him when he was coming through the youth teams and he was starting with the first team.
"We played in the same position but when he was starting with the first team I was playing a bit more on the left when we were playing four at the back. Then when we played a lot, he was playing right wing-back and I was playing right centre-back so we had a lot of communication.
"I always tried to help him in his development. We are kind of different players but he took over the captaincy when I left, so I really rate him. He's a top player, top guy and I keep looking at him and seeing his development because now he's playing in midfield.
"He's doing amazing. He has top qualities. It doesn't surprise me seeing him playing at this level with England. He deserves it. It makes me really happy."
'Chelsea's fundamental problems not Maresca's fault'published at 17:43 BST 29 June
17:43 BST 29 June
Will Faulks Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea's statement about the departure of Enzo Maresca is full of frustration being released. It feels like the Blues have been waiting to give their side of the story ever since his resignation in January.
It doesn't pull any punches on a personal level, and it directly blames the coach's sudden exit for the horrible season that Chelsea just endured. But is that a fair assessment?
There is no denying it was hugely disruptive, or that the team got significantly worse once he left. The revelation that he had told Chelsea in the autumn that he was considering leaving also explains why things had started to fall apart long before his actual resignation.
The fundamental problems with the squad construction and club strategy were not Maresca's fault, but Chelsea do have a point in that his actions massively exacerbated them.
However, the sporting directors who chose to appoint Maresca, who never felt truly committed, and then made an even bigger mistake appointing Liam Rosenior to succeed him, are just as much at fault.
