Is Joao Pedro happy at Chelsea? The striker eases concern

However, Jamie Carragher suggested a handful of Chelsea players could leave and included Pedro in that list come the summer. Pedro was asked if he is happy at Chelsea and what it means to wear the Blue.

“I’m very happy to be at Chelsea. It’s a huge club, it has been a tough week for us, but I think after the international break it will be better,” Pedro told ESPN FC, while on international duty with Brazil.

Deco might be well-regarded among Chelsea fans following his stint in West London, but that has not stopped the Portuguese icon from a move to sign Pedro. Deco has made contact with Pedro’s agents.

Indeed, Deco is Barcelona’s sporting director these days and given the state Chelsea are in, with a place in the Champions League looking doubtful, Pedro and Chelsea’s other big stars could be tempted to go.

Yet, when presented with interest from Barcelona, it is reported that Pedro gave no indication that he would be interested or is looking for an escape route at Chelsea. He has a contract until June 2033.

Scott Minto warns Chelsea Joao Pedro can’t do everything

 Since Liam Rosenior took over Chelsea, Pedro has been the team’s main man.

Cole Palmer has not always been available because of injuries, while his form has not been as consistent as it was in the previous two seasons. Chelsea’s defeat to Everton saw Palmer really struggle.

Under Rosenior, Pedro has scored 11 goals in 17 appearances. He is the Blues’ talisman right now, but Minto has warned his old side that they cannot afford to solely rely on the £60m Brazilian.

Discussing Pedro on talkSPORT, Minto said: “Joao Pedro can’t do everything by himself. He needed an option. Remember Nicolas Anelka as well as Didier Drogba? They didn’t always play together. It was one or the other.”

Rosenior will be looking to the likes of Pedro and Palmer after the international break, with Chelsea having some tough games coming up.

After the Club World Cup winners face Port Vale in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, they take on Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League.

Chelsea also have to play Liverpool and London rivals Tottenham Hotspur before the campaign concludes.

For as good as Pedro has been under Rosenior, the goals have started to dry up a bit, and it feels as though no one has noticed.

If the Brazil international fails to net in his next game, that will put him on a run of five straight matches without scoring.

That could easily happen if Pedro does not feature in the Port Vale tie but plays against City. With the form that Chelsea are in right now, they are not going to find it easy to create chances for Pedro in a match against a side like City.

Cole Palmer could be missing Nicolas Jackson

 Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both joined Chelsea in the same transfer window almost three years ago and quickly managed to strike up a deadly partnership with each other.

However, Jackson was allowed to join Bayern Munich on loan last September, and Palmer now misses playing alongside the centre-forward, according to The Sun.

The newspaper has also claimed that Palmer is getting frustrated at Liam Rosenior’s tactics, which he feels are limiting the amount of space that he is getting on the pitch.

Unfortunately for Palmer, a reunion with Jackson in the summer does not seem likely. Chelsea could sign another striker, which would undoubtedly push the Senegal international out of the club again.

There has been some speculation about Chelsea being interested in Nick Woltemade, for example. Woltemade was rumoured to be on their radar before his move to Newcastle United, so you would not rule it out.

In his two seasons at Chelsea so far, Jackson has been heavily criticised for his finishing. However, his link-up and combination play have been excellent, especially with Palmer.

As per Transfermarkt, Palmer and Jackson have played 75 games together. They have 15 joint-goal participations in total.

Breaking that down, Palmer has assisted eight of Jackson’s goals at Chelsea, while Jackson has set up seven of Palmer’s.

His temporary exit has probably hurt Palmer and Chelsea as a whole. Joao Pedro has done a great job leading the line, but the Blues’ cover options have really struggled and failed to step up when replacing the Brazilian.

Liam Delap, for example, has only scored one goal in the Premier League this season. The campaign finishes in May…

Chelsea Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez Leads Europe’s Top Five Leagues in Chances Created Among Shot-Stoppers

In a striking illustration of the modern goalkeeper’s evolving role, Chelsea’s Robert Sánchez has created more goal-scoring opportunities (5) than any other goalkeeper across Europe’s top five leagues this 2025/26 season.

According to data from Opta and other leading football analytics providers, the Spanish international’s precise distribution and quick thinking from the back have directly led to five key passes or actions resulting in shots for his teammates in the Premier League alone—surpassing every other No. 1 in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.2

This achievement highlights Sánchez’s growing influence in build-up play under head coach Enzo Maresca. At 6’6”, the 28-year-old has combined traditional shot-stopping duties with progressive passing, often launching rapid transitions that catch opponents out of shape. His long-range distribution and ability to find attacking players in advanced areas have added an unexpected creative dimension to Chelsea’s game.

Sánchez has featured prominently for the Blues this campaign, making 29 Premier League appearances with 9 clean sheets and an impressive volume of passes attempted (over 1,000 in the league). His key passes total 5 in the Premier League, contributing to an expected assists (xA) figure that underscores his vision from the back. While traditional metrics like save percentage and clean sheets remain vital, his chance creation sets him apart in an era where goalkeepers are increasingly expected to act as playmakers.9

“Robert has been excellent in possession and his distribution has been a real weapon for us,” Maresca noted in recent comments on the goalkeeper’s form. Sánchez’s ability to switch play quickly or deliver accurate balls into dangerous zones has helped Chelsea create overloads and exploit spaces, particularly in transitional moments.

This season has marked a period of resurgence and consistency for the former Brighton & Hove Albion keeper. After earlier career challenges with errors, Sánchez has shown marked improvement in decision-making and command of his area, contributing to a more solid defensive structure at Stamford Bridge. His performances have drawn praise for blending reliability between the posts with proactive involvement in the team’s attacking phases.

In the broader context of Europe’s elite leagues, few goalkeepers match Sánchez’s output in this specific creative metric. While elite keepers like those at Manchester City, Arsenal, or Real Madrid excel in organization and shot prevention, the Spaniard’s 5 chances created place him in rare company—demonstrating that top-level goalkeeping now extends well beyond the penalty area.

Chelsea supporters and analysts alike have highlighted this stat as evidence of Sánchez’s development into a complete modern goalkeeper. As the 2025/26 season progresses toward its climax, his contributions could prove pivotal in Chelsea’s push for domestic and European success.

Chelsea FC Women Secure Thrilling 4-3 Victory Over Aston Villa Women in Barclays Women's Super League Thriller

Chelsea FC Women produced a captivating performance this afternoon, overcoming Aston Villa Women 4-3 in a high-scoring Barclays Women's Super League encounter at Kingsmeadow. The Blues fought back from an early deficit and a level scoreline at half-time to claim all three points with a dramatic late winner, moving them back into second place in the table and keeping their title hopes alive.

Aston Villa took a shock lead in just the second minute when Chasity Grant finished clinically from close range. Chelsea responded strongly, equalising in the 20th minute through Sam Kerr, who continued her strong form. The home side then surged ahead with quickfire goals from Naomi Girma (23') and Lauren James (27'), taking a 3-1 advantage into the latter stages of the first half.

Villa refused to lie down, however, and Kirsty Hanson struck twice in four minutes (31' and 35') to level the scores at 3-3 by half-time in an enthralling, end-to-end contest.

The second half remained tense, with both teams pushing for a decisive goal. Chelsea's persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Sjoeke Nüsken fired home what proved to be the winner, sending the Kingsmeadow crowd into raptures and securing a vital victory.

Head Coach Sonia Bompastor praised her team's resilience: "It was a rollercoaster of a match, but the character and quality shown by the players, especially in coming back multiple times, shows the spirit in this squad. Sam, Lauren, Naomi and Sjoeke all contributed brilliantly, and the fans were fantastic in supporting us through such an open game."

The win sees Chelsea strengthen their position in the upper reaches of the WSL, with key performers including Lauren James, who was involved in several goals, and goalkeeper who made important saves to keep the Blues in contention during Villa's purple patch.

Chelsea FC Women will now look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign on both domestic and European fronts.

**Match Details**  

**Chelsea Women 4-3 Aston Villa Women**  

**Scorers:**  

Chelsea: Sam Kerr (20'), Naomi Girma (23'), Lauren James (27'), Sjoeke Nüsken (82')  

Aston Villa: Chasity Grant (2'), Kirsty Hanson (31', 35')  

**Attendance:** Capacity crowd at Kingsmeadow  

Thomas Tuchel Explains Preference for Trevoh Chalobah Over Harry Maguire in England Centre-Back Hierarchy

 England head coach Thomas Tuchel has openly addressed the current pecking order among his centre-backs, stating that Chelsea defender **Trevoh Chalobah** holds an edge over Manchester United’s **Harry Maguire**, primarily due to superior mobility.

Speaking after England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley Stadium, Tuchel was candid about his defensive selections as the team builds toward the **2026 FIFA World Cup**. While acknowledging Maguire’s experience and aerial strengths, the German tactician made it clear that several younger or more dynamic options currently rank ahead in his thinking.

“I haven’t changed my mind [on Maguire], but I see other players I like to start for us,” Tuchel said. “I see other players ahead with a different profile. I see Ezri Konsa ahead. I see Marc Guehi ahead. It’s no secret. I see Trevoh Chalobah, on the level of mobility, was slightly ahead of him.”

Tuchel, who began his role as England manager in January 2025, has been reshaping the squad with a focus on tactical flexibility and modern defensive attributes. Chalobah, who earned his first senior cap under Tuchel in June 2025, is highly regarded for his pace, ball-carrying ability, and composure on the ball — qualities that align with Tuchel’s preference for defenders comfortable in build-up play and transitions.

The 26-year-old Chalobah has impressed at club level with Chelsea this season, though he is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain. Despite the setback, Tuchel’s comments suggest the former academy graduate remains firmly in his plans.

In contrast, the experienced 33-year-old Maguire was recalled to the squad and started against Uruguay — his first England appearance in 18 months. Tuchel highlighted Maguire’s value in specific scenarios, particularly in knockout football:

“He has an asset that can also be super-important in a tournament, in defending a lead and chasing a game with crosses and long throw-ins and set-pieces.”

Tuchel also noted that John Stones would typically feature higher in the hierarchy but has been affected by injuries, which opened the door for Maguire to join the recent camp for assessment of his integration within the group.

The comments come as England continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Tuchel has previously extended his contract with the Football Association through to UEFA Euro 2028, signaling a long-term vision for the Three Lions.

Mamadou Sarr and Nicolas Jackson shined in Senegal’s 2-0 win against Peru

 Jackson opened the scoring for Senegal and had a good game overall. Sofascore gave Jackson a match rating of 7.5, with the Bayern loanee testing Peru’s goalkeeper on more than one occasion.

In total, Jackson took four shots before being substituted just before the 70th minute. Three of those shots were on target, so his shooting was quite accurate, which is not always the case.

As for Sarr, he did not do too much wrong either. His Sofascore rating was 7.3 after making six defensive actions. Only three players managed to register more than the 20-year-old.

Sarr also made four interceptions, which was the most in the game. Despite Chelsea’s recent struggles and not being a regular starter, Sarr has no regrets about leaving Strasbourg for their sister club.

In the future, perhaps Sarr will win a place in Chelsea’s first XI. Jackson, on the other hand, is unlikely to be named in it ever again.

Jackson remaining at Chelsea is not impossible once his loan at Bayern is finished, but everything is pointing towards the former Villarreal man leaving the club again in the summer.

Next season, Liam Rosenior will have Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Emanuel Emegha to call upon as things stand, while Chelsea could also go out and buy another centre-forward before then.

Malo Gusto admits learning new system under Liam Rosenior has been difficult

Speaking to ESPN, the right-back said: “It is a bit hard [changing system], when you start to understand one and then right away you have to change to another one, it is maybe a little bit more [difficult] for us because we have a little less experience.”

Rosenior’s side are on a run of four straight defeats, and Gusto has explained that adapting to a new system has been tricky.

In an ideal world, Enzo Maresca would have stayed at Stamford Bridge or left in the summer. The Italian departing at the end of the campaign would have given Rosenior a full pre-season to work with his new team and get his ideas across.

With Chelsea playing every three days, it has been difficult for the 41-year-old to do that. In the end, though, Maresca felt that he had no choice but to part ways with the Club World Cup winners.

While Rosenior is receiving plenty of criticism for Chelsea’s current struggles, the Blues are blaming Maresca after his decision to effectively step down as manager in the middle of the season.

Malo Gusto’s view of Liam Rosenior

Gusto is not one of Rosenior’s critics, with the 22-year-old defending his manager. In his opinion, Rosenior is a “top coach”.

In the same interview with ESPN, Gusto said: “I think he [Rosenior] is a top coach, I saw that a lot of people criticised him.

“Not really [understanding why he is being criticised so much]. I have worked with him a lot since he joined Chelsea. I think he is a top person first of all, a top manager as well and as you say, he is young.”

Under Rosenior, supporters have probably seen the good, the bad and the ugly. The Englishman has shown signs that he could become a top coach one day, but you would have to question if he is anywhere near that sort of level right now, especially after some of Chelsea’s recent performances.

With the Blues playing Manchester City in their next Premier League game, though, he will have a chance to really prove himself.

Joe Cole wants to see Trevoh Chalobah in England’s World Cup squad

 In a TikTok on the Dressing Room Podcast‘s account, Joe Cole said ‘no’ to Harry Maguire when picking his final World Cup squad, but said ‘yes’ to Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah.

Joe Cole has long been a fan of Chalobah, claiming that it was a mistake to let him go out on loan to Crystal Palace last season.

“He’s been impressive since he walked back in the door. The central defensive position for Chelsea, I think about the players we’ve let out the door, Marc Guehi, Chalobah, Tomori, and the amount of money spent on replacements, the Badiashiles, Fofanas, the Koulibalys of this world, you wonder how that’s gonna play out over the past two years.

“You wonder how that’s going to play out, because I still think Trevoh Chalobah’s our best central defender, and he’s getting better and better. He understands the club, it was a crime to let him leave. He’s been brilliant today. He’s improving constantly.”

England’s record with Chalobah and Maguire

Harry Maguire and Trevoh Chalobah possess vastly different levels of international experience, and notably, the two defenders have never shared the pitch for the senior England team.

Harry Maguire

65 caps, 40 wins, 13 draws, 12 losses.

He remains one of England’s most statistically reliable performers, maintaining a 71% win rate over a nine-year international career that includes 19 appearances in major tournaments, including two World Cups.

Trevoh Chalobah

1 cap, 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss.

Chalobah’s senior experience is limited to a single appearance in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal in June 2025.

Wayne Rooney says Morgan Rogers is in better form than Cole Palmer

 While speaking ahead of Soccer Aid (as per Beanysports), Wayne Rooney backed Morgan Rogers for the number 10 role for England based on form.

“Some players have come in, you know, you look at Morgan Rogers for instance coming into the squad and you then you’ve got the likes of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer for instance, all fighting to try and get in the team and at the minute you you’d probably say that’s Morgan Rogers’ spot at the minute the way he’s been playing.”

It has been claimed that Chelsea will make a big push for Morgan Rogers in the summer, but it will take an extortionate fee to prise him away from Aston Villa.

After missing significant time with groin and toe injuries, Palmer has managed 10 goals and three assists in 25 appearances.

In contrast, Morgan Rogers has enjoyed a breakout at Aston Villa. Ever-present with 31 Premier League starts, Rogers has tallied 10 goals and five assists, but his impact transcends basic stats. His power and direct ball-carrying (averaging 3.33 dribbles per game) have led Wayne Rooney and others to argue he has overtaken Palmer in the England pecking order.

While Palmer offers the ice-cold composure, Rogers currently provides the raw, consistent momentum that Thomas Tuchel may find impossible to ignore for the World Cup.

Willian shares the reason he left Chelsea to sign for Arsenal

 Willian gave an interview on HBO Max, where he opened up on the real reason why he decided to leave Chelsea for London rivals Arsenal.

“I wanted a three-year contract and Chelsea were only offering a two-year deal, so I ended up not renewing my contract.

“During those negotiations, Arsenal started showing interest. Many people say I should never have left Chelsea, family members as well.

“When I got there, it was a transition period, a lot of players left the club, others came in. I played during the pandemic as well, and that didn’t help. I couldn’t connect to the fans; the stadiums were empty.”

It was clear that Willian didn’t want to leave Chelsea just by reading the message he sent to his teammates and players after announcing his departure.

“I am certainly going to miss my team-mates. I will miss all the staff at the club who’ve always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans.

“I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here and always did my best in a Chelsea shirt. My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you and God bless you.”

And the regret was felt even more after a disastrous time at Arsenal.

Watch: ENZO FERNANDEZ OPENS THE SCORING FOR ARGENTINA!

 Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez rediscovered his goalscoring form away on international duty for Argentina, as they scraped a 2-1 win over Mauritius in a friendly.

Watch: Cole Palmer vs Uruguay

 Watch Full Cameo 

Barcelona Star Fermín López Expresses Delight at Snubbing Chelsea Interest and Vows to Stay at Camp Nou “Forever” Amid Manchester United Links

Barcelona midfielder **Fermín López** has spoken openly about his decision to reject interest from Chelsea last summer, stating he is “exactly where I want to be” and making a bold claim about his long-term future at the club he has supported since childhood.

The 22-year-old La Masia graduate addressed the intense speculation surrounding a potential move to Stamford Bridge during the 2025 summer transfer window, when Chelsea submitted a formal €40 million offer for the dynamic attacking midfielder. Despite the financial temptation and the pressure that came with the rumours, López remained committed to Barcelona.

“It was a bit complicated; I felt a lot of pressure, but I never wavered,” López told Catalunya Radio’s *Tot Costa* programme. “I couldn’t say anything at the time, but the truth is I wasn’t close to leaving. I’ve been a Barça fan my whole life. Since I was little. As far as I’m concerned, I’d stay here forever.”

López’s comments come as fresh reports suggest Manchester United are preparing a substantial summer bid — potentially reaching €100 million — to lure the Spain international to Old Trafford. The Red Devils are understood to view him as a marquee signing to bolster their midfield options.

However, the young midfielder showed no signs of being tempted by the latest Premier League interest. Having recently extended his contract with Barcelona until June 2031 (with a €500 million release clause), López emphasised his deep emotional connection to the club and his desire to achieve sustained success wearing the Blaugrana colours.

“I feel at home here. Very happy,” he added. “Barça always believes in the players of La Masía. That is our great treasure. In ten years I would love to still be at the club enjoying football — that is something I dreamed of since I was a child.”

Since breaking into Hansi Flick’s first team, López has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in European football. His blend of energy, technical quality, goal threat, and tactical intelligence has made him a regular starter this season, contributing significantly in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

The comments effectively shut down immediate speculation about a departure and serve as a strong statement of loyalty from one of Barcelona’s brightest homegrown prospects. With his new long-term deal in place, López is poised to remain a central figure in Flick’s project as the club aims to challenge for major honours both domestically and in Europe.

Marc Cucurella Delivers Solid All-Round Display as Spain Cruise to 3-0 Friendly Victory Over Serbia

Spain left-back **Marc Cucurella** produced a composed and energetic performance throughout the full 90 minutes as **La Roja** comfortably defeated Serbia 3-0 in an international friendly at Estadio de la Cerámica on Friday night.

The Chelsea defender started at left-back in Luis de la Fuente’s 4-2-3-1 formation and contributed effectively in both defensive and attacking phases. Early in the match, Cucurella tested the Serbian goalkeeper with a dangerous long-range shot that sailed just over the crossbar, signalling Spain’s attacking intent from the flanks.

Cucurella helped anchor a solid backline alongside Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, and Marcos Llorente, restricting Serbia to very few clear chances. His positional discipline, overlapping runs, and ability to link play with the midfield and attack were key features of his display. He completed the match without substitution, logging high-intensity minutes as Spain controlled proceedings from start to finish.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 16th minute and added a second just before half-time to give Spain a commanding 2-0 lead at the break. Víctor Muñoz sealed the victory with a third goal in the 71st minute, completing a confident warm-up result for the reigning European champions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Cucurella’s consistent performances for both club and country have reinforced his status as a reliable and versatile option at left-back. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining defensive solidity has been particularly valuable in Spain’s fluid, possession-dominant style.

Speaking after the match, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged the collective effort but highlighted the importance of experienced players like Cucurella in maintaining balance: “Marc did very well today. He gave us width, defended strongly, and was always an option going forward. These types of performances help us build confidence and cohesion as we prepare for the summer.”

Cucurella himself expressed satisfaction with the result and the team’s progression: “It was a good team performance. We controlled the game well and created good chances. Personally, I felt sharp and enjoyed contributing to the clean sheet and the win. These friendlies are important for rhythm and understanding as we head towards the World Cup.”

The victory provides Spain with a positive boost as they continue their preparations for the 2026 tournament, blending youth and experience in the squad. Cucurella’s assured display further strengthens his claims for a starting role when competitive action resumes.

**Match Summary**  

- **Result**: Spain 3-0 Serbia  

- **Goals**: Mikel Oyarzabal (16', 43'), Víctor Muñoz (71')  

- **Venue**: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal  

- **Attendance**: 20,482