Tag: Chelsea

13Jan By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Maresca ‘completely happy’ with Nicolas Jackson

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images) It may have been a month since Nicolas Jackson last scored for Chelsea, but Enzo Maresca says he is 'completely happy' with the striker and his performances. Our four-game run without a win in the Premier League has coincided with Jackson’s relatively lean spell in front of goal. Prior to that, he had netted nine goals in 15 league appearances, a figure Maresca notes would have been higher if he took spot-kicks for the Blues, like strikers often do at other clubs. The head coach offered encouragement to Jac...

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5Jan By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Maresca teases January transfers for Chelsea after Palace draw

Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca consoles his players on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park in south London on January 4, 2025. The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca hinted at a push for defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window after his side were held to a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Blues have failed to win their last four matches, drawing with Everton and most recently Palace on either side of defeats to Fulham and Ipswich Town. Maresca had presided over eight successive victories before a bleak run over the festive period, which has coincided with a glut of defensive injuries. While club captain Reece James has on...

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27Dec By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Palmer puts positive spin on late collapse vs Fulham

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Andreas Pereira of Fulham battles with Marc Cucurella of Chelsea and Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on December 26, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images) Cole Palmer generally isn’t one for lengthy, yet banal, sports-cliché-filled media interviews, but after yesterday’s 2-1 defeat at home against Fulham, he did have a few things to say when asked about the disappointment that had just transpired. Mirroring his manager’s assessment, Palmer blamed the defeat on technical issues rather than any sort of physical or fitness factors. “It’s football, it happens. We lost control for 20 minutes and they scored two. We were winning for the majority of...

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23Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Kasey McAteer makes full Premier League debut but Leicester comfortably beaten by Chelsea

Republic of Ireland international Kasey McAteer made his full Premier League debut but it was Enzo Maresca that enjoyed a winning return to Leicester as Chelsea ran out comfortable 2-1 victors at the King Power Stadium. Maresca led the Foxes to the Championship title in his only season in charge but left for Stamford Bridge in the summer. LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Kasey McAteer of Leicester City battles for possession with Wout Faes of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) He was tasked with rebuilding the Blues into a Premier League force and looks like he could be the man to finally make sense of their vast and ...

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8Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea aim for Palmer fitness for Arsenal clash

Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer of Chelsea are seen prior to the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Chelsea FC and FC Noah at Stamford Bridge on November 07, 2024 in London, England. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hopes to have Cole Palmer fit and raring to go when they face Arsenal in a Premier League London derby on Sunday after the playmaker injured his knee in the draw with Manchester United last weekend. Palmer has started this season with seven goals and five assists in 10 Premier League games, helping to lift Chelsea up to fourth in the standings. Palmer was not registered in Chelsea's Conference League squad for the group stages, which meant he did not play in Thursday's 8-0 win over Noah, but the 22-year-old has not trained this week. "Cole is getting bette...

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6Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Report: Will Chelsea star be fit for arsenal match

Cole Palmer of Chelsea looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on November 3, 2024 in Manchester, England. Chelsea are on edge as Cole Palmer prepares for a crucial knee scan this week following a rough challenge by Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez during Sunday’s 1-1 draw. The impact left Palmer with noticeable stud marks on his left knee, and the Chelsea star reportedly experienced discomfort throughout his journey back to London, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the Premier League showdown with Arsenal. Manager Questions Martinez Tackle Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca voiced his frustrations post-match, criticising referee Rob Jones for not consulting VAR on what he deemed a “clear red” card offence by Ma...

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5Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Report: Barcelona, Inter Milan set to rival Real Madrid for Chelsea midfielder

Barcelona and Inter Milan are reportedly interested in signing Real Madrid-linked Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.Fernandez has made 75 competitive appearances since joining Chelsea in a £106.8m transfer from Benfica in January 2023. LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on April 1, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) The 23-year-old has been a regular starter for the majority of his Chelsea, but he has recently lost his place in the side to Belgium international Romeo Lavia. As a result, Fernandez has had to settle for substitute appearances in Chelsea's last three matches against Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United. Having lost his ...

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4Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manuel Ugarte sends message to Manchester United fans after 1-1 draw vs Chelsea

Chelsea's Pedro Neto (left) and Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday November 3, 2024. Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is still settling into the Premier League. Games like Sunday’s against Chelsea will help. Manuel Ugarte made only his second ever Premier League start for Manchester United in the draw with Chelsea. Ugarte’s only previous start in the league came in the loss to Tottenham. Since then he has started exclusively in cup competitions. After positive signs of Ugarte’s partnership with Casemiro in midweek, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy tuck with the pair against Chelsea. Manuel Ugarte message Manuel Ugarte played 84 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and while s...

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30Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ruben Amorim has 4-word answer for if he will be Man Utd boss in time for Chelsea match

Sporting Head Coach Rúben Amorim prior to the match between Sporting CP and CD Nacional at Estádio José Alvalade on October 29, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is playing it coy but looks increasingly likely to become Manchester United boss sooner rather than later. The Portuguese predictably fielded a LOT of questions from journalists after Sporting's 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup quarterfinals. On Tuesday night he said his future "hasn't been decided yet" despite reports he has verbally agreed to a move to Old Trafford. "Nobody knows if this was my farewell match, or if there will be a farewell match," Amorim said. Asked if he will be in the dugout at Old Trafford for Sunday's game against Chelsea, Amorim said "I will be here". But ther...

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26Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Predicted Chelsea line-up vs Newcastle United as Cole Palmer returns and £215m midfield duo

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca could change his entire starting XI from the one that beat Panathinaikos 4-1 on Thursday night when Newcastle United come to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Blues boss was able to leave a host of first-team regulars in West London as they jetted out to Greece for their Europa Conference League game, and he is set to ring the changes again for this weekend's Premier League test against Eddie Howe's side. Of the side that started against Panathinaikos, only two are likely to keep their place against Newcastle, with Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez expected to start on Sunday - although Maresca has options to replace both. However he is expected to make at least NINE changes this weekend, with Cole Palmer likely to start. The Premier League's in-form star didn't e...

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21Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea: Three talking points

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool edged out Chelsea to return to the Premier League’s summit. Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark from the penalty spot after Levi Colwill had tripped Curtis Jones inside the area. The visitors drew level early in the second half through Nicolas Jackson firing beyond Caoimhin Kelleher after VAR overturned the initial offside decision. But Curtis Jones restored the Reds’ advantage just three minutes later when he met Salah’s cross to the far post and guided it past Robert Sanchez. Arne Slot’s side consolidated their one-point cushion as league leaders following Manchester City’s late win over W...

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20Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham keeping tabs on 20-year-old Serie A midfield whizkid

The coach of Italy Luciano Spalletti and the Italian footballer Niccolo Pisilli during the UEFA Nations League match between Italy and Belgium at the Olympic stadium. Rome (Italy), 10 October 2024. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly tracking the progress of 20-year-old Italian midfield whizkid Niccolo Pisilli at Serie A club AS Roma. According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Niccolo Pisilli has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, especially in the Premier League. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are closely monitoring the progress of the 20-year-old AS Roma midfield whizkid at the Serie A club. Niccolo Pisilli is the latest highly-rated prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. A native of Rome, the young mi...

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13Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool handed major double boost ahead of Chelsea clash as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk return early

Liverpool have been handed a major double fitness boost ahead of their clash with Chelsea after Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were released from international duty early. Salah and van Dijk will both return to Liverpool from the start of next week to begin preparations for the Chelsea game at Anfield on Sunday. Egypt have allowed Salah to sit out Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Mauritania on Tuesday due to concerns over playing on their artificial pitch. Van Dijk has also been released from the Netherlands squad following his red card in their 1-1 draw with Hungary in the Nations League on Friday. Given Van Dijk is suspended for their trip to Germany on Monday, the Dutch have allowed him to return to Liverpool. A statement from the Egyptian FA read: “The technical staff of Egyp...

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4Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea lineup vs. Nottingham Forest: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca can be expected to change his entire team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. The Blues kicked off the Europa Conference League league phase with a 4-2 beating of Belgian side Gent on Thursday, where Maresca made a full 11 alterations from the weekend's identical Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite Chelsea's success in midweek, the same XI starters who began the Brighton victory should be recalled to the lineup here, starting with Robert Sanchez replacing Filip Jorgensen in between the posts. Renato Veiga set the Chelsea wheels in motion with the opening goal on Wednesday, but Marc Cucurella will return at left-back on Sunday, while Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana - now back in the France s...

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27Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Enzo Maresca confirms Chelsea injury boost ahead of Brighton as star returns

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed a major injury boost ahead of this weekend's Premier League clash with Brighton.The Blues will welcome Romeo Lavia back into the fold after missing the last five weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up in training. BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca shouts instructions to his team from the technical area during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea FC at Vitality Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images) The 20-year-old - who joined Chelsea from Southampton in an initial £53million transfer- made just one substitute appearance last season after suffering from a number of injury issues. However, Lavia was one of the...

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21Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Confirmed: Chelsea trio ruled out v West Ham due to injury, Enzo Fernandez update emerges

Chelsea are set to be without the services of Reece James, Malo Gusto and Omari Kellyman for the game against West Ham on Saturday, 21 September, according to the Blues’ official website. Enzo Maresca confirmed that Enzo Fernandez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be available for selection after returning to training following an illness. Football London reported on 2 September that Kellyman could miss over two months with his hamstring injury. West Ham can get their season going with a win against Chelsea The Hammers have not started the season in the best shape but things could turn around quickly with a win against their cross-town rivals. The Blues have faced struggles of their own and while they are above the Irons on the table, there are still plenty of issues in their squad. Julen Lop...

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20Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Ligue 1

PSG Urged to Pursue Chelsea and Tottenham Target to Boost Consistency in No. 9 Role

Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres is attracting considerable attention, especially with his strong start to the 2024-25 season. Moreover, one pundit notes that the Swedish striker is a player Paris Saint-Germain should be pursuing. Over the summer, the Parisians were linked to strikers but opted to bet on Gonçalo Ramos or Randal Kolo Muani. Ramos injured himself early on this campaign, so Kolo Muani is the only No. 9. In the 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Girona FC, the capital club’s lack of goal-scoring reared its ugly head as it had difficulty finishing its chances. As a result, the reigning Ligue 1 champions’ ability to finish is a topic of discussion. Canal+ pundit Samir Nasri notes that Gyökeres must be on the French giants’ radar because the player has consistently scored goals....

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13Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth – Premier League

Chelsea are aiming to return from the September international break with a bang this Saturday when they journey to Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Blues have endured a difficult 2024/25 - their six-goal thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers aside - and Enzo Maresca is still attempting to instil his philosophy at the club. Chelsea's gargantuan squad, filled to the brim with young talent, will naturally take time to adjust to a new and distinct style. However, the Italian may not be afforded a significant adjustment period, which is why it's so important that he tops up his support from the club's hierarchy with positive performances and convincing results. Here is how Chelsea could line up for a tricky trip to the south coast. Chelsea predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1) GK: Robe...

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11Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez banned from driving for six months

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been banned from driving after being found guilty of a motoring offence.The Argentina international was fined £3,020 and banned from driving for six months after being found guilty on two charges of failing to identify the driver of a Porsche Cayenne. A driver of the car was allegedly caught speeding on Carmarthen Road, Swansea on December 20, 2023, by South Wales Police and running a red light on Church Street, Llanelli on November 28 last year by Dyfed-Powys Police.It was not proven that Fernandez was the driver of the vehicle on either occasion. Both police forces wrote to the 23-year-old, as the vehicle's registered owner, but he did not respond to requests for information. Fernandez did not appear before Llanelli Magistrates' Court on Wed...

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8Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea Could Start A Trend By Leaving Cole Palmer At Home

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer was the star of last season for the Blues, but it is unlikely his skills will be seen in European competition this season. Palmer won’t be on the plane to Greece, Germany or Kazakhstan this season as he has been left out of Chelsea’s UEFA Europa Conference League squad. He could theoretically be added to the squad in January, but whatever happens, he won’t play European soccer again in 2024. Premier League teams often leave their star players out of matchday squads for the group stages of European competitions, opting to blood their young players in these theoretically easier and lower-stakes games, and save their stars for Premier League games and the latter stages of European competitions later in the season. But it is rare that a key player is left completely of...

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