ALEJANDRO GARNACHO FOCUSED ON PROGRESS AND ACHIEVING CHELSEA DREAM TARGETS
The manager has declared his ambition to win "at least one trophy" this season, stating his belief that the current squad can compete for the Premier League and other major honours.
Alejandro Garnacho is excited to assist Chelsea in gaining more momentum when we travel to Nottingham Forest to resume Premier League play.
The Blues had a difficult stretch between the international breaks in September and October, as our absentee list grew as a result of injuries and suspensions, and our performances did not match those of the first few weeks of the season.
But we ended on a positive note. On the night when Champions League football returned to Stamford Bridge, we recorded a well-earned victory over Benfica. We then defeated the defending Premier League champions Liverpool 2-1 to enhance our confidence.
A boisterous atmosphere was produced inside Stamford Bridge by Estevao Willian's goal in the 95th minute, which also ensured we eliminated the Reds from the top of the table.
Forest is now ranked 17th in the league after suffering back-to-back losses before the international break. Garnacho is aware that if the Blues want to build on the momentum created by our thrilling victory over Liverpool, they cannot afford to be complacent at the City Ground.
The winger, who joined the Blues from Manchester United in the summer, added, "It is a trying moment for them, but you never know in football." Even though they have not been winning, they have talented players who will strive for victory. We must be prepared.
"After a little bit of terrible luck with red cards, we are in a strong position in the league [five points off first spot], especially after that." For instance, we ought to win the match against Brighton. And I think we would win the match at United if we played 11 on 11.
But we are all right. To be up there, I believe it is critical to build on the most recent victory over Liverpool and attempt to win again.
After joining Chelsea from Manchester United in August, Garnacho was gradually incorporated into the team's lineup; the Argentine played as a substitute in his first two games for the Blues against Brentford and Bayern Munich.
However, the 21-year-old was the driving force behind our victories against Benfica and Lincoln City, and he also had a strong performance against Liverpool. Garnacho is optimistic about the Blues team's potential this season after settling into life at Stamford Bridge.
We want to strive to win at least one trophy, and I believe we have a team that can compete in the league and for the other trophies, he stated. I believe we can compete for the major titles because of the team's and the club's current moment. We have a dream about it.
Our quest for a trophy this season will continue tomorrow when we play Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, which kicks off at 12.30 p.m.
XAVI OPENLY DECLARES INTEREST IN CHELSEA JOB DURING PERMANENT MANAGER SEARCH
With Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola on the shortlist, explore why Xavi Hernández wants to take over the Chelsea hotseat next.
Xavi has openly said he’d love to manage Chelsea, and now the Blues are hunting for someone to replace Liam Rosenior.
Rosenior got the sack last month after a rough patch just three months into his huge contract that was supposed to last six and a half years. Calum McFarlane is filling in as interim head coach until season’s end, but Chelsea are actively looking for a permanent boss for the 2026/27 campaign.
They're considering some big names. Xabi Alonso’s been mentioned; he’s been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in January. Andoni Iraola, who’s about to leave Bournemouth, is also on the shortlist.
Cesc Fabregas has been linked after his strong run at Como, and Frank Lampard’s in the mix too, fresh off winning the Championship with Coventry and securing promotion.
But Xavi really stands out. He’s already made it clear he’s interested in the Chelsea job. Back in 2019, before his Barcelona return, he said, “I don’t hide it; my goal is to come back to Europe and to Barca. It's my challenge, but I’m enjoying this current project. For me, training a team in Barcelona would be a privilege, the biggest privilege.”
He didn’t just talk about Spain either. “Honestly, who doesn’t love the Premier League? The atmosphere, packed stadiums, everyone says it’s incredible,” Xavi admitted. “If I had to pick, I’d go for a big team: City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, or Tottenham. Klopp, Pochettino, and Unai Emery are doing amazing work there.”
After returning to Barcelona in 2021, Xavi led them to a La Liga title and the Supercopa de España before Hansi Flick took over in 2024. He’s been out of work since.
Now, Chelsea seems seriously interested in the Spaniard. According to The i, the club wants someone who can embed a strong football identity across their teams, something Enzo Maresca started.
Getting Xavi won’t be easy, though. Morocco’s national team reportedly sees him as a top candidate to replace Walid Regragui, and Manchester United is eyeing him too as they weigh options beyond Michael Carrick.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso is the bookmakers’ favourite for the Chelsea role, but word is he’d want more control over club decisions if he moves to west London.
COLE PALMER MISSES PENALTY AS CHELSEA SUFFER HISTORIC SIXTH CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE DEFEAT
Chelsea matched a 1912 record with their 6th straight loss, falling 3-1 to Forest as Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice at the Bridge.
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Chelsea hit rock bottom again, losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. That’s six Premier League defeats in a row now, something the club hadn’t seen since 1912. Just when you thought the season couldn’t get any worse, Forest showed up with a makeshift lineup and absolutely stunned them. Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice, one barely a minute into the match, and then Igor Jesus put away a penalty, and suddenly Forest was six points clear of the drop zone.
Chelsea hadn’t scored in five games, and it looked like that streak would go on forever. Then, in stoppage time, Joao Pedro finally managed an overhead kick to break the drought. That run was made even more ridiculous earlier when Cole Palmer missed a first-half penalty. Matz Sels, Forest’s backup goalkeeper, saved it.
Honestly, the crowd in the Shed End probably barely recognised their own team. Pereira swapped in seven new outfield players, most of them with almost no league experience; he was clearly thinking about the upcoming Europa League semi-final. But it looked like Chelsea was the stranger out there.
Things only got worse for interim head coach Calum McFarlane. He lost Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho to late injuries, so 18-year-old Jesse Derry had to make his Premier League debut. Then, late in the first half, Derry collided heads with Forest’s Zach Abbott and had to be stretchered off after getting oxygen. It was brutal to watch.
The match itself? Chaos. Less than two minutes in, Chelsea messed up their own throw-in and let Forest stroll through midfield. Dilane Bakwa beat Marc Cucurella with little effort and crossed to Awoniyi, who was completely unmarked and headed it in.
Fifteen minutes later, Chelsea conceded again. Bakwa whipped in another cross; Malo Gusto pulled Awoniyi’s shirt, and VAR handed Forest a penalty. Jesus hammered it right down the middle.
The first half was hopeless, and by the end, serious concern set in after that nasty head clash between Derry and Abbott. Abbott, playing just his second league game, left on his own, but Derry needed serious treatment and was stretchered off.
After a nearly ten-minute stoppage, Palmer’s penalty was stopped by Sels. At halftime, Levi Colwill returned from a major injury he hadn’t played since tearing his ACL in August. He tried to restore order, but nothing changed.
Forest’s third goal came just seven minutes into the second half. Gibbs-White crossed, and Awoniyi tapped in from close range, just managing to stay onside. Chelsea’s keeper, Robert Sanchez, took a knock and left with a bandaged head after colliding with Gibbs-White.
Pedro’s late goal barely counted for anything. The few Chelsea fans left in the stadium cheered, but it was more out of irony than joy.
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