Chelsea

Will Faulks
Fan writer

We're just a few Enzo Maresca press conferences in to the new Chelsea manager's reign, but we're already starting to get an idea of what he's all about.

Gone is the cuddly, encouraging atmosphere that Mauricio Pochettino brought to the table. Maresca is much more precise, quite blunt and not keen on messing around. While he is determined not to be painted simply as a knock-off Pep Guardiola, there's no denying he has the same air of intensity when it comes to talking about football.

The head coach has a long way to go in getting this team back to the top level, but Sunday's result was an important step. His side got a few lucky breaks, and there still were obvious issues to sort out, but an impressive result like that buys plenty of time and freedom to get to work on fixing them.

The return leg in the Europa Conference League play-off on Thursday gives Maresca a further chance to tweak and tinker before Chelsea play Crystal Palace this weekend. Already there are debates about what changes he might make to a winning team for that game. Romeo Lavia needs has to come back in to give the midfield a bit more body - but who do you leave out?

Up front there are similar questions. Mykhailo Mudryk has surely played his way out of contention now, with Pedro Neto likely to replace him. But how do you fit Neto, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku and hat-trick scorer Noni Madueke into the same attack? How about Joao Felix, who returned to action with a goal against Wolves? Thankfully, the big win has bought Maresca a lot of time to answer these questions, and more authority to add important weight to his decisions.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth have agreed a season-long loan deal for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, subject to a medical.

The 29-year-old is travelling to the south coast for his medical after extending his contract at Stamford Bridge until 2026.

The extension was put in place so Chelsea could avoid losing him on a free transfer at the end of the loan deal, with his previous contract expiring next June.

The move is expected to end Bournemouth's interest in Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale and could see Mark Travers leave the club before Friday's transfer deadline.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign goalkeeper Mike Penders from Genk next summer.

The 19-year-old will officially join on a long-term contract until 2032 in the summer of 2025, for a feel believed to be in the region of £17m.

Penders, a Belgium Under-19 international, only made his senior debut for Genk in July.

He kept a clean sheet and, at 18 years and 363 days, became the third-youngest goalkeeper to debut in the Belgian top flight.

It was expected that he would sign this transfer window and return to Genk on loan, but in signing next year it keeps open a international loan spot this season, with only six allowed by Fifa.

The deal adds to the Blues' already vast array of goalkeepers, with Filip Jorgensen, Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, veteran Marcus Bettinelli and academy product Lucas Bergstrom all on the books.

Andros Townsend believes we are starting to see Chelsea "flourish" after their 6-2 win at Wolves on Sunday.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club the former Tottenham and England winger said Chelsea have been the better side in both of their league games this season and they are no longer "the laughing stock of the Premier League".

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 25, would prefer a move to Chelsea than the rumoured transfer to a club in Saudi Arabia. (i), external

England winger Raheem Sterling, 29, would consider a move to Manchester United but will not go ahead with a transfer until he has further discussed his contract with Chelsea. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

"He is cold and I am fire."

Those were the words of Chelsea's hat-trick hero Noni Madueke when asked about the provider of his three goals against Wolves, Cole Palmer - or 'Cold' Palmer as he is affectionately known by fans.

After an incredible debut season that saw him score 25 goals and provide 15 assists following his deadline day arrival from Manchester City last summer, there doesn't seem to be any hangover for Palmer.

The 22-year-old, who also scored in England's Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain, was once again at the heart of what Chelsea did well against Wolves.

He was cool and calm in a match that appeared chaotic to those watching, sending in the corner from which Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring, finding the net with a deft finish over goalkeeper Jose Sa for the Blues' second and turning provider on three occasions for Madueke.

It was the partnership between the two youngsters, both brought to the club by the new ownership in the past 18 months, that caught the eye.

Last season, Madueke, also only 22, struggled to cement a regular place in the side before finding his feet in the second half of the campaign where he became a regular feature, scoring three goals and making five assists in the final nine Premier League games.

Both favouring the right-side of the attack, there were questions last season over whether both players could play together.

They may have just answered that at Molineux on Sunday.

With Palmer playing more centrally behind Jackson and Madueke on the right-wing, the pair dominated that area of the pitch (as shown in their combined heatmap).

Madueke topped the stats among team-mates for goals (three), shots (six), shots in the box (five) and touches in the opposition box (six).

Meanwhile, Palmer was top for xG (0.67), assists (three), chances created (four) and total crosses (five). His eight passes to Madueke was also more than to any other player in blue.

Chelsea have a history of strong attacking partnerships, with Eidur Gudjohnsen-Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Frank Lampard-Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas-Diego Costa some of the most notable in recent times.

In Palmer and Madueke they may have just found their next one.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea winger Bolo Zenden speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "At Chelsea there's still a lot of forwards that are not in the squad. There is a lot to come before the window closes, who knows if more forces are coming in, but it’s more likely that players are going out.

"I worked with Noni Madueke at PSV – when he made the step to Chelsea I had my thoughts, I thought 'why would you go there?'

"To see him do well and score goals – he is a threat going forward, but he need to keep working hard in training. If you play like he did at the weekend he is going to be a starter and he needs to keep doing that."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Victor Osimhen's agent, Roberto Calenda, has hit out at reports that he could join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

The Italian said of his client, who is attracting interest from Chelsea, in a social media post: "Osimhen is a Napoli player, with a contract recently renewed with mutual satisfaction.

"He made history and when there were major offers (also this year) we always accepted the club's decisions.

"As I said, it is not a package to be shipped far away to make room for new prophets. Victor was elected African Footballer of the Year, eighth at the Ballon d'Or, he still has so much to do in Europe.

"There is need for respect and balance."

Chelsea are keen to sign the Nigeria striker on either a loan or swap deal and have discussed the sale of Romelu Lukaku in the other direction.

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Wolves and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Julian: Woeful and inadequate defensive display, particularly in the second half. Far too open and showed tactical naivety against an average at best opposition, who did little to score most of their goals. Most of their goals came from our non-existent left defensive side. Open attacking play is for basketball, not lower mid-table Premier League teams. Wake up.

Phil: Embarrassing. At least three of our players looked like they didn't want to play for Wolves! Did we have a tactical plan? This is certain relegation form.

Malcolm: Why do Wolves try to play in a 4-4-2 when it is obvious the current players perform much better in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 shape. The defence looked vulnerable from the start, but they capitulated in the second half. We need to bring in a goalkeeper and another experienced centre-back before the deadline. Jorgen Strand Larsen looks like a really good striker.

David: A team that looks ripe for relegation. This is what you get for selling your best players and buying second-rate replacements. I did forecast this outcome weeks ago. Fosun have a lot to answer for, and our chairman who is running the club down and telling fans to support another team.

Chelsea fans

Paul: I was well impressed with the second half display. The first half was too open for my liking. I'm really glad for Noni Madueke with his hat-trick and happy for Joao Felix on his second debut goal. It was a lot better than his last debut with the sending off. I hope we shine a lot more this season.

Mike: Madueke and Palmer looked the real deal playing together, albeit Wolves were not exactly on top form. I see speculation already that Noni Madueke will be the next big name to be sold by the club and, with the current owners, nothing would surprise me...

James: It is brilliant to see these lads perform like that. The youngest team in the league are making a name for themselves. I'm so happy to see Noni Madueke get his moment - he always gives his all. Absolutely brilliant from everyone.

Baz: Whatever was said at half-time, it certainly flicked a switch and unlocked Chelsea's talent. More of this please!

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Empoli are in advanced talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin.

The Blues are likely to earn little up front for the 22-year-old, but include a sizeable sell-on clause in the deal with the Serie A side.

Anjorin is expected to soon complete a medical and will leave having been at the Stamford Bridge club since he was seven.

He has made five senior appearances for Chelsea and also had spells on loan at Portsmouth, Huddersfield Town and Lokomotiv Moscow.

But injury issues have slowed Anjorin's development and he trains with the 'loan group' away from Enzo Maresca's first-team squad.

Image source, Chelsea FC

Chelsea have unveiled their new 2024-25 third kit that has been inspired by the 1970's punk rock movement.

The club say the patterned black shirt and shorts "have eye-catching yellow and pink trim and you can glance at the weave for plenty of ripped-up, clashing punk patterns revived.

"A 'Blues' patch inside is etched in typography that is straight out of 1977."

The pink trim includes a badge replaced with just the lion logo and a vertical double Nike swoosh that "points upward to celebrate the rise of women's football."

The kit was revealed by the women's team in their pre-season win over Arsenal on Sunday night and will be worn by the men's team in future games.

"With young players to the fore in 2024 at Chelsea, revisiting one of the greatest youth cult explosions could not be better timed," the club added.

Image source, Getty Images

Former WSL striker Natasha Dowie says Chelsea's 6-2 win over Wolves "is a big statement" but feels building on it is what matters.

Chelsea took the lead after 98 seconds at Molineux and a second-half Noni Madueke hat-trick gave them their first Premier League victory of the season.

"If you are a Chelsea fan, or player, then you want to do your talking on the pitch," said Dowie on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast. "And there has been too much talk off the pitch because of everything that has been going on at the club and the poor result in the opening game of the season.

"To go away to Wolves and score six goals is a big statement and they need to continue that. It cannot be a one off.

"It was a great result and I am sure the fans are very happy because there has been so much negativity around the club. I am sure that will still be around but it might brush it under the carpet until the next game."

Listen to the Football Daily Podcast on BBC Sounds

Chelsea are considering a move for Manchester United's England winger Jadon Sancho, 24, and could look to include 29-year-old England forward Raheem Sterling in a swap deal. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Chelsea have resumed talks with Napoli for Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 25, with the terms becoming more favourable for the English club. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Noni Madueke could time his run into England consideration to perfection.

The winger's 15-minute hat-trick against Wolves in Chelsea's 6-2 win on Sunday underlined his talent - talent which was not seen consistently enough last season.

Four goals in his opening two games, and perhaps a new lease of life under Enzo Maresca, gives him an excellent platform.

The head coach said in his post-match interview that Madueke was his type of winger, praising his defensive efforts, and the former PSV star could flourish this season.

England's interim manager Lee Carsley will be paying close attention ahead of facing Ireland and Finland in the Nations League next month.

While Madueke was initially called up to the Under-21s by Aidy Boothroyd in 2021, Carsley was coach and continued to pick him after taking charge of the Young Lions.

There will be a fight to get into the squad - he is not going to oust Bukayo Saka and England are already blessed with attacking talent at the top end - but, if Madueke continues his explosive start, he will surely be in the selection discussions.