Chelsea Women host Arsenal Women on Sunday
The weekend's big one is at the Bridge: Chelsea Women vs Arsenal Women in the Women's Super League on Sunday (7). It is the fixture both sets of fans circle first when the calendar drops.
Sports Mole has the preview out, with team news and predicted lineups (7).
Tuchel's swipe at Palmer
Thomas Tuchel has gone public on why Cole Palmer keeps missing England camps. "He misses a lot of training because of injuries, and I only want to trust what I see and witness in my team, and for that you have to be present in training" (1) (4).
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Tuchel left Palmer out of the World Cup squad, then called him up for the Nations League. Palmer withdrew through injury (1) (4).
Xabi Alonso has backed his playmaker publicly in the middle of it (2).
Palmer's future, and Estevao waiting behind him
Palmer has reportedly made his mind up on a Manchester United move, the club he supported growing up (5).
Estevao did not use his Brazil minutes to change anything. A quiet return means no real pressure on Alonso to start him ahead of Palmer (3).
FA charge over Fulham chanting
The FA has charged Chelsea over alleged discriminatory chanting in the Premier League away match at Fulham in August (6). The club faces a possible punishment (6).
Right-back, midfield and defence on the wishlist
Chelsea are interested in Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong at right-back (8).
Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin is reported to have Stamford Bridge in his career plan. Former Rangers teammate Ryan Jack: "I don't believe he hid that he wanted to use this club as a step towards Stamford Bridge" (9).
Khusanov is also on the radar as a defensive addition (10).
Fan reactions
The mood is mostly worry about bodies. Palmer is in the Caribbean on a club-approved recovery plan with a personal rehab coach during Chelsea's nine days off, per Nizaar Kinsella, and Jamie Gittens was spotted on crutches after coming off before half-time in England's 4–2 win over Kazakhstan. Morgan Rogers, Palmer's England teammate, got a laugh with his line that "being around him 24–7 can be quite tough" and that Palmer "needs to focus on his body." Thread.
