Chelsea Rumours Mobile

10 Nov 2026 08:52:21
Been a while since I posted on here, no reason for why, other than just being busy.

Individual results and performances have been pretty bad, the Sunderland one putting a real exclamation point on that fact. But overall, from a league position perspective, we’re pretty much where I thought we’d be. At the start of the season I’d have been happy with top four and nothings changed, but you can’t drop points against Hull, Sunderland and Spurs whilst waiving the fans along saying nothing to see here, all is fine. The reality of the larger fan base under Blue Co is that it doesn’t take much to tip them over the edge into a toxic atmosphere. The team, and club, badly needs a run of positive results.

One thing that has become clear is the fact that Alonso doesn’t trust his squad, which, for me, is why he’s constantly tinkering with his first eleven. Welbeck and Emegha are clearly not trusted from the start, in the absence of Joao Pedro, whose loss massively impacts our effectiveness going forward - we don’t need to see Neto starting up top again.

I also get the impression he’d replace the entire defence, except Acheampong, given half a chance. Colwill has really struggled to shake off the rust of a missed season, I’m not sure he’s viewed as untouchable anymore and I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if he’s viewed as someone who can be upgraded in the first eleven for next season. Either way, we need a squad CB to replace Fofana, who looks full of mistakes. Palestra tools like he has all the foundations to be a good player, but his injury didn’t help him acclimatise to the EPL.

We’ve seen good individual performances in midfield from all of Caicedo, Henderson and Lavia, but no combination of them look like a midfield pivot around which the team can be built. The January addition of Scott (Is it certain? It seems certain!) will definitely help, and I think he’ll form that longterm starting pivot with Caicedo. Personal shout out for Barco, who I think has looked good in the limited opportunities he’s been given, positive on the ball, always looking forward.

I do think it’ll click into gear at some point and, come the end of the season, we’ll be comfortably positioned in the top four. But, no matter how much you prepare for what you know will be a transitional season, the unexpected points dropped aren’t easy to take / watch.

10 Nov 2026 09:11:44
J, good to have you back mate.

As usual as very good post and I agree 100% with all your observations.

10 Nov 2026 09:56:15
Good post J and I totally agree with you about our need for a dominant centre back which has to be the priority this January. Colwill is very weak and easily out muscled, Fofana is an accident waiting to happen and whilst Lacroix has done OK he is now out injured and who knows how he will come back, it leaves just Josh and Aaron A who is a rookie and just back from injury himself. A centre back of world class standing, strong, physical, composed and with experience will transform our season.

As for midfield, I really like the look of Lavia and it will be a travesty if the club replace him and partner someone else with Caicedo. We will regret that if it happens so for me let's leave the midfield alone and use Valentin as cover instead.

10 Nov 2026 14:35:12
You can't rely on Lavia though, not to be a nailed on starter. As good as he is, it would be foolish to think the injury issues are behind him.

On Colwill, I think he just needs to be smarter. John Terry knew he wasn't the fastest, so never allowed himself to be in a position where he was going to be in a foot race with forwards. I'm not saying Colwill will ever be at that level, but he is getting into physical battles with strikers who out muscle him, he needs to play to his strengths.

06 Nov 2026 20:50:46
Since our 2-0 win at the Emirates in 2021, our record against arsenal, Liverpool, man city and united is grim reading.

4 wins, 16 draws, 30 losses. If Xabi doesn't work out, I know who I think should replace him. Special One

06 Nov 2026 21:22:54
Although Alonso was not my first choice he would much higher on my list of future Chelsea managers than Jose.

06 Nov 2026 21:25:06
Blasphemy Tom.

06 Nov 2026 22:25:36
Always be grateful but not reverential.

07 Nov 2026 08:47:00
Standard, Jose is part of our illustrations recent history but that's it, he is part of our history, not our future.

Im not comfortable with Alonso but if i'm honest, i'm not sure who I would pick as his replacement, there is currently not a great deal to choose from any more.

07 Nov 2026 09:08:09
Enzo Maresca record against those exact clubs whilst Chelsea manager was Won 3 Drew 3 Lost 5.

If you are talking quality of manager then he would likely be the choice but of course that will not happen.

Those figures you highlight include spells under some of the worst managerial appointments in the history of our club.

Perspective is always needed.

Alonso is learning fast and given time will be fine.

07 Nov 2026 10:02:21
JT and Bill, spot on guys!

08 Nov 2026 02:04:33
the same maresca that's just lost 3 in a row making the same basic mistakes he made at chelsea. ok 'JohnTerry' ok.

08 Nov 2026 12:05:15
John Terry is Greenway new account I think haha.

08 Nov 2026 16:42:34
I personally couldn't care less about names used on this site.

08 Nov 2026 19:09:38
You've said that about 64 times now tom. We understand your point of view.

08 Nov 2026 21:02:24
I'm sure I will say it a lot more times. Who cares about the name rather than the content?

That's 65 now!

08 Nov 2026 22:10:06
Standard, you come on here with your rather embarrassing comments about "papers at university", you are coming across as a bit of plonker, mate.

03 Nov 2026 08:55:50
Being a greedy fan I would like us to players for a few positions in the Jan window but if I had to pick one are it would be just one more midfielder. Although it goes against the grain I would go back in for the lad we missed out on in the last few seconds of the summer window.
I’m happy ish with our defensive cover. I can’t see us being able to sell Fofana or Gusto but for me they are now just squad players.
I would like another CF but they are like hens teeth and we haven’t seen enough of the lad from Strasbourg to make a judgement.

So, a CM is my priority what do you guys have as a single preference?

03 Nov 2026 09:21:51
Tom

I agree, midfielder should be a priority, a caveat to that would be that if Lavia could stay fit, that would not be priority. I think another experienced CB is needed, I can't stand seeing Fofana in a CFC shirt any more.

You mention Gusto and Fofana being squad players but I would also add Reece to that list and when you look at how much wages we could save if we sold them.

03 Nov 2026 09:37:44
Bill, I think James has played over 30 games per season for the last couple of seasons. His injury is unfortunate but when fit, I want him playing for Chelsea. Also, any savings in salary would be marginal as we would want to sign a replacement.

03 Nov 2026 09:55:50
I agree with you Bill, if Lavia stays fit another mega expensive midfielder is not a priority and we would have adequate cover in Barco and Henderson plus the brilliant academy players who keep making the bench.
The priority by a country mile is a world class centre half who can take us to the levels of Arsenal. A total no brainer for me.

03 Nov 2026 10:34:41
G8, i think we are well covered at CH when they are all fit. I also believe Josh will be a better CH than FB. Also, I thought Lacroix was meant to be that experienced CH.

03 Nov 2026 13:23:43
Tom

He was injured against United so who did we bring in, Fofana for goodness sake.

Because we seem to have so many injuries for a team who is not playing so many matches, we need somebody to come in who is not Fofana.

I would also say that for a team who are not playing many matches, the injury list is staggering.

03 Nov 2026 13:55:47
Bill, as I have said he could have played Josh at CH instead of Fofana and then we have Anselmino about to return to the squad and he is player I've been waiting to see play for ages. He hasn't played many games but he is fearless and in my opinion will become a fans favourite. A bit like Rudi but with a sat nav.

03 Nov 2026 15:45:40
Totally agree with you Bill, if we have to rely on Fofana as a back up centre half we are not competing at the levels I expect. Imagine if Levi or Josh picks up an injury? I repeat, a centre half is the priority for January.

03 Nov 2026 15:49:20
But he can't stay fit Tom and that is a worrying issue with several of our players and i'm not sure why that is the case because it is happening season after season.

03 Nov 2026 16:57:20
Bill, I am sure there is a league table of injuries. Since we restructured our medical department our total amount of injuries seem to have gone down but that may be my imagination.
I repeat we didn't need to "rely" on Fofana, Josh could have gone into that position. That's a managers call.

03 Nov 2026 18:23:23
Tom, I repeat, if Josh or Levi are injured we do then have to rely on Fofana and that will be our undoing. Our priority signing (in my opinion) is a world class centre half in January.

03 Nov 2026 18:29:47
We do have Lacroix to come back. He is injured not dead.

03 Nov 2026 19:15:49
Tom, you asked a question of us and having given my opinion I feel you are just knocking it back because it doesn't align with yours? Apologies if I'm being over sensitive but I now wish I hadn't bothered giving an opinion mate!

03 Nov 2026 19:31:18
G8, in the same way you don't agree with my opinion I don't agree with yours. It happens on this sort of site.
We will have to agree to disagree.

04 Nov 2026 17:54:38
It would be a really boring site if we all agreed with one another.

04 Nov 2026 21:48:23
Order of priority.

1.Centre Back
2.Striker
3.Midfielder.

04 Nov 2026 22:29:54
Any names?

For the record I would prefer Camara rather than the guy from Sunerland or the lad from Bournemouth.

16 Oct 2026 10:41:29
I feel for Reece James, more surgery and another lengthy lay off but surely the time has come to move him on?
He is not up to the standard we require in midfield, he hasn't the legs anymore to perform as a wingback and will block Josh's progress if played as a right sided centre back.
I wish him a speedy recovery.

16 Oct 2026 12:28:16
I agree with everything you have said G8.

What is would say is that Reece needs to retire from international duty.

22 Oct 2026 10:09:21
Very sad indeed that Reece's injury woes continue and that he needs surgery.

Even sadder of course if this means Reece cannot continue to play a significant role as a RW at CFC - he would surely be v low in pecking order as a midfielder if only especially another is brought in whether eg Scott or Camara - but perhaps that is now the case. Could be that you are right though Bill and that if there is still a chance that he could he should retire from international dutyand his game time be carefully managed - but G8 point taken about quite where he would play and/or be a starter.

Can only also wish Reece well of course. His skill and game vision when at his best has been wonderful to watch.

15 Oct 2026 11:07:26
Having watched a few of the Manchester teams games this season we did rather well taking over £200 million off of them for Mount, Santos and Enzo Fernandez.

15 Oct 2026 17:40:36
Early days for two of them.

15 Oct 2026 22:37:01
True Tom, and I remember you are a huge fan of them so you maybe right.

16 Oct 2026 09:41:23
It's a shame how it has turned out for Mount with all of his injuries but you could see tgat hapoening whilst he was with us.

Santos should have gone to a club like Brighton and Bournemouth in order to cement his career.

EF, is a big miss however like Maresca, he wanted to leave and I have no doubt that there were several discussions on this prior to Maresca walking out on us.

07 Oct 2026 21:13:20
Update on sporting director Laurence Stewart leaving apparently on excellent terms and sources say he maintains a great relationship with Behdad Eghbali

🔹 Xabi Alonso's arrival and appointment as 'manager' rather than 'head coach' provided a natural opportunity for Chelses to alter sporting leadership team

🔹 Sam Jewell and Joe Shields to take up more responsibility alongside Paul Winstanley, but no 'senior' sporting director

🔹 There has been significant investment in data and analytics and its role in player recruitment - areas which Jewell and Shields are responsible for

🔹 Winstanley's role focuses more on transfer negotiations, contracts and various different teams (medical, performance, player support etc) within the club

🔹 Dave Fallows to continue in flexible advisory role, usually away from Cobham

The summer reset was much needed.

07 Oct 2026 09:44:14
Clearlake making some big calls now Todd has left, Sporting director Laurence Stewart is leaving the club
with Sam Jewell and Joe Shields to assume more responsibility, and planning applications are going into the local council to redevelop Cobham.
Next step SB?

11 Sep 2026 22:46:42
So it appears Enzo Fernandez was putting in transfer requests. how on earth can any fan justify him being sold? it is EXACTLY the same as Enzo Maresca who quite rightly gets pelters from us fans.

12 Sep 2026 14:49:09
tbf greeny, you were all for Maresca before the truth came out... and on Enzo F, not seen many complaining he was sold... The lack of replacement, however, is a fair complaint.

13 Sep 2026 17:54:31
BlueKaz98, Kazblue1, how many more names do you have?

13 Sep 2026 20:57:30
You've missed just simply BlueKaz from the days before logins were even a thing, and we just signed off our names on posts to identify ourselves.... Keep up, Greeny.

13 Sep 2026 22:34:49
Kaz, the whole site knows your real name is King Frank. Try posting as yourself.

13 Sep 2026 21:39:13
As long as we try to show respect and the post passes the Ed's scrutiny, who cares what name or names people choose to use.

14 Sep 2026 15:20:00
King Frank, that's a good one, Greeny - better than your usual tantrum posts.

14 Sep 2026 18:09:44
If you say so, Frank, AKA various blends of Kaz.

11 Sep 2026 15:02:55
Todd B is on the brink of a Chelsea exit after agreeing to sell his shares.

The American and colleagues Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss are set to flog their 38.5 per cent share in the club to Clearlake Capital for a small profit.

Good news?

11 Sep 2026 15:55:01
I hope Clearlake turn out to be good owners. It will be interesting to see what the share sale values the club at.

01 Sep 2026 23:25:45
And deal fell through.

Monaco pulled the plug.

02 Sep 2026 02:41:37
Very, very bad news. Why did this happen... Why did we leave it so late to try to do the deal? Left us so thin in midfield.

02 Sep 2026 08:40:30
I just can't work out why clubs leave it so late, you leave yourselves open to a problem like this which can't be rectified.
I think it's unprofessional to leave it so late.

02 Sep 2026 09:04:58
I think we needed to make sure the Fernandez deal was happening first.

02 Sep 2026 09:55:41
Yes, but everyone knew Fernandez was going to City weeks ago, so surely we should have sorted everything out for a replacement weeks ago, subject to the sale of Enzo.

02 Sep 2026 10:29:55
Agree with you, swcfc.

02 Sep 2026 15:19:20
Chelsea Football Club's stance was clear. The fee for Fernandez was a minimum of £120m. We had no control or absolute certainty that City were prepared to make that sort of offer.

I personally didn't care if EF ever played for us again, but the club and manager played him against Fulham, so they were happy to keep him.

02 Sep 2026 17:42:34
Yes, but my point is we could have had a replacement lined up, subject to Enzo leaving.
I'm led to believe this happens often in football transfers.

City's tactics were obvious here, they wanted the player and left it to the last minute, making it difficult for a competitor to get a replacement. We should have been better prepared, in my opinion.

02 Sep 2026 18:05:44
Swcfc, I think we tried to get players lined up in case Fernandez was sold. Club transfers are not a static thing, and I personally believe it's hard to imagine a club with a top player letting us have a guaranteed option to buy that player but only if we sell our player.

If that makes sense?

My guess is we will make a stop-gap signing and then look at the market in January. I personally would like us to still sign Camara but I would be reluctant (for no real reason) to do Monaco a favour.