Analysis, feature pieces

Jorginho: Chelsea players to blame for Tuchel’s sacking; Campos linked with sporting director role

Jorginho of Chelsea during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League group E match against FC Salzburg at Stamford Bridge on September...

As they prepare to host Red Bull Salzburg in their first game of the post-Thomas Tuchel era tonight in Champions League action, Chelsea vice-captain and Italy international midfielder Jorginho told reporters in the pre-match press conference while the 47-year-old’s dismissal was a surprise last week, the players were ultimately responsible for the German’s abrupt sacking. Continue reading “Jorginho: Chelsea players to blame for Tuchel’s sacking; Campos linked with sporting director role”

Analysis, feature pieces

Conor Gallagher and the task of emulating talented academy products before him

Thomas Tuchel and Conor Gallagher of Chelsea during a training session at Drake Stadium UCLA Campus on July 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

After forcing his way into the England squad by shining on-loan at Crystal Palace last term, Conor Gallagher wants to make Chelsea an undisputed home once and for all. As the Blues’ pre-season campaign gets underway Stateside, now the 22-year-old has the licence to do it.
Continue reading “Conor Gallagher and the task of emulating talented academy products before him”

Match coverage

Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: Benzema hat-trick leaves UCL holders with mountain to climb

Karim Benzema,, player of Real Madrid, is celebrating the goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and...

After conjuring up magic to save Real Madrid from the brink of elimination against PSG in the previous round, it was again Karim Benzema’s night – this time in west London – as two first-half headers and pouncing on Edouard Mendy’s early second-half mistake has now confined Champions League holders Chelsea to an unenviable second leg recovery mission on April 13. Continue reading “Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid: Benzema hat-trick leaves UCL holders with mountain to climb”

Match coverage

Carabao Cup Final: Liverpool’s fullback duo show their mettle against wasteful Chelsea

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson of Liverpool sit and look on after the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley...

After riding their luck at times against another wasteful Chelsea showing, Liverpool emerged victorious in yesterday’s action-packed Carabao Cup Final – winning 11-10 on penalties. However, it was again the individual displays of Jurgen Klopp’s formidable fullback pairing which stand them in good stead for the rest of the season with more silverware up for grabs. Continue reading “Carabao Cup Final: Liverpool’s fullback duo show their mettle against wasteful Chelsea”

Archives

Juventus 1-0 Chelsea: Chiesa the catalyst as ponderous Blues stifled in Turin

Federico Chiesa of Juventus celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Juventus and...

Federico Chiesa’s winner, 11 seconds into the second-half, felt inevitable after multiple warning signs were ignored but typified just how Chelsea – with their 73% possession and half-chances galore – laboured through proceedings in Turin. If Thomas Tuchel’s men are going to successfully defend their Champions League crown, they can’t afford more displays like these. Continue reading “Juventus 1-0 Chelsea: Chiesa the catalyst as ponderous Blues stifled in Turin”

Archives

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Havertz, Salah ensure points are shared in tense affair

Players of Chelsea and Liverpool clash as Reece James of Chelsea is sent off, leading to a penalty and the first goal for Liverpool scored by Mohamed...

Liverpool and Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the new Premier League season continued on Saturday night with a 1-1 draw at Anfield, but this latest meeting wasn’t without controversy and tempers flaring on both sides after Reece James’ contentious dismissal in first-half stoppage-time, changing the complexion of an entertaining clash between two title hopefuls.
Continue reading “Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Havertz, Salah ensure points are shared in tense affair”

Archives

Kai Havertz seizes big moment as Chelsea seal second Champions League triumph

After an eventful first campaign in England packed with trials and tribulations, Chelsea creative midfielder Kai Havertz scored the Champions League-sealing winner overnight in the biggest game of his blossoming career to date – sinking Premier League champions Manchester City. Continue reading “Kai Havertz seizes big moment as Chelsea seal second Champions League triumph”

Archives

FA Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs Leicester – Time to step up

James Maddison of Leicester City scores to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium...

A lot has changed for both sides in the four months since their last meeting, a 2-0 Leicester win propelling them top of the Premier League while confining the Blues to their fifth league defeat in a month under Frank Lampard. Under new management and with a Champions League Final to come on May 29, will Thomas Tuchel’s men prove a step too far for the bullish Foxes here?

Continue reading “FA Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs Leicester – Time to step up”

Archives, Specials

Rúben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Timo Werner of Chelsea runs with the ball under pressure from Sergio Ramos (L) and Vinicius Junior (R) of Real Madrid  during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on May 05, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around Europe remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images )

Considering what has proved an arduous campaign for all involved this term, it feels fitting two big-money summer signings – Manchester City centre-back Rúben Dias and Chelsea forward Timo Werner – helped their respective sides to earn a Champions League Final berth on May 29.

Continue reading “Rúben Dias and Timo Werner, the tale of contrasting summer signings”

Archives

Bayern’s German monopoly continues, but don’t begrudge Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of RB Leipzig reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on December...

Football’s worst kept secret is out: the Bundesliga’s perennial champions Bayern Munich have announced RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann will succeed Hansi Flick as their new manager this summer, agreeing terms for a lucrative five-year deal. However, sceptics shouldn’t be so quick to begrudge a highly-rated boss joining his fiercest competitors, being Bavarian-born after all.
Continue reading “Bayern’s German monopoly continues, but don’t begrudge Julian Nagelsmann”

Archives

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea chats with Callum Hudson-Odoi during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at...

Every cloud has a silver lining, or so the saying goes. Frank Lampard’s 18-month stint as Chelsea manager was ruthlessly ended by lunchtime on Monday, but with the new man replacing him at the helm in west London, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has an opportunity to replicate Christian Pulisic’s success under the German succeeding their club legend. Continue reading “Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea appointment a silver lining for Callum Hudson-Odoi”

Archives

Thomas Tuchel made PSG believe, but his time was numbered from the start

Video: 'It's a Great Christmas Present' - Tuchel Discusses PSG Ending 2020  With a Win Over Strasbourg - PSG Talk

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have finally announced Thomas Tuchel’s sacking, just four months after the German took them to their first Champions League Final and five days following reports suggesting he’d be imminently replaced by Mauricio Pochettino. It’s a bitter end to a fractious relationship for the 47-year-old, whose time was numbered from day one. Continue reading “Thomas Tuchel made PSG believe, but his time was numbered from the start”