Women's FA Cup: gut-punch exit at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea were 2-0 up and heading to the FA Cup final. Then Khadija Shaw happened.
Shaw pulled one back for Man City, then scored in the 91st minute to force extra time, then headed home the winner. Chelsea lost 3-2 after extra time at home (5) (7) (10) (12). It's as painful as it sounds.
Manager Sonia Bompastor was blunt: "We needed to be smarter in the last 10 minutes" (9). The irony? Shaw is strongly linked with a move to Chelsea this summer. She just ended their season (12).
Man City face Brighton in the final.
Men's team: a draw at Anfield that felt like neither
Chelsea held Liverpool 1-1 at Anfield (1) (8). Ryan Gravenberch put Liverpool ahead early, but Enzo Fernández curled in a free-kick to level it.
A point away at Anfield isn't nothing. But Chelsea's European spot is still not secure, and the second half gave little confidence (8).
Manager hunt: Alonso leads, Iraola stalling
Fabrizio Romano has indicated Chelsea are genuine contenders for Xabi Alonso, describing it as a long-term project with a major contract offer (14) (15). Chelsea are reportedly playing it cool publicly to avoid complicating negotiations (16).
Andoni Iraola is also on the list, but he's told clubs there's "no rush" on his future. Bournemouth are hoping to keep him by qualifying for the Champions League (18).
Chelsea need a manager. The Alonso trail is the warmest one right now.
Transfer corner: Estevao target, Madueke gone for good
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Estevao from Chelsea in the summer of 2026, with a fee of around £80m being discussed (13). Estevao only just arrived, so this is one to file under "not happening soon."
Meanwhile, Noni Madueke has explained why he left Chelsea for Arsenal. The timing is awkward: Chelsea's wide options are threadbare right now, with Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Jesse Derry, Alejandro Garnacho, and Pedro Neto all unavailable or injured (17).