Chelsea

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Finishing second has been an unfamiliar feeling for Paris Saint-Germain over the past 12 months, but they were soundly beaten by Chelsea in last summer's Fifa Club World Cup final. The defeat appeared to sting, judging by the post-match scuffles which broke out, with Blues forward Joao Pedro claiming the Parisians "lost their heads". However, PSG head coach Luis Enrique, who confronted the Brazilian in New Jersey, insisted last week that "there is no feeling of revenge for us – this is a different competition".

Facing Premier League rivals is, by now, nothing new for PSG, with this match their 13th against English opposition since the start of last season. They've had a clear edge in those encounters and eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on the way to winning the Champions League for the first time. The French side have not quite hit those heights in the current campaign, with Friday's defeat by Monaco their seventh loss in all competitions. However, helpful scheduling from Ligue 1 means they'll get extra rest before next week's second leg, with their game against Nantes postponed – a decision which hasn't gone down particularly well with their relegation-threatened opponents.

Did you know?

• PSG have lost just two of their last 14 European matches (W8, D4).

• They have the second youngest average starting XI in this season's Champions League (24 years, 195 days), bettered by only Chelsea (24 years, 31 days).

• The 3-1 defeat to Monaco on Friday was their fourth loss since the turn of the year.

Player to watch: Matvei Safonov

The 27-year-old Russian has been ever-present in the last six weeks, having usurped summer signing Lucas Chevalier after recovering from a broken hand. He was injured during December's shoot-out win against Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final, when he saved four spot-kicks. Luis Enrique says he has never coached a keeper so good at reading where penalty takers will hit their shots.

Brighton are confident of beating Chelsea to the summer signing of Cologne's German winger Said el Mala, 19, who has impressed in his first season in the Bundesliga. (Football Insider), external

Chelsea do not want to sell striker Liam Delap this summer despite the 23-year-old Englishman scoring just one Premier League goal in an injury-hit season. (Mirror), external

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all keen on Freiburg's 20-year-old Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc Des Princes (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Rosenior said that Jamie Gittens "is back," despite not being named in the travelling group. He added that Levi Colwill is back in "modified training".

• Rosenior said he watched the Club World Cup final between the two sides in July, but admitted Chelsea's victory in that game has little relevance for tomorrow's match. Chelsea defender Malo Gusto echoed these thoughts when asked a similar question.

• On tomorrow's opponents, who he coached against when he was at Strasbourg: "They were so good last year. I was admiring the football they were playing. They have world class players and a world class manager and I expect a difficult challenge tactically, physically and technically - but we have world class players too. It should be a great game for the neutral. We have to remember it's a two-legged game and we have discipline for that aspect."

• Rosenior gave no indication as to who will be starting in goal for Wednesday's match, adding: "Every position is a difficult position. We have a fantastic squad, and even decisions on who will be on the bench is difficult. The goalkeeper is no different to an outfield decision; I will pick who I think is right for every game."

• He was asked what he has learnt from his first few months in West London: "It has been mentioned that I am confident as a person, and I am even more confident now than when I arrived, and that is down to what the players have given me in that time. I think it's a nice fit."

• The two sides boast some of the youngest squads in the competition, but Rosenior says the age of his players "doesn't matter," adding: "I just like working with good players. Younger players have a higher ceiling and I think that is why I'm here. I love working with this group, regardless of age. Not only their quality and ability, their temperament and want to improve and learn, it is a joy working with them every day."

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Returning loanee Mamadou Sarr says Chelsea are good enough to match their past glories and win the Champions League this season.

The 20-year-old defender was recalled from his loan spell at sister club Strasbourg in January and given a place in Chelsea's Champions League squad.

Ahead of a match at the Parc des Princes against European champions Paris St-Germain — who won the competition with one of the youngest squads in Europe — Sarr believes Chelsea are capable of doing the same.

"I think we are young, but we have a lot of experience. Guys like Reece [James], they won the trophy, they won the Champions League, so I think we can achieve that again," Sarr told BBC Sport.

"I don't think it's about age; I think it's about mentality and level."

Sarr, who has made three starts since reuniting with his former head coach Liam Rosenior, is enjoying his return to Chelsea, having been involved in the Club World Cup campaign that culminated in a 3-0 win over PSG in New Jersey.

He remembers staying up late with his brother, Abdou, watching Chelsea's past Champions League triumphs — particularly their series of matches against Barcelona. "I watched them a lot," he said, naming stars including Eden Hazard, Willian, Victor Moses, Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires.

Meanwhile, Rosenior's decision to start Sarr against Arsenal highlights the trust he has placed in the defender, whom he has signed twice — first at Strasbourg and again at Chelsea. Players at both clubs jokingly refer to him as "Mamadou Rosenior" because of their father‑son‑style relationship.

"He impressed me with the way he talks to you directly — you feel his passion. I fell in love with his systems and the way he sees the game. I think I understand football more because of him," Sarr continued.

On the nickname, he added: "It's been a joke then and now even at Chelsea. I know he likes me, but just because he likes me doesn't mean I'm going to play for sure. I have to show it in training and on the pitch."

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's win over Wrexham on Saturday was a fun game for the neutrals, with plenty of goals and storylines for the audience at home to enjoy.

For some Blues fans, however the chaotic win against lower league opposition was more evidence that this is a poorly constructed squad. To many of them, the 4-2 result against a team that was in League One a year ago was another reminder of how inadequate Chelsea's second string is. It wasn't until Wrexham were down to 10 men that the away side really took control.

Despite the hundreds of millions spent in the last few years, any deviation from the first XI by the manager ends up being a major gamble.

That's a reasonable take on the big picture, if a little harsh on Wrexham's quality. However in the short term, there were a lot of positives that could be taken from the game regarding the squad. Throughout the team, the options available to Liam Rosenior are improving.

In midfield, both Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo played significant minutes after their respective returns from long term injury issues. Finally the pressure on Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez to play in every game is easing, and the overworked pair were allowed to stay back in London to rest ahead of the Champions League game against PSG on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile at left back Jorrel Hato put in another improved performance, and first choice option Marc Cucurella returned from his hamstring problem to build some match fitness.

In central defence, Mamadou Sarr got a third Chelsea start and continued to look like a solid third choice; and in the attacking line Alejandro Garnacho put in another dangerous showing to show how he's recovered from a bad spell.

Just in time for decisive games of the season, Rosenior has some reliable depth to fall back on.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sporting winger Geovany Quenda is expected to stay at Chelsea until the March international break as he continues his recovery from a metatarsal injury.

The 18-year-old agreed to join Chelsea in a £40m deal last year but only after completing another full season with the Portuguese giants.

Quenda remains focused on ending the season strongly at Sporting as they battle Porto for the league title, while a positive final few months would also strengthen his hopes of making Portugal's World Cup squad.

However, his use of Chelsea's world‑class medical facilities is helping him adapt early to a move to a new country.

Quenda is using the time to improve his English and complete various bureaucratic tasks, including filling in documents and finding a new house.

He has also had opportunities to meet Chelsea players and members of staff, with two plans already in place - one for if he makes Portugal's squad in the summer and another if he does not - before his first campaign at Stamford Bridge next season.

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup quarter finals has been made. Here is a list of all the ties in the order they were drawn:

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Chelsea v Port Vale

• Manchester City v Liverpool

• West Ham or Brentford v Leeds United

The ties will be played around the weekend of Saturday, 4 April.

Watch all the highlights and best video from this season's FA Cup

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Wrexham and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Tommy: We still look suspect when teams don't give us time on the ball - especially when playing from the back. And we still need a world class keeper.

Danny: Huge potential banana skin slip avoided. PSG game obviously on the manager's mind. Back to Sanchez, back to nine squad changes, back to incessant back and sideways passing. This new manager needs to get us playing on the front foot like the Villa game. When we go forward we are a match for anyone (without Delap).

Jeff: Rosenior somehow got out of jail free with his team selection for this one. Wrexham deserved to win. We cannot afford sympathy starts for second string central defenders - they simply aren't good enough. The only bright spot in otherwise pretty dismal performance was Essugo's appearance. Looks like he could be class.

Richard: Chelsea's defensive problems continue with no signs of learning. This has been the case for months if not seasons. Players not switching on when the alarms are going off all over the place. Don't see Rosenior yelling from the touchline either to wake them up.

Derek: Absolutely dreadful. So glad I never paid to see it. Tippy tappy sideways and back with little or no idea of penetration. Attitude of some players was disgraceful as though they didn't want to be there. Wrexham deserved something out of this game

Scott: Fortunate to win this game. Lazy performance overall and some of the players on show proved they are not Chelsea quality - Sanchez, Lavia, Santos, Badiashiele, Delap all need to be moved on. We must, must, invest in a new goalkeeper and striker as a priority.

Steve: Very poor Chelsea performance. You can't fit square pegs into round holes. These seconds string squad players are just not good enough. We have about nine really good players in the total squad - after that, just drivel. And it doesn't help playing them in the wrong position.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Andy Cole says Chelsea were "impressive" to eventually see off Championship Wrexham after extra-time to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"You've got to give Chelsea credit," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"A lot has been said about them this season, especially with the managerial change, but to go there and finish off a tough game was impressive.

"Wrexham showed how good they are, tested them, and pushed them all the way.

"But, the Premier League quality came through in the end.

"When you make so many changes it's never easy, but I'm happy for Liam [Rosenior] to get the result and now he can move on to a tough game in the Champions League."

Cole briefly played alongside Rosenior at Fulham, as well as his dad Leroy at Bristol City, and was full of praise for his approach.

"Liam is a genuine guy, a real nice kid, an intelligent kid," Cole added.

"For him to be at the level he is now - I'm very proud of him. It's not easy going into a club like Chelsea with a great history of sacking managers, but he seems to be getting the train back on the tracks.

"He knows it's going to be difficult for him because he wants to be accepted by everyone and ultimately he's going to find that hard but if he keeps getting results there's not a lot anyone can say."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Wayne Rooney has been speaking about how much he enjoyed watching Wrexham against Chelsea on his podcast.

"Do you know what? I think it's the most I've enjoyed a game of football since I stopped playing," he told The Wayne Rooney Show.

"I really enjoyed it. Just the atmosphere. We had to walk through the fans quite a bit to get to the pitch and the fans were great.

"It's probably the first time I've been to a stadium and not been given any stick as well so that was nice. But no, just the atmosphere, the game, it was a really good game. Wrexham were excellent.

"My favourite game since I stopped playing was Barcelona v Inter in the Champions League semi-finals last year and this one's took over. I really enjoyed it."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Pundits Ellen White and Glenn Murray join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday and Sunday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland

• Fulham 0-1 Southampton

• Leeds 3-0 Norwich

• Wrexham 2-3 Chelsea

• Newcastle 1-3 Man City

• Mansfield Town 1-2 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-3 Liverpool

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

You would not have known which side had been a non‑league outfit just two and a half years ago from watching the first 45 minutes.

Chelsea made nine changes, leaving Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez out entirely, with Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Joao Pedro among the substitutes.

On the pitch, Chelsea started with five defenders, two defensive midfielders and only three natural attackers - and it showed.

They did not register an attacking action of note until defender Jorrel Hato, playing out of position as an attacking midfielder, floated a poor cross into the arms of the Wrexham goalkeeper.

Alejandro Garnacho took 27 minutes to produce Chelsea's first shot, tame as it was, while the equaliser in the 40th minute came firmly against the run of play.

It was a far cry from the quality on display at Aston Villa in midweek, as Chelsea tried - and failed - to rotate their squad effectively.

It leaves the question of whether Chelsea underestimated Wrexham with Paris St‑Germain looming in the Champions League, or whether their second string simply falls well short of the level required.

Of course, the quality from the bench eventually told, while Dobson's red card took the wind out of the Championship club's sails despite them coming close to equalising in the second half of extra time.

Questions remain for Liam Rosenior - who is encouraged by the hierarchy to rotate - and about Chelsea's wider approach.

Should they really be averaging five changes per match, avoiding the use of the same back four in consecutive games since appointing their new manager, or even rotating their goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen at this stage?

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea goalscorer Alejandro Garnacho, speaking to BBC One after their win against Wrexham: "Incredible win. I think it was one of the hardest games of the season so far.

"We are proud, and we are in the next round. I think it was a great goal and a great pass from Dário [Essugo]. I am really happy. These games are different.

"You have to fight and the opposition played really good."

Did you know?

• Chelsea have won their last 19 FA Cup games against sides from a lower division, scoring 62 goals and netting 2+ goals in 18 of those matches.

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

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Wrexham are without wing-back Issa Kabore, with Nathan Broadhead only fit enough for the bench.

Both had been injury doubts before kick-off and Sam Smith has been preferred to Kieffer Moore up front.

It's a busy week for Wrexham with homes matches on Tuesday and Friday against Hull City and Swansea.

Wrexham XI: Okonkwo, Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle, Longman (doubt), Dobson, Vyner, Thomason, O'Brien, Rathbone, Smith

Subs: Ward, Brunt, Keillor-Dunn, Windass, Rodriguez, Moore, Scarr, Barnett, Broadhead

Chelsea make nine changes from the 4-1 win at Aston Villa in mid-week, including a recall for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Romeo Lavia makes his first start for over four months in midfield.

Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez have been given the evening off with a trip to Paris Saint-Germain to come on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Acheampong, Tosin, Sarr, Badiashile, Hato, Lavia, Andrey Santos, Neto, Garnacho, Delap.

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, James, Gusto, Chalobah, Cucurella, Essugo, Derry, Joao Pedro, Guiu.

There are three fifth-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Mansfield Town v Arsenal (12:15) - BBC Radio Nottingham

• Wrexham v Chelsea (17:30) - BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Manchester City (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Newcastle & BBC Radio Manchester

Kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Wrexham v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

How to follow the FA Cup fifth round on the BBC

I am at this game for Radio 5 Live and am really looking forward to it.

The whole story of Wrexham's rise is incredible. They have had three successive promotions and are in with a chance of a fourth this season too.

Yes, they have splashed some cash along the way, but they have still had to spend that money the right way, to find the right players to fit into their system.

Their manager Phil Parkinson has done an incredible job because they have adapted and evolved each time they have made a step up, and they must be excited about this tie too.

I still fancy Chelsea to get past them, though. They outclassed another high-flying Championship side, Hull City, in round four and I think they will have too much quality for Wrexham.

Every defeat for Chelsea is always seen as being the end of the world but they got a great win against Aston Villa on Wednesday. Like most people I had taken Joao Pedro out of my fantasy team, so of course he went and scored a hat-trick.

Blues boss Liam Rosenior has done a good job so far. His target has to be Champions League football, but of course he would love to win the FA Cup.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here