Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's sporting leadership and directors, namely owners and the five-strong sporting director team, have released a statement in the matchday programme.

They are quoted as saying "the season overall has not met the standards, expectations or ambitions that define Chelsea Football Club".

They, including the likes of co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, along with co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart add that they want to create "sustainable success".

The comments state: "No club wants to experience change in the head coach position".

They said: "Expectations at Chelsea are always to be competing at the top of the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League at this stage of the season. That has not changed. Everyone at the club is doing everything they can to correct that next year."

There are also warm words for new manager Xabi Alonso, praise for the academy season and a significant mention of the women's team.

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea host bitter London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday with European football, Premier League survival and bragging rights all at stake.

Defeat in the FA Cup final means Chelsea must now regather themselves in the league if they are to have any hope of European football next season. Two wins are likely be enough to clinch eighth and a spot in the Conference League.

The Blues have gone seven games without a top-flight victory (D1, L6) – their worst period of form since a 10-match winless run between December 1994 and February 1995 under former Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle. Incidentally, the final game of that slump was a 1-1 home draw with Tottenham.

An opportunity to play a leading role in the potential relegation of their north London rivals would provide an exciting conclusion to Chelsea's sub-standard season and help banish memories of Saturday's Wembley defeat.

This fixture has been so one-sided down the years that Chelsea fans referred to Tottenham's old ground as 'Three Point Lane' and they have racked up a club record 38 Premier League wins – both home and away – over Tottenham.

They have also not lost a final home league game for 24 years (W16, D7) and that formidable end-of-season record, combined with their head-to-head dominance, suggests the Blues will still be vying for eighth place on the final day of the season.

Spurs almost safe

Spurs are on a timely four-match unbeaten run (W2, D2) and require three more points on Tuesday to guarantee top-flight survival. A draw would also swing the balance heavily in their favour given their superior goal difference when compared to West Ham.

However, the Lilywhites have won just once in 33 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge. That sole victory occurred during Mauricio Pochettino's reign in April 2018.

But if there is a time to play their London rivals then it could be now. Only title chasing sides Arsenal and Manchester City have taken more points on the road that Tottenham's 26 this season and Chelsea have lost four successive Premier League home games.

Paying the penalty

Spurs have not received a Premier League penalty since the final day of last season. That's almost a year without a spot-kick and that barren, 36-game run appears unlikely to end on Tuesday.

The last time a referee felt inclined to award Tottenham one in a top-flight match at Chelsea was more than 32 years ago, in February 1994. The man in the middle that day awarded them two and in typical 'Spurs at Stamford Bridge' fashion they converted the first and missed the second, allowing Chelsea to score a last-minute penalty of their own to clinch a 4-3 victory.

The Chelsea players will want to impress their new manager Xabi Alonso, who starts on 1 July, but that is not the only reason they will be up for this game.

These two clubs do not like each other very much and Chelsea fans would like nothing more than to beat Tottenham and take their relegation battle to the final day.

Chelsea played pretty well in the FA Cup final despite losing at Wembley - they went with a back three and made it difficult for Manchester City to break them down - and they will have a go at Tottenham here.

But Spurs know they only need a point to stay up after West Ham's defeat by Newcastle and I think they will get it at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs are on a good run of results but they have been playing well too. They look a lot more organised under Roberto de Zerbi and they are definitely capable of getting a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Make your own prediction here, external

Having spent significant time with Enzo Maresca during his 18 months at Chelsea, it is clear he would slot seamlessly into City.

You would be hard pressed to find a coach more similar in style to Pep Guardiola, whom Maresca idolised while facing his Barcelona side as a player in La Liga.

He transformed Chelsea into a possession-based side built on slow, patient build-up. They lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in almost every match, although the fluid movement of players allowed them to adapt to opponents and keep them guessing from game to game.

His final six months at Chelsea were marked by a fractured relationship with the club's ownership, who were aware of City's interest early in the season through the Italian's agent Jorge Mendes, alongside hearing his complaints over transfers at Stamford Bridge.

• Read more on Maresca and City

Despite the tension, and partly blaming him for a drop in form that followed his mid-season exit and Chelsea's decline this season, the hierarchy respected much of his work with the players, and he remained popular with the majority of the dressing room.

That said, the London club say they are due compensation under the terms of Maresca's departure, and are exploring their legal options.

Chelsea expect a compensation package to be paid by either Manchester City or the manager himself, but it remains unclear either how much or when it would be resolved.

Maresca would argue that an agreement has only recently been reached with City and this is the basis of ongoing legal discussions between the two parties.

Asked about his exit at CAA World Congress of Sports, influential Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali said last month: "The change wasn't the club's decision, for reasons I can't speak about legally.

"I think the reasons will become kind of clear in due course. But no, it's not a change we wanted to make."

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Part of the recipe for football's incredible popularity is the way that a summer break of buying and selling players and changing things around behind the scenes can convince any fanbase that things are set to improve in the season to come, no matter how badly the previous one ended.

Chelsea are a perfect example right now. The Blues are in about as bleak a situation as most fans can remember: an ownership nobody likes, players they have no connection with, incompetent and seemingly invulnerable sporting directors, dreadful results.

A big injection of hope can make all those intractable issues feel manageable again, and that is what the news about Xabi Alonso being appointed as the club's new manager has done.

In reality, changing the manager will not fix any of the big picture problems, but it is such an exciting appointment that it at least feels like it can help solve enough smaller issues so that long-term progress can be made further up the chain. The whole debacle of this season will feel worthwhile if Alonso fulfils his potential as a coach.

Most fans did not dare to dream that the former Liverpool star would consider taking over at Chelsea. We do not yet know exactly how he was persuaded - either the club have been willing to bend to some of his requirements, or perhaps his stock was lower than it appears from the outside following a brief spell at Real Madrid.

Whatever went on behind the scenes, his arrival brings a wave of enthusiasm to the club at a low moment, and means this summer will once again be one of hope and excitement about another fresh start and another chance to return to the top of the sport.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

Watch BBC Sport Football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan break down Xabi Alonso's tactical philosophy and how he might apply it at Chelsea.

"If you look at all of the top coaches now, barring a few, they've all got general principles but the formation is so fluid and it changes," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"Alonso - whether he starts with a back four or five, in the build-up there is generally four players at the back and in attack there is generally five players across the last line.

"It's very fluid and whoever does those roles changes depending on who he does select.

"When you look at the FA Cup final, is it kind of the same shape, a 3-4-2-1, but the way that Calum McFarlane set them up was to sit in, press when they could, but generally concede much of the ball.

"Alonso is a coach who has his principles, he wants to keep the ball, he wants to play with very short passes so he can have areas of high density.

"From there, even if they lose the ball, they will press aggressively high up the pitch. He generally wants to pen teams in and that shape can look the same, whether it is a four or five."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco has announced his departure amid reported Chelsea interest.

Sources close to the Argentina international, 21, believe he is heading to Stamford Bridge, although Chelsea have yet to confirm any deal.

Barco, who excelled in Ligue 1 after joining from Brighton for £7.9m in January 2025, is expected to sign a six-year contract ahead of the 2026-27 season.

He would become the second player to join Chelsea this summer, with striker Emanuel Emegha having already agreed a move within the multi-club model, as both clubs are owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

It would be the 13th deal between the two BlueCo clubs since the start of last season, with Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders also under consideration to return to Stamford Bridge following a successful loan spell.

Chelsea, who have announced Xabi Alonso will become their permanent manager on 1 July, have also pre-agreed moves for Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, who will join for £40m, and Kairat striker Dastan Satpaev.

In a statement on social media, Barco said: "Today I say goodbye to this club. I always gave everything on the pitch in every game for this shirt.

"I want to thank my team-mates, who made everything easier for me; Liam Rosenior and his staff for the confidence they showed in me and for helping shape me as a player; Gary O'Neil and his staff for understanding me and helping me improve; everyone at the club who supports us every day; and the fans for the love they always gave me. Thank you, Strasbourg."

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham have won just once at Stamford Bridge since 1990. It is a miserable record, and one Chelsea fans want to continue.

But why does beating Spurs mean so much to so many Chelsea fans? It is a rivalry that dates back more than a century - and includes two relegations and a cup final.

The rivalry's origins date back to 1910, when Tottenham relegated Chelsea from the First Division by beating them on the season's final day.

It was cemented when they met in the first all-London FA Cup final, in front of 100,000 fans at Wembley in 1967.

Author Mark Meehan, who has written books about Chelsea, says: "It's a fan-driven rivalry going back generations and needle has built between fans, rather than being based on geography, like Arsenal versus Spurs."

He added: "It goes back as far as 1910 when Spurs relegated us. The rivalry escalated in the 1967 final because two former Chelsea players, Jimmy Greaves and Terry Venables, helped Tottenham win the cup.

"However, it intensified in 1975 when Eddie McCreadie, who had played for the club in the 1960s and early 1970s, was put in charge. He wanted to show he was as brave off the pitch as on it. He gave the captaincy to a young Ray Wilkins. But sadly, it all ended in relegation, with Spurs playing their part again.

"On the day of fan violence, Spurs won 2-0 a week before the end of the season, and Chelsea would be relegated again. It intensified the rivalry between supporters.

"In more recent times, Chelsea began getting the better of the rivalry to the point I got credited with calling their stadium 'Three Point Lane' in the Chelsea Independent fanzine, though I must admit I don't remember ever doing that."

That folklore explains why, when the iconic Liquidator walk-on music plays at Stamford Bridge before home games, there are chants of "we hate Tottenham" - regardless of whether they are the opposition.

England centre-back Levi Colwill, 23, is not currently in talks over an improved contract at Chelsea, however, discussions could resume in the summer. (Sky Sports, external)

Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in signing Germany forward Karim Adeyemi this summer, with Borussia Dortmund willing to sell the 24-year-old for the right price. (Teamtalk, external)

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

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Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney rates Chelsea's appointment of Xabi Alonso and likes the fact "he's been announced as manager" and not head coach.

Alonso has signed a four-year deal and will be officially unveiled after his first few days of pre-season.

"I'm going to praise the Chelsea ownership," said Rooney on The Wayne Rooney Show. "They are obviously clever people, but I think they've realised they've messed up and now they are trying to fix it. So fair play to them for doing that.

"Alonso has done really well. He won the league in his first season at Bayer Leverkusen and it was always going to be tough for him at Real Madrid.

"I felt like that was too big, too soon for him, but now he's going to Chelsea.

"He's got a four-year-deal and as he's been announced as manager that means he should be a bit more hands-on with players coming in and leaving.

"He's a very talented young manager who has been successful in Germany, while also playing in Germany, Spain and England winning trophies. There will be players that want to play for him.

"He's got an aura about him so they need to use that, rather than having someone who has probably never played the game deciding what players they should sign."

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

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 20:15 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Chelsea announced former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso as their new manager on Sunday. On the appointment, McFarlane said: "Really exciting news - a great coach and massive pedigree. We're all really excited to be working with him. It doesn't surprise me. It's a massive club and we've got some really exciting players - some of the best players in the world who have shown, even though it's been a disappointing season, the quality that we have at times."

• On whether there has been a buzz around the club: "Yes, everyone has been excited. Like I said, a great coach. He'll have a lot of respect from everyone."

• The pair communicated via text at the weekend but McFarlane said he was keeping it "private", while adding that the conversation was "mainly around the final" of Saturday's FA Cup.

• On his time as interim head coach, he said: "I've enjoyed the challenge and the pressure. It's easier when you win games rather than lose them, but I've enjoyed it and we're ready for the game tomorrow."

• Following the Wembley defeat by Manchester City, McFarlane said they are waiting for Monday's training session to confirm player fitness, as they continue to "be careful" with Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill.

• On Mamadou Sarr and Benoit Badiashile not making the FA Cup final squad, he said: "They trained really hard, but we've got a lot of players in those positions. With all the players, we have to see how they come back today. We will make a decision as late as we can."

• McFarlane said it was a "50-50" game at Wembley Stadium that was decided by "a bit of quality" from Antoine Semenyo, but there were moments when it could have been a Chelsea player "that decides the game".

• Tottenham would secure their Premier League survival with a win on Tuesday, or Chelsea could have a hand in potentially relegating one of their fierce local rivals. But McFarlane said his team aren't concentrating on these external factors: "We're very focused. We need to win the next two games to give ourselves the best chance to finish as high up in the league as possible and get European football. That is our only focus in doing our job and putting in the performance we need to."

• He added: "Everyone knows the rivalry but both teams have a lot to play for, so I don't think we need to do anything special. Both teams are fighting for the points so we shouldn't need any extra motivation - but it will naturally be there for a London derby."

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

Got a question about Chelsea? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Catch Tuesday's full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 20:10 BST here

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's interim head coach Calum McFarlane, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva will stay on as part of new manager Xabi Alonso's coaching staff.

Alonso will bring in his long-time assistants Sebastian Parrilla, Alberto Encinas, Benat Labaien and Ismael Camenforte Lopez.

They have worked with him at both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, and will join him in west London when he arrives on 1 July.

Alonso has signed a four-year deal and will be officially unveiled after his first few days of pre-season.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast

Image source, Getty Images

I was surprised to a point with Xabi Alonso taking the job on in the sense that I'm sure he would have other options if he was to bide his time and stay put.

I know Chelsea are going through a period not necessarily linked to the vast success they had during the Roman Abramovich era, and there is a transition away from that era, but they are still one of European football's iconic clubs.

When the opportunity comes to join a club of that size, certainly one in London in the Premier League, I think managers like Alonso would be silly to just disregard and dismiss it.

There is going to be a surprise he's taken this job given his standing in the game and the job he did at Bayer Leverkusen and the facts he's one of the most exciting young managers in European football.

If Chelsea can give him the control he wants in terms of recruitment and other areas of the club then they have got a really good manager there now.

What time has told us in the era under the American ownership is that the head coach doesn't generally have much control over recruitment and the footballing operation. What is pertinent here is that Alonso has been given the title of manager instead of head coach.

That might be a symbolic gesture but I think it indicates that the ownership are willing to give Alonso a greater say in how the club is run from a football perspective, but also almost certainly in regards to recruitment.

The bottom line for him in his first season will be to qualify for the Champions League. In terms of the way Chelsea are set up financially, and what they spend in the transfer market, they require the financial input that Champions League football brings.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chelsea have an interest in Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers but Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris St-Germain are also looking at the 23-year-old England international. (Talksport), external

The Blues are targeting a keeper and are seriously considering a move for Sunderland's 23-year-old Dutchman Robin Roefs. (Mirror), external

Brentford have joined Brighton and Chelsea in showing an interest in Cologne's 19-year-old German winger Said El Mala. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on Xabi Alonso becoming Chelsea's new manager.

Here are some of your comments:

Harry: The appointment of Alonso is the first sense of optimism I have felt since the 3-0 against Barcelona. It is the first Blue Co decision I have fully supported since they took over as well, hopefully steps in the right direction.

Tony: So long as they allow him to actually manage the team and the signings then this is a good appointment. I'm just not very confident he will be given the space and authority he needs. Hoping for the best!

Del: As long as the owners let him manage and pick transfer targets then I think it will be a success. Surely the owners have learned something in the past four years?

Dave: Xabi's appointment will hopefully bring stability back to Chelsea FC. Provided he is given a free reign, this may just be the start of something special, but he must be given time. We don't need major surgery with the squad but do need a new goalkeeper and new centre back to line up with Levi Colwill. We need to keep hold of Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto. Also a top, experienced striker. If Blue Co keep their hands off the football team and management with the players in our youth teams coming through - and there is lots of talent there - we could be a force to be reckoned with in a couple of years.

Jerome: Alonso was definitely the best candidate for the role. We need his winning experience, both as a player and (more importantly) as a manager. I have to admit I didn't believe the owners would go with him. Are they willing to back him all the way, and give him the kind of influence others before him asked? Hopefully they do, because clearly they need to acknowledge their mistakes of the past.

John: Chelsea fan for 35 years here, and it's getting to the point where I wonder what difference a manager really makes at this stage. I don't think they have full control, and never get enough time anyway, so it's hard to feel hopeful about any appointment now.

Michael: I just hope his style is more exciting than the past couple of years. Whilst Enzo Maresca was able to win games, we had to sit through an awful lot of boring stuff for fleeting moments of entertaining football. It was even duller under Liam Rosenior. I thought it was improving under Calum McFarlane, but passing a corner back to the goalie in an FA Cup final indicates the lack of adventure and confidence is ingrained in the players.

Peter: He needs to be given time and freedom to create a team. He needs to also tap into the winning history of the club, the John Terrys, Thiago Silvas, etc. Changing everything over the past few years ripped the heart and mentality out of a team needing to naturally evolve from the Abramovich era. Good luck as he will need it.

Steven: Absolutely buzzing with this appointment. First one since they took over where you're actually excited and think they're right for the Chelsea role, especially making him a manager too. They have got it wrong, now they include a manager and give him control, the right appointment too, best man they could have got.

Ben: Best thing this ownership has achieved. Perfect man for the job and I can't wait for next season.

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are facing cultural issues that continue to undermine their progress. These were brought into focus by a protest march involving about 200 fans on Wembley Way on Saturday.

There is a growing disconnect between the supporters and the club, as well as the fans and the players. In some cases, there are also divisions within the squad, the players and the wider organisation.

One contributing factor, as influential co-owner Behdad Eghbali has acknowledged, is "getting that stability on the manager side of things", which is something the club "hasn't done right as yet".

The hope is that someone of Xabi Alonso's status and authority can help address that, reinforcing the club's ambition and improving communication with both players and supporters.

On the pitch, he will be tasked with improving the team mentally, physically and tactically.

Questions have been asked about the squad's mentality, with accusations of players "downing tools" this season, having the worst disciplinary record in the division and a poor record in key matches.

That includes a 14-game winless run against Manchester City and seven consecutive defeats in domestic cup finals.

Physically, Chelsea have been outperformed by opponents, having covered less distance than any other team in the Premier League this season, aside from a single exception at Anfield in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool last weekend.

Defensively, the problems under Enzo Maresca earlier in the campaign evolved into wider issues at both ends of the pitch under Liam Rosenior, whose six-game losing run without scoring ultimately led to his exit.

It was a closely fought match against Pep Guardiola's side, but interim boss Calum McFarlane was left bemoaning the fact "football can be cruel", believing his side deserved at least one penalty.

He added: "It is a really talented group. There is lots of quality. The fight and heart has been questioned at times but, in the last two performances, I don't think you can question that."

There is quality, but there is plenty of work still to be done.

Chelsea have a furious fanbase and have gone from Maresca to Rosenior to McFarlane and now Alonso in five months.

The club's ownership is under scrutiny and Alonso has much to do. It will be a tough task trying to bring it all together.

Read the full article here

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's newly-appointed manager Xabi Alonso says he is filled with "immense pride" after signing a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The 44-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid by mutual consent in January, will succeed Liam Rosenior and relieve Calum McFarlane of his interim duties when he begins on 1 July.

Prior to his La Liga stint, Alonso spent three years in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, leading the club to their first-ever league title and also lifting the German Cup with the Bundesliga side.

"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club," Alonso said.

"From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.

"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture and winning trophies."

A club statement added: "We look forward with confidence to the next phase in collaboration with Xabi Alonso, united in the determination to bring success to Stamford Bridge, a hallmark of the club's history and future."

How are you feeling about the appointment? What can Alonso bring to the Blues?

Let us know your thoughts here