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Showing posts with the label Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca confirms team news for tomorrows game against Bournemouth

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Blues boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that he does not expect Jorrell Hato to be fit to face Bournemouth tomorrow however, expects Wesley Fofana to be in contention to feature after being an unused substitute in the defeat at home to Aston Villa last weekend.  Chelsea return to action at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening and look to but the defeat over the weekend against Aston Villa behind them and return to winning ways as they host Bournemouth hoping to end 2025 with a win. The Blues will be without long term absentees Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia for the visit of the Cherries, with Maresca predicting that Hato will be ready to return in time from the injury which he sustained during the half time warm up against Newcastle United.  When asked about Hato at his pre match press conference which took place on Saturday. Enzo Maresca said " For Bournemouth, no I don't think he will be ready." Though the Blues defeat against Aston Villa over the weekend was frus...

Robert Sanchez's thoughts on the defensive progress and breaking Villa's stride

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Blues shot stopper Robert Sanchez has kept the joint most clean sheets in premier league this season, ahead of the visit of Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge he explains why the Blues are doing so well defensively. Robert Sanchez has kept a clean sheet in 9 out of the Blues last 17 games in the 2025/26 season and is one clean sheet away from his Spanish compatriot David Raya's tally of 10 clean sheets recorded last season. Sanchez's good form in goal for the Blues was recognised most recently when he was named in the PFA premier league fans player of the month for November. However, the Spaniard acknowledges that it is a much collective effort when it comes to stopping the opposition from scoring. When asked about this Sanchez went onto state that when he and whichever 4 it was at the back, that whoever plays, it is important that they understand each others strengths and weaknesses and that they play to help each other in order to get the best performance possible.  Sanchez then ...

Chelsea starting line-up versus Everton confirmed

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Blues boss Enzo Maresca makes four changes ahead of the Blues premier league game at home to Everton with a start for Cole Palmer  Chelsea will look to return to winning ways following their midweek defeat in the champions league away to Atalanta, with todays game against the Toffees kicking off at 3pm.  Cole Palmer comes into the side from the start as part of four changes with Alejandro Garnacho, Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana set to be handed starts by Enzo Maresca.  The Blues start with Robert Sanchez in goal, with the Spaniard marshalled at the back four of Malo Gusto at right back, Marc Cucurella at left back  with a centre back pairing of Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah.  Skipper Reece James is partnered in midfield by Enzo Fernandez, with a three in front of them consisting of Pedro Neto on the right, Cole Palmer in the 10 and Alejandro Garnacho on the left with Joao Pedro leading the line. 

Chelsea starting line-up confirmed ahead of clash with Arsenal

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 Chelsea confirm the starting line-up ahead of todays top of the table clash against Arsenal  Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca makes one change ahead of a big London derby top of the table clash against Arsenal . Chelsea head into today's game off the back of a thoroughly dominant performance in the champions league on Tuesday dismantling Barcelona 3-0 in the champions league and are looking to clash the gap on league leaders Arsenal at the top of the table down to 3 points.  Robert Sanchez retains his spot in goal behind the same back four which started Tuesday's champions league game against Barcelona with Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana starting against the Gunners.  Reece James partners Moises Caicedo in midfield with Enzo Fernandez pushing up further forward in the advanced central midfield role and is set to be joined on the flanks by Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto with Joao Pedro set to lead the line.  More good news for Blues fans ...

Gusto speaks on finally ending long drought with first Blues goal as Chelsea secure 3 points at home to Wolves

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 My first goal is only the start says Blues right back Malo Gusto  After reaching 98 appearances in a Blue shirt, it's fair to say that Malo Gusto was certainly most pleased to see his long awaited goal drought for his first Chelsea goal come to an end. However the French full back believes that that this is only the beginning as the Frenchman helped the Blues to a 3-0 win at home to Wolves.  Chelsea secured the three points thanks to three goals in the second half as they headed into the November international break with a spring in their step , and it was Gusto who broke the deadlock. Latching onto Alejandro Garnacho's lopping cross and heading the ball passed the oncoming Wolves goalkeeper, Gusto showed the intent of a striker wheeling away to celebrate with the Chelsea fans in the Matthew Harding lower end.  Elsewhere, in the second half for Chelsea Joao Pedro doubled the Blues advantage which his second goal in as many games, with Pedro Neto wrapping up the resu...

Trevoh Chalobah outlines 2 areas Blues can improve in

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Trevoh Chalobah cut a a visibly frustrated figure during the blues 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Sunderland bringing to an end the recent run of good form at home.  Trevoh Chalobah in action against Sunderland  The blues took an early lead at Stamford Bridge, however, the Black Cats got their equaliser midway through the first half before stealing the winner right at the death in injury time.  Chalobah said that the blues must learn from the first defat in 5, particularly with games coming thick and fast until the end of 2025.  He went onto add that "we needed to use the momentum built after scoring the first goal at home" "It was the great start the we needed and we wanted to attack more." We knew that we were going to come up against a team that were full of togetherness. They showed that from the start and tried to disrupt our game. In the first half we had our chances, in the second half we tried creating more chances to get ourselves back onto the front foot...

Full time match review + player ratings Chelsea 2-0 Burnley

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 Goals from Azpiliqueta and Alonso secure Thomas Tuchel's       first win as Chelsea boss Cesar Azpiliqueta slots away from close range to score the first goal of the Thomas Tuchel Era Emphatic finishes from Spanish Defenders Cesar Azpiliqueta and Marcos Alonso gave Thomas Tuchel his first victory as Chelsea head catch with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Burnley.  The victory ensures Chelsea climb up to seventh place in the premier league however, made it a lot harder than they should have done on a cold Sunday afternoon in West London.  The first goal of the Thomas Tuchel era was scored by defender Cesar Azpiliqueta whilst taking the lead in the 41st minute , smashing home a shot in from close range past Clarets goalkeeper Nick Pope.  Fellow Spaniard Marcos Alonso secured the three points for the Blues six minutes from the end with a terrific near post volley.  As expected, Chelsea had total domination of the ball at Stamford Bridge wi...

Match Preview and Chelsea team news for Burnley

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 Match Preview Chelsea welcome Burnley to Stamford Bridge in the premier league on Sunday  A third straight home fixture for Chelsea as Burnley from the North-West of England arrive in South West London. Head coach Thomas Tuchel's second match in charge is the first game kicking off in daylight since November last year.  Hosting a robust claret over a Sunday lunch appears to sound as if the halcyon days are as good as it gets in lockdown, The main course being served is Chelsea vs Burnley at Stamford Bridge which pips the third longest serving coach across the English system Sean Dyche against most recent arrival Thomas Tuchel. Despite being dominant with the ball on Wednesday night against Wolves this was not enough to hand Thomas Tuchel a winning start to his tenure at Chelsea, however, the Bavarian has had more days in order to instil his approach in order to prepare for his second consecutive league game at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel said 'if we take care of our performa...

Full Time Match Review + Player Ratings Chelsea 0-0 Wolves

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Chelsea have drawn 0-0 in Thomas Tuchel's first match in charge as head coach at Stamford Bridge.    Chelsea dominated the ball in West London however, had nothing to show for it they were held by a resilient Wolves side.  Chelsea held to a 0-0 by a resilient Wolves in Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge Chelsea put up a bright display under the management of Thomas Tuchel playing fluid football and applying high pressure off the ball. Chelsea in fact should have gone ahead with five minutes on the clock, Callum Hudson-Odoi with a beautiful whipped ball into the box however Olivier Giroud was unable to get contact on the ball to tap it in from close range at the near post.  In the 20th minute a glorious chance for Hakim Ziyech presented itself on the edge of the box however, the chance resulted in an easy save for Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.  Antonio Rudiger who started in defence today , made a reckless challenge on the edge of the area on Daniel Podence, ...

Chelsea team line up vs Wolves

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Head Coach Thomas Tuchel makes 10 changes to the Chelsea side in his first game in Charge as head coach of Chelsea.  Hakim Ziyech is the only player to start in Sunday's Fa cup game against Luton town to feature in the starting line-up for todays game against Wolves.  Edouard Mendy returns back in goal replacing Kepa Arrizabalaga, whilst the centre back pairing consists of Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva. There is also a return at left-back for Ben Chilwell , as well a start for Cesar Azpiliqueta.  Tuchel will opt for a three man midfield with Jorginho, Kovacic and Havertz all to feature in the side.  The other two players to be handed starts by Chelsea's newly appointed head-coach are Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud who scored the last time Chelsea faced Wolves.  Prior to kick-off at Stamford Bridge Tuchel stated "The choices were unfair because I was expected to pick a starting line-up after just one training session. 'This has to be one of the most unf...