CHELSEA 5-1 BOURNEMOUTH | ALL REACTIONS

 

CHELSEA OWNERS WANT TO SELL IN LATEST TURBULENT TWIST AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

 

Cole Palmer is embraced by Chelsea chairman Too Boehly with Donald Trump watching on. Photo: Getty Images

The Telegraph in the UK is reporting that Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter are looking at selling their stakes in the Premier League club.

Their proposed sale to majority owner Clearlake Capital would value the London club at $9.5 billion and give the private equity company complete control at the club.

Currently, the pair, along with Hansjorg Wyss, own 12.8% each of the club.

Boehly is the chairman, but Clearlake, with Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano in charge, call the shots at Stamford Bridge.

Boehly is arguably the most visible of Chelsea owners, and was the face of the bid that bought the club off Roman Abramovich four years ago in a $5 million deal, but his chairmanship is due to end at the end of the season.

According to the BBC, a rift within the ownership group, first rumoured in 2024, has led to the parties working out how to buy each other out. The future of Stamford Bridge and agreement on whether to move, or what that would look like, has been suggested as one of the sources of tension.

Should they successfully sell their stakes, the pair would each stand to pocket some $1.2 billion each.

It would be a dizzying period for Walter, co-owner and chief executive of global finance firm Guggenheim Partners, who sold the Los Angeles Lakers last week for a record $17.6 billion.

Xabi Alonso has been appointed to lead Chelsea on the park this term as they look to rebuild after a 10th placed finish last term, the latest twist in a turbulent four years under the American ownership. While Chelsea won the Club World Cup in 2025, they have chopped and changed managers without mounting a serious Premier League title chase.

The Athletic reports there is an ongoing United States Department of Justice investigation into Walters’ business dealings, while this Chelsea sale is not something that will be triggered imminently.

Meanwhile, off field discussions haven’t stopped Chelsea being active in the transfer market but the latest report suggests speedster Pedro Neto could be off to Al Hilal.

Sky Sports reports that Chelsea have put a $191 million price tag on the Portuguese winger if the Saudi Arabia club are serious in securing him.

- Football360.com.au

CHELSEA 3-1 REAL SOCIEDAD, FRIENDLY: POST-MATCH REACTION

WINNER WINNER A REDEEMING SECOND HALF DINNER

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after scoring his team’s second goal during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Sunny day at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on Real Sociedad for our last preseason match before the 2026-27 officially begins. It fit our general spirit as the Blues seemed eager to show home fans a better side of Xabi Alonso’s football.

The hosts didn’t take long to take over the pitch and start creating chances. On one of those with a superb Pedro Neto cross, João Pedro almost netted his sixth preseason goal. While goalkeeper Álex Remiro did save JP’s effort, he couldn’t do it a second time as new signing Morgan Rogers got us the opening goal on a rebound.

With the initial 15 minutes breezing past us, Real Sociedad began finding more space in defence. Their shots weren’t hard to defend at first, but they got increasingly tricky as time went by.

After some close range shaves, the visitors found the equaliser right before the end of first half with Jon Aramburu’s long range effort. At a time where it didn’t seem like Chelsea had the energy or the will to score more goals.

Chelsea returned from the tunnels with the same impetus they started the match, which usually bodes well for us. Soon after captain Reece James found João Pedro at the far post with a cross and the Brazilian striker got himself in the scoreline as a result.

João Pedro’s goal gave Chelsea a confidence boost to keep pushing for more goals, and we were really unlucky in not getting a third before the first barrage of substitutes came in. The newly introduced players did take a while to warm up, but they didn’t let us down as Malo Gusto — playing in place of Pedro Neto — assisted JP’s second goal.

Better aim would have netted us even more goals. Still a 3-1 scoreline against a top-10 La Liga team just before our first official match of the season.

is nothing to scoff at.

Carefree!

• Very strong lineup.

• Good start, awful rest of first half for Chelsea.

• Much better — and needed — effort in the second part.

• Next up: Fulham away in our 2026-27 Premier League debut.

• KTBFFH!

- Fellipe Miranda

CHELSEA LEGEND PAYS HEARTWARMING TRIBUTE TO BOBBY TAMBLING AFTER ICON'S DEATH

Ron Harris has paid tribute to former Chelsea team-mate Bobby Tambling after his sad passing.

The Blues legend, who spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge, has died aged 84

Chelsea legend Tambling has sadly passed away aged 84Credit: Getty

.Tambling scored 202 goals in 370 appearances for Chelsea between 1957 and 1970.

His tally made him the club's all-time top scorer until he was surpassed by Frank Lampard in 2013.

The former England striker also won the League Cup alongside Harris in 1965.

After leaving Chelsea, Tambling joined Crystal Palace before ending his career in the Republic of Ireland.

During his time in Ireland, he had spells with Cork Celtic, Waterford, Shamrock Rovers and Cork Alberts.

Tambling tribute

Following Tambling's death, Harris joined Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor on Thursday's talkSPORT Breakfast show.

Paying tribute to his former team-mate, the Chelsea icon said: "I played with Bob for many years.

"He was a fantastic player. A good trainer, came in every day, very seldom missed games and scored goals left, right and centre.

"I think he would have a field day today with people not allowed to tackle, whereas years ago in our time, people used to put some stick around and that.

"Bob was a fantastic trainer, a fantastic lad and a fantastic player."

Harris and Tambling were Chelsea team-mates for eight years during the 1960sCredit: Getty

Tambling had been tasked with replacing Jimmy Greaves in the side after his move to AC Milan in 1961.

Asked if those were big shoes to fill, Harris added: "That is true for somebody to do that, but Bob very seldom missed games.

"He was a good trainer, good lad and always worth a goal or two in games. He’s a fantastic lad. It’s sad that he’s passed away."

The former Chelsea captain continued: "Most of the lads were mingled together and had a laugh and a giggle.

"If somebody got invited out to a function or anything like that, Bob would be one of the first ones to put his name down to go and do a presentation and things like that.

"He was a great lad, Bob, on and off the field."

Harris played alongside Tambling at Chelsea for eight years after making his first-team debut in 1962.

The defender went on to become the club's all-time record appearance maker with 795 outings for the Blues.

As well as winning the League Cup with Tambling, Harris also lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971.

He left the club in 1980 to join Brentford before retiring three years later.

- Ciaran Wiseman

CHELSEA 2026/27 JERSEY LAUNCH UPDATE! | DRAKE, CENTRAL CEE AND DJ KHALID DROPPING VIDEO SOON

 

💙 CHELSEA 2026/27 JERSEY LAUNCH UPDATE!  

"According to reports, global superstars Drake, Central Cee, and DJ Khaled are teaming up with Chelsea for the official 2026/27 jersey launch video — dropping by the end of this season!."

#CFC #goviral #highlights #Chelsea #CentralCee #DJKhalid, #Drake

CHELSEA SACK LIAM ROSENIOR WITH SIX YEARS LEFT TO RUN ON CONTRACT AFTER NIGHTMARE SPELL

Liam Rosenior leaves Chelsea after losing his last five Premier League matches in charge, without the Blues scoring a single goal in any of those damaging defeats

Chelsea have sacked Liam Rosenior as their head coach(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)

Liam Rosenior has been sacked by Chelsea following a run of five consecutive Premier League defeats in which the team failed to score.

That run is their worst in the league over the past 113 years, dating back to six months after the Titanic sank in 1912. Rosenior only signed a six-and-a-half-year deal in January and started brightly but his side have quickly fallen down the Premier League table.

They were beaten comfortably 3-0 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday, and now are almost certain to miss out on qualification for next season’s Champions League. And now the club confirmed that Callum McFarlane will take charge until the end of the season, starting with Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.

Liam Rosenior acknowledges the Chelsea fans after the defeat to Brighton(Image: (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))

A club statement read: "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, we would like to place on record our gratitude to Liam and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club," a statement read.

"Liam has always conducted himself with the highest integrity and professionalism following his appointment midway through the season.

"This has not been a decision the club has taken lightly, however recent results and performances have fallen below the necessary standards with still so much more to play for this season.

Liam Rosenior following Chelsea's defeat to Brighton(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

"Everyone at Chelsea FC wishes Liam every success in the future. Calum McFarlane will take charge of the team as interim head coach until the end of the season with support from existing club backroom staff, as we strive to achieve European qualification and progress in the FA Cup.

"As the club works to bring stability to the head coach position, we will undertake a process of self-reflection to make the right long-term appointment."

Speaking after Chelsea’s defeat at the Amex, Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca in January, said he must identify which players he can trust after delivering a scathing assessment of his team’s woeful defeat.

Chelsea's fans make their feelings known to the players after tht defeat to Brighton(Image: (Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) )

“I understand their frustration,” he said of the fans. “The buck stops with me. I have thick skin and I understand why the fans are frustrated.

“I’m frustrated with the performances we’re putting in. I’ve just got to keep working hard with the staff, with the players.

“But what I do need to do is really look at how we go about games, the personnel of the team, who I can trust and rely on in difficult moments, because not enough players showed that.”

- Connor O'Neill  and Matthew Abbott

CHELSEA MANAGER LIAM ROSENIOR IS NOT DOING A BAD JOB SO FAR

 

COLE PALMER ACHIEVES HISTORIC FIRST IN PREMIER LEAGUE ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer has definitively etched his name into the history of English football this Saturday (7th).

According to Opta data, he became the first player in the entire Premier League era to score a hat-trick in the first half of three different matches.

This feat was achieved in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton. The Blues’ number 10 found the net at the 13th, 35th, and 38th minutes of the first half.

The first two goals were penalties, and the third came after a low cross from Cucurella, which Palmer finished almost inside the six-yard box.

The young Englishman had already scored a first-half hat-trick against Everton and Brighton previously, and now repeats the feat, showing remarkable composure in front of goal.

While many players spend an entire career trying to achieve a “hat-trick”, Palmer settles the game before halftime.

Record at Chelsea

The three goals against Wolverhampton also saw Palmer break an important record at Chelsea.

He became the player with the most hat-tricks in the club’s Premier League history, with four.

Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, all with three, are now behind him.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

- OneFootnall

ENZO MARESCA HELD TALKS WITH ANOTHER PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB BEFORE CHELSEA EXIT

Enzo Maresca left Chelsea by mutual consent (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca informed Chelsea he had held multiple talks with another Premier League club before his departure from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea confirmed on New Year’s Day that Maresca, who arrived in the summer of 2024, had left the club by mutual consent.

The Italian’s exit comes less than six months after he helped Chelsea win the Club World Cup at the end of his first season in west London.

Maresca also guided Chelsea to the Conference League title last season, while the Blues qualified for the Champions League on the final day.

Chelsea were tipped by many as dark horses to win the Premier League this season but any hopes of clinching the title quickly evaporated.

The Blues have won just one of their past seven league games, slipping 15 points behind Premier League leaders and London rivals Arsenal.

A dip in form coincided with growing tensions at boardroom level, with Maresca saying last month that a lack of support from ‘many people’ had made it his ‘worst 48 hours’ in the job.

Maresca had already been critical of Chelsea’s failure to sign a new centre-back last summer after Levi Colwill’s ACL injury and had started wearing his own clothing rather than club tracksuits.

Chelsea were booed off after Maresca’s final game in charge of the club – a 2-2 draw at home to struggling Bournemouth.

Another sign that the writing was on the wall for Maresca was speculation linking him with Manchester City, where he worked as an U23 coach and then as Pep Guardiola’s assistant before his stint at Leicester City.

Maresca publicly dismissed the links but The Athletic say he held talks with Man City on at least three occasions since late October.

It is claimed Maresca had conversations with ‘people associated with Manchester City’ about the manager’s job at the Etihad Stadium if and when a vacancy arises.

Maresca, who has been talked up as a potential successor to Guardiola, was obliged to inform Chelsea about the talks due to a clause in his contract.

Guardiola, one of the greatest managers of all time, looks set to end his long association with Man City next summer.

- Louis Sealey

ENZO MARESCA LEAVES CHELSEA AFTER DRAMATIC BREAKDOWN IN RELATIONS

Italian departs Stamford Bridge role after 18 months during which he led the club to Conference League and Club World Cup titles

Enzo Maresca has left his position as Chelsea manager, the Premier League club have announced. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Enzo Maresca has left his job as Chelsea’s head coach after his relationship with the club’s board broke down.

It had seemed Chelsea would give the Italian time to turn around his side’s form but events have moved quickly during the past 24 hours. There was deep dissatisfaction with the 45-year-old’s decisions during games but the bigger issue was his conduct away from the pitch.

The situation has been volatile ever since Maresca made cryptic comments about experiencing his “worst 48 hours” at the club after the win over Everton on December 13th.

“Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company,” read a statement. “During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the Uefa Conference League and the Fifa Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club.

“With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track. We wish Enzo well for the future.”

It is understood that Maresca, who had been in charge for 18 months, said his goodbyes to his players on Thursday morning. Chelsea, who are fifth in the Premier League after one win in seven games, visit Manchester City on Sunday. Liam Rosenior, the Strasbourg head coach, is a leading contender to replace the former Leicester manager. Strasbourg are Chelsea’s partner club.

A handful of other candidates are in the frame, with Chelsea hopeful of making an appointment in the next few days. They may need an interim, however, to take charge at the Etihad Stadium. A move for Rosenior will also depend on the quality of replacement Strasbourg can find for the 41-year-old. Eric Ramsay, the manager of Minnesota United, is under consideration.

Maresca’s demise comes after an uncertain few weeks and him being booed by the home support after the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The club were also baffled by him saying that “many people” had not supported him before the Everton game. Those remarks are viewed as the first of several self-inflicted wounds and offered a window into Maresca’s dissatisfaction with elements of the Chelsea project.

It did not help that Maresca refused to explain the reason behind his discontent. But sources with knowledge of the situation have said that the clash came down to him pushing the club to give him more room to ignore the medical department’s advice on protecting certain players.

Chelsea have guarded against injuries by implementing a strict rotation policy and it is said that the head coach was informed by the sporting leadership team that he would not be allowed to overrule the medical department on return to play protocols. The aim is to protect the likes of Reece James, Pedro Neto and Wesley Fofana, all of whom have struggled with injuries in the past. Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s best player, has struggled with a persistent groin injury this season and is currently unable to play three full games a week.

Maresca’s mood has not been helped by receiving external criticism when rotation has led to disappointing results. He rotated heavily during the shock defeat to Leeds earlier last month and made substitutions with load management in mind when Chelsea lost to Atalanta in the Champions League a week later. The defeat to Atalanta came four days before Maresca’s “worst 48 hours” remarks.

Chelsea, though, feel there have been times when Maresca has ignored the data provided by the medical department. It was not viewed well when James, who has a long history of knee and hamstring problems, played three full games in the space of a week last month. The captain had not managed that since 2023.

Chelsea were equally unimpressed when Maresca was touted as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard leave City at the end of the season. There have also been links with Juventus. There have been suggestions that Maresca wanted more power but Chelsea are not willing to alter a structure in which they have built an extensive recruitment team and focused on signing some of the best young talent in the game. Maresca’s request for a new centre back when he lost Levi Colwill to injury before the start of the season went unanswered.

There is a feeling that Maresca’s behaviour has affected the team’s form. Chelsea have dropped 15 points from winning positions in the league this season, 13 of them at home.

Further tension was created by Maresca saying he felt too unwell to do his press conference after the Bournemouth game. Club insiders were left surprised when Maresca’s assistant, Willy Caballero, spoke to the media. Caballero said the manager had been under the weather for two days but there were claims on Wednesday night that Maresca had actually made it clear that he did not want to conduct his usual press duties. It was said he was considering his options after growing dissatisfied with elements of the Chelsea project.

Chelsea’s preference had been to review Maresca’s position at the end of the season. Their patience ran out on Wednesday night, though, and they are looking for their fifth permanent head coach since being bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022. – Guardian

-- Jacob Steinberg

CHELSEA COULD NOW APPOINT SHOCK MANAGER WITH ENZO MARESCA EXPECTED TO LEAVE

Enzo Maresca is ‘highly likely’ to leave Chelsea on Thursday (January 1) after a ‘complete breakdown in his relationship with the club’. This is according to a shock report from The Guardian, who understand that emergency talks are being held over the Italian manager’s position at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca is no longer expected to be in charge for Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday. Sources have indicated to The Guardian that Maresca wants to leave the Blues, although it’s unclear if he is willing to walk away without a payoff.

Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal, but December’s results have put Maresca under increased pressure. The west London outfit have won just one of the previous seven league matches.

Maresca, 45, was appointed by Chelsea in June 2024, replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge. The former Italy Under-21 international, who played for the likes of West Brom, Juventus, Fiorentina and Sevilla during his playing career got the Chelsea job after guiding Leicester City to the Championship title.

While Maresca has enjoyed success at Chelsea - winning the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles - it appears the breakdown in relations between him and the club’s hierarchy will lead to his imminent departure.

Early Contenders to Replace Maresca at Chelsea

It’s currently unclear who will replace Maresca if the Italian does leave, although The Guardian say that ‘one solution’ would be to appoint Liam Rosenior - the current Strasbourg head coach.

The 41-year-old Englishman, who spent most of his professional playing career with Hull City before managing the Tigers between 2022-2024, may jump at the opportunity to coach one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.

Rosenior has impressed at Strasbourg, who are Chelsea’s partner club, although his potential appointment will depend on whether his current employers are able to find a quality replacement now.

Other names that currently among the bookmakers’ favourites include Como boss Cesc Fabregas, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.

In any case, it feels increasingly likely that Chelsea will now be on the hunt for their fifth permanent manager since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club in 2022.

- Rob Swan

CHELSEA VS. ARSENAL | LONDON DERBY | SUPER SUNDAY

 

JOSE MOURINHO SUFFERS DEFEAT ON CHELSEA HOMECOMING

Dodi Lukebakio, right, caused problems for Chelsea and Marc Cucurella (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Jose Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge homecoming ended in defeat as Chelsea got their Champions League season going at the second attempt with a 1-0 win over Benfica.

It was the seventh time since his sacking in 2015 that the three-time Premier League winner had returned to sit in the away dugout but there was to be no fairytale for his underdogs, an own goal from midfielder Richard Rios after 18 minutes the difference.

Enzo Maresca’s side had been outclassed despite a brave, ambitious showing in losing to Bayern Munich in their opening game, but Mourinho’s visitors posed a different challenge, sitting deep and challenging the home side to pick through them.

Richard Rios’ own goal was decisive (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

They managed it just once but decisively, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho the goal’s twin architects – one with a cross, the other with a brilliant sliding reach, and the unfortunate Rios did the rest.

It took less than two minutes for the first round of “Jose Mourinho” chants to fill the air, a reminder to Maresca if one was needed of the challenge that lies ahead if he wishes fully to win a place in supporters’ affections.

Three defeats in four had exposed some of the glitches in the circuitry of his young side, chiefly a questionable discipline and a tendency to lose concentration at key moments, but there was enough here to reaffirm that Chelsea remain broadly on track despite their stumble.

Issues with discipline still need to be addressed. Joao Pedro, a second-half substitute, was dismissed in the final minute of added time, a second yellow card for a high boot bringing Chelsea’s tally of reds to three in four matches.

By then, though, victory had been assured.

Joao Pedro collected a second yellow card late on (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Enzo Fernandez blasted low and wide early on against his former club, then Belgium international Dodi Lukebakio tried to sneak one between Robert Sanchez and his near post, the goalkeeper turning his driven effort onto the woodwork.

Neto warmed up his left foot with a wicked drive that flashed inches wide after darting in off the flank.

It was from the same boot that Chelsea’s opening goal was worked minutes later, the Portugal international sending over a lovely, sweeping cross for Garnacho to slide onto determinedly and turn it back into the six-yard box where it bounced in off Rios.

Lukebakio was a ready danger on the right side with Marc Cucurella struggling to contain the winger, who was Benfica’s most dangerous player in the first half. A last-ditch challenge from Trevoh Chalobah prevented his cut-back from reaching striker Vangelis Pavlidis as the visitors threatened a quick response.

Dodi Lukebakio, right, caused problems for Chelsea and Marc Cucurella (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

The game was briefly paused when missiles rained down on Fernandez from the away end as he prepared to take a corner, the Chelsea captain still a figure of derision in Lisbon after defecting to west London in 2023.

Exciting teenage winger Estevao Willian was sent on in the second half at the head of a trio of attacking changes as Maresca sought to kill off the game.

After substitutions during Saturday’s defeat to Brighton that were deemed negative, the spirit of adventure drew a wave of appreciation from supporters near the dugout.

He remains short of the love showered over his opposite number, but this win was a start.

- Robert O'Connor

DISTANCE BETWEEN STAMFORD BRIDGE AND CRAVEN COTTAGE IS ONLY 2174M

 

JOHN OBI MIKEL ON JOINING CHELSEA AMID INTEREST FROM MANCHESTER UNITED

 

CHELSEA MAKE DECISION ON SELLING NICOLAS JACKSON AFTER LEAVING EN

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson had a moment to forget at the Club World Cup.

Nicolas Jackson was sent off in Chelsea's surprise defeat to Flamengo (Image: GETTY)

Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Nicolas Jackson after his nightmare cameo in their Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo. Enzo Maresca brought him off the bench in the second half, replacing Liam Delap as the Blues' main striker. It turned out to be an awful decision, with Jackson only lasting four minutes before he was given his marching orders.

A reckless challenge on Flamengo defender Ayrton Lucas left the referee with little choice but to brandish his red card. Jackson was heavily criticised after the final whistle, with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel branding him 'stupid' in a furious rant. Now, it has emerged that Jackson could soon leave Stamford Bridge with two Italian clubs thought to be circling.

He is 'no longer untouchable' at Chelsea and the west Londoners are open to cashing in on his signature, according to Sky Sport Italia. It is claimed that senior figures are 'considering a future without' Jackson after Juventus and Napoli registered their interest.

Both clubs are said to have reached out to Jackson's representatives to gauge his interest in moving to Serie A. They have asked to be kept informed about the player's situation, with his future in the Premier League seemingly uncertain.

Napoli are said to be eyeing several other attacking targets, including Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez and Udinese marksman Lorenzo Lucca. As a result, a concrete move for Jackson is more likely to come from Juventus.

Only time will tell if Jackson ends up leaving Chelsea over the coming weeks, with the 24-year-old having already issued a public apology for his red card against Flamengo.

On social media, he wrote: "To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. Another red card... and honestly, I’m so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.

"I still don’t fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn’t intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way.

"No excuses. I take full responsibility. I’ll reflect, I’ll grow, and I’ll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry."

Maresca, meanwhile, took a diplomatic approach when asked if Jackson’s lack of discipline could see him permanently benched in favour of Delap.

"No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico’s future," said the Chelsea boss. "He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one [against Flamengo].

"I’m not sure that it’s 100 per cent a red card, but the referee decided for that and Nico knows very well that in both situations [it] was not something good for the team."

- ARCHIE GRIGGS

CHELSEA FC | LAST 10 OWNERS OF CHELSEA'S NO 9 SHIRT

 

ROMAN ABRAMOVICH THREATENED BY 'FRUSTRATED' RACHEL REEVES OVER £2.5BILLION CHELSEA FUNDS

Rachel Reeves says she is willing to pursue Roman Abramovich through the courts (Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is being threatened with legal action by the UK Labour Government over his failure to release £2.5 billion of funds from the sale of the UEFA Conference League champions to help victims of the war in Ukraine.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, along with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, is said to be 'frustrated' by the inability to reach an agreement with Mr Abramovich on the frozen proceeds of the sale. The Stamford Bridge club was sold in May 2022 after Mr Abramovich was among the high-profile Russian oligarchs sanctioned following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The funds were frozen, with a plan for them to be used to alleviate the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine. But an agreement has yet to be reached with Mr Abramovich over the use of the money, which is held in a UK bank account.

The funds were frozen, with a plan for them to be used to alleviate the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine. But an agreement has yet to be reached with Mr Abramovich over the use of the money, which is held in a UK bank account.

The money cannot be moved without a licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation. Ms Reeves and Mr Lammy said: “The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.

“We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far. While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”

- Chris Ballinger

CHELSEA'S MARESCA SAYS CONFERENCE LEAGUE 'BEST COMPETITION IN THE WORLD'

Wroclaw (Poland) (AFP) – Enzo Maresca said he had to convince his Chelsea players this season that the UEFA Conference League was the "best competition in the world" as he prepares for Wednesday's final against Real Betis.

Enzo Maresca faced the media ahead of the Conference League final in Wroclaw

The Premier League club are seeking to end their campaign with a flourish in Wroclaw after securing a Champions League spot for next season.

If they beat Betis in Poland, Chelsea would become the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions, having previously won the Champions League, the Europa League and the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup.

Maresca, in his first season as manager at Stamford Bridge, said he had been forced to stress the importance of Europe's third-tier club competition to his players.

"Probably the most complicated thing this season about the Conference (League) has been to convince the players that for us it was the best competition in the world," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"And the reason why was because it was the competition that we were in."

Chelsea are two-time European champions but have not won silverware since lifting the Champions League in 2021 under former boss Thomas Tuchel, now in charge of England.

"We cannot play Champions League if we are in the Conference (League), or we cannot play Europa (League). We are in the Conference, so for us it was the most important competition, and we need to try to win that.

"If we are able to win, I think it's a good thing, especially because we continue to build a winning mentality."

Chelsea, favourites from the start, have reached the final in eye-catching style, scoring a competition-record 38 goals so far and winning 11 of their 12 matches.

Maresca, 45, will pit his wits against 71-year-old Manuel Pellegrini, a man he describes as a football "father figure" after playing under him at Malaga and serving as assistant coach at West Ham.

The Seville-based club, playing in their first European final, finished sixth in La Liga.

'Outburst'

Maresca rounded on his critics after his youthful side secured fourth spot in the Premier League on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, even using an expletive.

The average age of Chelsea's starting XI is the youngest ever in a single Premier League campaign.

Maresca's men were within touching distance of eventual champions Liverpool in mid-December before stumbling badly, but results picked up again towards the end of the campaign.

On Tuesday he described Sunday's eruption as an "outburst" in the heat of the moment.

"From our point of view, they (critics) were not talking in the right way," he said.

"And the reason why is because, yes, we are young, yes, we are the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League, but at the same time, they are men.

"So I also used what critics had said to say, 'Guys, today (Sunday) is a chance that we can say that we are not young, we are mature enough, we can compete and we can do the right things'."

The former Leicester boss said sealing a Champions League place for next season had been a huge relief.

"We feel much better," he said. "I said a few times during the season that for me it was already a good season for different reasons.

"It can become a very good season if we finish top four, top five and if we are able to win the final tomorrow.

"The first target is there. We achieved that last Sunday and hopefully we can achieve tomorrow the second one."

- © 2025 AFP

CHELSEA RECALL CRYSTAL PALACE DEFENDER FROM LOAN AS FORMER IPSWICH STAR RETURNS TO STAMFORD BRIDGE

One of Crystal Palace’s defenders is packing his bags and returning home - after his parent club have recalled him from loan.

Adam Davy/PA

Chelsea have activated a clause in the contract of Trevoh Chalobah, bringing him back to Stamford Bridge halfway through his loan spell with Crystal Palace.

It comes amid a difficult defensive spell for the Blues, having conceded twice to Bournemouth in a 2-2 last night (January 14) and previously conceding to Fulham, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace in consecutive Premier League matches. This has been compounded by a defensive injury crisis that has forced the hand of manager Enzo Maresca.

Wesley Fofana has suffered a setback on his hamstring injury, and could be ruled out until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Benoit Badiashile is sidelined and Alex Disasi is being linked with a move away from the club.

- David George