Carabao Cup draw lands Chelsea with Luton at home, fixture chaos follows
Chelsea have drawn Luton Town at home in the Carabao Cup second round. The tie will be played the week of August 27 (9).
That is the problem. Your league opener is at Fulham on Monday, August 24. Then Luton three days later. Two London derbies in four days before the season has even found its rhythm.
Fulham got the same treatment. They drew AFC Wimbledon away. Two West London clubs now scrambling to sort scheduling around the same midweek.
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Brighton enter the competition at this stage too.
Enzo Fernandez to City talk surfaces
Manchester City are exploring a deal for Enzo Fernandez (4). The numbers being floated are around £120m. That is the kind of fee that makes a club listen, even for a midfielder who started 30 league games last season.
No bid yet. But City want a midfield refresh and Fernandez is on the list alongside Tijjani Reijnders.
Lewis-Skelly offered to Chelsea
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to Chelsea after Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes (3). Chelsea have long-term interest in the 19-year-old left-back, the club already made an enquiry earlier this window (1).
No decision yet on whether Chelsea will move. Manchester United have also been sounded out.
£50m-plus price tag on Liam Delap
Chelsea want more than £50m for Liam Delap, per The Athletic (2). That is the number set for any club looking to sign the striker this window.
Neto wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool
Pedro Neto has interest from both Arsenal and Liverpool (8). The Portuguese winger is on the radar of two direct rivals, which puts Chelsea in a position of strength if either club formalises their interest.
Reggie Walsh heading to Wigan on loan
Chelsea are closing in on a deal to send young midfielder Reggie Walsh on loan to Wigan Athletic, with a new contract also being tied down (6).
Chelsea Women draw Real Sociedad with €505k on the line
Chelsea Women face Real Sociedad in the Women's Champions League third qualifying round. The two-legged tie starts August 26, with a place in the league phase and €505,000 at stake (5).
Fan reactions
The Lewis-Skelly story has Chelsea fans split. Some on r/chelseafc see a talented 19-year-old with homegrown status as a smart pick-up, especially if Arsenal are willing to let him go after landing Guimaraes. Others wonder whether left-back is really where the squad needs attention right now. [r/chelseafc thread]
