BRENTFORD 3-0 CHELSEA | ALONSO GOES MAD AFTER DEFEAT | ALL REACTIONS

 

CHELSEA BOSS XABI ALONSO'S VERDICT ON SECOND-HALF LEEDS UNITED.BLITZ AS 12-MINUTE PERIOD TURNS GAME

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso believes an increase in quality and tempo saw his side overcome Leeds United in the second half.

Alonso made 10 changes to his Chelsea side for the Carabao Cup and while Daniel Farke also made eight, it was his Leeds side who looked far more ready. They went 1-0 up through a Tarik Muharemovic header and doubled their lead through Brenden Aaronson early in the second half.

Four half-time changes saw Alonso introduce Reece James, Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer with the latter scoring twice in two minutes. Chelsea eventually scored four in 12 and six across the second-half.

“For sure, I take responsibility for all of them,” Alonso said. “No, no player is to blame, it is the decisions that we took. For sure, in the first half things were not going the way we wanted.

“When you haven't had time, and when you don't have this time to work with them, it's difficult to compete at this level, so it's my responsibility. We had to take decisions at half-time, and we have seen another second half with more quality, more tempo, and we need to analyse.

“But happy that we are going through, happy with the reaction, but as well analytical about what we have done.”

Chelsea will have questions to ask about those on the fringes who couldn’t compete with a rotated Leeds side in the first half. Alonso shouldered the blame for introducing such out-of-favour stars against a ‘strong’ opponent in Leeds.

“I will have a deeper assessment about how I can help players that are not playing that much to have a better impact, to have a better feeling, and today it was difficult for them,” he added. “Maybe I made it too difficult because Leeds were a strong side.

“But overall you need to to react. You need to make decisions, and the impact was good from the players that came on.”

- Kyle Newbould

CHELSEA SIGN ENGLAND’S RODGERS FROM VILLA IN RECORD BRITISH DEAL

Morgan Rogers with his beloved mother at Stamford Bridge during his official unveiling and contract signing

London club’s previous record signing was Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo

Chelsea have signed England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa on a contract until 2033, both Premier League clubs said on Tuesday, with British media reporting the deal was worth £117m (R2.58bn), making him the most expensive British player.

Neither club disclosed financial details, but Sky Sports reported the package surpassed the reported fee of up to £116m Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest for midfielder Elliot Anderson earlier this month.

Chelsea’s previous record signing was Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion for £115m in 2023.

“I’m so excited,” said Rogers in a club statement. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.

A photo posted on social media by Chelsea FC shows new signing Morgan Rogers at the club's headquarters in London. (Chelsea FC/X)

He chose Chelsea. 

pic.twitter.com/V6NrGsuZH9

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 21, 2026

“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading. That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”

Rogers, who can play on the wing or as an attacking midfielder, leaves Villa after two years, having helped them win the Europa League in May. He scored in the 3-0 final victory over Freiburg as Villa claimed their first major European trophy since 1982.

The 23-year-old scored 31 goals in 125 appearances for Villa after joining from Middlesbrough in 2024, earning his England debut later that year.

Rogers featured in seven of England’s eight matches as they finished third at the World Cup and enjoyed his most prolific domestic campaign last season, scoring 10 Premier League goals.

Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season, begin their league campaign away to Fulham on August 24.

- Reuters

DISTANCE BETWEEN STAMFORD BRIDGE AND CRAVEN COTTAGE IS ONLY 2174M

 

CHELSEA | NEXT FIVE GAMES

 

ARSENAL VS. TOP LONDON TEAMS

 

CHELSEA VS. VILLA | KEY MOMENTS | FOURTH ROUND | EMIRATES FA CUP 2023-24

CHELSEA MEME | MAURICIO POCHETTINO

CHELSEA SIGN GOALKEEPER SANCHEZ FROM BRIGHTON

Reuters 

Chelsea have signed Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion on a seven-year contract, the Premier League club announced on Saturday.

British media reported that Chelsea will pay 25 million pounds ($31.87 million) for the Spain international.

Chelsea have been looking to bolster their goalkeeping options since Edouard Mendy joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli in June.

PPOCHETINO IS CHELSEA'S NEW MANAGER

 

CHELSEA IN TRAINING | CHELSEA FC MEME

 

CHELSEA ECONOMICS ON GRAHAM POTTER

 

MYKHAYLO MUDRYK OFF TO LONDON | TROUBLED CHELSEA ARE HAPPY TO HAVE HIM

ARSENAL BECAME THE FIRST TEAM IN PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY TO WIN THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES AT STAMFORD BRIDGE