@sjohnsonsport.bsky.social
On the whistle briefing from #CFC’s 1-0 defeat to Juventus. I focused on Quenda’s good first impression, Jackson’s awkward outing in the shop window and Mudryk’s return capping an emotional few days: www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
Chelsea lose 1-0 to Juventus: Mudryk plays first match in 615 days, Quenda impresses on debut
Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Juventus in their latest pre-season friendly in Hong Kong but Quenda's performance was one of the positives
nytimes.com
This has been a long time coming & a matter of when, not if. He is not only seen as someone that can feature in the team, but an individual that can help mentor Jorrel Hato, as well as Landon Emenalo. My analysis on Chavarria. #CFC 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...
Chelsea set to agree Pep Chavarria deal with Rayo Vallecano
The 28-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Premier League side and is expected to be given permission to undergo medical.
nytimes.com
Having signed a new deal recently, I asked Moises Caicedo if he wants Enzo Fernandez to also commit his future to #CFC. He urged him to stay and backed him to handle PL boo-boys post World Cup. Story here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
Moises Caicedo urges Enzo Fernandez to stay at Chelsea (Gift Article)
Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk is in line to get his first minutes for Chelsea in 21 months against Juventus on Wednesday.
nytimes.com
#CFC's change of transfer strategy to sign veterans Welbeck & Henderson is not just an Alonso idea. A lack of emotional maturity has been flagged for some time. Even Liam Rosenior flagged it as a weakness in his first team meeting. An explainer here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Why Chelsea changed their transfer policy to sign Premier League golden oldies (Gift Article)
The club's need for leadership and role models in a young squad is behind the signings of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson
nytimes.com
Xabi Alonso's first sitdown interview as #CFC manager. He spoke on • scar healed from Real Madrid disappointment • mix of 20-30s players build a club culture • grilling Pep Guardiola on football coaching • why Chelsea as next step More here (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
Xabi Alonso interview: His Real Madrid ‘scar’, Guardiola’s lessons and why Chelsea feels right (Gift Article)
The new manager is already making his presence felt
nytimes.com
Joao Pedro is being rewarded for his fine form with a new contract by #CFC. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Joao Pedro set to sign new Chelsea contract (Gift Article)
The Brazil international is set to be rewarded with extended terms on the seven-year deal he signed last summer
nytimes.com
The FA’s anti-doping case against Mykhailo Mudryk is resolved. He can start training with #CFC again & is joining pre-season tour in Hong Kong next week. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk doping case resolved, available to return to action with immediate effect (Gift Article)
The FA and Chelsea confirmed the news in statements on Friday.
nytimes.com
Enjoyed getting a chance to ask Cole Palmer some questions earlier. Spoke on: * surgery on his ongoing groin problem last season was considered but not taken * Tuchel snub a motivation * why he joked about calling the bailiffs on Morgan Rogers. www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Cole Palmer says he fell asleep during England vs. Mexico, World Cup absence a motivation to ‘go harder’ (Gift Article)
The 24-year-old has described working under new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso as a "breath of fresh air".
nytimes.com
First, Xabi Alonso was hired as the new manager. Now, the final punishment for historical financial irregularities has been settled. It truly is a fresh start for #CFC both on and off the pitch this summer. My column here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Chelsea’s FA punishment means they now have a fresh start on and off the pitch (Gift Article)
The Football Association have handed Chelsea a fine over the 74 charges they faced for breaching agent regulations
nytimes.com
#CFC are fined again for rule breaches under Abramovich era - it’s the FA’s turn re. The 74 charges after UEFA and PL already hit them with financial penalty. Bill comes to £10m plus suspended transfer ban. More here from @simonhughes1983.bsky.social and me: www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
Chelsea fined £10m but avoid points deduction after FA investigation (Gift Article)
The Premier League club have also been given a suspended transfer ban after being charged by the FA with 74 alleged rule breaches.
nytimes.com
Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson have joined up with the #CFC squad on pre-season tour in Sydney. Allowed later arrival for post World Cup holiday.
Josh Acheampong is deemed to be one of #CFC’s ‘untouchables’ but is he going to get the game time the other untouchables in the group are sure to get with Lacroix coming in? He needs regular football to fulfil his potential. A column here (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
Josh Acheampong needs first-team football. But can he achieve that at Chelsea? (Gift Article)
The 20-year-old is considered among the club's 'untouchables', yet faces a daunting battle to make a proper mark in their first team
nytimes.com
Xabi Alonso has backed Morgan Rogers to make an instant impact at #CFC. Also sees Lacroix/Rogers as key additions to plans to make team a force again but has yet to decide on his first choice keeper. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
Xabi Alonso backs Morgan Rogers to make an ‘instant impact’ at Chelsea
Chelsea manager believes Rogers and Maxence Lacroix, who is to join from Crystal Palace, will add quality and maturity to his options
nytimes.com
Interview with Jamie Gittens…his first season at #CFC was not what he or the club would have wanted, but he’s in much better spirits now. His pre-season form, fitness, Xabi Alonso, Morgan Rogers and hopes for the campaign all discussed here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
Jamie Gittens on Chelsea’s title ambitions, Morgan Rogers’ arrival and Xabi Alonso’s ‘aura’
After an underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge, the England Under-21 international feels ready to show his true colours
nytimes.com
Geovany Quenda’s injury which ruled him out of start of #CFC’s pre-season is not serious and he will join up with the squad in the Asia leg. Emmanuel Emegha’s hamstring issue will mean his pre-season will resume next month.
#CFC agree deal to sign 15-year-old Benji Glowers, who they consider to be the most exciting young US talent, from FC Dallas. Initial fee is £2.25m. Will officially join at 18. More here with @tombogert.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
Chelsea agree deal to sign U.S. youth international Benji Flowers from FC Dallas (Gift Article)
Dallas will receive an initial fee of around $3million (£2.25m), while performance-based add-ons could take the deal to around $10m.
nytimes.com
On this weeks @socobhampod.bsky.social we went inside the Morgan Rogers deal, rounded up the rest of the #CFC transfer news, paid tribute to Ken Bates and analysed Alonso’s first press conference. Busy then! @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social and @liamtwomey.bsky.social on board pod.fo/e/478c67
Straight Outta Cobham: A show about Chelsea: Morgan Rogers: How has it happened and what will he bring?
Morgan Rogers is going to Chelsea instead of Arsenal and the Straight Outta Cobham team are here to lap it all up.Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey as the Blues set a new...
pod.fo
#CFC promised to wait for end of England's World Cup bid to move for Rogers. Thursday: Formal talks begin Friday: Alonso calls Rogers, personal terms sorted Saturday: Negotiations with #AVFC completed. With @jacobtanswell.bsky.social & @gunnerblog.bsky.social #AFC 👇 www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
Inside Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers deal: A vital 48 hours, Alonso’s phone call, Arsenal’s valuation (Gift Article)
The story behind the shock deal to take the Villa and England forward to west rather than north London
nytimes.com
Lots in #CFC section of the DealSheet this week: John Stones is among list of cbs being considered. Lacroix valuation below £55m. Asking price set for Jackson and Guiu. Villa enquired for Jackson & Garnacho. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
The Transfer DealSheet: Latest on Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and more (Gift Article)
This is the latest on the summer transfer market, courtesy of The Athletic's reporters
nytimes.com
From earlier…sales at #CFC are a key part of the summer window. They are on course to make over £300m, just like they did 12 months ago. Plan was always to use outgoings to help pay for new signings. #Rogers www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
Chelsea’s summer sales are underway – and there is scope to match the £300m raised last year (Gift Article)
The London club have proved themselves elite sellers and can justify their valuations of the likes of Disasi, Delap, Garnacho and Jorgensen
nytimes.com
Shakhtar Donetsk have approached #CFC, Fulham and Brentford about the possibility of playing their home Champions League games at their stadium in 2026-27. More here with @adamcrafton.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
Shakhtar Donetsk in talks with Chelsea, Fulham, Brentford to play Champions League games in London (Gift Article)
The Ukrainian club qualified for the group phase of the 2026-27 competition and are looking for a venue to play their home matches.
nytimes.com
#CFC became the first PL club to make over £300m in sales in one window last summer. They are on course to do it again, although some of the players no longer required may need more of a sales pitch. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/745...
Chelsea’s summer sales are underway – and there is scope to match the £300m raised last year (Gift Article)
The London club have proved themselves elite sellers and can justify their valuations of the likes of Disasi, Delap, Garnacho and Jorgensen
nytimes.com
#CFC have six strikers on the books but only Joao Pedro is assured of his place in the squad next season as things stand. So what will happen to the others? Piece from @liamtwomey.bsky.social and me (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/744...
Chelsea have too many strikers on their books. So who do they move on?
Joao Pedro will remain at Stamford Bridge, but there are decisions to make over Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha and Marc Guiu
nytimes.com
Chelsea would not be the football club it is today without Ken Bates, who has passed away at 94. www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...
Former Chelsea and Leeds chairman Ken Bates dies aged 94 (Gift Article)
Bates, who made his fortune in the haulage and concrete industries, purchased Chelsea for £1 in 1982.
nytimes.com
#CFC have not made an offer for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
UPDATE: Tyrique George has completed a medical ahead of his permanent move to Everton. Clubs now just finishing final bits of paperwork ahead of announcement w/ @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Everton agree £24m Tyrique George deal with Chelsea
Chelsea will receive an initial fee of £18million, with £6m due in potential add-ons.
nytimes.com
Nicely wrapped up before closing time/last orders. Nice one England.
#CFC have agreed a deal with teenage prodigy Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli to ensure he stays at the club. Was wanted by a number of teams around Europe. Story with @davidornstein0.bsky.social. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli commits future to Chelsea by signing scholarship terms (Gift Article)
The central midfielder turned down many leading European clubs in favour of continuing his development at Stamford Bridge.
nytimes.com
New #CFC manager Xabi Alonso starts pre-season training with the players next week. There are a lot of things he needs to improve to make the team competitive again after a poor campaign. Here are the key issues he needs to address from day one: www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...
Xabi Alonso’s in-tray at Chelsea: Win squad over, revive Cole Palmer and improve discipline (Gift Article)
The Spaniard arrives at a club who finished 10th last season and will need to improve results at Stamford Bridge to reinvigorate the setup
nytimes.com
The Xabi Alonso era is officially under way at #CFC. He is not expected to be at Cobham though for a few more days. The first crop of players reporting for pre-season training - those not involved in national teams etc - will begin next week.