#CFC have agreed a deal with teenage prodigy Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli to ensure he stays at the club. Was wanted by a number of teams around Europe. Story with @davidornstein0.bsky.social. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

New #CFC manager Xabi Alonso starts pre-season training with the players next week. There are a lot of things he needs to improve to make the team competitive again after a poor campaign. Here are the key issues he needs to address from day one: www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

The Xabi Alonso era is officially under way at #CFC. He is not expected to be at Cobham though for a few more days. The first crop of players reporting for pre-season training - those not involved in national teams etc - will begin next week.

Plenty to cover in the #CFC DealSheet this week as per usual. Club have opened talks with Rayo Vallecano for Chavarria, not giving up on getting Xhaka, Andrey Santos & Badiashile among those on way out (?), plus plans for Satpaev and Denner. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Everton have resumed talks with #CFC over signing Tyrique George. Negotiations are progressing well over a permanent deal over total package worth in excess of £20m and could be concluded this week. More here with @paddyboyland.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

#CFC working on a deal to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland. The midfielder is interested in making the move. Asking price an issue. More here with @cweatherspoon.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

For the past three months, barely a day has gone by without Enzo Fernandez being linked with a move to Real Madrid. What should #CFC do? Here are the arguments for and against keeping the midfielder: www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

Como defender Jacobo Ramon is on #CFC’s wishlist for a new cb along with #CPFC’s Maxence Lacroix. Meanwhile Malo Gusto valued at £75m as several clubs in PL and Europe show interest. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

On this week's @socobhampod.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social @reallycerys.bsky.social and I discussed #CFC's midfield options, Enzo's future, the fixture list and a little bit of World Cup and transfer business pod.fo/e/438489

#CFC’s fixtures are out. Alonso’s first competitive game is on Monday Night Football, while 8 of first nine matches are in the capital. A reunion with Liverpool has to wait. Analysis here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/art...

A year ago Marc Cucurella was helping #CFC win the Club World Cup and considered one of the key players in the dressing room. Now he’s left for Real Madrid. This is how and why the deal was done with @polballus.bsky.social and Guillermo Rai: www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

Piece on Jorrel Hato explaining why he was a big factor in #CFC’s decision to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. Includes whether a replacement will be signed. (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

Piece on Jorrel Hato explaining why he was a big factor in #CFC’s decision to sell Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. Includes whether a replacement will be signed. (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

#CFC have yet to make a signing this summer but they already have an ‘XI’ of options to choose from to add to the squad made up of returning loanees and players bought in advance. Here’s a rundown of who could be involved in 2026-27: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

It’s going to be another busy summer covering #CFC’s transfer business and I’m expecting lots of twists and turns. To get things under way, this is the first edition of the weekly Transfer Dealsheet on the club. (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Should #CFC sell Marc Cucurella this summer? He has been a good signing and is one of the few senior characters in the dressing room, but here’s my column arguing why now is the right time to cash in. (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Marc Cucurella is exploring his options to leave #CFC. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid all like the player. Chelsea won't stand in his way if they get the right price. More here with @polballus.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Yes I know every #CFC fans wants to forget 2025-26 asap but here’s one last look back on the campaign…Inc. my choice for goal, game, surprise, mistake, quote, funniest moment & opposition player of the season. (Free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗢𝗗! 🚨 We've finally been put out of our misery... @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & Sam Parkin bring down the curtain on the 2025-26 campaign with a look back on the 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light. #CFC pod.fo/e/41e679

Cesc Fabregas' Como will be playing Champions League football next season. They join Inter, Napoli & Roma in the competition. Juventus & Milan will play in the Europa League.

There is a lot of talent in #CFC Under-18s as they proved by becoming PL champions last night. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen shone again, scoring twice inc. last one v #MCFC to spark great celebrations. My piece on exciting winger from last month (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Exclusive interview with Ashley Cole. #CFC #AFC • pursuing managerial career despite years of negative scrutiny as a player • challenges in first job at Cesena • will he stay at Cesena next season? • what he makes of Chelsea appointing Xabi Alonso www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

#CFC still have a chance to qualify for the Europa League or Conference League. But would they be better off out of Europe next season? I argue the case for and against it here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

Inside Xabi Alonso’s appointment as #CFC manager: ▪️ building a team of ‘mentality monsters’ ▪️ minimum two first-team ready signings this summer ▪️ Front-runner throughout, but Iraola impressed ▪️ Liverpool did not come in for Alonso as they still believe in Slot www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Former #CFC coach Carlo Ancelotti had some bad news for Joao Pedro on Monday night after leaving him out of the Brazil squad but Chelsea, Alonso and the striker himself stand to benefit. My column here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗗! 🚨 Plenty on the agenda for @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & @liamtwomey.bsky.social... 🖊️ Alonso in! 🏆 More Wembley woes 👊 Battle of the Bridge 2.0? 💙 Sam Kerr signs off in style #CFC pod.fo/e/418b02

Calum McFarlane will remain at #CFC as part of Xabi Alonso’s backroom staff. Alonso’s trusted quartet Sebastian Parrilla, Alberto Encinas and Benat Labaien & Ismael Camenforte Lopez coming with him. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Results this season say otherwise but incoming manager Xabi Alonso does have the nucleus of a good side to work with at #CFC. A narrow Cup Final defeat will have assured him of that. He would not have taken the job otherwise. My column here (free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

#CFC defender Levi Colwill has been included in England's provisional World Cup squad. Full story here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

"Would that (winning the FA Cup) make it a good season? You can argue that all day. We want to win every competition so obviously we are disappointed. We have to make the most of what’s left." A piece on #CFC's quest for redemption at Wembley with Romeo Lavia: www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

“He is not fazed. Playing in big games for Chelsea or leading the line for Brazil…it’s his natural habitat.” Big read on #CFC’s Joao Pedro as he prepares to play in his first #FACup Final. Those that knew him best as a youngster knew he’d go to the top: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

Shumaira Mheuka has been named the PL2 Player of the Season for his fine goal-scoring form for #CFC. Talks over new contract are expected to take place soon, possibly as early as this summer. Free to read piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

In light of @David_Ornstein’s story about #CFC exploring a deal for Xabi Alonso, here’s my column explaining why the appointment makes so much sense. He would command instant respect in the dressing room: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗗! 🚨 @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & Sam Parkin back with your first dose of SOC for the week... 🤝 A positive Anfield point? 🏆 What does it mean for the FA Cup final? 😩 AET despair for CFCW w/ @reallycerys.bsky.social #CFC pod.fo/e/412c8a

#CFC are still heavy underdogs for the #FACup Final but the display at #LFC has provided some hope at least. Here are my five reasons to be optimistic following their draw at Anfield (read for free): www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

As part of the live briefing piece from #CFC’s draw at #LFC, I focused on Levi Colwill playing his way into FA Cup Final contention and how this display will give some hope for an upset at Wembley: www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

Shumaira Mheuka has had another great season with #CFC’s academy but has played fewer minutes for the first team than the previous campaign. Will he get a chance in the PL before it ends and what does the future hold? My piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...

𝗣𝗥𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗣𝗢𝗗! 🚨 @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & @liamtwomey.bsky.social together again... 🔴 Saturday at Anfield 🎫 'Tone deaf' ticketing? 🏆 Another Wembley date for #CFCW? 🎙️ @tburrows16.bsky.social speaks to Super Frank! #CFC pod.fo/e/41023d

#CFC face one of the most important summers in their modern history to put a project that is clearly going wrong, right. Here are some of the issues the club need to address. Piece with @liamtwomey.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

𝗧𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗢𝗖! 🚨 We can't deliver happiness, rainbows & positivity... But we can certainly bring you collective misery and doom 💙 @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & @liamtwomey.bsky.social assemble for the post-Forest podcast 👇 #CFC pod.fo/e/40e3c3

Good news for #CFC. Reece James and Levi Colwill are closing in on a return to the #CFC senior squad after injury. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...

Piece on Nicolas Jackson. Bayern Munich have decided not to buy him so what next? Does he have a future at #CFC or will the club still look to loan/sell? More here with @sebsb.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/724...

#CFC are one of many clubs interested in signing Anthony Gordon this summer. Here’s an explainer from @theathleticfc.bsky.social on his situation at #NUFC and what competition Chelsea face: www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗗! 🚨 @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & @lukebosher.bsky.social talking... 🏆 Some redemption in the FA Cup? 🤨 Iraola? Cesc? Alonso? Who next?! 👏 Levi's return to action! 📈 CFCW finishing strong #CFC pod.fo/e/407bd1

Winning the #FACup semi-final v #LUFC should not be seen as job done as far as the #CFC players are concerned. They have a lot more making up to do…to the fans, the club and themselves. My column here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

Enzo Fernandez leading by example, a hair-pull, a missed opportunity for Leeds, Tuchel sitting close to one of the men who fired him and Farke’s tactics…all covered in @theathleticfc.bsky.social’s briefing from #CFC’s win over Leeds at Wembley: www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

Kick-off is 25 minutes away. This is the #CHELEE team sheet:

Watched Levi Colwill play his first competitive game for nine months today. Wasn’t quite as big as the Club World Cup Final but was a very important day for him as he works on match fitness. Even two #CFC sporting directors came to watch. My piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

Interim #CFC head coach Calum McFarlane reveals there’s been no meeting with the players to discuss what went wrong under Liam Rosenior but says they have to take their share of the responsibility for his departure. More here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

Here’s the big read on Liam Rosenior’s departure from #CFC. There were many things that led to his sacking and issues he had to deal with, including a divided dressing room. More from @theathleticfc.bsky.social here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...