Derry loaned to Sporting for the season
Jesse Derry is heading to Portugal. The 19-year-old winger has joined Sporting CP on a season-long loan, both clubs confirmed Saturday (1) (2) (5). Derry did not hide his ambition: "Vim para ajudar o clube a ganhar títulos", I came to help the club win titles (1) (10). The move tells you Xabi Alonso wants him playing real minutes, not waiting on the fringes at Stamford Bridge (8).
Garnacho no-show, Chelsea want €50m
Alejandro Garnacho skipped preseason training. Chelsea have responded by prioritising his exit and slapping a €50m price tag on the Argentine winger, signed just last summer (3) (9). Roma are watching the situation (11). One season, and it is already over.
Palestra and Quenda in, Cucurella to Madrid
A window of movement. Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda have arrived at Chelsea. Marc Cucurella has gone the other way, completing his move to Real Madrid (4). Alonso is reshaping the squad fast.
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Alonso wants a €50m Real Madrid star
Alonso is not done with Madrid. Chelsea had a first offer rejected for an unnamed Spanish star and Alonso is pushing the club to go back in at around €50m (7). No name yet. That one is worth watching.
Chelsea open Rowe talks
Jonathan Rowe is on the radar. Chelsea have opened talks over the winger, per Sunday's gossip round (12). United and Liverpool, meanwhile, are circling Joao Gomes.
Failed medicals scupper deals
Not everything is going smoothly. Several Chelsea deals have collapsed because of failed medicals, part of a wider pattern across the Premier League this window (13).
Ken Bates dies at 94
Ken Bates, Chelsea owner from 1982 to 2003, has died aged 94 (6). He bought the club for £1 and kept it alive through its darkest financial years. Love him or hate him, Chelsea would not be here without him.
Fan reactions
The Derry loan has split opinion. Some fans see it as smart development, regular football at a Champions League club beats sitting on Chelsea's bench. Others worry the club is letting another academy talent drift away. Join the discussion.
