Chelsea

Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger

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I am in London for Chelsea's attempt to pull back a three-goal deficit against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League. Liam Rosenior's side will certainly need some luck to turn this one around.

It is a very long shot but not impossible. Their week hasn't gone well, with the defeat at home by Newcastle darkening the mood that was positive just seven days ago.

The farcical sight of the referee being surrounded by Chelsea's huddle didn't help the optics.

I mentioned a few weeks back that the initial run of games under the new coach were the softest introduction a new manager could get in the Premier League and that this current run of games was the time to start giving informed opinions.

The win over Aston Villa was positive, but the games will continue to be more testing over the next few weeks. Champions League qualification will be decided during this period.

I was with Liverpool legend Graeme Souness last week, and he felt that Chelsea's problem getting to the next level revolved around not having enough truly experienced senior pros in the group. Many others have said this before, and they might just have a point.

It is the Chelsea plan to totally rely on younger players, but is that the one thing that is actually holding them back?

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Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban.

It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018.

With the Blues enjoying so much success after signing star players through secret payments, did they get off lightly?

If the club had not been so co-operative they faced a much tougher financial penalty and potentially a points deduction.

The starting point was the aggravating factors - length of time of the wrongdoing, the size of payments, that they were made with the knowledge of senior figures and the seriousness of the breaches.

The Premier League Board concluded Chelsea should be fined £20m with a transfer ban for two complete and consecutive windows.

But there were mitigating factors to take into account.

BlueCo, which bought Chelsea out of Abramovich's ownership, self-reported the breaches once it had looked through the club's books.

Added to that, BlueCo made voluntary disclosures and showed "exceptional co-operation".

This saw the fine halved to £10m and the two-window transfer ban suspended.

The suspension will be activated if they commit a similar breach in the next two years.

The Board also reserved the right to be able to trigger the suspension at any time in the future if the club makes intentionally untrue declarations.

Chelsea were, however, ordered to pay an unpaid transfer levy of £771,288 in connection to Willian and Samuel Eto'o. They were banned from signing academy players for nine months, too.

Importantly, there was no breach of profit and sustainability rules.

When the payments were added to Chelsea's accounts they were not in excess of the £105m, three-season spending limit.

If they had been then the prospect of a points deduction would have been real.

The Blues had already been fined 10m euros (£8.6m) by Uefa over the same offences.

And Chelsea still have to face a hearing over 74 Football Association charges, which is likely to be another hefty fine.

So this is not quite over yet.

Read more answers to questions about Chelsea's hidden payments

Newcastle fear being dragged into another Alexander Isak-style saga with Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, 25, amid speculation of a £100m move to Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea or Real Madrid. (The I), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Just days after signing a new long-term contract with the club, Chelsea captain Reece James could be out for weeks with a hamstring injury.

The defender has been ruled out for the Blues' return leg of their last-16 Champions League tie with Paris St-Germain on Tuesday, which they will start 5-2 down, but when asked whether it might be that James misses a number weeks, Chelsea boss Rosenior replied: "It could be."

The Blues boss added: "With a hamstring injury, it is never great. We can hopefully get him scanned, find out the full extent and then we will know more because we know how important he is and what a leader he is in the group.

"He felt something in his hamstring at the end of the game against Newcastle. It's really frustrating and a disappointing one for us."

Having stayed relatively injury-free this season following a number of disrupted campaigns, it will be a concern for the club and Chelsea fans as they head into a crucial final few weeks of the season trying to secure Champions League football for next term and win silverware.

What do you make of the news? How big a blow could it be for the Blues' season? Is there enough in the squad to cover both his position and leadership?

Get in touch with your views here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

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Chelsea will be relieved to avoid a sporting sanction, which had been the primary concern since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership reported discrepancies discovered during their purchase of the club from Roman Abramovich.

The club notes that the Premier League's investigation shows that even if the higher estimated costs of the off‑books payments to agents had been included in previous Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) calculations, the club would still have been compliant.

Their statement also stresses that they effectively opened up their entire bookkeeping system to the Premier League for the purposes of the investigation.

All parties say that thousands of documents were reviewed.

The nine‑month academy transfer ban is a setback. It applies to all age groups above the entry‑level under‑nines, although it will not affect overseas recruitment.

The ban was issued because of "early contact" made without the selling club's permission.

However, Chelsea point out that these breaches occurred under the previous leadership.

The fact the mitigating circumstances highlighted that the fine could have been £20m – and that a transfer ban and a points deduction were also considered – shows how Chelsea's decision to be fully cooperative was a sound judgement.

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Paris St-Germain at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The Chelsea boss confirmed captain Reece James will miss the game with a hamstring injury. Rosenior said: "With Reece, he felt something against Newcastle. He is out for tomorrow's game. With a hamstring injury, it is never great. Hopefully, we can get him scanned and find out the full extent."

• However, Brazilian forward Willian Estevao "is back in training" and "will be part of the group" to face Luis Enrique's side. Defender Malo Gusto is a doubt because of illness and Filip Jorgensen will have a scan as the goalkeeper "felt something in his groin".

• Rosenior said Chelsea's pre-match huddle against Newcastle has been "blown out of proportion" and that it has been a "distraction for the media".

• "It is a small thing among many serious things we need to address. We always want to show unity and togetherness. We don't want to antagonise anyone, so we'll decide where we do that on the pitch tomorrow," added Rosenior.

• Rosenior has a scheduled meeting with the refereeing body PGMOL "on certain decisions" made in the 1-0 defeat by Newcastle and stressed his issues with the officiating "wasn't about the huddle".

• On Pedro Neto avoiding suspension for pushing over a ball boy in the first leg: "He's a fantastic player, he has apologised for the incident and I think Uefa have made the right decision."

• On Chelsea's £10m fine and suspended transfer ban over secret payments: "It's not a negative distraction. It's a line drawn through that issue. [Now] we can plan to make this club as strong as possible."

• On overturning the tie: "We can't make mistakes tomorrow. We have to remember PSG are European champions for a reason, but we know we can compete."

• Rosenior said "I haven't even thought about" last week's team news leak, but is "sure it won't happen again".

Follow all of Monday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Chelsea? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Chelsea winger Estevao Willian was back in training on Monday but captain Reece James was not involved before the Blues host Paris St-Germain in the Champions League.

The 18-year-old was in an open training session having not played since early February in the win over Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round.

However, it remains unclear whether Estevao will be involved against PSG on Tuesday night, with James and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen not taking part.

Defender Levi Colwill was also involved but is unlikely to be available while still recovering from a major knee injury, with midfielder Dario Essugo also involved having played for the under-21s at the weekend.

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior is likely to confirm the situation in his media conference at 15:00 GMT on Monday.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Paul: We need to rebuild this squad with genuine talent and a sprinkling of experience. Manager talks a good job but not up to the task in front of him unfortunately. Long way to go before we start challenging for titles/cups...

Jack: Yes, Newcastle were well prepared and set-up well, but we are starting to look lost at sea. Too many individual performances and no tangible sense of a collective team mentality and strategy. I'm usually optimistic, but knowing how tough Tuesday will be it's hard to feel excited about the remaining fixtures.

Nick: I can take losing. What I can't stomach right now is the way we play. No fight, no urgency, no invention, no pace. Just endless side to side, possession for the sake of it. Dull, dull, dull. Dull and losing isn't acceptable.

Alan: It's very simple. Rosenior hasn't got a clue.

Nick: Day one Rosenior said he wanted to play football to get the fans out of their seats. Well it's working - we can't get to the bars quick enough at half and full time...

Newcastle fans

Jack: Great away performance, smash and grab style. Everyone did their job as ordered and Chelsea couldn't make it through. Barring a bit of magic from James' freekick which nearly suckered punched the result, it was a great performance. A good run could put them in the Champions League conversation.

Tony: Very impressive performance from Newcastle. I had low expectations given our away form this season but at last, our defensive solidity returned. Could it be a result of our best back four starting? That's a rare event these days thanks to injuries.

Alvin: An away win? At Chelsea? Totally unexpected but pleasantly surprised. The return of Livramento showed how much we missed him, and perhaps we could yet put on a decent run to end the season. Woltemade looked a bit more comfortable in midfield; perhaps when Bruno returns the team would be at its strongest. Bring on Barca!!

Farhan: You see the old spark which earned us the cup and a CL place return when Tino and Joelinton play. An enjoyable game with an unbelievable atmosphere and result.

Iain: In Hall and Livramento, Newcastle have surely got England's left and right back for the World Cup this summer. The question is how many of their team mates will join them in America. Burn and Gordon are nailed on but surely Harvey Barnes is in with a shout too. Will Pope get a spot? Could his teammate Ramsdale replace him?

Chelsea could accelerate plans to sign French winger Rayane Messi, 18, from Strasbourg amid growing interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris St-Germain. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Former Wales international Ashley Williams says he was "confused" by referee Paul Tierney's position in the centre of Chelsea's huddle ahead of their game with Newcastle.

Tierney was standing over the ball prior to kick-off but did not move away as Chelsea players gathered around him for their pre-match huddle, much to the bemusement of some of the Blues' starting XI.

Cole Palmer jokingly wrapped his arms around Tierney before staring quizzically at the official, who merely smiled back at the England international as Trevoh Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez watched on in amusement.

"I'm as confused as Cole Palmer as to why Paul Tierney is standing over the ball and protecting it," Williams told BBC Match of the Day.

"We know Chelsea are doing it, I don't have a problem with it, do it wherever.

"For the ref to stand in there, it just makes a farce of the whole thing."

Former Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart added he "didn't feel it was something that should be going on in the Premier League."

"It felt like something that could have been addressed before the game, they've done it in previous games," Hart said.

"Sort it out before, we don't need to be seeing this."

Pundits Joe Hart and Ashley Williams join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 0-1 Brighton

• Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth

• Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle

• Arsenal 2-0 Everton

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are faltering at a key moment in the season and, most concerning of all, there are numerous problems for Liam Rosenior to solve.

From issues in goal, indiscipline and conceding from set-pieces - but it was an open‑play goal and lax marking that allowed Newcastle to take the lead.

As is so typical with Chelsea, they had been playing well, but a lapse in concentration from multiple players saw their tactical structure collapse and leave them vulnerable.

There was, however, a new issue on Saturday evening - a real lack of creativity.

This was despite Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho all starting. It was the quietest outing in recent weeks for in‑form striker Joao Pedro, signed from under Newcastle's noses in the summer, while Liam Delap's introduction offered little lift.

Chelsea were without wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian through injury, while Pedro Neto was absent through a self‑inflicted additional one‑game ban for his reaction to being sent off at Arsenal last month. It was another sign that indiscipline - albeit indirectly - affected Chelsea on the night.

It was in defeat at Arsenal where Robert Sanchez lost his number one status. Drafted back in after Filip Jorgensen's midweek mistake at Paris St‑Germain, it marked the fourth goalkeeper change in five games.

There are questions whether decisions like that are unsettling, even for a team of exciting talents like Chelsea who lost their way after Newcastle scored against the run of play.

Both Wesley Fofana and Moises Caicedo were booked shortly afterwards, with Caicedo now on nine Premier League bookings - one away from a two‑game ban.

It is now a myriad of issues plaguing Chelsea as they falter in their bid to qualify for the Champions League, having lost 5‑2 to PSG on Wednesday - and it is hard to see them finding consistency with so much to resolve.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their defeat by Newcastle: "The result isn't the one we wanted. We just lacked the cutting edge today. At the moment, the lads aren't getting what they deserve. We need to find ways to have more quality in the final third.

"In the first 15 minutes we found Cole [Palmer] and Joao [Pedro] in really good positions. The goal knocked the wind out of our sails. Football's about momentum and that goal gave them momentum.

"We tried to find a tactical solution rather than a personnel solution, and we didn't do that this evening.

"Things aren't always as great as you think they are when they're going well, and things aren't always as bad as they are when you're going through a difficult spell. I can't remember Rob [Sanchez] having much to do.

"We need to make sure the players recover. We need to monitor them and see who's fresh [for PSG]."

On Chelsea players' huddles: "A lot of things are being made of it. To me, it's a show of respect. It was disappointing to see the referee stood in the middle. I don't know. It's not in the rules. I don't understand."

On Chelsea wanting a penalty for Nick Woltemade's foul on Palmer: "I don't understand how it's not overturned."

Did you know?

• Chelsea's 22 shots was their most attempts without scoring in a Premier League home game since April 2023 against Aston Villa (27).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Rob Sanchez is preferred as Chelsea's goalkeeper, having been left out against Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa in the past week.

Previously first-choice Filip Jorgensen does not make the matchday squad.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho is drafted in as the second change from the side that lost 5–2 at Paris St-Germain, replacing Pedro Neto, who has been given an additional game ban for the manner in which he left the field after being sent off against Arsenal.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro.

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Adarabioyo, Delap, Guiu, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Badiashile, Sarr.

Tino Livramento starts against former club Chelsea as Newcastle United make six changes for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

Livramento has not lined up from the off since suffering a hamstring injury back in January, but he is fit enough to start this evening.

Sven Botman, Joe Willock, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon have also been recalled as head coach Eddie Howe freshens up his side following the 1-1 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday night.

Sandro Tonali misses out altogether through illness.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Willock, Woltemade, Ramsey, Murphy, Gordon, Barnes

Subs: Pope, Ruddy, Trippier, Joelinton, Wissa, Osula, Elanga, Burn, A.Murphy