Luton at home in the Carabao Cup
Chelsea will face League One Luton Town at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup second round (1) (6). The tie is set for the week of August 24, the same week your team opens the Premier League season away at Fulham. It is a kind draw. Luton are two divisions below and the match is at home. Chelsea have not won this competition since 2015.
Chalobah joins Como after 19 years at the club
Trevoh Chalobah has left Chelsea. The academy graduate signed a five-year deal with Serie A side Como, ending a 19-year stay at the club (3). The move was sealed on Sunday. Chalobah said the call with Cesc Fabregas, now a coach at Como, was what sold him: "The call with Cesc was really good, he showed how much he wanted me" (3).
Wigan close to loan for Walsh, new contract incoming
Reggie Walsh is nearing a season-long loan to League One Wigan Athletic (2). The 17-year-old midfielder is also expected to sign improved terms at Chelsea before heading out for his first senior loan spell (2).
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United join the race for Wharton
Manchester United have entered the battle for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton (4). Chelsea have tracked him for months, but Palace are reportedly holding out for around £86m. Xabi Alonso will not get a free run at this one.
Arsenal circling Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto could leave Chelsea this summer, and Arsenal are among the clubs interested (5). Several European sides are also monitoring the Portuguese winger. No formal bid yet, but the noise is growing.
Fan reactions
The mood around the Chalobah departure is subdued. Most fans seem to accept it was time, though there is real warmth for a player who came through the ranks. The Luton draw has been met with a shrug: an easy-looking tie but frustration that the calendar might shove it to Thursday the 27th. The Walsh loan to Wigan has been noted alongside a separate report that Ishe Samuels-Smith is off to Notts County on loan too. Another young player, 16-year-old Vicente Garcia from LA Galaxy, is reportedly close to signing. Read the full discussion
