Alonso says yes to Alexander-Arnold
Xabi Alonso has approved a Chelsea move for Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Real Madrid are open to selling (1) (2) (8). Chelsea are reported to be leading the race for the right-back (1) (8).
Alexander-Arnold has been backed for a Premier League return (2). That is the story your group chat will be on all morning.
Gusto is the other half of that deal
Malo Gusto's future hangs on it. Chelsea value the right-back at £75m, and Tottenham are monitoring his situation (6) (8).
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One marquee arrival, one big sale. That is the shape of the right side of your defence right now.
Spurs on Saturday, Udogie a doubt
Chelsea host Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 24 October, 18:30 CEST. Tottenham's Destiny Udogie is a knee doubt after missing their Coventry win, with no return date given (7).
You go in off two straight wins: Chelsea 5–1 AFC Bournemouth on October 10, then Everton 0–2 Chelsea on October 17. Fourth in the table on 13 points from seven.
Scott is still the one they want
Chelsea stay keen on Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after a £64m summer bid was rejected (3) (5). Bournemouth owner Bill Foley is not pretending otherwise: "We haven't given up, but sometimes players get stars in their eyes, and they think that Chelsea or Manchester City is the right place to go" (3).
January looks like the next window for another push (5).
Goncalves, €50m and a January plan
Chelsea and Manchester United are both eyeing a January move for Sporting's 19-year-old wide attacker Flavio Goncalves, with a €50m bid in the frame (1) (8).
The rest of the shopping list
Chelsea continue to chase Como midfielder Nico Paz but would have to pay above his €80m buyback clause (1) (8). Manu Koné at Roma is still on the radar, along with Liverpool (8). Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal is described as "one to watch" (8). Club Brugge forward Nicolò Tresoldi is being followed (8). Marc Guehi and Michael Olise are both linked (9).
Fan reactions
The subreddit is split between tactics and nerves. One heavily discussed thread picks apart Alonso's setup minute by minute, another is pure training-ground photo content ahead of the Spurs match. Model-based expected-points tables have also been doing the rounds, with the argument running that Tottenham should sit above Chelsea.
