ENZO MARESCA BLAMES FINAL THIRD. DAVID JAMES POINTS TO COLE PALMER
After two poor Premier League results, David James analytically questions whether the return of star Cole Palmer has upset the system and rhythm Chelsea had established.
After Chelsea's recent Premier League stumbles, David James wonders if Cole Palmer's return to the lineup has slightly upset the team's chemistry.
Chelsea's strong form and a tie with Arsenal faded after a shocking 3-1 loss to Leeds United and a goalless draw with Bournemouth.
Palmer, who's been a standout player in the league, came off the bench against Leeds and played for 58 minutes against Bournemouth. James thinks his return might have disrupted a Chelsea team that had found its rhythm without him.
James mentioned on Stadium Astro that Chelsea's many bookings and red cards are hurting them. He also said that the return of Cole Palmer to the squad has slightly upset things.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez didn't seem too upset after the draw with Bournemouth. He stated that after the loss in the last game, they wanted to redeem themselves, played well, kept a clean sheet, and didn’t lose the game. He said they take the point and go into the next game needing three points.
He added that Bournemouth is a great team with a lot of intensity, which they had to deal with. They managed the game well, know their goal and quality, and need to keep going.
Chelsea manager Maresca told BBC Sport that they lacked quality in the final third with the last pass and the last shot. He noted the importance of not losing when you can't win, so they'll take the point.
According to Maresca, his team controlled the game but missed the final shot, pass, and cross, which can happen. He pointed out another clean sheet and not losing as positives, and reiterated the importance of not losing when you don't win.
About Palmer's performance, Maresca said he was good and needs to build his fitness after a long time out.
Chelsea, now fourth in the Premier League, will play Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday before facing Everton next weekend.
CHELSEA OPEN TALKS WITH JORGE MENDES FOR DORTMUND’S VERSATILE FORWARD KARIM ADEYEMI
Chelsea contact Jorge Mendes for Karim Adeyemi. See why Man United and Newcastle could hijack the €70m deal.
Chelsea reached out to Jorge Mendes, the well-known agent, hoping to land Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. But things aren’t simple. Manchester United and Newcastle United are also circling, and Chelsea might just miss out.
Adeyemi joined Dortmund in 2022, and he’s locked in there until 2027. Since then, he’s really made a name for himself in the Bundesliga, showing off his versatility as both a winger and a forward. This season, he’s mostly played as a second striker, netting 10 goals and providing five assists over 37 matches across all competitions.
Chelsea seems pretty impressed. They’ve already connected with Mendes to talk about a deal for the 24-year-old, and reports say they’re keeping talks pretty active. But it’s not just them; Man United have apparently made Adeyemi their top transfer target, and Newcastle are interested too.
Dortmund actually want to keep Adeyemi and has put a new contract on the table, but there’s a snag: his agents want a release clause worth €80 million (£69.7m). Dortmund aren’t willing to go that high. Instead, they’re open to selling for a bit less, around €65-70 million, or up to £61 million, in the summer.
That’s a price Chelsea can handle, but the German reports think it’s more likely Adeyemi ends up with Manchester United or Newcastle for a slightly lower fee, maybe €60-65 million (up to £56.6m). Mendes is also exploring backup options and could float Adeyemi’s name to Bayern or PSG.
Then there’s the whole Champions League angle. Chelsea’s status is in doubt for next season, and questions are swirling around manager Liam Rosenior’s future. That uncertainty doesn’t help their pitch. Meanwhile, United look set to finish high in the Premier League and secure Champions League football, which probably makes them a more appealing landing spot for Adeyemi right now.
CHELSEA TEENAGER ESTEVAO "DEVASTATED" AND IN TEARS FOLLOWING EARLY HAMSTRING WITHDRAWAL
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester United. Estevao is injured, and the Blues are now scoreless in four straight games.
Liam Rosenior said Chelsea’s Estevao was “devastated” and in tears after getting injured during Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Manchester United. Estevao, just 18, started well but had to come off after only 16 minutes.
It looked like he hurt his hamstring while pushing forward against United. Rosenior put on Alejandro Garnacho to replace him, but Garnacho struggled too, going up against his old team.
After the match, Rosenior talked about Estevao, who’s desperate to make the World Cup squad this summer. “He was devastated; he was crying at half-time,” Rosenior explained.
“It looks like his hamstring. He was running through on goal and pulled it right then.”
Now Estevao’s future, even for Tuesday’s match at Brighton, looks uncertain. Enzo Fernandez, who left late in the game, is also in doubt, but Rosenior sounded more hopeful about him. “I think it was his calf,” he said. “I’m hoping it was just a cramp. We need him for Tuesday.”
Chelsea’s defeat is their fourth straight Premier League loss without finding the net. By the end of the weekend, they could be seven points away from the Champions League spots. United only needed one shot on target; Matheus Cunha scored in the first half, and that was enough.
“It’s so tough,” Rosenior said afterwards. “They had one shot on target when we were down to ten men.
“We just kept coming at them and hit the woodwork four times. I don’t want the players to get stuck thinking the world’s against us. We have to keep fighting.”
He went on: “We need to defend those moments better. We’re making small errors, and every time, the ball ends up in our net. That has to stop.
“It all comes down to results, and we should’ve won today. Every little thing adds up, but we’ll keep working hard.”
After Brighton, Chelsea go up against Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final next Sunday.
