Chelsea vs Bournemouth Lineups: Predicted Lineup Today!

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Apr 18, 2025

Players Chelsea sold too early - Kevin de Bruyne

During the summer transfer window, Chelsea must be very active. Chelsea did appear to be a title contender early in the season, but their play has significantly declined in recent weeks. Even though billions have been spent recently, this team does require a little more quality.

Ian Wright wants Chelsea to recruit a new center back in addition to a new goalkeeper. But the primary issue at Chelsea is that this youthful team lacks experience. Joe Cole has been talking about Chelsea’s summer priorities on The Dressing Room Podcast, and he has made an intriguing assertion regarding who his old team ought to sign.

De Bruyne concluded a fruitful ten-year tenure with the Premier League winners earlier this month when he declared he would be departing City at the end of the current campaign. After the game, De Bruyne mentioned for the first time that he would be open to leaving City at the end of the season and joining a rival Premier League team.

Joe Cole says Chelsea should sign Kevin De Bruyne

When it was revealed that Kevin De Bruyne would be leaving Manchester City, Cole began talking about his future. Despite De Bruyne’s MLS connections, Cole believes Chelsea would benefit greatly from the £54 million midfielder’s skill and winning track record.

We need veteran players like Kevin De Bruyne, who has been hurt a little, but we might only need him for 30 games a season because of the leadership and winning ability he brings to the team. This is what I would say if I were Chelsea and I were sitting around with him.

Although De Bruyne only played a few games for Chelsea before leaving in 2014, the midfielder insisted there are no animosities between the two teams in an interview with The Guardian.

It was a wise move for me to go at that moment, and perhaps it was also a wise move for them to let me go. There isn’t any negative vibe. It’s a fact of life, and you must mature.

Naturally, Enzo Maresca will be familiar to De Bruyne from his time working under Pep Guardiola at City, so who knows? Maybe this is a deal that we could see through.

AFCON Rescheduling Could Sideline Jackson for Crucial Chelsea Fixtures

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Apr 17, 2025

Nicolas Jackson is one of Chelsea players going to Africa Cup of Nations — Bildbyran

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is poised to miss up to ten matches during the 2025–26 season due to his commitment to Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a contentious scheduling decision by FIFA.

Nicolas Jackson Set to Miss Up to 10 Chelsea Matches Due to AFCON Commitment

Originally slated for June and July 2025, the AFCON has been rescheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. This change was made to avoid a clash with FIFA’s inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, set for the same summer period.

The new AFCON dates coincide with the Premier League’s hectic festive schedule, potentially causing Jackson to miss several key fixtures.

During the same period in the 2024–25 season, Chelsea played six matches, including five league games and an FA Cup third-round tie.

Additional fixtures could arise if Chelsea progress in domestic cups or European competitions, further amplifying Jackson’s absence.

Senegal’s group stage matches are scheduled against Botswana on December 23, the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 27, and Benin on December 30.

Given Senegal’s strong track record—having reached the final in both the 2019 and 2021 editions—they are expected to advance beyond the group stage, potentially extending Jackson’s time away from club duties.

The rescheduling has sparked controversy among European clubs, particularly in the Premier League, where the festive period is crucial.

FIFA regulations stipulate that clubs are only obligated to release players for one international tournament per year, leading to debates about player availability for either the AFCON or the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces the challenge of navigating this period without one of his key forwards.

Jackson’s potential absence underscores the ongoing tension between club commitments and international duties, especially as football’s global calendar becomes increasingly congested.

Chelsea board could sack manager Enzo Maresca at the end of the season

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Apr 16, 2025

The Chelsea board continues to support Enzo Maresca in spite of the mounting pressure on the Blues manager, according to a report.

After this weekend’s heartbreaking 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Ipswich Town, Chelsea will have a difficult time making it into the Champions League the next season. They are currently in sixth place in the Premier League standings, but they must place in the top five to get back into the elite tournament in Europe.

Chelsea supporters are becoming increasingly irate with the team’s performances after they have only won five of their past 16 Premier League games, and some inside Stamford Bridge have shown their frustration in recent weeks. In fact, Maresca blamed the outcome versus Ipswich on the negative.

According to The Mail, despite the growing animosity, Maresca’s position is not yet in jeopardy and the decision-makers are all focused on securing a place in the Premier League’s top five during the season’s last six games.

It’s also believed that Maresca’s devotion to Chelsea is unwavering, and the Italian team has no intention of considering leaving.

Chelsea board’s position on sacking Enzo Maresca becomes clear

Chelsea supporters demonstrated their feelings over the weekend by jeering the players off the field at both halftime and full time. During the interaction, they even chanted the word “boring.”

After working with Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel prior to Pochettino’s tenure as manager, the club’s ownership has already shown that they are eager for change, adding to the pressure on Maresca.

However, The Sun claims that there is no demand for a coach change. Furthermore, the 45-year-old’s unwavering dedication to the cause continues to convince the top brass that he is the best candidate for the position.

A Blues source told the publication, “Everyone at the club is totally on board and committed to getting us back in the Champions League”.”Enzo, that ideal is the marriage of the board and the sporting directors. Naturally, doubts will arise if that doesn’t occur this season. However, Enzo is still seen as the man who can lead Chelsea to success.

Chelsea ready to sell 23 players in massive squad overhaul

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Apr 16, 2025

Maresca confirms Chelsea left-back set to return to squad — Bildbyrån

Chelsea are preparing for yet another blockbuster summer in the transfer market, with a staggering 23 players reportedly facing the axe as the club eyes a massive £427 million clear-out to fund a fresh squad overhaul.

Chelsea Plot Record-Breaking Player Clear-Out Worth £427m

Under new boss Enzo Maresca, the Blues are chasing Champions League qualification and currently sit sixth in the Premier League — just one point behind Manchester City.

With five English teams set to qualify for next season’s revamped competition, Chelsea are firmly in the hunt.

They’re also favourites to lift the UEFA Conference League, while their summer schedule includes a FIFA Club World Cup campaign alongside City.

Despite flashes of promise under Maresca, the Chelsea board — led by chairman Todd Boehly — appears intent on another radical squad reshuffle.

Since Boehly’s takeover in 2022, Chelsea have become known for their high turnover of players, and this summer could be no different.

According to a report from Fichajes, up to 23 players could be shown the door as Chelsea aim to raise €500m (£427m) in transfer funds. Surprisingly, some big names are on the potential departure list.

Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Jadon Sancho — who is currently on loan from Manchester United — are among those with uncertain futures.

The Blues can make Sancho’s move permanent this summer but also have the option to pay a £5m release fee if they decline.

Other first-team players at risk include Christopher Nkunku, Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Noni Madueke, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and David Datro Fofana.

Chelsea are also reportedly open to selling several players out on loan, such as Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Joao Felix, Andrey Santos, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Deivid Washington, Caleb Wiley, Alfie Gilchrist, Mike Penders, and Bashir Humphreys.

With a bold £427m target in mind, Chelsea seem determined to make room — and money — for yet another squad revamp as the Maresca era gathers momentum at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are battling to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap in summer transfer

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Apr 15, 2025

Liam Delap is Chelsea’s top emerging striker target — © Bildbyrån

Chelsea has just made fresh bids for Liam Delap of Ipswich Town, but Manchester United and other teams will be fierce rivals for the striker, who is expected to be available for a low price. Several Premier League teams are interested in the 22-year-old, making him one of the most sought-after football players ahead of the summer transfer window.

Delap has a release clause in his contract; therefore, he is anticipated to leave Ipswich in the upcoming months and will be available for £30 million if the Tractor Boys are put down. Delap’s inclusion on Chelsea’s shortlist was exclusively disclosed by TEAMtalk in October. The competition for the child has since expanded to include other parties.

According to sources, Manchester United, who also greatly admire Delap and are giving top priority to acquiring a new center forward, will pose a serious threat to Chelsea.

In the past week, Man Utd has also made new moves toward Delap and elevated him to a key target. Delap could end up at Stamford Bridge for a number of reasons, but the Red Devils think they have a good chance of signing him.

Chelsea hold advantage in Liam Delap race

In order to get a couple of shots at goal, Delap can create a yard of space for himself. He can generate the occasional chance for his teammates up top and can score goals in the last third. He needs to focus on distributing the ball better in the opposing half, even if he is a good dribbler.

Delap’s muscular physique allows him to outmaneuver the opponent defenders in the air. He is 1.86 meters tall. He is 22 years old and could develop into a great center-forward in the coming years.

The Blues should therefore give Delap serious consideration during this summer’s transfer window. Chelsea’s front line would gain more strength and speed from him. The English forward can definitely compete for a starting position at Stamford Bridge in the upcoming seasons.

In light of this, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would be well advised to make every effort to win the competition for Delap’s services at the end of the current season. But before they can bring out the best in him, the West London club will need to exercise patience.

Jamie Carragher points finger at Chalobah and Chelsea’s fan disconnect

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Apr 15, 2025

Conor Gallagher feels Chelsea leadership boosted his chance of making England’s Euro squad

Jamie Carragher has delivered a scathing critique of Chelsea’s defensive organization following their 2-2 draw against Ipswich, highlighting a growing disconnect between manager Enzo Maresca and the club’s supporters.

Carragher exposes Chelsea’s defensive mess: “This is Just Ridiculous”

Analyzing Ipswich’s second goal on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher zeroed in on Trevoh Chalobah’s positioning, labeling it “absolutely ridiculous.”

He pointed out that Chalobah, playing as a right-back, was caught out of position, leaving a significant gap that Ipswich exploited to double their lead.

Carragher also emphasized the influence of fan frustration on the team’s performance.

He noted that the Stamford Bridge crowd’s audible disapproval of playing out from the back led to goalkeeper Robert Sánchez opting for a long ball, deviating from Maresca’s tactical plan.

This decision resulted in Ipswich regaining possession and capitalizing on Chelsea’s disorganized defense.

“It all just smacks of the disconnection from the supporters onto the pitch,” Carragher observed.

He highlighted that players like Enzo Fernandez and Moisés Caicedo were visibly urging Sanchez to stick to the original game plan, underscoring the internal confusion and lack of cohesion within the team.

Chelsea’s recent form has been underwhelming, with only five wins in their last 16 Premier League games, causing them to slip to sixth place and jeopardizing their Champions League aspirations.

The team’s struggles are compounded by Maresca’s post-match comments blaming fan pressure for tactical deviations, further straining the relationship between the manager and the supporters.

Carragher’s critique underscores the urgent need for Chelsea to address both their defensive frailties and the growing disconnect between the team’s tactical approach and the expectations of their fanbase.

As the season progresses, Maresca faces mounting pressure to unify the squad and realign with the supporters to steer the club back on course.

Chelsea are interested in signing the Real Betis attacker Jesus Rodriguez

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Apr 14, 2025

Guess who came at the Stamford Bridge today — © Bildbyrån

Chelsea is thinking about paying Jesus Rodriguez’s release clause in the summer in order to recruit the Real Betis attacker at the end of the current campaign. This season, the 19-year-old has scored four goals and provided four assists for the Spanish team, and his performances have been impressive. With the correct coaching, he may become a top-tier attacker, and Chelsea is watching him.

Real Betis does not want to lose the player, but if his release clause is fulfilled, they will have little control over his departure, according to Fichajes. In the upcoming weeks, Chelsea may or may not decide to make an offer for the player. His contract contains a release clause of £42 million, and Chelsea undoubtedly has the financial wherewithal to meet it. Liverpool also had their eye on him.

Chelsea may need another white player for the upcoming campaign because Mykhailo Mudryk has failed to meet expectations. Rodriguez might end up being a good long-term addition for them.

Chelsea step up pursuit of £35m Real Betis star

Chelsea needs to improve their team’s quality if they want to qualify for the Champions League. To perform successfully in a variety of competitions, they must also give the team more depth. They might find Rodriguez to be the perfect addition. He will provide the side flare and goals. He will also inject the attack with much-needed unpredictability.

The player may eventually make the £42 million asking price look reasonable, despite the fact that it may seem high at the moment. Playing football regularly in England could hasten his growth and enable him to advance.

Rodriguez made his debut for Betis in October after winning the under-19 European Championship the previous summer, but several elite teams are showing interest in him.

You can see why the Blues would be interested in him because he fits the club’s recruitment model, but you would have to wonder if they really need another young winger with Estevao Willian coming this summer and Geovany Quenda in 2026.

Maresca blames Enzo Fernandez and Robert Sanchez for costly errors in Ipswich draw

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Apr 14, 2025

Chelsea to launch player-plus-cash bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins — Bildbyrån

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca did not mince his words in the post-match press conference following his side’s disappointing 2-2 draw at home against Ipswich Town.

Maresca Calls Out Fernandez and Sanchez for Mistakes in Crucial Ipswich Clash

With pressure mounting after dropping points to Brentford last weekend, Maresca’s frustration boiled over as he publicly pointed fingers at two of his key players — Enzo Fernandez and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez — for the mistakes that ultimately cost the Blues crucial points.

In a game Chelsea were widely expected to win, things quickly unraveled after a promising start. The home side created several chances in the opening minutes but failed to capitalise.

Ipswich responded with two soft goals in the first half, both stemming from individual errors that left Maresca fuming.

“I think we started quite well, creating chances,” Maresca explained.

“But when they scored the first goal, the game completely changed. For 20-25 minutes until halftime, we were not good enough — especially defensively. The two goals we conceded were from our own mistakes.”

The manager didn’t shy away from naming names.

“The first goal is on Enzo [Fernandez] — it’s a long ball, he loses possession, and we concede. The second is a goal kick, long ball, and again, we concede. That’s on Robert [Sanchez]. Both goals we can defend better.”

The directness of Maresca’s criticism reflects the growing tension at Stamford Bridge. With tough fixtures on the horizon and fans growing impatient, Chelsea’s margin for error continues to shrink.

The Blues have struggled with consistency all season, and Maresca has made it clear that he expects more from his senior players — especially when the stakes are this high.

“It’s tough at this stage of the season,” Maresca added.

“If you score first, the dynamic of the game shifts. But when you concede like this, belief and momentum disappear.”

With the top-four race intensifying, Chelsea will need to regroup quickly — and Maresca will hope his players learn fast from these mistakes.

Chelsea have joined the race to sign the Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana in summer

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Apr 13, 2025

Robert Sanchez opens up about life under Mauricio Pochettino — Bildbyran

Chelsea is presently in the running to sign Yahia Fofana, the goalkeeper for Angers, at the end of the current campaign. The 24-year-old’s performances have impressed them, and they hope to sign the Ivory Coast international in the upcoming weeks, according to a football insider. In recent months, the goalie has been studied by teams like Newcastle United, so it will be intriguing to see whether Chelsea can close the deal.

When Angers plays Montpellier later today, the Blues will have the opportunity to scout the goalie. It seems that Didier Drogba, a legend at Chelsea, has suggested that the Blues sign the player. It’s no secret that Chelsea has to acquire a top-tier goalkeeper by the end of the current campaign.

For the Londoners, Robert Sanchez hasn’t been convincing, and he’ll probably be removed. Several goalkeepers have recently been linked to them. Though teams like Newcastle, Brentford, and Wolves have all reportedly expressed interest in the 24-year-old, Football Insider asserts that Chelsea is also eager to sign the alleged target, Fofana.

Chelsea join hunt for in-demand Angers keeper

Enzo Maresca’s team is reportedly scheduled to scout Fofana this weekend. On Sunday afternoon, April 13, his Angers team is scheduled to meet Montpellier, the bottom team in Ligue 1. After being impressed by his performance for club and country over the previous year, Chelsea great Didier Drogba has recommended his countryman to his former club.

Robert Sanchez was dropped multiple times this season by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca after making some costly mistakes, despite starting the season as the team’s first choice. Though he has made a number of mistakes himself, Filip Jorgensen has not always been persuaded when filling in between the posts.

After a successful loan stint with Strasbourg in France, Djorde Petrovic is scheduled to return to Chelsea in the summer and is anticipated to be given the opportunity to establish himself at Stamford Bridge. However, the Blues now have an outside choice to think about when deciding who will wear the gloves for the 2025–2026 season and beyond in Fofana.

Enzo Maresca identifies Nicolas Jackson as the striker Chelsea needs

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Apr 12, 2025