Milan in Jakarta, Alonso's project taking shape
Your team face AC Milan in Jakarta on Saturday as Xabi Alonso works to bed in his ideas after a mixed pre-season (3). Two straight friendly defeats, the latest a 1–0 loss to Juventus in Hong Kong, have not shaken the manager's belief. "We want to have a great team spirit, and that is built on a daily basis with a great culture in the building," Alonso said (3).
He took the job with clear intent. "Diese Gelegenheit zu bekommen, macht mich stolz", getting this opportunity makes him proud (8). The squad is behind him too. One Chelsea player put it bluntly: "I don't care about the system" (10). The trust is there.
City eye Enzo Fernandez if Rodri leaves
Manchester City are circling. If Rodri moves to Barcelona, City view Enzo Fernandez as their target (2) (6). Chelsea have set an asking price around £120m for the midfielder (2). That number signals the club will not be pushed around, but City's interest is real and Rodri's potential exit could set off a chain reaction that lands at your door.
Get the next Chelsea FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Jackson to Villa held up, clearout hits FIFA hurdle
Nicolas Jackson's move to Aston Villa could stall because of UEFA accounting rules tied to Morgan Rogers' £117m transfer in the opposite direction (5). The deal is not off, but it is tangled in financial regulation.
Separately, a planned squad clearout under Alonso has hit a wall. New FIFA and FIFPRO player protections make it harder to force unwanted players out (7). The summer was already complicated.
Alonso closes the door on Diogo Costa
Xabi Alonso has shut the door on any move for Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa (4). No pursuit, no talks. The manager appears content with his options between the posts heading into the season.
Fan-reaktioner
Expectation is growing that Ryan Kavuma-McQueen will complete a loan move to Portsmouth next week, fresh off the pre-season tour with the senior squad. Fans are taking it as a positive sign for the academy pathway. Meanwhile, the City links to Enzo Fernandez have supporters split, some see £120m as strong business if Rodri's move triggers a bidding war, others are uneasy about losing a starter this close to the season. Marco Palestra's first interviews have landed well, with fans noting he called Chelsea "one of the best teams in club football" and pointing to his speed as a real asset.
