FT: Chelsea 1-0 Copenhagen (3-1 agg)

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen, Acheampong (Cucurella 45’), Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile, Caicedo (James 79’), Fernandez (C) (Palmer 45’), George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho (Nkunku 65’), Neto (Antwi 90’)

Bench: Sanchez, Bergstrom, Colwill, Murray-Campbell, Cucurella, Antwi, James, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Mheuka, Nkunku

Unused substitutes: Sanchez, Bergstrom, Colwill, Murray-Campbell, Amougou, Walsh, Mheuka

🟨 Yellow card: Cucurella (68’), Tosin (85’)

Copenhagen XI: Ramaj, Diks, Gabriel, Hatzidiakos, Claesson (C), Elyounoussi, Heuscas, Froholdt, Meling, Achouri, Clem

Bench: Trott, Garananga, Mattsson, Larsson, Lerager, Robert, Chiakha, Gocholeishvili, Delaney, Runarsson, Falk

🔵 G/A for Chelsea from:

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ⚽️ [54’]

Thoughts on the game? ⬇️

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #FCCopenhagen

Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Copenhagen [H] in the Conference League Round of 16 second-leg:

🤝 “The first and second legs were quite similar.

“The first leg in Denmark we struggled, second half we were much better. The reason why is because we planned both games that way.

“The first game there, we tried to analyse the first half and then push a little bit in the second half in case we needed it. Because we won there, we prepared the game exactly the same way tonight. First half we analysed and saw what we needed to improve.

“We changed the structure.

“We changed Josh Acheampong not because he was not doing well – he was doing very good the first time he was doing a different job – but because we needed to change the structure. You need patience.

“We were attacking with five players and we needed to attack with six. The second half was much better and we deserved it over two legs.”

(Via ChelseaFC)

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #FCCopenhagen #Copenhagen

‼️ Chelsea have agreed a deal for Sporting CP’s Geovany Quenda, with the player also having completed a medical.

The 17-year-old began playing for the Portuguese side's first team last summer, after breaking into the side under Ruben Amorim.

He has played 43 times this season as a right wing-back or right winger, including 10 in the Champions League.

He will join the club in July 2026.

[Fabriziorom - first reported by Rising Stars XI]

Geovany Quenda will sign a seven-year contract until 2033 at Chelsea, with an option to extend by 12 months. The fee is in the region of €45-50 million.

Chelsea intend to deploy him as a pure winger given he is equally comfortable on either side.

[davidornstein - The Athletic]

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #SportingCP #Sporting

Enzo Maresca ahead of @Arsenal_London [A] in the Premier League:

🧤𝐎𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲:

“Yes, it will be Robert [Sanchez] playing against Arsenal.

“I’ve said many times we are happy with both goalkeepers. But sometimes, you have to be flexible.

“Since we started, the idea wasn’t to change the goalkeeper but you have to be flexible; we do this with the game plan, the way we want to attack and defend, but we also have to be flexible with players [changing the personnel].”

🤔 𝐎𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧:

“It’s quite big [the gap between both sides].

“The reason why is because they are working with the same manager for five years, so the difference is quite important.

“With the same players, they have already played some important games. Our target, our duty, is to close that gap between us and them. In this moment, the table says the difference is six points, so we are quite close, but we still have nine games to go.

“In this moment we have two targets: finish top four or five for the Champions League and the other is [winning] the Conference League.

“This club is used to playing in finals and fighting for titles, so if we can give the fans and club this chance again then I think it’s important for us.”

⏳𝐎𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐞𝐤𝐞:

“We hope after the international break [for their returns from injury].

“At this moment in the season, we have lost key players that are the ones who score the goals. Nico Jackson and Noni Madueke with injury.

“It’s not an excuse, it’s a reality for all clubs when you lose important players. Other players have to come in and do well and they have done.”

(Via ChelseaFC & bobbyvincent- Football London)

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #ARSCHE #AFC

🤔 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐏?

Head coach Enzo Maresca wants to use wingers in his system, so Chelsea have been looking for wide attackers since the Italian was hired in July. They have not just been working on what they want to do in 2025, but 2026 as well.

Chelsea want five wingers for the two roles.

Chelsea want competition for places and believe Quenda will add even more quality to what they already have, especially as he will have another season of playing in Portugal’s Primera Liga and the Champions League. He has already played more than 40 senior matches but the hope is that he will have at least 100 to his name by the time he turns up at Stamford Bridge.

🤔 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞?

Chelsea want him only as a winger.

Stressing this during talks — which were a group effort from co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart as well as Maresca — helped convince Quenda to join. Living in or near London was another factor, while his salary fits within Chelsea’s wage structure.

He can play on both wings, but is more likely to line up on the left flank, partly because Estevao is more accustomed to the right. Chelsea are also looking to add another right-footed wide player to join the squad this summer.

[Simon Johnson - The Athletic]

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #SportingCP

Sporting CP’s Dário Essugo, 20, has said YES to #CFC & the BlueCo project.

Negotiations are advanced for the Portuguese ‘6’ to join for a fee of €22m in July.

(via Fabrizio Romano)

‼️ Chelsea have reached an agreement with Sporting CP for 20-year-old midfielder Dario Essugo.

A fee of €22 million has been agreed between the clubs. He will join this summer and be part of the first-team squad.

Essugo has completed his medical and will sign a seven-year contract with the Blues.

[fabrizioromano - first reported by CNN Portugal & A Bola]

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃:

Chelsea have been in the market for a midfielder and someone to act as back-up for Moises Caicedo given the club are lacking cover in that area in the upcoming summer window. The expectation is Dario Essugo will be rotated with Caicedo next season.

Essugo has spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Las Palmas, making 17 La Liga appearances.

Chelsea have already decided to bring back Andrey Santos from his loan at Strasbourg to be part of things in 2025-26, but that is to compete with Romeo Lavia.

[Simon Johnson - The Athletic]

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #DarioEssugo #Essugo #Transfers

Our 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 lineup for today’s match against @Arsenal_London [A] in the Premier League.

✍️ by franstanic

🤕 Known doubts & absentees:

— Mykhailo Mudryk is provisionally suspended from football after a positive doping test.

— Marc Guiu remains out due to a leg injury.

— Nicolas Jackson remains out with a hamstring injury but has started running on the grass again.

— Noni Madueke is expected to be sidelined at least until the international break after suffering a hamstring injury against Brighton. He has returned to working on the grass.

— Aaron Anselmino remains injured.

— Malo Gusto is a doubt.

Feel free to leave your thoughts! 🔵⬇️

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #AFC

Your Chelsea side today! 👊

#CFC | #ARSCHE

A goal down at half-time. ⏸️

#CFC | #ARSCHE

𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒:

✍️ by franstanic

STARTING XI:

Sanchez - 3.5: Had several poor parries from crosses. Distribution was below par as well. Great into the second half and made a good save.

Fofana - 5: Sloppy reactions at times, but made some good tackles and won a few duels. Was probably lucky to not be sent off for a second yellow.

Badiashile - 4.5: Gave the ball away cheaply at times and wasn’t strong enough in duels during the first half. Grew into the game in the second half and made some tackles.

Colwill - 5.5: Did his job to an extent - didn’t really put a foot wrong.

Cucurella - 5.5: The only player to show attacking threat, defended better as the game went on.

Fernandez - 5: Wore his heart on his sleeve as always, but the midfield struggled to find any rhythm.

Caicedo - 6: Tried to be positive and break lines a couple of times through the midfield. Made some good tackles as usual.

James - 5: Nothing special as he ajusts into a new role. Kept things relatively safe. Looked tired towards the end leaving gaps in midfield.

Nkunku - 3: Too passive once again. Totally harmless for the opposition.

Sancho - 4.5: Tried to make something happen but was often left without support. Fell off as the game went on.

Neto - 4.5: Tried his best with little service.

SUBSTITUTES:

Dewsbury-Hall - N/A

George - N/A

Gusto - N/A

Thoughts? 🔵⬇️

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #AFC #Arsenal

Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to @Arsenal_london [A] in the Premier League:

🤝 “We struggled a little bit at the beginning, the first 20 minutes. After that we started to control the game and create some chances.

“The game was 50/50 in the second half. The big difference was set-piece strategy. We competed well, the game was there. They scored a set-piece, they are masters at that. It is a shame, but my feeling is that we are going in the right direction.”

👍 𝐎𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐞𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞:

“It makes a huge difference. The three players with the most goals for us were not on the pitch today. It’s normal offensively we can struggle a little bit, even if until today we are the third best attack in the league.

“That means in any case we are doing well without those players, but we can do better with the players who are injured at this moment.”

🤔 𝐎𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥:

“What I can say about the first game against Arsenal and today’s game, I don’t see a big difference between us and them.

“Since I arrived, I have the feeling we are in the right path, and we are very close. Probably we just need that step forward to compete in these kind of games, but that step comes also with finishing in a Champions League spot.”

🤕 𝐎𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐲:

“He needs a scan and the scan is planned for tomorrow [Monday].”

“I don’t think so [whether Palmer will be available for England], to be honest. His injury was from yesterday’s session - it’s a muscle problem, so I don’t think so.

“We don’t wish players injured but in Cole’s case [to get a break], in this moment, it will give him some rest physically and mentally. It could be good.”

(Via ChelseaFC & Bobby Vincent - Football London)

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #AFC #Arsenal #ArsenalFC

🚨 Remaining fixtures:

• @Tottenhm (H)
• Brentford (A)
• Ipswich (H)
• Fulham (A)
• Everton (H)
• @Liverpool_Always (H)
• @Newcastle_United (A)
• @ManchesterUnited (H)
• Forest (A)

27 points left to play for. How many do you think we will get? 👇

#CFC

Chelsea have sent an email outlining their battle against ticket touts, including action against one who had “340 memberships”

The club have sent an email to assure supporters that they take touting “seriously” and to “re-emphasise the robust action we are taking every day as a club to tackle this and stop those participating in this illegal activity”.

The scale of the problem has also been communicated to supporters, with one tout said to be using “340 membership accounts linked to the same ticket” for January’s match against West Ham.

More than 1,000 people are said to have been stopped entering the stadium, 1,500 membership accounts cancelled and four arrests made last season, the highest of any Premier League club, according to the email.

The email also explains the club have:

• “An investigative team who track ticket purchasing and membership accounts, including a team of uniformed and plain clothes staff to investigate ticket misuse, identify and apprehend touts.”

• “In-person seat checks at home matches.”

• “Set up a hotline where we use information to investigate potential touts.”

• “Support the police in obtaining Football Banning Orders for convicted touts.”

The issue of touting is also having a major impact on the increasingly tepid atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, which has been highlighted by both the previous manager Mauricio Pochettino and current boss Enzo Maresca.

[nizaarkinsella - BBC Sport]

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC #StamfordBridge

Reece James - to itvfootball - on Thomas Tuchel:

“The best [coach from the ones I’ve worked with]. There’s various reasons why. He brought trophies to [Chelsea] when we probably least expected it, in a difficult period.”

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC

Cole Palmer is set to undergo a second scan on his muscular injury which has stopped the Chelsea playmaker from joining up with the England national team.

While the Blues are said to be optimistic, a clearer timeline is expected in the coming days regarding the 22-year-old’s recovery. Palmer missed Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Arsenal, with Enzo Maresca revealing afterwards how his No 10 required a scan on a problem he picked up in training the previous day.

[kierangill - Daily Mail]

#CFC #Chelsea #ColePalmer

🔎 Wednesday 19 March - #InternationalWatch Day 1️⃣:

🇫🇷 Spain U19s 2-1 France U19s: Mathis Amougou was subbed on in the 66’ minute.

🇸🇪 Scotland U19s 1-1 Sweden U18s: Genesis Antwi played the full match.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Wales U19s 0-2 England U19s: Josh Acheampong captained the side and got an assist for the opening goal. ©️🅰️

Kiano Dyer started and was substituted in the 94’ minute.

Tyrique George started and played 72 minutes.

Shumaira Mheuka was subbed on in the 68’ minute and scored. ⚽️

Ted Curd and Harrison Murray-Campbell were both unused substitutes.

#CFC #Chelsea #ChelseaFC