The season opens at Fulham
Chelsea's Premier League campaign starts Monday 24 August, a London derby at Fulham (5) (6). Kickoff is 21:00 CEST. This is the first competitive match of the season.
Alonso: Palmer's injuries are behind him
Xabi Alonso is backing Cole Palmer to come back strong. "Cole has gone through a difficult period with the injury, and now he's working really hard to have the prevention not to have to feel those symptoms" (1). Alonso called his level "top-class, world-class I would say" (4) (5).
Lacroix comfortable in either shape
New signing Maxence Lacroix has played both a back three and a back four. "At Wolfsburg, at Palace and also in the national team," he said (4). He is fine with either tactic.
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
Badiashile loaned to Napoli
Benoit Badiashile has joined Napoli on loan, announced yesterday (4) (5) (13). Chelsea are down to 11 players still to shift.
Two clubs chase Jackson
Aston Villa and Tottenham are in a head-to-head battle for Nicolas Jackson (5) (11). Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea are in active talks. Atletico Madrid are also mentioned.
Mudryk could leave for minutes
Alonso has revealed Chelsea's plan for Mykhailo Mudryk: get him minutes. Premier League clubs have made offers (9) (10).
Emegha wanted, Guiu linked to Sevilla
Fiorentina have enquired about striker Emmanuel Emegha, shortly after his summer arrival (3) (8). Marc Guiu is expected to leave and Sevilla are interested (12).
Loanee Satpayev debuts for Burnley
Dastan Satpayev played his first league minutes for Burnley in a defeat to West Brom in the Championship (1) (3) (13).
Páez warned over his career
Kendry Páez is out of River Plate's first-team plans. "He made decisions that have complicated his life," said Michel Deller (14). Chelsea are still trying to find him a destination.
Fan reactions
The big talking point in the fan threads is Enzo Fernández. City's live interest, with a possible sale if the money is right, has supporters split on the risk of losing him before the September 1 deadline. The most relevant discussion is on the Chelsea subreddit.
