Joao Pedro is staying put
Chelsea are set to hand Joao Pedro a new long-term contract, running to 2034 (1) (3). Your striker is being tied down for the long haul. The club's commitment to him is clear.
Atletico want Jackson
Nicolas Jackson is in talks with Atletico Madrid (2) (4). Chelsea want £65m in a permanent sale. Atletico prefer an initial loan, and no offer has landed yet from the La Liga club (4). The player is prioritising Atletico over Aston Villa (8).
Opta's grim prediction
Opta's supercomputer gives Chelsea a 3.8% chance of winning the title in Alonso's first Premier League season (5). It rates relegation as more likely than a title tilt. Six points from nothing yet, the season starts Monday at Fulham.
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
Enzo's future is open
Xabi Alonso left question marks over Enzo Fernandez's future (6). His comments raise uncertainty about whether Enzo stays before the window closes.
Reece James and the Monday selection
Alonso spoke about Reece James ahead of the Fulham opener (4). He hinted that players who went deep in the World Cup may not start Monday.
Lewis-Skelly is not coming
Mikel Arteta confirmed Myles Lewis-Skelly stays at Arsenal despite Chelsea and Manchester United links (9). His answer was '100 procent'. That door is shut.
Fan-reaktioner
The subreddit is buzzing ahead of the opener, with Alonso's 'We are ready' press conference doing the rounds. Fans are noting the club's plan to hand new contracts to key players after the window closes, Levi Colwill and Estevao Willian among those mentioned. There is warmth for Joao Pedro too, with one thread simply titled 'João is funny guy'.
