What will Maresca's plan be without Cucurella and Fofana?published at 17:00 14 October
17:00 14 October
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
The accumulation of five yellow cards for defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana rules them out of the match at Liverpool on Sunday.
This will cause a break in manager Enzo Maresca's steady team selections. He has picked the same side for the past two Premier League games, having also selected both Cucurella and Fofana as starters in every match so far.
The question for the Italian now is: who will come in to replace the duo?
At left-back, there are both Ben Chilwell and Renato Veiga.
Chilwell is firmly out of favour and has only appeared as a substitute against Barrow in the Carabao Cup. However, recent Portugal debutant Veiga is both in form and greatly in favour, excelling in the recent Conference League match at home against Gent.
Veiga is likely to get his second league start at Anfield, having been deployed in midfield at Bournemouth last month.
Fofana will also be difficult to replace as he brings physicality, speed and quality on the ball at centre-back.
A similar profile is Tosin Adarabioyo, who stepped in at West Ham last month when Chelsea were left without right-backs as Malo Gusto was briefly injured, joining captain Reece James on the sidelines.
There are also options to use Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi.
It will be an interesting team selection to kick off a difficult run of fixtures that will test the good early form the Blues have enjoyed this season.
'Palmer was too much within himself'published at 15:05 14 October
15:05 14 October
On Monday, Phil McNulty took questions from fans, including on Chelsea forward Cole Palmer's role with England.
Mike asked: What do you think is the issue with Cole Palmer and England? He looks very nervous and plays almost everything back. He appears much more confident and adventurous with Chelsea.
Phil answered: It is still very early days for Palmer and England. He has already shown his class at senior level at the Euros, but the past two games have been a disappointment.
He was poor against Greece but, in his defence, he was playing a position that did not suit him lying deep in midfield, while he did struggle against Finland.
He did not play with his usual ambition. He was too much within himself. I've got no doubts that, in time, Palmer will be an excellent player for England.
Tough night for Palmer on England dutypublished at 08:26 14 October
08:26 14 October
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Chelsea's Cole Palmer was used in a more familiar right-flank role in Finland after looking lost as a deep-lying midfielder against Greece.
Disappointingly for a player who has sprinkled stardust on the Premier League this season, Palmer was literally left on the margins of the action and unable to make an impact.
Palmer has already shown his quality at full England level, especially with his goal in the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin, and his time will surely come.
On this occasion, however, he struggled and played without his usual ambition and confidence. It was no surprise when he was replaced by Chelsea team-mate Noni Madueke after 68 minutes.
England captain Harry Kane was back as Carsley's attacking spearhead but he looked well short of sharpness after missing the Greece game through injury and was laboured until he suffered the same fate at the same time as Palmer.
They will both be hoping to improve when England reconvene for what is scheduled to be the final camp with Carsley as interim manager in November.
Meanwhile, Blues right-back Reece James is exploring through his representatives the possibility of joining Barcelona or Benfica. (Football Transfers), external
'Managers deliver vindication for Chelsea's leadership'published at 14:44 11 October
14:44 11 October
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Enzo Maresca and Sonia Bompastor were pictured on Friday holding their manager of the month awards.
The images, posted on the club’s social media accounts, highlight their individual achievements but will also be felt internally as vindication of the direction that Chelsea are travelling in.
During both hiring processes, the Blues were seen as chaotic and there was real suspicion about whether decisions were being made in the best interests of the club.
Of course, it remains early days but the decision to change from Mauricio Pochettino to Maresca is no longer being discussed in such negative terms.
The Italian is the first men's manager to win the award in almost three years and the first under the ownership, perhaps a sign that Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have found their man.
Some of the criticism the ownership, and perhaps the sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have faced may have been fair, but other parts of it are overly harsh, as they have spent heavily without success and restructured the club rapidly with some teething problems.
But they must also be credited with finally finding a way to succeed as they were also involved in the recruitment of Bompastor to replace Emma Hayes after a glorious 11-year spell.
Meanwhile, Cole Palmer continues to be the poster boy for the transfer policy at Stamford Bridge after claiming Premier League player of the month and the England’s men’s player of the year award this week.
Chelsea 'building again' under Maresca - Cahillpublished at 09:21 11 October
09:21 11 October
Former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill speaking on BBC Sounds Planet Premier League podcast about Enzo Maresca's start as Blues boss: "I was in America with him [for pre-season] so I got to see him on the training ground. He is a very hands-on manager and obviously they're slightly changing the way that they play in comparison to last year. That takes time.
"We saw a few mistakes in the pre-season game [but] now they’re starting to get consistency, which is key for this group of players.
"There is a young average age to this squad with some very talented footballers and they're trying to knit together as a group now."
Gossip: Chelsea set to revisit Osimhen transferpublished at 07:55 11 October
07:55 11 October
Galatasaray have no plans to make 25-year-old Victor Osimhen's loan move from Napoli permanent, but Chelsea remain interested in the Nigeria forward. (Teamtalk), external
However, Napoli director Mauro Meluso has confirmed Osimhen is free to leave the club - for the right price - in January. (Metro), external
Gossip: Blues retain Osimhen interestpublished at 08:11 10 October
08:11 10 October
Galatasaray will look to make Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen's loan move from Napoli permanent, while Chelsea remain interested. However, the 25-year-old will cost £68m in January or £63m next summer. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)
Can managers openly admit mental health struggles?published at 08:08 10 October
08:08 10 October
Former manager Mark Warburton talks to The Football News Show about how managers can deal with mental health struggles while working at a club and what support there is available to them.
Palmer the player to build a team around?published at 15:55 9 October
15:55 9 October
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Cole Palmer's form this season is a continuation of what he produced in his debut campaign at Chelsea following his move from Manchester City.
Since the start of 2023-24, Palmer has either scored or assisted 44 goals, more than anyone else in the Premier League.
While City striker Erling Haaland has scored considerably more goals - with 37 compared to 28 for Palmer - the Chelsea forward has chipped in with over triple the amount of assists - 16 compared to five for Haaland.
Palmer's overall contribution means some in the game believe a team should be built around him.
Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas said on the Planet Premier League podcast: "When someone is that special, when someone makes you see and feel that whatever happens in the team he is a game-changer, I believe [you can build a team around them].
"It is fair to say it could be the right thing to do, even if as coaches we hate to say this kind of thing because we want to protect the team and the collective.
"But when you have someone that good and with such an impact on the pitch, I think the team see that themselves and they want Palmer to get on the ball as much as possible.
"When he has the ball, it feels like everything is slow and everything becomes very clear in his eyes. He is able to play any pass at any angle on the pitch. I think it is possible when a player is that special to create a team around him."
'The sky is the limit for Palmer'published at 09:20 9 October
09:20 9 October
Chelsea forward Noni Madueke says "the sky is the limit" for Cole Palmer but would not be drawn into debate over whether his England team-mate is the best player in the world.
Speaking while on international duty before Thursday's Nations League game against Greece, Madueke said: "Cole Palmer is very unique. He is the type of player who doesn't feel pressure in the most pressurised situations.
"Just his demeanour, as relaxed as he is off the pitch, it works for him on the pitch. He can go on the pitch, play the game, have fun and still deliver.
"Cole is a phenomenal player. In terms of the best player in the world, I don't think I should be the one to say that. The sky's the limit for him."
Madueke believes the positive relationship the two have off the field is benefitting both of them on the pitch.
"We have been playing with each other for a very long time," he added. "We are very good friends off the pitch. We look for each other on the pitch. I’m dynamic and he has a great pass so it just works.
"We just bounce off each other and we have a similar outlook on things. When he does well and I do well, it just makes us want to do more."
'The going has got tough - will Chelsea get going?'published at 12:33 8 October
12:33 8 October
Will Faulks Fan writer
Chelsea's season is off to a strong start, but a disappointing result before the international break always means a frustrating couple of weeks thinking about what might have been.
This team are far ahead of where we expected they would be at this point, with a new manager and new players fitting in nicely, and they are also doing far better than they were a year ago.
Things are looking up, without question. But a lot of this success is simply down to the exceptionally fit and available squad Enzo Maresca has had available to choose from, especially compared with the chaos of this time last year.
The head coach has been able to switch between a pristine and rested first XI in the league; and a fully rotated B team for midweek cup games so far this season. but that is all about to change.
Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana have picked up suspensions, Nicolas Jackson faces a retrospective ban for violent conduct, and a couple of players look like they have got minor knocks. Then there is the international break, which guarantees fatigue and can often bring more serious fitness problems too.
This abrupt end to their serene start is particularly poorly timed - the fixtures get very nasty over the next couple of months for Chelsea, starting with the trip to Anfield up next for this suddenly weakened squad.
As much as the opening seven games of the season have been positive, the next seven will tell us far more about this side's potential to win things this year.
Those B team regulars who have been having fun against weaker opposition now get to show whether they are cut out for first-team minutes too.
The going has finally got tough - now we find out if Maresca's Chelsea will get going.
Is the new VAR working?published at 07:25 8 October
07:25 8 October
A VAR related question was put to chief football writer Phil McNulty on Monday's Q&A.
@nubiblue on 'X' asked: Is the new improved VAR working? To me it continues to favour certain clubs.
Phil answered: First of all, I don't believe VAR favours certain clubs and quite honestly, I've not noticed too much difference or huge improvement.
Maybe a little less interference but I confess I lost a lot of faith in VAR after initially being a strong advocate.
I would be happy with semi-automated offside and line technology.
'We try to use them all in the best way' - Maresca on enforced squad rotationpublished at 16:53 7 October
16:53 7 October
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has pointed to his ability to rotate as reason to be believe his side can cope without the suspended Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for their visit to Liverpool after the international break.
The defensive pair both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season in Sunday's ill-tempered 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest, meaning Marseca will be without two players who have started all seven league games so far for the trip to Anfield.
"We have 25 first-team players," he said post-match.
"All clubs have around that number. I don't think it's something just for us.
"The way we try to do things is to try to share minutes with all of them. The reason is because they deserve it.
"The ones that played [on Thursday against Gent] did well and probably deserved [to play] again, but there was another 11 that did a fantastic job against Brighton. We try to use all of them in the best way.
"When you have an injury or red card, like now we don't have Wes and Marc, we are going to use some of the guys that today were not in the first 11."
Despite defensive fragilities, Chelsea sit fourth after seven games and are the Premier League's second-highest scorers behind Manchester City with 16.
Maresca added: "When we started the season, to think by the second international break you are fourth and the team is playing in the way we are playing, learning to play different kinds of games, for sure it's something I am very happy.
"Seven games, 14 points, it's important. But for me it's also important to see the way we got 14 points.
"It has been different ways, different kinds of games; home, away, a team like [Forest] that sits back, a difficult team that tries to be aggressive. You use different weapons."
Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:40 7 October
12:40 7 October
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
Here are some of your comments:
Chelsea fans
Pete: There will be a few complaining that Chelsea still don’t know how to break down low blocks, but Forest beat Liverpool, currently top, at their own ground just weeks ago. And a year or so ago we would have lost this fixture. Progress…
Alan: It was dull. We seem to have a couple of good games and then relax and struggle. Any decent manager would take his defence to one side on Monday and give them an ultimatum, shape up or there's the door. Nothing seems to change. Four players playing four individual games with not one leader between them. Never mind, it may or may not eventually come together.
Stu: Think we would've lost that last season. We are showing more fight and togetherness but need to learn how to break teams down that come to us and sit deep. Fernandez is a worry for me, he does nothing but earns a place in the team every week. A higher power at play?
Beno: Too many yellow cards which will come back to bite us when we play Liverpool. Jackson was rubbish. Noni needs to get his head up in the final third. Too much glory seeking and not enough team ethic from him in midfield in my opinion. Over all a very frustrating afternoon.
Forest fans
Bogey: Forest are a team developing and building. They are loving playing their football. It’s not just a job - they enjoy playing however hard the game. As a fan that’s nice to see. So, trust in Nuno and the team.
Andy: Huge point. Sels has had doubters, and maybe he could have (not should have) saved their goal, but he put all recent criticism to bed by stepping up in key moments. Neither keeper deserved to lose. If we can win at home then Forest will be more than comfortable this season.
Tom: Forest are genuinely looking like nobody's mugs. Nuno is doing a brilliant job, built on security at the back that'd make Cloughie proud. They've more than held on with 10 men on two occasions this year, and look in the right company in the Premier League. Today was a proud day for Forest. Well done lads!
Kris: What a finish! Nail biting stuff at the end, but we kept playing and could have won it with efforts from Williams and Jota. Even going down to 10 and losing Gibbs-White didn’t faze us too much. Chelsea pressed once they had the player advantage but in the end Sanchez was their saviour. You Reds!
'His saves don't surprise me' - Potterpublished at 11:35 7 October
11:35 7 October
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter believes Robert Sanchez, who he managed and coached during his time with the Seagulls, has "all the tools to be a top goalkeeper".
Speaking on Match of the Day 2 following the Blues' 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Potter said: "He has got the power, the size, the agility and the speed. He makes the goal look really small. He can just pluck things out of the air effortlessly.
"So his saves against Nottingham Forest don't surprise me. He is still a young goalkeeper, so he is still working on being consistent, but his high-end stuff is world-class.
"It is sometimes about simplifying it with him. The structure Enzo Maresca has put in place will help him.
"He has got a range of pass. He can go long and he can threaten the backline, which is a real asset to have because, as soon as you do that, it changes the defensive structure of the opponent.
"He has got all the tools to be an absolutely top goalkeeper."