Chelsea

The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.

Here are the teams in action on a busy Saturday.

All times BST

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Defender Malang Sarr has joined French club RC Lens after his contract at Chelsea expired.

The 25-year-old joined Chelsea in 2020 but struggled to hold down a place in the team and spent spells on loan at Porto and Monaco.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could switch places with Real Madrid's 25-year-old Ukraine keeper Andriy Lunin in a swap deal. (AS - in Spanish), external

The Blues are close to signing 21-year-old Ivory Coast defender Guela Doue from Rennes in a £7.6m deal. (Sky Italy), external

Aston Villa are monitoring Borussia Dortmund and Germany winger Karim Adeyemi, 22, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Juventus. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

After Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Wrexham in the first match of their US pre-season tour, we asked you to have your say on the performance.

Here are a selection of your comments:

Tom: After a near-perfect pre-season last year Chelsea just about stumbled over the line in sixth in the Premier League so I'm not going to read too much into a draw with Wrexham. Still disappointed in us leaving Trevoh Chalobah behind though - disgraceful way to treat someone who loves the club.

Alan: God help us if we continue to play like this. I can see a space waiting for us in the Championship.

Kevin: Play like this against Manchester City and we'll lose by five or six. Learn to play out from the back quickly or don't do it.

Jack: No need to panic, but it did look pretty chaotic. Defensively, we're still looking leaky and there's also a struggle to link things together in the final third. Going to put my money on Nkunku this season - can see him being a standout player.

AntBlue: I guess the only time you get away with a result like that if you're the new boss of Chelsea is if it's the first game of pre-season. We won the corresponding fixture last year 7-1 and look how averagely that season turned out. The pressure starts here for Maresca. Welcome to the Chelsea oven.

Keith: Defensively diabolical. No punch up front. Quality striker desperately needed! Overall, very poor, taking into account the opposition.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Santa Clara

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Chelsea are very much beginning the Enzo Maresca era with an identikit approach to his Leicester City team, who won the Championship and promotion to the Premier League last season.

The approach was apparent in an open training session in front of select media this week as the club transition to a heavy possession-based style - which was unpopular with sections of Leicester's fanbase.

The slow, patient and controlled approach was apparent in the 2-2 draw with Wrexham.

The Italian saw his team build up with three defenders at the back, a full-back, namely captain Reece James, stepping into midfield and two of the three central midfielders playing high up the pitch to create an attacking front five.

In the first half, the approach worked well as James and Levi Colwill played in full-back positions and looked well-suited to Maresca's demands.

However, Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell struggled to replicate their success in the second half as the Blues made 10 changes at half-time.

There could well be winners and losers from Maresca's approach as some adapt to an approach that is a far cry from Mauricio Pochettino's high-energy, adaptive and less demanding tactical approach.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Santa Clara

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Enzo Maresca gave a balanced assessment of Chelsea's performance in the 2-2 draw with Wrexham, saying: "We started just two weeks ago.

"It's important that us as the staff and the people can start to see the identity of the team.

"Tonight it was quite clear. For sure, we are going to add more solutions."

In the first half, Chelsea used Reece James as an inverted full-back, pushing into midfield.

Maresca added: "We tried to build with three and two - first half with James inside, and second half with Malo [Gusto] inside.

"It does not matter about the level of the opposition. When they sit back with 11 players behind the ball, it's always difficult to find space and solutions are not easy."

There were appearances for Wesley Fofana, who missed the entire 2023-24 campaign with a long-term injury, and Romeo Lavia, who managed just 32 minutes last season.

Maresca said: "They are both very important. It is important to get minutes, to use every training session. After a year without getting minutes, it is difficult mentally. They need a boost, energy - and 45 minutes is going to help both of them.

"The result for us is always important but, in this moment, also we need to judge different things."

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Lesley Ugochukwu scored his first goal for Chelsea as Enzo Maresca's side were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against League One opponents Wrexham.

The 20-year-old defensive midfielder made 15 appearances for the Blues last season after joining the club from Ligue 1 side Rennes.

Speaking after the pre-season draw, Ugochukwu said: "We just started a few weeks ago, so I think it is a good result for a first game.

"They [Wrexham] have already played a few games before. We are just working to improve game on game."

On his 82nd-minute equaliser, he added: "I'm practising finishing as much as I can.

"It's not every time that you will see me in that type of situation but, when I get there, I try to keep calm and finish well."

Ugochukwu also revealed his thoughts on new manager Enzo Maresca, who joined the Blues this summer from Leicester City.

"He came with very good ideas," he said.

"We are still learning about how he wants us to play. Everyone is putting in effort to do what he wants us to do and that is what we tried to do [against Wrexham].

"He wants me, first of all, to be calm with the ball and to try to go forward, then trust the process and not rush it."

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Enzo Maresca has not ruled out signing a new goalkeeper amid ongoing talks with Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

The Denmark international, 24, is being discussed as an option for the new Chelsea boss.

When Maresca was asked about adding a new number one after the 2-2 draw with Wrexham in Santa Clara, he said: "We'll see, we'll see. In this moment we have four goalkeepers. We will see with the timing.

"When the transfer window is open, anything can happen - for us and for the rest."

He then praised current starter Robert Sanchez, adding: "What I can say is Robert did very well tonight and did very well since we started.

"For sure, the way we want to play, the goalkeeper is very, very important - one of the main positions. And I don't want to talk about players that are not Chelsea players but I am very happy with Robert."

Djordje Petrovic is currently injured but also expected to be sold and 21-year-old Lucas Bergstrom played in the second half against Wrexham.

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Chelsea needed an 82nd-minute Lesley Ugochukwu equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw with League One side Wrexham in Santa Clara, California.

Christopher Nkunku had given the Blues a first-half lead, but Wrexham turned it around to lead after the break with two goals following defensive mistakes.

Did you stay up to watch Enzo Maresca's first game as Chelsea boss? What did you learn from the performance?

Let us know your thoughts, external

Atletico Madrid are "extremely confident" that they can secure a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. (Team Talk), external

Meanwhile, Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Villarreal and Denmark Under-21 goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who has also attracted interest from Marseille. (Athletic - subscription required), external

The Blues have offered £17m plus add-ons for 22-year-old Jorgensen. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Our senior football reporter Nizaar Kinsella is following Chelsea in the United States on their pre-season tour and he has been answering more of your Blues questions.

Here is the final part:

Scott asked: I think I speak for a lot of Chelsea fans when I ask where are the experienced/marquee signings? We have signed a half dozen 'prospects' - agai. What on earth is the club doing?

Nizaar answered: Chelsea are doubling down on their youth policy. They have taken the criticism on board but ultimately feel this approach will put them ahead of their rivals.

There are young players in that squad now with one or two years' more experience. More experience of playing in England and, hopefully, who have improved in quality.

These new signings remain ones for the future to ensure the talent stock is high at Chelsea. But can this Brighton-like approach win trophies? That remains to be seen given a disappointing couple of years.

Nick asked: Do you think the constant changing of manager has had a detrimental impact on Chelsea's business in the transfer market? It seems that players have been bought to fit a manager's style, only for the manager to be sacked leaving those players to try and fit into a new system.

Nizaar answered: This is an age-old problem at Chelsea.

It was the same under Roman Abramovich and seems to be a problem now for the new regime. The change in goalkeepers highlights this issue potentially.

There is an attempt to reduce these issues by having powerful sporting directors at the club but they will need to try and stop the constant hiring and firing of coaches to truly build for the longer term.

Mubarak asked: Do you see us getting an experienced striker?

Nizaar answered: Simply put, no. I would never rule it out but all the names that have been discussed have been under-25, with Lille's Jonathan David, 24, the oldest name discussed.

Chelsea remain committed to their youth-first approach, no matter what anyone says.

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Our senior football reporter Nizaar Kinsella is following Chelsea in the United States on their pre-season tour and he has been answering more of your Blues questions.

Here is a selection:

Simon asked: What is going on with this club? They seem so chaotic and disorganized at board level. Too much too soon in every department. What chance do they have for a top-10 finish this year or will it be worse?

Nizaar answered: There has been some fair criticism of Chelsea's activity off the field in recent years.

It still feels chaotic around the club at times, but to cut the club some slack, it does appear that a lot of key executives and staff are in place. The medical staff is fully revamped which may help improve results.

I can understand why supporters might be pessimistic and it is very much up to the club to prove themselves as more stable and less chaotic.

Keith asked: Does Wesley Fofana look fit enough to play a full season of Premier League football?

Nizaar answered: That is the £75m question after his big money move from Leicester but Chelsea have now reintroduced him into training.

It is also true that it is one thing to train and another to play matches. It remains a positive sign but I expect it will be a staged and careful return after such a badly hit past two years with injury.

Logan asked: What system will Enzo Maresca be using and how will it help bring the best out of players such as Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku, and Enzo Fernandez?

Nizaar answered: Maresca likes natural wingers, which should be good for Mudryk and Raheem Sterling.

Nkunku's place in the team will be interesting given he is not a natural winger. He will perhaps play as a striker or number eight given they are maybe the weaker positions in the current squad.

Fernandez could be the number six to build up the play.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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We asked you for your questions to put to Nizaar Kinsella, our senior football news reporter who is on tour with the Blues:

John asked: How long do you give Enzo Maresca? Yet again they have purchased players who are inexperienced and Championship quality at best.

Nizaar answered: Maresca has a five-year deal and Mauricio Pochettino only got two years when joining Chelsea. That seems to signal he will get time - but the club remain ambitious and are frustrated with falling short on their goals in the past two years since the ownership change.

Maresca will be up against it to improve these inexperienced players enough to qualify for the Champions League. But there is also a belief he is the right man and the contract signals that faith in him.

Image source, Getty Images

Our football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella is following Chelsea in the United States on their pre-season tour and he has been answering your Blues questions.

Here is a selection:

Ash asked: Who do you think is looking sharp and hungry, and who do you think is still in holiday mode and needs to improve?

Nizaar answered: I would imagine everyone is sharp and hungry as it is pre-season. This is a chance to fight for the jersey.

From the footage I have seen, Tosin Adarabioyo looks like a vocal leader behind the scenes and seems to have adapted with ease after moving across from Fulham.

However, there will be some uncertainty because the squad is oversized at the moment and players are fighting for their place in the team and perhaps longer-term futures.

Albert asked: What is happening with Chelsea's keepers? The reliable Djordje Petrovic has not travelled to the USA. Robert Sanchez appears to be Maresca's favourite but he is prone to mistakes and his distribution is poor. Will we buy another?

Nizaar answered: Distribution is definitely at the heart of Maresca's thinking. It has led Chelsea to make enquiries about Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen at the expense of Petrovic.

It may be harsh on Petrovic, but he is a saleable asset having only been signed for £14m and with a market of clubs interested in him. Sanchez, on the other hand, cost £25m and had an injury-hit campaign - so it would be a struggle to sell him at this stage.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There were plenty of smiles on the first official day of Chelsea's pre-season tour, but it also felt a little strange.

An open training session gave a real insight into how the Blues are gearing up for the new season, with Enzo Maresca running a very tactical session in front of selected media outlets.

A combination of possession, build-up play and attacking exercises were devised in the baking Palo Alto sun, a stone's throw from where tech giants Google, Tesla, Facebook (Meta), X and Microsoft are based.

Yet those same social media firms are at the heart of a controversy gripping the club, with Enzo Fernandez facing accusations of racism following a post on Instagram.

Teammate Wesley Fofana has accused Fernandez of 'uninhibited racism' on his social media platforms, while the club has launched disciplinary proceedings and Fifa has started an investigation into the incident.

The Argentina midfielder has since apologised.

Normally, a new Chelsea manager would have a big showpiece press conference, but Maresca's lasted just 11 minutes at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where the Blues will face Wrexham in his first match in charge.

There were questions about Fernandez as Maresca acknowledged the low-key nature of the event, which took place at 02:15 GMT and 18:15 local time.

The Italian was friendly and upbeat, but he must handle this situation seriously as Fernandez is expected to meet up with Chelsea again on Monday, 29 July.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Reece James is aiming to “stay on the pitch” after an injury-hit season and admits he must improve on disciplinary issues.

The Blues captain, 24, spoke about recovering from surgery following his reoccurring hamstring problem in December.

Asked about his aims for the new season before a pre-season friendly against League One newboys Wrexham in Santa Clara, California, he said: "I have one goal - to stay on the pitch."

James will miss the start of the 2024-25 season after being sent off in the penultimate match of the last campaign. It was his second red card of the season so the ban extends into the first three games.

He acknowledged it is a part of his game that needs improving.

"I am one to push the boundaries and sometimes that has caused problems for myself and the team, but that is something I'm trying to get better at.

"I don't want to make mistakes and put my team at risk.”

James was alongside new boss Enzo Maresca who met the media for the first time following his appointment in May.

James is hopeful about having a better campaign next season under the Italian's leadership.

"I would like to think I'm in a good place now. I had a long off-season and I've got a long pre-season because I'm serving a four-game ban, but I'm in a good place," James added.

"There are a lot of adjustments to make in the new system. Whenever a new manager comes in, there is a lot to take on board but we are excited and I can't wait to get started."

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah is understood to have been shocked at being left out of the club's pre-season tour of the United States, with the 25-year-old believing he is being forced out of the club. (Guardian), external

Meanwhile, the Blues have made an initial approach to Villareal for 22-year-old Swedish-born Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. (Standard), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Our footballer news reporter Nizaar Kinsella is out in the United States, following Chelsea as they begin their pre-season tour.

We asked you to send in your questions on the Blues and he has been answering them.

First up, Andy asked: How do you see Chelsea lining up this season? Will they be more tactically astute than in 2023-24?

Nizaar answered: Chelsea have been doing tactical work from day one of Enzo Maresca's time in charge.

He has been doing double training sessions involving both fitness and tactical sessions. That is not an approach used across football as many coaches begin with a fitness-only approach in pre-season.

He will also deliver a lot more instruction during matches than most coaches having worked in the past with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

From the early information I have received, Maresca is set to start with a similar approach to how he played at Leicester City. That is a possession-heavy 4-3-3, where one full-back steps into midfield during the build-up and with attacking number eights.

Keep across this Chelsea page on Wednesday for more of Nizaar's answers to your questions, plus the latest updates from the Blues' pre-season tour.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter in Santa Clara

Image source, Getty Images

Trevoh Chalobah is going to be patient when deciding his future, despite being left out of Chelsea's squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

The defender, 24, is deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and is available for an estimated £25m.

But he also has the security of four years left on his contract and is waiting for either a club competing for European qualification in the Premier League or with Champions League football overseas.

Chalobah rejected a move to Nottingham Forest last summer after Chelsea had accepted a £25m bid.

Alfie Gilchrist was also left out of the squad as he has been made available for loan, with Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Preston believed to be interested.

Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic and midfielder Omari Kellyman did not travel because of injury, while Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez remain on holiday after reaching the latter stages of Euro 2024 and Copa America.

New boss Enzo Maresca is likely to be asked about the alleged racism posted by Fernandez on social media in his first news conference, which will take place overnight UK time.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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It isn't quiet in one specific part of the major football clubs - the acquisitions department.

I know that because I was once the acquisitions department - well me and the manager mostly. While each player returned from holidays like a bronzed Adonis, we were cooped up in a small darkened room, beavering the daylight hours away like vampires.

There is plenty of guesswork in the media and a fair bit of leaking from the players and their people, but the clubs usually try to keep their transfer moves as quiet as possible.

If word gets out that a player is available, they know they might lose him to another club or else the price will increase as a bidding war erupts.

‌These are high stakes games and many are impressed by those who gamble and go early.

Manchester City have always been good enough, and let's be honest wealthy enough, to be able to do this well.

The problem is that some clubs are trying to do the same thing and are ending up paying top dollar for less able players, because they haven't done their due diligence in the market.

This is another area where the use of data, or maybe over-reliance on pure data, comes into play - feed all of the numbers in, let the technology do the crunching, and out comes the answer.

The problem is that everyone else has got the same or similar data.

What is needed, of course, is good human knowledge and the vision to aid the use of the information they have got. This is why these departments should be busy just now, they shouldn't just be doing deals which are admittedly very complex legal and financial documents these days.

Even more time should be spent on ensuring the new £75m player hasn't got a hidden weakness in his game or even the odd skeleton in his closet.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter