Brentford on Friday, and a midfield that needs fixing
Brentford at home on Friday, and Bournemouth already showed you the blueprint (2). Xabi Alonso has a midfield problem to solve first (2). You sit 6th on 7 points after four games, so this one matters.
Your last league game was Chelsea 2–2 Hull City on Saturday, September 12. A draw at home to Hull is not the standard. Before that, Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea on September 6, a 4–3 home win over Brighton on August 30, and a 3–2 win at Fulham on August 24.
Carabao Cup fourth round draw
Two home wins in the bag, Luton and Leeds, and you are in the hat for round four (1). The draw details are out, and the Blues will learn their next opponent (1).
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A midfielder back in training
A Chelsea midfielder was spotted in training ahead of the Brentford game (6). No name was given. It is potential good news before a west London derby (6).
Bastoni price set, Real Madrid watching
Chelsea have confirmed the asking price for Alessandro Bastoni, and Real Madrid are paying attention (4). Whether that leads anywhere with the defender is unconfirmed.
Fermin Lopez on the January list
Chelsea are weighing a big January offer for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez (5). Alonso wants a midfielder in January, and Lopez has started this season well (5).
Two teenagers on the radar
Chelsea and Arsenal are leading the chase for 15-year-old Valerenga record-breaker Gabriel Rajkovic, with Manchester United also keen (3).
Separately, Chelsea have joined Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in the race for 18-year-old Leicester City midfielder Louis Page, valued at €18m, ahead of the January window (7). Chelsea are also scouting an Arsenal-linked Brazilian prospect just starting his senior career (8).
Fan reactions
The mood in the subreddit is all about the midfield. John Obi Mikel's line that the club failed to strengthen there has landed hard, and Manu Koné keeps coming up as the January answer, with Liverpool named as competition. There is also a live debate about Reece James in midfield, where John Terry said he still prefers him at right back. Christopher Nkunku's comments about being stuck in one position under the previous coach are still being picked apart. Thread
