You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.
Chelsea want to salvage Europa League from poor seasonpublished at 08:54 BST 24 May
08:54 BST 24 May
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Chelsea beat Spurs 2-1 on Tuesday to keep their European hopes alive
There are many at Chelsea who will be happy to see the back of another turbulent, disappointing season.
It was a year in which Chelsea were talked about as potential title contenders under Enzo Maresca in November, but a shock falling-out after a poor run in December led to the Italian leaving the club on New Year's Day. He is now set to join Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's successor.
Although the logic behind appointing Liam Rosenior from partner club Strasbourg made sense, it left both clubs in the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership model damaged by a chaotic situation.
The appointment of Xabi Alonso as his successor, after four underwhelming months, has brought renewed optimism.
Attention has now turned to whether these players, under interim head coach Calum McFarlane, can salvage European qualification, with Champions League football already out of reach.
Having already enjoyed success in Europe's third-tier competition, the Conference League, last season, there is little appetite among fans, players or even the club's accountants to return to it.
Qualification for the Europa League would at least be viewed more positively and would make Alonso's job easier next season.
That would require Chelsea to win away at Sunderland - yet the hosts could themselves leapfrog the Blues with a victory - and also requires results elsewhere to go their way on the final day of the season on Sunday.
Who qualifies for the Europa League?published at 08:14 BST 24 May
08:14 BST 24 May
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Bournemouth have already guaranteed at least a top-seven finish, meaning they will either qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.
At present, sixth and seventh will qualify for Uefa's second-tier competition because of Manchester City winning the FA Cup and England winning one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS).
If English clubs get six Champions League spots, they will lose a Europa League spot in exchange. That would mean only seventh place would qualify for the Europa League.
Brighton are currently seventh and have a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Brentford, the two teams directly below them.
A win for the Seagulls would guarantee them Europa League football at least.
If Brighton fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.
Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Anfield.
Sunderland themselves could finish in the top seven. For that to happen, they would need Brighton to lose and Brentford to drop points.
What about Conference League qualification?
It is a similar story in qualification for the one place available for the play-off qualifying round of next season's Conference League.
Chelsea are in eighth and currently possess that available spot. Eighth place qualifies for the Conference League because of City winning the EFL Cup and the EPS to an English club.
Chelsea will secure European football in at least the Conference League with a win over Sunderland.
Brentford will secure a top-eight finish if they better Chelsea's result.
Sunderland in 10th would leapfrog both if they beat Chelsea and Brentford drop points.
Sutton's predictions: Sunderland v Chelseapublished at 17:18 BST 23 May
17:18 BST 23 May
Sunderland will finish above Chelsea if they win this and that would hardly count as a surprise.
The Black Cats come into this game off the back of beating Everton away and another win here would secure a top-10 finish and, possibly, European football.
That is what Chelsea are playing for too, after that run of six straight league defeats saw them fall away from the Champions League places.
Chelsea got a good win over Tottenham on Tuesday but I am expecting this to be close, and I can see it ending up in a draw.
'Chelsea could be real dark horses next season if they aren't in Europe'published at 15:00 BST 23 May
15:00 BST 23 May
Image source, Getty Images
On the latest episode of the Football Daily podcast, former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison and former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison spoke about incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso and the personality he will bring to the Premier League.
Morrison said: "Xabi Alonso will be good. If Chelsea can get recruitment sorted in the summer, I think they will surprise a lot of people.
"I would have loved Xabi Alonso to go to Liverpool but Arne Slot is still in a job so when a job like Chelsea comes along, you have to grab it with both hands."
The former Liverpool midfielder will start work at Stamford Bridge on 1 July, despite being heavily linked with the managerial position at Anfield after leaving Real Madrid by mutual consent back in January.
"Alonso is a top manager. He won't be one of those characters like [Roberto] De Zerbi on the touchline but he thinks about the game, he is a student of the game," Morrison continued.
"I know it didn't work out for him at Real Madrid, but it's a big club and these things can happen. I think he will be a very good appointment for Chelsea and I think we will be talking about a lot about Xabi Alonso next season."
Hutchinson said: "He needs to have a lot more control than previous managers have had and I think he will get it because he commands respect. He's not a rookie coach, he's not a young guy. He is well respected as a footballer and a manager."
Alonso will be Chelsea's third boss in a year, after the departures of Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
"Chelsea's hierarchy need to back down and listen to the professionals now. The sports scientists and the owners need to take a step back and listen to what Xabi Alonso wants, his needs, his experience on the pitch," Hutchinson added.
"There could be a scenario where Chelsea have no European football whatsoever. Then, if that's the case, they could be in a fantastic position to make some sort of title charge next year.
"Depending on what happens to Chelsea in terms of where they finish, they could be real dark horses if they've got no European football whatsoever next year - but he needs control."
Sunderland v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:09 BST 23 May
13:09 BST 23 May
Prudent Nsengiyumva BBC Sport journalist
Sunderland and Chelsea collide on the final day with plenty on the line. The Black Cats are chasing a European spot, while Chelsea are desperate to sign off on a high after a disappointing season.
Sunderland eye European breakthrough
Sunderland's season has already exceeded expectations. Promoted via last year's play offs, they sit 10th and still have a chance of climbing to seventh. Victory would take them to 54 points and move them above Chelsea and potentially securing European football next season.
Their 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge in October remains one of the standout results of their campaign.
Completing a first league double over Chelsea since 2000–01 would underline the progress made under Regis Le Bris, who has been shortlisted for the manager of the season awards.
Resilience has been a defining feature. Sunderland have recovered 22 points from losing positions — the most in the Premier League — and that ability to stay in matches was evident again in their 3–1 win at Everton last weekend.
Another victory would give them back to back league wins for only the third time this season.
They are also only the fifth promoted side in the past 16 years to reach the 50 point mark, joining Wolves, Sheffield United, Leeds and Fulham.
Final days have not always been kind to Sunderland, though. They have won just one of their 16 previous Premier League season finales.
Chelsea look to finish with momentum
Chelsea's 2–1 win over Tottenham on Tuesday ended a run of seven league matches without a victory. It offered a glimpse of improvement in a season marked by inconsistency and managerial change.
Xabi Alonso will not be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light, but the incoming manager will be watching closely as he assesses the squad he inherits.
For now, Chelsea have the chance to record consecutive league wins for the first time since early in the year.
Their record away at Sunderland is strong, with just one defeat in their last 13 league visits.
Individual performances have also shown signs of progress: Enzo Fernandez is enjoying his most productive Premier League campaign, while João Pedro has been directly involved in seven goals across his last nine appearances.
Is 'Europe's a distraction' or good for 'fringe players'?published at 10:45 BST 23 May
10:45 BST 23 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Chelsea would be better off having a season without European football next season under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Here are some of your comments:
Kevin: I'd rather miss Europe for the year and give Alonso the chance to bed his team and style down. One game a week hasn't done Manchester United any harm and I hope we could do same.
Graham: As much as it is important financially for the club to have European football next season, players are not machines and they need a proper rest. Most of the squad got just three weeks last summer and those involved in the World Cup will again be limited to the amount of time they have off before next season. Chelsea would benefit physically from having no extra European games next season, but the club would suffer financially, and perhaps with the recruitment of new players.
James: Other than Champions League, Europe is a distraction from the core task at Chelsea next year. It is better to invest in improving their game domestically under Alonso (if he is up to the task) and set sights on creating the sustainable platform to reach Champions League again.
Jerome: We need to go for a win in this last game, regardless of what type of European cup we may end up with. I know the Conference League doesn't add much revenue to the club, but it doesn't matter. Even if we're genuinely worried about fixture congestion, or key player fatigue, we should see it as an opportunity to give fringe players more minutes. A cup is a cup, and we should embrace it.
Colin: Conference League was good for giving fringe players a run-out. It kept them interested and it gave management a chance to see what they could do. It also gave the main players a rest between important matches. The problem lies financially as it is hard to attract crowds to matches against poor opposition.
Silva yet to be offered a role by Chelseapublished at 19:48 BST 22 May
19:48 BST 22 May
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Thiago Silva left Chelsea in 2024
Legendary defender Thiago Silva is still weighing up his options after announcing his decision to leave Porto.
Sources close to the 41-year-old say a final decision has yet to be made, while a coaching role at Chelsea's academy is not understood to be on the table at present.
That is not to say one could not be offered at a later date, with Silva maintaining positive relationships at Stamford Bridge. He was recently welcomed as a guest in the directors' box for Chelsea's home defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Silva is also known to be keen to embark on a coaching career, having completed his Uefa B licence, and has retained his family home near Chelsea's training ground in Cobham.
However, it has been further explained that Silva wanted to weigh up all his options having been omitted from Brazil's squad.
It remains unclear whether that will be to retire and go into coaching or continue playing, with reported interest from AC Milan.
Silva made 14 appearances for Porto having joined from his boyhood club Fluminense in January, winning the Portuguese league title.
Speaking about his departure, Porto boss Francesco Farioli said: "Thiago Silva would love to be a coach in the future and I think he will become a great one."
Chelsea sacked managers who 'failed to emulate' Guardiolapublished at 17:21 BST 22 May
17:21 BST 22 May
Will Faulks Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It is common to remember where you were when major world events happen - and it is a sign of how momentous the news of Pep Guardiola coming to the Premier League was that I remember I was checking my phone between sets in a tennis match when it broke.
For Chelsea fans, the Guardiola era of dominance has coincided with their own team's decline. Just as he raised the level in the Premier League, Chelsea fell away.
Beating his Manchester City team at Etihad Stadium in his first season was one of the most memorable results in recent Chelsea history - and it was the moment Antonio Conte's team secured the title.
But despite the joy, there was a sense that day that Chelsea - while worthy winners of the Premier League - were facing an incomplete Guardiola team who would not make the same mistakes again.
That sense proved to be accurate. City have since won six titles since and Chelsea have not even seriously competed for one.
Guardiola's unparalleled effects on football as a whole are well documented, but what is less obvious is his direct influence on events at clubs around him.
In recent years, some managers at Chelsea have been sacked for failing to compete with him, while others have departed for failing to emulate him.
The briefings about incoming manager Xabi Alonso this week claim that a major factor in the decision to appoint him was that his football has a direct link to the style played by Enzo Maresca, who has shaped this current squad.
Maresca is of course one of Guardiola's disciples and a former assistant of his.
It is a reminder that the 'identity' Chelsea's sporting directors are trying to establish is a direct link back to Guardiola and his immeasurable impact on English football.
McFarlane on his interim role, 'belief' in Palmer and fan backingpublished at 14:15 BST 22 May
14:15 BST 22 May
Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 16:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
McFarlane said Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill both trained on Friday and were looking "promising" with a hope the pair will be "fit for Sunday."
He added that Reece James also trained but they are "taking it day by day" and "hoping" he can feature.
On reflections from the game against Tottenham Hotspur: "I think we were impressed in different ways at times, we knew it would be a challenge physically and mentally. We played some really nice stuff in the first half. It ended up becoming about grit and determination and defending our box, which is not really how we want to play."
On fan support: "Stamford Bridge was great, brilliant at Wembley as well. It comes from us as well, we have to start well. If we can get the crowd like that it can become a difficult place to play at. We want to win games and trophies for the fans."
The Blues manager said his experience of being interim manager has brought: "Great learning, great experiences, really thankful to the staff and the players. Really happy to help the club in any way I'm needed. It's always going to be a massive challenge."
He added: "I wouldn't say it's accelerated ambitions, I've really enjoyed the challenge. It's given me perspective on what it's like to manage at this level. I'm happy with whatever position I am in next year. I'm very grateful for the trust and the opportunity and that they felt I was the right person to step in."
Cole Palmer did not make the England squad for the World Cup and McFarlane said: "I don't want to comment on that, it's nothing to do with me. The England manger has made his decision. We have full belief in Cole Palmer. I think in life and in football, you need to take every set back as a positive."
Former Blues captain Azpilicueta retirespublished at 11:40 BST 22 May
11:40 BST 22 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has announced his retirement from football.
The 36-year-old joined Chelsea in 2012 and made 508 appearances for the club in an 11-year spell.
He won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and two Europa League titles during his time at Stamford Bridge, as well as captaining the Blues to Champions League glory in 2021 against Manchester City.
In a post on X, external, Azpilicueta said: "Dear football. Today, I want to share with you that this season will be my last as a professional footballer.
"After so many years living my dream, I feel it's time to start a new chapter in my life.
"Being honest, even though I have been preparing myself for this moment, I found it hard to write this letter. After 20 seasons, many people have played an important role in my career.
"When I first kicked a ball as a child in Pamplona with my schoolmates, I never imagined the amazing journey ahead. I'm grateful for every moment: the wins, the tough losses, the challenges, and most of all, the people I've met and the friendships I've made along the way.
"To my team-mates, coaches, and every staff member at all the clubs I've been lucky to be part of, thank you for helping me grow as a person and a player every day.
"Wearing the shirts of Osasuna, Marseille, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, and representing my country at the biggest stages has been a true privilege. Every moment has meant so much to me."
Estevao's recovery is going wellpublished at 10:24 BST 22 May
10:24 BST 22 May
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea are hopeful winger Estevao Willian will be fit enough to return early in pre-season.
The 18-year-old suffered a serious hamstring tear more than a month ago in a defeat by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
It has subsequently ruled him out of the World Cup in Brazil, but officials are hopeful Estevao will be able to play a significant part in the club's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia under new manager Xabi Alonso.
That's after positive work has been done behind the scenes with Estevao having been granted over three weeks of leave to do part of his rehabilitation in Brazil before returning to Chelsea to support his team-mates in the FA Cup final and last few league matches of the season.
Alonso is expected to have a strong squad available this summer, with a number of senior players not selected for the tournament.
Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah and uncapped Liam Delap were not included in England's squad, while Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos also missed out for Brazil.
Chelsea will play two matches in Australia before the final three fixtures in Asia.
Tuchel names 2026 World Cup squadpublished at 10:17 BST 22 May
10:17 BST 22 May
Thomas Tuchel has named his 26-man squad to represent England at the 2026 World Cup hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen - loan), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Djed Spence (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona - loan), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Alex Scott (Bournemouth), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Josh King (Fulham) and Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) will also be part of the Three Lions' pre-tournament squad in Florida when they face New Zealand and Costa Rica.
The England boss added that one more player will also join his squad in Florida, but did not name the individual.
Tuchel said Bournemouth's Scott had an "outstanding" reaction to not being named in the 26-man squad.
"The commitment, the wish to be in pre-camp and just be a step closer to the team, was not even a question to him. This showed me his character and spirit. He gets a chance to take a step closer and to get a cap," added Tuchel.
Tuchel on his 26-man squad: "An exciting day for me and I think for everyone selected. From day one we were very clear that we were trying to build and select the best possible team, which is not necessarily to select and collect 26 of the most talented players. Teams win championships – it is as simple as that.
"What we're trying to achieve in the summer can only be achieved as a team. That in mind, we chose a very balanced squad. We chose three goalkeepers, plus Jason Steele (as training goalkeeper). I want to take the opportunity, and thank Jason for being brilliant, and thank Brighton for being so cooperative.
"We chose nine defenders for four positions, we chose seven midfielders for three positions, and we chose seven strikers for three positions.
"I can assure every fan in the country that we have 26 100% committed players with us. Who know their role, who are ready to buy into their role on and off the pitch and who are ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish."
Do you want to see Chelsea in Europe next season?published at 09:31 BST 22 May
09:31 BST 22 May
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea still have every chance of securing European football for 2026-27 when they go head-to-head with fellow hopefuls Sunderland on the final day of the season.
Calum McFarlane's side are currently eighth in the Premier League on 52 points. If the Blues beat the Black Cats on Sunday afternoon, they will not finish lower than their current position and will seal a spot in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League next term.
If Brighton drop points against Manchester United in their final fixture, and Chelsea pick up a win, the Blues could steal seventh place and guarantee themselves Europa League football.
However, Regis le Bris' team will leapfrog Chelsea with a win and knock McFarlane's side out of European football contention altogether.
If the battle at the Stadium of Light ends in a draw, the Blues could finish eighth and qualify for the Europa Conference League, but Brentford would also have to lose or draw to Liverpool on the final day.
However, with new boss Xabi Alonso waiting in the wings, would Chelsea be better off having a season without European football commitments?
Gossip: Chelsea to rival Arsenal for Kroupipublished at 07:04 BST 22 May
07:04 BST 22 May
Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the race for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, but the Cherries insist the 19-year-old is not for sale. (Mail), external
Xabi Alonso's appointment as Chelsea manager could scupper Atletico Madrid's hopes of signing Marc Cucurella, with the 44-year-old keen to keep hold of the Spain defender. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external
Moving between back four and back five mid-game - Alonso's tacticspublished at 09:12 BST 21 May
09:12 BST 21 May
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Whether Xabi Alonso starts with a back four or back five, this shape is fluid. He has shapes he looks for during certain parts of the game and asks players with the appropriate skillset to move into specific positions within that shape.
For example, higher up the pitch, Alonso often looks to place five players on the last line of attack, who then take it in turn to drop deep and show for the ball. These five players can be arranged in a number of ways.
This can be with two wing-backs and three narrow attackers from a back-five formation, if the wing-backs are strong in attack.
Starting in a four-at-the-back system, it can be done with one full-back and one winger on either flank - with any combination of three midfielders or attackers playing centrally.
With Chelsea opting for a back five against Manchester City in the FA Cup final and at times under Liam Rosenior, they do possess players capable of playing either shape.
Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto have moved from full-back or wing-back positions into central attacking positions higher up the pitch under both Enzo Maresca and Rosenior, something Alonso might utilise.
The likes of Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, although natural wingers, have also played as wing-backs.
Geovany Quenda of Sporting, set to join Chelsea this summer, is an exciting young wide player too - capable of playing as a winger and wing-back.
Alonso might opt to use him in a similar fashion to Frimpong at Leverkusen, closer to the touchline and alternating between full-back, wing-back and winger.
Compared with Alonso's side on the ball, this example under Maresca appears to have the same shape in possession. The wide players are Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto, rather than wing-backs. Full-backs Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella instead take up central positions. Alonso will set Chelsea up based on the players' skillset, so seeing wingers out wide with full-backs centrally - given Cucurella, James and Gusto's quality in midfield - would not be a surprise.
Gossip: Blues weighing up move for Alonso's former player published at 07:08 BST 21 May
07:08 BST 21 May
Chelsea are considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, with the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international having previously worked under incoming boss Xabi Alonso. (Teamtalk), external
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are weighing up a bid for Blues defender Marc Cucurella. (Sky Sports), external
Alonso's overarching principlespublished at 17:07 BST 20 May
17:07 BST 20 May
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso wants his sides to dominate the ball, setting up attacks in opponents' halves for long periods.
In possession, he wants his teams to focus on playing many short passes in opponents' halves.
By positioning themselves close to their team-mates, Alonso's sides cluster around the ball allowing them to press in numbers if they lose possession. This allows them to win it back quickly and continue to apply attacking pressure.
Through these small-space interactions between his players, the centre of the pitch can become crowded - but this is a deliberate quirk of Alonso's system.
From a squad-building perspective, Alonso will be looking for technical players who thrive in small spaces, allowing his team to unlock defences' stubborn low blocks.
Despite having a general attacking structure, Alonso has been seen granting players with exceptional talent creative freedom within his set-up.
Florian Wirtz, at Leverkusen, was allowed to roam across the width of the pitch, and his quality between the lines made him the perfect profile of player for Alonso's approach.
Although less suited to playing in very small spaces, there is the potential for Alonso to trust a player of Cole Palmer's quality with a more free role.
Here we see five players across the attacking line for Real Madrid despite starting with a back four. What stands out is the close proximity four players have around the ball. Alonso's rationale is that if Madrid were to lose the ball, they would be well placed to press and win it back immediately.
New date added to Chelsea pre-season tourpublished at 14:48 BST 20 May
14:48 BST 20 May
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have confirmed their full pre-season tour of the Asia-Pacific region, which will end with a match against Johor Darul Ta'zim at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Malaysia.
The fixture on 11 August is one of only two played by the Blues - who will be led by new manager Xabi Alonso - against local opposition in that country.
Remarkably, the Johor-based club are on a 108-game unbeaten run in the league - the joint longest in world football history.
The match will also see Alonso face his former Liverpool team-mate Luis Garcia, who is chief executive of the Malaysian side.
The tour begins in Australia against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Chelsea will then face Tottenham in Sydney before travelling to Hong Kong, where they play Juventus and AC Milan in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
Alonso begins work on 1 July and will be unveiled to the media shortly after.
He will then train with the available players at Cobham for a couple of weeks before leaving London on 24 July and arriving in Australia on 25 July to begin the tour.
There remains a possibility Chelsea will add another domestic friendly closer to when the 2026-27 Premier League season begins on 22 August.
