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24/06/2024

Chelsea 2024/25 home kit finally 'revealed' with bizarre new design and dazzling colour

Unlike most teams, Chelsea are still yet to release their kits for the 2024/25 season. Far from previous years when the club would sometimes wear their new jersey on the final day of a prior season, the Blues are once more looking at their tour of America being underway before the full reveal is done.

Part of the wait heading into the final weeks of June and possibly as far as mid-July is due to uncertainty over who the front-of-shirt sponsor will be. For the second year in a row, the club are yet to confirm which company will have their branding plastered over the new kits and also at Stamford Bridge.

Infinite Athlete, who weren't announced as being the primary partner until the 2023/24 season had already begun, is expected to remain involved in some form, but are unlikely to be on the front of matchday tops. This hasn't stopped leaks coming out of the shirts Chelsea could be wearing in just a few months time on the opening day against Manchester City.

In fact, evidence of physical tops have already been posted previously. Trusted kit source Footy Headlines now has what is described as 'the first real image' of the home kit. Although close to the last set of leaks, there are subtle differences here.

Including the same orange touches around the Nike logo and club badge, the design is a move away from the minimalist concept used last season. Instead, the wavy light blue curved lines are closer to the highly patterned 2021/22 kit instead.

There is no symmetry to the kit with a water-like effect coming from seemingly random curved patches on the chest. With thin white lines and lighter blue elements, the kit is certainly wavy.

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21/06/2024

OFFICIAL Key Dates

➡️CAF in Morocco:
• Opening Match: Sunday, December 21, 2025
• Final Match: Sunday, January 18, 2026

➡️CAF in Morocco:
• Opening Match: Saturday, July 5, 2025
• Final Match: Saturday, July 26, 2025
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21/06/2024

Enzo Maresca makes huge Cole Palmer call as rivals create new Chelsea contract conundrum

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has a major task at hand to get his new group of players fit and firing for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

The Blues made fine progress under Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of the previous season, which ultimately added to the shock of a managerial switch at the start of the month. Now that is done, all that is required is for the players and club hierarchy to get behind their new man in charge and deliver both on and off the field.

Preparations may be hampered by plenty of first-team stars featuring in international tournaments over the summer, though Maresca has been hard at work laying the groundwork for his first go at leading a top-flight side. Plenty of transfer talk suggests major activity to come over the summer months and the boss has also been drawing up a fresh tactical plan to make sure Chelsea enter the new year on the front foot.

So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Blues news and transfer gossip on Friday, June 21.

Enzo Maresca's proposed Cole Palmer switch could backfire

Cole Palmer was Chelsea's standout player in his maiden campaign with the club. At just 22-years-old, he took the youthful side by the scruff of its neck and elevated performances across the pitch, all whilst recording the most goals and assists of any Blues player.

With great displays comes further pressure to produce, and that has been highlighted by The Athletic's claim that the Englishman is the only guaranteed starter next season as Enzo Maresca begins to spread his influence in the dressing room.
the Palace man doesn't arrive then why take the risk? Palmer proved so effective for large spells starting wide and drifting infield seeking the ball as he desired. Bringing him into the middle may make use of his skills connecting play, but in a tightly-packed area of the pitch would only serve to diminish his threat in front of goal - a backwards move, it seems.

Arsenal entry to Conor Gallagher transfer picture is a problem

Spanish publication AS, tracking Atletico Madrid's interest in Conor Gallagher, say that London rivals Arsenal could yet eye an audacious swoop for the Blues midfielder.

The 24-year-old is out of contract in one year's time with little progress made towards a renewal. A £50m price tag has been slapped on him to allow a transfer this summer, though once the current window shuts there comes the risk of losing a homegrown player - who would be able to produce pure profit for the club's financial books - for free.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are all also credited with interest in what is anticipated to be a 'fierce' battle.

football.london says: This situation is one that has been taken too lightly up to now. If Gallagher is such a crucial part of the team, give into his contract demands and keep him around as captain. If not, get his sale organised quickly and reap the rewards of profit made. It seems silly to prolong speculation once his Euro 2024 campaign is done, otherwise it becomes a looming distraction over Chelsea's season and ultimately a rival - like Arsenal, who already possess a solid midfield as is and are fighting at the level the Blues want to be in the league - will benefit, and that is less than ideal.

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21/06/2024

Chelsea transfer confirmed as midfielder sends emotional message

League One side Burton Albion have confirmed the signing of Chelsea youngster Charlie Webster on a permanent deal, brining an end a ten year spell at Stamford Bridge for the midfielder.

The 20-year-old joined Chelsea at under-10 level and has been part of the cub’s development squad since the age of 18. He didn’t make a first team appearance for the club but was included on the bench on a small number of occasions during cup competitions.

Webster spent last season on loan with Eredivisie side Heerenveen, where he made 13 appearances, scoring once. He has now signed a three-year contract with the Brewers.

The move sees him link up with former Chelsea Development squad boss Mark Robinson, who became Burton manager earlier in the summer. Speaking to the club’s website, Webster talked about being reunited with the coach.

"When I knew Mark Robinson was going to become Head Coach here it was a big thing for me,” he said. “At Chelsea we had a great relationship. He's a guy who has really strong morals and values and really cares about his players which I think is the most important thing."

The midfielder has also taken to social media to send a message to Chelsea after his move. “Thank you Chelsea FC. A beautiful decade: years that will never be forgotten,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him as a young boy holding the Chelsea shirt.

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20/06/2024

Chelsea “reach agreement” with Premier League club for transfer above £35m

It’s been expected for some time now, but it seems that Chelsea’s negotiations with Aston Villa to try and sign their striker Jhon Duran have ended up going in a different direction, with Villa counter-attacking and bidding for left back Ian Maatsen.

Ornstein says that the Villains have “reached an agreement” with Chelsea to sign the left back, who was on loan with Borussia Dortmund for the latter half of last season, reaching the Champions League final with some really impressive performances along the way.

This makes a lot of sense financially for Chelsea. As an academy player they didn’t pay a transfer fee for, all the money they get will be registered as “pure profit,” paying back a chunk of spending from the last couple of busy windows.

Plenty of fans would rather see Maatsen given a chance at Chelsea, but it’s clear that his sale has been accounted for already, and he always looked very likely to be one of the players sacrificed to pay for the refreshing of the squad.

Mauricio Pochettino never gave him a chance despite a strong preseason, and Maatsen must have accepted that he was never going to get a chance ahead of Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell. After a taste of Champions League football with Dortmund, it’s no surprise he’s gone to Villa where he can continue to enjoy it.

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20/06/2024

Crystal Palace make huge Michael Olise transfer decision to blow Chelsea's £60m plan apart

Chelsea have reportedly been dealt a huge blow in their hopes of signing Crystal Palace star Michael Olise this summer. The 22-year-old is one of the most-wanted players in Europe at the moment with a number of clubs battling it out for his signature.

Olise, 22, is wanted by the likes of the Blues, Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich following his performances at Selhurst Park. Since signing from Reading in 2021, the London-born France Under-21 international has developed into a fine footballer.

Despite missing large parts of the 2023/24 campaign, Olise scored ten times and assisted a further six in 19 games for Palace. His form alongside Eberechi Eze saw the Eagles end the season well under Oliver Glasner.

However, after only signing a new contract in south London 12 months ago, Olise could be on the move once again. Talks are set to take place between Olise and his representatives in the next few days after permission was granted by Palace, football.london understands.

The £60m release clause inserted in his contract means he will come at a cost. There are also complications over a possible deal with parts of the money owed to his former club Reading.

However, Palace have launched a final attempt to keep hold of Olise once again with a new deal put on the table. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, a new and improved contract has been made that includes a new release clause.

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18/06/2024

Every Premier League club's first five fixtures of 2024/25 🖐️

17/06/2024

Cesc Fabregas' stark warning to Gareth Southgate over leaving Cole Palmer on England’s bench

Cesc Fabregas was left perplexed by Gareth Southgate's tactical decisions during England's unconvincing 1-0 victory over Serbia at Euro 2024.

The Three Lions looked anything but favourites as they were made to work for their opening win in Group C. And Chelsea icon Fabregas pointed to the underutilisation of Cole Palmer, who didn't get a run-out in Gelsenkirchen despite being named Premier League Young Player of the Season just last month.

Of the five substitution opportunities available to Southgate, only three were used as Conor Gallagher came on for Trent Alexander-Arnold, followed by Jarrod Bowen for Bukayo Saka and Kobbie Mainoo stepping in for Jude Bellingham, who netted the game's only goal.

"If you send the message in putting in a defensive midfielder or an extra defender to cover the result, you will as a player feel it," said Fabregas during his appearance on the BBC's match coverage (via the Mirror). "Mentally you start going back, dropping more. But instead if you put an offensive player, Palmer let's say, up the pitch and controlling the ball in the final third, I think the players get so much more comfortable."

The match reflected as much as England welcomed an onslaught of Serb pressure during the game's final quarter. The losers mustered four of their six attempts at goal across the final 20 minutes, while England managed just a single shot in that time.

Fabregas also singled out Phil Foden for criticism after what was perceived as a lack of impact on the game: "It's about do you want it enough to make a difference and hold the ball for your team? Do you want to make things happen? Do you enjoy to get the ball under pressure?"

They allowed them to have the ball when they were deep once in the second half, straight away, when they started to get pressed a little bit more, we started to see Foden hitting the ball without looking 40 yards."

Drawing comparisons with his former Barcelona colleagues, Fabregas urged Foden to shoulder more responsibility: "You'll never see Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, the top, top players in the last 15, 20, years, do that," he said. "You need to take this responsibility to grow."

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16/06/2024

Chelsea £55m plan revealed before 'immediate' transfer announcement with medical complete

Chelsea appear to have big plans for Estevao Willian with his move to the Blues in a €65million (£55m) deal expected to be announced soon. Having beaten Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to his signature, it has become very clear just how good he can be.

Last month, Palmeiras accepted a bumper deal from Chelsea with a €40million (£34m) to be paid up front and a further €25million (£21.1m) available in add-ons. While it may seem a significant amount of money, the wonderkid reminded everyone of his ability by picking up two assists in Brazilian Serie A action against Vasco de Gama just a few days ago.

Though Palmeiras are in the middle of their 2024/25 season, both clubs are in the process of checking the final documents after he completed the first part of his medical while in Brazil with the teenager still able to show his qualities especially with the plan for his arrival at Chelsea now being revealed

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Estevao will sign a contract until 2032 and officially arrive at Stamford Bridge next year, following his 18th birthday in April, with the plan being to get him immediately into the first-team squad.

With Estevao only eligible to join in 2025, Chelsea already know of two new arrivals after the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign. Ecuadorian starlet Kendry Paez has had his move to the Blues announced, though like Estevao, he can only join once he turns 18 with that set to arrive just a few weeks after the birthday of Chelsea's latest signing.

Considering it is only the final details being ironed out in the Estevao deal, the Blues will likely officially confirm his arrival as early as next week. Tosin Adarabioyo was announced as Enzo Maresca's first summer signing earlier this month with Chelsea now eyeing deals for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise and Aston Villa's Jhon Duran.

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16/06/2024

Chelsea transfer confirmed after £28m clause met with 'secret' announcement made

Lewis Hall's permanent transfer to Newcastle United is all-but-confirmed, with the club subtly revealing that his transfer from Chelsea will be "completed this summer." Hall spent last season on loan at St James' Park with the expectation throughout that he would exit Stamford Bridge fully this summer.

The promising left-back impressed during his year in the northeast even with a frustrating start, clocking up 18 appearances. A £28million deal is now on the cards following a successful loan period that met Chelsea's requirements, and he departs SW6 with their blessing.

Despite being named on Chelsea's retained list earlier in the month, which cast some doubts over his permanent move to Newcastle, the club's latest website update has cleared the air. The 19-year-old features in the new Adidas home kit in the 2024/25 section, with a bio that will excite Toon supporters.

"Hall spent 2023/24 on loan at St. James' Park, making 22 appearances and scoring twice both against Manchester United and is set to complete a permanent move to Tyneside from Chelsea this summer," it reads. Hall himself had dropped hints of his ongoing commitment to the Magpies in an April interview with Chronicle Live, expressing his contentment at the club

"I am here now as a Newcastle player and I really enjoy it," he said, reports Chronicle Live. "The future looks really good for the club with so many young and talented players. It is going in the right direction."

Eddie Howe also expressed his belief in the player, saying: "He's a really talented lad. He's got a couple of things to continue working on as all the players have. I believe in him. My vision for him is he will be at Newcastle for many years."

Hall is a childhood Newcastle fan via family connections and made the switch after seemingly being on the verge of signing a new contract with Chelsea 12 months ago. The Blues will now bank a sizeable chunk of money which aids their hopes of complying with profitability and sustainability regulations (PSRs).

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14/06/2024

Michael Olise Chelsea transfer truth revealed as £77m Enzo Maresca reality clear

There is more than a slight irony in the transfer business that Chelsea are conducting so far. Not only did Tosin Adarabioyo, 26, become the oldest player to sign for the club since the summer deadline day in 2022 (Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, 33), but he is now the tallest in the squad.

It was just over 12 months ago - and then regularly from there on - that Mauricio Pochettino first complained about the relative lack of experience, maturity, and seniority in the group he inherited and was tasked to mould together. It also didn't take him long to effectively point out that Chelsea's squad was small and not well suited to heading balls away, clearing crosses, or defending set pieces.

Adarabioyo alone answers some of these problems. In Jhon Duran, Chelsea are in talks for a player who, although still only 20, has the controlled aggression to fight for loose balls and win aerial battles in a way that others simply don't. He is a point-of-difference player in both boxes.

Then there is Michael Olise. Once again, the club are strongly interested in the Crystal Palace man, football.London understands, and the irony continues.

Yet again, Olise is only 22, but already he has three years of being a regular in a Premier League squad. Before that, he was a standout player as a teenager in the Championship at Reading. He is one year younger than Mykhailo Mudryk, for example, but has played more than twice as many senior minutes.

So yes, there is irony in the type of player Chelsea are looking at currently, especially when contrasted with the manager they just decided to part ways with (mutually). Olise alone is a set-piece demon, able to cross in and shoot around the box. He is creativity personified.

He is also a player who, like Conor Gallagher, Ian Maatsen, Trevoh Chalobah, and Nicolas Jackson, among others, has risen through the ranks and taken each new challenge at every level of football in stride. These are characteristics that matter but are often overlooked. You can't apply data to that, but responding in tough times or to adversity is crucial, as is existing in a senior squad environment.

If Chelsea get a deal across the line, Olise will also become the third left-footed right winger in the squad, along with Cole Palmer (£42million) and Noni Madueke (£35million). Since Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly took over the club just over two years ago, they have signed five players of this description, plus Kendry Paez and have also used Ian Maatsen in the same role.

Last August, football.london analysed just what the effect of all these young players signing at a similar age and in the same spot might be. With Olise now on the radar again, the question is worth posing once more.

His possible arrival would shift the dynamics of the attack significantly. Madueke would become the third choice on the right, while even Palmer himself could have a changed role. For a player like Olise, who the club wanted just as much as anyone last summer, it is a decision worth making.

If signing someone of his quality costs Chelsea Madueke in the long run or Omari Hutchinson now, then those in power will be confident in the call here. Olise is a different calibre of player, already demonstrating the skill and quality to justify almost any price tag, let alone around £60million which really isn't much anymore

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14/06/2024

Live: Scotland and Germany fans arrive at Allianz Arena for Euro 2024 opener

14/06/2024

Olise signs, Gallagher decision, Chalobah exit - Deals Chelsea must complete in transfer window

It's a big summer for Chelsea. The Blues have made a huge decision to replace Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca, and face a number of choices in the transfer window.

Pressure over finances does not seem as high as it may have been - but there are a number of players who could move on from Stamford Bridge and raise some more money to provide further room to manoeuvre in terms of bringing new players into west London.

After Thiago Silva's exit on a free transfer, there are still questions over the future of Trevoh Chalobah in defence, as well as Conor Gallagher, Ian Maatsen, Omari Hutchinson and Armando Broja among others, with Lewis Hall set to depart on a permanent deal to Newcastle.

Despite the large amount of arrivals over the last two years at Stamford Bridge, the club are unsurprisingly being linked with more after struggling before an end-of-season run saw them move up to sixth in the league.

The likes of Michael Olise are strongly linked with a transfer, while Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has also been eyed for a move. But what deals do the Blues have to get over the line before the summer transfer window closes?

Personally, I would not sell Trevoh Chalobah but the signs suggest Chelsea disagree. The club are open to selling the 24-year-old this summer and if he does leave, then the Blues need to go out and get another central defender, no doubt.

Give Conor Gallagher a new contract. That is the logical thing to do. Gallagher divides opinion and so will this comment, but: He was one of Chelsea's best players last season. So why go and sell him now?

I would look to get a right winger in and Michael Olise, for me, is the outstanding candidate. He enjoyed a sparkling season at Crystal Palace. Olise is just one of those footballers people will pay to watch, week in and week out.

A new striker is needed as well. I like Jhon Duran. From what I saw of him last season at Aston Villa, he looks a real handful. But is a 20-year-old the right profile to ease the burden on Nicolas Jackson? I'm unsure.

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14/06/2024

Chelsea star lands new job with non-league club after missing out on Euro 2024 place

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has been announced as an associate director for non-league club Sholing.

Colwill, 21, has strong family connections to Sholing, who play in the Southern League Premier South - the seventh-tier of English football. This is despite forging his own career as a Premier League footballer.

Barry and Byron Mason - who are the uncles of Colwill - won the FA Vase with Sholing in 2014. During that game, Colwill, who was 11 at the time, was a mascot at Wembley.

After missing out on selection for Euro 2024 with England this summer, Colwill has been down at Sholing this week to discuss projects at the club and join Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier on the board.

Colwill, who has become an associate director, is set to fund some community projects, as well as creating his own foundation. Colwill is aiming to offer children the opportunity to play more football in school. That would include providing free equipment and setting up soccer schools.

Speaking after being handed the opportunity, Colwill said: "It's hugely important to me to put something back into my local club and community and I can’t think of a better vehicle than Sholing FC to do this.

"The Levi Colwill Project will financially support Project 5000 and we will assist in many other exciting ventures during the season. My family has been a huge support to me in my football career to date and I’m delighted that we will all be on this new journey working together in this new phase of the club.

"Being on the Board and in the role of Community Ambassador with Matt Le Tissier for Project 5000, is also something I was very keen on. I want to play my part in helping the club grow and it’s unbelievable to see the changes that have already happened over the Summer.

"The new stand for 500 supporters, the new Directors stand, parking for over 100 cars, the new marquee for Fan-zones on a match day, free marquee hire for all Project 5000 season ticket holders and the pitch looking the best it’s ever been."

After that, Colwill then took to social media to speak of his excitement about the role and how he can influence the project at Sholing. He tweeted: "So excited to join this amazing club and project. To give back to the community has always been a huge goal of mine and there is no better way. Keep a eye out for what's coming next."

Colwill was integrated into the Chelsea first-team last summer after a productive loan spell at Brighton, where they finished sixth and above the Blues. Mauricio Pochettino used Colwill regularly in the first-half of the season which saw him force his way into Gareth Southgate's England plans.

However, Colwill has been hampered with injuries since January which saw him fail to make a Premier League appearance from March 2 onwards. He was named as an unused substitute in the final four top-flight matches.

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